Expression of the Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) in the mouse can elicit the production of anti-dsDNA and anti-Sm antibodies.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of anti-nuclear antibodies. The etiology of SLE is unknown, although several viruses including the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have been implicated. An increase in the frequency of EBV infection has been observed in SLE patients relative to normal individuals. Some patients with SLE develop antibodies that recognize a proline rich epitope in the ribonucleoprotein Sm B/B that is similar to an epitope in EBNA-1, a major nuclear antigen of EBV. In the present study we have cloned the EBNA-1 gene under the control of the CMV promoter in the vector pcDNA3. We now report for the first time that expression of the entire EBNA-1 protein in the mouse can elicit the production of IgG antibodies to Sm and to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Our data suggest that the anti-Sm response arises as a consequence of antigenic cross-reactivity by anti-EBNA-1 antibodies. These results support a possible association between EBV infection and SLE.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, CUNY Medical School/Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, The City College of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA.
Krishnan
K
Sundar
Sabine
S
Jacques
Paul
P
Gottlieb
Raquel
R
Villars
Mary-Ellen
ME
Benito
Devon K
DK
Taylor
Linda A
LA
Spatz
D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D001324:Autoantigens; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D055517:snRNP Core Proteins
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D000939:Epitopes; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear; C526416:Snrpb protein, mouse; D055517:snRNP Core Proteins; C417029:EBV-encoded nuclear antigen 1