The RNA interference pathway: a new target for autoimmunity.
Many intracellular macromolecular complexes that are involved in the production or degradation of RNAs are targeted by autoantibodies in systemic autoimmune diseases. RNA interference (RNAi) is a recently characterized gene silencing pathway by which specific mRNAs are either degraded or translationally suppressed. In a recent issue of Arthritis Research and Therapy, Andrew Jakymiw and colleagues reported that the enigmatic Su autoantigen complex contains key components of the RNAi machinery. Anti-Su autoantibodies from both human patients with rheumatic diseases and a mouse model of autoimmunity recognize the endonucleolytic Argonaute and Dicer proteins, both crucial enzymes of the RNAi pathway. These data raise the question of how the anti-Su response is triggered. So far, it is unknown whether molecular modifications may be involved, as has been proposed for other intracellular autoantigens. The implication of RNAi in anti-viral defence may suggest a role for virus infection in this process.
Pruijn
Ger J M
GJ
Department of Biochemistry, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. G.Pruijn@ncmls.ru.nl
D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011506:Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000276:immunology*
D011506:Proteins; C089635:Su autoantigen