Abstract
Objective. To determine whether immune responses to an apoptotically modified form of a human lupus autoantigen can be distinguished from immune responses to the intact form of the same antigen. Methods. Immunoblot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques were used to test human autoimmune sera for the presence of antibodies to apoptotic forms of the U1-70-kd small nuclear RNP antigen, while antibody recognition of intact U1-70 kd was blocked. Results. Apoptosis-specific U1-70-kd antibodies were identified by immunoblot in 15 of 29 sera with antibodies to intact U1-70 kd and in 2 of 25 sera without measurable antibodies to intact U1-70 kd. Bacterially produced, purified, caspase-cleaved U1-70 kd without additional posttranslational modifications was a target of apoptosis-specific antibodies in 3 of 9 U1-70-kd-positive sera tested. Conclusion. The apoptotic form of U1-70 kd displays B cell epitopes that are not displayed on the intact form of U1-70 kd. Caspase cleavage in the absence of additional posttranslational modifications is sufficient to induce the display of some of these epitopes. Immunity to apoptotically modified proteins can develop against caspase-cleaved forms or against forms that undergo additional posttranslational modification.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1264-1269 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Arthritis and Rheumatism |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2002 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology (medical)