DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.48120#0128
110 Molecular and Cell Biology of Autoantibodies and Autoimmunity
the immunoblot technique was employed using HeLa cell nuclear extracts as anti-
genic source. In 35% of sera from RA patients but in only 1 from 150 various
controls a band corresponding to the molecular weight of 33 kD was found and
the respective antigen termed RA 33. Further investigations revealed reactivity of
RA sera with at least two additional nuclear antigens in the molecular weight
range of 30 to 40 kD. These bands were commonly associated with RA 33. An-
tibodies to RA 33 and/or one or both of these additional antigens were observed
in 31 of 50 sera tested (62%) but were not found in 40 control sera. The described
antigens were resistant to digestion with RNase, DNase, freezethawing and
heating to 56 °C and did not appear related to known nuclear antigens.
These data reveal that RA is related to the other connective tissue diseases by
virtue of the presence of characteristic autoantibodies to nuclear proteins. Further
studies will deal with the characterisation of the antigen(s) and their potential
pathogenetic role.
Molecular Cloning and Identification of Retroviral Nucleic Acids
Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
M. Herrmann, W. Leitmann, E.F. Krapf, and J. R. Kalden
Institute for Clinical Immunology, Dept, of Int. Med. Ill, University of
Erlangen-Nurnberg, Erlangen, FRG
One characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the induction of
DNA antibodies, is probably triggered by foreign events. Recently we isolated
high molecular weight plasma nucleic acids (PNA) of SLE patients with unusual
features [1]. Molecular cloning and sequencing showed that one M 13 clone (E 6)
of PNA had homology to the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV 1) pol-gag
overlap [2] (Fig. 1).
So we performed in vitro transfection of a human B cell line from a healthy
donor (B 62) with these PNA. These experiments showed that PNA were able to
induce alterations in B 62 cells similar to retroviralinfections. Northern blots dem-
onstrated the induction of E 6 homologous mRNA in transfected cells
(B 62/SLE). To characterize the mRNAs, a cDNA library was established from
B 62/SLE cells and cloned into lambda gt 10. A single stranded E 6 DNA or an
E 6 derived synthetic oligonucleotide was used to sceen these libraries. Two clones,
Igt 10/3 and Igt 10/4, containing 8 and 9 kbp inserts, could be isolated from the
library. The inserts were subcloned into pT7 T3 18u and will be sequenced after
the immunoblot technique was employed using HeLa cell nuclear extracts as anti-
genic source. In 35% of sera from RA patients but in only 1 from 150 various
controls a band corresponding to the molecular weight of 33 kD was found and
the respective antigen termed RA 33. Further investigations revealed reactivity of
RA sera with at least two additional nuclear antigens in the molecular weight
range of 30 to 40 kD. These bands were commonly associated with RA 33. An-
tibodies to RA 33 and/or one or both of these additional antigens were observed
in 31 of 50 sera tested (62%) but were not found in 40 control sera. The described
antigens were resistant to digestion with RNase, DNase, freezethawing and
heating to 56 °C and did not appear related to known nuclear antigens.
These data reveal that RA is related to the other connective tissue diseases by
virtue of the presence of characteristic autoantibodies to nuclear proteins. Further
studies will deal with the characterisation of the antigen(s) and their potential
pathogenetic role.
Molecular Cloning and Identification of Retroviral Nucleic Acids
Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
M. Herrmann, W. Leitmann, E.F. Krapf, and J. R. Kalden
Institute for Clinical Immunology, Dept, of Int. Med. Ill, University of
Erlangen-Nurnberg, Erlangen, FRG
One characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the induction of
DNA antibodies, is probably triggered by foreign events. Recently we isolated
high molecular weight plasma nucleic acids (PNA) of SLE patients with unusual
features [1]. Molecular cloning and sequencing showed that one M 13 clone (E 6)
of PNA had homology to the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV 1) pol-gag
overlap [2] (Fig. 1).
So we performed in vitro transfection of a human B cell line from a healthy
donor (B 62) with these PNA. These experiments showed that PNA were able to
induce alterations in B 62 cells similar to retroviralinfections. Northern blots dem-
onstrated the induction of E 6 homologous mRNA in transfected cells
(B 62/SLE). To characterize the mRNAs, a cDNA library was established from
B 62/SLE cells and cloned into lambda gt 10. A single stranded E 6 DNA or an
E 6 derived synthetic oligonucleotide was used to sceen these libraries. Two clones,
Igt 10/3 and Igt 10/4, containing 8 and 9 kbp inserts, could be isolated from the
library. The inserts were subcloned into pT7 T3 18u and will be sequenced after