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Antibodies to DNA: infection or genetics?

Publication ,  Journal Article
Pisetsky, DS; Vrabie, IA
Published in: Lupus
November 2009

Antibodies to DNA (anti-DNA) are the serological hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and unique markers of the immunological disturbances critical to disease pathogenesis. In the form of immune complexes, anti-DNA autoantibodies can deposit in the tissue to incite inflammation and damage; in addition, these complexes can induce cytokine production, most prominently, type 1 interferon. Studies in both patients and animal models have implicated genetic as well as environmental factors in the aetiology of the anti-DNA response. Because bacterial DNA is a potent stimulant of innate immunity by both toll-like receptor (TLR) and non-TLR signalling pathways, foreign DNA introduced during the course of bacterial or viral infection could have a dual role in antibody induction. This DNA could serve as an adjuvant to activate innate immunity as well as an immunogen to drive an antigen-specific antibody response. In this scenario, the generation of cross-reactive autoantibodies, in contrast to highly specific antibodies to bacterial DNA, most likely depends on genetically determined abnormalities in the B-cell repertoire in patients with SLE. Given the universal expression of DNA, this model suggests that many different kinds of infections could trigger pathogenic autoantibody responses in SLE, as well as induce flare.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Lupus

DOI

EISSN

1477-0962

Publication Date

November 2009

Volume

18

Issue

13

Start / End Page

1176 / 1180

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Signal Transduction
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
  • Infections
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Humans
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • DNA
  • Autoantibodies
  • Arthritis & Rheumatology
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Pisetsky, D. S., & Vrabie, I. A. (2009). Antibodies to DNA: infection or genetics? Lupus, 18(13), 1176–1180. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961203309106492
Pisetsky, D. S., and I. A. Vrabie. “Antibodies to DNA: infection or genetics?Lupus 18, no. 13 (November 2009): 1176–80. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961203309106492.
Pisetsky DS, Vrabie IA. Antibodies to DNA: infection or genetics? Lupus. 2009 Nov;18(13):1176–80.
Pisetsky, D. S., and I. A. Vrabie. “Antibodies to DNA: infection or genetics?Lupus, vol. 18, no. 13, Nov. 2009, pp. 1176–80. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/0961203309106492.
Pisetsky DS, Vrabie IA. Antibodies to DNA: infection or genetics? Lupus. 2009 Nov;18(13):1176–1180.
Journal cover image

Published In

Lupus

DOI

EISSN

1477-0962

Publication Date

November 2009

Volume

18

Issue

13

Start / End Page

1176 / 1180

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Signal Transduction
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
  • Infections
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Humans
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • DNA
  • Autoantibodies
  • Arthritis & Rheumatology