Antibodies to viral and synthetic double-stranded RNA in discoid lupus erythematosus

RNA surfaces as functional mimetics of proteins

Accumulating evidence suggests that RNA molecules can form surfaces that mimic those of proteins. Reactivity of autoantibodies with RNA surfaces may be due to cross-reactivity between a protein epitope and the RNA. The structural mimicry detected by an autoantibody may reflect functional mimicry.

Nelson-Town anti virus theory

For any virus that causes a biological change in the body, there is a substance that will prevent this virus from causing this biological change. We will call this substance an anti virus substance. Reasons for proposing this theory along with reasons for the prediction of 3 properties of an anti virus will be presented. Also to be presented is an anti virus circular diagram, a mechanism where when vitamin C is present the body can more easily manufacture the anti virus, other mechanisms, and the comparison of properties of humoral antibodies and interferon with suspected properties of anti viruses.

Anti-DNA antibodies in discoid lupus erythematosus. Follow-up study

Anti-DNA antibodies have been detected previously in patients with chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) despite the absence of overt systemic manifestations. 27 patients with DLE were followed up 3 years after the detection of anti-DNA antibodies in 7. None had developed other features of systemic lupus erythematosus. We conclude that the occasional finding of anti-DNA antibodies in patients with DLE does not predict those likely to develop systemic disease.

Pathways of complement activation in chronic discoid lupus: serologic and immunofluorescence studies

To assess the relative roles of the classic and alternative pathways of complement activation in chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (CDLE), serum levels of properdin, C3, and C4, and deposition of these proteins in the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) of 20 CDLE patients were compared to the findings in patients with clinically active and inactive SLE. Properdin was demonstrated in the DEJ of 10 of 14 (71%) histologically typical skin lesions from patients with CDLE, usually in association with deposits of immunoglobulin, C3, and C4. Properdin levels in CDLE patients were significantly increased (137 +/- 34%) (P less than 0.05) when compared to normal controls (101 +/- 18%) or to patients with clinically active SLE (89 +/- 32%). C3, C4, DNA-binding, and antinuclear antibody tests in CDLE were indistinguishable from those in normals, but significantly different from patients with active SLE (P less than 0.05). The complement profiles of patients with clinically inactive SLE resembled those of CDLE patients more closely than those of active SLE patients.

Anti-nucleic acid antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus patients and their families. Incidence and correlation with lymphocytotoxic antibodies

Anti-RNA antibodies were found in 82% of 28 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) probands and in 16% of 124 of their family members. The incidence in 76 control family members was only 5%. In the SLE family members, the antibodies were found exclusively in 21% of the 94 close household contacts of the probands. The incidence of anti-native DNA (nDNA) antibodies was 68% for the SLE probands. The incidence of anti-nDNA antibodies in close household contacts of the probands was 6%, which was not significantly different from the 1% incidence found in control families. Lymphocytotoxic antibodies occurred in 57% of the SLE family members as a whole and in 68% of the close household contacts. In the SLE probands, lymphocytotoxic antibodies correlated with anti-single-stranded RNA (poly A) and anti-nDNA but not with anti-double-stranded RNA (poly A-poly U). On the other hand, lymphocytotoxic antibodies in the household contacts correlated with anti-double-stranded RNA (poly A-poly U) but not with anti-poly A or anti-nDNA. The anti-RNA antibodies were present in consanguineous household contacts but not in nonconsanguineous household contacts. These findings strengthen the hypothesis that both an environmental agent, possibly a virus, as well as the genetic response are important in the pathogenesis of SLE. Family members may therefore be a logical population in whom to search for specific antibodies to a viral agent.