Petrakova N, Gudmundsdotter L, Yermalovich M, Belikov S, Eriksson L, Pyakurel P, Johansson O, Biberfeld P, Andersson S, Isaguliants M. Autoimmunogenicity of the helix-loop-helix DNA-binding domain.
Mol Immunol 2009;
46:1467-80. [PMID:
19181386 DOI:
10.1016/j.molimm.2008.12.013]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2008] [Revised: 12/16/2008] [Accepted: 12/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Nonimmunogenic character of native DNA, and its high immunogenicity when presented in complex with the DNA-binding proteins indicate that the latter might contain molecular triggers of anti-DNA response. To find if this is the case, we have evaluated the autoimmunogenic potential of the main DNA-binding domain of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase that belongs to the canonical helix-loop-helix type. BALB/c mice were immunized with a peptide representing the domain, alone or in complex with the fragmented human DNA in the presence of an adjuvant. Mice were assessed for specific antibodies, autoantibodies against a panel of self-antigens; glomerular immunoglobulin deposition; and for the signs of autoimmune disease, such as proteinuria, and changes in the blood components. Immunization with the adjuvanted peptide-DNA complex induced autoantibodies against double-stranded DNA, histones, heterochromatin, and kidney proteins; glomerular IgG and IgA deposition; proteinuria; thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Altogether, this identifies the helix-loop-helix DNA-binding domain as one of the molecular triggers of autoimmunity to DNA and DNA-associated proteins. The experiments cast new light on the role of the DNA-binding retroviral proteins in the induction of autoimmunity, and on the origins of autoimmune complications in the microbial infections in general. It also implies that choosing the DNA-binding proteins as vaccine candidates should be done with precaution.
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