Naturally occurring SLE anti-DNA antibodies recognize unique conformation on DNA-lysine photoadduct

Immunogenicity of mitochondrial DNA modified by hydroxyl radical

Mitochondria consume about 90 percent of oxygen used by the body, and are a particularly rich source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this research communication mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was isolated from fresh goat liver and modified in vitro by hydroxyl radical generated from UV irradiation (254 nm) of hydrogen peroxide. As a consequence of hydroxyl radical modification, mtDNA showed hyperchromicity and sensitivity to nuclease S1 digestion as compared to control mtDNA. Animals immunized with mtDNA and ROS-modified mtDNA induced antibodies as detected by direct binding and competition ELISA. The data suggest that immunogenicity of mtDNA got augmented after treatment with hydroxyl radical. IgG isolated from immune sera showed specificity for respective immunogen and cross-reaction with other nucleic acids. Binding of induced antibodies with array of antigens clearly indicates their polyspecific nature. Moreover, the polyspecificity exhibited by induced antibodies is unique in view of similar multiple antigen binding properties of naturally occurring anti-DNA antibodies derived from SLE patients.

Polydeoxyribonucleotide C photoconjugated with lysine or arginine present unique epitopes for human anti-DNA autoantibodies

Studies have been carried out to synthesize and characterize the photoconjugates between positively charged amino acids (lysine and arginine) and the polydeoxyribonucleotide C [poly(dC)]. Poly(dC) was covalently crosslinked with lysine or arginine under ultraviolet light. Both lysine and arginine were found covalently photoconjugated to poly(dC), resulting in the formation of photoadduct. Photoaddition of lysine or arginine to poly(dC) rendered them thermodynamically more stable than their native form. A strong recognition of photoadducts was observed with anti-DNA autoantobodies found in the sera of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Poly(dC)-lysine was recognized more strongly than poly(dC)-argine photoadduct. Poly(dC)-lysine photoadduct appears to provide an immunodominant epitope for SLE autoantibody recognition. The result suggests for the possible involvement of these photoadducts as a potential trigger for anti-DNA autoantibody production.

Binding of SLE autoantibodies to native poly(I), ROS-poly(I) and native DNA: a comparative study

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in a variety of human diseases. The formation of pathogenic anti-DNA antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been extensively investigated. ROS-modified DNA has been found to be a better antigen for anti-DNA antibodies found in SLE sera. A comparative binding of SLE autoantibodies with native poly(I), ROS-poly(I) and nDNA has been studied. Affinity-purified SLE IgG exhibited a high degree of specificity towards the ROS-modified poly(I) in comparison to native DNA and native poly(I), reiterated visually by gel retardation assay. The data suggested that hydroxyl radical-modified nucleic acids like RNA and DNA might be agent for the induction of circulating SLE anti-DNA autoantibodies.

SLE autoantibodies binding to native calf thymus DNA brominated in high salt

Native calf thymus DNA was brominated in high salt to achieve B-->Z conformational transition. Ultraviolet and circular dichroism spectroscopic studies point towards the conformational modification of the native DNA. Specific binding of the monoclonal anti-Z-DNA antibody (Z-22) to the DNA brominated in high salt further confirmed the B-->Z conformational isomerization of native DNA. The role of Z-DNA in the etiopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus has been investigated in the light of the binding of naturally occurring human anti-DNA autoantibodies to the induced Z-DNA.

Native DNA fragments photocrosslinked to psoralen binds to anti-B and anti-Z DNA antibodies

Calf thymus DNA fragments of varying size (100-600 bp) were covalently linked to psoralen in the presence of 365 nm UV light. The crosslinked species were separated from the monoadducts by hydroxyapatite column chromatography. The DNA-psoralen crosslink showed binding with naturally occurring anti-DNA autoantibodies. This was substantiated by the recognition of affinity purified IgG by DNA-psoralen crosslinks of varying DNA size. The photo-crosslinks exhibited considerable recognition of both monoclonal and polyclonal anti-Z-DNA antibodies in inhibition ELISA and band shift assay.

Polyamine induced Z-conformation of native calf thymus DNA

Conformational isomerization of native calf thymus DNA under the influence of spermine, spermidine and putrescine was monitored by UV absorption and immunospecific anti-Z-DNA antibodies. Immunological data indicated increased binding of anti-Z-DNA antibodies to polyamine-perturbed conformations of native DNA and double stranded poly(dG-dC). In the absence of polyamines, anti-Z-DNA antibodies did not bind to either polymers. Analysis of UV absorption studies indicates a left handed conformation of nDNA in the presence of polyamines. Moreover, we observed total aggregation of DNA in the presence of spermine on prolongued incubation. These perturbations in conformation were dependent on polyamine concentration. The results clearly suggest that certain regions of nDNA are sensitive to elevated levels of polyamines and are capable of undergoing B-->Z transition.

Cross-reactions of human lupus autoantibodies with 8-methoxypsoralen photomodified DNA fragments

DNA fragments of around 200 base pair (average size) have been covalently crosslinked with 8-methoxypsoralen under 365 nm UV light. The photoadduct, induced antibodies in rabbits with a titer of > 1:12,800 by direct binding ELISA. Binding data showed that the induced antibodies are conformation-specific recognizing restricted conformational change at site of crosslinking. Human autoantibodies against DNA, bound not only to native DNA but to the photomodified DNA fragment as well. In addition, binding patterns of SLE sera obtained from different patients were remarkably similar, indicating the recognition of altered conformation of the modified polymer by naturally occurring SLE anti-DNA autoantibodies.

The effect of hydroxyl radical on the antigenicity of native DNA

Hydroxyl free-radical mediated in vitro modification of native calf thymus DNA showed single-strand breaks, decrease in melting temperature and structural alteration of purine and pyrimidine bases. Experimentally induced antibodies against modified DNA exhibited polyspecificity. Native DNA, RNA and synthetic polynucleotides in B-conformation were found to be an effective inhibitor of induced antibody-immunogen interaction. Naturally occurring human anti-DNA autoantibodies showed enhanced recognition of modified DNA as compared to native polymer. IgG isolated from anti-DNA antibody-positive SLE sera by Protein A-Sepharose 4B chromatography were affinity purified on nDNA-(polylysyl-Sepharose 4B) matrix. In competitive binding experiments, the affinity-isolated IgG showed almost equal recognition of both native DNA and hydroxyl radical modified DNA. The possible role of hydroxyl radicals in the etiopathogenesis of SLE has been discussed.