Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the generation of autoantibodies against a diverse array of self-antigens. The B cells producing immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to double-stranded DNA appear to play a main role in the disease progression.
Their specific elimination is a reasonable mechanism for effective therapy of SLE. The presently used approaches for silencing autoreactive disease-associated B cells are nonspecific and more precise therapies are needed.
We have previously constructed a chimeric protein molecule consisting of several DNA-mimotope peptides coupled to a rat monoclonal anti-mouse CD32 (FcγRIIb) antibody.
The mineral oil pristane induces a lupus-like syndrome in non-autoimmune mice leading to the development of glomerulonephritis and lupus-associated autoantibodies.
In the present paper, using a pristane-induced autoimmune model in SCID mice, we analyzed the ability of the chimeric antibody to suppress selectively the autoreactive B lymphocytes by cross-linking B-cell surface immunoglobulin receptors with the inhibitory IgG FcγRIIb receptors.
Treatment with DNA-like chimeric molecules inhibited B- and T-cell proliferation, restricted the number of anti-DNA antibody-producing cells and suppressed the generation of IgG anti-DNA antibodies.
In contrast, phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-injected control mice experienced an increase of disease-associated antibody levels and developed glomerulonephritis similar to pristane-treated donor Balb/c mice.
2010-09-23
Eng.
Department of Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Lupus. 2010 Oct;19(11):1261-71
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