Open AccessUse of molecular cloning methods to map the distribution of epitopes on topoisomerase I (Scl‐70) recognized by sera of scleroderma patients
Author(s) -
D'Arpa Peter,
WhiteCooper Helen,
Cleveland Don W.,
Rothfield Naomi F.,
Earnshaw William C.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780331007
Subject(s) - topoisomerase , epitope , polyclonal antibodies , autoantibody , scleroderma (fungus) , molecular cloning , microbiology and biotechnology , epitope mapping , cloning (programming) , antibody , dna , biology , immunology , medicine , peptide sequence , genetics , gene , inoculation , computer science , programming language
We report the initial molecular characterization of the autoimmune response against DNA topoisomerase I (topo I; Scl‐70). Sera from 36 patients with scleroderma and 4 healthy control subjects were studied using 6 subcloned portions of topo I. Twenty‐three sera recognized at least 2 independent epitopes on the molecule. Therefore, anti‐topo I, like other non‐organ‐specific autoantibodies characterized to date, is polyclonal and multifocal. The cloned protein should prove suitable for sensitive early detection of anti‐topo I in the clinical setting.