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Autoimmunity to DNA
Author(s) -
Fournié Gilbert J.,
Lambert Paul H.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1975.tb00898.x
Subject(s) - immune system , dna , antibody , biology , autoimmunity , immunology , antigen , genetics
S ummary . The development of an immune response to DNA appears to be under a genetic control similar to that regulating the immune response to complex antigens. The predisposition of high responders is particularly marked at the B cell level, while a major role of suppressor T cells is not evident in this response. Various triggering factors may induce the formation of anti‐DNA antibodies: viral, bacterial or parasitic infections; tissue destruction or some drugs. A mechanism which may play an important role is the‘non‐specific’triggering of anti‐DNA antibodies by agents or substances which, like bacterial lipopolysaccharides, exert a potent mito‐genic effect on B cells and simultaneously induce a release of DNA in extracellular fluids. Pathogenic effects of anti‐DNA antibodies are mainly due to the formation of DNA‐anti‐DNA complexes and to their subsequent localization in tissues.