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Nucleosomal DNA Fragments in Autoimmune Diseases
Author(s) -
HOLDENRIEDER STEFAN,
EICHHORN PETER,
BEUERS ULRICH,
SAMTLEBEN WALTER,
SCHOENERMARCK ULF,
ZACHOVAL REINHART,
NAGEL DOROTHEA,
STIEBER PETRA
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1368.043
Subject(s) - autoantibody , immunology , pathogenesis , autoimmune disease , caspase , apoptosis , autoimmunity , antibody , connective tissue , lupus erythematosus , medicine , biology , pathology , programmed cell death , genetics
The inadequate response of immune cells to circulating apoptotic products, such as nucleosomal DNA fragments, is assumed to be a potent stimulus for the production of autoantibodies during the pathogenesis and progression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we analyzed the levels of circulating nucleosomes, caspases, and C‐reactive protein in sera of 244 individuals with various autoimmune diseases (155 with autoimmune hepatic disorders, 25 with ANCA‐associated vasculitis, and 64 with various connective tissue diseases), and 32 healthy controls. Nucleosomes and caspase activities were significantly elevated in sera of patients with hepatic autoimmune diseases, connective tissue diseases, and particularly in ANCA‐associated vasculitis when compared with healthy individuals. Nucleosomes showed a correlation with caspases, and caspases with C‐reactive protein, but nucleosomes did not correlate with C‐reactive protein. Serum levels of the apoptotic products, nucleosomes, and caspases are increased in various autoimmune diseases but may not be solely responsible for antinucleosome antibody production in SLE patients. It remains to be clarified whether qualitative changes in nucleosomes are linked with pathogenesis and disease progression in SLE.