Immunization with desmoglein 3 induces non-pathogenic autoantibodies in mice

Katharina Boch*, Sören Dräger, Detlef Zillikens, Christoph Hudemann, Christoph M. Hammers, Sabrina Patzelt, Enno Schmidt, Ewan A. Langan, Rüdiger Eming, Ralf J. Ludwig, Katja Bieber

*Korrespondierende/r Autor/-in für diese Arbeit

Abstract

Background Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare autoimmune blistering disease characterized by the development of autoantibodies targeting desmoglein (Dsg) 3, but also against Dsg1 in mucocutaneous disease. Given that existing PV animal models only recapitulate aspects of the disease, we aimed to establish a more comprehensive disease model based on the immunization of mice with PV autoantigen(s). Methods The following immunization strategies were tested: (i) C57Bl/6J, B6.SJL-H2s C3c/1CyJ, DBA2/J, or SJL/J mice were immunized with recombinant murine Dsg3 (mDsg3), (ii) DBA2/ J and SJL/J mice were immunized with mDsg3 and additionally injected a single non-blister inducing dose of exfoliative toxin A (ETA), and (iii) DBA2/J and SJL/J mice were immunized with human Dsg (hDsg) 1 and 3. Results Despite the induction of autoantibodies in each immunization protocol, the mice did not develop a clinical phenotype. Tissue-bound autoantibodies were not detected in the skin or mucosa. Circulating autoantibodies did not bind to the native antigen in indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using monkey esophagus as a substrate. Conclusion Immunization with PV autoantigens induced non-pathogenic Dsg1/3 antibodies, but did not cause skin/mucous membrane disease in mice. These findings, confirmed by failure of binding of the induced autoantibodies to their target in the skin, suggest that the autoantibodies which were formed were unable to bind to the conformational epitope present in vivo.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummere0259586
ZeitschriftPLoS ONE
Jahrgang16
Ausgabenummer11 November
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 11.2021

Strategische Forschungsbereiche und Zentren

  • Forschungsschwerpunkt: Infektion und Entzündung - Zentrum für Infektions- und Entzündungsforschung Lübeck (ZIEL)

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