Constitutive secretion of transgene-encoded IgG2b autoantibodies leads to symptoms of autoimmune disease

M. Z. Radic*, S. M. Ibrahim, J. Rauch, S. A. Camper, M. Weigert

*Corresponding author for this work
23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Anti-DNA Ab are strictly regulated, except in autoimmunity, where they are expressed and may contribute to pathogenicity. To study constitutive anti- DNA Ab secretion in nonautoimmune mice, two anti-dsDNA H/L chain transgene combinations were constructed using an IgG2b C region with secretory but no transmembrane domain exons. One H/L combination, consisting of the V(H)3H9 H and V(K)4 L chain transgenes, was chosen to recreate 3H9, an autoantibody that originally arose in an autoimmune MRL/lpr mouse; the other paired a higher affinity variant of V(H)3H9, 56R, with the same V(K)4 L chain. Elevated titers of IgG2b along with normal levels of other isotypes were observed in transgene-positive mice, indicating that constitutive transgene- directed Ab secretion was achieved. Sera and hybridoma supernatants from V(H)3H9γ transgene-positive animals exhibited binding to dsDNA, ssDNA, and cardiolipin. Mice expressing the 56Rγ H chain and the V(K)4 L chain showed enhanced binding. Expression of the transgenes correlated with signs of autoimmune disease, including prolonged plasma clotting in vitro, and reduced litter size. The results suggest that even a single autoreactive H chain that escapes tolerance may suffice to induce features of autoimmune disease.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume155
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)3213-3222
Number of pages10
ISSN0022-1767
Publication statusPublished - 1995

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Infection and Inflammation Research (ZIEL)

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