Mimotopes for lupus-derived anti-DNA and nucleosome-specific autoantibodies selected from random peptide phage display libraries: Facts and follies

Jürgen W. Dieker, Yong Jiang Sun, Cor W. Jacobs, Chaim Putterman, Marc Monestier, Sylviane Muller, Johan Van Der Vlag, Jo H. Berden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Autoantibodies against chromatin are the most characteristic serological feature in SLE patients. Anti-dsDNA and nucleosome-specific antibodies are associated with glomerulonephritis, the most serious manifestation of SLE. Identification of peptides mimicking conformational epitopes (so-called mimotopes) on the nucleosome recognized by these antibodies is of considerable interest. Using an approach similar to that used previously to characterize mimotopes for anti-DNA autoantibodies, we have selected and identified a mimotope for a nucleosome-specific autoantibody (#32) by screening a random peptide phage display library. However, the reactivity of monoclonal antibody (mAb) #32 with the selected mimotope (MIMO#0) in ELISA was dependent on the blocking reagents used. Using nonfat dry milk (5%), mAb #32 clearly bound to MIMO#0, but using fetal bovine calf serum (FCS) (5%), there was no binding. Furthermore, again dependent on the blocking reagent used in ELISA, the selected mimotope MIMO#0 was not only recognized by the selecting antibody mAb #32, but also by a large number of other monoclonal anti-DNA, anti-histone and nucleosome-specific autoantibodies (NSA). We could demonstrate that the selected mimotope was able to bind directly to nucleosomal material (DNA/histone complexes) and labeled DNA. This finding was extended to other previously identified mimotopes for anti-DNA autoantibodies. We conclude that nucleosomal material (DNA/histone complexes), derived from reagents used during the mimotope selection procedure, resulted in the selection of DNA-binding peptides from the phage display library, rather than mimotopes. In addition, we could demonstrate that blocking reagents greatly influence the reactivity of anti-DNA, anti-histone and nucleosome-specific autoantibodies in ELISA. Development of blocking reagents devoid of nucleosomal material (DNA/histone complexes) is urgently needed for assay systems in which anti-nuclear autoantibodies are tested.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)83-93
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Immunological Methods
Volume296
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2005

Keywords

  • Autoantibodies
  • Mimotopes
  • Random peptide phage display
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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