Catalytic antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Objective: Antibodies with catalytic (hydrolytic) properties to DNA or RNA have been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, it is well known that ethnicity plays an important role in the presentation of SLE and severity of the disease; hence, these data may not truly represent a general feature of all SLE patients. Therefore, we have analyzed the hydrolyzing activity of immunoglobulin G (IgG) of SLE patients from the Indian population with an aim to decode whether the catalytic antibody response represents part of an active disease process. Methods: IgGs were isolated from the sera of 72 consecutive patients diagnosed with SLE. As a control, IgGs from healthy donors were used. The catalytic activity of IgG was measured by PFR-MCA and affinity-linked oligonucleotide nuclease assay. Results: IgGs from patients with SLE from the Indian subcontinent displayed significantly higher hydrolysis rates of both the surrogate substrate, PFR-MCA, and the DNA than IgG from healthy individuals. Intergroup comparisons of the IgG-PFR-MCA interactions with clinical manifestations of the disease demonstrated a significantly increased level of hydrolysis among the patients with renal involvement who tested positive for anti-dsDNA antibodies. The PFR-MCA hydrolysis also appears to be associated with the active disease (p=0.0988, vs. inactive group). Conclusion: The prevalence of catalytic antibodies represents a general feature of SLE patients, irrespective of their origin.

Catalytic Antibodies: Design, Expression, and Their Applications in Medicine

“…Septicemia is the most common cause of death in intensive care units, and it is caused by the toxic host’s systemic response to infection [ 36 , 168 ]. With the widespread use of antibiotics, the incidence of septicemia caused by opportunistic pathogens has gradually increased in recent years, with the increase in drug-resistant strains, showing a trend of multidrug resistance [ 169 , 170 ].…”

“…Catalytic antibodies have been proposed to be involved in the removal of metabolic waste and the prevention of infection. It has been shown that high levels of catalytic antibodies are associated with a good prognosis of septicemia [ 36 , 168 ]. IgG with serine protease-like hydrolysis activity is present in the plasma of the patients.…”

“…Evidence that IgG-hydrolyzing antibodies may play a role in sepsis recovery [ 168 ]. Scientists predict that catalytic antibodies can reduce infection and inflammation in septicemia patients but that a lack of catalytic antibody response may accelerate the occurrence of the disease [ 36 , 168 ]. It is a better potential way to treat septicemia.…”

“…Antibodies against foreign antigens and autoantigens are usually produced in patients with autoimmune diseases [ 36 , 37 ]. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic and potentially fatal autoimmune disease characterize[ed by deterioration and remission.…”

“…Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic and potentially fatal autoimmune disease characterize[ed by deterioration and remission. The common symptom of SLE is conjunctival tissue disorder [ 36 ]. SLE patients often have large amounts of DNA and anti-DNA antibodies in their blood [ 171 , 172 ].…”