Immunochemical Properties of Anti-DNA Antibodies in the Sera of Patients with <i>Escherichia col</i><i>i</i> Bacteremia

Abstract

To assess the role of infection in anti-DNA antibody production, the DNA-binding activity of sera from patients with Escherichia coli bacteremia was analyzed. Among 8 patients with bacteremia documented by blood culture, 5 demonstrated increased levels of antibodies to single-stranded DNA from E. coli as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sera from these patients also reacted with single-stranded DNA from other bacterial and mammalian species as well as certain synthetic polynucleotides including poly-dT and poly-dC. The isotype distribution of these antibodies and their avidity as assessed by competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay resembled, moreover, responses of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. These results suggest that, during the course of infection with E. coli, some patients may produce antibodies with immunochemical properties similar to those arising in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Definitions, Contexts, Conflicts, Enigmas

“…Inspired by the Pisetsky observations, we observed a similar dichotomous response when we immunized mice with linearized polyomavirus dsDNA in complex with a carrier-protein. Normal mice produced antibodies to viral dsDNA ( 158 ), while applying the same immunization regime on young lupus-prone mice, they produced antibodies to both viral and mammalian dsDNA ( 159 , 160 ); i.e., results that were in agreement with the data published by Pisetsky et al ( 83 , 135 , 161 ).…”

The Role of CpG Sequences in the Induction of Anti-DNA Antibodies

“…These antibodies thus resemble antibodies to bacterial DNA that occur in the sera of NHS. These NHS antibodies bind selectively to DNA from certain bacteria and appear to target nonconserved sites occurring on DNA in a species-specific manner (17)(18)(19)(20). In the current experiments, with a CpG ODN as adjuvant, the antibodies from normal mice immunized with either EC or CT nDNA as immunogens bound cross-reactively with both ssDNA antigens, suggesting induction of certain types of autoantibodies.…”

“…Since sera of normal human subjects (NHS) have appreciable antibody titers to DNA from certain bacterial species, bacterial DNA may nevertheless be effective immunogens in vivo (17)(18)(19)(20). During the setting of colonization or infection, other bacterial antigens (e.g., endotoxin) may augment responses by serving as "danger" molecules and causing nonspecific immune activation.…”

A case of a flare-up of systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren’s syndrome manifesting with cholecystitis secondary to pregnancy

“…Some authors denied the existence of flare-ups during pregnancy [6,7], whereas others suggested a high rate of flare-ups in pregnancy and puerperium [3,4,8]. The contribution of systemic infection, especially bacterial infection caused by E. coli, in autoimmune diseases has been previously reported [9,10]. In addition, the characteristics at the time of flare-ups in these pregnant patients were similar to those of non-pregnant patients.…”