Chemokines in synovial inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis: basic and clinical aspects

Abstract

The mechanism by which anti-DNA antibodies cause glomerulonephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been fully elucidated. However, not a few recent studies suggest the pivotal role of nucleosomal histones in the binding of immune complexes to the glomerular basement membrane. Some antibodies cross-react with both double-stranded (ds) DNA and nucleosome, but antibodies exclusively specific to the nucleosome have also been described. In lupus model mice, anti-nucleosome antibodies are reported to emerge even before the production of anti-dsDNA antibodies. BK virus T antigen, bacterial DNA, a DNA binding protein nucleobindin and autoreactive helper T cells specific to nucleosome or anti-DNA antibody-derived peptides have been shown to induce or enhance anti-DNA antibody production in normal or lupus-prone animals. These new experimental models are expected to be helpful in the exploration of the true antigen that elicits autoimmune reactions in SLE.