Detection of common determinants of HLA antigens A2 and B17 by absorption using human HLA serum

Attempts of cross absorption where sera of anti-HLA A2 + B17, anti-HLA A2 and anti-HLA B17 with thrombocytes were absorbed from donors of HLA A2 positive, B17 negative and HLA A2 negative, B17 positive, revealed that anti-HLA A2 and anti-HLA B17 could be eliminated from the sera of both HLA types on the platelets. Thus, the findings allow the existence of a common determinant of HLA A2 and B17-antigens to be assumed. This is the first case where the evidence of a cross reaction between antigens of two different HLA loci with human sera could be established.     

人感染钩体菌群与免疫血清群及交叉凝集关系研究

为了解人间自然感染各群钩端螺旋体（钩体）后产生的免疫抗体血清群、交叉凝集（交凝）、效价及相互关系,作者对病原学阳性并做过双份血清ＭＡＴ的６４份资料作了综合分析,结果表明：６４株钩体属于１２个群,其中１３株菌的感染者血清呈阴性反应,占２０．３１％;５１例呈阳性,占７９．６９％,有１４个血清群,效价１∶１００～１∶６４００;１２个菌群感染者的血清交凝反应较为普遍,效价１∶１００～１∶３２００;效价高低及交凝群数,因感染菌群而异。较为特殊的是１１个菌群感染者的血清中均不见与流感伤寒群钩体的交凝现象。本文对人间分离钩体菌群与免疫血清群构成比例互不吻合的问题作了解释,为钩体病的免疫及血清流行病学补充了新论据     

丙型肝炎病毒高变区1模拟表位的交叉反应性分析

研究丙型肝炎病毒(Hepatitis C virus,HCV)高变区1(Hypervariable region 1,HVR1)抗原表位的交叉反应性,获取高反应性的抗原表位.设计并合成5种HVR1模拟表位基因,构建编码HVR1模拟表位的表达载体,表达并纯化表位蛋白.ELISA法检测表位蛋白与35份HCV抗体阳性血清的交叉反应性.包装HCV假病毒(HCV pseudotype particles,HCVpp),评价表位蛋白免疫BALB/c鼠血清在假病毒感染Huh7.5细胞中的作用.结果表明,表达纯化的5种表位蛋白(P1、P2、P5、P6、P8)均可与HCV抗体阳性血清反应,阳性反应率分别为54.3%(P1)、62.9%(P2)、80%(P5)、68.6%(P6)、54.3%(P8).表位蛋白P6、P8免疫BALB/c鼠血清对HCV假病毒感染Huh7.5细胞具明显的抑制作用.结果提示,选取的HVR1模拟表位在HCV感染免疫与疫苗研制中可能具有潜在的价值.     

Cold agglutinin with anti-B specificity in an A1B subject]

A high titre cold autoagglutinin with anti-B specificity was found in the serum of an A1B group individual. It was associated with a low titre anti-I. This anti-B agglutinated most cells having a B antigen (normal B, A1B, A2B, from adult and cord bloods, B3), but failed to agglutinate Bx Cis-AB and Bh cells. Nevertheless, all these cells absorbed the anti-B SER at low temperatures. Fixation elution tests were also positive on the patient's cells and three consecutive absorptions on these cells completely removed the anti-B activity. The Coombs test was positive with anti-complement anti-globulin when the cells were sensitized by the serum at 4 degrees C. It was negative when the cells were sensitized at 37 degrees C. The patient did not show any sign of haemolysis. The anti-B was a IgM Kappa. Its reaction with normal B cells had an enthalpy change of - 36-000 cal./mole, i.e. very different from O ANd A individuals, but similar to that of the erythrocytic I antigen - anti-i antibody reaction. Quantitative measurements showed the erythrocyte B antigen similar to that of control A1B cells.     

乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原在骨髓细胞中的存在及其与乙型肝炎病毒血清复制指标的关联

选择16例血清HBsAg阳性患者为实验组,19例血清HBsAg阴性患者为对照组,每一患者同时采取血清和骨髓涂片,用免疫细胞化学方法(PAP)检测骨髓涂片细胞中的HBsAg。结果,实验组3例骨髓细胞HBsAg阳性者,其血清中HBsAg滴度都很高,而且HBeAg均呈阳性。而在抗HBe阳性或HBeAg/HBeAb阴性者中均无骨髓细胞HBsAg阳性者。在5例血清HBV-DNA多聚酶阳性者中,骨髓细胞中HBsAg阳性者2例;6例多聚酶阴性者中,骨髓细胞中HBsAg阳性者仅1例。 本研究结果证明,HBV可在肝外组织细胞中测出,骨髓细胞HBsAg阳性的出现有集中于HBV高水平复制感染者中的倾向,同时更常见于HBV感染的较早时期。     

水稻显性早熟材料D64B的发现、遗传分析和分子标记定位

D64B是从籼型杂交稻保持系D63B中发现的一个无色早熟突变株。用不育系、保持系、恢复系以及早稳型水稻品种与之杂交,F1的抽穗期多数与早熟亲本D64B相同或相近,部分偏向早熟亲本。这些结果表明D64B具有显性早熟特性。将D64B在海南陵水短日照和温江长日照下分期种植,观察到两地点因生长发育期间温度变化引起的抽穗期的变化的程度是一致的,并且在一定范围内随着生长发育期间温度升高,D64B抽穗缩短,可知D64B不感光,感温性中等。种植D64B与蜀恢527的正反交F2和回交一代BC1,三者的抽穗期均呈双峰分布,并且峰谷处于同一位置,以峰谷值103d为转折点进行分组,早熟与迟熟植株的分离比经x^2检验分别符合3：1和1：1,表明D64B的早熟特性主要受一对显性早熟核基因控制。用356对微卫星引物对亲本D64B和蜀恢527进行多态性分析,并用多态性引物扩增蜀恢527／D64B的F2早熟和迟熟近等基因池,找到多态引物RM279,进一步用RM279附近的微卫星引物扩增F2早熟和迟熟近等基因池、迟熟植株,筛到多态性引物RM71。用MAPMAKER／EXP3．0软件分析,将该早熟基因定位于第2染色体的短臂端,位于RM179和RM71之间,遗传距离分别为12．6cM和13．3cM,该基因拟名EF-3(t)。在育种实践中用D64B育成早熟不育系D64A。     

Levels of hepatitis B virus replicative intermediate in serum samples of chronic hepatitis B patients

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) cccDNA levels is an absolute marker of HBV replication in the liver of HBV infected patients. This study aimed to quantify the HBV cccDNA levels in sera and liver tissue samples of treatment naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B. Eighty one chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment naïve patients were enrolled from January 2009 to June 2011. Total HBV DNA and HBV cccDNA levels were quantified using sensitive real time PCR assay. The mean age of recruited patients was 34 ± 11.5 years. Fifty four (66.7 %) patients were HBeAg negative. Liver tissue samples were available from 2 HBeAg positive and 21 HBeAg negative CHB patients. The amount of total intrahepatic HBV DNA ranged from 0.09 to 1508.92 copies/cell. The median intrahepatic HBV cccDNA was 0.31 and 0.20 copies/cell in HBeAg positive and HBeAg negative cases, respectively. Serum HBV cccDNA was detectable in 85.2 % HBeAg positive and 48.1 % HBeAg negative CHB patients. Median serum HBV cccDNA was 46,000 and 26,350 copies/mL in HBeAg positive and HBeAg negative subjects, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between the levels of intrahepatic total HBV DNA and intrahepatic HBV cccDNA (r = 0.533, p = 0.009). A positive correlation was also seen between serum HBV cccDNA levels and serum HBV DNA levels (r = 0.871, p < 0.001). It was concluded that serum HBV cccDNA could be detectable in higher proportion of HBeAg positive patients compared to HBeAg negative patients. Moreover, the median level of serum HBV cccDNA was significantly higher in HBeAg positive patients in contrast to HBeAg negative subjects.     

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus in chronic hepatitis B patients

The aim of the current study was to detect HBV by Real time - PCR in chronic hepatitis B patients. Fifty-eight sera of chronic hepatitis B patients were subjected during the period March 2009 to April 2010 in Ilam cities in West of Iran. Sera assayed by real-time PCR and ELISA methods. Twenty serum samples from healthy volunteers and non-hepatitis B patients and negative for hepatitis B seromarkers served as negative controls for the study. Among fifty-eight sera, ELISA showed fifty-five (94.8%) of the samples were positive for HBsAg and three (5.2%) negative results obtained while real-time PCR specified fifty-eight (100%) positive results in chronic hepatitis B patients. HBsAg status did not necessarily reflect HBV DNA level in the serum, as 5.2% of chronic Hepatitis B patients were positive for HBV DNA but negative for HBsAg. HBV DNA was not found to be positive amongst any of the negative controls. Real time - PCR is a sensitive and reproducible assay for HBV DNA quantization.     

Assessment of the specificity of a commercial human parvovirus B19 IgM assay

Background: It is important to investigate a possible cross-reaction of anti-rubella IgM in the IDEIA^™ Parvovirus B19 IgM test because many B19 infections are either asymptomatic or have clinical symptoms similar to those of rubella virus infections. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) IgM, cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgM, measles IgM and rheumatoid factor (RF) IgM cross-reactions were also studied.Objectives: In the period from February to September 1994 (including a parvovirus B19 epidemic) more than 10 000 serum samples were examined for parvovirus B19 IgM in Denmark. This gave an opportunity to evaluate the commercial IDEIA^™ Parvovirus B19 ELISA kit (DAKO A/S, Glostrup, Denmark), which was used routinely at Statens Serum Institut from the beginning of 1994 and onwards.Study design: A total of 123 parvovirus B19 IgM positive sera were tested for reactivity in rubella IgM EIA. A total of 78 rubella IgM positive sera, 60 EBV VCA-IgM positive sera, 30 CMV IgM positive sera and 24 measles virus IgM positive sera were tested for reaction in IDEIA^™ Parvovirus B19 IgM test. Finally, 25 parvovirus IgM positive sera were tested for specific IgM against measles virus, EBV (VCA), CMV and for RF.Results: One anti-B19 IgM positive serum sample reacted positively in the rubella IgM test. Of rubella IgM positive serum samples 4% cross-reacted in IDEIA^™ Parvovirus B19 IgM test, as did 17 and 20% of EBV VCA-IgM and CMV IgM positive serum samples respectively. None of measles virus IgM positive serum samples cross-reacted in the IDEIA^™ Parvovirus B19 IgM test. Of 25 initially parvovirus B19 IgM positive sera 20% cross-reacted in EBV VCA IgM test and 8% in the CMV IgM test. None reacted positively in measles virus IgM test; 28% showed weak reactivity in RF IgM test.Conclusions: Precautions must be taken when results of IgM assays are interpreted. Epidemiological and clinical observations must be considered.     

A dot-immunobinding assay on nitrocellulose with psoralen inactivated Herpesvirus simiae (B virus)

An enzyme-immunoassay performed with Herpesvirus simiae (B virus) and H. simplex antigens inactivated with a psoralen derivative and long-wavelength ultraviolet light irradiation is described. Although B virus is a known human pathogen requiring extreme care in its handling, the use of inactivated antigens in the test allows its performance without biosafety containment. The test utilizes nitrocellulose sheets dotted with antigen for the assay of antibody against B virus in nonhuman primate sera. Antigen-antibody complexes are detected visually as red dots by the use of enzyme-conjugated antiglobulin second antibody and a substrate that produces an insoluble product. The test is more rapid, sensitive and specific than the serum neutralization test it is intended to replace. Of 150 macaque monkey sera tested, 83 were negative by the enzyme and neutralization tests, 56 were positive by both tests and 11 were positive by enzyme-assay but negative by neutralization. Positive sera reacted with both simian and human viral antigens in the enzyme assay but with greater intensity against B virus. Absorption with H. simplex removes reactivity with this virus without reducing the B virus response.     

Antigen-induced lymphomagenesis: identification of a murine B cell lymphoma with known antigen specificity

CH12, a murine B cell lymphoma derived in B10 H-2aH-4bp/Wts mice after transfer of SRBC hyperimmunized spleen cells into an adult-thymectomized, sublethally irradiated, syngeneic recipient, is demonstrated to bear surface IgM specific for a determinant found on SRBC and ChRBC. The Ig specificity has been demonstrated by rosetting assays and complement-dependent hemolysis. The removal of CH12 surface IgM by capping with anti-mu or with anti-CH12 idiotype, but not with anti-gamma or with irrelevant anti-idiotype, eliminated the formation of rosettes between CH12 and SRBC or ChRBC. The absorption of CH12 Ig produced in vitro, with either SRBC or ChRBC but not with HRBC, removed all hemolysin activity against SRBC, demonstrating that only one CH12 product was responsible for the reactivity with both SRBC and ChRBC. CH12 has a surface phenotype of a relatively mature B cell expressing surface Ig (IgM-mu,kappa) and la antigens, but lacking Thy-1 or detectable Fc or C3 receptors. CH12 also expresses the antigen Lyt-1. Growth of CH12 in vivo or in vitro results in the generation of up to 3% direct PFC and serum hemolysin, which shows that CH12 is not irretrievably "frozen". The generation of PFC and serum hemolysin is associated with increased population density, and the rate of PFC and serum hemolysin accumulation cannot be explained by simple cell division. A continuously secreting hybridoma derived from CH12 was used to purify the CH12 IgM to facilitate studies of protein sequence and idiotype.     

Acquired B antigen]

Many cases of acquired B antigens, always observed in group A subjects have been so far reported. Most of them were found in patients with digestive tract disease, essentially colonic cancer. An investigation on 200 patients in a gastroenterology department showed that this B-like antigen was quite frequent (10,6%); it occurred only in A1 individuals and was related to infectious syndrome. Immunological and serological studies of many cases had shown that this B-like antigen differs from that of normal B cells. Groupe A1 cells transfused to patients acquired B activity; on the contrary group A2 and O cells remained unchanged. Likewise, only A1 cell became active when incubated in vitro with C. Tertium A., known to contain a deacetylase. In 1970, we postulated that a deacetylase enzyme could be responsible for this B-like antigen: this enzyme could transform the N-acetylgalactosamine (A specific sugar) into galactosamine, which could cross react with anti-B sera. The relationship between the acquired B antigen and a deacetylase was recently confirmed: A1 acquired B cells, chemically acetylated lost their B reactivity and enhanced their A1 activity. A polyagglutinability, different from that associated with T, Tn, Cad, Hempas has been always found in acquired B cells; nervertheless, because of its weakness, it could sometimes be unnoticed. Besides, it disappeared prior to B reactivity in case of recovery. Like acquired B activity, it decreased in low pH medium of after acetylation of the cells. Nevertheless, this polyagglutinability appears, contrarly to acquired B antigen, in vitro, on all the cells, irrespective of their ABO phenotypes. A deacetylation of N-acetyl-neruaminic acid could explain such a phenomenon.     

Loss of transforming growth factor beta 1 receptors and its effects on the growth of EBV-transformed human B cells.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent negative regulator of normal human B cell growth mediated by exogenous signals, including IL-2 and low m.w. B cell growth factor 12 kDa (BCGF-12 kDa). In the present study, we investigated the regulatory linkage between viral or nonviral transformation of human B cells and the growth inhibitory effects of TGF-beta 1. A panel of EBV+ and EBV- B cell lines, derived either by in vitro EBV B cell transformation, or from cases of lymphoma was used to quantitate the negative growth effects of TGF-beta 1. The proliferative response of three EBV- B cell lines to rBCGF-12 kDa or serum was inhibited by low concentrations of TGF-beta 1 (0.2-0.5 ng/ml for 50% maximal effect), as measured by tritiated thymidine uptake and viable cellular recovery. In contrast, rBCGF-12 kDa or serum mediated proliferation of three EBV+ B cell lines was refractory to the growth inhibitory effects of TGF-beta 1. In an attempt to understand the mechanism(s) for this differential growth control in EBV+ and EBV- B cells, we studied the expression of TGF-beta 1, c-myc, and TGF-beta 1 receptors. No correlation was observed between the expression of TGF-beta 1 or c-myc gene and growth inhibition by TGF-beta 1 in the cell lines studied. Our results indicate that sensitivity or resistance to TGF-beta 1 correlated with the presence or absence (loss) of high affinity receptors for TGF-beta 1. EBV- B cell lines expressed levels of high affinity receptors similar to those found on activated normal B or T cells. In contrast, EBV+ B cell lines showed no detectable high affinity receptors. Chemical cross-linking studies with a bifunctional reagent, dissuccinimidyl suberate revealed a normal expression of type I (65-70 kDa), type II (85-90 kDa), and type III (280-300 kDa) TGF-beta 1 high affinity receptors on EBV- B cell lines. In contrast, EBV+ B cell lines did not express type I and type II receptors, whereas type III receptors were expressed but could not be inhibited by unlabeled TGF-beta 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Identification of antibodies directed against O-acetylated sialic acids in visceral leishmaniasis: its diagnostic and prognostic role

A significantly increased O-acetylated sialic acid (O-AcSA) binding fraction was purified from serum of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients by affinity chromatography on immobilized bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) and found to be immunoglobulin in origin. The serodiagnostic and prognostic potential of BSM as a capture antigen was established by ELISA with no cross reactivity with coendemic diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, chagas disease and cutaneous leishmaniasis; however, a strong cross reactivity was present with trypanosomiasis patients. In 56 clinically diagnosed VL patients, the BSM-ELISA was compared with diagnosis by microscopy using Giemsa stained tissue smears and direct ELISA using crude parasite antigen (parasite-ELISA); 49/56(87.5%) and 5/56(9.0%) were positive and negative respectively by all 3 methods. The BSM-ELISA failed to diagnose 2/56(3.5%) patients which were biopsy and parasite-ELISA positive. The prognostic potential of the BSM-ELISA in 18 longitudinally monitored VL patients before and after conventional antimonial treatment showed a significant decrease in anti O-AcSA titres in drug responsive patients whereas anti O-AcSA levels persisted in drug unresponsive patients. The IgG subclass distribution of antibodies directed against O-AcSA showed increased IgG2 levels in VL patients as compared to healthy controls. The BSM-based ELISA holds great promise as a serodiagnostic and prognostic assay for VL.     

血清胱抑素C 与乙型肝炎性肝硬化肝功能损害程度的相关性分析

目的:探讨血清胱抑素C(Cys C)与乙型肝炎性肝硬化患者肝功能损伤程度的相关性分析。方法:将98例乙型肝炎性肝硬化患者按照肝功能分级的Child-Pugh评分将分为A组(Child A级,n=45例)、B组(Child B级,n=33例)、C组(Child C级,n=20例),同期选取本院门诊正常健康体检者为对照组,检测所有受试者的血清Cys C水平,比较各种之间相关指标的差异。结果:A组、B组、C组、对照组丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸转移酶(AST)、血清白蛋白(ALB)、血清Cys C及血清Cys C阳性率均有统计学差异(P0.05),C组血清Cys C、血清Cys C阳性率高于对照组(P0.05)、A组、B组,而B组高于对照组、A组(P0.05);血清Cys C阳性组与阴性组中含有Child A级、Child B级、Child C级患者的构成比具有统计学意义(P0.05),Cys C阳性组中的Child C级患者比例高于阴性组(P0.05);血清Cys C与Child-Pugh评分呈正相关(P0.05);Child-Pugh评分、ALT、AST与患者血清Cys C阳性呈正相关(P0.05);而ALB则与其呈负相关(P0.05);结论:乙型肝炎性肝硬化患者血清Cys C水平与肝功能损伤程度呈一定相关性,早期检测血清Cys C水平对于评估乙型肝炎性肝硬化患者的肝功能损害具有一定的临床意义。     

A new erythrocytic antigen of C57BL/10 (B10) mice

A new antigen, detectable on murine erythrocytes by hemagglutination assay with a (BALB/cCrl X SWR/J)F1 anti-B10.D2n/Sn alloantiserum, is described. Among the inbred and congenic mouse strains tested for reactivity with the antiserum, only the immunizing strain, B10.D2, and its congenic resistant partner, C57BL/10 (B10), reacted. Three other C57 strains, C57BL/6J, C57BL/6By, and C57L, were negative for the antigen. F1 hybrids between B10 and BALB/c, an antigen-negative strain, were positive for the antigen indicating that its expression is dominant. Typing of 39 (BALB/c X (BALB/c X B10)F1) and 62 [BALB/c X B10)F1 X BALB/c) backcross mice revealed that a single gene controls expression of the antigen. The gene is autosomal and not linked to H-2, Ly-4, or the c (albino) or b coat color genes.     

Level of the A, B and H blood group glycosyltransferases in red cell membranes from patients with malignant hemopathies

Eight patients (4 suffering from acute myeloid leukemia) exhibiting a loss of ABO red cell antigens, as seen by a mixed-field reaction pattern in agglutination tests, were selected and examined for the level of the A, -B, -H blood group glycosyltransferases within membranes prepared from erythrocyte subpopulations (A or B positive and A or B negative red cells). A or B enzyme activities were largely decreased in membranes which had lost A or B antigens (A or B negative subpopulations) but were within normal level in membrane from cells which had not lost A or B antigens (A or B positive subpopulations). The H enzyme level which was frequently low in the serum was within normal limits in the membrane preparations examined. Since A or B negative subpopulations were normally glycosylated in vitro into A or B reactive structures, the results demonstrate that loss of A or B antigens is related to some alteration of the blood group gene products rather than to significant abnormalities of the membrane precursors.     

应用转化细胞分泌的乙型肝炎病毒e抗原检测人血清中的乙型肝炎病毒e抗体

应用乙型肝炎病毒核心抗原基因转化的小鼠L细胞分泌的乙型肝炎病毒e抗原,采用ELISA法与Abbott公司抗-HBe EIA诊断盒平行比较,检测了31份抗-HBe阳性和19份抗-HBe阴性的人血清,结果完全相符。经多次重复试验,本法的OD490nm值的误差不超过8％。OD490nm值与血清稀释度之间呈直线关系。细胞培养液不经纯化即可应用,一般做1:4稀释。细胞分泌的抗原无感染性,价格低廉,不会因结合人血清蛋白而产生非特异性反应。因此比一般诊断盒中所用的人血清HBeAg有很大的优越性。     

猪流行性腹泻病毒S2截短肽的原核表达及其线性B细胞表位区鉴定

【背景】由猪流行性腹泻病毒(Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus,PEDV)引起的猪流行性腹泻给养猪业造成了巨大的经济损失。PEDV S蛋白可以诱导宿主产生中和抗体。【目的】原核表达PEDV CV777疫苗株S2截短肽(aa:961-1 382)并制备其多克隆抗体;鉴定表达的S2截短肽上的线性B细胞表位区。【方法】将经密码子优化的PEDV S2截短肽编码DNA (s2t)克隆至载体p ET-28a中并转化Escherichia coli BL21(DE3),利用IPTG诱导S2截短肽表达。以经SDS-PAGE切胶纯化的重组S2截短肽免疫新西兰大白兔制备多克隆抗体。在E. coli BL21中GST融合表达覆盖S2截短肽序列全长、彼此重叠8个氨基酸残基的系列16肽。以制备的抗S2截短肽兔血清为一抗,通过Westernblot(WB)筛选系列16肽中的阳性反应性16肽,鉴定S2截短肽上的线性B细胞表位区。【结果】重组PEDV S2截短肽的相对分子质量约为50 kD;诱导4 h表达量最高,且主要形成包涵体。WB结果显示,纯化的S2截短肽能被猪抗PEDV血清识别;以纯化的S2截短肽免疫新西兰大白兔制备多抗血清,ELISA法检测抗体效价位于1:25 600-1:102 400之间。免疫组化和间接免疫荧光分析均表明,制备的多抗血清可以识别Vero细胞培养的PEDV DR13弱毒株。以制备的多抗血清通过WB从52个GST融合表达的16肽中鉴定到11个阳性反应性16肽。WB分析显示,得到的阳性反应性16肽都可以被猪抗PEDV血清识别。鉴定到的阳性16肽在S2截短肽上形成4个线性B细胞表位区(aa:969-984;1 065-1 096;1 225-1 280;1 361-1 382)。【结论】高效价抗PEDV S2截短肽多克隆抗体的制备和S2截短肽上线性B细胞抗原表位区的确定有助于了解S蛋白的结构与功能,为建立有效的PEDV检测方法奠定了基础。     

A lupus-suppressor BALB/c locus restricts IgG2 autoantibodies without altering intrinsic B cell-tolerance mechanisms

FcgammaR2B-deficient mice develop autoantibodies and glomerulonephritis with a pathology closely resembling human lupus when on the C57BL/6 (B6) background. The same mutation on the BALB/c background does not lead to spontaneous disease, suggesting differences in lupus susceptibility between the BALB/c and B6 strains. An F2 genetic analysis from a B6/BALB cross identified regions from the B6 chromosomes 12 and 17 with positive linkage for IgG autoantibodies. We have generated a congenic strain that contains the suppressor allele from the BALB/c chromosome 12 centromeric region (sbb2(a)) in an otherwise B6.FcgammaR2B(-/-) background. None of the B6.FcgammaR2B(-/-)sbb2(a/a) mice tested have developed IgG autoantibodies in the serum or autoimmune pathology. Mixed bone marrow reconstitution experiments indicate that sbb2(a) is expressed in non-B bone marrow-derived cells and acts in trans. sbb2(a) does not alter L chain editing frequencies of DNA Abs in the 3H9H/56R H chain transgenic mice, but the level of IgG2a anti-DNA Abs in the serum is reduced. Thus, sbb2(a) provides an example of a non-MHC lupus-suppressor locus that protects from disease by restricting the production of pathogenic IgG isotypes even in backgrounds with inefficient Ab editing checkpoints.