Recognition of Human Anti-DNA Autoantibodies by Secretory Antigen 85 Complex of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis H37Rv

Secreted mycobacterial protein antigens were isolated from the culture filtrate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇R_v strain grown in Sauton's medium. These secretory proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate (MTCF) were separated by SDS-PAGE. High titre anti-DNA autoantibodies from the sera of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients showed remarkable binding and specificity towards MTCF proteins in dot blot and solid phase immunoassays. The major immunodominant secretory protein in MTCF, fractionated by Sephadex G-200 chromatography was the antigen 85 complex comprising of 30 and 31 kDa molecular weight components. Binding of SLE anti-DNA autoantibodies to the antigen 85 complex was further confirmed by Western blotting. The results suggest the possible involvement of secretory mycobacterial protein antigens in anti-DNA antibody induction in SLE.