WHAT TRIGGERS ANTI-DSDNA ANTIBODIES

Analysis of somatic mutations revealed that induction of anti-dsDNA au toantibodies from SLE patients are antigen driven and thus T cell depe ndent. Since DNA per se has repeatedly been shown not to be immunogeni c, various mechanisms leading to the production of anti-dsDNA-antibodi es have been discussed including the role of oligonucleosomes. In the present study we demonstrate that the percentage of macrophage engulfi ng apoptotic cell material was significantly reduced in SLE as compare d to control patients. These data suggest that, in contrast to a non-i nflammatory clearance of apoptotic cell, phagocytosis of apoptotic cel l material may be decreased in SLE patients, possibly leading to a pre sentation of autoantigens and thus possibly triggering an autoantibody response to nucleoproteins.