beta(2)-glycoprotein I (beta(2)-GPI) mRNA is expressed by several cell types involved in antiphospholipid syndrome-related tissue damage

We report here the expression of beta(2)-GPI mRNA by cell types involved in the pathophysiology of the anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), i.e. endothel ial cells as a target of autoantibodies in the APS, astrocytes and neurones involved in APS of the central nervous system (CNS). Lymphocytes were also included in the study, as it has been demonstrated that patients with syst emic lupus erythematosus-associated CNS diseases have serum anti-lymphocyte antibodies cross-reacting with brain antigens, and intrathecally synthesiz ed anti-neurone antibodies. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme digestion of the product obtained demonstra ted the presence of beta(2)-GPI mRNA in all cell types here tested, culture d both in presence and absence of fetal calf serum. In both culture conditi ons, the same cell types were immunoreactive to an anti-beta(2)-GPI MoAb, a s determined by indirect immunofluorescence technique. Taken together, thes e results indicate a direct cell synthesis of beta(2)-GPI, suggesting an an tigenic function of beta(2)-GPI in the APS, including the CNS disease that occurs in this syndrome.