INCREASED LEVELS OF 4-HYDROXYNONENAL MODIFIED PROTEINS IN PLASMA OF CHILDREN WITH AUTOIMMUNE-DISEASES

Analysis of serum samples of healthy children (n = 11) and children wi th Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), (n = 21) was performed by SDS-P AGE and immunoblot with an antibody directed against proteins modified by lipid peroxidation (LPO) product 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). A single major stained protein band was detected. By comparison of the molecula r weights in nonreducing and reducing SDS-PAGE was found that the main protein modified by HNE is immunoglobulin G. Significantly higher con centrations of the aldehyde modified protein were found in children wi th high disease activity of SLE measured by SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). Lipid peroxidation measured by malondialdehyde and 4-hydrox ynonenal concentrations show an enhanced level of both compounds also in patients with the active autoimmune disease, Therefore, it can be a ssumed that free radical mediated processes play a pathophysiological role in the active phase of SLE and HNE-modified serum proteins are a further parameter for the detection of in vivo LPO. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.