Comparison and analysis of different methods for purification of autoimmune antibody reactive with single stranded DNA: a pilot study

Abstract

The hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the production of an array of IgG and IgM auto-antibodies directed against one or more nuclear components, most commonly double stranded (ds) DNA and/or single stranded (ss) DNA. Both antissDNA and anti-dsDNA antibodies are considered to be involved in disease development based on the fact that both have been eluted from the kidneys of experimental murine models and SLE patients.1 The level of anti-DNA antibodies, both ss and ds, varies in the plasma of different SLE patients, with increased levels coinciding with flares.2–4 Consequently, the level of anti-DNA antibodies in patients’ sera is used to monitor disease activity and progression.3–5 It is still not quite clear which fractions between these two categories of anti-DNA autoantibodies are pathogenic and why.