Protein-bound 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal: an endogenous triggering antigen of antI-DNA response

Several lines of evidence indicate that the nonenzymatic oxidative modification of proteins and the subsequent accumulation of the modified proteins have been found in cells during aging and oxidative stress and in various pathological states, including premature diseases, muscular dystrophy, rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerosis. Our previous work suggested the existence of molecular mimicry between antibodies raised against hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE)-modified protein and anti-DNA autoantibodies, a serologic hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In the present study, we investigated the possible involvement of HNE-modified proteins as the endogenous source of the anti-DNA antibodies. Accumulation of the antigen recognized by the antibody against the HNE-modified protein was observed in the nucleus of almost all of the epidermal cells from patients with autoimmune diseases, including SLE. The SLE patients also showed significantly higher serum levels of the anti-HNE titer than healthy individuals. To determine if a specific anti-DNA response could be initiated by the HNE-derived epitopes, we immunized BALB/c mice with the HNE-modified protein and observed a progressive increase in the anti-DNA response. Moreover, we generated the monoclonal antibodies, showing recognition specificity toward DNA, and found that they can bind to two structurally distinct antigens (i.e. the native DNA and protein-bound 4-oxo-2-nonenal). The findings in this study provide evidence to suspect an etiologic role for lipid peroxidation in autoimmune diseases.