Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the binding of lupus-derived autoantibodies, double-stranded DNA and nucleosomes to the positively charged C-terminal SmD1(residues 83–119) peptide and the full-length SmD protein.

Methods: The binding of lupus-derived monoclonal antibodies, sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis, dsDNA and nucleosomes to the SmD1(83–119) peptide or the full-length SmD protein was determined using different ELISA methods.

Results: Monoclonal anti-dsDNA antibodies and the serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus that are positive for anti-dsDNA antibodies react with the SmD1(83–119) peptide in ELISA. However, DNaseI treatment of the blocking reagents leads to a decreased reactivity. Purified dsDNA and nucleosomes bind to the SmD1 peptide but not to the full-length SmD protein.

Conclusions: The SmD1(83–119) peptide is able to bind dsDNA and nucleosomes, and dsDNA or nucleosomes in applied reagents lead to an apparent reactivity of anti-dsDNA, anti-histone or nucleosome-specific antibodies with the SmD1(83–119) peptide in ELISA.