RNA recognition motif (RRM) of La/SSB: the bridge for interparticle spreading of autoimmune response to U1-RNP.

ABSTRACT: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the production of grouped sets of autoantibodies targeting mainly the U1 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) and/or Ro/La RNP particles. Intraparticle diversification of the autoimmune response is believed to occur via epitope spreading. So far, it is not known how the autoimmune response "jumps" from one particle to another. To the extent that the majority of nuclear autoantigens in SLE are RNA binding proteins and major epitopes were previously mapped within their RRM (RNA recognition motifs), conserved sequences within RRM could be involved in the intermolecular and inter-particle diversification process of the autoimmune response. We investigated the potential of RRM of the La/SSB autoantigen to induce antibodies that cross-recognize component

SUBMITTER: Routsias JG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2762815 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature