1. Figure 3 The induction of anti-DNA antibodies by bacterial DNA
Figure 3 | The induction of anti-DNA antibodies by bacterial DNA. Antibody responses to bacterial DNA differ between individuals with and without systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In individuals without SLE, antibodies specific for DNA from certain bacteria are generated. Each antibody binds only to DNA from a particular bacterial species, and none of the antibodies binds to self DNA. This binding pattern indicates specificity for the nucleotide sequence (or for backbone structures dependent on sequence). In at least some patients with SLE, anti-DNA antibodies bind to DNA from different sources, including self DNA. These antibodies bind to backbone determinants and are autoantibodies. Antibodies that bind only to mammalian or self DNA might exist, but are difficult to detect. This scheme suggests that the abnormality in SLE relates to the specificity of antibodies to DNA, rather than to a unique ability to produce antibodies that bind to DNA.
Pisetsky, D. S. (2015) Anti-DNA antibodies — quintessential biomarkers of SLE
Nat. Rev. Rheumatol. doi: /nrrheum