beta sub(2)-glycoprotein I ( beta sub(2)-GPI) mRNA is expressed by several cell types involved in antiphospholipid syndrome-related tissue damage

• Published in: Clinical and experimental immunology 1999-01, Vol.115 (1), p.214-219
• Main Authors: Caronti, B, Calderaro, C, Alessandri, C, Conti, F, Tinghino, R, Palladini, G, Valesini, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0009-9104

We report here the expression of beta sub(2)-GPI mRNA by cell types involved in the pathophysiology of the anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), i.e. endothelial cells as a target of autoantibodies in the APS, astrocytes and neurones involved in APS of the central nervous system (CNS). Lymphocytes were also included in the study, as it has been demonstrated that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus-associated CNS diseases have serum anti-lymphocyte antibodies cross-reacting with brain antigens, and intrathecally synthesized anti-neurone antibodies. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme digestion of the product obtained demonstrated the presence of beta sub(2)-GPI mRNA in all cell types here tested, cultured both in presence and absence of fetal calf serum. In both culture conditions, the same cell types were immunoreactive to an anti- beta sub(2)-GPI MoAb, as determined by indirect immunofluorescence technique. Taken together, these results indicate a direct cell synthesis of beta sub(2)-GPI, suggesting an antigenic function of beta sub(2)-GPI in the APS, including the CNS disease that occurs in this syndrome.