Characterization of DNA and RNA in circulating immunocomplexes in multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and normal controls
Mogens Unger
University of Roskilde, Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Neuroimmunology, Institute of Biology and Chemistry, Roskilde, Denmark
Search for more papers by this authorAndré Wettergren
University of Roskilde, Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Neuroimmunology, Institute of Biology and Chemistry, Roskilde, Denmark
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Jørgen Clausen
University of Roskilde, Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Neuroimmunology, Institute of Biology and Chemistry, Roskilde, Denmark
Prof. Jørgen Clausen Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Neuroimmunology Institute of Biology and Chemistry University of Roskilde DK-4000 Roskilde DenmarkSearch for more papers by this authorMogens Unger
University of Roskilde, Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Neuroimmunology, Institute of Biology and Chemistry, Roskilde, Denmark
Search for more papers by this authorAndré Wettergren
University of Roskilde, Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Neuroimmunology, Institute of Biology and Chemistry, Roskilde, Denmark
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Jørgen Clausen
University of Roskilde, Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Neuroimmunology, Institute of Biology and Chemistry, Roskilde, Denmark
Prof. Jørgen Clausen Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Neuroimmunology Institute of Biology and Chemistry University of Roskilde DK-4000 Roskilde DenmarkSearch for more papers by this authorAbstract
ABSTRACT – The total levels of DNA and RNA in serum immunocomplexes from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and healthy control persons were compared. Furthermore, the levels of single-stranded DNA (ss DNA) and double-stranded DNA (ds DNA) in serum immunocomplexes from MS patients, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and controls were studied.
The mean values of DNA and RNA were found to be elevated (P < 0.01) in MS compared to the control means. Furthermore, the RNA/DNA ratio and the ratio ss DNA/ds DNA were decreased in MS. In contrast the ss:ds DNA ratio in ALS was increased. In ALS, however, the sum of ss DNA and ds DNA was lower (P < 0.05) than the control mean value.
REFERENCES
- 1 Tan Eng M. Autoimmunity to nuclear antigens. The cell nucleus vol. VII. Academic Press Inc 1979, New York .
- 2 Bradley W G, Krasin F. A new hypothesis of the etiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Arch Neurol 1982: 39: 677–680.
- 3 Mims C. Multiple sclerosis – the case against viruses. New Scientist 1983 June: 938–940.
- 4 Davidson T J, Hartmann H A. RNA content and volume of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neuropath Exp Neurol 1981: 40: No. 2: 187–192.
- 5 Cleaver J E. DNA repair and its coupling to DNA replication in eucaryotic cells. Biochim Biophys Acta 1978: 516: 489–516.
- 6 Scudiero D, Norin A, Karran P, Straus B. DNA excision-repair deficiency of human peripheral blood lymphocytes treated with chemical carcinogens. Cancer Res April 1976: 36: 1397–1403.
- 7 Doolittle W F, Kirkwood T B L, Dempster M A H. Selfish DNAs with selfrestraint. Nature 1984: 307: 501–502.
- 8 Lueders K, Leder A, Leder P, Kuff E. Association between a transposed alfa-globin pseudogene and retrovirus-like elements in the BALB/c mouse genome. Nature 1982: 295: 426–428.
- 9 Schumacher G A, Beebe G, Kilber R F, Kurland L T, Kruzke J F, MaCowell F, Nagler B, Sibley W A, Tourtelotte W W, Willmon T A. Problems of experimental trials of therapy in multiple sclerosis. Ann NY Acad Sci 1965: 122: 522–568.
- 10 Kurtzke J F. Epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In: L P Rowland, eds. Human motor neuron diseases. Raven Press, New York , 1982: 281–301.
- 11 Creighton W D, Lambert P H, Miescher P A. Detection of antibodies in soluble antigen-antibody complexes by precipitation with polyethylene glycol. J Immunol 1973: 111 No. 4: 1219–1226.
- 12 Miller D W, Miller L K. A virus mutant with an insertion of a copia-like transposable element. Nature 1982: 299: 562–564.
- 13 Bernardi G. Chromatography of nucleic acids on hydroxyapatite. Nature 1965: 206: 779–783.
- 14 Markov G G, Ivanov I G. Hydroxyapatite column chromatography in procedures for isolation of purified DNA. Anal Biochem 1974: 59: 555–563.
- 15 Beland F A, Dooley K L, Casciano D A. Rapid isolation of carcinogen-bound DNA and RNA by hydroxyapatite chromatography. J Chromatography 1979: 174: 177–186.
- 16 Britten R J, Kohne D E. Repeated sequences in DNA. Science 1968: 161: 529–539.
- 17 Kissane J M, Robins E. The fluorometric measurement of deoxyribonucleic acid in animal tissues with special reference to the central nervous system. J Biol Chem 1958: 233: 184–188.
- 18 Ceriotti G. Determination of nucleic acid in animal tissues. J Biol Chem 1955: 214: 59–70.
- 19 Glick D. Quantitative chemical techniques of histo- and cytochemistry II. Inersci Publ. John Wiley & Sons. NY, London . 1963: 227–230.
- 20 Miyata S, Nakamura S, Nagata H, Kameyama M. Increased manganese level in spinal cords of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis determined by radiochemical neutron activation analysis. J Neurol Sci 1983: 61: 283–293.
- 21 Kurlander H M, Patten B M. Metals in spinal cord tissue of patients dying of motor neuron disease. Ann Neurol 1979: 6: 21–24.
- 22 Clausen J, Wettergren A. Biochemical characterization of immunocomplexes in multiple sclerosis. 1984 (in press).
- 23 Schuller E, Fournier C, Reboul J, Cosson A, Dry J, Bach J F. Determination of DNA antibodies in normal and pathological sera by a new counterimmuno-electrophoresis method. J Immunol Methods 1976: 11: 355–365.
- 24 Koffler D, Agnello V, Thoburn R, Kunkel H G. Systemic lupus erythematosus: prototype of immune complex nephritis in man. J Exp Med 1971: 134: 169–179.
- 25 Koffler D, Carr R, Agnello V, Fiezi T, Kunkel H G. Antibodies to polynucleotides distribution in human sera. Science 1969: 166: 1648–1649.
- 26 Schuller E, Allinquant B, Delasnerie N, Reboul J. Determination of RNA antibodies in serum and unconcentrated CSF by counter immunoelectrophoresis. J Immunol Methods 1977: 14: 177–181.
- 27 Allinquant B, Giraud M, Piciotti M, Schuller E. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid antibodies to single-stranded and double-stranded nucleic acids in neurological diseases. J Neuroimmun 1982: 3: 77–89.
- 28 Koffler D, Agnello V, Vinchester R, Kunkel H G. The occurrence of single-stranded DNA in the serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and other diseases. J Clin Invest 1973: 52: 198–204.
- 29 Reichlin M. Current perspectives on serological reactions in SLE patients. Clin Exp Immunol 1981: 44: 1–10.
- 30 Stollar B D. Nucleic acid antigens. In: M Sela, ed. The antigens, Vol I. NY : Academic Press, 1973.
- 31 Unger M, Clausen J, Jensen J V. Characterization of nucleotides in autopsy brains of multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and non-MS and non-ALS. 1984, in press.
