Autoantibodies to RNA polymerases recognize multiple subunits and demonstrate cross-reactivity with RNA polymerase complexes

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  • TMThomas A. Medsger
    Thomas A. Medsger
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Abstract
Objective To determine the subunit specificity of autoantibody directed to RNA polymerases (RNAP) I, II, and III, which is one of the major autoantibody responses in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods Thirty‐two SSc sera with anti‐RNAP antibodies (23 with anti–RNAP I/III, 5 with anti–RNAP I/III and II, and 4 with anti–RNAP II alone) were analyzed by immunoblotting using affinity‐purified RNAP and by immunoprecipitation using 35S‐labeled cell extracts in which RNAP complexes were dissociated. Antibodies bound to individual RNAP subunits were eluted from preparative immunoblots and were further analyzed by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. Results At least 15 different proteins were bound by antibodies in anti‐RNAP–positive SSc sera in various combinations. All 9 sera immunoprecipitating RNAP II and all 28 sera immunoprecipitating RNAP I/III recognized the large subunit proteins of RNAP II and III, respectively. Reactivity to RNAP I large subunits was strongly associated with bright nucleolar staining by indirect immunofluorescence. Affinity‐purified antibodies that recognized a 62‐kd subunit protein cross‐reacted with a 43‐kd subunit protein and immunoprecipitated both RNAP I and RNAP III. Antibodies that recognized a 21‐kd subunit protein obtained from sera that were positive for anti–RNAP I/III and II antibodies immunoprecipitated both RNAP II and RNAP III. Conclusion Anti‐RNAP antibodies recognize multiple subunits of RNAP I, II, and III. Moreover, the results of this study provide the first direct evidence that antibodies that recognize shared subunits of human RNAPs or epitopes present on different human RNAP subunits are responsible for the recognition of multiple RNAPs by SSc sera.

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