A Novel Protein Highly Expressed in Testis Is Overexpressed in Systemic Sclerosis Fibroblasts and Targeted by Autoantibodies

Hidekata Yasuoka, Hironobu Ihn, Thomas A. Medsger, Michito Hirakata, Yutaka Kawakami, Yasuo Ikeda, Masataka Kuwana

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Nearly all autoantibody specificities in sera from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) target proteins distributed ubiquitously, and Abs against proteins whose expression is restricted to the affected sites have not been identified. In this study we describe SSc-specific autoantibody to a novel testicular Ag, termed protein highly expressed in testis (PHET), which is ectopically over-expressed in SSc dermal fibroblasts. A partial cDNA encoding PHET was isolated by immunoscreening of a HepG2 cDNA library with an SSc serum. PHET appeared to be a member of the UniGene cluster Hs.129872, but had a unique exon composition and a characteristic mRNA expression profile restricted to the testis. Serum Abs to a recombinant PHET fragment were detected in nine (8.4%) of 107 SSc patients, but in none of 50 systemic lupus erythematosus patients or 77 healthy controls. In SSc patients, the presence of anti-PHET Abs was associated with diffuse cutaneous SSc and lung involvement (p = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). PCR-based quantitative analysis of PHET mRNA expression in cultured dermal fibroblasts showed increased expression of PHET mRNA in SSc fibroblasts compared with control fibroblasts. PHET-reactive Abs purified from SSc sera stained the cytoplasm of SSc dermal fibroblasts, and the staining intensity tended to be more prominent on SSc compared with control fibroblasts. These findings suggest that the autoantibody response to PHET can be induced by ectopic overexpression of PHET in dermal fibroblasts in SSc patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6883-6890
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume171
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15-12-2003
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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