Nucleosome-specific antibodies

Cancer-specific monoclonal anti-nucleosome 2C5 antibody (mAb 2C5) (Harlan Bioproducts for Science). 

The first indication that modification of specific tail residues were linked to chromatin functional states, came from immunostaining of Drosophila polytene chromosomes with antibodies specific for H4 acetylated at defined lysines [13]. As shown in Fig. 2A, H4 acetylated at lysine 16 (H4acK16) was found almost exclusively on the transcriptional hyperactive male X chromosome (Fig. 2). (Genes on the Drosophila male X are transcribed twice as fast as their female counterparts so as to equalize levels of X-linked gene products between XY males and XX females.) In addition, H4 lysine 12 was found to remain acetylated in centric heterochromatin, while lysines 5, 8, and 16 were all under-acetylated [13]. These observations led to the suggestion that the histone N-terminal tails constitute nucleosome surface markers that can be recognized by non-histone proteins in a modification-dependent manner to alter the functional state of chromatin [13]. 

Viruses can induce apoptosis of human keratinocytes. These apoptotic cells can express viral antigens and autoantigens, which are coclustered in specific subsets within surface blebs and then cause challenge to self-tolerance if not cleared and processed properly (R15). Andreassen et al. showed that T cell lines specific for polyomavirus T antigen recognize T antigen complexed with nucleosomes and trigger B cells to produce anti-DNA antibodies (A20). 

A20. Andreassen, K., Bredholt, G., Moens, U., Bendiksen, S., Kauric, G., and Rekvig, O. P., T cell lines specific for polyomavims T-antigen recognize T-antigen complexed with nucleosomes A molecular basis for anti-DNA antibody production, liar. J. Immunol. 29, 2715-2728 (1999). 

Antinuclear antibodies (by IIF). If antinuclear antibodies by IIF are positive, specificity of the antinuclear antibodies should be determined. Antinuclear antibody specificities associated with the development of systemic autoimmune diseases are autoantibodies against double-stranded DNA, nucleosomes, histones, Ro/SS-A, La/SS-B, U1-RNP, Sm, DNA-Topoisomerase I (Scl-70), centromere protein, and Jo-1. 

ElBayoumi TA, Torchilin VP (2008) Tumor-specific anti-nucleosome antibody improves therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin-loaded long-circulating liposomes against primary and metastatic tumor in mice. Mol Pharm 6 246-254... 

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