Autoreactive B cell responses to RNA-related antigens due to TLR7 gene duplication

Prapaporn Pisitkun, Jonathan A. Deane, Michael J. Difilippantonio, Tatyana Tarasenko, Anne B. Satterthwaite, Silvia Bolland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

746 Scopus citations

Abstract

Antibodies against nuclear self-antigens are characteristic of systemic autoimmunity, although mechanisms promoting their generation and selection are unclear. Here, we report that B cells containing the Y-linked autoimmune accelerator (Yaa) locus are intrinsically biased toward nucleolar antigens because of increased expression of TLR7, a single-stranded RNA-binding innate immune receptor. The TLR7 gene is duplicated in Yaa mice because of a 4-Megabase expansion of the pseudoautosomal region. These results reveal high divergence in mouse Y chromosomes and represent a good example of gene copy number qualitatively altering a polygenic disease manifestation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1669-1672
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume312
Issue number5780
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 16 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Autoreactive B cell responses to RNA-related antigens due to TLR7 gene duplication'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this