CpG-DNA derived from sera in systemic lupus erythematosus enhances ICAM-1 expression on endothelial cells

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE—To examine the effect of transfection of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing a CpG motif (CpG-ODN), of which the sequence was derived from circulating DNA in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and synthesis of mRNA for proinflammatory cytokines and ICAM-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC). METHODS—A CpG-ODN or a control analogue, GpC-ODN, was transfected into EC. ICAM-1 expression was examined by flow cytometry, and expression of mRNA in EC encoding interleukin 1 (IL1), IL6, IL8, tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), interferon γ (IFNγ), and ICAM-1 was examined by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS—The CpG-ODN augmented the expression of ICAM-1 on EC determined by flow cytometry and increased mRNA levels of IL6, IL8, TNFα, IFNγ, and ICAM-1, but the GpC-ODN did not. CONCLUSION—Synthesised DNA, with a sequence corresponding to that of the fragment containing the CpG motif, in sera of patients with SLE was found to enhance ICAM-1 expression on EC, suggesting the participation of circulating DNA fragments in the pathogenesis of vasculitis in SLE.