Autoantibodies against different histone hi subtypes in systemic lupus erythematosus sera

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Abstract
The H1 histones represent the most heterogenous class of histone proteins. In this study, we analyzed the specificity of human antibodies against 6 H1 subtypes. H1 histones from rat organs were separated by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography and used as antigens in immunoblotting experiments. Sera containing anti-histone H1 antibodies were obtained from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Of the 9 sera tested, 2 reacted with only 1 H1 subtype. The other sera recognized different combinations of H1 subtypes. Only 1 serum reacted with all 6 H1 subtypes. Histones H1.5 and H1.1 were the subtypes most frequently recognized by the human autoantibodies. Our data indicate that human anti-H1 antibodies represent a heterogenous population, directed mainly against epitopes localized in the variable region of the H1 molecule.