Stetler, Dean A.Sipes, Duane E.Jacob, Samson T.2015-03-232015-03-231985-12-01Stetler, Dean A.; Sipes, D. E.; Jacob, S. T. (1985). "Anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies in sera of MRL lpr/lpr and MRL +/+ autoimmune mice. Correlation of antibody production with delayed onset of lupus-like disease in MRL +/+ mice." The Journal of Experimental Medicine, 162(6):1760-1770. http://www.dx.doi.org/10.1084/jem.162.6.1760.0022-1007https://hdl.handle.net/1808/17169This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://jem.rupress.org/content/162/6/1760.Sera from individual MRL/lpr and MRL/++ mice, which develop an autoimmune disease similar to human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), were screened over a period of approximately 30 wk for the presence of anti-RNA polymerase I and anti-ssDNA antibodies. Even though onset of the disease is delayed in MRL/++ as compared to MRL/lpr mice, anti-ssDNA antibodies were present in comparable concentrations in the sera of all mice by the age of 6 wk. As observed in sera of human SLE patients, anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies were detected in the sera of all MRL mice. However, unlike the anti-ssDNA antibodies, anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies were detected much later in MRL/++ mice (mean age, 22.8 wk) as compared to MRL/lpr mice (mean age, 9.6 wk). The presence of anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies in sera of MRL mice was thus a much better indicator of disease status than the presence of anti-ssDNA antibodies. The appearance and increase in anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies in the sera of MRL/++ mice correlated (R2 = 0.964) with a precipitous decrease in anti-ssDNA antibodies, starting at about 20 wk of age. These results suggest a possible relationship between the RNA polymerase I and DNA autoimmune reactions.Article10.1084/jem.162.6.1760openAccess