Figure 1

LL37, cit-LL37- and LL37-DNA complexes are present in SLE affected tissues. (A) Dose response reactivity (expressed as Optical Density, OD) of Mab142 and Mab139, to LL37, cit-LL37 and control peptides (vimentin, VIM, eolase, ENO, vinculin, VINC, scramble LL37, SCR, in their native or citrullinated (citr) forms. (B) Number of LL37-positive and cit-LL37 positive spots in CLE and HD dermis assessed by immunohistochemistry. For quantification at least 3 sections for each patients (n = 5) and HD (N = 3) were assessed. Data represent mean ± SE. (C) Representative image of immunoistochemistry of the skin of one CLE, upper panels or one HD, lower panels, assessed for expression of native LL37 or cit-LL37. (D) Quantification of LL37 and cit-LL37 in 10 SLE-affected kidney biopsies. For quantification at least 3 sections for each patients (n = 10) were assessed. Data represent mean ± SE. (E) representative confocal images of staining of SLE kidney biopsies assessed for presence of LL37 or cit-LL37 (magnification 600×). (F) Representative confocal images of two out of seven SLE affected renal biopsies showing expression of native or cit-LL37 and DNA filaments (DAPI). (G) Confocal images showing expression of LL37, immune-complexes (IgG) and the IFN-induced Mx1. The panels on the left show magnification of two areas to show colocalization (yellow) of IgG staining with LL37 staining. (H) Quantification (as percentage) of co-localization between IgG staining and LL37 staining, in SLE renal biopsies from three different patients. For quantification 3 sections for each patient were assessed. Data represent mean ± SE. All biopsies were from lupus nephritis (class IV). Skin biopsies were form CLE patients.