AUTOANTIBODIES IN TECHNICIANS HANDLING LUPUS BLOOD

要测试的基本前提是，一种能够 导致自身抗体形成的抗体存在于患有 系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）。 现在有足够的证据支持 SLE的多因素病因包括遗传、激素和 环境影响。 在防治方面，环境 影响是潜在的最容易受到操纵， 因此至关重要。 在以前的工作中，我们已经表明， 血液中淋巴细胞毒性抗体（LTCA）的流行率增加， SLE患者的非血缘亲属和从事狼疮工作的技术人员 血 其他研究表明，在狼疮中，变性DNA的结合增加 专业人 我们相信这些技术人员组成了一个理想的团队， 记录传染性病原体的存在。 他们主要接触的是 SLE是通过他们处理的血液。 与SLE家族成员不同， 不与患者共享相同的环境，因此 常见的饮食或环境化学品的参与， 降低 这些技术人员还将提供一个理想的小组， 评估自身抗体获得的风险因素， 暴露在这个特工之下 在本研究的第一阶段，我们将招募一大批技术人员， 不同程度的SLE血液暴露;高、中、低。 的 将在技术人员中确定LCTA和ANA的患病率， 他们的配偶寻找二次传播。 第二阶段将是 对这些个体进行的病例对照研究， 自身抗体阳性和阴性受试者。 最后，LCTA从 无症状技术人员将与从SLE中获得的技术人员进行比较 患者关于这些抗体对体外 淋巴细胞功能，以更好地了解这些自身抗体的作用 以及SLE的发病机制。

The basic premise to be tested is that a transmissible agent capable of causing autoantibody formation is present in the blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Ample evidence now exists to support a multi-factorial etiology of SLE including genetic, hormonal and environmental influences. In terms of prevention and cure, environmental influences are potentially the most susceptible to manipulation and therefore of prime importance. In previous work we had shown that the prevalence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies (LTCA) is increased in blood and nonblood relatives of SLE patients and in technicians working with lupus blood. Others have shown increased binding of denatured DNA in lupus technicians. We believe these technicians form an ideal group in which to document the presence of a transmissible agent. Their primary exposure to SLE is through the blood they handle. Unlike SLE family members they do not share the same environment with the patient, thus the likelihood of common dietary or environmental chemicals being involved is greatly reduced. These technicians will also provide an ideal group in which to assess the risk factors involved in acquisition of autoantibodies after exposure to this agent. In phase 1 of this study we will recruit a large group of technicians with different levels of exposure to SLE blood; high, medium and low. The prevalence of LCTA and ANA will be determined in technicians as well as their spouses to search for secondary transmission. Phase two will be a case control study of these individuals comparing exposure factors in autoantibody positive and negative subjects. Finally, LCTA from asymptomatic technicians will be compared to those obtained from SLE patients with respect to the effects of these antibodies on in vitro lymphocyte function to better understand the role of these autoantibodies and the pathogenesis of SLE.