AUTOANTIBODIES IN TECHNICIANS HANDLING LUPUS BLOOD

要测试的基本前提是一种可传播的试剂能够 引起自身抗体形成的患者的血液中存在 系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)。现在有充分的证据支持 系统性红斑狼疮的多因素病因包括遗传、激素和 环境影响。在防治方面，环境 影响可能是最容易受到操纵和 因此，最重要的是。在以前的工作中，我们已经证明了 淋巴细胞毒抗体(LTCA)在血液和血液中的流行率增加 系统性红斑狼疮患者和狼疮技术人员的非血缘关系 血。其他研究显示狼疮中变性DNA的结合增加。 技术人员。我们相信这些技术人员组成了一个理想的团队，在其中 记录可传播毒剂的存在。他们主要接触的是 系统性红斑狼疮是通过他们处理的血液来进行的。与SLE家庭成员不同，他们这样做 不与患者共用同一环境，因此有可能 常见的饮食或环境化学物质在很大程度上 减少了。这些技术人员还将提供一个理想的团队，在其中 评估与术后获得自身抗体有关的危险因素 接触过这种毒剂。 在本研究的第一阶段，我们将招募一大批技术人员 暴露于SLE血液的不同程度；高、中、低。这个 将在技术人员中以及 他们的配偶寻找二次传播。第二阶段将是 这些个体比较暴露因素的病例对照研究 自身抗体阳性和阴性受试者。最后，LCTA来自 无症状的技术人员将与从SLE获得的技术人员进行比较 患者对这些抗体的体外影响 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.