Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is formed by two double helix polynucleotide chains, carrying genetic information for all known forms of life. In chromatin, different DNA structures exhibit distinct functions and act as unique antigens, including elongated (linker) DNA, bent B DNA, Z DNA, and cruciform DNA. Once the chromatin is exposed in situ, each structure specifically induces its corresponding antibody and might cause pathogenic effects. DNA acting as autoantigens is demonstrated to be involved with several diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and related lupus nephritis, or viral infection. It is supposed that extracellular DNA mainly from dead or dying cells is an inducement of immune responses against dsDNA, resulting in increased cell death and/or a decreased dead cell clearance in patients with autoimmune disorders. The exact mechanisms of anti-DNA antibodies still need further investigation, and remain a focus of studies on diagnosis and drug development.
Fig.1 Distinct DNA structures in chromatin as different antigens.1
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