CpG motif-containing DNA fragments from sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus proliferate mononuclear cells in vitro.

Abstract

Circulating CpG motif-containing DNA fragments in SLE increased mRNA encoding IL-12 and IFN-gamma, which in turn increased HLA-DR and ICAM-1 on monocytes, resulting in MNC proliferation. This mechanism could contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE.