Sialylation determines the nephritogenicity of IgG3 cryoglobulins

J Am Soc Nephrol. 2012 Nov;23(11):1869-78. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2012050477. Epub 2012 Sep 27.

Abstract

Monoclonal 6-19 IgG3 anti-IgG2a rheumatoid factor derived from lupus-prone MRL-Fas(lpr) mice can induce GN and cryoglobulinemia, but the features that confer nephritogenic potential are not completely understood. Asparagine-linked oligosaccharide chains of 6-19 IgG3 mAb are poorly galactosylated and hardly sialylated, possibly contributing to the pathogenic potential of 6-19 IgG3 rheumatoid factors. Here, we used the 6-19 model of cryoglobulin-associated GN to define the relative contributions of galactosylation and sialylation, in relation to cryoglobulin activity, to the nephritogenic potential of IgG3 antibodies. We generated one highly sialylated and two distinct more galactosylated 6-19 IgG3 rheumatoid factor variants. Although the mere extent of galactosylation had no effect on either the cryogenic and nephritogenic activities of 6-19 IgG3 rheumatoid factor, terminal sialylation attenuated the nephritogenic potential of 6-19 IgG3 by limiting its cryoglobulin activity. These data suggest a protective role of IgG sialylation against the development of cryoglobulin-mediated GN, highlighting the anti-inflammatory activity of sialylated IgG antibodies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / chemistry
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / genetics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Base Sequence
  • Cryoglobulinemia / etiology
  • Cryoglobulinemia / immunology
  • Cryoglobulins / chemistry*
  • Cryoglobulins / genetics
  • Cryoglobulins / immunology
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Galactose / chemistry
  • Galactose / immunology
  • Glomerulonephritis / etiology*
  • Glomerulonephritis / immunology
  • Glomerulonephritis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hybridomas / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / chemistry*
  • Immunoglobulin G / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred MRL lpr
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Rheumatoid Factor / chemistry
  • Rheumatoid Factor / immunology
  • Sialic Acids / chemistry
  • Sialic Acids / immunology
  • Sialyltransferases / genetics

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Cryoglobulins
  • DNA Primers
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Sialic Acids
  • Rheumatoid Factor
  • Sialyltransferases
  • ST6GAL1 protein, human
  • Galactose