Objective: Autoimmunity-prone (New Zealand white x BXSB)F1 ([NZW x BXSB]F1) mice have been shown to be useful as a model of antiphospholipid syndrome with myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to examine the cross-reactivity of anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) derived from (NZW x BXSB)F1 mice with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), which is closely associated with atherosclerosis.
Methods: Six monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against CL were established from (NZW x BXSB)F1 mice, and reactivity of aCL with ox-LDL was examined by micro-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: Higher titers of anti-ox-LDL autoantibodies were found in adult (NZW x BXSB)F1 mice compared with other autoimmunity-prone mouse strains (P < 0.01) or a control strain (P < 0.005). There was a significant positive correlation between titers of aCL and those of anti-ox-LDL in (NZW x BXSB)F1 mice (r = 0.79, P < 0.001). Of the 6 MAb against CL, 2 clones that showed beta 2-glycoprotein 1-dependent reactivity also cross-reacted with ox-LDL. Binding of monoclonal aCL to solid-phase cardiolipin was inhibited by ox-LDL, but not by native LDL.
Conclusion: We confirmed that aCL derived from (NZW x BXSB)F1 mice can cross-react with ox-LDL. This result suggests that aCL, which is closely associated with lupus-associated thrombosis, may also play an important role in atherosclerotic complications in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.