Combination of autoantibodies against different histone proteins influences complement-dependent phagocytosis of necrotic cell material by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) with autoantibody-coated engulfed necrotic cell material (NC) are frequently seen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We evaluated the roles of complement, different antihistone antibodies (anti-H ab), and oxidative burst in the phagocytosis of NC by PMN, as well as association to disease activity and clinical phenotype in SLE.

Methods: ELISA and immunoblot were used to measure antibodies to different histone proteins in sera from patients with SLE and complement-deficient individuals.