Summary
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Anti-dsDNA antibodies are serological hallmarks of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and key markers for diagnosis and disease activity. The close association of anti-dsDNA antibodies with SLE has suggested that understanding the origin of these antibodies would reveal key mechanisms in SLE pathogenesis. Nonetheless, while anti-dsDNA antibodies are likely the best-characterized autoantibodies at the genetic and molecular level, their antigenic origin and mechanisms of pathogenicity remain unclear. To date, the conclusion from previous studies is that anti-dsDNA antib
