# DBT JRF 2020 — Question 137

Exam: DBT JRF 2020 · Section: B · Topic: Immunology · Difficulty: Medium

## Question

Which autoimmune disease is caused by production of autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells against DNA and chromatin proteins?

## Options

- **A.** Sjögren syndrome
- **B.** Graves' Disease
- **C.** Systemic lupus erythematosus
- **D.** Multiple Sclerosis

## Answer

Option C

## Explanation

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by loss of tolerance to nuclear autoantigens. Autoantibodies: anti-dsDNA (highly specific for SLE, correlates with disease activity, causes glomerulonephritis via immune complex deposition); anti-Sm (small nuclear ribonucleoprotein, highly specific); anti-histone (in drug-induced lupus); anti-SSA/Ro, anti-SSB/La (associated with neonatal lupus and Sjögren's overlap); anti-phospholipid (antiphospholipid syndrome). Autoreactive CD4+ T cells provide help to autoreactive B cells and directly damage tissues. Pathogenesis involves impaired clearance of apoptotic debris (NET-osis), complement pathway activation, and interferon- $\alpha$ signature. Other options: Sjögren's — anti-SSA/Ro, anti-SSB/La (exocrine glands); Graves' — anti-TSH receptor antibodies (thyroid); MS — autoreactive T cells against myelin (CNS).

Source: https://mypyqbuddy.com/questions/which-autoimmune-disease-is-caused-by-production-of-6a05a8a02adafec4702932a1