Fig. 2. Identification of endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) and scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-BI) as endothelial autoantigens in Takayasu arteritis.

a HUVEC cDNA fragments inserted into the genomic DNA of C1 and C3 clones established with U10-4 IgG were amplified, and PCR products were electrophoresed on a 0.8% agarose gel. b DNA sequencing was performed for the PCR products obtained around 2000 bp for C1, followed by BLAST analysis. c C1 (left) and C3 (right) were stained with PE-conjugated isotype control or PE-conjugated anti-human EPCR antibody and analyzed with flow cytometry. d The expression vector EPCR-IRES-GFP was transfected into YB 2/0 cells, and the cells were stained with 0.5 mg/mL control IgG or U10-4 IgG, followed by incubation with secondary antibody and flow cytometry analysis. e Inhibition tests for binding activities to YB2/0 cells overexpressing EPCR were performed using 0.5 mg/mL U10-4 IgG with soluble recombinant EPCR at the indicated concentrations. f Western blotting of recombinant EPCR proteins was performed, and they were stained with control serum, U10-4 serum, or anti-human EPCR antibody, followed by secondary antibodies. g HUVEC cDNA fragments inserted into the genomic DNA of C6 clones established with W10-59 IgG and C7 by using G10-43 IgG were amplified, and PCR products were electrophoresed on a 0.8% agarose gel. h DNA sequencing was performed for the PCR products obtained around 3000 bp for C7, followed by BLAST analysis. i C6 (left) and C7 (right) were stained with anti-human SR-BI antibody or isotype control, followed by incubation with secondary antibody and flow cytometry analysis. j The expression vector SR-BI-IRES-GFP was transfected into YB 2/0 cells, and the cells were stained with 0.5 mg/mL control IgG, W10-59 IgG, or G10-43 IgG, followed by incubation with secondary antibody and flow cytometry analysis. k Inhibition tests for binding activities to YB2/0 cells overexpressing SR-BI were conducted using 0.5 mg/mL W10-59 IgG with soluble recombinant SR-BI at the indicated concentrations. l YB2/0 cells expressing with or without SR-BI were reacted with control, W10-59, or G10-43 serum. Cells were then lysed and immunoprecipitation was performed. Western blotting was then performed, and the membrane was analyzed for the expression of SR-BI and human IgG. m Nonpermeabilized HUVECs were stained with PE-conjugated anti-human SR-BI antibody or isotype control and analyzed with flow cytometry. G10-43, W10-59, and U10-4 indicate the serum sample number.