Histone proteins (H1, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4) are in close contact with dsDNA. The complexes histones-dsDNA are called Nucleosome.
Although Anti-histone antibodies (AHA) are generally present in patients with anti-dsDNA antibodies, they are not specific for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) but can be detected in a number of autoimmune, infectious or drug-induced diseases. Interestingly, high titers of AHA in the absence of SLE markers antibodies are characteristic of Drug Induced Lupus (DIL).
DIL is a lupus-like syndrome temporally related to continuous drug exposure which resolves after discontinuation of the drug. DIL can notably be caused by procainamide, hydralazine and quinidine.
Purified from bovine thymus (for more information on our antigens click here)