Autoreactivity to myeloperoxidase (MPO) causes anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Here, we show that a
Staphylococcus aureus
peptide, homologous to an immunodominant MPO T-cell epitope (MPO
409–428
), can induce anti-MPO autoimmunity. The peptide (6PGD
391–410
) is part of a plasmid-encoded 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase found in some
S. aureus
strains. It induces anti-MPO T-cell autoimmunity and MPO-ANCA in mice, whereas related sequences do not. Mice immunized with 6PGD
391–410
, or with
S. aureus
containing a plasmid expressing 6PGD
391–410
, develop glomerulonephritis when MPO is deposited in glomeruli. The peptide induces anti-MPO autoreactivity in the context of three MHC class II allomorphs. Furthermore, we show that 6PGD
391–410
is immunogenic in humans, as healthy human and AAV patient sera contain anti-6PGD and anti-6PGD
391–410
antibodies. Therefore, our results support the idea that bacterial plasmids might have a function in autoimmune disease.
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