The Journal of Immunology, Vol 137, Issue 8 2535-2540, Copyright © 1986 by American Association of Immunologists

ARTICLES

Lupus serum and normal human serum contain anti-DNA antibodies with the same idiotypic marker

MP Madaio, A Schattner, M Shattner and RS Schwartz

We have previously shown that serum from patients with active SLE contain high levels of Id-16/6 and anti-DNA antibodies. In this study we investigated whether serum Id 16/6 is related to anti-DNA antibodies. Sera from 12 patients with active SLE were absorbed individually with poly(dT) cellulose (to purify anti-DNA antibodies) and rabbit (R) anti-Id-16/6 Sepharose (to purify Id 16/6 Ig). Removal of all anti-DNA activity removed most of the Id-16/6. Conversely, removal of all Id 16/6 removed most of the anti-DNA activity. Although there was no measurable anti-DNA antibody activity in normal serum, such antibodies were isolated by absorption with poly(dT) cellulose. The eluted immunoglobulins also had Id 16/6 activity. Similarly, Id 16/6 with anti-DNA activity were isolated from normal serum by absorption with R anti-Id 16/6 Sepharose. We conclude that a large fraction of anti-DNA antibodies in SLE serum are Id-16/6+, and that most Id 16/6 immunoglobulins in lupus serum have anti-DNA activity. Our observations suggest that lupus anti-DNA antibodies result from an overproduction of autoantibodies that are present in normal people.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W M Williams and D A Isenberg Naturally occurring anti-idiotypic antibodies reactive with anti-DNA antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus Lupus, March 1, 1998; 7(3): 164 - 175. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P Casali, S. Burastero, M Nakamura, G Inghirami, and A. Notkins Human lymphocytes making rheumatoid factor and antibody to ssDNA belong to Leu-1+ B-cell subset Science, April 3, 1987; 236(4797): 77 - 81. [Abstract] [PDF]