title: Association of IgG anti-brain antibodies with central nervous system dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Sera from 20 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and active central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction were examined by indirect immunofluorescence for antibodies to neuronal membrane determinants. Warm-reactive IgG antibodies were demonstrable in 82% (9/11) of patients with clinical evidence for seizures or diffuse CNS disease, but these antibodies generally were absent in non-CNS SLE sera or when focal neurologic deficit or psychosis was the primary CNS manifestation. Cold-reactive antibodies of the IgM class were equally prevalent in patients with or without CNS disease and appeared to be more directly correlated with extra-CNS systemic illness. Absorption experiments with lymphocytes, brain homogenate, and various other tissues suggested a predominant brain-specificity for IgG antibodies and partial lymphocyte cross-reactivity for IgM antibodies. Interpretations of this special association between IgG anti-brain antibodies and diffuse CNS dysfunction in SLE are discussed.
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000276:immunology; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007202:Indicators and Reagents