title: Anti-interleukin-6 antibodies in normal human serum.
abstract: High-avidity IgG antibodies to the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) were found in sera of apparently healthy adult individuals. These antibodies specifically interfered with an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) for IL-6 in which specific polyclonal rabbit antibodies to human recombinant IL-6 (rIL-6) were used. Furthermore, using precipitation of 125I-rIL-6 with rabbit antibodies to human immunoglobulins (Ig), the sera of 7 out of 68 Danish blood donors were found to contain specific antibodies in substantial amounts. Judged by ELISA interference, gel filtration of sera incubated with 125I-rIL-6 and second antibody precipitation of 125I-rIL-6, IgG seemed to be the dominant IL-6 binding protein in these normal sera. Using specific antibodies to human Ig light chains, it was found that the anti-IL-6 antibodies were of polyclonal origin. Moreover, there are at least two epitopes on the IL-6 molecule, because more than one IgG bound to some IL-6 molecules at the same time. The anti-IL-6 antibodies did not cross-react with a number of other human recombinant-derived and native cytokines. The antibodies recognized native as well as rIL-6, but preferentially monomeric IL-6.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases M, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Svenson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diamant
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bendtzen
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015850:Interleukin-6