title: Reaction patterns of monoclonal antibodies to DNA.
abstract: Starting with spleen cells from MRL/lpr, NZB/W, and graft-vs-host-diseased mice, we prepared a total of 57 hybridomas that produce antibodies to DNA. Using various approaches, we studied the avidity of these monoclonals in relation to their behavior in four anti-DNA assays. From the results obtained, we postulate that on the basis of anti-DNA avidity the anti-DNA ELISA, the polyethylene glycol assay, the indirect immunofluorescence test on Crithidia luciliae, and the Farr assay (in this order) detect a decreasing amount of anti-dsDNA, the Farr assay being strictly selective for high avidity anti-dsDNA. mAb selected by the anti-DNA ELISA generally were of a low avidity toward DNA. Using cardiolipin and dextran sulfate, a polyanion that bears a resemblance in charge to DNA, we studied the cross-reactivity of the monoclonals. A total of 6 of the 57 monoclonals were found to cross-react with cardiolipin, and 26 with dextran sulfate. We observed an inverse relationship between anti-DNA avidity and cross-reactivity: the lower the avidity of the antibody, the more cross-reactive it is. Based on these findings, we postulate that it is at least questionable whether low avidity, cross-reactive (monoclonal) anti-DNA is representative for the anti-DNA found in patients with SLE.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis*; D000915:Antibody Affinity; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D002308:Cardiolipins / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology*; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D003911:Dextrans / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002308:Cardiolipins; D003911:Dextrans; D004247:DNA; D016264:Dextran Sulfate