Natural murine autoantibodies and conventional antibodies exhibit similar degrees of antigenic cross-reactivity.
Splenic B cells from normal and autoimmune mice were transferred to MHC-compatible xid recipients. Monoclonal antibodies were secreted by the transferred B cells in splenic fragment cultures. These antibodies were evaluated for reactivity and cross-reactivity against a panel of six autoantigens and two conventional antigens using an ELISA assay. The autoantibodies and conventional antibodies produced in splenic fragment cultures by normal DBA/2 and autoimmune NZB B cells expressed similar degrees of antigenic cross-reactivity. Previous studies have demonstrated that ELISA assays of splenic fragment culture supernatants detect antibodies with affinities of 5 x 10(6) M-1 or greater. We therefore also analyzed the cross-reactivity of monoclonal antibodies derived from hybridomas. This permitted an assessment of antibodies with lower binding affinities. Cross-reactivity was detected more frequently among these hybridomas. Consistent with our earlier observations, hybridoma antibodies specific for conventional antigens exhibited cross-reactivity with a frequency similar to that of antibodies specific for autoantigens.
Klinman
D M
DM
Cellular Immunology Section, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Banks
S
S
Hartman
A
A
Steinberg
A D
AD
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000502:physiology*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D000939:Epitopes