In vitro inhibition of anti-DNA producing cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients by autologous anti-F(ab')2 antibodies.
We have previously documented an inverse relationship between serum levels of anti-F(ab')2 antibodies and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The present study focused on the specific in vitro inhibition of anti-DNA producing cells from SLE patients by autologous anti-F(ab')2 antibodies. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from eleven inactive SLE patients with no apparent disease activity were cultured in vitro to evaluate anti-DNA antibody secretion. Low levels of synthesis of anti-DNA antibody were detected in 3 of 11 SLE patients using unstimulated PBL; on the contrary, pokeweed mitogen stimulation of cultured cells increased production of anti-DNA in all SLE subjects. Parallel cultures were also performed in the presence of heterologous and autologous anti-F(ab')2 antibodies and results on production of anti-DNA evaluated. Lymphocytes from SLE patients in remission showed inhibition of synthesis of anti-DNA antibodies when autologous anti-F(ab')2 antibodies were added to the cultures, whereas production of anti-tetanus toxoid IgG by the same cells was not significantly altered under the same conditions. These data suggest that a functional anti-idiotypic role may be assigned to anti-F(ab')2 antibodies during clinical remission of SLE.
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000276:immunology*; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid