title: Anti-DNA antibodies of IgA class in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Sera obtained from 53 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were investigated for the presence of immunoglobulin class-specific antibodies against native (ds)DNA and denatured (ss)DNA. The methods employed were the Crithidia luciliae test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Anti-dsDNA antibodies of IgG class were seen in 42%, IgM-anti-dsDNA antibodies in 43%, and IgA-anti-dsDNA antibodies in 30% of the patients. There was an association between the presence of both IgG- and IgA anti-dsDNA antibodies and the activity of the disease. Patients with active nephritis also had anti-dsDNA antibodies of IgG and IgA class significantly more often than patients with inactive nephritis or without renal disease. IgG-anti-ssDNA antibodies were seen in 89%, IgM-anti-ssDNA antibodies in 51%, and IgA-anti-ssDNA antibodies in 66% of the patients. Patients with nephritis had low levels of antibodies to ssDNA of IgM class. We suggest that immunoglobulin class-specific anti-DNA antibodies should be determined in the diagnosis and monitoring of SLE.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D003421:Crithidia / Q000276:immunology; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009393:Nephritis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D004247:DNA