title: Properties of a system of public idiotypes of lupus autoantibodies.
abstract: We can conclude from the properties of the Id-16/6 system that a relatively restricted group of B cell clones is activated in systemic lupus erythematosus. Whether this is a property of the immunogenic stimulus that causes the diseases (if indeed there is one), or whether the observations are due to an idiotypic network that favors the selection of Id-16/6-expressing B cells is not known. These alternatives are under investigation. Apart from these theoretical considerations, the high frequency of Id-16/6(+) autoantibodies, including pathogenic autoantibodies, in systemic lupus erythematosus may point to targets amenable to the specific therapy of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Hematology-Oncology Division, New England Medical Center Hospitals, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D015326:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000276:immunology; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000276:immunology*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D004247:DNA