IMMUNOLOGICAL REGULATION OF SPONTANEOUS ANTIBODIES TO DNA AND RNA .1. SIGNIFICANCE OF IGM AND IGG ANTIBODIES IN SLE PATIENTS AND ASYMPTOMATIC RELATIVES

Abstract

Nine individuals from 4 families of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were studied by sucrose density gradient fractionation and filter radioimmunoassay for the presence of 19S IgM [immunoglobulin M] and 7S IgG antibodies to DNA, Poly-A, and Poly-A.cntdot.Poly-U. One individual in each family was totally asymptomatic, and at least 1 had active SLE. The results indicate a correlation between 7S antibody to DNA and RNA and active SLE, and the presence of 19S antibody to RNA in the asymptomatic relatives. SLE may be a disorder of immunological regulation. The distribution relatives may have a partial regulatory abnormality resulting in the limited production of IgM antibodies to RNA. SLE patients may have a more complete failure of regulation permitting the additional synthesis of IgG antibodies to DNA and RNA.