Genesis of antinuclear antibody in NZB-W mice: role of genetic factors and of viral infections.

  • 1 June 1970
    • journal article
    • Vol. 6  (6) , 829-39
Abstract
Antinuclear antibodies could be induced in young NZB/W mice long before the natural occurrence of such antibodies by immunization with heat denatured DNA coupled to methylated bovine serum albumin (DNA m BSA). While induction of antinuclear antibodies was possible in several strains of mice (NZB/W, A/J, DBA/2, CBA and AKR), NZB/W mice had by far the highest titre of antibody. A genetic determination of this immune hyperreactivity to DNA was suggested by study of the parental strains. The NZW mice which have a low incidence of spontaneously occurring antinuclear antibody made as much antinuclear antibody upon immunization with DNA m BSA as did the NZB/W mice, while NZB mice which develop naturally a moderate incidence of antinuclear antibody responded relatively poorly to immunization.