Antibodies to RNA from autoimmune NZB/NZW mice recognize a similar antigenic determinant and show a large idiotypic diversity.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Two RNA-specific hybridoma autoantibodies were identified in fusions of spleen cells from unimmunized NZB/NZW female mice with BALB/c myeloma cells. The 2 fusion experiments were carried out 2 yr apart with different myeloma partners. Specificity analyses showed that the 2 monoclonal antibodies and the total RNA-binding IgG in NZB/NZW serum recognize a G,C-rich sequence of ribonucleotides. The isolated H and L chains of the 2 antibodies and their papain Fab fragments could be distinguished by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Rabbit anti-idiotypic antibodies prepared against the 2 monoclonal proteins showed unique specificities for the antigen-binding sites of their cognate autoantibodies. The anti-idiotypic antisera had little effect on the RNA-binding capacity of the total IgG from NZB/NZW serum. Thus, a wide range of different idiotypes is involved in the autoimmune response to a similar antigenic determinant.