[Detection of anti-dsDNA-F(AB')2 antibody and evaluation of its clinical significance]

Purified anti-dsDNA antibody was obtained from the serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus by affinity-column chromatography. Anti-dsDNA-F(ab')2 fragment (idiotype) was prepared from digested anti-dsDNA antibody with pepsin. We have developed a sensitive and specific method for detection anti-dsDNA-F(ab')2 antibody. Our result revealed that low titer of anti-dsDNA was observed in patients with active stage of systemic lupus erythematosus.