Selective recognition of DNA antigenic determinants by murine monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies

To assess the immune recognition of DNA in systemic lupus erythematosus, the antigenic specificity of monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies from autoimmune MRL-lpr/lpr mice was investigated Determinant specificity was assessed by ELISA in terms of binding to a panel of ssDNA antigens including calf thymus, human placenta, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Micrococcus lysodeikticus, salmon testes, chicken blood and murine DNA. Among the monoclonal antibodies, a variety of binding patterns was observed, although for all antibodies tested murine DNA was among the most reactive antigens. Binding to other DNAs varied markedly, with some antibodies showing only low reactivity to certain antigens in the test panel. Similar results were obtained with sera of individual MRL-lpr/lpr mice. These results suggest that anti-DNA antibodies bind specific antigenic determinants variably expressed by DNAs of various species. Furthermore, the preferential binding to mouse DNA by some MRL-lpr/lpr antibodies may suggest a role of self-DNA in the in vivo selection of anti-DNA antibodies for expression.