Studies of anti-F(ab')2 antibodies and VH region distribution among SLE kindreds

Genomic DNA samples from kindreds of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were examined for VH region genotypes using probes representing JH and representative members of the human VH gene families (VHI-VHVI) in parallel with distribution of high levels of anti-F(ab')2 (generic anti-idiotype) in some non-affected SLE family members. Identical VH region genotypes were present in an SLE female proband and one unaffected normal male sibling. Three normal unaffected family members with elevated anti-F(ab')2 showed AB, AD, and AC (non-identical)VH genotypes. VH region genotype pattern distributions do not appear to directly correlate with production of high levels of anti-F(ab')2 in SLE families.