Expression of an interspecies idiotype in sera of SLE patients and their first-degree relatives

Sera from 29 SLE patients and 81 first-degree healthy family members were tested for quantitative expression of a cross-reactive idiotype present on a murine monoclonal anti-Sm autoantibody (Y2). Forty-one percent of SLE patients and 27% of all relatives showed increased serum levels of the Y2 idiotype compared to 6% in a normal, unrelated control group. In addition, female relatives of SLE patients showed slightly increased levels of anti-Sm antibodies compared to male relatives (15% vs 3%). In one of the 28 families and three unrelated SLE patients studied, there was a significant correlation between the Y2 idiotype expression and expression of another idiotype present on anti-DNA antibodies (1341d). Affinity column absorption studies showed that these two idiotypes were present on different antibody molecules. This study demonstrates: (1) a genetic predisposition for an anti-Sm antibody idiotype expression in humans; and (2) that two different idiotypes may be under parallel or coordinate regulation.