Human monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies react as lymphocytotoxic antibodies

Two out of 25 monoclonal anti-DNA autoantibodies that were produced by human-human hybridoma were found to have lymphocytotoxic activity. The antibodies reacted with normal B and T lymphocytes at cold (4 degrees C) as well as at warm (37 degrees C) temperatures. The lymphocytotoxic activity of the monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies could be inhibited by prior incubation of the antibodies with either polynucleotides, e.g. poly(I), poly(dT) or anti-idiotypic antibodies, that had been raised against a dominant anti-DNA antibody. The cross-reactivity between nuclear material and lymphocyte membrane raises the question whether these apparently diverse materials have a shared epitope. The cross-reactivity between anti-DNA antibodies and lymphocyte membrane may account in part for the lymphopenia observed in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.