Circulating autoantibodies to hidden mitochondrial antigenic determinants in mammals

Autoantibodies to equine cytochrome c and to porcine malic dehydrogenase are shown in equine and porcine serum, respectively, by immunodiffusion. A confluence of arcs between human plasma and rabbit, horse and pig serum against these antigens suggests the presence of antibodies in human plasma to cytochrome c and malic dehydrogenase. The use of tris buffer containing a low concentration of Dodecyl sodium sulfate for cytochrome c and of glycerol for malic dehydrogenase maintains their solubility and enhances their participation in antibody-antigen immunoprecipitation possibly by unravelling the peptide chains and exposing reactive antigenic determinants hidden within the interstices of the cytochrome c and malic dehydrogenase molecules.