Binding specificity of a monoclonal anti-DNA antibody

To investigate the interaction of DNA and anti-DNA antibodies in the immune complex disease of systemic lupus erythematosus, the fine specificity of binding of a monoclonal anti-DNA antibody was determined. This antibody, termed Cll, was derived from the fusion of spleen cells from an autoimmune MRL-lpr/lpr mouse with the myeloma cell line M45. In a solid-phase ELISA assay to measure anti-DNA activity, Cll showed preference for single stranded compared to double stranded DNA of animal origin. The Cll antibody also bound some deoxyribohomopolymers as well as ribohomopolymers, but failed to bind synthetic DNA duplexes. Defined size oligonucleotides with a size range of 2-(12-18) failed to inhibit the binding of Cll to single stranded DNA. This pattern of binding is consistent with the recognition of a unique structural determinant that can be represented by a variety of nucleic acids. The absence of antigenic activity among the oligonucleotides suggests that an extended polynucleotide structure is required for antibody binding, possibly because of a bivalent or 'monogamous' mode of interaction. The binding properties of Cll further suggest that its ability to participate in immune complex formation may be limited by the nature of the available DNA antigen.