Identification of human anti-DNA, anti-RNP, anti-SM, and anti-SS-A serum antibodies bearing the cross-reactive 16/6 idiotype.

The human idiotype 16/6, characteristic of lupus-derived anti-DNA autoantibodies, was detected in sera of Japanese patients with autoimmune diseases. The 16/6-positive sera were from patients with active SLE and, in one case, a scleroderma-polymyositis overlap syndrome; all contained anti-ssDNA antibody. Affinity chromatography was used to isolate 16/6-bearing Ig from sera of seven patients having anti-DNA and other autoantibodies. In a preliminary step, rheumatoid factors and nonspecific binding were removed by four passes of the serum through a column of immobilized normal rabbit gamma-globulin. The absorbed sera were then applied to a column of immobilized specific rabbit anti-16/6 globulin. This combined procedure depleted anti-ssDNA activity selectively. From 44 to 60% of total Ig but only 6 to 25% of anti-ssDNA activity was recovered in the material that passed through both columns. Approximately 40% of the anti-RNP/Sm and anti-SS-A/SS-B activities were recovered, reflecting a lesser degree of selective depletion of these antibodies. The specific eluate from the anti-idiotype column contained more IgG than IgM; anti-DNA activity; anti-RNP, anti-Sm, or anti-SS-A activity. Soluble DNA inhibited the binding of one eluate to RNP/Sm but not of another eluate to SS-A/SS-B. The results confirm that the genes encoding the 16/6 idiotype are widely represented in ethnically different human populations, and indicate that 16/6-bearing Ig may bind to other autoantigens as well as to DNA.