Antibodies to lymphocyte membrane preparations in systemic lupus erythematosus.

IgG and IgM antilymphocyte antibodies were determined in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by an ELISA method using isolated lymphocyte plasma membranes as antigens. Lymphocyte membranes prepared from T or B cell lines or normal peripheral blood showed a high degree of purity by enzyme assay and electron microscopic monitoring. Sera from patients with active SLE showed high IgG and IgM ELISA reactivity against T and B cell plasma membranes compared with normal sera. IgM antibodies to lymphocyte membranes showed a correlation with microcytotoxicity results. Serial studies showed a relationship of antimembrane antibody to disease activity in some patients, but not in others. The ELISA method for antilymphocyte antibody assay provides a sensitive technique for monitoring reactivity against antigens retained in isolated lymphocyte membrane preparations.