Autoantibodies-like antigen binding characteristics of induced antibodies against polylysine-polyglutamate complex.

Rabbits immunized with polylysine-polyglutamate complex induced high titer antibodies. The immune IgG exhibited high degree of specificity towards the immunogen. In a competition assay, nDNA, heat denatured DNA and total buffalo thymus RNA were inhibitory. An appreciable binding with polyglutamate, poly(rG).poly(dC) poly(dG).poly(dC), cardiolipin, poly(dA-dU). Poly(dA-dU) and Z- or Z-like conformations demonstrates the polyspecificity of induced antibodies. The immunological specificity of induced antibodies was comparable to autoantibodies derived from SLE. The results might be of some help in understanding the etiology of autoimmune process.