Immunization of rabbits with spermine induces antibodies to self antigens.

Rabbits were immunized under different schedules with spermine in the free form or with random noncovalent complexes of spermine or spermidine with ovalbumin. The specificity of the induced antibodies was determined by ELISA and by dot-immunobinding assay. Our results show that in vitro conjugation of spermine and spermidine to a carrier is not an obligatory prerequisite for obtaining corresponding antibodies. Anti-spermine antibodies were found in 9 of 19 animals injected with spermine. Furthermore, all 19 rabbits produced distinct populations of IgM and IgG antibodies which reacted with histones, various synthetic peptides of histones, as well with ubiquitin, a peptide of ubiquitin, dsDNA and two 29-base 5' synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides. Even in antisera with no detectable reactivity with spermine, antibodies to some of the unrelated antigens were found. The pattern of reactivity of the antisera with the various antigens was different for each immunized animal. These findings lend support to the view that polyamines may play a role in the appearance of autoantibodies.