Analysis of DNA-Binding Antibodies

DNA-binding antibodies are produced spontaneously in the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (1 ). The origin of these antibodies is obscure, but they are involved in the pathogenesls of the disease through the formation of immune complexes that indirectly cause tissue damage. Alternatively, the antibodies may crossreact with cell surface antigens and cause tissue damage directly. Thus, understanding the specificity of autounmune antibodies is important.