Identification of the Nuclear Component of the Interaction of Lupus Erythematosus Globulin and Nuclei

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions Using the fluorescent antibody technique, it has been shown that the factor in lupus serum which reacts with nuclei also reacts with deoxyribonucleoprotein (nucleohistone) from calf or rabbit thymus and with artificial complexes of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) with histone. A technique for titration of the affinity of serums for nucleohistone has been devised. Use of this method has demonstrated the presence of the factor in all lupus serums tested, regardless of results of the lupus erythematosus (LE) test. By absorption of lupus serum with nucleohistone it was possible to remove the affinity for nucleohistone and the capacity to induce the LE phenomenon, suggesting that the 2 effects may be due to 1 factor. The broad species range of the reaction has been confirmed by this improved technique.