Anti‐DNA autoantibodies from an MRL//Ipr mouse

Twenty‐one monoclonal anti‐DNA autoantibodies were produced by fusing spleen cells from an autoimmune MRL//pr mouse with SP2/0 myeloma cells. Hybridomas generated by the fusions were chosen for cloning on the basis of DNA binding by supernatant antibody. Each monoclonal antibody was purified to homogeneity and analyzed for the heavy and light chain isotypes and the binding specificity for single‐stranded DNA, double‐stranded DNA, and RNA. Sequence specificities and isoelectric points of the antibodies were also examined. All of the antibodies were IgG and tended to bind to both single‐stranded and double‐stranded DNA with a preference for the double‐stranded form. Some of them also bound to RNA. Isoelectric points of the antibodies were shown to be high. The antibodies described in this report have characteristics of pathogenic anti‐DNA antibodies