Specificity of anti-polynucleotide monoclonal antibodies from human-human hybridomas

Summary Nine human-human hybridoma clones, secreting monoclonal antibodies reactive with nucleic acids, were generated by fusing with lymphocytes of lung cancer or systemic lupus erythematosus patients. These hybridoma antibodies were classified into 5 types, in terms of reactivities with DNA, RNA, various synthetic nucleic acids and cardiolipin. Hybridoma clone SU-1 secreted antibody reacting with dsDNA, ssDNA and RNA (type I). Clone HL-321 did not react with these, but with poly (dT), poly (I) and poly (G) (type II). Clone HL-349 was reactive with almost all nucleic acids tested and also with cardiolipin (type III). Clones HF-4, HF-7, HB-7 and HL-259 reacted with ssDNA, poly(A), poly(G) and cardiolipin, but not with RNA (type IV). HB-5 and SH-9 antibodies were reactive only with poly (dT) (type V). Editor’s Statement This paper describes isolation and characterization of human-human hybridoma clones producing antibodies to nucleic acids. Isolation of such hybridomas from lymphocytes of cancer patients and the similarity of some isolates to those obtained from mice exhibiting autoimmune disease represent interesting observations that may lead to future insights.