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Antilymphocyte, antipolynucleotide, and antiviral antibodies in 15 Soviet systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) probands and their 41 relatives were compared with those in 57 members of 15 control Russian families. Seventy-eight and three-tenths percent of SLE relatives were positive for antilymphocyte antibody versus 26.3% positive reactions in controls. Antipolynucleotide antibody closely paralleled antilymphocyte antibody in both groups. Antiviral antibody was significantly increased in SLE relatives as compared to control family members. No correlation was noted between quantitative IgG, IgA, or IgM levels and various antibodies studied.

Antilymphocyte antibody prepared by elution from glutaraldehyde fixed thymocytes is cytotoxic and prolongs the life of allogeneic skin grafts in mice. Radioactively labeled antibody is slightly more effective in prolonging skin grafts than the unlabeled material.