Antibodies binding 3H-reovirus RNA in systemic lupus erythematosus

The specificity of antibodies binding 3H-reovirus double-stranded RNA has been studied in an inhibition assay. The antibodies were from human patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, from NZB NZW F 1 mice with a lupus-like syndrome and from young NZB >NZW F 1 mice immunized with RNA in adjuvants. The binding of 14C-polyinosinic polycytidylic acid by selected sera was also studied. The results support the hypothesis that anti-RNA antibodies in lupus may be induced by viral nucleic acid.