Human monoclonal autoantibodies reactive with multiple organs

Human monoclonal antibodies that react with normal tissues (autoantibodies) have recently been prepared from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and thyroiditis. This chapter describes the methods by which these monoclonal autoantibodies have been obtained and evaluates their reactivity with normal tissue antigens. In addition, the capacity of these monoclonal autoantibodies to react with antigens in multiple organs is described.