Antibodies to DNA.

Antibodies to DNA are of interest to a broad spectrum of physicians and other scientists. The presence of large amounts of serum antibodies to double-stranded DNA is specific for systemic lupus erythematosus, and some subgroups of these antibodies are pathogenic. It is likely that people are predisposed to have systemic lupus erythematosus if they can make pathogenic subgroups of antibodies to DNA and if they cannot down-regulate them appropriately. Studies of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and of murine models of the disease have provided information regarding the different types of antibodies to DNA, their role in pathogenesis, and new . . .