Surface antigens of adult heart cells and their use in diagnosis.

The mapping of immunologically relevant epitopes of the myolemma, sarcolemma and endothelium are prerequisites for the analysis of humoral and cellular effector mechanisms. Mapping was carried out by monospecific anticollagen and anticytoskeleton antibodies, monoclonal antibodies against the surface of white blood cells and by lectins which bind to specific sugars on membranes. Characteristic differences between myolemma, sarcolemma and endothelium could be defined. In patients with perimyocarditis and postmyocarditic cardiomyopathy antibodies directed against the myolemma were detected. They are cytolytic in the presence of complement and cross-reactive to the causative viral agents. Furthermore lymphocytotoxic effector mechanisms could be demonstrated in vitro in one third of patients with AMLA-negative primary dilated cardiomyopathy.