Brain reactive monoclonal auto-antibodies: production and characterization.

To determine the role of auto-antibodies in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (NP-SLE), it will be necessary to characterize the diversity of auto-antibodies that exist. This can be done by producing a library of monoclonal, brain-reactive auto-antibodies. From such a library the antigens to which the antibodies bind, and whether there are any interesting relations between these antigens, can be determined. Behavioral effects can also be investigated. Toward these ends, brain-reactive monoclonal auto-antibodies (BRMA) were produced. The production and characterization of two monoclonal antibodies is presented in this study.