Human antibodies to vascular endothelium

Abstract

Certain human sera were found to produce specific staining of vascular endothelium by the immunofluorescent technique. The antibody nature of this reaction was confirmed by using fluorescein-conjugated antisera specific for human immunoglobulins and the component of complement, and by physicochemical characterization of isolated immunoglobulins giving this reaction. This activity was present in sera from patients with a wide variety of diseases (17·8%). The highest incidence was found in chronic pulmonary tuberculosis (26·6%). An incidence of 14% was found in presumably normal blood donors. The stimulus for the production of these antibodies is unknown. The antigen is fairly widely distributed among different species, since tissues from a variety of animals could be used as substrate in the reaction. Experiments have shown that neither the classic Forssman antigen nor ABO blood groups are involved. The possible role of these antibodies in human disease remains to be elucidated. The finding of anti-endothelial activity in two recipients of renal transplants may be significant.