Evidence for presence of IgG4 anti-immunoglobulin autoantibodies in all human beings

Lancet. 2000 May 6;355(9215):1617-8. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(00)02223-6.

Abstract

IgG4 anti-IgG autoantibodies were found to be present in all serum samples from a group of healthy people; IgG4 ant-IgA and anti-IgE were present In only 13 of 218 (6%) and 8 of 218 (3.5%) samples, respectively. These antibodies also showed affinities towards animal immunoglobulins. We suggest that IgG4 anti-IgA antibodies (the strongest found heterophilic Immunoglobulins) are responsible for most artifacts obtained with commercial EUSA systems.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / isolation & purification*
  • Antibody Affinity
  • Blotting, Western
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
  • Immunoglobulin G