Serum Anti-nuclear Factor

In a previous report (Weir, Holborow, and Johnson, 1961) we have described the clinical incidence of a serum factor with an affinity for cell nuclei (anti-nuclear factor (ANF)) demonstrated by the fluorescent antibody technique. The factor is present in most cases of systemic lupus erythematosus and also occurs to a variable extent in some other conditions, namely rheumatoid arthritis, liver disease, and thyroid disease. This factor is one of several somewhat similar factors reacting with nuclear components (Seligmann, 1958; Hijmans and Schuit, 1959; Holman, 1960). These factors react variously with whole nuclei, isolated nucleoprotein, desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), histone, and protein extractable from nuclei by phosphate buffer, and can be shown to be distinct gamma globulins by cross-absorption techniques (Holman, 1960). This paper reports the results of work carried out in an attempt to define the nuclear components with which ANF gamma globulin reacts, and to compare the properties and reactions of the factor as it occurs in the four main disease groups listed above. In addition the failure to immunize animals to these nuclear components is reported.