CONCENTRATION OF AUTOANTIBODIES TO NATIVE 60-KD RO SS-A AND DENATURED52-KD RO/SS-A IN ELUATES FROM THE HEART OF A CHILD WHO DIED WITH CONGENITAL COMPLETE HEART-BLOCK/

Objective. To determine the serologic specificity of acid eluates from tissues of a child who died with congenital complete heart block (CCH B). Methods. Tissues were extracted, acid eluted, and the IgG and anti body titers determined on the eluates by enzyme-linked immunosorbent a ssay. Results. Antibodies to native 60-kd and denatured 52-kd Ro/SS-A were found to be enriched only in the heart eluate, and not in the elu ates from brain, kidney, and skin. Conclusion. These findings indicate a major role for anti-native 60-kd Ro/SS-A in the immunopathogenesis of CCHB.