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Arthritis associated with chronic active hepatitis: complement activation and characterization of circulating immune
Gastroenterology
|December 1, 1975
Summary
Immune complexes in chronic active hepatitis (CAH) patients with arthritis contain Hepatitis B surface antigen and complement components. Their presence suggests a role in arthritis development, unlike in CAH without joint symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Chronic active hepatitis (CAH) can present with joint pain.
- The role of immune complexes in CAH-associated arthritis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and composition of immune complexes in patients with CAH and arthritis.
- To determine if these immune complexes are linked to the alternate complement pathway and Hepatitis B surface antigen.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and analysis of cryoproteins from serial serum samples of CAH patients.
- Detection of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA), complement components (C3, C4, C5), and Hepatitis B surface antigen within cryoprecipitates.
- Assessment of C3 activator fragment in serum from patients with and without arthritis.
Main Results:
- Circulating immune complexes were identified in cryoproteins from CAH patients with arthritis, but not in those with uncomplicated CAH.
- Cryoprecipitates from arthritic CAH patients contained IgG, IgM, IgA, C3, C4, and C5.
- Hepatitis B surface antigen was concentrated in these immune complexes. The C3 activator fragment was present in arthritic patients but absent in others.
Conclusions:
- The presence of circulating complement-fixing immune complexes, particularly those containing Hepatitis B surface antigen and activating the alternate complement pathway, is associated with arthritis in CAH patients.
- These findings suggest that immune complexes play a significant role in the pathogenesis of arthritis in chronic active hepatitis.
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