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OCCURRENCE OF gamma-GLOBULIN COMPLEXES IN SERUM AND JOINT FLUID OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS: USE OF MONOCLONAL
R J Winchester1, H G Kunkel, V Agnello
1The Rockefeller University, New York 10021.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Unusual gammaG globulin complexes in rheumatoid arthritis serum react with sensitive monoclonal rheumatoid factors. These complexes differ from joint fluid findings and show limited complement activation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Protein Biochemistry
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often associated with immune complexes.
- GammaG globulin (IgG) and gammaM rheumatoid factors (RFs) are key players in RA pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize unusual gammaG globulin complexes found in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) serum.
- To investigate the reactivity of these complexes with monoclonal gammaM rheumatoid factors (RFs).
Main Methods:
- Precipitation reactions using monoclonal gammaM RFs.
- Analysis of serum complexes for composition (high molecular weight, acid-dissociable 7S gammaG globulin).
- Comparison with complexes found in joint fluid and assessment of complement fixation.
Main Results:
- Many RA patients' sera contained unusual gammaG globulin complexes.
- Monoclonal gammaM RFs detected these complexes more sensitively than polyclonal RFs or C1q.
- Serum complexes differed from joint fluid complexes, not precipitating with C1q and showing minimal complement activation.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sera with cryoprecipitates also reacted with monoclonal RFs.
Conclusions:
- RA serum contains unique gammaG globulin complexes potentially involving gammaG rheumatoid factors.
- Monoclonal gammaM RFs are highly sensitive tools for detecting these novel immune complexes.
- These serum complexes are distinct from those in RA joint fluid and do not strongly activate the complement system.
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