Related Experiment Videos
Circulating immune complexes in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
|August 1, 1981
Summary
Patients with giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica show elevated circulating immune complexes (ICs). Assays like PEG-CC indicated higher IC levels in active, untreated disease, suggesting a role in disease pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are inflammatory conditions.
- Elevated levels of circulating immune complexes (ICs) have been observed in patients with these diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the levels of circulating immune complexes (ICs) in patients with GCA and/or PMR.
- To correlate IC levels with disease activity and treatment status.
Main Methods:
- Sera from patients were analyzed for ICs using polyethyleneglycol precipitation complement consumption (PEG-CC) assay.
- Further IC analysis employed 125I-Clq binding, PEG-C4 test, and 125I-conglutinin binding assays.
- Comparison between active untreated and inactive treated patient groups.
Main Results:
- 44% of active untreated patients (21) had increased IC levels compared to 23% of inactive treated patients (49).
- While some correlation with disease activity was observed, it was not consistently high across all assays.
- Different assays provided varying sensitivity in detecting ICs.
Conclusions:
- Increased circulating immune complexes are present in patients with GCA and PMR.
- While IC levels may not perfectly correlate with disease activity, their presence warrants further investigation.
- Isolation and detailed analysis of ICs could enhance understanding of GCA and PMR pathogenesis.