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Rheumatoid factor production in the joint
F C Breedveld1, H G Otten, M R Daha
1Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Mononuclear cells derived from bone marrow, synovium and peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were examined for their capacity to produce rheumatoid factor (RF) in order to investigate the origin of circulating RF. The results demonstrate that mononuclear cells derived from bone marrow are able to produce IgG-, IgA- and IgM-RF and that the amounts of RF produced by bone marrow cells are not significantly different from that by dissociated synovial cells. Since circulating immunoglobulins are mainly derived from the bone marrow this observation suggests that also RF circulating in RA patients mainly originates from the bone marrow.
Insights
Rheumatoid arthritis patients' bone marrow cells produce rheumatoid factor (RF), suggesting the bone marrow is the primary source of circulating RF in RA. This finding impacts understanding of autoimmune disease origins.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation.
- Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a key autoantibody implicated in RA pathogenesis.
- The primary origin of circulating RF in RA patients remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular origin of circulating rheumatoid factor (RF) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- To compare the RF-producing capacity of mononuclear cells from different anatomical sites in RA patients.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of mononuclear cells from bone marrow, synovium, and peripheral blood of RA patients.
- In vitro culture of isolated mononuclear cells to assess immunoglobulin production.
- Quantification of IgG-, IgA-, and IgM-RF production by these cells.
Main Results:
- Mononuclear cells from bone marrow demonstrated the capacity to produce IgG-, IgA-, and IgM-RF.
- The levels of RF produced by bone marrow cells were comparable to those produced by synovial cells.
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells also showed RF production, but the study focused on bone marrow and synovium origins.
Conclusions:
- Bone marrow mononuclear cells are a significant source of RF production in RA patients.
- The findings suggest that the bone marrow is the predominant origin of circulating RF in RA.
- This implicates bone marrow in the autoimmune processes driving rheumatoid arthritis.