Qualitative and quantitative expression of VHI associated cross reactive idiotopes within IgM rheumatoid factor from patients with early synovitis

Article Abstract:

Autoimmunity occurs when certain antibodies, known as autoantibodies, are directed against bodily components which should not be recognized as foreign. One diagnostic criterion of a number of autoimmune diseases is the specificity of the autoantibody that is produced, that is, the types of molecule the antibody recognizes as foreign. The specificity of autoantibodies appears to be limited, as there are cross-reactive idiotypic antibodies present in certain autoimmune diseases. Cross-reactive idiotypes are antibodies made against the site where the antibody binds to the molecule. The presence of cross-reactive idiotypes indicates that there are structural similarities in the molecules that are recognized as foreign. Rheumatoid factors produced in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are idiotypic antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies were made against cross-reactive idiotypes on one of the major families of idiotypes of RF, known as Wa. The expression of the idiotypes and the levels of the antibodies of the immunoglobulin M (IgM) class were measured in patients with RA who have synovitis, inflammation of the synovial membranes of joints, to see if they could be used as an indicator of the progression of the disease. Patients with self-limiting synovitis had concentrations of IgM RF that were increased three-fold compared to normal, while the concentrations were increased 80-fold in patients with RA who have persistent synovitis. However, the proportion of IgM antibodies expressing the cross-reactive idiotype to the total IgM antibody produced was less in patients with RA with persistent synovitis compared with the ratio in normal individuals or patients with self-limiting synovitis. This may indicate an activation of many genes in RA which code for different antibody types. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Autoimmune diseases, Joint diseases, Rheumatoid factor, Immunoglobulin idiotypes

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Expression of CD69 antigen on synovial fluid T cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic synovitis

Article Abstract:

Increased expression of the CD69 antigen may occur on the surface of synovial fluid T cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other types of chronic synovitis. Chronic synovitis is inflammation of the synovial membrane that lines the joint cavity. Synovial fluid is secreted by the synovial membrane to lubricate the joint. A study examined expression of the CD69 antigen on the surface of synovial fluid and peripheral blood T cells from 12 patients with RA and five patients with other types of chronic synovitis. Expression of the CD69 antigen was also examined in peripheral blood T cells from 15 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and immune vasculitis. Increased expression of the CD69 antigen was found on the synovial fluid T cells from patients with RA or other types of chronic synovitis. Expression of the CD69 antigen was within a normal range on the peripheral blood T cells from all three patient groups.

T cells, Synovial membranes, Synovial membrane

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Synovial lymphocytes and the aetiology of synovitis

Article Abstract:

T lymphocytes, or T cells, may play an important role in the development and progression of synovitis. Synovitis is inflammation of the synovial membrane that lines the cavity of movable joints. Antigen specific T cells mediate the development of joint inflammation in patients with inflammatory arthritis. This may apply to inflammatory arthritis induced by bacterial infections or by autoantigens. Autoantigens are antigens produced by the body that attack its own tissue. Some forms of inflammatory arthritis may be T cell independent. In patients with T cell-mediated inflammatory arthritis, increased levels of T cells are present at the site of inflammatory lesions. Certain types of receptors may occur in T cells present in inflammatory lesions.

Lymphocytes

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