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Pokeweed mitogen-induced secretion of IgG- and IgM-rheumatoid factors by synovial fluid and blood B lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis

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Summary

Lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were assayed for their ability to secrete Ig and rheumatoid factors (RF) upon polyclonal activation in vitro. B lymphocytes secreting IgM-RF and IgG-RF were enumerated using hemolytic plaque forming cell (PFC) assays. The sensitivity of RF-PFC formation was similar to that of a reverse PFC assay detecting all cells secreting Ig. Blood mononuclear cells from RA patients generated a median of 12 IgM-RF and 15 IgG-RF-secreting cells/106 after 6 days culture with pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Thus a median of approximately 0.5% of IgM- and IgG-secreting cells were identified as RF-PFC. Synovial fluid B lymphocytes co-cultured with autologous blood T lymphocytes in the presence of PWM generated higher numbers of RF-secreting cells; medians of 43 IgM-RF and 441 IgG-RF secreting cells/106 were found. Thus, 8–9% of IgM- and IgG-secreting cells from synovial fluid were identified as RF-PFC. In co-cultures containing synovial fluid T cells, PWM-induced RF secretion was low. The data indicate that both blood and SF B cells have the potential for RF secretion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Medical Immunology TA 7544, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, 20 Tagensvej, DK-Copenhagen N, Denmark

    J. Petersen

  2. Department of Medicine TA, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, 20 Tagensvej, DK-Copenhagen N, Denmark

    C. Heilmann

  3. Laboratory of Autoimmune Diseases, State Serum Institute, 80 Amager Boulevard, DK-2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark

    M. Høier-Madsen

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  1. J. Petersen
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  2. C. Heilmann
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  3. M. Høier-Madsen
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Petersen, J., Heilmann, C. & Høier-Madsen, M. Pokeweed mitogen-induced secretion of IgG- and IgM-rheumatoid factors by synovial fluid and blood B lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int 6, 115–120 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00270347

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00270347

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