title: Binding affinity of human autoantibodies: studies of cryoglobulin IgM rheumatoid factors and IgG autoantibodies to albumin.
abstract: The binding affinity of cryoglobulin IgM rheumatoid factors (RF) for human IgG and of human IgG anti-albumin autoantibodies for HSA was measured by the molecular sieving technique. The binding affinities of the two autoantibodies were consistently low (10(4)-10(5) 1/M) as compared to the affinities of corresponding hyperimmune animal antibodies (10(6)-10(8) 1/M). The findings were discussed in relation to theories on human autoimmunity. The existence of strict autotolerance at the T cell level and of autoreactivity at the low affinity B cell level was considered to be best compatible with the findings of this study and with the major known facts of autoimmunity.
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies; D001323:Autoantibodies; D003450:Cryoglobulins; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D001323:Autoantibodies; D003450:Cryoglobulins; D007106:Immune Sera; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor