Increase in CD5+ B cells in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Relationship to IgM rheumatoid factor expression and disease activity.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between CD5+ B cell expression and IgM rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF) in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).


METHODS
CD5+ B cell levels analyzed by flow cytometry and IgM-RF expression determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were compared in children with JRA, children with other collagen vascular diseases, and healthy controls.


RESULTS
Children with polyarticular JRA had expanded populations of CD5+ B cells, and expansion of CD5+ B cells and IgM-RF both correlated with disease activity.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that an expanded CD5+ B cell population leads to IgM-RF production in patients with polyarticular JRA, as well as patients with RA.
Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.
J N
JN
Jarvis
J
J
Kaplan
N
N
Fine
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003095:Collagen Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology*; D007223:Infant; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor