The major rheumatoid factor cross-reactive idiotype is dominantly expressed by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I-activated CD5+ control B cells.
Some seropositive (RF+) and seronegative (RF-) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients selectively express high concentrations of the major RF cross-reactive idiotype (RCRI) in their sera and generate high frequencies of RCRI+ pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced plasma cells from their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM). To determine if normal individuals can express RCRI in vitro, B cells from controls were activated with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I (SAC) bacteria to identify RCRI and RF production. In addition, we studied the relationship of RCRI expression with the subset of B cells bearing CD5. Control CD5+ B cells are responsible for RCRI expression following SAC activation. We also observed that RCRI is dominantly expressed by control SAC-induced B cells in frequencies comparable to that expressed by some RA and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients' PBM activated by PWM. Therefore, the frequency of RCRI+ B cells in control and arthritis patients' PBL may be similar, or the selection and/or regulation of RCRI+ B-cell expression in vitro and in vivo may be different in arthritis patients compared to normal individuals.
Department of Pediatrics, Schneider Children's Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York 11042.
V R
VR
Bonagura
B
B
Pernis
N
N
Agostino
L
L
Hatam
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000276:immunology; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000276:immunology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D001324:Autoantigens; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens; C069985:Wa antigen; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor