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.
Bonagura
V R
VR
Department of Pediatrics, Schneider Children's Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York 11042.
Pernis
B
B
Agostino
N
N
Hatam
L
L
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