IgA rheumatoid factor in mucosal fluids and serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: immunological aspects and clinical significance.
In order to gain insight into the production and clinical significance of IgA rheumatoid factor (IgA-RF) in mucosal fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we examined tear fluid, saliva and serum from 80 patients with RA. Significant correlations were found between IgA-RF levels in tear fluid and saliva (P = 0.002, r = 0.57), saliva and serum (P < 0.001, r = 0.79), and serum and tear fluid (P < 0.001, r = 0.31). No significant correlations were found between total IgA levels in these fluids. Comparison between circulating and mucosal IgA-RF levels after correction for total IgA, revealed that mucosal IgA-RF levels are on average 2.5 times higher than circulating IgA-RF levels. Analysis of IgA-RF specificity showed that lacrimal and salivary IgA-RF reactivity with various IgG subclasses is similar and differs from serum IgA-RF specificity. These results indicate local production of IgA-RF in salivary and lacrimal glands and support the view of a common origin of IgA-RF producing B cells present in mucosal tissues. Mucosal and circulating levels of IgA and IgA-RF were not associated with tests that quantify tear fluid production. This indicates that mucosal and circulating levels of IgA and IgA-RF in patients with RA cannot be regarded as markers for the development of secondary Sjögren's syndrome.
Otten
H G
HG
Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands.
Daha
M R
MR
van der Maarl
M G
MG
Hoogendoorn
L I
LI
Beem
E M
EM
de Rooy
H H
HH
Breedveld
F C
FC
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000378:metabolism; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology; D013666:Tears / Q000276:immunology
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor