title: Expression of large quantities of rheumatoid factor major cross-reactive idiotype in the serum of adults with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: We quantified rheumatoid factor cross-reactive idiotype (RF-CRI) in whole serum from RF+ rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, using an inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay which is not affected by the presence of IgG. Serum from 16 RF+ RA patients contained 2-252 micrograms/ml RF-CRI (geometric mean */divided by SD 20.8 */divided by 5.2), while serum from 11 normal adults contained 1-16 micrograms/ml RF-CRI (geometric mean */divided by SD 3.9 */divided by 2.3). Serum from 8 of the RF+ RA patients contained RF-CRI at concentrations more than 2 standard deviations above the geometric mean in the normal subjects (greater than 21 micrograms/ml). Our results indicate that some RF+ RA patients express high concentrations of RF-RCRI and immunoglobulin molecules that express the RF-CRI may not be RF.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Schneider Children's Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY 11042.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Wedgwood
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hatam
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Bonagura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor