IGM-containing immune complexes and antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with Sneddon's syndrome.
We report three patients with a Sneddon syndrome in whom predominantly small (500-900 kD) IgM-containing serum immune complexes were detectable. Furthermore, antiphospholipid antibodies and increased von Willebrand factor antigen were found in the sera of two cases. Especially the data demonstrating small circulating immune complex as suggest that Sneddon's syndrome, a rare vasculitis disorder, might immunologically be characterized by circulating IgM-containing immune complexes which, in addition, could play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease entity. The elevated antiphospholipid antibodies as well as the increased von Willebrand factor antigen in the sera of the investigated patients have to be considered as nonspecific vasculitis-associated phenomena.
Department for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
E
E
Schulze-Lohoff
F
F
Krapf
L
L
Bleil
G R
GR
Burmester
K
K
Kölble
H G
HG
Nüsslein
W
W
Rödl
J R
JR
Kalden
D000328:Adult; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000276:immunology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D013577:Syndrome
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D010743:Phospholipids