title: In vitro immunoglobulin production by lymphocytes of patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: effects of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I stimulation and monocyte depletion.
abstract: Pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) were used to stimulate in vitro IgG and IgM production by lymphocytes of 27 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Twelve had reduced stimulation indices for PWM stimulated cultures of T and non-T cells. Stimulation with SAC resulted in increased IgM production in half (5/10); and partial removal of monocytes resulted in improved PWM induced IgM production in 5/7. IgG production was less easily improved. The results of our study suggest that while PWM induced Ig production may be reduced, B cells responding to SAC may function normally in some patients with JRA. In others, monocyte mediated suppression may account for reduced responses to PWM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Krzekotowska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens