title: Autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis. An approach via a study of B lymphocytes.
abstract: In this article the relationship between the cellular elements of the immune response and inflammation are examined with reference to the B lymphocyte repertoire. Evidence is presented that, in addition to an environment in the joint that favors localization and activation of auto-reactive B lymphocytes, the circulating B lymphocyte pool in rheumatoid arthritis is abnormally enriched in cells that bear a receptor for mouse erythrocytes and possess CD5 antigen. B lymphocytes with these novel phenotypic markers secrete autoantibodies and are found in abundance in fetal lymphoid tissues and cord blood; analogous cells in the mouse belong to a distinct lineage and are implicated in allotype- and idiotype-restricted interactions. It is postulated that a subset of B lymphocytes is of primary importance in the etiopathogenesis of rheumatoid disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Immunology, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, London, England.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Maini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Plater-Zyberk
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Andrew
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D012217:Rheumatoid Factor