Study of autoantibodies, natural antibodies and IgE level in four families with rheumatoid arthritis.
34 members of four families with two RA cases in each, were typed for HLA antigens and their sera tested for rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies, natural antibodies and for total IgE level. Of the patients, 63% possessed DR4 and a similar association was observed between the rheumatoid factor (RF) and DR4 positivity. However, RF was present in 25%, including the healthy first degree relatives. Granulocyte-specific antinuclear antibodies (GS-ANA) were found in one third of the family members. GS-ANA positivity was higher among the DR4 positive healthy first degree relatives, than among the DR4 negative ones. Higher than normal IgE and natural antibody levels were observed in some families. The results show a familial regulatory disturbance of the immune system in multiple RA family members.
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000235:genetics; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000235:genetics*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000235:genetics*; D010375:Pedigree; D012307:Risk Factors
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001323:Autoantibodies; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D007073:Immunoglobulin E