title: Analysis of circulating immune complexes from patients with ankylosing spondylitis by gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting using antiserum against a psoriasis associated retrovirus-like particle.
abstract: Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were isolated from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and healthy blood donors by isopycnic ultracentrifugation in sucrose gradients. The CIC were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting. The major components of the CIC were identified as albumin, immunoglobulins, and complement factors. A 70 kD component and several low molecular weight components (Mr 19 kD and 14 kD (doublet] were detectable only in CIC from patients with AS. An antiserum raised against the envelope glycoprotein, gp70, of a psoriasis associated retrovirus-like particle was applied to check for cross reacting activity. This antiserum reacted with both a 70 kD and a 40-45 kD component in CIC from three out of six patients but not with CIC from any of the blood donors.
mesh_terms: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000276:immunology*; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000276:immunology*; D014461:Ultracentrifugation; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007106:Immune Sera; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins