Enhanced T helper cell function for the spontaneous production of IgM rheumatoid factor in vitro in rheumatoid arthritis.
Co-culture experiments between T and B cells from normal subjects and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were performed in order to assess the immunoregulatory effects of T cells on spontaneous production of IgM rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF). Cultures of normal B cells with normal, autologous or allogeneic T cells failed to synthesize IgM-RF. In contrast, RAT cells promoted IgM-RF production from normal B cells as well as from RA B cells. The 'helper' effect of T cells from RA patients for IgM-RF production was not HLA-DR4 restricted and could not be accounted for by an allogeneic effect. These observations suggest that activated T helper cells may contribute to the production of IgM-RF in RA.
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000378:metabolism*; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor