Functional defects of monocyte C3b receptor-mediated phagocytosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA): evidence for an association with the appearance of a circulating population of non-specific esterase-negative mononuclear phagocytes.
We have previously described a selective defect of monocyte C3b receptor-mediated phagocytosis in patients with rheumatoid cutaneous vasculitis. We have studied a further 15 rheumatoid arthritis patients with other associated diseases and complications and have identified 4 further patients with a similar defect. Serological and cytochemical studies suggest that the defect in phagocytosis is due to the appearance of increased numbers of large nonspecific esterase-negative mononuclear phagocytes with defective C3b receptor phagocytic function rather than to receptor blockade by immune complexes.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D043182:Carboxylesterase; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000097:blood; D003169:Complement Inactivator Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000276:immunology*; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000276:immunology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology
D003169:Complement Inactivator Proteins; D011951:Receptors, Complement; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; D043182:Carboxylesterase