IgG rheumatoid factor-secreting lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation of a haemolytic plaque-forming cell technique.
A haemolytic plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay detecting human B lymphocytes secreting IgG rheumatoid factor (RF) was established using sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) sensitized with rabbit IgG, developing rabbit anti-human IgG, and complement. IgG-RF PFC were only demonstrated with IgG-depleted guinea-pig serum as the source of complement. Cells spontaneously secreting IgG-RF were found among synovial fluid mononuclear cells (mean, 134/10(6)) and synovial tissue mononuclear cells (mean, 1775/10(6)) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, whereas few were recorded among blood lymphocytes (mean, 3/10(6)). The experiments revealed that the RF-IgG PFC were protein-synthesizing B lymphocytes. The antibody specificity of the secreted IgF-RF was verified by the inhibitory effect of exogenous human and rabbit IgG on PFC formation.
D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000276:immunology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011817:Rabbits; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000166:cytology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor