title: Possible role of a copper complex in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Clinical and experimental evidence suggest that rheumatoid arthritis may be due to a deficiency in joint fluid of an inhibitor of protein denaturation. This inhibitor may be a histidine-cystine-copper complex. A deficiency of this inhibitor may permit the nonimmunological alteration of joint fluid IgG to a pseudoimmune complex which could initiate the inflammation and immunological abnormalities of rheumatoid arthritis.
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D003300:Copper / Q000502:physiology*; D006639:Histidine / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D013439:Sulfhydryl Reagents / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013439:Sulfhydryl Reagents; D006639:Histidine; D003300:Copper