[IgA rheumatoid factor formation in connection with complement activation and circulating immune complexes in chronic polyarthritis].
The IgA-rheumatoid factor (IgA-RF) as well as the complement component C3a in plasma and serum levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC) (C1q binding assay and Raji Cell Replacement assay) were measured with enzyme immunoassays in 81 patients with established rheumatoid arthritis. The serum levels of the complement component C3a were found significantly higher (p < 0.02) in the cases with high IgA-RF (> 6 AU/ml) than in those with low IgA-RF. Distinct significant correlations (r = 0.38; p < 0.001) were observed between production of IgA-RF and activation of the complement fragment C3a, which might be associated with production of antibodies and with complement activation accompanying inflammatory processes. A weaker correlation between CIC and IgA-RF-levels indicates CIC not to be closely related to the production of IgA-RF in the examined R.A.-patients. However, an indirect connection by the way of inflammation and activation of T-cells is possible.
Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institut für Rehabilitation interner Erkrankungen, Saalfelden.
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Kullich
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D015926:Complement C3a / Q000032:analysis; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007105:Immune Complex Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D015926:Complement C3a; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor
IgA-Rheumafaktorbildung im Zusammenhang mit Komplementaktivierung und zirkulierenden Immunkomplexen bei chronischer Polyarthritis.