title: Complement activation and immune complexes in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: We investigated the potential role of the complement system in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) by examining plasma for levels of complement activation fragments C4d and Bb. We correlated findings with both disease activity and laboratory abnormalities, including immune complex (IC) levels. While there was a strong correlation between active disease and both C4d and Bb plasma levels in JRA, no strong correlations could be made between IC levels and complement activation products; weak associations were seen between complement activation fragments and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Our data suggest that plasma complement activation is a concomitant of active disease in JRA; however, its role in the pathophysiology of JRA remains uncertain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Jarvis
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pousak
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krenz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iobidze
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002648:Child; D003167:Complement Activation; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis; D015935:Complement C4b; D011415:Complement Factor B / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001323:Autoantibodies; D003181:Complement C4; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D015935:Complement C4b; C032261:complement C4d; D011415:Complement Factor B