Expression of a human fetal anti-DNA antibody idiotype BEG-2 beta in the families of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
BEG-2 is a monoclonal antibody produced by the human-human hybridoma technique from a 12 weeks old human fetus. A polyclonal antiserum was raised in an (NZW x Half-lop hybrid) rabbit against BEG-2 and the anti-BEG-2 anti-idiotype was purified and characterised. Using this rabbit reagent the expression of the BEG-2 beta idiotype was analysed in 12 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and their close family members (n = 54). Twenty five sera from healthy controls were analysed to establish a normal range. Ten of 12 patients (83%) with rheumatoid arthritis expressed the BEG-2 idiotype as well as 11 of 54 healthy unaffected relatives (20%).
Ravirajan
C T
CT
Department of Medicine, University College London, UK.
Youinou
P
P
Le Goff
P
P
Watts
R A
RA
Isenberg
D A
DA
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D010375:Pedigree
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004247:DNA