Abstract
Rheumatoid joint effusions and rheumatoid synovial membrane supernatants contain factors capable of enhancing immunoglobulin synthesis in normal and rheumatoid lymphocytes. A low molecular weight nonspecific enhancing factor which stimulates immunoglobulin synthesis in both normal and rheumatoid lymphocytes is present in fraction V from agarose A 5m of rheumatoid effusions. It has the size of a lymphokine like mediator of T cell function. A high molecular enhancing factor containing IgG and IgM is present in fraction II of rheumatoid effusions which stimulates immunoglobulin synthesis only in rheumatoid lymphocytes. Rheumatoid factor production is also enhanced by fractions II and V, but only in rheumatoid lymphocyte cultures. Rheumatoid lymphocytes react more intensely to the nonspecific enhancing factor present in fraction V. These findings demonstrate a possible pathway whereby cellular immune mechanisms may influence the humoral immune response in rheumatoid arthritis.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | RHEUM.ANNUAL REV. |
| Pages | 87-89 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Volume | Vol. 6 |
| State | Published - 1975 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine