Rheumatoid factor determinants

It is well known that a number of antibodies with combining-site specificities directed against antigenic determinants present on other immunoglobulins appear during certain diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis is a 

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Korpilahde, T. et al. Smoking history and serum cotinine and thiocyanate concentrations as determinants of rheumatoid factor in non-rheumatoid subjects, Rheumatology (Oxford), 43, 1424, 2004. 

Latex agglutination immunoassays are easily formatted into simple kits which can provide yes/no and semiquantitative estimates of antigen (or antibody) in a sample. The first such assay was developed in 1957 for rheumatoid factor (15) and assays are on the market for the determination of many species of bacteria, fungi, Mycoplasma, parasites, Rickettsia, and viruses, as well as for the determination of autoimmune disease, hormones (qv), drugs (see Pharmaceuticals), and blood proteins (16). Latex agglutination is also the basis of many home pregnancy tests. 

Mechanism of Action. The basis for the antiar-thritic effects of penicillamine is unknown. Reductions in serum immunoglobulin M-rheumatoid factor have been observed with penicillamine, and this drug has been shown to depress T-cell function.53 These and similar findings suggest that penicillamine works by suppressing the immune response in rheumatoid arthritis, but the exact mechanisms remain to be determined. 

Macromolecular substances with multiple antigenic determinant [Ag] can be determined by agglutination of particles which are coated with specific antibodies [Pa-Ab Ag Ab-Pa]. This method can detect immunoglobulins, human placental lactogens, a-fetoprotein, etc. The sensitivity is approximately 10 (xg/liter. Alternatively, antigen-coated particles are used these particles agglutinate with antibodies. Thus, antibodies can be determined by this system. Cambiaso et al. reported automated determination of immune complexes by their inhibitory effect on the agglutination of IgG-coated particles by rheumatoid factor or Clq (C3). 

In an evaluation of the frequency and clinical characteristics of the underlying connective tissue disorders associated with silicone breast implants, 300 women with silicone breast implants were studied (45). In addition to a history and physical examination, C reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, and autoantibodies were determined. Criteria for fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome were met by 54% connective tissue diseases were detected in 11% and undifferentiated connective tissue disease or human adjuvant disease in 10.6%. A variety of disorders, such as angioedema, frozen shoulder, and a multiple sclerosis-like syndrome, were also found. Several other miscellaneous conditions, including recurrent and unexplained low grade fever, hair loss, skin rash, symptoms of the sicca sjmdrome, Rajmaud s phenomenon, carpal tunnel syndrome, memory loss, headaches, chest pain, and shortness of breath were also seen. Of 93 patients who underwent explantation, 70% reported improvement in their systemic symptoms. 

A major difference between a monoclonal anti-IgG and polyclonal rheumatoid factor is that the former would be expected to recognize only one kind of antigenic determinant on the IgG molecule. Stone and... 

We have used a series of IgG preparations differing in their content of oligosaccharide chains lacking galactose by 18-86% to determine whether changes in sugar content affect the binding of rheumatoid factor [40]. Five of 16 monoclonal... 

Although glucocorticoid use seems to be an important factor for low mineral density, sex hormones have also been suggested as an important determinant of bone mineral content. Bone mineral density and sex hormone status have been studied in 99 men with rheumatoid arthritis and 68 age-matched controls (SEDA-20, 375) (185). There were significant reductions in lumbar and... 

In a nested case-control study in Mexican patients with rheumatoid arthritis encompassing 1274 patient years, the risk factors were determined for acquiring infectious diseases (378). In addition to the cumulative doses of methotrexate and the duration of corticosteroids use, the mean daily dose of penicillamine was a risk factor. In one patient the infection was secondary to neutropenia. Tests for a possible immunoglobulin deficiency were not performed. 

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