John L. Abruzzo

Igm and igg anti‐f(ab )2 antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Radioimmunoassays for anti-F(ab )2 antibodies, which feature the use of goat anti-human Fc antibody for correcting potentiation of IgM anti-F(ab )2 antibody titers by endogenous IgM anti-Fc antibodies (rheumatoid factors), are described. Individuals with classic rheumatoid arthritis had significantly more IgM anti-F(ab )2 antibody (P < 0.001) and IgG anti-F(ab )2 antibody (P = 0.05) than did individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus or normal volunteers. There is some similarity in patterns of isotype distribution of anti-F(ab )2 antibodies and rheumatoid factors.

The hyperviscosity syndrome, polysynovitis, polymyositis and an unusual 13S serum IgG component

A patient is described in whom chronic polysynovitis, polymyositis and the hyperviscosity syndrome developed, and whose serum contained an unusual IgG that circulated mainly as a polyclonal 13S component, with rheumatoid factor-like activity. The 13S serum component, which at times represented more than 40 per cent of the serum total protein, was the major factor responsible for serum hyperviscosity. A striking correlation was observed among the following factors: intensity of the synovitis, intensity of the myositis, the concentration of serum IgG and 13S serum component concentration. Each seemed to be decreased by the administration of prednisone. The possible significance of these various interrelationships is discussed.

Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic drugs.

Excerpt Meclofenamate sodium (Meclomen; Parke-Davis, Morris Plains, New Jersey), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent of the fenamate group, has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug A...

A latex test for the detection of human IgG aggregates and IgG anti-IgG antibody

Abstract Latex particles (0·2 μ Lytron, Monsanto) were used for the measurement of certain types of human IgG. At pH 8·4 agglutination of latex particles occurred in the presence of purified 7 S IgG anti-IgG antibody and also of a 13 s IgG aggregate isolated from the serum of a patient with polymyositis, polyarthritis and hyperviscosity syndrome. A mixture of 10 S and 7 S pooled human IgG prepared by DEAE cellulose chromatography and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration was also reactive at certain restricted concentrations with latex particles. Agglutination of latex particles by 7 S IgG anti-IgG antibody and by the 13 S IgG aggregate was strongly inhibited when pooled IgG was present in a concentration of 20 μg/ml. Agglutination of latex particles was used for determining IgG aggregates and/or 7 S IgG anti-IgG antibody in human serum. Sera were treated with mercaptoethanol and diluted 30 fold. The solutions were exposed to an immunoadsorbent prepared from heated human IgG. The immunoadsorbent was eluted at pH 4·5, and the eluates were exposed to a suspension of latex particles not previously coated with human IgG. Preliminary screening tests show that serum IgG aggregates and 7 S IgG anti-IgG antibody and more prevalent in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis than in normal healthy adults.

The measurement of IgG anti-IgG antibody in rheumatoid arthritis☆

Abstract Serum IgG anti-IgG antibody was measured in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteo-arthritis and in healthy young adults. The antibody was isolated by immunoadsorption and evaluated by titration with latex particles. After establishing the methods specificity for IgG anti-IgG, its reproducibility and a means for converting titer to IgG concentration, IgG anti-IgG was found in greatest amounts in rheumatoid arthritis when compared with two other groups. The concentration of IgG anti-IgG, however, was consistently lower in our study than in studies by other workers. This discrepancy appears to be related to our procedure, namely dilution of serum prior to exposure to immunoadsorption, the latter tending to dissociate immune complexes (removal of IgG antigen from IgG anti-IgG antibody). The eluate obtained in this manner contains antibody IgG freed of IgG antigen, as manifested by mainly 7 S IgG, rather than 7 S IgG admixed with complexes of higher sedimentation coefficients. The method reported in this article, therefore, appears to measure IgG anti-IgG antibody with a greater degree of accuracy than previously reported techniques.

The Neonatal Lupus Syndrome, Autoantibodies, and Connective Tissue Disease

Excerpt Factors transferred across the placenta from mothers with lupus erythematosus or whose sera contain detectable antibody to the soluble tissue ribonucleoprotein antigen anti-Ro (SS-A) contri...

Some Progress with Systemic Sclerosis

Excerpt The treatment of systemic sclerosis has been ineffectual despite past enthusiasm for some drugs, notably corticosteroids, dimethyl sulfoxide, epsilon aminocaproic acid, potassium para-amino...

Newer Anti-Rheumatic Drugs

Excerpt A burgeoning market for drugs generally classed as anti-rheumatic (or anti-inflammatory) and a clear need for drugs able to reduce the joint destruction caused by rheumatoid arthritis have ...