Open AccessRestricted heterogeneity of polyclonal rheumatoid factors
Author(s) -
Bouvet JeanPierre,
Xin Wu Yu,
Pillot Jacques
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780300906
Subject(s) - polyclonal antibodies , rheumatoid factor , titer , monoclonal , microbiology and biotechnology , monoclonal antibody , antibody , chemistry , immunology , biology
Abstract The electrophoretic pattern of rheumatoid factor (RF) was investigated in 40 polyclonal sera, by using radiolabeled IgG. Thirty sera specifically bound IgG aggregates, correlating with their RF titer. The binding pattern was monoclonal or oligoclonal. The molecules responsible were classic RF antibodies, as shown by using purified IgM, inhibition experiments, and by the optimal size of aggregates (2,000–4,000 kd). These data show that RF heterogeneity is restricted in polyclonal sera, and this can have a bearing on several mechanisms.