Immunoglobulin V genes in rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract

Recent studies have revealed that a broad spectrum of Ig V genes (VH, V kappa, V lambda) contribute to the rheumatoid factor (RF) and non-RF produced by B cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This result contrasts with the restricted V gene use of paraprotein IgM RF. Certain VH and VL genes, however, appear more often in RA than expected from random expression, including some of the paraprotein-associated V genes. Many V genes expressed in RA are the same as those found in the fetal/CD5+ repertoire, suggesting an important role for CD5+ B cells in RA. Somatic mutations suggest that the B-cell response in RA is at least in part antigen-driven, although many Ig in RA have little or no mutation. Improved detection of V-gene polymorphisms now enable study of Ig V gene RFLP in RA.

• Authors: E H Sasso
• Journal: Rheumatic diseases clinics of North America (Rheum Dis Clin North Am) Vol. 18 Issue 4 Pg. 809-36 (Nov 1992) ISSN: 0889-857X [Print] United States
• PMID: 1455046 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulin Idiotypes
• Immunoglobulin Variable Region
• Immunoglobulins
• Rheumatoid Factor

Topics

• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (genetics)
• Genes
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin Idiotypes (genetics)
• Immunoglobulin Variable Region (genetics)
• Immunoglobulins (genetics)
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Reference Values
• Rheumatoid Factor (genetics)