Immunoglobulin m deficiency in the immune response of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

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Abstract
The specific antibody production in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in response to three antigens—sheep cell stroma, Brucellin and Limulus polyphemus hemocyanin—was examined. Several antigens were used in expectation that an abnormality in antibody production might be selective and not uniform for all antigens. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis were deficient in their IgM response to sheep cell stroma and Brucellin, especially the latter. This deficiency was limited to the primary response and to secondary responses characterized by only slight increases in antibody levels. More intensive stimulation resulted in equal production of IgM antibody in both groups. Antigenic competition may explain the deficiency in IgM antibody production. Levels of rheumatoid factor increased after repeated stimulation paralleling, in general, the specific antibody responses.

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