LYMPHOCYTE-RESPONSE TO IGG IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING-SPONDYLITIS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Abstract

Lymphocyte responsiveness to IgG [immunoglobulin G] was measured by an agarose method in 9 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 1 patient with Reiter''s Syndrome (RS) and 36 of their family members. Similar studies were performed in 5 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 29 of their 1st degree relatives and 7 control families (27 subjects). Lymphocytes from the 10 spondylitic patients and 24 of 36 family members responded in vitro to autologous IgG. Although most of these subjects had the histocompatibilty antigen B27, there was no association between B27 and response to IgG. Four of the 5 patients with RA and 20 of their 29 1st degree relatives responded in vitro to IgG, whereas only 6 of 27 control family members gave a positive reaction. There was no difference in the incidence of antiglobulins (detected by agglutination tests) in the family members of patients with AS and RA or in control family members. Lymphocyte responsiveness to IgG may be the only aberrant immune response thus far described which is shared by patients with AS and RA and their family members.