Oligoclonality of rheumatoid factors arising spontaneously in lpr/lpr mice

• Published in: Clinical immunology and immunopathology Vol. 46; no. 3; pp. 382 - 395
• Main Authors: Wolfowicz, Claudia B., Sakorafas, Paul, Rothstein, Thomas L., Marshak-Rothstein, Ann
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 01.03.1988; New York, NY Academic Press; Boston
• Subjects: Animals; Antibody Specificity; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Fusion; Experimental and animal immunopathology. Animal models; Female; Immunoglobulin G - analysis; Immunoglobulin M - analysis; Immunopathology; Male; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Mutant Strains - immunology; Rheumatoid Factor - immunology; Spleen - cytology; Rheumatoid factor; Oligoclonal immunoglobulin; Immunopathology; Animal model; Immunoglobulins; Specificity; Radioimmunoassay; Autoantibody; Isotype; Autoimmune disease
• ISSN: 0090-1229; 1090-2341
• DOI: 10.1016/0090-1229(88)90057-8

Rheumatoid factors (RF) from individual mice of the MRL/lpr and C3H/lpr strains were examined with regard to target specificity and heavy chain class expression. It was found that MRL/lpr-derived RF preferentially recognize IgG2a target antibodies while C3H/lpr-derived RF exhibit a broader range of cross-reactivity. IgM RF represent only a minor proportion of the RF response in both strains. The IgG2a-specific RF produced by the lpr strains were found to consist of relatively equal proportions of IgG1, IgG2b, IgG3, and IgA antibodies. However, most of the RF produced by a single individual expressed the same heavy chain class and antigen-binding specificity. These results indicate that within an individual lpr mouse, circulating RF are derived from extensive expansion of a limited number of antigen-activated precursors.