The HLA-DQ7 and -DQ8 associations in DR4-positive rheumatoid arthritis patients A combined analysis of data available in the literature

Several different lines of evidence have demonstrated that inherited susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with the DRB1 genes encoding the HLA-DR4 and HLA-DR1 molecules. A contrasting hypothesis has recently been proposed, suggesting that, in general, the DRB1 locus is associated with protection to RA and that the RA-associated DRB1 alleles are not responsible for the primary disease association but merely permissive for the susceptibility conferred by the HLA-DQ alleles with which they are in linkage disequilibrium. We have performed a critical review of the literature on the HLA association in RA with special emphasis on studies in which both an HLA-DR and -DQ association has been investigated. Our analyses provide strong evidence against the hypothesis that HLA-DQ molecules play a major role in the general susceptibility to RA. Thus, the strongest association in rheumatoid arthritis is with DRB1 genes rather than DQB1 genes.     

类风湿因子IgM-RF、IgG-RF和IgA-RF的临床意义分析

目的　探讨 3种类风湿因子 (RF)诊断类风湿关节炎 (RA)、反映病情活动度和疗效的临床意义。方法对关节痛 /关节炎 (A组 )、确诊的RA (B组 )、其它免疫结缔组织病 (C组 )患者和正常人 (D组 )共 6 18例用酶联免疫法进行 3种RF的动态检测并随访观察。结果　 4组人群中 3种RF的阳性率和浓度以B组最高 [IgM RF为 92 4 % ,(182 5± 5 1 4 )IU/ml;IgG RF为 6 7 8% ,(2 2 9 7± 75 6 )IU/ml;IgA RF为 78 8% ,(2 35 8± 80 7)IU/ml],组间比较依次为B组 >A组 >C和D组 (均为P <0 0 5 )。B组中高活动期RA患者的 3种RF浓度明显高于其它 3组 (P <0 0 5 ) ,IgM RF和IgA RF在稳定期和低活动期较高活动期均明显降低 (均为P <0 0 5 ) ,而IgG RF变化无显著性。随访 3～ 18个月 ,A组中最后确诊为RA的比率以 3种RF同时阳性者最高 (10 0 0 % ) ,2种RF同时阳性者次之(90 9%～ 93 3% ) ,以单一RF作比较则IgG RF >IgA RF >IgM RF阳性者。结论　早期诊断RA以IgM RF的敏感性最高 ,以IgG RF的特异性最高 ,任何 2种以上RF阳性可提高RA诊断的可靠性 ,RF浓度可作为判断RA活动度及药物治疗效果的指标之一。     

Anti-avian antibodies and rheumatoid factor in pigeon hypersensitivity pneumonitis

BACKGROUND: Although several immunological abnormalities may be present in pigeon hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), few specific hallmarks have been described. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) could be useful to discriminate pigeon HP from asymptomatic breeders (AB) and other interstitial lung diseases. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with pigeon HP, 47 AB, 31 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) group were studied. IgM RF was determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot using human IgG and IgG Fc fragment as antigens. IgG and IgA anti-avian antibodies (AA) against pigeon serum antigen were also measured. The use of F(ab')2 fraction of peroxidase-labelled anti-human immunoglobulins prevented endogenous interferences. Possible cross-binding of RF with avian antigens and the reactivity against human IgG by AA were studied. RESULTS: RF tests were frequently positive in HP (52.8%) in comparison to AB (4.2%) and IPF (12.9%; P = 2.6 x 10-10 and 4.1 x 10-5). Therefore, the presence of RF in pigeon HP showed a sensitivity of 52% and was highly specific considering the results of AB and IPF (95 and 87%, respectively). The RA group revealed positive RF but negative AA tests. RF activity was confirmed through western blot using purified IgG Fc fragment. Overlapping levels of IgG and IgA AA were found in HP and AB. The frequency of AA was low in IPF. The cross-reaction of RF with avian antigens was excluded, and no reactivity against human IgG by AA was detected. Other endogenous interferences were ruled out. CONCLUSION: No single immunological test may definitively distinguish pigeon HP from AB and other interstitial lung disorders; however, positive RF, together with high AA levels, seems to be useful in differentiating the diagnosis.     

关节液检查的临床意义

检查30例关节炎患者的关节液,结果示类风湿性关节炎患者关节液中白细胞数为330～72600/mm~3,粒细胞为9～97％,结合关节液的其它物理性质,对类风湿关节炎的诊断有一定参考价值。并观察到类风湿关节炎患者血清中IgG、IgA、IgM和关节液中IgG高于其它类型关节炎。     

Rheumatoid arthritis and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis: an unusual case

SUMMARY: Renal involvement is not uncommon in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Many RA patients have renal dysfunction either secondary to the drugs used to treat arthritis or because of the chronic inflammation. Renal pathologies have often included amyloidosis, drug-related renal disease and mesangial glomerulonephritis. However, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis has only been rarely reported. We report a case of rheumatoid arthritis associated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis that rapidly progressed to end-stage renal disease.     

带血管蒂岛状筋膜瓣移植治疗晚期类风湿性髋关节炎

目的：阐明带血管蒂岛状筋膜瓣移植治疗晚期类风湿性髋关节炎的疗效。材料和方法：对４２例４８髋晚期类风湿性髋关节炎病人采用以旋股外侧血管降支为蒂的股前外侧筋膜瓣移植行患髋成形术。结果：术后随访４～１０．５年，平均４．５年，髋关节活动范围术前平均１６．５°，术后２２８．６°，按照Ｃｈａｒｎｌｅｙ和吴之康人工髋关节置换术后的疗效评定标准，优良２９髋、很好１３髋、好６髋，尚可、差、很差无。结论：患者年龄在１５～４０岁之间为合适的治疗年龄。与人工髋关节置换术相比，本方法对髋关节正常结构破坏小；一旦手术失败仍可选用其它治疗方法弥补；且并发症少、费用低、远期效果好。     

养阴清热、宣痹通络法治疗类风湿性关节炎的临床研究

目的 观察清络通痹颗粒治疗类风湿性关节炎阴虚络热证的临床疗效。方法 将118例患者随机分为清络通痹颗粒治疗组63例和雷公藤多甙片对照组55例，观察用药前后主要症状、体征和实验室检测指标的变化。结果 治疗组的临床治愈率为9．52％，临床治愈显效率为38．10％，总有效率为90．48％，疗效明显优于对照组的0％、20％、83．64％（P＜0．05）；治疗组的类风湿因子滴度、血沉、C反应蛋白、免疫球蛋白也明显降低，与对照组相比差异显著（P＜0．05或P＜0．01）。结论 清络通痹颗粒具有抗炎镇痛、调节免疫紊乱等作用，从而达到控制病情的治疗效果。     

Lipoprotein lipase in relation to inflammatory activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To evaluate the impact of chronic inflammation on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) levels and triglyceride metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Design. Plasma levels of LPL activity and mass before and after heparin were determined in post-menopausal women with active RA and in controls. The results were related to lipid levels and inflammatory variables. The LPL activity and mass together with triglyceride levels were also measured before and 6 h after an oral fat load. Setting. The study was performed on in- and out-patients at a University Rheumatology clinic. The controls came from the same reference area. Subjects. Altogether 17 consecutive post-menopausal female patients with RA and 16 age and sex matched controls were enrolled for the initial determination of LPL. Fifteen of the patients and 15 of the controls agreed to take part in the fat load. Of these, one patient and one control were excluded. Main outcome measures. LPL determination: basal levels and post-heparin levels of LPL activity and mass. Correlations between LPL and blood lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides), lipoprotein levels (high density lipoprotein, HDL; low density lipoprotein, LDL), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) acute phase proteins (orosomucoid, haptoglobin, fibrinogen mass) and cytokines (tumour necrosis factor α, TNF-α; interleukin 1β, IL-1β; and interleukin-6, IL-6). Fat tolerance test: LPL activity, mass and triglyceride levels before and 6 h after a per oral fat load. Results. Pre-heparin LPL mass (P<0.01) and activity (P<0.01) were significantly lower in the rheumatoid patients. Pre-heparin LPL mass showed no correlation to the lipid levels, but an inverse correlation to several inflammatory parameters; it was significant for orosomucoid (r_s=?0.63, P<0.05) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r_s=?0.54, P<0.05) and close to significant for haptoglobin (r_s=?0.48, P=0.087) and IL-6 (r_s=?0.52, P=0.061). Six hours after a lipid load the LPL activity and mass were significantly lower in RA (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively) but the triglyceride level was not significantly different compared to controls. Conclusion. An inverse relationship exists between inflammatory status and pre-heparin LPL mass. Pre-heparin LPL mass reflects mainly the inactive monomeric fraction of LPL. This has been shown to hinder the uptake of remnant lipoprotein particles through competition with lipoprotein bound dimeric LPL for the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP receptor) on hepatocytes and macrophages in culture. A decrease of the level of monomeric LPL in plasma may thus be beneficial for remnant catabolism. The same mechanism may on the other hand increase macrophage uptake of lipids. This may not affect global lipid metabolism but may be important in driving the atherosclerotic process in the vessel wall.