The Relationship between Rheumatoid “Factor” and Serum Desoxyribonucleic Acid

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Abstract
Summary: A series of experiments undertaken to elucidate the identity of the rheumatoid “factor” present in the serum of rheumatoid arthritics have shown that this substance closely resembles desoxyribonucleic acid. In vitro DNA appears to complex with a Cohn IV-4 globulin and a Cohn Fraction III globulin. The latter in very small amounts inhibits the ability of both rheumatoid factor and DNA to agglutinate sensitized sheep cells. Electrophoretic patterns of normal and rheumatoid serum stained by the Fuelgen reaction demonstrates Fuelgen-positive material consisting of a γ tail, a band at β and a further small concentration in the α region. There is no detectable difference in the patterns given by either serum. The concentration of DNA in serum measured by the diphenylamine reaction of a Schneider extract gives a range of 7 to 14.1 mg/100 ml. The results do not differ materially in either the rheumatoid or normal cases.

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