METABOLISM OF FACTOR-B OF SERUM COMPLEMENT IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 34  (1) , 1-9
Abstract
An increased rate of catabolism of radio-iodinated Factor B was shown in 5 of 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Serum levels of Factor B were normal, the increased catabolism being matched by increased synthesis. The patients showing high catabolic rates had more manifestations of extra articular disease than did those with normal catabolic rates and they had higher rheumatoid factor titers. In 7 patients, the catabolic rate for Factor B correlated significantly with the rate of Ig[immunoglobulin]G catabolism. In this series, the Raji[human Burkitt''s lymphoma]-cell assay for immune complex-like material was in the normal or near normal range in all but one patient.