LYMPHOCYTES BINDING C-REACTIVE PROTEIN AND STREPTOCOCCAL MEMBRANES IN ACUTE RHEUMATIC-FEVER

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 96  (5) , 803-814
Abstract
Peripheral blood lymphocytes binding CRP [C-reactive protein] and streptococcal membrane antigens were studied in 19 patients with ARF [acute rheumatic fever] with the use of a number of paired analyses for cell surface markers. A small fraction (6.9%) of T cells showed binding to streptococcal membrane. A large degree of overlap (38-46%) occurred in membrane-binding T cells and those with identifiable CRP. One-third of T.gamma. cells showed CRP binding; approximately 1/4 of T.gamma. cells in ARF patients and normal controls showed membrane Ia antigen. A considerable concordance (50-75%) was noted between T cells binding streptococcal membrane and cells positive for Ia antigen. In contrast to T cells, B cells bearing CRP showed less overlap (mean 11%) with cells binding streptococcal membrane. Since B cells with concomitant surface Ig and Ia antigen constituted the major lymphocyte subpopulation binding streptococcal membrane antigens, relative exclusion of streptococcal membrane binding by B cells with surface CRP may represent natural protective modulation whereby proportions of potential antigen-binding B cells are defused by lymphocyte membrane CRP.