Low molecule weight IgM in ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the serum levels of low molecule weight IgM (LMW IgM) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to evaluate the relationship of LMW IgM levels with the disease activities. Methods The levels of LMW IgM and pentameric IgM in AS patients, RA patients and healthy controls were measured with ELISA after separated using ultrafiltration assay. Differences in the percentage of LMW IgM between subject groups were analysed using Mann-Whitney U test. Results The percentages of LMW IgM increased dramatically in AS patients and RA patients compared with healthy controls (0.194 ± 0123, 0.061 ±0.026, 0.028 ±0.165 separately). The LMW IgM percentages were not correlated with the disease activities. Conclusion The increase of LMW IgM indicates humoral immune function abnormality in AS patients and RA. However, the mechanism needs further study.