A HUMAN RHEUMATOID-FACTOR C304 SHARES V-H AND V-L GENE USAGE WITH ANTIBODIES SPECIFIC FOR UBIQUITOUS HUMAN VIRAL

Analysis of the variable region gene sequences of a human hybridoma rh eumatoid factor (RF), derived from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), revealed the expression of genes from the V lambda I and V(H)3 families. Specifically, the C304 RF had rearranged the DPL8/Hum1v1042 and VH26 germline V-L and V-H genes, respectively. This gene usage has been observed in the rearrangement of human anti-viral antibodies spe cific for the herpes group of viruses. This overlap between the autoim mune and anti-viral antibody gene repertoires suggests a possible stru ctural relationship between the immune response directed against ubiqu itous pathogens and the induction of RF production.