Immunoglobulin and specific antibody responses to antigenic stimulation in adult coeliac disease.

Analysis of the sera from both R.A. and the control group on a Technicon SMA 12/60 revealed no abnormality of liver or kidney function which might have suggested difference in immunoglobulin metabolism. The Gm phenotype distributions were also similar, indicating that the Gm groupings were not associated with the coniigurational differences observed. Several workers have commented on the stability of immunoglobulin levels in a given individual. There is also evidence that the subclass proportions themselves are equally stable and this may imply a difference in the capacity of each individual to respond to a particular antigen. This preliminary study indicates that differences in molecular configuration may also occur. The presence of molecular species in the yG-globulins of rheumatoid patients, differing configurationally from ‘normal’ yG-globulins may be clinically highly significant since their presence may be highly favourable to the initiation of autoimmune phenomena.