The Journal of Experimental Medicine, Vol 114, 791-806,
Copyright, 1961, by The Rockefeller Institute
THE INDUCTION OF A RHEUMATOID FACTOR-LIKE SUBSTANCE IN RABBITS
John L. Abruzzo M.D.1 and
Charles L. Christians M.D.1
1 From the Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Edward Daniels Faulkner Arthritis Clinic of the Presbyterian Hospital, New York
Hyperimmunization of two groups of rabbits with killed Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis has resulted in the formation of a serum factor (RFLS) which resembled the human rheumatoid factor. It was a heat-stable protein that migrated electrophoretically in the gamma-beta globulin range and sedimented rapidly with ultracentrifugation. The serologic properties of the RFLS were destroyed by mercaptoethanol. It reacted primarily with rabbit gamma globulin in an aggregated state (immune complexes or physically aggregated gamma globulin) and demonstrated cross-reactivity with human gamma globulin.
Submitted on July 3, 1961