Detection of human antibodies binding with smooth and rough LPSs from Proteus mirabilis O3 strains S1959, R110, R45.

Bacteria of the genus Proteus of the family Enterobacteriaceae are facultative human pathogens responsible mainly for urinary tract and wound infections, bacteremia and the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We have analyzed and compared by ELISA the titer of antibodies in plasmas of healthy individuals and in sera of rheumatoid arthritis patients recognizing a potential host cross-reactive epitope (lysine-galacturonic acid epitopes) present in Proteus lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In our experiments LPSs isolated from two mutants of smooth Proteus mirabilis 1959 (O3), i.e. strains R110 and R45, were used. R110 (Ra type mutant) is lacking the O-specific polysaccharide, but possesses a complete core oligosaccharide, while R45 (Re type) has a reduced core oligosaccharide and contains two 3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid residues and one of 4-amino-4-deoxy-L-arabinopyranose residues. Titer of P. mirabilis S1959 LPS-specific-antibodies increased with the age of blood donors. RA and blood donors' sera contained antibodies against S and Ra and Re type of P. mirabilis O3 LPSs. Antibodies recognizing lysine-galacturonic acid epitopes of O3 LPS were detected by ELISA in some plasmas of healthy individuals and sera of rheumatoid arthritis patients. RA patients antibodies reacting with P. mirabilis S1959 S and R LPSs may indicate a potential role of anti-LPS antibodies in molecular mimicry in RA diseases.

[Concentration of serum sulphydryl groups in patients with rheumatoid arthritis dependent on age and duration of disease]. / Stezenie surowiczych grup sulfhydrylowych u chorych na reumatoidalne zapalenie stawów w zaleznosci od wieku i czasu trwania choroby.

In 67 patients with classical or certain (according to the ARA criteria) rheumatoid arthritis, the concentration of serum sulphydryl groups (SH) was studied. A statistically significantly decreased concentration of these groups was found in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (397.1 +/- 31.7 mumol/l). Besides that the studies demonstrated that the concentration of serum SH groups depended on the age of the patients and duration of the disease. For example, in time range of disease duration from one to 15 years, the concentration of SH groups was 395.9 +/- 28.5 mumol/l, from 16 to 20 years: 337.0 +/- 32.0 mumol/l, and from 26 to 30 years: 290.0 +/- 17.2 mumol/l. The changes of the concentration of serum SH groups in patients with rheumatoid arthritis may become, according to many researchers, a very sensitive biochemical index in the assessment of the course of the inflammatory process.