Abstract: A method for measuring hyaluronic acid in a biological sample which comprises (a) coating a solid support with hyaluronic acid; (b) incubating the sample with cartilage proteoglycan; (c) exposing the incubated sample to the coated solid support; (d) then exposing the coated solid support to a keratan sulfate-reactive antibody; (e) determining the amount of antibody linked to keratan sulfate; and (f) correlating the amount of antibody linked to the keratan sulfate to the amount of hyaluronic acid in the sample.

Abstract: A polypeptide having amino acid sequence 172-192 of a Mycobacterium bovis BCG 64 kD polypeptide, said sequence having the formula ##STR1## as well as polypeptides derived therefrom, in the amino acid sequence of which sequence 172-179 and/or sequence 189-192 is (are) entirely or partially absent, were found to be useful as immunogens inducing resistance to auto-immune arthritis and similar auto-immune diseases.The invention relates to these polypeptides, to polypeptides showing sequential homology with these polypeptides, and to derivatives and multimers thereof. Also, microorganisms expressing the polypeptides either as such or as part of a fusion protein or as a multimer form part of the invention.Finally, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions, diagnostic compositions and test kits comprising a compound according to the invention.

Abstract: Assays which aid in diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis are disclosed. One assay tests urine samples for the presence or absence of an RNA polymerase I antibody which specifically binds with RNA polymerase I antigen and another assay tests for the presence or absence of an RNA polymerase I antigen that specifically binds with an antibody to RNA polymerase I.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying T cell populations involved in autoimmune diseases. This involves determining levels of a V.beta. element in a body fluid sample of a patient and comparing this to normal levels. Variation from normal levels is indicative of an autoimmune disease. The invention also involves assaying T cell subpopulations in a sample to determine clonality of .beta. chains. Clonality can also be used to diagnose autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a patient with an autoimmune disease using monoclonal antibodies to quantitate the amount of 680 kd, 54 kd, 44 kd or 14 kd present, wherein an elevated amount of protein compared to a patient without the disease indicates the presence of autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a patient with an autoimmune disease comprising assaying a blood sample from a patient for increased levels of the carbohydrate moieties of one or more proteins, said increased level of one or more of said proteins indicating the presence of an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Assays are provided for detecting the existence of active rheumatoid arthritis by detecting rheumatoid factor as a blood component which cross-links human IgG with sheep IgG. Particularly, an enzyme labelled assay is provided using biotin-avidin to link the enzyme to the immunoglobulin. The binding peptide of the rheumatoid factor is also provided.

Abstract: A method of treating rheumatoid arthritis which includes first, taking a blood test to determine a rate of erythrocyte sedimentation and a rheumatoid factor, and then fasting for a 12-hour period prior to orally administering a 500 milligram dosage of tetracycline achromycin, and observing any change in the symptoms of the rheumatoid arthritis including reduction of swelling and pain in the affected sites. This process is repeated over 24-hour cycles until the rheumatoid factor has decreased by at least 50% from the first determined level prior to treatment and erythrocyte sedimentation decreased, at which point the 24-hour cycles are continued, reducing the dosage of tetracycline achromycin to 250 milligrams until the symptoms of the rheumatoid arthritis condition disappear.

Abstract: Assays are provided for detecting the existence of active rheumatoid arthritis by detecting rheumatoid factor as a blood component which cross-links human IgG with sheep IgG. Particularly, an enzyme labelled assay is provided using biotin-avidin to link the enzyme to the immunoglobulin.

Abstract: A method for the detection of the presence of inflammation in a patient by measuring the amount of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule (cICAM-1) in a sample of one or more bodily fluids of the patient and then comparing the amount of cICAM-1 in the sample to standards normal for the bodily fluid or fluids assayed. The amount of cICAM-1 can be measured using anti-ICAM-1 antibodies. Higher than normal amounts of cICAM-1 indicate the presence of inflammation. Also contemplated is a method for the detection of organ transplant or tissue graft rejection.

Abstract: A method of binding aggregated immunoglobulin or immune complexes comprising contacting them with serum amyloid P component ("SAP"). The invention also comprises methods of using SAP to detect or quantitate immune complexes and to deplete fluids of aggregated immunoglobulin or immune complexes for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Also provided is a test kit comprising SAP for detecting or quantitating immune complexes and a device for removing aggregated immunoglobulin or immune complexes from fluids.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of arthritis or a related autoimmune disease that exhibits immune complexes in serum or synovial fluid is provided which comprises exposure of the serum or synovial fluid to an oligosaccharide containing a structural component that inhibits or disrupts the degree of occupancy of the Fc carbohydrate binding site on IgG, e.g., sialyllactose.

Abstract: A method of determining collagen degradation in vivo, including quantitating the concentration of a peptide in a body fluid, the peptide being a C-terminal type II collagen telopeptide containing a hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link or a type III collagen telopeptide containing a hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link. The method includes immunometric assays, fluorometric assays, and electrochemical titrations for quantitation. The structures of specific peptides having cross-links and kits for quantitating these peptides in a body fluid are described.

Abstract: An element for assaying a rheumatoid factor quantitatively in biosamples, comprising a polyalkyl methacrylate solid carrier and serum albumin immobilized thereon, the serum albumin being immunologically bound with anti-albumin rabbit IgG, and a method of assaying a rheumatoid factor quantitatively by immunoglobulin class in which the element is reacted with the biosample, then the element-bound rheumatoid factor is reacted with enzyme-labeled anti-human IgG, enzyme-labeled anti-human IgM or enzyme-labeled anti-human IgA, and then the amount of the marker enzyme is determined.

Abstract: To diagnose diseases in patients, a protein complex, RhC, is prepared from horse serum by precipitating a white powder from the serum at a pH of 5.5 and processing to remove lipids at a pH of 8.2 using Tris-HCl as the buffer. It includes two components associated together to provide a molecular weight of 280,000 and having characteristics of a rheumatoid factor and a Clq-like subcomponent of the complement. The protein complex is incubated with human serum or plasma and then precipitated by dialysis against a high pH buffer (0.05M Tris-HCl pH 8.2). When precipitated, it co-precipitates the immune complexes from the human blood serum without substantial monomeric immunoglobulin to quantitatively isolate immune complexes from serum. Immunological assays then determine how much immune complex and what kind were in the serum.

Abstract: Chemically synthesized polypeptides containing about 6 to 40 amino acid residues and having amino acid residue sequences that substantially correspond to the primary amino acid residue sequences of particular variable or hypervariable regions of immunoglobulins, when administered alone or as polymers or as conjugates bound to carriers, induce the production of anti-idiotype antibodies of predetermined specificities.

Abstract: A novel immunoassay techniques is provided which is useful in the detection and determination of antibodies to antigens. Antibodies of all classes to a given antigen or the specific subclass of immunoglobulin to a specified antigen can be detected. A conjugate of labelled antibody and specific antigen is used as the third reagent in a sandwich assay.

Abstract: A test system and procedure for quantitatively assaying biological material for a target immunological substance by means of immunochemical binding of immune complexes, comprising the target substance and its immunospecific conjugate, to insolubilized non-immunospecific factor, such as Clq. A sample of biological material suspected of containing the target substance is introduced into the test system including pre-determined amounts of the target substance and its immunospecific conjugate forming immune complexes having a known degree of chemical binding to the non-immunospecific factor. The amount of target substance present in the test sample is determined according to the deviation from the known degree of immunochemical binding caused by the addition of the sample to the test system, by reference to a standard curve.

Abstract: A reagent for use in immunoassays for rheumatoid factor (RF) is provided. The reagent contains heparin. Use of this reagent suppresses interference from the component Glq found in some test samples, and alleviates the need for a heat inactivation pretreatment of test samples to eliminate Clq interference.

Abstract: This invention provides a reagent capable of binding to T cells and having specificity for a unique sequence within the variable region of the .beta. chain of the T cell receptor, the presence of increased number of T cells carrying the unique sequence relative to the number of T cells carrying the sequence present in a normal subject being associated with a specific disease. Specific diseases such as human cancers, e.g. lymphomas; autoimmune diseases, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis; Alzheimer's disease; infectious diseases, e.g. those caused by bacteria, yeast or parasite; or allergies, may be diagnosed as follows. A suitable sample containing T cells is obtained from a subject. The sample is contacted under appropriate conditions with such a reagent. If the subject's cells contain the unique sequence, a detectable complex is formed between the reagent and T cells which contain the sequence.

Abstract: A substantially pure rheumatoid arthritis specific protein (RASP) and an antibody against the rheumatoid arthritis specific protein (anti-RASP antibody) are disclosed. The RASP is found specifically in the serum or plasma of a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, and may be detected using an anti-RASP antibody easily and effectively. Therefore, the anti-RASP antibody of the present invention is useful for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis by the criterion of the presence of RASP.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition useful for stabilizing diagnostic reagent which functions to react with a specimen to determine the presence or absence of a biological condition comprising about 0.01 to 35 parts by weight protein or peptide and either (A) about 1 to 90 parts by weight of a saccharide polyol selected from the group consisting of corn syrup and dextrose and optionally up to about 25 parts by weight of a pyrrol, or (B) about 1 to 90 parts by weight of a saccharide polyol and about 0.01 to 25 parts by weight of a pyrrol. Also disclosed is a method of stabilizing such diagnostic reagents comprising using the stabilizing composition, and a diagnositc device comprising a non-absorbent base carrying at least one deposition area in which is carried the evaporative residue of such diagnostic reagent and the stabilizing composition.

Abstract: A method of assaying biologically active substances by the competitive method or by the sandwich technique, characterized in that fine particles having a diameter of 0.03 to 3 .mu.m are used in the labelling agent.

Abstract: An assay method and kit for a hapten such as theophylline employs a first, latex reagent and a second, antibody reagent. By using a monoclonal antibody of the IgA class in the second reagent, interference by patient rheumatoid factor is prevented.

Abstract: To diagnose diseases in patients, a protein complex, RhC, is prepared from horse serum by precipitating a white powder from the serum at a pH of 5.5 and processing to remove lipids at a pH of 8.2 using Tris-HCl as the buffer. It includes two components associated together to provide a molecular weight of 280,000 and having characteristics of a rheumatoid factor and a Clq-like subcomponent of the complement. The protein complex is incubated with human serum or plasma and then precipitated by dialysis against a high pH buffer (0.05 M Tris-HCl pH 8.2). When precipitated, it co-precipitates the immune complexes from the human blood serum without substantial monomeric immunoglobulin to quantitatively isolate immune complexes from serum. Immunological assays then determine how much immune complex and what kind were in the serum.

Abstract: Method of determining changes occurring in articular cartilage. The method involves (a) quantifying proteoglycan monomer and/or antigenic fragments thereof in a synovial fluid sample and (b) correlating the values thus obtained with progressive destructions in the articular cartilage appertaining to that sample fluid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the presence of a member of a specific binding pair ("sbp member") consisting of ligand and its homologous receptor in a sample suspected of containing the sbp member. The method comprises combining in an assay medium the sample and an opaque particle capable of agglutinating in the presence of the sbp member. The opaque particle has a particle size of from about 0.2 to 5.0 microns. Next, the assay medium is irradiated with light having a wavelength of from about 350 to 2000 nm, and the optical density of the assay medium is measured. A change in optical density indicates the presence of the sbp member in the sample. The method has particular application in the determination of an antibody in a sample, particularly an autoantibody, such as, for example, rheumatoid factor.

Abstract: The use of immunologically non-specific peptide linked amino acids containing compounds that are capable of immobilizing circulating immune complexes for the purpose of detection or removal from serum or blood, such compounds including oligopeptides, modified oligopeptides, polypeptides, modified polypeptides, proteins, modified proteins, and in particular glycosylated polypeptides and proteins.

Abstract: The use of the ability of immunologically non-specific peptide linked amino acid containing compounds to combine with anti-antibodies or rheumatoid factor to provide for a method of detecting rheumatoid factor and for a method of immobilizing circulating immune complexes from fluids for the purpose of detection or removal thereof from body fluids, such as serum or blood.

Abstract: A method of identifying the presence or absence of an infected state in the living body by obtaining a biological fluid sample from a living body, adding to the sample a material known to bind with immune complex, adding to samples of the resulting material labelled reagents known to react specifically with antigen portions of different immune complexes, separating excess of the reagents and detecting the presence or absence of the label in the residual mixtures thereby to identify the nature of any reacted antigen portion of immune complex therein.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the diagnosis of diseases having an arthritic component such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis which comprises determining the deficiency of galactose in a sample of the patient's blood serum or plasma, or synovial fluid, or an Ig component or fragment thereof in comparison with the corresponding normal values of galactose.

Abstract: Describes rheumatoid arthritis factor present in detectable amounts in rheumatoid arthritis patients, but not in patients with other arthritedes; preparation of antibodies to the factor; use of factor and antibodies to test for rheumatoid arthritis; and test kits for conducting the tests.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting an antigenic material in which the device comprises a test utensil having an indentation in which two reagent spots are placed, the first body being a dyed substrate having a coating of an antibody or antibody-like material thereon and the second of the two reagent spots comprising a dyed test-inert material or a dyed substrate with a coating of a normal animal serum, the dye employed in the second reagent spot having a different color than that employed in the first spot. When a liquid test sample is added to the indentation, the dyed substrate particles or components are suspended or solubilized, and the resulting suspension gives the appearance of a third color. A positive agglutination test is indicated by the formation of at least one spot having the color of the first dyed substrate against a background having the color of the second dyed substrate.

Abstract: A reagent for the detection of rheumatoid factor in tests in tubes or microplates. The reagent contains a complex formed from red blood cells and from antibodies soluble with respect to these red blood cells, and immunologically fixed to the latter, said reagent being both stable and capable in given dilution intervals to give rise to hemagglutination only subject to contacting it with detectable concentrations of rheumatoid factor. The invention also relates to a process for making said reagent which comprises subjecting red cells and the antibodies to be fixed thereon to successive treatments with distinct aldehydes or tanning agents, as well as with proteinic substances, such as albumin, having dispersive properties.

Abstract: A method is described for the differential diagnosis of rheumatological diseases. Sera from patients with SLE; MCTD, and RA are screened for antibodies directed against RNA polymerase II using a solid phase immunoassay. Significant levels of the antibodies were detected with sera of all SLE and MCTD patients and in 78% of the RA patients. No detectable anti-RNA polymerase I antibodies were detected in the sera of healthy individuals.Sera from patients with SLE contained immunoglobulins directed against the S3 subunit of RNA polymerase I, as well as antibodies to the S2 or S5 subunits, RA patient's sera contained antibodies only to S3 while MCTD patients sera contained antibody to S4 in addition to antibody to the S3 and S5 subunits. The identification of specific reaction patterns of the antibodies with the individual subunits of the RNA polymerase I is indicative of a particular class of rheumatological disease.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing immuno-specifically recognizable substances in the form of immune complexes from a solution. The solution containing preformed immune complexes or immune complexes already present therein is contacted with an adsorbent consisting of non-immunospecific factor such as Clq, rheumatoid factor, Fc receptor and Fc receptor-bearing cells.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to the surface recognition structure of a predetermined mature human T cell clone, which recognition structure renders the clone capable of acting as causative agent in a predetermined autoimmune disease, the monoclonal antibody being capable of specifically binding to the recognition structure of the clone to inhibit the ability of the clone to act as a causative agent in the predetermined autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A method of diagnosis using an attached material for binding to an immune complex, by treating the bound complex with a series of different reagents or mixtures thereof and detecting the presence or absence of reaction in each case, this method being based on immune complexes produced in the body during infection and allowing much earlier detection and diagnosis of infection thereby providing the facility for treatment to reduce the damage caused to the body by the formation of complex.

Abstract: A suspension of particles such as carboxylated polystyrene latex particles are coated (as by carbodiimide coupling) with an antigen (such as chemically modified Bovine Serum Albumin). The antigen-coated particles are incubated with a gamma-globulin to the antigen (such as can be produced by immunizing rabbits) under non-agglutinating conditions. The particles having antigen/gamma-globulin immune complexes are recovered and resuspended to form a diagnostic reagent which agglutinates when mixed with human serum containing Rheumatoid Factor.

Abstract: An antibody is obtained by using as an antigen a complex of an antigen and the F(ab').sub.2 fragment of the human antibody of this antigen or an aggregate of the F(ab').sub.2 fragment of human immunoglobulin. This antibody reacts with an immune complex in a blood serum of a patient of systemic lupus erythematosus and with an immune complex in a blood serum of a patient of rheumatoid arthritis, and it does not react with an aggregated IgG. The amount of immune complex in a blood serum is easily and exactly determined by using this antibody.

Abstract: A method for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and related autoimmune diseases comprises blocking calcium ions contained in a blood sample, effecting hydrolysis of a selected substrate in the presence of .alpha..sub.2 -macroglobulin (.alpha..sub.2 M) from the blood sample, and determining the extent of hydrolysis of the substrate. Preferably, .alpha..sub.2 M in plasma is incubated with a hydrolyzable chromogenic substrate and the liberated chromogen is determined spectrophotometrically. A diagnostic kit is also provided.

Abstract: A method for the determination of autoantibody in a test sample comprises contacting a substrate for the autoantibody with sample; treating the contacted substrate with labeled antihuman antibody selected from (1) a mixture comprising enzyme labeled antihuman antibody and fluorescent labeled antihuman antibody, and (2) antihuman antibody labeled with an enzyme and a fluorescent label; determining the enzyme activity of the treated substrate; and determining the immunofluorescent patterns in substrates exhibiting enzyme activity. The method is useful for the rapid screening and characterization of autoantibodies.

Abstract: A method for determining an immunoglobulin of the IgX class in a sample where X is either M, A, D or E. Anti-IgG is added to IgG to prevent binding of rheumatoid factor before the sample containing IgX is added to insolubilized IgG.

Abstract: A particle counting assay for haptens (small non-protein monovalent substances having a molecular weight below 1500) comprises mixing a liquid sample (e.g. of human origin) containing the hapten, with finely divided inert particles bearing the same hapten (or a specific analogue thereof), an agglutinator such as RF or C1q, and a measured amount of antibody, which amount is insufficient to cause agglutination of all the particles. The amount of hapten is determinable by measuring the extent of the agglutination.

Abstract: Kit for detecting circulating immune complexes containing endogenously bound Clq. Capillary tubes are filled with a mixture of Clq coated GPO reagent cells, rabbit anti-Clq antibodies, and precipitate from the biological fluid sample containing immune complexes. The mixture is allowed to react and the tubes read for the presence or absence of agglutination indicative of the absence or presence of said immune complexes respectively.

Abstract: A method for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and related diseases comprises determination of polyclonal lymphocyte activation in B-cells cultured in the presence of patient serum. A diagnostic kit is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantitatively determining a degree of agglutination of a suspension of particles or the presence of the agglutination thereof is disclosed, wherein a liquid which contains agglutinated clots, otherwise a substance or substances to be about to agglutinate is made to slowly transfer through a small tube, in course of which agglutinated clots and non-agglutinated particles separate from each other in the liquid, when a degree of agglutination of particles and the concentration of the substance to be tested herewith can be determined quantitatively through the detection of difference in the optical properties of both the accumulation layer of agglutinated clots and the suspension layer of non-agglutinated particles, or the change in the optical properties of either of the above two layers, in particular the suspension layer.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of test reagents comprising antigens or antibodies adsorbed on a surface, for example, the surface of synthetic or natural polymer particles in which the test material to be adsorbed is dissolved in a solvent in contact with the adsorbing surface and precipitated by the addition of a liquid which is miscible with the solvent, but does not dissolve the test material.

Abstract: Immunoassays for antigens or haptens are effected using, instead of an immunoglobulin antibody, the F(ab').sub.2 fragments thereof. In this way, interference from endogenous RF and Clq in the fluid under assay is avoided without the necessity of pre-treating the fluid to remove or inactivate the RF or Clq. The assays may be of various types including latex agglutination and competitive binding assays. A reagent for such use comprising F(ab').sub.2 fragments insolubilized on a water-insoluble substrate, especially a particulate substrate, is described.