# IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF CHRONIC ARTHRITIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY · 1988 · $144,521

## Abstract

The overall objective of the proposed research is to seek a better understanding
of the role of immune processes in the pathogenesis of the chronic rheumatic
diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis
syndromes, etc.) with the ultimate goal the identification of endogenous or
exogenous factors that stimulate the host immune response.

Multiple methods of study in numerous laboratories have demonstrated variable
levels of immune complexes in patients with the above illnesses but techniques
for purification and characterization of the reactants involved have not been
sufficient to establish the immunochemical specificities of the relevant
antigens and antibodies.
New methods have been developed in the applicant's laboratory for the isolation
of immune complexes which utilize Staph A receptors for IgC on killed
Staphylococcus aureus.  Preliminary studies (described below) of this system
employing complexes of known composition have been promising.  Methods applied
included:  1)  bulk absorption, then elution of immune complexes for
physicochemical study and  2)  surface labelling of trace amounts of complexes
after Staph A absorption, followed by analytical study of recovered complexes.
The latter technique will be particularly applicable to some clinical materials
that are limited in volume or concentration, i.e., extracts of tissues, products
derived from cultured tissues, cerebrospinal fluid, etc.

Techniques will be monitored and refined using complexes of known specificity in
order to establish optimum efficiency of recovery and preservation of nativity
of immune reactants.  Materials for study will be obtained from patients with
rheumatic syndromes, where immunogenic stimuli are not known, and from patients
with a variety of illnesses associated with immune complex formation where the
etiological factors are known, e.g., infective endocarditis, HB hypatitis viral
syndromes, etc.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3154816
- **Project number:** 5R01AR014627-18
- **Recipient organization:** HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY
- **Principal Investigator:** CHARLES L CHRISTIAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $144,521
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1975-06-30 → 1988-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3154816

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3154816, IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES OF CHRONIC ARTHRITIS (5R01AR014627-18). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3154816. Licensed CC0.

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