CHARACTERIZATION OF MUCOSAL ANTIBODIES IN RECURRENT APHTHOUS ULCERATION AND BEHCETS SYNDROME

Immune absorption studies revealed antigenic cross-reactivity between human mucosa of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, conjunctiva and vagina, as well as colon and skin. Species specificity was absent in human, rabbit, guinea pig, rat and mouse oral mucous membranes. DEAE cellulose chromatography, mercapto-ethanol studies, and heat treatment suggest that humoral antibodies to oral mucosa belong predominantly to the IgM and to a lesser extent IgG class of antibodies. The lymphocyte transformation test (indicated by 14C thymidine uptake), unlike the haemagglutination test, shows a clear relationship to the clinical features of recurrent aphthous ulceration. Sequential studies of the behaviour of lymphocytes during an ulcer cycle suggest the existence of four phases and these seem to have clinical counterparts; resting, initiating, destructive and healing phases. © 1969.