SYNOPSIS Sera from cases of rheumatic disorder were tested against antigen extracted from human prostate by the haemagglutination method. The reactions were compared with those obtained using antigens from liver, kidney, and colon. It was found that most cases of Reiter's syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, and some of uveitis possess circulating antibodies to prostate tissue. The significance of this result in cases of Reiter's syndrome is discussed and compared with the results in cases of rheumatoid arthritis in which such circulating antibodies were not found. The serological pattern in these disorders is compared with that found in acute rheumatic fever, where a more severe immune disturbance is to be expected. An exact explanation for the role of auto-immunization must await further experimental evidence.
MATERIAL AND METHODSThe antigens were prepared by the phenol extraction method. Each was prepared in the same way, and the method for prostate is described in detail.Fresh, healthy human tissue from a person younger than middle age and dying by accident was dissected, cut fine, and placed in a retort with about 100 ml. of distilled water and 100 ml. pure phenol, heated for half an hour at 65°C., and stirred. After cooling and centrifugation the watery layer was pipetted off and was retained. The phenolic phase was once again mixed with 100 ml. distilled water and heated as before. After centrifugation the watery layer was again pipetted off and mixed with the first. This watery extract was now dialyzed against distilled water, lyophilized, and then resuspended in about 100 ml. of distilled water. The solution was mixed with an equal quantity of ethanol and stirred. The precipitate was filtered off, and the remaining solution mixed with 6 to 10 volumes of ethanol. The precipitate obtained was suspended in about 10 ml. of distilled water and lyophilized. The final powder was dissolved in 5 ml. distilled water and diluted for use (Broberger and Perlmann, 1959). The final powder was that obtained from two prostate glands. These glands naturally varied both in size and parenchymal substance, and, as absolute accuracy was not possible at this point, care was taken to obtain a working solution comparable with that of other specimens. The final powder usually amounted to almost 5 mg.The serological method used was tanned red cell haemagglutination, in which the red cell surface is modified to adsorb proteins. Sheep red cells were washed three times and made up in a 4% suspension. An equal volume of freshly made up tannic acid (1:20,000) was added to the suspension and it was left at room temperaReceived for publication 6 October 1963. ture for 10 minutes before centrifugation and removal of the supernatant. The cells were washed with normal saline and resuspended at 2 %. The antigen was prepared at a suitable strength for the test, and 5 ml. was mixed with S ml. of the 2 % suspension of the red cells and the mixture left at room temperature for half an hour, mixing occasionally. This suspension was again centrif...
