Two different rheumatoid factor-producing cell populations distinguished by the mouse erythrocyte receptor and responsiveness to polyclonal B cell activators.

The subsets of human peripheral blood B lymphocytes from which Epstein Barr virus- (EBV) and pokeweed mitogen- (PWM) induced IgM anti-IgG autoantibody-producing B cells arise have been compared. EBV-induced IgM anti-IgG autoantibodies preferentially derive from a subset of B cells that forms rosettes with mouse erythrocytes. In contrast, PWM-induced IgM anti-IgG antibodies preferentially arise from a B cell subset lacking the mouse erythrocyte receptor.