A search for rheumatoid arthritis-associated nuclear antigen and Epstein-Barr virus specific antigens or genomes in tissues and cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Pannus extracts and/or cells and tissues from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and controls were tested for the presence of RA-associated nuclear antigen (RANA), anti-RANA, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific antigens, and EBV genomes. Using our present rather insensitive methods, RANA was rarely detected in RA pannus extracts or tissues, whereas anti-RANA was commonly found. EBV-specific antigens or genomes could not be detected in a limited number of tissues tested using our present methods. The data suggest that EBV may not be the primary event causing RA through direct infection and transformation of synovial tissues.