Depletion of collagen II-reactive T cells and blocking of B cell activation prevents collagen II-induced arthritis in DBA/1j mice

J Immunol. 2002 Apr 15;168(8):4164-72. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.168.8.4164.

Abstract

Collagen II (CII)-induced arthritis in DBA/1j mice is mediated by both CII-reactive T cells and anti-CII Ab-producing B cells. To determine the relative role of these processes in the development of arthritis, we specifically eliminated CII-reactive T cells by treating the mice with CII-pulsed syngeneic macrophages that had been transfected with a binary adenovirus system. These macrophages express murine Fas ligand in a doxycycline-inducible manner with autocrine suicide inhibited by concomitant expression of p35. The mice were treated i.v. with four doses of CII-APC-AdFasLp35Tet or a single dose of AdCMVsTACI (5 x 10(9) PFU), or both simultaneously, beginning 2 wk after priming with CII in CFA. Treatment with CII-APC-AdFasLp35Tet alone or in combination with a single dose of AdCMVsTACI prevented the development of CII-induced arthritis and T cell infiltration in the joint. The elimination of T cells was specific in that a normal T cell response was observed on stimulation with OVA after treatment with CII-APC-AdFasLp35Tet. Treatment with AdCMVsTACI alone prevented production of detectable levels of circulating anti-CII autoantibodies and reduced the severity of arthritis but did not prevent its development. These results indicate that the CII-reactive T cells play a crucial role in the development of CII-induced arthritis and that the anti-CII Abs act to enhance the development of CII-induced arthritis.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / transplantation
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Apoptosis / immunology
  • Arthritis, Experimental / immunology*
  • Arthritis, Experimental / pathology
  • Arthritis, Experimental / prevention & control*
  • Autoantibodies / biosynthesis
  • Autocrine Communication / genetics
  • Autocrine Communication / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cartilage, Articular / metabolism
  • Cartilage, Articular / pathology
  • Cell Migration Inhibition
  • Collagen Type II / administration & dosage
  • Collagen Type II / immunology*
  • Cytomegalovirus / genetics
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Down-Regulation / immunology
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Female
  • Genetic Vectors / administration & dosage
  • Genetic Vectors / therapeutic use
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Lymphocyte Activation* / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Depletion* / methods
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / transplantation
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / genetics
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / physiology
  • Solubility
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology
  • Tetracycline Resistance / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein
  • Viral Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Collagen Type II
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Fasl protein, mouse
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tnfrsf13b protein, mouse
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein
  • Viral Proteins
  • inhibitor of apoptosis, Nucleopolyhedrovirus