Suppression of chronic antigen-induced arthritis in rats by a monoclonal antibody against the T cell receptor alpha beta.
We have investigated a role for T cells in chronic antigen-induced arthritis in rats employing a monoclonal antibody (R73 mAb) against the T cell receptor alpha beta. Treatment with R73 mAb from the time of intra-articular antigenic challenge blocked completely the induction of chronic, but not acute ovalbumin-induced arthritis in sensitized rats. Histologically, treatment-controlled arthritic rats exhibited marked hyperplasia of synovial membrane with pronounced infiltration of inflammatory cells including alpha beta + T cells in the chronic phase of arthritis. In contrast, R73 mAb-treated rats had almost normal joint histology. Treatment with R73 mAb after onset of arthritis was also effective in suppressing the progression of chronic antigen-induced joint inflammation. The preventive and suppressive effects of the mAb on chronic antigen-induced arthritis were associated with marked depletion of alpha beta + T cells in peripheral blood. The DTH but not the humoral response to ovalbumin in sensitized rats was suppressed significantly by R73 mAb. Thus, alpha beta + T cells appear to have a central role in both induction and progression of chronic antigen-induced arthritis.
Yoshino
S
S
Rheumatology Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia.
Yoshino
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000502:physiology*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000502:physiology
D000906:Antibodies; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D010047:Ovalbumin