title: Antibodies to extracellular matrix proteins in the sera of MRL-lpr mice.
abstract: Autoimmune MRL-lpr mice develop a spontaneous arthritis displaying similar articular and extra-articular features to rheumatoid arthritis in humans. In this study we used an ELISA assay to evaluate the serological responses of MRL-lpr mice to select extracellular matrix proteins associated with the joint. Significant levels of antibodies to collagens types I, II, III, IV, and V were demonstrated starting between 17 and 20 weeks of age. Moreover, the sera contained a strong reactivity to fibronectin. Responses to proteoglycans and laminin were weaker but still detectable. Specificity studies on pooled sera from MRL-lpr mice suggest that the autoantibodies produced are highly cross-reactive. The results indicate that the MRL-lpr mouse strain exhibits similar anti-extracellular matrix antibody profiles to those seen in varying frequencies in the sera and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Ratkay
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tonzetich
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Waterfield
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000276:immunology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D003094:Collagen