PPD and hsp65 induced monoarthritis initiates spontaneous recurrent flares in Lewis rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the time course of a monoarthritis induced with the purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) or a recombinant 65 kDa heat shock protein (rhsp65) in two different strains of sensitised rats.


METHODS
Wistar and Lewis rats, sensitised with heat killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis in oil, were challenged intraarticularly with PPD or rhsp65 and monitored for six weeks. Inflammation was assessed by joint swelling, histology, and radiographic studies.


RESULTS
Sensitised Lewis rats injected with PPD or rhsp65 showed a chronic response with recurrent spontaneous flares, while Wistar rats showed one inflammatory episode.


CONCLUSIONS
The Wistar strain response to PPD resembles a transient reactive arthritis, while the response of the Lewis strain mimics the relapsing nature of rheumatoid synovitis, providing an interesting model to determine dominant immunopathogenic mechanisms.
Ragno
S
S
ARC Bone and Joint Research Unit, London Hospital Medical College, United Kingdom.
Morris
C J
CJ
Coumbe
A
A
Mapp
P I
PI
Colston
M J
MJ
Blake
D R
DR
Winrow
V R
VR
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D018834:Chaperonin 60; D018833:Chaperonins / Q000276:immunology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D012008:Recurrence; D013045:Species Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000276:immunology*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D018834:Chaperonin 60; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014373:Tuberculin; C074119:heat-shock protein 65, Mycobacterium; D018833:Chaperonins