An ear swelling reaction for in vivo monitoring of inflammatory T cell activity in collagen-arthritic rats.
T cells play a dominant role in the pathogenesis of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The effector mechanism involves a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction in the synovial joint. Here we describe a new test system, named a flare reaction, to monitor directly this inflammatory T cell function. It is shown that type II collagen (CII) injected into the pinna of the ear is a target for CII-reactive inflammatory T cells formed during the early pathogenesis of CIA. The inflammatory swelling of the joint and the CII-injected ear in CIA rats develop in a coordinated manner. This assay greatly facilitates monitoring of in vivo activated inflammatory T cells during the induction of CIA.
t Hart
B A
BA
Department of Immunology, Biomedical Primate Research Center-TNO, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
Kraakman
E
E
Jonker
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000276:immunology; D003094:Collagen / Q000276:immunology; D004431:Ear, External / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D004487:Edema / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D010047:Ovalbumin; D003094:Collagen