Restricted T cell receptor usage in DA rats during early collagen-induced arthritis.
We have investigated the usage of T cell receptor (TcR) V beta gene structures in DA rats undergoing homologous collagen-induced arthritis induced by immunization with homologous collagen type II emulsified in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. TcR V beta expression within freshly isolated inflamed synovial tissue (ST) and primary draining lymph nodes was analyzed in a semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. A highly restricted TcR V beta gene expression was observed in ST samples 2 days after onset of clinical disease, with V beta 6, 8.2 and 8.5 comprising more than 60% of the total V beta expression measured. The corresponding primary draining lymph nodes from the diseased animals showed some bias in V beta expression at this time but not as remarkable as that found in ST. One week after onset of disease, consistent V beta gene bias was much less evident in either site. These results indicate that T cells which infiltrate synovia early in disease are highly restricted with respect to V beta expression.
Erlandsson
H
H
Department of Rheumatology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Müssener
A
A
Klareskog
L
L
Gold
D P
DP
D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D003094:Collagen