Therapeutic effect of anti-Fas antibody on a collagen induced arthritis model.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the therapeutic effect of anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (Mab, RK-8) in collagen induced arthritis (CIA).


METHODS
CD1F1 mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen to induce CIA and were treated with RK-8 intravenously. The effect of RK-8 was monitored by visual scoring. ELISA to detect serum anti-type II collagen antibody was performed on Day 47 and 70. Histopathological analysis was performed on Days 31 and 72. Digital micrography was performed on Day 72.


RESULTS
RK-8 treatment almost completely prevented CIA. This suppressive effect continued after RK-8 was discontinued. RK-8 significantly suppressed the serum anti-type II collagen antibody level on Day 47. Histological analysis revealed that RK-8 significantly reduced joint histopathology, as determined by the infiltration of inflammatory cells and cartilage damage, consistent with digital micrography.


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of anti-Fas Mab may be a useful therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis if used early in the disease.
Ogawa
Y
Y
Neuroscience and Immunology Research Laboratories, Sankyo Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.
Kuwahara
H
H
Kimura
T
T
Tani
Y
Y
Yonehara
S
S
Shiraishi
A
A
Ohtsuki
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000276:immunology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology; D001168:Arthritis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003094:Collagen; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D013045:Species Specificity; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D013585:Synovitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019014:fas Receptor; D003094:Collagen