Germinal center reaction in the joints of mice with collagen-induced arthritis: an animal model of lymphocyte activation and differentiation in arthritis joints.
OBJECTIVE
To establish an animal model and provide a basis for investigating the role of germinal center (GC) reaction in autoimmune arthritis.


METHODS
DBA/1 mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen (CII) to elicit collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Sections of arthritic joints were examined by in situ immunohistochemical studies, and purified cells from affected joints were subjected to flow cytometry analysis.


RESULTS
De novo GC reaction was induced in the arthritic joints of male DBA/1 mice by immunization with bovine CII. In comparison with GCs formed in lymphoid tissues, such as spleen and lymph nodes, we found that these GCs formed in the joint tissues of mice with CIA were morphologically typical, as determined by immunohistologic and flow cytometric assays.


CONCLUSIONS
The local immune responses in murine CIA induced ectopic GC formation, as observed in the synovial tissues of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This system will allow for the first time the direct study of the role of the GC reaction in autoimmune arthritis in an animal model.
Han
S
S
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Cao
S
S
Bheekha-Escura
R
R
Zheng
B
B
D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D002417:Cattle; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003094:Collagen / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D020566:Dendritic Cells, Follicular / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007596:Joints / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D003094:Collagen