Reduced susceptibility to collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1J mice expressing the TSG-6 transgene.
OBJECTIVE
Expression of TSG-6 (tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene 6) is induced by proinflammatory cytokines. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of local expression of TSG-6 in arthritic joints of TSG-6 transgenic mice, in the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model.


METHODS
We generated transgenic mice that harbored the TSG-6 gene under the control of the T cell-specific lck promoter. Arthritis was induced by immunization with bovine type II collagen (CII), and its progression was monitored based on the incidence of arthritis, the arthritis index, and footpad swelling. Anti-CII antibodies and cytokine production were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene expression arrays were used to compare gene expression profiles of transgenic and control mice at various stages of CIA.


RESULTS
TSG-6 was expressed in limbs of transgenic mice after immunization with CII, while its expression in nontransgenic animals was insignificant. The incidence of CIA was reduced in TSG-6 transgenic animals, its onset delayed, and all parameters of clinical arthritis significantly reduced. However, the immune response against CII was not significantly inhibited in TSG-6 transgenic mice.


CONCLUSIONS
TSG-6 expression has been demonstrated in patients with rheumatoid and other forms of arthritis. Our data show that local expression of TSG-6 at sites of inflammation results in potent inhibition of inflammation and joint destruction in a model of autoimmune arthritis in mice. Therefore, it is likely that TSG-6 plays a similar modulatory role in human rheumatoid arthritis and related diseases and may have potential for the treatment of autoimmune arthritis in humans.
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001168:Arthritis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002417:Cattle; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015870:Gene Expression; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000235:genetics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D019076:Transgenes
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D024043:Collagen Type II; D016207:Cytokines; C513057:Tnfaip6 protein, mouse