Articular tissues expressing the env-pX transgene are required for generation of arthritogenic T cells in human T cell leukemia virus type I transgenic rats.
OBJECTIVE
Human T cell leukemia virus type I env-pX transgenic rats (env-pX rats) were used to investigate the pathogenesis of arthritis.


METHODS
Phenotype of cells infiltrated into arthritic joints in env-pX rats was analyzed using flow cytometry and cell-transfer experiments were done using env-pX and wild-type WKAH rats.


RESULTS
The majority of T cells infiltrated into arthritic joints in env-pX rats exhibited a CD4 and activated phenotype. Transfer of these T cells into articular space in wild-type WKAH rats succeeded to induce arthritis similarly seen in env-pX rats. However, injection of the cells into sites other than joints did not induce inflammation. Transfer of in vitro-stimulated lymph node cells from disease-free env-pX rats into articular space did not induce arthritis in wild-type WKAH rats.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that articular tissues carrying the env-pX transgene are required for generation of arthritogenic T cells in env-pX rats. However, the constitutive antigens other than the transgene products are recognized as immunological targets by the arthritogenic T cells in the advanced arthritic joints. Molecules expressed specifically in articular tissues may be needed to maintain the inflammatory cell infiltration.
Abe
A
A
Department of Pathology/Pathophysiology, Division of Pathophysiological Science, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
Ishizu
A
A
Fugo
K
K
Ikeda
H
H
Yoshiki
T
T
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015490:HTLV-I Infections; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D015682:Retroviridae Proteins, Oncogenic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
D015686:Gene Products, env; D015682:Retroviridae Proteins, Oncogenic; D014157:Transcription Factors; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; C072343:pX protein, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1