Abstract
Antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) is produced by intra-articular injection of antigen in previously immunized animals. To study the role of allergic reactions of chronic synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), AIA was induced in mice using heat-killed E. coli 0: 14 (E. coli group) and egg albumin antigen (ovalbumin group), and immunological comparative studies between both groups were undertaken using mouse monoclonal antibodies including anti-macrophage (Mac-1), anti-Lyt-1, and anti-Lyt-2. Within 1 day after challenging injection in both groups immunological tissue damages by immune complex had occurred and exudative inflammations were observed suggesting Arthus reaction. At three days after challenging injection a local delayed hypersensitivity reaction recognized by the method of macrophage migration test and immunohistological examinations, and subsequent proliferative synovitis was observed in only E. coli group but not seen in ovalbumin group. Thereafter, persisting chronic synovitis with pannus formation was seen. These studies suggest that cytokines play an important role for establishment of persistent chronic arthritis like RA.
