小鼠胶原诱导性关节炎模型的建立及其免疫学变化研究

目的 胶原诱导性关节炎模型（collagen induced arthritis,CIA）是研究类风湿性关节炎发病机制和治疗药物筛选的理想模型,也是目前国际上公认的关节炎模型.但是,目前鲜见Ⅱ型胶原诱导CIA模型的系统免疫学变化的报道.因此,本研究采用DBA/1小鼠诱导了CIA模型,并对其免疫学改变进行了系统研究.方法 将牛Ⅱ型胶原与完全弗氏佐剂混和并充分乳化,于DBA/1小鼠尾根部皮内注射进行初次免疫,20 d后同样方法进行再次免疫.应用千分尺测量CIA模型小鼠的左右两侧足掌厚度,并进行关节炎评分.酶联免疫吸附试验测定小鼠血清Ⅱ型胶原特异性抗体,Luminex技术和αLISA技术测定血清及培养上清中的细胞因子水平.结果CIA小鼠于造模后23 d开始,陆续出现前肢、后肢的红肿、功能障碍,发病率高达100％,且随着时间的延长其关节肿胀程度呈进行性加重,关节炎评分增高.CIA小鼠脾脏指数较正常组明显升高,且Ⅱ型胶原刺激的特异性T细胞增殖明显增强.细胞因子检测结果表明,脾细胞培养上清中IFN-γ和1L-4含量及IFN-γ/IL-4比值明显升高,TNF-α和IL-1β水平亦显著升高.此外,CIA小鼠血清中存在高水平的Ⅱ型胶原特异性抗体.结论 Ⅱ型胶原诱导CIA模型发病率高,免疫学改变以Th1细胞因子升高为主,兼有细胞免疫功能及体液免疫功能损伤.     

胶原诱导性关节炎小鼠CD4^＋T细胞亚群表达酪氨酸羟化酶的作用

目的：本研究应用胶原诱导性关节炎（CIA）的动物模型,通过研究CD4＋T细胞亚群表达酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）的变化与作用,探讨CIM＋T细胞亚群来源的儿茶酚胺与CIA的炎症反应之间的关系。方法：雄性DBA／1小鼠36只随机分为对照组、35天模型组和55天模型组（n=12）。用Ⅱ型胶原（cⅡ）乳剂免疫DBA／1小鼠诱导CIA,在初次免疫后第35天和55天进行关节临床评分并检测血清中抗cⅡ IgG抗体水平的变化。用Western blot法检测肠系膜淋巴结中1h1、Th17、Th2和Treg细胞的特异性转录因子及其细胞因子以及TH表达的变化。用流式细胞术检测肠系膜淋巴结中表达TH的CD4＋T细胞亚群数目的变化。结果：CIA小鼠在发病早期（初次免疫后第35天）和发病晚期（初次免疫后第55天）临床评分和血清中抗cⅡ IgG抗体水平显著升高。CIA小鼠肠系膜淋巴结中1h1和Th17细胞的特异性转录因子和细胞因子表达增加而Th2和Treg细胞的细胞因子表达减少。CIA小鼠肠系膜淋巴结中TH的表达增加,且CD4＋T细胞中TH＋的细胞数目增多,这主要是来自CD4＋T细胞亚群中Thl和rIh17细胞的作用。结论：CIA小鼠肠系膜淋巴结中存在CIM＋T细胞亚群来源的儿茶酚胺的增加,可能在cn的发展过程中具有一定的抗炎作用。     

α1-肾上腺素受体对胶原诱导性关节炎小鼠Treg细胞功能的影响*

目的: 利用胶原诱导性关节炎 (CIA) 模型小鼠,探讨去甲肾上腺素 (NE) 及其α1-肾上腺素受体 (AR ) 对CIA小鼠Treg细胞的作用。方法: 雄性DBA/1小鼠 32 只,随机分为对照组 (n=8) 和CIA模型组 (n=24)。II型胶原 (CII) 乳剂100 μl 尾根部注射DBA/1小鼠制备CIA小鼠模型,在初次免疫后第 41 日,用免疫荧光法检测小鼠脾脏中CD4⁺T与α1-AR的共定位情况;用Western blot法检测小鼠踝关节和脾脏中α1-AR的蛋白表达。分离纯化CIA小鼠脾脏中CD4⁺ T细胞,用抗CD3和抗CD28的单克隆抗体刺激CD4⁺T细胞,进行细胞培养,分为未加药组和加药组,加药组用NE或α1-AR激动剂苯肾上腺素 (phenylephrine) 处理细胞,用流式细胞术检测CIA小鼠CD4⁺T细胞中Treg的细胞数;用Western blot法检测CIA小鼠CD4⁺T中转化生长因子-β (TGF-β) 和IL-10的蛋白表达。结果: CD4⁺ T细胞能够表达α1-AR;与对照组相比,CIA小鼠踝关节和脾脏中α1-AR的蛋白表达显著降低(P＜0.01);与未加药的CIA小鼠的CD4⁺ T细胞相比,NE加入后的CIA小鼠CD4⁺ T细胞中Treg细胞的功能显著增强(P＜0.01);α1-AR激动剂phenylephrine加入后的CIA小鼠CD4⁺ T细胞中Treg细胞的功能显著增强(P＜ 0.01)。结论: 激活CIA小鼠CD4⁺ T细胞上的α1-AR可增强Treg细胞的功能,促进CD4⁺ T细胞向Treg细胞方向分化,发挥抗炎作用。     

AG490阻断JAK2-STAT3通路并调节Th17/Treg平衡进而抑制小鼠自身免疫性关节炎

<正>IL-6介导的STAT-3信号在Th17的分化和类风湿性关节炎的致病中起关键作用。作者通过研究JAK2抑制剂AG490对Th17/Treg平衡的影响进而探讨阻断STAT3信号的抗类风湿关节炎分子机制。作者通过皮下注射二型胶原构建胶原诱导关节炎(collagen-induced arthritis,CIA)小鼠模型,并向其腹腔注射AG490并观察在体影响,结果发现AG490改善CIA小鼠的关     

鸡Ⅱ型胶原基因疫苗pcDNA-CCOL2A1能有效治疗大鼠类风湿性关节炎

已证明Ⅱ型胶原(CII)是类风湿性关节炎(RA)最主要的自身免疫抗原, 采用口服鸡Ⅱ型胶原蛋白(CCII)诱导免疫耐受治疗RA标志着RA治疗策略的重大进展之一. 在国际上克隆成功鸡Ⅱ型胶原蛋白基因(CCOL2A1)的基础上, 探讨了采用pcDNA-CCOL2A1基因疫苗策略治疗RA的科学性和可行性. 将克隆的CCOL2A1基因连接于真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(＋)上, 即为基因疫苗pcDNA-CCOL2A1. 然后将该表达载体pcDNA-CCOL2A1 转染COS-7细胞, 经Western blot分析显示, pcDNA-CCOL2A1在COS-7细胞中是以分泌型来表达CCII多肽链的α亚单位. 随后, 以CCII诱导的 Wistar大鼠为RA模型即CIA, 系统观察一次性尾部静脉注射20, 200, 400 μg/kg 3个不同剂量pcDNA-CCOL2A1基因疫苗对CIA关节炎的治疗作用. 结果表明, 在注射后第5天200 μg/kg组就可观察到大鼠关节肿胀程度明显减轻, 与空载体组比较有显著性差异(P <0.05), 而20, 400 μg/kg两剂量组与空载体组比较未观察到治疗效果(P>0.05). 注射后6周, CIA大鼠血清中抗CII抗体浓度水平、TNF-α浓度在200 μg/kg治疗组较空载体组明显降低(P<0.05), 而400 μg/kg组则显著的升高, 20 μg/kg组则无明显变化. 此外, 细胞因子TGF-β, IL-10浓度水平在200 μg/kg组较空载体组明显升高(P<0.05), 而20与400 μg/kg两组则无显著性差异. 脾细胞淋巴细胞增殖实验表明, 200 μg/kg剂量pcDNA-CCOL2A1基因疫苗治疗组大鼠脾细胞对CII的反应能力较空载体组明显下降(P<0.05). 此结果表明, 200 μg/kg剂量pcDNA-CCOL2A1基因疫苗能明显抑制CIA大鼠关节肿胀程度, 降低抗CII抗体、TNF-α水平, 提高细胞因子TGF-β, IL-10水平, 降低脾细胞增殖反应能力, 对CIA大鼠关节炎有显著的治疗作用.     

AZD5069通过抑制中性粒细胞迁移治疗类风湿关节炎的机制研究

目的:探讨CXCR2拮抗剂AZD5069能否通过抑制中性粒细胞迁移治疗类风湿关节炎(RA)。方法:将45只雄性DBA/1J小鼠随机分为对照组(n=15)、模型组(n=15)、AZD5069组(n=15);除对照组外,其余两组均给予牛Ⅱ型胶原蛋白+弗氏佐剂建立胶原诱导型关节炎(CIA)模型。观察记录小鼠关节炎评分。二次免疫后第二天给与药物治疗,治疗3周后处死小鼠检测关节病理、中性粒细胞浸润、外周血炎症因子等指标。结果:与对照组相比,模型组小鼠关节炎发病率明显升高(P0.05);与模型组相比,AZD5069组小鼠关节炎发病率明显降低(P0.05)。与对照组相比,模型组小鼠关节炎评分明显升高(P0.05);与模型相比,AZD5069组小鼠关节炎评分明显降低(P0.05)。对照组小鼠踝关节间隙正常,滑膜无增生,无炎症细胞浸润,软骨面光滑无破坏;模型组小鼠踝关节间隙狭窄,滑膜增生明显,可见大量炎症细胞浸润,软骨侵蚀破坏;与模型组相比,AZD5069组小鼠踝关节间隙未见明显狭窄,滑膜未见明显增生,炎症细胞浸润明显减轻,软骨未见明显破坏。与对照组相比,模型组小鼠血清中炎症因子TNF-α、IL-1β的水平明显升高(P0.05);与模型组相比,AZD5069组小鼠血清中炎症因子TNF-α、IL-1β的水平明显降低(P0.05)。与对照组相比,模型组小鼠踝关节中性粒细胞明显增多,可见大量中性粒细胞浸润;与模型组相比,AZD5069组小鼠踝关节中性粒细胞明显减少,中性粒细胞浸润情况明显减轻。结论:CXCR2拮抗剂AZD5069可通过抑制中性粒细胞迁移治疗类风湿关节炎,为开发新型治疗RA药物提供理论基础。     

T淋巴细胞与胶原诱导性关节炎

胶原诱导性关节炎是应用较广泛的人类风湿性关节炎动物模型 ,二者在发病机制及病理学改变上极为相似。近年来研究证实激活的某些T细胞在胶原诱导性关节炎的发病过程中起着重要作用 ,尤其在疾病的起始阶段 ,提示胶原诱导性关节炎可能是以T淋巴细胞介导为主的自身免疫性疾病     

胶原性关节炎大鼠炎性细胞因子的动态观察

目的通过对胶原性关节炎(CIA)大鼠多个细胞因子的动态观察,了解其变化规律,为阐明RA发病机制及CIA大鼠的模型研究提供实验依据。方法建立CIA大鼠模型。分别于初次免疫后第0、10、20、30、40、50、60天记录大鼠的体重,测量大鼠后足体积和足垫厚度,计算关节炎指数;HE染色光镜下观察关节滑膜病理变化;采用ELISA方法检测大鼠血清中TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6水平变化。结果造模成功后的CIA大鼠14 d左右出现炎症反应,30 d左右达高峰,以后炎症逐渐减轻。与同期空白对照组大鼠相比,CIA大鼠血清中TNF-α水平10 d明显升高(P<0.01),IL-1β和IL-6水平20 d明显升高(P<0.05),三者水平均30 d达高峰(P<0.01),以后持续存在,但水平有所降低。结论 CIA大鼠血清中TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6在RA的整个病程中一直发挥着重要作用。     

Wistar大鼠胶原诱导的关节炎造模因素的分析

目的通过比较不同的造模方法,分析影响胶原诱导关节炎（collagen-induced arthritis,CIA）大鼠模型建立的因素。方法选用Wistar大鼠造模,通过改变性别、剂量、年龄、注射部位及免疫方式,来比较造模成功率。结果不同性别、剂量、年龄及免疫方式造模成功率不同。结论4～5周龄Wistar雌性大鼠,初次免疫注射乳剂4点共0.20 mL,加强免疫在14 d之后3点共0.15 mL的造模成功率最高。     

MPTP诱导的帕金森病小鼠模型黑质脑组织DNA甲基化研究

为研究DNA甲基化在帕金森病发病机制中的作用,本研究用环境毒素1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(MPTP)连续腹腔给药诱导小鼠帕金森病(Parkison's disease,PD)模型,应用ELISA检测小鼠黑质脑组织总体甲基化水平,应用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测DNA甲基转移酶表达水平,探讨MPTP诱导的小鼠PD模型黑质部位是否存在DNA甲基化异常.进一步应用甲基化DNA免疫共沉淀结合DNA甲基化芯片方法,构建MPTP诱导的小鼠PD模型黑质脑组织DNA甲基化谱,并寻找DNA甲基化修饰异常的PD相关基因对其进行验证.结果表明,模型组小鼠黑质脑组织DNA总体甲基化水平较对照组显著降低,Dnmt1的表达水平显著增高.利用DNA甲基化芯片在全基因组内筛选出甲基化差异修饰位点共48个,涉及44个基因,这些甲基化差异基因参与信号转导、分子转运、转录调控、发育、细胞分化、凋亡调控、氧化应激、蛋白质降解等生物学过程.在甲基化差异修饰基因中,对Uchl1基因及Arih2基因进行了甲基化水平以及表达水平的验证.结果表明,模型组小鼠黑质脑组织Uchl1启动子区域甲基化水平较对照组增高,m RNA及蛋白质表达水平降低,Arih2启动子区域甲基化水平较对照组降低,m RNA及蛋白质表达水平增高.实验结果进一步证实,DNA甲基化修饰异常在帕金森病发病机制中有重要作用,环境因素(如MPTP)可以通过改变DNA甲基化修饰参与帕金森病的发生发展.     

Absence of endogeneous interleukin-10 enhances the evolution of murine type-II collagen-induced arthritis.

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) exerts a wide spectrum of regulatory activities in the immune and inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of endogenous IL-10 in the modulation of the inflammatory response in mice subjected to collagen-induced arthritis. Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was induced in mice lacking the gene for IL-10 (IL-10 "knock-out", IL-10KO) and in wild-type control (IL-10WT) mice by an intradermal injection of 100 mul of the emulsion (containing 100 mug of bovine type II collagen) (CII) and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) at the base of the tail. On day 21, a second injection of CII in CFA was administered. IL-10 wild type (WT) mice developed an erosive, hind paw arthritis when immunised with CII in CFA. Macroscopic clinical evidence of CIA first appeared as peri-articular erythema and oedema in the hind paws. The incidence of CIA was 100% by day 27 in the CII-challenged IL-10WT. The severity of CIA progressed over a 35-day period, with radiographic evaluation revealing focal resorption of bone. The histopathology of CIA included erosion of the cartilage at the joint margins. IL-10KO mice experienced higher rates of clinical signs and more severe knee and paw injury as compared to IL-10WT. The degree of oxidative and nitrosative damage was significantly higher in IL-10KO mice than in wild-type littermates, as indicated by elevated malondialdehyde levels and formation of nitrotyrosine and poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS). Plasma levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor, interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 were also greatly enhanced in comparison to wild-type mice. These data demonstrate that endogenous IL-10 exerts an anti-inflammatory role during chronic inflammation and tissue damage associated with collagen-induced arthritis, possibly by regulating neutrophil recruitment, and the subsequent cytokine and oxidant generation.     

Complement deficiency ameliorates collagen-induced arthritis in mice

Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is an experimental animal model of human rheumatoid arthritis being characterized by synovitis and progressive destruction of cartilage and bone. CIA is induced by injection of heterologous or homologous collagen type II in a susceptible murine strain. DBA/1J mice deficient of complement factors C3 (C3(-/-)) and factor B (FB(-/-)) were generated to elucidate the role of the complement system in CIA. When immunized with bovine collagen type II emulsified in CFA, control mice developed severe arthritis and high CII-specific IgG Ab titers. In contrast, the C3(-/-) and FB(-/-) were highly resistant to CIA and displayed decreased CII-specific IgG Ab response. A repeated bovine collagen type II exposure 3 wk after the initial immunization led to an increase in the Ab response in all mice and triggered arthritis also in the complement-deficient mice. Although the arthritic score of the C3(-/-) mice was low, the arthritis in FB(-/-) mice ranked intermediate with regard to C3(-/-) and control mice. We conclude that complement activation by both the classical and the alternative pathway plays a deleterious role in CIA.     

Tolerance induction by a poorly arthritogenic collagen II can prevent collagen-induced arthritis

Collagen type II (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA) can be induced in 78% of B10.RIII mice (H2r) by intradermal (id) immunization with CII of bovine origin in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), whereas immunization with CII of chick origin induces arthritis in less than 5% of these mice. Nevertheless, tolerization of B10.RIII mice with intravenously injected chick CII renders the animals resistant to induction of CIA by immunization with bovine CII. Such tolerization can be achieved either by intravenous injection of 500 micrograms chick CII 1 week prior to immunization with bovine CII in CFA or by such an intravenous injection of chick CII 2 weeks after immunization with bovine CII in CFA. Postimmunization treatment results in a significant decrease in the concentration of antibody to bovine CII. Preimmunization administration of chick CII causes a marked decrease in the antibody reactive with chick CII without a significant effect on the anti-bovine CII antibody concentration. In DBA/1 mice, a strain in which both bovine CII and chick CII can induce a high incidence of the disease, intravenous injection of bovine CII can also prevent arthritis induced by chick CII, even when given 7 or 14 days after immunization. The fact that chick CII as tolerogen is quite effective in preventing arthritis in B10.RIII mice, while as immunogen it is very ineffective in inducing arthritis in this strain, may be interpreted as evidence for interaction between different epitopes on CII in the pathogenesis of CIA.     

Helminth Antigens Enable CpG-Activated Dendritic Cells to Inhibit the Symptoms of Collagen-induced Arthritis through Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells

Dendritic cells (DC) have the potential to control the outcome of autoimmunity by modulating the immune response. In this study, we tested the ability of Fasciola hepatica total extract (TE) to induce tolerogenic properties in CpG-ODN (CpG) maturated DC, to then evaluate the therapeutic potential of these cells to diminish the inflammatory response in collagen induced arthritis (CIA). DBA/1J mice were injected with TE plus CpG treated DC (T/C-DC) pulsed with bovine collagen II (CII) between two immunizations with CII and clinical scores CIA were determined. The levels of CII-specific IgG2 and IgG1 in sera, the histological analyses in the joints, the cytokine profile in the draining lymph node (DLN) cells and in the joints, and the number, and functionality of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells (Treg) were evaluated. Vaccination of mice with CII pulsed T/C-DC diminished the severity and incidence of CIA symptoms and the production of the inflammatory cytokine, while induced the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. The therapeutic effect was mediated by Treg cells, since the adoptive transfer of CD4+CD25+ T cells, inhibited the inflammatory symptoms in CIA. The in vitro blockage of TGF-β in cultures of DLN cells plus CII pulsed T/C-DC inhibited the expansion of Treg cells. Vaccination with CII pulsed T/C-DC seems to be a very efficient approach to diminish exacerbated immune response in CIA, by inducing the development of Treg cells, and it is therefore an interesting candidate for a cell-based therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).     

The effect of anti-adhesion molecule antibody on the development of collagen-induced arthritis.

In order to study how inflammatory cells including autoimmune lymphocytes interact with each other to develop collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), we injected monoclonal antibodies against mouse LFA-1 and ICAM-1 into DBA/1 mice immunized with type II collagen (CII). Both antibodies suppressed the development of CIA. These antibodies showed no effect on anti-CII antibody response, although they both significantly suppressed DTH response. It was suggested that anti-adhesion molecule antibodies suppress CIA mainly through their effect on cell-mediated immunity, without affecting humoral immunity under the conditions used.     

Genetic control of tolerance to type II collagen and development of arthritis in an autologous collagen-induced arthritis model

T cell recognition of the type II collagen (CII) 260-270 peptide is a bottleneck for the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis. We have earlier made C3H.Q mice expressing CII with glutamic acid instead of aspartic acid at position 266 (the MMC-C3H.Q mouse), similar to the rat and human CII epitope, which increases binding to MHC class II and leads to effective presentation of the peptide in vivo. These mice show T cell tolerance to CII, but also develop severe arthritis. The present investigation shows that non-MHC genes play a decisive role in determining tolerance and arthritis susceptibility. We bred MMC into B10.Q mice, which display similar susceptibility to CIA induced with rat CII as the C3H.Q mice. In contrast to MMC-C3H.Q mice, MMC-B10.Q mice were completely resistant to arthritis. Nontransgenic (B10.Q x C3H.Q)F(1) mice were more susceptible to CIA than either of the parental strains, but introduction of the MMC transgene leads to CIA resistance, showing that the protection is dominantly inherited from B10.Q. In an attempt to break the B10-mediated CIA protection in MMC-transgenic mice, we introduced a transgenic, CII-specific, TCR beta-chain specific for the CII(260-270) glycopeptide, in the highly CIA-susceptible (B10.Q x DBA/1)F(1) mice. The magnification of the autoreactive CII-specific T cell repertoire led to increased CIA susceptibility, but the disease was less severe than in mice lacking the MMC transgene. This finding is important for understanding CIA and perhaps also rheumatoid arthritis, as in both diseases MHC class II-restricted T cell recognition of the glycosylated CII peptide occurs.     

Importance of CD23 for collagen-induced arthritis: delayed onset and reduced severity in CD23-deficient mice

Increased expression of the low affinity receptor for IgE, FcepsilonRII/CD23 has been observed in rheumatoid arthritis. In view of this, we have investigated the expression and influence of CD23 in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), an animal model for rheumatoid arthritis. CD23+ cells were analyzed in lymph nodes of DBA/1 mice immunized with bovine collagen type II (BCII) in CFA or with CFA only. The percentage of CD23+ lymph node cells was increased in both BCII/CFA- and CFA-immunized mice at 1, 3, and 7 wk after immunization compared with unimmunized mice, indicating a role for the adjuvant to trigger general inflammation and CD23 expression. To investigate the functional role of CD23 in CIA, CD23-deficient mice on the DBA/1 genetic background were studied. After immunization with BCII/CFA, these mice developed CIA with delayed onset and reduced severity compared with wild-type mice. These findings suggest that an increased number of CD23+ cells is part of an inflammatory response and that CD23 expression is of pathogenic importance in the arthritic process.     

T cells that are naturally tolerant to cartilage-derived type II collagen are involved in the development of collagen-induced arthritis

The immunodominant T-cell epitope that is involved in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is the glycosylated type II collagen (CII) peptide 256-270. In CII transgenic mice, which express the immunodominant CII 256-270 epitope in cartilage, the CII-specific T cells are characterized by a partially tolerant state with low proliferative activity in vitro, but with maintained effector functions, such as IFN-γ secretion and ability to provide B cell help. These mice were still susceptible to CIA. The response was mainly directed to the glycosylated form of the CII 256-270 peptide, rather than to the nonglycosylated peptide. Tolerance induction was rapid; transferred T cells encountered CII within a few days. CII immunization several weeks after thymectomy of the mice did not change their susceptibility to arthritis or the induction of partial T-cell tolerance, excluding a role for recent thymic emigrants. Thus, partially tolerant CII autoreactive T cells are maintained and are crucial for the development of CIA.     

Palmitoylethanolamide and luteolin ameliorate development of arthritis caused by injection of collagen type II in mice

IntroductionN-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA) is an endogenous fatty acid amide belonging to the family of the N-acylethanolamines (NAEs). Recently, several studies demonstrated that PEA is an important analgesic, antiinflammatory, and neuroprotective mediator. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of co-ultramicronized PEA + luteolin formulation on the modulation of the inflammatory response in mice subjected to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).MethodsCIA was induced by an intradermally injection of 100 μl of the emulsion (containing 100 μg of bovine type II collagen (CII)) and complete Freund adjuvant (CFA) at the base of the tail. On day 21, a second injection of CII in CFA was administered. Mice subjected to CIA were administered PEA (10 mg/kg 10% ethanol, intraperitoneally (i.p.)) or co-ultramicronized PEA + luteolin (1 mg/kg, i.p.) every 24 hours, starting from day 25 to 35.ResultsMice developed erosive hind-paw arthritis when immunized with CII in CFA. Macroscopic clinical evidence of CIA first appeared as periarticular erythema and edema in the hindpaws. The incidence of CIA was 100% by day 28 in the CII-challenged mice, and the severity of CIA progressed over a 35-day period with a resorption of bone. The histopathology of CIA included erosion of the cartilage at the joint. Treatment with PEA or PEA + luteolin ameliorated the clinical signs at days 26 to 35 and improved histologic status in the joint and paw. The degree of oxidative and nitrosative damage was significantly reduced in PEA + luteolin-treated mice, as indicated by nitrotyrosine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Plasma levels of the proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were significantly reduced by PEA + luteolin treatment.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that PEA co-ultramicronized with luteolin exerts an antiinflammatory effect during chronic inflammation and ameliorates CIA.     

Decreased IgG production but increased MIP-1beta expression in collagen-induced arthritis in C-C chemokine receptor 5-deficient mice

Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is a widely used model of human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovial joints. The pathogenesis of RA and CIA has not been completely defined, but both involve the recruitment of leukocytes and lymphocytes to the joints and Th1-type cell mediated autoimmune responses. The C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is preferentially expressed on Th1 cells and has been strongly implicated in inflammatory process through trafficking of leukocytes and lymphocytes into the sites of inflammation. We investigated the role of the CCR5 in CIA using CCR5 knockout mice (CCR5-/-) in which we analyzed the consequences of CCR5 deficiency for the immune response and inflammation. We found that CCR5-/- mice showed a significant reduction in the incidence of CIA after collagen II (CII)-immunization as compared to wild-type (CCR5+/+) mice. The reduced incidence seen in CCR5-/- mice was associated with these animals having significantly lower IgG levels, especially IgG2a and IgG2b antibodies against CII, as well as an obviously augmented IL-10 production in splenocytes. Overproduction of MIP-1beta in CCR5-deficient mice after CII-immunization may contribute partially to the occurrence of arthritis.