Abstract
We established a novel animal model for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by following backcrossing to DBA/1 of (SWR/J × DBA/1)F1 TCR-β Tg mice, previously reported to be highly susceptible to collagen-induced arthritis. These mice evolved, upon collagen type II immunization, into a chronic arthritis that histopathologically resembles RA. The availability of such a model prompted us to study the role of CD4+ T cells throughout the evolution of disease. Here, we show that administration of nondepleting anti-CD4 not only prevented the evolution of disease but also treated established arthritis. Moreover, functional analyses of T cells isolated from anti-CD4-treated mice demonstrated that the mechanism of protection is not achieved by suppression of the Th1 population but is mediated by induction of collagen type II-specific T cell anergy. Our study suggests that: 1) CD4+ T cells have a fundamental role both in the induction and in the perpetuation of disease; 2) targeting T cells may be an appropriate therapeutic option; and 3) a suitable and well-balanced anti-CD4 treatment may be a valid approach to the control of RA.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 5032-5041 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Immunology |
Volume | 159 |
Issue number | 10 |
State | Published - Nov 15 1997 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology