Antibodies to extracellular matrix proteins in the sera of MRL-lpr mice

Autoimmune MRL-lpr mice develop a spontaneous arthritis displaying similar articular and extra-articular features to rheumatoid arthritis in humans. In this study we used an ELISA assay to evaluate the serological responses of MRL-lpr mice to select extracellular matrix proteins associated with the joint. Significant levels of antibodies to collagens types I, II, III, IV, and V were demonstrated starting between 17 and 20 weeks of age. Moreover, the sera contained a strong reactivity to fibronectin. Responses to proteoglycans and laminin were weaker but still detectable. Specificity studies on pooled sera from MRL-lpr mice suggest that the autoantibodies produced are highly cross-reactive. The results indicate that the MRL-lpr mouse strain exhibits similar anti-extracellular matrix antibody profiles to those seen in varying frequencies in the sera and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.