[Experimental models of arthritis induced by various cartilage collagen type]

To laboratory rats of Wistar strain (Ipcv: Wist) native collagenous types of pig cartilage--II, IX and XI and the denatured type XI were administered. The first immunization dose, 0.5 mg collagen per experimental animal, was administered in incomplete Freund adjuvant and the second immunization dose (collagen in solution) followed after 7 days and was administered by the i.p. route. Inflammatory arthritis of the small interphalangeal, metatarsophalangeal and tarsal joints developed between the 11th and 17th day of the experiment in rats immunized with native collagen type II and XI--60% of the animals were affected. The histological findings corresponded to the course of arthritis, however, the articular destructive changes after administration of collagen type XI were more severe than after type II. The changes were evaluated by X-ray and by means of thermovision. The antibody levels against different types of collagen assessed by means of the ELISA test reached peak values between the 13th and 20th day of the experiment. In the group of rats immunized by collagen type IX and the denatured type XI arthritis did not develop. The antibody response in the group of rats immunized with type IX was similar as in the group immunized with types II and XI. Histological examination confirmed some changes in the joints of rats immunized with collagen type IX, while in the joints of rats immunized with denatured collagen type XI no changes were found.