Type II collagen-induced autoimmune salpingitis in rats

Autoimmune salpingitis was induced in 17 (85%) of 20 outbred Wistar rats by immunization with bovine type II collagen; three of those also developed eustachian tube chondritis. The lesions were characterized by infiltrations of a large number of mononuclear cells in the mucosa and submucosa, destruction of cartilaginous structure, and deposition of IgG and complement C3. The animals had high titers of anti-type II collagen antibody. Immunohistochemical examination using monoclonal antibody to type II collagen revealed the presence of type II collagen in the eustachian tube cartilage. These observations suggest a causal relationship between autoimmunity to type II collagen and salpingitis in the rat, and this animal model may be useful in defining the pathogenesis of eustachian tube diseases mediated by immunity to type II collagen.