Antigen-induced arthritis: inflammation and antigen handling

Data are summarized indicating that the degree and duration of antigen induced arthritis (AIA) influences handling of intra-articular (i.a.) antigen. Long term antigen retention was less in chronic as compared with transient joint inflammation, whereas i.a. antigen was cleared more rapidly from the joint in severe than in moderate AIA. In addition, the presence of ungoing AIA enhances initial elimination of i.a. injected antigen from the joint.