[Humoral and cellular anticollagen autoimmunity in rheumatic pathology]

Using an immuno-enzymatic technique, the authors studied the production of anti-collagen I and II auto-antibodies in 171 cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 40 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 21 cases of overriding syndrome. Cellular immunity to native collagen II was tested in a group of 26 patients with RA and 27 control subjects, by studying the production of LIF (Leukocyte Inhibitory Factor) in response to this antigen. The anti-collagen I and II antibodies are present in 15.2% and 17.5% of RA patients respectively and also in 15% and 15.5% of the SLE patients studied. Anti-collagen I antibodies are associated with RA with extra-articular signs and anti-collagen II antibodies are associated with early RA, but no association could be found with the clinical or radiological course of the disease. Cellular reactivity to collagen II was found in 30% of the cases of RA studied and was associated with the early forms of the disease. Complementary studies on the association of certain HLA antigens with cellular or humoral reactivity to collagen should allow a better approach to the clinical relationships of certain cases of chronic inflammatory rheumatism with anti-collagen auto-immunization.