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Association of parvoviruses with rheumatoid arthritis of humans

R W Simpson, L McGinty, L Simon

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |March 30, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    A novel virus, RA-1, isolated from rheumatoid arthritis patients causes severe symptoms in mice. This virus shows potential links to rheumatoid arthritis, distinct from osteoarthritis.

    Area of Science:

    • Virology
    • Rheumatology
    • Immunology

    Background:

    • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation.
    • The etiology of RA remains incompletely understood, with potential roles for infectious agents being investigated.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate a potential viral agent, RA-1, isolated from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
    • To characterize the pathogenicity and immunological relevance of RA-1 in a mouse model.

    Main Methods:

    • Isolation and characterization of a virus (RA-1) from synovial tissue of an RA patient.
    • Induction of disease in neonatal mice using RA-1.
    • Immunological assays (neutralization, antigen detection) using polyclonal antibodies against RA-1.

    Main Results:

    • RA-1, a parvovirus-like virus, was isolated from severe RA synovial tissue.
    • RA-1 induced neurological and musculoskeletal abnormalities in neonatal mice, mimicking aspects of severe RA.
    • RA-1 antigens were detected in synovial cells of RA patients but not osteoarthritis patients.
    • Other related parvoviruses showed weaker pathogenicity but induced RA-1 specific antigens.

    Conclusions:

    • A novel parvovirus-like virus, RA-1, is associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
    • RA-1 demonstrates significant pathogenicity in a neonatal mouse model.
    • The findings suggest a potential etiological role for RA-1 in rheumatoid arthritis.

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