Collagen-induced polyarthritis in rats: a study of native type II collagen for adjuvant activity

Collagen-induced polyarthritis in rats is a new experimental model that shares clinical and histologic features with adjuvant arthritis. To determine whether collagen-induced arthritis is a form of adjuvant disease and to further exclude contamination of collagen with an adjuvant substance, native type II collagen was studied for adjuvant properties. IgM and IgG PFC activity and PBMC [3H]TdR incorporation were studied in rats after injection with TNP-OA combined with IFA, IFA and CII, or CFA. In general, humoral and CMI responses to TNP-OA were lower in rats injected with IFA/CII compared with those with IFA; the presence of CII during primary immunization failed to significantly enhance PFC activity to TNP after a boost. CFA-injected rats gave maximal values in both studies. Mice pretreated with BII in the absence of oil gave PFC responses below control after sensitization with SRC. Furthermore, CII was unable to replace mycobacteria in the induction of EAE in rats and was devoid of mitogenic or polyclonal stimulatory properties. It is concluded that collagen-induced arthritis is a distinct entity from adjuvant arthritis and is dependent upon the unique immunogenicity of type II collagen in rats rather than upon an adjuvant effect.