Disappearing collagen antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis

Undenatured type II collagen protects against collagen-induced arthritis by restoring gut-joint homeostasis and immunity

Oral administration of harmless antigens can induce suppression of reactive immune responses, a process that capitalises on the ability of the gastrointestinal tract to tolerate exposure to food and commensal microbiome without triggering inflammatory responses. Repeating exposure to type II collagen induces oral tolerance and inhibits induction of arthritis, a chronic inflammatory joint condition. Although some mechanisms underlying oral tolerance are described, how dysregulation of gut immune networks impacts on inflammation of distant tissues like the joints is unclear. We used undenatured type II collagen in a prophylactic regime -7.33 mg/kg three times/week- to describe the mechanisms associated with protective oral immune-therapy (OIT) in gut and joint during experimental Collagen-Induced Arthritis (CIA). OIT reduced disease incidence to 50%, with reduced expression of IL-17 and IL-22 in the joints of asymptomatic mice. Moreover, whilst the gut tissue of arthritic mice shows substantial damage and activation of tissue-specific immune networks, oral administration of undenatured type II collagen protects against gut pathology in all mice, symptomatic and asymptomatic, rewiring IL-17/IL-22 networks. Furthermore, gut fucosylation and microbiome composition were also modulated. These results corroborate the relevance of the gut-joint axis in arthritis, showing novel regulatory mechanisms linked to therapeutic OIT in joint disease.

Distinct autoantibody profiles across checkpoint inhibitor types and toxicities

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are increasingly used in combination. To understand the effects of different ICI categories, we characterized changes in circulating autoantibodies in patients enrolled in the E4412 trial (NCT01896999) of brentuximab vedotin (BV) plus ipilimumab, BV plus nivolumab, or BV plus ipilimumab-nivolumab for Hodgkin Lymphoma. Cycle 2 Day 1 (C2D1) autoantibody levels were compared to pre-treatment baseline. Across 112 autoantibodies tested, we generally observed increases in ipilimumab-containing regimens, with decreases noted in the nivolumab arm. Among 15 autoantibodies with significant changes at C2D1, all nivolumab cases exhibited decreases, with more than 90% of ipilimumab-exposed cases showing increases. Autoantibody profiles also showed differences according to immune-related adverse event (irAE) type, with rash generally featuring increases and liver toxicity demonstrating decreases. We conclude that dynamic autoantibody profiles may differ according to ICI category and irAE type. These findings may have relevance to clinical monitoring and irAE treatment.

Characterization of chronic relapsing antibody mediated arthritis in mice with a mutation in Ncf1 causing reduced oxidative burst

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting joints with a hallmark of autoantibody production. Mannan-enhanced collagen type II (COL2) antibody induced arthritis (mCAIA) in neutrophil cytosolic factor 1(Ncf1) mutation mouse is a chronic disease model imitating RA in mice. In this study, we characterize the chronic phase of mCAIA in Ncf1 mutated (BQ.Ncf1^m1j/m1j) mice. Arthritis was induced by an intravenous injection of anti-COL2 monoclonal antibodies on day 0 followed by intra-peritoneal injections of mannan (from Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on days 3 and 65 in BQ.Ncf1^m1j/m1j and BQ mice. Bone erosion was analysed by computed tomography (CT) and blood cell phenotypes by flow cytometry. Cytokines and anti-COL2 antibodies were analyzed with multiplex bead-based assays. The arthritis in the Ncf1^m1j/m1j mice developed with a chronic and relapsing disease course, which was followed for 200 days and bone erosions of articular joints were evaluated. An increased number of circulating CD11b⁺ Ly6G⁺ neutrophils were observed during the chronic phase, together with a higher level of G-CSF (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) and TNF-α. In conclusion, the chronic relapsing arthritis of mCAIA in the Ncf1^m1j/m1j mice develop bone erosions associated with a sustained neutrophil type of inflammatory responses.

Key interactions in the trimolecular complex consisting of the rheumatoid arthritis-associated DRB1*04:01 molecule, the major glycosylated collagen II peptide and the T-cell receptor

Objectives

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease strongly associated with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II allele DRB1*04:01, which encodes a protein that binds self-peptides for presentation to T cells. This study characterises the autoantigen-presenting function of DRB1*04:01 (HLA-DRA*01:01/HLA-DRB1*04:01) at a molecular level for prototypic T-cell determinants, focusing on a post-translationally modified collagen type II (Col2)-derived peptide.

Methods

The crystal structures of DRB1*04:01 molecules in complex with the peptides HSP70_289-306, citrullinated CILP_982-996 and galactosylated Col2_259-273 were determined on cocrystallisation. T cells specific for Col2_259-273 were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with DRB1*04:01-positive RA by cytofluorometric detection of the activation marker CD154 on peptide stimulation and binding of fluorescent DRB1*0401/Col2_259-273 tetramer complexes. The cDNAs encoding the T-cell receptor (TCR) α-chains and β-chains were cloned from single-cell sorted tetramer-positive T cells and transferred via a lentiviral vector into TCR-deficient Jurkat 76 cells.

Results

The crystal structures identified peptide binding to DRB1*04:01 and potential side chain exposure to T cells. The main TCR recognition sites in Col2_259-273 were lysine residues that can be galactosylated. RA T-cell responses to DRB1*04:01-presented Col2_259-273 were dependent on peptide galactosylation at lysine 264. Dynamic molecular modelling of a functionally characterised Col2_259-273-specific TCR complexed with DRB1*04:01/Col2_259-273 provided evidence for differential allosteric T-cell recognition of glycosylated lysine 264.

Conclusions

The MHC-peptide-TCR interactions elucidated in our study provide new molecular insights into recognition of a post-translationally modified RA T-cell determinant with a known dominant role in arthritogenic and tolerogenic responses in murine Col2-induced arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis sera antibodies to citrullinated collagen type II bind to joint cartilage

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the occurrence and frequency of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) to cyclic citrullinated type II collagen (COL2) epitope with a capacity to bind joint cartilage.

METHODS

Luminex immunoassay was used to analyze serum antibody reactivity to 10 COL2-citrullinated peptides (ACC10) and corresponding arginine peptide controls in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and healthy individuals' cohorts. Top ten "promiscuous" sera (cross-reactive with all ACC10) and top ten "private" sera (restrictedly reactive with one ACC10 peptide) from RA and OA cohorts were selected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect response to native COL2. Sera were analyzed with naive and arthritic joints from DBA/1J mice by immunohistochemistry, using monoclonal ACPAs and COL2 reactive antibodies with human Fc as comparison. Staining specificity was confirmed with C1 (a major antibody epitope on COL2) mutated mice and competitive blocking with epitope-specific antibodies.

RESULTS

All patient sera bound ACC10 compared with control peptides but very few (3/40) bound native triple-helical COL2. Most sera (27/40) specifically bound to arthritic cartilage, whereas only one private RA serum bound to healthy cartilage. Despite very low titers, private sera from both RA and OA showed an epitope-specific response, documented by lack of binding to cartilage from C1-mutated mice and blocking binding to wild-type cartilage with a competitive monoclonal antibody. As a comparison, monoclonal ACPAs visualized typical promiscuous, or private reactivity to joint cartilage and other tissues.

CONCLUSION

ACPA from RA and OA sera, reactive with citrullinated non-triple-helical COL2 peptides, can bind specifically to arthritic cartilage.

Synthesis of an Array of Triple-Helical Peptides from Type II Collagen for Multiplex Analysis of Autoantibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Type II collagen (CII) is the most abundant protein in joint cartilage. Antibodies to CII appear around the clinical onset of the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a subset of patients. They target specific epitopes on CII and can be pathogenic or protective. Assays for early detection of such autoantibodies may provide new opportunities for selecting effective treatment strategies of RA. We report the efficient and reproducible assembly of an array of covalently branched native and citrullinated triple helical peptides (THPs) from CII that contain defined autoantibody epitopes. Both monoclonal antibodies and sera from experimental mouse models show a unique reactivity toward the THPs, compared to cyclic peptides containing the epitopes, revealing the importance that the epitopes are displayed in a triple-helical conformation. Importantly, antibodies against three of the THPs that contain major CII epitopes were found to be increased in sera from patients with RA, compared to control persons. These results indicate that such synthetic THPs should be included in multiplex analysis of autoantibodies that are uniquely occurring in individuals with early RA, to provide valuable information on disease prognosis and on what type of therapy should be chosen for individual patients.

Cartilage-binding antibodies initiate joint inflammation and promote chronic erosive arthritis

BACKGROUND

Antibodies binding to cartilage proteins are present in the blood and synovial fluid of early rheumatoid arthritis patients. In order to develop animal models mimicking the human disease, we have characterized the arthritogenic capacity of monoclonal antibodies directed towards different joint proteins in the cartilage.

METHODS

Purified antibodies specific to unmodified or citrullinated collagen type II (CII), collagen type XI (CXI), and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) were produced as culture supernatant, affinity purified, pooled as antibody cocktails (Cab3 and Cab4), and injected intravenously into mice to induce arthritis. An adjuvant (lipopolysaccharide or mannan) was subsequently injected intraperitoneally on either day 5 or day 60 to enhance arthritis. Antibody binding and complement activation on the cartilage surface were analyzed by immunohistochemical methods. Bone erosions and joint deformations were analyzed by histological assessments, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and micro-CT. Luminex was used to detect CII-triple helical epitope-specific antibody responses.

RESULTS

The new cartilage antibody cocktails induced an earlier and more severe disease than anti-CII antibody cocktail. Many of the mouse strains used developed severe arthritis with 3 antibodies, binding to collagen II, collagen XI, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (the Cab3 cocktail). Two new models of arthritis including Cab3-induced LPS-enhanced arthritis (lpsCAIA) and Cab3-induced mannan-enhanced arthritis (mCAIA) were established, causing severe bone erosions and bone loss, as well as epitope spreading of the B cell response. Cab4, with addition of an antibody to citrullinated collagen II, induced arthritis more efficiently in moderately susceptible C57BL/6 J mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The new mouse model for RA induced with cartilage antibodies allows studies of chronic development of arthritis and epitope spreading of the autoimmune response and bone erosion.

Cartilage-binding antibodies induce pain through immune complex-mediated activation of neurons

Rheumatoid arthritis-associated joint pain is frequently observed independent of disease activity, suggesting unidentified pain mechanisms. We demonstrate that antibodies binding to cartilage, specific for collagen type II (CII) or cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), elicit mechanical hypersensitivity in mice, uncoupled from visual, histological and molecular indications of inflammation. Cartilage antibody-induced pain-like behavior does not depend on complement activation or joint inflammation, but instead on tissue antigen recognition and local immune complex (IC) formation. smFISH and IHC suggest that neuronal Fcgr1 and Fcgr2b mRNA are transported to peripheral ends of primary afferents. CII-ICs directly activate cultured WT but not FcRγ chain-deficient DRG neurons. In line with this observation, CII-IC does not induce mechanical hypersensitivity in FcRγ chain-deficient mice. Furthermore, injection of CII antibodies does not generate pain-like behavior in FcRγ chain-deficient mice or mice lacking activating FcγRs in neurons. In summary, this study defines functional coupling between autoantibodies and pain transmission that may facilitate the development of new disease-relevant pain therapeutics.

Collagen Autoantibodies and Their Relationship to CCP Antibodies and Rheumatoid Factor in the Progression of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

Serum autoantibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) are important markers for diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but their autoantigens are not cartilage-specific. Autoantibodies to joint-specific type II collagen (CII) also occur in RA, and monoclonal antibodies of similar specificity induce collagen antibody-induced arthritis in animals, but their role in RA is uncertain. We utilized an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the CB10 peptide of CII to compare the frequency of autoantibodies with those of anti-CCP and RF in stored sera from a prospective study of 82 patients with early RA to examine the outcome, defined as remission (n = 23), persisting non-erosive arthritis (n = 27), or erosions (n = 32). Initial frequencies of anti-CB10, anti-CCP and RF were 76%, 54%, and 57% in RA, and 4%, 0%, and 9% in 136 controls. The frequency of anti-CB10 was unrelated to outcome, but anti-CCP and RF increased with increasing severity, and the number of autoantibodies mirrored the severity. We suggest RA is an immune complex-mediated arthritis in which the three antibodies interact, with anti-CII inducing localized cartilage damage and inflammation resulting in citrullination of joint proteins, neoepitope formation, and a strong anti-CCP response in genetically-susceptible subjects, all amplified and modified by RF.

Anticollagen type II antibodies are associated with an acute onset rheumatoid arthritis phenotype and prognosticate lower degree of inflammation during 5 years follow-up

OBJECTIVE

Antifibrillar collagen type II (anti-CII) antibody-positive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have early but not late signs of increased inflammation and joint erosions. We wanted to replicate this in a large RA cohort, and to relate to human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1* alleles.

METHODS

Anti-CII and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP)2 were measured at baseline in 773 patients with RA from the Swedish Epidemiological Investigation in Rheumatoid Arthritis (EIRA) study with clinical follow-up data from the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register (SRQ) registry, and 1476 with HLA-DRB1* information. Comparisons were done concerning C reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), Disease Activity Score encompassing 28 joints based on ESR (DAS28), DAS28CRP, pain-Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), global-VAS and Health Assessment Questionnaire Score (HAQ) at eight occasions during 5 years, and association with HLA-DRB1* alleles.

RESULTS

Anti-CII associated with elevated CRP, ESR, SJC, DAS28 and DAS28CRP at diagnosis and up to 6 months, whereas anti-CCP2 associated with SJC and DAS28 from 6 months to 5 years, but not earlier. The anti-CII-associated phenotype was strong, and predominated in anti-CII/anti-CCP2 double-positive patients. Anti-CII was associated with improvements in CRP, ESR, SJC, TJC and DAS28, whereas anti-CCP2 was associated with deteriorations in SJC and DAS28 over time. Anti-CII-positive patients achieved European League Against Rheumatism good or moderate response more often than negative patients. Anti-CII was positively associated with HLA-DRB1*01 and HLA-DRB1*03, with significant interaction, and double-positive individuals had >14 times higher mean anti-CII levels than HLA double negatives. Whereas smoking was associated with elevated anti-CCP2 levels, smokers had lower anti-CII levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-CII seropositive RA represents a distinct phenotype, in many respects representing the converse to the clinical, genetic and smoking associations described for anticitrullinated protein peptide autoantibodies. Although not diagnostically useful, early anti-CII determinations predict favourable inflammatory outcome in RA.

Granulocyte-augmented chemokine production induced by type II collagen containing immune complexes is mediated via TLR4 in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with early elevations of antibodies against collagen type II (CII) have a distinct acute onset phenotype, associated with cytokine induction by surface‐bound anti‐CII‐containing immune complexes (ICs) and high C‐reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are abundant in the vicinity of CII in RA joints, and both PMN and PBMC reactivity against anti‐CII IC individually relate to early joint destruction and early elevation of CRP and ESR in RA. We searched for CII‐dependent mechanisms that might attract PMNs and PBMCs to RA joints. Human PBMCs and PMNs were stimulated with anti‐CII ICs and control ICs, either individually or in cocultures. Cocultured PMNs and PBMCs stimulated with anti‐CII ICs synergistically augmented production of the chemokines CXCL8, RANTES and MCP‐1, whereas downregulation was seen with control IC. This upregulation was unique to chemokines, as TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and GM‐CSF were downregulated in anti‐CII IC‐stimulated cocultures. The coculture‐associated chemokine upregulation depended on endogenous TLR4 ligand(s) and functionally active PMN enzymes, and was partially mediated by GM‐CSF. As anti‐CII levels peak around the time of RA diagnosis, this mechanism can attract inflammatory cells to joints in early RA and intensify the anti‐CII‐associated acute onset RA phenotype.

Anti-type II collagen antibodies detection and avidity in patients with oligoarticular and polyarticular forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) refers to a heterogeneous group of illnesses that have in common the occurrence of chronic joint inflammation in children younger than 16 years of age. The diagnosis is made only on clinical assessment. The identification of antibody markers could improve the early diagnosis, optimizing the clinical management of patients. Type II collagen is one potential autoantigen that has been implicated in the process of arthritis development. The aims of our study were to investigate the occurrence of anti-type II collagen antibodies and also to determine the avidity of the antibody-antigen binding. Ninety-six patients with oligoarticular or polyarticular JIA, 13 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and 61 healthy controls (HC) were tested for anti-type II collagen antibodies by ELISA and avidity ELISA. Sensitivity and specificity were determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Forty-two JIA patients (44%) were positive for antibodies against type II collagen. Its detection was significantly higher in JIA patients than in AS patients (p=0.006) and HCs (p<0.0001). Furthermore, anti-type II collagen antibody detection was significantly more frequent in patients with JIA of ≤6 months duration (p=0.0007). Antibodies displaying high avidity to type II collagen were associated with disease activity (p=0.004). This study demonstrates that antibodies against type II collagen are present in the serum of patients with oligoarticular and polyarticular JIA, being its presence more prevalent in patients with early disease. It also demonstrates that JIA patients with active disease present antibodies with high avidity against type II collagen.

Anti-type II collagen antibodies are associated with early radiographic destruction in rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction

We have previously reported that high levels of antibodies specific for native human type II collagen (anti-CII) at the time of RA diagnosis were associated with concurrent but not later signs of inflammation. This was associated with CII/anti-CII immune complex (IC)-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro. In contrast, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) were associated both with late inflammation and late radiological destruction in the same RA cohort. We therefore hypothesized that anti-CII are also associated with early erosions.

Methods

Two-hundred-and-fifty-six patients from an early RA cohort were included. Baseline levels of anti-CII, anti-CCP and anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin were analyzed with ELISA, and rheumatoid factor levels were determined by nephelometry. Radiographs of hands and feet at baseline, after one and after two years were quantified using the 32-joints Larsen erosion score.

Results

Levels of anti-CII were bimodally distributed in the RA cohort, with a small (3.1%, 8/256) group of very high outliers with a median level 87 times higher than the median for the healthy control group. Using a cut-off discriminating the outlier group that was associated with anti-CII IC-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines in vitro, baseline anti-CII antibodies were significantly (p = 0.0486) associated with increased radiographic damage at the time of diagnosis. Anti-CII-positive patient had also significantly increased HAQ score (p = 0.0303), CRP (p = 0.0026) and ESR (p = 0.0396) at the time of diagnosis but not during follow-up. The median age among anti-CII-positive subjects was 12 years higher than among the anti-CII-negative patients.

Conclusion

In contrary to anti-CCP, anti-CII-positive patients with RA have increased joint destruction and HAQ score at baseline. Anti-CII thus characterizes an early inflammatory/destructive phenotype, in contrast to the late appearance of an inflammatory/destructive phenotype in anti-CCP positive RA patients. The anti-CII phenotype might account for part of the elderly acute onset RA phenotype with rather good prognosis.

The role of collagen antibodies in mediating arthritis

This review examines evidence that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) depends on autoimmunity to articular collagen, and mechanisms whereby autoantibodies to type II collagen contribute to disease development. Three major autoantigenic reactants have been identified in RA; the corresponding autoantibodies are rheumatoid factor (RF), antibodies to citrullinated peptide antigens (ACPA), citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP), and anti-type II collagen (anti-CII). Both RF and ACPA are well-validated and predictive markers of severe erosive RA, but cannot be linked to pathogenesis. By contrast, in various animal species immunized with CII there occurs an erosive inflammatory arthritis resembling that seen in human RA, together with antibodies to CII with an epitope specificity similar to that in RA. We discuss the well-known role of immune complexes in the induction of inflammation within the joint, and present recent data showing, additionally, that antibodies to CII cause direct damage to cartilage in vitro. The close resemblances between human RA and collagen-induced arthritis in animals suggest that autoimmunity, and particularly autoantibodies to CII, are important for both the initiation and perpetuation of RA in a dual manner: as contributors to the inflammation associated with immune complex deposition, and as agents with direct degradative effects on cartilage integrity and its repair.

Antibodies against the CB10 fragment of type II collagen in rheumatoid arthritis

Antibodies against intact type II collagen (CII) are a feature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but have limited diagnostic value. Here we assess whether either of the two major cyanogen bromide fragments of CII, namely CB10 or CB11, are more sensitive substrates for the detection of antibodies in RA. Cleavage of bovine CII with cyanogen bromide yielded CB10 and CB11; these were purified by column chromatography for use in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum antibodies were measured in patients with RA, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), osteoarthritis (OA) and blood donors. Results were compared with those using intact CII. Antibodies against CB10 were found in as many as 88% of 96 patients with long-standing RA, but only 12% of 33 patients with PsA, 6% of 34 patients with OA and 3% of 93 control sera. Lower frequencies for these diseases were obtained on testing for antibodies against CB11: 50%, 6%, 21% and 2%, respectively. The sensitivity of detection in RA of antibodies against CB10 compared with antibodies against intact CII (88% versus 24%) was not at the expense of specificity, which remained high at 94%. The much higher frequency of antibodies against CB10 in RA than in other rheumatic diseases or control sera indicates that CB10 is clearly a more sensitive substrate than the intact collagen molecule and, combined with other assays (rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide [anti-CCP]), might comprise a panel with a highly reliable predictive value. Moreover, our findings should encourage renewed interest in the role of collagen autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of RA.

Correlation between IgG anti-type II collagen levels and arthritic severity in murine arthritis

This study examines the relationship between the serum levels of IgG antibodies to heterologous and homologous type II collagen and the subsequent arthritic severity in a collagen induced arthritis model. Arthritis was induced in DBA-1 mice using intradermal injections of heterologous type II collagen in Freunds complete adjuvant, the time of arthritis onset was noted and the severity was monitored regularly. Serum samples were taken and IgG levels of anti-heterologous and homologous type II collagen were analyzed both pre and post arthritis onset. We observed that post induction/pre arthritic serum IgG anti-heterologous and homologous type II collagen levels showed a significant correlation (both p < 0.01) with the severity of the arthritis that subsequently developed. Mice with early arthritis showed a highly significant correlation (p < 0.002) between sera IgG anti-homologous type II collagen levels and arthritic severity, a lesser correlation was also apparent between anti-heterologous type II collagen titres and arthritic severity (p < 0.05). The high levels of correlation observed in this study between anti-type II collagen titres and arthritic severity before actual onset of arthritis, clearly suggest that the magnitude of the initial humoral response to type II collagen plays a crucial role in determining the resultant arthritic severity. This observation is only apparent due to the use of an arthritis susceptible inbred mouse strain, which removes variables such as H-2 restriction, antigen processing/presentation and possible complement deficiencies, and the early time scale of the analysed sera samples.

B cell-deficient mice do not develop type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)

To investigate the role of B cells in the development of CIA, a model for rheumatoid arthritis, we investigated susceptibility to CIA in mice lacking B cells due to the deletion of the IgM heavy chain gene (muMT). The muMT deletion was backcrossed into two different CIA-susceptible strains, B10.Q and B10.RIII. Two different variants of the CIA model are inducible in these strains: in B10.Q with rat type II collagen (CII) and in B10.RIII with bovine CII. Homozygous deletion of the IgM gene led to the absence of B cells and dramatically reduced immunoglobulin levels compared with wild-type mice. The deletion of IgM totally abrogated development of CIA in both strains, although the anti-CII T cell response did not differ between the muMT and wild-type controls. We conclude that B cells play a crucial role in the development of CIA.

The structural basis of MHC control of collagen-induced arthritis; binding of the immunodominant type II collagen 256-270 glycopeptide to H-2Aq and H-2Ap molecules

The Aq major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule is associated with susceptibility to murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), whereas the closely related H-2Ap molecule is not. To understand the molecular basis for this difference, we have analyzed the ability of H-2Aq and H-2Ap molecules (referred to as Aq and Ap) to bind and present collagen type II (CII)-derived glycosylated and non-glycosylated peptides. T cell clones specific for the immunodominant CII 256-270 peptide and restricted to both Aq and Ap molecules were identified. When these clones were incubated with CII protein and either Aq- or Ap-expressing antigen-presenting cells (APC), only Aq-expressing APC were able to induce stimulation. With the use of A(beta) transgenic mice this could be shown to be solely dependent on the MHC class II molecule itself and to be independent of other MHC- or non-MHC genes. Peptide binding studies were performed using affinity-purified MHC class II molecules. The CII 256-270 peptide bound with lower affinity to the Ap molecule than to the Aq molecule. Using a set of alanine-substituted CII 256-270 peptides, MHC class II and T cell receptor (TCR) contacts were identified. Mainly the side chains of isoleucine 260 and phenylalanine 263 were used for binding both the Aq and Ap molecule, i.e. the peptide was orientated similarly in the binding clefts. The major TCR contact amino acids were lysine 264, which can be posttranslationally modified, and glutamic acid 266, which is the only amino acid in the heterologous peptide which differs from the mouse sequence. Glycosylation at positions 264 and 270 of the CII 256-270 peptide did not change the anchor positions used for binding to the Aq or Ap molecules. The autologous form of the peptide (with aspartic acid at position 266) bound with lower affinity to the Aq molecule as compared with the heterologous peptide. The variable affinity displayed by the immunodominant CII 256-270 peptide for different MHC class II molecules, the identification of MHC and TCR contacts and the significance of glycosylation of these have important implications for the understanding of the molecular basis for inherited MHC class II-associated susceptibility to CIA and in turn, for development of novel treatment strategies in this disease.

T cell responses to human type II collagen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence of T cell responses to human type II collagen (CII) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with or without antibodies to CII, and in healthy controls.

METHODS

Assays were performed to study T cell proliferative responses to CII in peripheral blood from 69 patients with RA (11 with anti-CII antibodies and 58 without) and 28 healthy controls. Further analysis was made of the time course of the response and the epitopic specificity, using peptides derived from the cyanogen bromide 11 (CB11) fragment of CII.

RESULTS

Significant proliferative responses to CII were found in 50% of patients with anti-CII, 5.3% of RA patients without these antibodies, and 35.7% of healthy controls. Responses in RA patients differed from those in healthy controls; the former had kinetics suggestive of a recall response and the latter that of a primary response. Some common epitopes within CB11 were recognized by T cells from patients and controls.

CONCLUSION

Proliferative T cell responses to CII occur in some healthy individuals, suggesting that thymic tolerance for this antigen may be incomplete. Most patients with RA have no evidence of a T cell response to CII, possibly indicating the development of peripheral tolerance to this antigen as a consequence of cartilage breakdown. However, in a minority of patients, T and B cell responses to CII persist, and may contribute to joint damage.

Antibodies to type II collagen in early rheumatoid arthritis. Correlation with disease progression

OBJECTIVE

To establish that frequencies and levels of IgG antibodies to type II collagen are higher in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to correlate these results with disease activity.

METHODS

Forty-four patients were characterized as having early RA. Patient sera obtained at initial presentation and at 12 months were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IgG antibodies to native and denatured type II collagen.

RESULTS

IgG antibodies to native and denatured type II collagen were detected at initial presentation in 27% and 82% of patients, respectively, and after 12 months in 14% and 50%, respectively. The presence of antibodies to native collagen was associated with activity of RA and severity of symptoms, and loss of antibodies at 12 months was associated with initially erosive RA and the DRB1 disease susceptibility motif.

CONCLUSION

Levels of serum IgG antibodies to collagen in RA decrease over time and, therefore, are not attributable simply to cartilage destruction. The presence of early positivity for these antibodies, together with the RA susceptibility motif, appears to be predictive of rapidly progressive RA.

IgG3 reactive rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis: etiologic and pathogenic considerations

Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a polyclonal autoantibody directed against the Fc portion of IgG. Although the role of RF in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unclear, immune complexes that form between RF and IgG can activate the classical complement (C) pathway, leading to pathogenic outcomes involving inflammatory events and tissue damage. The specificity of serum RF and RF produced by rheumatoid synovial cells (RSC) is different. Serum RF has specificity for rabbit IgG and human IgG subclasses IgG1, 2, and 4, but binds poorly to IgG3. The affinity of serum RF for IgG Fc is low, having an association constant of 10(4)-10(5) M-1. RSC RF, however, has specificity for human IgG and high avidity for IgG3. Because of this greater specificity and avidity for IgG3, and because RSC RF may be pathogenically more important than serum RF, an important role for IgG3-reactive RF in RA may exist. Binding of RF to IgG may be dependent on the allotype and glycosylation of IgG. Infectious agents present in RA patients may directly or indirectly induce the production of certain RF. In this communication, we review and expand on several observations examining the role of IgG3-reactive RF in RA including: 1) binding differences between RF derived from RSC and serum; 2) glycosylation characteristics of IgG and its interaction with RF; 3) apparent allotype dependent binding of IgG3-reactive RF; and 4) possible relationship between infectious agents and the production of IgG3-reactive RF. Taken together, these observations suggest an important role for IgG3-reactive RF in better understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of RA.

Characterization of a spontaneously occurring arthritis in male DBA/1 mice

OBJECTIVE

We studied the incidence, severity, histopathologic features, and status of infection in a spontaneous polyarthritis which occurs in male DBA/1 mice.

METHODS

Over a 25-week period, the arthritis was evaluated macroscopically in naive mice of different strains. The histopathology was evaluated at different phases of the disease. Virologic and bacteriologic investigations were performed.

RESULTS

The arthritis occurs in approximately 80% of aging male DBA/1 mice. The disease is chronic and destructive, and the affected joints are characterized by synovial lining proliferation and infiltration of inflammatory cells, mainly mononuclear. The susceptibility appears to be dependent on both sex-linked and non-sex-linked genes, since female DBA/1 mice are not affected and since male BALB/c housed in the same colony are only marginally affected.

CONCLUSION

This first description of a spontaneous arthritis in aging male DBA/1 mice should provide new opportunities to study general features of a chronic and intermittent arthritis in a well-characterized strain, in which no generalized aberrations of the immune system have been described.

Cross-reactivity between the EBNA-1 p107 peptide, collagen, and keratin: implications for the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

An unusually heavy load of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and autoimmunity to collagen are believed to be contributing factors to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The present report presents data showing that p107, the major epitope of the EBV-encoded EBNA-1 antigen, cross-reacts with denatured collagen (DC) and keratin (K), suggesting a new likely link among RA, EBV-1, and these autoantigens. A radioimmunoassay using antigen-coated microtiter plates was used to demonstrate antibodies in sera of patients with RA and sera of healthy donors against p107, DC, and K. Specificity of the antibodies was ascertained by inhibition tests with the homologous antigens. Cross-reactivity among anti-p107, anti-DC, and anti-K antibodies was assayed by the ability of a given antigen to block the binding of nonpurified or affinity-purified antibodies to plates coated with another antigen. Most of the sera contained antibodies to all three antigens, but only anti-DC antibodies were present in higher titers in RA sera. Preincubation of sera with p107 appreciably reduced their binding to plates coated with DC or K. On the other hand, preincubation with DC (in solution or bound to Sepharose) did not result in consistent reduction of anti-p107 titers. Tests with affinity-purified antibodies revealed the existence of two antibodies populations, one of which reacted preferentially with p107, the other with DC. The cross-reactivity of the anti-p107 antibodies with DC and K suggests that such antibodies, produced by RA patients following persistent stimulation with EBV, might react in vivo with collagen (and keratin) exposed in previously damaged areas and thus reinforce the disease process.

Experimental immune mediated arthritis in rhesus monkeys. A model for human rheumatoid arthritis?

The induction of experimental arthritis in rhesus monkeys was studied by intradermal immunization of bovine type II collagen and antigens derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Eubacterium aerofaciens. The tested bacterial antigens proved to be not arthrogenic. Bovine type II collagen induced clinical arthritis in 50% of the rhesus monkeys. Type II collagen induced arthritis in rhesus monkeys proved to be a potential model to study clinical, serological, histological, genetic, and immunologic features associated with human RA.

Activity of rheumatoid arthritis and levels of collagen antibodies: a prospective study

Thirty-seven patients with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied prospectively over a period of 12 months to assess whether there was a relationship between disease activity and raised levels of antibodies to native or denatured type II collagen. Nineteen patients had inactive RA according to ARA criteria for disease remission and 18 had active RA throughout the study. At the beginning of the study the levels of collagen antibodies were comparable in each group. After 1 year, antibodies to denatured type II collagen in patients with inactive RA had declined to significantly lower levels whereas in patients with active RA the levels of antibodies fluctuated during the period of study and were not significantly different at the end. There was no relationship between levels of antibodies to type II collagen and any specific index of disease activity, severity of X-ray changes in the hands and feet, or progression over 1 year in X-ray changes. The finding of a decline in levels of antibodies to denatured type II collagen in inactive RA suggests that the anticollagen response is an integral component of the rheumatoid process and could have a primary or secondary role in pathogenesis.

Antibodies against native type II collagen do not precede the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis

Serum levels of IgG and IgM antibodies to native human type II collagen were determined in 22 pre-illness sera from subjects who developed seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 4 months to 5 years after sera were obtained, in 51 specimens from 35 healthy controls, and in 4-5 specimens from 58 patients with recent-onset RA. The antibody levels in all pre-illness serum specimens fell within the range seen for the healthy controls. Four RA patients had an IgG class antibody level and 4 had an IgM class antibody level that was above the highest level observed for controls, in at least 1 serum sample. No significant difference in the mean level of anticollagen antibodies was observed in the followup specimens from RA patients.

Antibodies to types I, II, IX, and XI collagen in the serum of patients with rheumatic diseases

Antibodies to native types I, II, IX, and XI collagen were measured, using a 125I-solid-phase radioimmunoassay, in serum from 104 patients with rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, Paget's disease, or osteoarthritis). In all disease groups, antibodies to type II collagen occurred with greater frequency than antibodies to type I collagen (11-35% versus 5-23%). Antibodies to type XI collagen were the most frequent: They were present in approximately 50% of the patients in the rheumatoid arthritis, Paget's disease, and osteoporosis groups. Antibodies to type IX collagen were found at a high frequency in the rheumatoid arthritis group only (44%). Analysis of the clinical data suggested that the presence of antibodies to collagen was associated with disease that was less severe or of shorter duration.

Binding of collagen type II to rheumatoid synovial cells

Binding of biotin-labelled native and denatured collagen type II and of aggregated IgG to frozen sections of synovial tissue from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) was investigated with the help of an avidin-biotin-peroxidase (ABC) technique. A large number of lymphocyte-like and plasma cell-like cells within the investigated biopsies aggregated IgG, and can be assumed to produce rheumatoid factors. In five out of six cases a smaller number of lymphocyte-like and plasma cell-like cells bound native collagen type II. Denatured collagen type II bound mainly to cells within the synovial lining and to endothelial cells within the inflamed synovial tissues. Binding of denatured but not of native collagen II was abolished by preincubation with rabbit antibodies towards human fibronectin. It is suggested that the method described here, using biotinylated antigens, may be of value for the study of local antibody production via investigations on frozen tissue sections, and that local antibody production against native collagen type II occurs within the inflamed synovial tissues at least in some cases of rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile chronic arthritis.