Experimental immune arthritis: host factors.

An experimental chronic mono-arthritis was induced in rabbits using adjuvants and bovine serum albumin. The results suggest that unidentified host factors (possibly genetic) influence the induction of delayed hypersensitivity to the antigen. The data further show a clear correlation between systemic cell mediated immunity and chronic synovitis. When this condition is absent, there is a poor correlation between the humoral response and the arthritis. The results make difficult the interpretation of local immune complex deposition as the sole, chronic phlogistic stimulus. (J Rheumatol 2: 373-383, 1975).