Collagen-induced arthritis as a model of rheumatoid arthritis.

Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is an animal model for the human autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA). CIA can be induced in several species including primates by immunization with heterologous type-II collagen (CII). Polyclonal antibodies are formed upon immunization with CII that exhibit a broad range of epitope specificities (some that cross-react with hose CII); however, only antibodies directed against certain specific epitopes on CII are arthritogenic. Recently, the importance of cognate interactions between T-cells and B-cells to the induction of CIA was demonstrated by administration of monoclonal antibodies against a T-cell surface protein, gp39. Blocking the interaction of T-cell gp39, with its receptor/ligand on the surface of B-cells (CD40), completely blocked induction of CIA in mice. A concomitant reduction in the level of anti-CII IgG produced in anti-gp39-treated animals was observed, demonstrating the crucial importance of T-cell:B-cell interactions via gp39:CD-40 binding to the primary immune response to CII in vivo and therefore to the induction of CIA. Other features of CIA are important in elucidating the condition and this article will deal with some important issues.