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Biomedical subjects

J M Stuart

Publications and source records attributed to J M Stuart.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

An outbreak of meningococcal disease in Gloucestershire.

Between October, 1981, and March, 1986, there were 65 cases of meningococcal infection, about five times the expected number, in Gloucester Health District. The cases, mainly in teenagers and young adults, were clustered in the Stroud district and in the southern part of Gloucester City, and most were caused by a sulphonamide-resistant group B type 15 meningococcus. 2 patients died. Only 57% of meningitis cases were formally notified. 7 (11%) patients had septicaemia without meningitis, not a notifiable disease. All meningococcal disease should be made notifiable and meningococci should be serotyped routinely so that the epidemiology of the disease can be monitored before the introduction of suitable vaccines.

Adolescent↗

Murine T cells reactive to type II collagen. I. Isolation of lines and clones and characterization of their antigen-induced proliferative responses.

Mice of the DBA/1 strain develop arthritis after immunization with native chick type II collagen. Although both a humoral and a cell-mediated response specific to type II collagen are associated with the disease, the underlying immunologic basis remains to be established. As an initial step to analyzing the involvement of cellular immunity in collagen-induced arthritis, we isolated and characterized T cell lines and clones specific to type II collagen. Two sets of T cell lines were obtained by limiting dilution. One set was found to react exclusively with denatured type II collagen, whereas the other set responded to both native and denatured type II collagen. The specificity of such T cells was demonstrated by their inability to respond to other soluble proteins such as type I collagen, HGG, KLH, or OVA. Cells from these lines recognized type II collagen only in an MHC (H-2q)-restricted fashion. Furthermore, the collagen-specific T cells were found to respond to type II collagens obtained from various species, including chick, bovine, and rat. Finally, each set of cells displayed a phenotype characteristic of T helper cells, namely Thy-1+, L3T4+, Lyt-2-.

Animals↗

Murine T cells reactive to type II collagen. II. Functional characterization.

DBA/1 mice immunized with native chick type II collagen (NcII) emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant develop arthritis, whose underlying mechanisms are still undefined. As an initial step to studying the role of T cells in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), we have established T cell lines specific to type II collagen. Characterizations of the antigen-induced proliferative responses mediated by these T cells have been reported. In essence, two major populations of collagen-reactive T cells were isolated: those that responded mainly to denatured type II collagen (DcII) and another group that reacted with both DcII and NcII. As shown in the present study, all of the collagen-reactive T cell lines isolated were found to be functional, although they differed in their capacity to mediate helper activities assessed by different assays. Hence, both populations of T cells exhibited the ability to trigger B cell proliferation, whereas only the population that recognized both DcII and NcII was capable of activating the synthesis of immunoglobulins by B cells. T cells from this latter group also provided specific help for the generation of a secondary anti-DNP antibody response. In addition, these T cells were capable of activating NcII-specific B cells to produce anti-collagen antibodies. By contrast, the T cell lines that reacted exclusively to DcII failed to mediate such specific helper functions. The inability of such T cells to activate DNP-primed B cells upon challenge with DNP-DcII did not appear to be due to a modification of antigenic sites on DcII by haptenation. Inasmuch as the DcII-specific T cell lines also proliferate less well in response to DcII than the T cell lines that recognize both DcII and NcII, a difference in the nature of the antigen receptors expressed by the two populations of collagen-specific T cells may partly explain the above observations. However, the inability to generate appropriate factors required for further differentiation of B cells to produce antibodies may also account for the failure of DcII-specific T cells to activate DNP-primed B cells. Finally, both populations of T cells were capable of mediating specific delayed-type hypersensitivity response.

Animals↗

Collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Localization of an arthritogenic determinant to a fragment of the type II collagen molecule.

Purified chick type II collagen was cleaved with cyanogen bromide (CB), and the resulting peptides isolated and renatured. Sera from arthritic DBA/1 mice, immunized with chick type II collagen, were tested for reactivity with each peptide. The sera preferentially recognized peptides 11, 10, and 8, in that order. Some reactivity was also detected to peptides 9, 7, and 12. Because arthritis depends upon binding of antibody to autologous type II collagen in the joint, sera were also tested for reactivity with mouse type II collagen. There was a strong positive correlation between reactivity with peptide 11 and reactivity with mouse collagen, but no correlation was found with any of the other peptides. Peptides 11, 10, and 8 were also used for immunization. Antibodies were detected in response to each of these peptides, but arthritis developed only in mice immunized with peptide 11. We conclude that a major immunogenic and arthritogenic epitope on type II collagen resides in the region of the molecule represented by CB peptide 11.

Animals↗

Type II collagen-induced arthritis in mice. IV. Variations in immunogenetic regulation provide evidence for multiple arthritogenic epitopes on the collagen molecule.

Type II collagen from six mammalian species was investigated for the capacity to induce an immune response and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in C57/B10 congenic mouse strains. H-2q haplotype mice were susceptible to chick, bovine, deer, rat, and human type II collagen, but were resistant to arthritis induced by porcine type II collagen. H-2r haplotype mice only developed CIA in response to bovine, deer, and porcine collagen. High antibody responses in the absence of disease, directed against a specific type II collagen, were observed in many independent haplotypes. The cross-reactive capacity of different antisera to the various collagen species was studied. The data support the existence of two arthritogenic and multiple nonarthritogenic epitopes on the type II collagen molecule.

Animals↗

Type II collagen-induced arthritis in mice. III. Suppression of arthritis by using monoclonal and polyclonal anti-Ia antisera.

Pretreatment of mice genetically susceptible to type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) with monoclonal or polyclonal antisera specific for I region gene products (Ia antigens) suppressed or delayed the onset of CIA, whereas pretreatment with anti-Ia to an irrelevant haplotype was without effect. The humoral response to type II collagen was transiently depressed 14 days after immunization but antibody levels did not differ significantly after 28 days. The peak delayed-type hypersensitivity to type II collagen was unaffected by anti-Ia treatment. Monoclonal antibody of one anti-Ia specificity enhanced both the antibody response and the arthritis incidence in one mouse strain.

Animals↗

Type II collagen-induced arthritis in mice. II. Passive transfer and suppression by intravenous injection of anti-type II collagen antibody or free native type II collagen.

The passive transfer of high levels of anti-type II collagen antibody from mice with type II collagen-induced arthritis may transfer arthritis to syngeneic recipient animals. However, the transfer of either arthritogenic or sub-arthritogenic doses of polyclonal anti-type II collagen antibody, or non-arthritogenic monoclonal anti-type II collagen antibody may protect mice against the subsequent induction of arthritis by type II collagen. A protective effect was also observed in mice given free native type II collagen intravenously before the administration of collagen in an arthritogenic protocol.

Animals↗

Passive transfer of arthritis to mice by injection of human anti-type II collagen antibody.

The serum IgG fraction from a patient with seronegative rheumatoid-like arthritis which contained a high anti-type II collagen antibody titer was injected intravenously into mice susceptible to type II collagen-induced arthritis. A mild, transient, inflammatory arthritis was observed in 20 to 25% of the animals, whereas histologic signs of disease were evident in most of the injected mice. Purified human anti-type II collagen immunoglobulin injected into the knee joints of mice was also shown to induce a transient, inflammatory arthritis. Radiolabeled human anti-type II collagen IgG was shown to accumulate in the peripheral joints of mice, and the specificity of the antibody was shown to be similar to the specificity of anticollagen antibody eluted from the joints of mice with collagen-induced arthritis.

Animals↗

Anti-type II collagen antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis. The influence of HLA phenotype.

Antibodies to native chick and bovine Type II collagen were measured by radio immunoassay, in 83 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 14 normal controls. Anti-chick Type II collagen and anti-bovine Type II collagen antibodies were found in 48% and 43% of RA patients, respectively. A strong correlation of antibodies to chick and antibodies to bovine collagen was described, suggesting cross-reactivity between different collagen species. There was an association between the presence of anti-native Type II collagen antibody and the expression of HLA-DR2. It is suggested that the production of anti-collagen antibody may be under genetic control in RA, but not associated with the major genetic marker of disease susceptibility, HLA-DR4.

Animals↗

Collagen autoimmune arthritis.

The evidence is now fairly conclusive that collagen-induced arthritis in rodents is mediated by antitype II collagen autoimmunity. Arthritis is probably initiated by binding of antibodies to the surface of intact articular cartilage. Many of the major manifestations of arthritis, including synovial proliferation, pannus formation, marginal erosion of bone, and destruction of cartilage, can be duplicated by injection of isolated antitype II collagen antibodies. It is not known whether delayed hypersensitivity reactions to collagen can provoke similar lesions in the absence of antibody, but circumstantial evidence suggests they do not. Also clear is that not all anticollagen antibodies are capable of inducing arthritis. The minimal requirements for arthritogenic potential are currently under investigation but probably include the ability to bind native autologous type II collagen. Also IgM antibodies alone are either ineffective or are required in relatively higher concentrations than IgG for induction of arthritis. Autoimmunity to collagen is found in many spontaneous and induced rheumatic diseases other than collagen-induced arthritis. There is at present, however, no direct evidence that this autoimmunity actually contributes to the arthritic process. Nevertheless, the human disease most often associated with collagen autoimmunity is rheumatoid arthritis. In many respects the immune reactions detected in humans with rheumatoid arthritis parallel those of arthritis in rodents. That is, responsiveness is under the control of genes within or linked to the major histocompatibility locus. High responders are limited to only a few haplotypes. Cell-mediated reactions are most vigorous in response to denatured collagen and probably have limited specificity for the type of collagen recognized. Antibodies may be separated into at least two groups, one with broad specificity for denatured collagen and a second highly specific for conformation-dependent determinants on native type II collagen. The latter antibodies are of most interest to researchers because they may be like those that induce arthritis in rodents. There is also ample evidence that antibodies are deposited in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients, although the specificity of these antibodies is unknown. Generally, collagen-induced arthritis is a model of antibody-initiated autoimmunity arthritis. Specifically, it is a model of type II collagen autoimmune arthritis. In consideration of its extraarticular manifestations, it may justifiably be referred to as type II collagen autoimmune disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Serum transfer of collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

Immunization of DBA/1 mice with native chick type II collagen resulted in development of polyarthritis 4-5 wk later. Sera of these mice contained high levels of anticollagen antibodies, and immunoglobulin concentrates of their sera transferred arthritis to unimmunized recipients. Histopathologically, this passively transferred arthritis resembled the early disease of immunized donors. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated the deposition of IgG and C3 on the articular surface but not in synovial tissue of arthritic joints. Transferred, isotopically labeled anticollagen antibodies rapidly localized to the limbs and to other cartilage-containing tissues. When transfer concentrate was administered to arthritis-resistant strains, they also developed arthritis. Indeed, immunoglobulin concentrates from rats with collagen-induced arthritis transferred arthritis to naive mice. The amount of concentrate required for transfer to B10.D2 resistant mice was reduced by immunizing them with collagen 4 wk before transfer. Although susceptibility to arthritis from immunization is H-2 linked, these studies clearly demonstrate that passive transfer of arthritis depends upon injection of specific antibody and not on other host factors.

Animals↗

Incidence and specificity of antibodies to types I, II, III, IV, and V collagen in rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases as measured by 125I-radioimmunoassay.

Antibodies to human native and denatured types I, II, III, IV, and V collagens were measured using 125I-radioimmunoassay. Mean levels of binding by sera from 30 rheumatoid arthritis patients were significantly higher than those from 20 normal subjects against all of the collagens tested. The relative antibody concentration was higher in synovial fluid than in simultaneously obtained serum. Many patients with gout or various other rheumatic diseases also had detectable anticollagen antibodies. With a few notable exceptions, the majority of the reactivity detected in all patient groups was directed against covalent structural determinants present on all of the denatured collagens, suggesting a secondary reaction to tissue injury.

Adult↗

Serum transfer of collagen-induced arthritis. II. Identification and localization of autoantibody to type II collagen in donor and recipient rats.

Collagen-induced arthritis can be transferred from immunized arthritic rats to unimmunized recipients by intravenous injection of an immunoglobulin concentrate of sera. This study identifies antibodies in the transfer concentrate which localize to the articular surface of cartilage in joints of recipients. Immunoglobulin can also be demonstrated in the same location in arthritic joints from rats after immunization. Antibody capable of transferring arthritis is present in donor rats over a period of at least 3 weeks and can be absorbed using homologous type II collagen. In addition, anti-type II collagen antibodies can be eluted from arthritic joints of rats with early disease.

Absorption↗

Collagen-induced arthritis in rats: antigen-specific suppression of arthritis and immunity by intravenously injected native type II collagen.

Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) developed in 70 to 90% of rats immunized with heterologous type II collagen. CIA was reduced to 0 to 18% when rats were injected i.v., i.e., pretreated, with 1 mg of soluble native type II collagen before immunization. Concomitant with the suppression of CIA were significant suppression of IgM, IgG, and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to type II collagen. Suppression of CIA and immunity to collagen was antigen-specific, related to dose and route of administration, and occurred only when 1 mg of collagen was injected i.v. either 32, 7, or 4 days before, or 7 days after immunization. Once CIA was established, however, neither arthritis nor immunity could be suppressed. To determine if adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA), like CIA, could be suppressed by i.v. pretreatment with type II collagen, rats were given 1 mg of type II collagen or PBS i.v. before injection with mycobacteria and oil. AIA was not suppressed, and arthritis appeared in both groups at a similar incidence and severity. Sera from 26 rats with severe AIA that was collected between days 14 and 35 after injection were assayed for IgG to homologous rat type II collagen and were found to be negative. These findings further support the hypothesis that CIA in rats is mediated by immunity to type II collagen and also suggest that CIA and AIA have different primary pathogenic mechanisms.

Animals↗

Type II collagen autoimmunity in otosclerosis and Meniere's Disease.

Antibodies to collagen types I, II, and IV were measured in patients with otosclerosis and patients with Meniere's disease. Levels of antibodies to type II collagen were significantly higher in these patients than in control subjects, while no differences were found among levels of antibodies to collagen type I or type IV. These observations suggest a possible role for type II collagen autoimmunity in the etiology of otosclerosis and Meniere's disease.

Autoantibodies↗

Type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats. Passive transfer with serum and evidence that IgG anticollagen antibodies can cause arthritis.

We have found that serum from rats with type II collagen-induced arthritis, when fractionated with 50% ammonium sulfate and concentrated, would transfer arthritis to nonimmunized recipients. The arthritis in recipients developed within 18-72 h and displayed all of the major histopathologic characteristics of the early lesion in immunized animals but was transient and less severe. Although consideration was given to the possibility that a circulating immune complex was involved, no evidence of such a complex was detected. Further fractionation of the serum yielded an IgG anticollagen antibody that was fully active in transferring disease. The antibody's reaction was inhibited by the native bovine type II collagen used for immunization of donors and the antibody strongly cross-reacted with homologous type II collage but not with denatured collagen. These studies demonstrate that arthritis in rats can be induced with anti-type II collagen antibodies and suggest that an autoimmune process is involved. Because antibodies to collagen have also been detected in human rheumatic diseases, further investigation of the characteristics of collagen antibodies capable of inducing arthritis seems warranted.

Animals↗