Collagen-induced arthritis in rats

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Abstract
An oil emulsion of purified type I1 collagen from bovine articular cartilage when injected intradermally into rats induced an inflammatory polyarthritis in 4 of 12 animals. When similarly injected, collagen purified from bovine vitreous induced arthritis in 6 of 12 animals. Studies of humoral and cell-mediated immunity to both collagen preparations demonstrated complete crossreactivity. It is concluded that vitreous collagen shares the arthritogenic property of cartilage-derived type I1 collagen and that collagen from the two sources is indistinguishable in arthritogenic and immunologic properties. An oil emulsion of purified type II collagen from bovine articular cartilage when injected intradermally into rats induced an inflammatory polyarthritis in 4 of 12 animals. When similarly injected, collagen purified from bovine vitreous induced arthritis in 6 of 12 animals. Studies of humoral and cell-mediated immunity to both collagen preparations demonstrated complete cross-reactivity. It is concluded that vitreous collagen shares the arthritogenic property of cartilage-derived type II collagen and that collagen from the two sources is indistinguishable in arthritogenic and immunologic properties.