ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes data that show a family of monoclonal antibodies specific for diverse epitopes of the proteoglycan molecules induce cartilage pathology similar to that generated in experimental immune synovitis. Animals exhibiting arthritis pathology associated with experimentally induced chronic immune synovitis were also analyzed for autoimmunity to cartilage proteoglycan. Therefore, immunotherapy that involves the regulation of autoimmunity to both the interstitial collagens and proteoglycans may be required to totally downregulate chronic immune synovitis. The chapter summarizes the data detailing the observations of autoimmunity to the interstitial collagens and cartilage proteoglycans in an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmunity to collagen in experimental immune synovitis is observed and is heterogeneous with regard to the polymorphic interstitial collagens. The development of autoimmunity to proteoglycan in experimental immune synovitis correlates with reported antiproteoglycan antibody detected in rheumatoid arthritis.
