THE PRODUCTION OF ARTHRITIS IN BEAGLES BY AN IMMUNOLOGICAL REACTION TO BOVINE SERUM-ALBUMIN

Arthritis was produced in beagles by the immunological reaction to bov ine serum albumin (BSA). Dogs immunized with BSA showed the developmen t of delayed type hypersensitivity response to BSA and the significant increase in the titer of serum anti-BSA antibodies. The development o f arthritis and the increase in a number of nucleated cells in synovia l fluid were observed by the injection with BSA into the knee joints o f immunized dogs. The synovial membrane of BSA-injected joints reveale d a remarkable villous hyperplasia of membrane, and an infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells around vessels, resulting in a lymphoid nodule-like formation. The depositions of IgG and C3 on the surface of the synovial membrane were also observed in BSA-injected joints. Hist opathological and immunopathological findings indicated that the immun e response to BSA in the knee joints could induce a rheumatoid arthrit is like chronic synovitis in dogs.