INTERLEUKIN-10 EXPRESSION AND CHEMOKINE REGULATION DURING THE EVOLUTION OF MURINE TYPE-II COLLAGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS

In the enclosed study we have examined the expression and contribution of specific chemokines, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP- 1 alpha) and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), and interleuki n 10 (IL-10) during the evolution of type II collagen-induced arthriti s (CIA). Detectable levels of chemotactic cytokine protein for MIP-1 a lpha and MIP-2 were first observed between days 32 and 36, after initi al type II collagen challenge, while increases in IL-10 were found bet ween days 36 and 44. CIA mice passively immunized with antibodies dire cted against either MIP-1 alpha or MIP-2 demonstrated a delay in the o nset of arthritis and a reduction of the severity of arthritis. On the contrary, CIA mice receiving neutralizing anti-IL-10 antibodies demon strated an acceleration of the onset and an increase in the severity o f arthritis. Interestingly, anti-IL-10 treatment, increased the expres sion of MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2, as well as increased myeloperoxidase (M PO) activity and leukocyte infiltration in the inflamed joints. These data suggest that MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2 play a crucial role in the ini tiation and maintenance, while IL-10 appears to play a regulatory role during the development of experimental arthritis.