RESTRICTED T-CELL RECEPTOR USAGE IN DA RATS DURING EARLY COLLAGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS

We have investigated the usage of T cell receptor (TcR) V beta gene st ructures in DA rats undergoing homologous collagen-induced arthritis i nduced by immunization with homologous collagen type II emulsified in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. TcR V beta expression within freshly iso lated inflamed synovial tissue (ST) and primary draining lymph nodes w as analyzed in a semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. A highly restricted TcR V beta gene expression was observed in ST sample s 2 days after onset of clinical disease,with V beta 6, 8.2 and 8.5 co mprising more than 60% of the total V beta expression measured. The co rresponding primary draining lymph nodes from the diseased animals sho wed some bias in V beta expression at this time but not as remarkable as that found in ST. One week after onset of disease, consistent V bet a gene bias was much less evident in either site. These results indica te that T cells which infiltrate synovia early in disease are highly r estricted with respect to V beta expression.