Blocking platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM) inhibits disease progression and prevents joint erosion in established collagen antibody-induced arthritis

Exp Mol Pathol. 2010 Feb;88(1):210-5. doi: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2009.09.013. Epub 2009 Oct 2.

Abstract

Collagen antibody-induced arthritis is a robust murine model of arthritis that histologically recapitulates the inflammatory characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis including pannus formation and destruction of articular cartilage and bone. PECAM is a molecule expressed by both leukocytes and endothelial cells that has been shown to play a major role in the extravasation of leukocytes into sites of inflammation. Genetic deletion of many molecules will blunt the onset and progression of arthritis in murine models, as will administration of various anti-inflammatory therapies given prior to the onset of disease. However, patients seek medical attention when symptomatic, which means that the disease is well established. We investigated whether blocking PECAM interactions would inhibit progression of established disease in the collagen antibody-induced arthritis model. We report that treatment of symptomatic mice with a PECAM-Fc chimera significantly reduced inflammation and virtually eliminated cartilage and bone destruction. The results suggest that therapies that block PECAM function may be beneficial in the treatment of established arthritis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Arthritis, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Experimental / immunology
  • Arthritis, Experimental / pathology
  • Cartilage, Articular / drug effects
  • Cartilage, Articular / immunology
  • Cartilage, Articular / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / pharmacology*
  • Joints / drug effects
  • Joints / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / drug effects*
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / immunology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Synovitis / drug therapy
  • Synovitis / immunology
  • Synovitis / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins