Analog peptides of type II collagen can suppress arthritis in HLA-DR4 (DRB1*0401) transgenic mice

Table 2 Co-immunization of DR4 transgenic mice with type II collagen (CII) and analog peptides

Immunizing antigen	Core of co-immunogen	Incidence of arthritis	CII antibodies
CII alone	FKGEQGPKG	11/18 (61%)	61 ± 11
CII + A13 (1:480)	N--A-----	0/10^a	7 ± 2^b
CII + A12 (1:480)	N--D-----	0/16^b	16 ± 9^b
CII + D266 (1:480)	---D-----	7/10 (70%)	48 ± 13

Groups of DR4 transgenic mice were co-immunized with CII alone or CII plus an analog peptide at the molar ratios indicated, and were observed for arthritis. These doses were based on dose-response curves obtained using DR1 mice [12]. Results shown represent the incidence of arthritis observed at 8 weeks after immunization. Mice were bled at 6 weeks after immunization, and sera were analyzed individually by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine antibody levels against bovine CII. Results are means ± SD for each group of animals and are expressed in units of activity. ^ap ≤ 0.01; ^bp ≤ 0.001.

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