Arthritogenicity ofYersinia enterocolitica O:8 in Hamsters: Analysis of the immune response

Abstract

An animal model, hamster, was used for the study of Yersinia-induced arthritis. The development of arthritis, estimated by measuring the inflammation on hind paws after infection, was correlated with the kinetics of the immune response. Histological and immunofluorescence (IFI) studies and serum antibody measurements were performed. Two inflammatory peaks were observed: an acute one on day 11 post-infection (p.i.) and a chronic one on days 26-35 p.i. Joint cultures were positive until day 14 p.i. IFI was used to demonstrate the deposit of bacterial antigens in the joint. A persistent response of cellular extract-specific IgG antibodies was observed until day 94. Lipopolysaccharide-specific IgG was statistically significant on day 26 p.i. Antibodies against bands 66 and 54 were observed by immunoblotting. Polyclonal activation was detected during reactive arthritis. It is shown that Y. enterocolitica is arthritogenic in hamsters, immune mechanisms participating in the development of this disease.

Yersinia‐triggered arthritis in IL‐12p40‐deficient mice: relevant antigens and local expression of Toll‐like receptor mRNA

“…This matches clinical reports of direct invasion of Yersinia which develop in typical cases of ReA after a short phase of bacterial arthritis [20]. Moreover, other studies have demonstrated an early synovial invasion of Y. enterocolitica in rat [21] and hamster models [22]. Late after the infection (day 21) like in clinical observations [20], we observed that bacteria culture from joint extracts resulted negative, and almost bacterial clarification in PP, MLN, and the spleen was detected in the mice.…”

Role of TNFRp55 in Yersinia enterocolitica O:3-induced arthritis: triggering bacterial antigens and articular immune response

“…Moreover, we detected the presence of the bacteria in the joints at day 3 after infection in both wild-type and TNFRp55À/À mice suggesting a synovial invasion of the pathogen. These results match with clinical and experimental reports of direct invasion of Yersinia which develops in typical cases of ReA after a short phase of bacterial arthritis [18]. Interestingly, even when bacterial burden was similar in both wild-type and TNFRp55À/À mice at day 3, this was significantly higher in knockout mice at day 21 after infection, indicating an impaired articular bacterial clarification in TNFRp55À/À mice and stressing the important local immune role of TNFRp55 signalling.…”

Production of Autoantibodies Associated with Polyclonal Activation in Yersinia enterocolitica O:8‐Infected Mice

“…These proteins are produced by both virulent and avirulent strains of Yersinia (24,25) and were mitogenic for mouse splenic B cells (42). Di Genaro et al (9) found autoantibodies against myosin and myelin in the sera of hamsters infected with Y. enterocolitica O:8. In addition, Di Genaro et al (10) found that LPS extracted from Y. enterocolitica O:8 and administered alone has arthritogenic power and induces activation of autoreactive clones, mainly those reacting against type I and II collagen.…”