MHC‐DRB alleles with amino acids Val11, Phe13, and the shared epitopes promote collagen‐induced arthritis and a rapid IgG1 response in Filipino cynomolgus macaques

Abstract

Macaques are useful animal models for studying the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the development of anti‐rheumatic drugs. The purpose of this study was to identify the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphisms associated with the pathology of collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) and anti‐collagen IgG induction in a cynomolgus macaque model, as MHC polymorphisms affect the onset of CIA in other animal models. Nine female Filipino cynomolgus macaques were immunized with bovine type II collagen (b‐CII) to induce CIA, which was diagnosed clinically by scoring the symptoms of joint swelling over 9 weeks. MHC polymorphisms and anti‐b‐CII antibody titers were compared between symptomatic and asymptomatic macaques. Four of 9 (44%) macaques were defined as the CIA‐affected group. Anti‐b‐CII IgG in the affected group increased in titer approximately 3 weeks earlier compared with the asymptomatic group. The mean plasma IgG1 titer in the CIA‐affected group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the asymptomatic group. Furthermore, the cynomolgus macaque MHC (Mafa)‐DRB1*10:05 or Mafa‐DRB1*10:07 alleles, which contain the well‐documented RA‐susceptibility five amino acid sequence known as the shared epitope (SE) in positions 70 to 74, with valine at position 11 (Val11, V11) and phenylalanine at position 13 (Phe13, F13), were detected in the affected group. In contrast, no MHC polymorphisms specific to the asymptomatic group were identified. In conclusion, the presence of V11 and F13 along with SE in the MHC‐DRB1 alleles seems essential for the production of IgG1 and the rapid induction of severe CIA in female Filipino cynomolgus macaques.