Characterisation and pharmacological sensitivity of antigen arthritis induced by methylated bovine serum albumin in the rat.

The optimum conditions for the induction of antigen-induced arthritis in the rat have been studied. Two immunisations with methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA) (0.5 mg) in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) containing 0.375 mg Mycobacterium tuberculosis followed by an intra-articular injection of mBSA (0.5 mg) led to the production of a chronic, erosive arthritis. The development of the arthritis was associated with the appearance of T lymphocytes and other inflammatory cells in the synovium. Male and female animals were equally susceptible to the disease. Prednisolone, indomethacin and methotrexate inhibited the development of the arthritis but ibuprofen and D-penicillamine were without any significant effect.