Yersinia-associated arthritis in rats: effect of 65 kDa heat shock protein, bovine serum albumin and incomplete Freund's adjuvant.

OBJECTIVE

We have previously shown that the microbial load of rats has a significant effect on their susceptibility to Yersinia-associated arthritis. In this study our aim was to see whether mycobacterial 65 kDa heat shock protein (hsp) could induce the same suppressive effect in experimental Yersinia-associated arthritis as has been reported for arthritides induced by adjuvant, pristane, or streptococcal cell walls (SCW).

METHODS

Arthritis was induced by the intravenous injection of Yersinia enterocolitica 0:8 into Lewis rats. Hsp, bovine serum albumin (BSA) or NaCl, administered in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA), was given subcutaneously on day -5 or +5 with regard to the bacterial inoculation.

RESULTS

Mycobacterial hsp given in IFA on day -5 significantly suppressed the development of arthritis. However, a similar suppression was observed with BSA or NaCl given in IFA.

CONCLUSION

These results, together with those known from the effect of microbial load, suggest that susceptibility to Yersinia-associated arthritis is easily affected by external factors.