Antigen-specific suppression of type II collagen-induced arthritis by collagen-coupled spleen cells.

The induction of arthritis in Wistar-Lewis rats was suppressed by i.v. injections of spleen cells coupled to native type II collagen, beginning 14 days before intradermal injection of native type II collagen in incomplete Freund's adjuvant and continuing at 7-day intervals for the next 3 weeks. Cells coupled to native type I collagen or to denatured type II collagen were ineffectual, suggesting antigen-relevant cells were required for suppression. The phenomenon appeared to be mediated by a humoral effector mechanism; IgG antibody titers but not hemagglutinating antibody titers or delayed-type hypersensitivity to collagen were decreased by the injection of type II collagen-coupled cells. These data demonstrate the potential of antigen-specific immunotherapy for autoimmune disease.