Antigen-induced arthritis. Decreased proteoglycan content and inhibition of proteoglycan synthesis in articular cartilage.

An arthritis was induced in rabbits immunized with human serum albumin by injection of antigen into the hind knee joint. Histological changes in the synovial membrane and an increase in polymorphonuclear granulocytes in the synovial fluid indicated an inflammatory response similar to that described with fibrin as antigen (1). The arthritis was accompanied by no significant change in the collagen content, but a marked decrease in the proteoglycan content of the cartilage was noted. Cartilage from inflamed joints generally exhibited a decreased ability to synthesize proteoglycan in vitro.