Prophylactic administration of abatacept prevents disease and bone destruction in a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis

J Autoimmun. 2005 Nov;25(3):165-71. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2005.09.020. Epub 2005 Oct 25.

Abstract

Abatacept is the first in a new class of agents that selectively modulates T-cell activation by attenuating CD28-mediated co-stimulation. This study examined the effects of abatacept on disease development in a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The rats were treated with either abatacept (1mg/kg) or control IgG beginning at the time of induction of CIA. By day 16, significant paw swelling was observed in IgG-treated control animals that continued to increase, reaching a plateau on day 21. Prophylactic treatment with abatacept completely abrogated paw swelling throughout the study. Histopathology demonstrated a significant reduction in inflammation, cartilage destruction, bone resorption and pannus formation. Abatacept treatment resulted in 90% inhibition of circulating collagen-specific antibodies and decreased the serum expression of many cytokines and chemokines that were upregulated in diseased animals. Immunohistochemical analysis of the ankle joints demonstrated that interleukin-6 production was reduced in the tissues and the numbers of osteoclasts present in the joints were also decreased. Ankle microcomputer tomography (micro-CT) analyses dramatically demonstrated the protective effects of abatacept on bone destruction in these animals. Data presented here demonstrate that prophylactic administration of abatacept significantly inhibits the onset and progression of disease in a rat CIA model, with reductions in inflammation, inflammatory mediators, and bone and joint destruction.

Publication types

  • Overall

MeSH terms

  • Abatacept
  • Acid Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Arthritis, Experimental / immunology
  • Arthritis, Experimental / prevention & control*
  • Autoantibodies / biosynthesis
  • Bone Resorption / immunology
  • Bone Resorption / prevention & control*
  • Bone and Bones / drug effects
  • Bone and Bones / immunology
  • Bone and Bones / pathology
  • Collagen / immunology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Immunoconjugates / pharmacology*
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / prevention & control
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Osteoclasts / drug effects
  • Osteoclasts / enzymology
  • Rats
  • Tarsal Joints / drug effects
  • Tarsal Joints / immunology
  • Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoconjugates
  • Isoenzymes
  • Abatacept
  • Collagen
  • Acid Phosphatase
  • Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase