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Gene transfer of a fibronectin peptide inhibits leukocyte recruitment and suppresses inflammation in mouse collagen-induced arthritis

✍ Scribed by Tomoyuki Imagawa; Shohei Watanabe; Shigeki Katakura; Gregory P. Boivin; Raphael Hirsch


Publisher
John Wiley and Sons
Year
2002
Tongue
English
Weight
186 KB
Volume
46
Category
Article
ISSN
0004-3591

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✦ Synopsis


Abstract

Objective

Cell adhesion plays an essential role in arthritis by recruiting and retaining leukocytes in the joint. Fibronectin, a major extracellular matrix component in synovium, plays a central role in cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions through ligation of cell surface integrins. The present study was designed to determine the effects of gene transfer of a 15–amino acid peptide derived from the 33‐kd carboxy‐terminal cell and heparin‐binding domain of fibronectin (FN‐C/H‐II) on established arthritis in mice.

Methods

Plasmid DNA encoding a FN‐C/H‐II minigene under control of the cytomegalovirus promoter was injected intravenously into mice with established collagen‐induced arthritis, and the effects on leukocyte adhesion and recruitment to the joints was determined.

Results

Following injection, circulating FN‐C/H‐II could be detected for at least 5 days. Treated mice demonstrated a marked reduction in progression of arthritis. Not only was disease progression halted, but a significant improvement in joint swelling was observed within 2 days of treatment. Leukocyte adhesion and recruitment were inhibited by FN‐C/H‐II, both in vitro and in vivo. Histologic evaluation revealed a marked reduction in infiltration of both neutrophils and lymphocytes into synovium, persisting for at least 10 days.

Conclusion

These results suggest that antagonism of cell adhesion by soluble fibronectin peptides may provide an approach to attenuating chronic arthritis.