Triggering and exacerbation of autoimmune arthritis by the mycoplasma arthritidis superantigen mam

Abstract

Objective. It has been postulated that superantigens might play a role in the human rheumatic diseases, by activation of self-reactive T cells or by induction of autoantibodies. The Mycoplasma arthritidis superantigen MAM, which is derived from a naturally occurring murine arthitogenic mycoplasma, uses certain Vp chains of the murine T cell receptor (TCR) that have been proposed to be involved in murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The present study was designed to determine whether MAM influences the course of arthritis mediated by immunization with porcine type I1 collagen (PII).Methods. MAM or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was injected locally or systemically into mice convalescing from CIA or mice suboptimally immunized with collagen.Results. In contrast to PBS, MAM caused an exacerbation of arthritis in mice that were recovering from CIA. MAM also triggered arthritis onset in mice that had been suboptimally immunized with PI1 up to 160 days previously. Injection of MAM during the onset

Detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum in urine of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy individuals by culture and polymerase chain reaction

“…However, since mycoplasmas are apparently involved in several chronic inflammatory disorders [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25], further investigations not restricted to the detection in urine may be necessary to definitely rule out any relationship between infection with ureaplasmas and SLE.…”

Mechanisms for the induction of autoimmunity by infectious agents

“…The arthritis flare induced by MAM can be even more severe than the initial arthritis induced by type II collagen. The superantigen can also trigger arthritis in mice that did not develop clinical disease following the initial immunization with type II collagen (16). Viral and bacterial superantigens may therefore contribute to established autoimmune processes and induce relapses and exacerbations of disease.…”

Mycoplasma and other Intracellular Bacterial Infections in Rheumatic Diseases: Comorbid Condition or Cause?

“…For example, infections with Mycoplasma species, Borrelia species and other intracellular bacteria have been linked to various forms of rheumatic disease [1][2][3][4][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. In addition, animal models of rheumatic disease have been established by infection with Mycoplasma species [13][14][15]. In one of these contributions experimental arthritis was induced by a clinical isolate from M.…”