6533b82efe1ef96bd12931d5

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Antibodies to PECAM-1 and glucocorticoids reduce leukocyte adhesion in adjuvant arthritis of the rat knee synovium in vivo.

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Objective and design: To demonstrate the effect of monoclonal antibodies to the adhesion-molecule PECAM-1 (CD31) and of prednisolone on leukocyte adhesion in rat adjuvant arthritis.¶Material: Adjuvant arthritis was induced in male CD®-rats (five groups of n=6) 18 days prior to measurements.¶Treatment: Mouse-monoclonal antibody to rat CD-31 at 200 μg/kg or prednisolone at 24 mg/kg were administered i.v. 15 minutes prior to measurements.¶Methods: Venules within the intact rat-knee synovium were focused by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Numbers of rolling and adherent leukocytes were assessed in vivo.¶Results: Induction of arthritis significantly increased rolling and adherent leukocytes compared to healthy controls. Both monoclonal antibodies to PECAM-1 and prednisolone significantly reduced adherent, but not rolling leukocytes in arthritic animals.¶Conclusions: The method used is well suited for in vivo quantification of leukocyte adhesion under the influence of antiadhesive therapies. PECAM-1 might be an interesting target for novel therapies in rheumatoid arthritis.