Collagen-induced arthritis in an outbred group of rhesus monkeys comprising responder and nonresponder animals. Relationship between the course of arthritis and collagen-specific immunity.

It is speculated that the autoimmune response to type II collagen (CII) is a driving force in the pathogenesis of human rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this report, we describe the relationship between the induction of collagen arthritis and the CII-specific humoral, as well as cellular, immune response in rhesus monkeys. Ten of 14 monkeys immunized with bovine type II collagen (B-CII) developed polyarthritis.

The effect of desglycinamide-(Arg8)-vasopressin (DGAVP) on the acquisition of free-choice alcohol drinking in rhesus monkeys.

The vasopressin analog desglycinamide-(Arg8)-vasopressin (DGAVP) has been reported to reduce the acquisition of heroin and cocaine self-injection behavior in rats. This led to the hypothesis that DGAVP can reduce the self-administration of psycho-active drugs (including ethanol) by attenuating central reinforcement processes. Under forced ingestion conditions, DGAVP has been reported, however, to enhance alcohol drinking in rats.

Analysis of spontaneous alcohol drinking in rhesus monkeys.

This analysis aims at determining to what extent spontaneous alcohol drinking in adult male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) represents ethanol-directed behaviour. It is shown that in a condition of free access to an ethanol/water solution (2 percent v/v) and drinking water, alcohol drinking was initiated in all subjects (n = 4) within a few days, without any specific induction procedure. Relationship between drinking behaviour and ethanol concentrations was studied in 8 subjects by use of a concurrent 3-bottle-design.

A sensitive two-site enzyme immunoassay for the detection of rat interferon-gamma in biological fluids.

Two noncompeting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed to rat interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were used in a sensitive two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This permitted quantitation of rat IFN-gamma in culture medium, and serum and was quicker and more sensitive than the conventional antiviral bioassay. A standard curve was linear between 0.

Experimental immune mediated arthritis in rhesus monkeys. A model for human rheumatoid arthritis?

The induction of experimental arthritis in rhesus monkeys was studied by intradermal immunization of bovine type II collagen and antigens derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Eubacterium aerofaciens. The tested bacterial antigens proved to be not arthrogenic. Bovine type II collagen induced clinical arthritis in 50% of the rhesus monkeys.

The effect of interrupted alcohol supply on spontaneous alcohol consumption by rhesus monkeys.

The alcohol supply (a 16% and a 32%, v/v, ethanol-in-water solution) for eight male rhesus monkeys, who already have had free access to water and ethanol solutions concurrently for about one year, was interrupted for 1, 2 or 7 days. The previously acquired ethanol consuming behaviour appeared very resistant to extinction, because ethanol consumption was immediately resumed after renewed access, even at a temporarily increased level. Since physical withdrawal distress was not observed and the increase was higher when interruption lasted longer, the observed behaviour could be attributed to the reinforcing effects of ethanol, leading to specific ethanol-directed behaviour.

Control data on pre- and neonatal survival of captive chimpanzees.

Colony breeding records were analyzed in order to obtain information on pre- and neonatal survival in chimpanzees. Biweekly urinary chorionic gonadotrophin testing appeared suitable for determining pregnancy age. The probability of pregnancy termination was low (0.

RFLP analysis of the HLA-, ChLA-, and RhLA-DQ alpha chain gene regions: conservation of restriction sites during evolution.

Genomic DNA samples, derived from a panel of 60 chimpanzees and 45 rhesus monkeys, were digested with the restriction enzymes Taq I and Bgl II and hybridized with an HLA-DQ alpha chain cDNA probe. The results were compared with the data available on a human reference panel. Use of the restriction enzyme Taq I and the DQ alpha chain probe allows the detection of five HLA-DQA1 and two HLA-DQA2 gene-associated fragments within the human population.

Isolation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed to rat interferon-gamma.

Eight stable hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies reactive with rat interferon-gamma have been generated. The antibodies produced belong to three different immunoglobulin isotypes: IgG1 (4 monoclonal antibodies, designated DB-1, DB-10, DB-12 and DB-13), IgG2a (3 monoclonal antibodies, DB-9, DB-14 and DB-16) and IgA (1 monoclonal antibody, DB-2). The antibodies were characterized in terms of epitope specificity and reactivity with rat, mouse and human interferon-gamma.

Successful treatment of EAE in rhesus monkeys with MHC class II specific monoclonal antibodies.

Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in rhesus monkeys by subcutaneous immunization with calfbrain homogenate in complete Freunds adjuvant. Monkeys were treated with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) as soon as the first clinical EAE signs became apparent. Two different treatments were tested.