Objective: Collagen antibodies in serum are involved in the pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The objective of this study was to identify the subtype of collagen antibodies and T cell subtype distribution in pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) and to clarify their roles in the initiation and maintenance of arthritis.

Methods: Arthritis was induced in Dark Agouti (DA) rats by injection of pristane. The severity was evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic score systems. The alteration of CD25+/CD4+ T cell ratio in rats was detected by flow cytometry. Collagen type II (CII), CIX, or CXI antibody in serum was determined by ELISA. The levels of Nitric oxide (NO) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) were measured by kits.

Results: The serum levels of CII, CIX, CXI antibodies were significantly increased in RA patients while slightly increased in PIA rats. The ratio of CD25+/CD4+ T cells was significantly higher in RA rats than that in the control group. The serum levels of NO and TRAP in PIA rats and RA patients were higher than that in the control groups, which suggested that the activity of osteoclast was increased in RA.

Conclusion: The ratio of CD25+/CD4+ T cells plays a pivotal role in the development of PIA. The serum levels of NO and TRAP are inflammatory and osteoclast activity indicators. The serum levels of CII, CIX and CXI antibodies may serve as the clinical diagnostic indicators. These findings are important to our understanding of the pathogenesis of RA, and may provide biomarkers of RA diagnosis and therapeutic targets for the treatment of RA.