[Background]
Experimental autoimmune inflammation models have contributed to the understanding of pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as myocarditis and arthritis. In this study, we aim to establish an experimental autoimmune vasculitis (EAV) model.
[Method and Result]
Autoantibody against peroxiredoxin2(PRDX2) was reported to be detected in the serum of patients with Takayasu’s arteritis. Therefore, 8-week-old male Balb/c mice were immunized with recombinant mouse PRDX2 in complete Freund’s adjuvant twice on the 0th and 7th days (EAV0w and 1w). RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that the expression of serum amyloid A-1/2(SAA-1/2) mRNA was increased in liver on the 21th day (EAV3w), suggesting that immunization with PRDX2 evoked systemic inflammation. Next, based on the database, we designed specific peptides which MHC classⅡ binds with, designated as PRDX2_79-98/_137-164. We immunized Balb/c mice with PRDX2_79-98/_137-164 peptides in the same manner, as above, and measured mRNA level. As a result, hepatic expression of SAA-1/2 mRNA was upregulated in EAV3w. Immunohistchemical analysis revealed that CD45 positive cells infiltrated around blood vessels in heart.
[Conclusion]
We have established an EAV model by immunizing PRDX2 peptides for the first time. Our EAV model could be beneficial for understanding of pathogenesis of vasculitis.