Epitope‐specific recognition of type II collagen by rheumatoid arthritis antibodies is shared with recognition by antibodies that are arthritogenic in collagen‐induced arthritis in the mouse

Abstract

Autoimmunity to CII, although detectable in different rheumatic conditions, differs in fine specificity between distinct disease entities. In RA, in contrast to degenerative joint disease, RP, and SLE, autoantibody responses are directed to an evolutionary conserved CII structure that is also targeted by pathogenic autoimmune responses in murine models of arthritis.