40] Arthus phenomenon

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the methods used for elicitation of the reverse passive Arthus phenomenon in rat skin. The Arthus reaction is an inflammatory response resulting from the deposition of immune complexes within tissues. Tissue damage occurs due to the activation of components of the complement system, the infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), and the release of lysosomal enzymes together with an increase in vascular permeability generated by the local release of mediators, and, in extreme cases, hemorrhages resulting from damage to the vessel wall. A study of the inflammatory response and the mechanism of tissue damage occurring in the Arthus phenomenon would therefore seem to have some relevance to the events occurring in a variety of pathological situations such as rheumatoid arthritis, glomerular nephritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus where immune complexes are deposited. The Arthus reaction can be elicited in a variety of animal species, rat, rabbit, and guinea pig being perhaps the most common, and in a number of different tissues including skin, the pleural space, synovial joints, and the paw. The Arthus reaction is elicited as a reverse passive phenomenon in which the antibody is injected at the reaction site and the antigen is introduced intravenously.