# PATHOGENESIS OF RETROVIRUS INDUCED ARTHRITIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY · 1987 · $165,526

## Abstract

Inoculation of goats with a retrovirus, caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus
(CAEV), causes a progressive inflammatory arthritis that fulfills most of the
diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis.  The initial objectives of this
proposal are to determine how the virus causes the inflammatory response in the
joint and whether the immune response is causally involved.  Infectious virus,
viral proteins and viral genetic information will be measured in the joints of
inoculated goats and compared with the severity of arthritis.  Immunosuppressed
goats will be used to establish the relationship between the immune response and
the development of lesions.  If a relationship exists, mechanisms of the
immunopathogenesis will be studied.  Progression of chronic arthritis will be
studied with respect to mechanisms involving virus persistence and autoimmune
responses.  With regard to virus persistence, we will test the hypothesis that
integrated provirus exists in cells undetected by the immune system and that
periodic development of antigenic variants stimulate immune responses and
perpetuate disease.  Lesion progression by autoimmune phenomena will be
approached by a search for rheumatoid factor and other evidence of polyclonal
activation of immunocytes.  Accomplishment of the aims of this proposal should
provide a basis for comprehension of arthritis caused by persistent viral
infection, and prerequisite to the goal of treatment or prevention of similar
disease of people.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3155558
- **Project number:** 5R01AR027680-07
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** XRJSGX384TD6
- **Principal Investigator:** Travis C. McGuire
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $165,526
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1981-02-01 → 1988-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3155558

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3155558, PATHOGENESIS OF RETROVIRUS INDUCED ARTHRITIS (5R01AR027680-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3155558. Licensed CC0.

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