Studies on experimental arthritis induced by Corynebacterium rubrum. 1. Localization of the arthritogenic factor in the cell walls

Purified cell walls of Corynebacterium rubrum injected intradermally into rats together with mineral oil induce a severe progressive form of arthritis. The arthritogenic factor contains glucosamine, muramic acid, and several amino acids. It is resistant to digestion with proteolytic enzymes and to extraction with alcoholether, chloroform, and phenol, but is lost after digestion with lysozyme. These findings suggest a link between the cell wall of Corynebacterium rubrum —most likely a mucopeptide—and the development of arthritis.