The lack of recognition for the (G-X-Y)114 polypeptide also indicated that the reactivity toward L71 was specific to mimivirus exposure and not the result of cross-reactivity to collagen domain-containing proteins, such as those found in some Gram-positive bacteria. We did find that mimivirus L71 protein was immunogenic and led to the production of anti-mouse collagen type II IgG, but immunization of DBA/1 mice with recombinant L71 protein failed to induce arthritis.