Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental animal models resembling rheumatoid arthritis

  • Originals
  • Published:
Clinical Rheumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The experimental animal models of arthritis which in certain aspects share similarities to human rheumatoid arthritis are reviewed. Various methods have been applied to induce in animals experimental models of arthritis which would provide important insights into the aetiopathogenetic mechanisms of human RA. Immunological methods and infectious agents induced the most interesting models. The histology of the synovial tissue, regardless of the inducing mechanisms, is similar to the lesions of RA. Yet, none of these experimental models of arthritis reflects all the articular and systemic features, the immunological profile and the genetic factors which characterize the human disease. The animal models of arthritis reported here and the development of new ones may ultimately offer the information necessary for the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the aetiopathogenesis of human rheumatoid disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Dumonde, D.C., Glynn, L.E. The production of arthritis in rabbits by an immunological reaction to fibrin. Br J Exp Pathol 1962, XLIII, 373–383.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Kaklamanis, Ph., Glynn, L.E. Experimental arthritis with fibrin in guinea pigs. (Unpublished observations), 1963.

  3. Doble, quoted by Billingham, M. Animal models of arthritis. Symposia reports. Br J Rheumatol 1987, 26, 227–228.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Philipps, J.M., Kaklamanis, Ph., Glynn, L.E. Experimental arthritis associated with auto-immunization to inflammatory exudates. Ann Rheum Dis 1966, 25, 165–174.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Staite, N.D., Richard, K.A., Aspar, D.G., Franz, K.A., Galine, L.A., Dunn, C.J. Induction of an acute erosive monoarticular arthritis in mice by interleukin-1 and methylated bovine serum albumin. Arthritis Rheum 1990, 33, 253–260.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Trentham, D.E., Townes, A.D., Kang, A.H. Autoimmunity to type II collagen: an experimental model of arthritis. J Exp Med 1977, 146, 857–868.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Holmdahl, R., Klareskog, L., Rubin, K., Larsson, E., Wigzell, H. T lymphocytes in collagen II-induced arthritis in mice. Scand J Immunol 1985, 22, 295–307.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Holmdahl, R., Jansson, L., Gullberg, D., Rubin, K., Forsberg, P.O., Klareskog, L. Incidence of arthritis and autoreactivity of anti-collagen antibodies after immunization of DBA/1 mice with heterologous and autologous collagen II. Clin Exp Immunol 1985, 62, 639–646.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Boissier, M.C., Chiocchia, G., Ronziere, M.C., Herbage, D., Fournier, C. Arthritogenicity of minor cartilage collagens (type IX and XI) in mice. Arthritis Rheum 1990, 33, 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Morgan, K., Evans, H.B., Firth, S.A., Smith, M.N., Ayad, S., Weiss, J.B., Holt, P.J.L. 1a 2a 3a collagen is arthritogenic. Ann Rheum Dis 1983, 42, 680–683.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Boissier, M.C., Feng, X.Z., Carlioz, A., Roudier, R., Fournier, C. Experimental autoimmune arthritis in mice. 1. Homologous type II collagen is responsible for self-perpetuating chronic polyarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 1987, 46, 691–700.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Courtenay, J.C., Dillman, M.J., Dayan, A.D., Martin, A., Mosdale, B. Immunization against heterologous type II collagen induces arthritis in mice. Nature 1980, 282, 666–668.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Killar, L.M., Dunn, C.J. Interleukin-1 potentiates the development of collagen-induced arthrttis in mice. Clin Sci 1989, 76, 535–538.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Seki, N., Sudo, Y., Yoshioka, T., Sugihar, S., Fujitsu, T., Sakuma, S., Ogawa, T., Hamaoka, T., Senoh, H., Fujiwara, H. Type II collagen-induced murine arthritis. I. Induction and perpetuation of arthritis require synergy between humoral and cell-mediated immunity. J Immunol 1988, 140, 1477–1484.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Takai, Y., Seki, N., Senoh, H., Yokota, T., Lee, F., Hamaoka, T., Fujiwara, H. Enhanced production of interleukin-6 in mice with type II collagen-induced arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 1989, 32, 594–600.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Thompson, H.S.G., Staines, N.A. Gastric administration of type II collagen delays the onset and severity of collagen-induced arthritis in rats. Clin Exp Immunol 1985, 64, 581–586.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Stoerk, H.D., Bielinski, T.C., Budzilovich, T. Chronic polyarthritis in rats injected with spleen in adjuvant. Am J Pathol 1954, 30, 616.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Battisto, J.R., Smith, R.N., Beckmann, K., Sternlight, M., Welles, W.L. Susceptibility to adjuvant arthritis in DA and F344 rats. A dominant trait controlled by an autosomal gene logus linked to the major histocompatibility complex. Arthritis Rheum 1982, 25, 1194–1200.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Pearson, C.M., Waksman, B.H., Sharp, J.T. Studies of arthritis and other lesions induced in rats by injection of mycobacterial adjuvant. V. Changes affecting the skin and mucous membranes. Comparison of the experimental process with human disease. J Exp Med 1961, 113, 485–510.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Andriotakis, C., Kaklamanis, Ph., Scleros, F., Antonopoulos, M. The effect of movement and body weight on the development of experimental arthritis in mice. Volume for Prof. Pratsikas, Athens, 1966, 883–898.

  21. Jasin, H.E. Immunologic models used for the study of rheumatoid arthritis. Fed Proc 1972, 32, 147.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Van Eden, W., Thole, J.E.R., Van der Zee, R., Noordzij, A., Van Embden, J.D.A., Hensen, E.J., Cohen, I.R. Cloning of the mycobacterial epitope recognized by T lymphocytes in adjuvant arthritis. Nature 1988, 331, 171–173.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Van Eden, W., Holoshitz, J., Nevo, Z., Frenkel, A., Klajman, A., Cohen, I.R. Arthritis induced by a T lymphocyte clone that responds to mycobacterium tuberculosis and to cartilage proteoglycans. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1985, 82, 5117–5120.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Holoshitz, J., Matitiau, A., Cohen, I.R. Arthritis induced in rats by cloned T-lymphocytes responsible to mycobacteria but not to collagen type II. J Clin Invest 1984, 211–215.

  25. Billingham, M.E.J., Carney, S., Butler, R., Carston, M.J. A mycobacterial 65-KD heat shock protein induces antigen specific suppression of adjuvant arthritis but is not itself arthritogenic. J Exp Med 1990, 171, 339–344.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Stephen, H., Thompson, G., Staines, N.A. Could specific oral tolerance be a therapy for autoimmune disease? Immunol Today 1990, 11, 396–399.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Zhang, Z.J., Lee, Ch.S.Y., Lider, O., Weiner, H.L. Suppression of ajuvant arthritis in Lewis rats by oral administration of type II collagen. J Immunol 1990, 145, 2489–2493.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Cromartie, W.J., Craddock, J.G., Schwab, J.H., Anderle, S., Yang, C. Arthritis in rats after systemic injection of streptococcal cells or cell walls. J Exp Med 1977, 146, 1585–1602.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Allen, J.B., Malone, D.G., Wahl, S.M., Calandra, G.B., Wilder, R.L. Role of the thymus in streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis and hepatic granuloma formation. J Clin Invest 1985, 76, 1042–1056.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Ridge, S.C., Zazbriskie, J.B., Oronsky, A.L., Kerwar, S.S. Streptococcal cell wall arthritis. Studies with nude (athymic) inbred Lewis rats. Cell Immunol 1985, 96, 231–234.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Wilder, R.L., Calandra, G.B., Garvin, A.J., Wright, K.D., Hansen, C.T. Strain and sex variation in the susceptibility of streptococcal cell wall-induced polyarthritis in the rat. Arthritis Rheum 1982. 25, 1064–1072.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Schwab, J.H., Allen, J.B., Anderle, S.K., Daidorf, E., Eiselnberg, R., Cromartie, W.J. Relationship of complement to experimental arthritis induces an interleukin 2 deficiency. J Exp Med 1986, 164, 327–332.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Van den Broek, M.F., Hogervorst, E.J.M., Van Bruggen, M.C.J., Van Eden, W., Van der Zee, R., Van den Berg, W.B. Protection against streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis by pretreatment with the 65-KD mycobacterial heat shock protein. J Exp Med 1989, 170, 449–466.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Holoshitz, J., Koning, F., Coligan, J.E., de Bruyn, J., Strober, S. Isolation of CD4-CD8 mycobacteria-reactive T lymphocyte clones from rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluid. Nature (London) 1989. 339, 226–229.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Tsoulfa, G., Rook, G.A.W., Van Embden, J.D.A., Young, D.B., Mehlert, A., Isenberg, D.A., Hay, F.C., Lydyard, P.M. Raised serum IgG and IgA antibodies to mycobacterial antigens in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 1989, 48, 118–123.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Gaston, J.S.H., Life, P.F., Jenner, P.J., Calston, M.J., Bacon, P.A. Recognition of mycobacteria-specific epitope in the 65KD heat shock protein by synovial fluid derived T cell clones. J Exp Med 1990, 171, 831–841.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Kaufmann, S.H.E. Heat-shock proteins: a link between rheumatoid arthritis and infection? Cur Opinion Rheumatol 1990, 2, 430–435.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Timoney, J.F., Berman, D.T. Erysipelas arthritis in swine. Bacteriologic and immunologic aspects. Am J Vet Res 1970, 31, 1411–1421.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Renz, H., Gentz, U., Schmidt, A., Dapper, T., Nain, M., Gemsa, D. Activation of macrophages in an experimental rat model of arthritis induced by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infection. Infection Immun 1989, 57, 3172–3180.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Sikes, D. Electrophoretic and serologic changes in blood serum of arthritis (rheumatoid) dogs infected with Erysipelothrix insidiosa. Am J Vet Res 1971, 32, 1083–1087.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Washburn, L.R., Cole, B.C., Ward, J.R. Chronic arthritis of rabbits induced by mycoplasmas. III. Induction with nonviable mycoplasma arthritis antigens. Arthritis Rheum 1982, 25, 937–946.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Kaklamanis, E., Karalis, D., Drouga, M., Kaklamainis, Ph., Trichopoulos, D. Experimental arthritis induced by mycoplasma. I. Clinical picutre. Iatriki 1975, 27, 467–471.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Kaklamanis, E., Pavlatos, M. The immunosppressive effect of mycoplasma infection. I. Effect on the humoral and cellular response. Immunology 1972, 22, 695–702.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Kaklamanis, E., Karalis, D., Drouga, M., Kaklamanis, Ph., Trichopoulos, D. Experimental mycoplasma arthritis as a model of human arthritis. II. Histopathological findings. Third Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Congress. Athens, Acta 1975, 18–20.

  45. Kaklamanis, E., Karalis, D., Kaklamanis, Ph., Koumantaki, Y., Katosyanni, K., Blackwell, C., Sparos, L., Weir, D., Trichopoulos, D. The effect of mycoplasma arthritidis infection on phagocytic activity of macrophages in rats and mice. Accepted in FEMS, Microbiology, Immunology, 1990.

  46. Wooley, P.H., Seibold, J.R., Whalen, J.D., Chapdelaine, J.M. Pristane-induced arthritis. The immunologic and genetic features of an experimental murine model of autoimmune disease. Arthritis Rheum 1989, 32, 1022–1030.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Thompson, S.J., Bedwell, A., Hooper, D.C., Burtless, S.S., Rook, G.A.W., van Embden, J.D.A., Elson, C.J. Pristane-induced arthritis: a possible role for the mycobacterial 65-KD heat shock protein. In: Stress Proteins in Inflammation Eds: C. Rice-Evans et al. R. Richeliew Press (in press) quoted by Gaston (36).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. First Department of Internal Medicine, Athens University Medical School, Greece

    Ph. M. Kaklamanis

Authors
  1. Ph. M. Kaklamanis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kaklamanis, P.M. Experimental animal models resembling rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rheumatol 11, 41–47 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02207082

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02207082

Key words

Search

Navigation