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Animal Models of Inflammatory Myopathy

  • INFLAMMATORY MUSCLE DISEASE (I LUNDBERG, SECTION EDITOR)
  • Published:
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Abstract

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) represent a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by mononuclear cell infiltration of muscle and varying degrees of muscle dysfunction. To better understand the pathogenesis of these diseases, investigators have devised a number of infectious, genetic, and antigen-induced animal models that replicate different aspects of muscle involvement. Although the underlying heterogeneity of disorders encompassed by IIM precludes development of a single unifying model, several recently developed experimental systems have provided tremendous insight regarding the contributions of both immune- and non–immune-mediated disease pathways in various subsets of IIM. In turn, by elucidating the pathogenic roles of such disparate factors as endoplasmic reticulum stress and innate immune signaling, these models have established the foundation for more novel, targeted therapeutic intervention.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Ascherman’s research has been supported in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health and American College of Rheumatology.

Disclosure

Dr. Ascherman has served as a consultant for Biogen Idec and has received honoraria from and had travel expenses reimbursed by the University of Cincinnati, University of Miami, Georgetown University, and the DC National Children’s Medical Center (for academic grand rounds presentations).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, 7152, 1600 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    Dana P. Ascherman

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  1. Dana P. Ascherman
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Correspondence to Dana P. Ascherman.

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Ascherman, D.P. Animal Models of Inflammatory Myopathy. Curr Rheumatol Rep 14, 257–263 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-012-0245-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-012-0245-7

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