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Animal Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis

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The Microbiome in Rheumatic Diseases and Infection

Abstract

Animal models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been key to understanding the underlying pathology in RA. For over 50 years, the most common models have been based on the use of adjuvants that contain bacteria (mycobacteria) or that rely on the use of collagen type II to induce the disease. The role of microbes in the etiology of RA has long been hypothesized, and the existing data, while correlative and circumstantial, suggest this hypothesis is correct. The animal models, however, as valuable as they have been, are acute in their initiation, onset, and outcomes unlike the disease that occurs in humans. This chapter focuses on the major animal models of RA currently in use and their advantages and disadvantages and offers suggestions for future directions including the use of transgenic and/or humanized mice.

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Abbreviations

AI:

Autoimmune

APCA:

Anti-parietal cell antibodies

BSA:

Bovine serum albumin

CAIA:

Collagen antibody-induced arthritis

CFA:

Complete Freund’s adjuvant

CIA:

Collagen-induced arthritis

GF:

Germ-free

IBD:

Inflammatory bowel disease

Ig RF:

RF-like immunoglobulin

IL:

Interleukin

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharide

mAB:

Monoclonal antibody

MS:

Multiple sclerosis

NSAID:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

PMN:

Polymorphonuclear cell

RA:

Rheumatoid arthritis

RF:

Rheumatoid factor

SCID:

Severe combined immunodeficiency

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Webb, D.R. (2018). Animal Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis. In: Ragab, G., Atkinson, T., Stoll, M. (eds) The Microbiome in Rheumatic Diseases and Infection. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-79026-8_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-79026-8_6

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