Animal Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis (I): Pristane-Induced Arthritis in the Rat

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155936
• Publication Date: 2016-05-26T17:59:54Z
• Authors: Jonatan Tuncel; Sabrina Haag; Markus H. Hoffmann; Anthony C. Y. Yau; Malin Hultqvist; Peter Olofsson; Johan Bäcklund; Kutty Selva Nanda...; Daniela Weidner; Anita Fischer; Anna Leichsenring; Franziska Lange; Claus Haase; Shemin Lu; Percio S. Gulko; Günter Steiner; Rikard Holmdahl
• Keywords: Male; 0303 health sciences; Terpenes; Science; Q; Klinisk medicin; R; 610; -; Arthritis, Experimental; Rats; 3. Good health; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Disease Models, Animal; 03 medical and health sciences; Medizinische Fakultät; 616; Medicine; Animals; Female; ddc:610; Clinical Medicine; Immunosuppressive Agents; Research Article

Background To facilitate the development of therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Innovative Medicines Initiative BTCure has combined experience from several laboratories worldwide to establish a series protocols different animal models that reflect pathogenesis RA. Here, we describe chronic pristane-induced (PIA) model in DA rats, and provide detailed instructions set up evaluate reporting data. Methods We optimized dose pristane immunization procedures determined effect age, gender, housing conditions. further assessed cage-effects, reproducibility, frequency arthritis, disease markers, efficacy standard novel therapies. Results Out 271 99.6% developed after pristane-administration. Mean values day onset, maximum severity clinical scores were 11.8±2.0 days, 20.3±5.1 days 34.2±11 points on 60-point scale, respectively. The mean was 86% but approached 100% long-term experiments over 110 days. Pristane arthritogenic even at 5 microliters needed be administrated intradermally induce robust with minimal variation. age-dependent independent gender whether rats housed conventional or barrier facilities. PIA correlated well weight loss acute phase reactants, ameliorated by etanercept, dexamethasone, cyclosporine A fingolimod treatment. Conclusions high incidence excellent reproducibility. relapsing-remitting limited systemic manifestations make it more suitable than adjuvant studies joint-inflammation screening validation new therapeutics.