Animal models of rheumatoid arthritis

Experimental animal models of arthritis, including type II collagen-induced arthritis, proteoglycan-induced arthritis, adjuvant arthritis, pristane-induced arthritis, and streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis have contributed to recent advances in the understanding of the immunopathology of arthritis. The dissection of the T-cell populations regulating the autoimmune response is currently the most active area of investigation. Research into the mechanism underlying the association of specific class II major histocompatibility complex antigens with arthritis has focused attention on the interaction of particular V beta T-cell subsets with antigens presented in context of permissive major histocompatibility complex antigens. Several models indicate that both the structure of the major histocompatibility complex antigen and the T-cell receptor may be critical in the development of autoimmunity, while the MIs antigen system appears to regulate the availability of T cells with self-reactivity specificities. Studies on the role of heat-shock proteins in experimental arthritis have prompted research into the role of gamma/delta T cells in joint disease, while the availability of recombinant cytokines has permitted the direct analysis of soluble factors. In addition to providing basic insights into autoimmune disease, animal models continue to provide the means to test novel experimental approaches to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.