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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice
Published on: June 6, 2025
Disease exacerbation by etanercept in a mouse model of alphaviral arthritis and myositis
Ali Zaid1, Nestor E Rulli, Michael S Rolph
1University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
Objective:
Mosquito-borne alphaviruses such as chikungunya virus, o'nyong-nyong virus, and Ross River virus (RRV) cause sporadic, sometimes large, outbreaks of rheumatic disease worldwide. This study was designed to test the effect of treating RRV-induced arthritis using the anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drug etanercept in a mouse model of rheumatic disease.
Methods:
Mice were infected with RRV and treated with etanercept. Weight gain was measured, tissue viral titers were determined, and histologic changes in muscle and joint tissues were assessed.
Results:
RRV-infected mice treated with etanercept showed decreased weight gain, higher viral titers in muscle, joints, and blood, and more tissue damage and inflammatory cell recruitment than RRV-infected mice without treatment.
Conclusion:
Anti-TNF therapy is unlikely to be useful in treating alphaviral arthritides. During alphaviral epidemics, careful monitoring of patients being treated with anti-TNF agents may be warranted.
