Transgenic models for arthritis: useful clues to be gained?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of unknown aetiology. Much of our understanding regarding the pathogenesis of this disease has been derived from studies in rodents induced to develop arthritis with injected agents. More recently with the advent of transgenic mouse technology, animal models of arthritis have been generated either by design or by serendipity, and have provided insight into the role of cytokines in particular in contributing to the pathogenesis of arthritis. This short editorial summarizes recent advances in this field and how this has increased our understanding of RA.