A pathogenetic model for erosive synovitis: lessons from animal arthritides

Adjuvant arthritis, streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis, and Erysipelothrix insidiosa arthritis are laboratory models of relapsing, erosive synovitis. A review of the experimental literature suggests that their pathogenesis is similar. The persistence in macrophages in the pannus of nonbiodegradable microbial cell wall components containing the peptidoglycan moeity is the central event. Based on this experimental literature, a model for the pathogenesis of these arthritides is developed. This model is testable and relevant to erosive synovitis in man.