The Collagen-Induced Arthritis (CIA) model is a commonly used model as it shares immunological and pathological similarities to human RA. Arthritis is initiated by intradermal injections of Collagen Type II (CII) emulsified in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). This causes an immune response generating antibodies to CII. Therefore there is both a T cell and B cell component to the pathology. The joint destruction involves cartilage destruction, bone resporption, synovial hyperplasia and periarticular cell infiltration thereby sharing many similarities to human RA. The mouse Collagen-Induced Arthritis model contains more neutrophils and less monocytes/macrophages than the human disease. Rat Collagen-Induced Arthritis has a quicker onset of disease and shorter duration than the murine model.

 

Collagen-Induced Arthritis: mouse model

Length	42 days
Strain	male DBA
Positive Controls	Dexamethasone, Indomethasone, Methotrexate or Enbrel
Induction	Various depending on requirements (severe disease, mild disease etc).
Measurements	Body weights, Clinical signs, Arthritis score
Optional Readouts	Hind paw thickness, Histology, Cytokine analysis, Gene expression

 

 

 

Collagen-Induced Arthritis: rat model

Length	35 days
Strain	female Lewis rats
Positive Controls	Dexamethasone
Measurements	Body weights, Clinical signs, Arthritis score, Ankle joint thickness, paw volume
Optional Readouts	Histology, Cytokine analysis, Gene expression