In the January 2009 issue
Histology data for the MOG-induced EAE model
Recent Peer Publications
Histamine-stimulated calcium flux assay
Antibodies for Western Blot detection of aggrecan neoepitopes
Increasing the rate of incidence in the CIA model
The versatility of ArthritoMab™ with varying animal strains
Histology data shows inflammatory infiltration, gliosis and necrosis in samples from the MOG-EAE model.
MOG in C57/Bl mice together with Pertussis Toxin (PT) will result in a chronic disease. This model is characterized, in addition to paw paralysis, with demyelination both of the spinal cord and the brain. Disease is induced on day 0 with MOG along with a PT injection. Disease develops between days 7-10.
Histopathology of the cervicothoracic vertebral column and the spinal cord from the MOG-EAE model shows inflammatory infiltration, vacuolation, gliosis, necrosis as well as myelin debris typical of Wallerian degeneration. To see the complete histology data with a description of the histologic findings, download the EAE whitepaper.

Legend: Histology (H&E staining) of a control and diseased sample from the MOG-induced EAE model. A: longitudinal section of spinal cord from control animal B: white matter and gray matter of the spinal cord from control animal D: longitudinal section of spinal cord from diseased animal E: inflammatory infiltration and vacuolation of the white matter of diseased animal.
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Recent Peer Publications
The novel small molecule drug Rabeximod is effective in reducing disease severity of mouse models of autoimmune disorders.
Hultqvist, M et al., (Jan 2009) Ann Rheum Dis. 68:130.
Products Referenced: ArthritoMab™ Antibody Cocktail (CIA-MAB-50), Myelin Proteolipid Protein (PLP 139-151) (301008)
Estimation of the dietary requirement for vitamin D in healthy adults.
Kevin D Cashman et al., (Dec 2008) Am J Clinical Nutrition 88:1535
Product: Intact PTH ELISA
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In vitro assays: Histamine-stimulated calcium flux assay
Human bronchial smooth muscle cells are loaded with a calcium indicator dye treated with test compound or control and exposed to histamine. The calcium response is monitored by following the increase in fluorescent intensity over time to assess how compounds affect calcium influx.

Legend: Internal calcium store release: Maximum Region 2-Maxium Region 1.
Extracellular calcium influx: Maximum region 4 - Minimum Region 3
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Antibodies for Western Blot detection of enzyme-generated aggrecan neoepitopes.
Aggrecan is a large aggregating proteoglycan of articular cartilage. It is found also in aorta tissues, discs, tendons and in the perineuronal net. The aggrecan core protein consists of 2317 amino acids. Up to 130 glucosaminoglycan chains are attached to the core protein, and the total molecular mass can reach 2.2 - 3.0 x 106 Daltons. Within the aggrecn molecule 3 globular domains G1, G2 and G3 can be distinguished. Domains G1 and G2 are connected by a rod shaped polypeptide called interglobular domain (IGD), while the sequence between domains G2 and G3 contains attachment regions for keratan sulphate and chondroitin sulphate chains.
Progressive cartilage degeneration involves the loss of proteoglycan (aggrecan) followed by cartilage (collagen) destruction. The degradation of aggrecan causes the loss of proteoglycan from teh tissue, which leads to the loss of bound water and eventually the loss of joint function. Aggrecan degradation is catalyzed by proteinases of the matrix metalloproteinase and ADAMTS (a disintegrin and MMP with thrombospondin motif) families.

Figure: Western Blot analysis using monoclonal antibodies BC3 (anti ARG...) and BC13 (anti EGE...) on media or 4M guanidine extracts from porcine articular cartilage explant cultures exposed for 7 days to serum-free media alone (Con) or serum-free media containing retinoic acid (RA), interleukin-1 (IL-1) or tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF).
| Product Description |
Qty/Size |
Catalog |
| Aggrecan mAB clone BC3 |
0.1 mg |
1042001 |
| Aggrecan mAb clone BC4 |
0.1 mg |
1042002 |
| Aggrecan mAb clone BC13 |
0.1 mg |
1042003 |
| Aggrecan mAb clone BC14 |
0.1 mg |
1042004 |
| Aggrecan mAb clone 6B4 |
0.1 mg |
1042005 |
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Collagen Type II for induction in Collagen Induced Arthritis (CIA): Increasing the rate of incidence
Rate of incidence is a sore topic among many that are running the CIA model. Incidence as low as 50% is not uncommon. Many factors can affect the rate of incidence in the collagen-induced arthritis model. The purity of the collagen, the quality of the adjuvant, emulsion preparation, the animal strain diet, environment and stress are main factors associated with the rate of incidence.
The importance of highly purified collagen II for induction of arthritis.
The quality and purity of the native collagen is important. If the collagen is not purified correctly, the collagen may actually become cross-linked. MD Bioproducts Collagen II is highly purified (>95%) for use in inducing arthritis. The preparation of the collagen is also critical so that denaturation does not occur. Once the collagen is denatured (which can occur at temperatures near 38 ºC), its efficiency in eliciting arthritis can drop substantially as well as render the individual chains of CII susceptible to degradation by proteases. If using lyophilized material, the collagen should be reconstituted in a cold environment to ensure that the collagen does not denature. All buffers, reagents and equipment should be pre-chilled and kept cold during entire use.
Other factors affecting rate of incidence:
- Animal Strain:
Disease susceptibility is strongly linked to the class II molecules of the MHC. CIA susceptible mice such as DBA/1, B10.Q and B10.III are the most commonly used strains for the CIA model. Mice should be young (approx. 8 weeks) and healthy, and often times male mice are preferred.
- Animal Health:
The environment in which the animals are housed can have a large affect upon the rate of incidence. Intestinal bacteria flora, viral and bacterial infections will affect the immune response to collagen and the development of arthritis. Animals should be fed a high fat content diet.
- Adjuvant and emulsion preparation:
Use high quality CFA at a concentration up to 4 mg/mL. The emulsion should be prepared at cooled temperatures and should be made thick to give the best rate of incidence.
View Sources of collagen for use in induction of arthritis
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The versatility of the ArthritoMab™ Antibody Cocktail with varying strains.
The Collagen Antibody Induced Arthritis (CAIA) model using the ArthritoMab™ Antibody Cocktail is not restricted to the normal highly arthritis susceptible mouse strains as is the case with the Collagen Induced Arthritis (CIA) model. A variety of strains can be used including C57Bl/6, which opens up the world of transgenic animals to this research. The ability to use strains such as the Balb/c over the DBA/1 is beneficial because they are often more easily obtainable and at a lower cost.
- DBA/1
- Balb/c
- B10.RIII
- C57Bl/6
In the figure below, you can see that histology data indicates there is significant cell infiltration, synovial hyperplasia and bone erosion that may not be visible to the eye when scoring the animals. Histology is a valuable addition to the arthritis and clinical scores to get a complete picture of the joint destruction and inflammatory process.


Product: ArthritoMab™ Antibody Cocktail
Contract Research: Collagen Antibody Induced Arthritis (CAIA) model
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