This article is part of a series on The Scientific Basis of Rheumatology: A Decade of Progress, edited by Peter Lipsky and Ravinder Maini.

Review

Lessons from animal models of arthritis over the past decade

Wim B van den Berg

Rheumatology Research and Advanced Therapeutics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands

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Arthritis Research & Therapy 2009, 11:250doi:10.1186/ar2803

Published:	14 October 2009

Abstract

This review summarizes the major developments in animal models of arthritis in the past decade. It focuses on novel transgenic models, addresses the involvement of cytokines and discusses novel findings in cartilage and bone erosion. It is clear that interest has been raised in the direct arthritogenic role of autoantibodies, apart from T cell involvement, and their interaction with cells through Fcgamma receptors. In addition, a role for IL-6 and IL-17 and Th17 cells seems apparent in most T cell-driven arthritis models, with environmental triggering through Toll-like receptors contributing to this process. Further insights into enzymes involved in cartilage proteoglycan loss in arthritis, as well as mediators regulating bone erosion and bone apposition, have been gained.