Characterization of collagen induced arthritis in DBA/1 mice

Objective To estahlish a collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)model with DBA/1 mice and detect its characteristics.Methods The CIA mouse model was established by immunization of DBA/1 mice with cattle collagenⅡ.DBA/1mice were injected intradermally at the base of the tail with 100μL emulsion containing an equal volume of cattle type Ⅱ collagen solution and CFA.The second injection was repeated 3 weeks after the first injection.The features of CIA in joints swelling,inflammatory index,body weight and pathological changes were investigated.Results Joints swelling of mice began to appear at 28days,and were most severe after 7weeks.There were infiltrating inflammatory cells surrounding the vascellum,synovium hyperplasy,joints destruction and spleen changing indicated by pathological examination.The incidence of CIA in DBA/1 mice could reach 100%.Conclusion An animal model of CIA can be induced in DBA/1mice at a very high incidence.The CIA model could mimic the characteristics of human rheumatoid arthritis.The inflammatory index,the pathology of ankle joints and spleen were major index to evaluate CIA.