Introduction:

Numerous models have been described to study the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, and to develop new therapies; but each of these models has their own limitations. Nowadays, the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model is the most commonly used model for rheumatoid arthritis studies in certain mouse strain like DBA/1 mouse. This study aimed to describe a new protocol for local induction of arthritis in Balb/c mice, including the monitoring of clinical arthritis and the protocols for histological examination of paws of mice.

Materials and Methods:

For the induction of local arthritis in 40 Balb/c mice, they were immunized intra-articularly with type II collagen and subcutaneous complete Freund’s adjuvant in 0 day. As the boost immunization, the animals had same injections on day 14. Mice were divided 4 groups, and they were clinically and histopathologically examined for arthritis on 0, 14, 21 and 30 days of arthritis induction.

Results:

The first signs of local arthritis appeared in this model 1 week after boost immunization (day 21). The CIA induced paw clinically showed severe erythema and swelling all around the hindquarter on day 21 and 30. The paw reached almost 4 times thicker than the other paws and histopathological examination confirmed the clinical arthritis on day 21 and 30.

Conclusion:

Using the protocol described, the investigators may reproducibly and economically induce a high incidence of local CIA in Balb/c mice. The described local CIA model may be used to unravel pathophysiological or immunological mechanisms of arthritis, and can also be used to study the effect of new therapeutics.

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