Gene-Altered Mouse a Boon to Rheumatoid Arthritis Research

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In their work, Taneja's team sought to build a better lab mouse for the study of the illness. They focused first on a specific human gene mutation previously associated with a higher risk for rheumatoid disease.

The gene is known to provoke the activation of certain auto-antibodies, a step immediately preceding the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.

Working with both female and male mice, the authors removed the mouse equivalent of this gene -- "knocking" it out -- and replaced it with the relevant human gene.

The offspring of these genetically altered rodents were then induced to develop arthritis by injecting collagen into their systems.

Taneja and her colleagues found that all of the mice who went on to develop arthritis produced an immune response that strongly resembled that seen in human disease.

As well, female mice were found to have triple the likelihood for developing rheumatoid arthritis -- just as is found among humans.

The researchers believe the new mice are ideal models for the study of human rheumatoid arthritis.

"I'm very excited about this achievement, because by studying these mice, hopefully, we can put together some new treatment strategies and make some real headway with this disease," said Taneja.

Dr. Hayes Wilson, chief of rheumatology at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta as well as a national medical adviser for the Arthritis Foundation, said the new mouse model is a real breakthrough.

"Any time that we can mimic disease in an experimental way that more closely resembles it in our own experience, we're better off," he said. "Of course, it doesn't necessarily translate into a health improvement for humans, but I think it's the best we can do."

"So, this sounds to me like an exciting development," Hayes added. "I'm optimistic that it will lead to better understanding and better treatment, and perhaps, ultimately, the cure we'd all like to find."

More information

For additional information on rheumatoid arthritis, visit the Arthritis Foundation.