%0 Journal Article
%T A multiparameter approach to monitor disease activity in collagen-induced arthritis
%A Sylvie Seeuws
%A Peggy Jacques
%A Jens Van Praet
%A Michael Drennan
%A Julie Coudenys
%A Tine Decruy
%A Ellen Deschepper
%A Lien Lepescheux
%A Philippe Pujuguet
%A Line Oste
%A Nick Vandeghinste
%A Reginald Brys
%A Gust Verbruggen
%A Dirk Elewaut
%J Arthritis Research & Therapy
%D 2010
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/ar3119
%X We undertook a comparative analysis in which different measurements of inflammation and tissue damage in CIA were studied on an individual mouse level. We compared the current gold standard methods - clinical scoring and histological examination - with alternative methods based on scoring of X-ray or micro-computed tomography (CT) images and investigated the significance of systemically expressed proteins, involved in CIA pathogenesis, that have potential as biomarkers.Linear regression analysis revealed a marked association of serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 levels with all features of CIA including inflammation, cartilage destruction and bone erosions. This association was improved by combined detection of MMP-3 and anti-collagen IgG2a antibody concentrations. In addition, combined analysis of both X-ray and micro-CT images was found to be predictive for cartilage and bone damage. Most remarkably, validation analysis using an independent data set proved that variations in disease severity, induced by different therapies, could be accurately represented by predicted values based on the proposed parameters.Our analyses revealed that clinical scoring, combined with serum MMP-3, anti-collagen IgG2a measurement and scoring of X-ray and micro-CT images, yields a comprehensive insight into the different aspects of disease activity in CIA.The systemic autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by synovial inflammation followed by progressive destruction of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Mouse models are often used to gain further insight into the pathological mechanisms of joint inflammation as well as for preclinical evaluation of therapeutic agents. In this context, collagen induced arthritis (CIA) is the most widely studied animal model for RA as it models the similarities in pathology and immunological processes involved in the disease [1].Currently, clinical scoring of inflamed paws over time is the standard method used for quanti
%U http://arthritis-research.com/content/12/4/R160