Animal Models of Spondyloarthritis

The clinical spectrum of spondyloarthritis is included various diagnostic entities that share clinical, genetic and pathological characteristics. As human tissue specimens of the sacroiliac joints are very difficult to obtain, most of the new concepts have emerged from different animal models of disease. Animal models are available for the study of several different aspects of spondyloarthritis. The models include human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B-27 based on transgenic rat and mouse models, inflammationdriven models, and models of ankylosing enthesitis. Areas of investigation to which these models contribute include the role of HLA B-27, process of spinal and peripheral joint inflammation and calcification, immune responses to candidate antigens and the role of tumor necrosis factor.