Model animal with favorite onset of rheumatoid arthritis

摘要

A model rodent with favorite onset of rheumatoid arthritis is constructed by back-crossing a mouse lacking immunoglobulin Fcgamma receptor IIB gene function on its chromosome with a rodent of the same species having onset of wild type collagen arthritis. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) screening substances promoting or inhibiting rheumatoid arthritis, or its symptoms, comprising administering a test substance to the model animal with evaluation using the degree of onset of collagen arthritis as an indicator before or/and after immunization with II type collagen, optionally comparing results with those obtained by using a control of wild type animals with non-onset of collagen arthritis or with wild type collagen arthritis; (2) rheumatoid arthritis promoters or inhibitors screened by (1); and (3) drug compositions containing the rheumatoid arthritis inhibitors as active ingredient for treating patients for suppression of rheumatoid arthritis onset, or its symptoms.