Preparation of Joint Extracts

Abstract

Since mice are widely used to establish rheumatoid arthritis models, assessment of the pathogenesis of local arthritis is fundamental. Proteins are the most diverse group of biologically important molecules and are essential for cellular structure and function. The first step in pathogenesis-related protein analysis is joint tissue extraction. Unlike other large rodents, obtaining synovium from model mice is challenging, since it is so small and fragile. In this chapter, methods for harvesting synovium through a quadriceps approach and preparing protein extracts are introduced.