Rodent Models Of Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Articles

Non-MHC Risk Alleles in Rheumatoid Arthritis and in the Syntenic Chromosome Regions of Corresponding Animal Models

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a polygenic autoimmune disease primarily affecting the synovial joints. Numerous animal models show similarities to RA in humans; some of them not only mimic the clinical phenotypes but also demonstrate the involvement of homologous genomic regions in RA. This paper compares corresponding non-MHC genomic regions identified in rodent and human genome-wide association studies (GWAS). To date, over 30 non-MHC RA-associated loci have been identified in humans, and over 100 arthritis-associated loci have been identified in rodent models of RA. The genomic regions associated with the disease are designated by the name(s) of the gene having the most frequent and consistent RA-associated SNPs or a function suggesting their involvement in inflammatory or autoimmune processes. Animal studies on rats and mice preferentially have used single sequence length polymorphism (SSLP) markers to identify disease-associated qualitative and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in the genome of F2 hybrids of arthritis-susceptible and arthritis-resistant rodent strains. Mouse GWAS appear to be far ahead of rat studies, and significantly more mouse QTLs correspond to human RA risk alleles.

Investigation of the role of endosomal Toll-like receptors in murine collagen-induced arthritis reveals a potential role for TLR7 in disease maintenance

IntroductionEndosomal toll-like receptors (TLRs) have recently emerged as potential contributors to the inflammation observed in human and rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aims to evaluate the role of endosomal TLRs and in particular TLR7 in the murine collagen induced arthritis (CIA) model.MethodsCIA was induced by injection of collagen in complete Freund's adjuvant. To investigate the effect of endosomal TLRs in the CIA model, mianserin was administered daily from the day of disease onset. The specific role of TLR7 was examined by inducing CIA in TLR7-deficient mice. Disease progression was assessed by measuring clinical score, paw swelling, serum anti-collagen antibodies histological parameters, cytokine production and the percentage of T regulatory (Treg) cells.ResultsTherapeutic administration of mianserin to arthritic animals demonstrated a highly protective effect on paw swelling and joint destruction. TLR7-/- mice developed a mild arthritis, where the clinical score and paw swelling were significantly compromised in comparison to the control group. The amelioration of arthritis by mianserin and TLR7 deficiency both corresponded with a reduction in IL-17 responses, histological and clinical scores, and paw swelling.ConclusionsThese data highlight the potential role for endosomal TLRs in the maintenance of inflammation in RA and support the concept of a role for TLR7 in experimental arthritis models. This study also illustrates the potential benefit that may be afforded by therapeutically inhibiting the endosomal TLRs in RA.

A Selective Inhibitor of Human C-reactive Protein Translation Is Efficacious In Vitro and in C-reactive Protein Transgenic Mice and Humans

Observational studies of patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) document a positive correlation between C-reactive protein (CRP) blood concentration and worsening of RA symptoms, but whether this association is causal or not is not known. Using CRP transgenic mice (CRPTg) with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA; a rodent model of RA), we explored causality by testing if CRP lowering via treatment with antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting human CRP mRNA was efficacious and of clinical benefit. We found that in CRPtg with established CIA, ASO-mediated lowering of blood human CRP levels improved the clinical signs of arthritis. In addition, in healthy human volunteers the ASO was well tolerated and efficacious i.e., treatment achieved significant CRP lowering. ASOs targeting CRP should provide a specific and effective way to lower human CRP levels, which might be an effective therapy in patients with established RA.

Specific Inhibition of Spleen Tyrosine Kinase Suppresses Leukocyte Immune Function and Inflammation in Animal Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Based on genetic studies that establish the role of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) in immune function, inhibitors of this kinase are being investigated as therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases. Because genetic studies eliminate both adapter functions and kinase activity of Syk, it is difficult to delineate the effect of kinase inhibition alone as would be the goal with small-molecule kinase inhibitors. We tested the hypothesis that specific pharmacological inhibition of Syk activity retains the immunomodulatory potential of Syk genetic deficiency. We report here on the discovery of (4-(3-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylamino)-2-((1R,2S)-2-aminocyclohexylamino) pyrimidine-5-carboxamide acetate (P505-15), a highly specific and potent inhibitor of purified Syk (IC50 1-2 nM). In human whole blood, P505-15 potently inhibited B cell antigen receptor-mediated B cell signaling and activation (IC50 0.27 and 0.28 μM, respectively) and Fcε receptor 1-mediated basophil degranulation (IC50 0.15 μM). Similar levels of ex vivo inhibition were measured after dosing in mice (Syk signaling IC50 0.32 μM). Syk-independent signaling and activation were unaffected at much higher concentrations, demonstrating the specificity of kinase inhibition in cellular systems. Oral administration of P505-15 produced dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in two rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis. Statistically significant efficacy was observed at concentrations that specifically suppressed Syk activity by ∼67%. Thus specific Syk inhibition can mimic Syk genetic deficiency to modulate immune function, providing a therapeutic strategy in P505-15 for the treatment of human diseases.

A novel preclinical model for rheumatoid arthritis research

Based on increasing knowledge on the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), more and more potential therapeutics have been developed. To evaluate their therapeutic efficacy, safety and toxicity, appropriate animal models are required. Although rodent models of RA have been extensively used for preclinical evaluation, the differences between rodents and humans limit their usability for some species-specific therapeutics. Therefore, autoimmune arthritis developed in a non-human primate with essential hallmarks of RA will be an alternative model for preclinical studies.

Inhibition of Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Lyase for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Discovery of (E)-1-(4-((1R,2S,3R)-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroxybutyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)ethanone Oxime (LX2931) and (1R,2S,3R)-1-(2-(Isoxazol-3-yl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl)butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol (LX2932)

Sphingosine 1-phosphate lyase (S1PL) has been characterized as a novel target for the treatment of autoimmune disorders using genetic and pharmacological methods. Medicinal chemistry efforts targeting S1PL by direct in vivo evaluation of synthetic analogues of 2-acetyl-4(5)-(1(R),2(S),3(R),4-tetrahydroxybutyl)-imidazole (THI, 1) led to the discovery of 2 (LX2931) and 4 (LX2932). The immunological phenotypes observed in S1PL deficient mice were recapitulated by oral administration of 2 or 4. Oral dosing of 2 or 4 yielded a dose-dependent decrease in circulating lymphocyte numbers in multiple species and showed a therapeutic effect in rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Phase I clinical trials indicated that 2, the first clinically studied inhibitor of S1PL, produced a dose-dependent and reversible reduction of circulating lymphocytes and was well tolerated at dose levels of up to 180 mg daily. Phase II evaluation of 2 in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis is currently underway.

Specific Inhibition of Syk Suppresses Leukocyte Immune Function and Alleviates Inflammation In Rodent Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis

AbstractAbstract 1727Genetic ablation of Syk in hematopoietic cells blocks various leukocyte immune functions, and protects mice from immune-complex mediated inflammation. These data have helped to identify Syk as an important therapeutic target for immune-mediated diseases. The next step is to test the hypothesis that low level, and specific, pharmacological inhibition of Syk retains the immunomodulatory potential observed with Syk genetic deficiency. With this goal in mind, we provide an update on the development of P505-15, a highly specific and potent small molecule Syk inhibitor which suppresses signaling and activation of primary human and rodent leukocyte immune function. The specificity of P505-15 was tested in a panel of 270 independent purified kinase assays at 300nM. At this concentration, Syk and 8 other kinases were inhibited by ≥ 80%. Subsequent analysis demonstrated a Syk IC50 of 1nM, whereas the next most potently inhibited kinase required an IC50 of 81nM. In a variety of cellular assays we observed potent inhibition of B cell receptor (BCR) induced Syk signaling, but not of Lyn, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induced protein kinase C, T cell receptor induced Zap70, or cytokine induced JAK1 (IL6), JAK2 (GM-CSF), or JAK1/3 (IL4) dependent STAT phosphorylation. Consistently, in Ba/F3 cell lines transformed by various kinases, P505-15 only inhibited proliferation of those cells transformed by Syk (IC50 = 0.12μM), and not by Zap70 or JAK family members (IC50 > 6μM). In human whole blood, P505-15 suppressed BCR-induced Syk signaling and cellular activation with IC50's of 0.383μM and 0.362μM, respectively. FceR1-induced basophil degranulation was similarly suppressed with an IC50 of 0.171μM. Importantly, Syk-independent signaling and cellular activation in human whole blood via PMA (B cell assays) or fMLP (basophil degranulation) was unaffected by this compound at 4μM and 1μM, respectively (the highest concentrations tested), again demonstrating its specificity of action. Oral administration of P505-15 in mice led to a reversible inhibition of Syk, with an IC50 of 0.282μM as determined by an ex vivo whole blood BCR stimulation assay. Finally, we tested the immunomodulatory potential of specific Syk inhibition in vivo using rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis. Oral administration of P505-15 resulted in statistically significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in both the mouse collagen antibody-induced arthritis and rat collagen induced arthritis models. In each case, anti-inflammatory effects were achieved at sub-micromolar plasma concentrations in which Syk specificity was maintained. These data support the hypothesis that specific Syk inhibition can modulate immune function in vivo, and provide a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of human inflammatory disease by inhibition of this kinase. P505-15 is currently being evaluated in phase I clinical trials. Disclosures:Coffey:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Francis:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Inagaki:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Pak:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Delaney:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Betz:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Jia:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Xu:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Bauer:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Song:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Pandey:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Baker:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Hollenbach:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Phillips:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Sinha:Portola Pharmaceuticals: Employment.

What We have Learned about Pain from Rodent Models of Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis (OA) are both common diseases of the joints. RA is distinguished by inflammation and synovitis leading to joint destruction, whereas OA is typified by degenerative and mostly noninflammatory disease. Although differing in their pathology, both forms can elicit chronic disabling pain in patients. Relief from this pain is an unmet need for many patients, and this has lead to a drive to understand the pain mechanisms occurring in each disease in order to develop new analgesics. This necessitates the use of pre-clinical models. Here we discuss the methods and limitations of animal pain assessment, rodent models of RA and OA, and how these models have been used to investigate the genesis of pain. Specifically, we focus on processes studied in both RA and OA models, and how the mediators involved in the development of pain may differ between these two arthritic states and during acute and chronic pain. From this we have learnt that the key mediators of RA pain include inflammatory cells, inflammatory cytokines, astrocytes, substance P, and CGRP. Endogenous analgesic mediators in RA include β-endorphin, μ-opioid receptor, and various anti-inflammatory cytokines. Less is known of the mediators of OA pain, but important factors include CGRP, TRPV1, NGF, VIP and the μ-opioid receptor. Interestingly, several factors have been found not to play a role in OA pain, including glial cells, neutrophils and TNF. It must be noted that the vast majority of candidate drugs from animal research never reach the human clinic, in part due to false positives from animal models. This may be due to flaws in the models themselves, the methods used to assess pain, the physical properties of the candidate drug, or an inherent difference between animal and human pain pathways. By developing more clinically relevant models, novel diseasespecific analgesics are being developed with the hope of improving the quality of life for sufferers of arthritis pain.

Rabeximod reduces arthritis severity in mice by decreasing activation of inflammatory cells

ObjectivesThe novel small molecule 9-chloro-2,3-dimethyl-6-(N,N-dimethylaminoethylamino-2-oxoethyl)-6H-indolo[2,3-b] quinoxaline (Rabeximod) reduces severity of arthritis in rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to investigate the cellular target...

Oral treatment with HE3286 ameliorates disease in rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis

HE3286 (17alpha-ethynyl-5-androstene-3beta, 7beta, 17beta-triol) is an orally bio-available synthetic derivative of naturally occurring androstene-3beta, 7beta, 17beta-triol. Our present data show that oral treatment with HE3286, favourably influenced the course of arthritis in the rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis (reduced cumulative disease scores and paw edema), and in the mouse model of collagen antibody-induced arthritis (reduced clinical paw scores). Importantly, HE3286 was not immune suppressive in human mixed lymphocyte reaction or in animals challenged with Coxsackie B3 virus. HE3286 is currently in phase I/II clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis and these findings further strengthen the possibility that HE3286 may represent an effective anti-inflammatory agent useful for treating chronic inflammation with a more attractive safety profile than glucocorticoids or cyclooxygenase inhibitors.

Interleukin-18 as an in vivomediator of monocyte recruitment in rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis

IntroductionThe function of interleukin-18 (IL-18) was investigated in pertinent animal models of rodent rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to determine its proinflammatory and monocyte recruitment properties.MethodsWe used a modified Boyden chemotaxis system to examine monocyte recruitment to recombinant human (rhu) IL-18 in vitro. Monocyte recruitment to rhuIL-18 was then tested in vivo by using an RA synovial tissue (ST) severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse chimera. We defined monocyte-specific signal-transduction pathways induced by rhuIL-18 with Western blotting analysis and linked this to in vitro monocyte chemotactic activity. Finally, the ability of IL-18 to induce a cytokine cascade during acute joint inflammatory responses was examined by inducing wild-type (Wt) and IL-18 gene-knockout mice with zymosan-induced arthritis (ZIA).ResultsWe found that intragraft injected rhuIL-18 was a robust monocyte recruitment factor to both human ST and regional (inguinal) murine lymph node (LN) tissue. IL-18 gene-knockout mice also showed pronounced reductions in joint inflammation during ZIA compared with Wt mice. Many proinflammatory cytokines were reduced in IL-18 gene-knockout mouse joint homogenates during ZIA, including macrophage inflammatory protein-3α (MIP-3α/CCL20), vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), and IL-17. Signal-transduction experiments revealed that IL-18 signals through p38 and ERK½ in monocytes, and that IL-18-mediated in vitro monocyte chemotaxis can be significantly inhibited by disruption of this pathway.ConclusionsOur data suggest that IL-18 may be produced in acute inflammatory responses and support the notion that IL-18 may serve a hierarchic position for initiating joint inflammatory responses.

Pathways for interleukin‐1–driven arthritis

Pathways for interleukin‐1–driven arthritis

Mechanisms of the joint-protective effects of p38 MAPK inhibitors in rodent arthritis

Background: The p38 kinases (p38) are proline-directed serine/threonine enzymes of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family. Although p38 participates in signaling cascades leading to joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the mechanisms of its actions in this process are not completely understood. Objective: Elucidating the joint-protective mechanisms of p38 inhibitors in rodent models of RA may have implications in the design of p38-based therapies for this disease. Method: This review highlights the tissue- and cell-specific complex interactions between p38 and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: This review provides evidence that p38α and TNF-α are key partners in RA, and that inhibition of this kinase should be effective in treating this disease.

Cartilage preservation by inhibition of Janus kinase 3 in two rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis

IntroductionCP-690550 is a small molecule inhibitor of Janus kinase 3 (JAK3), a critical enzyme in the signaling pathway of multiple cytokines (interleukin (IL)-2, -7, -15 and -21) that are important in various T cell functions including development, activation and homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate CP-690550 in murine collagen-induced (CIA) and rat adjuvant-induced (AA) models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsCIA and AA were induced using standard protocols and animals received the JAK3 inhibitor via osmotic mini-pump infusion at doses ranging from 1.5–15 mg/kg/day following disease induction. Arthritis was assessed by clinical scores in the CIA models and paw swelling monitored using a plethysmometer in the AA model until study conclusion, at which time animals were killed and evaluated histologically.ResultsCP-690550 dose-dependently decreased endpoints of disease in both RA models with greater than 90% reduction observed at the highest administered dose. An approximate ED50 of approximately 1.5 mg/kg/day was determined for the compound based upon disease endpoints in both RA models examined and corresponds to CP-690550 serum levels of 5.8 ng/ml in mice (day 28) and 24 ng/ml in rats (day 24). The compound also reduced inflammatory cell influx and joint damage as measured histologically. Animals receiving a CP-690550 dose of 15 mg/k/d showed no histological evidence of disease.ConclusionThe efficacy observed with CP-690550 in CIA and AA suggests JAK3 inhibition may represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of RA.

Blockade of the interleukin‐21/interleukin‐21 receptor pathway ameliorates disease in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a T cell-derived cytokine that modulates T cell, B cell, and natural killer cell responses. In this study, the effects of blocking IL-21 were examined in 2 rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to determine whether IL-21 contributes to their pathologic processes. DBA/1 mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen and then treated with murine IL-21 receptor Fc fusion protein (IL-21R.Fc), which was initiated after the onset of arthritis symptoms in 10% of the cohort. The mice were assessed 3 times per week for signs of disease, including histologic features as well as serum cytokine, Ig, and cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in the paws. In a separate experiment, Lewis rats were immunized with Freund's complete adjuvant followed by administration of IL-21R.Fc at the peak of inflammation in the joints. Rats were assessed daily for histologic features and for scoring of arthritis severity. In addition, the effects of IL-21R.Fc on the production of interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) by T cells were examined. Treatment of DBA/1 mice with IL-21R.Fc reduced the clinical and histologic signs of collagen-induced arthritis. Nonspecific IgG1 levels were decreased in response to treatment. The levels of IL-6 mRNA in the paws and the serum IL-6 levels were decreased after treatment with IL-21R.Fc. IFNgamma mRNA levels were increased in the paws, and the addition of IL-21R.Fc to collagen-activated lymph node cultures enhanced the levels of IFNgamma. Collagen-specific spleen cell responses in IL-21R.Fc-treated mice were observed as reduced levels of IFNgamma and increased levels of IL-6. Treatment of Lewis rats with IL-21R.Fc after induction of adjuvant-induced arthritis resulted in reversal of disease signs and improvements in histologic parameters. These findings demonstrate a pathogenic role for IL-21 in animal models of RA, and support consideration of IL-21 as a therapeutic target in human RA.

Use of molecular imaging to quantify response to IKK‐2 inhibitor treatment in murine arthritis

The NF-kappaB signaling pathway promotes the immune response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in rodent models of RA. NF-kappaB activity is regulated by the IKK-2 kinase during inflammatory responses. To elucidate how IKK-2 inhibition suppresses disease development, we used a combination of in vivo imaging, transcription profiling, and histopathology technologies to study mice with antibody-induced arthritis. ML120B, a potent, small molecule inhibitor of IKK-2, was administered to arthritic animals, and disease activity was monitored. NF-kappaB activity in diseased joints was quantified by in vivo imaging. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate gene expression in joints. Protease-activated near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) in vivo imaging was applied to assess the amounts of active proteases in the joints. Oral administration of ML120B suppressed both clinical and histopathologic manifestations of disease. In vivo imaging demonstrated that NF-kappaB activity in inflamed arthritic paws was inhibited by ML120B, resulting in significant suppression of multiple genes in the NF-kappaB pathway, i.e., KC, epithelial neutrophil-activating peptide 78, JE, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, CD3, CD68, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase 2, matrix metalloproteinase 3, cathepsin B, and cathepsin K. NIRF in vivo imaging demonstrated that ML120B treatment dramatically reduced the amount of active proteases in the joints. Our data demonstrate that IKK-2 inhibition in the murine model of antibody-induced arthritis suppresses both inflammation and joint destruction. In addition, this study highlights how gene expression profiling can facilitate the identification of surrogate biomarkers of disease activity and treatment response in an experimental model of arthritis.

Application of Surface Roughness Analysis on Micro–Computed Tomographic Images of Bone Erosion: Examples Using a Rodent Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Quantifying the bone erosion in preclinical models of rheumatoid arthritis is valuable for the evaluation of drug treatments. This study introduces a three-dimensional method for bone surface roughness measurement from micro-computed tomographic data obtained from rats subjected to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), in which the degree of bone erosion is related to the severity and the duration of the disease. In two studies of rat CIA, the surface roughness of the talus bone following 21 days of disease increased 559% and 486% from the control group. At 41 days following disease induction, the roughness of the bone surface increased 857% above baseline. The roughness of the control samples was similar from each study (less than 4% different), demonstrating the robustness of the algorithm. Treatment with methotrexate at 0.1 mg/kg daily demonstrated significant protection from bone erosion, whereas the 0.05 mg/kg daily dose was not efficacious (98% versus 22% inhibition of roughness-measured bone erosion). The main advantage of such an algorithm is demonstrated in the preclinical drug study of rat CIA with methotrexate treatment, indicating the immediate utility of this approach in drug development studies.

An estrogen receptor-β agonist is active in models of inflammatory and chemical-induced pain

ERB-041 (2-(3-Fluoro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-vinyl-1,3 benzoxazol-5-ol) is a selective estrogen receptor-β agonist with activity in rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis and endometriosis. Clinical trials for these diseases are underway: however, the role of estrogen receptor-β in modulating pain associated with inflammation remains unknown. These studies demonstrate that acutely administered ERB-041 is anti-hyperalgesic in preclinical models of chemical-induced and acute inflammatory pain, thus suggesting that ERB-041 may be useful for modulating pain associated with some types of inflammation.

Animal models of rheumatoid arthritis and their relevance to human disease

Rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are useful tools to study the pathogenic process of RA. Among the most widely used models of RA are the streptococcal cell wall (SCW) arthritis model and the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Both innate and adaptive immune mechanisms are involved in these rodent models. While no models perfectly duplicate the condition of human RA, they are easily reproducible, well defined and have proven useful for development of new therapies for arthritis, as exemplified by cytokine blockade therapies. Besides SCW and CIA models, there are numerous others including transgenic models such as K/BxN, induced models such as adjuvant-induced and pristane models, and spontaneous models in certain mouse strains, that have been used to help understand some of the underlying mechanisms. This review provides an update and analysis of RA models in mice and rats. The array of models has provided rheumatologists and immunologists a means to understand the multifactorial disease in humans, to identify new drug targets, and to test new therapies.

Bb2Bb3 Regulation of Murine Lyme Arthritis Is Distinct from Ncf1 and Independent of the Phagocyte Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidase

Several quantitative trait loci regulating murine Lyme arthritis severity have been mapped, including a highly significant linkage found on chromosome 5, termed Bb2Bb3. Within this region, the Ncf1 gene of the phagocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase has recently been identified as a major regulator of arthritis severity in rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis, an effect attributed to protective properties of reactive oxygen species. To assess the role of Ncf1 in Lyme arthritis, we introgressed Bb2Bb3 from severely arthritic C3H/He mice onto mildly arthritic C57BL/6 mice. This increased Lyme arthritis severity, whereas the reciprocal transfer conferred protection from disease. A single nucleotide polymorphism was identified in the Ncf1 gene that did not influence the protein sequence or expression of Ncf1. Although polymorphonuclear leukocytes from C57BL/6 mice generated a greater oxidative burst than polymorphonuclear leukocytes from C3H/He mice, studies with the Bb2Bb3 congenic mice demonstrated this difference was not linked to Ncf1 alleles. Furthermore, Lyme arthritis severity was not altered in mice lacking either the Ncf1 or Gp91phox subunits of the NADPH oxidase complex. Together, these results argue that Ncf1 is not a candidate gene for regulation of Lyme arthritis and reveal Lyme arthritis to be independent of NADPH oxidase activity, distinguishing it from other models of rheumatoid arthritis.