Charles River conducts contract studies using an established mouse model of Collagen Antibody-Induced Arthritis (CAIA) to test the efficacy of novel therapeutics. In this 21-day study, which bypasses the development of anti-collagen antibodies, arthritis is induced using a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies directed against type II collagen. Modeled after human rheumatoid arthritis, a key advantage of this model is its ability to induce the disease in many strains of mice that are resistant to the traditional collagen-induced arthritis methods.
Another advantage of this model is that compound assessment can be completed in a relatively short period of time. In standard collagen-induced arthritis protocols, the disease doesn't appear until 3–4 weeks and a typical study might last 6–8 weeks. In collagen antibody-induced arthritis, the disease appears within 7–8 days and studies can be completed within 18 days. An additional 7 days can be added to assess the effects of agents on the resolution phase of the disease.