title: An alternative technique for the induction of autoimmune valvulitis in a rat model of rheumatic heart disease.
abstract: We currently use a rat model in our investigations into human rheumatic heart disease (RHD). This model traditionally involves footpad immunization with antigen emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Trials to find an alternative adjuvant to CFA which produced a Th1 type response in the rats resulting in carditis were unsuccessful. However, hock immunization was found to produce the desired valvular pathology without the adverse inflammatory side-effects associated with CFA. We therefore consider the hock an ideal site for immunization, particularly when using CFA.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia. davina.gorton@jcu.edu.au
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gorton
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blyth
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Gorton
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Govan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ketheesan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D005620:Freund's Adjuvant