Systematic review of robust experimental models of rheumatoid arthritis for basic research

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease characterized by progressive joint inflammation and destruction, deformity, loss of mobility, and permanent disability. Although the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in RA are understood in detail, no drugs or therapies can completely cure RA. Many long-term efforts have been directed towards a better understanding of RA pathogenesis and the development of new classes of therapeutics. Thus, the ongoing elucidation of pathogenic events underlying RA mostly relies on studies of animal models. Herein, we comprehensively review and discuss the characteristics, challenges, and unresolved of issues of various experimental models of RA to provide a basis and reference for the rational selection of experimental RA models for basic investigations into traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).