Construction and evaluation of a chronic arthritis animal model induced by persistent activation of toll-like receptors via lipopolysaccharide stimulation.

BACKGROUND

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is a chronic arthritis characterized primarily by systemic inflammatory responses. However, its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood and may be related to the activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs). To overcome limitations of existing models, this study develops an animal model mimicking sJIA systemic inflammatory features via TLR4 activation.

METHODS

We integrated multi-center single-cell and bulk RNA-seq data from sJIA patients and healthy children to assess TLR pathway activity. Based on the analysis of differentially expressed TLR molecules, we identified TLR4 as an important factor. A chronic arthritis mouse model (LC) was constructed by introducing sustained TLR4 activation into the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. The general condition, inflammation, and joint pathology were evaluated.

RESULTS

In sJIA patients, TLR pathway activation, particularly in monocytes, was identified as a key feature. Bulk RNA-seq analysis revealed TLR4 expression was significantly upregulated in sJIA. The LC mouse model exhibited pronounced systemic inflammation, including fever, weight loss, splenomegaly, and elevated inflammatory cytokines (IL-18, TNF-α, IFN-γ). Immunofluorescence confirmed significant CD163+ macrophage infiltration in the liver of LC mice. Interestingly, despite the exacerbated systemic inflammation, the LC mice exhibited milder joint damage, lower arthritis scores, and less cartilage degradation compared to the CIA group, demonstrating a dissociation between systemic inflammation and joint pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identifies sustained TLR4 activation as a critical driver of systemic inflammation in sJIA. The LC model effectively recapitulates systemic features of sJIA while revealing a dissociation between systemic inflammation and joint damage.