Open Access

A novel model of dermatomyositis induced by membrane antigen and calciphylaxis in rats

  • Authors:
    • Xin Zhao
    • Lingyu Li
    • Shasha Ge
    • Jinyu Liu
    • Shuang Li
    • Hongya Wang
    • Dayong Cai
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: February 24, 2022     https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2022.1514
  • Article Number: 31
  • Copyright: © Zhao et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a severe autoimmune disease of the connective tissue characterized by inflammatory and degenerative changes in the skin and muscle. However, the lack of experimental models of DM represents a challenge for the development of effective drugs. The aim of the present study was to establish a pharmacodynamic rat model of DM that would recapitulate the clinical manifestation seen in patients. The DM model was established using membrane antigen‑induced autoimmune injury, followed by toxin‑induced subcutaneous calciphylaxis. The rats were divided into five groups and were subcutaneously injected with membrane antigen. Of these, four antigen‑immunized groups then received dihydrotestosterone (DHT), iron‑dextrin (Fe‑Dex), polymyxin (PMX) either individually or in combination to induce cutaneous calciphylaxis. The clinical manifestation score, ratio of infiltrated lymphocytes, ratio of arteriole calcified nodules in skeletal muscles, serum antibody levels [anti‑histidyl tRNA synthetase (Jo‑1) and anti‑melanoma differentiation‑associated protein 5 (MDA5)] and serum cytokine levels [tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α) and interferon‑γ (IFN‑γ)] were then detected. The results demonstrated that all five autoimmune groups displayed local cutaneous swelling and weakness, increased serum antibody and cytokine levels, and T lymphocyte infiltration in perimysial and perivascular sites. Moreover, pathological changes indicative of calciphylaxis were observed in the PMX and DHT + Fe‑Dex + PMX. Among all groups, the rats in the PMX and DHT + Fe‑Dex + PMX displayed characteristics most closely resembling those of DM pathogenesis in patients. In conclusion, membrane antigen immunization combined with toxin‑induced calciphylaxis can be used as a DM model in rats. This model may be used for the development of effective drugs for DM treatment.
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April-2022
Volume 16 Issue 4

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Zhao X, Li L, Ge S, Liu J, Li S, Wang H and Cai D: A novel model of dermatomyositis induced by membrane antigen and calciphylaxis in rats. Biomed Rep 16: 31, 2022
APA
Zhao, X., Li, L., Ge, S., Liu, J., Li, S., Wang, H., & Cai, D. (2022). A novel model of dermatomyositis induced by membrane antigen and calciphylaxis in rats. Biomedical Reports, 16, 31. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2022.1514
MLA
Zhao, X., Li, L., Ge, S., Liu, J., Li, S., Wang, H., Cai, D."A novel model of dermatomyositis induced by membrane antigen and calciphylaxis in rats". Biomedical Reports 16.4 (2022): 31.
Chicago
Zhao, X., Li, L., Ge, S., Liu, J., Li, S., Wang, H., Cai, D."A novel model of dermatomyositis induced by membrane antigen and calciphylaxis in rats". Biomedical Reports 16, no. 4 (2022): 31. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2022.1514