Rheumatoid Arthritis Methods and Protocols

This second edition explores standard laboratory protocols and methodology commonly used in basic and translational studies in the field of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. Chapters detail including basic RA models, evaluation of disease activity and immunological status, systemic drug delivery, and new research tools. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and cutting-edge, Rheumatoid Arthritis: Methods and Protocols,  Second Edition aims to be a basic manual for clinical researchers who are just getting started in the field of intervention study. 

Collagen-induced arthritis models.- Human xenograft model.- Scaffolded chondrogenic spheroid-engrafted model.- Denervation-induced sarcopenia model.- Long-term constant subcutaneous drug administration.- Clinical Scoring of Disease Activity in Animal Models.- Histological analyses of arthritic joints in collagen-induced arthritis model mice.- Preparation of Joint Extracts.- Production of immunizing antigen proteoliposome using cell-free protein synthesis system.- Re-construction of protein/liposome complex.- Production of neutralizing antibody.- Autoantibody profiling using human autoantigen protein array and AlphaScreen.- Generation of Specific Aptamers.- Detailed Protocol for Predicting 3D Structure of DNA Aptamers and Performing In Silico Docking Calculations.- RNA interference ex vivo.- Lentiviral-mediated systemic RNA interference in vivo.- Lentiviral production platform.- Mesenchymal stem cell engineering.- Screening of Ca²⁺ influx in lymphocytes.- Single-cell Ca²⁺ imaging.- Electrophysiological methods to measure Ca²⁺ current.- Evaluation of mitochondrial respiratory function in murine splenocytes.- The Functional Assessment of T Cells.- Release of antibodies and cytokines from B cells.- Evaluation of autoreactive responses.- Macrophage polarization and osteoclast differentiation.- Scanning electron microscopic analysis of the bone-resorption activity in mature osteoclasts.- Animal Models of Vasculitis.- Evaluation of skin damage under UV exposure.- Bulk RNA-seq assessment of murine spleen  using a portable MinION sequencing device.- Institutional review board considerations for clinical trials.- Design an intervention study.- Assessment of disease activity, structural damage, and function in rheumatoid arthritis.- Assessment of musculoskeletal ultrasound of rheumatoid arthritis.- 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis of human gut microbiota.