Experimental models of inflammatory myopathies.

Several animal models of inflammatory myopathy have been discussed in this review. These include autoimmune (by immunization with muscle antigen and adjuvant), viral-induced, and spontaneous forms. The autoimmune and viral-induced models have limitations as models of the human disorders but because they are relatively well-characterized still have merit in studying immune effector mechanisms of muscle injury. The spontaneous models are less well-characterized, but may nevertheless provide insight into the induction mechanisms of inflammatory muscle diseases. All of these animal models have the potential to provide valuable information which will improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of the human inflammatory myopathies.