BURN-SYNOVECTOMY MOUSE MODEL FOR TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT OSTEOARTHRITIS

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) occurs in 8 to 16 % of the population. Currently available animal models do not faithfully simulate the native disease progression of TMJ OA. The initiation of TMJ OA requires both local trauma and extended inflam-mation. In this study, we present a novel mouse model that reproduces these two conditions. This is achieved by a procedure involving both synovectomy (local trauma) and a distant burn injury (systemic inflammation). Its efficacy at inducing TMJ OA was assessed by histomorphologic and radiographic evaluation at 1, 3, and 9 weeks after the procedure. Burn-synovectomy mice exhibited significantly more degenerative hard and soft tissue changes in the TMJ than uninjured control or synovotomy mice. The observed histology in burn-synovectomy mice faithfully mimicked synovitis-induced TMJ OA progression. This animal model is invaluable in future research of the mechanism and risk factors of TMJ OA.