Recombinant mycobacterial HSP65 in combination with incomplete Freund's adjuvant induced rat arthritis comparable with that induced by complete Freund's adjuvant

► rMHSP65 in combination with IFA induces typical arthritis in rats. ► rMHSP65 could replace mycobacteria in CFA to induce arthritis in rats. ► rMHSP65-IFA induced anti-dsDNA antibody in rats. ► MHSP65 plus IFA could be used to establish animal models of arthritis.