Suspecting that induction of the mRNA expression of chemokines (CXCL-1, MCP-1 (CCL-2), MIP-1α (CCL-3)) and adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) occurred earlier in the arthritis course, their expression was studied in two additional groups of AIA and control rats at the preclinical phase (day 4 post-immunization) and at the onset of arthritis (day 11 post-immunization). The gene discussed is ICAM1; the disease is arthritic joint disease.