Background: In temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis, there is limited knowledge of the relationship between interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), as well as the source of these cytokines. We investigated the development of an antigen-induced arthritis in the rabbit TMJ immunohistochemically. Methods: Unilateral TMJ arthritis was induced in 32 adult New Zealand White rabbits. From 6h to 12 weeks after induction of arthritis, topology of IL-1β and IL-1ra were observed. Result: The acute stage of induced arthritis lasted for one week after induction, thereafter it became chronic. In the early phase of the acute stage, infiltrating inflammatory cells, as well as synovial cells, produced IL-1β and IL-1ra. In the late phase of the acute stage, the main source of these cytokines was sub-synovial fibroblasts. In this phase of arthritis, IL-1β and IL-1ra did not appear to be produced by synovial cells. From the early to intermediate phase of the chronic stage, proliferating synovial cells produced IL-1β and IL-1ra. In this phase of the arthritis, these cytokines were also observed in a cluster formation in chondrocytes. Conclusion: This arthritis model shows a staging of the joint inflammation process with time. IL-1β and IL-1ra are produced by a certain kind of cells depending on the stage of inflammation.