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Published on: August 25, 2017
Transgenic and gene-targeted mice as models for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. sdshapiro@partners.org
The European Respiratory Journal
|February 1, 2007
Summary
Animal models are crucial for understanding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. However, differences between mice and humans limit direct translation of findings, necessitating careful consideration of model applicability.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Translational Research
- Animal Models in Disease
Background:
- Animal models are essential for studying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis.
- Transgenic and gene-targeted mouse models have advanced COPD research, revealing complex inflammatory networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility and limitations of animal models in understanding COPD.
- To highlight factors influencing the translation of animal model findings to human COPD.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on transgenic and gene-targeted mouse models for COPD.
- Analysis of studies investigating alpha(1)-antitrypsin and transforming growth factor-beta in mouse models.
Main Results:
- Gene targeting for alpha(1)-antitrypsin revealed genetic complexity and embryonic lethality in mice, indicating species differences.
- Animal models have identified novel mediators and pathways relevant to human COPD, despite inherent limitations.
Conclusions:
- Animal models provide valuable insights into COPD but have limitations due to interspecies differences.
- Understanding similarities and differences between animal models and human COPD is key to improving translational research and developing effective treatments.
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