Testing human biologicals in animal host resistance models
Gary R Burleson1, Florence G Burleson
1BRT-Burleson Research Technologies, Inc., Morrisville, North Carolina 27560, USA. gburleson@BRT-LABS.com
Journal of Immunotoxicology
|April 3, 2008
Summary
Host resistance assays are crucial for assessing immunotoxicity and ensuring drug safety. These models evaluate the immune system
Area of Science:
- Immunotoxicology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Disease Research
Background:
- Host resistance assays are essential for safety assessment in immunotoxicity testing.
- These assays measure a toxicant's impact on the immune system's ability to combat infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline immunotoxicological evaluation using host resistance assays.
- To highlight the utility of specific models like influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae for assessing immune function and therapeutic effects.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing influenza virus host resistance model to assess overall immune health and viral clearance.
- Employing Streptococcus pneumoniae and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) models to investigate specific immune defects and viral reactivation.
- Incorporating mechanistic immune function assays (cytokines, NK cells, CTLs, antibodies) alongside host resistance measurements.
Main Results:
- Influenza model effectively evaluates innate, cell-mediated, and humoral immunity.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae models assess T-independent antibody response and impact on marginal zone B cells.
- MCMV model determines if agents cause latent virus reactivation due to immune suppression.
Conclusions:
- Host resistance assays are the gold standard for evaluating immunotoxicity of environmental chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
- These assays are adaptable for assessing novel human biological therapeutics, using rodent models or genetically engineered mice.
- Comprehensive immunotoxicity testing is vital for ensuring the safety of both traditional drugs and biologics.
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