Modeling asthma: Pitfalls, promises, and the road ahead

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology and immunology
• Comparative medicine
• Animal models of human disease

Background:

• Asthma is a chronic, heterogeneous inflammatory lower airway disease characterized by exacerbations, airway inflammation, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
• Animal models are crucial for understanding asthma pathogenesis and developing treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and evaluate various animal models used in asthma research.
• To highlight the strengths and limitations of different models in mimicking human asthma characteristics.
• To emphasize the value of comparative approaches for advancing asthma knowledge.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on animal models of asthma, including mice (Mus musculus), guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), domestic cats (Feline catus), and horses (Equus caballus).
• Analysis of common induction strategies (antigen sensitization/challenge, aeroallergens, exacerbants like tobacco, viruses, bacteria).
• Comparison of physiological and pathological features of these models to human asthma.

Main Results:

• Murine models effectively reproduce key features of airway inflammation, particularly the role of type 2 T helper cell cytokines.
• Advanced murine models incorporate physiologic aeroallergens and exacerbants, but differences in lung physiology limit direct comparison to humans.
• Guinea pigs offer an alternative rodent model for lung function studies, while cats and horses spontaneously develop asthma-like conditions.

Conclusions:

• While mouse models are valuable, their physiological differences necessitate careful interpretation for human asthma.
• Guinea pigs, cats, and horses provide complementary models, especially for lung function and spontaneous disease studies.
• Further research into these diverse animal models can significantly enhance understanding of asthma pathogenesis and treatment strategies.