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Updated: Nov 20, 2025
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An experimental animal model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia: Secondary publication
1Department of Pediatrics, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe, Japan.
Insights
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) animal models are crucial for understanding and treating this neonatal lung disease. This review details models using oxygen, ventilation, and infection, and discusses cell therapy applications.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pulmonary Research
- Animal Modeling
Background:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a significant complication in premature infants, with increasing incidence and no effective treatments.
- Challenges in obtaining human tissue samples and lack of in vitro models necessitate animal studies for BPD research.
- Current BPD research relies on animal models mimicking disease conditions through various stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing animal models for Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
- To discuss the application of these models in developing novel therapeutic strategies for BPD.
Main Methods:
- Summary of BPD animal models induced by hyperoxia (high oxygen concentration).
- Review of BPD models utilizing mechanical ventilation.
- Analysis of BPD models involving infection and inflammation.
Main Results:
- Animal models provide essential insights into BPD pathology and potential treatments.
- Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy shows promise as a potential treatment derived from animal model studies.
- The review highlights the translation of findings from animal models to human clinical applications.
Conclusions:
- Animal models are indispensable for advancing the understanding and treatment of Bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
- Further research using these models is critical for developing effective therapies for premature infants.
- Translational studies are key to applying discoveries from animal models to human BPD treatment.
Abstract:
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a serious complication of preterm delivery and low birthweight infants. The incidence of BPD has not decreased, and there is no effective treatment for the disease. Since the survival rate of premature infants has increased, it has become difficult to obtain pathological tissue samples from BPD death cases. There is also no in vitro experimental system for complex three-dimensional structures, such as alveolarization and pulmonary angiogenesis; thus, the use of animal models is necessary to elucidate the pathology of BPD and develop new treatments. To date, BPD animal models were being developed by exposing immature animal lungs to various stimuli. In the present review, I summarize BPD animal models that use (i) highly concentrated oxygen, (ii) mechanical ventilation, and (iii) infection/inflammation. In addition, with mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy for BPD as an example, I will discuss the expectations for new treatments that would be applied from animal models to humans.
