Animal models of cough

Area of Science:

• Respiratory Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Animal Models

Background:

• Cough is a critical protective reflex but can also signify disease.
• Current treatments for pathological cough in humans remain insufficient.
• Existing animal models for cough research have limited translational value to human conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review animal models used in cough research.
• To analyze the advantages and disadvantages of current models.
• To advocate for precision in research, addressing sex bias and the use of specific pathogen-free (SPF) animals.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing animal models for cough.
• Analysis of translational potential and limitations of these models.
• Discussion on sex bias and the role of SPF animals in cough research.

Main Results:

• Laboratory-induced cough models often fail to replicate natural human cough.
• Significant limitations exist in the translational efficacy of current animal models.
• Sex bias and the specific characteristics of SPF animals are critical factors in research validity.

Conclusions:

• Improved and more relevant animal models are crucial for advancing pathological cough research.
• Addressing research biases, such as sex bias, is essential for progress.
• Further investigation into the utility of SPF animals may enhance model specificity and translatability.