Experimental Models and Their Applicability in Inflammation Studies: Rodents, Fish, and Nematodes

Experimental models have been widely used to study the mechanisms of inflammation due to their genetic and physiological relevance to humans. These models include rodents (rats and mice), zebrafish, and nematodes (C. elegans). Considering the similarities and divergences between experimental models and the human organism, this narrative review aimed to compare and discuss their applicability in inflammation studies. Rodents, in particular, share significant similarities with humans across approximately 85% of their genome, making them ideal for investigating complex diseases and inflammatory responses. Zebrafish also stand out for showing high conservation of the immune system compared to humans, being useful for studies of adaptive and innate inflammation. Despite not having adaptive immunity, Caenorhabditis elegans is a robust model for understanding innate immune responses, especially in studies involving host-pathogen interactions. These organisms allow us to efficiently investigate the acute and chronic phases of inflammation, offering an accessible platform to study complex biological processes that are unfeasible in humans due to ethical and financial constraints. Thus, the use of these models has been essential for inflammation research. However, the use of each one will depend on the research question and hypothesis raised.