Animal Disease Models

Our range of in vivo disease models include emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, cough, pulmonary fibrosis, inflammation, ulcerative colitis and multiple sclerosis disease models.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Mouse Model

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with chronic inflammation and alveolar destruction, mainly affecting the lung parenchyma and peripheral airways. C57BL/6 mice can provide valuable insights into pulmonary inflammation and emphysema initiation and progression. Typically, mice are administered elastase to chemically induce COPD. 

Standard parameters assessed include: 

  • BALF analysis 
  • Cytokine/ chemokine analysis 
  • Gelatinolytic activity in BALF or tissue protein extracts 
  • Histopathology   

Cardiovascular Disease Mouse Model

The ApoE KO mouse is a commonly used model to study atherosclerosis. The absence of ApoE protein results in the formation of lipid-rich plaques in murine vasculature, which are similar to the vascular lesions observed in humans. Such lesions can be further enhanced by a high-fat diet or treatment with different toxicants.

Standard parameters assessed include:

  • Plaque formation 
  • Cholesterol and free fatty acids
  • Histopathology
  • Morphometric analysis

Cough Guinea Pig Model

We offer the in vivo citric acid-induced cough assay using guinea pigs to screen potential therapeutics for chronic cough. This model is the most common antitussive model and is used in a majority of cough studies reported in literature.

The endpoint in this model is cough, which can be assessed in three different ways:

1) observed posture change

2) pressure change

3) sound

Pulmonary Fibrosis Mouse Model

Chemically induced fibrosis is typically induced in C57BL/6J mice via intra-tracheally administered with bleomycin. Reference drugs are administered daily from Day 7 through to Day 21 after bleomycin administration. Commonly accepted pathogenesis includes alveolar epithelial cell injury, inflammatory cell infiltration, fibroblast proliferation and excess extracellular matrix deposition.

Standard parameters assessed include:

  • Clinical observation
  • Body weight measurement
  • BALF analysis
  • Histopathology

LPS-mediated Systemic Inflammation in Mouse

Mice are intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), resulting in rapid and transient production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including Tumour Necrosis Factor-ɑ (TNF-ɑ) and Interleukin-1β (IL1β). Candidate drugs are administered in advance of LPS. 

Standard parameters assessed include:

  • Clinical observation
  • Body weight measurement
  • Cytokine/chemokine analysis
  • PK blood collection

Ulcerative Colitis Mouse Model

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic and relapsing inflammation that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It occurs in two major forms, Crohn’s disease (CD) and UC. The hallmarks of IBD are activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor-ΚB and increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, in immune cells in the mucosa. Typically, mice are administered with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) salt to chemically induce colitis.

Standard parameters assessed include:

  • Body weight
  • Stool consistency
  • Colon length and weight
  • Transcriptomics and proteomics analysis
  • Histopathology 
  • Immunohistochemistry 
  • Infiltration of inflammatory cells into the colon

Procedures can be customized to meet customers’ specific needs. Additional parameters can be assessed upon request.

At Vectura Fertin Pharma Laboratories, your research goals are our priority