Autoimmune Disease: Animal Models

Abstract

Animal models are used for the study of a number of human autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosis. Induced, spontaneous and genetically manipulated animal models can be described in terms of their parallels to human disease and as tools for the development of potential therapies. Studies in animal models have led to a number of important discoveries which have increased our understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease, including the roles played by regulatory T cells and T H 17 cells. In addition, important therapeutic advances have emerged as a result of studies of immune intervention in animal models of autoimmunity. For example, Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blocking drugs, which are widely used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, were developed following pre‐clinical testing in animal models. Key Concepts: Animal models may be either spontaneously occurring or induced as a result of genetic manipulation or immunisation with a self‐antigen. No animal model completely mimics human disease. Animal models can be used to test novel therapeutic concepts and to understand mechanisms of drug action. The use of transgenic and knockout strains facilitates the identification of key genes that contribute to disease susceptibility.