Considerations for Choosing Appropriate Animal Models to Study Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

This article examines several animal models used to investigate mechanisms involved in the induction and progression of inflammatory bowel disease in people. The use of appropriate animal models to study intestinal inflammation requires careful consideration as each model has strengths and limitations for investigating disease, and no single model provides a complete understanding of the disease process. In as such, it compels researchers to carefully contemplate the advantages and disadvantages of each animal model, and to consider the process of choosing the best animal model(s) as an essential component of the experimental design.