Experimental Animal Models in Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Various animal models are used to understand the pathogenesis of these diseases and develop novel therapeutic strategies. Each model offers the opportunity to examine the multifaceted nature of pulmonary health, from common afflictions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to interstitial lung diseases. While these models provide a unique opportunity to understand normal physiology and disease pathophysiology and to test potential treatments for diseases, all animal models have inherent limitations. This review focuses on experimental models of common respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis. The advantages, disadvantages, and translational potential to human disease of each model are discussed. Asthma models include mice, guinea pigs, and Drosophila, while elastase-induced emphysema, cigarette smoke exposure, and genetically modified mice are used for COPD. For pulmonary fibrosis, bleomycin, adenoviral TGF-β1 vector, silica, and genetically modified mice models are available. These models have provided valuable insights into disease mechanisms and aided in identifying new therapeutic targets. However, it is important to note that no single model fully recapitulates human disease, and each has its own unique advantages and limitations. Therefore, careful consideration of the translatability of findings from preclinical studies to humans is crucial.