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Clinical & Experimental Optometry Nov 2015Our current understanding of the development of refractive errors, in particular myopia, would be substantially limited had Wiesel and Raviola not discovered by accident... (Review)
Review
Our current understanding of the development of refractive errors, in particular myopia, would be substantially limited had Wiesel and Raviola not discovered by accident that monkeys develop axial myopia as a result of deprivation of form vision. Similarly, if Josh Wallman and colleagues had not found that simple plastic goggles attached to the chicken eye generate large amounts of myopia, the chicken model would perhaps not have become such an important animal model. Contrary to previous assumptions about the mechanisms of myopia, these animal models suggested that eye growth is visually controlled locally by the retina, that an afferent connection to the brain is not essential and that emmetropisation uses more sophisticated cues than just the magnitude of retinal blur. While animal models have shown that the retina can determine the sign of defocus, the underlying mechanism is still not entirely clear. Animal models have also provided knowledge about the biochemical nature of the signal cascade converting the output of retinal image processing to changes in choroidal thickness and scleral growth; however, a critical question was, and still is, can the results from animal models be applied to myopia in children? While the basic findings from chickens appear applicable to monkeys, some fundamental questions remain. If eye growth is guided by visual feedback, why is myopic development not self-limiting? Why does undercorrection not arrest myopic progression even though positive lenses induce myopic defocus, which leads to the development of hyperopia in emmetropic animals? Why do some spectacle or contact lens designs reduce myopic progression and others not? It appears that some major differences exist between animals reared with imposed defocus and children treated with various optical corrections, although without the basic knowledge obtained from animal models, we would be lost in an abundance of untestable hypotheses concerning human myopia.
Topics: Animals; Biomedical Research; Disease Progression; Humans; Models, Animal; Myopia; Refraction, Ocular
PubMed: 26769177
DOI: 10.1111/cxo.12312 -
Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Mar 2021Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is an irreversible pathologic condition of unknown cause, commonly involving the joint and the lung... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is an irreversible pathologic condition of unknown cause, commonly involving the joint and the lung with variable amounts of fibrotic change. In contrast to rheumatoid arthritis or other chronic interstitial lung diseases such as interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, there is so far no extensively accepted or implemented animal model for this disease.
AIMS
To provide guidance for those who are investigating the pathogenesis of RA-ILD with animal models.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An analysis of papers from PubMed during 1978-2020.
RESULTS
We outline the present status quo for animal models of RA-ILD about their modeling methods and pathogenesis, compare their pros and cons with respect to their ability to mimic the clinical and histological features of human disease and discuss their applicability for future research.
DISCUSSION
There is no doubt that these animal models do provide valuable information relating to the pathogenesis of RA-ILD and the development of effective therapeutic drugs. Nevertheless, these animal models can not entirely recapitulate clinical pathology and have some limitations in experimental research application. Therefore, it should be emphasized that we should improve and explore animal models in more accordance with the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of human RA-ILD.
CONCLUSION
These established animal models of the disease can significantly progress our understanding of the etiology of RA-ILD, the fundamental mechanisms of its pathogenesis and the identification of new bio-markers, and can contribute to the development and implementation of novel treatment strategies.
Topics: Animals; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Biomarkers; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases, Interstitial
PubMed: 33216465
DOI: 10.1002/iid3.377 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2023Cannabinoids are active substances present in plants of the genus. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have approved several... (Review)
Review
Cannabinoids are active substances present in plants of the genus. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have approved several medicinal products containing natural cannabinoids or their synthetic derivatives for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy, nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, anorexia in AIDS patients, and the alleviation of symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis. In fact, cannabinoids constitute a broad group of molecules with a possible therapeutic potential that could be used in the management of much more diseases than mentioned above; therefore, multiple preclinical and clinical studies on cannabinoids have been carried out in recent years. (zebrafish) is an animal model that has gained more attention lately due to its numerous advantages, including easy and fast reproduction, the significant similarity of the zebrafish genome to the human one, simplicity of genetic modifications, and body transparency during the early stages of development. A number of studies have confirmed the usefulness of this model in toxicological research, experiments related to the impact of early life exposure to xenobiotics, modeling various diseases, and screening tests to detect active substances with promising biological activity. The present paper focuses on the current knowledge of the endocannabinoid system in the zebrafish model, and it summarizes the results and observations from studies investigating the pharmacological effects of natural and synthetic cannabinoids that were carried out in . The presented data support the notion that the zebrafish model is a suitable animal model for use in cannabinoid research.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Cannabinoids; Zebrafish; Endocannabinoids; Cannabis; Models, Animal; Receptors, Cannabinoid
PubMed: 37445631
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310455 -
Eye (London, England) Apr 2014Millions of people are affected by visual impairment and blindness globally, and the prevalence of vision loss is likely to increase as we are living longer. However,... (Review)
Review
Millions of people are affected by visual impairment and blindness globally, and the prevalence of vision loss is likely to increase as we are living longer. However, many ocular diseases remain poorly controlled due to lack of proper understanding of the pathogenesis and the corresponding lack of effective therapies. Consequently, there is a major need for animal models that closely mirror the human eye pathology and at the same time allow higher-throughput drug screening approaches. In this context, zebrafish as an animal model organism not only address these needs but can in many respects reflect the human situation better than the current rodent models. Over the past decade, zebrafish have become an established model to study a variety of human diseases and are more recently becoming a valuable tool for the study of human ophthalmological disorders. Many human ocular diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration have already been modelled in zebrafish. In addition, zebrafish have become an attractive model for pre-clinical drug toxicity testing and are now increasingly used by scientists worldwide for the discovery of novel treatment approaches. This review presents the advantages and uses of zebrafish for ophthalmological research.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Eye Diseases; Humans; Ophthalmology; Zebrafish
PubMed: 24503724
DOI: 10.1038/eye.2014.19 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Research :... Sep 2022Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common knee ligament injuries. While generally successful, ACL reconstruction that uses a tendon graft to stabilize the... (Review)
Review
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common knee ligament injuries. While generally successful, ACL reconstruction that uses a tendon graft to stabilize the knee is still associated with a notable percentage of failures and long-term morbidities. Preclinical research that uses small laboratory species (i.e., mice, rats, and rabbits) to model ACL reconstruction are important to evaluate factors that can impact graft incorporation or posttraumatic osteoarthritis after ACL reconstruction. Small animal ACL reconstruction models are also used for proof-of-concept studies for the development of emerging biological strategies aimed at improving ACL reconstruction healing. The objective of this review is to provide an overview on the use of common small animal laboratory species to model ACL reconstruction. The review includes a discussion on comparative knee anatomy, technical considerations including types of tendon grafts employed amongst the small laboratory species (i.e., mice, rats, and rabbits), and common laboratory evaluative methods used to study healing and outcomes after ACL reconstruction in small laboratory animals. The review will also highlight common research questions addressed with small animal models of ACL reconstruction.
Topics: Animals; Anterior Cruciate Ligament; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; Knee Injuries; Mice; Models, Animal; Rabbits; Rats
PubMed: 35689508
DOI: 10.1002/jor.25395 -
Schizophrenia Bulletin May 2023
Topics: Animals; Pollination; Magnoliopsida; Reproductive Isolation; Psychotic Disorders; Models, Animal
PubMed: 36864639
DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad025 -
ALTEX 2021National and international laws and regulations exist to protect animals used for scientific purposes in translational and applied research, which includes drug...
National and international laws and regulations exist to protect animals used for scientific purposes in translational and applied research, which includes drug development. However, multiple animal models are available for each disease. We evaluated the argumentation behind the selection of a specific animal model using thematic content analysis in project applications issued in 2017-2019 in the Netherlands. In total, 125 animal models for translational and applied research from 110 project applications were assessed. Explanations to select a specific model included: the model’s availability (79%); the availability of expertise (62%); and the model showing similar disease pathology/symptoms (59%) to humans. Therefore, current selection of a specific animal model seems to be based on tradition rather than its potential predictive value for clinical outcome. The applicants’ explanations for the implementation of the 3R principles (replacement, reduction and refinement) as to the animal model were unspecific. Replacement was achieved by using data from prior in vitro studies, reduction by optimal experimental design and statistics, and refinement by reducing discomfort. Additionally, due to the stated need for a test model with high complexity (47%) and intactness (30%), the full replacement of animal models with alternative (non-live animal) approaches was thought unachievable. Without a clear, systematic and transparent justification for the selection of a specific animal model, the likelihood of poorly translatable research remains. It is not only up to the researcher to demonstrate this, as ethical committees and funding bodies can provide positive stimuli to drive this change.
Topics: Animal Testing Alternatives; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Research Design; Translational Research, Biomedical
PubMed: 32591838
DOI: 10.14573/altex.2003301 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2020Salivary secretory disorders are life-disrupting pathologic conditions with a high prevalence, especially in the geriatric population. Both patients and clinicians... (Review)
Review
Salivary secretory disorders are life-disrupting pathologic conditions with a high prevalence, especially in the geriatric population. Both patients and clinicians frequently feel helpless and get frustrated by the currently available therapeutic strategies, which consist mainly of palliative managements. Accordingly, to unravel the underlying mechanisms and to develop effective and curative strategies, several animal models have been developed and introduced. Experimental findings from these models have contributed to answer biological and biomedical questions. This review aims to provide various methodological considerations used for the examination of pathological fundamentals in salivary disorders using animal models and to summarize the obtained findings. The information provided in this review could provide plausible solutions for overcoming salivary disorders and also suggest purpose-specific experimental animal systems.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Ligation; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Saliva; Salivary Ducts; Salivary Gland Diseases; Salivary Glands
PubMed: 33182571
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228423 -
BioMed Research International 2015Hypertension and atherosclerosis are among the most common causes of mortality in both developed and developing countries. Experimental animal models of hypertension and... (Review)
Review
Hypertension and atherosclerosis are among the most common causes of mortality in both developed and developing countries. Experimental animal models of hypertension and atherosclerosis have become a valuable tool for providing information on etiology, pathophysiology, and complications of the disease and on the efficacy and mechanism of action of various drugs and compounds used in treatment. An animal model has been developed to study hypertension and atherosclerosis for several reasons. Compared to human models, an animal model is easily manageable, as compounding effects of dietary and environmental factors can be controlled. Blood vessels and cardiac tissue samples can be taken for detailed experimental and biomolecular examination. Choice of animal model is often determined by the research aim, as well as financial and technical factors. A thorough understanding of the animal models used and complete analysis must be validated so that the data can be extrapolated to humans. In conclusion, animal models for hypertension and atherosclerosis are invaluable in improving our understanding of cardiovascular disease and developing new pharmacological therapies.
Topics: Animals; Atherosclerosis; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Hypertension
PubMed: 26064920
DOI: 10.1155/2015/528757 -
Comparative Medicine Jun 2017Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) have continued to emerge in recent years, posing a significant health threat to millions of people worldwide. The majority of... (Review)
Review
Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) have continued to emerge in recent years, posing a significant health threat to millions of people worldwide. The majority of arboviruses that are pathogenic to humans are transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, but other types of arthropod vectors can also be involved in the transmission of these viruses. To alleviate the health burdens associated with arbovirus infections, it is necessary to focus today's research on disease control and therapeutic strategies. Animal models for arboviruses are valuable experimental tools that can shed light on the pathophysiology of infection and will enable the evaluation of future treatments and vaccine candidates. Ideally an animal model will closely mimic the disease manifestations observed in humans. In this review, we outline the currently available animal models for several viruses vectored by mosquitoes, ticks, and midges, for which there are no standardly available vaccines or therapeutics.
Topics: Animals; Arboviruses; Disease Models, Animal; Research Design
PubMed: 28662752
DOI: No ID Found