Animal models for asthma: controversial aspects and unsolved problems.
The incidence of asthma in children and adults is continuously increasing in the developed countries. Its pathophysiology is still not yet clarified in sufficient detail. Despite a large number of animal models for asthma (mainly rodents), these only partly mimic the situation in humans. Some examples of limitations of using the mouse as an animal model for asthma will be discussed and directions of future research outlined.
Pabst
R
R
Department of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Medical School of Hannover, Hannover, Germany. pabst.reinhard@mh-hannover.de
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats