title: Animal models of airway inflammation and airway smooth muscle remodelling in asthma.
abstract: Asthma is a complex disease that involves chronic inflammation and subsequent decline in airway function. The widespread use of animal models has greatly contributed to our understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways underlying human allergic asthma. Animal models of allergic asthma include smaller animal models which offer 'ease of use' and availability of reagents, and larger animal models that may be used to address aspects of allergic airways disease not possible in humans or smaller animal models. This review examines the application and suitability of various animal models for studying mechanisms of airway inflammation and tissue remodelling in allergic asthma, with a specific focus on airway smooth muscle.
authors.affiliation: Ashworth Laboratory, Institute of Infection and Immunology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Judith E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bischof
authors.forename: Herng-Yu
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Sucie Chang
authors.forename: Jeremy A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hirota
authors.forename: Stuart J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hirst
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Inman
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mitzner
authors.forename: Tara E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Sutherland
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D018836:Inflammation Mediators