title: Animal models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and ex vivo assay design for drug discovery.
abstract: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a debilitating and often fatal autoimmune disease that involves multiple organ systems. It can develop for years before being diagnosed. Current treatments for SLE usually involve the use of cytotoxic or immunosuppressive agents that can lead to infection or cancer. The design of appropriate models and assays will determine the efficiency and speed with which an investigator can test a new chemical entity (NCE) or expect results to move a drug discovery program forward. This unit describes a series of preclinical assays for the identification of new agents for the treatment of SLE. Most importantly, this unit will guide the reader through a step-by-step process to select appropriate models, validation drugs, and readouts, depending on the objective of the study. The reader will acquire a working knowledge of what models are available and the potential advantages and disadvantages of each, including ex vivo assays relevant to the discovery of new SLE therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Worldwide Discovery Research, Cephalon, Inc., West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Seavey
authors.forename: Lily D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Kristine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Stump
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents