Normalizing the environment recapitulates adult human immune traits in laboratory mice.

ABSTRACT: Our current understanding of immunology was largely defined in laboratory mice, partly because they are inbred and genetically homogeneous, can be genetically manipulated, allow kinetic tissue analyses to be carried out from the onset of disease, and permit the use of tractable disease models. Comparably reductionist experiments are neither technically nor ethically possible in humans. However, there is growing concern that laboratory mice do not reflect relevant aspects of the human immune system, which may account for failures to translate disease treatments from bench to bedside. Laboratory mice live in abnormally hygienic specific pathogen free (SPF) barrier facilities. Here we show that standard laboratory mouse husbandry has profound effects on the immune system and that environmenta

SUBMITTER: Beura LK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4871315 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature