Technical advance: The use of tree shrews as a model of pulmonary fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive disease with a high morbidity and mortality. Some of the mechanisms of fibrosis development have been described using rodent models; however, the relevance of findings in these animal models is difficult to assess. New innovative models are needed that closely mimic IPF disease pathology.

Methods

To overcome this unmet need of investigating IPF with a relevant model, we utilized tree shrews, which are genetically, anatomically, and metabolically similar to primates and humans. Using human antibodies and primers, we investigated the role of macrophage phenotypic switching in normal and IPF subjects and bleomycin-injured tree shrews.

Results

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells from tree shrews expre

SUBMITTER: Larson-Casey JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7608928 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature