Inflammatory Bowel Disease

 

Human Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) encompassing two main illnesses, Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis, are chronic wasting conditions of unknown etiology for which there is still no cure. They are characterized clinically by diarrhea and body weight loss. Histopathogical signs include leukocyte infiltration, pronounced epithelial hyperplasia, depletion of mucin secreting goblet cells and finally ulceration.

 

An early event though to participate in the pathogenesis of IBD is the disruption of the gastrointestinal epithelial barrier. This disruption leads to the mixing of microbial pathogens from the lumen with antigen presenting cells in the lamina propria producing an inflammatory response. The resulting pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines recruit and activate leukocytes, regulate the integrity of the epithelial barrier and stimulate the production of chemokines from epithelial cells. Together these events lead to chronic inflammation in the intestines.

 

Rodent models of IBD are commonly used to evaluate the mechanisms of gastrointestinal inflammation. DSS and TNBS are two commonly used models for this purpose. 

 

Validated Models:

• TNBS
• DSS

Experience	Readouts	Options
Biologics	IBD score	Biomarkers (protein, mRNA)
NCEs	Colon length/weight	Cell populations by FACS
Plant-based compounds	Body Weight/loss	Histology/IHC
	Gross Pathology	PK

If you don't see the model or endpoint you need, our team is skilled in validating models quickly from literature. Contact a scientist to discuss an efficacy study in one of our preclinical models of IBD.