2013 - Translational animal models of asthma

Animal models of asthma have proven to be very valuable for dissecting the cellular and molecular mechanisms and to explore novel therapeutic opportunities. However, our knowledge of the risk factors and the pathogenesis of asthma is continually evolving. Animal models of asthma have focused on Th2-driven disease manifestations although these models are not sufficient to cover the complexity of asthma (sub)phenotypes. Little attention is paid to the modeling of symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, bronchospasm with most of the focus being on inflammatory endpoints. Therefore, novel and improved translational models are needed. This Research Seminar aims to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of current animal models and compare these with clinical translational endpoints.