Animal models of intestinal fibrosis: new tools for the understanding of pathogenesis and therapy of human disease

Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2012 Oct;303(7):G786-801. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00059.2012. Epub 2012 Aug 9.

Abstract

Fibrosis is a serious condition complicating chronic inflammatory processes affecting the intestinal tract. Advances in this field that rely on human studies have been slow and seriously restricted by practical and logistic reasons. As a consequence, well-characterized animal models of intestinal fibrosis have emerged as logical and essential systems to better define and understand the pathophysiology of fibrosis. In point of fact, animal models allow the execution of mechanistic studies as well as the implementation of clinical trials with novel, pathophysiology-based therapeutic approaches. This review provides an overview of the currently available animal models of intestinal fibrosis, taking into consideration the methods of induction, key characteristics of each model, and underlying mechanisms. Currently available models will be classified into seven categories: spontaneous, gene-targeted, chemical-, immune-, bacteria-, and radiation-induced as well as postoperative fibrosis. Each model will be discussed in regard to its potential to create research opportunities to gain insights into the mechanisms of intestinal fibrosis and stricture formation and assist in the development of effective and specific antifibrotic therapies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Constriction, Pathologic / etiology
  • Constriction, Pathologic / physiopathology
  • Digestive System Surgical Procedures / adverse effects
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Drug Therapy / methods
  • Drug Therapy / trends
  • Fibrosis* / classification
  • Fibrosis* / etiology
  • Fibrosis* / physiopathology
  • Fibrosis* / prevention & control
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Humans
  • Inflammation* / chemically induced
  • Inflammation* / genetics
  • Inflammation* / immunology
  • Inflammation* / microbiology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* / etiology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* / pathology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* / physiopathology
  • Intestines / pathology*
  • Intestines / radiation effects
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Translational Research, Biomedical / methods
  • Translational Research, Biomedical / trends