Contract Research Solutions for Respiratory Diseases

Asthma Models

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease involving chronic airway inflammation. We offer models that replicate distinct phenotypes.

• Ovalbumin (OVA)-Induced Asthma: The classic model for studying allergic airway inflammation, characterized by high IgE levels, eosinophilia, and Th2 cytokine production.
• House Dust Mite (HDM)-Induced Asthma: A more translationally relevant model that mimics the natural route of allergen exposure, leading to a complex immune response, robust airway remodeling, and hyperresponsiveness (AHR).
• Viral Exacerbation of Asthma: Models that combine underlying allergic inflammation with a superimposed respiratory viral challenge (e.g., rhinovirus) to study the mechanisms and treatment of acute asthma exacerbations.
• Steroid-Resistant Asthma Models: Utilizing combinations of allergens and oxidative stress inducers to mimic severe asthma phenotypes that exhibit reduced responsiveness to corticosteroids.

Cough Models

Cough is a hallmark symptom across many respiratory conditions. We offer validated models to quantify cough reflex sensitivity and evaluate novel antitussive compounds.

• Citric Acid/Capsaicin Challenge: A direct tussive challenge in conscious animals (e.g., guinea pigs) for precise cough counting and latency measurement.
• Allergen-Induced Cough: Models incorporating OVA or HDM sensitization to study cough within allergic airway inflammation.
• Post-Viral Cough Models: Utilizing viral infections to induce airway hypersensitivity and a persistent cough phenotype.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Models

COPD research requires models that demonstrate emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

• Cigarette Smoke (CS)-Induced Model: Animals are exposed to standardized research-grade cigarettes. This model faithfully replicates the inflammatory response and tissue destruction seen in human smokers, though it requires longer induction periods.
• Elastase-Induced Emphysema: Intratracheal administration of elastase causes rapid alveolar destruction, suitable for short-term screening of tissue-regenerative or anti-inflammatory compounds.
• LPS-Induced Exacerbation: mimicking acute bacterial exacerbations in a chronic COPD background.
• Viral Exacerbation of COPD: Models employing respiratory viral infections to trigger acute worsening of inflammation and symptoms on a background of chronic smoke-induced pathology, mimicking a key clinical event.

Pulmonary Fibrosis Models

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a focus area for many drug developers.

• Bleomycin-Induced Fibrosis: The most widely used model. Intratracheal administration leads to inflammation followed by fibrosis. We can adjust protocols to focus on the inflammatory phase or the fibrotic phase.
• Silica-Induced Fibrosis: Represents occupational lung disease (silicosis). This model produces persistent, progressive fibrosis and distinct nodular lesions.
• Fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC)-Induced Fibrosis: Useful for tracking lung injury and subsequent fibrotic responses.

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) Models

• Monocrotaline (MCT)-Induced PAH: MCT causes endothelial injury leading to severe pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular hypertrophy.
• Chronic Hypoxia-Induced PAH: Animals are housed in hypoxic chambers. This model mimics Group 3 PH (associated with lung diseases/hypoxia) and focuses on vasoconstriction and vascular wall thickening.
• Sugen/Hypoxia (SuBx) Model: A combination of VEGF receptor blockade and hypoxia, creating severe, irreversible angio-obliterative lesions similar to human PAH.

Respiratory Infection Models

We facilitate anti-infective research using biosafety-compliant facilities.

• Viral Infection Models: We offer established models using major respiratory viruses, including Human Rhinovirus (HRV), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Influenza A virus, to evaluate antiviral efficacy, vaccine responses, and immunopathology.
• Bacterial Pneumonia Models: Pathogen-specific models using Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Endpoints include bacterial burden, host inflammatory response, survival, and histopathology.
• LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury (ALI/ARDS): A sterile, high-dose inflammatory challenge model used to study the pathogenesis of and potential interventions for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Models

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease involving chronic airway inflammation. We offer models that replicate distinct phenotypes.

• Genetic Mouse Models: Such as the Cftr knockout mice, which develop CF-like intestinal disease and can be used in conjunction with respiratory challenges (e.g., infection) to study aspects of lung pathology.
• Acute Infection Models: Utilizing pathogens relevant to CF, like P. aeruginosa or S. aureus, in wild-type or susceptible mice to study anti-infective therapies and host response