Rabbit as a model for the study of human diseases

Abstract

Although genetically modified mice are playing an essential role in the study of the expression and functions of individual genes, rabbits are useful animal models to extrapolate animal studies to humans. It is necessary that key gene expression and function are equivalent and close to human rather than the outward features or phenotype. For example, to study human hypercholesterolemia, the only hypercholesterolemia is insufficient, the lipoprotein profiles and enzymes in the lipoprotein metabolism of animal models are important for translational medicine. Lipoprotein metabolism of rabbits resembles humans closely. In addition, histopathological and/or immunohistochemical fea tures of the tissues of disease similar to humans are important. In this field, spontaneous hypercholesterolemic rabbits (WHHL and WHHLMI rabbits) have contributed to the elucidation of lipoprotein metabolism, atherogenesis, and to the development of therapeutic compounds, such as statins. Recently, a number of transgenic rabbits have been developed and they also contribute to the study of cardiac function and infectious diseases. Furthermore, rabbits are useful for studies of orthopedic surgery, cardiovascular surgery, and neoplastic diseases. Rabbit models have contributed not only to the mechanistic studies of human diseases but also to the development of therapeutic compounds, devices, or techniques for therapeutics. Applying these animal models in translational researches promotes the elucidations of human diseases. © 2009 Springer Netherlands.