Animal Models of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Illuminating the Pathogenesis of Colitis, Ileitis and Cancer

Background/Aims: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic relapsing diseases of unknown origin. In spite of improved options for therapy, many patients with IBD have an impaired quality of life and require hospitalization or surgery. Animal models of IBD might help to obtain new insights into the pathogenesis of these diseases and may be used to test innovative approaches for therapy. Methods: Review of the literature using PubMed. Results: Numerous new animal models of IBD have been developed in recent years. Although none of these models provides a full reflection of the IBD pathogenesis in humans, they have provided fascinating new insights into the pathogenesis of gut inflammation. In addition to models of acute and chronic colitis, recent studies have described new models of chronic ileitis and IBD-associated cancer. Furthermore, various new approaches for IBD therapy have been developed in animal models, including strategies against proinflammatory cytokines, signaling pathways and adhesion molecules. Conclusion: New animal models of IBD have illuminated some aspects of IBD pathogenesis and suggest new avenues for therapy of IBD. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel