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Biology
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Animal Models for Disease Mechanisms
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Animal Models for Disease Mechanisms

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Zoology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 6481

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Isabel R. Dias

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: small animal surgery; animal models for orthopedic research; bone turnover markers; fracture healing process; bone and chondral tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of the journal Biology intends to compile some of the main animal models used to observe and explore human and/or animal disease mechanisms. Although there are now efforts to replace the use of animal models with other alternatives, such as in vitro organotypic models and micro-physiological systems (MPS), there are still specific diseases which require their use to investigate the disease’s pathogenesis. Experimental animal models can be classified as spontaneous models and induced models. Among the most studied diseases using animal models are autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis), metabolic and endocrine diseases (e.g., diabetes, postmenopausal osteoporosis), genetic diseases, infectious diseases, cardiac and pulmonary diseases, hypertension, obesity, aging, cancer, and visual disorders, among others. Choosing the right animal model to study each specific disease, its ethical use, and the concerns of society in the use of animals for experimental purposes are aspects of the greatest importance. The application of the 3Rs principles should be addressed in view of a humane and responsible conduct in animal experimentation based on replacement, reduction and refinement, in order to improve animal welfare and the ARRIVE guidelines.

Dr. Isabel R. Dias
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • animal models
  • spontaneous models
  • induced models
  • disease mechanisms
  • pathogenesis research

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2091 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Management and Monitoring of the Bladder After Spinal Cord Injury in a Rodent Model
by Michael Kleindorfer, Elena Esra Keller, Karin Roider, Evelyn Beyerer, Patrick Heimel, David Hercher, Martha Georgina Brandtner, Lukas Lusuardi, Ludwig Aigner and Sophina Bauer
Biology 2025, 14(4), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14040373 - 4 Apr 2025
Viewed by 440
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex clinical condition with a wide range of permanent functional and neurological consequences. A prime factor limiting the patient’s quality of life (QoL) is difficulties in bladder function. Chronic animal models that help to develop novel therapeutic [...] Read more.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex clinical condition with a wide range of permanent functional and neurological consequences. A prime factor limiting the patient’s quality of life (QoL) is difficulties in bladder function. Chronic animal models that help to develop novel therapeutic strategies are highly demanded, but their availability is scarce and frequently accompanied by substantial limitations. We want to provide our detailed protocols that allow full reproducibility of a novel model for investigating both the acute and chronic condition, and give transparency regarding challenges. The preclinical animal model of female rats with mid-thoracic SCI contusion and a permanently implanted urinary catheter allowed the measuring of bladder function repetitively. Over a period of six months, data were collected weekly from the same, conscious individuals. To our knowledge, this is the first study that obtained a clinically relevant urodynamic dataset seamlessly from the acute to the chronic phase in rats with SCI. The ability to generate a complete data set from one single individual, rather than requiring multiple subjects, has the potential to markedly reduce the number of experimental animals, eliminate group differences, and give more flexibility for therapeutic intervention. Future projects could also benefit from the described optimizations in animal care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Models for Disease Mechanisms)
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28 pages, 20607 KiB  
Article
Early Outcomes of Right Ventricular Pressure and Volume Overload in an Ovine Model
by Hamida Al Hussein, Hussam Al Hussein, Marius Mihai Harpa, Simina Elena Rusu Ghiragosian, Simona Gurzu, Bogdan Cordos, Carmen Sircuta, Alexandra Iulia Puscas, David Emanuel Anitei, Cynthia Lefter, Horatiu Suciu, Dan Simionescu and Klara Brinzaniuc
Biology 2025, 14(2), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14020170 - 7 Feb 2025
Viewed by 777
Abstract
Right ventricular (RV) failure is a common complication in multiple congenital heart disease (CHD), significantly increasing morbidity and mortality. Despite its impact, no therapies specifically target the failing RV. The growing population of CHD patients underscores the need to understand the pathophysiology of [...] Read more.
Right ventricular (RV) failure is a common complication in multiple congenital heart disease (CHD), significantly increasing morbidity and mortality. Despite its impact, no therapies specifically target the failing RV. The growing population of CHD patients underscores the need to understand the pathophysiology of RV failure through preclinical research. This study aimed to develop an ovine model of RV failure induced by pressure and volume overload. A total of 14 juvenile sheep randomly underwent pulmonary artery banding (n = 6), pulmonary leaflet perforation (n = 4), and pulmonary annulotomy with transannular patching (TAP) (n = 4). Detailed anesthetic and surgical protocols were described, and intraoperative and early postoperative complications were evaluated. Acute RV pressure overload resulted in a 120% increase in RV pressure (p = 0.0312). The stroke volume index and cardiac index significantly declined (p = 0.0312), and there was a significant decrease in ScvO2 (p = 0.0312). Both TAP and leaflet perforation achieved moderate-to-severe pulmonary regurgitation. Both procedures led to an incremental trend in RV pressures and resulted in a 24% increase in the stroke volume index. All techniques demonstrated safety and feasibility, with low mortality. This comprehensive model could be reproducible in other large animal models, offering a robust platform for preclinical research into CHD-RV failure models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Models for Disease Mechanisms)
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16 pages, 1992 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Age-Dependent Motor Impairment in Males of Drosophila melanogaster Modeling Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 Is Linked to Dysregulation of a Matrix Metalloproteinase
by Emma M. Palmer, Caleb A. Snoddy, Peyton M. York, Sydney M. Davis, Madelyn F. Hunter and Natraj Krishnan
Biology 2024, 13(11), 854; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13110854 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1233
Abstract
Over the past two decades, Drosophila melanogaster has proven to be successful in modeling the polyglutamine (polyQ) (caused by CAG repeats) family of neurodegenerative disorders, including the faithful recapitulation of pathological features such as polyQ length-dependent formation of protein aggregates and progressive neuronal degeneration. [...] Read more.
Over the past two decades, Drosophila melanogaster has proven to be successful in modeling the polyglutamine (polyQ) (caused by CAG repeats) family of neurodegenerative disorders, including the faithful recapitulation of pathological features such as polyQ length-dependent formation of protein aggregates and progressive neuronal degeneration. In this study, pan-neuronal expression of human Ataxin-1 with long polyQ repeat of 82 amino acids was driven using an elav-GAL4 driver line. This would essentially model the polyQ disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1). Longevity and behavioral analysis of male flies expressing human Ataxin-1 revealed compromised lifespan and accelerated locomotor activity deficits both in diurnal activity and negative geotaxis response compared to control flies. Interestingly, this decline in motor response was coupled to an enhancement of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (dMMP1) expression together with declining expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling by hedgehog (Hh) and branchless (bnl) and a significant decrease in expression of survival motor neuron gene (dsmn) in old (30 d) flies. Taken together, our results indicate a role for dysregulation of matrix metalloproteinase in polyQ disease with consequent impact on ECM signaling factors, as well as SMN at the neuromuscular junction causing overt physiological and behavioral deficits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Models for Disease Mechanisms)
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11 pages, 2927 KiB  
Communication
The Impact of Diabetes on Male Silkworm Reproductive Health
by Xiaoyan Zeng and Li Tong
Biology 2024, 13(8), 557; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13080557 - 24 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1216
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of diabetic reproductive complications has prompted the development of innovative animal models. The use of the silkworm Bombyx mori as a model for diabetic reproductive damage shows potential as a valuable research tool. This study employed silkworms as a novel [...] Read more.
The increasing prevalence of diabetic reproductive complications has prompted the development of innovative animal models. The use of the silkworm Bombyx mori as a model for diabetic reproductive damage shows potential as a valuable research tool. This study employed silkworms as a novel model to investigate diabetic reproductive damage. The silkworms were fed a high-glucose diet containing 10% glucose to induce a diabetic model. Subsequently, the study concentrated on assessing the influence of diabetes on the reproductive system of male silkworms. The results indicate that diabetes resulted in reduced luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) levels, as well as elevated triglyceride (TG) levels in male silkworms. Moreover, diabetes mellitus was associated with pathological testicular damage in male silkworms, accompanied by decreased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, along with increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the testis. Additionally, diabetes mellitus reduced the expression of siwi1 and siwi2 genes in the testis of male silkworms. Overall, these results support using silkworms as a valuable model for studying diabetic reproductive damage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Models for Disease Mechanisms)
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12 pages, 946 KiB  
Article
Comparative Study of Cardiovascular Effects of Selected Pulmonary Vasodilators in Canine Models of Mitral Valve Disease
by Yunosuke Yuchi, Ryohei Suzuki, Narumi Ishida, Shuji Satomi, Takahiro Saito, Takahiro Teshima and Hirotaka Matsumoto
Biology 2024, 13(5), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13050311 - 30 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1824
Abstract
Previous reports have shown that various oral pulmonary vasodilators are effective against canine pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, no studies have compared their hemodynamic effects. We aimed to compare the hemodynamic effects of 15 µg/kg beraprost sodium, 1.0 mg/kg sildenafil, and their combination, in [...] Read more.
Previous reports have shown that various oral pulmonary vasodilators are effective against canine pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, no studies have compared their hemodynamic effects. We aimed to compare the hemodynamic effects of 15 µg/kg beraprost sodium, 1.0 mg/kg sildenafil, and their combination, in dogs with experimentally induced mitral regurgitation. This experimental crossover study evaluated the hemodynamic and functional effects of oral pulmonary vasodilators by application of right-sided heart catheterization and echocardiography. Beraprost significantly decreased pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance. Additionally, beraprost increased right-ventricular stroke volume and left-ventricular cardiac output without worsening left-heart size and left-atrial pressure. The pulmonary vasodilatory effects of sildenafil were stronger, and its systemic vasodilatory effects were weaker than those of beraprost. However, sildenafil significantly increased the left-ventricular volume, left-atrial pressure indicator, and right-ventricular cardiac output. Combination therapy resulted in the strongest pulmonary and systemic vasodilating effects without worsening the left-heart size and left-atrial pressure indicators. Both beraprost and sildenafil were effective against canine PH; however, sildenafil was associated with the risk of worsening left-heart loading. Combination therapy with beraprost and sildenafil synergistically dilated pulmonary and systemic vessels, indicating a more potent treatment option for severe PH cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Models for Disease Mechanisms)
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Review

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19 pages, 463 KiB  
Review
Gut Microbiome, Neuroinflammation, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Insights from Rodent Models
by Abdulrahman M. Busayli, Wenhua Xu, Ghaidaa A. Raffah and Gang Chen
Biology 2025, 14(6), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14060593 - 23 May 2025
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a significant public health issue that affects children. It results from ethanol exposure during pregnancy, leading to considerable physical, neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and cognitive deficits. The exact mechanism is not well understood. Recently, considerable attention has been focused [...] Read more.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a significant public health issue that affects children. It results from ethanol exposure during pregnancy, leading to considerable physical, neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and cognitive deficits. The exact mechanism is not well understood. Recently, considerable attention has been focused on the influence of gut microbiome on brain development through the gut–brain axis. Changes in the gut microbiome resulting from ethanol exposure may contribute to the pathology of FASD, potentially involving neuroinflammation. This literature review summarizes the existing research and primary animal studies on the impact of early ethanol exposure on the gut microbiome, neuroinflammation, brain development, and behavioral consequences. The evidence suggests that early ethanol exposure alters the gut microbiome, which may induce neuroinflammation, brain damage, and cognitive impairment. However, a clear causal relationship among these factors remains to be fully elucidated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Models for Disease Mechanisms)
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