Experimental animal models used for evaluation of potential immunomodulators: A mini review

Preclinical models of immunomodulatory studies are indispensable part in the process of drug discovery and development. Still, they are mimeo of human immunostimulation/suppression provided heterogeneity of latter. This review discusses various preclinical models of immunomodulatory studies viz. cell lines for immunomodulatory studies, murine models include humoral antibody (HA) response, delayed type hypersensitivity response, macrophage phagocytosis by carbon clearance method, effect on total leucocytes count, leucocyte mobilization studies, mice lethality test Fish models include phagocytosis by fish blood lymphocytes, specific and non-specific response in fish and intestinal bacterial colonization; whereas pathogen infestation model includes immunomodulation against Eimeria vermiformis.

A portfolio of these biological models has to be utilized strategically as the specific stage of process of drug discovery. During selection of such model it has to be kept in mind that the model must be physiologically relevant. At the same time, it should be able to aid in prediction of human response. Never the less, apart from being ‘physiologically relevant’, the decisive ‘proof’ regarding safety and efficacy of test drugs lies human studies. Still, sensible construal and envision of data resulting from these models to humans, and a conformingly more prominence placed on medical research during early stage of clinical trials, are therefore indispensable to mend on the clinical study rates for discovery of novel immunomodulatory agents.