Optimising experimental research in respiratory diseases: an ERS statement

• DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02133-2017
• Publication Date: 2018-05-17T07:40:11Z
• Authors: Philippe Bonniaud; Aurélie Fabre; Nelly Frossard; Christophe Guigna...; Mark Inman; Wolfgang M. Kuebler; Tania Maes; Wei Shi; Martin Stampfli; Stefan Uhlig; Eric White; Martin Witzenrath; Pierre-Simon Bellaye; Bruno Crestani; Oliver Eickelberg; Heinz Fehrenbach; Andreas Guenther; Gisli Jenkins; Guy Joos; Antoine Magnan; Bernard Maitre; Ulrich A. Maus; Petra Reinhold; Juanita H.J. Vernooy; Luca Richeldi; Martin Kolb
• Keywords: Animal Experimentation; 0301 basic medicine; Biomedical Research; 170; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; Advisory Committees; 610; [SDV.MHEP.PSR]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Human health and pathology/Pulmonology and respiratory tract; HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIERS; ACUTE LUNG INJURY; 03 medical and health sciences; INBRED MOUSE STRAINS; Animals; Humans; Societies, Medical; ALLERGIC AIRWAY INFLAMMATION; COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA; CIGARETTE-SMOKE EXPOSURE; Respiration Disorders; DISTRESS-SYNDROME; 3. Good health; Europe; Disease Models, Animal; ANIMAL-MODELS; ARTERIAL-HYPERTENSION; IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY-FIBROSIS

Experimental models are critical for the understanding of lung health and disease and are indispensable for drug development. However, the pathogenetic and clinical relevance of the models is often unclear. Further, the use of animals in biomedical research is controversial from an ethical perspective.The objective of this task force was to issue a statement with research recommendations about lung disease models by facilitating in-depth discussions between respiratory scientists, and to provide an overview of the literature on the available models. Focus was put on their specific benefits and limitations. This will result in more efficient use of resources and greater reduction in the numbers of animals employed, thereby enhancing the ethical standards and translational capacity of experimental research.The task force statement addresses general issues of experimental research (ethics, species, sex, age,ex vivoandin vitromodels, gene editing). The statement also includes research recommendations on modelling asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, lung infections, acute lung injury and pulmonary hypertension.The task force stressed the importance of using multiple models to strengthen validity of results, the need to increase the availability of human tissues and the importance of standard operating procedures and data quality.