Although the term "humanized mice" may be strange to most people, it is widely used in the medical research field. Scientists and researchers use these mice to study the effect of a wide range of diseases on the human body, as well as to test potential drug therapies. Below is some more information on this topic.
An Overview
The term "humanized mice" refers to genetically engineered mice that mimic the functioning of human cells, organs, tissues, genes and immune systems. In most cases, these mice are engrafted with human cells and tissues for purposes of studying tissue regeneration, cancer, immunobiology, human-specific pathogens, and infectious diseases. Simply put, these mice are humanlike guinea pigs that researchers can use to evaluate a wide range of human diseases and possible treatment options. It is worth noting that scientists have been using such mice to study human tissues and cells for more than 30 years, according to a report from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). However, recent advances in genetic manipulation and generation of immunodeficient mice models have made the use of these mice more prevalent.
Why Genetically Engineered Mice Matter
Traditionally, medical research involving human cells and tissues was restricted to clinical trials, ex vivo analyses or non-invasive procedures. However, these approaches generally take too long to produce results, some, such as clinical trials, are extremely expensive, and some are severely limited by ethical restrictions and government regulations. In contrast, genetically engineered mice are not subject to such restrictions, making them the ideal guinea pigs. Another benefit of using these mice is they support co-engraftment of multiple human tissues and cells. This aspect alone makes it easier to study the effect of drug therapies on different types of cancerous cells.
Mice Models
According to a report published in the journal Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity, the most common genetically engineered mice models in use today include the Hu-PBL-SCID, Hu-SRC-SCID, and SCID-hu. The Hu-PBL-SCID mice model is usually engrafted with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) while mice that fall under the Hu-SRC-SCID model are engrafted with human hematopoietic stem cells. Mice under the SCID-hu model are engrafted with human fetal, liver and thymus cells. Scientists are also working on other mice models that are likely to be unveiled in the future. For more info, check this webpage.
Human Diseases and Conditions Studied Using Humanized Mice
A medical review published in the journal Cellular & Molecular Immunology states that scientists have used genetically engineered mice to study the following medical conditions and diseases:
• Genes responsible for metastasis in tumor cells
• GVHD (a severe complication that affects leukemia, congenital immunodeficiency, aplastic anemia patients who undergo allogeneic BM transplantation)
• Malaria
• Hepatitis B and C viruses
• Hodgkin's disease
• Burkitt's lymphoma
• Yellow fever
• Tuberculosis
• Dengue fever
• Salmonellosis
• HIV-1
• Herpes simplex
• HLTV (human T-cell lymphotropic virus)
• EBV (Epstein Barr Virus)
Conclusion
Humanized mice have played a huge role in the study of human diseases as well as the development of drugs to treat them. They have been effective because they allow researchers to carry out in vivo study of human tissues and cells. As such, scientists have been able to gain greater insight into the way diseases such as dengue fever, HIV, malaria, and Hodgkin's disease affect the human immune system, organs, cells, and even metabolism.
The term "humanized mice" refers to genetically engineered mice that mimic the functioning of human cells, organs, tissues, genes and immune systems. In most cases, these mice are engrafted with human cells and tissues for purposes of studying tissue regeneration, cancer, immunobiology, human-specific pathogens, and infectious diseases. Simply put, these mice are humanlike guinea pigs that researchers can use to evaluate a wide range of human diseases and possible treatment options. It is worth noting that scientists have been using such mice to study human tissues and cells for more than 30 years, according to a report from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). However, recent advances in genetic manipulation and generation of immunodeficient mice models have made the use of these mice more prevalent.
Why Genetically Engineered Mice Matter
Traditionally, medical research involving human cells and tissues was restricted to clinical trials, ex vivo analyses or non-invasive procedures. However, these approaches generally take too long to produce results, some, such as clinical trials, are extremely expensive, and some are severely limited by ethical restrictions and government regulations. In contrast, genetically engineered mice are not subject to such restrictions, making them the ideal guinea pigs. Another benefit of using these mice is they support co-engraftment of multiple human tissues and cells. This aspect alone makes it easier to study the effect of drug therapies on different types of cancerous cells.
Mice Models
According to a report published in the journal Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity, the most common genetically engineered mice models in use today include the Hu-PBL-SCID, Hu-SRC-SCID, and SCID-hu. The Hu-PBL-SCID mice model is usually engrafted with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) while mice that fall under the Hu-SRC-SCID model are engrafted with human hematopoietic stem cells. Mice under the SCID-hu model are engrafted with human fetal, liver and thymus cells. Scientists are also working on other mice models that are likely to be unveiled in the future. For more info, check this webpage.
Human Diseases and Conditions Studied Using Humanized Mice
• Genes responsible for metastasis in tumor cells
• GVHD (a severe complication that affects leukemia, congenital immunodeficiency, aplastic anemia patients who undergo allogeneic BM transplantation)
• Malaria
• Hepatitis B and C viruses
• Hodgkin's disease
• Burkitt's lymphoma
• Yellow fever
• Tuberculosis
• Dengue fever
• Salmonellosis
• HIV-1
• Herpes simplex
• HLTV (human T-cell lymphotropic virus)
• EBV (Epstein Barr Virus)
Conclusion
Humanized mice have played a huge role in the study of human diseases as well as the development of drugs to treat them. They have been effective because they allow researchers to carry out in vivo study of human tissues and cells. As such, scientists have been able to gain greater insight into the way diseases such as dengue fever, HIV, malaria, and Hodgkin's disease affect the human immune system, organs, cells, and even metabolism.
