Rats models can be effectively used to study cellular infiltration of the lung, antigen-specific IgE production, and a predominant Th2 response. In comparison to other animals, rat demonstrates many features that are similar to human conditions like airway allergies and allergic asthma. The rat has the ability to produce airway hyperresponsiveness along with early to late asthmatic responses hence is a better model than mouse (REF RGD ID: 5132882).

Ovalbumin-induced asthma: Wistar rats were ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized by intraperitoneal injections and then OVA was precipitated with aluminium hydroxide. These injections were repeated four times which resulted in an increase in the total IgE and histological changes in the airways (REF RGD ID: 5132884).

Ovalbumin-induced inflammation: One of the main characteristics of asthma is the activation of inflammatory cells, hypertrophy of airway smooth muscle cells and hyperresponsiveness of the airway. OVA sensitization causes an inflammatory response of the airways, thus making rat a good model for acute inflammatory events (REF RGD ID: 5132884).

Ovalbumin-induced tolerance: After sensitization, allergen challenges cause morphological changes in the lungs which results in the development of high tolerance in the rats. Due to allergen tolerance it is impossible to develop chronic asthma (REF RGD ID: 5132884).

Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) induced occupational asthma: When TMA powder is applied on the skin it induced allergic and immunological sensitization that resulted in the production of specific IgE and IgG. (REF RGD ID: 5132897).

MODELS