Miniature Swine Model Of Atopic Dermatitis — Assessment Of In Vivo And In Vitro Activity Of Recombinant Porcine Interleukin-4 And Interleukin-13

By Zhong, M., Brocksmith, D., and Bouchard G.F.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent skin condition characterized by erythematous and pruritic skin, and its pathophysiology involves multiple contributing factors, including skin-barrier dysfunction and prominent Th2-mediated immune responses. Key cytokines such as interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) are believed to play significant roles in the development of AD, and therapies targeting IL-4 and IL-13 pathways have demonstrated effectiveness in human patients with the condition.

Although several animal models of AD exist, species-specific limitations often hinder the successful translation of therapeutic findings to humans. Miniature swine, commonly used to study the toxicity and safety of dermally applied products, offer an opportunity to develop a relevant AD model that could be valuable for pre-clinical efficacy testing of medications intended for human use. Such a model would provide critical insights for the development of AD treatments, facilitating a more accurate assessment of their potential benefits and risks.