Psoriasis Model Introduction
Psoriasis is a type of skin disease characterized by hyperproliferation of the epidermal keratinocytes. It is thought to be mediated by cells and molecules of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, as a result of a combination of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental influences. The most commonly used animal model is the imiquimod (IMQ)-induced skin lesion and skin inflammation, which phenotypically resembles human psoriasis.
The degree of imiquimod-induced skin injury in this murine psoriasis model, with symptoms of skin rashes and peeling in mice, can be monitored through a standard clinical score system. The cutaneous epidermis is thickened. Parakeratosis and inflammatory infiltration of leukocytes predominantly into dermis can be seen histopathologically. The IL-23/IL-17 axis is believed to be particularly important in psoriasis pathogenesis due to its pro-inflammatory effects. IL-17 cytokine level is elevated in the imiquimod-induced psoriasis model.
Biocytogen provides a humanized imiquimod-induced psoriasis model for your psoriasis drug discovery applications. In particular, we generated B-hIL17A mice where the human IL-17A gene is knocked-in and replaces the mouse IL-17A gene. This genetically humanized mouse psoriasis model allows for for convenient testing of therapeutics targeting human IL-17A.
Watch the webinar: Investigating Inflammatory Disease using Humanized Cytokine Mice
