Pig Link Will Benefit Cystic Fibrosis Research
US - Researchers at the University of Missouri and the University of Iowa have taken the first step in developing a porcine cystic fibrosis model that may more closely mimic the disease in humans.
According to the Ag Professional, the study will be published in the upcoming edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
"When you make the same genetic mutations in mice that people have, mice don't get the lung disease that's associated with cystic fibrosis, so no model currently exists to research lung disease caused by cystic fibrosis," said Randy Prather, professor of reproductive biotechnology in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
He said that compared to mice, pigs may be a good model for human genetic diseases because their anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, size and genetics are more similar to those of humans.
However, the pigs that were generated only carried one copy of the mutated gene. Since these pigs do not have both copies of the mutant gene, they do not show signs of cystic fibrosis. So Prather bred the pigs naturally and the researchers are expecting animals in Spring 2008 that should have both copies of the affected gene. Both researchers said they will have to wait to see if the pigs that carry both copies of the defective gene display symptoms related to those associated with cystic fibrosis in people.
"The gene that is mutated in individuals with cystic fibrosis was discovered in 1989; yet, we still do not understand many aspects of this disease and our treatments remain inadequate. Although scientists and physicians have learned much from studying cystic fibrosis mice, to make progress and improve treatments, we need an animal that at least partially mimics the lung disease of humans," said Welsh.
His team is also working with other University of Iowa researchers undertaking similar work with ferrets. We hope that these first steps will ultimately provide scientists with the means to better probe cystic fibrosis and aid those who suffer its ravages. We have our fingers crossed that these animal models will help."
The production of these pigs could provide researchers with opportunities to conduct studies investigating treatments and therapies for cystic fibrosis that were not previously possible.
View the AG Professional story by clicking here.
"When you make the same genetic mutations in mice that people have, mice don't get the lung disease that's associated with cystic fibrosis, so no model currently exists to research lung disease caused by cystic fibrosis," said Randy Prather, professor of reproductive biotechnology in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
He said that compared to mice, pigs may be a good model for human genetic diseases because their anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, size and genetics are more similar to those of humans.
Genetic Modifications
Prather collaborated with Michael Welsh from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of Iowa. To create the genetic defect in pigs, a team led by Welsh made genetic modifications in pig cells. Prather's group then generated the genetically modified pigs from the cells using a method called nuclear transfer. With the genetic modifications, the researchers hope they will be able to mimic the lung disease that afflicts humans who have cystic fibrosis.However, the pigs that were generated only carried one copy of the mutated gene. Since these pigs do not have both copies of the mutant gene, they do not show signs of cystic fibrosis. So Prather bred the pigs naturally and the researchers are expecting animals in Spring 2008 that should have both copies of the affected gene. Both researchers said they will have to wait to see if the pigs that carry both copies of the defective gene display symptoms related to those associated with cystic fibrosis in people.
"The gene that is mutated in individuals with cystic fibrosis was discovered in 1989; yet, we still do not understand many aspects of this disease and our treatments remain inadequate. Although scientists and physicians have learned much from studying cystic fibrosis mice, to make progress and improve treatments, we need an animal that at least partially mimics the lung disease of humans," said Welsh.
His team is also working with other University of Iowa researchers undertaking similar work with ferrets. We hope that these first steps will ultimately provide scientists with the means to better probe cystic fibrosis and aid those who suffer its ravages. We have our fingers crossed that these animal models will help."
The production of these pigs could provide researchers with opportunities to conduct studies investigating treatments and therapies for cystic fibrosis that were not previously possible.
View the AG Professional story by clicking here.