ABSTRACT
The use of rodent models have contributed significantly to our knowledge of cellular, molecular, and functional mechanisms in immunology and immunotoxicology. However, large animal models have unique experimental advantages that contribute to the physiological relevance to humans, and thus can be easily extrapolated to human diseases. Natural disease models, including host-pathogen interactions and hypersensitivity reactions that are observed in swine, cattle, sheep, and dogs, provide unique experimental opportunities for investigations related to developmental immunity, relationships between innate and mucosal immunity, regional immunity, surgical intervention, vaccination strategies, and therapeutic options. Quoting Hein and Griebel (2003), “[I]t is not reasonable to rely solely on rodent models to fill the gaps that exist in our knowledge … or to believe that experimentation in rodents alone will find cures or treatments for all human and animal diseases.”
