Rubic-Schneider, Tina, Christen, Brigitte, Brees, Dominique and Kammueller, Michael (2016) Minipigs in translational immunosafety sciences – a perspective. Toxicologic Pathology (2016 special issue "Swine in translational research with emphasis on nonclinical safety testing in the minipig").

Abstract

The porcine immune system has been studied especially with regard to infectious diseases of the domestic pig, highlighting the economic importance of the pig in agriculture. Recently, in particular minipigs have received attention as alternative species to dogs or non-human primates in drug safety evaluations. The increasing number of new drug targets investigated to modulate immunological pathways has triggered renewed interest to further explore the porcine immune system. Comparative immunological studies of minipigs with other species broaden the translational models investigated in drug safety evaluations. The porcine immune system overall seems functionally similar to other mammalian species, but there are some anatomical, immunophenotypical, and functional differences. Here, we briefly review current knowledge of the innate and adaptive immune system in pigs and minipigs. In conclusion, more systematic and cross-species comparisons are needed to assess the significance of immunological findings in minipigs in the context of translational safety sciences.

Item Type:	Article
Date Deposited:	04 Feb 2016 00:45
Last Modified:	04 Feb 2016 00:45
URI:	https://oak.novartis.com/id/eprint/27947