Advances in pig models of human diseases

Animal Model Exp Med. 2022 Apr;5(2):141-152. doi: 10.1002/ame2.12223. Epub 2022 Mar 27.

Abstract

Animal models of human diseases play a critical role in medical research. Pigs are anatomically and physiologically more like humans than are small rodents such as mice, making pigs an attractive option for modeling human diseases. Advances in recent years in genetic engineering have facilitated the rapid rise of pig models for use in studies of human disease. In the present review, we summarize the current status of pig models for human cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and various genetic diseases. We also discuss areas that need to be improved. Animal models of human diseases play a critical role in medical research. Advances in recent years in genetic engineering have facilitated the rapid rise of pig models for use in studies of human disease. In the present review, we summarize the current status of pig models for human cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative, various genetic diseases and xenotransplantation.

Keywords: animal model; gene-editing; human disease; pig.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomedical Research*
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Models, Animal
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases* / genetics
  • Swine
  • Transplantation, Heterologous