Fibrotic Disease Models

Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis has been a useful pre-clinical model in several species and is most prevalent in rodent models to evaluate potential prophylactic and therapeutic drugs for IPF. As a tissue injury and repair model, bleomycin has contributed significantly to studies of the pathobiology of pulmonary fibrosis. The induction and progression of the disease in rodents is of a short duration, making it a practical model for evaluating test compounds in preclinical research. Although major drawbacks for this model have been its high mortality rate and inconsistency in the induction of disease, our extensive experience with this model has led to a proven track record of highly reproducible and successful preclinical studies.

Virtually all chronic liver diseases end in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of fibroids rich in fibrillar collagens in the extracellular matrix of the liver. Many disorders have the potential to cause liver fibrosis, including chronic viral hepatitis, parasite infection, inborn errors of metabolism, and toxic damage due to alcohol consumption. In all cases, the end result of cirrhosis is liver failure and portal hypertension, which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.