Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Mouse Models
Boost the development of your novel treatment to improve gut health in individuals with IBD through InnoSer’s preclinical expertise and portfolio of IBD mouse models
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammation of the intestinal tract with a pathogenesis that is not yet fully understood. IBD encompasses two primary entities: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The main pathophysiological features of these diseases can be effectively modeled in mouse models.
Currently, there are multiple, complementary approaches to how IBD can be modeled in rodent models to accurately replicate the human disease pathophysiology. InnoSer offers a range of validated IBD mouse models, including chemically induced, adoptive transfer, and transgenic mouse models. Each model mimics specific aspects of IBD, allowing you to study the efficacy of different therapeutic mechanisms of action, such as reducing inflammation, epithelial repair, microbiome targeting, and innate and/or adaptive immunity modulation. We can facilitate preclinical research focusing on small molecule drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, biologicals, and other innovative treatment modalities. To learn more about InnoSer’s available IBD mouse models, download a leaflet below or consult our research expert team.
As a preclinical CRO, InnoSer works with well-established and clinically relevant IBD models, complemented with standardized study protocols to ensure consistency and reproducibility of your results. By choosing InnoSer as your preclinical IBD CRO, you will work alongside expert study directors who take a collaborative approach to your study.
With flexible and fast study start times you can perform your IBD research at an accelerated pace. By outsourcing your preclinical IBD studies to InnoSer, you gain access to our in vitro and in vivo immunology drug development portfolio.
Available inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mouse models at InnoSer:
- Dextran Sulphate Sodium (DSS) mouse model of IBD (both acute and chronic DSS models available)
- Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) mouse model of IBD
- Adoptive T-cell transfer mouse model of IBD
- IL-10 knockout (KO) mouse model of IBD
Learn more about the differences between each IBD mouse model by downloading our mouse model summary leaflet, containing example data and study timelines.
Key IBD mouse models readouts:
- Body Weight Monitoring
- Stool Consistency Analysis
- Blood Sampling
- Colitis Assessment: Disease Activity Index (DAI) to evaluate disease severity and progress
- Endoscopy (Murine Endoscopic Index of Colitis Severity [MEICS]; Becker et al. 2005)
- Colon Metrics: Measurement of colon length, weight, and macroscopic inflammation
- Spleen weight
- Intestinal Permeability and Proliferation: FITC-dextran and BrdU assays
- Inflammation Evaluation using histopathology and IHC to evaluate the histopathological activity index of the colon
- Cytokine Measurements on colon tissue: (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, lipocain 2)
- MPO Activity Assay
- Flow Cytometry
A selection of example data of InnoSer’s available IBD mouse models:
The Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis IBD mouse model represents a relatively easy and quick preclinical research model of IBD.
Histological H&E images of colonic mucosa of mice with DSS-induced colitis show inflammation, a decrease in crypt depth, epithelial cell loss, decrease in villus height and villus perimeter.
The Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis IBD mouse model represents a relatively easy and quick preclinical research model for IBD.
C57BL/6 male mice were given no treatment, control), or DSS in varying concentrations (1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3%) in drinking water. In response to acute treatment with DSS, mice show a progressive increase in disease activity index (DAI) score, a key marker of IBD disease progression in mice. DAI score takes into account stool composition, bleeding, and percentage of body loss.
The Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis IBD mouse model represents a relatively easy and quick preclinical research model for IBD.
C57BL/6 male mice were given no treatment, control), or DSS in varying concentrations (1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3%) in drinking water. In response to acute treatment with DSS, mice show a dose-dependent decrease in colon length.
The Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis IBD mouse model represents a relatively easy and quick preclinical research model for IBD.
C57BL/6 male mice were given no treatment, control), or DSS in varying concentrations (1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3%) in drinking water. In response to acute treatment with DSS, mice show a dose-dependent decrease in colon weight (corrected for body weight).
The Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis IBD mouse model represents a relatively easy and quick preclinical research model for IBD.
C57BL/6 male mice were given no treatment, control), or DSS in varying concentrations (1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3%) in drinking water. In response to acute treatment with DSS mice show a progressive decline in body weight, confirming the onset of colitis.
T-cell transfer mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a highly suitable preclinical research model to study the pathogenicity of specific T cell populations and study immune cell interactions and signaling pathways associated with IBD.
Histological images of mouse colon tissue show an increased number of infiltrating CD45+ cells in mice who have undergone T-cell transfer compared to control mice. Further histological evaluation of the colon tissue of mice with T-cell transfer-induced colitis shows disrupted tissue homeostasis, inflammation and epithelial erosion.
T-cell transfer mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a highly suitable preclinical research model to study the pathogenicity of specific T cell populations and study immune cell interactions and signaling pathways associated with IBD.
Following T cell transfer, mice show a progressive increase in endoscopic colitis score (Murine Endoscopic Index of Colitis Severity, MEICS; Becker et al. 2005), confirming the development of colitis. MEICS considers multiple disease parameters (thickening of colon, stool consistency, granularity, changes in vasculature, fibrin) based on the severity (mild, moderate, severe) to assess the clinical disease progression.
The IL-10 mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is particularly useful for studying the role of immune dysregulation and the contribution of genetic factors to IBD development. The absence of IL-10 leads to spontaneous colitis in mice, resembling the chronic and relapsing nature of IBD in humans.
Histological (H&E) images of mouse colon tissue show disrupted tissue homeostasis, inflammation and epithelial erosion.
The IL-10 mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is particularly useful for studying the role of immune dysregulation and the contribution of genetic factors to IBD development. The absence of IL-10 leads to spontaneous colitis in mice, resembling the chronic and relapsing nature of IBD in humans.
IL-10 KO mice show elevated Murine Endoscopic Index of Colitis Severity (MEICS) scores at day 11 post-IBD induction via piroxicam administration, confirming the accelerated development of colitis. MEICS score considers multiple disease parameters (thickening of colon, stool consistency, granularity, changes in vasculature, fibrin) based on the severity (mild, moderate, severe) to assess the clinical disease progression.
The people behind the models
Dr. L.J.A.C (Luuk) Hawinkels, Associate Professor/Head of Research Laboratory Gastroenterology and Hepatology and LUMC, the Netherlands
Dr. Hawinkels acts as an external advisor to InnoSer. His laboratory’s research focuses on IBD, inflammation, and fibroblast cross-talk in the development and progression of gastrointestinal diseases.
Céline Erens, PhD, Immunology Study Director
An expert team led by our immunology study director; Céline Erens works together with you to help you set up optimal study designs. Curating the preclinical testing of your lead compounds with a deep understanding of the field is your solution to accelerating your drug development.
Related model options
Immunology Models Overview
Perform initial screening tests using InnoSer’s in vitro immunoassays to select your lead candidate compounds and progress to in vivo studies with confidence.
IL-23 Induced Psoriasis Mouse Model
Perform quick efficacy tests to evaluate your novel psoriasis treatment strategies using the acute IL-23-Induced Psoriasis Mouse model.
DTH Mouse Model
Evaluate your compound’s immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive potential in the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) mouse model.
AAALAC Accreditation
InnoSer has earned the AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to responsible animal care and use. AAALAC International is a nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. Our accreditation is valid for three years, incl. 2023. Read more about the AAALAC accreditation programme here.
Animal Welfare
The 3Rs impact everything from policy and regulatory change to the development and uptake of new technologies and approaches. This is why InnoSer has ongoing commitment and monitoring of these processes. The steps we practice maximize our ability to replace, reduce and refine animal involvement and facilitate our commitment to these principles when it comes to research and drug development.
Need more information?
If you have any questions about how we can help accelerate your research,
then let us know