Rabbit models of human diseases for diagnostics and therapeutics development

• Published in: Developmental and comparative immunology Vol. 92; pp. 99 - 104
• Main Authors: Mage, Rose G., Esteves, Pedro J., Rader, Christoph
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Animal models; Animals; Cancer; Cardiovascular disease; Clinical trials; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes mellitus (insulin dependent); Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - immunology; Diagnostic software; Diagnostic systems; Disease Models, Animal; Diseases; Drug development; Endogenous retroviruses; Humans; Lagomorpha; Medical research; Monoclonal antibodies; Multiple Sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - immunology; Neoplasms - immunology; Ocular diseases; Rabbits; Systemic Lupus Erythematosis; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration; United States; Multiple Sclerosis; Cardiovascular disease; Endogenous retroviruses; Systemic Lupus Erythematosis; Ocular diseases; Cancer
• ISSN: 0145-305X; 1879-0089; 1879-0089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.10.003

This review presents some examples of studies using the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) that have led to, and continue to, contribute to advancement of understanding of human diseases as well as therapeutics development. In addition, we tabulate FDA-approved rabbit polyclonal and rabbit monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that are used for diagnostic applications, as well as an overview of some “humanized” or otherwise altered rabbit mAbs that are in initial phase I, II, or advanced to phase III clinical trials. Information about endogenous retriviruses learned from studies of rabbits and other members of the order Lagomorpha are summarized as this knowledge now applies to new therapeutics being developed for several human diseases including Multiple Sclerosis, Type 1 Diabetes and Cancer. •The laboratory rabbit is a valuable model for studies of human diseases.•The rabbit's genome is more similar to the human genome than are rodents' genomes.•Rabbits produce highly specific high affinity antibodies.•Clinical trials of humanized rabbit monoclonal antibodies are in progress.•New information about engogenous retroviruses may lead to human therapeutics.