Mdr1a Spontaneous Colitis in Mice

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Induction:

The multidrug resistance gene, Mdr1a, encodes a transmembrane protein that is expressed in many tissues including intestinal epithelial cells, a subset of lymphoid cells and hematopoietic cells^1-3. It is reported that Mdr1a knockout (Mdr1a-/-) mice are susceptible to developing a severe, spontaneous intestinal inflammation when maintained under pathogen free animal facility conditions. The intestinal inflammation seen in Mdr1a knockout mice fully develops around 12-16 weeks of life, is pathologically similar to that of human inflammatory bowel disease, and is defined by dysregulated epithelial cell growth and leukocytic infiltration into the lamina propria of the large intestine^1-3. There is increasing evidence that the intestinal microflora is an important cofactor in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation. The development of spontaneous colitis in many mouse models can be prevented if mice are generated and maintained in a germ-free environment or treated with oral antibiotics, highlighting the central role for bacterial colonization in the initiation and/or perpetuation of experimental IBD. This model of spontaneous colitis may provide new insight into the pathogenesis of IBD, the nature of a dysregulated immune system, and the potential to screen therapeutic compounds in a chronic IBD setting that does not require a chemical or immunomodulatory induction^1-5.

Diseased animals (Mdr1a mice) may be administered up to 5×10^7 Colony Forming Units (CFUs) of Helicobacter bilis. This bacterium is administered at the beginning of a study to aid in disease synchronization.

Disease Parameters/Progression:

At the time of arrival, mice will be acclimated for one week prior to the study initiation. On study day 0, mice will be randomized into treatments groups based on body weight and endoscopy or Disease Activity Index (DAI) scores, and treatment will begin.

The endpoints of the study include, colon length, colon weight, colon weight/length, and degenerative changes and microscopic evaluation of the colon for inflammation and epithelial loss/damage to determine the potential amelioration of disease by test articles.

Dosing Paradigms:

Route of administration: SC, PO, IP, IV

Clinical Assessment:

Disease-specific signs of possible pain and distress will be decreased activity, decreased food consumption, hunching, piloerection, anogenital staining, prolapsed rectum and fecal impaction. DAI and Endoscopy can also be included to evaluate the clinical state of the animals. Any animals that lose more than 20% body weight within 1 week will be enrolled in the animal health assessment program and monitored daily. Animals that lose more than 30% of their body weight from the start of a study will be euthanized. 16. Unlike other mouse models of IBD, the incidence of prolapsed rectum is a component of the spontaneous disease in Mdr1a mice.

Optional Endpoints:

PK/PD blood collections
Endoscopy
Cytokine/chemokine analysis via Luminex (R)

Other sandwich ELISAs
CBC/clinical chemistry analysis
Soft tissue collection
Histopathologic analysis
Immunohistochemistry analysis

References

A novel model of inflammatory bowel disease: Mice deficient for the multiple drug resistance gene, Mdr1a, spontaneously develop colitis. Panwala M, Jones J, Viney J. J Immunol 1998; 161:5733-5744
The Mdr1a-/- mouse model of spontaneous colitis. Wilk J, Bilsborough J, Viney J. Immunologic Research 2005;31/2:151-159.
Altered generation of induced regulatory T cells in the FVB.Mdr1a-/- mouse model of colitis. Tanner SM, Staley EM, Lorenz RG. Mucosal Immunology, Volume 6, Number 2. March 2013.
Helicobacter bilis infection accelerates and h. hepaticus infection delays the development of colitis in multiple drug resistance-deficient (Mdr1a-/-) mice. Maggio-Price L, et al. American Journal of Pathology. Volume 160, Number 2. February 2002.
Loss of TLR2 worsens spontaneous colitis in Mdr1a deficiency through commensally induced pyroptosis. Ey B, et al. The Journal of Immunology, 2013, 190: 5676-5688.

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