Lung inflammation models for respiratory disease and fibrosis research.
Oncodesign Services provides established respiratory inflammation models for asthma, asthma exacerbation, RSV-induced bronchiolitis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Studies can integrate inflammatory, histological, biomarker and functional endpoints, including BAL analysis, lung imaging and FlexiVent assessment of lung functionality.
Our scientists help you align the most appropriate model with induction protocol, treatment schedule and endpoints to meet your study objectives, with bespoke model development available where standardized models are not the best fit.
Typical readouts for respiratory disease models:
- Body weight
- Lung weight
- Lung weight-to-body weight ratio
- Clinical scoring
- Histology:
- Edema
- Fibrosis score
- Mucus production
- Leukocyte infiltration
- Viral load (for RSV)
- Lung function, including lung capacity, hyperesthesis, compliance and elasticity (FlexiVent, SCIREQ)
- Broncho-alveolar fluid (BALF) cell count and cytokine concentration
- CT scan
- Gene expression in lungs, by RT-qPCR / dPCR
- Biomarker / drug monitoring
Histological assessment of lung fibrosis. H&E staining highlights inflammation and morphology (top). Sirus red staining highlights collagen deposition (bottom). Control on the left vs bleomycin-induced fibrosis on the right.
Common drug administration routes (PO, IV, IP, SC) and non-typical drug administration routes used for respiratory disease therapies:
- Intra-tracheal
- Intra-nasal
- Osmotic mini-pumps
Confirm feasibility before study initiation
To support confident model selection, histology samples from established respiratory disease models can be selectively accessed ahead of full study commitment. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) or FISH analyses may be performed to assess target expression and tissue localization, helping confirm biological relevance before program initiation.
Currently available lung inflammation samples include:
- HDM asthma
- Intratracheal bleomycin
Established lung inflammation models available for preclinical studies:
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Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
We offer bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis models using intratracheal administration or delivery by subcutaneous osmotic minipumps. These approaches produce different lesion patterns and disease kinetics, supporting model selection according to the research question, with readouts including CT imaging, histology, gene expression and lung function.
- Lung fibrosis model in mice, induced by intratracheal administration of bleomycin
- Lung fibrosis model in mice, induced by bleomycin delivered through osmotic minipumps
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Asthma
We offer mouse models of allergic asthma induced by house dust mite or ovalbumin, alongside an HDM–RSV exacerbation model. These models support efficacy assessment across allergic airway inflammation and infection-driven exacerbation, with readouts including BALF analysis, IgE, histology, gene expression and lung function.
- Allergic asthma model (2) in mice, induced by House Dust Mites (HDM)
- Allergic asthma model in mice, induced by Ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization
- Asthma exacerbation model (4) in mice, induced by RSV + HDM combination
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Bronchiolitis
We offer a bronchiolotis model using a high titer of the human virus RSV, responsible for bronchiolitis, to infect mice. This model can generate viral replication in the lungs of mice, and supports the evaluation of antiviral and anti inflammatory therapies, with readouts including BALF analysis, viral titers, histology, and cytokine quantification.
- Bronchiolitis model (1) in mice, induced by Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Experimental examples for respiratory disease studies
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Asthma induction breakdown for the HDM allergy model
House dust mites (HDM) are one of the most common sources of indoor allergens and a significant factor underlying allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. HDM intranasal challenge can be used in BALB/c mice to reproduce many key features of clinical asthma, including:
- Elevated levels of IgE
- Airway inflammation
- Goblet cell hyperplasia with mucus overproduction
- Release of inflammatory mediators and cytokines primarily associated with Th2-type inflammation
- Responsive to fluticasone (inhaled corticoid)
(HDM challenge (IN) administered 5 days per week over 3 weeks.)
Results show allergic signature in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and in plasma with elevated eosinophil contents as well as TH2 cytokine concentrations in the BALF, and elevated IgE levels in the plasma.
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Bronchiolitis induction via respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in BALB/c mice
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus responsible for severe respiratory symptoms including rhinitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia in young children. About 65% of children are infected with RSV within the first year of life.
Bronchiolitis is modeled by delivering a high titer of RSV by intranasal instillation to BALB/c mice, which allows viral infection and bronchiolitis symptoms. Excessive production of airway mucus is a feature of bronchiolitis and is a key histology readout. Ribavirin is typically used as a reference compound.
Histological modifications following RSV infection with and without Ribavirin treatment.
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Induction of lung fibrosis via bleomycin using intra-tracheal instillation
The bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis mouse model is one of the most frequently used animal models for the investigation of pulmonary fibrosis resulting from inflammation.
Like the human disease, bleomycin exposure in mice is associated with epithelial damage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, as well as extra-cellular matrix excessive deposition.
Protocol: intra-tracheal (IT) administration of bleomycin on day 0 in C57BL/6 male mice (n=8 animals/group as a minimum after randomization).
- D0: Single IT administration of bleomycin or saline under ketamine/xylazine anaesthesia
- D7: Selection of good responders to bleomycin based on % body weight loss (selection rate of 65%)
- D7 to D21: Treatment
- Around D21: Endpoint studies
Effect of bleomycin induction compared to sham challenge with saline on body weight (Bleomycin group in orange, saline in blue, % of weight compared to D0, left), lung weight on D21 (middle) and lung weight on body weight ratio on D21 (right).
Lung histology (evaluation of lung total collagen content) on D21 for anti-fibrotic drug evaluation:
- ALK5 (TGFb receptor I) inhibitor [SB-525334]: effective at 30 or 60mg/kg/day (with Cmax-driven dose-effect)
- Nintedanib (Tyr kinase inhibitor): no effect at 60 or 100mg/kg/day
- Pirfenidone (molecular target unknown): no effect at 300 or 500mg/kg/day
Comparative effect of SB525334 (ALK5 inhibitor), Pirfenidone and Nintedanib on collagen deposition in lungs (histological assessment, Sirius red) in the Bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model (data from 3 separate studies).
Learn more about partnering with Oncodesign Services:
Oncodesign Services combines translational inflammation experience with a flexible approach to preclinical research, supporting both standard and customized study designs. Alongside an extensive portfolio of acute and chronic inflammatory disease models, we offer bespoke model development to address specific scientific questions and emerging therapeutic approaches.
Our scientific team is available to provide guidance from study planning through data interpretation, with comprehensive readouts including histology, clinical scoring, biomarkers, and functional endpoints. Histology samples are also available to support feasibility assessments and model selection before study initiation.
Contact our team to discuss your research objectives, explore the most appropriate models and endpoints, or request a quotation.
Oncodesign Services (ODS) has been a trusted preclinical partner for several years. The team consistently demonstrates scientific excellence and reliability, tailoring preclinical protocols to our exact needs.
Their ability to rapidly action and deliver projects has made collaboration in oncology research efficient and straightforward. Clear, responsive communication is crucial to us, and the strong working relationship with our client manager makes coordination very easy.
We appreciate the professionalism, confidence, and flexibility ODS brings to every project.
Oncology Biopharma Organization (Europe)
Frequently asked questions about our respiratory disease models:
Can Oncodesign Services customize respiratory disease studies?
Yes. Study designs can typically be customized to align with therapeutic targets, dosing strategies, biomarkers, endpoints, and timelines. Our teams may tailor challenge agents, readouts, imaging methods, and sample collection protocols to fit sponsor requirements.
Do you support biomarker and translational analyses?
Yes. Many preclinical lung studies incorporate translational biomarkers to help bridge preclinical and clinical findings. These may include cytokine panels, transcriptomics, flow cytometry, multiplex assays, and pharmacodynamic biomarkers.
Can you evaluate biologics and advanced therapeutics?
Yes. Lung inflammation models are frequently used to assess:
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Cell and gene therapies
- RNA-based therapeutics
- Small molecules
- Inhaled therapeutics
- Immunomodulators
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References
(1) Bronchiolitis model in mice, induced by Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
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(2) Allergic asthma model in mice, induced by House Dust Mice (HDM)
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(3) Corticoid-resistant asthma in mice, induced by Ovalbumin (OVA) + Influenzae
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(4) Asthma exacerbation model in mice, induced by RSV + HDM combination
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(5) Lung fibrosis model in mice, induced by Bleomycin delivered IT or by osmotic pumps
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