Humanized Mouse Models as An Experimental Tool to Investigate Disease Immunology

Abstract

Many studies of human immunology have been limited to ex vivo analysis due to ethical considerations. Detailed study, however, requires in vivo analysis, as ex vivo analysis of human immune cells does not always represent in vivo status. Therefore, small animal models have been used to overcome this limitation and several humanized mouse models that reproduce the human immune system have been developed. This review summarizes humanized mouse model characteristics and progress in their use for research of human diseases immunology.

Keywords: Humanized mouse model, Immunodeficient mouse, Immunology, Pre-clinical research, Translational research.

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