Studies of the porcine innate immune system – importance for the 3Rs and animal health

The innate immune system is the body’s first line of defence against foreign material such as microbes and transplanted organs. There has recently been an increased interest in porcine innate immunity in relation to porcine infections. However, increased knowledge is also important within laboratory animal medicine.

The pig is the most commonly used large animal model within EU. Animal models are important in research, but is always subjected to ethical concerns. It is crucial that the animals are treated well and that inappropriate use is avoided.

Laboratory animal medicine is a veterinary discipline that deals with all aspects of the use of research animals, e.g. treatment of sick animals but also model development and refinement.

The aim of this project is to gain increased knowledge about the porcine innate immune system by studying physiology and pathophysiology in models for myocardial infarction, kidney- and skin transplantations.

Furthermore, activation of the innate immune system will be studies in relation to tissue injury and pain caused by surgery, for improved analgesia management of research pigs. Animal care and complications, if any, will be documented to produce best practice guidelines.

The project contributes to the 3Rs (replace, reduce, refine) through increased animal welfare and improved models that will lead to a reduced number of animals needed in experiments.