PhenoTec AG offers a broad spectrum of preclinical services with an emphasis on acute and chronic lung diseases, infectious diseases, immunological and morphological investigations

Lung inflammation models

Allergic asthma, Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), Subacute smoke exposure, bronchitis, Chronic bronchitis and fibrosis (CPOD), Lung emphysema

Allergic asthma
There is a dramatic rise of allergic asthma and a major need of novel, non-steroidal therapeutics for asthma. We have established severe allergic asthma models in mice with viral exacerbation to test novel therapies in mice.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
ARDS is major respiratory emergency requiring effective therapy. We have established an endotoxin, ozone and virus induced models in mice. We have successfully tested novel therapies.

Subacute smoke exposure, bronchitis
CPOD is a major public health issue with chronic obstructive inflammation leading to respiratory insufficiency, for which there exist no effective treatment. Cigarette smoke exposure models in part CPOD, which we have established in mice (Doz E J Immunol 2008).

Chronic bronchitis and fibrosis (CPOD)
Another experimental approach is bleomycin induced bronchitis and lung fibrosis, a model which we also have fully established (Gasse et al J Clin Invest 2007). Mice are analysed at 1 and 14 days after bleomycin administration: BAL analysis, collagen, cytokines, and histology.

Lung emphysema
CPOD with the release of protease may also lead to destruction of alveolar septae known as emphysema. We have established an experimental model of lung emphysema by the administration of protease (Couillin I in preparation). Emphysema is induced within 2 weeks and several therapeutic approaches are being tested.

Viral and other infections

Influenza and SarsCov2 virus infection may lead to acute and severe pneumonia, which may be fatal, or lead to chronic diseases representing an important public health burden. Furthermore, we have established Rhinovirus and RSV infection.

We have established a lung infection model with COVID-19 and H1N1 influenza virus infection, which serve to test novel therapeutics to inhibit exuberant lung inflammation. Testing novel antiviral compounds and vaccines may be tested in these models.

Microbiome, Metabolome, germfree models and FMT

Recent insights revealed that the microbiota of our body plays an important part in homeostasis and diseases.

Germfree (GF) mice and rats are important tools for basic and translational research, investigating metabolites and metabolism of xenobiotic. The platform has a huge capacity to breed GF mice and rats and for experimental studies.

Why to study microbiome?

Recent studies revealed that commensal microbes in the intestines and skin and other organs play an important role for homeostasis of the body in man and rodents. Changes in diversity, composition and abundance of commensals, called dysbiosis, allows the colonization of pathogens and may disrupt epithelial barriers, which may cause systemic diseases including inflammation and metabolic changes. Conversely, intestinal inflammation may cause dysbiosis and thereby enhance the disease.
GF may be of interest in local or systemic inflammation with dysbiosis enhancing disease. Testing pharmacological activity of metabolites in vivo is made possible by use of GF mice. Further, xenobiotics and drugs may be metabolized by commensal bacteria, which inactivate drug metabolites.

Proposed studies using GF rodents:
A. Investigate the altered response in dysbiotic animals
The use of GF rats/mice allows evaluating the contribution of the altered microbiome in disease models such as: Inflammation, Infection, Infection, Cancer and Metabolic disease/obesity/diabetes
Selective colonization of GF rodents
Transfer of protective microbes or metabolites, or test probiotics mixtures for potential beneficial effects upon infectious, inflammatory or stress challenges
B. Humanized rodent models
Approach: GF mice inoculated orally with microbiota from healthy human donors represent is an attractive model for investigation to mimic part of the human environment. The humanized models allow investigating the effect of metabolites, pathobionts and probiotics in a human microbial environment.

Skin disease models

We have established murine models of human skin disease such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and wound healing, which is an active research area to understand the pathways enabling novel drug targets.

Arthritis and arthrosis

Our team has conducted mechanistic studies in experimental arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis investigating inflammatory pathways.
Models of arthritis, arthrosis and osteoporosis are validated to test anti-inflammatory therapeutics including antibodies.

Ageing and Neurodegeneration

We are investigating mechanisms of ageing and test potential interventions to delay the process and increase the quality of life. Ageing is associated with subclinical inflammation and with different neurodegenerative diseases such Alzheimer and disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson and Huntington disease. Phenotec offers several mouse models including the huTDP43 overexpression and others to test novel drug candidates in collaboration with our partner Artimmune.

PK, PD and safety studies in mice, rats and hamsters

Study protocols are established. Details protocols are available on demand. Contact us

Special services

• Microscopy and immunofluorescence and morphometric studies
• Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry
• Gene expression studies
• Germfree mice and human reconstituted mice
• Gene deficient mice and reporter mice