Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. It is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune system factors. Amidst this complexity of Crohn's disease, it is essential to have access to comprehensive resources and specialized expertise. Our company boasts a wealth of experience and a team of skilled technicians dedicated to this field, which can support your research to elucidate the intricate mechanisms underlying the disease and explore potential therapeutic interventions.
Introduction to Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease, is a long-term condition characterized by chronic immune-mediated inflammation within the digestive system. This condition, relatively uncommon in Asia with an incidence rate of 6.3-23.8 cases per 100,000 individuals in North America, can impact various parts of the gastrointestinal tract, although it most frequently manifests in the small intestine and colon. The symptoms associated with Crohn's disease including:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Unintended weight loss
- Fibrosis stenosis
- Intestinal fistula formation
- Intestinal tumors
Pathogenesis of Crohn's Disease
The pathogenesis of Crohn's disease involves an abnormal immune response in which the body's immune system attacks healthy tissue in the digestive tract, leading to inflammation and the formation of ulcers. Many genes have been identified to be associated with the disease (such as NOD2/CARD15、FUT2、ATG16L1 and IL34, etc.), underscoring its polygenic nature (Fig.1). These genetic markers reveal that the immune response towards intestinal bacteria is a pivotal factor in determining the risk of developing Crohn's disease.
Fig.1 The pathogenesis of Crohn's disease. (Petagna, L, et al., 2020)Therapeutics of Crohn's Disease
Small Molecule Drug Therapy
Various pharmacological agents are utilized to address the inflammatory component of the disease. Anti-inflammatory drugs like mesalazine, antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones and metronidazole, and immunosuppressants like methotrexate serve as small-molecule therapeutic options for Crohn's disease. In cases of mild to moderate severity, steroids such as budesonide can be administered.
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy for Crohn's disease aims to target the underlying genetic mechanisms responsible for the condition. Using CRISPR/Cas9 and RNA interference (RNAi) to target and modify the specific genes (such as NOD2 and TNF-α) implicated in the development and progression of the disease, paving the way for personalized and precise therapeutic interventions.
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy
Monoclonal antibodies such as TNF-α inhibitors, IL-12/23 antagonists, and integrin-targeted therapies like adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab, and vedolizumab offer targeted options to combat the inflammatory cascades characteristic of Crohn's disease. These biological therapies have shown efficacy in managing symptoms and improving the quality of life for individuals living with Crohn's disease.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy aims to replace lost or damaged cells in the gut lining, modulate the immune response, or promote tissue repair. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are particularly promising for Crohn's disease therapy due to their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. MSCs can be derived from various sources and can be administered either systemically or locally to target the gut.
Our Services
Our company can provide various services, including animal models and therapeutic platforms. By leveraging our expertise and resources, we can help you explore the knowledge of the symptoms and underlying inflammatory processes and develop new therapeutic modalities for Crohn's disease.
Therapy Development Platforms
Animal Models of Crohn's Disease
These animal models serve as invaluable tools for researchers to understand the genetic, immune, and environmental components that contribute to the disease. Our company is at the forefront of therapy research for Crohn's disease and offers advanced gene editing techniques to provide Crohn's disease animal models to support your research efforts in this field.
| Chemical-induced Models | ||
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| Animal models of Crohn's disease are caused by chemical compounds that can be administered to induce inflammation and immune-mediated damage to the colon, mimicking aspects of human Crohn's disease. These chemical-induced models are valuable tools for studying the mechanisms underlying inflammatory bowel diseases and for testing potential therapeutic interventions. | ||
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| Genetically Engineered Models | ||
| Animal models of Crohn's disease can be formed by gene editing techniques that target specific genes associated with the disease. Some key genes that can be edited to create animal models of Crohn's disease include NOD2, ATG16L1, and IL23R Gene. | ||
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| Cell Transplantation Models | ||
| The model involves inducing a Th1 immune response by injecting CD45RBHigh T cells into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, leading to an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels such as IFN-γ and TNF-α. This results in the formation of lesions in the gastrointestinal tract that mirror the characteristics of human Crohn's disease. | ||
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| Optional Species | Mice, Rats, Others | |
Our company can provide Crohn's disease animal models including chemical induction models, genetic engineering models, and cell transplantation models. These models help you understand the mechanisms underlying the disease and potential therapeutic targets, to support the pharmacokinetics analysis and drug safety evaluation.
If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details and quotation information of related services.
References
- Petagna, L, et al. "Pathophysiology of Crohn's disease inflammation and recurrence." Biology direct 15.1 (2020): 23.
- Clinton, Joseph William, et al. "Personalized Treatment for Crohn's Disease: Current Approaches and Future Directions." Clinical and experimental gastroenterology 16 (2023): 249–276.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.