Experimental Animal Models for Influenza/Flu Virus Vaccine Development

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this review is to explore the different animal models used in the development of Influenza / Flu Virus Vaccine as well as some important guidelines adhered to it.
 Methods: Laboratory animal models are widely used in the preclinical evaluation of potential vaccines and antiviral compounds to investigate the safety and efficacy of the vaccine or compound in preventing or moderating infection, disease, or secondary transmission. Animal models must also represent humans in terms of similarity of clinical signs, histopathological changes, virus growth kinetics, or transmission. Common animal models for influenza virus vaccine testing include mice, ferrets, and non-human primates. These models help researchers assess vaccine efficacy, immune response, and potential side effects before advancing to human trials. Animal models play a crucial role in the development and testing of influenza vaccines, as they help researchers examine potential side effects and adverse reactions, evaluate the efficacy of vaccines, study the immune response elicited by vaccines, understand the pathogenesis of influenza virus infection, and predict the potential impact of emerging strains. They also help test various vaccine platforms and delivery methods, and compare the effectiveness of different vaccine formulations in animals to identify promising candidates for further human trials.
 Results: We have discussed in detail the various animal models such as Chick embryo model for the development of influenza virus vaccine and mice, ferrets, guinea pig and non-human primates etc. used for the evaluation of safety and therapeutic effectiveness.
 Conclusion: As we have discussed various animal models, their merits, demerits etc. for the evaluation of safety and effectiveness of influenza virus vaccine and expect that these will help for the young researchers to carry out their vaccine research using suitable animal models.
 Keywords: influenza virus, vaccine development, mouse models, ferret model, guinea pig model, cotton rat model