Animal models of COPD

There are few animal models of COPD secondary to exposure to particle pollution, dust and smoke from biomass fuels. Most models use exposure to cigarette smoke or other approaches (elastase administration, for example), and genetically modified animals. The exposure of animals to cigarette smoke seems to be the best model for COPD currently. It reproduces a form of emphysema, small airway remodeling, and pulmonary hypertension. In contrast,...