The use of transgenic mice for modeling airways disease.

Genetic manipulation in mice often combined with models of human disease has allowed investigators to dissect specific disease pathways. These tools have taught us much about the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In particular, we have defined a complex inflammatory-protease network leading to emphysema. Translation of these findings to humans requires careful interpretation of the strengths and limitations of the models as well as similarities and differences between mouse and human biology.