Comparative severity analysis of colitis in C57BL/6 than BALB/c mice: A novel and rapid model of DSS induced colitis

Colitis is a complex and multifactorial disease with unknown etiology. To understand colitis, a number of models were developed in mouse. Colitis, in these models, was induced using either chemicals or select bacteria. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced colitis model was used widely, over other models, because of the simpler properties of DSS and similarities of the model with colitis in humans. The available models of DSS induced colitis require either longer time to understand the chronic stages of the disease or a shorter time period to study the acute phase. Currently, no composite models exist that can be used to study the acute, chronic and recovery stages of colitis within a reasonably shorter period of time. In the current study, we have developed a newer model system in two differently immune biased (Th-1 and Th-2) mice strains using DSS. We have developed the DSS model to compare the response in C57BL/6 (Th1 biased) and BALB/c (Th2 biased) mice models. We have standardized the dosage for both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice with zero mortality rates. Using the model developed we studied the acute, chronic and recovery phases of colitis. The differential responses of C57BL/6 and BALB/c revealed that the disease was more severe in C57Bl/6. BALB/c, on the contrary, recovered from the diseased condition more quickly. The current report will further help to unravel the disease etiology based on immunological background of the host.