Inbred Mouse Models in <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> Research

Abstract

Animal models are frequently used as surrogates to understand human disease. In the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus species complex, several variations of a mouse model of disease were developed that recapitulate different aspects of human disease. These mouse models have been implemented using various inbred and outbred mouse backgrounds, many of which have genetic differences that can influence host response and disease outcome. In this review, we will discuss the most commonly used inbred mouse backgrounds in C. neoformans infection models.

Keywords

• <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i>
• inbred mouse models
• host immune responses
• host–pathogen interactions
• cryptococcal meningitis
• cryptococcal immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome