Use of nonhuman primates in developing monoclonal antibodies

Nonhuman primates (NHP) are the preferred animal models for pre-clinical research because they approximate humans in physiology and genetics more closely than any other animal species. Vital advances in immunologic research have been made through the use of the NHP model, most notably in AIDS pathogenesis, treatment, and vaccine development. Cytokines and chemokines are soluble mediators of the immune system that play a crucial role in intercellular signaling, and in the recruitment of cells to inflammation sites. Identification of these molecules in NHP is important for the understanding of complex physiological and pathological mechanisms that occur in these species, and to demonstrate whether these mechanisms function similarly in humans. Recently, several antibodies specific for human cytokines that have the capacity to recognize homologous chemokines and cytokines of NHP origin have been identified. Currently, a panel of reagents is available which allows the simultaneous identification of cytokines and chemokines from Chimpanzees, Old World Monkeys, Rhesus Macaques, Baboons, Cynomolgus Macaques, Pig-tailed Macaques, and African Green Monkeys.