DSS-induced intestinal inflammation

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic, immune-mediated condition characterized by gastrointestinal damage that degrades quality of life and often results in structural bowel complications requiring surgery.  

Current management relies on conventional anti-inflammatory agents for mild-to-acute disease and advanced targeted therapies—such as biologics and oral small molecules—to suppress specific inflammatory pathways. However, a "therapeutic ceiling" limits clinical remission rates to 40–50%, underscoring an urgent need for novel therapeutic paradigms. 

At Vibiosphen, we provide a robust model of chronic intestinal inflammation to support the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Our model is designed to generate clinically relevant data that help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies accelerate their development programs. 

Background of Model of intestinal inflammation 

The exact cause of IBD is not fully understood, but it's believed to be a complex interaction between a person's genetics, their immune system, the gut microbiome, and environmental factors. This combination leads to a dysregulated immune response, causing chronic inflammation. 

Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitis is one of the most widely used and established preclinical animal models for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). 

Our mouse model is based on successive cycles of 2-5% DSS in drinking water for 5-45 days that result in the induction of acute - chronic colitis. Compounds may be dosed via multiple routes until study completion. 

Model of intestinal inflammation 

Animals (mouse) 

• The primary mouse lineages used in preclinical studies are inbred strains known for their genetic uniformity, which minimizes experimental variability. 

  • C57BL/6 mice  

  • BALB/c mice  

• Outbred mice, unlike their inbred counterparts, are maintained in large, randomly bred colonies to maximize genetic variation. This heterogeneity makes each mouse genetically unique. 

  • CD-1 (also known as ICR) mice 

  • Swiss mice 

Routes of Administration 

Compounds under evaluation may be dosed through several routes to reflect clinical usage and pharmacological profiles: 

• Oral gavage  

• Intraperitoneal route 

• Intravenous route 

• Subcutaneous route 

• Intramuscular route 

• Intranasal route 

• Inhalation / aerosolization route 

• Intratracheal route 

• Topical application  

This versatility allows us to design tailored studies that align the therapeutic administration route with the intended clinical application. 

Readouts in the model intestinal inflammation 

• Primary endpoints 

  • Mouse monitoring (bodyweight, clinical signs) 

  • Systemic inflammation (blood cytokines) 

  • Intestinal inflammation (fecal lipocalin2) 

  • Colon length 

• Secondary endpoints 

  • Gut barrier integrity (FITC-dextran)  

  • Gut microbiota composition (Metagenomics) 

Why Choose Vibiosphen? 

• Proven expertise in preclinical research 

• Flexible and customized study designs adapted to sponsor requirements (see downloads available as example)  

• Advanced facilities to ensure reliable and reproducible results (BSL2 and BSL3)  

• Strong collaborations with pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and academic partners 

Vibiosphen combines scientific excellence with industry know-how to deliver actionable preclinical data that drives innovation. 

Contact Us 

Contact us today to discuss your project and explore how our colitis model can support your development strategy.  

We will be pleased to facilitate your project by providing a customized study design for your project objectives.