Identification and Analysis of an Improved Animal Model for Behçet’s Disease: A Computational Approach

Abstract

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a multi-system inflammatory disease primarily affecting patients along the historical silk road. Current attempts to develop an animal model for BD have proved to be only partially successful; they have been unable to replicate both the phenotypic and genotypic aspects of this complex disease. In order to overcome these limitations, we preformed a computational analysis to find an improved animal model for BD. First, we identified phenotypic and genetic factors of BD. Second, we compared these factors to 27 other autoimmune diseases. Finally, we analyzed identified autoimmune diseases animal models in order to determine if they can be used for BD. Using this methodology, we were able to identify 3 potential animal models for the continuation of BD research. These three models may prove useful in the development of novel BD treatments.