The Azoxymethane/Dextran Sodium Sulfate (AOM/DSS) model of inflammation associated polyposis is a routinely utilized model that accurately recapitulates many features of human disease. Animal exposure to AOM, a carcinogen, results in a somatic inactivating mutation in a Wnt pathway kinase, leading to the generation of spontaneous cancerous colorectal polyps. The addition of DSS damages the mucosal layer, with concomitant inflammation, exacerbating the AOM-induced phenotypes. Weight loss with resolution is observed following the DSS-administration period. Polyps begin to develop approximately one week later, and colitis is observed through study duration.

• Advantages: compromised mucosal barrier integrity, well-published, validated lots of DSS at BioModels.
• Disadvantages: difficult to support BID oral dosing during disease induction, model is sensitive to environmental influences, lot-to-lot variations in DSS.

• C57Bl/6 Mice

• Percent weight change
• Disease Activity Index: diarrhea and blood in stool scoring
• Endoscopy: polyp count, colitis severity, stool consistency, and polyposis scoring
• Terminal colon weight and length measurement
• Terminal histopathology and/or IHC analyses

• Colon cytokines
• Peripheral lymphoid organ immunophenotyping
• Intestinal lamina propria immunophenotyping
• Custom assays