Comparative pathology of connective tissue diseases.

Selected examples of animal models for human connective tissue diseases are reviewed, with emphasis on those which can be verified by genetic, immunologic, and biochemical studies. Desnick et al. have stated that the study of animal models in inborn errors of metabolism will "have a dramatic impact on the future development and evaluation of effective therapies for a variety of human enzyme diseases." It is hoped that these discussions, including comments on the importance of animal models for specific human diseases of the connective tissue, will yield significant benefits in human health.