The MiP model can also be used for ex vivo stimulation assays, either as a follow up assay at termination of the in vivo experiment or as a stand alone assay for initial investigation of efficacy and dosing. Spleens from animals induced with MiP show a greater number of splenocytes at termination compared to naive spleens or spleens from treated MiP mice. Splenocytes can be cultured in presence of the lectin activator Concanavalin A (ConA) and cellular and cytokine responses can be measured. Splenocytes can either be taken from mice treated in vivo to investigate effect of drug on restimulation, or alternatively, cells from non-treated mice can be used for investigation of effect of test item ex vivo.