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An Overview towards Zebrafish Larvae as a Model for Ocular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065387. [PMID: 36982479 PMCID: PMC10048880 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the obvious morphological differences in the visual system, zebrafish share a similar architecture and components of the same embryonic origin as humans. The zebrafish retina has the same layered structure and cell types with similar metabolic and phototransduction support as humans, and is functional 72 h after fertilization, allowing tests of visual function to be performed. The zebrafish genomic database supports genetic mapping studies as well as gene editing, both of which are useful in the ophthalmological field. It is possible to model ocular disorders in zebrafish, as well as inherited retinal diseases or congenital or acquired malformations. Several approaches allow the evaluation of local pathological processes derived from systemic disorders, such as chemical exposure to produce retinal hypoxia or glucose exposure to produce hyperglycemia, mimicking retinopathy of prematurity or diabetic retinopathy, respectively. The pathogenesis of ocular infections, autoimmune diseases, or aging can also be assessed in zebrafish larvae, and the preserved cellular and molecular immune mechanisms can be assessed. Finally, the zebrafish model for the study of the pathologies of the visual system complements certain deficiencies in experimental models of mammals since the regeneration of the zebrafish retina is a valuable tool for the study of degenerative processes and the discovery of new drugs and therapies.
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Transport of PEGylated-PLA nanoparticles across a blood brain barrier model, entry into neuronal cells and in vivo brain bioavailability. J Control Release 2020; 328:679-695. [PMID: 32979453 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.09.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Treatments of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are severely hampered by the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) precluding efficient brain drug delivery. The development of drug nanocarriers aims at increasing the brain therapeutic index would represent a real progress in brain disease management. PEGylated polyester nanoparticles (NPs) are intensively tested in clinical trials for improved drug delivery. Our working hypothesis was that some surface parameters and size of NPs could favor their penetration across the BBB and their neuronal uptake. Polymeric material PEG-b-PLA diblocks were synthesized by ring opening polymerisation (ROP) with PEG2000 or PEG5000. A library of polymeric PEG-b-PLA diblocks NPs with different physicochemical properties was produced. The toxicity, endocytosis and transcytosis through the brain microvascular endothelial cells were monitored as well as the neuronal cells uptake. In vitro results lead to the identification of favourable surface parameters for the NPs endocytosis into vascular endothelial cells. NPs endocytosis took place mainly by macropinocytosis while transcytosis was partially controlled by their surface chemistry and size. In vivo assays on a zebrafish model showed that the kinetic of NPs in circulation is dependent on PEG coating properties. In vivo findings also showed a low but similar translocation of PEG-b-PLA diblocks NPs to the CNS, regardless of their properties. In conclusion, modulation of surface PEG chain length and NPs size impact the endocytosis rate of NPs but have little influence on cell barriers translocation; while in vivo biodistribution is influenced by surface PEG chain density.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common complications associated with chronic hyperglycemia seen in patients with diabetes mellitus. While many facets of DR are still not fully understood, animal studies have contributed significantly to understanding the etiology and progression of human DR. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of the induced and genetic DR models in different species and the advantages and disadvantages of each model. RECENT FINDINGS Rodents are the most commonly used models, though dogs develop the most similar morphological retinal lesions as those seen in humans, and pigs and zebrafish have similar vasculature and retinal structures to humans. Nonhuman primates can also develop diabetes mellitus spontaneously or have focal lesions induced to simulate retinal neovascular disease observed in individuals with DR. DR results in vascular changes and dysfunction of the neural, glial, and pancreatic β cells. Currently, no model completely recapitulates the full pathophysiology of neuronal and vascular changes that occur at each stage of diabetic retinopathy; however, each model recapitulates many of the disease phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Olivares
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Kristen Althoff
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Gloria Fanghua Chen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Siqi Wu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | | | | | - Neena Haider
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA
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Jung SH, Kim YS, Lee YR, Kim JS. High glucose-induced changes in hyaloid-retinal vessels during early ocular development of zebrafish: a short-term animal model of diabetic retinopathy. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 173:15-26. [PMID: 26276677 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Although a variety of animal models have been used to test drug candidates and examine the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, time-saving and inexpensive models are still needed to evaluate the increasing number of therapeutic approaches. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We developed a model for diabetic retinopathy using the early stage of transgenic zebrafish (flk:EGFP) by treating embryos with 130 mM glucose, from 3-6 days post fertilisation (high-glucose model). On day 6, lenses from zebrafish larvae were isolated and treated with 3% trypsin, and changes in hyaloid-retinal vessels were analysed using fluorescent stereomicroscopy. In addition, expression of tight junction proteins (such as zonula occludens-1), effects of hyperosmolar solutions and of hypoxia, and Vegf expression were assessed by RT -PCR. NO production was assessed with a fluorescent substrate. Effects of inhibitors of the VEGF receptor, NO synthesis and a VEGF antibody (ranibizumab) were also measured. KEY RESULTS In this high-glucose model, dilation of hyaloid-retinal vessels, on day 6, was accompanied by morphological lesions with disruption of tight junction proteins, overproduction of Vegf mRNA and increased NO production. Treatment of this high-glucose model with an inhibitor of VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase or an inhibitor of NO synthase or ranibizumab decreased dilation of hyaloid-retinal vessels. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These findings suggest that short-term exposure of zebrafish larvae to high-glucose conditions could be used for screening and drug discovery for diabetic retinopathy and particularly for disorders of retinal vessels related to disruption of tight junction proteins and excessive VEGF and NO production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hyun Jung
- Korean Medicine Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM), Daejeon, 305-811, Korea
| | - Young Sook Kim
- Korean Medicine Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM), Daejeon, 305-811, Korea
| | - Yu-Ri Lee
- Korean Medicine Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM), Daejeon, 305-811, Korea
| | - Jin Sook Kim
- Korean Medicine Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM), Daejeon, 305-811, Korea
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5
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Williams AL, Bohnsack BL. Neural crest derivatives in ocular development: discerning the eye of the storm. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 105:87-95. [PMID: 26043871 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.21095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Neural crest cells (NCCs) are vertebrate-specific transient, multipotent, migratory stem cells that play a crucial role in many aspects of embryonic development. These cells emerge from the dorsal neural tube and subsequently migrate to different regions of the body, contributing to the formation of diverse cell lineages and structures, including much of the peripheral nervous system, craniofacial skeleton, smooth muscle, skin pigmentation, and multiple ocular and periocular structures. Indeed, abnormalities in neural crest development cause craniofacial defects and ocular anomalies, such as Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome and primary congenital glaucoma. Thus, understanding the molecular regulation of neural crest development is important to enhance our knowledge of the basis for congenital eye diseases, reflecting the contributions of these progenitors to multiple cell lineages. Particularly, understanding the underpinnings of neural crest formation will help to discern the complexities of eye development, as these NCCs are involved in every aspect of this process. In this review, we summarize the role of ocular NCCs in eye development, particularly focusing on congenital eye diseases associated with anterior segment defects and the interplay between three prominent molecules, PITX2, CYP1B1, and retinoic acid, which act in concert to specify a population of neural crest-derived mesenchymal progenitors for migration and differentiation, to give rise to distinct anterior segment tissues. We also describe recent findings implicating this stem cell population in ocular coloboma formation, and introduce recent evidence suggesting the involvement of NCCs in optic fissure closure and vascular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antionette L Williams
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan
| | - Brenda L Bohnsack
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan
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Hartsock A, Lee C, Arnold V, Gross JM. In vivo analysis of hyaloid vasculature morphogenesis in zebrafish: A role for the lens in maturation and maintenance of the hyaloid. Dev Biol 2014; 394:327-39. [PMID: 25127995 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Two vascular networks nourish the embryonic eye as it develops - the hyaloid vasculature, located at the anterior of the eye between the retina and lens, and the choroidal vasculature, located at the posterior of the eye, surrounding the optic cup. Little is known about hyaloid development and morphogenesis, however. To begin to identify the morphogenetic underpinnings of hyaloid formation, we utilized in vivo time-lapse confocal imaging to characterize morphogenesis of the zebrafish hyaloid through 5 days post fertilization (dpf). Our data segregate hyaloid formation into three distinct morphogenetic stages: Stage I: arrival of hyaloid cells at the lens and formation of the hyaloid loop; Stage II: formation of a branched hyaloid network; Stage III: refinement of the hyaloid network. Utilizing fixed and dissected tissues, distinct Stage II and Stage III aspects of hyaloid formation were quantified over time. Combining in vivo imaging with microangiography, we demonstrate that the hyaloid system becomes fully enclosed by 5dpf. To begin to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying hyaloid morphogenesis, we identified a recessive mutation in the mab21l2 gene, and in a subset of mab21l2 mutants the lens does not form. Utilizing these "lens-less" mutants, we determined whether the lens was required for hyaloid morphogenesis. Our data demonstrate that the lens is not required for Stage I of hyaloid formation; however, Stages II and III of hyaloid formation are disrupted in the absence of a lens, supporting a role for the lens in hyaloid maturation and maintenance. Taken together, this study provides a foundation on which the cellular, molecular and embryologic mechanisms underlying hyaloid morphogenesis can be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Hartsock
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Chanjae Lee
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Victoria Arnold
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Jeffrey M Gross
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States.
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TM4SF5 suppression disturbs integrin α5-related signalling and muscle development in zebrafish. Biochem J 2014; 462:89-101. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20140177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
TM4SF5 suppression in zebrafish causes abnormal trunk morphology with aberrant translocation and organization of muscle cells, via altered fibronectin/integrin α5/FAK/vinculin/actin signalling. TM4SF5 controls muscle differentiation via alteration in integrin α5-related signalling.
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Kolosov D, Chasiotis H, Kelly SP. Tight junction protein gene expression patterns and changes in transcript abundance during development of model fish gill epithelia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 217:1667-81. [PMID: 24501135 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.098731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In vertebrates, tight junction (TJ) proteins play an important role in epithelium formation and development, the maintenance of tissue integrity and regulation of TJ permeability. In this study, primary cultured model gill epithelia composed of pavement cells (PVCs) were used to examine TJ protein transcript abundance during the development of epithelium confluence and epithelium resistive properties. Differences in TJ protein expression patterns and transcript abundance between gill models composed of PVCs and models composed of PVCs and mitochondrion-rich cells (MRCs) were also examined. Marked alterations in TJ protein transcript abundance were observed as cells developed to confluence in flask-cultured model gill epithelia. In contrast, during the formation of tissue resistance in insert-cultured epithelia (i.e. epithelia cultured on a permeable substrate), changes in TJ protein mRNA abundance were conservative, despite paracellular marker flux decreasing by orders of magnitude. In both cases significant changes in claudin-8b, -8d, -27b, -28b and -32a transcript abundance were observed, suggesting that temporal alterations in the abundance of these genes are important end points of model gill epithelium integrity. When MRCs were present in cultured gill models, the mRNA abundance of several TJ proteins significantly altered and claudin-10c, -10d and -33b were only detected in preparations that included MRCs. These data provide insight into the role of select TJ proteins in the formation and development of gill epithelia and the maintenance of gill barrier properties. In addition, observations reveal a heterogeneous distribution of claudin TJ proteins in the gill epithelial cells of rainbow trout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Kolosov
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Helen Chasiotis
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Scott P Kelly
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
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Jo DH, Kim JH, Heo JI, Kim JH, Cho CH. Interaction between pericytes and endothelial cells leads to formation of tight junction in hyaloid vessels. Mol Cells 2013; 36:465-71. [PMID: 24213675 PMCID: PMC3887934 DOI: 10.1007/s10059-013-0228-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Revised: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The hyaloid vessel is a transient vascular network that nourishes the lens and the primary vitreous in the early developmental periods. In hyaloid vessels devoid of the support of astrocytes, we demonstrate that tight junction proteins, zonula occludens-1 and occludin, are regularly expressed at the junction of endothelial cells. To figure out the factor influencing the formation of tight junctions in hyaloid vessels, we further progress to investigate the interactions between endothelial cells and pericytes, two representative constituent cells in hyaloid vessels. Interestingly, endothelial cells interact with pericytes in the early postnatal periods and the interaction between two cell types provokes the up-regulation of transforming growth factor β1. Further in vitro experiments demonstrate that transforming growth factor β1 induces the activation of Smad2 and Smad3 and the formation of tight junction proteins. Taken together, in hyaloid vessels, pericytes seem to regulate the formation of tight junctions by the interaction with endothelial cells even without the support of astrocytes. Additionally, we suggest that the hyaloid vessel is a valuable system that can be utilized for the investigation of cell-cell interaction in the formation of tight junctions in developing vasculatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hyun Jo
- Fight against Angiogenesis-Related Blindness (FARB) Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 110-744, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea
| | - Jin Hyoung Kim
- Fight against Angiogenesis-Related Blindness (FARB) Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 110-744, Korea
| | - Jong-Ik Heo
- Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea
| | - Jeong Hun Kim
- Fight against Angiogenesis-Related Blindness (FARB) Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 110-744, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea
- Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea
| | - Chung-Hyun Cho
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea
- Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea
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10
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Kolosov D, Bui P, Chasiotis H, Kelly SP. Claudins in teleost fishes. Tissue Barriers 2013; 1:e25391. [PMID: 24665402 PMCID: PMC3875606 DOI: 10.4161/tisb.25391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 06/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Teleost fishes are a large and diverse animal group that represent close to 50% of all described vertebrate species. This review consolidates what is known about the claudin (Cldn) family of tight junction (TJ) proteins in teleosts. Cldns are transmembrane proteins of the vertebrate epithelial/endothelial TJ complex that largely determine TJ permeability. Cldns achieve this by expressing barrier or pore forming properties and by exhibiting distinct tissue distribution patterns. So far, ~63 genes encoding for Cldn TJ proteins have been reported in 16 teleost species. Collectively, cldns (or Cldns) are found in a broad array of teleost fish tissues, but select genes exhibit restricted expression patterns. Evidence to date strongly supports the view that Cldns play a vital role in the embryonic development of teleost fishes and in the physiology of tissues and organ systems studied thus far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Kolosov
- Department of Biology; York University; Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Phuong Bui
- Department of Biology; York University; Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Scott P Kelly
- Department of Biology; York University; Toronto, ON, Canada
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Jo DH, Cho CS, Kim JH, Jun HO, Kim JH. Animal models of diabetic retinopathy: doors to investigate pathogenesis and potential therapeutics. J Biomed Sci 2013; 20:38. [PMID: 23786217 PMCID: PMC3694455 DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-20-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective and validated animal models are valuable to investigate the pathogenesis and potential therapeutics for human diseases. There is much concern for diabetic retinopathy (DR) in that it affects substantial number of working population all around the world, resulting in visual deterioration and social deprivation. In this review, we discuss animal models of DR based on different species of animals from zebrafish to monkeys and prerequisites for animal models. Despite criticisms on imprudent use of laboratory animals, we hope that animal models of DR will be appropriately utilized to deepen our understanding on the pathogenesis of DR and to support our struggle to find novel therapeutics against catastrophic visual loss from DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hyun Jo
- Fight against Angiogenesis-Related Blindness (FARB) Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Republic of Korea
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Zhang J, Liss M, Wolburg H, Blasig IE, Abdelilah-Seyfried S. Involvement of claudins in zebrafish brain ventricle morphogenesis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2012; 1257:193-8. [PMID: 22671606 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06507.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish brain ventricle morphogenesis involves an initial circulation-independent opening followed by a blood flow- and circulation-dependent expansion process. Zebrafish claudin-5a is required for the establishment of a neuroepithelial-ventricular barrier, which maintains the hydrostatic pressure within the ventricular cavity, thereby contributing to brain ventricle opening and expansion. In mammalia, several claudin family members, including claudin-3 and claudin-5, are expressed within microvessel endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier. Whether zebrafish brain ventricle morphogenesis provides a model for studying these claudins during early embryonic development was unknown. This review focuses on the expression and function of these zebrafish claudins during brain ventricle morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhang
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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New insights into the mechanism of lens development using zebra fish. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2012; 296:1-61. [PMID: 22559937 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394307-1.00001-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
On the basis of recent advances in molecular biology, genetics, and live-embryo imaging, direct comparisons between zebra fish and human lens development are being made. The zebra fish has numerous experimental advantages for investigation of fundamental biomedical problems that are often best studied in the lens. The physical characteristics of visible light can account for the highly coordinated cell differentiation during formation of a beautifully transparent, refractile, symmetric optical element, the biological lens. The accessibility of the zebra fish lens for direct investigation during rapid development will result in new knowledge about basic functional mechanisms of epithelia-mesenchymal transitions, cell fate, cell-matrix interactions, cytoskeletal interactions, cytoplasmic crowding, membrane transport, cell adhesion, cell signaling, and metabolic specialization. The lens is well known as a model for characterization of cell and molecular aging. We review the recent advances in understanding vertebrate lens development conducted with zebra fish.
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Jensen LD, Rouhi P, Cao Z, Länne T, Wahlberg E, Cao Y. Zebrafish models to study hypoxia-induced pathological angiogenesis in malignant and nonmalignant diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 93:182-93. [PMID: 21671357 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.20203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Most in vivo preclinical disease models are based on mouse and other mammalian systems. However, these rodent-based model systems have considerable limitations to recapitulate clinical situations in human patients. Zebrafish have been widely used to study embryonic development, behavior, tissue regeneration, and genetic defects. Additionally, zebrafish also provides an opportunity to screen chemical compounds that target a specific cell population for drug development. Owing to the availability of various genetically manipulated strains of zebrafish, immune privilege during early embryonic development, transparency of the embryos, and easy and precise setup of hypoxia equipment, we have developed several disease models in both embryonic and adult zebrafish, focusing on studying the role of angiogenesis in pathological settings. These zebrafish disease models are complementary to the existing mouse models, allowing us to study clinically relevant processes in cancer and nonmalignant diseases, which otherwise would be difficult to study in mice. For example, dissemination and invasion of single human or mouse tumor cells from the primary site in association with tumor angiogenesis can be studied under normoxia or hypoxia in zebrafish embryos. Hypoxia-induced retinopathy in the adult zebrafish recapitulates the clinical situation of retinopathy development in diabetic patients or age-related macular degeneration. These zebrafish disease models offer exciting opportunities to understand the mechanisms of disease development, progression, and development of more effective drugs for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lasse Dahl Jensen
- Deparment of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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