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Talbot SR, Kumstel S, Schulz B, Tang G, Abdelrahman A, Seume N, Wendt EHU, Eichberg J, Häger C, Bleich A, Vollmar B, Zechner D. Robustness of a multivariate composite score when evaluating distress of animal models for gastrointestinal diseases. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2605. [PMID: 36788346 PMCID: PMC9929045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29623-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The fundament of an evidence-based severity assessment in laboratory animal science is reliable distress parameters. Many readouts are used to evaluate and determine animal distress and the severity of experimental procedures. Therefore, we analyzed four distinct parameters like the body weight, burrowing behavior, nesting, and distress score in the four gastrointestinal animal models (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), pancreatitis, CCl4 intoxication, and bile duct ligation (BDL)). Further, we determined the parameters' robustness in various experimental subgroups due to slight variations like drug treatment or telemeter implantations. We used non-parametric bootstrapping to get robust estimates and 95% confidence intervals for the experimental groups. It was found that the performance of the readout parameters is model-dependent and that the distress score is prone to experimental variation. On the other hand, we also found that burrowing and nesting can be more robust than, e.g., the body weight when evaluating PDA. However, the body weight still was highly robust in BDL, pancreatitis, and CCl4 intoxication. To address the complex nature of the multi-dimensional severity space, we used the Relative Severity Assessment (RELSA) procedure to combine multiple distress parameters into a score and mapped the subgroups and models against a defined reference set obtained by telemeter implantation. This approach allowed us to compare the severity of individual animals in the experimental subgroups using the maximum achieved severity (RELSAmax). With this, the following order of severity was found for the animal models: CCl4 < PDA ≈ Pancreatitis < BDL. Furthermore, the robustness of the RELSA procedure and outcome was externally validated with a reference set from another laboratory also obtained from telemeter implantation. Since the RELSA procedure reflects the multi-dimensional severity information and is highly robust in estimating the quantitative severity within and between models, it can be deemed a valuable tool for laboratory animal severity assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R Talbot
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Simone Kumstel
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Benjamin Schulz
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Guanglin Tang
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Ahmed Abdelrahman
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Nico Seume
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Edgar H U Wendt
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Johanna Eichberg
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christine Häger
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - André Bleich
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Dietmar Zechner
- Rostock University Medical Center, Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
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Wu B, Tian X, Wang W, Zhu J, Lu Y, Du J, Xiao Y. Upregulation of cadherin-11 contributes to cholestatic liver fibrosis. Pediatr Investig 2022; 6:100-110. [PMID: 35774522 PMCID: PMC9218970 DOI: 10.1002/ped4.12317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance Cadherin-11 (CDH11), a cell-to-cell adhesion molecule, is implicated in the fibrotic process of several organs. Biliary atresia (BA) is a common cholestatic liver disease featuring cholestasis and progressive liver fibrosis in children. Cholestatic liver fibrosis may progress to liver cirrhosis and lacks effective therapeutic strategies. Currently, the role of CDH11 in cholestatic liver fibrosis remains unclear. Objective This study aimed to explore the functions of CDH11 in cholestatic liver fibrosis. Methods The expression of CDH11 in BA livers was evaluated by database analysis and immunostaining. Seven BA liver samples were used for immunostaining. The wild type (Wt) and CDH11 knockout (CDH11-/- ) mice were subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) to induce cholestatic liver fibrosis. The serum biochemical analysis, liver histology, and western blotting were used to assess the extent of liver injury and fibrosis as well as activation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad pathway. The effect of CDH11 on the activation of hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 cells was investigated. Results Analysis of public RNA-seq datasets showed that CDH11 expression levels were significantly increased in livers of BA, and CDH11 was correlated with liver fibrosis in BA. BDL-induced liver injury and liver fibrosis were attenuated in CDH11-/- mice compared to Wt mice. The protein expression levels of phosphorylated Smad2/3 were decreased in livers of CDH11-/- BDL mice compared to Wt BDL mice. CDH11 knockdown inhibited the activation of LX-2 cells. Interpretation CDH11 plays an important role in cholestatic liver fibrosis and may represent a potential therapeutic target for cholestatic liver disease, such as BA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xin Hua HospitalSchool of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghai Institute of Pediatric ResearchShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghaiChina
| | - Xinbei Tian
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xin Hua HospitalSchool of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghai Institute of Pediatric ResearchShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghaiChina
| | - Weipeng Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xin Hua HospitalSchool of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghai Institute of Pediatric ResearchShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghaiChina
| | - Jing Zhu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xin Hua HospitalSchool of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghai Institute of Pediatric ResearchShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghaiChina
| | - Ying Lu
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghai Institute of Pediatric ResearchShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghaiChina
| | - Jun Du
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghai Institute of Pediatric ResearchShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghaiChina
| | - Yongtao Xiao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xin Hua HospitalSchool of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghai Institute of Pediatric ResearchShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionShanghaiChina
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3
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Silva I, Alípio C, Pinto R, Mateus V. Potential anti-inflammatory effect of erythropoietin in non-clinical studies in vivo: A systematic review. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 139:111558. [PMID: 33894624 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hypoxia-induced hormone produced in adult kidneys with erythropoietic and non-erythropoietic effects. In vivo studies represent an important role to comprehend the efficacy and safety in the early phase of repurposing drugs. The aim is to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory effect of EPO observed in animal models of disease. Following PRISMA statements, electronic database Medline via PubMed platform was used to search articles with the research expression ((erythropoietin [MeSH Terms]) AND (inflammation [MeSH Terms]) AND (disease models, animal [MeSH Terms])). The inclusion criteria were original articles, studies where EPO was administered, studies where inflammation was studied and/or evaluated, non-clinical studies in vivo with rodents, and articles published in English. Thirty-six articles met the criteria for qualitative analysis. Exogenous EPO was used in models of sepsis, traumatic brain injury, and autoimmune neuritis, with an average of 3000 IU/Kg for single and multiple doses, using mice and rats. Biomarkers such as immune-related effectors, cytokines, reactive oxygen species, prostaglandins, and other biomarkers were assessed. EPO has been recognized as a multifunctional cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties, showing its significant effect both in acute and chronic models of inflammation. Further non-clinical studies are suggested for the enlightenment of anti-inflammatory mechanisms of EPO in lower doses, allowing us to understand the translational data for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Silva
- H&TRC-Health and Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Lisbon School of Health Technology, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal; iMed.ULisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carolina Alípio
- H&TRC-Health and Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Lisbon School of Health Technology, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rui Pinto
- iMed.ULisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; JCS, Dr. Joaquim Chaves, Laboratório de Análises Clínicas, Miraflores, 1495-069 Algés, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Mateus
- H&TRC-Health and Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Lisbon School of Health Technology, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal; iMed.ULisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Dropmann A, Dediulia T, Breitkopf-Heinlein K, Korhonen H, Janicot M, Weber SN, Thomas M, Piiper A, Bertran E, Fabregat I, Abshagen K, Hess J, Angel P, Coulouarn C, Dooley S, Meindl-Beinker NM. TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 abundance in liver diseases of mice and men. Oncotarget 2017; 7:19499-518. [PMID: 26799667 PMCID: PMC4991397 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
TGF-β1 is a major player in chronic liver diseases promoting fibrogenesis and tumorigenesis through various mechanisms. The expression and function of TGF-β2 have not been investigated thoroughly in liver disease to date. In this paper, we provide evidence that TGF-β2 expression correlates with fibrogenesis and liver cancer development. Using quantitative realtime PCR and ELISA, we show that TGF-β2 mRNA expression and secretion increased in murine HSCs and hepatocytes over time in culture and were found in the human-derived HSC cell line LX-2. TGF-β2 stimulation of the LX-2 cells led to upregulation of the TGF-β receptors 1, 2, and 3, whereas TGF-β1 treatment did not alter or decrease their expression. In liver regeneration and fibrosis upon CCl4 challenge, the transient increase of TGF-β2 expression was accompanied by TGF-β1 and collagen expression. In bile duct ligation-induced fibrosis, TGF-β2 upregulation correlated with fibrotic markers and was more prominent than TGF-β1 expression. Accordingly, MDR2-KO mice showed significant TGF-β2 upregulation within 3 to 15 months but minor TGF-β1 expression changes. In 5 of 8 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)/hepatoblastoma cell lines, relatively high TGF-β2 expression and secretion were observed, with some cell lines even secreting more TGF-β2 than TGF-β1. TGF-β2 was also upregulated in tumors of TGFα/cMyc and DEN-treated mice. The analysis of publically available microarray data of 13 human HCC collectives revealed considerable upregulation of TGF-β2 as compared to normal liver. Our study demonstrates upregulation of TGF-β2 in liver disease and suggests TGF-β2 as a promising therapeutic target for tackling fibrosis and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Dropmann
- Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tatjana Dediulia
- Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Breitkopf-Heinlein
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Susanne N Weber
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Maria Thomas
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany.,University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Albrecht Piiper
- Medizinische Klinik 1, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Esther Bertran
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and University of Barcelona L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Fabregat
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and University of Barcelona L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kerstin Abshagen
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Jochen Hess
- Research Group Molecular Mechanisms of Head and Neck Tumors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Angel
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cédric Coulouarn
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR991, University of Rennes, Pontchaillou University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Steven Dooley
- Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nadja M Meindl-Beinker
- Molecular Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Tag CG, Weiskirchen S, Hittatiya K, Tacke F, Tolba RH, Weiskirchen R. Induction of experimental obstructive cholestasis in mice. Lab Anim 2015; 49:70-80. [PMID: 25835740 DOI: 10.1177/0023677214567748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The induction of experimental obstructive cholestasis is a reliable model for cholestatic liver diseases in rodents. Bile duct ligation (BDL) in mice provokes typical time-dependent morphological and structural changes in the liver, ranging from liver cell injury and elevated serum enzyme levels after several days, to a severe inflammatory response in the liver after 5-7 days, up to an advanced hepatic fibrosis as soon as three to four weeks after surgical ligation of the common biliary duct. Upon BDL induction, hepatic stellate cells become activated and transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts that produce extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen. In principle, the periportal fibrosis induced by BDL in rat livers is reversible. After the relief of a biliary obstruction, the liver has the capacity to revert to a nearly normal histological architecture and a fully normal biochemical function. When BDL surgery is performed by an experienced scientist, this model has very high reproducibility among all fibrotic models. All these factors corroborate the outstanding value of this model for basic and translational research in biomedicine and hepatology. Nevertheless, this model can result in significant variations when surgery is carried out by untrained personnel or when unconscious modifications are implemented that affect the quality of the intervention. A detailed protocol is provided here for the provision of reliable and reproducible BDL in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- C G Tag
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - S Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - K Hittatiya
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - F Tacke
- Department of Medicine III, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - R H Tolba
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science and Experimental Surgery, RWTH University Aachen, Aachen, Germany for the Transregional Collaborative Research Center 'Organ Fibrosis: From Mechanisms of Injury to Modulation of Disease' (SFB/TRR57)
| | - R Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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6
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Bannert K, Kuhla A, Abshagen K, Vollmar B. Anti-apoptotic therapeutic approaches in liver diseases: do they really make sense? Apoptosis 2015; 19:1243-53. [PMID: 24872082 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-014-1004-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
A variety of data suggesting apoptotic cell death as a key feature of liver injury stimulated researchers to investigate the therapeutic potential of anti-apoptotic strategies in experimental models. However, the overestimated role of apoptotic cell death in liver injury has tempered the clinical translation of the protection afforded by anti-apoptotic regimes in experimental models. Thus, the hope for apoptosis modulation as potential treatment strategy for injured liver in humans could not be confirmed. Herein, we evaluated the degree of apoptosis in different hepatic stress models which are relevant for the human pathophysiology. Using morphological criteria of apoptosis, caspase-3 activation as well as TUNEL assay in combination with a positive control of apoptosis in liver injury, we quantified apoptotic cell death discriminating between parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells and confirmed these results by cleaved caspase-3 and PARP-1 protein expression. Discussing our findings and relating them to the existing literature on the potential role of apoptotic cell death, we strongly recommend reconsidering anti-apoptotic strategies to ameliorate liver injury efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Bannert
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical School, Schillingallee 69 a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
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Bigalke C, Luderer F, Wulf K, Storm T, Löbler M, Arbeiter D, Rau BM, Nizze H, Vollmar B, Schmitz KP, Klar E, Sternberg K. VEGF-releasing suture material for enhancement of vascularization: development, in vitro and in vivo study. Acta Biomater 2014; 10:5081-5089. [PMID: 25204522 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2014.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Revised: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
As it has been demonstrated that bioactive substances can be delivered locally using coated surgical suture materials, the authors developed a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-releasing suture material that should promote vascularization and potentially wound healing. In this context, the study focused on the characterization of the developed suture material and the verification of its biological activity, as well as establishing a coating process that allows reproducible and stable coating of a commercially available polydioxanone suture material with poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and 0.1μg and 1.0μg VEGF. The in vitro VEGF release kinetics was studied using a Sandwich ELISA. The biological activity of the released VEGF was investigated in vitro using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The potential of the VEGF-releasing suture material was also studied in vivo 5days after implantation in the hind limb of Wistar rats, when the histological findings were analyzed. The essential results, enhanced cell viability in vitro as well as significantly increased vascularization in vivo, were achieved using PLLA/1.0μg VEGF-coated suture material. Furthermore, ELISA measurements revealed a high reproducibility of the VEGF release behavior. Based on the results achieved regarding the dose-effect relationship of VEGF, the stability during its processing and the release behavior, it can be predicted that a bioactive suture material would be successful in later in vivo studies. Therefore, this knowledge could be the basis for future studies, where bioactive substances with different modes of action are combined for targeted, overall enhancement of wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Bigalke
- Department of General, Thoracic, Vascular and Transplantation Surgery, University of Rostock, Schillingallee 35, D-18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Frank Luderer
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Rostock, Friedrich-Barnewitz-Str. 4, D-18119 Rostock, Germany
| | - Katharina Wulf
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Rostock, Friedrich-Barnewitz-Str. 4, D-18119 Rostock, Germany
| | - Thilo Storm
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Rostock, Friedrich-Barnewitz-Str. 4, D-18119 Rostock, Germany
| | - Marian Löbler
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Rostock, Friedrich-Barnewitz-Str. 4, D-18119 Rostock, Germany
| | - Daniela Arbeiter
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Rostock, Friedrich-Barnewitz-Str. 4, D-18119 Rostock, Germany
| | - Bettina M Rau
- Department of General, Thoracic, Vascular and Transplantation Surgery, University of Rostock, Schillingallee 35, D-18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Horst Nizze
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Rostock, Friedrich-Barnewitz-Str. 4, D-18119 Rostock, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University of Rostock, Strempelstr. 14, D-18055 Rostock, Germany
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, University of Rostock, Schillingallee 69a, D-18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Schmitz
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Rostock, Friedrich-Barnewitz-Str. 4, D-18119 Rostock, Germany
| | - Ernst Klar
- Department of General, Thoracic, Vascular and Transplantation Surgery, University of Rostock, Schillingallee 35, D-18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Katrin Sternberg
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Rostock, Friedrich-Barnewitz-Str. 4, D-18119 Rostock, Germany
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Liedtke C, Luedde T, Sauerbruch T, Scholten D, Streetz K, Tacke F, Tolba R, Trautwein C, Trebicka J, Weiskirchen R. Experimental liver fibrosis research: update on animal models, legal issues and translational aspects. FIBROGENESIS & TISSUE REPAIR 2013; 6:19. [PMID: 24274743 PMCID: PMC3850878 DOI: 10.1186/1755-1536-6-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 238] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is defined as excessive extracellular matrix deposition and is based on complex interactions between matrix-producing hepatic stellate cells and an abundance of liver-resident and infiltrating cells. Investigation of these processes requires in vitro and in vivo experimental work in animals. However, the use of animals in translational research will be increasingly challenged, at least in countries of the European Union, because of the adoption of new animal welfare rules in 2013. These rules will create an urgent need for optimized standard operating procedures regarding animal experimentation and improved international communication in the liver fibrosis community. This review gives an update on current animal models, techniques and underlying pathomechanisms with the aim of fostering a critical discussion of the limitations and potential of up-to-date animal experimentation. We discuss potential complications in experimental liver fibrosis and provide examples of how the findings of studies in which these models are used can be translated to human disease and therapy. In this review, we want to motivate the international community to design more standardized animal models which might help to address the legally requested replacement, refinement and reduction of animals in fibrosis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Liedtke
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tom Luedde
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tilman Sauerbruch
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - David Scholten
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Konrad Streetz
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - René Tolba
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen D-52074, Germany
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9
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Darbepoetin inhibits proliferation of hepatic cancer cells in the presence of TGF-β. Arch Toxicol 2013; 88:89-96. [PMID: 23877120 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-013-1094-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Darbepoetin (DPO), an erythropoietin (EPO) derivative, was licensed in 2002 to treat patients with solid tumors suffering from chemotherapy-dependent anemia, although various tumors express EPO to improve vascularization, thus favoring tumor growth and spreading. Therefore, we wanted to investigate direct effects of DPO on the liver tumor cell lines HepG2, SkHep1, Huh-7, AKN1, HCC-T and HCC-M, as well as on primary human hepatocytes (hHeps). DPO (0-40 ng/ml) did not affect viability of hHeps, HepG2, SkHep1, AKN1, HCC-T and HCC-M cells, as determined by Resazurin conversion. However, Huh-7 cells' viability dose-dependently decreased from 5 ng/ml DPO on. Lack of LDH release into culture medium and negative DNA laddering excluded apoptosis or necrosis as the cause for the reduced Resazurin conversion. In Huh-7 cells, DPO increased the expression of p53. Interestingly, Huh-7 cells showed the highest basal TGF-β1 expression as compared to the other cell lines. Upon inhibition of TGF-β1 signaling, DPO no longer reduced viability in Huh-7 cells. On the contrary, co-incubation with TGF-β1 made the other cell lines responsive to DPO. Summarizing our data, we show that DPO reduces the growth of Huh-7 cells by up-regulation of the tumor-suppressor gene p53. This mechanism seems to be dependent on a strong TGF-β expression and corresponding signaling in these cells, as other cell lines became responsive to DPO with TGF-β1 supplementation. The knowledge of this mechanism offers great perspectives for the understanding and treatment of solid liver tumors.
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Miyao M, Ozeki M, Abiru H, Manabe S, Kotani H, Tsuruyama T, Tamaki K. Bile canalicular abnormalities in the early phase of a mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis. Dig Liver Dis 2013; 45:216-25. [PMID: 23107486 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2012.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Revised: 09/15/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The bile canaliculus is the smallest and first biliary channel and is formed by two or three adjacent hepatocytes. Previous studies of chronic cholangiopathies such as primary sclerosing cholangitis have focused on the bile ductules. However, little is known about the pathological alterations in bile canaliculi in the early phase of cholangiopathies. AIM To characterize the bile canalicular morphology in the early phase of sclerosing cholangitis we used 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine-induced mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis. METHODS Mice were fed a diet with 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (0.1%). Serum biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic analyses were performed 1, 2, 4, and 7 days after feeding. RESULTS All experimental groups showed significantly increased serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels. From day 1, bile canalicular abnormalities such as dilatation and meandering and loss of microvilli were observed. After bile canalicular abnormalities had appeared, substantial infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed amongst the necrotic cells and periductal region. After these inflammatory changes, cholangiocytes proliferated in the portal area and formed ductular reactions. Finally, periductal fibrosis appeared. CONCLUSION This study provides novel evidence of the occurrence of bile canalicular abnormalities during the early phase of sclerosing cholangitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Miyao
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Molecular Pathology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
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