1
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Abed H, Radha R, Anjum S, Paul V, AlSawaftah N, Pitt WG, Ashammakhi N, Husseini GA. Targeted Cancer Therapy-on-A-Chip. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2400833. [PMID: 39101627 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Targeted cancer therapy (TCT) is gaining increased interest because it reduces the risks of adverse side effects by specifically treating tumor cells. TCT testing has traditionally been performed using two-dimensional (2D) cell culture and animal studies. Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) platforms have been developed to recapitulate cancer in vitro, as cancer-on-a-chip (CoC), and used for chemotherapeutics development and testing. This review explores the use of CoCs to both develop and test TCTs, with a focus on three main aspects, the use of CoCs to identify target biomarkers for TCT development, the use of CoCs to test free, un-encapsulated TCTs, and the use of CoCs to test encapsulated TCTs. Despite current challenges such as system scaling, and testing externally triggered TCTs, TCToC shows a promising future to serve as a supportive, pre-clinical platform to expedite TCT development and bench-to-bedside translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba Abed
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Remya Radha
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Shabana Anjum
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Vinod Paul
- Materials Science and Engineering PhD program, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Nour AlSawaftah
- Materials Science and Engineering PhD program, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - William G Pitt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Nureddin Ashammakhi
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering (IQ) and Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1600, USA
| | - Ghaleb A Husseini
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
- Materials Science and Engineering PhD program, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
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2
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Deng ZM, Dai FF, Wang RQ, Deng HB, Yin TL, Cheng YX, Chen GT. Organ-on-a-chip: future of female reproductive pathophysiological models. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:455. [PMID: 39085921 PMCID: PMC11290169 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02651-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The female reproductive system comprises the internal and external genitalia, which communicate through intricate endocrine pathways. Besides secreting hormones that maintain the female secondary sexual characteristics, it also produces follicles and offspring. However, the in vitro systems have been very limited in recapitulating the specific anatomy and pathophysiology of women. Organ-on-a-chip technology, based on microfluidics, can better simulate the cellular microenvironment in vivo, opening a new field for the basic and clinical research of female reproductive system diseases. This technology can not only reconstruct the organ structure but also emulate the organ function as much as possible. The precisely controlled fluidic microenvironment provided by microfluidics vividly mimics the complex endocrine hormone crosstalk among various organs of the female reproductive system, making it a powerful preclinical tool and the future of pathophysiological models of the female reproductive system. Here, we review the research on the application of organ-on-a-chip platforms in the female reproductive systems, focusing on the latest progress in developing models that reproduce the physiological functions or disease features of female reproductive organs and tissues, and highlighting the challenges and future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Min Deng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, China
| | - Fang-Fang Dai
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, China
| | - Rui-Qi Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, China
| | - Hong-Bing Deng
- Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, School of Resource and Environmental Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, China
| | - Tai-Lang Yin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, China.
| | - Yan-Xiang Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, China.
| | - Gan-Tao Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, China.
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3
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Zeng X, Tong L. The Impact of Diabetes on Male Silkworm Reproductive Health. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:557. [PMID: 39194495 DOI: 10.3390/biology13080557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of diabetic reproductive complications has prompted the development of innovative animal models. The use of the silkworm Bombyx mori as a model for diabetic reproductive damage shows potential as a valuable research tool. This study employed silkworms as a novel model to investigate diabetic reproductive damage. The silkworms were fed a high-glucose diet containing 10% glucose to induce a diabetic model. Subsequently, the study concentrated on assessing the influence of diabetes on the reproductive system of male silkworms. The results indicate that diabetes resulted in reduced luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) levels, as well as elevated triglyceride (TG) levels in male silkworms. Moreover, diabetes mellitus was associated with pathological testicular damage in male silkworms, accompanied by decreased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, along with increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the testis. Additionally, diabetes mellitus reduced the expression of siwi1 and siwi2 genes in the testis of male silkworms. Overall, these results support using silkworms as a valuable model for studying diabetic reproductive damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zeng
- Qinghai University, Xining 810000, China
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research for Glucolipid Metabolic Diseases, Xining 810000, China
| | - Li Tong
- Qinghai University, Xining 810000, China
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research for Glucolipid Metabolic Diseases, Xining 810000, China
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4
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Hankenson FC. The Elephant in the Room: Recognition and Documentation of Personnel Practices That Confound Reproducibility. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2024; 63:232-237. [PMID: 38503489 PMCID: PMC11193430 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-24-000002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The ability to apply findings from animal studies efficiently and effectively is predicated on an understanding of biology and pathobiology, how that biology relates to the human systems being modeled, and how the studies are conducted and reported. This overview discusses various factors in research within the animal environment (referred to as extrinsic factors) that the NIH now expects to be documented to foster replicability in science and expand interpretations of study outcomes. Specifically, an important extrinsic factor in research with animals is that of individual personnel who perform handling practices, participate in research interactions, and share an overall presence in the housing facility with animals, all of which can confound reproducibility efforts in biomedical science. An improved understanding of the influences and behaviors of animal research personnel on animal responses is critical with regard to research results and the interpretation of data collected from animal models of biomedical disease.
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Key Words
- acd wg: nih advisory committee to the director working group
- faseb, federation of american societies for experimental biology
- ilar, institute for laboratory animal research (note ilar is now part of the board on animal health sciences, conservation, and research (bahscr))
- nasem, national academies of science, engineering, and medicine
- nc3rs, national center for the replacement, refinement, and reduction of animals in research
- nih, national institutes of health
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Affiliation(s)
- F Claire Hankenson
- University Laboratory Animal Resources and Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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5
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Reynolds P. Statistical design of experiments: the forgotten component of Reduction. Lab Anim (NY) 2024; 53:57-59. [PMID: 38383820 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-024-01334-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Penny Reynolds
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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6
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Hou J, Tan C, Chen N, Zhou Y, Huang S, Chen H, Qian L. Establishment of diabetes mellitus model using Bombyx mori silkworms in a low-temperature environment. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 115:e22083. [PMID: 38288495 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Due to the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus, researchers have conducted numerous experimental animal studies. However, the mammalian diabetes model is cumbersome and expensive to operate, while the cheap and simple common silkworm diabetes model has the disadvantage of a short cycle time. Since the growth of silkworms is greatly affected by environmental factors, we extended the five-age cycle of silkworms by lowering the ambient temperature to establish a novel low-temperature silkworm diabetes model. Our goal was to determine whether the low-temperature feeding of a high-sugar diet to silkworms could serve as an effective animal model for diabetes. Also, we aimed to resolve certain issues concerning the normal temperature silkworm diabetes model, such as the short time frame for experiments and erratic fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Silkworms weighing between 0.9 and 1.0 g at the beginning of the fifth instar were selected, and we created diabetic silkworms by feeding mulberry leaves containing 4% glucose daily in a 16-20°C environment. When the silkworms were kept at a cooler temperature, the fifth instar stage lasted for an additional 9-11 days. In the model group, 83.3% of the silkworms had blood glucose levels greater than 7.8 mmol/L, while the total prevalence of diabetic silkworms was 89.8%. Moreover, JNK phosphorylation expression rose in the model group, while PI3K expression fell. Additionally, the JNK and PI3K signaling pathway expressions matched diabetic signals. Therefore, using silkworms to create a diabetes model in a cool environment is a straightforward and cost-effective approach to studying diabetes in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Hou
- School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Cheng Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Nan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Drug and Food Vocational College, Guangxi Vocational University of Agriculture, Nanning, China
| | - Shaojun Huang
- Drug and Food Vocational College, Guangxi Vocational University of Agriculture, Nanning, China
| | - Huani Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Li Qian
- School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise, China
- Drug and Food Vocational College, Guangxi Vocational University of Agriculture, Nanning, China
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7
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Bauer BM, Bhattacharya S, Bloom-Saldana E, Irimia-Dominguez JM, Fueger PT. Dose-dependent progression of multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice. Physiol Genomics 2023; 55:381-391. [PMID: 37458461 PMCID: PMC10642924 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00032.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of different multiple low doses of streptozotocin (STZ), namely 35 and 55 mg/kg, on the onset and progression of diabetes in mice. Both doses are commonly used in research, and although both induced a loss of beta cell mass, they had distinct effects on whole glucose tolerance, beta cell function, and gene transcription. Mice treated with 55 mg/kg became rapidly glucose intolerant, whereas those treated with 35 mg/kg had a slower onset and remained glucose tolerant for up to a week before becoming equally glucose intolerant as the 55 mg/kg group. Beta cell mass loss was similar between the two groups, but the 35 mg/kg-treated mice had improved glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in gold-standard hyperglycemic clamp studies. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the 55 mg/kg dose caused disruptions in nearly five times as many genes as the 35 mg/kg dose in isolated pancreatic islets. Pathways that were downregulated in both doses were more downregulated in the 55 mg/kg-treated mice, whereas pathways that were upregulated in both doses were more upregulated in the 35 mg/kg-treated mice. Moreover, we observed a differential downregulation in the 55 mg/kg-treated islets of beta cell characteristic pathways, such as exocytosis or hormone secretion. On the other hand, apoptosis was differentially upregulated in 35 mg/kg-treated islets, suggesting different transcriptional mechanisms in the onset of STZ-induced damage in the islets. This study demonstrates that the two STZ doses induce distinctly mechanistic progressions for the loss of functional beta cell mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon M Bauer
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Science, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States
| | - Supriyo Bhattacharya
- Integrative Genomics Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States
| | - Elizabeth Bloom-Saldana
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States
- Comprehensive Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States
| | - Jose M Irimia-Dominguez
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States
- Comprehensive Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States
| | - Patrick T Fueger
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States
- Comprehensive Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States
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8
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Piotrowska M. Diversity and inclusion for rodents: how animal ethics committees can help improve translation. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2023:jme-2023-109166. [PMID: 37407026 DOI: 10.1136/jme-2023-109166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Translation failure occurs when a treatment shown to be safe and effective in one type of population does not produce the same result in another. We are currently in a crisis involving the translatability of preclinical studies to human populations. Animal trials are no better than a coin toss at predicting the safety and efficacy of drugs in human trials, and the high failure rate of drugs entering human trials suggests that most of the suffering of laboratory animals is futile, creating no commensurate benefit for human patients. Here, I argue that animal ethics committees have a role to play in getting us out of this crisis. Inadequate representation is a known contributor to translation failures and is a matter of both scientific and ethical concern. Ethical review committees have the authority to address it by reprioritising the values already enshrined in their guiding principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Piotrowska
- Philosophy, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
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9
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Resmim CM, Borba JV, Pretzel CW, Santos LW, Rubin MA, Rosemberg DB. Assessing the exploratory profile of two zebrafish populations: influence of anxiety-like phenotypes and independent trials on homebase-related parameters and exploration. Behav Processes 2023:104912. [PMID: 37406867 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2023.104912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety is a protective behavior when animals face aversive conditions. The open field test (OFT) is used to assess the spatio-temporal dynamics of exploration, in which both homebase formation and recognition of environmental cues may reflect habituation to unfamiliar conditions. Because emotional- and affective-like states influence exploration patterns and mnemonic aspects, we aimed to verify whether the exploratory behaviors of two zebrafish populations showing distinct baselines of anxiety differ in two OFT sessions. Firstly, we assessed the baseline anxiety-like responses of short fin (SF) and leopard (LEO) populations using the novel tank test (NTT) and light-dark test (LDT) in 6-min trials. Fish were later tested in two consecutive days in the OFT, in which the spatial occupancy and exploratory profile were analyzed for 30min. In general, LEO showed pronounced diving behavior and scototaxis in the NTT and LDT, respectively, in which an "anxiety index" corroborated their exacerbated anxiety-like behavior. In the OFT, the SF population spent less time to establish the homebase in the 1st trial, while only LEO showed a markedly reduction in the latency to homebase formation in the 2nd trial. Both locomotion and homebase-related activities were decreased in the 2nd trial, in which animals also revealed increased occupancy in the center area of the apparatus. Moreover, we verified a significant percentage of homebase conservation for both populations, while only SF showed reduced the number of trips and increased the average length of trips. Principal component analyses revealed that distinct factors accounted for total variances between trials for each population tested. While homebase exploration was reduced in the 2nd trial for SF, an increased occupancy in the center area and hypolocomotion were the main factors that contribute to the effects observed in LEO during re-exposure to the OFT. In conclusion, our novel data support the homebase conservation in zebrafish subjected to independent OFT sessions, as well as corroborate a population-dependent effect on specific behavioral parameters related to exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cássio M Resmim
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil.
| | - João V Borba
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Camilla W Pretzel
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Laura W Santos
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Maribel A Rubin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Denis B Rosemberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA.
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10
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Bauer BM, Bhattacharya S, Bloom-Saldana E, Irimia JM, Fueger PT. Dose-dependent progression of multiple low dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.08.536122. [PMID: 37066233 PMCID: PMC10104175 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.08.536122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of different multiple low doses of streptozotocin (STZ), namely 35 and 55 mg/kg, on the onset and progression of diabetes in mice. Both doses are commonly used in research, and while both induced a loss of beta cell mass, they had distinct effects on whole glucose tolerance, beta cell function and gene transcription. Mice treated with 55 mg/kg became rapidly glucose intolerant, whereas those treated with 35 mg/kg had a slower onset and remained glucose tolerant for up to a week before becoming equally glucose intolerant as the 55 mg/kg group. Beta cell mass loss was similar between the two groups, but the 35 mg/kg-treated mice had improved glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in gold-standard hyperglycemic clamp studies. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the 55 mg/kg dose caused disruptions in nearly five times as many genes as the 35 mg/kg dose in isolated pancreatic islets. Pathways that were downregulated in both doses were more downregulated in the 55 mg/kg-treated mice, while pathways that were upregulated in both doses were more upregulated in the 35 mg/kg treated mice. Moreover, we observed a differential downregulation in the 55 mg/kg-treated islets of beta cell characteristic pathways, such as exocytosis or hormone secretion. On the other hand, apoptosis was differentially upregulated in 35 mg/kg-treated islets, suggesting different transcriptional mechanisms in the onset of STZ-induced damage in the islets. This study demonstrates that the two STZ doses induce distinctly mechanistic progressions for the loss of functional beta cell mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon M Bauer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Science, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Supriyo Bhattacharya
- Integrative Genomics Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Elizabeth Bloom-Saldana
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Comprehensive Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Jose M Irimia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Comprehensive Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Patrick T Fueger
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Comprehensive Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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11
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Bautista GM, Cera AJ, Chaaban H, McElroy SJ. State-of-the-art review and update of in vivo models of necrotizing enterocolitis. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1161342. [PMID: 37082706 PMCID: PMC10112335 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1161342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
NEC remains one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. Animal models of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) have been crucial in improving our understanding of this devastating disease and identifying biochemical pathways with therapeutic potential. The pathogenesis of NEC remains incompletely understood, with no specific entity that unifies all infants that develop NEC. Therefore, investigators rely on animal models to manipulate variables and provide a means to test interventions, making them valuable tools to enhance our understanding and prevent and treat NEC. The advancements in molecular analytic tools, genetic manipulation, and imaging modalities and the emergence of scientific collaborations have given rise to unique perspectives and disease correlates, creating novel pathways of investigation. A critical review and understanding of the current phenotypic considerations of the highly relevant animal models of NEC are crucial to developing novel therapeutic and preventative strategies for NEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoanna M. Bautista
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Anjali J. Cera
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Hala Chaaban
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma, OK, United States
| | - Steven J. McElroy
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
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12
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Bassil K, Horstkötter D. Ethical Implications in Making Use of Human Cerebral Organoids for Investigating Stress-Related Mechanisms and Disorders. Camb Q Healthc Ethics 2023; 32:1-13. [PMID: 36799029 DOI: 10.1017/s0963180123000038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
The generation of three-dimensional cerebral organoids from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) has facilitated the investigation of mechanisms underlying several neuropsychiatric disorders, including stress-related disorders, namely major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Generating hPSC-derived neurons, cerebral organoids, and even assembloids (or multi-organoid complexes) can facilitate research into biomarkers for stress susceptibility or resilience and may even bring about advances in personalized medicine and biomarker research for stress-related psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, cerebral organoid research does not come without its own set of ethical considerations. With increased complexity and resemblance to in vivo conditions, discussions of increased moral status for these models are ongoing, including questions about sentience, consciousness, moral status, donor protection, and chimeras. There are, however, unique ethical considerations that arise and are worth looking into in the context of research into stress and stress-related disorders using cerebral organoids. This paper provides stress research-specific ethical considerations in the context of cerebral organoid generation and use for research purposes. The use of stress research as a case study here can help inform other practices of in vitro studies using brain models with high ethical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Bassil
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dorothee Horstkötter
- Department of Health Ethics and Society, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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13
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Waltz M, Fisher JA, Walker RL. Mission Creep or Mission Lapse? Scientific Review in Research Oversight. AJOB Empir Bioeth 2023; 14:38-49. [PMID: 36125845 PMCID: PMC9839615 DOI: 10.1080/23294515.2022.2123868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ethical use both of human and non-human animals in research is predicated on the assumption that it is of a high quality and its projected benefits are more significant than the risks and harms imposed on subjects. Yet questions remain about whether and how IRBs and IACUCs should consider the scientific value of proposed research studies. METHODS We draw upon 45 interviews with IRB and IACUC members and researchers with oversight experience about their perceptions of their own roles in reviewing the quality and value of scientific protocols. Interview transcripts were memoed to highlight specific findings, which were then used to identify key themes through an iterative process. RESULTS IRB and IACUC members expressed broad trust in the need for and value of research, and they often assumed that protocols had social value or that prior review, especially when associated with funding, affirmed both the rigor and merit of those protocols. Some oversight members also took an explicit stance against scientific review by stating that such review is not within the regulatory mandates governing their parts in the oversight system. Yet other interviewees expressed uneasiness about the current paradigm for evaluating the quality and overall value of science, suggesting that IRB and IACUC members perceive gaps in the oversight systems. CONCLUSIONS These findings reveal many similarities in how IRB and IACUC members understand the roles and limitations of their respective oversight committees. We conclude with a discussion of how the lack of a clear mandate regarding scientific review within US federal regulations may undermine ethical engagement of whether human and animal research is scientifically justified, resulting in a "mission lapse" wherein no organizational body is clearly responsible for ensuring that the research being conducted has the potential to advance science and benefit society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Waltz
- Center for Bioethics and Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jill A. Fisher
- Center for Bioethics and Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rebecca L. Walker
- Center for Bioethics and Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Philosophy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Holt WV, Comizzoli P. Conservation Biology and Reproduction in a Time of Developmental Plasticity. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1297. [PMID: 36139136 PMCID: PMC9496186 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this review is to ask whether, and how, principles in conservation biology may need to be revisited in light of new knowledge about the power of epigenetics to alter developmental pathways. Importantly, conservation breeding programmes, used widely by zoological parks and aquariums, may appear in some cases to reduce fitness by decreasing animals' abilities to cope when confronted with the 'wild side' of their natural habitats. Would less comfortable captive conditions lead to the selection of individuals that, despite being adapted to life in a captive environment, be better able to thrive if relocated to a more natural environment? While threatened populations may benefit from advanced reproductive technologies, these may actually induce undesirable epigenetic changes. Thus, there may be inherent risks to the health and welfare of offspring (as is suspected in humans). Advanced breeding technologies, especially those that aim to regenerate the rarest species using stem cell reprogramming and artificial gametes, may also lead to unwanted epigenetic modifications. Current knowledge is still incomplete, and therefore ethical decisions about novel breeding methods remain controversial and difficult to resolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- William V. Holt
- Department of Oncology & Metabolism, The Medical School Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC 20008, USA
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Berridge BR. Animal Study Translation: The Other Reproducibility Challenge. ILAR J 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilac005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Animal research is currently an irreplaceable contributor to our efforts to protect and improve public health. Its relevance, importance, and contributions are represented in historical precedent, regulatory expectations, evidence of our rapidly developing understanding of human health and disease, as well as success in the development of novel therapeutics that are improving quality of life and extending human and animal life expectancy. The rapid and evolving success in responding to the current COVID pandemic significantly supported by animal studies is a clear example of the importance of animal research. But there is growing interest in reducing our dependence on animals and challenges to the effective translation of current animal studies to human applications. There are several potential contributors to gaps in the translatability of animal research to humans, including our approaches to choosing or rationalizing the relevance of a particular animal model, our understanding of their biological variability and how that applies to outcomes, the data we collect from animal studies, and even how we manage the animals. These important contributors to the success of animal research are explored in this issue of the ILAR Journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian R Berridge
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research, Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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16
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Ratuski AS, Weary DM. Environmental Enrichment for Rats and Mice Housed in Laboratories: A Metareview. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12040414. [PMID: 35203123 PMCID: PMC8868396 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Environmental enrichment has been widely studied with laboratory rodents, but there is no consensus regarding what counts as enrichment or what it should achieve. Inconsistent use of the term “enrichment” creates challenges in drawing conclusions about the quality of an environment. We conducted a metareview to better understand the definitions and goals of enrichment, perceived risks or requirements of enrichment, and what forms of enrichment have previously been endorsed for use with rodents housed in laboratories. This may help researchers and animal care staff to better define their chosen approach and intended outcomes when providing environmental enrichment. Abstract Environmental enrichment has been widely studied in rodents, but there is no consensus on what enrichment should look like or what it should achieve. Inconsistent use of the term “enrichment” creates challenges in drawing conclusions about the quality of an environment, which may slow housing improvements for laboratory animals. Many review articles have addressed environmental enrichment for laboratory rats and mice (Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus). We conducted a metareview of 29 review articles to assess how enrichment has been defined and what are commonly described as its goals or requirements. Recommendations from each article were summarised to illustrate the conditions generally considered suitable for laboratory rodents. While there is no consensus on alternative terminology, many articles acknowledged that the blanket use of the terms “enriched” and “enrichment” should be avoided. Environmental enrichment was most often conceptualised as a method to increase natural behaviour and improve animal welfare. Authors also commonly outlined perceived risks and requirements of environmental enrichment. We discuss these perceptions, make suggestions for future research, and advocate for the adoption of more specific and value-neutral terminology.
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Longitudinal evaluation of five nasopharyngeal carcinoma animal models on the microPET/MR platform. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2021; 49:1497-1507. [PMID: 34862520 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-021-05633-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We longitudinally evaluated the tumour growth and metabolic activity of three nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line models (C666-1, C17 and NPC43) and two xenograft models (Xeno76 and Xeno23) using a micropositron emission tomography and magnetic resonance (microPET/MR). With a better understanding of the interplay between tumour growth and metabolic characteristics of these NPC models, we aim to provide insights for the selection of appropriate NPC cell line/xenograft models to assist novel drug discovery and evaluation. METHODS Mice were imaged by 18F-deoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) microPET/MR twice a week for consecutive 3-7 weeks. [18F]FDG uptake was quantified by standardized uptake value (SUV) and presented as SUVmean tumour-to-liver ratio (SUVRmean). Longitudinal tumour growth patterns and metabolic patterns were recorded. SUVRmean and histological characteristics were compared across the five NPC models. Cisplatin was administrated to one selected optimal tumour model, C17, to evaluate our imaging platform. RESULTS We found variable tumour growth and metabolic patterns across different NPC tumour types. C17 has an optimal growth rate and higher tumour metabolic activity compared with C666-1. C666-1 has a fast growth rate but is low in SUVRmean at endpoint due to necrosis as confirmed by H&E. NPC43 and Xeno76 have relatively slow growth rates and are low in SUVRmean, due to severe necrosis. Xeno23 has the slowest growth rate, and a relative high SUVRmean. Cisplatin showed the expected therapeutic effect in the C17 model in marked reduction of tumour size and metabolism. CONCLUSION Our study establishes an imaging platform that characterizes the growth and metabolic patterns of different NPC models, and the platform is well able to demonstrate drug treatment outcome supporting its use in novel drug discovery and evaluation for NPC.
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Holt WV, Comizzoli P. Opportunities and Limitations for Reproductive Science in Species Conservation. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2021; 10:491-511. [PMID: 34699258 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-013120-030858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive science in the context of conservation biology is often understood solely in terms of breeding threatened species. Although technologies developed primarily for agriculture or biomedicine have a potentially important role in species conservation, their effectiveness is limited if we regard the main objective of animal conservation as helping to support populations rather than to breed a small number of individuals. The global threats facing wild species include the consequences of climate change, population growth, urbanization, atmospheric and water pollution, and the release of chemicals into the environment, to cite but a few. Reproductive sciences provide important and often unexpected windows into many of these consequences, and our aim here is both to demonstrate the breadth of reproductive science and the importance of basic knowledge and to suggest where some of the insights might be useful in mitigating the problems. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, Volume 10 is February 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- William V Holt
- Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Department of Oncology & Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom;
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC, USA;
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