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Stein M, Elefteriou F, Busse B, Fiedler IA, Kwon RY, Farell E, Ahmad M, Ignatius A, Grover L, Geris L, Tuckermann J. Why Animal Experiments Are Still Indispensable in Bone Research: A Statement by the European Calcified Tissue Society. J Bone Miner Res 2023; 38:1045-1061. [PMID: 37314012 PMCID: PMC10962000 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Major achievements in bone research have always relied on animal models and in vitro systems derived from patient and animal material. However, the use of animals in research has drawn intense ethical debate and the complete abolition of animal experimentation is demanded by fractions of the population. This phenomenon is enhanced by the reproducibility crisis in science and the advance of in vitro and in silico techniques. 3D culture, organ-on-a-chip, and computer models have improved enormously over the last few years. Nevertheless, the overall complexity of bone tissue cross-talk and the systemic and local regulation of bone physiology can often only be addressed in entire vertebrates. Powerful genetic methods such as conditional mutagenesis, lineage tracing, and modeling of the diseases enhanced the understanding of the entire skeletal system. In this review endorsed by the European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS), a working group of investigators from Europe and the US provides an overview of the strengths and limitations of experimental animal models, including rodents, fish, and large animals, as well the potential and shortcomings of in vitro and in silico technologies in skeletal research. We propose that the proper combination of the right animal model for a specific hypothesis and state-of-the-art in vitro and/or in silico technology is essential to solving remaining important questions in bone research. This is crucial for executing most efficiently the 3R principles to reduce, refine, and replace animal experimentation, for enhancing our knowledge of skeletal biology, and for the treatment of bone diseases that affect a large part of society. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Merle Stein
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Florent Elefteriou
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA and Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Björn Busse
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Competence Center for Interface Research (ICCIR), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Imke A.K. Fiedler
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Competence Center for Interface Research (ICCIR), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Ronald Young Kwon
- Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA and Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Eric Farell
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mubashir Ahmad
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anita Ignatius
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Liam Grover
- Healthcare Technologies Institute, Institute of Translational MedicineHeritage Building Edgbaston, Birmingham
| | - Liesbet Geris
- Biomechanics Research Unit, GIGA In Silico Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Skeletal Biology & Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Tuckermann
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Functional Validation of Osteoporosis Genetic Findings Using Small Fish Models. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020279. [PMID: 35205324 PMCID: PMC8872034 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The advancement of human genomics has revolutionized our understanding of the genetic architecture of many skeletal diseases, including osteoporosis. However, interpreting results from human association studies remains a challenge, since index variants often reside in non-coding regions of the genome and do not possess an obvious regulatory function. To bridge the gap between genetic association and causality, a systematic functional investigation is necessary, such as the one offered by animal models. These models enable us to identify causal mechanisms, clarify the underlying biology, and apply interventions. Over the past several decades, small teleost fishes, mostly zebrafish and medaka, have emerged as powerful systems for modeling the genetics of human diseases. Due to their amenability to genetic intervention and the highly conserved genetic and physiological features, fish have become indispensable for skeletal genomic studies. The goal of this review is to summarize the evidence supporting the utility of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) for accelerating our understanding of human skeletal genomics and outlining the remaining gaps in knowledge. We provide an overview of zebrafish skeletal morphophysiology and gene homology, shedding light on the advantages of human skeletal genomic exploration and validation. Knowledge of the biology underlying osteoporosis through animal models will lead to the translation into new, better and more effective therapeutic approaches.
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