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Schlüter KD. The use of animals in physiological science: the past, the presence, and the future. Pflugers Arch 2024; 476:1653-1663. [PMID: 39191963 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-024-03009-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Physiology is a scientific discipline of how people's and animals' bodies function that requires traditionally suitable experimental models that often rely on animals. However, at the end of the 50th of the last century, researchers themselves addressed concerns about the use of animals for biomedical science and physiology in particular. At that time, the so-called 3R strategy was implicated where the three "R" stand for replacement, reduction, and refinement. When addressing these concerns, researchers nevertheless realized that a critical dispute about experimental models in the light of the 3R initiative may require further attention to other points such as robustness, registration, reporting, reproducibility, and rigor of the work. The question that has to be addressed now is first whether the use of animals in physiology changed in the post-3R period, whether it led to a replacement, reduction, or refinement of animal handling, and most importantly, how this affected the scientific progress in (patho)physiology. In order to address open questions concerning the relationship between the use of animals and physiological research, complete volumes of the Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology were analyzed every 10 years starting in 1950 and ending in 2020 and compared to volumes of the Journal of Physiology. It analyzed how scientists organize their projects published in the journal and what kind of models they used. The results show that physiological science has dramatically changed in the last 70 years. Replacement, reduction, and refinement were achieved to a certain level. However, during the last years, no further achievement could be seen. It seems that a certain level of animal testing is required for biomedical science and physiology in particular. Physiological studies in the present time are dominated by investigation of the physiological function of small rodents mainly mice and rats with only a few exceptions. The analysis also shows that in the future, researchers must have a critical look at further requirements of their research such as data robustness, improvement of reproducibility of data, and generation of rigor data as a prerequisite to improve our physiological view on life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus-Dieter Schlüter
- Physiologisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 129, D-35392, Giessen, Germany.
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Hernández-García S, Guerrero-Rubio MA, Henarejos-Escudero P, Martínez-Rodríguez P, Gandía-Herrero F. Exploring in the classroom the relationship between alcohol intake and behavioral disorders through an animal model. BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION : A BIMONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 52:474-479. [PMID: 38501696 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21829] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Alcohol consumption has profound effects on behavior, such as impaired judgment, addiction or even death. It is estimated that alcohol contributes to around three million deaths worldwide, 13.5% of them in young people with ages between 20 and 39 years. Consequently, it is necessary to raise awareness among college and high school students of the risk related to alcohol drinking. The small nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an animal widely used as a model organism to study nearly all aspects of Biochemistry. It is a powerful tool to test the potential bioactivity and molecular mechanisms of natural compounds and drugs in vivo. Therefore, it is an interesting topic to include in an undergraduate course of Biotechnology, Biochemistry or Biology students among other scientific vocations. C. elegans is also used as a neurobiological model to evaluate substances' neurotoxicity and behavioral effects. The proposed experiment introduces students to the handling of this preclinical model and to the evaluation of behavioral alterations induced by chemicals in scientific research. The effects of different doses of ethanol on C. elegans behavior are studied using a versatile chemotaxis assay. This laboratory experiment is suitable for an undergraduate course. The practical session can be used in the global strategies of information and awareness of educational centres to mitigate the impact of alcohol abuse among students, both in formal courses or in Science fairs or exhibitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samanta Hernández-García
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Unidad Docente de Biología, Facultad de Veterinaria. Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - M Alejandra Guerrero-Rubio
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Unidad Docente de Biología, Facultad de Veterinaria. Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Paula Henarejos-Escudero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Unidad Docente de Biología, Facultad de Veterinaria. Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro Martínez-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Unidad Docente de Biología, Facultad de Veterinaria. Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Fernando Gandía-Herrero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Unidad Docente de Biología, Facultad de Veterinaria. Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Verma-Fuehring R, Dakroub M, Haider MS, Hillenkamp J, Kampik D, Loewen NA. [Continuous Optimisation of Experimental Models - an Example from Glaucoma Research]. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2024; 241:69-74. [PMID: 37995716 DOI: 10.1055/a-2069-2443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a great demand for suitable models to test novel surgical and therapeutic approaches in glaucoma therapy. To address this need and to provide further alternatives to in vivo animal models, we aimed at modifying an established in vitro porcine eye perfusion model. METHODS Two weaknesses of the previously established porcine anterior segment model include media leakage during perfusion and setup disintegration due to mechanical instability. To overcome these, we slightly modified the previously used custom-made perfusion dishes and incorporated new components into the model setup. To prevent fluid leakage, we secured the anterior segments more firmly to the perfusion trays using a compression ring, steel screws, and nuts. Customised mounts were used to stabilise the perfusion dish and pressure transducer as a single unit. The mounts were made of polylactide (PLA) and printed using a 3D printer. RESULTS The use of steel screws and nuts allowed tighter clamping of the anterior segments and prevented medium leakage. Our PLA custom mounts stabilised the entire assembly and facilitated handling during experiments and improved comparability between tested eyes. They also prevented accidental detachment of the pressure transducers, which resulted in more stable pressure curves. Our PLA mounts tolerated incubation temperatures of up to 37 °C and disinfection with enzymatic detergents and 70% ethanol without showing signs of deformation or degradation after four months of regular usage. CONCLUSION Modifications introduced to an established in vitro perfusion model improved its efficacy and reproducibility. Our adjusted model is an example of how many models can be optimised through critical analysis, thereby saving resources and providing reliable results in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raoul Verma-Fuehring
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Mohamad Dakroub
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Malik Salman Haider
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Jost Hillenkamp
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Daniel Kampik
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Nils Axel Loewen
- Augenheilkunde, ARTEMIS Augen- und Laserzentrum Frankfurt, Deutschland
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Maniv I, Sarji M, Bdarneh A, Feldman A, Ankawa R, Koren E, Magid-Gold I, Reis N, Soteriou D, Salomon-Zimri S, Lavy T, Kesselman E, Koifman N, Kurz T, Kleifeld O, Michaelson D, van Leeuwen FW, Verheijen BM, Fuchs Y, Glickman MH. Altered ubiquitin signaling induces Alzheimer's disease-like hallmarks in a three-dimensional human neural cell culture model. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5922. [PMID: 37739965 PMCID: PMC10516951 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41545-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by toxic protein accumulation in the brain. Ubiquitination is essential for protein clearance in cells, making altered ubiquitin signaling crucial in AD development. A defective variant, ubiquitin B + 1 (UBB+1), created by a non-hereditary RNA frameshift mutation, is found in all AD patient brains post-mortem. We now detect UBB+1 in human brains during early AD stages. Our study employs a 3D neural culture platform derived from human neural progenitors, demonstrating that UBB+1 alone induces extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits and insoluble hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates. UBB+1 competes with ubiquitin for binding to the deubiquitinating enzyme UCHL1, leading to elevated levels of amyloid precursor protein (APP), secreted Aβ peptides, and Aβ build-up. Crucially, silencing UBB+1 expression impedes the emergence of AD hallmarks in this model system. Our findings highlight the significance of ubiquitin signalling as a variable contributing to AD pathology and present a nonclinical platform for testing potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inbal Maniv
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Mahasen Sarji
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Anwar Bdarneh
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Alona Feldman
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Roi Ankawa
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Elle Koren
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Inbar Magid-Gold
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Noa Reis
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Despina Soteriou
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Shiran Salomon-Zimri
- Department of Neurobiology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Tali Lavy
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Ellina Kesselman
- The Wolfson Department of Chemical Engineering, The Technion Center for Electron Microscopy of Soft Matter, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Naama Koifman
- The Wolfson Department of Chemical Engineering, The Technion Center for Electron Microscopy of Soft Matter, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Thimo Kurz
- School of Molecular Biosciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK
| | - Oded Kleifeld
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Daniel Michaelson
- Department of Neurobiology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Fred W van Leeuwen
- Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Bert M Verheijen
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
- Department of Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Yaron Fuchs
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel.
- Augmanity, Rehovot, 7670308, Israel.
| | - Michael H Glickman
- Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel.
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Fantini J. Lipid rafts and human diseases: why we need to target gangliosides. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:1636-1650. [PMID: 37052878 PMCID: PMC10476576 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Gangliosides are functional components of membrane lipid rafts that control critical functions in cell communication. Many pathologies involve raft gangliosides, which therefore represent an approach of choice for developing innovative therapeutic strategies. Beginning with a discussion of what a disease is (and is not), this review lists the major human pathologies that involve gangliosides, which includes cancer, diabetes, and infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. In most cases, the problem is due to a protein whose binding to gangliosides either creates a pathological condition or impairs a physiological function. Then, I draw up an inventory of the different molecular mechanisms of protein-ganglioside interactions. I propose to classify the ganglioside-binding domains of proteins into four categories, which I name GBD-1, GBD-2, GBD-3, and GBD-4. This structural and functional classification could help to rationalize the design of innovative molecules capable of disrupting the binding of selected proteins to gangliosides without generating undesirable effects. The biochemical specificities of gangliosides expressed in the human brain must also be taken into account to improve the reliability of animal models (or any animal-free alternative) of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
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Jiménez-Salvador I, Meade P, Iglesias E, Bayona-Bafaluy P, Ruiz-Pesini E. Developmental origins of Parkinson disease: Improving the rodent models. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 86:101880. [PMID: 36773760 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Numerous pesticides are inhibitors of the oxidative phosphorylation system. Oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction adversely affects neurogenesis and often accompanies Parkinson disease. Since brain development occurs mainly in the prenatal period, early exposure to pesticides could alter the development of the nervous system and increase the risk of Parkinson disease. Different rodent models have been used to confirm this hypothesis. However, more precise considerations of the selected strain, the xenobiotic, its mode of administration, and the timing of animal analysis, are necessary to resemble the model to the human clinical condition and obtain more reliable results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Jiménez-Salvador
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009- and 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) de Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Patricia Meade
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009- and 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) de Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Biocomputación y Física de Sistemas Complejos (BIFI), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Eldris Iglesias
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009- and 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) de Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Jorge, 50830 Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Pilar Bayona-Bafaluy
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009- and 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) de Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Biocomputación y Física de Sistemas Complejos (BIFI), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Eduardo Ruiz-Pesini
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009- and 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) de Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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Ge L, Song G, Zhang Y, Pan J, Zhang Y, Wang L, Cheng K. PET imaging to assess fibroblast activation protein inhibitor biodistribution: A training program adapted to pharmacology education. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2022; 10:e00997. [PMID: 35950835 PMCID: PMC9367699 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.997] [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: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the process of pharmacology education, practical teaching is an important complement to theoretical teaching. These activities include the use of experimental animals to obtain certain pharmacological parameters or to help students understand certain classical concepts. However, the growing interest in laboratory animal welfare, the rapid development of pharmacology research and the challenges of cultivating innovative pharmacy talent create a need for innovative and flexible in vitro experiments for teaching purposes. Here, we report the application of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of 18 F-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (18 F-FAPi) to practical pharmacology teaching, enabling dynamic visualization of the distribution and excretion process of FAPi in mice. Students can quantitatively analyze the distribution of FAPi in various tissues and organs without sacrificing the mice. Furthermore, the newly implemented method resulted in highly reproducible results and was generally appreciated by the students. Additionally, the application of PET imaging in pharmacokinetic teaching can not only greatly reduce the use of experimental animals but also need not sacrificing animals. Of note is that dynamic scanning data from this project can be used for online practical teaching during COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luna Ge
- Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology CentreShandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drugs (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Key Lab for Rare & Uncommon Diseases of Shandong ProvinceJi'nanShandongChina
| | - Guanhua Song
- Institute of Basic MedicineShandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJi'nanShandongChina
| | - Yuang Zhang
- Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology CentreShandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drugs (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Key Lab for Rare & Uncommon Diseases of Shandong ProvinceJi'nanShandongChina
| | - Jihong Pan
- Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology CentreShandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drugs (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Key Lab for Rare & Uncommon Diseases of Shandong ProvinceJi'nanShandongChina
| | - Yihang Zhang
- Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology CentreShandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drugs (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Key Lab for Rare & Uncommon Diseases of Shandong ProvinceJi'nanShandongChina
| | - Lin Wang
- Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology CentreShandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drugs (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Key Lab for Rare & Uncommon Diseases of Shandong ProvinceJi'nanShandongChina
| | - Kai Cheng
- Department of PET/CT CenterShandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJi'nanShandongChina
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Impact of Cultured Neuron Models on α-Herpesvirus Latency Research. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061209. [PMID: 35746680 PMCID: PMC9228292 DOI: 10.3390/v14061209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A signature trait of neurotropic α-herpesviruses (α-HV) is their ability to establish stable non-productive infections of peripheral neurons termed latency. This specialized gene expression program is the foundation of an evolutionarily successful strategy to ensure lifelong persistence in the host. Various physiological stresses can induce reactivation in a subset of latently-infected neurons allowing a new cycle of viral productive cycle gene expression and synthesis of infectious virus. Recurring reactivation events ensure transmission of the virus to new hosts and contributes to pathogenesis. Efforts to define the molecular basis of α-HV latency and reactivation have been notoriously difficult because the neurons harboring latent virus in humans and in experimentally infected live-animal models, are rare and largely inaccessible to study. Increasingly, researchers are turning to cultured neuron infection models as simpler experimental platforms from which to explore latency and reactivation at the molecular level. In this review, I reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of existing neuronal models and briefly summarize the important mechanistic insights these models have provided. I also discuss areas where prioritization will help to ensure continued progress and integration.
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Cell models for Down syndrome-Alzheimer’s disease research. Neuronal Signal 2022; 6:NS20210054. [PMID: 35449591 PMCID: PMC8996251 DOI: 10.1042/ns20210054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal abnormality and leads to intellectual disability, increased risk of cardiac defects, and an altered immune response. Individuals with DS have an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21) and are more likely to develop early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) than the general population. Changes in expression of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21)-encoded genes, such as amyloid precursor protein (APP), play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD in DS (DS-AD). However, the mechanisms of DS-AD remain poorly understood. To date, several mouse models with an extra copy of genes syntenic to Hsa21 have been developed to characterise DS-AD-related phenotypes. Nonetheless, due to genetic and physiological differences between mouse and human, mouse models cannot faithfully recapitulate all features of DS-AD. Cells differentiated from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), isolated from individuals with genetic diseases, can be used to model disease-related cellular and molecular pathologies, including DS. In this review, we will discuss the limitations of mouse models of DS and how these can be addressed using recent advancements in modelling DS using human iPSCs and iPSC-mouse chimeras, and potential applications of iPSCs in preclinical studies for DS-AD.
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