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Lints R, Walker CA, Delfi O, Prouse M, PohLui De Silva M, Bohlander SK, Wood AC. Mutational cooperativity of RUNX1::RUNX1T1 isoform 9a and oncogenic NRAS in zebrafish myeloid leukaemia. Biol Open 2024; 13:bio060523. [PMID: 39177514 PMCID: PMC11381922 DOI: 10.1242/bio.060523] [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: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
RUNX1::RUNX1T1 (R::RT1) acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) remains a clinical challenge, and further research is required to model and understand leukaemogenesis. Previous zebrafish R::RT1 models were hampered by embryonic lethality and low penetrance of the malignant phenotype. Here, we overcome this by developing an adult zebrafish model in which the human R::RT1 isoform 9a is co-expressed with the frequently co-occurring oncogenic NRASG12D mutation in haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), using the Runx1+23 enhancer. Approximately 50% of F0 9a+NRASG12D transgenic zebrafish developed signs of haematological disease between 5 and 14 months, with 27% exhibiting AML-like pathology: myeloid precursor expansion, erythrocyte reduction, kidney marrow hypercellularity and the presence of blasts. Moreover, only 9a+NRASG12D transplant recipients developed leukaemia with high rates of mortality within 40 days, inferring the presence of leukaemia stem cells. These leukaemic features were rare or not observed in animals expressing either the NRAS or 9a oncogenes alone, suggesting 9a and NRAS cooperation drives leukaemogenesis. This novel adult AML zebrafish model provides a powerful new tool for investigating the basis of R::RT1 - NRAS cooperativity with the potential to uncover new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn Lints
- Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Christina A Walker
- Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Omid Delfi
- Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Matthew Prouse
- Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | | | - Stefan K Bohlander
- Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Andrew C Wood
- Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Starship Child Health, Starship Blood and Cancer Centre, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
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Doldur-Balli F, Zimmerman AJ, Seiler C, Veatch O, Pack AI. Measuring Sleep and Activity Patterns in Adult Zebrafish. Bio Protoc 2024; 14:e5014. [PMID: 38948256 PMCID: PMC11211082 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.5014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Sleep is an essential behavior that is still poorly understood. Sleep abnormalities accompany a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders, and sleep can serve as a modifiable behavior in the treatment of these disorders. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has proven to be a powerful model organism to study sleep and the interplay between sleep and these disorders due to the high conservation of the neuro-modulatory mechanisms that control sleep and wake states between zebrafish and humans. The zebrafish is a diurnal vertebrate with a relatively simple nervous system compared to mammalian models, exhibiting conservation of sleep ontogeny across different life stages. Zebrafish larvae are an established high-throughput model to assess sleep phenotypes and the biological underpinnings of sleep disturbances. To date, sleep measurement in juvenile and adult zebrafish has not been performed in a standardized and reproducible manner because of the relatively low-throughput nature in relation to their larval counterparts. This has left a gap in understanding sleep across later stages of life that are relevant to many psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Several research groups have used homemade systems to address this gap. Here, we report employing commercially available equipment to track activity and sleep/wake patterns in juvenile and adult zebrafish. The equipment allows researchers to perform automated behavior assays in an isolated environment with light/dark and temperature control for multiple days. We first explain the experimental procedure to track the sleep and activity of adult zebrafish and then validate the protocol by measuring the effects of melatonin and DMSO administration. Key features • Allows an isolated and controllable environment to carry out activity and sleep assays in juvenile and adult zebrafish. • Measures activity of zebrafish in life stages later than early development, which requires feeding animals during the assay. • Requires use of a commercially available equipment system and six tanks. • The activity of zebrafish can be tracked for five days including an acclimation step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fusun Doldur-Balli
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amber J. Zimmerman
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christoph Seiler
- Aquatics Core Facility, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Olivia Veatch
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Allan I. Pack
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Ye Y, Yang X, Li F, Liu W, Zhang W, Huang Z. c-myb is involved in CML progression and is a therapeutic target in the zebrafish CML model. Animal Model Exp Med 2024; 7:136-144. [PMID: 36300552 PMCID: PMC11079146 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the success of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) therapy, CML still faces the challenges of drug resistance and progression to blast crisis. Twenty-five percent of patients have imatinib resistance and treatment difficulties due to heterogeneity after progression, but little is known about the mechanism. A key transcription factor in hematopoiesis, MYB, has been reported to increase abnormally in several types of aggressive blood disorders including CML. METHODS This study used a zebrafish model to explore the relationship between BCR/ABL1 and c-myb in CML progression. A CML zebrafish model was crossed with a c-myb hyperactivity transgenic line. RESULTS It was found that both exogenous BCR/ABL1 and c-myb could up-regulate the expression of neutrophil-related genes. More seriously, neutrophil accumulation was observed when BCR/ABL1 was combined with c-myb overexpression. Further studies showed that c-myb may be one of the downstream targets of BCR/ABL1 and the effect of BCR/ABL1 on neutrophils was c-myb dependent. Taking advantage of this inheritable in vivo model, it was shown that a combination of imatinib and flavopiridol, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor targeting MYB, could more effectively alleviate the aggressive phenotype of the double transgene line. CONCLUSION In summary, this study suggests that c-myb acts downstream of BCR/ABL1 and is involved in CML progression and is therefore a risk factor and a valuable target for the treatment of CML progression. The model used in the study could be helpful in high-throughput drug screening in CML transformation.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Animals, Genetically Modified
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease Progression
- Flavonoids/pharmacology
- Flavonoids/therapeutic use
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/genetics
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/metabolism
- Imatinib Mesylate/pharmacology
- Imatinib Mesylate/therapeutic use
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics
- Neutrophils/drug effects
- Neutrophils/metabolism
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Piperidines/therapeutic use
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb/metabolism
- Zebrafish
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Ye
- Division of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, School of MedicineSouth China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaojun Yang
- Division of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, School of MedicineSouth China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Feifei Li
- Division of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, School of MedicineSouth China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Wei Liu
- Division of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, School of MedicineSouth China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Wenqing Zhang
- Division of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, School of MedicineSouth China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhibin Huang
- Division of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, School of MedicineSouth China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
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Roy D, Subramaniam B, Chong WC, Bornhorst M, Packer RJ, Nazarian J. Zebrafish-A Suitable Model for Rapid Translation of Effective Therapies for Pediatric Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1361. [PMID: 38611039 PMCID: PMC11010887 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071361] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Pediatric cancers are the leading cause of disease-related deaths in children and adolescents. Most of these tumors are difficult to treat and have poor overall survival. Concerns have also been raised about drug toxicity and long-term detrimental side effects of therapies. In this review, we discuss the advantages and unique attributes of zebrafish as pediatric cancer models and their importance in targeted drug discovery and toxicity assays. We have also placed a special focus on zebrafish models of pediatric brain cancers-the most common and difficult solid tumor to treat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debasish Roy
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20012, USA; (D.R.)
| | - Bavani Subramaniam
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20012, USA; (D.R.)
| | - Wai Chin Chong
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20012, USA; (D.R.)
| | - Miriam Bornhorst
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20012, USA; (D.R.)
| | - Roger J. Packer
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20012, USA; (D.R.)
| | - Javad Nazarian
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20012, USA; (D.R.)
- DIPG/DMG Research Center Zurich, Children’s Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital Zürich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
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Russo D, Malagola M, Polverelli N, Farina M, Re F, Bernardi S. Twenty years of evolution of CML therapy: how the treatment goal is moving from disease to patient. Ther Adv Hematol 2023; 14:20406207231216077. [PMID: 38145059 PMCID: PMC10748527 DOI: 10.1177/20406207231216077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The introduction of imatinib in 2000 opened the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for CML therapy and has revolutionized the life expectancy of CML patients, which is now quite like the one of the healthy aged population. Over the last 20 years, both the TKI therapy itself and the objectives have undergone evolutions highlighted and discussed in this review. The main objective of the CML therapy in the first 10 years after TKI introduction was to abolish the disease progression from the chronic to the blastic phase and guarantee the long-term survival of the great majority of patients. In the second 10 years (from 2010 to the present), the main objective of CML therapy moved from survival, considered achieved as a goal, to treatment-free remission (TFR). Two phenomena emerged: no more than 50-60% of CML patients could be candidates for discontinuation and over 50% of them molecularly relapse. The increased cumulative incidence of specific TKI off-target side effects was such relevant to compel to discontinue or reduce the TKI administration in a significant proportion of patients and to avoid a specific TKI in particular settings of patients. Therefore, the treatment strategy must be adapted to each category of patients. What about the patients who do not get or fail the TFR? Should they be compelled to continue the TKIs at the maximum tolerated dose? Alternative strategies based on the principle of minimal effective dose have been tested with success and they are now re-evaluated with more attention, since they guarantee survival and probably a better quality of life, too. Moving from treating the disease to treating the patient is an important change of paradigm. We can say that we are entering a personalized CML therapy, which considers the patients' age, their comorbidities, tolerability, and specific objectives. In this scenario, the new techniques supporting the monitoring of the patients, such as the digital PCR, must be considered. In the present review, we present in deep this evolution and comment on the future perspectives of CML therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Russo
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Cell Therapies, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST-Spedali Civili Hospital of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Michele Malagola
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Cell Therapies, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST-Spedali Civili Hospital of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nicola Polverelli
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Cell Therapies, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST-Spedali Civili Hospital of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mirko Farina
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Cell Therapies, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST-Spedali Civili Hospital of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Federica Re
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Cell Therapies, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST-Spedali Civili Hospital of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-oncologico AIL (CREA), ASST-Spedali Civili Hospital of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Simona Bernardi
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Cell Therapies, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST-Spedali Civili Hospital of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-oncologico AIL (CREA), ASST-Spedali Civili Hospital of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Zapilko V, Moisio S, Parikka M, Heinäniemi M, Lohi O. Generation of a Zebrafish Knock-In Model Recapitulating Childhood ETV6::RUNX1-Positive B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5821. [PMID: 38136366 PMCID: PMC10871125 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245821] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 25% of children with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pB-ALL) harbor the t(12;21)(p13;q22) translocation, leading to the ETV6::RUNX1 (E::R) fusion gene. This translocation occurs in utero, but the disease is much less common than the prevalence of the fusion in newborns, suggesting that secondary mutations are required for overt leukemia. The role of these secondary mutations remains unclear and may contribute to treatment resistance and disease recurrence. We developed a zebrafish model for E::R leukemia using CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce the human RUNX1 gene into zebrafish etv6 intron 5, resulting in E::R fusion gene expression controlled by the endogenous etv6 promoter. As seen by GFP fluorescence at a single-cell level, the model correctly expressed the fusion protein in the right places in zebrafish embryos. The E::R fusion expression induced an expansion of the progenitor cell pool and led to a low 2% frequency of leukemia. The introduction of targeted pax5 and cdkn2a/b gene mutations, mimicking secondary mutations, in the E::R line significantly increased the incidence in leukemia. Transcriptomics revealed that the E::R;pax5mut leukemias exclusively represented B-lineage disease. This novel E::R zebrafish model faithfully recapitulates human disease and offers a valuable tool for a more detailed analysis of disease biology in this subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Zapilko
- Tampere Center for Child, Adolescent and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33100 Tampere, Finland;
| | - Sanni Moisio
- The Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland; (S.M.); (M.H.)
| | - Mataleena Parikka
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33100 Tampere, Finland;
| | - Merja Heinäniemi
- The Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland; (S.M.); (M.H.)
| | - Olli Lohi
- Tampere Center for Child, Adolescent and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33100 Tampere, Finland;
- Department of Pediatrics and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Wellbeing Services County of Pirkanmaa, 33520 Tampere, Finland
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Patel P, Nandi A, Verma SK, Kaushik N, Suar M, Choi EH, Kaushik NK. Zebrafish-based platform for emerging bio-contaminants and virus inactivation research. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 872:162197. [PMID: 36781138 PMCID: PMC9922160 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Emerging bio-contaminants such as viruses have affected health and environment settings of every country. Viruses are the minuscule entities resulting in severe contagious diseases like SARS, MERS, Ebola, and avian influenza. Recent epidemic like the SARS-CoV-2, the virus has undergone mutations strengthen them and allowing to escape from the remedies. Comprehensive knowledge of viruses is essential for the development of targeted therapeutic and vaccination treatments. Animal models mimicking human biology like non-human primates, rats, mice, and rabbits offer competitive advantage to assess risk of viral infections, chemical toxins, nanoparticles, and microbes. However, their economic maintenance has always been an issue. Furthermore, the redundancy of experimental results due to aforementioned aspects is also in examine. Hence, exploration for the alternative animal models is crucial for risk assessments. The current review examines zebrafish traits and explores the possibilities to monitor emerging bio-contaminants. Additionally, a comprehensive picture of the bio contaminant and virus particle invasion and abatement mechanisms in zebrafish and human cells is presented. Moreover, a zebrafish model to investigate the emerging viruses such as coronaviridae and poxviridae has been suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paritosh Patel
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897 Seoul, South Korea
| | - Aditya Nandi
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Suresh K Verma
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; Condensed Matter Theory Group, Materials Theory Division, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Neha Kaushik
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Engineering, The University of Suwon, 18323 Hwaseong, Republic of Korea
| | - Mrutyunjay Suar
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Eun Ha Choi
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897 Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Nagendra Kumar Kaushik
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897 Seoul, South Korea.
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Yi ZN, Chen XK, Ma ACH. Modeling leukemia with zebrafish (Danio rerio): Towards precision medicine. Exp Cell Res 2022; 421:113401. [PMID: 36306826 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113401] [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: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Leukemia is a type of blood cancer characterized by high genetic heterogeneity and fatality. While chemotherapy remains the primary form of treatment for leukemia, its effectiveness was profoundly diminished by the genetic heterogeneity and cytogenetic abnormalities of leukemic cells. Therefore, there is an unmet need to develop precision medicine for leukemia with distinct genetic backgrounds. Zebrafish (Danio rerio), a freshwater fish with exceptional feasibility in genome editing, is a powerful tool for rapid human cancer modeling. In the past decades, zebrafish have been adopted in modeling human leukemia, exploring the molecular mechanisms of underlying genetic abnormalities, and discovering novel therapeutic agents. Although many recurrent mutations of leukemia have been modeled in zebrafish for pathological study and drug discovery, its great potential in leukemia modeling was not yet fully exploited, particularly in precision medicine. In this review, we evaluated the current zebrafish models of leukemia/pre-leukemia and genetic techniques and discussed the potential of zebrafish models with novel techniques, which may contribute to the development of zebrafish as a disease model for precision medicine in treating leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Ni Yi
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiang-Ke Chen
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alvin Chun-Hang Ma
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
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Dudziak K, Nowak M, Sozoniuk M. One Host-Multiple Applications: Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) as Promising Model for Studying Human Cancers and Pathogenic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:10255. [PMID: 36142160 PMCID: PMC9499349 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, zebrafish (ZF) has been increasingly applied as a model in human disease studies, with a particular focus on cancer. A number of advantages make it an attractive alternative for mice widely used so far. Due to the many advantages of zebrafish, modifications can be based on different mechanisms and the induction of human disease can take different forms depending on the research goal. Genetic manipulation, tumor transplantation, or injection of the pathogen are only a few examples of using ZF as a model. Most of the studies are conducted in order to understand the disease mechanism, monitor disease progression, test new or alternative therapies, and select the best treatment. The transplantation of cancer cells derived from patients enables the development of personalized medicine. To better mimic a patient's body environment, immune-deficient models (SCID) have been developed. A lower immune response is mostly generated by genetic manipulation but also by irradiation or dexamethasone treatment. For many studies, using SCID provides a better chance to avoid cancer cell rejection. In this review, we describe the main directions of using ZF in research, explain why and how zebrafish can be used as a model, what kind of limitations will be met and how to overcome them. We collected recent achievements in this field, indicating promising perspectives for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Dudziak
- Chair and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Michał Nowak
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Magdalena Sozoniuk
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
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10
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Kawasaki T, Shimizu Y. Carcinogenesis Models Using Small Fish. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2021; 69:962-969. [PMID: 34602577 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c21-00295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Experimental animals are indispensable in life science-related research, including cancer studies. After rats and mice, small fishes, such as zebrafish and medaka, are the second most frequently used model species. Fish models have some advantageous physical characteristics that make them suitable for research, including their small size, some transparency, genetic manipulability, ease of handling, and highly ortholog correspondence with humans. This review introduces technological advances in carcinogenesis model production using small fish. Carcinogenesis model production begins with chemical carcinogenesis, followed by mutagenesis. Gene transfer technology has made it possible to incorporate various mechanisms that act on cancer-related genes in individuals. For example, scientists may now spatiotemporally control gene expression in a single fish through methods including the localization of an expression site via a tissue-specific promoter and expression control using light, heat, or a chemical substance. In addition, genome editing technology is realizing more specific and more efficient gene disruption than conventional mutagenesis, in which the disruption of the gene of interest depends on chance. These technological advances have improved animal models and will soon create carcinogenesis models that better mimic human pathology. We conclude by discussing future expectations for cancer research using small fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kawasaki
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
| | - Yuki Shimizu
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
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Current Views on the Interplay between Tyrosine Kinases and Phosphatases in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102311. [PMID: 34065882 PMCID: PMC8151247 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The chromosomal alteration t(9;22) generating the BCR-ABL1 fusion protein represents the principal feature that distinguishes some types of leukemia. An increasing number of articles have focused the attention on the relevance of protein phosphatases and their potential role in the control of BCR-ABL1-dependent or -independent signaling in different areas related to the biology of chronic myeloid leukemia. Herein, we discuss how tyrosine and serine/threonine protein phosphatases may interact with protein kinases, in order to regulate proliferative signal cascades, quiescence and self-renewals on leukemic stem cells, and drug-resistance, indicating how BCR-ABL1 can (directly or indirectly) affect these critical cells behaviors. We provide an updated review of the literature on the function of protein phosphatases and their regulation mechanism in chronic myeloid leukemia. Abstract Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by BCR-ABL1 oncogene expression. This dysregulated protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK) is known as the principal driver of the disease and is targeted by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Extensive documentation has elucidated how the transformation of malignant cells is characterized by multiple genetic/epigenetic changes leading to the loss of tumor-suppressor genes function or proto-oncogenes expression. The impairment of adequate levels of substrates phosphorylation, thus affecting the balance PTKs and protein phosphatases (PPs), represents a well-established cellular mechanism to escape from self-limiting signals. In this review, we focus our attention on the characterization of and interactions between PTKs and PPs, emphasizing their biological roles in disease expansion, the regulation of LSCs and TKI resistance. We decided to separate those PPs that have been validated in primary cell models or leukemia mouse models from those whose studies have been performed only in cell lines (and, thus, require validation), as there may be differences in the manner that the associated pathways are modified under these two conditions. This review summarizes the roles of diverse PPs, with hope that better knowledge of the interplay among phosphatases and kinases will eventually result in a better understanding of this disease and contribute to its eradication.
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Abstract
Zebrafish are rapidly becoming a leading model organism for cancer research. The genetic pathways driving cancer are highly conserved between zebrafish and humans, and the ability to easily manipulate the zebrafish genome to rapidly generate transgenic animals makes zebrafish an excellent model organism. Transgenic zebrafish containing complex, patient-relevant genotypes have been used to model many cancer types. Here we present a comprehensive review of transgenic zebrafish cancer models as a resource to the field and highlight important areas of cancer biology that have yet to be studied in the fish. The ability to image cancer cells and niche biology in an endogenous tumor makes zebrafish an indispensable model organism in which we can further understand the mechanisms that drive tumorigenesis and screen for potential new cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia M. McConnell
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Haley R. Noonan
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Leonard I. Zon
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
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Zizioli D, Bernardi S, Varinelli M, Farina M, Mignani L, Bosio K, Finazzi D, Monti E, Polverelli N, Malagola M, Borsani E, Borsani G, Russo D. Development of BCR-ABL1 Transgenic Zebrafish Model Reproducing Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Like-Disease and Providing a New Insight into CML Mechanisms. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020445. [PMID: 33669758 PMCID: PMC7922348 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish has proven to be a versatile and reliable experimental in vivo tool to study human hematopoiesis and model hematological malignancies. Transgenic technologies enable the generation of specific leukemia types by the expression of human oncogenes under specific promoters. Using this technology, a variety of myeloid and lymphoid malignancies zebrafish models have been described. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasia characterized by the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene, derived from the t (9;22) translocation causing the Philadelphia Chromosome (Ph). The BCR-ABL1 protein is a constitutively activated tyrosine kinas inducing the leukemogenesis and resulting in an accumulation of immature leukemic cells into bone marrow and peripheral blood. To model Ph+ CML, a transgenic zebrafish line expressing the human BCR-ABL1 was generated by the Gal4/UAS system, and then crossed with the hsp70-Gal4 transgenic line. The new line named (BCR-ABL1pUAS:CFP/hsp70-Gal4), presented altered expression of hematopoietic markers during embryonic development compared to controls and transgenic larvae showed proliferating hematopoietic cells in the caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT). The present transgenic zebrafish would be a robust CML model and a high-throughput drug screening tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Zizioli
- Unit of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.V.); (L.M.); (D.F.); (E.M.)
- Correspondence: daniela.zizioli@unibs; Tel.: +39-(03)-03717546
| | - Simona Bernardi
- Unit of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (S.B.); (M.F.); (K.B.); (N.P.); (M.M.); (D.R.)
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica AIL (CREA), ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Varinelli
- Unit of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.V.); (L.M.); (D.F.); (E.M.)
| | - Mirko Farina
- Unit of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (S.B.); (M.F.); (K.B.); (N.P.); (M.M.); (D.R.)
| | - Luca Mignani
- Unit of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.V.); (L.M.); (D.F.); (E.M.)
| | - Katia Bosio
- Unit of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (S.B.); (M.F.); (K.B.); (N.P.); (M.M.); (D.R.)
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica AIL (CREA), ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Dario Finazzi
- Unit of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.V.); (L.M.); (D.F.); (E.M.)
- Laboratorio Centrale Analisi Chimico-Cliniche, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Eugenio Monti
- Unit of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.V.); (L.M.); (D.F.); (E.M.)
| | - Nicola Polverelli
- Unit of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (S.B.); (M.F.); (K.B.); (N.P.); (M.M.); (D.R.)
| | - Michele Malagola
- Unit of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (S.B.); (M.F.); (K.B.); (N.P.); (M.M.); (D.R.)
| | - Elisa Borsani
- Division of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Borsani
- Unit of Biology and Genetic, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Domenico Russo
- Unit of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (S.B.); (M.F.); (K.B.); (N.P.); (M.M.); (D.R.)
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Myeloid cells contribute to immune response to infection and tissue regeneration after injury as well as to the developmental induction of the hematopoietic system overall. Here we review recent uses of zebrafish to advance the study of myeloid biology in development and disease. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies have made use of advanced imaging and genetic strategies and have highlighted key concepts in myeloid cell behavior. These include immune-cell cross-talk and subpopulation response in infection and regeneration, and tightly regulated inflammatory and tissue remodeling behaviors in development. SUMMARY These new findings will shape our understanding of the developmental origins of immune populations as well as their specific cellular behaviors at all stages of infection, regeneration, and myeloid neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J. Wattrus
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leonard I. Zon
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
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Raby L, Völkel P, Le Bourhis X, Angrand PO. Genetic Engineering of Zebrafish in Cancer Research. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2168. [PMID: 32759814 PMCID: PMC7464884 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an excellent model to study a wide diversity of human cancers. In this review, we provide an overview of the genetic and reverse genetic toolbox allowing the generation of zebrafish lines that develop tumors. The large spectrum of genetic tools enables the engineering of zebrafish lines harboring precise genetic alterations found in human patients, the generation of zebrafish carrying somatic or germline inheritable mutations or zebrafish showing conditional expression of the oncogenic mutations. Comparative transcriptomics demonstrate that many of the zebrafish tumors share molecular signatures similar to those found in human cancers. Thus, zebrafish cancer models provide a unique in vivo platform to investigate cancer initiation and progression at the molecular and cellular levels, to identify novel genes involved in tumorigenesis as well as to contemplate new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pierre-Olivier Angrand
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277–CANTHER–Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (L.R.); (P.V.); (X.L.B.)
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