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Zang L, Saitoh S, Katayama K, Zhou W, Nishimura N, Shimada Y. A zebrafish model of diabetic nephropathy shows hyperglycemia, proteinuria and activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050438. [PMID: 38747698 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050438] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN), as a complication of diabetes, is a substantial healthcare challenge owing to the high risk of morbidity and mortality involved. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of DN, more efficient models are required to develop new therapeutics. Here, we created a DN model in zebrafish by crossing diabetic Tg(acta1:dnIGF1R-EGFP) and proteinuria-tracing Tg(l-fabp::VDBP-GFP) lines, named zMIR/VDBP. Overfed adult zMIR/VDBP fish developed severe hyperglycemia and proteinuria, which were not observed in wild-type zebrafish. Renal histopathology revealed human DN-like characteristics, such as glomerular basement membrane thickening, foot process effacement and glomerular sclerosis. Glomerular dysfunction was restored upon calorie restriction. RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that DN zebrafish kidneys exhibited transcriptional patterns similar to those seen in human DN pathogenesis. Notably, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway was activated, a phenomenon observed in the early phase of human DN. In addition, metformin improved hyperglycemia and proteinuria in DN zebrafish by modulating Akt phosphorylation. Our results indicate that zMIR/VDBP fish are suitable for elucidating the mechanisms underlying human DN and could be a powerful tool for therapeutic discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqing Zang
- Graduate School of Regional Innovation Studies, Mie University, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
- Mie University Zebrafish Research Center, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Sei Saitoh
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Sciences (Anatomy II), Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan
| | - Kan Katayama
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Weibin Zhou
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY 10029-5674, USA
| | - Norihiro Nishimura
- Graduate School of Regional Innovation Studies, Mie University, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
- Mie University Zebrafish Research Center, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Shimada
- Mie University Zebrafish Research Center, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
- Department of Integrative Pharmacology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
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Lisetto M, Fattorini M, Lanza A, Gerdol M, Griffin M, Wang Z, Ferrara F, Sblattero D. Biochemical and Functional Characterization of the Three Zebrafish Transglutaminases 2. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12041. [PMID: 37569416 PMCID: PMC10419279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512041] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a multifunctional protein widely distributed in various tissues and involved in many physiological and pathological processes. However, its actual role in biological processes is often controversial as TG2 shows different effects in these processes depending on its localization, cell type, or experimental conditions. We characterized the enzymatic and functional properties of TG2 proteins expressed in Danio rerio (zebrafish) to provide the basis for using this established animal model as a reliable tool to characterize TG2 functions in vivo. We confirmed the existence of three genes orthologous to human TG2 (zTGs2) in the zebrafish genome and their expression and function during embryonic development. We produced and purified the zTGs2s as recombinant proteins and showed that, like the human enzyme, zTGs2 catalyzes a Ca2+ dependent transamidation reaction that can be inhibited with TG2-specific inhibitors. In a cell model of human fibroblasts, we also demonstrated that zTGs2 can mediate RGD-independent cell adhesion in the extracellular environment. Finally, we transfected and selected zTGs2-overexpressing HEK293 cells and demonstrated that intracellular zTGs2 plays a very comparable protective/damaging role in the apoptotic process, as hTG2. Overall, our results suggest that zTGs2 proteins behave very similarly to the human ortholog and pave the way for future in vivo studies of TG2 functions in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Lisetto
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.L.); (M.F.); (A.L.); (M.G.)
| | - Mariagiulia Fattorini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.L.); (M.F.); (A.L.); (M.G.)
| | - Andrea Lanza
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.L.); (M.F.); (A.L.); (M.G.)
| | - Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.L.); (M.F.); (A.L.); (M.G.)
| | - Martin Griffin
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK; (M.G.); (Z.W.)
| | - Zhuo Wang
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK; (M.G.); (Z.W.)
| | | | - Daniele Sblattero
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.L.); (M.F.); (A.L.); (M.G.)
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Hu YX, Jing Q. Zebrafish: a convenient tool for myelopoiesis research. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 12:2. [PMID: 36595106 PMCID: PMC9810781 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-022-00139-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Myelopoiesis is the process in which the mature myeloid cells, including monocytes/macrophages and granulocytes, are developed. Irregular myelopoiesis may cause and deteriorate a variety of hematopoietic malignancies such as leukemia. Myeloid cells and their precursors are difficult to capture in circulation, let alone observe them in real time. For decades, researchers had to face these difficulties, particularly in in-vivo studies. As a unique animal model, zebrafish possesses numerous advantages like body transparency and convenient genetic manipulation, which is very suitable in myelopoiesis research. Here we review current knowledge on the origin and regulation of myeloid development and how zebrafish models were applied in these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Xi Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Qing Jing
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue-Yang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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da Silva Lemos I, Wessler LB, Duarte MB, da Silva GL, Bernardo HT, Candiotto G, Torres CA, Petronilho F, Rico EP, Streck EL. Exposure to leucine alters glutamate levels and leads to memory and social impairment in zebrafish. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 37:2925-2935. [PMID: 36040712 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-01070-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) is a metabolic disorder characterized by high levels in blood and urine of branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine and their alpha-ketoacids, by a partial or total blockade in the activity of branched-chain complex alpha-keto acids dehydrogenase. The main symptoms in MSUD occur in the central nervous system, including cognitive deficits, locomotor, poor feeding, seizures, psychomotor delay, and mental retardation, but the mechanisms of neurotoxicity and behavior alteration due to this disease are poorly understood, thus this study aimed at showing the effects of leucine exposure on glutamate levels and behavior in zebrafish. For this, we analyzed the behavior using the social preference test and novel object recognition test, moreover, we analyse the glutamate levels and uptake using scintillation and high-performance liquid chromatography methods. Our results demonstrated a decrease in glutamate levels and uptake, accompanied by memory and social impairment. In conclusion, these results suggest that alterations in glutamate levels can be associated with behavior impairment, however, more studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms for brain damage in MSUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela da Silva Lemos
- Laboratório de Doenças Neurometabólicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - Leticia Burato Wessler
- Laboratório de Doenças Neurometabólicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - Mariane Bernardo Duarte
- Laboratório de Doenças Neurometabólicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - Guilherme Lodetti da Silva
- Laboratório de Psiquiatria Translacional, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - Henrique Teza Bernardo
- Laboratório de Psiquiatria Translacional, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - Gabriela Candiotto
- Laboratório de Doenças Neurometabólicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - Carolina Antunes Torres
- Laboratório de Doenças Neurometabólicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - Fabricia Petronilho
- Laboratório de Neurologia Experimental, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - Eduardo Pacheco Rico
- Laboratório de Psiquiatria Translacional, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brasil
| | - Emilio Luiz Streck
- Laboratório de Doenças Neurometabólicas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brasil.
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