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Chambers BE, Weaver NE, Lara CM, Nguyen TK, Wingert RA. (Zebra)fishing for nephrogenesis genes. Tissue Barriers 2024; 12:2219605. [PMID: 37254823 PMCID: PMC11042071 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2023.2219605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Kidney disease is a devastating condition affecting millions of people worldwide, where over 100,000 patients in the United States alone remain waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Concomitant with a surge in personalized medicine, single-gene mutations, and polygenic risk alleles have been brought to the forefront as core causes of a spectrum of renal disorders. With the increasing prevalence of kidney disease, it is imperative to make substantial strides in the field of kidney genetics. Nephrons, the core functional units of the kidney, are epithelial tubules that act as gatekeepers of body homeostasis by absorbing and secreting ions, water, and small molecules to filter the blood. Each nephron contains a series of proximal and distal segments with explicit metabolic functions. The embryonic zebrafish provides an ideal platform to systematically dissect the genetic cues governing kidney development. Here, we review the use of zebrafish to discover nephrogenesis genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E. Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Nicole E. Weaver
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Caroline M. Lara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Thanh Khoa Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Rebecca A. Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
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Amir M, Yimer N, Hiew M, Yusoff SM, Hussen B, Quddus A. Effect of indomethacin on embryo implantation and histomorphology of uterus, ovary, kidney, and liver of rats. Saudi J Biol Sci 2023; 30:103837. [PMID: 37964780 PMCID: PMC10641546 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103837] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to determine the effects of Indomethacin (IMC) treatment on embryo implantation and histomorphology of uterus, ovary, and other vital organs and its effective dosage in establishing embryo implantation dysfunction model in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Materials and Methods The experiments were performed on 24 (6 × 4 groups) adult female SD rats aged 12 weeks old. G1 was the control group and received a normal diet with normal saline. However, on pregnancy days 3 (Pd3) and 4 (Pd4), G2, G3, and G4 were given normal saline and subcutaneously administered IMC twice daily at different doses of 4.33, 4.66 and 5.00 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The rats were euthanized on day 8 of pregnancy (Pd8). The uterus was excised and examined for signs of pregnancy, followed by tissue samples from liver, kidney, and ovary (for histomorphological examination using haematoxylin and eosin stain). Results All IMC treatment doses disrupted the implantation process and caused a significant reduction in embryo development. Analysis for histopathological changes revealed that IMC doses above 4.33 mg/kg body weight caused more adverse reproductive health effects in rats. Vasoconstriction and micro vascularization were detected in the liver, while degenerative Bowman's capsules and inflammatory cells were observed in kidney sections from IMC-treated rats. Conclusion IMC therapy interfered with implantation and embryo development in rats, resulting in significant uterine vasoconstriction and atrophy, 4.33 mg/kg bwt dose appeared to be optimum to establish embryo implantation dysfunction in SD rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Amir
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Ziauddin University, 75600 Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Nurhusien Yimer
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Veterinary Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, 60115 Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Mark Hiew
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sabri Mohd Yusoff
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Bedru Hussen
- School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, 7 Sassoon Rd, Sandy Bay, Hong Kong
| | - Abdul Quddus
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Lasbela University of Agriculture Water and Marine Science, 90150 Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan
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Schindler M, Siegerist F, Lange T, Simm S, Bach SM, Klawitter M, Gehrig J, Gul S, Endlich N. A Novel High-Content Screening Assay Identified Belinostat as Protective in a FSGS-Like Zebrafish Model. J Am Soc Nephrol 2023; 34:1977-1990. [PMID: 37752628 PMCID: PMC10703078 DOI: 10.1681/asn.0000000000000235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND FSGS affects the complex three-dimensional morphology of podocytes, resulting in loss of filtration barrier function and the development of sclerotic lesions. Therapies to treat FSGS are limited, and podocyte-specific drugs are unavailable. To address the need for treatments to delay or stop FSGS progression, researchers are exploring the repurposing of drugs that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for other purposes. METHODS To identify drugs with potential to treat FSGS, we used a specific zebrafish screening strain to combine a high-content screening (HCS) approach with an in vivo model. This zebrafish screening strain expresses nitroreductase and the red fluorescent protein mCherry exclusively in podocytes (providing an indicator for podocyte depletion), as well as a circulating 78 kDa vitamin D-binding enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion protein (as a readout for proteinuria). To produce FSGS-like lesions in the zebrafish, we added 80 µ M metronidazole into the fish water. We used a specific screening microscope in conjunction with advanced image analysis methods to screen a library of 138 drugs and compounds (including some FDA-approved drugs) for podocyte-protective effects. Promising candidates were validated to be suitable for translational studies. RESULTS After establishing this novel in vivo HCS assay, we identified seven drugs or compounds that were protective in our FSGS-like model. Validation experiments confirmed that the FDA-approved drug belinostat was protective against larval FSGS. Similar pan-histone deacetylase inhibitors also showed potential to reproduce this effect. CONCLUSIONS Using an FSGS-like zebrafish model, we developed a novel in vivo HCS assay that identified belinostat and related pan-histone deacetylase inhibitors as potential candidates for treating FSGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Schindler
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Florian Siegerist
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Tim Lange
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stefan Simm
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sophia-Marie Bach
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marianne Klawitter
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Endlich
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Ernst A, Piragyte I, Mp AM, Le ND, Grandgirard D, Leib SL, Oates A, Mercader N. Identification of side effects of COVID-19 drug candidates on embryogenesis using an integrated zebrafish screening platform. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17037. [PMID: 37813860 PMCID: PMC10562458 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43911-3] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug repurposing is an important strategy in COVID-19 treatment, but many clinically approved compounds have not been extensively studied in the context of embryogenesis, thus limiting their administration during pregnancy. Here we used the zebrafish embryo model organism to test the effects of 162 marketed drugs on cardiovascular development. Among the compounds used in the clinic for COVD-19 treatment, we found that Remdesivir led to reduced body size and heart functionality at clinically relevant doses. Ritonavir and Baricitinib showed reduced heart functionality and Molnupiravir and Baricitinib showed effects on embryo activity. Sabizabulin was highly toxic at concentrations only 5 times higher than Cmax and led to a mean mortality of 20% at Cmax. Furthermore, we tested if zebrafish could be used as a model to study inflammatory response in response to spike protein treatment and found that Remdesivir, Ritonavir, Molnupiravir, Baricitinib as well as Sabizabulin counteracted the inflammatory response related gene expression upon SARS-CoV-2 spike protein treatment. Our results show that the zebrafish allows to study immune-modulating properties of COVID-19 compounds and highlights the need to rule out secondary defects of compound treatment on embryogenesis. All results are available on a user friendly web-interface https://share.streamlit.io/alernst/covasc_dataapp/main/CoVasc_DataApp.py that provides a comprehensive overview of all observed phenotypic effects and allows personalized search on specific compounds or group of compounds. Furthermore, the presented platform can be expanded for rapid detection of developmental side effects of new compounds for treatment of COVID-19 and further viral infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Indre Piragyte
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for Biomedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ayisha Marwa Mp
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for Biomedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ngoc Dung Le
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Denis Grandgirard
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephen L Leib
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Oates
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Mercader
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Department for Biomedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain.
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Lim S, Kang H, Kwon B, Lee JP, Lee J, Choi K. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism for screening nephrotoxic chemicals and related mechanisms. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 242:113842. [PMID: 35810668 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Because of essential role in homeostasis of the body fluid and excretion of wastes, kidney damage can lead to severe impacts on health and survival of humans. For most chemicals, nephrotoxic potentials and associated mechanisms are unclear. Hence, fast and sensitive screening measures for nephrotoxic chemicals are required. In this study, the utility of zebrafish (Danio rerio) was evaluated for the investigation of chemical-induced kidney toxicity and associated modes of toxicity, based on the literature review. Zebrafish has a well-understood biology, and many overlapping physiological characteristics with mammals. One such characteristic is its kidneys, of which histology and functions are similar to those of mammals, although unique differences of zebrafish kidneys, such as kidney marrow, should be noted. Moreover, the zebrafish kidney is simpler in structure and easy to observe. For these advantages, zebrafish has been increasingly used as an experimental model for screening nephrotoxicity of chemicals and for understanding related mechanisms. Multiple endpoints of zebrafish model, from functional level, i.e., glomerular filtration, to transcriptional changes of key genes, have been assessed to identify chemical-induced kidney toxicities, and to elucidate underlying mechanisms. The most frequently studied mechanisms of chemical-induced nephrotoxicity in zebrafish include oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, apoptosis, fibrosis, and cell death. To date, several pharmaceuticals, oxidizing agents, natural products, biocides, alcohols, and consumer chemicals have been demonstrated to exert different types of kidney toxicities in zebrafish. The present review shows that zebrafish model can be efficiently employed for quick and reliable assessment of kidney damage potentials of chemicals, and related toxic mechanisms. The toxicological information obtained from this model can be utilized for identification of nephrotoxic chemicals and hence for protection of public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soyoung Lim
- Environmental Health Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Ministry of Environment, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Habyeong Kang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, USA
| | - Bareum Kwon
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung Pyo Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, South Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, South Korea
| | - Jeonghwan Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, South Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, South Korea
| | - Kyungho Choi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea; Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
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Bauer B, Mally A, Liedtke D. Zebrafish Embryos and Larvae as Alternative Animal Models for Toxicity Testing. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13417. [PMID: 34948215 PMCID: PMC8707050 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Prerequisite to any biological laboratory assay employing living animals is consideration about its necessity, feasibility, ethics and the potential harm caused during an experiment. The imperative of these thoughts has led to the formulation of the 3R-principle, which today is a pivotal scientific standard of animal experimentation worldwide. The rising amount of laboratory investigations utilizing living animals throughout the last decades, either for regulatory concerns or for basic science, demands the development of alternative methods in accordance with 3R to help reduce experiments in mammals. This demand has resulted in investigation of additional vertebrate species displaying favourable biological properties. One prominent species among these is the zebrafish (Danio rerio), as these small laboratory ray-finned fish are well established in science today and feature outstanding biological characteristics. In this review, we highlight the advantages and general prerequisites of zebrafish embryos and larvae before free-feeding stages for toxicological testing, with a particular focus on cardio-, neuro, hepato- and nephrotoxicity. Furthermore, we discuss toxicokinetics, current advances in utilizing zebrafish for organ toxicity testing and highlight how advanced laboratory methods (such as automation, advanced imaging and genetic techniques) can refine future toxicological studies in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Bauer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Julius-Maximilians-University, 97078 Würzburg, Germany; (B.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Angela Mally
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Julius-Maximilians-University, 97078 Würzburg, Germany; (B.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Daniel Liedtke
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius-Maximilians-University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
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7
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Zhang G, Yu X, Huang G, Lei D, Tong M. An improved automated zebrafish larva high-throughput imaging system. Comput Biol Med 2021; 136:104702. [PMID: 34352455 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
As a typical multicellular model organism, the zebrafish has been increasingly used in biological research. Despite the efforts to develop automated zebrafish larva imaging systems, existing ones are still defective in terms of reliability and automation. This paper presents an improved zebrafish larva high-throughput imaging system, which makes improvements to the existing designs in the following aspects. Firstly, a single larva extraction strategy is developed to make larva loading more reliable. The aggregated larvae are identified, classified by their numbers and patterns, and separated by the aspiration pipette or water stream. Secondly, the dynamic model of larva motion in the capillary is established and an adaptive robust controller is designed for decelerating the fast-moving larva to ensure the survival rate. Thirdly, rotating the larva to the desired orientation is automated by developing an algorithm to estimate the larva's initial rotation angle. For validating the improved larva imaging system, a real-time heart rate monitoring experiment is conducted as an application example. Experimental results demonstrate that the goals of the improvements have been achieved. With these improvements, the improved zebrafish larva imaging system remarkably reduces human intervention and increases the efficiency and success/survival rates of larva imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gefei Zhang
- Research Institute of Intelligent Control and Systems, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xinghu Yu
- Research Institute of Intelligent Control and Systems, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China; Ningbo Institute of Intelligent Equipment Technology Co. Ltd., Ningbo, China
| | - Gang Huang
- Research Institute of Intelligent Control and Systems, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Dongxu Lei
- Research Institute of Intelligent Control and Systems, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Mingsi Tong
- Research Institute of Intelligent Control and Systems, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China.
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Hansen KUI, Siegerist F, Daniel S, Schindler M, Iervolino A, Blumenthal A, Daniel C, Amann K, Zhou W, Endlich K, Endlich N. Prolonged podocyte depletion in larval zebrafish resembles mammalian focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. FASEB J 2020; 34:15961-15974. [PMID: 33070374 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000724r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a histological pattern frequently found in patients with nephrotic syndrome that often progress to end-stage kidney disease. The initial step in development of this histologically defined entity is injury and ultimately depletion of podocytes, highly arborized interdigitating cells on the glomerular capillaries with important function for the glomerular filtration barrier. Since there are still no causal therapeutic options, animal models are needed to develop new treatment strategies. Here, we present an FSGS-like model in zebrafish larvae, an eligible vertebrate model for kidney research. In a transgenic zebrafish strain, podocytes were depleted, and the glomerular response was investigated by histological and morphometrical analysis combined with immunofluorescence staining and ultrastructural analysis by transmission electron microscopy. By intravenous injection of fluorescent high-molecular weight dextran, we confirmed leakage of the size selective filtration barrier. Additionally, we observed severe podocyte foot process effacement of remaining podocytes, activation of proximal tubule-like parietal epithelial cells identified by ultrastructural cytomorphology, and expression of proximal tubule markers. These activated cells deposited extracellular matrix on the glomerular tuft which are all hallmarks of FSGS. Our findings indicate that glomerular response to podocyte depletion in larval zebrafish resembles human FSGS in several important characteristics. Therefore, this model will help to investigate the disease development and the effects of potential drugs in a living organism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Florian Siegerist
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sophie Daniel
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Maximilian Schindler
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anna Iervolino
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Biogem Research Institute Gaetano Salvatore, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Antje Blumenthal
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christoph Daniel
- Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Amann
- Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Weibin Zhou
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Karlhans Endlich
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nicole Endlich
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Westhoff JH, Steenbergen PJ, Thomas LSV, Heigwer J, Bruckner T, Cooper L, Tönshoff B, Hoffmann GF, Gehrig J. In vivo High-Content Screening in Zebrafish for Developmental Nephrotoxicity of Approved Drugs. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:583. [PMID: 32754590 PMCID: PMC7366291 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite widespread drug exposure, for example during gestation or in prematurely born children, organ-specific developmental toxicity of most drugs is poorly understood. Developmental and functional abnormalities are a major cause of kidney diseases during childhood; however, the potential causal relationship to exposure with nephrotoxic drugs during nephrogenesis is widely unknown. To identify developmental nephrotoxic drugs in a large scale, we established and performed an automated high-content screen to score for phenotypic renal alterations in the Tg(wt1b:EGFP) zebrafish line. During early nephrogenesis, embryos were exposed to a compound library of approved drugs. After treatment, embryos were aligned within microtiter plates using 3D-printed orientation tools enabling the robust acquisition of consistent dorsal views of pronephric kidneys by automated microscopy. To qualitatively and quantitatively score and visualize phenotypes, we developed software tools for the semi-automated analysis, processing and visualization of this large image-based dataset. Using this scoring scheme, we were able to categorize compounds based on their potential developmental nephrotoxic effects. About 10% of tested drugs induced pronephric phenotypes including glomerular and tubular malformations, or overall changes in kidney morphology. Major chemical compound groups identified to cause glomerular and tubular alterations included dihydropyridine derivatives, HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, fibrates, imidazole, benzimidazole and triazole derivatives, corticosteroids, glucocorticoids, acetic acid derivatives and propionic acid derivatives. In conclusion, the presented study demonstrates the large-scale screening of kidney-specific toxicity of approved drugs in a live vertebrate embryo. The associated technology and tool-sets can be easily adapted for other organ systems providing a unique platform for in vivo large-scale assessment of organ-specific developmental toxicity or other biomedical applications. Ultimately, the presented data and associated visualization and browsing tools provide a resource for potentially nephrotoxic drugs and for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens H. Westhoff
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Laurent S. V. Thomas
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- DITABIS, Digital Biomedical Imaging Systems AG, Pforzheim, Germany
- ACQUIFER Imaging GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jana Heigwer
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Bruckner
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Burkhard Tönshoff
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Georg F. Hoffmann
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jochen Gehrig
- DITABIS, Digital Biomedical Imaging Systems AG, Pforzheim, Germany
- ACQUIFER Imaging GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
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