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Flessa CM, Nasiri-Ansari N, Kyrou I, Leca BM, Lianou M, Chatzigeorgiou A, Kaltsas G, Kassi E, Randeva HS. Genetic and Diet-Induced Animal Models for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Research. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415791. [PMID: 36555433 PMCID: PMC9780957 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A rapidly increasing incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is noted worldwide due to the adoption of western-type lifestyles and eating habits. This makes the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive the pathogenesis of this chronic disease and the development of newly approved treatments of utmost necessity. Animal models are indispensable tools for achieving these ends. Although the ideal mouse model for human NAFLD does not exist yet, several models have arisen with the combination of dietary interventions, genetic manipulations and/or administration of chemical substances. Herein, we present the most common mouse models used in the research of NAFLD, either for the whole disease spectrum or for a particular disease stage (e.g., non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each model, along with the challenges facing the researchers who aim to develop and use animal models for translational research in NAFLD. Based on these characteristics and the specific study aims/needs, researchers should select the most appropriate model with caution when translating results from animal to human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina-Maria Flessa
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Narjes Nasiri-Ansari
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Kyrou
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
- Aston Medical School, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Bianca M. Leca
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Maria Lianou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Chatzigeorgiou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Gregory Kaltsas
- Endocrine Unit, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Eva Kassi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Endocrine Unit, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (H.S.R.)
| | - Harpal S. Randeva
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (H.S.R.)
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Spontaneous Occurrence of Various Types of Hepatocellular Adenoma in the Livers of Metabolic Syndrome-Associated Steatohepatitis Model TSOD Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911923. [PMID: 36233225 PMCID: PMC9570293 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Male Tsumura-Suzuki Obese Diabetes (TSOD) mice, a spontaneous metabolic syndrome model, develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver tumors by feeding on a standard mouse diet. Nearly 70% of liver tumors express glutamine synthetase (GS), a marker of hepatocellular carcinoma. In contrast, approximately 30% are GS-negative without prominent nuclear or structural atypia. In this study, we examined the characteristics of the GS-negative tumors of TSOD mice. Twenty male TSOD mice were sacrificed at 40 weeks and a total of 21 tumors were analyzed by HE staining and immunostaining of GS, liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), serum amyloid A (SAA), and beta-catenin. With immunostaining for GS, six (29%) tumors were negative. Based on the histological and immunohistological characteristics, six GS-negative tumors were classified into several subtypes of human hepatocellular adenoma (HCA). One large tumor showed generally similar findings to inflammatory HCA, but contained small atypical foci with GS staining and partial nuclear beta-catenin expression suggesting malignant transformation. GS-negative tumors of TSOD mice contained features similar to various subtypes of HCA. Different HCA subtypes occurring in the same liver have been reported in humans; however, the diversity of patient backgrounds limits the ability to conduct a detailed, multifaceted analysis. TSOD mice may share similar mechanisms of HCA development as in humans. It is timely to review the pathogenesis of HCA from both genetic and environmental perspectives, and it is expected that TSOD mice will make further contributions in this regard.
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Vachher M, Bansal S, Kumar B, Yadav S, Arora T, Wali NM, Burman A. Contribution of organokines in the development of NAFLD/NASH associated hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cell Biochem 2022; 123:1553-1584. [PMID: 35818831 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Globally the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is on an upsurge. Evidence is accumulating that liver disorders like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more progressive form nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are associated with increased risk of developing HCC. NAFLD has a prevalence of about 25% and 50%-90% in obese population. With the growing burden of obesity epidemic worldwide, HCC presents a major healthcare burden. While cirrhosis is one of the major risk factors of HCC, available literature suggests that NAFLD/NASH associated HCC also develops in minimum or noncirrhotic livers. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the pathogenesis and risk factors associated with NAFLD and NASH related HCC that would help in early diagnosis and favorable prognosis of HCC secondary to NAFLD. Adipokines, hepatokines and myokines are factors secreted by adipocytes, hepatocytes and myocytes, respectively, playing essential roles in cellular homeostasis, energy balance and metabolism with autocrine, paracrine and endocrine effects. In this review, we endeavor to focus on the role of these organokines in the pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH and its progression to HCC to augment the understanding of the factors stimulating hepatocytes to acquire a malignant phenotype. This shall aid in the development of novel therapeutic strategies and tools for early diagnosis of NAFLD/NASH and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Vachher
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Savita Bansal
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Bhupender Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Sandeep Yadav
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Taruna Arora
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Nalini Moza Wali
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Archana Burman
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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Umezu T, Tsuneyama K, Kanekura K, Hayakawa M, Tanahashi T, Kawano M, Taguchi YH, Toyoda H, Tamori A, Kuroda M, Murakami Y. Comprehensive analysis of liver and blood miRNA in precancerous conditions. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21766. [PMID: 33303811 PMCID: PMC7728755 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78500-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptozotocin administration to mice (STZ-mice) induces type I diabetes and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We attempted to elucidate the carcinogenic mechanism and the miRNA expression status in the liver and blood during the precancerous state. Serum and liver tissues were collected from STZ-mice and non-treated mice (CTL-mice) at 6, 10, and 12 W. The exosome enriched fraction extracted from serum was used. Hepatic histological examination and hepatic and exosomal miRNA expression analysis were serially performed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Human miRNA expression analysis of chronic hepatitis liver tissue and exosomes, which were collected before starting the antiviral treatment, were also performed. No inflammation or fibrosis was found in the liver of CTL-mice during the observation period. In STZ-mice, regeneration and inflammation of hepatocytes was found at 6 W and nodules of atypical hepatocytes were found at 10 and 12 W. In the liver tissue, during 6-12 W, the expression levels of let-7f-5p, miR-143-3p, 148a-3p, 191-5p, 192-5p, 21a-5p, 22-3p, 26a-5p, and 92a-3p was significantly increased in STZ-mice, and anti-oncogenes of their target gene candidates were down-regulated. miR-122-5p was also significantly down-regulated in STZ-mice. Fifteen exosomal miRNAs were upregulated in STZ-mice. Six miRNAs (let-7f-5p, miR-10b-5p, 143-3p, 191-5p, 21a-5p, and 26a-5p) were upregulated, similarly to human HCC cases. From the precancerous state, aberrant expression of hepatic miRNAs has already occurred, and then, it can promote carcinogenesis. In exosomes, the expression pattern of common miRNAs between mice and humans before carcinogenesis was observed and can be expected to be developed as a cancer predictive marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Umezu
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku 6-1-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Kohsuke Kanekura
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku 6-1-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan
| | - Michiyo Hayakawa
- Department of Pathology and Cell Regulation, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-0841, Japan
| | | | - Mitsuoki Kawano
- Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Contemporary Life Science, Chugokugakuen University, Okayama, 701-0197, Japan
| | - Y-H Taguchi
- Department of Physics, Chuo University, Tokyo, 112-8551, Japan
| | - Hidenori Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, 503-8502, Japan
| | - Akihiro Tamori
- Department of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kuroda
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku 6-1-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Murakami
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku 6-1-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan.
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Koizumi K, Oku M, Hayashi S, Inujima A, Shibahara N, Chen L, Igarashi Y, Tobe K, Saito S, Kadowaki M, Aihara K. Identifying pre-disease signals before metabolic syndrome in mice by dynamical network biomarkers. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8767. [PMID: 31235708 PMCID: PMC6591167 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45119-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The establishment of new therapeutic strategies for metabolic syndrome is urgently needed because metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by several disorders, such as hypertension, increases the risk of lifestyle-related diseases. One approach is to focus on the pre-disease state, a state with high susceptibility before the disease onset, which is considered as the best period for preventive treatment. In order to detect the pre-disease state, we recently proposed mathematical theory called the dynamical network biomarker (DNB) theory based on the critical transition paradigm. Here, we investigated time-course gene expression profiles of a mouse model of metabolic syndrome using 64 whole-genome microarrays based on the DNB theory, and showed the detection of a pre-disease state before metabolic syndrome defined by characteristic behavior of 147 DNB genes. The results of our study demonstrating the existence of a notable pre-disease state before metabolic syndrome may help to design novel and effective therapeutic strategies for preventing metabolic syndrome, enabling just-in-time preemptive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Koizumi
- Division of Kampo Diagnostics, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan.
| | - Makito Oku
- Division of Chemo-Bioinformatics, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Shusaku Hayashi
- Division of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Akiko Inujima
- Division of Kampo Diagnostics, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Naotoshi Shibahara
- Division of Kampo Diagnostics, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Luonan Chen
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Igarashi
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Tobe
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Shigeru Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Makoto Kadowaki
- Division of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Aihara
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
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Isobe A, Shimada T, Aburada M, Yanagisawa R, Sakawa T, Nakamura T, Himi T, Ohta R, Kawaguchi M. Hatano rats are a suitable metabolic syndrome model for studying feeding behavior, blood pressure levels, and percent body fat. J Vet Med Sci 2019; 81:147-154. [PMID: 30464089 PMCID: PMC6361638 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.18-0342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, metabolic syndrome is a worldwide concern. Thus, it is imperative to understand the mechanism of metabolic syndrome by establishing various metabolic syndrome models. In this
study, we used Hatano high-avoidance animals (HAA) and low-avoidance animals (LAA), both derived from Sprague–Dawley rats by selective breeding to determine high- or low-avoidance rates in
shuttle-box active avoidance tests. HAA and LAA rats have some strain differences related to eating and appetite. Therefore, we determined whether Hatano rats could be used as a metabolic
syndrome model. We compared food intake, body weights, blood pressure levels, plasma component levels, and fat contents between HAA and LAA rats. The HAA rats showed more active eating,
higher blood pressure, higher percentage fat, and higher triglyceride levels than the LAA rats—these features correspond to some of the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Our
study suggests that HAA rats can be considered as a metabolic syndrome model by focusing on their feeding behavior, blood pressure levels, and percent body fat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Isobe
- Lab of Animal Behavior and Environmental Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Tama, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Shimada
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, University Hospital, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan.,Musashino University, 1-1-20, Shinmachi, Nishitokyo, Tokyo 202-8585, Japan
| | - Masaki Aburada
- Musashino University, 1-1-20, Shinmachi, Nishitokyo, Tokyo 202-8585, Japan
| | - Rie Yanagisawa
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Sakawa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo Heisei University, 4-21-2 Nakano, Nakano, Tokyo 164-8530, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nakamura
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo Heisei University, 4-21-2 Nakano, Nakano, Tokyo 164-8530, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Himi
- Musashino University, 1-1-20, Shinmachi, Nishitokyo, Tokyo 202-8585, Japan
| | - Ryo Ohta
- Hatano Research Institute, Food and Drug Safety Center, 729-5 Ochiai, Hadano, Kanagawa 257-8523, Japan
| | - Maiko Kawaguchi
- Lab of Animal Behavior and Environmental Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Tama, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan.,Musashino University, 1-1-20, Shinmachi, Nishitokyo, Tokyo 202-8585, Japan
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Xu YXZ, Mishra S. Obesity-Linked Cancers: Current Knowledge, Challenges and Limitations in Mechanistic Studies and Rodent Models. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:E523. [PMID: 30567335 PMCID: PMC6316427 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10120523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The worldwide prevalence of obesity has doubled during the last 50 years, and according to the World Obesity Federation, one third of the people on Earth will be obese by the year 2025. Obesity is described as a chronic, relapsing and multifactorial disease that causes metabolic, biomechanical, and psychosocial health consequences. Growing evidence suggests that obesity is a risk factor for multiple cancer types and rivals smoking as the leading preventable cause for cancer incidence and mortality. The epidemic of obesity will likely generate a new wave of obesity-related cancers with high aggressiveness and shortened latency. Observational studies have shown that from cancer risk to disease prognosis, an individual with obesity is consistently ranked worse compared to their lean counterpart. Mechanistic studies identified similar sets of abnormalities under obesity that may lead to cancer development, including ectopic fat storage, altered adipokine profiles, hormone fluctuations and meta-inflammation, but could not explain how these common mechanisms produce over 13 different cancer types. A major hurdle in the mechanistic underpinning of obesity-related cancer is the lack of suitable pre-clinical models that spontaneously develop obesity-linked cancers like humans. Current approaches and animal models fall short when discerning the confounders that often coexist in obesity. In this mini-review, we will briefly survey advances in the different obesity-linked cancers and discuss the challenges and limitations in the rodent models employed to study their relationship. We will also provide our perspectives on the future of obesity-linked cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xin Zi Xu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada.
| | - Suresh Mishra
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada.
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mTOR Activation in Liver Tumors Is Associated with Metabolic Syndrome and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Both Mouse Models and Humans. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10120465. [PMID: 30469530 PMCID: PMC6315895 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10120465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can cause liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, with final progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in some cases. Various factors have been suggested to be involved in the development of NASH. Considering the many possible contributing factors, we postulated that mechanisms of progression from NASH to HCC could differ depending on the risk factors. In the present study, we applied two mouse models of NASH⁻HCC and performed histopathological and proteome analyses of mouse liver tumors. Furthermore, to compare the mechanisms of NASH⁻HCC progression in mice and humans, we investigated HCCs in humans with a background of metabolic syndrome and NASH, as well as HCCs associated with hepatitis virus infection by immunohistochemistry. It was demonstrated that upstream regulators associated with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway were altered in liver tumors of mice with metabolic syndrome characteristics (TSOD mice) using proteome analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that mTOR was characteristically phosphorylated in liver tumors of TSOD mice and HCCs from metabolic syndrome cases in humans. These results indicated that the mTOR pathway is characteristically activated in liver tumors with metabolic syndrome and NASH, unlike liver tumors with other etiologies.
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Tsumura-Suzuki obese diabetic mice-derived hepatic tumors closely resemble human hepatocellular carcinomas in metabolism-related genes expression and bile acid accumulation. Hepatol Int 2018; 12:254-261. [PMID: 29651702 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-018-9860-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Tsumura-Suzuki obese diabetic (TSOD) is a good model of metabolic syndrome showing typical lesions found in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and develops spontaneous hepatic tumors with a high frequency. Majority of the developing tumors overexpress glutamine synthetase (GS), which is used as a marker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study is to assess the status of expression of metabolism-related genes and the level of bile acids in the TSOD mice-derived tumors and to determine the association with metabolic dysregulation between human HCC and TSOD mice-derived tumors. METHODS GS-positive hepatic tumors or adjacent normal tissues from 71-week-old male TSOD mice were subjected to immunohistochemical staining, quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), quantitation of cholic acid and taurocholic acid. RESULTS We found that downregulation of the rate-limiting enzyme for betaine synthesis (BADH), at both mRNA and protein levels in GS-positive TSOD mice-derived tumors. Furthermore, the bile acid receptor FXR and the bile acid excretion pump BSEP (Abcb11) were found to be downregulated, whereas BAAT and Akr1c14, involved in primary bile acid synthesis and bile acid conjugation, were found to be upregulated at mRNA level in GS-positive TSOD mice-derived tumors. BAAT and Akr1c14 were also overexpressed at protein levels. Total cholic acid was found to be increased in GS-positive TSOD mice-derived tumors. CONCLUSION Our results strongly support the significance of TSOD mice as a model of spontaneously developing HCC.
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Analysis of the gut microbiome and plasma short-chain fatty acid profiles in a spontaneous mouse model of metabolic syndrome. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15876. [PMID: 29158587 PMCID: PMC5696507 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16189-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Male Tsumura Suzuki obese diabetes (TSOD) mice spontaneously develop obesity and obesity-related metabolic syndrome. Gut dysbiosis, an imbalance of gut microbiota, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, but its mechanisms are unknown. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the main fermentation products of gut microbiota and a link between the gut microbiota and the host’s physiology. Here, we investigated a correlation among gut dysbiosis, SCFAs, and metabolic syndrome in TSOD mice. We detected enriched levels of Gram-positive bacteria and corresponding decreases in Gram-negative bacteria in 24-wk-old metabolic syndrome-affected TSOD mice compared with age-matched controls. The abundance of Bacteroidetes species decreased, the abundance of Firmicutes species increased, and nine genera of bacteria were altered in 24-wk-old TSOD mice. The total plasma SCFA level was significantly lower in the TSOD mice than in controls. The major plasma SCFA—acetate—decreased in TSOD mice, whereas propionate and butyrate increased. TSOD mice had no minor SCFAs (valerate and hexanoate) but normal mice did. We thus concluded that gut dysbiosis and consequent disruptions in plasma SCFA profiles occurred in metabolic syndrome-affected TSOD mice. We also propose that the TSOD mouse is a useful model to study gut dysbiosis, SCFAs, and metabolic syndrome.
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Tsuneyama K, Nishitsuji K, Matsumoto M, Kobayashi T, Morimoto Y, Tsunematsu T, Ogawa H. Animal models for analyzing metabolic syndrome-associated liver diseases. Pathol Int 2017; 67:539-546. [PMID: 29027308 DOI: 10.1111/pin.12600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a worldwide healthcare issue and a dominant risk factor for the development of incurable diseases affecting the entire body. The hepatic manifestations of MS include nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progressive variant, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is known to progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Excellent animal models for determining the mechanism of pathogenesis and establishing therapeutic treatment of NASH/HCC are strongly required worldwide. We recently reported that two previously established mouse models of obesity and diabetes mellitus, namely, Tsumura-Suzuki Obese Diabetes (TSOD) mice and MSG mice, developed MS-associated NASH and that their clinical course and pathological characteristics closely mimicked those of human MS-NASH patients. Interestingly, most of the mice developed HCC with advancing age, and the pathological and functional characteristics of this condition were identical to those of human HCC. We further established a novel mouse model of HCC based on type 1 diabetes (DIAR-nSTZ mice) and reported its histopathological features. By comparing various aspects of these mouse models, specific and useful characteristics in a suitable model of MS-associated liver diseases, including hepato-carcinogenesis, can be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Kazuchika Nishitsuji
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Minoru Matsumoto
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Tomoko Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yuki Morimoto
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Takaaki Tsunematsu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Ogawa
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, 770-8503, Japan
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