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Zhu M, Li Y, Liu D, Gong Z. Partial Hepatectomy Promotes the Development of KRASG12V-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Zebrafish. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1793. [PMID: 38791872 PMCID: PMC11119731 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101793] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PH on the development of oncogenic krasG12V-induced HCC in zebrafish. The inducible HCC model in Tg(fabp10a:rtTA2s-M2; TRE2:EGFP-krasG12V) zebrafish was used. PH or sham surgery was performed before the induction of oncogenic krasG12V expression in the livers of transgenic zebrafish. Histological analysis was carried out to determine the progression of HCC and other HCC-associated features including hepatocyte proliferation, extracellular matrix production, and local oxidative stress. The similarity between the process of PH-induced liver regeneration and that of krasG12V-induced HCC development was further compared by RNA-Seq analysis. The results show that PH promotes the development of krasG12V-induced HCC in zebrafish possibly through enhancing neutrophil-mediated oxidative stress and promoting the upregulation of s100a1, and the downregulation of ribosome biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingkai Zhu
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (M.Z.); (Y.L.)
- School of Life Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (M.Z.); (Y.L.)
| | - Dong Liu
- School of Life Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (M.Z.); (Y.L.)
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2
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Shimizu N, Shiraishi H, Hanada T. Zebrafish as a Useful Model System for Human Liver Disease. Cells 2023; 12:2246. [PMID: 37759472 PMCID: PMC10526867 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182246] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver diseases represent a significant global health challenge, thereby necessitating extensive research to understand their intricate complexities and to develop effective treatments. In this context, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as a valuable model organism for studying various aspects of liver disease. The zebrafish liver has striking similarities to the human liver in terms of structure, function, and regenerative capacity. Researchers have successfully induced liver damage in zebrafish using chemical toxins, genetic manipulation, and other methods, thereby allowing the study of disease mechanisms and the progression of liver disease. Zebrafish embryos or larvae, with their transparency and rapid development, provide a unique opportunity for high-throughput drug screening and the identification of potential therapeutics. This review highlights how research on zebrafish has provided valuable insights into the pathological mechanisms of human liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuyuki Shimizu
- Department of Cell Biology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu 879-5593, Oita, Japan;
| | | | - Toshikatsu Hanada
- Department of Cell Biology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu 879-5593, Oita, Japan;
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3
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Lee AQ, Li Y, Gong Z. Inducible Liver Cancer Models in Transgenic Zebrafish to Investigate Cancer Biology. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5148. [PMID: 34680297 PMCID: PMC8533791 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer is one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers, which incidence continues to increase while treatment response remains poor; thus, in-depth understanding of tumour events is necessary to develop more effective therapies. Animal models for liver cancer are powerful tools to reach this goal. Over the past decade, our laboratory has established multiple oncogene transgenic zebrafish lines that can be robustly induced to develop liver cancer. Histological, transcriptomic and molecular analyses validate the use of these transgenic zebrafish as experimental models for liver cancer. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of our findings with these inducible zebrafish liver cancer models in tumour initiation, oncogene addiction, tumour microenvironment, gender disparity, cancer cachexia, drug screening and others. Induced oncogene expression causes a rapid change of the tumour microenvironment such as inflammatory responses, increased vascularisation and rapid hepatic growth. In several models, histologically-proven carcinoma can be induced within one week of chemical inducer administration. Interestingly, the induced liver tumours show the ability to regress when the transgenic oncogene is suppressed by the withdrawal of the chemical inducer. Like human liver cancer, there is a strong bias of liver cancer severity in male zebrafish. After long-term tumour progression, liver cancer-bearing zebrafish also show symptoms of cancer cachexia such as muscle-wasting. In addition, the zebrafish models have been used to screen for anti-metastasis drugs as well as to evaluate environmental toxicants in carcinogenesis. These findings demonstrated that these inducible zebrafish liver cancer models provide rapid and convenient experimental tools for further investigation of fundamental cancer biology, with the potential for the discovery of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore; (A.Q.L.); (Y.L.)
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4
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Zebrafish, an In Vivo Platform to Screen Drugs and Proteins for Biomedical Use. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060500. [PMID: 34073947 PMCID: PMC8225009 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The nearly simultaneous convergence of human genetics and advanced molecular technologies has led to an improved understanding of human diseases. At the same time, the demand for drug screening and gene function identification has also increased, albeit time- and labor-intensive. However, bridging the gap between in vitro evidence from cell lines and in vivo evidence, the lower vertebrate zebrafish possesses many advantages over higher vertebrates, such as low maintenance, high fecundity, light-induced spawning, transparent embryos, short generation interval, rapid embryonic development, fully sequenced genome, and some phenotypes similar to human diseases. Such merits have popularized the zebrafish as a model system for biomedical and pharmaceutical studies, including drug screening. Here, we reviewed the various ways in which zebrafish serve as an in vivo platform to perform drug and protein screening in the fields of rare human diseases, social behavior and cancer studies. Since zebrafish mutations faithfully phenocopy many human disorders, many compounds identified from zebrafish screening systems have advanced to early clinical trials, such as those for Adenoid cystic carcinoma, Dravet syndrome and Diamond-Blackfan anemia. We also reviewed and described how zebrafish are used to carry out environmental pollutant detection and assessment of nanoparticle biosafety and QT prolongation.
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5
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Chen SL, Zhu ZX, Yang X, Liu LL, He YF, Yang MM, Guan XY, Wang X, Yun JP. Cleavage and Polyadenylation Specific Factor 1 Promotes Tumor Progression via Alternative Polyadenylation and Splicing in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:616835. [PMID: 33748106 PMCID: PMC7969726 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.616835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is an important post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism required for cleavage and polyadenylation (CPA) of the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of mRNAs. Several aberrant APA events have been reported in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying APA remain unclear. In this study, we found that the expression of cleavage and polyadenylation specific factor 1 (CPSF1), a major component of the CPA complex, was significantly increased in HCC tissues and correlated with unfavorable survival outcomes. Knockdown of CPSF1 inhibited HCC cell proliferation and migration, whereas overexpression of CPSF1 caused the opposite effect. Based on integrative analysis of Iso-Seq and RNA-seq data from HepG2.2.15 cells, we identified a series of transcripts with differential 3′ UTR lengths following the knockdown of CPSF1. These transcripts were related to the biological functions of gene transcription, cytoskeleton maintenance, and endomembrane system transportation. Moreover, knockdown of CPSF1 induced an increase in alternative splicing (AS) events in addition to APA. Taken together, this study provides new insights into our understanding of the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in HCC and implies that CPSF1 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Lu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhong-Xu Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xia Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang-Fan He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming-Ming Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing-Ping Yun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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6
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Raby L, Völkel P, Le Bourhis X, Angrand PO. Genetic Engineering of Zebrafish in Cancer Research. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082168. [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] [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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7
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Kim DH, Kim EJ, Kim DH, Park SW. Dact2 is involved in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 524:190-197. [PMID: 31983425 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.12.090] [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: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Dishevelled-associated antagonist of beta-catenin 2 (Dact2) is involved in the regulation of intracellular signaling pathways during development. It negatively regulates the Nodal signaling pathway, possibly by promoting lysosomal degradation of Nodal receptors such as TGFBR1, and plays an inhibitory role during the re-epithelialization of skin wounds by attenuating transforming growth factor-β signaling. Dact2 is known to act as a functional tumor suppressor in colon cancer; reduced Dact2 can promote liver cancer progression and suppress gastric cancer proliferation, invasion, and metastasis by inhibiting Wnt signaling. Zebrafish is used as a model of cancer biology because it shows similar tumorigenesis and morphogenesis as in humans and gene manipulation in this organism is possible. This study was performed to explore phenotypic changes in Dact2 knockout zebrafish and investigate the function of Dact2. A 10-base pair deletion Dact2 knockout zebrafish was prepared using the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing system. Dact2 knockout enhanced the expression of the MMP2 and MMP9 genes, which are related to tumor invasion and migration, and the Snail, VEGF, and ZEB genes, which are related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The absence of Dact2 also resulted in hyperplasia of the gastrointestinal epithelium, fibrosis in the pancreas and liver, increased proliferation of the pancreatic and hepatic bile ducts, and invasive proliferation into the pancreas. A wound healing assay confirmed that the absence of Dact2 enhanced EMT, thus accelerating wound healing. This study suggests that a loss of function of Dact2 impacts EMT-related gene regulation and tumor generation in a zebrafish knockout model, which is a useful model for exploring the mechanisms of these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hee Kim
- Postgraduate School of Nano Science and Technology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ji Kim
- Postgraduate School of Nano Science and Technology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Hee Kim
- Postgraduate School of Nano Science and Technology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Woo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Graduate Program of Nanoscience and Technology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Zhang H, Song Y, Li L, Zhang SY, Wu Q, Mei WJ, Liu HM, Wang XC. Phenanthroimidazole derivatives act as potentinducer of autophagy by activating DNA damage pathway. Bioorg Chem 2019; 88:102940. [PMID: 31028991 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.102940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A series of imidazo[4,5f][1,10]phenanthroline derivatives (1-6) have been synthesized in this study, and their inhibitory activity was evaluated by MTT assay. Results showed that all of these compounds demonstrate a promising inhibitory activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines. The 6, the most effective compound with IC50 of approximately 2.3 ± 0.1 µM, was against the growth and could induce autophagy of HepG2 cells. This condition was confirmed by abundant autophagic vacuoles appearing in cells and evident ultrastructural changes observed under transmission electron microscopy. The autophage induced by 6 has also been demonstrated by up-regulating LC3-II and Beclin1. The apoptosis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest through DSB damage have also been confirmed after the HepG2 cells were treated by 6. These multiple effects, especially induction apoptosis and autophagy, indicate the potential of 6 for development as a novel anticancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yue Song
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Li Li
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangdong Province Engineering Technology Centre for Molecular Probe and Biomedicine Imagining, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Shuang-Yan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangdong Province Engineering Technology Centre for Molecular Probe and Biomedicine Imagining, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Qiong Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangdong Province Engineering Technology Centre for Molecular Probe and Biomedicine Imagining, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Wen-Jie Mei
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangdong Province Engineering Technology Centre for Molecular Probe and Biomedicine Imagining, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Construction and Application of New Drug Screening Model Systems, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Hui-Min Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Xi-Cheng Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
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9
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Haraoka Y, Akieda Y, Ishitani T. [Live-imaging Analyses Using Small Fish Models Reveal New Mechanisms That Regulate Primary Tumorigenesis]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2019; 139:733-741. [PMID: 31061343 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.18-00185-1] [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
Since the 1980s, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have been used as a valuable model system to investigate developmental processes because they: 1) grow outside their mothers; 2) are transparent during the embryonic stage; and 3) have organs similar to those in humans. Recently, zebrafish have emerged as a powerful model animal for studying not only developmental biology but also human diseases, especially cancer. Owing to the significant advantages of zebrafish, such as low-cost breeding, high efficiency of transgenesis, and ease of in vivo imaging and oncogenic/tumor cell induction, zebrafish offer a unique opportunity to unveil novel mechanisms of cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis. In addition, the small size of zebrafish larvae enables high-throughput chemical screening, and this advantage contributes to generating useful platforms for antitumor drug discovery. Owing to these various merits, which other model animals (such as fly, mouse, and rat) do not possess, zebrafish could achieve a unique status in cancer research. In this review, we discuss the availability of zebrafish for studying cancer and introduce recent cancer studies that have used zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukinari Haraoka
- Laboratory of Integrated Signaling Systems, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University.,Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University
| | - Yuki Akieda
- Laboratory of Integrated Signaling Systems, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University
| | - Tohru Ishitani
- Laboratory of Integrated Signaling Systems, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University.,Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University
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10
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Abstract
The canonical Wnt-β-catenin pathway is a complex, evolutionarily conserved signalling mechanism that regulates fundamental physiological and pathological processes. Wnt-β-catenin signalling tightly controls embryogenesis, including hepatobiliary development, maturation and zonation. In the mature healthy liver, the Wnt-β-catenin pathway is mostly inactive but can become re-activated during cell renewal and/or regenerative processes, as well as in certain pathological conditions, diseases, pre-malignant conditions and cancer. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the two most prevalent primary liver tumours in adults, Wnt-β-catenin signalling is frequently hyperactivated and promotes tumour growth and dissemination. A substantial proportion of liver tumours (mainly HCC and, to a lesser extent, CCA) have mutations in genes encoding key components of the Wnt-β-catenin signalling pathway. Likewise, hepatoblastoma, the most common paediatric liver cancer, is characterized by Wnt-β-catenin activation, mostly as a result of β-catenin mutations. In this Review, we discuss the most relevant molecular mechanisms of action and regulation of Wnt-β-catenin signalling in liver development and pathophysiology. Moreover, we highlight important preclinical and clinical studies and future directions in basic and clinical research.
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11
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Avci ME, Keskus AG, Targen S, Isilak ME, Ozturk M, Atalay RC, Adams MM, Konu O. Development of a novel zebrafish xenograft model in ache mutants using liver cancer cell lines. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1570. [PMID: 29371671 PMCID: PMC5785479 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19817-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme responsible for degradation of acetylcholine, has been identified as a prognostic marker in liver cancer. Although in vivo Ache tumorigenicity assays in mouse are present, no established liver cancer xenograft model in zebrafish using an ache mutant background exists. Herein, we developed an embryonic zebrafish xenograft model using epithelial (Hep3B) and mesenchymal (SKHep1) liver cancer cell lines in wild-type and ache sb55 sibling mutant larvae after characterization of cholinesterase expression and activity in cell lines and zebrafish larvae. The comparison of fluorescent signal reflecting tumor size at 3-days post-injection (dpi) revealed an enhanced tumorigenic potential and a reduced migration capacity in cancer cells injected into homozygous ache sb55 mutants when compared with the wild-type. Increased tumor load was confirmed using an ALU based tumor DNA quantification method modified for use in genotyped xenotransplanted zebrafish embryos. Confocal microscopy using the Huh7 cells stably expressing GFP helped identify the distribution of tumor cells in larvae. Our results imply that acetylcholine accumulation in the microenvironment directly or indirectly supports tumor growth in liver cancer. Use of this model system for drug screening studies holds potential in discovering new cholinergic targets for treatment of liver cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ender Avci
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey.
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (iBG-izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, 35340, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Ayse Gokce Keskus
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Seniye Targen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - M Efe Isilak
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
- UNAM-Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Ozturk
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (iBG-izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Rengul Cetin Atalay
- Medical Informatics Department, Graduate School of Informatics, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Michelle M Adams
- Department of Psychology, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
- UNAM-Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ozlen Konu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey.
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey.
- UNAM-Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey.
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12
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Nguyen AT, Koh V, Spitsbergen JM, Gong Z. Development of a conditional liver tumor model by mifepristone-inducible Cre recombination to control oncogenic kras V12 expression in transgenic zebrafish. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19559. [PMID: 26790949 PMCID: PMC4726387 DOI: 10.1038/srep19559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we report a new transgenic expression system by combination of liver-specific expression, mifepristone induction and Cre-loxP recombination to conditionally control the expression of oncogenic krasV12. This transgenic system allowed expression of krasV12 specifically in the liver by a brief exposure of mifepristone to induce permanent genomic recombination mediated by the Cre-loxP system. We found that liver tumors were generally induced from multiple foci due to incomplete Cre-loxP recombination, thus mimicking naturally occurring human tumors resulting from one or a few mutated cells and clonal proliferation to form nodules. Similar to our earlier studies by both constitutive and inducible expression of the krasV12 oncogene, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the main type of liver tumor induced by krasV12 expression. Moreover, mixed tumors with hepatocellular adenoma and hepatoblastoma (HB) were also frequently observed. Molecular analyses also indicated similar increase of phosphorylated ERK1/2 in all types of liver tumors, but nuclear localization of β–catenin, a sign of malignant transformation, was found only in HCC and HB. Taken together, our new transgenic system reported in this study allows transgenic krasV12 expression specifically in the zebrafish liver only by a brief exposure of mifepristone to induce permanent genomic recombination mediated by the Cre-loxP system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Tuan Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543.,Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA, 97331
| | - Vivien Koh
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Jan M Spitsbergen
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA, 97331
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
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13
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Baiting for Cancer: Using the Zebrafish as a Model in Liver and Pancreatic Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 916:391-410. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-30654-4_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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14
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Hauser-Davis RA, Silva JAN, Rocha RCC, Saint'Pierre T, Ziolli RL, Arruda MAZ. Acute selenium selenite exposure effects on oxidative stress biomarkers and essential metals and trace-elements in the model organism zebrafish (Danio rerio). J Trace Elem Med Biol 2016; 33:68-72. [PMID: 26653745 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace-element that becomes toxic when present at high concentrations. Little is known regarding Se effects on parameters such as oxidative stress biomarkers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of acute selenium exposure on oxidative stress biomarkers in a model organism, zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish were exposed to selenium selenite at 1mgL(-1). Reduced glutathione (GSH), and metallothionein (MT) concentrations were determined in liver, kidney and brain, with MT also being determined in bile. Essential metals and trace-elements were also determined by inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in order to verify possible metal homeostasis alterations. GSH concentrations in liver, kidney and brain increased significantly (1.05±0.03μmolg(-1) ww, 1.42±0.03μmolg(-1) ww and 1.64±0.03μmolg(-1) ww, respectively) in the Se-exposed group when compared to the controls (0.88±0.05μmolg(-1) ww, 0.80±0.04μmolg(-1) ww and 0.89±0.03μmolg(-1) ww for liver, kidney and brain, respectively). MT levels in Se-exposed liver (0.52±0.03μmolg(-1) ww) decreased significantly in comparison to the control group (0.64±0.02μmolg(-1) ww), while levels in bile increased, albeit non-significantly. This is in accordance with previous studies that indicate efficient biliary MT action, leading to a rapid metabolism and elimination of contaminants from the body. Levels in the brain increased significantly after Se-exposure (0.57±0.01μmolg(-1) ww) when compared to the control group (0.35±0.03μmolg(-1) ww) since this organ does not present a detoxification route as quick as the liver-gallbladder route. Several metal and trace-elements were altered with Se-exposure, indicating that excess of selenium results in metal dyshomeostasis. This is the first report on metal dyshomeostasis due to Se-exposure, which may be the first step in the mechanism of action of selenium toxicity, as is postulated to occur in certain major human pathophysiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Hauser-Davis
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica-Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Chemistry Department, Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 225, Gávea, CEP, 22453-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas-Biodiversidade Neotropical, Av. Pasteur, 458-Urca, CEP, 22290-240 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Analítica, Universidade Estadual de Campinas-UNICAMP, Grupo de Espectrometria, Preparo de amostras e Mecanização-GEPAM, Cx. Postal 6154, 13084-971Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | - J A N Silva
- Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas-Biodiversidade Neotropical, Av. Pasteur, 458-Urca, CEP, 22290-240 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rafael C C Rocha
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica-Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Chemistry Department, Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 225, Gávea, CEP, 22453-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Saint'Pierre
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica-Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Chemistry Department, Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 225, Gávea, CEP, 22453-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - R L Ziolli
- Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas-Biodiversidade Neotropical, Av. Pasteur, 458-Urca, CEP, 22290-240 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - M A Z Arruda
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Analítica, Universidade Estadual de Campinas-UNICAMP, Grupo de Espectrometria, Preparo de amostras e Mecanização-GEPAM, Cx. Postal 6154, 13084-971Campinas, SP, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Bioanalítica-INCTBio, Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas-UNICAMP, Cx. Postal 6154, 13084-971 Campinas, SP, Brazil
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15
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Kim SH, Wu SY, Baek JI, Choi SY, Su Y, Flynn CR, Gamse JT, Ess KC, Hardiman G, Lipschutz JH, Abumrad NN, Rockey DC. A post-developmental genetic screen for zebrafish models of inherited liver disease. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125980. [PMID: 25950913 PMCID: PMC4423964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease such as simple steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and fibrosis. However, the molecular pathogenesis and genetic variations causing NAFLD are poorly understood. The high prevalence and incidence of NAFLD suggests that genetic variations on a large number of genes might be involved in NAFLD. To identify genetic variants causing inherited liver disease, we used zebrafish as a model system for a large-scale mutant screen, and adopted a whole genome sequencing approach for rapid identification of mutated genes found in our screen. Here, we report on a forward genetic screen of ENU mutagenized zebrafish. From 250 F2 lines of ENU mutagenized zebrafish during post-developmental stages (5 to 8 days post fertilization), we identified 19 unique mutant zebrafish lines displaying visual evidence of hepatomegaly and/or steatosis with no developmental defects. Histological analysis of mutants revealed several specific phenotypes, including common steatosis, micro/macrovesicular steatosis, hepatomegaly, ballooning, and acute hepatocellular necrosis. This work has identified multiple post-developmental mutants and establishes zebrafish as a novel animal model for post-developmental inherited liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok-Hyung Kim
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, the United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Shu-Yu Wu
- Department of Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, the United States of America
| | - Jeong-In Baek
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, the United States of America
| | - Soo Young Choi
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, the United States of America
| | - Yanhui Su
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, the United States of America
| | - Charles R. Flynn
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, the United States of America
| | - Joshua T. Gamse
- Department of Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, the United States of America
| | - Kevin C. Ess
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, the United States of America
| | - Gary Hardiman
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, the United States of America
| | - Joshua H. Lipschutz
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, the United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, 29401, the United States of America
| | - Naji N. Abumrad
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, the United States of America
| | - Don C. Rockey
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, the United States of America
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16
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Galea CA, Nguyen HM, George Chandy K, Smith BJ, Norton RS. Domain structure and function of matrix metalloprotease 23 (MMP23): role in potassium channel trafficking. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:1191-210. [PMID: 23912897 PMCID: PMC11113776 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1431-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
MMP23 is a member of the matrix metalloprotease family of zinc- and calcium-dependent endopeptidases, which are involved in a wide variety of cellular functions. Its catalytic domain displays a high degree of structural homology with those of other metalloproteases, but its atypical domain architecture suggests that it may possess unique functional properties. The N-terminal MMP23 pro-domain contains a type-II transmembrane domain that anchors the protein to the plasma membrane and lacks the cysteine-switch motif that is required to maintain other MMPs in a latent state during passage to the cell surface. Instead of the C-terminal hemopexin domain common to other MMPs, MMP23 contains a small toxin-like domain (TxD) and an immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecule (IgCAM) domain. The MMP23 pro-domain can trap Kv1.3 but not closely-related Kv1.2 channels in the endoplasmic reticulum, preventing their passage to the cell surface, while the TxD can bind to the channel pore and block the passage of potassium ions. The MMP23 C-terminal IgCAM domain displays some similarity to Ig-like C2-type domains found in IgCAMs of the immunoglobulin superfamily, which are known to mediate protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions. MMP23 and Kv1.3 are co-expressed in a variety of tissues and together are implicated in diseases including cancer and inflammatory disorders. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of action of this unique member of the MMP family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles A Galea
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia,
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17
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Zheng W, Li Z, Nguyen AT, Li C, Emelyanov A, Gong Z. Xmrk, kras and myc transgenic zebrafish liver cancer models share molecular signatures with subsets of human hepatocellular carcinoma. PLoS One 2014; 9:e91179. [PMID: 24633177 PMCID: PMC3954698 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 02/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously three oncogene transgenic zebrafish lines with inducible expression of xmrk, kras or Myc in the liver have been generated and these transgenic lines develop oncogene-addicted liver tumors upon chemical induction. In the current study, comparative transcriptomic approaches were used to examine the correlation of the three induced transgenic liver cancers with human liver cancers. RNA profiles from the three zebrafish tumors indicated relatively small overlaps of significantly deregulated genes and biological pathways. Nevertheless, the three transgenic tumor signatures all showed significant correlation with advanced or very advanced human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Interestingly, molecular signature from each oncogene-induced zebrafish liver tumor correlated with only a small subset of human HCC samples (24–29%) and there were conserved up-regulated pathways between the zebrafish and correlated human HCC subgroup. The three zebrafish liver cancer models together represented nearly half (47.2%) of human HCCs while some human HCCs showed significant correlation with more than one signature defined from the three oncogene-addicted zebrafish tumors. In contrast, commonly deregulated genes (21 up and 16 down) in the three zebrafish tumor models generally showed accordant deregulation in the majority of human HCCs, suggesting that these genes might be more consistently deregulated in a broad range of human HCCs with different molecular mechanisms and thus serve as common diagnosis markers and therapeutic targets. Thus, these transgenic zebrafish models with well-defined oncogene-induced tumors are valuable tools for molecular classification of human HCCs and for understanding of molecular drivers in hepatocarcinogenesis in each human HCC subgroup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiling Zheng
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Anh Tuan Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Caixia Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail:
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18
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Zhang X, Li C, Gong Z. Development of a convenient in vivo hepatotoxin assay using a transgenic zebrafish line with liver-specific DsRed expression. PLoS One 2014; 9:e91874. [PMID: 24626481 PMCID: PMC3953600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously we have developed a transgenic zebrafish line (LiPan) with liver-specific red fluorescent protein (DsRed) expression under the fabp10a promoter. Since red fluorescence in the liver greatly facilitates the observation of liver in live LiPan fry, we envision that the LiPan zebrafish may provide a useful tool in analyses of hepatotoxicity based on changes of liver red fluorescence intensity and size. In this study, we first tested four well-established hepatotoxins (acetaminophen, aspirin, isoniazid and phenylbutazone) in LiPan fry and demonstrated that these hepatotoxins could significantly reduce both liver red fluorescence and liver size in a dosage-dependent manner, thus the two measurable parameters could be used as indicators of hepatotoxicity. We then tested the LiPan fry with nine other chemicals including environmental toxicants and human drugs. Three (mefenamic acid, lindane, and arsenate) behave like hepatotoxins in reduction of liver red fluorescence, while three others (17β-estradiol, TCDD [2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin] and NDMA [N-nitrosodimethylamine]) caused increase of liver red fluorescence and the liver size. Ethanol and two other chemicals, amoxicillin (antibiotics) and chlorphenamine (pain killer) did not resulted in significant changes of liver red fluorescence and liver size. By quantitative RT-PCR analysis, we found that the changes of red fluorescence intensity caused by different chemicals correlated to the changes of endogenous fabp10a RNA expression, indicating that the measured hepatotoxicity was related to fatty acid transportation and metabolism. Finally we tested a mixture of four hepatotoxins and observed a significant reduction of red fluorescence in the liver at concentrations below the lowest effective concentrations of individual hepatotoxins, suggesting that the transgenic zebrafish assay is capable of reporting compound hepatotoxicity effect from chemical mixtures. Thus, the LiPan transgenic fry provide a rapid and convenient in vivo hepatotoxicity assay that should be applicable to high-throughput hepatotoxicity test in drug screening as well as in biomonitoring environmental toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Caixia Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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19
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Li Z, Luo H, Li C, Huo X, Yan C, Huang X, Al-Haddawi M, Mathavan S, Gong Z. Transcriptomic analysis of a transgenic zebrafish hepatocellular carcinoma model reveals a prominent role of immune responses in tumour progression and regression. Int J Cancer 2014; 135:1564-73. [PMID: 24550086 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2013] [Revised: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Using our previously established xmrk transgenic zebrafish, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was generated by induced expression of xmrk, which encoded a hyperactive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) homolog, and regressed by suppression of xmrk expression. To investigate molecular changes in liver tumour progression and regression, RNA-Seq was performed for induced HCC and early and late stages of liver tissues during tumour regression. We found that Xmrk-induced zebrafish HCC shared strong molecular characteristics with a human HCC subtype (S2), which shows activated Myc signalling, upregulated phosphor-S6 and epithelial cell adhesion molecule. In the HCC stage, there were enhanced proteasome, antigen processing and presentation, aminosugars metabolisms, p53 and cell cycle pathways. During tumour regression, the transcriptomic profile showed a reversed trend of molecular changes compared with human HCC progression. Interestingly, distinct immune responses in tumour progression and regression were observed, including increased major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) at the HCC stage, enriched immune cell trafficking signals and inflammation in early regression and enhanced MHCII in late regression. Both neutrophils and macrophages were enriched during tumour progression and regression; however, the distribution of neutrophils and macrophages in HCC was relatively uniform, whereas both types of immune cells were regionally clustered during tumour regression, especially with dominant blood vessel association of macrophage in late regression, suggesting differential functions of these immune cells in tumour progression and regression. As tumour regression in our model resembles the targeted inhibition of EGFR in cancer therapy, our observations may provide molecular insights into the targeted inhibition and highlight the importance of immune response in tumour regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Human genetics 2, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
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20
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Abstract
The liver performs a large number of essential synthetic and regulatory functions that are acquired during fetal development and persist throughout life. Their disruption underlies a diverse group of heritable and acquired diseases that affect both pediatric and adult patients. Although experimental analyses used to study liver development and disease are typically performed in cell culture models or rodents, the zebrafish is increasingly used to complement discoveries made in these systems. Forward and reverse genetic analyses over the past two decades have shown that the molecular program for liver development is largely conserved between zebrafish and mammals, and that the zebrafish can be used to model heritable human liver disorders. Recent work has demonstrated that zebrafish can also be used to study the mechanistic basis of acquired liver diseases. Here, we provide a comprehensive summary of how the zebrafish has contributed to our understanding of human liver development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Wilkins
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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21
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Teng Y, Xie X, Walker S, White DT, Mumm JS, Cowell JK. Evaluating human cancer cell metastasis in zebrafish. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:453. [PMID: 24089705 PMCID: PMC3852235 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In vivo metastasis assays have traditionally been performed in mice, but the process is inefficient and costly. However, since zebrafish do not develop an adaptive immune system until 14 days post-fertilization, human cancer cells can survive and metastasize when transplanted into zebrafish larvae. Despite isolated reports, there has been no systematic evaluation of the robustness of this system to date. METHODS Individual cell lines were stained with CM-Dil and injected into the perivitelline space of 2-day old zebrafish larvae. After 2-4 days fish were imaged using confocal microscopy and the number of metastatic cells was determined using Fiji software. RESULTS To determine whether zebrafish can faithfully report metastatic potential in human cancer cells, we injected a series of cells with different metastatic potential into the perivitelline space of 2 day old embryos. Using cells from breast, prostate, colon and pancreas we demonstrated that the degree of cell metastasis in fish is proportional to their invasion potential in vitro. Highly metastatic cells such as MDA231, DU145, SW620 and ASPC-1 are seen in the vasculature and throughout the body of the fish after only 24-48 hours. Importantly, cells that are not invasive in vitro such as T47D, LNCaP and HT29 do not metastasize in fish. Inactivation of JAK1/2 in fibrosarcoma cells leads to loss of invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo, and in zebrafish these cells show limited spread throughout the zebrafish body compared with the highly metastatic parental cells. Further, knockdown of WASF3 in DU145 cells which leads to loss of invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo also results in suppression of metastasis in zebrafish. In a cancer progression model involving normal MCF10A breast epithelial cells, the degree of invasion/metastasis in vitro and in mice is mirrored in zebrafish. Using a modified version of Fiji software, it is possible to quantify individual metastatic cells in the transparent larvae to correlate with invasion potential. We also demonstrate, using lung cancers, that the zebrafish model can evaluate the metastatic ability of cancer cells isolated from primary tumors. CONCLUSIONS The zebrafish model described here offers a rapid, robust, and inexpensive means of evaluating the metastatic potential of human cancer cells. Using this model it is possible to critically evaluate whether genetic manipulation of signaling pathways affects metastasis and whether primary tumors contain metastatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Teng
- Cancer Center, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Xiayang Xie
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Vision Discovery Institute, Georgia Regents University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Steven Walker
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Vision Discovery Institute, Georgia Regents University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - David T White
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Vision Discovery Institute, Georgia Regents University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Jeff S Mumm
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Vision Discovery Institute, Georgia Regents University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - John K Cowell
- Cancer Center, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA
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22
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Abstract
The zebrafish is a recent addition to animal models of human cancer, and studies using this model are rapidly contributing major insights. Zebrafish develop cancer spontaneously, after mutagen exposure and through transgenesis. The tumours resemble human cancers at the histological, gene expression and genomic levels. The ability to carry out in vivo imaging, chemical and genetic screens, and high-throughput transgenesis offers a unique opportunity to functionally characterize the cancer genome. Moreover, increasingly sophisticated modelling of combinations of genetic and epigenetic alterations will allow the zebrafish to complement what can be achieved in other models, such as mouse and human cell culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard White
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA.
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23
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Chatterjee A, Ozaki Y, Stockwell PA, Horsfield JA, Morison IM, Nakagawa S. Mapping the zebrafish brain methylome using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing. Epigenetics 2013; 8:979-89. [PMID: 23975027 PMCID: PMC3883775 DOI: 10.4161/epi.25797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) has been used to profile DNA methylation patterns in mammalian genomes such as human, mouse and rat. The methylome of the zebrafish, an important animal model, has not yet been characterized at base-pair resolution using RRBS. Therefore, we evaluated the technique of RRBS in this model organism by generating four single-nucleotide resolution DNA methylomes of adult zebrafish brain. We performed several simulations to show the distribution of fragments and enrichment of CpGs in different in silico reduced representation genomes of zebrafish. Four RRBS brain libraries generated 98 million sequenced reads and had higher frequencies of multiple mapping than equivalent human RRBS libraries. The zebrafish methylome indicates there is higher global DNA methylation in the zebrafish genome compared with its equivalent human methylome. This observation was confirmed by RRBS of zebrafish liver. High coverage CpG dinucleotides are enriched in CpG island shores more than in the CpG island core. We found that 45% of the mapped CpGs reside in gene bodies, and 7% in gene promoters. This analysis provides a roadmap for generating reproducible base-pair level methylomes for zebrafish using RRBS and our results provide the first evidence that RRBS is a suitable technique for global methylation analysis in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniruddha Chatterjee
- Department of Pathology; Dunedin School of Medicine; University of Otago; Dunedin, New Zealand; Gravida: National Centre for Growth and Development; Auckland, New Zealand
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24
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Chew TW, Liu XJ, Liu L, Spitsbergen JM, Gong Z, Low BC. Crosstalk of Ras and Rho: activation of RhoA abates Kras-induced liver tumorigenesis in transgenic zebrafish models. Oncogene 2013; 33:2717-27. [PMID: 23812423 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Revised: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
RAS and Rho small GTPases are key molecular switches that control cell dynamics, cell growth and tissue development through their distinct signaling pathways. Although much has been learnt about their individual functions in both cell and animal models, the physiological and pathophysiological consequences of their signaling crosstalk in multi-cellular context in vivo remain largely unknown, especially in liver development and liver tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the roles of RhoA in RAS-mediated transformation and their crosstalk in vitro remain highly controversial. When challenged with carcinogens, zebrafish developed liver cancer that resembles the human liver cancer both molecularly and histopathologically. Capitalizing on the growing importance and relevance of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an alternate cancer model, we have generated liver-specific, Tet-on-inducible transgenic lines expressing oncogenic Kras(G12V), RhoA, constitutively active RhoA(G14V) or dominant-negative RhoA(T19N). Double-transgenic lines expressing Kras(G12V) with one of the three RhoA genes were also generated. Based on quantitative bioimaging and molecular markers for genetic and signaling aberrations, we showed that the induced expression of oncogenic Kras during early development led to liver enlargement and hepatocyte proliferation, associated with elevated Erk phosphorylation, activation of Akt2 and modulation of its two downstream targets, p21Cip and S6 kinase. Such an increase in liver size and Akt2 expression was augmented by dominant-negative RhoA(T19N), but was abrogated by the constitutive-active RhoA(G14V). Consequently, induced expression of the oncogenic Kras in adult transgenic fish led to the development of hepatocellular carcinomas. Survival studies further revealed that the co-expression of dominant-negative RhoA(T19N) with oncogenic Kras increased the mortality rate compared with the other single or double-transgenic lines. This study provides evidence of the previously unappreciated signaling crosstalk between Kras and RhoA in regulating liver overgrowth and liver tumorigenesis. Our results also implicate that activating Rho could be beneficial to suppress the Kras-induced liver malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- T W Chew
- 1] Cell Signaling and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore [2] Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - X J Liu
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - L Liu
- Cell Signaling and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - J M Spitsbergen
- Department of Microbiology and Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Z Gong
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - B C Low
- 1] Cell Signaling and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore [2] Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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25
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Zheng W, Xu H, Lam SH, Luo H, Karuturi RKM, Gong Z. Transcriptomic analyses of sexual dimorphism of the zebrafish liver and the effect of sex hormones. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53562. [PMID: 23349717 PMCID: PMC3547925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2012] [Accepted: 11/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is one of the most sex-dimorphic organs in both oviparous and viviparous animals. In order to understand the molecular basis of the difference between male and female livers, high-throughput RNA-SAGE (serial analysis of gene expression) sequencing was performed for zebrafish livers of both sexes and their transcriptomes were compared. Both sexes had abundantly expressed genes involved in translation, coagulation and lipid metabolism, consistent with the general function of the liver. For sex-biased transcripts, from in addition to the high enrichment of vitellogenin transcripts in spawning female livers, which constituted nearly 80% of total mRNA, it is apparent that the female-biased genes were mostly involved in ribosome/translation, estrogen pathway, lipid transport, etc, while the male-biased genes were enriched for oxidation reduction, carbohydrate metabolism, coagulation, protein transport and localization, etc. Sexual dimorphism on xenobiotic metabolism and anti-oxidation was also noted and it is likely that retinol x receptor (RXR) and liver x receptor (LXR) play central roles in regulating the sexual differences of lipid and cholesterol metabolisms. Consistent with high ribosomal/translational activities in the female liver, female-biased genes were significantly regulated by two important transcription factors, Myc and Mycn. In contrast, Male livers showed activation of transcription factors Ppargc1b, Hnf4a, and Stat4, which regulate lipid and glucose metabolisms and various cellular activities. The transcriptomic responses to sex hormones, 17β-estradiol (E2) or 11-keto testosterone (KT11), were also investigated in both male and female livers and we found that female livers were relatively insensitive to sex hormone disturbance, while the male livers were readily affected. E2 feminized male liver by up-regulating female-biased transcripts and down-regulating male-biased transcripts. The information obtained in this study provides comprehensive insights into the sexual dimorphism of zebrafish liver transcriptome and will facilitate further development of the zebrafish as a human liver disease model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiling Zheng
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hongyan Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Siew Hong Lam
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Huaien Luo
- Computational and Systems Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail:
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26
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Think small: zebrafish as a model system of human pathology. J Biomed Biotechnol 2012; 2012:817341. [PMID: 22701308 PMCID: PMC3371824 DOI: 10.1155/2012/817341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although human pathologies have mostly been modeled using higher mammal systems such as mice, the lower vertebrate zebrafish has gained tremendous attention as a model system. The advantages of zebrafish over classical vertebrate models are multifactorial and include high genetic and organ system homology to humans, high fecundity, external fertilization, ease of genetic manipulation, and transparency through early adulthood that enables powerful imaging modalities. This paper focuses on four areas of human pathology that were developed and/or advanced significantly in zebrafish in the last decade. These areas are (1) wound healing/restitution, (2) gastrointestinal diseases, (3) microbe-host interactions, and (4) genetic diseases and drug screens. Important biological processes and pathologies explored include wound-healing responses, pancreatic cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and mycobacterium infection. The utility of zebrafish in screening for novel genes important in various pathologies such as polycystic kidney disease is also discussed.
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Schartl M, Kneitz S, Wilde B, Wagner T, Henkel CV, Spaink HP, Meierjohann S. Conserved expression signatures between medaka and human pigment cell tumors. PLoS One 2012; 7:e37880. [PMID: 22693581 PMCID: PMC3365055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 04/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrations in gene expression are a hallmark of cancer cells. Differential tumor-specific transcript levels of single genes or whole sets of genes may be critical for the neoplastic phenotype and important for therapeutic considerations or useful as biomarkers. As an approach to filter out such relevant expression differences from the plethora of changes noted in global expression profiling studies, we searched for changes of gene expression levels that are conserved. Transcriptomes from massive parallel sequencing of different types of melanoma from medaka were generated and compared to microarray datasets from zebrafish and human melanoma. This revealed molecular conservation at various levels between fish models and human tumors providing a useful strategy for identifying expression signatures strongly associated with disease phenotypes and uncovering new melanoma molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Schartl
- Physiological Chemistry I, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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Cui J, Sim THF, Gong Z, Shen HM. Generation of transgenic zebrafish with liver-specific expression of EGFP-Lc3: a new in vivo model for investigation of liver autophagy. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 422:268-73. [PMID: 22580284 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.04.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2012] [Accepted: 04/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic expression of GFP-Lc3 is a useful tool for an in vivo model to monitor the formation of autophagosomes during the autophagy process. So far, two transgenic animals (mice and zebrafish) with expression of GFP-Lc3 have been reported. Liver is one of the most important organs for autophagy research. Here, we generated a transgenic zebrafish line with liver-specific EGFP-Lc3 expression. By exposing transgenic larvae to the autophagy inducer, Torin1, we observed a substantial increase in the number of EGFP-Lc3 puncta in the liver as well as the increase of Lc3-II protein. Notably, addition of a chloroquine (CQ) led to further increase of EGFP-Lc3 puncta in liver cells due to the blockage of lysosomal function and degradation stage of autophagy. Thus, the newly established transgenic line will be a useful in vivo model to investigate liver autophagy, and, in particular, the involvement of autophagy in basic biology and diseases in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhou Cui
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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29
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Ruiz P, Orbea A, Rotchell JM, Cajaraville MP. Transcriptional responses of cancer-related genes in turbot Scophthalmus maximus and mussels Mytilus edulis exposed to heavy fuel oil no. 6 and styrene. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2012; 21:820-31. [PMID: 22307397 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-011-0843-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Recent spills in European waters have released polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, important components of heavy fuel oil, and the hydrocarbon styrene. Heavy fuel oil and styrene are classified as potentially genotoxic and carcinogenic. Here we investigate transcription of genes involved in cancer development in the liver of juvenile turbots and in the digestive gland of mussels exposed to heavy fuel oil and to styrene and after a recovery period. In turbot, oil produced a significant up-regulation of p53 and gadd45α after 14 days exposure. cyclin G1 was up-regulated after 7 days treatment with styrene. In mussels, ras was down-regulated in both treatments after the recovery periods. No mutations in ras hotspots were detected in exposed mussels. gadd45α was up-regulated after the recovery period of the styrene experiment. Overall, transcriptional responses differed in mussels compared to turbot. Turbot responded to hydrocarbon exposure by triggering cell cycle arrest (p53) and DNA repair (gadd45α).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Ruiz
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Sarriena z/g, E-48940 Leioa, Basque Country, Spain
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The effect of taurine on hepatic steatosis induced by thioacetamide in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Dig Dis Sci 2012; 57:675-82. [PMID: 21997755 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-011-1931-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 09/20/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the most prevalent forms of chronic liver disease in the Western world. Taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid in humans that may be a promising therapy for treating this disease. AIM To evaluate the effect of taurine on hepatic steatosis induced by thioacetamide in Danio rerio. METHODS Animals were divided into four groups: control (20 μl of saline solution), taurine (1,000 mg/kg), thioacetamide (300 mg/kg), and the taurine-thioacetamide group (1,000 + 300 mg/kg). Thioacetamide was injected intraperitoneally three times a week for 2 weeks. The mRNA expression, lipoperoxidation, antioxidant enzymatic activity, and histological analyses were evaluated in the liver and the triglyceride content was assessed in the serum. RESULTS Thioacetamide injection induced steatosis, as indicated by histological analyses. The lipoperoxidation showed significant lipid damage in the thioacetamide group compared to the taurine-thioacetamide group (p < 0.001). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the taurine-thioacetamide group (5.95 ± 0.40) was significantly increased compared to the thioacetamide group (4.14 ± 0.18 U SOD/mg of protein) (p < 0.001). The mRNA expression of SIRT1 (0.5-fold) and Adiponectin receptor 2 (0.39-fold) were lower in the thioacetamide group than the control (p < 0.05). TNF-α mRNA expression was 6.4-fold higher in the thioacetamide group than the control (p < 0.05). SIRT1 mRNA expression was 2.6-fold higher in the taurine-thioacetamide group than in the thioacetamide group. CONCLUSIONS Taurine seems to improve hepatic steatosis by reducing oxidative stress and increasing SIRT1 expression.
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Automated whole animal bio-imaging assay for human cancer dissemination. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31281. [PMID: 22347456 PMCID: PMC3275564 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A quantitative bio-imaging platform is developed for analysis of human cancer dissemination in a short-term vertebrate xenotransplantation assay. Six days after implantation of cancer cells in zebrafish embryos, automated imaging in 96 well plates coupled to image analysis algorithms quantifies spreading throughout the host. Findings in this model correlate with behavior in long-term rodent xenograft models for panels of poorly- versus highly malignant cell lines derived from breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer. In addition, cancer cells with scattered mesenchymal characteristics show higher dissemination capacity than cell types with epithelial appearance. Moreover, RNA interference establishes the metastasis-suppressor role for E-cadherin in this model. This automated quantitative whole animal bio-imaging assay can serve as a first-line in vivo screening step in the anti-cancer drug target discovery pipeline.
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Li Z, Huang X, Zhan H, Zeng Z, Li C, Spitsbergen JM, Meierjohann S, Schartl M, Gong Z. Inducible and repressable oncogene-addicted hepatocellular carcinoma in Tet-on xmrk transgenic zebrafish. J Hepatol 2012; 56:419-25. [PMID: 21888874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2011.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2011] [Revised: 06/24/2011] [Accepted: 07/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Liver cancer, mainly hepatocellular carcinoma, is a major malignancy and currently there are no effective treatment protocols due to insufficient understanding of hepatocarcinogenesis. As a potentially high-throughput and cost-effective experimental model, the zebrafish is increasingly recognized for disease studies. Here, we aim at using the zebrafish to generate a convenient hepatocellular carcinoma model. METHODS Using the Tet-on system for liver-specific expression of fish oncogene xmrk, a hyperactive version of epidermal growth factor receptor homolog, we have generated transgenic zebrafish with inducible development of liver cancer. RESULTS Liver tumors were rapidly induced with 100% penetrance in both juvenile and adult xmrk transgenic fish. Histological examination indicated that they all showed features of hepatocellular carcinoma. The induced liver tumors regressed rapidly upon inducer withdrawal. During the tumor induction stage, we detected increased cell proliferation and activation of Xmrk downstream targets Erk and Stat5, which were important for liver tumorigenesis as proved by inhibition experiments. When tumors regressed, there were decreased phosphorylated Erk and Stat5 accompanied with an increase in apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Our zebrafish model demonstrates the potential of a hyperactivated epidermal growth factor receptor pathway in initiating heptocarcinogenesis. It provides clear evidence for the requirement of only a single oncogene for HCC initiation and maintenance and is thus a convenient model for further investigation of oncogene addiction and future anti-cancer drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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He S, Krens SG, Zhan H, Gong Z, Hogendoorn PC, Spaink HP, Snaar-Jagalska BE. A ΔRaf1-ER-inducible oncogenic zebrafish liver cell model identifies hepatocellular carcinoma signatures. J Pathol 2011; 225:19-28. [PMID: 21744342 DOI: 10.1002/path.2936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2010] [Revised: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 05/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Although the underlying molecular mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma remains unclear, signalling pathways essential in cell survival and growth are altered, including the Raf-MEK-MAPK pathway. This pathway can be activated by hepatitis B or C virus infections and the ectopic expression of the Raf-1 oncogene is frequently seen in hepatocellular carcinomas. In addition, the Raf-MEK-MAPK pathway was also shown to be deregulated in zebrafish liver tumours. Based on the genetic conservation between zebrafish and human liver tumours, the zebrafish was used as an animal model to better understand the molecular basis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Here we establish an inducible oncogenic zebrafish cell model, in which oncogenic human Raf-1(ΔRaf1) can be post-transcriptionally activated in zebrafish liver cells by administration of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4HT). The ΔRaf1 activation resulted in the hyperactivation of the zebrafish MEK-ERK cascade, promoted cell growth and proliferation, and inhibited apoptosis. The mitogenic transformation of the ZFL-ΔRaf1-ER cells was confirmed by in vivo allo-transplantation and in silico microarray analyses. Gene expression profiling of cells treated with 4HT and a MEK-inhibitor identified a Raf-MEK-dependent signature set. This transcriptome response was compared to zebrafish and human liver cancer transcriptomes. We identified, and validated by quantitative PCR, a set of genes transcriptionally regulated by hyperactive MAPK signalling in ZFL-ΔRaf1-ER cells, zebrafish liver tumours and human liver tumours, suggesting that the in vitro zebrafish liver cell model can be used for further study of the molecular basis of human hepatocellular carcinoma. The molecular targeting of the commonly regulated hepatocellular carcinoma genes using the ZFL-ΔRaf1-ER cell model can be applied for high-throughput preclinical target discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuning He
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, The Netherlands
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Nguyen AT, Emelyanov A, Koh CHV, Spitsbergen JM, Lam SH, Mathavan S, Parinov S, Gong Z. A high level of liver-specific expression of oncogenic Kras(V12) drives robust liver tumorigenesis in transgenic zebrafish. Dis Model Mech 2011; 4:801-13. [PMID: 21729876 PMCID: PMC3209649 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.007831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human liver cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most common type. Aberrant Ras signaling has been implicated in the development and progression of human HCC, but a complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms of this protein in hepatocarcinogenesis remains elusive. In this study, a stable in vivo liver cancer model using transgenic zebrafish was generated to elucidate Ras-driven tumorigenesis in HCC. Using the liver-specific fabp10 (fatty acid binding protein 10) promoter, we overexpressed oncogenic krasV12 specifically in the transgenic zebrafish liver. Only a high level of krasV12 expression initiated liver tumorigenesis, which progressed from hyperplasia to benign and malignant tumors with activation of the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK and Wnt–β-catenin pathways. Histological diagnosis of zebrafish tumors identified HCC as the main lesion. The tumors were invasive and transplantable, indicating malignancy of these HCC cells. Oncogenic krasV12 was also found to trigger p53-dependent senescence as a tumor suppressive barrier in the pre-neoplastic stage. Microarray analysis of zebrafish liver hyperplasia and HCC uncovered the deregulation of several stage-specific and common biological processes and signaling pathways responsible for krasV12-driven liver tumorigenesis that recapitulated the molecular hallmarks of human liver cancer. Cross-species comparisons of cancer transcriptomes further defined a HCC-specific gene signature as well as a liver cancer progression gene signature that are evolutionarily conserved between human and zebrafish. Collectively, our study presents a comprehensive portrait of molecular mechanisms during progressive Ras-induced HCC. These observations indicate the validity of our transgenic zebrafish to model human liver cancer, and this model might act as a useful platform for drug screening and identifying new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Tuan Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543
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35
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Lu JW, Hsia Y, Tu HC, Hsiao YC, Yang WY, Wang HD, Yuh CH. Liver development and cancer formation in zebrafish. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 93:157-72. [DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.20205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Mirbahai L, Williams TD, Zhan H, Gong Z, Chipman JK. Comprehensive profiling of zebrafish hepatic proximal promoter CpG island methylation and its modification during chemical carcinogenesis. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:3. [PMID: 21205313 PMCID: PMC3027158 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2010] [Accepted: 01/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism associated with regulation of gene expression and it is modulated during chemical carcinogenesis. The zebrafish is increasingly employed as a human disease model; however there is a lack of information on DNA methylation in zebrafish and during fish tumorigenesis. Results A novel CpG island tiling array containing 44,000 probes, in combination with immunoprecipitation of methylated DNA, was used to achieve the first comprehensive methylation profiling of normal adult zebrafish liver. DNA methylation alterations were detected in zebrafish liver tumors induced by the environmental carcinogen 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. Genes significantly hypomethylated in tumors were associated particularly with proliferation, glycolysis, transcription, cell cycle, apoptosis, growth and metastasis. Hypermethylated genes included those associated with anti-angiogenesis and cellular adhesion. Of 49 genes that were altered in expression within tumors, and which also had appropriate CpG islands and were co-represented on the tiling array, approximately 45% showed significant changes in both gene expression and methylation. Conclusion The functional pathways containing differentially methylated genes in zebrafish hepatocellular carcinoma have also been reported to be aberrantly methylated during tumorigenesis in humans. These findings increase the confidence in the use of zebrafish as a model for human cancer in addition to providing the first comprehensive mapping of DNA methylation in the normal adult zebrafish liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leda Mirbahai
- School of Biosciences, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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Qi F, Song J, Yang H, Gao W, Liu NA, Zhang B, Lin S. Mmp23b promotes liver development and hepatocyte proliferation through the tumor necrosis factor pathway in zebrafish. Hepatology 2010; 52:2158-66. [PMID: 21064033 PMCID: PMC3457804 DOI: 10.1002/hep.23945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2010] [Accepted: 08/19/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of proteins degrades extracellular matrix (ECM) components as well as processes cytokines and growth factors. MMPs are involved in regulating ECM homeostasis in both normal physiology and disease pathophysiology. Here we report the critical roles of mmp23b in normal zebrafish liver development. Mmp23b was initially identified as a gene linked to the genomic locus of an enhancer trap transgenic zebrafish line in which green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression was restricted to the developing liver. Follow-up analysis of mmp23b messenger RNA (mRNA) expression confirmed its liver-specific expression pattern. Morpholino knockdown of mmp23b resulted in defective hepatocyte proliferation, causing a reduction in liver size while maintaining relatively normal pancreas and gut development. Genetically, we showed that mmp23b functions through the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway. Antisense knockdown of tnfa or tnfb in zebrafish caused similar reductions of liver size, whereas overexpression of tnfa or tnfb rescued liver defects in mmp23b morphants but not vice versa. Biochemically, MMP23B, the human ortholog of Mmp23b, directly interacts with TNF and mediates its release from the cell membrane in a cell culture system. Because mmp23b/MMP23B is highly conserved, our findings in zebrafish warrant further investigation of its role in regulating liver development in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Qi
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Center of Developmental Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China,Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School of Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China,Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Jianbo Song
- Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Hanshuo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Center of Developmental Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ning-ai Liu
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Center of Developmental Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shuo Lin
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Center of Developmental Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China,Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School of Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China,Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095,Corresponding author, , tel.: 310-267-4970, fax: 310-267-4971
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Kabli S, He S, Spaink HP, Hurlstone A, Jagalska ES, De Groot HJM, Alia A. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging to detect malignant melanoma in adult zebrafish. Zebrafish 2010; 7:143-8. [PMID: 20515295 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2009.0649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish cancer models are fast gaining ground in cancer research. Most tumors in zebrafish develop late in life, when fish are no longer transparent, limiting in vivo optical imaging methods. Thus, noninvasive imaging to track tumor in adult zebrafish remains challenging. In this study, we applied magnetic resonance microimaging (microMRI) to track spontaneous melanomas in stable transgenic zebrafish models expressing an RAS oncoprotein and lacking P53 (mitf:Ras::mitf:GFP X p53(-/-)). Tumors in live adult zebrafish were observed at various locations using a T(2)-weighted fast spin echo sequence at 9.4 T. Further, live imaging of tumors at ultrahigh field (17.6 T) revealed significant tumor heterogeneity. This heterogeneity was also confirmed by the significant differences in transverse relaxation time, T(2) measured in various regions of tumor. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the application of microMRI to detect the locations, invasion status, and characteristics of internal melanomas in zebrafish and suggesting that noninvasive microMRI can be applied for longitudinal studies to track tumor development and real-time assessment of therapeutic effects in zebrafish tumor models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Kabli
- SSNMR, Gorlaeus Laboratoria, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Abstract
The advances in genomics and proteomics have led to identification of numerous differentially expressed cancer-related genes. The current challenge in the field of cancer research is to screen the crucial molecules in carcinogenesis from the vast amounts of data. These crucial molecules can be applied as the targets for cancer prevention and therapy. In addition, identification of these crucial molecules is helpful in understanding the mechanism of carcinogenesis. Cross-species strategy refers to identification of crucial molecules in carcinogenesis by exploring the similarity between cancer-related gene expression profiles of human beings and other species. This paper reviews the recent advances in the application of this new cancer research strategy.
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Snaar-Jagalska BE. ZF-CANCER: developing high-throughput bioassays for human cancers in zebrafish. Zebrafish 2010; 6:441-3. [PMID: 19954326 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2009.0614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- B Ewa Snaar-Jagalska
- Gorlaeus Laboratory, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Ung CY, Lam SH, Gong Z. Comparative Transcriptome Analyses Revealed Conserved Biological and Transcription Factor Target Modules Between the Zebrafish and Human Tumors. Zebrafish 2009; 6:425-31. [DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2009.0608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Choong Yong Ung
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Siew Hong Lam
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Stuckenholz C, Lu L, Thakur P, Kaminski N, Bahary N. FACS-assisted microarray profiling implicates novel genes and pathways in zebrafish gastrointestinal tract development. Gastroenterology 2009; 137:1321-32. [PMID: 19563808 PMCID: PMC2785077 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2009.06.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2008] [Revised: 06/02/2009] [Accepted: 06/18/2009] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The zebrafish Danio rerio is an excellent model system for mammalian gastrointestinal development. To identify differentially regulated genes important in gastrointestinal organogenesis, we profiled the transcriptome of the zebrafish developing gastrointestinal tract. METHODS Embryos from a transgenic zebrafish line expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the developing intestine, liver, and pancreas were dissociated at 4 developmental time points, their cells sorted based on GFP expression with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and analyzed with microarrays. To improve our analysis, we annotated the Affymetrix Zebrafish GeneChip with human orthologs. RESULTS Transcriptional profiling showed significant differences between GFP(+) and GFP(-) cells. Up-regulated genes and pathways were consistent with mammalian gastrointestinal development, such as hepatic nuclear factor gene networks and cancer. We implicate the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) pathway and show that inhibition with LY294002 causes gastrointestinal defects in zebrafish. We identified novel genes, such as the microRNAs miR-217 and miR-122, the tight junction protein claudin c, the gene fam136a, and a zebrafish tetraspanin. Novel pathways include genes containing a putative transcription factor binding sequence, GGAANCGGAANY, and a nucleolar gene network. The zebrafish microarrays also identify a set of 32 genes that may mediate the effects of gain of chromosome arm 8q in human colon, liver, and pancreatic cancers. CONCLUSIONS We successfully combine FACS and microarray profiling to follow organogenesis throughout development. These experiments identify novel genes and pathways that probably play a role in mammalian gastrointestinal development and are potential targets for therapeutic intervention in the management of gastrointestinal disease and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Stuckenholz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Lili Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Prakash Thakur
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Naftali Kaminski
- Dorothy P. & Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Nathan Bahary
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Carten JD, Farber SA. A new model system swims into focus: using the zebrafish to visualize intestinal metabolism in vivo. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 4:501-515. [PMID: 20174460 DOI: 10.2217/clp.09.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Many fundamental questions remain regarding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of digestive lipid metabolism. One major impediment to answering important questions in the field has been the lack of a tractable and sufficiently complex model system. Until recently, most studies of lipid metabolism have been performed in vitro or in mice, yet each approach possesses certain limitations. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) offers an excellent model system in which to study lipid metabolism in vivo, owing to its small size, genetic tractability and optical clarity. Fluorescent lipid dyes and optical reporters of lipid-modifying enzymes are now being used in live zebrafish to generate visible readouts of digestive physiology. Here we review recent advances in visualizing intestinal lipid metabolism in live larval zebrafish.
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Yang L, Ho NY, Alshut R, Legradi J, Weiss C, Reischl M, Mikut R, Liebel U, Müller F, Strähle U. Zebrafish embryos as models for embryotoxic and teratological effects of chemicals. Reprod Toxicol 2009; 28:245-53. [PMID: 19406227 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2009.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2009] [Revised: 04/07/2009] [Accepted: 04/20/2009] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The experimental virtues of the zebrafish embryo such as small size, development outside of the mother, cheap maintenance of the adult made the zebrafish an excellent model for phenotypic genetic and more recently also chemical screens. The availability of a genome sequence and several thousand mutants and transgenic lines together with gene arrays and a broad spectrum of techniques to manipulate gene functions add further to the experimental strength of this model. Pioneering studies suggest that chemicals can have in many cases very similar toxicological and teratological effects in zebrafish embryos and humans. In certain areas such as cardiotoxicity, the zebrafish appears to outplay the traditional rodent models of toxicity testing. Several pilot projects used zebrafish embryos to identify new chemical entities with specific biological functions. In combination with the establishment of transgenic sensor lines and the further development of existing and new automated imaging systems, the zebrafish embryos could therefore be used as cost-effective and ethically acceptable animal models for drug screening as well as toxicity testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Yang
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe in the Helmholtz Association, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, PO Box 3640, Karlsruhe 76021, Germany
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Rhee JS, Lee YM, Raisuddin S, Lee JS. Expression of R-ras oncogenes in the hermaphroditic fish Kryptolebias marmoratus, exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2009; 149:433-9. [PMID: 19000778 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2008.10.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2008] [Revised: 10/06/2008] [Accepted: 10/07/2008] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The hermaphroditic fish Krytolebias marmoratus is a potential fish model for study of tumour development. Recently, sequences and expression of some oncogenes and tumor suppressor gene have been studied in K. marmoratus. To get a better understanding of oncogene expression at different development stage, and in different tissues three R-ras genes were cloned and fully sequenced. Expression of these R-ras genes (R-ras1, R-ras2, R-ras3) was also studied in fish exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Liver showed the highest level of expression compared to other tissues, even though each R-ras gene showed different expression patterns in tissues. Interestingly, in secondary male (ovary atresia stage), expression levels of three R-ras genes was lower compared to hermaphrodites. At different developmental stages, R-ras2 gene showed most pronounced expression at early embryogenesis but at stage 5 (hatchling stage) and juvenile stage, R-ras3 gene showed the highest expression. After the juvenile stage, R-ras1 gene was upregulated compared to other R-ras genes, which showed the highest expression at the hermaphroditic stage. When fish were exposed to 17-beta-estradiol (E2), a natural estrogen and tamoxifen, a nonsteroidal estrogen antagonist and three EDCs viz., 4-n-nonylphenol (NP), bisphenol A (BPA), and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), all the three R-ras genes were induced, except in the fish exposed to tamoxifen. These results suggest that EDCs modulate the expression of R-ras genes and thus affect subsequent signal transduction and tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Sung Rhee
- Department of Molecular and Environmental Bioscience, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, South Korea
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Animal models of cancer in interventional radiology. Eur Radiol 2009; 19:1049-53. [PMID: 19137307 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-008-1263-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2008] [Accepted: 11/23/2008] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Animal models will play an increasingly important role in oncology research, especially for solid tumours such as hepatocellular carcinoma that are resistant to chemotherapy. Many models have been used, but there is a need for increased awareness of the limitations of these models and also a need for guidance for future model development.
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Bhattacharya H, Zhang S, Xiao Q. Comparison of Histopathological Alterations Due to Sublethal CCl4on Rosy Barb (Puntius conchonius) and Amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri) with Implications of Liver Ontogeny. Toxicol Mech Methods 2008; 18:627-33. [DOI: 10.1080/15376510701623540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Abstract
The zebrafish has developed into an important model organism for biomedical research over the last decades. Although the main focus of zebrafish research has traditionally been on developmental biology, keeping and observing zebrafish in the lab led to the identification of diseases similar to humans, such as cancer, which subsequently became a subject for study. As a result, about 50 articles have been published since 2000 in which zebrafish were used as a cancer model. Strategies used include carcinogenic treatments, transplantation of mammalian cancer cells, forward genetic screens for proliferation or genomic instability, reverse genetic target-selected mutagenesis to inactivate known tumor suppressor genes, and the generation of transgenics to express human oncogenes. Zebrafish have been found to develop almost any tumor type known from human, with similar morphology and, according to gene expression array studies, comparable signaling pathways. However, tumor incidences are relatively low, albeit highly comparable between different mutants, and tumors develop late in life. In addition, tumor spectra are sometimes different when compared with mice and humans. Nevertheless, the zebrafish model has created its own niche in cancer research, complementing existing models with its specific experimental advantages and characteristics. Examples of these are imaging of tumor progression in living fish by fluorescence, treatment with chemical compounds, and screening possibilities not only for chemical modifiers but also for genetic enhancers and suppressors. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art of zebrafish as a model in cancer research. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(5):685-94).
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Affiliation(s)
- Harma Feitsma
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
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