scholarly journals Zebrafish Models of Cancer—New Insights on Modeling Human Cancer in a Non-Mammalian Vertebrate

Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hason ◽  
Bartůněk
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Drug Screening ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Dynamic Visualization ◽  
High Fecundity ◽  
Chemical Screening ◽  
Vertebrate Model

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a valuable non-mammalian vertebrate model widely used to study development and disease, including more recently cancer. The evolutionary conservation of cancer-related programs between human and zebrafish is striking and allows extrapolation of research outcomes obtained in fish back to humans. Zebrafish has gained attention as a robust model for cancer research mainly because of its high fecundity, cost-effective maintenance, dynamic visualization of tumor growth in vivo, and the possibility of chemical screening in large numbers of animals at reasonable costs. Novel approaches in modeling tumor growth, such as using transgene electroporation in adult zebrafish, could improve our knowledge about the spatial and temporal control of cancer formation and progression in vivo. Looking at genetic as well as epigenetic alterations could be important to explain the pathogenesis of a disease as complex as cancer. In this review, we highlight classic genetic and transplantation models of cancer in zebrafish as well as provide new insights on advances in cancer modeling. Recent progress in zebrafish xenotransplantation studies and drug screening has shown that zebrafish is a reliable model to study human cancer and could be suitable for evaluating patient-derived xenograft cell invasiveness. Rapid, large-scale evaluation of in vivo drug responses and kinetics in zebrafish could undoubtedly lead to new applications in personalized medicine and combination therapy. For all of the above-mentioned reasons, zebrafish is approaching a future of being a pre-clinical cancer model, alongside the mouse. However, the mouse will continue to be valuable in the last steps of pre-clinical drug screening, mostly because of the highly conserved mammalian genome and biological processes.

scholarly journals Hypermethylation of DHRS3 as a Novel Tumor Suppressor Involved in Tumor Growth and Prognosis in Gastric Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sha Sumei ◽  
Kong Xiangyun ◽  
Chen Fenrong ◽  
Sun Xueguang ◽  
Hu Sijun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Tumor Suppressor ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Methylation Status ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Survival Times

Background/AimsThe role of DHRS3 in human cancer remains unclear. Our study explored the role of DHRS3 in gastric cancer (GC) and its clinicopathological significance and associated mechanisms.MaterialsBisulfite-assisted genomic sequencing PCR and a Mass-Array system were used to evaluate and quantify the methylation levels of the promoter. The expression levels and biological function of DHRS3 was examined by both in vitro and in vivo assays. A two-way hierarchical cluster analysis was used to classify the methylation profiles, and the correlation between the methylation status of the DHRS3 promoter and the clinicopathological characteristics of GC were then assessed.ResultsThe DHRS3 promoter was hypermethylated in GC samples, while the mRNA and protein levels of DHRS3 were significantly downregulated. Ectopic expression of DHRS3 in GC cells inhibited cell proliferation and migration in vitro, decreased tumor growth in vivo. DHRS3 methylation was correlated with histological type and poor differentiation of tumors. GC patients with high degrees of CpG 9.10 methylation had shorter survival times than those with lower methylation.ConclusionDHRS3 was hypermethylated and downregulated in GC patients. Reduced expression of DHRS3 is implicated in gastric carcinogenesis, which suggests DHRS3 is a tumor suppressor.

scholarly journals Zebrafish Cancer Predisposition Models

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Kobar ◽  
Keon Collett ◽  
Sergey V. Prykhozhij ◽  
Jason N. Berman
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Bone Marrow Failure ◽  
Cancer Predisposition ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Cancer Evolution ◽  
High Fecundity ◽  
Cancer Models ◽  
The Impact

Cancer predisposition syndromes are rare, typically monogenic disorders that result from germline mutations that increase the likelihood of developing cancer. Although these disorders are individually rare, resulting cancers collectively represent 5–10% of all malignancies. In addition to a greater incidence of cancer, affected individuals have an earlier tumor onset and are frequently subjected to long-term multi-modal cancer screening protocols for earlier detection and initiation of treatment. In vivo models are needed to better understand tumor-driving mechanisms, tailor patient screening approaches and develop targeted therapies to improve patient care and disease prognosis. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a robust model for cancer research due to its high fecundity, time- and cost-efficient genetic manipulation and real-time high-resolution imaging. Tumors developing in zebrafish cancer models are histologically and molecularly similar to their human counterparts, confirming the validity of these models. The zebrafish platform supports both large-scale random mutagenesis screens to identify potential candidate/modifier genes and recently optimized genome editing strategies. These techniques have greatly increased our ability to investigate the impact of certain mutations and how these lesions impact tumorigenesis and disease phenotype. These unique characteristics position the zebrafish as a powerful in vivo tool to model cancer predisposition syndromes and as such, several have already been created, including those recapitulating Li-Fraumeni syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, RASopathies, inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, and several other pathogenic mutations in cancer predisposition genes. In addition, the zebrafish platform supports medium- to high-throughput preclinical drug screening to identify compounds that may represent novel treatment paradigms or even prevent cancer evolution. This review will highlight and synthesize the findings from zebrafish cancer predisposition models created to date. We will discuss emerging trends in how these zebrafish cancer models can improve our understanding of the genetic mechanisms driving cancer predisposition and their potential to discover therapeutic and/or preventative compounds that change the natural history of disease for these vulnerable children, youth and adults.

Overexpression of ornithine decarboxylase enhances endothelial proliferation by suppressing endostatin expression

Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 1478-1481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Nemoto ◽  
Hisae Hori ◽  
Masataka Yoshimoto ◽  
Yousuke Seyama ◽  
Shunichiro Kubota
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Ornithine Decarboxylase ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Cos Cells ◽  
Human Cancer Cells ◽  
Collagen Expression ◽  
Endothelial Proliferation ◽  
Carboxyl Terminal

Angiogenesis, an essential process for tumor growth, is regulated by endothelial proliferation factors and their inhibitors such as endostatin. Endostatin, a carboxyl-terminal fragment of type XVIII collagen, inhibits endothelial proliferation, angiogenesis, and tumor growth. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a molecule that is overexpressed in various cancers, is associated with promoting tumor growth and angiogenesis. We found that ODC-overexpressing human cancer cells and breast cancer specimens showed suppressed expression of type XVIII collagen and endostatin. We hypothesized that ODC overexpression may facilitate angiogenesis in tumors by suppressing endostatin expression. ODC-overexpressing COS cells, which showed suppressed type XVIII collagen and endostatin expression, were established. Conditioned media derived from these cells, containing decreased levels of endostatin, induced significant endothelial proliferation. ODC-overexpressing cells, when transplanted into nude mice, suppressed type XVIII collagen expression and promoted neovascularization in vivo. Thus, overexpression of ODC facilitates endothelial proliferation by suppressing endostatin expression.

scholarly journals An in vivo large-scale chemical screening platform using Drosophila for anti-cancer drug discovery

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 521-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. F. Willoughby ◽  
T. Schlosser ◽  
S. A. Manning ◽  
J. P. Parisot ◽  
I. P. Street ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Chemical Screening ◽  
Cancer Drug Discovery ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Screening Platform

scholarly journals An acetyl-click screening platform identifies a small molecule inhibitor of Histone Acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1) with anti-tumor activity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua J Gruber ◽  
Amith Rangarajan ◽  
Tristan Chou ◽  
Benjamin S. Geller ◽  
Selene Banuelos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Cancer Metabolism ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Small Molecule Inhibitor ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Acetyl Coa ◽  
Molecule Inhibitor

HAT1 is a central regulator of chromatin synthesis that acetylates nascent histone H3:H4 tetramers in the cytoplasm. It may have a role in cancer metabolism by linking cytoplasmic production of acetyl-CoA to nuclear acetyl flux. This is because the HAT1 di-acetylation mark is not propagated in chromatin and instead is de-acetylated after nascent histone insertion into chromatin. Thus, HAT1 likely provides a nuclear source of free acetate that may be recycled to acetyl-CoA for nuclear acetylation reactions. Correspondingly, suppression of HAT1 protein expression impairs tumor growth. To ascertain whether targeting HAT1 is a viable anti-cancer treatment strategy we sought to identify small molecule inhibitors of HAT1. We developed a high-throughput HAT1 acetyl-click assay to facilitate drug discovery and enzymology. Screening of small molecules computationally predicted to bind the active site led to the discovery of multiple riboflavin analogs that inhibited HAT1 enzymatic activity by competing with acetyl-CoA binding. These hits were refined by synthesis and testing over 70 analogs, which yielded structure-activity relationships. The isoalloxazine core was required for enzymatic inhibition, whereas modifications of the ribityl sidechain improved enzymatic potency and cellular growth suppression. These efforts resulted in a lead compound (JG-2016) that suppressed growth of human cancer cells lines in vitro and impaired tumor growth in vivo. This is the first report of a small molecule inhibitor of the HAT1 enzyme complex and represents a step towards targeting this pathway for cancer therapy.

scholarly journals Targeting OLFML3 in Colorectal Cancer Suppresses Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis, and Increases the Efficacy of Anti-PD1 Based Immunotherapy

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 4625
Author(s):  
Jimmy Stalin ◽  
Beat A. Imhof ◽  
Oriana Coquoz ◽  
Rachel Jeitziner ◽  
Philippe Hammel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Molecular Subtype ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Tumor Grade ◽  
Tissue Expression ◽  
In Vivo Studies

The role of the proangiogenic factor olfactomedin-like 3 (OLFML3) in cancer is unclear. To characterize OLFML3 expression in human cancer and its role during tumor development, we undertook tissue expression studies, gene expression analyses of patient tumor samples, in vivo studies in mouse cancer models, and in vitro coculture experiments. OLFML3 was expressed at high levels, mainly in blood vessels, in multiple human cancers. We focused on colorectal cancer (CRC), as elevated expression of OLFML3 mRNA correlated with shorter relapse-free survival, higher tumor grade, and angiogenic microsatellite stable consensus molecular subtype 4 (CMS4). Treatment of multiple in vivo tumor models with OLFML3-blocking antibodies and deletion of the Olfml3 gene from mice decreased lymphangiogenesis, pericyte coverage, and tumor growth. Antibody-mediated blockade of OLFML3 and deletion of host Olfml3 decreased the recruitment of tumor-promoting tumor-associated macrophages and increased infiltration of the tumor microenvironment by NKT cells. Importantly, targeting OLFML3 increased the antitumor efficacy of anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Taken together, the results demonstrate that OLFML3 is a promising candidate therapeutic target for CRC.

scholarly journals Measuring Brain Tumor Growth: Combined Bioluminescence Imaging–Magnetic Resonance Imaging Strategy

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 7290.2009.00023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah C. Jost ◽  
Lynne Collins ◽  
Sarah Travers ◽  
David Piwnica-Worms ◽  
Joel R. Garbow
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Bioluminescence Imaging ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Oncology Research

Small-animal tumor models are essential for developing translational therapeutic strategies in oncology research, with imaging having an increasingly important role. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers tumor localization, volumetric measurement, and the potential for advanced physiologic imaging but is less well suited to high-throughput studies and has limited capacity to assess early tumor growth. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) identifies tumors early, monitors tumor growth, and efficiently measures response to therapeutic intervention. Generally, BLI signals have been found to correlate well with magnetic resonance measurements of tumor volume. However, in our studies of small-animal models of malignant brain tumors, we have observed specific instances in which BLI data do not correlate with corresponding MRIs. These observations led us to hypothesize that use of BLI and MRI together, rather than in isolation, would allow more effective and efficient measures of tumor growth in preclinical studies. Herein we describe combining BLI and MRI studies to characterize tumor growth in a mouse model of glioblastoma. The results led us to suggest a cost-effective, multimodality strategy for selecting cohorts of animals with similar tumor growth patterns that improves the accuracy of longitudinal in vivo measurements of tumor growth and treatment response in preclinical therapeutic studies.

Prevention of Toxic Effects of Mycotoxins by Means of Nonnutritive Adsorbent Compounds

1996 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 631-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTONIO-JAVIER RAMOS ◽  
JOHANA FINK-GREMMELS ◽  
ENRIQUE HERNÁNDEZ
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Toxic Effects ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Recent Approach ◽  
Calcium Aluminosilicate ◽  
Exchange Resins ◽  
Biological Methods

Mycotoxins comprise a family of fungal toxins, many of which have been implicated as chemical progenitors of toxicity in man and animals. The most thoroughly studied are the aflatoxins. A variety of physical, chemical, and biological methods to counteract the mycotoxin problem have been reported, but large-scale, practical, and cost-effective methods for detoxifying mycotoxin-containing feedstuffs are currently not available. The most recent approach to the problem has been the addition to the animal's diet of nonnutritive sorbents that sequester mycotoxins and reduce their gastrointestinal absorption, avoiding their toxic effects on livestock and toxin carryover into animal products. This review comments on the in vitro efficacy of several of the adsorbents assayed, and their in vivo applications in a range of animals will be discussed. The sorbents reviewed are activated charcoal, bentonite, zeolite, hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) and a wide variety of clays and synthetic ion-exchange resins.

scholarly journals Circ_0000144 functions as a miR-623 sponge to enhance gastric cancer progression via up-regulating GPRC5A

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Mi ◽  
Lianhui Lei ◽  
Xiaolei Yin ◽  
Ning Li ◽  
Jianfei Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Colony Formation ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that circRNAs serve as critical roles in human cancer, including GC. In the present study, we focused on the detailed function and mechanism of circ_0000144 on GC progression. Methods: The levels of circ_0000144, miR-623 and G-protein-coupled receptor, family C, group 5, member A (GPRC5A) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Targeted relationships among circ_0000144, miR-623 and GPRC5A were confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), colony formation, flow cytometry and transwell assays. Measurement of glutamine and α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) levels was performed using a corresponding assay kit. GPRC5A protein expression was detected using Western blot. In vivo assays were used to explore the impact of circ_0000144 on tumor growth. Results: Our data indicated that circ_0000144 was up-regulated and miR-623 was down-regulated in GC tissues and cells. Circ_0000144 interacted with miR-623 through directly binding to miR-623. Moreover, the knockdown of circ_0000144 weakened GC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion and glutaminolysis and accelerated cell apoptosis by up-regulating miR-623. GPRC5A was a direct target of miR-623 and circ_0000144 protected against GPRC5A repression through sponging miR-623. Furthermore, miR-623-mediated regulation on GC cell progression was reversed by the stored expression of GPRC5A. Additionally, circ_0000144 depletion inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion: Our study indicated that circ-0000144 knockdown repressed GC progression at least partly by regulating GPRC5A expression via sponging miR-623, illumining a novel therapeutic target for GC treatment.

scholarly journals An orthotopic glioblastoma animal model suitable for high-throughput screenings

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1475-1484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Pudelko ◽  
Steven Edwards ◽  
Mirela Balan ◽  
Daniel Nyqvist ◽  
Jonathan Al-Saadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Light Sheet ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Zebrafish Model ◽  
Light Sheet Microscopy ◽  
Disease Biology ◽  
Vertebrate Model

Abstract Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive form of brain cancer with poor prognosis. Although murine animal models have given valuable insights into the GBM disease biology, they cannot be used in high-throughput screens to identify and profile novel therapies. The only vertebrate model suitable for large-scale screens, the zebrafish, has proven to faithfully recapitulate biology and pathology of human malignancies, and clinically relevant orthotopic zebrafish models have been developed. However, currently available GBM orthotopic zebrafish models do not support high-throughput drug discovery screens. Methods We transplanted both GBM cell lines as well as patient-derived material into zebrafish blastulas. We followed the behavior of the transplants with time-lapse microscopy and real-time in vivo light-sheet microscopy. Results We found that GBM material transplanted into zebrafish blastomeres robustly migrated into the developing nervous system, establishing an orthotopic intracranial tumor already 24 hours after transplantation. Detailed analysis revealed that our model faithfully recapitulates the human disease. Conclusion We have developed a robust, fast, and automatable transplantation assay to establish orthotopic GBM tumors in zebrafish. In contrast to currently available orthotopic zebrafish models, our approach does not require technically challenging intracranial transplantation of single embryos. Our improved zebrafish model enables transplantation of thousands of embryos per hour, thus providing an orthotopic vertebrate GBM model for direct application in drug discovery screens.

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