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Zheng HC, Xue H, Yun WJ. An overview of mouse models of hepatocellular carcinoma. Infect Agent Cancer 2023; 18:49. [PMID: 37670307 PMCID: PMC10481604 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-023-00524-9] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become a severe burden on global health due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. However, effective treatments for HCC are limited. The lack of suitable preclinical models may contribute to a major failure of drug development for HCC. Here, we overview several well-established mouse models of HCC, including genetically engineered mice, chemically-induced models, implantation models, and humanized mice. Immunotherapy studies of HCC have been a hot topic. Therefore, we will introduce the application of mouse models of HCC in immunotherapy. This is followed by a discussion of some other models of HCC-related liver diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatitis B and C virus infection, and liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Together these provide researchers with a current overview of the mouse models of HCC and assist in the application of appropriate models for their research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Chuan Zheng
- Department of Oncology and Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, China.
| | - Hang Xue
- Department of Oncology and Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, China
| | - Wen-Jing Yun
- Department of Oncology and Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, China
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Bryan-Marrugo O, Ramos-Jiménez J, Barrera-Saldaña H, Rojas-Martínez A, Vidaltamayo R, Rivas-Estilla A. History and progress of antiviral drugs: From acyclovir to direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) for Hepatitis C. MEDICINA UNIVERSITARIA 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rmu.2015.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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Establishment of a novel triple-transgenic mouse: conditionally and liver-specifically expressing hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease. Mol Biol Rep 2014; 41:7349-59. [PMID: 25200433 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-014-3621-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that NS3/4A protein plays crucial roles in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. NS3/4A protein also results to virus-mediated immune evasion and persistence of infection through the interaction with host proteins. However, the lack of a suitable animal model hampers studies of HCV NS3/4A protein interaction with host proteins, which impacts immunopathology due to infection. Here, transgenic vector containing transcriptional regulation and Fluc reporter gene was constructed to conditionally express NS3/4A protein under the dual control of Tet-On regulatory system and Cre/LoxP gene-knockout system. NS3/4A transgenic founder mice were continuously crossed with Lap transgenic mice expressing reverse tetracycline-controlled transcriptional activator (rtTA), the NS3/4A/Lap double transgenic mouse lines with liver-specifically and conditionally expressing reporter (luciferase Fluc) under control of Tet-On system were established. The NS3/4A/Lap double transgenic mouse are mated with Lap/LC-1 double transgenic mouse with liver-specifically and conditionally expressing Cre recombinase under control of Tet-On system, NS3/4A/Lap/LC-1 triple transgenic mouse were generated. In vivo bioluminescent imaging, western blotting and immunohistochemical staining (IHS) was used to confirm that NS3/4A protein was strictly expressed in the liver of Doxycycline-induced triple transgenic mice. The results show that we established a triple-transgenic mouse model conditionally expressing the HCV NS3/4A protein under strict control of the Tet-On regulatory system and Cre/loxP system. This novel transgenic mouse model expressing NS3/4A in a temporally and spatially-specific manner will be useful for studying interactions between HCV NS3/4A protein and the host, also for evaluating NS3/4A protease inhibitors.
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Billerbeck E, de Jong Y, Dorner M, de la Fuente C, Ploss A. Animal models for hepatitis C. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2013; 369:49-86. [PMID: 23463197 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-27340-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C remains a global epidemic. Approximately 3 % of the world's population suffers from chronic hepatitis C, which is caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV)-a positive sense, single-stranded RNA virus of the Flaviviridae family. HCV has a high propensity for establishing a chronic infection. If untreated chronic HCV carriers can develop severe liver disease including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Antiviral treatment is only partially effective, costly, and poorly tolerated. A prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine for HCV does not exist. Mechanistic studies of virus-host interactions, HCV immunity, and pathogenesis as well as the development of more effective therapies have been hampered by the lack of a suitable small animal model. Besides humans, chimpanzees are the only species that is naturally susceptible to HCV infection. While experimentation in these large primates has yielded valuable insights, ethical considerations, limited availability, genetic heterogeneity, and cost limit their utility. In search for more tractable small animal models, numerous experimental approaches have been taken to recapitulate parts of the viral life cycle and/or aspects of viral pathogenesis that will be discussed in this review. Exciting new models and improvements in established models hold promise to further elucidate our understanding of chronic HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Billerbeck
- Center for the Study of Hepatitis C, The Rockefeller University, NY, USA
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Cebula M, Ochel A, Hillebrand U, Pils MC, Schirmbeck R, Hauser H, Wirth D. An inducible transgenic mouse model for immune mediated hepatitis showing clearance of antigen expressing hepatocytes by CD8+ T cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e68720. [PMID: 23869228 PMCID: PMC3711822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver has the ability to prime immune responses against neo antigens provided upon infections. However, T cell immunity in liver is uniquely modulated by the complex tolerogenic property of this organ that has to also cope with foreign agents such as endotoxins or food antigens. In this respect, the nature of intrahepatic T cell responses remains to be fully characterized. To gain deeper insight into the mechanisms that regulate the CD8+ T cell responses in the liver, we established a novel OVA_X_CreER(T2) mouse model. Upon tamoxifen administration OVA antigen expression is observed in a fraction of hepatocytes, resulting in a mosaic expression pattern. To elucidate the cross-talk of CD8+ T cells with antigen-expressing hepatocytes, we adoptively transferred K(b)/OVA257-264-specific OT-I T cells to OVA_X_CreER(T2) mice or generated triple transgenic OVA_X CreER(T2)_X_OT-I mice. OT-I T cells become activated in OVA_X_CreER(T2) mice and induce an acute and transient hepatitis accompanied by liver damage. In OVA_X_CreER(T2)_X_OT-I mice, OVA induction triggers an OT-I T cell mediated, fulminant hepatitis resulting in 50% mortality. Surviving mice manifest a long lasting hepatitis, and recover after 9 weeks. In these experimental settings, recovery from hepatitis correlates with a complete loss of OVA expression indicating efficient clearance of the antigen-expressing hepatocytes. Moreover, a relapse of hepatitis can be induced upon re-induction of cured OVA_X_CreER(T2)_X_OT-I mice indicating absence of tolerogenic mechanisms. This pathogen-free, conditional mouse model has the advantage of tamoxifen inducible tissue specific antigen expression that reflects the heterogeneity of viral antigen expression and enables the study of intrahepatic immune responses to both de novo and persistent antigen. It allows following the course of intrahepatic immune responses: initiation, the acute phase and antigen clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Cebula
- Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Aaron Ochel
- Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Upneet Hillebrand
- Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marina C. Pils
- Mouse Pathology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Hansjörg Hauser
- Gene Regulation and Differentiation, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wirth
- Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Willimsky G, Schmidt K, Loddenkemper C, Gellermann J, Blankenstein T. Virus-induced hepatocellular carcinomas cause antigen-specific local tolerance. J Clin Invest 2013; 123:1032-43. [PMID: 23454765 DOI: 10.1172/jci64742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell surveillance is often effective against virus-associated tumors because of their high immunogenicity. It is not clear why surveillance occasionally fails, particularly against hepatitis B virus- or hepatitis C virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We established a transgenic murine model of virus-induced HCC by hepatocyte-specific adenovirus-induced activation of the oncogenic SV40 large T antigen (TAg). Adenovirus infection induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) targeted against the virus and TAg, leading to clearance of the infected cells. Despite the presence of functional, antigen-specific T cells, a few virus-infected cells escaped immune clearance and progressed to HCC. These cells expressed TAg at levels similar to HCC isolated from neonatal TAg-tolerant mice, suggesting that CTL clearance does not select for cells with low immunogenicity. Virus-infected mice revealed significantly greater T cell infiltration in early-stage HCC compared with that in late-stage HCC, demonstrating progressive local immune suppression through inefficient T cell infiltration. Programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 were expressed in all TAg-specific CD8+ T cells and HCC, respectively, which contributed to local tumor-antigen-specific tolerance. Thus, we have developed a model of virus-induced HCC that may allow for a better understanding of human HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Willimsky
- Institute of Immunology, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
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Zhou XJ, Sun SH, Wang P, Yu H, Hu JY, Shang SC, Zhou YS. Over-expression of uPA increases risk of liver injury in pAAV-HBV transfected mice. World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18:1892-902. [PMID: 22563169 PMCID: PMC3337564 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i16.1892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2011] [Revised: 06/24/2011] [Accepted: 04/01/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the relationship between over-expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) related liver diseases in a transgenic mouse model.
METHODS: Albumin-tetracycline reverse transcriptional activator and tetO-uPA transgenic mice were generated respectively through pronuclear injection and crossed to produce the double transgenic in-alb-uPA mice, for which doxycycline (Dox)-inducible and liver-specific over-expression of uPA can be achieved. Hydrodynamic transfection of plasmid adeno-associated virus (AAV)-1.3HBV was performed through the tail veins of the Dox-induced in-alb-uPA mice. Expression of uPA and HBV antigens were analyzed through double-staining immunohistochemical assay. Cytokine production was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and α-fetoprotein (AFP) mRNA level was evaluated through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS: Plasmid AAV-1.3HBV hydrodynamic transfection in Dox-induced transgenic mice not only resulted in severe liver injury with hepatocarcinoma-like histological changes and hepatic AFP production, but also showed an increased serum level of HBV antigens and cytokines like interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, compared with the control group.
CONCLUSION: Over-expression of uPA plays a synergistic role in the development of liver injury, inflammation and regeneration during acute HBV infection.
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Chiyo T, Sekiguchi S, Hayashi M, Tobita Y, Kanegae Y, Saito I, Kohara M. Conditional gene expression in hepatitis C virus transgenic mice without induction of severe liver injury using a non-inflammatory Cre-expressing adenovirus. Virus Res 2011; 160:89-97. [PMID: 21645560 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2011.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2010] [Revised: 05/19/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
We previously established inducible-hepatitis C virus (HCV) transgenic mice, which expressed the HCV gene (nucleotides 294-3435) encoding the core, E1, E2, and NS2 proteins. The expression of these proteins is regulated by the Cre/loxP system and an adenovirus vector (AdV) that expresses Cre DNA recombinase (Cre) controlled by the CAG promoter (AxCANCre). Recent studies have demonstrated that AxCANCre injection alone results in severe liver injury by induction of the adenovirus protein IX (Ad-pIX) gene. As a result, HCV protein expression in transgenic mice livers was only short-term. In contrast, the EF1α promoter-bearing AdV induces slight Ad-pIX gene expression without inducing severe liver injury. Therefore, in the present study, we developed a Cre-expressing AdV that bears the EF1α promoter (AxEFCre) to express HCV protein in the transgenic mouse livers. In the non-transgenic mice injected with AxCANCre, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were elevated and severe liver inflammation occurred; this was not observed in AxEFCre-injected mice. In contrast, AxEFCre-injected HCV transgenic mice showed milder liver inflammatory responses that were clearly due to HCV protein expression. Moreover, the AxEFCre injection enabled the transgenic mice to persistently express HCV protein. These results indicate that use of AxEFCre efficiently promotes Cre-mediated DNA recombination in vivo without a severe hepatitis response to AdV. This inducible-HCV transgenic mouse model using AxEFCre should be useful for research on HCV pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Chiyo
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 1-6, Kamikitazawa 2-chome, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8505, Japan.
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Sandhu U, Cebula M, Behme S, Riemer P, Wodarczyk C, Metzger D, Reimann J, Schirmbeck R, Hauser H, Wirth D. Strict control of transgene expression in a mouse model for sensitive biological applications based on RMCE compatible ES cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2010; 39:e1. [PMID: 20935052 PMCID: PMC3017619 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkq868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant mouse strains that harbor tightly controlled transgene expression proved to be indispensible tools to elucidate gene function. Different strategies have been employed to achieve controlled induction of the transgene. However, many models are accompanied by a considerable level of basal expression in the non-induced state. Thereby, applications that request tight control of transgene expression, such as the expression of toxic genes and the investigation of immune response to neo antigens are excluded. We developed a new Cre/loxP-based strategy to achieve strict control of transgene expression. This strategy was combined with RMCE (recombinase mediated cassette exchange) that facilitates the targeting of genes into a tagged site in ES cells. The tightness of regulation was confirmed using luciferase as a reporter. The transgene was induced upon breeding these mice to effector animals harboring either the ubiquitous (ROSA26) or liver-specific (Albumin) expression of CreERT2, and subsequent feeding with Tamoxifen. Making use of RMCE, luciferase was replaced by Ovalbumin antigen. Mice generated from these ES cells were mated with mice expressing liver-specific CreERT2. The transgenic mice were examined for the establishment of an immune response. They were fully competent to establish an immune response upon hepatocyte specific OVA antigen expression as indicated by a massive liver damage upon Tamoxifen treatment and did not show OVA tolerance. Together, this proves that this strategy supports strict control of transgenes that is even compatible with highly sensitive biological readouts.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Sandhu
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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HCV animal models: a journey of more than 30 years. Viruses 2009; 1:222-40. [PMID: 21994547 PMCID: PMC3185497 DOI: 10.3390/v1020222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2009] [Revised: 08/05/2009] [Accepted: 08/18/2009] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the 1970s and 1980s it became increasingly clear that blood transfusions could induce a form of chronic hepatitis that could not be ascribed to any of the viruses known to cause liver inflammation. In 1989, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) was discovered and found to be the major causative agent of these infections. Because of its narrow tropism, the in vivo study of this virus was, especially in the early days, limited to the chimpanzee. In the past decade, several alternative animal models have been created. In this review we review these novel animal models and their contribution to our current understanding of the biology of HCV.
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van Hengel J, D'Hooge P, Hooghe B, Wu X, Libbrecht L, De Vos R, Quondamatteo F, Klempt M, Brakebusch C, van Roy F. Continuous cell injury promotes hepatic tumorigenesis in cdc42-deficient mouse liver. Gastroenterology 2008; 134:781-92. [PMID: 18325391 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2006] [Accepted: 12/06/2007] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The Rho small guanosine triphosphatase Cdc42 is critical for diverse cellular functions, including regulation of actin organization, cell polarity, intracellular membrane trafficking, transcription, cell-cycle progression, and cell transformation. This implies that Cdc42 might be required for liver function. METHODS Mice in which Cdc42 was ablated in hepatocytes and bile duct cells were generated by Cre-loxP technology. Livers were examined by histologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and serum analysis to define the effect of loss of Cdc42 on liver structure. RESULTS Mice lacking Cdc42 in their hepatocytes were born at Mendelian ratios. They did not show increased mortality but showed chronic jaundice. They developed hepatomegaly soon after birth, and signs of liver transformation, such as formation of nodules and tumors, became visible macroscopically at age 6 months. Hepatocellular carcinoma was observed 8 months after birth. Tumors grew slowly and lacked expression of nuclear beta-catenin. Lung metastases were observed at the late stage of carcinogenesis. Immunofluorescent examination and electron microscopy revealed severe defects in the liver. At the age of 2 months, the canaliculi between hepatocytes were greatly enlarged, although the tight junctions flanking the canaliculi appeared normal. Regular liver plates were absent. E-cadherin expression pattern and gap junction localization were distorted. Analysis of serum samples indicated cholestasis. CONCLUSIONS We describe a mouse model in which chronic liver disease leads to hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolanda van Hengel
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, VIB, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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