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Flessa CM, Nasiri-Ansari N, Kyrou I, Leca BM, Lianou M, Chatzigeorgiou A, Kaltsas G, Kassi E, Randeva HS. Genetic and Diet-Induced Animal Models for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Research. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415791. [PMID: 36555433 PMCID: PMC9780957 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A rapidly increasing incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is noted worldwide due to the adoption of western-type lifestyles and eating habits. This makes the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive the pathogenesis of this chronic disease and the development of newly approved treatments of utmost necessity. Animal models are indispensable tools for achieving these ends. Although the ideal mouse model for human NAFLD does not exist yet, several models have arisen with the combination of dietary interventions, genetic manipulations and/or administration of chemical substances. Herein, we present the most common mouse models used in the research of NAFLD, either for the whole disease spectrum or for a particular disease stage (e.g., non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each model, along with the challenges facing the researchers who aim to develop and use animal models for translational research in NAFLD. Based on these characteristics and the specific study aims/needs, researchers should select the most appropriate model with caution when translating results from animal to human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina-Maria Flessa
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Narjes Nasiri-Ansari
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Kyrou
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
- Aston Medical School, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Bianca M. Leca
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Maria Lianou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Chatzigeorgiou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Gregory Kaltsas
- Endocrine Unit, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Eva Kassi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Endocrine Unit, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (H.S.R.)
| | - Harpal S. Randeva
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- Correspondence: (E.K.); (H.S.R.)
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Spiljar M, Merkler D, Trajkovski M. The Immune System Bridges the Gut Microbiota with Systemic Energy Homeostasis: Focus on TLRs, Mucosal Barrier, and SCFAs. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1353. [PMID: 29163467 PMCID: PMC5670327 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota is essential for the development and regulation of the immune system and the metabolism of the host. Germ-free animals have altered immunity with increased susceptibility to immunologic diseases and show metabolic alterations. Here, we focus on two of the major immune-mediated microbiota-influenced components that signal far beyond their local environment. First, the activation or suppression of the toll-like receptors (TLRs) by microbial signals can dictate the tone of the immune response, and they are implicated in regulation of the energy homeostasis. Second, we discuss the intestinal mucosal surface is an immunologic component that protects the host from pathogenic invasion, is tightly regulated with regard to its permeability and can influence the systemic energy balance. The short chain fatty acids are a group of molecules that can both modulate the intestinal barrier and escape the gut to influence systemic health. As modulators of the immune response, the microbiota-derived signals influence functions of distant organs and can change susceptibility to metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Spiljar
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Centre Médical Universitaire, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Diabetes Center, Faculty of Medicine, Centre Médical Universitaire, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Doron Merkler
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Centre Médical Universitaire, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mirko Trajkovski
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Centre Médical Universitaire, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Diabetes Center, Faculty of Medicine, Centre Médical Universitaire, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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