1
|
Simonsson C, Nyman E, Gennemark P, Gustafsson P, Hotz I, Ekstedt M, Lundberg P, Cedersund G. A unified framework for prediction of liver steatosis dynamics in response to different diet and drug interventions. Clin Nutr 2024; 43:1532-1543. [PMID: 38754305 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common metabolic disorder, characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in the liver, and is a driving factor for various severe liver diseases. These multi-factorial and multi-timescale changes are observed in different clinical studies, but these studies have not been integrated into a unified framework. In this study, we aim to present such a unified framework in the form of a dynamic mathematical model. METHODS For model training and validation, we collected data for dietary or drug-induced interventions aimed at reducing or increasing liver fat. The model was formulated using ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and the mathematical analysis, model simulation, model formulation and the model parameter estimation were all performed in MATLAB. RESULTS Our mathematical model describes accumulation of fat in the liver and predicts changes in lipid fluxes induced by both dietary and drug interventions. The model is validated using data from a wide range of drug and dietary intervention studies and can predict both short-term (days) and long-term (weeks) changes in liver fat. Importantly, the model computes the contribution of each individual lipid flux to the total liver fat dynamics. Furthermore, the model can be combined with an established bodyweight model, to simulate even longer scenarios (years), also including the effects of insulin resistance and body weight. To help prepare for corresponding eHealth applications, we also present a way to visualize the simulated changes, using dynamically changing lipid droplets, seen in images of liver biopsies. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we believe that the minimal model presented herein might be a useful tool for future applications, and to further integrate and understand data regarding changes in dietary and drug induced changes in ectopic TAG in the liver. With further development and validation, the minimal model could be used as a disease progression model for steatosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Simonsson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Radiation Physics, Radiology, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Elin Nyman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Peter Gennemark
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter Gustafsson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Media and Information Technology, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Hotz
- Department of Media and Information Technology, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Mattias Ekstedt
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Peter Lundberg
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Radiation Physics, Radiology, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Cedersund
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chua D, Low ZS, Cheam GX, Ng AS, Tan NS. Utility of Human Relevant Preclinical Animal Models in Navigating NAFLD to MAFLD Paradigm. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314762. [PMID: 36499091 PMCID: PMC9737809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty liver disease is an emerging contributor to disease burden worldwide. The past decades of work established the heterogeneous nature of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) etiology and systemic contributions to the pathogenesis of the disease. This called for the proposal of a redefinition in 2020 to that of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) to better reflect the current understanding of the disease. To date, several clinical cohort studies comparing NAFLD and MAFLD hint at the relevancy of the new nomenclature in enriching for patients with more severe hepatic injury and extrahepatic comorbidities. However, the underlying systemic pathogenesis is still not fully understood. Preclinical animal models have been imperative in elucidating key biological mechanisms in various contexts, including intrahepatic disease progression, interorgan crosstalk and systemic dysregulation. Furthermore, they are integral in developing novel therapeutics against MAFLD. However, substantial contextual variabilities exist across different models due to the lack of standardization in several aspects. As such, it is crucial to understand the strengths and weaknesses of existing models to better align them to the human condition. In this review, we consolidate the implications arising from the change in nomenclature and summarize MAFLD pathogenesis. Subsequently, we provide an updated evaluation of existing MAFLD preclinical models in alignment with the new definitions and perspectives to improve their translational relevance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damien Chua
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232, Singapore
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (N.S.T.); Tel.: +65-63162941 (N.S.T.); Fax: +65-67913856 (N.S.T.)
| | - Zun Siong Low
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Guo Xiang Cheam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Aik Seng Ng
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Nguan Soon Tan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308232, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (N.S.T.); Tel.: +65-63162941 (N.S.T.); Fax: +65-67913856 (N.S.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sové RJ, Verma BK, Wang H, Ho WJ, Yarchoan M, Popel AS. Virtual clinical trials of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma using a quantitative systems pharmacology model. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:e005414. [PMID: 36323435 PMCID: PMC9639136 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer and is the third-leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Most patients with HCC are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and the median survival for patients with advanced HCC treated with modern systemic therapy is less than 2 years. This leaves the advanced stage patients with limited treatment options. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or its ligand, are widely used in the treatment of HCC and are associated with durable responses in a subset of patients. ICIs targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) also have clinical activity in HCC. Combination therapy of nivolumab (anti-PD-1) and ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4) is the first treatment option for HCC to be approved by Food and Drug Administration that targets more than one immune checkpoints. METHODS In this study, we used the framework of quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) to perform a virtual clinical trial for nivolumab and ipilimumab in HCC patients. Our model incorporates detailed biological mechanisms of interactions of immune cells and cancer cells leading to antitumor response. To conduct virtual clinical trial, we generate virtual patient from a cohort of 5,000 proposed patients by extending recent algorithms from literature. The model was calibrated using the data of the clinical trial CheckMate 040 (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01658878). RESULTS Retrospective analyses were performed for different immune checkpoint therapies as performed in CheckMate 040. Using machine learning approach, we predict the importance of potential biomarkers for immune blockade therapies. CONCLUSIONS This is the first QSP model for HCC with ICIs and the predictions are consistent with clinically observed outcomes. This study demonstrates that using a mechanistic understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, QSP models can facilitate patient selection and design clinical trials with improved success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Sové
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Babita K Verma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hanwen Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Won Jin Ho
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark Yarchoan
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Siler SQ. Applications of Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) in Drug Development for NAFLD and NASH and Its Regulatory Application. Pharm Res 2022; 39:1789-1802. [PMID: 35610402 PMCID: PMC9314276 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03295-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a widely prevalent disease, but approved pharmaceutical treatments are not available. As such, there is great activity within the pharmaceutical industry to accelerate drug development in this area and improve the quality of life and reduce mortality for NASH patients. The use of quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) can help make this overall process more efficient. This mechanism-based mathematical modeling approach describes both the pathophysiology of a disease and how pharmacological interventions can modify pathophysiologic mechanisms. Multiple capabilities are provided by QSP modeling, including the use of model predictions to optimize clinical studies. The use of this approach has grown over the last 20 years, motivating discussions between modelers and regulators to agree upon methodologic standards. These include model transparency, documentation, and inclusion of clinical pharmacodynamic biomarkers. Several QSP models have been developed that describe NASH pathophysiology to varying extents. One specific application of NAFLDsym, a QSP model of NASH, is described in this manuscript. Simulations were performed to help understand if patient behaviors could help explain the relatively high rate of fibrosis stage reductions in placebo cohorts. Simulated food intake and body weight fluctuated periodically over time. The relatively slow turnover of liver collagen allowed persistent reductions in predicted fibrosis stage despite return to baseline for liver fat, plasma ALT, and the NAFLD activity score. Mechanistic insights such as this that have been derived from QSP models can help expedite the development of safe and effective treatments for NASH patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Q Siler
- DILIsym Services, a Division of Simulations Plus, 510-862-6027, 6 Davis Drive, PO Box 12317, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27709, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ramos MJ, Bandiera L, Menolascina F, Fallowfield JA. In vitro models for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Emerging platforms and their applications. iScience 2022; 25:103549. [PMID: 34977507 PMCID: PMC8689151 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a global healthcare challenge, affecting 1 in 4 adults, and death rates are predicted to rise inexorably. The progressive form of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, no medical treatments are licensed for NAFLD-NASH. Identifying efficacious therapies has been hindered by the complexity of disease pathogenesis, a paucity of predictive preclinical models and inadequate validation of pharmacological targets in humans. The development of clinically relevant in vitro models of the disease will pave the way to overcome these challenges. Currently, the combined application of emerging technologies (e.g., organ-on-a-chip/microphysiological systems) and control engineering approaches promises to unravel NAFLD biology and deliver tractable treatment candidates. In this review, we will describe advances in preclinical models for NAFLD-NASH, the recent introduction of novel technologies in this space, and their importance for drug discovery endeavors in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jimenez Ramos
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Lucia Bandiera
- Institute for Bioengineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.,Synthsys - Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Filippo Menolascina
- Institute for Bioengineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.,Synthsys - Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Jonathan Andrew Fallowfield
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ramos MJ, Bandiera L, Menolascina F, Fallowfield JA. In vitro models for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Emerging platforms and their applications. iScience 2022; 25:103549. [PMID: 34977507 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a global healthcare challenge, affecting 1 in 4 adults, and death rates are predicted to rise inexorably. The progressive form of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, no medical treatments are licensed for NAFLD-NASH. Identifying efficacious therapies has been hindered by the complexity of disease pathogenesis, a paucity of predictive preclinical models and inadequate validation of pharmacological targets in humans. The development of clinically relevant in vitro models of the disease will pave the way to overcome these challenges. Currently, the combined application of emerging technologies (e.g., organ-on-a-chip/microphysiological systems) and control engineering approaches promises to unravel NAFLD biology and deliver tractable treatment candidates. In this review, we will describe advances in preclinical models for NAFLD-NASH, the recent introduction of novel technologies in this space, and their importance for drug discovery endeavors in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jimenez Ramos
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Lucia Bandiera
- Institute for Bioengineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
- Synthsys - Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Filippo Menolascina
- Institute for Bioengineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
- Synthsys - Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Jonathan Andrew Fallowfield
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| |
Collapse
|