Review
Cell Biology
Rachel Hadvina, Amy Estes, Yutao Liu
Summary: Keratoconus (KC) is a disease characterized by thinning and protrusion of the cornea. There is currently no ideal animal model to represent KC's complex nature. Attempts to establish KC models have involved mice, rats, and rabbits, with genetic models only attempted in mice. UV radiation exposure and collagenase treatment are common methods used to induce KC. An appropriate animal model is needed to study the development and treatment of KC.
Review
Neurosciences
Juhyun Song, Young-Kook Kim
Summary: Depressive disorder is a common psychiatric pathology worldwide, with increasing numbers of patients each year according to a report by the World Health Organization. Research has shown that the risk of depression is influenced by various factors including genetics and environmental stress. Understanding the pathogenesis of depressive disorder is crucial for identifying mechanisms and genetic disorders underlying depression.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Guorong Zhang, Xuyan Zhou, Shuang Hu, Ye Jin, Zhidong Qiu
Summary: Tendinopathy is a challenging problem in orthopedics and affects athletes and the aging population. Animal models, particularly large animals, provide valuable insights into understanding tendinopathy and developing effective treatments. This article reviews the application of large animal models in studying tendinopathy, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages. The development of animal models holds potential for the prevention and treatment of tendinopathy in humans.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Vijay Letchuman, Leonel Ampie, Panagiotis Mastorakos, Daniel M. S. Raper, Ryan T. Kellogg, Min S. Park
Summary: Despite limited understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying moyamoya disease, lack of effective experimental animal models has hindered the development of treatments. While genetic association with moyamoya disease has been reported, there are few studies investigating the impact of genetic manipulation.
NEUROSURGICAL FOCUS
(2021)
Review
Parasitology
Nelson Simwela, Andrew P. Waters
Summary: Infection by malaria parasites remains a major cause of disease and death worldwide. The emergence of resistance to drugs and insecticides has undermined control measures. Animal models have been instrumental in studying the biology of malaria parasites, evaluating drugs and vaccines, and understanding disease processes.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Hengben Zhai, Jinming Zhang, Dabao Shang, Chuanwu Zhu, Xiaogang Xiang
Summary: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe syndrome characterized by acute liver dysfunction following an acute insult on the basis of chronic liver diseases, often accompanied by bacterial infection and multi-organ failure. Lack of suitable animal models has hindered the progress of basic research on ACLF.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Horng-Ta Tseng, Yi-Wen Lin, Chun-Yao Huang, Chun-Ming Shih, Yi-Ting Tsai, Chen-Wei Liu, Chien-Sung Tsai, Feng-Yen Lin
Summary: Cardiac transplant recipients face complications due to transplant rejection. Animal models are used to study disease mechanisms and develop countermeasures. Small animals have advantages in terms of cost, handling, and genetic modifications, but translating their results to clinical applications is limited. Large animals are used to validate small animal studies and assess the feasibility in clinical practice.
Review
Cell Biology
Minghua Cui, Yuehui Liu, Xiaoping Men, Tao Li, Da Liu, Yongzhi Deng
Summary: Gynecological diseases are serious conditions that affect women's fertility and lives. Studying the mechanism and treatment options for these diseases is crucial. Animal models, especially large animals with reproductive organs similar to humans, are ideal for such research. This review highlights the use of large animal models in gynecological disease studies and provides guidance for selecting appropriate animal models.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberta Lotti, Claudio Giacinto Atene, Emma Dorotea Zanfi, Matteo Bertesi, Tommaso Zanocco-Marani
Summary: Pemphigus is a life-threatening autoimmune disease characterized by pathogenic autoantibodies targeting specific desmoglein proteins, leading to keratinocyte separation. Various disease models, including in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo mouse models, allow for testing different hypotheses regarding disease initiation and evaluating the efficacy of experimental therapies. These models also help in assessing the pathogenicity of specific Pemphigus autoantibodies and investigating previously unidentified autoantigens.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Critical Care Medicine
Yahua Liu, Mengyang Yu, Li Chen, Jing Liu, Xin Li, Chengying Zhang, Xueyuan Xiang, Xiaoxue Li, Qi Lv
Summary: This systematic literature review examines the different animal models used in crush syndrome research and their benefits, providing valuable information for future studies. The review found that the two primary methods for inducing crush syndrome in animal models are chemical and physical methods. Various animal species have been used, with small animals more suitable for mechanism and efficacy studies, and large animals better for clinical application-related research. Compressing a specific muscle with heavy objects is the most effective method, but careful consideration must be given to the selection of appropriate anesthetics and analgesics due to the burden on animals.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ella Ohlsson, Kerstin M. Galler, Matthias Widbiller
Summary: Efforts in tissue engineering to repair damaged dental pulp tissue have shown positive results, but clinical measures cannot distinguish between true regeneration and repair. Therefore, research models are crucial in understanding treatment outcomes and advancing dental pulp regeneration. This review provides information on various in vitro and in vivo models, discusses the differences between monolayer and three-dimensional cell cultures, presents a new in vivo transplantation model for dental pulp regeneration, and introduces different animal models used for in vivo research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Carolina Rojas, Michelle P. Garcia, Alan F. Polanco, Luis Gonzalez-Osuna, Alfredo Sierra-Cristancho, Samanta Melgar-Rodriguez, Emilio A. Cafferata, Rolando Vernal
Summary: Periodontitis is an oral inflammatory disease caused by polymicrobial synergy and dysbiosis, leading to breakdown of tooth-supporting tissues and tooth loss. Human studies are ethically limited, but animal models can partially emulate the pathogenesis of periodontitis; humanized animal models are able to mimic human-like immune responses.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tiphaine Raia-Barjat, Margaux Digonnet, Antoine Giraud, Taghreed Ayash, Seline Vancolen, Mohamed Benharouga, Celine Chauleur, Nadia Alfaidy, Guillaume Sebire
Summary: Preterm birth and chorioamnionitis have significant impacts on both infant and maternal health. Effective treatments and diagnostic methods are still lacking. Animal models can provide insights into the underlying mechanisms and aid in the development of novel therapies.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Wellingson Silva Paiva, Emanuele Zippo, Carolina Miranda, Sergio Brasil, Daniel Augustin Godoy, Almir Ferreira De Andrade, Iuri Neville, Gustavo Cartaxo Patriota, Renan Domingues, Manoel Jacobsen Teixeira
Summary: Intracranial hematomas (ICH) are a common condition in neurosurgical and neurological practices, and experimental research has played a fundamental role in understanding the pathophysiology and developing therapeutic interventions. Various animal models have been used to study ICH, including autologous blood or bacterial collagenase injection, inflation of intracranial balloon, and avulsion of cerebral vessels. These models have improved our understanding of intracranial hypertension, neuroinflammation, immunology, and brain hemodynamics, and have contributed to the development of therapeutic strategies.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yoon-Young Kim, Jin-Soo Kim, Jeong-Hwan Che, Seung-Yup Ku, Byeong-Cheol Kang, Jun-Won Yun
Summary: Immunodeficient animal models serve as valuable tools for stem cell research, with different gene defects resulting in a variety of phenotypes. Selecting the most appropriate immunodeficient strain, target gene, and animal species based on research type, mutant gene effects, and similarity to human immunological features is crucial for guiding researchers in stem cell research.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Brecht Valcke, Koen Vercauteren, Elizaveta Padalko, Chris Verhofstede, Katharina D'Herde, Wouter Willaert
Summary: This study evaluates screening algorithms for hepatitis B and C virus, HIV, and Treponema pallidum among anatomical donors, with a focus on the impact of postmortem time on hemolysis and its influence on test results and donor discard rate. Early postmortem blood sampling is crucial, as hemolysis can affect certain test results and the allocation of donors.
ANNALS OF ANATOMY-ANATOMISCHER ANZEIGER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Chenhui Zou, Imane El Dika, Koen O. A. Vercauteren, Marinela Capanu, Joanne Chou, Jinru Shia, Jill Pilet, Corrine Quirk, Gadi Lalazar, Linda Andrus, Mohammad Kabbani, Amin Yaqubie, Danny Khalil, Taha Mergoub, Luis Chiriboga, Charles M. Rice, Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa, Ype P. de Jong
Summary: The study successfully established PDX models of HCC by implanting biopsy samples under the renal capsule of severely immunodeficient mice, with rising human alpha1-antitrypsin (hAAT) levels used as a marker. This approach showed 57% efficiency in PDX formation, facilitating research into subset-specific HCC more efficiently.
Article
Cell Biology
Thomas Burkard, Nora Proske, Kathrin Resner, Laura Collignon, Leonard Knegendorf, Martina Friesland, Lieven Verhoye, Ibrahim M. Sayed, Yannick Bruggemann, Maximilian K. Nocke, Patrick Behrendt, Heiner Wedemeyer, Philip Meuleman, Daniel Todt, Eike Steinmann
Summary: This study found direct interference between HCV and HEV in human hepatocytes and humanized mice. The protease activity of HCV was found to be linked to this interference. In vivo experiments confirmed that super-infection reduced the replication of both viruses in individual mice.
Article
Microbiology
Christian Heuss, Paul Rothhaar, Rani Burm, Ji-Young Lee, Philipp Ralfs, Uta Haselmann, Luisa J. Stroh, Ombretta Colasanti, Cong Si Tran, Noemi Schafer, Paul Schnitzler, Uta Merle, Ralf Bartenschlager, Arvind H. Patel, Frederik Graw, Thomas Krey, Vibor Laketa, Philip Meuleman, Volker Lohmann
Summary: This study reports an efficient infectious cell culture model for hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can be used for studying infection mechanisms and developing vaccines. The model, generated from a consensus gt1b genome, underwent long-term passaging to adapt and produce high levels of transmissible infectivity. The study's findings are important for understanding the transmission mechanisms of HCV and for research and prevention of HCV.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Rani Burm, Panagiota Maravelia, Gustaf Ahlen, Sandra Ciesek, Noelia Caro Perez, Anna Pasetto, Stephan Urban, Freya Van Houtte, Lieven Verhoye, Heiner Wedemeyer, Magnus Johansson, Lars Frelin, Matti Sallberg, Philip Meuleman
Summary: This study demonstrates the immunogenicity and effectiveness of preS1-HDAg immunotherapy in preventing HBV and HDV infections both in vitro and in vivo. The vaccine can complement current and future therapies for the control of chronic HBV and HDV infection.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Nadja Meumann, Marti Cabanes-Creus, Moritz Ertelt, Renina Gale Navarro, Julie Lucifora, Qinggong Yuan, Karin Nien-Huber, Ahmed Abdelrahman, Xuan-Khang Vu, Liang Zhang, Ann-Christin Franke, Christian Schmithals, Albrecht Piiper, Annabelle Vogt, Maria Gonzalez-Carmona, Jochen T. Frueh, Evelyn Ullrich, Philip Meuleman, Steven R. Talbot, Margarete Odenthal, Michael Ott, Erhard Seifried, Clara T. Schoeder, Joachim Schwable, Leszek Lisowski, Hildegard Buning
Summary: This article reports two gene vector variants, MLIV.K and MLIV.A, which were obtained through in vivo AAV peptide display selection in mice. They showed improved hepatocyte targeting and transduction efficiency compared to AAV2 and AAV8, and have potential for liver disease treatment.
Article
Cell Biology
Mohammad Kabbani, Eleftherios Michailidis, Sandra Steensels, Clifton G. Fulmer, Joseph M. Luna, Jeremie Le Pen, Matteo Tardelli, Brandon Razooky, Inna Ricardo-Lax, Chenhui Zou, Briana Zeck, Ansgar F. Stenzel, Corrine Quirk, Lander Foquet, Alison W. Ashbrook, William M. Schneider, Serkan Belkaya, Gadi Lalazar, Yupu Liang, Meredith Pittman, Lindsey Devisscher, Hirosh Suemizu, Neil D. Theise, Luis Chiriboga, David E. Cohen, Robert Copenhaver, Markus Grompe, Philip Meuleman, Baran A. Ersoy, Charles M. Rice, Ype P. de Jong
Summary: Research shows that PNPLA3-148M variant in human hepatocytes exacerbates advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These models will aid in understanding the contribution of human genetic variants to advanced fatty liver diseases.
Letter
Urology & Nephrology
Laurens Liesenborghs, Veerle Huyst, Christophe Van Dijck, Jojanneke Rutgers, Irith De Baetselier, Chris Kenyon, Marjan Van Esbroeck, Koen Vercauteren
Article
Virology
Jasmine Coppens, Fien Vanroye, Isabel Brosius, Laurens Liesenborghs, Saskia van Henten, Thibaut Vanbaelen, Stefanie Bracke, Nicole Berens-Riha, Irith De Baetselier, Chris Kenyon, Patrick Soentjens, Eric Florence, Johan Van Griensven, Kevin K. Arien, Bart K. M. Jacobs, Dorien Van den Bossche, Marjan Van Esbroeck, Koen Vercauteren
Summary: This study verified the value of alternative specimen types, such as oropharyngeal swabs and saliva, for mpox laboratory confirmation. It found that saliva had higher diagnostic sensitivity and MPXV viral loads compared to oropharyngeal swabs and EDTA plasma. The recommendation to collect oropharyngeal swabs for mpox diagnosis may need to be revised to include saliva, and further research is needed to understand the potential role of saliva in disease transmission.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jef Vanhamel, Valeska Laisnez, Laurens Liesenborghs, Isabel Brosius, Nicole Berens-Riha, Thibaut Vanbaelen, Chris Kenyon, Koen Vercauteren, Marie Laga, Naima Hammami, Oriane Lambricht, Romain Mahieu, Amaryl Lecompte, Wim Vanden Berghe, Bea Vuylsteke
Summary: This study describes the initial phase of the monkeypox outbreak in Belgium and provides a detailed description of sexual behavior and transmission contexts. The results suggest that sexual contact and networks play a significant role in the transmission of monkeypox. Delayed detection of monkeypox infection may be attributed to the confusion of initial symptoms with other sexually transmitted infections or skin conditions, as well as low perception of risk.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Virology
Isabel Brosius, Christophe Van Dijck, Jasmine Coppens, Leen Vandenhove, Eugene Bangwen, Fien Vanroye, Jacob Verschueren, Sabine Zange, Joachim Bugert, Johan Michiels, Emmanuel Bottieau, Patrick Soentjens, Johan van Griensven, Chris Kenyon, Kevin Arien, Marjan Van Esbroeck, Koen Vercauteren, Laurens Liesenborghs
Summary: A prospective longitudinal cohort study conducted on high-risk contacts of mpox patients in Antwerp, Belgium revealed that the risk of infection after exposure to clade IIb mpox virus (MPXV) is uncertain, and presymptomatic shedding of MPXV has been established. Out of the included participants, 66.0% of sexual contacts and 14.0% of non-sexual contacts showed evidence of MPXV infection by PCR testing. The study also found cases with typical mpox symptoms and confirmed the existence of presymptomatic shedding of replication-competent MPXV, highlighting the high transmission risk during sexual contact.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ole Lagatie, Dax Lauwers, Harvinder Singh, Fien Vanroye, Daniel J. Stieh, Johan Vingerhoets, Ludo Lavreys, Valerie Oriol-Mathieu, Will Colon, Chris Verhofstede, Koen Vercauteren, Dorien Van den Bossche, Maria Grazia Pau
Summary: The use of current serological tests may pose challenges to the adoption of HIV vaccines due to the overlap between HIV antigens detected in these tests and those used in the vaccines. Our study aimed to identify target antigens that can be used in new serological tests to accurately diagnose HIV infections without interference from vaccine-induced antibodies.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Matilde Hens, Isabel Brosius, Nicole Berens-Riha, Jasmine Coppens, Liesbeth Van Gestel, Jojanneke Rutgers, Chris Kenyon, Patrick Soentjens, Saskia van Henten, Stefanie Bracke, Thibaut Vanbaelen, Leen Vandenhoven, Emmanuel Bottieau, Koen Vercauteren, Marjan Van Esbroeck, Laurens Liesenborghs, Christophe Van Dijck
Summary: This study described the characteristics of mpox patients who sought care at a Belgian sexual health clinic and compared them to patients with a clinical suspicion of mpox but tested negative. The presence of skin lesions, lymphadenopathy, and proctitis were associated with the diagnosis of mpox. Age, HIV status, childhood smallpox vaccination, number of sexual partners, and international travel were not associated with mpox.
NEW MICROBES AND NEW INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Rani Burm, Freya Van Houtte, Lieven Verhoye, Ahmed Atef Mesalam, Sandra Ciesek, Philippe Roingeard, Heiner Wedemeyer, Geert Leroux-Roels, Philip Meuleman
Summary: This study evaluated a specific antibody against HBV/HDV infection and found that it could prevent infection and reduce viral loads, providing a valuable candidate for the functional cure of chronic HBV and HDV infections.
Article
Immunology
Alexandra Vujkovic, My Ha, Tessa de Block, Lida van Petersen, Isabel Brosius, Caroline Theunissen, Sabrina H. van Ierssel, Esther Bartholomeus, Wim Adriaensen, Guido Vanham, George Elias, Pierre Van Damme, Viggo Van Tendeloo, Philippe Beutels, Maartje van Frankenhuijsen, Erika Vlieghe, Benson Ogunjimi, Kris Laukens, Pieter Meysman, Koen Vercauteren
Summary: This study demonstrates that annotating TCR sequences of activated CD8+ T cells can be used to diagnose acute viral infections and differentiate them from historical exposures.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
