PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Mouse models for the study of liver fibrosis regression in vivo and ex vivo

Mouse models for the study of liver fibrosis regression in vivo and ex vivo
2024-11-08
(Press-News.org)

Liver fibrosis is a progressive and potentially reversible condition that results from chronic liver damage, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), alcohol abuse, and viral hepatitis. MASLD affects a significant portion of the global population and can progress to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), leading to liver cirrhosis if left untreated. Given the prevalence of MASLD and its related conditions, the study of fibrosis and its regression has become crucial for developing therapeutic interventions. This review provides a detailed examination of experimental mouse models used to study liver fibrosis regression, both in vivo and ex vivo, highlighting their relevance, advantages, and limitations.

Liver Fibrosis and Fibrogenesis

Fibrogenesis is a wound-healing response to continuous liver damage, characterized by the deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and myofibroblasts. Various stimuli, including lipid overload and toxin exposure, can lead to fibrosis. The molecular processes underlying fibrosis are complex, but inflammation driven by reactive oxygen species plays a critical role. Importantly, fibrosis is not a static process; it is reversible under certain conditions, as inflammatory responses subside and ECM degradation occurs. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing treatments that promote fibrosis regression.

Mouse Models for Studying Liver Fibrosis

Mouse models provide a valuable platform for studying liver fibrosis, especially in the context of human MASLD. The review categorizes models based on the method of fibrosis induction, such as diet-induced models (e.g., high-fat diets), genetic models, hepatotoxin-induced models, and models using biliary atresia or parasitic infections. These models vary in their ability to replicate human liver fibrosis and regression, each with distinct advantages and limitations.

For instance, while wild-type C57BL/6 mice on a high-fat diet (HFD) develop mild fibrosis, genetic modifications (e.g., LDL receptor knockout mice) and enhanced diets can accelerate fibrosis progression. Meanwhile, hepatotoxin-induced models using substances like carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) provide rapid fibrosis induction but do not fully replicate the metabolic impairments seen in humans. Despite these challenges, these models are instrumental in studying fibrosis regression after the removal of fibrosis-inducing stimuli.

Reversible Liver Fibrosis in Mouse Models

One of the critical areas of focus in the review is reversible fibrosis. Several mouse models exhibit fibrosis regression after the removal of the causative agent or through therapeutic interventions. The review highlights various methods to induce reversible fibrosis, including CCl4 withdrawal, diet modification, and genetic restoration techniques. While some models show near-complete regression, others display variable or incomplete fibrosis resolution, often reflecting the clinical variability seen in human patients.

For example, in CCl4-induced models, fibrosis regression can be nearly complete after four to eight weeks of CCl4 withdrawal, depending on the strain of mice used. In contrast, models involving diet-induced fibrosis often show partial regression, highlighting the difficulty in reversing metabolic dysfunction-induced liver damage.

Ex Vivo and In Vitro Models

In addition to in vivo studies, ex vivo and in vitro approaches provide controlled environments for studying fibrosis and its regression. Precision-cut liver slices (PCLS) and liver organoids have been developed to study fibrosis on a cellular level, allowing researchers to test the effects of anti-fibrotic compounds. These models offer a bridge between in vivo studies and clinical applications, although they lack the complexity of whole-organ interactions seen in living organisms.

Outlook

The future of liver fibrosis research lies in refining these models to more closely mimic human disease progression and regression. Technological advancements, such as non-invasive imaging and molecular markers, will enable better monitoring of fibrosis in real time. Furthermore, the development of organoids and PCLS that more accurately replicate human liver physiology may reduce the need for animal studies, while still providing valuable insights into fibrosis mechanisms.

Conclusions

Mouse models have significantly contributed to our understanding of liver fibrosis and its potential for regression. While no model perfectly replicates human disease, these experimental systems provide essential insights into the cellular and molecular processes involved. Future research will continue to refine these models, enabling the development of more effective treatments for liver fibrosis and its related conditions.

 

Full text

https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2310-8819/JCTH-2024-00212

The study was recently published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology.

The Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology (JCTH) is owned by the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and published by XIA & HE Publishing Inc. JCTH publishes high quality, peer reviewed studies in the translational and clinical human health sciences of liver diseases. JCTH has established high standards for publication of original research, which are characterized by a study’s novelty, quality, and ethical conduct in the scientific process as well as in the communication of the research findings. Each issue includes articles by leading authorities on topics in hepatology that are germane to the most current challenges in the field. Special features include reports on the latest advances in drug development and technology that are relevant to liver diseases. Regular features of JCTH also include editorials, correspondences and invited commentaries on rapidly progressing areas in hepatology. All articles published by JCTH, both solicited and unsolicited, must pass our rigorous peer review process.

Follow us on X: @xiahepublishing

Follow us on LinkedIn: Xia & He Publishing Inc.

END


[Attachments] See images for this press release:
Mouse models for the study of liver fibrosis regression in vivo and ex vivo

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

At Fortune Global Forum 2024, Alex Zhavoronkov PhD, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine, discusses AI business potential

At Fortune Global Forum 2024, Alex Zhavoronkov PhD, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine, discusses AI business potential
2024-11-08
From November 11 to 12, the Fortune Global Forum 2024, an invite-only premier event of Fortune, is set to gathers the leaders of the world’s biggest multinational companies on the dynamic frontiers of global business in New York, where business leaders from around the globe come together to create a modern roadmap for success. Insilico Medicine(“Insilico”), a global leading generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven biotechnology company, announces that Alex Zhavoronkov PhD, founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine will be attending the Fortune ...

Exploring circulating tumor cells: Detection methods and biomarkers for clinical evaluation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Exploring circulating tumor cells: Detection methods and biomarkers for clinical evaluation in hepatocellular carcinoma
2024-11-08
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant global health concern, particularly in regions like the Asia-Pacific, where chronic viral hepatitis and liver diseases contribute to its high incidence and mortality. Despite medical advancements, the late-stage diagnosis of HCC remains a major challenge, which underscores the need for more effective early detection strategies. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which are tumor cells released into the bloodstream from primary neoplastic sites, offer a promising avenue for non-invasive cancer diagnostics. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CTC detection methods, ...

New material to make next generation of electronics faster and more efficient

New material to make next generation of electronics faster and more efficient
2024-11-08
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (11/08/2024) — Researchers at the University of Minnesota have achieved a new material that will be pivotal in making the next generation of high-power electronics faster, transparent and more efficient. This artificially designed material allows electrons to move faster while remaining transparent to both visible and ultraviolet light, breaking the previous record. The research, published in Science Advances, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, marks a significant leap forward in semiconductor ...

Research update: Chalk-coated textiles cool in urban environments

Research update: Chalk-coated textiles cool in urban environments
2024-11-08
As air temperatures stay elevated through fall months, people may still want clothes that cool them down while outside, especially if they live in cities that stay warmer than rural landscapes. Researchers who previously demonstrated a cooling fabric coating now report on additional tests of a treated polyester fabric in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. Fabric treated with the team’s chalk-based coating kept the air underneath up to 6 degrees Fahrenheit cooler in warmer urban environments. Researchers Evan D. Patamia, Megan K. Yee and Trisha L. ...

New take on immunotherapy reinvigorates T cells by blocking uptake of energy-sapping cancer byproducts

New take on immunotherapy reinvigorates T cells by blocking uptake of energy-sapping cancer byproducts
2024-11-08
As cancer cells grow, they pump out metabolic byproducts such as lactic acid into the tumor microenvironment. Exhausted T cells — which have lost their cancer-fighting oomph — consume this lactic acid, which further saps their energy, according to new research from the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. When the researchers blocked the protein that imports lactic acid into cells, exhausted T cells gained a new lease on life, which led to improved tumor control in mouse models of cancer. The findings are published today in Nature Immunology. “Blocking access to inhibitory metabolites is a completely new take on how we can reinvigorate ...

How much climate change is in the weather?

How much climate change is in the weather?
2024-11-08
Only a few weeks ago, massive precipitation produced by the storm “Boris” led to chaos and flooding in Central and Eastern Europe. An analysis conducted by the Alfred Wegener Institute shows that in a world without the current level of global warming Boris would have deposited roughly nine percent less rain. Such conclusions can be drawn thanks to a new modelling approach called ‘storylines’. How it can be used in near-real-time was just presented in the Nature journal Communications Earth & Environment. At the same time, the AWI team released a freely available online tool that ...

Flagship AI-ready dataset released in type 2 diabetes study

2024-11-08
Researchers today (Nov. 8, 2024) are releasing the flagship dataset from an ambitious study of biomarkers and environmental factors that might influence the development of type 2 diabetes. Because the study participants include people with no diabetes and others with various stages of the condition, the early findings hint at a tapestry of information distinct from previous research. For instance, data from a customized environmental sensor in participants’ homes show a clear association between disease state and exposure to tiny particulates of pollution. ...

Shaking it up: An innovative method for culturing microbes in static liquid medium

Shaking it up: An innovative method for culturing microbes in static liquid medium
2024-11-08
Culturing, a term for growing microorganisms in the laboratory, is a basic yet indispensable method in microbiology research. Microorganisms are often cultured in a liquid medium that provides essential nutrients, and this process is both simple and highly effective. In addition to nutrients, oxygen availability is also critical for the growth of aerobic microorganisms. However, oxygen does not dissolve easily in the liquid medium. As a result, the medium needs to be forcibly aerated, usually by shaking. Several techniques have been developed for better aeration of “shake” cultures, including “baffled” shake flasks, which have indentations designed to improve oxygen ...

Greener and cleaner: Yeast-green algae mix improves water treatment

Greener and cleaner: Yeast-green algae mix improves water treatment
2024-11-08
Bakeries and wineries can’t do without yeast, but they have no need for green algae. Wastewater treatment facilities, however, might just want to have these microorganisms team up. Osaka Metropolitan University researchers have discovered that these simple organisms form the best combination in terms of boosting wastewater treatment efficiency. The active sludge method of wastewater treatment requires electricity to ensure the flow of oxygen that feeds bacteria and other organisms that process the water. Adding microalgae ...

Acquired immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) associated with inactivated COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac

Acquired immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) associated with inactivated COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac
2024-11-08
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the rapid development and administration of various vaccines worldwide, with some reports linking these vaccines to immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). This report presents two cases of TTP occurring after the administration of the inactivated vaccine CoronaVac from Sinovac Biotech, highlighting the potential association between this type of vaccine and TTP. The article also provides an analysis of TTP incidence in the Nanjing area of China, suggesting a possible correlation between COVID-19 vaccination and the occurrence of TTP.   The first case details a 23-year-old female who developed symptoms of TTP three days ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Chemists create world’s thinnest spaghetti

Empowering neuroscience: Large open brain models released

From traditional to technological: Advancements in fresco conservation

Design and imagination as essential tools during the climate crisis

Innovating archaeology: HKU scholars utilize immersive 3D tech to document and study the human past

What's the story, morning glory?

The unsolved mystery sounds of the Southern Ocean #ASA187

These wild chimpanzees play as adults to better cooperate as a group

Physical activity and all-cause mortality by age in 4 multinational megacohorts

Prenatal diet and infant growth from birth to age 24 months

Obesity prevention at an early age

New method for designing artificial proteins

MSU expert: How AI can help people understand research and increase trust in science

​​​​​​​Urgent need to enable more farmers and contractors to revive England’s network of hedgerows

ASH inclusion program retained and engaged hematologists underrepresented in field, 20-year analysis shows

How anti-obesity drugs are linked to food waste

Discovery explains kidney damage caused by blood pressure drugs

NYU Langone performs world’s first fully robotic double lung transplant

APSS accepting sleep and circadian research abstracts and session proposals for SLEEP 2025 in Seattle

DNA repair: A look inside the cell’s ‘repair café’

Astronomers take the first close-up picture of a star outside our galaxy

Here’s something Americans agree on: Sports build character

Engineering nature’s blueprint: Dendron-based assemblies for chlorophyll’s materials

Study reveals how cell types shape human brain networks

New genetic explanation for heart condition revealed

Poor mental health linked to browsing negative content online

People with migraine at high risk of depression during pandemic

Climate-driven hazards increases risk for millions of coastal residents, study finds

Females sleep less, awaken more frequently than males

Most Americans want primary care providers to address mental health

[Press-News.org] Mouse models for the study of liver fibrosis regression in vivo and ex vivo