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Zebrafish Model in Disease Research
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Zebrafish Model in Disease Research

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 3353

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Niels Olsen Saraiva Camara

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Interests: immunology; inflammation; microbiota; cell metabolism; transplantation; DNA repair
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Zebrafish are emerging as a valuable model for studying human diseases due to their genetic and physiological similarities with humans. These small and easy-to-maintain fish can be used for high-throughput studies, allowing researchers to quickly test potential therapies and drug targets. Zebrafish models have been used to study a wide range of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and infectious diseases. They have also been used to test the safety and efficacy of new drugs, making them a valuable tool for drug development. Researchers have used zebrafish models to study the effects of different diets and exercise on metabolic function, as well as to test potential therapeutic compounds for metabolic disorders. Zebrafish models have also been used to identify genes and molecular pathways involved in metabolic regulation. In addition to their transparency, zebrafish models can be easily genetically manipulated using techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, allowing for the precise control of gene expression. This has enabled researchers to study the role of specific genes in disease development and to identify potential drug targets. Overall, zebrafish models have proven to be a powerful tool for disease research, providing insights into disease mechanisms, drug development, and potential therapeutic targets.

Dr. Juliana Moreira Mendonça Gomes is a senior scientist (Reviewer Board Member in IJMS), who will assist Prof. Niels Olsen Saraiva Câmara in managing this Special Issue. 

Prof. Dr. Niels Olsen Saraiva Camara
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 4231 KiB  
Article
Effect of Probiotics in Stress-Associated Constipation Model in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Larvae
by Ayoung Lee, Seung Young Kim, Seyoung Kang, Seong Hee Kang, Dong Woo Kim, Jung Wan Choe, Jong Jin Hyun, Sung Woo Jung, Young Kul Jung, Ja Seol Koo, Hyung Joon Yim and Suhyun Kim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3669; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073669 - 25 Mar 2024
Viewed by 926
Abstract
The pathophysiology of functional bowel disorders is complex, involving disruptions in gut motility, visceral hypersensitivity, gut–brain–microbiota interactions, and psychosocial factors. Light pollution, as an environmental stressor, has been associated with disruptions in circadian rhythms and the aggravation of stress-related conditions. In this study, [...] Read more.
The pathophysiology of functional bowel disorders is complex, involving disruptions in gut motility, visceral hypersensitivity, gut–brain–microbiota interactions, and psychosocial factors. Light pollution, as an environmental stressor, has been associated with disruptions in circadian rhythms and the aggravation of stress-related conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of environmental stress, particularly continuous light exposure, on intestinal motility and inflammation using zebrafish larvae as a model system. We also evaluated the efficacy of probiotics, specifically Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum), at alleviating stress-induced constipation. Our results showed that continuous light exposure in zebrafish larvae increased the cortisol levels and reduced the intestinal motility, establishing a stress-induced-constipation model. We observed increased inflammatory markers and decreased intestinal neural activity in response to stress. Furthermore, the expressions of aquaporins and vasoactive intestinal peptide, crucial for regulating water transport and intestinal motility, were altered in the light-induced constipation model. Administration of probiotics, specifically B. longum, ameliorated the stress-induced constipation by reducing the cortisol levels, modulating the intestinal inflammation, and restoring the intestinal motility and neural activity. These findings highlight the potential of probiotics to modulate the gut–brain axis and alleviate stress-induced constipation. Therefore, this study provides a valuable understanding of the complex interplay among environmental stressors, gut function, and potential therapeutic strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zebrafish Model in Disease Research)
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16 pages, 4546 KiB  
Article
Cisplatin Toxicity Causes Neutrophil-Mediated Inflammation in Zebrafish Larvae
by Barbara Nunes Padovani, Camila Morales Fénero, Lais Cavalieri Paredes, Mariana Abrantes do Amaral, Omar Domínguez-Amorocho, Marcella Cipelli, Juliana Moreira Mendonça Gomes, Eloisa Martins da Silva, Luísa Menezes Silva, Raquel de Souza Vieira, Mariana Tominaga Pereira, Mario Costa Cruz and Niels Olsen Saraiva Câmara
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(4), 2363; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25042363 - 17 Feb 2024
Viewed by 771
Abstract
Cisplatin is an antineoplastic agent used to treat various tumors. In mammals, it can cause nephrotoxicity, tissue damage, and inflammation. The release of inflammatory mediators leads to the recruitment and infiltration of immune cells, particularly neutrophils, at the site of inflammation. Cisplatin is [...] Read more.
Cisplatin is an antineoplastic agent used to treat various tumors. In mammals, it can cause nephrotoxicity, tissue damage, and inflammation. The release of inflammatory mediators leads to the recruitment and infiltration of immune cells, particularly neutrophils, at the site of inflammation. Cisplatin is often used as an inducer of acute kidney injury (AKI) in experimental models, including zebrafish (Danio rerio), due to its accumulation in kidney cells. Current protocols in larval zebrafish focus on studying its effect as an AKI inducer but ignore other systematic outcomes. In this study, cisplatin was added directly to the embryonic medium to assess its toxicity and impact on systemic inflammation using locomotor activity analysis, qPCR, microscopy, and flow cytometry. Our data showed that larvae exposed to cisplatin at 7 days post-fertilization (dpf) displayed dose-dependent mortality and morphological changes, leading to a decrease in locomotion speed at 9 dpf. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (il)-12, il6, and il8 increased after 48 h of cisplatin exposure. Furthermore, while a decrease in the number of neutrophils was observed in the glomerular region of the pronephros, there was an increase in neutrophils throughout the entire animal after 48 h of cisplatin exposure. We demonstrate that cisplatin can have systemic effects in zebrafish larvae, including morphological and locomotory defects, increased inflammatory cytokines, and migration of neutrophils from the hematopoietic niche to other parts of the body. Therefore, this protocol can be used to induce systemic inflammation in zebrafish larvae for studying new therapies or mechanisms of action involving neutrophils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zebrafish Model in Disease Research)
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Review

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13 pages, 797 KiB  
Review
Modeling Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Zebrafish: Current Advances and Future Perspectives
by David Gonzalez, Constanza Vásquez-Doorman, Adolfo Luna and Miguel L. Allende
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(4), 1962; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25041962 - 06 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1250
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease characterized by degeneration of lower motor neurons (LMNs), causing muscle weakness, atrophy, and paralysis. SMA is caused by mutations in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and can be classified [...] Read more.
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease characterized by degeneration of lower motor neurons (LMNs), causing muscle weakness, atrophy, and paralysis. SMA is caused by mutations in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and can be classified into four subgroups, depending on its severity. Even though the genetic component of SMA is well known, the precise mechanisms underlying its pathophysiology remain elusive. Thus far, there are three FDA-approved drugs for treating SMA. While these treatments have shown promising results, their costs are extremely high and unaffordable for most patients. Thus, more efforts are needed in order to identify novel therapeutic targets. In this context, zebrafish (Danio rerio) stands out as an ideal animal model for investigating neurodegenerative diseases like SMA. Its well-defined motor neuron circuits and straightforward neuromuscular structure offer distinct advantages. The zebrafish’s suitability arises from its low-cost genetic manipulation and optical transparency exhibited during larval stages, which facilitates in vivo microscopy. This review explores advancements in SMA research over the past two decades, beginning with the creation of the first zebrafish model. Our review focuses on the findings using different SMA zebrafish models generated to date, including potential therapeutic targets such as U snRNPs, Etv5b, PLS3, CORO1C, Pgrn, Cpg15, Uba1, Necdin, and Pgk1, among others. Lastly, we conclude our review by emphasizing the future perspectives in the field, namely exploiting zebrafish capacity for high-throughput screening. Zebrafish, with its unique attributes, proves to be an ideal model for studying motor neuron diseases and unraveling the complexity of neuromuscular defects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zebrafish Model in Disease Research)
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