Zebrafish facilitate non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease research: Tools, models and applications

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) that is not related to alcohol intake. NAFLD is the most prevalent liver disease; it is estimated to affect almost 2 billion people globally, and the burden is expected to grow in the coming decades. 1 The main pathological feature of NAFLD is defined as steatosis occurring in more than 5% of hepatocytes. 2 NAFLD appears as simple excessive liver fat accumulation in the early stage and gradually exhibits hepatocellular ballooning, inflammation and fibrosis, 2,3 which further progresses to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), eventually the persistent inflammation and fibrosis reaction lead to irreversible cirrhosis and even liver failure. [4][5][6] Currently, numerous studies have used rodent models to explore the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD. The most common model is mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), which is used to reveal

Zebrafish: An emerging and expedient model for liver studies?

“…Their small size and translucent nature make them an ideal model organism to manipulate and observe. These attributes make them very attractive to study a variety of liver diseases 2 and underpins the significance of the present contribution by Chang et al 1 The authors elegantly discussed how the various genetic variants of the zebrafish model can be used to readily interrogate the complex nature of various biomolecular processes involved in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).…”

“…The review article by Chang et al in the May issue of Liver International highlights two important research topics in hepatic biology and pathobiology. 1 Firstly, the overall strengths of the zebrafish model for biomedical research, and secondly the increasing focus and use of zebrafish as an alternative model to those conventionally used in liver research (e.g. cultured cells and rodent models).…”

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrabromophthalate Enhances foxo1-Mediated Lipophagy to Remodel Lipid Metabolism in Zebrafish Liver

“…Developing zebrafish is a well-established model for the study of lipid metabolism and liver diseases. − The transparency of zebrafish larvae and the physiological similarities of their digestive system to that of mammals make them useful for studying lipid transport, energy homeostasis, and organ development. , …”

Response Letter to: Zebrafish: An emerging and expedient model for liver studies?

“…

We thank Shami et al for their commentary 1 on our recent publication. 2 Based on their expertise in correlative microscopy, Shami et alpointed out that the hepatic cellular makeup and ultrastructure in zebrafish are notably different from humans and suggested that caution should be taken when interpretating small-animal data which may have translational implications. 1 Indeed, our review acknowledged that most, but not all, major types of liver cells were identified in zebrafish.

…”

“…We thank Shami et al for their commentary 1 on our recent publication. 2 Based on their expertise in correlative microscopy, Shami et al…”