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Using Zebrafish as a Disease Model to Study Fibrotic Disease
Xixin Wang1,2, Daniëlle Copmans1, Peter A M de Witte1
1Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KULeuven-University of Leuven, O&N II Herestraat 49-Box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 2, 2021
Summary
Zebrafish offer a promising alternative to costly rodent models for studying fibrotic diseases. These models facilitate high-throughput drug discovery and a better understanding of disease pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Preclinical research and drug discovery
- Animal models for disease research
Background:
- Rodent models are standard for fibrotic disease research but are expensive and time-consuming.
- Current rodent models are not ideal for high-throughput screening of drug compounds.
- There is a need for novel in vivo models to overcome limitations in fibrosis research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of zebrafish models in fibrotic disease research.
- To highlight the potential of zebrafish for high-throughput drug discovery in fibrosis.
- To discuss current technical challenges associated with zebrafish models for fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on zebrafish models for fibrotic diseases.
- Analysis of zebrafish applications in cardiovascular, liver (ALD, NALD), and pancreatic fibrosis.
- Evaluation of zebrafish suitability for drug screening and pathogenesis studies.
Main Results:
- Zebrafish are increasingly used as an attractive animal model for preclinical studies.
- Established zebrafish models exist for various fibrotic conditions, including cardiovascular and liver diseases.
- Zebrafish models show potential for efficient screening of large compound libraries.
Conclusions:
- Zebrafish represent a valuable tool for advancing fibrotic disease research and drug discovery.
- Further development of zebrafish models can lead to improved preclinical studies.
- Addressing technical challenges will enhance the utility of zebrafish in high-throughput drug discovery for fibrosis.
