Research Article Details
Article ID: | A50084 |
PMID: | 35533183 |
Source: | PLoS One |
Title: | Insights from a high-fat diet fed mouse model with a humanized liver. |
Abstract: | Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disorder worldwide and is increasing at an alarming rate. NAFLD is strongly associated with obesity and insulin resistance. The use of animal models remains a vital aspect for investigating the molecular mechanisms contributing to metabolic dysregulation and facilitating novel drug target identification. However, some differences exist between mouse and human hepatocyte physiology. Recently, chimeric mice with human liver have been generated, representing a step forward in the development of animal models relevant to human disease. Here we explored the feasibility of using one of these models (cDNA-uPA/SCID) to recapitulate obesity, insulin resistance and NAFLD upon feeding a Western-style diet. Furthermore, given the importance of a proper control diet, we first evaluated whether there are differences between feeding a purified ingredient control diet that matches the composition of the high-fat diet and feeding a grain-based chow diet. We show that mice fed chow have a higher food intake and fed glucose levels than mice that received a low-fat purified ingredient diet, suggesting that the last one represents a better control diet. Upon feeding a high-fat or matched ingredient control diet for 12 weeks, cDNA-uPA/SCID chimeric mice developed extensive macrovesicular steatosis, a feature previously associated with reduced growth hormone action. However, mice were resistant to diet-induced obesity and remained glucose tolerant. Genetic background is fundamental for the development of obesity and insulin resistance. Our data suggests that using a background that favors the development of these traits, such as C57BL/6, may be necessary to establish a humanized mouse model of NAFLD exhibiting the metabolic dysfunction associated with obesity. |
DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pone.0268260 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D160 | Growth Hormone | Biological drug | DB00052 | GHR ligand; PRLR ligand | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D343 | Somatropin | Biological drug | DB00052 | GHR ligand; PRLR ligand | Hormone replacement drug | Under clinical trials | Details |