PUBLICATION
Plausibility of the zebrafish embryos/larvae as an alternative animal model for autism: A comparison study of transcriptome changes
- Authors
- Lee, S., Chun, H.S., Lee, J., Park, H.J., Kim, K.T., Kim, C.H., Yoon, S., Kim, W.K.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-180905-6
- Date
- 2018
- Source
- PLoS One 13: e0203543 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Chun, Hang-Suk, Kim, Cheol-Hee
- Keywords
- none
- MeSH Terms
-
- Animals
- Autism Spectrum Disorder/genetics
- Autism Spectrum Disorder/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism*
- Humans
- Larva/genetics
- Larva/metabolism*
- Transcriptome/genetics*
- Zebrafish/embryology*
- Zebrafish/genetics
- Zebrafish/metabolism*
- PubMed
- 30180205 Full text @ PLoS One
- CTD
- 30180205
Citation
Lee, S., Chun, H.S., Lee, J., Park, H.J., Kim, K.T., Kim, C.H., Yoon, S., Kim, W.K. (2018) Plausibility of the zebrafish embryos/larvae as an alternative animal model for autism: A comparison study of transcriptome changes. PLoS One. 13:e0203543.
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired or abnormal social interaction and communication and by restricted and repetitive behaviour. ASD is highly prevalent in Asia, Europe, and the United States, and the frequency of ASD is growing each year. Recent epidemiological studies have indicated that ASD may be caused or triggered by exposure to chemicals in the environment, such as those in the air or water. Thus, toxicological studies are needed to examine chemicals that might be implicated. However, the experimental efficiency of existing experimental models is limited, and many models represent challenges in terms of animal welfare. Thus, alternative ASD animal models are necessary. To address this, we examined the efficacy of the zebrafish embryo/larva as an alternative model of ASD. Specifically, we exposed zebrafish to valproic acid (0, 12.5, 25, 50, or 100 μM), which is a chemical known to induce autism-like effects. We then analysed subsequent developmental, behavioural, and transcriptomic changes. We found that 100 μM and 50 μM valproic acid decreased the hatching rate and locomotor activity of zebrafish embryos/larvae. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant alterations in a number of genes associated with autism, such as adsl, mbd5, shank3, and tsc1b. Additionally, we found changes in gene ontology that were also reported in previous studies. Our findings indicate that zebrafish embryos/larvae and humans with ASD might have common physiological pathways, indicating that this animal model may represent an alternative tool for examining the causes of and potential treatments for this illness.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping