Open AccessStress of Strains: Inbred Mice in Liver Research
Author(s) -
Arlin B. Rogers
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
gene expression
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.591
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1555-3884
pISSN - 1052-2166
DOI - 10.3727/105221618x15337408678723
Subject(s) - inbred strain , hepatocellular carcinoma , cirrhosis , liver disease , fatty liver , nonalcoholic fatty liver disease , carbon tetrachloride , fibrosis , phenotype , disease , in vivo , bioinformatics , biology , immunology , pathology , medicine , cancer research , chemistry , genetics , gene , organic chemistry
Inbred mice are the most popular animals used for in vivo liver research. These mice are genetically defined, readily available, less expensive to maintain than larger animals, and enjoy a broad array of commercial reagents for scientific characterization. C57BL/6 mice are the most commonly used strain. However, other strains discussed, including BALB/c, C3H, A/J, and FVB/N, may be better suited to a particular disease model or line of investigation. Understanding the phenotypes of different inbred mouse strains facilitates informed decision making during experimental design. Model systems influenced by strain-dependent phenotype include tissue regeneration, drug-induced liver injury (DILI; e.g., acetaminophen), fibrosis (e.g., carbon tetrachloride, CCl 4 ), Fas-induced apoptosis, cholestasis, alcohol-induced liver disease and cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thoughtful consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of each inbred strain in a given model system will lead to more robust data and a clearer understanding of translational relevance to human liver disease.