Discovery of biologically active oncologic and immunologic small molecule therapies using zebrafish: Overview and example of modulation of T Cell activation

Nikolaus S. Trede*, William Heaton, Suzanne Ridges, Hossein Sofla, Matthew Cusick, David Bearss, David Jones, Robert S. Fujinami

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Zebrafish models continue to gain popularity as in vivo models for drug discovery. Described in this overview are advantages and challenges of zebrafish drug screening, as well as a novel in vivo screen for immunomodulatory compounds using transgenic, T cell reporting zebrafish larvae designed for discovery of compounds targeting T cell leukemia. This assay system allows rapid screening of large numbers of compounds while avoiding the pitfalls of assays based on cell cultures, which lack biologic context and are afflicted by genomic instability. The rationale for this approach is based on similarities of immature normal T cells and developmentally arrested, malignant lymphoblasts in mammalian species. The screening algorithm has been used to identify a nontoxic compound with activity in both acute leukemia models and models of multiple sclerosis, demonstrating the utility of this screening procedure. Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberph1424s60
JournalCurrent Protocols in Pharmacology
Issue numberSUPPL.60
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

Keywords

  • Immunomodulatory agents
  • Leukemia
  • Liver cancer
  • Melanoma
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Pancreatic carcinoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Small molecule drug screening
  • Testicular cancer
  • Zebrafish

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

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