0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Human Health Effects Marine & Wildlife Remediation Reproductive & Development Sign in to save

New Progress in Zebrafish Liver Tumor Models: Techniques and Applications in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Research

International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2025 5 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 63 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Qizhuan Lin, Qizhuan Lin, Libo Jin, Libo Jin, Renyi Peng

Summary

This review summarizes advances in using zebrafish as models for studying liver cancer, covering techniques like transplantation, genetic modification, and chemical induction. While focused on cancer research methods rather than microplastics directly, zebrafish are increasingly used to study how microplastic exposure affects liver health. The liver tumor models described here could be valuable tools for investigating whether chronic microplastic exposure contributes to liver disease.

Body Systems

Liver tumors represent a serious clinical health problem that threatens human life. Previous studies have demonstrated that the pathogenesis of liver tumors is complex and influenced by various factors, highlighting limitations in both basic pathological research and clinical treatment. Traditional research methods often begin with the discovery of phenomena and gradually progress to the development of animal models and human trials. Among these, liver tumor animal models play a critical role in advancing related research. The zebrafish liver closely resembles the human liver in structure, function, and regenerative capacity. Additionally, the high transparency and rapid development of zebrafish embryos and larvae make them ideal model organisms for studying liver tumors. This review systematically summarizes recent methods for constructing zebrafish liver tumor models, including transplantation, transgenesis, induction, and gene knockout. Furthermore, the present paper explores the applications of these models in the study of liver cancer pathogenesis, metastasis, the tumor microenvironment, drug screening, and other related areas. By comparing the advantages and limitations of various models and integrating their distinct characteristics, this review provides insights for developing a novel liver tumor model that better aligns with clinical needs. This approach will offer valuable reference information for further in-depth studies of the pathological mechanisms of liver tumors and the development of new therapeutic drugs or strategies.

Sign in to start a discussion.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Research Progress of Zebrafish Model in Aquatic Ecotoxicology

This review examines how zebrafish are used as model organisms to study the toxic effects of environmental pollutants in water, including microplastics. Zebrafish are ideal because they reproduce quickly, are inexpensive to maintain, and allow researchers to study effects at the genetic, cellular, and whole-organism level. The paper provides a reference guide for scientists choosing model animals for aquatic toxicology research.

Article Tier 2

Zebrafish: An emerging model to study microplastic and nanoplastic toxicity

This review highlights zebrafish as an increasingly valuable model organism for studying the toxic effects of micro- and nanoplastics due to their transparent embryos, genetic similarity to humans, and ease of laboratory use. Researchers summarized existing zebrafish studies showing that plastic particles can cross biological barriers and accumulate in tissues, causing various toxic effects. The study positions zebrafish research as a key tool for advancing our understanding of how plastic particle exposure affects living organisms.

Article Tier 2

Research progress of model animal zebrafish in toxicity evaluation of microplastics

This review examines the use of zebrafish as a model organism for evaluating the toxicity of microplastics, synthesizing research on how microplastic exposure affects development, reproduction, and physiological function in this well-established vertebrate model. The authors highlight zebrafish as a particularly valuable system for mechanistic toxicology studies given its genetic tractability and the breadth of endpoints assessable across life stages.

Article Tier 2

Effects on immunity of exposure to microplastics in adult zebrafish

Adult zebrafish exposed to microplastics showed changes in liver gene expression, gut and gill tissue damage, and altered swimming behavior, indicating that microplastic exposure triggers multiple biological stress responses. The study highlights the relevance of zebrafish as a model for assessing microplastic toxicity.

Article Tier 2

Comprehensive review of ecological risks and toxicity mechanisms of microplastics in freshwater: Focus on zebrafish as a model organism

This comprehensive review examines how microplastics affect zebrafish, a widely used laboratory model, covering impacts on the gut, liver, reproductive system, nervous system, and immune function. Researchers found that microplastics can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of gut bacteria across multiple organ systems. The review highlights that zebrafish studies provide valuable insights into the biological mechanisms by which microplastics may affect freshwater organisms and, potentially, human health.

Share this paper