Aphanius fasciatus: a molecular model of scoliosis?

Spine Deformity (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Study design

Observational study of Killifish with spinal deformities

Objective

To evaluate the morphology and molecular biology of Aphanius fasciatus with severe spine deformities.

Summary of background data

Idiopathic Scoliosis affects 3% of the population and is an abnormal three-dimensional curvature of the spine with unknown cause. The lack of a model system with naturally occurring spinal curvatures has hindered research on the etiology of IS.

Methods

The Mediterranean killifish Aphanius fasciatus, collected from the coast of Sfax (Tunisia), which has an inborn skeletal deformity was chosen. We used morphologic features to evaluate the severity of scoliosis according to the different types and performed a biochemical analysis using factors previously studied in humans (estradiol, melatonin and Insulin Growth Factor 1 “IGF-1”).

Results

We have detected relevant molecular deviations that occur in Killifish deformities and the fish with severe scoliosis are smaller and less old than the ones with milder scolioses. Furthermore, a significant change in levels of ovarian estradiol, liver IGF-1 and brain melatonin was noted between deformed and normal fish.

Conclusions

Aphanius fasciatus could be used as a molecular model system to study the etiology of IS in humans as the characterization of the Aphanius fasciatus scoliosis syndrome has revealed morphological and biochemical parallels to IS. However, it is important to note the limitations of the proposed model, including the short lifespan of the fish.

Level of evidence

III.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge all laboratory staff at Department of Laboratory LR11ES41 Genetic Biodiversity and Valorization of Bio-resources, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia. for the funding and technical support that we presented and for their encouragement to succeed in this work.

Funding

The financemet was provided by Monastir University, Monastir Higher Institute of Biotechnology, Laboratory LR11ES41, Genetics Biodiversity and Valorization of Bio-resources, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia.

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Affiliations

  1. Université de Monastir, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Laboratoire LR11ES41 Génétique Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bio-Ressources, 5000, Monastir, Tunisie

    Samar Lahmar, Kaouthar Kessabi & Imed Messaoudi

Authors
  1. Samar Lahmar
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  2. Kaouthar Kessabi
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  3. Imed Messaoudi
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Contributions

LS: substantial contributions to design of the work; acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data for the work; and drafting the work and final approval of the version to be published. KK: interpretation of data for the work; and revising it critically for important intellectual content; and final approval of the version to be published. MI: substantial contributions to the conception of the work; and it critically for important intellectual content; and final approval of the version to be published.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Samar Lahmar.

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The handling and sacrifice of animals have been applied in the regulation of the IRB approval/Research Ethics Committee of the Monastir Higher Institute of Biotechnology, University of Monastir, Tunisia.

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Lahmar, S., Kessabi, K. & Messaoudi, I. Aphanius fasciatus: a molecular model of scoliosis?. Spine Deform (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43390-021-00291-w

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Keywords

  • Aphanius fasciatus
  • Human idiopathic scoliosis
  • Natural model