Histopathological Characterization of the Diet Induced NASH B6
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a complex disease with limited treatment options. To better understand disease pathogenesis and to develop new therapies, researchers need translational preclinical animal models. In this webinar, we will review rodent models of NASH, focusing on Taconic Biosciences’ Diet Induced NASH B6. This model combines prolonged high fat diet conditioning of the susceptible C57BL/6NTac, to produce a mouse that replicates many features of human NASH within the context of metabolic syndrome.
Dr. Cynthia Besch-Williford, a board-certified veterinary pathologist, will review histopathological features of NASH in rodents, including differences between human and rodent NASH scoring systems, and share histopathological characterization of the Diet Induced NASH B6 from 27 to 53 weeks on diet.
Dr. Janell Richardson, a field application scientist at Taconic, will cover key logistical considerations for experiments using this model, as well as guidance for selection of the appropriate time point based on desired disease phenotype or drug mechanism of action.
Not only will we cover an overview of preclinical NASH rodent models, you can also expect to learn:
- How the Diet Induced NASH B6 replicates many features of human NASH in the context of a metabolic disease model
- How to apply the Diet Induced NASH B6 to experiments, including timelines for key disease pathologies
- The appropriate collection and preparation of samples for histopathological exam
- Histopathological features of NASH in rodents, including differences between human and rodent NASH scoring systems
- The role of AI as a tool in histopathological analysis
- Limits of survival biopsies in evaluating disease
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Cindy Besch-Williford, DVM, PhD, DACLAM
Regional Head of Pathology Services | IDEXX BioAnalytics
Cindy Besch-Williford, DVM, PhD, DACLAM, is Regional Head of Pathology Services at IDEXX BioAnalytics. She completed her veterinary education at Louisiana State University and a PhD in Pathology at the University of Missouri where she also completed a residency in Comparative Medicine. Her career spans 35 years of experimental and toxicologic pathology in several translational research areas, including oncology, infectious disease and metabolic disorders. She joined IDEXX in 2011 to oversee the diagnostic and investigative pathology services for the BioAnalytics division.
Dr. Janell Richardson
Field Applications Scientist | Taconic Biosciences
Dr. Janell Richardson is a field applications scientist at Taconic Biosciences. She received her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Georgetown University in 2012. She completed her postdoctoral training at Western University of Health and Sciences in the department of pharmaceutical sciences. Following her postdoctoral training, she entered the commercial sector in 2015 as a scientist at Circuit Therapeutics. From 2016 to 2018, she was a scientific lead for the drug discovery metabolic syndrome portfolio. In November 2018, she joined Taconic providing scientific support to the commercial portfolio.