Letter to the Editor: Human based systems: Mechanistic NASH modelling just around the corner?'

We congratulate Boeckmans et al., on their comprehensive review of current models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) presented ‘Human based systems: Mechanistic NASH modelling just around the corner?’ (1). NAFLD affects a large number of people worldwide and despite advances in our knowledge of the condition, further research is needed to identify biomarkers and target molecules for therapy. We agree that results from animal experiments may not always represent human pathophysiology accurately and we believe that relevant human in vitro models can be informative in understanding NAFLD disease mechanisms and target therapies. In addition, such models should help rationalisation of animal experiments in line with the 3R principles of replacement, reduction and refinement.
J. Boeckmans, A. Natale, K. Buyl et al., Human-based systems: Mechanistic NASH modelling just around the corner?, Pharmacol Res. 134 (2018) 257-267, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2018.06.029.