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Lipp HP, Krackow S, Turkes E, Benner S, Endo T, Russig H. IntelliCage: the development and perspectives of a mouse- and user-friendly automated behavioral test system. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 17:1270538. [PMID: 38235003 PMCID: PMC10793385 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1270538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
IntelliCage for mice is a rodent home-cage equipped with four corner structures harboring symmetrical double panels for operant conditioning at each of the two sides, either by reward (access to water) or by aversion (non-painful stimuli: air-puffs, LED lights). Corner visits, nose-pokes and actual licks at bottle-nipples are recorded individually using subcutaneously implanted transponders for RFID identification of up to 16 adult mice housed in the same home-cage. This allows for recording individual in-cage activity of mice and applying reward/punishment operant conditioning schemes in corners using workflows designed on a versatile graphic user interface. IntelliCage development had four roots: (i) dissatisfaction with standard approaches for analyzing mouse behavior, including standardization and reproducibility issues, (ii) response to handling and housing animal welfare issues, (iii) the increasing number of mouse models had produced a high work burden on classic manual behavioral phenotyping of single mice. and (iv), studies of transponder-chipped mice in outdoor settings revealed clear genetic behavioral differences in mouse models corresponding to those observed by classic testing in the laboratory. The latter observations were important for the development of home-cage testing in social groups, because they contradicted the traditional belief that animals must be tested under social isolation to prevent disturbance by other group members. The use of IntelliCages reduced indeed the amount of classic testing remarkably, while its flexibility was proved in a wide range of applications worldwide including transcontinental parallel testing. Essentially, two lines of testing emerged: sophisticated analysis of spontaneous behavior in the IntelliCage for screening of new genetic models, and hypothesis testing in many fields of behavioral neuroscience. Upcoming developments of the IntelliCage aim at improved stimulus presentation in the learning corners and videotracking of social interactions within the IntelliCage. Its main advantages are (i) that mice live in social context and are not stressfully handled for experiments, (ii) that studies are not restricted in time and can run in absence of humans, (iii) that it increases reproducibility of behavioral phenotyping worldwide, and (iv) that the industrial standardization of the cage permits retrospective data analysis with new statistical tools even after many years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Peter Lipp
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sven Krackow
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Emir Turkes
- Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Seico Benner
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki, Japan
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2
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Yesiltepe M, Yin T, Tambini MD, Breuillaud L, Zehntner SP, D’Adamio L. Late-long-term potentiation magnitude, but not Aβ levels and amyloid pathology, is associated with behavioral performance in a rat knock-in model of Alzheimer disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1040576. [PMID: 36438008 PMCID: PMC9691854 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1040576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cleavage of Amyloid precursor protein by β- and γ-secretases lead to Aβ formation. The widely accepted pathogenic model states that these mutations cause AD via an increase in Aβ formation and accumulation of Aβ in Amyloid plaques. APP mutations cause early onset familial forms of Alzheimer's disease (FAD) in humans. We generated App-Swedish (Apps ) knock-in rats, which carry a pathogenic APP mutation in the endogenous rat App gene. This mutation increases β-secretase processing of APP leading to both augmented Aβ production and facilitation of glutamate release in Apps/s rats, via a β-secretase and APP-dependent glutamate release mechanism. Here, we studied 11 to 14-month-old male and female Apps/s rats. To determine whether the Swedish App mutation leads to behavioral deficits, Apps/s knock-in rats were subjected to behavioral analysis using the IntelliCage platform, an automated behavioral testing system. This system allows behavioral assessment in socially housed animals reflecting a more natural, less stress-inducing environment and eliminates experimenter error and bias while increasing precision of measurements. Surprisingly, a spatial discrimination and flexibility task that can reveal deficits in higher order brain function showed that Apps/s females, but not Apps/s male rats, performed significantly worse than same sex controls. Moreover, female control rats performed significantly better than control and Apps/s male rats. The Swedish mutation causes a significant increase in Aβ production in 14-month-old animals of both sexes. Yet, male and female Apps/s rats showed no evidence of AD-related amyloid pathology. Finally, Apps/s rats did not show signs of significant neuroinflammation. Given that the APP Swedish mutation causes alterations in glutamate release, we analyzed Long-term potentiation (LTP), a long-lasting form of synaptic plasticity that is a cellular basis for learning and memory. Strikingly, LTP was significantly increased in Apps/s control females compared to both Apps/s sexes and control males. In conclusion, this study shows that behavioral performances are sex and App-genotype dependent. In addition, they are associated with LTP values and not Aβ or AD-related pathology. These data, and the failures of anti-Aβ therapies in humans, suggest that alternative pathways, such as those leading to LTP dysfunction, should be targeted for disease-modifying AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Metin Yesiltepe
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Tao Yin
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Marc D. Tambini
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| | | | | | - Luciano D’Adamio
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
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3
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Puścian
- Nencki-EMBL Partnership for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders – BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur 3 Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewelina Knapska
- Nencki-EMBL Partnership for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders – BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur 3 Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
- Corresponding author
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4
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Goncerzewicz A, Górkiewicz T, Dzik JM, Jędrzejewska-Szmek J, Knapska E, Konarzewski M. Brain size, gut size and cognitive abilities: the energy trade-offs tested in artificial selection experiment. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20212747. [PMID: 35414242 PMCID: PMC9006030 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The enlarged brains of homeotherms bring behavioural advantages, but also incur high energy expenditures. The ‘expensive brain’ (EB) hypothesis posits that the energetic costs of the enlarged brain and the resulting increased cognitive abilities (CA) were met by either increased energy turnover or reduced allocation to other expensive organs, such as the gut. We tested the EB hypothesis by analysing correlated responses to selection in an experimental evolution model system, which comprises line types of laboratory mice selected for high or low basal metabolic rate (BMR), maximum (VO2max) metabolic rates and random-bred (unselected) lines. The traits are implicated in the evolution of homeothermy, having been pre-requisites for the encephalization and exceptional CA of mammals, including humans. High-BMR mice had bigger guts, but not brains, than mice of other line types. Yet, they were superior in the cognitive tasks carried out in both reward and avoidance learning contexts and had higher neuronal plasticity (indexed as the long-term potentiation) than their counterparts. Our data indicate that the evolutionary increase of CA in mammals was initially associated with increased BMR and brain plasticity. It was also fuelled by an enlarged gut, which was not traded off for brain size.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jakub M Dzik
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Ewelina Knapska
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Konarzewski
- Faculty of Biology, University of Białystok, Ciołkowskiego 1 J, 15-245 Białystok, Poland
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5
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Hühne A, Echtler L, Kling C, Stephan M, Schmidt MV, Rossner MJ, Landgraf D. Circadian gene × environment perturbations influence alcohol drinking in Cryptochrome-deficient mice. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13105. [PMID: 34672045 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a widespread addiction disorder with severe consequences for health. AUD patients often suffer from sleep disturbances and irregular daily patterns. Conversely, disruptions of circadian rhythms are considered a risk factor for AUD and alcohol relapses. In this study, we investigated the extent to which circadian genetic and environmental disruptions and their interaction alter alcohol drinking behaviour in mice. As a model of genetic circadian disruption, we used Cryptochrome1/2-deficient (Cry1/2-/- ) mice with strongly suppressed circadian rhythms and found that they exhibit significantly reduced preference for alcohol but increased incentive motivation to obtain it. Similarly, we found that low circadian SCN amplitude correlates with reduced alcohol preference in WT mice. Moreover, we show that the low alcohol preference of Cry1/2-/- mice concurs with high corticosterone and low levels of the orexin precursor prepro-orexin and that WT and Cry1/2-/- mice respond differently to alcohol withdrawal. As a model of environmentally induced disruption of circadian rhythms, we exposed mice to a "shift work" light/dark regimen, which also leads to a reduction in their alcohol preference. Interestingly, this effect is even more pronounced when genetic and environmental circadian perturbations interact in Cry1/2-/- mice under "shift work" conditions. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that in mice, disturbances in circadian rhythms have pronounced effects on alcohol consumption as well as on physiological factors and other behaviours associated with AUD and that the interaction between circadian genetic and environmental disturbances further alters alcohol consumption behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisja Hühne
- Circadian Biology Group, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
- Munich Medical Research School Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
| | - Lisa Echtler
- Circadian Biology Group, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
- Munich Medical Research School Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
| | - Charlotte Kling
- Circadian Biology Group, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS‐ TP) Munich Germany
| | - Marius Stephan
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS‐ TP) Munich Germany
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
| | - Mathias V. Schmidt
- Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry Munich Germany
| | - Moritz J. Rossner
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
| | - Dominic Landgraf
- Circadian Biology Group, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Germany
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Schumann L, Wilken-Schmitz A, Trautmann S, Vogel A, Schreiber Y, Hahnefeld L, Gurke R, Geisslinger G, Tegeder I. Increased Fat Taste Preference in Progranulin-Deficient Mice. Nutrients 2021; 13:4125. [PMID: 34836380 PMCID: PMC8623710 DOI: 10.3390/nu13114125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Progranulin deficiency in mice is associated with deregulations of the scavenger receptor signaling of CD36/SCARB3 in immune disease models, and CD36 is a dominant receptor in taste bud cells in the tongue and contributes to the sensation of dietary fats. Progranulin-deficient mice (Grn-/-) are moderately overweight during middle age. We therefore asked if there was a connection between progranulin/CD36 in the tongue and fat taste preferences. By using unbiased behavioral analyses in IntelliCages and Phenomaster cages we showed that progranulin-deficient mice (Grn-/-) developed a strong preference of fat taste in the form of 2% milk over 0.3% milk, and for diluted MCTs versus tap water. The fat preference in the 7d-IntelliCage observation period caused an increase of 10% in the body weight of Grn-/- mice, which did not occur in the wildtype controls. CD36 expression in taste buds was reduced in Grn-/- mice at RNA and histology levels. There were no differences in the plasma or tongue lipids of various classes including sphingolipids, ceramides and endocannabinoids. The data suggest that progranulin deficiency leads to a lower expression of CD36 in the tongue resulting in a stronger urge for fatty taste and fatty nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Schumann
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Annett Wilken-Schmitz
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Sandra Trautmann
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Alexandra Vogel
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Yannick Schreiber
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lisa Hahnefeld
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Gurke
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases (CIMD), 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Irmgard Tegeder
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
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7
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Śliwińska MA, Cały A, Borczyk M, Ziółkowska M, Skonieczna E, Chilimoniuk M, Bernaś T, Giese KP, Radwanska K. Long-term Memory Upscales Volume of Postsynaptic Densities in the Process that Requires Autophosphorylation of αCaMKII. Cereb Cortex 2021; 30:2573-2585. [PMID: 31800021 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
It is generally accepted that formation and storage of memory relies on alterations of the structure and function of brain circuits. However, the structural data, which show learning-induced and long-lasting remodeling of synapses, are still very sparse. Here, we reconstruct 1927 dendritic spines and their postsynaptic densities (PSDs), representing a postsynaptic part of the glutamatergic synapse, in the hippocampal area CA1 of the mice that underwent spatial training. We observe that in young adult (5 months), mice volume of PSDs, but not the volume of the spines, is increased 26 h after the training. The training-induced growth of PSDs is specific for the dendritic spines that lack smooth endoplasmic reticulum and spine apparatuses, and requires autophosphorylation of αCaMKII. Interestingly, aging alters training-induced ultrastructural remodeling of dendritic spines. In old mice, both the median volumes of dendritic spines and PSDs shift after training toward bigger values. Overall, our data support the hypothesis that formation of memory leaves long-lasting footprint on the ultrastructure of brain circuits; however, the form of circuit remodeling changes with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Alicja Śliwińska
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Behavior, The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-093, Poland.,Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function, The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Anna Cały
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Behavior, The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Borczyk
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Behavior, The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Magdalena Ziółkowska
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Behavior, The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Edyta Skonieczna
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Behavior, The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Magdalena Chilimoniuk
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Behavior, The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Tytus Bernaś
- Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function, The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-093, Poland.,Department of Anatomy and Neurology, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - K Peter Giese
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Kasia Radwanska
- Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Behavior, The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
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8
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Tran BN, Valek L, Wilken-Schmitz A, Fuhrmann DC, Namgaladze D, Wittig I, Tegeder I. Reduced exploratory behavior in neuronal nucleoredoxin knockout mice. Redox Biol 2021; 45:102054. [PMID: 34198070 PMCID: PMC8254043 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleoredoxin is a thioredoxin-like redoxin that has been recognized as redox modulator of WNT signaling. Using a Yeast-2-Hybrid screen, we identified calcium calmodulin kinase 2a, Camk2a, as a prominent prey in a brain library. Camk2a is crucial for nitric oxide dependent processes of neuronal plasticity of learning and memory. Therefore, the present study assessed functions of NXN in neuronal Nestin-NXN-/- deficient mice. The NXN-Camk2a interaction was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation, and by colocalization in neuropil and dendritic spines. Functionally, Camk2a activity was reduced in NXN deficient neurons and restored with recombinant NXN. Proteomics revealed reduced oxidation in the hippocampus of Nestin-NXN-/- deficient mice, including Camk2a, further synaptic and mitochondrial proteins, and was associated with a reduction of mitochondrial respiration. Nestin-NXN-/- mice were healthy and behaved normally in behavioral tests of anxiety, activity and sociability. They had no cognitive deficits in touchscreen based learning & memory tasks, but omitted more trials showing a lower interest in the reward. They also engaged less in rewarding voluntary wheel running, and in exploratory behavior in IntelliCages. Accuracy was enhanced owing to the loss of exploration. The data suggested that NXN maintained the oxidative state of Camk2a and thereby its activity. In addition, it supported oxidation of other synaptic and mitochondrial proteins, and mitochondrial respiration. The loss of NXN-dependent pro-oxidative functions manifested in a loss of exploratory drive and reduced interest in reward in behaving mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao Ngoc Tran
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University, Medical Faculty, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lucie Valek
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University, Medical Faculty, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Annett Wilken-Schmitz
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University, Medical Faculty, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Dimitry Namgaladze
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University, Medical Faculty, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ilka Wittig
- Functional Proteomics Group, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, Goethe-University, Medical Faculty, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Irmgard Tegeder
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University, Medical Faculty, Frankfurt, Germany.
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9
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Too LK, Mitchell A. Brains, bacteria and behaviors: the role of interferon-gamma in the pathogenesis of pneumococcal meningitis. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:125-126. [PMID: 32788465 PMCID: PMC7818887 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.286968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lay Khoon Too
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, Bosch Institute and School of Medical Sciences; Save Sight Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew Mitchell
- Materials Characterisation and Fabrication Platform, Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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10
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Bernhard SM, Lee J, Zhu M, Hsu A, Erskine A, Hires SA, Barth AL. An automated homecage system for multiwhisker detection and discrimination learning in mice. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232916. [PMID: 33264281 PMCID: PMC7710058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Automated, homecage behavioral training for rodents has many advantages: it is low stress, requires little interaction with the experimenter, and can be easily manipulated to adapt to different experimental conditions. We have developed an inexpensive, Arduino-based, homecage training apparatus for sensory association training in freely-moving mice using multiwhisker air current stimulation coupled to a water reward. Animals learn this task readily, within 1–2 days of training, and performance progressively improves with training. We examined the parameters that regulate task acquisition using different stimulus intensities, directions, and reward valence. Learning was assessed by comparing anticipatory licking for the stimulus compared to the no-stimulus (blank) trials. At high stimulus intensities (>9 psi), animals showed markedly less participation in the task. Conversely, very weak air current intensities (1–2 psi) were not sufficient to generate rapid learning behavior. At intermediate stimulus intensities (5–6 psi), a majority of mice learned that the multiwhisker stimulus predicted the water reward after 24–48 hrs of training. Both exposure to isoflurane and lack of whiskers decreased animals’ ability to learn the task. Following training at an intermediate stimulus intensity, mice were able to transfer learning behavior when exposed to a lower stimulus intensity, an indicator of perceptual learning. Mice learned to discriminate between two directions of stimulation rapidly and accurately, even when the angular distance between the stimuli was <15 degrees. Switching the reward to a more desirable reward, aspartame, had little effect on learning trajectory. Our results show that a tactile association task in an automated homecage environment can be monitored by anticipatory licking to reveal rapid and progressive behavioral change. These Arduino-based, automated mouse cages enable high-throughput training that facilitate analysis of large numbers of genetically modified mice with targeted manipulations of neural activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Bernhard
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jiseok Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Mo Zhu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Alex Hsu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Andrew Erskine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Section of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Samuel A. Hires
- Department of Biological Sciences, Section of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Alison L. Barth
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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11
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Hühne A, Volkmann P, Stephan M, Rossner M, Landgraf D. An in-depth neurobehavioral characterization shows anxiety-like traits, impaired habituation behavior, and restlessness in male Cryptochrome-deficient mice. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 19:e12661. [PMID: 32348614 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Many psychiatric disorders, for example, anxiety, are accompanied by disturbances of circadian rhythms, including disturbed sleep/wake cycles, changes in locomotor activity, and abnormal endocrine function. Conversely, alternations of circadian rhythms are a risk factor for the development of psychiatric disorders. This assumption is supported by animals with clock gene mutations which often display behaviors that resemble human psychiatric disorders. In this study, we performed an in-depth behavioral analysis with male mice lacking the central clock genes Cryptochrome 1 and 2 (Cry1/2-/- ), which are thus unable to express endogenous circadian rhythms. With wild-type and Cry1/2-/- mice, we performed an extensive behavioral analysis to study their cognitive abilities, social behavior, and their expression of depression-like and anxiety-like behavior. While Cry1/2-/- mice showed only mild abnormalities at cognitive and social behavioral levels, they were consistently more anxious than wildtype mice. Anxiety-like behavior was particularly evident in reduced mobility in new environments, altered ability to habituate, compensatory behavior, and consistent restless behavior across many behavioral tests. In line with their anxiety-like behavioral phenotype, Cry1/2-/- mice have higher c-Fos activity in the amygdala after exposure to an anxiogenic stressor than wild-type mice. In our study, we identified Cry1/2-/- mice as animals that qualify as a translational mouse model for anxiety disorder in humans because of its consistent behavior of restlessness, increased immobility, and dysfunctional habituation in new environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisja Hühne
- Circadian Biology Group, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
- Munich Medical Research School, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Paul Volkmann
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Marius Stephan
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz Rossner
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Dominic Landgraf
- Circadian Biology Group, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
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12
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Voikar V, Gaburro S. Three Pillars of Automated Home-Cage Phenotyping of Mice: Novel Findings, Refinement, and Reproducibility Based on Literature and Experience. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:575434. [PMID: 33192366 PMCID: PMC7662686 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.575434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders require extensive behavioral phenotyping. Currently, this presents several caveats and the most important are: (i) rodents are nocturnal animals, but mostly tested during the light period; (ii) the conventional behavioral experiments take into consideration only a snapshot of a rich behavioral repertoire; and (iii) environmental factors, as well as experimenter influence, are often underestimated. Consequently, serious concerns have been expressed regarding the reproducibility of research findings on the one hand, and appropriate welfare of the animals (based on the principle of 3Rs-reduce, refine and replace) on the other hand. To address these problems and improve behavioral phenotyping in general, several solutions have been proposed and developed. Undisturbed, 24/7 home-cage monitoring (HCM) is gaining increased attention and popularity as demonstrating the potential to substitute or complement the conventional phenotyping methods by providing valuable data for identifying the behavioral patterns that may have been missed otherwise. In this review, we will briefly describe the different technologies used for HCM systems. Thereafter, based on our experience, we will focus on two systems, IntelliCage (NewBehavior AG and TSE-systems) and Digital Ventilated Cage (DVC®, Tecniplast)-how they have been developed and applied during recent years. Additionally, we will touch upon the importance of the environmental/experimenter artifacts and propose alternative suggestions for performing phenotyping experiments based on the published evidence. We will discuss how the integration of telemetry systems for deriving certain physiological parameters can help to complement the description of the animal model to offer better translation to human studies. Ultimately, we will discuss how such HCM data can be statistically interpreted and analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vootele Voikar
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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13
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Prevention of age-associated neuronal hyperexcitability with improved learning and attention upon knockout or antagonism of LPAR2. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 78:1029-1050. [PMID: 32468095 PMCID: PMC7897625 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03553-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that synaptic lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) augment glutamate-dependent cortical excitability and sensory information processing in mice and humans via presynaptic LPAR2 activation. Here, we studied the consequences of LPAR2 deletion or antagonism on various aspects of cognition using a set of behavioral and electrophysiological analyses. Hippocampal neuronal network activity was decreased in middle-aged LPAR2−/− mice, whereas hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) was increased suggesting cognitive advantages of LPAR2−/− mice. In line with the lower excitability, RNAseq studies revealed reduced transcription of neuronal activity markers in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in naïve LPAR2−/− mice, including ARC, FOS, FOSB, NR4A, NPAS4 and EGR2. LPAR2−/− mice behaved similarly to wild-type controls in maze tests of spatial or social learning and memory but showed faster and accurate responses in a 5-choice serial reaction touchscreen task requiring high attention and fast spatial discrimination. In IntelliCage learning experiments, LPAR2−/− were less active during daytime but normally active at night, and showed higher accuracy and attention to LED cues during active times. Overall, they maintained equal or superior licking success with fewer trials. Pharmacological block of the LPAR2 receptor recapitulated the LPAR2−/− phenotype, which was characterized by economic corner usage, stronger daytime resting behavior and higher proportions of correct trials. We conclude that LPAR2 stabilizes neuronal network excitability upon aging and allows for more efficient use of resting periods, better memory consolidation and better performance in tasks requiring high selective attention. Therapeutic LPAR2 antagonism may alleviate aging-associated cognitive dysfunctions.
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14
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Kiryk A, Janusz A, Zglinicki B, Turkes E, Knapska E, Konopka W, Lipp HP, Kaczmarek L. IntelliCage as a tool for measuring mouse behavior - 20 years perspective. Behav Brain Res 2020; 388:112620. [PMID: 32302617 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Since the 1980s, we have witnessed the rapid development of genetically modified mouse models of human diseases. A large number of transgenic and knockout mice have been utilized in basic and applied research, including models of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. To assess the biological function of mutated genes, modern techniques are critical to detect changes in behavioral phenotypes. We review the IntelliCage, a high-throughput system that is used for behavioral screening and detailed analyses of complex behaviors in mice. The IntelliCage was introduced almost two decades ago and has been used in over 150 studies to assess both spontaneous and cognitive behaviors. We present a critical analysis of experimental data that have been generated using this device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kiryk
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Artur Janusz
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz Zglinicki
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Emir Turkes
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ewelina Knapska
- BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Witold Konopka
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hans-Peter Lipp
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Leszek Kaczmarek
- BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
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15
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Mehr A, Hick M, Ludewig S, Müller M, Herrmann U, von Engelhardt J, Wolfer DP, Korte M, Müller UC. Lack of APP and APLP2 in GABAergic Forebrain Neurons Impairs Synaptic Plasticity and Cognition. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:4044-4063. [PMID: 32219307 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) is central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, yet its physiological functions remain incompletely understood. Previous studies had indicated important synaptic functions of APP and the closely related homologue APLP2 in excitatory forebrain neurons for spine density, synaptic plasticity, and behavior. Here, we show that APP is also widely expressed in several interneuron subtypes, both in hippocampus and cortex. To address the functional role of APP in inhibitory neurons, we generated mice with a conditional APP/APLP2 double knockout (cDKO) in GABAergic forebrain neurons using DlxCre mice. These DlxCre cDKO mice exhibit cognitive deficits in hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory tasks, as well as impairments in species-typic nesting and burrowing behaviors. Deficits at the behavioral level were associated with altered neuronal morphology and synaptic plasticity Long-Term Potentiation (LTP). Impaired basal synaptic transmission at the Schafer collateral/CA1 pathway, which was associated with altered compound excitatory/inhibitory synaptic currents and reduced action potential firing of CA1 pyramidal cells, points to a disrupted excitation/inhibition balance in DlxCre cDKOs. Together, these impairments may lead to hippocampal dysfunction. Collectively, our data reveal a crucial role of APP family proteins in inhibitory interneurons to maintain functional network activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Mehr
- Department of Functional Genomics, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology (IPMB), University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Meike Hick
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe-University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susann Ludewig
- Division of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Michaela Müller
- Institute of Pathophysiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Ulrike Herrmann
- Division of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jakob von Engelhardt
- Institute of Pathophysiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - David P Wolfer
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, ETH Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Korte
- Division of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.,AG Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ulrike C Müller
- Department of Functional Genomics, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology (IPMB), University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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16
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Erskine A, Bus T, Herb JT, Schaefer AT. AutonoMouse: High throughput operant conditioning reveals progressive impairment with graded olfactory bulb lesions. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211571. [PMID: 30840676 PMCID: PMC6402634 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Operant conditioning is a crucial tool in neuroscience research for probing brain function. While molecular, anatomical and even physiological techniques have seen radical increases in throughput, efficiency, and reproducibility in recent years, behavioural tools have somewhat lagged behind. Here we present a fully automated, high-throughput system for self-initiated conditioning of up to 25 group-housed, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tagged mice over periods of several months and >106 trials. We validate this "AutonoMouse" system in a series of olfactory behavioural tasks and show that acquired data is comparable to previous semi-manual approaches. Furthermore, we use AutonoMouse to systematically probe the impact of graded olfactory bulb lesions on olfactory behaviour, demonstrating that while odour discrimination in general is robust to even most extensive disruptions, small olfactory bulb lesions already impair odour detection. Discrimination learning of similar mixtures as well as learning speed are in turn reliably impacted by medium lesion sizes. The modular nature and open-source design of AutonoMouse should allow for similar robust and systematic assessments across neuroscience research areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Erskine
- The Francis Crick Institute, Neurophysiology of Behaviour Laboratory, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thorsten Bus
- Behavioural Neurophysiology, Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan T. Herb
- The Francis Crick Institute, Neurophysiology of Behaviour Laboratory, London, United Kingdom
- Behavioural Neurophysiology, Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas T. Schaefer
- The Francis Crick Institute, Neurophysiology of Behaviour Laboratory, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Behavioural Neurophysiology, Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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17
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18
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Hardt S, Valek L, Zeng-Brouwers J, Wilken-Schmitz A, Schaefer L, Tegeder I. Progranulin Deficient Mice Develop Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus. Aging Dis 2018; 9:817-830. [PMID: 30271659 PMCID: PMC6147595 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2017.1127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations of progranulin are associated with frontotemporal dementia in humans, and its deficiency in mice is a model for this disease but with normal life expectancy and mild cognitive decline on aging. The present study shows that aging progranulin deficient mice develop progressive polydipsia and polyuria under standard housing conditions starting at middle age (6-9 months). They showed high water licking behavior and doubling of the normal daily drinking volume, associated with increased daily urine output and a decrease of urine osmolality, all maintained during water restriction. Creatinine clearance, urine urea, urine albumin and glucose were normal. Hence, there were no signs of osmotic diuresis or overt renal disease, other than a concentrating defect. In line, the kidney morphology and histology revealed a 50% increase of the kidney weight, kidney enlargement, mild infiltrations of the medulla with pro-inflammatory cells, widening of tubules but no overt signs of a glomerular or tubular pathology. Plasma vasopressin levels were on average about 3-fold higher than normal levels, suggesting that the water loss resulted from unresponsiveness of the collecting tubules towards vasopressin, and indeed aquaporin-2 immunofluorescence in collecting tubules was diminished, whereas renal and hypothalamic vasopressin were increased, the latter in spite of substantial astrogliosis in the hypothalamus. The data suggest that progranulin deficiency causes nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in mice during aging. Possibly, polydipsia in affected patients - eventually interpreted as psychogenic polydipsia - may point to a similar concentrating defect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Hardt
- 1Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lucie Valek
- 1Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jinyang Zeng-Brouwers
- 2General Pharmacology and Toxicology, Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Liliana Schaefer
- 2General Pharmacology and Toxicology, Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Irmgard Tegeder
- 1Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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19
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Masuda A, Kobayashi Y, Itohara S. Automated, Long-term Behavioral Assay for Cognitive Functions in Multiple Genetic Models of Alzheimer's Disease, Using IntelliCage. J Vis Exp 2018:58009. [PMID: 30124661 PMCID: PMC6126617 DOI: 10.3791/58009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple factors-such as aging and genes-are frequently associated with cognitive decline. Genetically modified mouse models of cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), have become a promising tool to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and promote the therapeutic advances. An important step is the validation and characterization of expected behavioral abnormality in the models, in the case of AD, cognitive decline. The long-term behavioral investigations of laboratory animals to study the effect of aging demand substantial efforts from researchers. The IntelliCage system is a high-throughput and cost-effective test battery for mice that eliminates the need for daily human handling. Here, we describe how the system is utilized in the long-term phenotyping of a genetic Alzheimer's disease model, specifically focusing on the cognitive functions. The experiment employs repeated battery of tests that assess spatial learning and executive functions. This cost-effective age-dependent phenotyping allows us to identify the transient and/or permanent effects of genes on various cognitive aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Masuda
- Laboratory for Behavioral Genetics, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN; Organization for Research Initiatives and Development, Doshisha University;
| | - Yuki Kobayashi
- Laboratory for Behavioral Genetics, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN
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20
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Reinagel P. Training Rats Using Water Rewards Without Water Restriction. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:84. [PMID: 29773982 PMCID: PMC5943498 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput behavioral training of rodents has been a transformative development for systems neuroscience. Water or food restriction is typically required to motivate task engagement. We hypothesized a gap between physiological water need and hedonic water satiety that could be leveraged to train rats for water rewards without water restriction. We show that when Citric Acid (CA) is added to water, female rats drink less, yet consume enough to maintain long term health. With 24 h/day access to a visual task with water rewards, rats with ad lib CA water performed 84% ± 18% as many trials as in the same task under water restriction. In 2-h daily sessions, rats with ad lib CA water performed 68% ± 13% as many trials as under water restriction. Using reward sizes <25 μl, rats with ad lib CA performed 804 ± 285 trials/day in live-in sessions or 364 ± 82 trials/day in limited duration daily sessions. The safety of CA water amendment was previously shown for male rats, and the gap between water need and satiety was similar to what we observed in females. Therefore, it is likely that this method will generalize to male rats, though this remains to be shown. We conclude that at least in some contexts rats can be trained using water rewards without water restriction, benefitting both animal welfare and scientific productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Reinagel
- Section of Neurobiology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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21
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Maroteaux G, Arefin TM, Harsan LA, Darcq E, Ben Hamida S, Kieffer BL. Lack of anticipatory behavior in Gpr88 knockout mice showed by automatized home cage phenotyping. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 17:e12473. [PMID: 29575471 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models are widely used to understand genetic bases of behavior. Traditional testing typically requires multiple experimental settings, captures only snapshots of behavior and involves human intervention. The recent development of automated home cage monitoring offers an alternative method to study mouse behavior in their familiar and social environment, and over weeks. Here, we used the IntelliCage system to test this approach for mouse phenotyping, and studied mice lacking Gpr88 that have been extensively studied using standard testing. We monitored mouse behavior over 22 days in 4 different phases. In the free adaptation phase, Gpr88 -/- mice showed delayed habituation to the home cage, and increased frequency of same corner returns behavior in their alternation pattern. In the following nose-poke adaptation phase, non-habituation continued, however, mutant mice acquired nose-poke conditioning similar to controls. In the place learning and reversal phase, Gpr88-/- mice developed preference for the water/sucrose corner with some delay, but did not differ from controls for reversal. Finally, in a fixed schedule-drinking phase, control animals showed higher activity during the hour preceding water accessibility, and reduced activity after access to water was terminated. Mutant mice did not show this behavior, showing lack of anticipatory behavior. Our data therefore confirm hyperactivity, non-habituation and altered exploratory behaviors that were reported previously. Learning deficits described in other settings were barely detectable, and a novel phenotype was discovered. Home cage monitoring therefore extends previous findings and shows yet another facet of GPR88 function that deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Maroteaux
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - T M Arefin
- IGBMC-Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, INSERM U-964, CNRS UMR-7104, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Departments of Radiology, Medical Physics, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Radiology, Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - L-A Harsan
- Departments of Radiology, Medical Physics, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Engineering Science, Computer Science and Imaging Laboratory (ICube), Integrative Multimodal Imaging in Healthcare, University of Strasbourg - CNRS, Strasbourg, France.,Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - E Darcq
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - S Ben Hamida
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,IGBMC-Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, INSERM U-964, CNRS UMR-7104, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - B L Kieffer
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,IGBMC-Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, INSERM U-964, CNRS UMR-7104, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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22
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Zheng J, Jiang R, Chen M, Maimaitiming Z, Wang J, Anderson GJ, Vulpe CD, Dunaief JL, Chen H. Multi-Copper Ferroxidase-Deficient Mice Have Increased Brain Iron Concentrations and Learning and Memory Deficits. J Nutr 2018; 148:643-649. [PMID: 29659961 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxy012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The accumulation of iron occurs in the central nervous system (CNS) in several neurodegenerative diseases. Although multi-copper ferroxidases (MCFs) play an important role in cellular iron metabolism and homeostasis, the mechanism of MCFs in the CNS remains unclear. Objective The aim was to study the role of MCFs in CNS iron metabolism and homeostasis by using hephaestin/ceruloplasmin (Heph/Cp) double knockout (KO) mice. Methods Heph/Cp double KO male mice were generated by crossing both single KO mice. In Heph/Cp KO and wild-type (WT) control mice at 4 wk and 6 mo of age, iron concentrations of selected brain regions were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and gene expressions of Heph, Cp, ferroportin 1 (Fpn1) [+ iron responsive element (IRE)], L-ferritin, H-ferritin, transferrin receptor 1 (Tfrc), and divalent metal transporter 1 (Dmt1) (+IRE) were quantitated by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Brain region L-ferritin protein concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were also determined. Learning and memory abilities in Heph/Cp KO and WT control mice at 6 mo of age were tested by the IntelliCage system (New Behavior). Results Iron concentration was significantly higher in Heph/Cp KO mice than in WT control mice at 4 wk of age in the cortex (50%), hippocampus (120%), brainstem (35%), and cerebellum (220%) and at 6 mo of age in the cortex (140%), hippocampus (420%), brainstem (560%), and cerebellum (340%). L-Ferritin and MDA concentrations were significantly higher and SOD and GPx activities were significantly lower in the cortex, hippocampus, brainstem, and cerebellum of KO mice than in those of WT controls at both 4 wk and 6 mo of age. Iron-related gene expressions also differed significantly between groups. Learning and memory deficits occurred in Heph/Cp KO mice at 6 mo of age. Conclusion Mutation of both MCFs in mice induces iron accumulation in brain regions, oxidative damage, and learning and memory defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiashuo Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruiwei Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zaitunamu Maimaitiming
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junzhuo Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Gregory J Anderson
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Chris D Vulpe
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Joshua L Dunaief
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, PA
| | - Huijun Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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23
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Marwari S, Dawe GS. (R)-fluoxetine enhances cognitive flexibility and hippocampal cell proliferation in mice. J Psychopharmacol 2018; 32:441-457. [PMID: 29458297 DOI: 10.1177/0269881118754733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fluoxetine is a clinically successful antidepressant. It is a racemic mixture of (R) and (S) stereoisomers. In preclinical studies, chronic treatment with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) had antidepressant effects correlated with increased hippocampal cell proliferation in adult rodents. However, the contribution of the enantiomers of fluoxetine is largely unknown. We investigated the effects of treatment with (R)- and (S)-fluoxetine on cognitive behavioral paradigms and examined cell proliferation in the hippocampus of C57BL/6J female mice. In a behavioral sequencing task using the IntelliCage system in which discriminated spatial patterns of rewarded and never-rewarded corners were reversed serially, (R)-fluoxetine-treated mice showed rapid acquisition of behavioral sequencing (compared with S-fluoxetine) and cognitive flexibility in subsequent reversal stages in intra- and inter-session analysis. (R)-fluoxetine also increased cell proliferation in the hippocampus, in particular in the suprapyramidal blade of the dentate gyrus. (R)-fluoxetine had superior effects to (S)-fluoxetine in elevated plus maze, forced-swim and tail-suspension tests. These results suggest that (R)-fluoxetine, which has been reported to have a shorter half-life than (S)-fluoxetine, has superior antidepressant effects and more consistently improves spatial learning and memory. This profile offers advantages in depression treatment and may also aid management of the neurocognitive impairments associated with depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhi Marwari
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gavin S Dawe
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,2 Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Life Sciences Institute, University of Singapore, Singapore
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24
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Koskela M, Piepponen TP, Andressoo JO, Võikar V, Airavaara M. Towards developing a model to study alcohol drinking and craving in female mice housed in automated cages. Behav Brain Res 2018; 352:116-124. [PMID: 29572104 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
It is about half a century ago when the so-called "Wise model" to study alcohol drinking behavior in rats was established. The model was based on voluntary intermittent access to increasing concentrations of alcohol. We aimed to establish a model of alcohol craving and used an extinction test on withdrawal days 1 and 10 to study motivation for alcohol. For this purpose, the alcohol drinking training was paired with light cues to establish conditioning. The extinction test was carried out without alcohol but in the presence of light cues and empty bottles. The outcome measures were number of visits, nosepokes, and licks in the conditioned corner where the number of nosepokes represents how much mice "want" alcohol and number of licks shows how much mice "like" alcohol. The number of nosepokes during withdrawal is a measure of craving. Late withdrawal craving was found when intermittent alcohol access was carried out in the automated cages. In this case, we observed a significant increase in the number of nosepokes on both withdrawal days 1 and 10 as compared to water control. The number of nosepokes in the withdrawal days did not correlate with alcohol dose, but number of nosepokes on withdrawal day 1 correlated with the number of nosepokes on the last training day. Although we did not observe incubation of alcohol craving after withdrawal, the craving was increased at the late time point. We conclude that we have established a new tool to study alcohol drinking behavior and craving in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryna Koskela
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE Unit, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, 00014 Finland
| | - T Petteri Piepponen
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Jaan-Olle Andressoo
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science / Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vootele Võikar
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Mikko Airavaara
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE Unit, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, 00014 Finland.
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25
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Cognitive, emotional and social phenotyping of mice in an observer-independent setting. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 150:136-150. [PMID: 29474958 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Based on the intellicage paradigm, we have developed a novel cognitive, emotional and social phenotyping battery that permits comprehensive standardized behavioral characterization of mice in an experimenter-independent social setting. Evaluation of this battery in a large number of male and female C57BL/6 wildtype mice, tested in >20 independent cohorts, revealed high reproducibility of the behavioral readouts and may serve as future reference tool. We noticed robust sex-specific differences in general activity, cognitive and emotional behavior, but not regarding preference for social pheromones. Specifically, female mice revealed higher activity, decreased sucrose preference, impaired reversal and place-time-reward learning. Furthermore, female mice reacted more sensitively than males to reward-withdrawal showing a negative emotional contrast/Crespi-effect. In a series of validation experiments, we tested mice with different pathologies, including neuroligin-3 deficient mice (male Nlgn3y/- and female Nlgn3+/-) for autistic behavior, oligodendrocyte-specific erythropoietin receptor knockout (oEpoR-/-) mice for cognitive impairment, as well as mouse models of renal failure (unilateral ureteral obstruction and 5/6 nephrectomy) and of type 2 diabetes (ApoE-/-) - for delineating potentially confounding effects of motivational factors (thirst, glucose-craving) on learning and memory assessments. As prominent features, we saw in Nlgn3 mutants reduced preference for social pheromones, whereas oEpoR-/- mice showed learning deficits in place or reversal learning tasks. Renal failure led to increased water intake, and diabetic metabolism to enhanced glucose preference, limiting interpretation of hereon based learning and memory performance in these mice. The phenotyping battery presented here may be well-suited as high-throughput multifaceted diagnostic instrument for translational neuropsychiatry and behavioral genetics.
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26
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Heinla I, Åhlgren J, Vasar E, Voikar V. Behavioural characterization of C57BL/6N and BALB/c female mice in social home cage - Effect of mixed housing in complex environment. Physiol Behav 2018; 188:32-41. [PMID: 29382562 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Developing reliable mouse models for social behaviour is challenging. Different tests have been proposed, but most of them consist of rather artificial confrontations of unfamiliar mice in novel arenas or are relying on social stress induced by aggressive conspecifics. Natural social interaction in home cage in laboratory has not been investigated well. IntelliCage is a fully automated home-cage system, where activity of the group-housed mice can be monitored along with various cognitive tasks. Here we report the behavioural profile of C57BL/6N (B6) and BALB/c (BALB) female mice in IntelliCage when separated by strain, followed by monitoring of activity and formation of 'home-base' after mixing two strains. For that purpose, 3 cages were connected. Significant differences between the strains were established in baseline behaviour in conventional tests and in IntelliCage. The B6 mice showed reduced anxiety-like behaviour in open field and light-dark box, slightly enhanced exploratory activity in IntelliCage during initial adaptation and clearly distinct circadian activity. Mixing of two strains resulted in reduction of body weight and anhedonia in B6 mice. In addition, the B6 mice showed clear preference to previous home-cage, and formed a new home-base faster than BALB mice. In contrast, BALB mice showed enhanced activity and moving between the cages without showing any preference to previous home-cage. It could be argued that social challenge caused changes in both strains and different coping styles are responsible for behavioural manifestations. Altogether, this approach could be useful in modelling and validating mouse models for disorders with disturbed social behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrek Heinla
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Tartu, Estonia
| | - Johanna Åhlgren
- Laboratory Animal Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Vasar
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vootele Voikar
- Laboratory Animal Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Finland; Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Finland.
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27
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Hardt S, Heidler J, Albuquerque B, Valek L, Altmann C, Wilken-Schmitz A, Schäfer MK, Wittig I, Tegeder I. Loss of synaptic zinc transport in progranulin deficient mice may contribute to progranulin-associated psychopathology and chronic pain. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1863:2727-2745. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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28
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Voikar V, Krackow S, Lipp HP, Rau A, Colacicco G, Wolfer DP. Automated dissection of permanent effects of hippocampal or prefrontal lesions on performance at spatial, working memory and circadian timing tasks of C57BL/6 mice in IntelliCage. Behav Brain Res 2017; 352:8-22. [PMID: 28927717 PMCID: PMC6102415 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.08.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate permanent effects of hippocampal and prefrontal cortex lesion on spatial tasks, lesioned and sham-operated female C57BL/6 mice were exposed to a series of conditioning schemes in IntelliCages housing 8–10 transponder-tagged mice from each treatment group. Sequential testing started at 51–172 days after bilateral lesions and lasted for 154 and 218 days in two batches of mice, respectively. Spontaneous undisturbed behavioral patterns clearly separated the three groups, hippocampals being characterized by more erratic hyperactivity, and strongly impaired circadian synchronization ability. Hippocampal lesions led to deficits in spatial passive avoidance, as well as in spatial reference and working memory tasks. Impairment was minimal in rewarded preference/reversal schemes, but prominent if behavioral responses required precise circadian timing or included punishment of wrong spatial choices. No differences between sham-operated and prefrontally lesioned subjects in conditioning success were discernible. These results corroborate the view that hippocampal dysfunction spares simple spatial learning tasks but impairs the ability to cope with conflicting task-inherent spatial, temporal or emotional cues. Methodologically, the results show that automated testing and data analysis of socially kept mice is a powerful, efficient and animal-friendly tool for dissecting complex features and behavioral profiles of hippocampal dysfunction characterizing many transgenic or pharmacological mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vootele Voikar
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zürich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sven Krackow
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zürich, Switzerland; XBehavior GmbH, Bänk, Dägerlen, Switzerland
| | - Hans-Peter Lipp
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zürich, Switzerland; Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zürich, Switzerland; School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Anton Rau
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zürich, Switzerland; Chair of Entrepreneurial Risks, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - David P Wolfer
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zürich, Switzerland; Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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29
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Ismail NIW, Jayabalan N, Mansor SM, Müller CP, Muzaimi M. Chronic mitragynine (kratom) enhances punishment resistance in natural reward seeking and impairs place learning in mice. Addict Biol 2017; 22:967-976. [PMID: 26990882 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a widely abused herbal drug preparation in Southeast Asia. It is often consumed as a substitute for heroin, but imposing itself unknown harms and addictive burdens. Mitragynine is the major psychostimulant constituent of kratom that has recently been reported to induce morphine-like behavioural and cognitive effects in rodents. The effects of chronic consumption on non-drug related behaviours are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of chronic mitragynine treatment on spontaneous activity, reward-related behaviour and cognition in mice in an IntelliCage® system, and compared them with those of morphine and Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). We found that chronic mitragynine treatment significantly potentiated horizontal exploratory activity. It enhanced spontaneous sucrose preference and also its persistence when the preference had aversive consequences. Furthermore, mitragynine impaired place learning and its reversal. Thereby, mitragynine effects closely resembled that of morphine and THC sensitisation. These findings suggest that chronic mitragynine exposure enhances spontaneous locomotor activity and the preference for natural rewards, but impairs learning and memory. These findings confirm pleiotropic effects of mitragynine (kratom) on human lifestyle, but may also support the recognition of the drug's harm potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurul Iman W. Ismail
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences; Universiti Sains Malaysia; Malaysia
- Centre for Neuroscience Services and Research; Universiti Sains Malaysia; Malaysia
| | - Nanthini Jayabalan
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences; Universiti Sains Malaysia; Malaysia
- Centre for Neuroscience Services and Research; Universiti Sains Malaysia; Malaysia
| | | | - Christian P. Müller
- Section of Addiction Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg; Germany
| | - Mustapha Muzaimi
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences; Universiti Sains Malaysia; Malaysia
- Centre for Neuroscience Services and Research; Universiti Sains Malaysia; Malaysia
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30
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Fischer M, Cabello V, Popp S, Krackow S, Hommers L, Deckert J, Lesch KP, Schmitt-Böhrer AG. Rsk2 Knockout Affects Emotional Behavior in the IntelliCage. Behav Genet 2017; 47:434-448. [PMID: 28585192 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-017-9853-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Ribosomal s6 kinase 2 is a growth factor activated serine/threonine kinase and member of the ERK signaling pathway. Mutations in the Rsk2 gene cause Coffin-Lowry syndrome, a rare syndromic form of intellectual disability. The Rsk2 KO mouse model was shown to have learning and memory defects. We focused on the investigation of the emotional behavioral phenotype of Rsk2 KO mice mainly in the IntelliCage. They exhibited an anti-depressive, sucrose reward seeking phenotype and showed reduced anxiety. Spontaneous activity was increased in some conventional tests. However, KO mice did not show defects in place learning, working memory and motor impulsivity. In addition, we found changes of the monoaminergic system in HPLC and qRT-PCR experiments. Taken together, RSK2 not only plays a role in cognitive processes but also in emotional and reward-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Fischer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - Victoria Cabello
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Sandy Popp
- Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Sven Krackow
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Leif Hommers
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Deckert
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Angelika G Schmitt-Böhrer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
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31
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Loos M, Verhage M, Spijker S, Smit AB. Complex Genetics of Behavior: BXDs in the Automated Home-Cage. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1488:519-530. [PMID: 27933542 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6427-7_25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This chapter describes a use case for the genetic dissection and automated analysis of complex behavioral traits using the genetically diverse panel of BXD mouse recombinant inbred strains. Strains of the BXD resource differ widely in terms of gene and protein expression in the brain, as well as in their behavioral repertoire. A large mouse resource opens the possibility for gene finding studies underlying distinct behavioral phenotypes, however, such a resource poses a challenge in behavioral phenotyping. To address the specifics of large-scale screening we describe how to investigate: (1) how to assess mouse behavior systematically in addressing a large genetic cohort, (2) how to dissect automation-derived longitudinal mouse behavior into quantitative parameters, and (3) how to map these quantitative traits to the genome, deriving loci underlying aspects of behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Loos
- Sylics (Synaptologics BV), 71033, 1008 BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,NeuroBsik Mouse Phenomics Consortium:, A list of additional members of the Neuro-BSIK Mouse Phenomics Consortium is provided in the Acknowledgments., Wageningen, Netherlands.
| | - Matthijs Verhage
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Genetics, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,NeuroBsik Mouse Phenomics Consortium:, A list of additional members of the Neuro-BSIK Mouse Phenomics Consortium is provided in the Acknowledgments., Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Sabine Spijker
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,NeuroBsik Mouse Phenomics Consortium:, A list of additional members of the Neuro-BSIK Mouse Phenomics Consortium is provided in the Acknowledgments., Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - August B Smit
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,NeuroBsik Mouse Phenomics Consortium:, A list of additional members of the Neuro-BSIK Mouse Phenomics Consortium is provided in the Acknowledgments., Wageningen, Netherlands
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32
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Masuda A, Kobayashi Y, Kogo N, Saito T, Saido TC, Itohara S. Cognitive deficits in single App knock-in mouse models. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2016; 135:73-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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33
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Puścian A, Łęski S, Kasprowicz G, Winiarski M, Borowska J, Nikolaev T, Boguszewski PM, Lipp HP, Knapska E. Eco-HAB as a fully automated and ecologically relevant assessment of social impairments in mouse models of autism. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27731798 PMCID: PMC5092044 DOI: 10.7554/elife.19532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Eco-HAB is an open source, RFID-based system for automated measurement and analysis of social preference and in-cohort sociability in mice. The system closely follows murine ethology. It requires no contact between a human experimenter and tested animals, overcoming the confounding factors that lead to irreproducible assessment of murine social behavior between laboratories. In Eco-HAB, group-housed animals live in a spacious, four-compartment apparatus with shadowed areas and narrow tunnels, resembling natural burrows. Eco-HAB allows for assessment of the tendency of mice to voluntarily spend time together in ethologically relevant mouse group sizes. Custom-made software for automated tracking, data extraction, and analysis enables quick evaluation of social impairments. The developed protocols and standardized behavioral measures demonstrate high replicability. Unlike classic three-chambered sociability tests, Eco-HAB provides measurements of spontaneous, ecologically relevant social behaviors in group-housed animals. Results are obtained faster, with less manpower, and without confounding factors. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.19532.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Puścian
- Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Szymon Łęski
- Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Kasprowicz
- Center for Theoretical Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.,Institute of Electronic Systems, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Winiarski
- Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Borowska
- Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Nikolaev
- Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paweł M Boguszewski
- Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hans-Peter Lipp
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,School of Laboratory Medicine, Kwazulu-Natal University Durban, Durban, Republic of South Africa
| | - Ewelina Knapska
- Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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34
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Too LK, Mitchell AJ, McGregor IS, Hunt NH. Antibody-induced neutrophil depletion prior to the onset of pneumococcal meningitis influences long-term neurological complications in mice. Brain Behav Immun 2016; 56:68-83. [PMID: 26965652 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 01/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
During pneumococcal meningitis, clearance of bacteria by recruited neutrophils is crucial for host protection. However, these innate immune mechanisms are often insufficient and treatment with antibiotics is necessary to prevent death. Despite this antibiotic treatment, approximately half of all survivors suffer lifelong neurological problems. There is growing evidence indicating the harmful effects of neutrophils on CNS integrity. Therefore, the present study investigated the roles of neutrophils in the acute inflammatory response and the resulting long-term neuropsychological effects in murine pneumococcal meningitis. Long-term behavioural and cognitive functions in mice were measured using an automated IntelliCage system. Neutrophil depletion with antibody 1A8 as adjunctive therapy was shown to remarkably impair survival in meningitic C57BL/6J mice despite antibiotic (ceftriaxone) treatment. This was accompanied by increased bacterial load in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and an increase in IL-1β, but decrease in TNF, within the CSF at 20h after bacterial inoculation. In the longer term, the surviving neutrophil-depleted post-meningitic (PM) mice displayed reduced diurnal hypolocomotion compared to PM mice treated with an isotype antibody. However, they showed nocturnal hyperactivity, and greater learning impairment in a patrolling task that is believed to depend upon an intact hippocampus. The data thus demonstrate two important mechanisms: 1. Neutrophil extravasation into the CNS during pneumococcal meningitis influences the pro-inflammatory response and is central to control of the bacterial load, an increase in which may lead to death. 2. Neutrophil-mediated changes in the acute inflammatory response modulate the neuropsychological sequelae in mice that survive pneumococcal meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lay Khoon Too
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, Bosch Institute and School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | | | - Iain S McGregor
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Nicholas H Hunt
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, Bosch Institute and School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
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35
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Macpherson T, Morita M, Wang Y, Sasaoka T, Sawa A, Hikida T. Nucleus accumbens dopamine D2-receptor expressing neurons control behavioral flexibility in a place discrimination task in the IntelliCage. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 23:359-64. [PMID: 27317196 PMCID: PMC4918782 DOI: 10.1101/lm.042507.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Considerable evidence has demonstrated a critical role for the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in the acquisition and flexibility of behavioral strategies. These processes are guided by the activity of two discrete neuron types, dopamine D1- or D2-receptor expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-/D2-MSNs). Here we used the IntelliCage, an automated group-housing experimental cage apparatus, in combination with a reversible neurotransmission blocking technique to examine the role of NAc D1- and D2-MSNs in the acquisition and reversal learning of a place discrimination task. We demonstrated that NAc D1- and D2-MSNs do not mediate the acquisition of the task, but that suppression of activity in D2-MSNs impairs reversal learning and increased perseverative errors. Additionally, global knockout of the dopamine D2L receptor isoform produced a similar behavioral phenotype to D2-MSN-blocked mice. These results suggest that D2L receptors and NAc D2-MSNs act to suppress the influence of previously correct behavioral strategies allowing transfer of behavioral control to new strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Macpherson
- Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Makiko Morita
- Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yanyan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Beckman Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Toshikuni Sasaoka
- Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Akira Sawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Takatoshi Hikida
- Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
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36
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Koskela M, Bäck S, Võikar V, Richie CT, Domanskyi A, Harvey BK, Airavaara M. Update of neurotrophic factors in neurobiology of addiction and future directions. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 97:189-200. [PMID: 27189755 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease and drugs of abuse cause long lasting neuroadaptations. Addiction is characterized by the loss of control over drug use despite harmful consequences, and high rates of relapse even after long periods of abstinence. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) are well known for their actions on neuronal survival in the peripheral nervous system. Moreover, NTFs have been shown to be involved in synaptic plasticity in the brain. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) are two of the most studied NTFs and both of them have been reported to increase craving when administered into the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system after drug self-administration. Here we review recent data on BDNF and GDNF functions in addiction-related behavior and discuss them in relation to previous findings. Finally, we give an insight into how new technologies could aid in further elucidating the role of these factors in drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryna Koskela
- Institute of Biotechnology, P.O. Box 56, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Susanne Bäck
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vootele Võikar
- Neuroscience Center, P.O. Box 56, 00014, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Christopher T Richie
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrii Domanskyi
- Institute of Biotechnology, P.O. Box 56, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Brandon K Harvey
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mikko Airavaara
- Institute of Biotechnology, P.O. Box 56, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland.
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37
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Yang Y, Chen X, Min H, Song S, Zhang J, Fan S, Yi L, Wang H, Gu X, Ma Z, Gao Q. Persistent mitoKATP Activation Is Involved in the Isoflurane-induced Cytotoxicity. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:1101-1110. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-9710-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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38
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The light spot test: Measuring anxiety in mice in an automated home-cage environment. Behav Brain Res 2015; 294:123-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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39
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Lee K, Kobayashi Y, Seo H, Kwak JH, Masuda A, Lim CS, Lee HR, Kang SJ, Park P, Sim SE, Kogo N, Kawasaki H, Kaang BK, Itohara S. Involvement of cAMP-guanine nucleotide exchange factor II in hippocampal long-term depression and behavioral flexibility. Mol Brain 2015; 8:38. [PMID: 26104314 PMCID: PMC4477293 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-015-0130-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) activate small GTPases that are involved in several cellular functions. cAMP-guanine nucleotide exchange factor II (cAMP-GEF II) acts as a target for cAMP independently of protein kinase A (PKA) and functions as a GEF for Rap1 and Rap2. Although cAMP-GEF II is expressed abundantly in several brain areas including the cortex, striatum, and hippocampus, its specific function and possible role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive processes remain elusive. Here, we investigated how cAMP-GEF II affects synaptic function and animal behavior using cAMP-GEF II knockout mice. Results We found that deletion of cAMP-GEF II induced moderate decrease in long-term potentiation, although this decrease was not statistically significant. On the other hand, it produced a significant and clear impairment in NMDA receptor-dependent long-term depression at the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses of hippocampus, while microscopic morphology, basal synaptic transmission, and depotentiation were normal. Behavioral testing using the Morris water maze and automated IntelliCage system showed that cAMP-GEF II deficient mice had moderately reduced behavioral flexibility in spatial learning and memory. Conclusions We concluded that cAMP-GEF II plays a key role in hippocampal functions including behavioral flexibility in reversal learning and in mechanisms underlying induction of long-term depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungmin Lee
- Behavioral Neural Circuitry and Physiology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Brain Science & Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-101, Dongin-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, 700-842, Korea.
| | - Yuki Kobayashi
- Laboratory for Behavioral Genetics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Hyunhyo Seo
- Behavioral Neural Circuitry and Physiology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Brain Science & Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-101, Dongin-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, 700-842, Korea.
| | - Ji-Hye Kwak
- Behavioral Neural Circuitry and Physiology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Brain Science & Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-101, Dongin-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, 700-842, Korea.
| | - Akira Masuda
- Laboratory for Behavioral Genetics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Chae-Seok Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanangno, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-747, Korea.
| | - Hye-Ryeon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanangno, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-747, Korea.
| | - SukJae Joshua Kang
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-746, Korea.
| | - Pojeong Park
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-746, Korea.
| | - Su-Eon Sim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-746, Korea.
| | - Naomi Kogo
- Laboratory for Behavioral Genetics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Hiroaki Kawasaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, 7-45-1, Nanakuma, Jonan-Ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanangno, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-747, Korea. .,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-746, Korea.
| | - Shigeyoshi Itohara
- Laboratory for Behavioral Genetics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
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The power of automated behavioural homecage technologies in characterizing disease progression in laboratory mice: A review. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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41
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Hager T, Jansen RF, Pieneman AW, Manivannan SN, Golani I, van der Sluis S, Smit AB, Verhage M, Stiedl O. Display of individuality in avoidance behavior and risk assessment of inbred mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:314. [PMID: 25278853 PMCID: PMC4165351 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Factors determining individuality are still poorly understood. Rodents are excellent model organisms to study individuality, due to a rich behavioral repertoire and the availability of well-characterized isogenic populations. However, most current behavioral assays for rodents have short test duration in novel test environments and require human interference, which introduce coercion, thereby limiting the assessment of naturally occurring individuality. Thus, we developed an automated behavior system to longitudinally monitor conditioned fear for assessing PTSD-like behavior in individual mice. The system consists of a safe home compartment connected to a risk-prone test compartment (TC). Entry and exploration of the TC is solely based on deliberate choice determined by individual fear responsiveness and fear extinction. In this novel ethological assay, C57BL/6J mice show homogeneous responses after shock exposure (innate fear), but striking variation in long-lasting fear responses based on avoidance and risk assessment (learned fear), including automated stretch-attend posture quantification. TC entry (retention) latencies after foot shock differed >24 h and the re-explored TC area differed >50% among inbred mice. Next, we compared two closely related C57BL/6 substrains. Despite substantial individual differences, previously observed higher fear of C57BL/6N vs. C57BL/6J mice was reconfirmed, whereas fear extinction was fast and did not differ. The observed variation in fear expression in isogenic mice suggests individual differences in coping style with PTSD-like avoidance. Investigating the assumed epigenetic mechanisms, with reduced interpretational ambiguity and enhanced translational value in this assay, may help improve understanding of personality type-dependent susceptibility and resilience to neuropsychiatric disorders such as PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Hager
- Sylics BV Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Department of Clinical Genetics, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - René F Jansen
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anton W Pieneman
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Ilan Golani
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Sagol School for Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sophie van der Sluis
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Department of Clinical Genetics, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - August B Smit
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Verhage
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Department of Clinical Genetics, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Oliver Stiedl
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Iwata R, Ohi K, Kobayashi Y, Masuda A, Iwama M, Yasuda Y, Yamamori H, Tanaka M, Hashimoto R, Itohara S, Iwasato T. RacGAP α2-Chimaerin Function in Development Adjusts Cognitive Ability in Adulthood. Cell Rep 2014; 8:1257-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Revised: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Too LK, Ball HJ, McGregor IS, Hunt NH. The pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma is an important driver of neuropathology and behavioural sequelae in experimental pneumococcal meningitis. Brain Behav Immun 2014; 40:252-68. [PMID: 24607660 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Interferon-gamma is known to play a complex modulatory role in immune defence during microbial infections. Its actions in pneumococcal meningitis, however, remain ill-defined. Here, a pathological role for IFN-γ was demonstrated using a murine model of pneumococcal meningitis, in that C57BL/6J mice deficient in this pro-inflammatory cytokine (IFN-γ(-/-)) showed less severe acute and long-term neuropathology following intracerebral challenge with Streptococcus pneumoniae. The absence of IFN-γ significantly lengthened the survival of mice that otherwise would have developed fatal clinical signs within two days of CNS infection. Compared to their wild-type counterparts, IFN-γ(-/-) mice showed a diminished inflammatory response (attenuated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid) and milder brain pathologies (less BBB permeability to protein and brain haemorrhage) during the acute phase of disease. Following a full regime of antibiotic treatment, we found substantial brain injuries in the wild-type mice 10days after infection. IFN-γ(-/-) mice, however, showed decreased neuronal damage in both hippocampus and cortex. In the longer term (≈10weeks p.i.), the wild-type mice that had survived meningitis due to antibiotic treatment had neurobehavioural abnormalities including diurnal hypoactivity, nocturnal hyperactivity and impaired performance in a discrimination reversal task. IFN-γ(-/-) mice, concomitantly tested in the automated IntelliCage platform, had reduced behavioural and cognitive disorders compared to wild-type mice. Both IFN-γ(-/-) and wild-type survivors of pneumococcal meningitis showed impaired working memory in the IntelliCage-based complex patrolling task. These observations indicate an association between IFN-γ-driven acute brain pathology and the long-term neurological sequelae resulting from pneumococcal meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L K Too
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, Bosch Institute and School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Helen J Ball
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, Bosch Institute and School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Iain S McGregor
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Nicholas H Hunt
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, Bosch Institute and School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
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Vannoni E, Voikar V, Colacicco G, Sánchez MA, Lipp HP, Wolfer DP. Spontaneous behavior in the social homecage discriminates strains, lesions and mutations in mice. J Neurosci Methods 2014; 234:26-37. [PMID: 24792526 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2014.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Revised: 04/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Modern molecular genetics create a rapidly growing number of mutant mouse lines, many of which need to be phenotyped behaviorally. Poor reliability and low efficiency of traditional behavioral tests have prompted the development of new approaches to behavioral phenotyping, such as fully automated analysis of behavior in the homecage. NEW METHOD We asked whether the analysis of spontaneous behavior during the first week in the social homecage system IntelliCage could provide useful prescreening information before specialized and time consuming test batteries are run. To determine how much behavioral variation is captured in this data, we performed principal component analysis on free adaptation data of 1552 mice tested in the IntelliCage during the past years. We then computed individual component scores to characterize and compare groups of mice. RESULT We found 11 uncorrelated components which accounted for 82% of total variance. They characterize frequency and properties of corner visits and nosepokes, drinking activity, spatial distribution, as well as diurnal time course of activity. Behavioral profiles created using individual component scores were highly characteristic for different inbred strains or different lesion models of the nervous system. They were also remarkably stable across labs and experiments. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Monitoring of mutant mice with known deficits in hippocampus-dependent tests produced profiles very similar to those of hippocampally lesioned mice. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results suggest that already the monitoring of spontaneous behavior during a week of free adaptation in the IntelliCage can contribute significantly to high throughput prescreening of mutant mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - María Alvarez Sánchez
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zürich, Switzerland; Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hans-Peter Lipp
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zürich, Switzerland; School of Laboratory Medicine, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - David P Wolfer
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zürich, Switzerland; Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, ETH Zürich, Switzerland.
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45
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Too LK, Ball HJ, McGregor IS, Hunt NH. A novel automated test battery reveals enduring behavioural alterations and cognitive impairments in survivors of murine pneumococcal meningitis. Brain Behav Immun 2014; 35:107-24. [PMID: 24060586 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2013.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2013] [Revised: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumococcal meningitis, caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, is a major form of lethal bacterial meningitis. Survivors are predisposed to developing lifelong disabling sequelae, including cognitive impairment, psychological problems and motor deficits. In our experimental model, ventricular inoculation of 10(5) colony-forming units of S. pneumoniae type 3 caused 90% of mice to develop life-threatening meningitis within 48 h. Antibiotic treatment with ceftriaxone 20 h post infection reduced the incidence of severe meningitis to <10%. At the time of treatment, upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines was detected, including interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor. We evaluated the long-term behavioural and cognitive sequelae in control mice and those surviving meningitis using an automated system (the IntelliCage) in which mice perform a range of behavioural and spatial tasks to obtain water rewards from conditioning units in their home cage. Surviving mice showed a number of altered behaviours relative to controls, including (i) hypoexploration when first exposed to the IntelliCage, (ii) altered activity patterns (fewer visits to conditioning stations during the light phase and more in the dark phase), (iii) avoidance of light (a constant or flashing LED stimulus), (iv) impaired spatial learning (a complex patrolling task), and (v) impaired discrimination reversal learning. Overall these results suggest photophobia and weakened learning ability in post-meningitic mice, particularly on tasks engaging hippocampal and prefrontal neural substrates. This study also demonstrates a standardised and comprehensive battery of tests that can be readily used to investigate neurological sequelae in undisturbed mice residing in a complex home cage environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- L K Too
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, Bosch Institute and School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - H J Ball
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, Bosch Institute and School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - I S McGregor
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - N H Hunt
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, Bosch Institute and School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
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Gumucio A, Lannfelt L, Nilsson LNG. Lack of exon 10 in the murine tau gene results in mild sensorimotor defects with aging. BMC Neurosci 2013; 14:148. [PMID: 24261309 PMCID: PMC4222861 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-14-148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Complex species-specific, developmental- and tissue-dependent mechanisms regulate alternative splicing of tau, thereby diversifying tau protein synthesis. The functional role of alternative splicing of tau e.g. exon 10 has never been examined in vivo, although genetic studies suggest that it is important to neurodegenerative disease. RESULTS Gene-targeting was used to delete exon 10 in murine tau on both alleles (E10-/-) to study its functional role. Moreover, mice devoid of exon 10 (E10+/-) on one allele were generated to investigate the effects of 1:1 balanced expression of 4R-/3R-tau protein, since equal amounts of 4R-/3R-tau protein are synthesized in human brain. Middle-aged E10-/- mice displayed sensorimotor disturbances in the rotarod when compared to age-matched E10+/- and wild-type mice, and their muscular grip strength was less than that of E10+/- mice. The performance of E10+/- mice and wild-type mice (E10+/+) was similar in sensorimotor tests. Cognitive abilities or anxiety-like behaviours did not depend on exon 10 in tau, and neither pathological inclusions nor gene-dependent morphological abnormalities were found. CONCLUSION Ablation of exon 10 in the murine tau gene alters alternative splicing and tau protein synthesis which results in mild sensorimotor phenotypes with aging. Presumably related microtubule-stabilizing genes rescue other functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Gumucio
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Lannfelt
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars NG Nilsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacology, Oslo University and Oslo University Hospital, Postboks 1057 Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
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Albuquerque B, Häussler A, Vannoni E, Wolfer DP, Tegeder I. Learning and memory with neuropathic pain: impact of old age and progranulin deficiency. Front Behav Neurosci 2013; 7:174. [PMID: 24319417 PMCID: PMC3837228 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2013.00174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent neuropathic pain is a frequent consequence of peripheral nerve injuries, particularly in the elderly. Using the IntelliCage we studied if sciatic nerve injury obstructed learning and memory in young and aged mice, each in wild type and progranulin deficient mice, which develop premature signs of brain aging. Both young and aged mice developed long-term nerve injury-evoked hyperalgesia and allodynia. In both genotypes, aged mice with neuropathic pain showed high error rates in place avoidance acquisition tasks. However, once learnt, these aged mice with neuropathic pain showed a significantly stronger maintenance of the aversive memory. Nerve injury did not affect place preference behavior in neither genotype, neither in young nor aged mice. However, nerve injury in progranulin deficient mice impaired the learning of spatial sequences of awarded places, particularly in the aged mice. This task required a discrimination of clockwise and anti-clockwise sequences. The chaining failure occurred only in progranulin deficient mice after nerve injury, but not in sham operated or wildtype mice, suggesting that progranulin was particularly important for compensatory adaptations after nerve injury. In contrast, all aged mice with neuropathic pain, irrespective of the genotype, had a long maintenance of aversive memory suggesting a negative alliance and possibly mutual aggravation of chronic neuropathic pain and aversive memory at old age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Albuquerque
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, pharmazentrum frankfurt, Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Clemens LE, Jansson EKH, Portal E, Riess O, Nguyen HP. A behavioral comparison of the common laboratory rat strains Lister Hooded, Lewis, Fischer 344 and Wistar in an automated homecage system. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2013; 13:305-21. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Revised: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- L. E. Clemens
- Centre for Rare Diseases; University of Tuebingen; Tuebingen Germany
| | - E. K. H. Jansson
- Centre for Rare Diseases; University of Tuebingen; Tuebingen Germany
| | - E. Portal
- Centre for Rare Diseases; University of Tuebingen; Tuebingen Germany
| | - O. Riess
- Centre for Rare Diseases; University of Tuebingen; Tuebingen Germany
| | - H. P. Nguyen
- Centre for Rare Diseases; University of Tuebingen; Tuebingen Germany
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Impaired long-term memory retention: Common denominator for acutely or genetically reduced hippocampal neurogenesis in adult mice. Behav Brain Res 2013; 252:275-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2012] [Revised: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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van den Bos R, Davies W, Dellu-Hagedorn F, Goudriaan AE, Granon S, Homberg J, Rivalan M, Swendsen J, Adriani W. Cross-species approaches to pathological gambling: a review targeting sex differences, adolescent vulnerability and ecological validity of research tools. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:2454-71. [PMID: 23867802 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Revised: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Decision-making plays a pivotal role in daily life as impairments in processes underlying decision-making often lead to an inability to make profitable long-term decisions. As a case in point, pathological gamblers continue gambling despite the fact that this disrupts their personal, professional or financial life. The prevalence of pathological gambling will likely increase in the coming years due to expanding possibilities of on-line gambling through the Internet and increasing liberal attitudes towards gambling. It therefore represents a growing concern for society. Both human and animal studies rapidly advance our knowledge on brain-behaviour processes relevant for understanding normal and pathological gambling behaviour. Here, we review in humans and animals three features of pathological gambling which hitherto have received relatively little attention: (1) sex differences in (the development of) pathological gambling, (2) adolescence as a (putative) sensitive period for (developing) pathological gambling and (3) avenues for improving ecological validity of research tools. Based on these issues we also discuss how research in humans and animals may be brought in line to maximize translational research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruud van den Bos
- Department of Organismal Animal Physiology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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