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Xu P, Zhao Y, Feng Y, Zhao M, Zhao R. Deoxynivalenol induces m 6A-mediated upregulation of p21 and growth arrest of mouse hippocampal neuron cells in vitro. Cell Biol Toxicol 2024; 40:41. [PMID: 38833095 PMCID: PMC11150311 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-024-09872-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Hippocampal neurons maintain the ability of proliferation throughout life to support neurogenesis. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin that exhibits brain toxicity, yet whether and how DON affects hippocampal neurogenesis remains unknown. Here, we use mouse hippocampal neuron cells (HT-22) as a model to illustrate the effects of DON on neuron proliferation and to explore underlying mechanisms. DON exposure significantly inhibits the proliferation of HT-22 cells, which is associated with an up-regulation of cell cycle inhibitor p21 at both mRNA and protein levels. Global and site-specific m6A methylation levels on the 3'UTR of p21 mRNA are significantly increased in response to DON treatment, whereas inhibition of m6A hypermethylation significantly alleviates DON-induced cell cycle arrest. Further mechanistic studies indicate that the m6A readers YTHDF1 and IGF2BP1 are responsible for m6A-mediated increase in p21 mRNA stability. Meanwhile, 3'UTR of E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM21 mRNA is also m6A hypermethylated, and another m6A reader YTHDF2 binds to the m6A sites, leading to decreased TRIM21 mRNA stability. Consequently, TRIM21 suppression impairs ubiquitin-mediated p21 protein degradation. Taken together, m6A-mediated upregulation of p21, at both post-transcriptional and post-translational levels, contributes to DON-induced inhibition of hippocampal neuron proliferation. These results may provide new insights for epigenetic therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peirong Xu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology & Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yulan Zhao
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology & Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Feng
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology & Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Mindie Zhao
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology & Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruqian Zhao
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology & Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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de Paula Rodrigues BM, Falconi-Sobrinho LL, de Campos AC, Kanashiro A, Coimbra NC. Panicolytic-like effects of environment enrichment on male mice threatened by Bothrops jararaca lancehead pit vipers. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102:e25300. [PMID: 38361409 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Environment enrichment (EE) is a well-known eustress model showing beneficial effects in different psychiatric diseases, but its positive properties in panic disorders are not yet established. The confrontation between prey and predator in complex arenas has been validated as a putative panic attack model. The principal aim of this work was to investigate the role of the EE on panic-like defensive responses elicited by mice threatened by venomous snakes. After 6 weeks of exposure either to an enriched or standard environments, 36 male mice were habituated in a complex polygonal arena for snakes containing an artificial burrow and elevated platforms for escape. The animals were confronted by Bothrops jararaca for 5 min, and the following antipredatory responses were recorded: defensive attention, stretched attend posture, flat back approach, prey versus predator interaction, oriented escape behavior, time spent in a safe place, and number of crossings. Mice threatened by snakes displayed several antipredatory reactions as compared to the exploratory behavior of those animals submitted to a nonthreatening situation (toy snake) in the same environment. Notably, EE causes anxiolytic- and panicolytic-like effects significantly decreasing the defensive attention and time spent in safe places and significantly increasing both prey versus predator interaction and exploratory behavior. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that EE can alter the processing of fear modulation regarding both anxiety- and panic-like responses in a dangerous condition, significantly modifying the decision-making defensive strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mangili de Paula Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions (NuPNE) Research Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Luiz Luciano Falconi-Sobrinho
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions (NuPNE) Research Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Alline Cristina de Campos
- Pharmacology of Neuroplasticity Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Kanashiro
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Medical Sciences Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Norberto Cysne Coimbra
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions (NuPNE) Research Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Šimončičová E, Henderson Pekarik K, Vecchiarelli HA, Lauro C, Maggi L, Tremblay MÈ. Adult Neurogenesis, Learning and Memory. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 37:221-242. [PMID: 39207695 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-55529-9_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Neural plasticity can be defined as the ability of neural circuits to be shaped by external and internal factors. It provides the brain with a capacity for functional and morphological remodelling, with many lines of evidence indicating that these changes are vital for learning and memory formation. The basis of this brain plasticity resides in activity- and experience-driven modifications of synaptic strength, including synaptic formation, elimination or weakening, as well as of modulation of neuronal population, which drive the structural reorganization of neural networks. Recent evidence indicates that brain-resident glial cells actively participate in these processes, suggesting that mechanisms underlying plasticity in the brain are multifaceted. Establishing the 'tripartite' synapse, the role of astrocytes in modulating synaptic transmission in response to neuronal activity was recognized first. Further redefinition of the synapse as 'quad-partite' followed to acknowledge the contribution of microglia which were revealed to affect numerous brain functions via dynamic interactions with synapses, acting as 'synaptic sensors' that respond to neuronal activity and neurotransmitter release, as well as crosstalk with astrocytes. Early studies identified microglial ability to dynamically survey their local brain environment and established their integral role in the active interfacing of environmental stimuli (both internal and external), with brain plasticity and remodelling. Following the introduction to neurogenesis, this chapter details the role that microglia play in regulating neurogenesis in adulthood, specifically as it relates to learning and memory, as well as factors involved in modulation of microglia. Further, a microglial perspective is introduced for the context of environmental enrichment impact on neurogenesis, learning and memory across states of stress, ageing, disease and injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Šimončičová
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - Clotilde Lauro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Maggi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
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Kurogi K, Taniguchi F, Matsuo R, Shinozuka M, Suzaki R, Yasuo S. Increased depression-like behaviors with altered brain dopamine metabolisms in male mice housed in large cages are alleviated by bupropion. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 960:176126. [PMID: 37858834 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Psycho-environmental stress-based animal models of anxiety and depression are useful for investigating pathological mechanisms and drug development. Although several rodent-based studies have reported the beneficial effects of environmental enrichment (EE) on brain plasticity and anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, other studies have reported inverse effects. Here, we found that housing male mice in EE involving large cages and other EE materials increased anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in open field and tail suspension tests (TST). We further confirmed that housing in large cages was sufficient to induce increased depression-like behaviors in the TST and reduce the saccharine preference percentage, a sign of anhedonia, in male mice. In these experiments, the number of animals per cage was equivalent to that in standard cage housing, suggesting that low density in large cages may be a determining factor for behavioral alteration. In mice housed in large cages, sex-specific dysregulation of brain monoamine systems was observed; dopamine turnover to homovanillic acid or norepinephrine in the prefrontal cortex was elevated in males, while serotonin turnover to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the amygdala was increased in females. Finally, we demonstrated that daily intraperitoneal injections of bupropion, a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, counteracted large-cage housing-induced changes in depression- and anhedonia-like behaviors in male mice. Our results suggest that housing in large cages with a low density of mice is a novel paradigm to clarify the mechanisms of environmental stress-induced emotional dysregulation and to identify drugs or food factors to alleviate the dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaito Kurogi
- Laboratory of Regulation in Metabolism and Behavior, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Fuka Taniguchi
- Laboratory of Regulation in Metabolism and Behavior, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Ryohei Matsuo
- Laboratory of Regulation in Metabolism and Behavior, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Marina Shinozuka
- Laboratory of Regulation in Metabolism and Behavior, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Raiki Suzaki
- Laboratory of Regulation in Metabolism and Behavior, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Shinobu Yasuo
- Laboratory of Regulation in Metabolism and Behavior, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan.
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De Hoyos G, Ramos-Sostre D, Torres-Reverón A, Barros-Cartagena B, López-Rodríguez V, Nieves-Vázquez C, Santiago-Saavedra F, Appleyard CB, Castro EM, Flores I. Efficacy of an environmental enrichment intervention for endometriosis: a pilot study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1225790. [PMID: 37885745 PMCID: PMC10598732 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1225790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction We have previously shown that Environmental Enrichment (EE), a multi-modal psychosocial intervention consisting of increased social interaction, novelty, and open spaces, improved disease presentation, anxiety, and immune-related disturbances in the rat model of endometriosis. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the effects of EE interventions in patients with this painful, inflammatory chronic disease. Aim To adapt and test the efficacy of an EE intervention on pelvic pain, mental health, perceived stress, quality of life, and systemic inflammation in endometriosis patients through a randomized clinical trial (RCT). Materials and methods A multidisciplinary team with expertise in physiology, neuroscience, psychology, and women's health adapted and implemented a two-arm RCT comparing an EE intervention with a wait-list control group. Six EE modules administered on alternate weeks were provided to patients in the intervention (N = 29); controls received education only. Survey data and biospecimens were collected at baseline, end-of-study, and 3-months post-intervention to assess pain (Brief Pain Inventory, BPI), endometriosis-related quality of life-QoL (Endometriosis Health Profile-30, EHP30), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7, GAD7), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression 8, PHQ8), pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Score, PCS), stress (Perceived Stress Scale-14, PSS14), and saliva cortisol levels (AM, PM). Results Compared to the wait-list controls, participants in the EE intervention showed significantly decreased GAD-7 scores at the end of the intervention and 3-month follow-up. Depression, perceived stress, and QoL improved at the 3-month follow-up compared to baseline. While pain levels did not improve, they significantly correlated with anxiety, depression, QoL and pain catastrophizing scores. Conclusion This pilot RCT demonstrated significant improvements in anxiety and depressive symptoms, QoL, and perceived stress, supporting enriched environments as an integrative psychosocial intervention to be used as adjuvant to the standard of care for endometriosis pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace De Hoyos
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Darlenne Ramos-Sostre
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Annelyn Torres-Reverón
- Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
- Sur180 Therapeutics, Inc., McAllen, TX, United States
| | | | | | - Cristina Nieves-Vázquez
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Fanny Santiago-Saavedra
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Caroline B. Appleyard
- Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
- Sur180 Therapeutics, Inc., McAllen, TX, United States
| | - Eida M. Castro
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Idhaliz Flores
- Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
- Sur180 Therapeutics, Inc., McAllen, TX, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
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Funabashi D, Tsuchida R, Matsui T, Kita I, Nishijima T. Enlarged housing space and increased spatial complexity enhance hippocampal neurogenesis but do not increase physical activity in mice. Front Sports Act Living 2023; 5:1203260. [PMID: 37822972 PMCID: PMC10562532 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1203260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Environmental enrichment (EE) improves various health outcomes, such as hippocampal neurogenesis, in rodents, which is thought to be caused, in part, by increased physical activity. However, the specific effect of each enrichment component, such as enlarged housing spaces and increased spatial complexity with a variety of objects, on physical activity remains unclear because of methodological limitations in measuring physical activity. We aimed to examine whether enlarged housing spaces and increased spatial complexity increase physical activity in mice using a body-implantable actimeter. Methods Adult male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to either standard housing or EE groups. The housing environment in the EE mice was gradually enriched by enlarging the housing space and the placement of a variety of objects. Physical activity was measured using a body-implanted actimeter. Hippocampal neurogenesis was immunohistochemically examined. Results Enlarged housing spaces and the placement of a variety of objects did not increase physical activity in mice. In contrast, hippocampal neurogenesis was enhanced in the EE mice, suggesting that environmental interventions successfully provided enriched housing conditions for these mice. Conclusions These results indicate that enlarged housing spaces and increased spatial complexity do not increase physical activity in mice. Furthermore, we found that EE enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis without increasing activity volume. Besides the current understanding that increasing the amount of physical activity is key to improving hippocampal function, our result suggests that the environment in which physical activity takes place is also a crucial contextual factor in determining the impact of physical activity on hippocampal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Funabashi
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
- Exercise Biochemistry & Sport Neurobiology Division, Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ryuki Tsuchida
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Matsui
- Exercise Biochemistry & Sport Neurobiology Division, Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ichiro Kita
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nishijima
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
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Bozkurt S, Lannin NA, Mychasiuk R, Semple BD. Environmental modifications to rehabilitate social behavior deficits after acquired brain injury: What is the evidence? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105278. [PMID: 37295762 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Social behavior deficits are a common, debilitating consequence of traumatic brain injury and stroke, particularly when sustained during childhood. Numerous factors influence the manifestation of social problems after acquired brain injuries, raising the question of whether environmental manipulations can minimize or prevent such deficits. Here, we examine both clinical and preclinical evidence addressing this question, with a particular focus on environmental enrichment paradigms and differing housing conditions. We aimed to understand whether environmental manipulations can ameliorate injury-induced social behavior deficits. In summary, promising data from experimental models supports a beneficial role of environmental enrichment on social behavior. However, limited studies have considered social outcomes in the chronic setting, and few studies have addressed the social context specifically as an important component of the post-injury environment. Clinically, limited high-caliber evidence supports the use of specific interventions for social deficits after acquired brain injuries. An improved understanding of how the post-injury environment interacts with the injured brain, particularly during development, is needed to validate the implementation of rehabilitative interventions that involve manipulating an individuals' environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salome Bozkurt
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Natasha A Lannin
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Allied Health (Occupational Therapy), La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Richelle Mychasiuk
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bridgette D Semple
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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Mieske P, Scheinpflug J, Yorgan TA, Brylka L, Palme R, Hobbiesiefken U, Preikschat J, Lewejohann L, Diederich K. Effects of more natural housing conditions on the muscular and skeletal characteristics of female C57BL/6J mice. Lab Anim Res 2023; 39:9. [PMID: 37189184 DOI: 10.1186/s42826-023-00160-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enrichment of home cages in laboratory experiments offers clear advantages, but has been criticized in some respects. First, there is a lack of definition, which makes methodological uniformity difficult. Second, there is concern that the enrichment of home cages may increase the variance of results in experiments. Here, the influence of more natural housing conditions on physiological parameters of female C57BL/6J mice was investigated from an animal welfare point of view. For this purpose, the animals were kept in three different housing conditions: conventional cage housing, enriched housing and the semi naturalistic environment. The focus was on musculoskeletal changes after long-term environmental enrichment. RESULTS The housing conditions had a long-term effect on the body weight of the test animals. The more complex and natural the home cage, the heavier the animals. This was associated with increased adipose deposits in the animals. There were no significant changes in muscle and bone characteristics except for single clues (femur diameter, bone resorption marker CTX-1). Additionally, the animals in the semi naturalistic environment (SNE) were found to have the fewest bone anomalies. Housing in the SNE appears to have the least effect on stress hormone concentrations. The lowest oxygen uptake was observed in enriched cage housing. CONCLUSIONS Despite increasing values, observed body weights were in the normal and strain-typical range. Overall, musculoskeletal parameters were slightly improved and age-related effects appear to have been attenuated. The variances in the results were not increased by more natural housing. This confirms the suitability of the applied housing conditions to ensure and increase animal welfare in laboratory experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Mieske
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Federal German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Julia Scheinpflug
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Federal German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Timur Alexander Yorgan
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura Brylka
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ute Hobbiesiefken
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Federal German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Juliane Preikschat
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Federal German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Lewejohann
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Federal German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
- Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Institute of Animal Welfare, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai Diederich
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Federal German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
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Talhada D, Ruscher K. Performing Enriched Environment Studies to Improve Functional Recovery. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2616:355-366. [PMID: 36715945 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2926-0_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Physical therapy and social interactions between the stroke patient and healthcare professionals or relatives facilitate the process of recovery and promote improvement of lost neurological function after stroke. These observations can be mimicked in an experimental setting by multimodal stimulation provided in the concept of enriched environment. The enriched environment is a housing condition combining social interactions and sensorimotor stimulation that improves lost neurological function without affecting the extent of brain damage after experimental stroke. This chapter provides a detailed protocol on how to perform enriched housing experiments including conceptual and technical considerations as a tool to investigate mechanisms of recovery after brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Talhada
- Laboratory for Experimental Brain Research, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karsten Ruscher
- Laboratory for Experimental Brain Research, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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Saadati H, Ghaheri S, Sadegzadeh F, Sakhaie N, Abdollahzadeh M. Beneficial effects of enriched environment on behavior, cognitive functions, and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor level following postnatal serotonin depletion in male rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 2023; 83:67-79. [PMID: 36342785 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) is one of the most important modulators of neural circuitry and has a critical role in neural development and functions. Previous studies indicated that changes in serotonergic system signaling in early life critically impact mental health, behavior, the morphology of hippocampal neurons, and cognitive functions across the lifespan. The enriched environment (EE) has indicated beneficial effects on behavior and cognitive functions in the developmental period of life, but its impacts on cognitive impairments and behavioral changes following postnatal serotonin depletion are unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the influences of the EE housing (postnatal days [PNDs] 21-60) following postnatal serotonin depletion (by para-chlorophenylalanine [PCPA], 100 mg/kg, s.c, in PNDs 10-20) on anxiety-related behaviors, cognitive functions, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression in the hippocampus of male rats. Memory and behavioral parameters were examined in early adulthood and after that, the hippocampi of rats were removed to determine the BDNF mRNA expression by PCR (PNDs 60-70). The findings of the present work indicated that adolescent EE exposure alleviated memory impairment, decreased BDNF levels, and anxiety disorders induced by experimental depletion of serotonin. Overall, these results indicate that serotonergic system dysregulation during the developmental periods can be alleviated by adolescent EE exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hakimeh Saadati
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.,Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Safa Ghaheri
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Farshid Sadegzadeh
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Nona Sakhaie
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Maryam Abdollahzadeh
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
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The Molecular Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:7095-7118. [PMID: 36083518 PMCID: PMC9616781 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03016-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is an environmental paradigm encompassing sensory, cognitive, and physical stimulation at a heightened level. Previous studies have reported the beneficial effects of EE in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus. EE improves cognitive function as well as ameliorates depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, making it a potentially effective neuroprotective strategy against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we summarize the current evidence for EE as a neuroprotective strategy as well as the potential molecular pathways that can explain the effects of EE from a biochemical perspective using animal models. The effectiveness of EE in enhancing brain activity against neurodegeneration is explored with a view to differences present in early and late life EE exposure, with its potential application in human being discussed. We discuss EE as one of the non pharmacological approaches in preventing or delaying the onset of AD for future research.
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12
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Restoring Age-Related Cognitive Decline through Environmental Enrichment: A Transcriptomic Approach. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233864. [PMID: 36497123 PMCID: PMC9736066 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive decline is one of the greatest health threats of old age and the maintenance of optimal brain function across a lifespan remains a big challenge. The hippocampus is considered particularly vulnerable but there is cross-species consensus that its functional integrity benefits from the early and continuous exercise of demanding physical, social and mental activities, also referred to as environmental enrichment (EE). Here, we investigated the extent to which late-onset EE can improve the already-impaired cognitive abilities of lifelong deprived C57BL/6 mice and how it affects gene expression in the hippocampus. To this end, 5- and 24-month-old mice housed in standard cages (5mSC and 24mSC) and 24-month-old mice exposed to EE in the last 2 months of their life (24mEE) were subjected to a Barnes maze task followed by next-generation RNA sequencing of the hippocampal tissue. Our analyses showed that late-onset EE was able to restore deficits in spatial learning and short-term memory in 24-month-old mice. These positive cognitive effects were reflected by specific changes in the hippocampal transcriptome, where late-onset EE affected transcription much more than age (24mSC vs. 24mEE: 1311 DEGs, 24mSC vs. 5mSC: 860 DEGs). Remarkably, a small intersection of 72 age-related DEGs was counter-regulated by late-onset EE. Of these, Bcl3, Cttnbp2, Diexf, Esr2, Grb10, Il4ra, Inhba, Rras2, Rps6ka1 and Socs3 appear to be particularly relevant as key regulators involved in dendritic spine plasticity and in age-relevant molecular signaling cascades mediating senescence, insulin resistance, apoptosis and tissue regeneration. In summary, our observations suggest that the brains of aged mice in standard cage housing preserve a considerable degree of plasticity. Switching them to EE proved to be a promising and non-pharmacological intervention against cognitive decline.
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13
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The environmental enrichment ameliorates chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depressive-like behaviors and cognitive decline by inducing autophagy-mediated inflammation inhibition. Brain Res Bull 2022; 187:98-110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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14
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Ammassari-Teule M. Inbred Mice Again at Stake: How the Cognitive Profile of the Wild-Type Mouse Background Discloses Pathogenic Effects of APP Mutations. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:868473. [PMID: 35813596 PMCID: PMC9260142 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.868473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing efforts have been made in the last decades to increase the face validity of Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse models. Main advancements have consisted in generating AD mutations closer to those identified in humans, enhancing genetic diversity of wild-type backgrounds, and choosing protocols much apt to reveal AD-like cognitive dysfunctions. Nevertheless, two aspects remain less considered: the cognitive specialization of inbred strains used as recipient backgrounds of mutations and the heuristic importance of studying destabilization of memory circuits in pre-symptomatic mice facing cognitive challenges. This article underscores the relevance of these behavioral/experimental aspects by reviewing data which show that (i) inbred mice differ in their innate predisposition to rely on episodic vs. procedural memory, which implicates differential sensitivity to mutations aimed at disrupting temporal lobe-dependent memory, and that (ii) investigating training-driven neural alterations in asymptomatic mutants unveils early synaptic damage, which considerably anticipates detection of AD first signs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine Ammassari-Teule
- Laboratory of Psychobiology, Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- National Research Council, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Martine Ammassari-Teule
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15
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Dos Anjos-Garcia T, Kanashiro A, de Campos AC, Coimbra NC. Environmental Enrichment Facilitates Anxiety in Conflict-Based Tests but Inhibits Predator Threat-Induced Defensive Behaviour in Male Mice. Neuropsychobiology 2022; 81:225-236. [PMID: 35026760 DOI: 10.1159/000521184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Environmental enrichment (EE) is a useful and sophisticated tool that improves rodents' well-being by stimulating social behaviour and cognitive, motor, and sensory functions. Exposure to EE induces neuroplasticity in different brain areas, including the limbic system, which has been implicated in the control of anxiety and fear. However, the effects of EE on ethologically relevant naturalistic behaviours, such as those displayed by prey in the presence of predators, remain largely unexplored. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the present study, we investigated anxiety- and panic attack-like behaviours in a predator (cat)-prey confrontation paradigm and compared them with those in classical assays, such as the elevated plus-maze (EPM), marble-burying, and open field tests (OFTs), using C57BL/6J male mice housed in enriched or standard environments for 6 weeks. RESULTS We observed that EE exposure caused enhancement of the levels of anxiety-like behaviours in the EPM and OFTs, increasing risk assessment (an anxiety-related response), and decreasing escape (a panic attack-like response) behaviours during exposure to the predator versus prey confrontation paradigm. CONCLUSION Taken together, our findings suggest that enriched external environments can modify the processing of fear- and anxiety-related stimuli in dangerous situations, changing the decision-making defensive strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayllon Dos Anjos-Garcia
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), São Paulo, Brazil.,Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Kanashiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience and Behavioural Sciences, Post-Graduation Program in Neurology/Neurosciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alline Cristina de Campos
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacology of Neuroplasticity Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Norberto Cysne Coimbra
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), São Paulo, Brazil.,Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience and Behavioural Sciences, Post-Graduation Program in Neurology/Neurosciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
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16
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Culig L, Chu X, Bohr VA. Neurogenesis in aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 78:101636. [PMID: 35490966 PMCID: PMC9168971 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis, the process by which neurons are generated in certain areas of the adult brain, declines in an age-dependent manner and is one potential target for extending cognitive healthspan. Aging is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and, as lifespans are increasing, these health challenges are becoming more prevalent. An age-associated loss in neural stem cell number and/or activity could cause this decline in brain function, so interventions that reverse aging in stem cells might increase the human cognitive healthspan. In this review, we describe the involvement of adult neurogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases and address the molecular mechanistic aspects of neurogenesis that involve some of the key aggregation-prone proteins in the brain (i.e., tau, Aβ, α-synuclein, …). We summarize the research pertaining to interventions that increase neurogenesis and regulate known targets in aging research, such as mTOR and sirtuins. Lastly, we share our outlook on restoring the levels of neurogenesis to physiological levels in elderly individuals and those with neurodegeneration. We suggest that modulating neurogenesis represents a potential target for interventions that could help in the fight against neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luka Culig
- Section on DNA Repair, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Xixia Chu
- Section on DNA Repair, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Vilhelm A Bohr
- Section on DNA Repair, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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17
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Short-chain fatty acids promote the effect of environmental signals on the gut microbiome and metabolome in mice. Commun Biol 2022; 5:517. [PMID: 35641653 PMCID: PMC9156677 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03468-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut microorganisms and the products of their metabolism thoroughly affect host brain development, function and behavior. Since alterations of brain plasticity and cognition have been demonstrated upon motor, sensorial and social enrichment of the housing conditions, we hypothesized that gut microbiota and metabolome could be altered by environmental stimuli, providing part of the missing link among environmental signals and brain effects. In this preliminary study, metagenomic and metabolomic analyses of mice housed in different environmental conditions, standard and enriched, identify environment-specific microbial communities and metabolic profiles. We show that mice housed in an enriched environment have distinctive microbiota composition with a reduction in gut bacterial richness and biodiversity and are characterized by a metabolomic fingerprint with the increase of formate and acetate and the decrease of bile salts. We demonstrate that mice treated with a mixture of formate and acetate recapitulate some of the brain plasticity effects modulated by environmental enrichment, such as hippocampal neurogenesis, neurotrophin production, short-term plasticity and cognitive behaviors, that can be further exploited to decipher the mechanisms involved in experience-dependent brain plasticity. Mice exposed to environmental enrichment for 5 weeks display distinct microbiota composition and behavioral and metabolic profiles compared to mice exposed to a standard environment. Mice treated with a mixture of short-chain fatty acids that are produced by gut bacteria recapitulate some of the effects of this environmental enrichment.
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18
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Gelfo F, Petrosini L. Environmental Enrichment Enhances Cerebellar Compensation and Develops Cerebellar Reserve. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095697. [PMID: 35565093 PMCID: PMC9099498 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The brain is able to change its structure and function in response to environmental stimulations. Several human and animal studies have documented that enhanced stimulations provide individuals with strengthened brain structure and function that allow them to better cope with damage. In this framework, studies based on the exposure of animals to environmental enrichment (EE) have provided indications of the mechanisms involved in such a beneficial action. The cerebellum is a very plastic brain region that responds to every experience with deep structural and functional rearrangement. The present review specifically aims to collect and synthesize the evidence provided by animal models on EE exposure effects on cerebellar structure and function by considering the studies on healthy subjects and on animals exposed to EE both before and after damage involving cerebellar functionality. On the whole, the evidence supports the role of EE in enhancing cerebellar compensation and developing cerebellar reserve. However, since studies addressing this issue are still scarce, large areas of inconsistency and lack of clarity remain. Further studies are required to provide suggestions on possible mechanisms of enhancement of compensatory responses in human patients following cerebellar damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gelfo
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Via Plinio 44, 00193 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Laura Petrosini
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy;
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19
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Assessing cognitive performance in dairy calves using a modified hole-board test. Anim Cogn 2022; 25:1365-1370. [DOI: 10.1007/s10071-022-01617-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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20
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Dickson PE, Mittleman G. Environmental enrichment influences novelty reactivity, novelty preference, and anxiety via distinct genetic mechanisms in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3928. [PMID: 33594184 PMCID: PMC7887236 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83574-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors such as stress drive the development of drug addiction in genetically vulnerable individuals; the genes underlying this vulnerability are unknown. One strategy for uncovering these genes is to study the impact of environmental manipulation on high-throughput phenotypes that predict drug use and addiction-like behaviors. In the present study, we assessed the viability of this approach by evaluating the relative effects of environmental enrichment and isolation housing on three high-throughput phenotypes known to predict variation on distinct aspects of intravenous drug self-administration. Prior to behavioral testing, male and female C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice (BXD founders) were housed in enrichment or isolation for ten weeks beginning at weaning. Enrichment significantly reduced novelty reactivity; this effect was significantly more robust in C57BL/6J mice relative to DBA/2J mice. Enrichment significantly reduced novelty preference; this effect was significantly dependent on novel environment characteristics and was significantly more robust in DBA/2J mice relative to C57BL/6J mice. Enrichment significantly increased anxiety; this effect was not strain-dependent. Collectively, these data indicate that (1) environmental enrichment influences novelty reactivity, novelty preference, and anxiety via distinct genetic mechanisms in mice, and (2) the BXD panel can be used to discover the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Price E Dickson
- Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, 400 Innovation Drive, Memphis, TN, 38111, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1700 3rd Ave., Huntington, WV, 25703, USA.
| | - Guy Mittleman
- Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, 400 Innovation Drive, Memphis, TN, 38111, USA
- Department of Psychological Science, Ball State University, North Quad (NQ), room 104, Muncie, IN, 47306, USA
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21
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Mesa-Gresa P, Ramos-Campos M, Redolat R. Behavioral impact of experience based on environmental enrichment: Influence of age and duration of exposure in male NMRI mice. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:1071-1081. [PMID: 33452673 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Prior studies have suggested that short periods of exposure to environmental enrichment (EE) in rodents induce physiological and behavioral effects. In the present study, our aim was to evaluate if the impact of experiences based on EE could be modulated by the age of onset and the developmental period of exposure. NMRI male mice (n = 64) were exposed to EE or standard environment (SE) and behavioral changes (anxiety, exploration, memory and social interaction) were evaluated. Groups compared were: (a) SE: exposure to SE on post-natal day (PND) 28 and lasting 6 months; (b) EE-6: exposure to EE on PND 28 and lasting 6 months; (c) EE-4: exposure to EE on PND 91 and lasting 4 months; (d) EE-2: exposure to EE on PND 154 and lasting 2 months. Results indicated that in the hole-board task the decrease in exploratory behavior reached significance when EE was initiated at adolescence whereas anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus-maze tend to diminish after a longer period of EE. No significant effects of EE on aggressive behavior or novel object recognition were obtained. Taking these results into account, further studies are needed in order to determine the possible modulating role of age and duration of exposure to enriched environments on behavior. Results obtained could explain some discrepancies reported in previous studies, providing new evidence that could contribute to the design of future research related to the benefits of complex and enriched environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Mesa-Gresa
- Departamento Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Ramos-Campos
- Departamento Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rosa Redolat
- Departamento Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
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22
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Fouyssac M, Puaud M, Ducret E, Marti-Prats L, Vanhille N, Ansquer S, Zhang X, Belin-Rauscent A, Giuliano C, Houeto JL, Everitt BJ, Belin D. Environment-dependent behavioral traits and experiential factors shape addiction vulnerability. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 53:1794-1808. [PMID: 33332672 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The transition from controlled drug use to drug addiction depends on an interaction between a vulnerable individual, their environment and a drug. Here we tested the hypothesis that conditions under which individuals live influence behavioral vulnerability traits and experiential factors operating in the drug taking environment to determine the vulnerability to addiction. The role of behavioral vulnerability traits in mediating the influence of housing conditions on the tendency to acquire cocaine self-administration was characterized in 48 rats housed in either an enriched (EE) or a standard (SE) environment. Then, the influence of these housing conditions on the individual vulnerability to develop addiction-like behavior for cocaine or alcohol was measured in 72 EE or SE rats after several months of cocaine self-administration or intermittent alcohol drinking, respectively. The determining role of negative experiential factors in the drug taking context was further investigated in 48 SE rats that acquired alcohol drinking to self-medicate distress in a schedule-induced polydipsia procedure. The environment influenced the acquisition of drug intake through its effect on behavioral markers of resilience to addiction. In contrast, the initiation of drug taking as a coping strategy or in a negative state occasioned by the contrast between enriched housing conditions and a relatively impoverished drug taking setting, facilitated the development of compulsive cocaine and alcohol intake. These data indicate that addiction vulnerability depends on environmentally determined experiential factors, and suggest that initiating drug use through negative reinforcement-based self-medication facilitates the development of addiction in vulnerable individuals. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The factors that underlie an individual's vulnerability to switch from controlled, recreational drug use to addiction are not well understood. We showed that in individuals housed in enriched conditions, the experience of drugs in the relative social and sensory impoverishment of the drug taking context, and the associated change in behavioral traits of resilience to addiction, exacerbate the vulnerability to develop compulsive drug intake. We further demonstrated that the acquisition of alcohol drinking as a mechanism to cope with distress increases the vulnerability to develop compulsive alcohol intake. Together these results demonstrate that experiential factors in the drug taking context shape the vulnerability to addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Fouyssac
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mickaël Puaud
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eric Ducret
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | | | | | | | - Xinxuan Zhang
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Chiara Giuliano
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jean-Luc Houeto
- INSERM CIC-1402, CHU of Poitiers, Poitiers, France.,INSERM UMR-S 1094, Neuroepidemiology in tropical, Univeristy of Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Barry J Everitt
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Belin
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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23
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Sakhaie N, Sadegzadeh F, Mohammadnia A, Dadkhah M, Saadati H. Sex-dependent effects of postweaning exposure to an enriched environment on novel objective recognition memory and anxiety-like behaviors: The role of hippocampal BDNF level. Int J Dev Neurosci 2020; 80:396-408. [PMID: 32416621 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10038] [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] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to enriched environment (EE) has been indicated to enhance cognitive functions, hippocampal neural plasticity, neurogenesis, long-term potentiation, and levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in laboratory animals. Also, studies on the sex-dependent effects of exposure to EE during adolescence on adult cognitive functions are less. This is important because the beneficial effects of EE may be predominant in the adolescence stage. Therefore, the present study was designed to compare the effects of EE during adolescence (PND21-PND60) on novel objective recognition memory (NORM), anxiety-like behaviors, and hippocampal BDNF mRNA level in the adult male and female rats. Assessment of NORM and anxiety-like behaviors has been done by novel objective recognition task, open field (OF), and elevated plus maze (EPM), respectively. The expression of BDNF mRNA level was also evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. Our findings demonstrated that housing in the EE during adolescence improves NORM in adult male rats. Also, exposure to EE during adolescence had a different effect on anxiety-like behaviors in both sexes. Additionally, our results indicated an augmented BDNF level in the hippocampus of male and female rats. In conclusion, adolescent exposure to EE has sex-dependent effects on cognitive functions and anxiety-like behaviors and increases BDNF mRNA expression in the hippocampus of both male and female rats; thus, BDNF is an important factor that can mediate the beneficial effects of EE and running exercise on cognitive functions and psychiatric traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nona Sakhaie
- Faculty of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Farshid Sadegzadeh
- Faculty of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Alireza Mohammadnia
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Dadkhah
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Hakimeh Saadati
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
- Physiological Studies Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
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24
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Singhal G, Morgan J, Jawahar MC, Corrigan F, Jaehne EJ, Toben C, Manavis J, Hannan AJ, Baune BT. Duration of Environmental Enrichment Determines Astrocyte Number and Cervical Lymph Node T Lymphocyte Proportions but Not the Microglial Number in Middle-Aged C57BL/6 Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:57. [PMID: 32256319 PMCID: PMC7094170 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) has been shown to modulate behavior and immunity. We recently reported that both short and long-term EE enhance baseline locomotion and alleviate depressive-like behavior, but only long-term EE affects locomotion adversely in a threatening environment and enhances anxiety-like behavior in middle-age mice. We have now investigated whether the observed changes in behavior after short- and long-term EE were associated with underlying immune changes. Hence, at the end of behavioral testing, mice were sacrificed, and brains and cervical lymph nodes were collected to investigate the differential effects of the duration of EE (short- and long-term) on the number of immunopositive glial cells in the dentate gyrus, CA1, CA2, and CA3 regions of the hippocampus and proportions of T cell subsets in the cervical lymph nodes using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, respectively. EE, regardless of duration, caused an increase in microglia number within the dentate gyrus, CA1 and CA3 hippocampal regions, but only long-term EE increased astrocytes number within the dentate gyrus and CA3 hippocampal regions. A significantly higher proportion of CD8+ naive T cells was observed after long-term EE vs. short-term EE. No significant differences were observed in the proportion of central memory and effector memory T cells or early activated CD25+ cells between any of the test groups. Our results suggest that EE, irrespective of duration, enhances the numbers of microglia, but long-term EE is required to modify astrocyte number and peripheral T cell proportions in middle-aged mice. Our findings provide new insights into the therapeutic effects of EE on various brain disorders, which may be at least partly mediated by glial and neuroimmune modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Singhal
- Psychiatric Neuroscience Lab, Discipline of Psychiatry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Julie Morgan
- Psychiatric Neuroscience Lab, Discipline of Psychiatry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Magdalene C Jawahar
- Psychiatric Neuroscience Lab, Discipline of Psychiatry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Frances Corrigan
- Division of Health Sciences, The University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Emily J Jaehne
- Psychiatric Neuroscience Lab, Discipline of Psychiatry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Catherine Toben
- Psychiatric Neuroscience Lab, Discipline of Psychiatry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jim Manavis
- Faculty of Health, Centre for Neurological Diseases, School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Melbourne Brain Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bernhard T Baune
- Melbourne Brain Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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