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Shrader SH, Mellen N, Cai J, Barnes GN, Song ZH. Cannabidiol is a behavioral modulator in BTBR mouse model of idiopathic autism. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1359810. [PMID: 38784096 PMCID: PMC11112039 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1359810] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has drastically risen over the last two decades and is currently estimated to affect 1 in 36 children in the U.S., according to the center for disease control (CDC). This heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorder is characterized by impaired social interactions, communication deficits, and repetitive behaviors plus restricted interest. Autistic individuals also commonly present with a myriad of comorbidities, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and seizures. To date, a pharmacological intervention for the treatment of core autistic symptoms has not been identified. Cannabidiol (CBD), the major nonpsychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa, is suggested to have multiple therapeutic applications, but its effect(s) on idiopathic autism is unknown. We hypothesized that CBD will effectively attenuate the autism-like behaviors and autism-associated comorbid behaviors in BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice, an established mouse model of idiopathic ASD. Methods Male BTBR mice were injected intraperitoneally with either vehicle, 20 mg/kg CBD or 50 mg/kg CBD daily for two weeks beginning at postnatal day 21 ± 3. On the final treatment day, a battery of behavioral assays were used to evaluate the effects of CBD on the BTBR mice, as compared to age-matched, vehicle-treated C57BL/6 J mice. Results High dose (50 mg/kg) CBD treatment attenuated the elevated repetitive self-grooming behavior and hyperlocomotion in BTBR mice. The social deficits exhibited by the control BTBR mice were rescued by the 20 mg/kg CBD treatment. Discussion Our data indicate that different doses for CBD are needed for treating specific ASD-like behaviors. Together, our results suggest that CBD may be an effective drug to ameliorate repetitive/restricted behaviors, social deficits, and autism-associated hyperactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H. Shrader
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Nicholas Mellen
- Departments of Neurology and Autism Center, Pediatric Research Institute, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Research Institute, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Gregory N. Barnes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
- Departments of Neurology and Autism Center, Pediatric Research Institute, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Research Institute, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Zhao-Hui Song
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
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Perez RF, Conner KE, Erickson MA, Nabatanzi M, Huffman KJ. Alcohol and lactation: Developmental deficits in a mouse model. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1147274. [PMID: 36992847 PMCID: PMC10040541 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1147274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well documented that prenatal ethanol exposure via maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy alters brain and behavioral development in offspring. Thus, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises against maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. However, little emphasis has been placed on educating new parents about alcohol consumption while breastfeeding. This is partly due to a paucity of research on lactational ethanol exposure (LEE) effects in children; although, it has been shown that infants exposed to ethanol via breast milk frequently present with reduced body mass, low verbal IQ scores, and altered sleeping patterns. As approximately 36% of breastfeeding mothers in the US consume alcohol, continued research in this area is critical. Our study employed a novel murine LEE model, where offspring were exposed to ethanol via nursing from postnatal day (P) 6 through P20, a period correlated with infancy in humans. Compared to controls, LEE mice had reduced body weights and neocortical lengths at P20 and P30. Brain weights were also reduced in both ages in males, and at P20 for females, however, female brain weights recovered to control levels by P30. We investigated neocortical features and found that frontal cortex thickness was reduced in LEE males compared to controls. Analyses of dendritic spines in the prelimbic subdivision of medial prefrontal cortex revealed a trend of reduced densities in LEE mice. Results of behavioral tests suggest that LEE mice engage in higher risk-taking behavior, show abnormal stress regulation, and exhibit increased hyperactivity. In summary, our data describe potential adverse brain and behavioral developmental outcomes due to LEE. Thus, women should be advised to refrain from consuming alcohol during breastfeeding until additional research can better guide recommendations of safe maternal practices in early infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto F. Perez
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Kathleen E. Conner
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Michael A. Erickson
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Mirembe Nabatanzi
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Kelly J. Huffman
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Kelly J. Huffman,
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Molenhuis RT, Hutten L, Kas MJH. Histamine H3 receptor antagonism modulates autism-like hyperactivity but not repetitive behaviors in BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J inbred mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 212:173304. [PMID: 34856309 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental conditions defined by behavioral deficits in social communication and interactions, mental inflexibility and repetitive behaviors. Converging evidence from observational and preclinical studies suggest that excessive repetitive behaviors in people with ASD may be due to elevated histaminergic H3 receptor signaling in the striatum. We hypothesized that systemic administration of pharmacological histamine H3 receptor antagonists would attenuate the expression of repetitive behaviors in the BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mouse inbred strain, an established mouse model presenting autism-like repetitive behaviors and novelty-induced hyperactivity. We further aimed to investigate whether agonism of the histamine H3 receptor would be sufficient to induce repetitive behaviors in the C57BL/6J control mouse strain. METHODS Different doses of H3 receptor agonists (i.e., (R)-α-methylhistamine and immethridine) and H3 receptor antagonists/inverse agonists (i.e., ciproxifan and pitolisant) were administered via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection in male mice to characterize the acute effects of these compounds on ASD-related behavioral readouts. RESULTS The highly selective H3 receptor agonist immethridine significantly increased the time spent in stereotypic patterns in C57BL/6J mice, but this effect appeared to be driven by general sedative properties of the compound. High doses of pitolisant significantly decreased locomotor hyperactivity in novel environments in BTBR mice, without significant effects on repetitive behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Based on our findings, we conclude that acute H3 receptor manipulation mainly affected general motor activity levels in novel environments. Small changes in stereotyped behaviors were observed but appeared to be driven by altered general activity levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remco T Molenhuis
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Lianda Hutten
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Martien J H Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Cntn4, a risk gene for neuropsychiatric disorders, modulates hippocampal synaptic plasticity and behavior. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:106. [PMID: 33542194 PMCID: PMC7862349 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01223-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), anorexia nervosa (AN), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and schizophrenia (SZ), are heterogeneous brain disorders with unknown etiology. Genome wide studies have revealed a wide variety of risk genes for these disorders, indicating a biological link between genetic signaling pathways and brain pathology. A unique risk gene is Contactin 4 (Cntn4), an Ig cell adhesion molecule (IgCAM) gene, which has been associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders including ASD, AN, AD, and SZ. Here, we investigated the Cntn4 gene knockout (KO) mouse model to determine whether memory dysfunction and altered brain plasticity, common neuropsychiatric symptoms, are affected by Cntn4 genetic disruption. For that purpose, we tested if Cntn4 genetic disruption affects CA1 synaptic transmission and the ability to induce LTP in hippocampal slices. Stimulation in CA1 striatum radiatum significantly decreased synaptic potentiation in slices of Cntn4 KO mice. Neuroanatomical analyses showed abnormal dendritic arborization and spines of hippocampal CA1 neurons. Short- and long-term recognition memory, spatial memory, and fear conditioning responses were also assessed. These behavioral studies showed increased contextual fear conditioning in heterozygous and homozygous KO mice, quantified by a gene-dose dependent increase in freezing response. In comparison to wild-type mice, Cntn4-deficient animals froze significantly longer and groomed more, indicative of increased stress responsiveness under these test conditions. Our electrophysiological, neuro-anatomical, and behavioral results in Cntn4 KO mice suggest that Cntn4 has important functions related to fear memory possibly in association with the neuronal morphological and synaptic plasticity changes in hippocampus CA1 neurons.
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Cross SKJ, Martin YH, Salia S, Gamba I, Major CA, Hassan S, Parsons KA, Swift-Gallant A. Puberty is a Critical Period for Vomeronasal Organ Mediation of Socio-sexual Behavior in Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 14:606788. [PMID: 33551763 PMCID: PMC7862124 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.606788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic disruption of the vomeronasal organ (VNO), an organ responsible for pheromone processing, drastically alters socio-sexual behavior in mice. However, it is not known whether the VNO has a role during the pubertal organizational period when sex-typical socio-sexual behaviors emerge, or if disruption of the organ in adulthood is sufficient to alter socio-sexual behavior. To bypass the lifelong VNO disruption of genetic knockout models, we surgically ablated the VNO of male and female mice either during the peripubertal period [postnatal day (PND) 28–30] or adulthood (PND 58–60), with sham controls at both ages. We ruled out anosmia via the buried food test and assessed sexual odor preferences by simultaneously exposing mice to same- and opposite-sex soiled-bedding. We then measured territorial aggression with the resident-intruder paradigm and assessed sexual behavior in response to an encounter with an estrus-induced female. Neural activity approximated by FOS-immunoreactivity along the VNO-accessory olfactory pathway was measured in response to opposite-sex odors. We found that peripubertal VNO ablation decreased sexual odor preferences and neural activity in response to opposite-sex odors, and drastically reduced territorial aggression in male mice. Conversely, adult VNO ablation resulted in subtle differences in sexual odor preferences compared with sham controls. Regardless of the VNO condition, mice displayed sex-typical copulatory behaviors. Together, these results suggest that puberty is a critical period in development whereby the VNO contributes to the sexual differentiation of behavior and neural response to conspecific odors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K J Cross
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Yellow H Martin
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Stephanie Salia
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Iain Gamba
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Christina A Major
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Suhail Hassan
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Katelyn A Parsons
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Ashlyn Swift-Gallant
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
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Modulation of fear behavior and neuroimmune alterations in house dust mite exposed A/J mice, a model of severe asthma. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 88:688-698. [PMID: 32380274 PMCID: PMC8988097 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.04.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear-associated conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and panic disorder (PD) are highly prevalent. There is considerable interest in understanding contributory risk and vulnerability factors. Accumulating evidence suggests that chronically elevated inflammatory load may be a potential risk factor for these disorders. In this regard, an association of asthma, a chronic inflammatory condition, with PTSD and PD has been reported. Symptoms of PD and PTSD are more prevalent in severe asthmatics, compared to those with mild or moderate asthma suggesting that factors that influence the severity of asthma, may also influence susceptibility to the development of fear-related disorders. There has been relatively little progress in identifying contributory factors and underlying mechanisms, particularly, the translation of severe asthma-associated lung inflammation to central neuroimmune alterations and behavioral manifestations remains unclear. The current study investigated the expression of behaviors relevant to PD and PTSD (CO2 inhalation and fear conditioning/extinction) in A/J mice using a model of severe allergic asthma associated with a mixed T helper 2 (Th2) and Th17 immune response. We also investigated the accumulation of Th2- and Th17-cytokine expressing cells in lung and brain tissue, microglial alterations, as well as neuronal activation marker, delta FosB (ΔFosB)) in fear and panic regulatory brain areas. HDM-exposed mice elicited higher freezing during fear extinction. CO2-associated spontaneous and conditioned freezing, as well as anxiety or depression-relevant exploratory and coping behaviors were not altered by HDM treatment. A significant increase in brain Th17-associated inflammatory mediators was observed prior to behavioral testing, accompanied by microglial alterations in specialized blood brain barrier-compromised circumventricular area, subfornical organ. Post extinction measurements revealed increased ΔFosB staining within the medial prefrontal cortex and basolateral amygdala in HDM-treated mice. Collectively, our data show modulation of brain immune mechanisms and fear circuits by peripheral airway inflammation, and is relevant to understanding the risk and comorbidity of asthma with fear-associated disorders such as PTSD.
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Ahmad SF, Nadeem A, Ansari MA, Bakheet SA, Al-Mazroua HA, Khan MR, Alasmari AF, Alanazi WA, As Sobeai HM, Attia SM. The histamine-4 receptor antagonist JNJ7777120 prevents immune abnormalities by inhibiting RORγt/T-bet transcription factor signaling pathways in BTBR T + Itpr3 tf/J mice exposed to gamma rays. Mol Immunol 2019; 114:561-570. [PMID: 31522074 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits and qualitative impairments in communication and implicit skill learning. Its prevalence is higher than previous estimates, and treatments have limited efficacy and are costly. Here, we assessed the therapeutic potential of JNJ77777120 (JNJ), a histamine-4 receptor (H4R) antagonist, using BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice, a confirmed model of autism, and C57BL/6J (C57) mice, a commonly chosen reference strain. We first examined the effects of JNJ treatment on BTBR mice exposed to gamma-rays (irradiation-exposed) using a three-chambered apparatus. We further investigated the possible molecular mechanisms through which JNJ administration modulates IL-17A-, RORγT-, IL-22-, T-bet-, STAT3-, ICOS-, and Foxp3-producing CD8+ T cells in the spleens of irradiation-exposed BTBR mice. The effects of JNJ administration on the mRNA and protein expression of IL-17A, RORγT, IL-22, T-bet, STAT-3, pSTAT3, IL-10, and Foxp3 in brain tissue were also explored. Results showed that JNJ treatment with irradiation exposure increased social interactions in BTBR mice compared to that in irradiation-exposed BTBR mice. Additionally, JNJ-treated and irradiation-exposed BTBR mice exhibited decreases in IL-17A-, RORγT-, IL-22-, T-bet-, and STAT3-producing CD8+ T cells and increases in ICOS- and Foxp3-producing CD8+ T cells. Moreover, JNJ treatment and irradiation exposure in BTBR mice regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-17A, RORγT, IL-22, T-bet, STAT3, pSTAT-3, IL-10, and Foxp3 in the brain tissue. These results suggest that JNJ is useful for the treatment of autism, as this H4R antagonist could block inflammatory cytokine production and transcription factor signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheikh F Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ahmed Nadeem
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mushtaq A Ansari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A Bakheet
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haneen A Al-Mazroua
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad R Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah F Alasmari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wael A Alanazi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Homood M As Sobeai
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sabry M Attia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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Bonapersona V, Damsteegt R, Adams ML, van Weert LTCM, Meijer OC, Joëls M, Sarabdjitsingh RA. Sex-Dependent Modulation of Acute Stress Reactivity After Early Life Stress in Mice: Relevance of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Expression. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:181. [PMID: 31440147 PMCID: PMC6693524 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) is considered a major risk factor for developing psychopathology. Increasing evidence points towards sex-dependent dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as a contributing mechanism. Additionally, clinical studies suggest that the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) may further confer genetic vulnerability/resilience on a background of ELS. The link between ELS, sex and the HPA axis and how this interacts with MR genotype is understudied, yet important to understand vulnerability/resilience to stress. We used the early life-limited nesting and bedding model to test the effect of ELS on HPA properties in adult female and male mice carrying a forebrain-specific heterozygous knockout for MR. Basal HPA axis activity was measured by circadian peak and nadir corticosterone levels, in addition to body weight and weight of stress-sensitive tissues. HPA axis reactivity was assessed by mapping corticosterone levels after 10 min immobilization. Additionally, we measured the effects of ELS on steroid receptor [MR and glucocorticoid receptor (GR)] levels in the dorsal hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) with western blot. Finally, behavioral reactivity towards a novel environment was measured as a proxy for anxiety-like behavior. Results show that HPA axis activity under rest conditions was not affected by ELS. HPA axis reactivity after immobilization was decreased by ELS in females and increased, at trend-level in males. This effect in females was further exacerbated by low expression of the MR. We also observed a sex*ELS interaction regarding MR and GR expression in the dorsal hippocampus, with a significant upregulation of MR in males only. The sex-dependent interaction with ELS was not reflected in the behavioral response to novel environment and time spent in a sheltered compartment. We did find increased locomotor activity in all groups after a history of ELS, which attenuated after 4 h in males but not females regardless of condition. Our findings support that ELS alters HPA axis functioning sex-dependently. Genetic predisposition to low MR function may render females more susceptible to the harmful effect of ELS whereas in males low MR function promotes resilience. We propose that this model may be a useful tool to investigate the underlying mechanisms of sex-dependent and genetic vulnerability/resilience to stress-related psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Bonapersona
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ruth Damsteegt
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mirjam L Adams
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Lisa T C M van Weert
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Ratna Angela Sarabdjitsingh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Cowan CSM, Richardson R. A Brief Guide to Studying Fear in Developing Rodents: Important Considerations and Common Pitfalls. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 83:e44. [PMID: 30040208 DOI: 10.1002/cpns.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Development is a time of rapid change that sets the pathway to adult functioning across all aspects of physical and mental health. Developmental studies can therefore offer insight into the unique needs of individuals at different stages of normal development as well as the etiology of various disease states. The aim of this overview is to provide an introduction to the practical implementation of developmental studies in rats and mice, with an emphasis on the study of learned fear. We first discuss how developmental factors may influence experimental outcomes for any study. This is followed by a discussion of methodological issues to consider when conducting studies of developing rodents, highlighting examples from the literature on learned fear. Throughout, we offer some recommendations to guide researchers on best practice in developmental studies. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rick Richardson
- School of Psychology, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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van Elst K, Brouwers JF, Merkens JE, Broekhoven MH, Birtoli B, Helms JB, Kas MJH. Chronic dietary changes in n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios cause developmental delay and reduce social interest in mice. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:16-31. [PMID: 30563719 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.11.1106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are one of the main cellular building blocks, and dietary changes in PUFA composition are proposed as a potential route to influence brain development. For example, initial studies indicated that there is a relation between blood omega-6(n-6)/omega-3(n-3) PUFA ratios and neurodevelopmental disease diagnosis. To study the consequences of dietary n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio changes, we investigated the impact of a n-3 supplemented and n-3 deficient diet in developing BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) - a mouse inbred strain displaying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)-like symptomatology - and control C57BL/6J mice. This study showed that pre- and postnatal changed dietary n-6/n-3 ratio intake has a major impact on blood and brain PUFA composition, and led to delayed physical development and puberty onset in both strains. The PUFA induced developmental delay did not impact adult cognitive performance, but resulted in reduced social interest, a main ASD behavioral feature. Thus, both chronic dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation and depletion may not be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim van Elst
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jos F Brouwers
- Department of Biochemistry and Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Jessica E Merkens
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark H Broekhoven
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - J Bernd Helms
- Department of Biochemistry and Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Martien J H Kas
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Molenhuis RT, Bruining H, Brandt MJV, van Soldt PE, Abu-Toamih Atamni HJ, Burbach JPH, Iraqi FA, Mott RF, Kas MJH. Modeling the quantitative nature of neurodevelopmental disorders using Collaborative Cross mice. Mol Autism 2018; 9:63. [PMID: 30559955 PMCID: PMC6293525 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0252-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Animal models for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) generally rely on a single genetic mutation on a fixed genetic background. Recent human genetic studies however indicate that a clinical diagnosis with ASDAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is almost always associated with multiple genetic fore- and background changes. The translational value of animal model studies would be greatly enhanced if genetic insults could be studied in a more quantitative framework across genetic backgrounds. Methods We used the Collaborative Cross (CC), a novel mouse genetic reference population, to investigate the quantitative genetic architecture of mouse behavioral phenotypes commonly used in animal models for NDD. Results Classical tests of social recognition and grooming phenotypes appeared insufficient for quantitative studies due to genetic dilution and limited heritability. In contrast, digging, locomotor activity, and stereotyped exploratory patterns were characterized by continuous distribution across our CC sample and also mapped to quantitative trait loci containing genes associated with corresponding phenotypes in human populations. Conclusions These findings show that the CC can move animal model studies beyond comparative single gene-single background designs, and point out which type of behavioral phenotypes are most suitable to quantify the effect of developmental etiologies across multiple genetic backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remco T. Molenhuis
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hilgo Bruining
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Myrna J. V. Brandt
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Petra E. van Soldt
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hanifa J. Abu-Toamih Atamni
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - J. Peter H. Burbach
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fuad A. Iraqi
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Richard F. Mott
- Genetics Institute, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Martien J. H. Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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Büki A, Horvath G, Benedek G, Ducza E, Kekesi G. Impaired GAD1 expression in schizophrenia‐related WISKET rat model with sex‐dependent aggressive behavior and motivational deficit. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 18:e12507. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Büki
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - G. Horvath
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - G. Benedek
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - E. Ducza
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and BiopharmacyFaculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - G. Kekesi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Szeged Szeged Hungary
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13
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Bove M, Ike K, Eldering A, Buwalda B, de Boer SF, Morgese MG, Schiavone S, Cuomo V, Trabace L, Kas MJ. The Visible Burrow System: A behavioral paradigm to assess sociability and social withdrawal in BTBR and C57BL/6J mice strains. Behav Brain Res 2018; 344:9-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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14
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Kleijer KTE, van Nieuwenhuize D, Spierenburg HA, Gregorio-Jordan S, Kas MJH, Burbach JPH. Structural abnormalities in the primary somatosensory cortex and a normal behavioral profile in Contactin-5 deficient mice. Cell Adh Migr 2017; 12:5-18. [PMID: 28346043 PMCID: PMC5810773 DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2017.1288788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Contactin-5 (Cntn5) is an immunoglobulin cell adhesion molecule that is exclusively expressed in the central nervous system. In view of its association with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this study focused on Cntn5-positive areas in the forebrain and aimed to explore the morphological and behavioral phenotypes of the Cntn5 null mutant (Cntn5−/−) mouse in relation to these areas and ASD symptomatology. A newly generated antibody enabled us to elaborately describe the spatial expression pattern of Cntn5 in P7 wild type (Cntn5+/+) mice. The Cntn5 expression pattern included strong expression in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and mammillary bodies in addition to described previously brain nuclei of the auditory pathway and the dorsal thalamus. Thinning of the primary somatosensory (S1) cortex was found in Cntn5−/− mice and ascribed to a misplacement of Cntn5-ablated cells. This phenotype was accompanied by a reduction in the barrel/septa ratio of the S1 barrel field. The structure and morphology of the hippocampus was intact in Cntn5−/− mice. A set of behavioral experiments including social, exploratory and repetitive behaviors showed that these were unaffected in Cntn5−/− mice. Taken together, these data demonstrate a selective role of Cntn5 in development of the cerebral cortex without overt behavioral phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristel T E Kleijer
- a Department of Translational Neuroscience , Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht , Utrecht , the Netherlands
| | - Denise van Nieuwenhuize
- a Department of Translational Neuroscience , Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht , Utrecht , the Netherlands
| | - Henk A Spierenburg
- a Department of Translational Neuroscience , Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht , Utrecht , the Netherlands
| | - Sara Gregorio-Jordan
- a Department of Translational Neuroscience , Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht , Utrecht , the Netherlands
| | - Martien J H Kas
- a Department of Translational Neuroscience , Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht , Utrecht , the Netherlands
| | - J Peter H Burbach
- a Department of Translational Neuroscience , Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht , Utrecht , the Netherlands
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Molenhuis RT, Bruining H, Kas MJ. Modelling Autistic Features in Mice Using Quantitative Genetic Approaches. ADVANCES IN ANATOMY, EMBRYOLOGY, AND CELL BIOLOGY 2017; 224:65-84. [PMID: 28551751 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-52498-6_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Animal studies provide a unique opportunity to study the consequences of genetic variants at the behavioural level. Human studies have identified hundreds of risk genes for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that can lead to understanding on how genetic variation contributes to individual differences in social interaction and stereotyped behaviour in people with ASD. To develop rational therapeutic interventions, systematic animal model studies are needed to understand the relationships between genetic variation, pathogenic processes and the expression of autistic behaviours. Genetic and non-genetic animal model strategies are here reviewed in their propensity to study the underpinnings of behavioural trait variation. We conclude that an integration of reverse and forward genetic approaches may be essential to unravel the neurobiological mechanisms underlying ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remco T Molenhuis
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hilgo Bruining
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martien J Kas
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Boadas-Vaello P, Sedó-Cabezón L, Verdú E, Llorens J. Strain and Sex Differences in the Vestibular and Systemic Toxicity of 3,3′-Iminodipropionitrile in Mice. Toxicol Sci 2016; 156:109-122. [DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfw238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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17
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Bruinenberg VM, van der Goot E, van Vliet D, de Groot MJ, Mazzola PN, Heiner-Fokkema MR, van Faassen M, van Spronsen FJ, van der Zee EA. The Behavioral Consequence of Phenylketonuria in Mice Depends on the Genetic Background. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:233. [PMID: 28066199 PMCID: PMC5167755 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
To unravel the role of gene mutations in the healthy and the diseased state, countless studies have tried to link genotype with phenotype. However, over the years, it became clear that the strain of mice can influence these results. Nevertheless, identical gene mutations in different strains are often still considered equals. An example of this, is the research done in phenylketonuria (PKU), an inheritable metabolic disorder. In this field, a PKU mouse model (either on a BTBR or C57Bl/6 background) is often used to examine underlying mechanisms of the disease and/or new treatment strategies. Both strains have a point mutation in the gene coding for the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase which causes toxic concentrations of the amino acid phenylalanine in blood and brain, as found in PKU patients. Although the mutation is identical and therefore assumed to equally affect physiology and behavior in both strains, no studies directly compared the two genetic backgrounds to test this assumption. Therefore, this study compared the BTBR and C57Bl/6 wild-type and PKU mice on PKU-relevant amino acid- and neurotransmitter-levels and at a behavioral level. The behavioral paradigms were selected from previous literature on the PKU mouse model and address four domains, namely (1) activity levels, (2) motor performance, (3) anxiety and/or depression-like behavior, and (4) learning and memory. The results of this study showed comparable biochemical changes in phenylalanine and neurotransmitter concentrations. In contrast, clear differences in behavioral outcome between the strains in all four above-mentioned domains were found, most notably in the learning and memory domain. The outcome in this domain seem to be primarily due to factors inherent to the genetic background of the mouse and much less by differences in PKU-specific biochemical parameters in blood and brain. The difference in behavioral outcome between PKU of both strains emphasizes that the consequence of the PAH mutation is influenced by other factors than Phe levels alone. Therefore, future research should consider these differences when choosing one of the genetic strains to investigate the pathophysiological mechanism underlying PKU-related behavior, especially when combined with new treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibeke M Bruinenberg
- Molecular Neurobiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Els van der Goot
- Molecular Neurobiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Danique van Vliet
- Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Martijn J de Groot
- Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Priscila N Mazzola
- Molecular Neurobiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Martijn van Faassen
- Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Francjan J van Spronsen
- Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Eddy A van der Zee
- Molecular Neurobiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
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Goepfrich AA, Friemel CM, Pauen S, Schneider M. Ontogeny of sensorimotor gating and short-term memory processing throughout the adolescent period in rats. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2016; 25:167-175. [PMID: 27908562 PMCID: PMC6987840 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescence and puberty are highly susceptible developmental periods during which the neuronal organization and maturation of the brain is completed. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system, which is well known to modulate cognitive processing, undergoes profound and transient developmental changes during adolescence. With the present study we were aiming to examine the ontogeny of cognitive skills throughout adolescence in male rats and clarify the potential modulatory role of CB1 receptor signalling. Cognitive skills were assessed repeatedly every 10th day in rats throughout adolescence. All animals were tested for object recognition memory and prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex. Although cognitive performance in short-term memory as well as sensorimotor gating abilities were decreased during puberty compared to adulthood, both tasks were found to show different developmental trajectories throughout adolescence. A low dose of the CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist SR141716 was found to improve recognition memory specifically in pubertal animals while not affecting behavioral performance at other ages tested. The present findings demonstrate that the developmental trajectory of cognitive abilities does not occur linearly for all cognitive processes and is strongly influenced by pubertal maturation. Developmental alterations within the eCB system at puberty onset may be involved in these changes in cognitive processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja A Goepfrich
- Research Group Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Chris M Friemel
- Research Group Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sabina Pauen
- Department of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Germany
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Labots M, Laarakker MC, Ohl F, van Lith HA. Consomic mouse strain selection based on effect size measurement, statistical significance testing and integrated behavioral z-scoring: focus on anxiety-related behavior and locomotion. BMC Genet 2016; 17:95. [PMID: 27357390 PMCID: PMC4928255 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-016-0411-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Selecting chromosome substitution strains (CSSs, also called consomic strains/lines) used in the search for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) consistently requires the identification of the respective phenotypic trait of interest and is simply based on a significant difference between a consomic and host strain. However, statistical significance as represented by P values does not necessarily predicate practical importance. We therefore propose a method that pays attention to both the statistical significance and the actual size of the observed effect. The present paper extends on this approach and describes in more detail the use of effect size measures (Cohen’s d, partial eta squared - ηp2) together with the P value as statistical selection parameters for the chromosomal assignment of QTLs influencing anxiety-related behavior and locomotion in laboratory mice. Results The effect size measures were based on integrated behavioral z-scoring and were calculated in three experiments: (A) a complete consomic male mouse panel with A/J as the donor strain and C57BL/6J as the host strain. This panel, including host and donor strains, was analyzed in the modified Hole Board (mHB). The consomic line with chromosome 19 from A/J (CSS-19A) was selected since it showed increased anxiety-related behavior, but similar locomotion compared to its host. (B) Following experiment A, female CSS-19A mice were compared with their C57BL/6J counterparts; however no significant differences and effect sizes close to zero were found. (C) A different consomic mouse strain (CSS-19PWD), with chromosome 19 from PWD/PhJ transferred on the genetic background of C57BL/6J, was compared with its host strain. Here, in contrast with CSS-19A, there was a decreased overall anxiety in CSS-19PWD compared to C57BL/6J males, but not locomotion. Conclusions This new method shows an improved way to identify CSSs for QTL analysis for anxiety-related behavior using a combination of statistical significance testing and effect sizes. In addition, an intercross between CSS-19A and CSS-19PWD may be of interest for future studies on the genetic background of anxiety-related behavior. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-016-0411-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Labots
- Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80166, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands. .,Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - M C Laarakker
- Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80166, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Present Address: Boston Scientific Nederland B.V., Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - F Ohl
- Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80166, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - H A van Lith
- Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80166, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Molenhuis RT, Bruining H, Remmelink E, de Visser L, Loos M, Burbach JPH, Kas MJH. Limited impact of Cntn4 mutation on autism-related traits in developing and adult C57BL/6J mice. J Neurodev Disord 2016; 8:6. [PMID: 26958094 PMCID: PMC4782374 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-016-9140-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mouse models offer an essential tool to unravel the impact of genetic mutations on autism-related phenotypes. The behavioral impact of some important candidate gene models for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has not yet been studied, and existing characterizations mostly describe behavioral phenotypes at adult ages, disregarding the developmental nature of the disorder. In this context, the behavioral influence of CNTN4, one of the strongest suggested ASD candidate genes, is unknown. Here, we used our recently established developmental test battery to characterize the consequences of disruption of contactin 4 (Cntn4) on neurological, sensory, cognitive, and behavioral phenotypes across different developmental stages. Methods C57BL/6J mice with heterozygous and homozygous disruption of Cntn4 were studied through an extensive, partially longitudinal, test battery at various developmental stages, including various paradigms testing social and restricted repetitive behaviors. Results Developmental neurological and cognitive screenings revealed no significant differences between genotypes, and ASD-related behavioral domains were also unchanged in Cntn4-deficient versus wild-type mice. The impact of Cntn4-deficiency was found to be limited to increased startle responsiveness following auditory stimuli of different high amplitudes in heterozygous and homozygous Cntn4-deficient mice and enhanced acquisition in a spatial learning task in homozygous mice. Conclusions Disruption of Cntn4 in the C57BL/6J background does not affect specific autism-related phenotypes in developing or adult mice but causes subtle non-disorder specific changes in sensory behavioral responses and cognitive performance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s11689-016-9140-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remco T Molenhuis
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hilgo Bruining
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Esther Remmelink
- Sylics (Synaptologics BV), Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leonie de Visser
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Loos
- Sylics (Synaptologics BV), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J Peter H Burbach
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martien J H Kas
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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21
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Bruining H, Matsui A, Oguro-Ando A, Kahn RS, Van't Spijker HM, Akkermans G, Stiedl O, van Engeland H, Koopmans B, van Lith HA, Oppelaar H, Tieland L, Nonkes LJ, Yagi T, Kaneko R, Burbach JPH, Yamamoto N, Kas MJ. Genetic Mapping in Mice Reveals the Involvement of Pcdh9 in Long-Term Social and Object Recognition and Sensorimotor Development. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 78:485-95. [PMID: 25802080 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Revised: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quantitative genetic analysis of basic mouse behaviors is a powerful tool to identify novel genetic phenotypes contributing to neurobehavioral disorders. Here, we analyzed genetic contributions to single-trial, long-term social and nonsocial recognition and subsequently studied the functional impact of an identified candidate gene on behavioral development. METHODS Genetic mapping of single-trial social recognition was performed in chromosome substitution strains, a sophisticated tool for detecting quantitative trait loci (QTL) of complex traits. Follow-up occurred by generating and testing knockout (KO) mice of a selected QTL candidate gene. Functional characterization of these mice was performed through behavioral and neurological assessments across developmental stages and analyses of gene expression and brain morphology. RESULTS Chromosome substitution strain 14 mapping studies revealed an overlapping QTL related to long-term social and object recognition harboring Pcdh9, a cell-adhesion gene previously associated with autism spectrum disorder. Specific long-term social and object recognition deficits were confirmed in homozygous (KO) Pcdh9-deficient mice, while heterozygous mice only showed long-term social recognition impairment. The recognition deficits in KO mice were not associated with alterations in perception, multi-trial discrimination learning, sociability, behavioral flexibility, or fear memory. Rather, KO mice showed additional impairments in sensorimotor development reflected by early touch-evoked biting, rotarod performance, and sensory gating deficits. This profile emerged with structural changes in deep layers of sensory cortices, where Pcdh9 is selectively expressed. CONCLUSIONS This behavior-to-gene study implicates Pcdh9 in cognitive functions required for long-term social and nonsocial recognition. This role is supported by the involvement of Pcdh9 in sensory cortex development and sensorimotor phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilgo Bruining
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Asuka Matsui
- Neuroscience Laboratories, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Asami Oguro-Ando
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - René S Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Heleen M Van't Spijker
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Guus Akkermans
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Oliver Stiedl
- Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam
| | - Herman van Engeland
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Hein A van Lith
- Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Animals in Science and Society, Program Emotion and Cognition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Hugo Oppelaar
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Liselotte Tieland
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lourens J Nonkes
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Takeshi Yagi
- KOKORO-Biology Group, Laboratories for Integrated Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Kaneko
- KOKORO-Biology Group, Laboratories for Integrated Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - J Peter H Burbach
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nobuhiko Yamamoto
- Neuroscience Laboratories, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Martien J Kas
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Brust V, Schindler PM, Lewejohann L. Lifetime development of behavioural phenotype in the house mouse (Mus musculus). Front Zool 2015; 12 Suppl 1:S17. [PMID: 26816516 PMCID: PMC4722345 DOI: 10.1186/1742-9994-12-s1-s17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
With each trajectory taken during the ontogeny of an individual, the number of optional behavioural phenotypes that can be expressed across its life span is reduced. The initial range of phenotypic plasticity is largely determined by the genetic material/composition of the gametes whereas interacting with the given environment shapes individuals to adapt to/cope with specific demands. In mammalian species, the phenotype is shaped as the foetus grows, depending on the environment in the uterus, which in turn depends on the outer environment the mother experiences during pregnancy. After birth, a complex interaction between innate constitution and environmental conditions shapes individual lifetime trajectories, bringing about a wide range of diversity among individual subjects. In laboratory mice inbreeding has been systematically induced in order to reduce the genetic variability between experimental subjects. In addition, within most laboratories conducting behavioural phenotyping with mice, breeding and housing conditions are highly standardised. Despite such standardisation efforts a considerable amount of variability persists in the behaviour of mice. There is good evidence that phenotypic variation is not merely random but might involve individual specific behavioural patterns consistent over time. In order to understand the mechanisms and the possible adaptive value of the maintenance of individuality we review the emergence of behavioural phenotypes over the course of the life of (laboratory) mice. We present a literature review summarizing developmental stages of behavioural development of mice along with three illustrative case studies. We conclude that the accumulation of environmental differences and experiences lead to a “mouse individuality” that becomes increasingly stable over the lifetime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Brust
- Behavioral Biology, University of Osnabrueck, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Philipp M Schindler
- Behavioral Biology, University of Osnabrueck, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Lars Lewejohann
- Behavioral Biology, University of Osnabrueck, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrueck, Germany
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Pritchett D, Hasan S, Tam SKE, Engle SJ, Brandon NJ, Sharp T, Foster RG, Harrison PJ, Bannerman DM, Peirson SN. d-amino acid oxidase knockout (Dao(-/-) ) mice show enhanced short-term memory performance and heightened anxiety, but no sleep or circadian rhythm disruption. Eur J Neurosci 2015; 41:1167-79. [PMID: 25816902 PMCID: PMC4744680 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
d-amino acid oxidase (DAO, DAAO) is an enzyme that degrades d-serine, the primary endogenous co-agonist of the synaptic N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor. Convergent evidence implicates DAO in the pathophysiology and potential treatment of schizophrenia. To better understand the functional role of DAO, we characterized the behaviour of the first genetically engineered Dao knockout (Dao(-/-) ) mouse. Our primary objective was to assess both spatial and non-spatial short-term memory performance. Relative to wildtype (Dao(+/+) ) littermate controls, Dao(-/-) mice demonstrated enhanced spatial recognition memory performance, improved odour recognition memory performance, and enhanced spontaneous alternation in the T-maze. In addition, Dao(-/-) mice displayed increased anxiety-like behaviour in five tests of approach/avoidance conflict: the open field test, elevated plus maze, successive alleys, light/dark box and novelty-suppressed feeding. Despite evidence of a reciprocal relationship between anxiety and sleep and circadian function in rodents, we found no evidence of sleep or circadian rhythm disruption in Dao(-/-) mice. Overall, our observations are consistent with, and extend, findings in the natural mutant ddY/Dao(-) line. These data add to a growing body of preclinical evidence linking the inhibition, inactivation or deletion of DAO with enhanced cognitive performance. Our results have implications for the development of DAO inhibitors as therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Pritchett
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology), John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
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Wöhr M. Effect of social odor context on the emission of isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations in the BTBR T+tf/J mouse model for autism. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:73. [PMID: 25852455 PMCID: PMC4364166 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An important diagnostic criterion for social communication deficits in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are difficulties in adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts. While the BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) inbred strain of mice is one of the most commonly used mouse models for ASD, little is known about whether BTBR mice display deficits in detecting changes in social context and their ability to adjust to them. Here, it was tested therefore whether the emission of isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) in BTBR mouse pups is affected by the social odor context, in comparison to the standard control strain with high sociability, C57BL/6J (B6). It is known that the presence of odors from mothers and littermates leads to a calming of the isolated mouse pup, and hence to a reduction in isolation-induced USV emission. In accordance with their behavioral phenotypes with relevance to all diagnostic core symptoms of ASD, it was predicted that BTBR mouse pups would not display a calming response when tested under soiled bedding conditions with home cage bedding material containing maternal odors, and that similar isolation-induced USV emission rates would be seen in BTBR mice tested under clean and soiled bedding conditions. Unexpectedly, however, the present findings show that BTBR mouse pups display such a calming response and emit fewer isolation-induced USV when tested under soiled as compared to clean bedding conditions, similar to B6 mouse pups. Yet, in contrast to B6 mouse pups, which emitted isolation-induced USV with shorter call durations and lower levels of frequency modulation under soiled bedding conditions, social odor context had no effect on acoustic call features in BTBR mouse pups. This indicates that the BTBR mouse model for ASD does not display deficits in detecting changes in social context, but has a limited ability and/or reduced motivation to adjust to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Physiological Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg Marburg, Germany
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Modeling neuropsychiatric spectra to empower translational biological psychiatry. Behav Brain Res 2015; 276:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Abstract
The C57BL/6 (B6) mouse is the background strain most frequently used for genetically-modified mice. Previous studies have found significant behavioral and genetic differences between the B6J (The Jackson Laboratory) and B6N substrains (National Institutes of Health); however, most studies employed only male mice. We performed a comprehensive battery of motor function and learning and memory tests on male and female mice from both substrains. The B6N male mice had greater improvement in the rotarod test. In contrast, B6J female mice had longer latencies to falling from the rotarod. In the Morris water maze (MWM), B6J males had significantly shorter latencies to finding the hidden platform. However, B6N females had significantly shorter path lengths in the reversal and shifted-reduced phases. In open field locomotor activity, B6J males had higher activity levels, whereas B6N females took longer to habituate. In the fear conditioning test, B6N males had a significantly longer time freezing in the new context compared with B6J males, but no significant differences were found in contextual or cued tests. In summary, our findings demonstrate the importance of testing both males and females in neurobehavioral studies. Both factors (sex and substrain) must be taken into account when designing developmental neurotoxicology studies.
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