1
|
Radulescu CI, Ferrari Bardile C, Garcia-Miralles M, Sidik H, Yusof NABM, Pouladi MA. Environmental Deprivation Effects on Myelin Ultrastructure in Huntington Disease and Wildtype Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:4278-4288. [PMID: 38079108 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03799-6] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Environmental deprivation can have deleterious effects on adaptive myelination and oligodendroglia function. Early stage Huntington disease (HD) is characterised by white-matter myelin abnormalities in both humans and animal models. However, whether deprived environments exacerbate myelin-related pathological features of HD is not clearly understood. Here, we investigated the impact of deprivation and social isolation on ultrastructural features of myelin in the corpus callosum of the YAC128 mouse model of HD and wildtype (WT) mice using transmission electron microscopy. HD pathology on its own leads to increased representation of altered myelin features, such as thinner sheaths and compromised morphology. Interestingly, deprivation mirrors these effects in WT mice but does not greatly exacerbate the already aberrant myelin in HD mice, indicating a disease-related floor effect in the latter animals. These novel findings indicate that environmental deprivation causes abnormalities in myelin ultrastructure in the otherwise healthy corpus callosum of wild-type mice but has distinct effects on HD mice, where compromised myelin integrity is manifest from early stages of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carola I Radulescu
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
- UK Dementia Research Institute (DRI), Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Costanza Ferrari Bardile
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Marta Garcia-Miralles
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Harwin Sidik
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Nur Amirah Binte Mohammad Yusof
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore.
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bahi A. Gestational environmental enrichment prevents chronic social stress induced anxiety- and ethanol-related behaviors in offspring. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 234:173679. [PMID: 37977553 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological surveys have shown a strong relationship between maternal stress and offspring's mood disorders. Growing evidence suggested that environmental enrichment (EE) improves cognitive function in models of psychiatric and neurological disorders. However, the potential protective effects of gestational EE on social stress-elicited mood disorders in offspring have not been studied. Knowing that the undeveloped brain is more sensitive to gestational environmental stimuli, we hypothesized that initiating cognitive stimulation, during gestation, would protect against social stress-induced behavioral alterations in adulthood. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of gestational EE on social stress-elicited anxiety- and ethanol-related behaviors in adult offspring. EE consisted of free access, of dams, to tubular devices of different shapes, colors, and sizes that were changed regularly. After birth and weaning, young adult offspring were exposed to 19 days of social stress and anxiety-like behavior was evaluated by elevated plus maze, open field, and marbles burying tests. The two-bottle choice (TBC) drinking paradigm was used to assess stress-induced ethanol intake. Results showed that gestational EE prevented social stress-elicited anxiogenic-like effects with no differences in spontaneous locomotor activity. Moreover, in the TBC paradigm, mice pre-exposed to EE consistently showed a significantly decreased consumption and preference for ethanol with no effects on tastants' intakes. Interestingly, gestational EE increased serum BDNF levels, which showed a correlation with measures of anxiety- and ethanol-related behaviors. These findings indicate that some neurodevelopmental changes associated with prenatal EE may counteract adult social stress-induced behavioral alterations through a BDNF mechanism. Therefore, we propose that gestational EE has significant protective and beneficial effects on social stress-induced cognitive impairment. It can also alleviate anxiety-like behavior and subsequent excessive alcohol consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amine Bahi
- College of Medicine, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; Center of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; Department of Anatomy, CMHS, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bohn L, Bierbaum L, Kästner N, von Kortzfleisch VT, Kaiser S, Sachser N, Richter SH. Structural enrichment for laboratory mice: exploring the effects of novelty and complexity. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1207332. [PMID: 37841462 PMCID: PMC10570735 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1207332] [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: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Providing structural enrichment is a widespread refinement method for laboratory rodents and other animals in captivity. So far, animal welfare research has mostly focused on the effect of increased complexity either by accumulating or combining different enrichment items. However, increasing complexity is not the only possibility to refine housing conditions. Another refinement option is to increase novelty by regularly exchanging known enrichment items with new ones. In the present study, we used pair-housed non-breeding female C57BL/6J and DBA/2N mice to investigate the effect of novelty when applying structural enrichment. We used a double cage system, in which one cage served as home cage and the other as extra cage. While the home cage was furnished in the same way for all mice, in the extra cage we either provided only space with no additional enrichment items (space), a fixed set of enrichment items (complexity), or a changing set of enrichment items (novelty). Over 5 weeks, we assessed spontaneous behaviors, body weight, and extra cage usage as indicators of welfare and preference. Our main results showed that mice with access to structurally enriched extra cages (complexity and novelty) spent more time in their extra cages and complexity mice had lower latencies to enter their extra cages than mice with access to the extra cages without any structural enrichment (space). This indicates that the mice preferred the structurally enriched extra cages over the structurally non-enriched space cages. We found only one statistically significant difference between the novelty and complexity condition: during week 3, novelty mice spent more time in their extra cages than complexity mice. Although we did not detect any other significant differences between the novelty and complexity condition in the present study, more research is required to further explore the potential benefits of novelty beyond complexity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lena Bohn
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Louisa Bierbaum
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Niklas Kästner
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Sylvia Kaiser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Norbert Sachser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - S. Helene Richter
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Institute of Neuro- and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Plácido E, Gomes Welter P, Wink A, Karasiak GD, Outeiro TF, Dafre AL, Gil-Mohapel J, Brocardo PS. Beyond Motor Deficits: Environmental Enrichment Mitigates Huntington's Disease Effects in YAC128 Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12607. [PMID: 37628801 PMCID: PMC10454852 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder characterized by motor, psychiatric, cognitive, and peripheral symptoms without effective therapy. Evidence suggests that lifestyle factors can modulate disease onset and progression, and environmental enrichment (EE) has emerged as a potential approach to mitigate the progression and severity of neurodegenerative processes. Wild-type (WT) and yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) 128 mice were exposed to different EE conditions. Animals from cohort 1 were exposed to EE between postnatal days 21 and 60, and animals from cohort 2 were exposed to EE between postnatal days 60 and 120. Motor and non-motor behavioral tests were employed to evaluate the effects of EE on HD progression. Monoamine levels, hippocampal cell proliferation, neuronal differentiation, and dendritic arborization were also assessed. Here we show that EE had an antidepressant-like effect and slowed the progression of motor deficits in HD mice. It also reduced monoamine levels, which correlated with better motor performance, particularly in the striatum. EE also modulated neuronal differentiation in the YAC128 hippocampus. These results confirm that EE can impact behavior, hippocampal neuroplasticity, and monoamine levels in YAC128 mice, suggesting this could be a therapeutic strategy to modulate neuroplasticity deficits in HD. However, further research is needed to fully understand EE's mechanisms and long-term effects as an adjuvant therapy for this debilitating condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evelini Plácido
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil (A.W.); (A.L.D.)
| | - Priscilla Gomes Welter
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil (A.W.); (A.L.D.)
| | - Ana Wink
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil (A.W.); (A.L.D.)
| | - Gabriela Duarte Karasiak
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil;
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
- Max Planck Institute for Natural Sciences, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), 18147 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alcir Luiz Dafre
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil (A.W.); (A.L.D.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil;
| | - Joana Gil-Mohapel
- Island Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia and Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Patricia S. Brocardo
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil (A.W.); (A.L.D.)
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ossorio-Salazar VA, D'Hooge R. Methodological shortcomings of preclinical research on chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 150:105198. [PMID: 37105339 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Ossorio-Salazar
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology & Leuven Brain Institute, Faculty of Psychology, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Rudi D'Hooge
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology & Leuven Brain Institute, Faculty of Psychology, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Torres-Reveron A, Dow-Edwards D. Scoping review on environmental enrichment: Are critical periods and sex differences adequately studied? Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 218:173420. [PMID: 35716854 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decades of research have shown the robust behavioral, structural, and molecular effects of environmental enrichment (EE) which predominantly improves neuropathological conditions. However, systematic examination of age and sex influences in response to EE is limited. OBJECTIVE Examine the use of EE and evaluate where sex differences (or similarities) are described and whether critical developmental periods are addressed. A critical examination of review articles about EE will establish a framework for the context of the findings of EE-induced effects, improve the impact of future EE studies and improve translatability. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Narrative, systematic reviews (not original reports) and meta-analyses of any animal species published during 2011 to 2021. Clinical and farming studies were excluded. SOURCES OF EVIDENCE Indexed review articles in Pubmed and Psychinfo. RESULTS Most studies examine EE during adulthood such as following an injury or following repeated addictive drug exposure. However, in various genetic models of disease states, little attention is paid to effects of EE at different ages. Only some reviews acknowledge that sex differences exist even when the disease state under study is known to be sexually dimorphic. Identified issues include lack of systematic reporting; status of the "control group" (i.e., isolation or pair housing); the use and reporting of proper statistical analyses. CONCLUSION Reviews have concluded that EE is most effective when administered early in life but that EE during adulthood is certainly effective. Too few review studies have compared sexes for the effects of EE to make a statement about sex differences. Overall, articles reflect a lack of integration of information on age and sex differences in response to EE. Future studies of EE should examine both sexes and consider critical periods of the lifespan in the experimental models to facilitate the adequate translation of EE as a non-pharmaceutical intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annelyn Torres-Reveron
- Sur180 Therapeutics, LLC, McAllen, TX, USA; Adjunct Faculty, Ponce Research Institute Ponce, PR, USA.
| | - Diana Dow-Edwards
- State University of New York, Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
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.
Collapse
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;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cait J, Cait A, Scott RW, Winder CB, Mason GJ. Conventional laboratory housing increases morbidity and mortality in research rodents: results of a meta-analysis. BMC Biol 2022; 20:15. [PMID: 35022024 PMCID: PMC8756709 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01184-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 120 million mice and rats are used annually in research, conventionally housed in shoebox-sized cages that restrict natural behaviours (e.g. nesting and burrowing). This can reduce physical fitness, impair thermoregulation and reduce welfare (e.g. inducing abnormal stereotypic behaviours). In humans, chronic stress has biological costs, increasing disease risks and potentially shortening life. Using a pre-registered protocol ( https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/xmlui/handle/10214/17955 ), this meta-analysis therefore tested the hypothesis that, compared to rodents in 'enriched' housing that better meets their needs, conventional housing increases stress-related morbidity and all-cause mortality. RESULTS Comprehensive searches (via Ovid, CABI, Web of Science, Proquest and SCOPUS on May 24 2020) yielded 10,094 publications. Screening for inclusion criteria (published in English, using mice or rats and providing 'enrichments' in long-term housing) yielded 214 studies (within 165 articles, using 6495 animals: 59.1% mice; 68.2% male; 31.8% isolation-housed), and data on all-cause mortality plus five experimentally induced stress-sensitive diseases: anxiety, cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression and stroke. The Systematic Review Center for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) tool assessed individual studies' risks of bias. Random-effects meta-analyses supported the hypothesis: conventional housing significantly exacerbated disease severity with medium to large effect sizes: cancer (SMD = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.54-0.88); cardiovascular disease (SMD = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.35-1.09); stroke (SMD = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.59-1.15); signs of anxiety (SMD = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.56-1.25); signs of depression (SMD = 1.24, 95% CI = 0.98-1.49). It also increased mortality rates (hazard ratio = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.25-1.74; relative median survival = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.89-0.94). Meta-regressions indicated that such housing effects were ubiquitous across species and sexes, but could not identify the most impactful improvements to conventional housing. Data variability (assessed via coefficient of variation) was also not increased by 'enriched' housing. CONCLUSIONS Conventional housing appears sufficiently distressing to compromise rodent health, raising ethical concerns. Results also add to previous work to show that research rodents are typically CRAMPED (cold, rotund, abnormal, male-biased, poorly surviving, enclosed and distressed), raising questions about the validity and generalisability of the data they generate. This research was funded by NSERC, Canada.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Cait
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alissa Cait
- Department of Translational Immunology, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - R Wilder Scott
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine and Applied Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Charlotte B Winder
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Georgia J Mason
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Love CJ, Masson BA, Gubert C, Hannan AJ. The microbiota-gut-brain axis in Huntington's disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2022; 167:141-184. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|
10
|
Carvalho-Paulo D, Bento Torres Neto J, Filho CS, de Oliveira TCG, de Sousa AA, dos Reis RR, dos Santos ZA, de Lima CM, de Oliveira MA, Said NM, Freitas SF, Sosthenes MCK, Gomes GF, Henrique EP, Pereira PDC, de Siqueira LS, de Melo MAD, Guerreiro Diniz C, Magalhães NGDM, Diniz JAP, Vasconcelos PFDC, Diniz DG, Anthony DC, Sherry DF, Brites D, Picanço Diniz CW. Microglial Morphology Across Distantly Related Species: Phylogenetic, Environmental and Age Influences on Microglia Reactivity and Surveillance States. Front Immunol 2021; 12:683026. [PMID: 34220831 PMCID: PMC8250867 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.683026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglial immunosurveillance of the brain parenchyma to detect local perturbations in homeostasis, in all species, results in the adoption of a spectrum of morphological changes that reflect functional adaptations. Here, we review the contribution of these changes in microglia morphology in distantly related species, in homeostatic and non-homeostatic conditions, with three principal goals (1): to review the phylogenetic influences on the morphological diversity of microglia during homeostasis (2); to explore the impact of homeostatic perturbations (Dengue virus challenge) in distantly related species (Mus musculus and Callithrix penicillata) as a proxy for the differential immune response in small and large brains; and (3) to examine the influences of environmental enrichment and aging on the plasticity of the microglial morphological response following an immunological challenge (neurotropic arbovirus infection). Our findings reveal that the differences in microglia morphology across distantly related species under homeostatic condition cannot be attributed to the phylogenetic origin of the species. However, large and small brains, under similar non-homeostatic conditions, display differential microglial morphological responses, and we argue that age and environment interact to affect the microglia morphology after an immunological challenge; in particular, mice living in an enriched environment exhibit a more efficient immune response to the virus resulting in earlier removal of the virus and earlier return to the homeostatic morphological phenotype of microglia than it is observed in sedentary mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Carvalho-Paulo
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - João Bento Torres Neto
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Faculdade de Fisioterapia e Terapia Ocupacional, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Carlos Santos Filho
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Thais Cristina Galdino de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Aline Andrade de Sousa
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Renata Rodrigues dos Reis
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Zaire Alves dos Santos
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Camila Mendes de Lima
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Marcus Augusto de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Nivin Mazen Said
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Sinara Franco Freitas
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Marcia Consentino Kronka Sosthenes
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Giovanni Freitas Gomes
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Ediely Pereira Henrique
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Bragança, Brazil
| | - Patrick Douglas Côrrea Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Bragança, Brazil
| | - Lucas Silva de Siqueira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Bragança, Brazil
| | - Mauro André Damasceno de Melo
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Bragança, Brazil
| | - Cristovam Guerreiro Diniz
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Bragança, Brazil
| | - Nara Gyzely de Morais Magalhães
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Bragança, Brazil
| | | | - Pedro Fernando da Costa Vasconcelos
- Dep. de Arbovirologia e Febres Hemorrágicas, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém, Brazil
- Departamento de Patologia, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Daniel Guerreiro Diniz
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Laboratório de Microscopia Eletrônica, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém, Brazil
| | | | - David Francis Sherry
- Department of Psychology, Advanced Facility for Avian Research, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Dora Brites
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristovam Wanderley Picanço Diniz
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Budiono BP, See Hoe LE, Peart JN, Vider J, Ashton KJ, Jacques A, Haseler LJ, Headrick JP. Effects of voluntary exercise duration on myocardial ischaemic tolerance, kinase signaling and gene expression. Life Sci 2021; 274:119253. [PMID: 33647270 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIM Exercise is cardioprotective, though optimal interventions are unclear. We assessed duration dependent effects of exercise on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury, kinase signaling and gene expression. METHODS Responses to brief (2 day; 2EX), intermediate (7 and 14 day; 7EX and 14EX) and extended (28 day; 28EX) voluntary wheel running (VWR) were studied in male C57Bl/6 mice. Cardiac function, I-R tolerance and survival kinase signaling were assessed in perfused hearts. KEY FINDINGS Mice progressively increased running distances and intensity, from 2.4 ± 0.2 km/day (0.55 ± 0.04 m/s) at 2-days to 10.6 ± 0.4 km/day (0.72 ± 0.06 m/s) after 28-days. Myocardial mass and contractility were modified at 14-28 days VWR. Cardioprotection was not 'dose-dependent', with I-R tolerance enhanced within 7 days and not further improved with greater VWR duration, volume or intensity. Protection was associated with AKT, ERK1/2 and GSK3β phosphorylation, with phospho-AMPK selectively enhanced with brief VWR. Gene expression was duration-dependent: 7 day VWR up-regulated glycolytic (Pfkm) and down-regulated maladaptive remodeling (Mmp2) genes; 28 day VWR up-regulated caveolar (Cav3), mitochondrial biogenesis (Ppargc1a, Sirt3) and titin (Ttn) genes. Interestingly, I-R tolerance in 2EX/2SED groups improved vs. groups subjected to longer sedentariness, suggesting transient protection on transition to housing with running wheels. SIGNIFICANCE Cardioprotection is induced with as little as 7 days VWR, yet not enhanced with further or faster running. This protection is linked to survival kinase phospho-regulation (particularly AKT and ERK1/2), with glycolytic, mitochondrial, caveolar and myofibrillar gene changes potentially contributing. Intriguingly, environmental enrichment may also protect via similar kinase regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boris P Budiono
- Charles Sturt University, School of Community Health, Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia
| | - Louise E See Hoe
- Griffith University, School of Medical Science, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason N Peart
- Griffith University, School of Medical Science, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Jelena Vider
- Griffith University, School of Medical Science, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Kevin J Ashton
- Bond University, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Robina, QLD, Australia
| | - Angela Jacques
- Curtin University, School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Luke J Haseler
- Curtin University, School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - John P Headrick
- Griffith University, School of Medical Science, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lee VK, David JM, Huerkamp MJ. Micro- and Macroenvironmental Conditions and Stability of Terrestrial Models. ILAR J 2020; 60:120-140. [PMID: 33094820 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilaa013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental variables can have profound effects on the biological responses of research animals and the outcomes of experiments dependent on them. Some of these influences are both predictable and unpredictable in effect, many are challenging to standardize, and all are influenced by the planning and conduct of experiments and the design and operation of the vivarium. Others are not yet known. Within the immediate environment where the research animal resides, in the vivarium and in transit, the most notable of these factors are ambient temperature, relative humidity, gaseous pollutant by-products of animal metabolism and physiology, dust and particulates, barometric pressure, electromagnetic fields, and illumination. Ambient temperatures in the animal housing environment, in particular those experienced by rodents below the thermoneutral zone, may introduce degrees of stress and thermoregulatory compensative responses that may complicate or invalidate study measurements across a broad array of disciplines. Other factors may have more subtle and specific effects. It is incumbent on scientists designing and executing experiments and staff responsible for animal husbandry to be aware of, understand, measure, systematically record, control, and account for the impact of these factors on sensitive animal model systems to ensure the quality and reproducibility of scientific studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa K Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Division of Animal Resources, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - John M David
- Translational Medicine Department, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael J Huerkamp
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Division of Animal Resources, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Pritchett-Corning KR. Environmental Complexity and Research Outcomes. ILAR J 2020; 60:239-251. [PMID: 32559304 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilaa007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental complexity is an experimental paradigm as well as a potential part of animals' everyday housing experiences. In experimental uses, researchers add complexity to stimulate brain development, delay degenerative brain changes, elicit more naturalistic behaviors, and test learning and memory. Complexity can exacerbate or mitigate behavioral problems, give animals a sense of control, and allow for expression of highly driven, species-typical behaviors that can improve animal welfare. Complex environments should be designed thoughtfully with the animal's natural behaviors in mind, reported faithfully in the literature, and evaluated carefully for unexpected effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen R Pritchett-Corning
- Office of Animal Resources, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
O'Tuathaigh CMP, Desbonnet L, Payne C, Petit E, Cox R, Loftus S, Clarke G, Cryan JF, Tighe O, Wilson S, Kirby BP, Dinan TG, Waddington JL. Ethologically based behavioural and neurochemical characterisation of mice with isoform-specific loss of dysbindin-1A in the context of schizophrenia. Neurosci Lett 2020; 736:135218. [PMID: 32615248 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135218] [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: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Dysbindin-1 is implicated in several aspects of schizophrenia, including cognition and both glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission. Targeted knockout of dysbindin-1A (Dys-1A KO), the most abundant and widely expressed isoform in the brain, is associated with deficits in delay/interference-dependent working memory. Using an ethologically based approach, the following behavioural phenotypes were examined in Dys-1A KO mice: exploratory activity, social interaction, anxiety and problem-solving ability. Levels of monoamines and their metabolites were measured in striatum, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The ethogram of initial exploration in Dys-1A KO mice was characterised by increased rearing from a seated position; over subsequent habituation, stillness was decreased relative to wildtype. In a test of dyadic social interaction with an unfamiliar conspecific in a novel environment, female KO mice showed an increase in investigative social behaviours. Marble burying behaviour was unchanged. Using the puzzle-box test to measure general problem-solving performance, no effect of genotype was observed across nine trials of increasing complexity. Dys-1A KO demonstrated lower levels of 5-HT in ratio to its metabolite 5-HIAA in the prefrontal cortex. These studies elaborate the behavioural and neurochemical phenotype of Dys-1A KO mice, revealing subtle genotype-related differences in non-social and social exploratory behaviours and habituation of exploration in a novel environment, as well as changes in 5-HT activity in brain areas related to schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colm M P O'Tuathaigh
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland; Medical Education Unit, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Lieve Desbonnet
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland; School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Christina Payne
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emilie Petit
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rachel Cox
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Samim Loftus
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard Clarke
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Neurogastroenterology Laboratory, APC Microbiome Ireland, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Neurogastroenterology Laboratory, APC Microbiome Ireland, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Orna Tighe
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Steve Wilson
- In Vivo Science and Delivery, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, UK
| | - Brian P Kirby
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Timothy G Dinan
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Neurogastroenterology Laboratory, APC Microbiome Ireland, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John L Waddington
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research & Therapy for Neuro-Psychiatric Disorders and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Whittaker AL, Hickman DL. The Impact of Social and Behavioral Factors on Reproducibility in Terrestrial Vertebrate Models. ILAR J 2020; 60:252-269. [PMID: 32720675 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilaa005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of animal models remains critical in preclinical and translational research. The reliability of the animal models and aspects of their validity is likely key to effective translation of findings to medicine. However, despite considerable uniformity in animal models brought about by control of genetics, there remain a number of social as well as innate and acquired behavioral characteristics of laboratory animals that may impact on research outcomes. These include the effects of strain and genetics, age and development, sex, personality and affective states, and social factors largely brought about by housing and husbandry. In addition, aspects of the testing environment may also influence research findings. A number of considerations resulting from the animals' innate and acquired behavioral characteristics as well as their social structures are described. Suggestions for minimizing the impact of these factors on research are provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Whittaker
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, South Australia, Australia
| | - Debra L Hickman
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Khoo SYS, Correia V, Uhrig A. Nesting material enrichment reduces severity of overgrooming-related self-injury in individually housed rats. Lab Anim 2020; 54:546-558. [PMID: 31924130 DOI: 10.1177/0023677219894356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Individual or singly-housing laboratory rats is common in many animal facilities, but has an adverse impact on the welfare of this social species. It has previously been shown that a small proportion of individually housed mice (∼5%) engage in pathological overgrooming behaviour, but this has not been assessed in rats. We performed an observational study to determine the prevalence of overgrooming-related self-injury and whether providing nesting material enrichment throughout an animal's life would affect the prevalence or severity of overgrooming-related self-injury. Due to protocol differences between projects in our behavioural neuroscience lab, unenriched rats received a nylabone and a shelter (n = 167), while baseline-enriched rats received a nylabone, shelter and shredded paper nesting material throughout experiments (n = 238). Unenriched rats received nesting material enrichment after the onset of overgrooming-related self-injury. Over 18 months, rats were monitored by their experimenters on a daily basis (5-7 days/week over 2-3 months/project) and any cases of overgrooming-related self-injury were recorded. Replicating the findings of previous studies in mice, we observed 20 cases of overgrooming-related self-injury (∼5%) with no difference in prevalence between rats on the basis of supplier, cage position, experimental procedure (behavioural only or involving surgical procedures), reinforcer (ethanol or sugar) or level of baseline-enrichment. While there was no difference in onset severity between rats that were unenriched at baseline and baseline-enriched rats, baseline-enriched rats had lower self-injury severity scores at one-, two- and four-week follow-ups. These results suggest that nesting material enrichment provided throughout an animal's life may reduce overgrooming-related self-injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaun Y-S Khoo
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, 5618Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Vanessa Correia
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, 5618Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Alexandra Uhrig
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, 5618Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Guo S, Huang Y, Zhang Y, Huang H, Hong S, Liu T. Impacts of exercise interventions on different diseases and organ functions in mice. JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE 2020; 9:53-73. [PMID: 31921481 PMCID: PMC6943779 DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Background In recent years, much evidence has emerged to indicate that exercise can benefit people when performed properly. This review summarizes the exercise interventions used in studies involving mice as they are related to special diseases or physiological status. To further understand the effects of exercise interventions in treating or preventing diseases, it is important to establish a template for exercise interventions that can be used in future exercise-related studies. Methods PubMed was used as the data resource for articles. To identify studies related to the effectiveness of exercise interventions for treating various diseases and organ functions in mice, we used the following search language: (exercise [Title] OR training [Title] OR physical activity [Title]) AND (mice [title/abstract] OR mouse [title/abstract] OR mus [title/abstract]). To limit the range of search results, we included 2 filters: one that limited publication dates to "in 10 years" and one that sorted the results as "best match". Then we grouped the commonly used exercise methods according to their similarities and differences. We then evaluated the effectiveness of the exercise interventions for their impact on diseases and organ functions in 8 different systems. Results A total of 331 articles were included in the analysis procedure. The articles were then segmented into 8 systems for which the exercise interventions were used in targeting and treating disorders: motor system (60 studies), metabolic system (45 studies), cardio-cerebral vascular system (58 studies), nervous system (74 studies), immune system (32 studies), respiratory system (7 studies), digestive system (1 study), and the system related to the development of cancer (54 studies). The methods of exercise interventions mainly involved the use of treadmills, voluntary wheel-running, forced wheel-running, swimming, and resistance training. It was found that regardless of the specific exercise method used, most of them demonstrated positive effects on various systemic diseases and organ functions. Most diseases were remitted with exercise regardless of the exercise method used, although some diseases showed the best remission effects when a specific method was used. Conclusion Our review strongly suggests that exercise intervention is a cornerstone in disease prevention and treatment in mice. Because exercise interventions in humans typically focus on chronic diseases, national fitness, and body weight loss, and typically have low intervention compliance rates, it is important to use mice models to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the health benefits from exercise interventions in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Guo
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yiru Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - He Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Shangyu Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tiemin Liu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Bolker JA. Selection of Models: Evolution and the Choice of Species for Translational Research. BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2019; 93:82-91. [PMID: 31416088 DOI: 10.1159/000500317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Evolutionary thinking can inform the choice and assessment of model species in neuroscience, particularly when such models are intended to generate knowledge that will translate to humans. Avoiding errors that arise from oversimplified notions of phylogeny or genotype-phenotype mapping is one contribution; evolutionary biology also offers positive guidance. The challenge of finding adequate non-human models for translational research is particularly acute in neuroscience: neurobiological and behavioral phenotypes are complex and plastic, and many traits important in humans are absent, radically different, or difficult to assess in other species. Evolutionary perspectives help to articulate and address these challenges. Darwin's description of "descent with modification" points to two aspects of evolution that can help us assess the matching between a prospective model species and its intended target. One is trees that represent the structure of phylogenetic relationships; the other is phenotypic traits, i.e. the unique characteristics of each species' evolved biology and natural history. Mapping traits onto a phylogeny is the first step toward analyzing the source of similarities between a target and a potential model. Whether similar traits arise from shared ancestry or from adaptive convergence has important implications for what kinds of inferences can be justified, and for the likely translatability of findings. Evolution offers both a rich source of possible models, and guidance for choosing the best ones for a given purpose. Considering model choice from an evolutionary angle not only helps to answer the question "What species might be a good model for studying x?" but also suggests additional questions we should be asking to assess the utility of both potential and current models. Recognizing the diverse ways model organisms can function expands our search image as we seek species to study that can both extend general knowledge, and generate translatable insights relevant to human neurobiology and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Bolker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA,
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gubert C, Hannan AJ. Environmental enrichment as an experience-dependent modulator of social plasticity and cognition. Brain Res 2019; 1717:1-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
20
|
Gelfo F. Does Experience Enhance Cognitive Flexibility? An Overview of the Evidence Provided by the Environmental Enrichment Studies. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:150. [PMID: 31338030 PMCID: PMC6629767 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroplasticity accounts for the ability of the brain to change in both structure and function in consequence of life experiences. An enhanced stimulation provided by the environment is able to create a form of brain, neural, and cognitive reserve, which allows an individual to cope better with the environmental demands, also in case of neural damage leading to cognitive decline. With its complex manipulation of several stimuli, the animal experimental paradigm of environmental enrichment (EE) appears particularly effective in modulating the ability to successfully respond to the ever-changing characteristics of the environment. According to this point, it could be very relevant to analyze the specific effects of EE on cognitive flexibility (CF). CF could be defined as the ability to effectively change behavior in response to the environmental condition changing. This review article is specifically aimed to summarize and focus on the available evidence in relation to the effects of EE on CF. To this aim, findings obtained in behavioral tasks specifically structured to investigate animal CF, such as reversal learning and attentional set-shifting tests (tasks based on the request of responding to a rewarding rule that changes, within one or multiple perceptual dimensions), are reviewed. Data provided on the structural and biochemical correlates of these findings are also enumerated. Studies realized in healthy animals and also in pathological models are considered. On the whole, the summarized evidence clearly supports the specific beneficial effects of EE on CF. However, further studies on this key topic are strictly required to gain a comprehensive and detailed framework on the mechanisms by which an enhanced stimulation could improve CF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gelfo
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cutuli D, Berretta E, Laricchiuta D, Caporali P, Gelfo F, Petrosini L. Pre-reproductive Parental Enriching Experiences Influence Progeny's Developmental Trajectories. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:254. [PMID: 30483072 PMCID: PMC6240645 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
While the positive effects of environmental enrichment (EE) applied after weaning, in adulthood, during aging, or even in the presence of brain damage have been widely described, the transgenerational effects of pre-reproductive EE have been less examined. And yet, this issue is remarkable given that parental environmental experience may imprint offspring’s phenotype over generations through many epigenetic processes. Interactions between individual and environment take place lifelong even before conception. In fact, the environment pre-reproductively experienced by the mother and/or the father exerts a substantial impact on neural development and motor and cognitive performances of the offspring, even if not directly exposed to social, cognitive, physical and/or motor enrichment. Furthermore, pre-reproductive parental enrichment exerts a transgenerational impact on coping response to stress as well as on the social behavior of the offspring. Among the effects of pre-reproductive parental EE, a potentiation of the maternal care and a decrease in global methylation levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of the progeny have been described. Finally, pre-reproductive EE modifies different pathways of neuromodulation in the brain of the offspring (involving brain-derived neurotrophic factor, oxytocin and glucocorticoid receptors). The present review highlights the importance of pre-reproductive parental enrichment in altering the performances not only of animals directly experiencing it, but also of their progeny, thus opening the way to new hypotheses on the inheritance mechanisms of behavioral traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debora Cutuli
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Berretta
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Laricchiuta
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Caporali
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gelfo
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Petrosini
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sundberg JP, Schofield PN. Living inside the box: environmental effects on mouse models of human disease. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm.035360. [PMID: 30194139 PMCID: PMC6215423 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.035360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of the laboratory environment on animal models of human disease, particularly the mouse, has recently come under intense scrutiny regarding both the reproducibility of such environments and their ability to accurately recapitulate elements of human environmental conditions. One common objection to the use of mice in highly controlled facilities is that humans live in much more diverse and stressful environments, which affects the expression and characteristics of disease phenotypes. In this Special Article, we review some of the known effects of the laboratory environment on mouse phenotypes and compare them with environmental effects on humans that modify phenotypes or, in some cases, have driven genetic adaptation. We conclude that the 'boxes' inhabited by mice and humans have much in common, but that, when attempting to tease out the effects of environment on phenotype, a controlled and, importantly, well-characterized environment is essential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul N Schofield
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609-1500, USA.,Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Sampedro-Piquero P, Álvarez-Suárez P, Begega A. Coping with Stress During Aging: The Importance of a Resilient Brain. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 16:284-296. [PMID: 28925881 PMCID: PMC5843980 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x15666170915141610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/01/1970] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resilience is the ability to achieve a positive outcome when we are in the face of adversity. It supposes an active resistance to adversity by coping mechanisms in which genetic, molecular, neural and environmental factors are involved. Resilience has been usually studied in early ages and few is known about it during aging. METHODS In this review, we will address the age-related changes in the brain mechanisms involved in regulating the stress response. Furthermore, using the EE paradigm, we analyse the resilient potential of this intervention and its neurobiological basis. In this case, we will focus on identifying the characteristics of a resilient brain (modifications in HPA structure and function, neurogenesis, specific neuron types, glia, neurotrophic factors, nitric oxide synthase or microRNAs, among others). RESULTS The evidence suggests that a healthy lifestyle has a crucial role to promote a resilient brain during aging. Along with the behavioral changes described, a better regulation of HPA axis, enhanced levels of postmitotic type-3 cells or changes in GABAergic neurotransmission are some of the brain mechanisms involved in resilience. CONCLUSION Future research should identify different biomarkers that increase the resistance to develop mood disorders and based on this knowledge, develop new potential therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P. Sampedro-Piquero
- Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las CC, Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga, Spain
| | - P. Álvarez-Suárez
- Institute of Neuroscience of the Principality of Asturias (INEUROPA), Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Spain
| | - A. Begega
- Institute of Neuroscience of the Principality of Asturias (INEUROPA), Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ashokan A, Hegde A, Balasingham A, Mitra R. Housing environment influences stress-related hippocampal substrates and depression-like behavior. Brain Res 2018; 1683:78-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
|
25
|
Aujnarain AB, Luo OD, Taylor N, Lai JKY, Foster JA. Effects of exercise and enrichment on behaviour in CD-1 mice. Behav Brain Res 2018; 342:43-50. [PMID: 29339005 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A host of scholarly work has characterized the positive effects of exercise and environmental enrichment on behaviour and cognition in animal studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the uptake and longitudinal impact of exercise and enrichment on the behavioural phenotype of male and female CD-1 mice. CD-1 mice housed in standard (STD) or exercise and enrichment (EE) conditions post-weaning were tested in the 3-chamber sociability test, open field, and elevated plus maze and exercise activity was monitored throughout the enrichment protocol. Male and female EE mice both showed reduced anxiety and activity in the open field and elevated plus maze relative to sex-matched STD mice. EE altered social behaviours in a sex-specific fashion, with only female EE mice showing increased social preference relative to female STD mice and a preference for social novelty only present in male EE mice. This sexual dimorphism was not observed to be a product of exercise uptake, as CD-1 mice of both sexes demonstrated a consistent trend of wheel rotation frequencies. These findings suggest the importance of considering variables such as sex and strain on experimental design variables in future work on environmental enrichment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amiirah B Aujnarain
- Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Owen D Luo
- Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natalie Taylor
- Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan K Y Lai
- Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jane A Foster
- Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
McArthur RA. Aligning physiology with psychology: Translational neuroscience in neuropsychiatric drug discovery. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 76:4-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
27
|
Konsolaki E, Tsakanikas P, Polissidis AV, Stamatakis A, Skaliora I. Early Signs of Pathological Cognitive Aging in Mice Lacking High-Affinity Nicotinic Receptors. Front Aging Neurosci 2016; 8:91. [PMID: 27199738 PMCID: PMC4846665 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to address pathological cognitive decline effectively, it is critical to adopt early preventive measures in individuals considered at risk. It is therefore essential to develop approaches that identify such individuals before the onset of irreversible dementia. A deficient cholinergic system has been consistently implicated as one of the main factors associated with a heightened vulnerability to the aging process. In the present study we used mice lacking high affinity nicotinic receptors (β2-/-), which have been proposed as an animal model of accelerated/premature cognitive aging. Our aim was to identify behavioral signs that could serve as indicators or predictors of impending cognitive decline. We used test batteries in order to assess cognitive functions and additional tasks to investigate spontaneous behaviors, such as species-specific activities and exploration/locomotion in a novel environment. Our data confirm the hypothesis that β2-/- animals exhibit age-related cognitive impairments in spatial learning. In addition, they document age-related deficits in other areas, such as recognition memory, burrowing and nesting building, thereby extending the validity of this animal model for the study of pathological aging. Finally, our data reveal deficits in spontaneous behavior and habituation processes that precede the onset of cognitive decline and could therefore be useful as a non-invasive behavioral screen for identifying animals at risk. To our knowledge, this is the first study to perform an extensive behavioral assessment of an animal model of premature cognitive aging, and our results suggest that β2-nAChR dependent cognitive deterioration progressively evolves from initial subtle behavioral changes to global dementia due to the combined effect of the neuropathology and aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Konsolaki
- Neurophysiology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of AthensAthens, Greece; Psychology Department, DEREE-The American College of GreeceAthens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Tsakanikas
- Neurophysiology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens Athens, Greece
| | - Alexia V Polissidis
- Neurophysiology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Stamatakis
- Biology-Biochemistry Lab, School of Health Sciences, University of Athens Athens, Greece
| | - Irini Skaliora
- Neurophysiology Laboratory, Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Caporali P, Cutuli D, Gelfo F, Laricchiuta D, Foti F, De Bartolo P, Angelucci F, Petrosini L. Interaction does Count: A Cross-Fostering Study on Transgenerational Effects of Pre-reproductive Maternal Enrichment. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:320. [PMID: 26648854 PMCID: PMC4665747 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-reproductive environmental enrichment of female rats influences sensorimotor development and spatial behavior of the offspring, possibly through the changed maternal nurturing. Nevertheless, maternal care could be not the solely responsible for changing offspring developmental trajectories. To disentangle the specific contribution to the transgenerational inheritance of pre- and post-natal factors, a cross-fostering study was performed. Female rats were reared in an enriched environment from weaning to sexual maturity, while control female rats were reared under standard conditions. Following mating with standard-reared males, all females were housed individually. Immediately after delivery, in- or cross-fostering manipulations were performed so that any foster dams received pups born to another dam of the same (in-fostering) or the opposite (cross-fostering) pre-reproductive rearing condition. In lactating dams maternal care and nesting activities were assessed, while in their male pups spatial abilities were assessed through Morris Water Maze (MWM) test at post-natal day 45. Moreover, the expression of Brain-Derived-Neurotrophic-Factor (BDNF) was evaluated in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of dams and pups at weaning. Pre-reproductive maternal environmental enrichment, followed by adoption procedures, loosened its potential in modifying maternal care and offspring developmental trajectories, as indicated by the lack of differences between in-fostered groups of dams and pups. In addition, enriched dams rearing standard pups showed the least complex maternal repertoire (the highest sniffing duration and the lowest nest quality), and their pups showed a reduced spatial learning in the MWM. Nevertheless, pre-reproductive maternal enrichment kept influencing neurotrophic pattern, with enriched dams expressing increased frontal BDNF levels (regardless of the kind of fostered pups), and their offspring expressing increased hippocampal BDNF levels. The present findings enlighten the crucial importance of the early mother-pups interactions in influencing maternal care and offspring phenotype, with the enriched dam-standard pups couple resulting in the most maladaptive encounter. Our study thus sustains that the bidirectional interactions between mother and pups are able to deeply shape offspring phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Caporali
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University "Sapienza" of Rome Rome, Italy
| | - Debora Cutuli
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University "Sapienza" of Rome Rome, Italy ; I.R.C.C.S., Santa Lucia Foundation Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gelfo
- I.R.C.C.S., Santa Lucia Foundation Rome, Italy ; Department of Systemic Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Laricchiuta
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University "Sapienza" of Rome Rome, Italy ; I.R.C.C.S., Santa Lucia Foundation Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Foti
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University "Sapienza" of Rome Rome, Italy ; I.R.C.C.S., Santa Lucia Foundation Rome, Italy
| | - Paola De Bartolo
- I.R.C.C.S., Santa Lucia Foundation Rome, Italy ; Department of Sociological and Psychopedagogical Studies, University "Guglielmo Marconi" of Rome Rome, Italy
| | | | - Laura Petrosini
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University "Sapienza" of Rome Rome, Italy ; I.R.C.C.S., Santa Lucia Foundation Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|