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Mack NR, Bouras NN, Gao WJ. Prefrontal Regulation of Social Behavior and Related Deficits: Insights From Rodent Studies. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 96:85-94. [PMID: 38490368 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.03.008] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is well known as the executive center of the brain, combining internal states and goals to execute purposeful behavior, including social actions. With the advancement of tools for monitoring and manipulating neural activity in rodents, substantial progress has been made in understanding the specific cell types and neural circuits within the PFC that are essential for processing social cues and influencing social behaviors. Furthermore, combining these tools with translationally relevant behavioral paradigms has also provided novel insights into the PFC neural mechanisms that may contribute to social deficits in various psychiatric disorders. This review highlights findings from the past decade that have shed light on the PFC cell types and neural circuits that support social information processing and distinct aspects of social behavior, including social interactions, social memory, and social dominance. We also explore how the PFC contributes to social deficits in rodents induced by social isolation, social fear conditioning, and social status loss. These studies provide evidence that the PFC uses both overlapping and unique neural mechanisms to support distinct components of social cognition. Furthermore, specific PFC neural mechanisms drive social deficits induced by different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy R Mack
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Nadia N Bouras
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Wen-Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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2
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Jimenez Chavez CL, Szumlinski KK. Modulation of marble-burying behavior in adult versus adolescent C57BL/6J mice of both sexes by ethologically relevant chemosensory stimuli. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 3:kvae009. [PMID: 38915792 PMCID: PMC11195632 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvae009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
The marble-burying test is a pharmacologically validated paradigm used to study anxiety-like behaviors in laboratory rodents. Our laboratory has employed this assay as part of a behavioral screen to examine drug-induced negative affective states. Historically, the majority of our prior binge alcohol-drinking studies employed male subjects exclusively and reliably detected adolescent-adult differences in both basal and alcohol withdrawal-induced negative affect. However, age-related differences in marble-burying behavior were either absent or opposite those observed in our prior work when female subjects were included in the experimental design. As chemosensory cues from females are reported to be anxiolytic in males, the present study examined how odors from adult members of the opposite and same sex (obtained from soiled bedding) influence marble-burying behavior in adult, as well as adolescent, mice. Control studies examined the responsiveness of mice in the presence of novel neutral (vanilla) and aversive (tea tree) odors. Adult males exhibited reduced signs of anxiety-like behavior in the presence of female-soiled bedding, while adult females and adolescent mice of both sexes increased marble-burying behavior in the presence of both male- and female-soiled bedding. All mice exhibited increased burying in the presence of an aversive odor, while only adolescents increased marble-burying in response to the novel neutral odor. These data indicate sex by age interactions in the effects of volatile and nonvolatile odors from sexually-naive adult conspecifics on indices of anxiety-like behavior in the marble-burying test of relevance to the experimental design and procedural timing of experiments including sex as a biological variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Leonardo Jimenez Chavez
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Psychology Building, U Cen Road, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA
| | - Karen K Szumlinski
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Psychology Building, U Cen Road, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, Bio II Building, U Cen Road, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9625, USA
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Zhang Y, Wang J, Pang R, Zhang Y, Deng Q, Liu X, Zhou Y. A method for studying escape behavior to terrestrial threats in rodents. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 405:110099. [PMID: 38417713 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Escape is one of the most essential behaviors for an animal's survival because it could be a matter of life and death. Much of our current understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying escape is derived from the looming paradigm, which mimics a diving aerial predator. Yet, the idea of the looming paradigm does not account for all types of threats like lions hunting antelopes or cats stalking mice. Escape responses to such terrestrial threats may require different strategies and neural mechanisms. NEW METHODS Here, we developed a real-time interactive platform to study escape behavior to terrestrial threats in mice. A closed-loop controlled robot was magnetically pulled to mimic a terrestrial threat that chases a mouse. By using strong magnets and high-precision servo motors, the robot is capable of moving precisely with a high spatial-temporal resolution. Different algorithms can be used to achieve single approach or persistent approach. RESULTS Animal experiments showed that mice exhibited consistent escape behavior when exposed to an approaching robotic predator. When presented with a persistently approaching predator, the mice were able to rapidly adapt their behavior, as evidenced by a decrease in startle responses and changes in movement patterns. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS In comparison to existing methods for studying escape behavior, such as the looming paradigm, this approach is more suitable for investigating animal behavior in response to sustained threats. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we have developed a flexible platform to study escape behavior to terrestrial threats in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueting Zhang
- Advanced Institute for Brain and Intelligence, School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jincheng Wang
- Advanced Institute for Brain and Intelligence, School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ruiqi Pang
- Advanced Institute for Brain and Intelligence, School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yanjie Zhang
- Department of Military Common and Force Management, Guard Training Base, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Qiyue Deng
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
| | - Xue Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
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Albini M, Almacellas-Barbanoj A, Krawczun-Rygmaczewska A, Ciano L, Benfenati F, Michetti C, Cesca F. Alterations in KIDINS220/ARMS Expression Impact Sensory Processing and Social Behavior in Adult Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2334. [PMID: 38397009 PMCID: PMC10889203 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Kinase D-interacting substrate of 220 kDa (Kidins220) is a transmembrane protein that participates in neural cell survival, maturation, and plasticity. Mutations in the human KIDINS220 gene are associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder ('SINO' syndrome) characterized by spastic paraplegia, intellectual disability, and in some cases, autism spectrum disorder. To better understand the pathophysiology of KIDINS220-linked pathologies, in this study, we assessed the sensory processing and social behavior of transgenic mouse lines with reduced Kidins220 expression: the CaMKII-driven conditional knockout (cKO) line, lacking Kidins220 in adult forebrain excitatory neurons, and the Kidins220floxed line, expressing constitutively lower protein levels. We show that alterations in Kidins220 expression levels and its splicing pattern cause impaired response to both auditory and olfactory stimuli. Both transgenic lines show impaired startle response to high intensity sounds, with preserved pre-pulsed inhibition, and strongly reduced social odor recognition. In the Kidins220floxed line, olfactory alterations are associated with deficits in social memory and increased aggressive behavior. Our results broaden our knowledge of the SINO syndrome; understanding sensory information processing and its deviations under neuropathological conditions is crucial for devising future therapeutic strategies to enhance the quality of life of affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Albini
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Amanda Almacellas-Barbanoj
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Alicja Krawczun-Rygmaczewska
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ciano
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Caterina Michetti
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Cesca
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.A.); (A.A.-B.); (A.K.-R.); (L.C.); (F.B.)
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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Arakawa H. Revisiting sociability: Factors facilitating approach and avoidance during the three-chamber test. Physiol Behav 2023; 272:114373. [PMID: 37805136 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The three-chamber test, the so-called sociability test, has been widely used to assess social deficits based on impaired socially oriented investigations in rodent models. An innate motivation for investigating conspecifics is theoretically a prerequisite for gaining sociability scores in this paradigm. However, several relevant factors mediating investigatory motives, such as familiarity, attractiveness, and aggression, may affect sociability scores, which must be verified to obtain an adequate evaluation of the psychiatric phenotypes exhibited by disease-relevant rodent models. We assessed the social and non-social factors that mediate proximity preference by the three-chamber test with standard C57BL/6 J (B6) mice and low sociability BTBR+ltpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice. Strains of the opponents had no effect. Sexual cues (i.e., opposite sex) increased proximity preference in both strains of mice; in contrast, novel objects induced an approach in B6 mice but avoidance in BTBR mice. Single-housing before testing, stimulated social motive, affected BTBR mice but not B6 mice. BTBR females showed increased proximity preference across the sessions, and BTBR males showed increased preference toward a male B6 stimulus, but not a male BTBR stimulus. The male preference was restored when the male BTBR stimulus was anesthetized. In addition, self-grooming was facilitated by social and non-social novelty cues in both strains. B6 mice predominantly exhibited an investigatory approach toward social or non-social stimuli, whereas BTBR mice recognized social cues but tended to show avoidance. The three-chamber test could evaluate approach-avoidance strategies in target mouse strains that comprise innate social distance between mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Arakawa
- Department Systems Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, 207 Uehara, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0215, Japan.
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Rigney N, Campos-Lira E, Kirchner MK, Wei W, Belkasim S, Beaumont R, Singh S, de Vries GJ, Petrulis A. A vasopressin circuit that modulates sex-specific social interest and anxiety-like behavior in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.06.564847. [PMID: 37986987 PMCID: PMC10659331 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.06.564847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
One of the largest sex differences in brain neurochemistry is the male-biased expression of the neuropeptide arginine vasopressin (AVP) within the vertebrate social brain. Despite the long-standing implication of AVP in social and anxiety-like behavior, the precise circuitry and anatomical substrate underlying its control are still poorly understood. By employing optogenetic manipulation of AVP cells within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), we have unveiled a central role for these cells in promoting social investigation, with a more pronounced role in males relative to females. These cells facilitate male social investigation and anxiety-like behavior through their projections to the lateral septum (LS), an area with the highest density of sexually-dimorphic AVP fibers. Blocking the vasopressin 1a receptor (V1aR) in the LS eliminated stimulation-mediated increases in these behaviors. Together, these findings establish a distinct BNST AVP → LS V1aR circuit that modulates sex-specific social interest and anxiety-like behavior.
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Fricker BA, Ho D, Seifert AW, Kelly AM. Biased brain and behavioral responses towards kin in males of a communally breeding species. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17040. [PMID: 37813903 PMCID: PMC10562393 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44257-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In complex social environments, individuals may interact with not only novel and familiar conspecifics but also kin and non-kin. The ability to distinguish between conspecific identities is crucial for most animals, yet how the brain processes conspecific type and how animals may alter behavior accordingly is not well known. We examined whether the communally breeding spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) responds differently to conspecifics that vary in novelty and kinship. In a group interaction test, we found that males can distinguish novel kin from novel non-kin, and preferentially spend time with novel kin over familiar kin and novel non-kin. To determine whether kinship and novelty status are differentially represented in the brain, we conducted immediate early gene tests, which revealed the dorsal, but not ventral, lateral septum differentially processes kinship. Neither region differentially processes social novelty. Further, males did not exhibit differences in prosocial behavior toward novel and familiar conspecifics but exhibited more prosocial behavior with novel kin than novel non-kin. These results suggest that communally breeding species may have evolved specialized neural circuitry to facilitate a bias to be more affiliative with kin, regardless of whether they are novel or familiar, potentially to promote prosocial behaviors, thereby facilitating group cohesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon A Fricker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Deborah Ho
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ashley W Seifert
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, 101 Morgan Building, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - Aubrey M Kelly
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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Khotskina AS, Zavjalov EL, Shnayder EP, Gerlinskaya LA, Maslennikova SO, Petrovskii DV, Baldin MN, Makas AL, Gruznov VM, Troshkov ML, Moshkin MP. CD-1 mice females recognize male reproductive success via volatile organic compounds in urine. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2023; 27:480-487. [PMID: 37808218 PMCID: PMC10551948 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-23-58] [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: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual selection is considered as one of the leading factors of evolutionary development. In the conditions of incessant competition, specialized methods of attracting individuals of the opposite sex as well as criteria for assessing the quality of a sexual partner have been formed. In order for animals to rely on signaling from sexual partners, the signal must reflect the morpho-physiological status of animals. A high reproductive efficiency of male mice is a good advantage for mate selection and thus must be somehow demonstrated to potential mates. The aim of our study was to find out if male mice could demonstrate their reproductive efficiency through urine volatile organic compounds. The experiment implies cohabiting one male with two mature females for 6 days. The reproductive success of the male was assessed by the presence or absence of pregnant females. At the same time, naive females, who did not participate in reproduction, assessed the urine of the successful males as more attractive, which was expressed in shorter Latency time of sniffs in the Olfactory test. Using a rapid headspace GC/MS analysis, we have found volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in male urine that correlated with female behavior. It turned out that these substances are derivatives of mouse pheromone 6-hydroxy-6-methyl-3-heptanone. The amplitude of peaks corresponding to this pheromone correlated with the testosterone level in blood and the weight of preputial glands. The amplitude of peaks increased in males after mating with whom the females turned out to be pregnant. It is important to note that body weight, weight of testes, weight of seminal vesicles, weight of preputial glands, and plasma testosterone level alone are not reliable indicators of male reproductive success. Thus, the content of the pheromone 6-hydroxy-6-methyl-3-heptanone in the urine of males can serve as a good predictor of the quality of the male as a sexual partner for female CD-1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Khotskina
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - E L Zavjalov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - E P Shnayder
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - L A Gerlinskaya
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - S O Maslennikova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - D V Petrovskii
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - M N Baldin
- Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - A L Makas
- Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - V M Gruznov
- Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - M L Troshkov
- Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - M P Moshkin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Wiesel O, Sung SW, Katz A, Leibowitz R, Bar J, Kamer I, Berger I, Nir-Ziv I, Mark Danieli M. A Novel Urine Test Biosensor Platform for Early Lung Cancer Detection. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:627. [PMID: 37366992 DOI: 10.3390/bios13060627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early detection is essential to achieving a better outcome and prognosis. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reflect alterations in the pathophysiology and body metabolism processes, as shown in various types of cancers. The biosensor platform (BSP) urine test uses animals' unique, proficient, and accurate ability to scent lung cancer VOCs. The BSP is a testing platform for the binary (negative/positive) recognition of the signature VOCs of lung cancer by trained and qualified Long-Evans rats as biosensors (BSs). The results of the current double-blind study show high accuracy in lung cancer VOC recognition, with 93% sensitivity and 91% specificity. The BSP test is safe, rapid, objective and can be performed repetitively, enabling periodic cancer monitoring as well as an aid to existing diagnostic methods. The future implementation of such urine tests as routine screening and monitoring tools has the potential to significantly increase detection rate as well as curability rates with lower healthcare expenditure. This paper offers a first instructive clinical platform utilizing VOC's in urine for detection of lung cancer using the innovative BSP to deal with the pressing need for an early lung cancer detection test tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ory Wiesel
- Division of Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery the Cardiovascular Center, Tzafon Medical Center, Affiliated to Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Poriya 1520800, Israel
| | - Sook-Whan Sung
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Ewha Womens University Seoul Hospital, 260 Gonghang-daero, Gangseo-gu, Seoul 07804, Republic of Korea
| | - Amit Katz
- Head of Thoracic Surgery, Rambam Health Care Campus, P.O. Box 9602, Haifa 3109601, Israel
| | - Raya Leibowitz
- Oncology institute, Shamir Medical Center, Zerifin 703001, Israel
| | - Jair Bar
- Institute of Oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 5262000, Israel
| | - Iris Kamer
- Institute of Oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 5262000, Israel
| | - Itay Berger
- Early OM, 4 Meir Ariel St., Natanya 4253063, Israel
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Miller CH, Hillock MF, Yang J, Carlson-Clarke B, Haxhillari K, Lee AY, Warden MR, Sheehan MJ. Dynamic changes to signal allocation rules in response to variable social environments in house mice. Commun Biol 2023; 6:297. [PMID: 36941412 PMCID: PMC10027867 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04672-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Urine marking is central to mouse social behavior. Males use depletable and costly urine marks in intrasexual competition and mate attraction. We investigate how males alter signaling decisions across variable social landscapes using thermal imaging to capture spatiotemporal marking data. Thermal recording reveals fine-scale adjustments in urinary motor patterns in response to competition and social odors. Males demonstrate striking winner-loser effects in scent mark allocation effort and timing. Competitive experience primes temporal features of marking and modulates responses to scent familiarity. Males adjust signaling effort, mark latency, and marking rhythm, depending on the scent identities in the environment. Notably, recent contest outcome affects how males respond to familiar and unfamiliar urine. Winners increase marking effort toward unfamiliar relative to familiar male scents, whereas losers reduce marking effort to unfamiliar but increase to familiar rival scents. All males adjust their scent mark timing after a contest regardless of fight outcome, and deposit marks in more rapid bursts during marking bouts. In contrast to this dynamism, initial signal investment predicts aspects of scent marking days later, revealing the possibility of alternative marking strategies among competitive males. These data show that mice flexibly update their signaling decisions in response to changing social landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin H Miller
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Matthew F Hillock
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jay Yang
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Klaudio Haxhillari
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Annie Y Lee
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Melissa R Warden
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Michael J Sheehan
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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Higuchi Y, Tachigori SI, Arakawa H. Faded neural projection from the posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis to the lateral habenula contributes to social signaling deficit in male BTBR mice as a mouse model of autism. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 149:106004. [PMID: 36543023 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.106004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice display several behavioral characteristics, including social deficits resembling the core symptoms of human autism. Atypical social behaviors include sequential processes of assembled cognitive-behavior components, such as recognition, investigatory assessment, and signaling response. This study aimed to elucidate the neural circuits responsible for the regulation of the social signaling response, as shown by scent marking behavior in male mice. We first assessed the recognition and investigatory patterns of male BTBR mice compared to those of C57BL/6 J (B6) mice. Next, we examined their scent-marking behavior as innate social signaling responses adjusted to a confronted feature of social stimuli and situations, along with the expression of c-Fos as a marker of neuronal activity in selected brain areas involved in the regulation of social behavior. The function of the targeted brain area was confirmed by chemogenetic manipulation. We also examined the social peptides, oxytocin and vasopressin neurons of the major brain regions that are associated with the regulation of social behavior. Our data indicate that male BTBR mice are less responsive to the presentation of social stimuli and the expression of social signaling responses, which is paralleled by blunted c-Fos responsivity and vasopressin neurons morphological changes in selected brain areas, including the posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (pBnST) and lateral habenula (LHb) in BTBR mice. Further investigation of LHb function revealed that chemogenetic inhibition and activation of LHb activity can induce a change in scent marking responses in both B6 and BTBR mice. Our elucidation of the downstream LHb circuits controlling scent marking behavior indicates intact function in BTBR mice. The altered morphological characteristics of oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and vasopressin-positive neurons and axonal projections in the pBnST and LHb appear to underlie the dysfunction of scent marking responses in BTBR mice. (300/300 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Higuchi
- Department of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus Graduate School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Tachigori
- Department of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus, Faculty of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Arakawa
- Department of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus Graduate School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan.
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12
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Tan S, Tong WH, Vyas A. Impaired episodic-like memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease is associated with hyperactivity in prefrontal-hippocampal regions. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:297102. [PMID: 36897115 PMCID: PMC10040242 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049945] [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: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disorder with a long prodromal period. An APPNL-G-F knock-in mouse model is a preclinical model to study incipient pathologies during the early stages of AD. Despite behavioral tests revealing broad cognitive deficits in APPNL-G-F mice, detecting these impairments at the early disease phase has been challenging. In a cognitively demanding task that assessed episodic-like memory, 3-month-old wild-type mice could incidentally form and retrieve 'what-where-when' episodic associations of their past encounters. However, 3-month-old APPNL-G-F mice, corresponding to an early disease stage without prominent amyloid plaque pathology, displayed impairment in recalling 'what-where' information of past episodes. Episodic-like memory is also sensitive to the effect of age. Eight-month-old wild-type mice failed to retrieve conjunctive 'what-where-when' memories. This deficit was also observed in 8-month-old APPNL-G-F mice. c-Fos expression revealed that impaired memory retrieval in APPNL-G-F mice was accompanied by abnormal neuronal hyperactivity in the medial prefrontal cortex and CA1 dorsal hippocampus. These observations can be used for risk stratification during preclinical AD to detect and delay the progression into dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijie Tan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232
| | - Wen Han Tong
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232
| | - Ajai Vyas
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
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13
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Miller CH, Haxhillari K, Hillock MF, Reichard TM, Sheehan MJ. Scent mark signal investment predicts fight dynamics in house mice. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20222489. [PMID: 36787797 PMCID: PMC9928526 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2489] [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: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Signals mediate competitive interactions by allowing rival assessment, yet are often energetically expensive to produce. One of the key mechanisms maintaining signal reliability is social costs. While the social costs of over-signalling are well known, the social costs of under-signalling are underexplored, particularly for dynamic signals. In this study, we investigate a dynamic and olfactory-mediated signalling system that is ubiquitous among mammals: scent marking. Male house mice territorially scent mark their environment with metabolically costly urine marks. Competitive male mice are thought to deposit abundant scent marks in the environment. However, we recently identified a cohort of low-marking males that win fights. We hypothesized that there may be social costs imposed on individuals who under-invest in signalling. Here we find that scent mark investment predicts fight dynamics. Winning males that produce fewer scent marks prior to a fight engage in more intense fights that take longer to resolve. This effect appears to be driven by an unwillingness among losers to acquiesce to weakly signalling winners. We, therefore, find evidence for rival assessment of scent marks as well as social costs to under-signalling. This supports existing hypotheses for the importance of social punishment in maintaining optimal signalling equilibria. Our results further highlight the possibility of diverse signalling strategies in house mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin H. Miller
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Klaudio Haxhillari
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Matthew F. Hillock
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Tess M. Reichard
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Michael J. Sheehan
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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14
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Gilday OD, Mizrahi A. Learning-Induced Odor Modulation of Neuronal Activity in Auditory Cortex. J Neurosci 2023; 43:1375-1386. [PMID: 36650061 PMCID: PMC9987573 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1398-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensory cortices, even of primary regions, are not purely unisensory. Rather, cortical neurons in sensory cortex show various forms of multisensory interactions. While some multisensory interactions naturally co-occur, the combination of others will co-occur through experience. In real life, learning and experience will result in conjunction with seemingly disparate sensory information that ultimately becomes behaviorally relevant, impacting perception, cognition, and action. Here we describe a novel auditory discrimination task in mice, designed to manipulate the expectation of upcoming trials using olfactory cues. We show that, after learning, female mice display a transient period of several days during which they exploit odor-mediated expectations for making correct decisions. Using two-photon calcium imaging of single neurons in auditory cortex (ACx) during behavior, we found that the behavioral effects of odor-mediated expectations are accompanied by an odor-induced modulation of neuronal activity. Further, we find that these effects are manifested differentially, based on the response preference of individual cells. A significant portion of effects, but not all, are consistent with a predictive coding framework. Our data show that learning novel odor-sound associations evoke changes in ACx. We suggest that behaviorally relevant multisensory environments mediate contextual effects as early as ACx.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Natural environments are composed of multisensory objects. It remains unclear whether and how animals learn the regularities of congruent multisensory associations and how these may impact behavior and neural activity. We tested how learned odor-sound associations affected single-neuron responses in auditory cortex. We introduce a novel auditory discrimination task for mice in which odors set different contexts of expectation to upcoming trials. We show that, although the task can be solved purely by sounds, odor-mediated expectation impacts performance. We further show that odors cause a modulation of neuronal activity in auditory cortex, which is correlated with behavior. These results suggest that learning prompts an interaction of odor and sound information as early as sensory cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omri David Gilday
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Adi Mizrahi
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel,
- Department of Neurobiology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
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15
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Kleshchev MA, Osadchuk AV, Osadchuk LV. Peculiarities of Agonistic and Marking Behavior in Male Laboratory Mice (Mus musculuc) of Different Inbred Strains during the Formation of Social Hierarchy. BIOL BULL+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359022090151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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16
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Effects of predator odor on anti-predation behavior and hypothalamic c-fos mRNA expression of Chinese mole shrew. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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17
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Cross-modal associations of human body odour attractiveness with facial and vocal attractiveness provide little support for the backup signals hypothesis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
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18
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Jabarin R, Netser S, Wagner S. Beyond the three-chamber test: toward a multimodal and objective assessment of social behavior in rodents. Mol Autism 2022; 13:41. [PMID: 36284353 PMCID: PMC9598038 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00521-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
MAIN: In recent years, substantial advances in social neuroscience have been realized, including the generation of numerous rodent models of autism spectrum disorder. Still, it can be argued that those methods currently being used to analyze animal social behavior create a bottleneck that significantly slows down progress in this field. Indeed, the bulk of research still relies on a small number of simple behavioral paradigms, the results of which are assessed without considering behavioral dynamics. Moreover, only few variables are examined in each paradigm, thus overlooking a significant portion of the complexity that characterizes social interaction between two conspecifics, subsequently hindering our understanding of the neural mechanisms governing different aspects of social behavior. We further demonstrate these constraints by discussing the most commonly used paradigm for assessing rodent social behavior, the three-chamber test. We also point to the fact that although emotions greatly influence human social behavior, we lack reliable means for assessing the emotional state of animals during social tasks. As such, we also discuss current evidence supporting the existence of pro-social emotions and emotional cognition in animal models. We further suggest that adequate social behavior analysis requires a novel multimodal approach that employs automated and simultaneous measurements of multiple behavioral and physiological variables at high temporal resolution in socially interacting animals. We accordingly describe several computerized systems and computational tools for acquiring and analyzing such measurements. Finally, we address several behavioral and physiological variables that can be used to assess socio-emotional states in animal models and thus elucidate intricacies of social behavior so as to attain deeper insight into the brain mechanisms that mediate such behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we suggest that combining automated multimodal measurements with machine-learning algorithms will help define socio-emotional states and determine their dynamics during various types of social tasks, thus enabling a more thorough understanding of the complexity of social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renad Jabarin
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Shai Netser
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shlomo Wagner
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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19
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Contreras-Moreno FM, Simá-Pantí D, Cruz-Romo L, Méndez-Saint Martin G, Petrone S, Jesús-Espinosa D, Coutiño-Cal y Mayor CE. Interacciones de dos mamíferos medianos con el olor del puma en la Reserva de la Biosfera de Calakmul, México. MAMMALOGY NOTES 2022. [DOI: 10.47603/mano.v7n2.286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
El marcado con el olor es un aspecto integral de la comunicación para muchas especies, en esta nota registramos que Didelphis marsupialis y Dasyprocta punctata se frotan en los rascaderos de Puma concolor. En este registro fotográfico se evidencia que las dos especies de presas buscan captar el olor del Puma lo que podría brindarles ventajas de supervivencia al camuflar su olor ante sus depredadores usando el mismo hábitat.
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20
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A chronic unpredictable stress protocol to model anhedonic and resilient behaviors in C57BL/6J mice. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101659. [PMID: 36097387 PMCID: PMC9463598 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the depressive symptoms observed in humans makes modeling depressive behavior in rodents challenging. Here, we present a highly reproducible protocol to generate mouse models that mimic several aspects of depression, namely anhedonia and loss of motivation. We describe acclimatization of animals and baseline determination, followed by the chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) protocol to induce anhedonic and resilient behaviors. The protocol can generate anhedonic and resilient mice at roughly equal frequencies, providing a reliable model for translational research. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Baczynska et al. (2022), Bijata et al. (2022), and Krzystyniak et al. (2019). Modeling of depressive-like behaviors in mice Mimicking some aspects of human depression including anhedonia and loss of motivation Generation of two subpopulations of mice—anhedonic and resilient mice
Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.
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21
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Protein profiles from used nesting material, saliva, and urine correspond with social behavior in group housed male mice, Mus musculus. J Proteomics 2022; 266:104685. [PMID: 35843598 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2022.104685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Current understanding of how odors impact intra-sex social behavior is based on those that increase intermale aggression. Yet, odors are often promoted to reduce fighting among male laboratory mice. It has been shown that a cage of male mice contains many proteins used for identification purposes. However, it is unknown if these proteins relate to social behavior or if they are uniformly produced across strains. This study aimed to compare proteomes from used nesting material and three sources (sweat, saliva, and urine) from three strains and compare levels of known protein odors with rates of social behavior. Used nesting material samples from each cage were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Sweat, saliva, and urine samples from each cage's dominant and subordinate mouse were also analyzed. Proteomes were assessed using principal component analyses and compared to behavior by calculating correlation coefficients between PC scores and behavior proportions. Twenty-one proteins from nesting material either correlated with affiliative behavior or negatively correlated with aggression. Notably, proteins from the major urinary protein family, odorant binding protein family, and secretoglobin family displayed at least one of these patterns, making them candidates for future work. These findings provide preliminary information about how proteins can influence male mouse behavior. SIGNIFICANCE: Research on how olfactory signals influence same sex social behavior is primarily limited to those that promote intermale aggression. However, exploring how olfaction modulates a more diverse behavioral repertoire will improve our foundational understanding of this sensory modality. In this proteome analysis we identified a short list of protein signals that correspond to lower rates of aggression and higher rates of socio-positive behavior. While this study is only correlational, it sets a foundation for future work that can identify protein signals that directly influence social behavior and potentially identify new murine pheromones.
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22
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Samandra R, Haque ZZ, Rosa MGP, Mansouri FA. The marmoset as a model for investigating the neural basis of social cognition in health and disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 138:104692. [PMID: 35569579 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Social-cognitive processes facilitate the use of environmental cues to understand others, and to be understood by others. Animal models provide vital insights into the neural underpinning of social behaviours. To understand social cognition at even deeper behavioural, cognitive, neural, and molecular levels, we need to develop more representative study models, which allow testing of novel hypotheses using human-relevant cognitive tasks. Due to their cooperative breeding system and relatively small size, common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) offer a promising translational model for such endeavours. In addition to having social behavioural patterns and group dynamics analogous to those of humans, marmosets have cortical brain areas relevant for the mechanistic analysis of human social cognition, albeit in simplified form. Thus, they are likely suitable animal models for deciphering the physiological processes, connectivity and molecular mechanisms supporting advanced cognitive functions. Here, we review findings emerging from marmoset social and behavioural studies, which have already provided significant insights into executive, motivational, social, and emotional dysfunction associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranshikha Samandra
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Zakia Z Haque
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Marcello G P Rosa
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; ARC Centre for Integrative Brain Function, Monash University, Australia.
| | - Farshad Alizadeh Mansouri
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; ARC Centre for Integrative Brain Function, Monash University, Australia.
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23
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Higuchi Y, Arakawa H. Contrasting central and systemic effects of arginine-vasopressin on urinary marking behavior as a social signal in male mice. Horm Behav 2022; 141:105128. [PMID: 35180615 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is a neurohypophyseal peptide that plays a critical role in the regulation of social behavior in mammals. Neuronal AVP regulates male-specific social signaling processes, such as exocrine urinary scent deposition and marking behavior in mice. In the periphery, AVP is transported to the portal bloodstream and acts as an antidiuretic hormone. These AVP dynamics imply that the central role of AVP in the stimulation of urinary marking is dissociated with the peripheral role of AVP in the retention of osmotic conditions. Using male BALB/c mice as subjects, peripheral injection of AVP decreased urinary marking and urination. In contrast, a central infusion of AVP facilitated urinary marking with no effect on urination, while an antagonist of the AVP 1a receptor inhibited marking. Centrally AVP-injected mice also exhibited typical behaviors, such as hiccough/sneeze-like reactions and flash scratching, particularly when confronted with a stimulus mouse through a wire mesh screen. Significant expression of these typical reactions in these mice resulted in the disruption of marking deposition. Further analysis of AVP synthesis illustrated that AVP levels increased in the midbrain but not in the circulation immediately after the test, particularly when confronted with a stimulus mouse. The central AVP regulates urinary marking and other typical behaviors in a dose- and situation-dependent manner. The sequential process implies that centrally synthesized AVP may be secreted into the circulation following immediate neuronal processes, and then peripheral AVP acts as an antidiuretic hormone on urinary marking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Higuchi
- Department of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Arakawa
- Department of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan.
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24
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Arakawa H, Higuchi Y. Exocrine scent marking: Coordinative role of arginine vasopressin in the systemic regulation of social signaling behaviors. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 136:104597. [PMID: 35248677 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neurohypophysial hormone that coordinatively regulates central socio-emotional behavior and peripheral control of antidiuretic fluid homeostasis. Most mammals, including rodents, utilize exocrine or urine-contained scent marking as a social signaling tool that facilitates social adaptation. The exocrine scent marking behavior is postulated to fine-tune sensory and cognitive abilities to recognize key social features via exocrine/urinary olfactory cues and subsequently control exocrine deposition or urinary marking through the mediation of osmotic fluid balance. AVP is implicated as a major player in controlling both recognition and signaling responses. This review provides constructive hypotheses on the coordinative processes of the AVP neurohypophysial circuits in the systemic regulations of fluid control and social-communicative behavior, via the expression of exocrine scent marking, and further emphasizes a potential role of AVP in a common mechanism underlying social communication in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Arakawa
- Depertment of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan.
| | - Yuki Higuchi
- Depertment of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan
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25
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Multidimensional nature of dominant behavior: Insights from behavioral neuroscience. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:603-620. [PMID: 34902440 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Social interactions for many species of animals are critical for survival, wellbeing, and reproduction. Optimal navigation of a social system increases chances for survival and reproduction, therefore there is strong incentive to fit into social structures. Social animals rely heavily on dominant-submissive behaviors in establishment of stable social hierarchies. There is a link between extreme manifestation of dominance/submissiveness and behavioral deviations. To understand neural substrates affiliated with a specific hierarchical rank, there is a real need for reliable animal behavioral models. Different paradigms have been consolidated over time to study the neurobiology of social rank behavior in a standardized manner using rodent models to unravel the neural pathways and substrates involved in normal and abnormal intraspecific social interactions. This review summarizes and discusses the commonly used behavioral tests and new directions for the assessment of dominance in rodents. We discuss the hierarchy inheritable nature and other critical issues regarding hierarchical rank manifestation which may help in designing social-rank-related studies that serve as promising pre-clinical tools in behavioral psychiatry.
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26
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Benedetti A, Molent C, Barcik W, Papaleo F. Social behavior in 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 copy number variations: Insights from mice and humans. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2021; 21:e12787. [PMID: 34889032 PMCID: PMC9744525 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Genetic 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 deletions and duplications in humans may alter behavioral developmental trajectories increasing the risk of autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In this review, we will concentrate on 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 deletions' effects on social functioning, beyond diagnostic categorization. We highlight diagnostic and social sub-constructs discrepancies. Notably, we contrast evidence from human studies with social profiling performed in several mouse models mimicking 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 deletion syndromes. Given the complexity of social behavior, there is a need to assess distinct social processes. This will be important to better understand the biology underlying such genetic-dependent dysfunctions, as well as to give perspective on how therapeutic strategies can be improved. Bridges and divergent points between human and mouse studies are highlighted. Overall, we give challenges and future perspectives to sort the genetics of social heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Benedetti
- Genetics of Cognition laboratory, Neuroscience areaIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenoaItaly,CNRS, GREDEGUniversité Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
| | - Cinzia Molent
- Genetics of Cognition laboratory, Neuroscience areaIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenoaItaly,Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale(Di. Mes) Università degli Studi di GenovaGenoaItaly
| | - Weronika Barcik
- Genetics of Cognition laboratory, Neuroscience areaIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenoaItaly
| | - Francesco Papaleo
- Genetics of Cognition laboratory, Neuroscience areaIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenoaItaly,Department of Neurosciences and Mental HealthFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore PoliclinicoMilanItaly
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27
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28
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Pardasani M, Marathe SD, Purnapatre MM, Dalvi U, Abraham NM. Multimodal learning of pheromone locations. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21836. [PMID: 34407246 PMCID: PMC7611819 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100167r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Memorizing pheromonal locations is critical for many mammalian species as it involves finding mates and avoiding competitors. In rodents, pheromonal information is perceived by the main and accessory olfactory systems. However, the role of somatosensation in context-dependent learning and memorizing of pheromone locations remains unexplored. We addressed this problem by training female mice on a multimodal task to locate pheromones by sampling volatiles emanating from male urine through the orifices of varying dimensions or shapes that are sensed by their vibrissae. In this novel pheromone location assay, female mice’ preference toward male urine scent decayed over time when they were permitted to explore pheromones vs neutral stimuli, water. On training them for the associations involving olfactory and whisker systems, it was established that they were able to memorize the location of opposite sex pheromones, when tested 15 days later. This memory was not formed either when the somatosensory inputs through whisker pad were blocked or when the pheromonal cues were replaced with that of same sex. The association between olfactory and somatosensory systems was further confirmed by the enhanced expression of the activity-regulated cytoskeleton protein. Furthermore, the activation of main olfactory bulb circuitry by pheromone volatiles did not cause any modulation in learning and memorizing non-pheromonal volatiles. Our study thus provides the evidence for associations formed between different sensory modalities facilitating the long-term memory formation relevant to social and reproductive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Pardasani
- Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behaviour (LNCB), Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, India
| | - Shruti D Marathe
- Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behaviour (LNCB), Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, India
| | - Maitreyee Mandar Purnapatre
- Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behaviour (LNCB), Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, India.,Institute of Bioinformatics & Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Urvashi Dalvi
- Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behaviour (LNCB), Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, India.,Institute of Bioinformatics & Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Nixon M Abraham
- Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behaviour (LNCB), Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, India
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29
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Barabas AJ, Lucas JR, Erasmus MA, Cheng HW, Gaskill BN. Who's the Boss? Assessing Convergent Validity of Aggression Based Dominance Measures in Male Laboratory Mice, Mus Musculus. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:695948. [PMID: 34307534 PMCID: PMC8301077 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.695948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggression among group housed male mice continues to challenge laboratory animal researchers because mitigation strategies are generally applied at the cage level without a good understanding of how it affects the dominance hierarchy. Aggression within a group is typically displayed by the dominant mouse targeting lower ranking subordinates; thus, the strategies for preventing aggression may be more successful if applied specifically to the dominant mouse. Unfortunately, dominance rank is often not assessed because of time intensive observations or tests. Several correlates of dominance status have been identified, but none have been directly compared to home cage behavior in standard housing. This study assessed the convergent validity of three dominance correlates (urinary darcin, tube test score, preputial gland to body length ratio) with wound severity and rankings based on home cage behavior, using factor analysis. Discriminant validity with open field measures was assessed to determine if tube test scores are independent of anxiety. Cages were equally split between SJL and albino C57BL/6 strains and group sizes of 3 or 5 (N = 24). Home cage behavior was observed during the first week, and dominance measures were recorded over the second. After controlling for strain and group size, darcin and preputial ratio had strong loadings on the same factor, which was a significant predictor of home cage ranking showing strong convergent validity. Tube test scores were not significantly impacted by open field data, showing discriminant validity. Social network analysis revealed that despotic power structures were prevalent, aggressors were typically more active and rested away from cage mates, and the amount of social investigation and aggression performed by an individual were highly correlated. Data from this study show that darcin and preputial ratio are representative of home cage aggression and provide further insight into individual behavior patterns in group housed male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Barabas
- Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Jeffrey R Lucas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Marisa A Erasmus
- Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Heng-Wei Cheng
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Livestock Behavior Research Unit, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Brianna N Gaskill
- Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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Ahadullah, Yau SY, Lu HX, Lee TMC, Guo H, Chan CCH. PM 2.5 as a potential risk factor for autism spectrum disorder: Its possible link to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and changes in gene expression. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 128:534-548. [PMID: 34216652 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by behavioral deficits including impairments in social communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. Because the etiology of ASD is still largely unknown, there is no cure for ASD thus far. Although it has been established that genetic components play a vital role in ASD development, the influence of epigenetic regulation induced by environmental factors could also contribute to ASD susceptibility. Accumulated evidence has suggested that exposure to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) in polluted air could affect neurodevelopment, thus possibly leading to ASD. Particles with a size of 2.5 μm (PM2.5) or less have been shown to have negative effects on human health, and could be linked to ASD symptoms in children. This review summarizes evidence from clinical and animal studies to demonstrate the possible linkage between PM2.5 exposure and the incidence of ASD in children. An attempt was made to explore the possible mechanisms of this linkage, including changes of gene expression, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation induced by PM2.5 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahadullah
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Suk-Yu Yau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Hao-Xian Lu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tatia M C Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Laboratory of Neuropsychology and Human Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hai Guo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Chetwyn C H Chan
- Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China
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Phenotyping spontaneous locomotor activity in inbred and outbred mouse strains by using Digital Ventilated Cages. Lab Anim (NY) 2021; 50:215-223. [PMID: 34155410 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-021-00793-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Mouse strains differ markedly in all behaviors, independently of their genetic background. We undertook this study to disentangle the diurnal activity and feature key aspects of three non-genetically altered mouse strains widely used in research, C57BL/6NCrl (inbred), BALB/cAnNCrl (inbred) and CRL:CD1(ICR) (outbred). With this aim, we conducted a longitudinal analysis of the spontaneous locomotor activity of the mice during a 24-h period for 2 months, in two different periods of the year to reduce the seasonality effect. Mice (males and females) were group-housed in Digital Ventilated Cages (Tecniplast), mimicking standard housing conditions in research settings and avoiding the potential bias provided in terms of locomotor activity by single housing. The recorded locomotor activity was analyzed by relying on different and commonly used circadian metrics (i.e., day and night activity, diurnal activity, responses to lights-on and lights-off phases, acrophase and activity onset and regularity disruption index) to capture key behavioral responses for each strain. Our results clearly demonstrate significant differences in the circadian activity of the three selected strains, when comparing inbred versus outbred as well as inbred strains (C57BL/6NCrl versus BALB/cAnNCrl). Conversely, males and females of the same strain displayed similar motor phenotypes; significant differences were recorded only for C57BL/6NCrl and CRL:CD1(ICR) females, which displayed higher average locomotor activity from prepuberty to adulthood. All strain-specific differences were further confirmed by an unsupervised machine learning approach. Altogether, our data corroborate the concept that each strain behaves under characteristic patterns, which needs to be taken into consideration in the study design to ensure experimental reproducibility and comply with essential animal welfare principles.
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Social isolation uncovers a circuit underlying context-dependent territory-covering micturition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2018078118. [PMID: 33443190 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2018078118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The release of urine, or micturition, serves a fundamental physiological function and, in many species, is critical for social communication. In mice, the pattern of urine release is modulated by external and internal factors and transmitted to the spinal cord via the pontine micturition center (PMC). Here, we exploited a behavioral paradigm in which mice, depending on strain, social experience, and sensory context, either vigorously cover an arena with small urine spots or deposit urine in a few isolated large spots. We refer to these micturition modes as, respectively, high and low territory-covering micturition (TCM) and find that the presence of a urine stimulus robustly induces high TCM in socially isolated mice. Comparison of the brain networks activated by social isolation and by urine stimuli to those upstream of the PMC identified the lateral hypothalamic area as a potential modulator of micturition modes. Indeed, chemogenetic manipulations of the lateral hypothalamus can switch micturition behavior between high and low TCM, overriding the influence of social experience and sensory context. Our results suggest that both inhibitory and excitatory signals arising from a network upstream of the PMC are integrated to determine context- and social-experience-dependent micturition patterns.
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Barabas AJ, Soini HA, Novotny MV, Williams DR, Desmond JA, Lucas JR, Erasmus MA, Cheng HW, Gaskill BN. Compounds from plantar foot sweat, nesting material, and urine show strain patterns associated with agonistic and affiliative behaviors in group housed male mice, Mus musculus. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251416. [PMID: 33989318 PMCID: PMC8121354 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive home cage aggression often results in severe injury and subsequent premature euthanasia of male laboratory mice. Aggression can be reduced by transferring used nesting material during cage cleaning, which is thought to contain aggression appeasing odors from the plantar sweat glands. However, neither the composition of plantar sweat nor the deposits on used nesting material have been evaluated. The aims of this study were to (1) identify and quantify volatile compounds deposited in the nest site and (2) determine if nest and sweat compounds correlate with social behavior. Home cage aggression and affiliative behavior were evaluated in 3 strains: SJL, C57BL/6N, and A/J. Individual social rank was assessed via the tube test, because ranking may influence compound levels. Sweat and urine from the dominant and subordinate mouse in each cage, plus cage level nest samples were analyzed for volatile compound content using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Behavior data and odors from the nest, sweat, and urine were statistically analyzed with separate principal component analyses (PCA). Significant components, from each sample analysis, and strain were run in mixed models to test if odors were associated with behavior. Aggressive and affiliative behaviors were primarily impacted by strain. However, compound PCs were also impacted by strain, showing that strain accounts for any relationship between odors and behavior. C57BL/6N cages displayed the most allo-grooming behavior and had high scores on sweat PC1. SJL cages displayed the most aggression, with high scores on urine PC2 and low scores on nest PC1. These data show that certain compounds in nesting material, urine, and sweat display strain specific patterns which match strain specific behavior patterns. These results provide preliminary information about the connection between home cage compounds and behavior. Salient compounds will be candidates for future controlled studies to determine their direct effect on mouse social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J. Barabas
- Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Helena A. Soini
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Pheromone Research, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Milos V. Novotny
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Pheromone Research, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - David R. Williams
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Pheromone Research, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jacob A. Desmond
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Pheromone Research, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey R. Lucas
- Department of Biological Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Marisa A. Erasmus
- Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Heng-Wei Cheng
- USDA-ARS, Livestock Behavior Research Unit, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Brianna N. Gaskill
- Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
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Farini D, Cesari E, Weatheritt RJ, La Sala G, Naro C, Pagliarini V, Bonvissuto D, Medici V, Guerra M, Di Pietro C, Rizzo FR, Musella A, Carola V, Centonze D, Blencowe BJ, Marazziti D, Sette C. A Dynamic Splicing Program Ensures Proper Synaptic Connections in the Developing Cerebellum. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107703. [PMID: 32492419 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tight coordination of gene expression in the developing cerebellum is crucial for establishment of neuronal circuits governing motor and cognitive function. However, transcriptional changes alone do not explain all of the switches underlying neuronal differentiation. Here we unveiled a widespread and highly dynamic splicing program that affects synaptic genes in cerebellar neurons. The motifs enriched in modulated exons implicated the splicing factor Sam68 as a regulator of this program. Sam68 controls splicing of exons with weak branchpoints by directly binding near the 3' splice site and competing with U2AF recruitment. Ablation of Sam68 disrupts splicing regulation of synaptic genes associated with neurodevelopmental diseases and impairs synaptic connections and firing of Purkinje cells, resulting in motor coordination defects, ataxia, and abnormal social behavior. These findings uncover an unexpectedly dynamic splicing regulatory network that shapes the synapse in early life and establishes motor and cognitive circuitry in the developing cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Farini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cesari
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert J Weatheritt
- Donnelly Centre and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; EMBL Australia, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Gina La Sala
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Naro
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittoria Pagliarini
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Bonvissuto
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Vanessa Medici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marika Guerra
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Di Pietro
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Rizzo
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; San Raffaele Pisana and University San Raffaele, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Carola
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Centonze
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Unit of Neurology, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | - Benjamin J Blencowe
- Donnelly Centre and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniela Marazziti
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Sette
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
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Sarver DC, Lei X, Wong GW. FAM19A (TAFA): An Emerging Family of Neurokines with Diverse Functions in the Central and Peripheral Nervous System. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:945-958. [PMID: 33621067 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokines and chemokines have diverse and pleiotropic functions in peripheral tissues and in the brain. Recent studies uncovered a novel family of neuron-derived secretory proteins, or neurokines, distantly related to chemokines. The FAM19A family comprises five ∼12-15 kDa secretory proteins (FAM19A1-5), also known as TAFA1-5, that are predominantly detected in the central and peripheral nervous system. FAM19A expression in the central nervous system is dynamically regulated during development and in the postnatal brain. As secreted ligands, FAM19A proteins appear to bind to different classes of cell surface receptors (e.g., GPCRs and neurexins). Functional studies using gain- and loss-of-function mouse models established nonredundant roles for each FAM19A family member in regulating diverse physiological processes ranging from locomotor activity and food intake to learning and memory, anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors, social communication, repetitive behaviors, and somatosensory functions. This review summarizes major advances as well as the limitations and knowledge gaps in understanding the regulation and diverse biological functions of this conserved family of neurokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan C. Sarver
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Xia Lei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States
| | - G. William Wong
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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Priestley V, Allen R, Binstead M, Arnold R, Savolainen V. Quick detection of a rare species: Forensic swabs of survey tubes for hazel dormouse
Muscardinus avellanarius
urine. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Vocalizations of infant brown rats, but not infant house mice, enhance rodent captures in sex pheromone-baited traps. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Ang MJ, Lee S, Kim JC, Kim SH, Moon C. Behavioral Tasks Evaluating Schizophrenia-like Symptoms in Animal Models: A Recent Update. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:641-664. [PMID: 32798374 PMCID: PMC8573744 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666200814175114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects more than 21 million people worldwide. Both genetics and the environment play a role in its etiology and pathogenesis. Symptoms of schizophrenia are mainly categorized into positive, negative, and cognitive. One major approach to identify and understand these diverse symptoms in humans has been to study behavioral phenotypes in a range of animal models of schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE We aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the behavioral tasks commonly used for measuring schizophrenia-like behaviors in rodents together with an update of the recent study findings. METHODS Articles describing phenotypes of schizophrenia-like behaviors in various animal models were collected through a literature search in Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, with a focus on advances over the last 10 years. RESULTS Numerous studies have used a range of animal models and behavioral paradigms of schizophrenia to develop antipsychotic drugs for improved therapeutics. In establishing animal models of schizophrenia, the candidate models were evaluated for schizophrenia-like behaviors using several behavioral tasks for positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms designed to verify human symptoms of schizophrenia. Such validated animal models were provided as rapid preclinical avenues for drug testing and mechanistic studies. CONCLUSION Based on the most recent advances in the field, it is apparent that a myriad of behavior tests are needed to confirm and evaluate the congruency of animal models with the numerous behaviors and clinical signs exhibited by patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Changjong Moon
- Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Animal Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, South Korea, Tel: +82-62-530-2838; E-mail:
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Šabanović M, Liu H, Mlambo V, Aqel H, Chaudhury D. What it takes to be at the top: The interrelationship between chronic social stress and social dominance. Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01896. [PMID: 33070476 PMCID: PMC7749537 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dominance hierarchies of social animal groups are very sensitive to stress. Stress experienced prior to social interactions between conspecifics may be a determinant of their future social dynamics. Additionally, long-term occupancy of a specific hierarchical rank can have psychophysiological effects which increase vulnerability to future stressors. METHODS We aimed to delineate differential effects of stress acting before or after hierarchy formation. We studied whether exposure to the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) paradigm before a two-week-long hierarchy formation affected the attainment of a dominant status using the social confrontation tube test (TT). These animals were singly housed for at least one week before CSDS to decrease confounding effects of prior hierarchy experience. Additionally, we investigated whether social rank predicted vulnerability to CSDS, measured by a social interaction test. RESULTS In TT, mice termed as dominant (high rank) win the majority of social confrontations, while the subordinates (low rank) lose more often. Within newly established hierarchies of stress-naïve mice, the subordinate, but not dominant, mice exhibited significantly greater avoidance of novel social targets. However, following exposure to CSDS, both lowest- and highest-ranked mice exhibited susceptibility to stress as measured by decreased interactions with a novel social target. In contrast, after CSDS, both stress-susceptible (socially avoidant) and stress-resilient (social) mice were able to attain dominant ranks in newly established hierarchies. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the response to CSDS did not determine social rank in new cohorts, but low-status mice in newly established groups exhibited lower sociability to novel social targets. Interestingly, exposure of a hierarchical social group to chronic social stress led to stress susceptibility in both high- and low-status mice as measured by social interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merima Šabanović
- The Division of Science, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - He Liu
- The Division of Science, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Vongai Mlambo
- The Division of Science, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hala Aqel
- The Division of Science, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Dipesh Chaudhury
- The Division of Science, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Arakawa H. From Multisensory Assessment to Functional Interpretation of Social Behavioral Phenotype in Transgenic Mouse Models for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:592408. [PMID: 33329141 PMCID: PMC7717939 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.592408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common heterogeneous disorder, defined solely by the core behavioral characteristics, including impaired social interaction and restricted and repeated behavior. Although an increasing number of studies have been performed extensively, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the core symptoms of ASD remain largely unknown. Transgenic mouse models provide a useful tool for evaluating genetic and neuronal mechanisms underlying ASD pathology, which are prerequisites for validating behavioral phenotypes that mimic the core symptoms of human ASD. The purpose of this review is to propose a better strategy for analyzing and interpreting social investigatory behaviors in transgenic mouse models of ASD. Mice are nocturnal, and employ multimodal processing mechanisms for social communicative behaviors, including those that involve olfactory and tactile senses. Most behavioral paradigms that have been developed for measuring a particular ASD-like behavior in mouse models, such as social recognition, preference, and discrimination tests, are based on the evaluation of distance-based investigatory behavior in response to social stimuli. This investigatory behavior in mice is regulated by multimodal processing involving with two different motives: first, an olfactory-based novelty assessment, and second, tactile-based social contact, in a temporally sequential manner. Accurate interpretation of investigatory behavior exhibited by test mice can be achieved by functional analysis of these multimodal, sequential behaviors, which will lead to a better understanding of the specific features of social deficits associated with ASD in transgenic mouse models, at high temporal and spatial resolutions.
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Agonistic behaviors and neuronal activation in sexually naïve female Mongolian gerbils. Behav Brain Res 2020; 395:112860. [PMID: 32798594 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112860] [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: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Agonistic interaction is important for establishing social hierarchy and determining access to limited resources. Although there are substantial studies investigating the neural mechanisms of aggressive or defensive behavior in male rodents, little attention has been paid to the mechanisms underlying agonistic behaviors in females. In the present study, we depicted patterns of agonistic behaviors in sexually naïve female Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) and examined the neuronal activation in the brain by Fos-immunoreactive (Fos-ir) staining. We found that the winner-loser relationship was established rapidly. Winners displayed higher levels of aggression, environmental exploration, scent marking, and self-grooming, but less defensive behavior, in comparison to losers. Several patterns of Fos-ir expression emerged following agonistic interactions. Winners had the number of Fos-ir cells in the ventrolateral subnucleus of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl) and dorsal periaqueductal grey (PAGd) more than the controls but less than the losers. Losers also had more Fos-ir cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), anterior medial (BSTam) and anteriolateral (BSTal) subnuclei of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), and the ventral subnucleus of the lateral septum (LSv), as well as less Fos-ir cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus (DG), compared to the controls. In addition, the number of Fos-ir cells showed similar increases in the principal nucleus (BSTpr) and interfascicular nucleus (BSTif) of the BST and amygdala (AMYG) in both the winners and losers, compared to the controls. Together, these data illustrate the patterns of altered neuronal activation in a behavior-, social status-, and brain region-specific manner, implicating potential roles of the brain neural circuit in mediating agonistic interactions in female Mongolian gerbils.
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Li W, Luo S, Wan C. Characterization of fever and sickness behavior regulated by cytokines during infection. BEHAVIOUR 2020. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-bja10028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
In response to invasion of pathogens, hosts present fever and a series of behavioural changes including reduced grooming, reduction of foraging, decreased locomotion, withdrawing from social activities and reproductive process, which are collectively termed sickness behaviour. Fever as well as sickness behaviour are adaptive and benefit the host to reduce pathology caused by infections and opportunity costs for time away from foraging, reproduction and predator avoidance. Antipathogenic fever and sickness behaviour are mediated proximately by cytokines including pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Pro-inflammation cytokines trigger these sickness responses, while anti-inflammatory cytokines constrain these responses and prevent damage to host from exaggerated responses. The present study reviews the characterization of fever and sickness behaviour regulated by cytokines during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiran Li
- aDepartment of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, No 20, 3rd section of Renmin South Road, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
- bKey Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Shuanghong Luo
- aDepartment of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, No 20, 3rd section of Renmin South Road, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
- bKey Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Chaomin Wan
- aDepartment of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, No 20, 3rd section of Renmin South Road, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
- bKey Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
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Taki F, Lopez K, Zupan B, Bergin P, Docampo MD, Alves-Bezerra M, Toth JG, Chen Q, Argyropoulos KV, Barboza L, Pickup E, Fancher N, Hiller A, Gross S, Cohen DE, van den Brink MRM, Toth M. Maternal Programming of Social Dominance via Milk Cytokines. iScience 2020; 23:101357. [PMID: 32712464 PMCID: PMC7390789 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Regular physical activity improves physical and mental health. Here we found that the effect of physical activity extends to the next generation. Voluntary wheel running of dams, from postpartum day 2 to weaning, increased the social dominance and reproductive success, but not the physical/metabolic health, of their otherwise sedentary offspring. The individual's own physical activity did not improve dominance status. Maternal exercise did not disrupt maternal care or the maternal and offspring microbiota. Rather, the development of dominance behavior in the offspring of running mothers could be explained by the reduction of LIF, CXCL1, and CXCL2 cytokines in breast milk. These data reveal a cytokine-mediated lactocrine pathway that responds to the mother's postpartum physical activity and programs offspring social dominance. As dominance behaviors are highly relevant to the individual's survival and reproduction, lactocrine programming could be an evolutionary mechanism by which a mother promotes the social rank of her offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faten Taki
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Katherine Lopez
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Bojana Zupan
- Psychological Science Department, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie 124 Raymond Avenue, New York, NY 12604, USA
| | - Paul Bergin
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Melissa D Docampo
- Departments of Medicine and Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michele Alves-Bezerra
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1305 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Judit Gal Toth
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Qiuying Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kimon V Argyropoulos
- Departments of Medicine and Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Luendreo Barboza
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Emily Pickup
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Nicholas Fancher
- Psychological Science Department, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie 124 Raymond Avenue, New York, NY 12604, USA
| | - Abbi Hiller
- Psychological Science Department, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie 124 Raymond Avenue, New York, NY 12604, USA
| | - Steven Gross
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - David E Cohen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1305 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Marcel R M van den Brink
- Departments of Medicine and Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Miklos Toth
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Šabanović M, Liu H, Mlambo V, Aqel H, Chaudhury D. What it takes to be at the top: The interrelationship between chronic social stress and social dominance.. [DOI: 10.1101/2020.06.29.177410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/19/2023]
Abstract
AbstractDominance hierarchies of social animal groups are influenced by complex factors such as stress. Stress experienced by an animal prior to social interactions with a conspecific may be a determinant of their future social dynamics. Additionally, long-term occupancy of a specific hierarchical rank can have psychophysiological effects, leading to vulnerability to future stress.The current study aimed to delineate differential effects of stress acting before or after hierarchy formation. Using the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) paradigm we performed behavioural investigations to determine whether exposure to CSDS before hierarchy formation predicted the new dominance status. Moreover, in another study we investigated whether social rank predicted stress vulnerability.We found that CSDS did not impede the establishment of dominance in new hierarchies as both stress-susceptible (socially avoidant) and –resilient (social) mice were able to attain dominant ranks. In contrast, within newly established hierarchies of stress-naïve mice, the subordinate, but not dominant, mice exhibit significantly greater avoidance of novel social targets. However, following exposure to CSDS, both lowest- and highest-ranked mice exhibit strong susceptibility to stress as measured by decreased interactions with a novel social target.These results suggest that the response to chronic social stress did not determine social rank in new cohorts, but low-status mice in newly established groups exhibited lower sociability to novel social targets. Interestingly, exposure of a hierarchical social group to chronic social stress led to stress-susceptibility in both high- and low-status mice as measured by social interaction.HighlightsStress susceptibility to chronic social defeat did not impede the establishment of dominance in new hierarchies.Subordinate mice exhibit reduced social preference after hierarchy formation.Following chronic social defeat stress, both subordinate and dominant mice exhibit susceptible-like reduction in social interaction, but dominant mice exhibit the greater decrease in social preference as compared to baseline.
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Ait-Bali Y, Ba-M'hamed S, Gambarotta G, Sassoè-Pognetto M, Giustetto M, Bennis M. Pre- and postnatal exposure to glyphosate-based herbicide causes behavioral and cognitive impairments in adult mice: evidence of cortical ad hippocampal dysfunction. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:1703-1723. [PMID: 32067069 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02677-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are the most widely used pesticides worldwide. Despite considerable progress in describing the neurotoxic potential of GBH, the harmful effects on brain cytoarchitecture and behavior are still unclear. Here, we addressed the developmental impact of GBH by exposing female mice to 250 or 500 mg/kg doses of GBH during both pregnancy and lactation and then examined the downstream effects at the behavioral, neurochemical and molecular levels. We show that pre- and neonatal exposure to GBH impairs fertility and reproduction parameters as well as maternal behavior of exposed mothers. In offspring, GBH was responsible for a global delay in innate reflexes and a deficit in motor development. At the adult age, exposed animals showed a decrease of locomotor activity, sociability, learning and short- and long-term memory associated with alterations of cholinergic and dopaminergic systems. Furthermore, GBH-activated microglia and astrocytes, sign of neuroinflammation event in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. At the molecular level, a down-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and an up-regulation of tyrosine-related kinase receptor (TrkB), NR1 subunit of NMDA receptor as well as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) were found in the brain of GBH-exposed mice. The present work demonstrates that GBH induces numerous behavioral and cognitive abnormalities closely associated with significant histological, neurochemical and molecular impairments. It also raises fundamental concerns about the ability of current safety testing to assess risks of pesticide exposure during developmental periods of central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yassine Ait-Bali
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Neurobiology and Behavior, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Bd. Prince My Abdallah, BP. 2390, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Saadia Ba-M'hamed
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Neurobiology and Behavior, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Bd. Prince My Abdallah, BP. 2390, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Giovanna Gambarotta
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Sassoè-Pognetto
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- National Institute of Neuroscience-Italy, Turin, Italy
| | - Maurizio Giustetto
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- National Institute of Neuroscience-Italy, Turin, Italy
| | - Mohamed Bennis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Neurobiology and Behavior, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Bd. Prince My Abdallah, BP. 2390, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco.
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Jaimes LF, Mansk LMZ, Almeida-Santos AF, Pereira GS. Maturation of newborn neurons predicts social memory persistence in mice. Neuropharmacology 2020; 171:108102. [PMID: 32302616 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108102] [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: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Memory transience is essential to gain cognitive flexibility. Recently, hippocampal neurogenesis is emerging as one of the mechanisms involved in the balance between persistence and forgetting. Social recognition memory (SRM) has its duration prolonged by neurogenesis. However, it is still to be determined whether boosting neurogenesis in distinct phases of SRM may favor forgetting over persistence. In the present study, we used enriched environment (EE) and memantine (MEM) to increase neurogenesis. SRM was ubiquitously prolonged by both, while EE after the memory acquisition did not favor forgetting. Interestingly, the proportion of newborn neurons with mature morphology in the dorsal hippocampus was higher in animals where persistence prevailed. Finally, one of the main factors for dendritic growth is the formation of cytoskeleton. We found that Latrunculin A, an inhibitor of actin polymerization, blunted the promnesic effect of EE. Altogether, our results indicate that the mechanisms triggered by EE to improve SRM are not limited to increasing the number of newborn neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura F Jaimes
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas, Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lara M Z Mansk
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas, Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana F Almeida-Santos
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas, Gerais, Brazil
| | - Grace S Pereira
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas, Gerais, Brazil.
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Ronald KL, Zhang X, Morrison MV, Miller R, Hurley LM. Male mice adjust courtship behavior in response to female multimodal signals. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229302. [PMID: 32241020 PMCID: PMC7117945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Multimodal signaling is nearly ubiquitous across animal taxa. While much research has focused on male signal production contributing to female mate-choice or preferences, females often give their own multimodal signals during intersexual communication events. Multimodal signal components are often classified based on whether they contain redundant information (e.g., the backup hypothesis) or non-redundant information (e.g., the multiple messages hypothesis) from the perspective of the receiver. We investigated the role of two different female vocalizations produced by the female house mouse (Mus musculus): the broadband, relatively low-frequency squeaks (broadband vocalizations or BBVs,), and the higher-frequency ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). These female vocalizations may convey differently valenced information to the male receivers. We paired these vocalizations with and without female urine to examine the influence of combining information across multiple modalities. We found evidence that female urine and vocalizations act as non-redundant multimodal cues as males responded with different behaviors and vocalization rates depending on the female signal presented. Additionally, male mice responded with greater courtship effort to the multimodal combination of female USVs paired with female urine than any other signal combination. These results suggest that the olfactory information contained in female urine provides the context by which males can then evaluate potentially ambiguous female vocalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L. Ronald
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Hope College, Holland, MI, United States of America
| | - Xinzhu Zhang
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States of America
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Matthew V. Morrison
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States of America
| | - Ryan Miller
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States of America
| | - Laura M. Hurley
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States of America
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Alexander KA, Nichols CA. Behavior - Landscape Interactions May Create Super-Spreader Environments: Vigilance-Olfactory Interactions Across Land Type and Disease Transmission Potential in the Banded Mongoose. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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49
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Carlton CN, Sullivan-Toole H, Ghane M, Richey JA. Reward Circuitry and Motivational Deficits in Social Anxiety Disorder: What Can Be Learned From Mouse Models? Front Neurosci 2020; 14:154. [PMID: 32174811 PMCID: PMC7054462 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common and serious psychiatric condition that typically emerges during adolescence and persists into adulthood if left untreated. Prevailing interventions focus on modulating threat and arousal systems but produce only modest rates of remission. This gap in efficacy suggests that most mainstream treatment concepts do not sufficiently target core processes involved in the onset and maintenance of SAD. This idea has further driven the development of new theoretical models that target dopamine (DA)-driven reward circuitry and motivational deficits that appear to be systematically altered in SAD. Most of the available data linking systemic alterations in DA neurobiology to SAD in humans, although abundant, remains at the level of correlational evidence. Accordingly, the purpose of this brief review is to critically evaluate the relevance of experimental work in rodent models that link details of DA function to symptoms of social anxiety. We conclude that, despite certain systematic limitations inherent in animal models, these approaches provide useful insights into human biomarkers of social anxiety including that (1) adolescence may serve as a critical period for the convergence of neurobiological and environmental factors that modify future expectations about social reward through experience dependent changes in DA-ergic circuitry, (2) females may show unique susceptibility to social anxiety symptoms when encountering relational instability that influences DA-related neural processes, and (3) separate from fear and arousal systems, the functional neurobiology of central DA systems contribute uniquely to susceptibility and maintenance of anhedonic factors relevant to human models of SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne N Carlton
- Clinical Science Program, Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Holly Sullivan-Toole
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Merage Ghane
- Clinical Science Program, Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - John A Richey
- Clinical Science Program, Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
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Osadchuk LV, Osadchuk AV. Genotypic Peculiarities of Olfactory Communication in Male Laboratory Mice (Mus musculus) in a Social Competition Model. BIOL BULL+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359019080120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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