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Kolasa M, Nikiforuk A, Korlatowicz A, Solich J, Potasiewicz A, Dziedzicka-Wasylewska M, Bugno R, Hogendorf A, Bojarski A, Faron-Górecka A. Unraveling psilocybin's therapeutic potential: behavioral and neuroplasticity insights in Wistar-Kyoto and Wistar male rat models of treatment-resistant depression. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06644-3. [PMID: 38963553 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06644-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Our study aimed to unravel the unknown mechanisms behind the exceptional efficacy of Psilocybin (PSI) in treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Focusing on Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats with a TRD phenotype and Wistar (WIS) rats as a normative comparison, we investigated behavioral and neuroplasticity-related responses to PSI, striving to shed light on the distinctive features of its antidepressant effects. OBJECTIVES We set out to assess the behavioral impact of acute and prolonged PSI administration on WKY and WIS rats, employing Novel Object Recognition (NORT), Social Interaction (SI), and Forced Swimming Test (FST). Our secondary objectives involved exploring strain-specific alterations in neuroplasticity-related parameters, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc). METHODS Conducting post-acute and extended assessments after a single PSI administration, we applied behavioral tests and biochemical analyses to measure serum BDNF levels and neuroplasticity-related parameters in the prefrontal cortex. Statistical analyses were deployed to discern significant differences between the rat strains and assess the impact of PSI on behavioral and biochemical outcomes. RESULTS Our findings uncovered significant behavioral disparities between WKY and WIS rats, indicating passive behavior and social withdrawal in the former. PSI demonstrated pronounced pro-social and antidepressant effects in both strains, each with its distinctive temporal trajectory. Notably, we identified strain-specific variations in BDNF-related signaling and observed the modulation of Arc expression in WKY rats. CONCLUSIONS Our study delineated mood-related behavioral nuances between WKY and WIS rat strains, underscoring the antidepressant and pro-social properties of PSI in both groups. The distinct temporal patterns of observed changes and the identified strain-specific neuroplasticity alterations provide valuable insights into the TRD phenotype and the mechanisms underpinning the efficacy of PSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kolasa
- Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Nikiforuk
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience & Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agata Korlatowicz
- Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna Solich
- Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Potasiewicz
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience & Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Ryszard Bugno
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Adam Hogendorf
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrzej Bojarski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agata Faron-Górecka
- Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland.
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Fitzpatrick M, Szalanczy A, Beeson A, Vora A, Scott C, Grzybowski M, Klotz J, Der N, Chen R, Geurts AM, Woods LCS. Protein-coding mutation in Adcy3 increases adiposity and alters emotional behaviors sex-dependently in rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.16.598846. [PMID: 38916175 PMCID: PMC11195162 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.16.598846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Objective Adenylate cyclase 3 (Adcy3) has been linked to both obesity and major depressive disorder (MDD). Our lab identified a protein-coding variant in the 2nd transmembrane (TM) helix of Adcy3 in rats, and similar obesity variants have been identified in humans. The current study investigates the role of a TM variant in adiposity and behavior. Methods We used CRISPR-SpCas9 to mutate the TM domain of Adcy3 in WKY rats (Adcy3mut/mut). We also created a heterozygous knockout rat in the same strain (Adcy3+/-). Wild-type (WT), Adcy3+/-, and Adcy3mut/mut rats were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. We measured body weight, fat mass, glucose tolerance, food intake, metabolism, emotion-like behaviors, and memory. Results Adcy3+/- and Adcy3mut/mut rats weighed more than WT rats due to increased fat mass. There were key sex differences: adiposity was driven by increased food intake in males but by decreased energy expenditure in females. Adcy3mut/mut males displayed increased passive coping and decreased memory while Adcy3mut/mut females displayed increased anxiety-like behavior. Conclusions These studies show that the ADCY3 TM domain plays a role in protein function, that Adcy3 may contribute to the relationship between obesity and MDD, and that sex influences the relationships between Adcy3, metabolism, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie Fitzpatrick
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem NC, USA
| | - Alexandria Szalanczy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem NC, USA
| | - Angela Beeson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem NC, USA
| | - Anusha Vora
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem NC, USA
| | - Christina Scott
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem NC, USA
| | - Michael Grzybowski
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
| | - Jason Klotz
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
| | - Nataley Der
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem NC, USA
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem NC, USA
| | - Aron M Geurts
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
| | - Leah C Solberg Woods
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem NC, USA
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Anderson LG, Vogiatzoglou E, Tang S, Luiz S, Duque T, Ghaly JP, Schwartzer JJ, Hales JB, Sabariego M. Memory deficits and hippocampal cytokine expression in a rat model of ADHD. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 35:100700. [PMID: 38107021 PMCID: PMC10724493 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100700] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex behavioral disorder characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, and deficits in working memory and time perception. While animal models have advanced our neurobiological understanding of this condition, there are limited and inconsistent data on working and elapsed time memory function. Inflammatory signaling has been identified as a key factor in memory and cognitive impairments, but its role in ADHD remains unclear. Additionally, the disproportionate investigation of male subjects in ADHD research has contributed to a poor understanding of the disorder in females. This study sought to investigate the potential connections between memory, neuroimmunology, and ADHD in both male and female animals. Specifically, we utilized the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), one of the most extensively studied animal models of ADHD. Compared to their control, the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat, male SHR are reported to exhibit several behavioral phenotypes associated with ADHD, including hyperactivity, impulsivity, and poor sustained attention, along with impairments in learning and memory. As the hippocampus is a key brain region for learning and memory, we examined the behavior of male and female SHR and WKY rats in two hippocampal-dependent memory tasks. Our findings revealed that SHR have delay-dependent working memory deficits that were similar to, albeit less severe than, those seen in hippocampal-lesioned rats. We also observed impairments in elapsed time processing in female SHR, particularly in the discrimination of longer time durations. To investigate the impact of inflammatory signaling on memory in these rats, we analyzed the levels of several cytokines in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus of SHR and WKY. Although we found some sex and genotype differences, concentrations were generally similar between groups. Taken together, our results indicate that SHR exhibit deficits in spatial working memory and memory for elapsed time, as well as some differences in hippocampal cytokine concentrations. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the neurobiological basis of ADHD in both sexes and may inform future research aimed at developing effective treatments for the disorder. Nonetheless, the potential mediating role of neuroinflammation in the memory symptomatology of SHR requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy G. Anderson
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, 01075, USA
| | | | - Shi Tang
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, 01075, USA
| | - Sarah Luiz
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, 01075, USA
| | - Turley Duque
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA
| | - James P. Ghaly
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA
| | - Jared J. Schwartzer
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, 01075, USA
| | - Jena B. Hales
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA
| | - Marta Sabariego
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, 01075, USA
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Ferreira A, Harter A, Afreen S, Kanai K, Batori S, Redei EE. The WMI Rat of Premature Cognitive Aging Presents Intrinsic Vulnerability to Oxidative Stress in Primary Neurons and Astrocytes Compared to Its Nearly Isogenic WLI Control. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1692. [PMID: 38338968 PMCID: PMC10855588 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031692] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The primary neuronal and astrocyte culture described here is from the stress-hyperreactive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) More Immobile (WMI) rat with premature aging-related memory deficit, and its nearly isogenic control, the Less Immobile (WLI) strain. Primary WMI hippocampal neurons and cortical astrocytes are significantly more sensitive to oxidative stress (OS) generated by administration of H2O2 compared to WLI cells as measured by the trypan blue cell viability assay. Intrinsic genetic vulnerability is also suggested by the decreased gene expression in WMI neurons of catalase (Cat), and in WMI cortical astrocytes of insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2), synuclein gamma (Sncg) and glutathione peroxidase 2 (Gpx2) compared to WLI. The expressions of several mitochondrial genes are dramatically increased in response to H2O2 treatment in WLI, but not in WMI cortical astrocytes. We propose that the vulnerability of WMI neurons to OS is due to the genetic differences between the WLI and WMI. Furthermore, the upregulation of mitochondrial genes may be a compensatory response to the generation of free radicals by OS in the WLIs, and this mechanism is disturbed in the WMIs. Thus, this pilot study suggests intrinsic vulnerabilities in the WMI hippocampal neurons and cortical astrocytes, and affirm the efficacy of this bimodal in vitro screening system for finding novel drug targets to prevent oxidative damage in illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Ferreira
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (A.F.)
| | - Aspen Harter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
| | - Sana Afreen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (A.F.)
| | - Karoly Kanai
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sandor Batori
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eva E. Redei
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
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Szalanczy AM, Fitzpatrick M, Beeson A, Bui T, Dyson C, Eller S, Landry J, Scott C, Grzybowski M, Klotz J, Geurts AM, Weiner JL, Redei EE, Solberg Woods LC. Chronic stress from adolescence to adulthood increases adiposity and anxiety in rats with decreased expression of Krtcap3. Front Genet 2024; 14:1247232. [PMID: 38323241 PMCID: PMC10844407 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1247232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
We previously identified Keratinocyte-associated protein 3, Krtcap3, as a novel adiposity gene, but subsequently found that its impact on adiposity may depend on environmental stress. To more thoroughly understand the connection between Krtcap3, adiposity, and stress, we exposed wild-type (WT) and Krtcap3 knock-out (KO) rats to chronic stress then measured adiposity and behavioral outcomes. We found that KO rats displayed lower basal stress than WT rats under control conditions and exhibited metabolic and behavioral responses to chronic stress exposure. Specifically, stress-exposed KO rats gained more weight, consumed more food when socially isolated, and displayed more anxiety-like behaviors relative to control KO rats. Meanwhile, there were minimal differences between control and stressed WT rats. At study conclusion stress-exposed KO rats had increased corticosterone (CORT) relative to control KO rats with no differences between WT rats. In addition, KO rats, independent of prior stress exposure, had an increased CORT response to removal of their cage-mate (psychosocial stress), which was only seen in WT rats when exposed to chronic stress. Finally, we found differences in expression of the glucocorticoid receptor, Nr3c1, in the pituitary and colon between control and stress-exposed KO rats that were not present in WT rats. These data support that Krtcap3 expression affects stress response, potentially via interactions with Nr3c1, with downstream effects on adiposity and behavior. Future work is necessary to more thoroughly understand the role of Krtcap3 in the stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria M. Szalanczy
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Mackenzie Fitzpatrick
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Angela Beeson
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Trangdai Bui
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Christina Dyson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Seth Eller
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Julia Landry
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Christina Scott
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Michael Grzybowski
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jason Klotz
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Aron M. Geurts
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jeff L. Weiner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Eva E. Redei
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Leah C. Solberg Woods
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
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Kolasa M, Faron-Górecka A. Preclinical models of treatment-resistant depression: challenges and perspectives. Pharmacol Rep 2023; 75:1326-1340. [PMID: 37882914 PMCID: PMC10661811 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-023-00542-9] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a subgroup of major depressive disorder in which the use of classical antidepressant treatments fails to achieve satisfactory treatment results. Although there are various definitions and grading models for TRD, common criteria for assessing TRD have still not been established. However, a common feature of any TRD model is the lack of response to at least two attempts at antidepressant pharmacotherapy. The causes of TRD are not known; nevertheless, it is estimated that even 60% of TRD patients are so-called pseudo-TRD patients, in which multiple biological factors, e.g., gender, age, and hormonal disturbances are concomitant with depression and involved in antidepressant drug resistance. Whereas the phenomenon of TRD is a complex disorder difficult to diagnose and successfully treat, the search for new treatment strategies is a significant challenge of modern pharmacology. It seems that despite the complexity of the TRD phenomenon, some useful animal models of TRD meet the construct, the face, and the predictive validity criteria. Based on the literature and our own experiences, we will discuss the utility of animals exposed to the stress paradigm (chronic mild stress, CMS), and the Wistar Kyoto rat strain representing an endogenous model of TRD. In this review, we will focus on reviewing research on existing and novel therapies for TRD, including ketamine, deep brain stimulation (DBS), and psychedelic drugs in the context of preclinical studies in representative animal models of TRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kolasa
- Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agata Faron-Górecka
- Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
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Wagner VA, Holl KL, Clark KC, Reho JJ, Lehmler HJ, Wang K, Grobe JL, Dwinell MR, Raff H, Kwitek AE. The Power of the Heterogeneous Stock Rat Founder Strains in Modeling Metabolic Disease. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad157. [PMID: 37882530 PMCID: PMC10637104 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic diseases are a host of complex conditions, including obesity, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. Endocrine control systems (eg, adrenals, thyroid, gonads) are causally linked to metabolic health outcomes. N/NIH Heterogeneous Stock (HS) rats are a genetically heterogeneous outbred population developed for genetic studies of complex traits. Genetic mapping studies in adult HS rats identified loci associated with cardiometabolic risks, such as glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and increased body mass index. This study determined underappreciated metabolic health traits and the associated endocrine glands within available substrains of the HS rat founders. We hypothesize that the genetic diversity of the HS rat founder strains causes a range of endocrine health conditions contributing to the diversity of cardiometabolic disease risks. ACI/EurMcwi, BN/NHsdMcwi, BUF/MnaMcwi, F344/StmMcwi, M520/NRrrcMcwi, and WKY/NCrl rats of both sexes were studied from birth until 13 weeks of age. Birth weight was recorded, body weight was measured weekly, metabolic characteristics were assessed, and blood and tissues were collected. Our data show wide variation in endocrine traits and metabolic health states in ACI, BN, BUF, F344, M520, and WKY rat strains. This is the first report to compare birth weight, resting metabolic rate, endocrine gland weight, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis hormones, and brown adipose tissue weight in these rat strains. Importantly, this work unveils new potential for the HS rat population to model early life adversity and adrenal and thyroid pathophysiology. The HS population likely inherited risk alleles for these strain-specific traits, making the HS rat a powerful model to investigate interventions on endocrine and metabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie A Wagner
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Katie L Holl
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Karen C Clark
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - John J Reho
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Comprehensive Rodent Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Hans-Joachim Lehmler
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Justin L Grobe
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Comprehensive Rodent Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Melinda R Dwinell
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Hershel Raff
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, Advocate Aurora Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| | - Anne E Kwitek
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Rat Genome Database, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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8
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Szalanczy AM, Giorgio G, Goff E, Seshie O, Grzybowski M, Klotz J, Geurts AM, Redei EE, Solberg Woods LC. Changes in environmental stress over COVID-19 pandemic likely contributed to failure to replicate adiposity phenotype associated with Krtcap3. Physiol Genomics 2023; 55:452-467. [PMID: 37458463 PMCID: PMC10642928 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00019.2023] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously identified keratinocyte-associated protein 3, Krtcap3, as an obesity-related gene in female rats where a whole body Krtcap3 knockout (KO) led to increased adiposity compared to wild-type (WT) controls when fed a high-fat diet (HFD). We sought to replicate this work to better understand the function of Krtcap3 but were unable to reproduce the adiposity phenotype. In the current work, WT female rats ate more compared to WT in the prior study, with corresponding increases in body weight and fat mass, while there were no changes in these measures in KO females between the studies. The prior study was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, while the current study started after initial lockdown orders and was completed during the pandemic in a generally less stressful environment. We hypothesize that the environmental changes impacted stress levels and may explain the failure to replicate our results. Analysis of corticosterone (CORT) at euthanasia showed a significant study-by-genotype interaction where WT had significantly higher CORT relative to KO in study 1, with no differences in study 2. These data suggest that decreasing Krtcap3 expression may alter the environmental stress response to influence adiposity. We also found that KO rats in both studies, but not WT, experienced a dramatic increase in CORT after their cage mate was removed, suggesting a separate connection to social behavioral stress. Future work is necessary to confirm and elucidate the finer mechanisms of these relationships, but these data indicate the possibility of Krtcap3 as a novel stress gene.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Obesity is linked to both genetics and environmental factors such as stress. Krtcap3 has previously been identified as a gene associated with adiposity, and our work here demonstrates that environmental stress may influence the role of Krtcap3 on both food intake and adiposity. Obesity is strongly influenced by stress in humans, so the identification of novel genes that link stress and obesity will greatly advance our understanding of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria M Szalanczy
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Gina Giorgio
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Emily Goff
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Osborne Seshie
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Michael Grzybowski
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Jason Klotz
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Aron M Geurts
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Eva E Redei
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Leah C Solberg Woods
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States
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9
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Szalanczy AM, Giorgio G, Goff E, Seshie O, Grzybowski M, Klotz J, Geurts AM, Redei EE, Solberg Woods LC. Changes in Environmental Stress over COVID-19 Pandemic Likely Contributed to Failure to Replicate Adiposity Phenotype Associated with Krtcap3. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.15.532439. [PMID: 36993361 PMCID: PMC10055176 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.15.532439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
We previously identified Keratinocyte-associated protein 3, Krtcap3, as an obesity-related gene in female rats where a whole-body Krtcap3 knock-out (KO) led to increased adiposity compared to wild-type (WT) controls when fed a high-fat diet (HFD). We sought to replicate this work to better understand the function of Krtcap3 but were unable to reproduce the adiposity phenotype. In the current work, WT female rats ate more compared to WT in the prior study, with corresponding increases in body weight and fat mass, while there were no changes in these measures in KO females between the studies. The prior study was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, while the current study started after initial lock-down orders and was completed during the pandemic with a generally less stressful environment. We hypothesize that the environmental changes impacted stress levels and may explain the failure to replicate our results. Analysis of corticosterone (CORT) at euthanasia showed a significant study by genotype interaction where WT had significantly higher CORT relative to KO in Study 1, with no differences in Study 2. These data suggest that decreasing Krtcap3 expression may alter the environmental stress response to influence adiposity. We also found that KO rats in both studies, but not WT, experienced a dramatic increase in CORT after their cage mate was removed, suggesting a separate connection to social behavioral stress. Future work is necessary to confirm and elucidate the finer mechanisms of these relationships, but these data indicate the possibility of Krtcap3 as a novel stress gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria M Szalanczy
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC USA
| | - Gina Giorgio
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC USA
| | - Emily Goff
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC USA
| | - Osborne Seshie
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC USA
| | - Michael Grzybowski
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Jason Klotz
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Aron M Geurts
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Eva E Redei
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Leah C Solberg Woods
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC USA
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