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Lee SE, Greenough EK, Fonken LK, Gaudet AD. Spinal cord injury in mice amplifies anxiety: A novel light-heat conflict test exposes increased salience of anxiety over heat. Exp Neurol 2023; 364:114382. [PMID: 36924982 PMCID: PMC10874685 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114382] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) predisposes individuals to anxiety and chronic pain. Anxiety- and pain-like behavior after SCI can be tested in rodents, yet commonly used tests assess one variable and may not replicate effects of SCI or sex differences seen in humans. Thus, novel preclinical tests should be optimized to better evaluate behaviors relating to anxiety and pain. Here, we use our newly developed conflict test - the Thermal Increments Dark-Light (TIDAL) test - to explore how SCI affects anxiety- vs. pain-like behavior, and whether sex affects post-SCI behavior. The TIDAL conflict test consists of two plates connected by a walkway; one plate remains illuminated and at an isothermic temperature, whereas the other plate is dark but is heated incrementally to aversive temperatures. A control mice thermal place preference test was also performed in which both plates are illuminated. Female and male mice received moderate T9 contusion SCI or remained uninjured. At 7 days post-operative (dpo), mice with SCI increased dark plate preference throughout the TIDAL conflict test compared to uninjured mice. SCI increased dark plate preference for both sexes, although female (vs. male) mice remained on the heated-dark plate to higher temperatures. Mice with SCI that repeated TIDAL at 7 and 21 dpo showed reduced preference for the dark-heated plate at 21 dpo. Overall, in female and male mice, SCI enhances the salience of anxiety (vs. heat sensitivity). The TIDAL conflict test meets a need for preclinical anxiety- and pain-related tests that recapitulate the human condition; thus, future rodent behavioral studies should incorporate TIDAL or other conflict tests to help understand and treat neurologic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney E Lee
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 E. Dean Keeton St, Mail Stop A800, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Emily K Greenough
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 E. Dean Keeton St, Mail Stop A800, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Laura K Fonken
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton St, Stop C0875 BME 3.510, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Andrew D Gaudet
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 E. Dean Keeton St, Mail Stop A800, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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Graham ZA, DeBerry JJ, Cardozo CP, Bamman MM. SS-31 does not prevent or reduce muscle atrophy 7 days after a 65 kdyne contusion spinal cord injury in young male mice. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15266. [PMID: 35611788 PMCID: PMC9131615 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to major reductions in function, independent living, and quality of life. Disuse and paralysis from SCI leads to rapid muscle atrophy, with chronic muscle loss likely playing a role in the development of the secondary metabolic disorders often seen in those with SCI. Muscle disuse is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Previous evidence has suggested targeting the mitochondria with the tetrapeptide SS-31 is beneficial for muscle health in preclinical models that lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, such as cast immobilization or burn injury. We gave young male mice a sham (n = 8) or 65 kdyne thoracic contusion SCI with (n = 9) or without (n = 9) daily administration of 5.0 mg/kg SS-31. Hindlimb muscle mass and muscle bundle respiration were measured at 7 days post-SCI and molecular targets were investigated using immunoblotting, RT-qPCR, and metabolomics. SS-31 did not preserve body mass or hindlimb muscle mass 7 days post-SCI. SS-31 had no effect on soleus or plantaris muscle bundle respiration. SCI was associated with elevated levels of protein carbonylation, led to reduced protein expression of activated DRP1 and reductions in markers of mitochondrial fusion. SS-31 administration did result in reduced total DRP1 expression, as well as greater expression of inhibited DRP1. Gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors were largely stable across groups, although SS-31 treatment led to greater mRNA expression of IL1B, TNF, and TNFRSF12A. In summation, SS-31 was not an efficacious treatment acutely after a moderate thoracic contusion SCI in young male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A. Graham
- Research ServiceBirmingham VA Medical CenterBirminghamAlabamaUSA
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative BiologyUABBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Jennifer J. DeBerry
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative MedicineUABBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Christopher P. Cardozo
- Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord InjuryBronxNew YorkUSA
- Medical ServiceJames J. Peters VA Medical CenterBronxNew YorkUSA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Marcas M. Bamman
- Research ServiceBirmingham VA Medical CenterBirminghamAlabamaUSA
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative BiologyUABBirminghamAlabamaUSA
- UAB Center for Exercise MedicineBirminghamAlabamaUSA
- Florida Institute for Human and Machine CognitionPensacolaFloridaUSA
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Gao TY, Huang FF, Xie YY, Wang WQ, Wang LD, Mu D, Cui Y, Wang B. Dynamic changes in the systemic immune responses of spinal cord injury model mice. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:382-387. [PMID: 32859802 PMCID: PMC7896203 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.290910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Intraspinal inflammatory and immune responses are considered to play central roles in the pathological development of spinal cord injury. This study aimed to decipher the dynamics of systemic immune responses, initiated by spinal cord injury. The spinal cord in mice was completely transected at T8. Changes in the in vivo inflammatory response, between the acute and subacute stages, were observed. A rapid decrease in C-reactive protein levels, circulating leukocytes and lymphocytes, spleen-derived CD4+ interferon-γ+ T-helper cells, and inflammatory cytokines, and a marked increase in neutrophils, monocytes, and CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T-cells were observed during the acute phase. These systemic immune alterations were gradually restored to basal levels during the sub-acute phase. During the acute phase of spinal cord injury, systemic immune cells and factors showed significant inhibition; however, this inhibition was transient, and the indicators of these serious disorders gradually returned to baseline levels during the subacute phase. All experiments were performed in accordance with the institutional animal care guidelines, approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Experimental Animal Center of Drum Tower Hospital, China (approval No. 2019AE01040) on June 25, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Yun Gao
- Clinical Stem Cell Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Fei-Fei Huang
- Clinical Stem Cell Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Xie
- Clinical Stem Cell Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wen-Qing Wang
- Clinical Stem Cell Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Liu-Di Wang
- Clinical Stem Cell Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Dan Mu
- Department of Radiology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yi Cui
- Reproductive and Genetic Center of National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Clinical Stem Cell Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
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Järve A, Qadri F, Todiras M, Schmolke S, Bader M. Angiotensin-II receptor type Ia does not contribute to cardiac atrophy following high-thoracic spinal cord injury in mice. Exp Physiol 2020; 105:1316-1325. [PMID: 32515106 DOI: 10.1113/ep088378] [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: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? What is the role of the renin-angiotensin system with angiotensin II acting via its receptor AT1a in spinal cord injury-induced cardiac atrophy? What is the main finding and its importance? Knockout of AT1a did not protect mice that had undergone thoracic level 4 transection from cardiac atrophy. There were no histopathological signs but there was reduced load-dependent left ventricular function (lower stroke volume and cardiac output) with preserved ejection fraction. ABSTRACT Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to cardiac atrophy often accompanied by functional deficits. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with angiotensin II (AngII) signalling via its receptor AT1a might contribute to cardiac atrophy post-SCI. We performed spinal cord transection at thoracic level T4 (T4-Tx) or sham-operation in female wild-type mice (WT, n = 27) and mice deficient in AT1a (Agtr1a-/- , n = 27). Echocardiography (0, 7, 21 and 28 days post-SCI) and histology and gene expression analyses at 1 and 2 months post-SCI were performed. We found cardiac atrophy post-SCI: reduced heart weight, reduced estimated left ventricular mass in Agtr1a-/- , and reduced cardiomyocyte diameter in WT mice. Although, the latter as well as stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) were reduced in Agtr1a-/- mice already at baseline, cardiomyocyte diameter was even smaller in injured Agtr1a-/- mice compared to injured WT mice. SV and CO were reduced in WT mice post-SCI. Ejection fraction and fractional shortening were preserved post-SCI in both genotypes. There were no histological signs of fibrosis and pathology in the cardiac sections of either genotype post-SCI. Gene expression of Agtr1a showed a trend for up-regulation at 2 months post-SCI; angiotensinogen was up-regulated at 2 month post-SCI in both genotypes. AngII receptor type 2 (Agtr2) was up- and down-regulated at 1 and 2 months post-SCI in WT mice, respectively, and Ang-(1-7) receptor (Mas) at 1 and 2 months post-SCI. Atrogin-1/MAFbx and MuRF1, atrophy markers, were not significantly up-regulated post-SCI. Our data show that lack of AT1a does not protect from cardiac atrophy post-SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Järve
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fatimunnisa Qadri
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Mihail Todiras
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany.,Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Shirley Schmolke
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Bader
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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Järve A, Qadri F, Todiras M, Schmolke S, Alenina N, Bader M. Angiotensin-(1-7) Receptor Mas Deficiency Does Not Exacerbate Cardiac Atrophy Following High-Level Spinal Cord Injury in Mice. Front Physiol 2020; 11:203. [PMID: 32226394 PMCID: PMC7080696 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00203] [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: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) causes a morphological and functional deterioration of the heart, in which the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) might play a role. The recently discovered non-canonical axis of RAS with angiotensin-(1–7) and its receptor Mas, which is associated with cardioprotection could be essential to prevent damage to the heart following SCI. We investigated the cardiac consequences of SCI and the role of Mas in female wild-type (WT, n = 22) and mice deficient of Mas (Mas–/–, n = 25) which underwent spinal cord transection at thoracic level T4 (T4-Tx) or sham-operation by echocardiography (0, 7, 21, and 28 days post-SCI), histology and gene expression analysis at 1 or 2 months post-SCI. We found left ventricular mass reduction with preserved ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening in WT as well as Mas–/– mice. Cardiac output was reduced in Mas–/– mice, whereas stroke volume (SV) was reduced in WT T4-Tx mice. Echocardiographic indices did not differ between the genotypes. Smaller heart weight (HW) and smaller cardiomyocyte diameter at 1 month post-SCI compared to sham mice was independent of genotype. The muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases Atrogin-1/MAFbx and MuRF1 were upregulated or showed a trend for upregulation in WT mice at 2 months post-SCI, respectively. Angiotensinogen gene expression was upregulated at 1 month post-SCI and angiotensin II receptor type 2 downregulated at 2 month post-SCI in Mas–/– mice. Mas was downregulated post-SCI. Cardiac atrophy following SCI, not exacerbated by lack of Mas, is a physiological reaction as there were no signs of cardiac pathology and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Järve
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers, Berlin, Germany.,Partner Site Berlin, German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fatimunnisa Qadri
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mihail Todiras
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers, Berlin, Germany.,Nicolae Testemiţanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chişinãu, Moldova
| | - Shirley Schmolke
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers, Berlin, Germany
| | - Natalia Alenina
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers, Berlin, Germany.,Partner Site Berlin, German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Bader
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers, Berlin, Germany.,Partner Site Berlin, German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Berlin, Germany.,Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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