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Wolf R, Dobrowolny H, Nullmeier S, Bogerts B, Schwegler H. Effects of neonatal excitotoxic lesions in ventral thalamus on social interaction in the rat. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2018; 268:461-470. [PMID: 28361258 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-017-0781-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The role of the thalamus in schizophrenia has increasingly been studied in recent years. Deficits in the ventral thalamus have been described in only few postmortem and neuroimaging studies. We utilised our previously introduced neurodevelopmental animal model, the neonatal excitotoxic lesion of the ventral thalamus of Sprague-Dawley rats (Wolf et al., Pharmacopsychiatry 43:99-109, 22). At postnatal day (PD7), male pubs received bilateral thalamic infusions with ibotenic acid (IBA) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (control). In adulthood, social interaction of two animals not familiar to each other was studied by a computerised video tracking system. This study displays clear lesion effects on social interaction of adult male rats. The significant reduction of total contact time and the significant increase in distance between the animals in the IBA group compared to controls can be interpreted as social withdrawal modelling a negative symptom of schizophrenia. The significant increase of total distance travelled in the IBA group can be hypothesised as agitation modelling a positive symptom of schizophrenia. Using a triple concept of social interaction, the percentage of no social interaction (Non-SI%) was significantly larger, and inversely, the percentage of passive social interaction (SI-passive%) was significantly smaller in the IBA group when compared to controls. In conclusion, on the background of findings in schizophrenic patients, the effects of neonatal ventral thalamic IBA lesions in adult male rats support the hypothesis of face and construct validity as animal model of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Wolf
- Department of Psychiatry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Alexandrinenstr. 1, 44791, Bochum, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Henrik Dobrowolny
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sven Nullmeier
- Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Bogerts
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Herbert Schwegler
- Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
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2
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De Bruyckere E, Simon R, Nestel S, Heimrich B, Kätzel D, Egorov AV, Liu P, Jenkins NA, Copeland NG, Schwegler H, Draguhn A, Britsch S. Stability and Function of Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Synapses Depend on Bcl11b/Ctip2. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:103. [PMID: 29674952 PMCID: PMC5895709 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Structural and functional plasticity of synapses are critical neuronal mechanisms underlying learning and memory. While activity-dependent regulation of synaptic strength has been extensively studied, much less is known about the transcriptional control of synapse maintenance and plasticity. Hippocampal mossy fiber (MF) synapses connect dentate granule cells to CA3 pyramidal neurons and are important for spatial memory formation and consolidation. The transcription factor Bcl11b/Ctip2 is expressed in dentate granule cells and required for postnatal hippocampal development. Ablation of Bcl11b/Ctip2 in the adult hippocampus results in impaired adult neurogenesis and spatial memory. The molecular mechanisms underlying the behavioral impairment remained unclear. Here we show that selective deletion of Bcl11b/Ctip2 in the adult mouse hippocampus leads to a rapid loss of excitatory synapses in CA3 as well as reduced ultrastructural complexity of remaining mossy fiber boutons (MFBs). Moreover, a dramatic decline of long-term potentiation (LTP) of the dentate gyrus-CA3 (DG-CA3) projection is caused by adult loss of Bcl11b/Ctip2. Differential transcriptomics revealed the deregulation of genes associated with synaptic transmission in mutants. Together, our data suggest Bcl11b/Ctip2 to regulate maintenance and function of MF synapses in the adult hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruth Simon
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sigrun Nestel
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Heimrich
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dennis Kätzel
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexei V Egorov
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pentao Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Nancy A Jenkins
- Genetics Department, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Neal G Copeland
- Genetics Department, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Herbert Schwegler
- Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Draguhn
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Britsch
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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3
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Bröker-Lai J, Kollewe A, Schindeldecker B, Pohle J, Nguyen Chi V, Mathar I, Guzman R, Schwarz Y, Lai A, Weißgerber P, Schwegler H, Dietrich A, Both M, Sprengel R, Draguhn A, Köhr G, Fakler B, Flockerzi V, Bruns D, Freichel M. Heteromeric channels formed by TRPC1, TRPC4 and TRPC5 define hippocampal synaptic transmission and working memory. EMBO J 2017; 36:2770-2789. [PMID: 28790178 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201696369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels influence various neuronal functions. Using quantitative high-resolution mass spectrometry, we demonstrate that TRPC1, TRPC4, and TRPC5 assemble into heteromultimers with each other, but not with other TRP family members in the mouse brain and hippocampus. In hippocampal neurons from Trpc1/Trpc4/Trpc5-triple-knockout (Trpc1/4/5-/-) mice, lacking any TRPC1-, TRPC4-, or TRPC5-containing channels, action potential-triggered excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were significantly reduced, whereas frequency, amplitude, and kinetics of quantal miniature EPSC signaling remained unchanged. Likewise, evoked postsynaptic responses in hippocampal slice recordings and transient potentiation after tetanic stimulation were decreased. In vivo, Trpc1/4/5-/- mice displayed impaired cross-frequency coupling in hippocampal networks and deficits in spatial working memory, while spatial reference memory was unaltered. Trpc1/4/5-/- animals also exhibited deficiencies in adapting to a new challenge in a relearning task. Our results indicate the contribution of heteromultimeric channels from TRPC1, TRPC4, and TRPC5 subunits to the regulation of mechanisms underlying spatial working memory and flexible relearning by facilitating proper synaptic transmission in hippocampal neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Bröker-Lai
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Astrid Kollewe
- Institute of Physiology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Schindeldecker
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Pohle
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Physiology of Neural Networks, Psychiatry/Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, J5, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Vivan Nguyen Chi
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ilka Mathar
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Raul Guzman
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Schwarz
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Alan Lai
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Petra Weißgerber
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | | | - Alexander Dietrich
- Walther-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University München, München, Germany
| | - Martin Both
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rolf Sprengel
- Max Planck Research Group of the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research at the Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Draguhn
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Georg Köhr
- Physiology of Neural Networks, Psychiatry/Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, J5, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Bernd Fakler
- Institute of Physiology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,BIOSS, Center for Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany‡
| | - Veit Flockerzi
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Dieter Bruns
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Marc Freichel
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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4
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Yilmazer-Hanke D, Eliava M, Hanke J, Schwegler H, Asan E. Density of acetylcholine esterase (AchE) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) containing fibers in the amygdala of roman high- and low-avoidance rats. Neurosci Lett 2016; 632:114-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.08.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Simon R, Baumann L, Fischer J, Seigfried FA, De Bruyckere E, Liu P, Jenkins NA, Copeland NG, Schwegler H, Britsch S. Structure-function integrity of the adult hippocampus depends on the transcription factor Bcl11b/Ctip2. Genes Brain Behav 2016; 15:405-19. [PMID: 26915960 PMCID: PMC4832350 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The dentate gyrus is one of the only two brain regions where adult neurogenesis occurs. Throughout life, cells of the neuronal stem cell niche undergo proliferation, differentiation and integration into the hippocampal neural circuitry. Ongoing adult neurogenesis is a prerequisite for the maintenance of adult hippocampal functionality. Bcl11b, a zinc finger transcription factor, is expressed by postmitotic granule cells in the developing as well as adult dentate gyrus. We previously showed a critical role of Bcl11b for hippocampal development. Whether Bcl11b is also required for adult hippocampal functions has not been investigated. Using a tetracycline‐dependent inducible mouse model under the control of the forebrain‐specific CaMKIIα promoter, we show here that the adult expression of Bcl11b is essential for survival, differentiation and functional integration of adult‐born granule cell neurons. In addition, Bcl11b is required for survival of pre‐existing mature neurons. Consequently, loss of Bcl11b expression selectively in the adult hippocampus results in impaired spatial working memory. Together, our data uncover for the first time a specific role of Bcl11b in adult hippocampal neurogenesis and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Simon
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, Ulm University, Ulm
| | - L Baumann
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, Ulm University, Ulm.,Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen
| | - J Fischer
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, Ulm University, Ulm
| | - F A Seigfried
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, Ulm University, Ulm.,Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - E De Bruyckere
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, Ulm University, Ulm
| | - P Liu
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - N A Jenkins
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - N G Copeland
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - H Schwegler
- Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - S Britsch
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, Ulm University, Ulm
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6
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Spilker C, Nullmeier S, Grochowska KM, Schumacher A, Butnaru I, Macharadze T, Gomes GM, Yuanxiang P, Bayraktar G, Rodenstein C, Geiseler C, Kolodziej A, Lopez-Rojas J, Montag D, Angenstein F, Bär J, D’Hanis W, Roskoden T, Mikhaylova M, Budinger E, Ohl FW, Stork O, Zenclussen AC, Karpova A, Schwegler H, Kreutz MR. A Jacob/Nsmf Gene Knockout Results in Hippocampal Dysplasia and Impaired BDNF Signaling in Dendritogenesis. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005907. [PMID: 26977770 PMCID: PMC4792503 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Jacob, the protein encoded by the Nsmf gene, is involved in synapto-nuclear signaling and docks an N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-derived signalosome to nuclear target sites like the transcription factor cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB). Several reports indicate that mutations in NSMF are related to Kallmann syndrome (KS), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) associated with anosmia or hyposmia. It has also been reported that a protein knockdown results in migration deficits of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) positive neurons from the olfactory bulb to the hypothalamus during early neuronal development. Here we show that mice that are constitutively deficient for the Nsmf gene do not present phenotypic characteristics related to KS. Instead, these mice exhibit hippocampal dysplasia with a reduced number of synapses and simplification of dendrites, reduced hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) at CA1 synapses and deficits in hippocampus-dependent learning. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) activation of CREB-activated gene expression plays a documented role in hippocampal CA1 synapse and dendrite formation. We found that BDNF induces the nuclear translocation of Jacob in an NMDAR-dependent manner in early development, which results in increased phosphorylation of CREB and enhanced CREB-dependent Bdnf gene transcription. Nsmf knockout (ko) mice show reduced hippocampal Bdnf mRNA and protein levels as well as reduced pCREB levels during dendritogenesis. Moreover, BDNF application can rescue the morphological deficits in hippocampal pyramidal neurons devoid of Jacob. Taken together, the data suggest that the absence of Jacob in early development interrupts a positive feedback loop between BDNF signaling, subsequent nuclear import of Jacob, activation of CREB and enhanced Bdnf gene transcription, ultimately leading to hippocampal dysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Spilker
- Research Group Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sven Nullmeier
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Anne Schumacher
- Department of Experimental Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ioana Butnaru
- Research Group Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tamar Macharadze
- Research Group Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Guilherme M. Gomes
- Research Group Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - PingAn Yuanxiang
- Research Group Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Gonca Bayraktar
- Research Group Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Rodenstein
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Geiseler
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Angela Kolodziej
- Department of Systems Physiology of Learning, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jeffrey Lopez-Rojas
- Research Group Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Montag
- Special Laboratory Neurogenetics, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Frank Angenstein
- Functional Neuroimaging Group, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), and Special Laboratory for Noninvasive Brain Imaging, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Julia Bär
- Research Group Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, ZMNH, Emmy-Noether Group 'Neuronal Protein Transport', Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang D’Hanis
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Roskoden
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marina Mikhaylova
- Research Group Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, ZMNH, Emmy-Noether Group 'Neuronal Protein Transport', Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eike Budinger
- Department of Systems Physiology of Learning, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Frank W. Ohl
- Department of Systems Physiology of Learning, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Stork
- Institute of Biology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ana C. Zenclussen
- Department of Experimental Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Anna Karpova
- Research Group Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Herbert Schwegler
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Michael R. Kreutz
- Research Group Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, ZMNH, Leibniz Group 'Dendritic Organelles and Synaptic Function', Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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7
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Janitzky K, D׳Hanis W, Kröber A, Schwegler H. TMT predator odor activated neural circuit in C57BL/6J mice indicates TMT-stress as a suitable model for uncontrollable intense stress. Brain Res 2015; 1599:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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8
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Browne CA, Hanke J, Rose C, Walsh I, Foley T, Clarke G, Schwegler H, Cryan JF, Yilmazer-Hanke D. Effect of acute swim stress on plasma corticosterone and brain monoamine levels in bidirectionally selected DxH recombinant inbred mouse strains differing in fear recall and extinction. Stress 2014; 17:471-83. [PMID: 25117886 PMCID: PMC4527314 DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2014.954104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress-induced changes in plasma corticosterone and central monoamine levels were examined in mouse strains that differ in fear-related behaviors. Two DxH recombinant inbred mouse strains with a DBA/2J background, which were originally bred for a high (H-FSS) and low fear-sensitized acoustic startle reflex (L-FSS), were used. Levels of noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin and their metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenyacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were studied in the amygdala, hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, striatum, hypothalamus and brainstem. H-FSS mice exhibited increased fear levels and a deficit in fear extinction (within-session) in the auditory fear-conditioning test, and depressive-like behavior in the acute forced swim stress test. They had higher tissue noradrenaline and serotonin levels and lower dopamine and serotonin turnover under basal conditions, although they were largely insensitive to stress-induced changes in neurotransmitter metabolism. In contrast, acute swim stress increased monoamine levels but decreased turnover in the less fearful L-FSS mice. L-FSS mice also showed a trend toward higher basal and stress-induced corticosterone levels and an increase in noradrenaline and serotonin in the hypothalamus and brainstem 30 min after stress compared to H-FSS mice. Moreover, the dopaminergic system was activated differentially in the medial prefrontal cortex and striatum of the two strains by acute stress. Thus, H-FSS mice showed increased basal noradrenaline tissue levels compatible with a fear phenotype or chronic stressed condition. Low corticosterone levels and the poor monoamine response to stress in H-FSS mice may point to mechanisms similar to those found in principal fear disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A Browne
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork , Cork , Ireland
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9
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Janitzky K, Peine A, Kröber A, Yanagawa Y, Schwegler H, Roskoden T. Increased CRF mRNA expression in the sexually dimorphic BNST of male but not female GAD67 mice and TMT predator odor stress effects upon spatial memory retrieval. Behav Brain Res 2014; 272:141-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Revised: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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10
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Nullmeier S, Panther P, Frotscher M, Zhao S, Schwegler H. Alterations in the hippocampal and striatal catecholaminergic fiber densities of heterozygous reeler mice. Neuroscience 2014; 275:404-19. [PMID: 24969133 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2014] [Revised: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The heterozygous reeler mouse (HRM), haploinsufficient for reelin, shares several neurochemical and behavioral similarities with patients suffering from schizophrenia. It has been shown that defective reelin signaling influences the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways in a specific manner. However, there is only little information about the impact of reelin haploinsufficiency on the monoaminergic innervation of different brain areas, known to be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In the present study using immunocytochemical procedures, we investigated HRM and wild-type mice (WT) for differences in the densities of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive (IR) and serotonin (5-HT)-IR fibers in prefrontal cortex, ventral and dorsal hippocampal formation, amygdala and ventral and dorsal striatum. We found that HRM, compared to WT, shows a significant increase in TH-IR fiber densities in dorsal hippocampal CA1, CA3 and ventral CA1. In contrast, HRM exhibits a significant decrease of TH-IR in the shell of the nucleus accumbens (AcbShell), but no differences in the other brain areas investigated. Overall, no genotype differences were found in the 5-HT-IR fiber densities. In conclusion, these results support the view that reelin haploinsufficiency differentially influences the catecholaminergic (esp. dopaminergic) systems in brain areas associated with schizophrenia. The reelin haploinsufficient mouse may provide a useful model for studying the role of reelin in hippocampal dysfunction and its effect on the dopaminergic system as related to schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nullmeier
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - P Panther
- Department of Stereotactic Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - M Frotscher
- Institute for Structural Neurobiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - S Zhao
- Institute for Structural Neurobiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - H Schwegler
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Abstract
Physical entropies SB are defined with respect to a certain set of variables, the observationlevel B. For all times in which B exists, SB is the uncertainty H of a density operator RB making H a maximum with respect to the experimental values of B. This definition is not restricted to the thermodynamic equilibrium. The entropies SB measure the vagueness of the description in Hilbert-space caused by the choice of B. The time dependence of the density operator RB is not governed by the von Neumann equation, but in the special case of a “self-consistent“ B it may be calculated with the help of this equation. An increasing SB is obtained.
If the times for which B exists are sufficiently close, a macroscopic equation for the time deriva· tive of SB is given. Three special cases of B are considered, leading to the Gibbs equation, a generalized entropy equation for heat conduction and an entropy equation for the multipole relaxation.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Schwegler
- Lehrstuhl für Theoretische Festkörperphysik der Technischen Hochschule Darmstadt
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12
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Sandhu KV, Lang D, Müller B, Nullmeier S, Yanagawa Y, Schwegler H, Stork O. Glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 haplodeficiency impairs social behavior in mice. Genes, Brain and Behavior 2014; 13:439-50. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. V. Sandhu
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology; Institute of Biology; Magdeburg Germany
| | - D. Lang
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology; Institute of Biology; Magdeburg Germany
| | - B. Müller
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology; Institute of Biology; Magdeburg Germany
| | - S. Nullmeier
- Institute of Anatomy; Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg; Magdeburg Germany
| | - Y. Yanagawa
- Department of Genetic and Behavioral Neuroscience; Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine and JST, CREST; Maebashi Japan
| | - H. Schwegler
- Institute of Anatomy; Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg; Magdeburg Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences; Magdeburg Germany
| | - O. Stork
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology; Institute of Biology; Magdeburg Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences; Magdeburg Germany
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Browne CA, Clarke G, Hanke J, Dinan TG, Schwegler H, Yilmazer-Hanke DM, Cryan JF. Alterations in prefrontal cortical serotonin and antidepressant-like behavior in a novel C3H/HeJxDBA/2J recombinant inbred mouse strain. Behav Brain Res 2012; 236:283-288. [PMID: 22960457 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2012] [Accepted: 08/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, two genetically related inbred mouse strains selectively bred for high and low fear-sensitized acoustic startle reflex (FSS) were assessed in the forced swim test model of anti-depressant action and central monoamine concentrations in several brain regions were investigated. These mice were generated through backcrossing C3H/HeJ mice on DBA/2J mice, followed by inbreeding for several generations. The high-FSS and low-FSS strains are known to differ in their acquisition and extinction of fear following auditory fear conditioning. Significantly increased concentrations of 5-HT and its metabolite 5-HIAA were observed in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) but not in the hypothalamus, striatum, hippocampus, amygdala, or midbrain of high-FSS mice compared to low-FSS mice. In addition the concentration of DOPAC, the major metabolite of dopamine was also significantly increased in the mPFC. Furthermore, the high-FSS mice displayed significantly higher levels of immobility in the forced swim test but not the tail suspension test in comparison to the low-FSS group. The mPFC is not only important in the regulation of fear extinction, but also a key region of interest in the study of depression and maintenance of depressive-like behaviors. These data implicate serotonergic modulation in the mPFC in the maintenance of antidepressant-like behavior in a highly fearful mouse strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A Browne
- Neuropharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard Clarke
- Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Joachim Hanke
- Institut für Anatomie, Medizinische Fakultät, Otto-von-Guerike Universität, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Timothy G Dinan
- Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Herbert Schwegler
- Institut für Anatomie, Medizinische Fakultät, Otto-von-Guerike Universität, Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - John F Cryan
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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Panther P, Nullmeier S, Dobrowolny H, Schwegler H, Wolf R. CPB-K mice a mouse model of schizophrenia? Differences in dopaminergic, serotonergic and behavioral markers compared to BALB/cJ mice. Behav Brain Res 2012; 230:215-28. [PMID: 22454846 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is characterized by disturbances in social behavior, sensorimotor gating and cognitive function, that are discussed to be caused by a termination of different transmitter systems. Beside morphological alterations in cortical and subcortical areas reduced AMPA- NMDA-, 5-HT2-receptor densities and increased 5-HT1-receptor densities are found in the hippocampus.The two inbred mouse strains CPB-K and BALB/cJ are known to display considerable differences in cognitive function and prepulse inhibition, a stable marker of sensorimotor gating. Furthermore, CPB-K mice exhibit lower NMDA-, AMPA- and increased 5-HT-receptor densities in the hippocampus as compared to BALB/cJ mice. We investigated both mouse strains in social interaction test for differences in social behavior and with immuncytochemical approaches for alterations of dopaminergic and serotonergic parameters. Our results can be summarized as follows: compared to BALB/cJ, CPB-K mice showed:(1) significantly reduced traveling distance and number of contacts in social interaction test, (2) differences in the number of serotonin transporter-immunoreactive neurons and volume of raphe nuclei and a lower serotonergic fiber density in the ventral and dorsal hippocampal subfields CA1 and CA3, (3) no alterations of dopaminergic markers like neuron number, neuron density and volume in subregions of substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area, but a significantly higher dopaminergic fiber density in the dorsal hippocampus, the ventral hippocampus of CA1 and gyrus dentatus, (4) no significant differences in serotonergic and dopaminergic fiber densities in the amygdala.Based on our results and previous studies, CPB-K mice compared to BALB/cJ may serve as an important model to understand the interaction of the serotonergic and dopaminergic system and their impact on sensorimotor gating and cognitive function as related to neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Panther
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Magdeburg, Haus 43, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Simon R, Brylka H, Schwegler H, Venkataramanappa S, Andratschke J, Wiegreffe C, Liu P, Fuchs E, Jenkins NA, Copeland NG, Birchmeier C, Britsch S. A dual function of Bcl11b/Ctip2 in hippocampal neurogenesis. EMBO J 2012; 31:2922-36. [PMID: 22588081 PMCID: PMC3395096 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2012.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2011] [Accepted: 04/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Bcl11b/Ctip2 promotes hippocampal progenitor proliferation and neural differentiation in a non-cell autonomous manner by regulating the expression of the cell adhesion molecule Desmoplakin. Forebrain-specific ablation causes defective spatial learning and memory. The development of the dentate gyrus is characterized by distinct phases establishing a durable stem-cell pool required for postnatal and adult neurogenesis. Here, we report that Bcl11b/Ctip2, a zinc finger transcription factor expressed in postmitotic neurons, plays a critical role during postnatal development of the dentate gyrus. Forebrain-specific ablation of Bcl11b uncovers dual phase-specific functions of Bcl11b demonstrated by feedback control of the progenitor cell compartment as well as regulation of granule cell differentiation, leading to impaired spatial learning and memory in mutants. Surprisingly, we identified Desmoplakin as a direct transcriptional target of Bcl11b. Similarly to Bcl11b, postnatal neurogenesis and granule cell differentiation are impaired in Desmoplakin mutants. Re-expression of Desmoplakin in Bcl11b mutants rescues impaired neurogenesis, suggesting Desmoplakin to be an essential downstream effector of Bcl11b in hippocampal development. Together, our data define an important novel regulatory pathway in hippocampal development, by linking transcriptional functions of Bcl11b to Desmoplakin, a molecule known to act on cell adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Simon
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Rose C, Schwegler H, Hanke J, Yilmazer-Hanke DM. Pregnancy rates, prenatal and postnatal survival of offspring, and litter sizes after reciprocal embryo transfer in DBA/2JHd, C3H/HeNCrl and NMRI mice. Theriogenology 2012; 77:1883-93. [PMID: 22401828 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2011] [Revised: 12/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/09/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Success of embryo transfer is often a limiting factor in transgenic procedures and rederivation efforts, and depends on the genetic background of the donor and recipient strains used. Here we show that embryo transfer to DBA/2J females is possible, and present data on pre- and postnatal success rates after reciprocal embryo transfer using the inbred DBA/2J and C3H/HeN, and outbred NMRI strains. The highest embryo yield was achieved in outbred NMRI females, but embryo yields were similar in DBA/2J and C3H/HeN mice following superovulation despite poor estrus cycle synchronization in DBA/2J females. In-strain transfer of DBA/2J blastocysts (transfer of embryos to recipients from the same strain) resulted in pregnancy rates (57.1%) similar to those obtained following in-strain transfer of C3H/HeN (60.0%) and NMRI mice (83.3%), although the prenatal survival rate of blastocysts was low. Moreover, from the pups born only half survived the postnatal period after transfer of DBA/2J and C3H/HeN blastocysts to DBA/2J recipients. These problems were not observed when transferring NMRI-blastocysts to C3H/HeN and DBA/2J mothers. The number of blastocysts transferred also had a positive effect on the success of embryo transfer. In conclusion, C3H/HeN and DBA/2J females can be used as recipients for embryo transfer procedures for certain donor strains like NMRI, as one major determinant seems to be the genetic background of the embryos transferred. We also recommend to increase the number of DBA/2J blastocysts transferred, and to foster the DBA/2J pups to other DBA/2J mothers postnatally for in-strain transfer of DBA/2J mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Rose
- Institut für Anatomie, Abteilung Neuroanatomie, Otto-von-Guericke Universität, Magdeburg, Germany
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Müller M, Faber-Zuschratter H, Yanagawa Y, Stork O, Schwegler H, Linke R. Synaptology of ventral CA1 and subiculum projections to the basomedial nucleus of the amygdala in the mouse: relation to GABAergic interneurons. Brain Struct Funct 2011; 217:5-17. [PMID: 21584649 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-011-0326-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 04/30/2011] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
GABAergic neurons of the amygdala are thought to play a critical role in establishing networks for feedback and feedforward inhibition and in mediating rhythmic network activity patterns relevant for emotional behavior, determination of stimulus salience, and memory strength under stressful experiences. These functions are typically fulfilled in interplay of amygdala and hippocampus. Therefore, we explored the putative connectivity of GABAergic neurons with the hippocampo-amygdalar projection with the anterograde tracers Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (Phal) and Miniruby injected to GAD67-GFP knock-in mice in which GABAergic neurons are labeled by the expression of the gene for green fluorescent protein (GFP) inserted to the GAD1 gene locus (Tamamaki et al. J Comp Neurol 467:60-79, 2003). We found that, while hippocampal axons target all nuclei of the amygdala, the densest fiber plexus was found in the posterior basomedial nucleus. Electron microscopy revealed that the vast majority of contacts in this nucleus were formed by thin fibers making small asymmetrical contacts, predominantly on GFP-negative profiles. However, several asymmetrical contacts could also be seen on GFP-positive profiles. A surprising result was the occasional occurrence of anterogradely labeled symmetrical synapses indicating a GABAergic contribution to the projection from the hippocampus to the amygdala. While hippocampal input to the amygdala appears to be largely excitatory and targets non-GABAergic neurons, our data provide evidence for a direct involvement of GABAergic neurons in the interplay of these regions, either as target in the amygdala or as projection neurons from the hippocampus. These particular "interface neurons" may be of relevance for the information processing in the amygdalo-hippocampal system involved in emotional behavior and memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Müller
- Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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Manahan-Vaughan D, Schwegler H. Strain-dependent variations in spatial learning and in hippocampal synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus of freely behaving rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2011; 5:7. [PMID: 21436876 PMCID: PMC3056245 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2011.00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2010] [Accepted: 02/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hippocampal synaptic plasticity is believed to comprise the cellular basis for spatial learning. Strain-dependent differences in synaptic plasticity in the CA1 region have been reported. However, it is not known whether these differences extend to other synapses within the trisynaptic circuit, although there is evidence for morphological variations within that path. We investigated whether Wistar and Hooded Lister (HL) rat strains express differences in synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus in vivo. We also explored whether they exhibit differences in the ability to engage in spatial learning in an eight-arm radial maze. Basal synaptic transmission was stable over a 24-h period in both rat strains, and the input–output relationship of both strains was not significantly different. Paired-pulse analysis revealed significantly less paired-pulse facilitation in the HL strain when pulses were given 40–100 ms apart. Low frequency stimulation at 1 Hz evoked long-term depression (>24 h) in Wistar and short-term depression (<2 h) in HL rats; 200 Hz stimulation induced long-term potentiation (>24 h) in Wistar, and a transient, significantly smaller potentiation (<1 h) in HL rats, suggesting that HL rats have higher thresholds for expression of persistent synaptic plasticity. Training for 10 days in an eight-arm radial maze revealed that HL rats master the working memory task faster than Wistar rats, although both strains show an equivalent performance by the end of the trial period. HL rats also perform more efficiently in a double working and reference memory task. On the other hand, Wistar rats show better reference memory performance on the final (8–10) days of training. Wistar rats were less active and more anxious than HL rats. These data suggest that strain-dependent variations in hippocampal synaptic plasticity occur in different hippocampal synapses. A clear correlation with differences in spatial learning is not evident however.
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Nullmeier S, Panther P, Dobrowolny H, Frotscher M, Zhao S, Schwegler H, Wolf R. Region-specific alteration of GABAergic markers in the brain of heterozygous reeler mice. Eur J Neurosci 2011; 33:689-98. [PMID: 21226776 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2010.07563.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Heterozygous reeler mice (HRM), haploinsufficient for reelin, have been proposed to be a genetic mouse model of schizophrenia. Beside behavioural similarities, HRM also demonstrate several neuroanatomical traits similar to patients suffering from schizophrenia. In the present study using immunocytochemical procedures, we investigated HRM and wild-type mice (WT) for differences in the numbers and densities of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)67 and parvalbumin (PARV)-immunoreactive (IR) neurons in the hippocampus, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra (SN), and serotonin transporter (5-HT-T)-IR neurons of the raphe nuclei. We found that HRM, compared with WT, show a significant decrease of GAD67-IR neurons in hippocampal subregion CA1 [stratum pyramidale (SP)], CA2 [stratum oriens (SO), stratum pyramidale (SP) and stratum radiatum (SR)] and dentate gyrus [granule cell layer (GL)], and also a significant decrease of PARV-containing neurons in CA1 (SO, SP) and CA2 (SP). No morphological differences were found in the SN/VTA or raphe nuclei. In conclusion, these results support a hippocampal γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic dysfunction in HRM as previously described by other authors, and may be based on a downregulation of GAD67 and PARV expressions. In summary, the reelin haploinsufficient mouse may provide a useful model for studying the interaction between reelin and hippocampal GABAergic system, its effect on dendritic spine maturation and plasticity related to schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nullmeier
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
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Jilg A, Lesny S, Peruzki N, Schwegler H, Selbach O, Dehghani F, Stehle JH. Temporal dynamics of mouse hippocampal clock gene expression support memory processing. Hippocampus 2010; 20:377-88. [PMID: 19437502 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.20637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampal plasticity and mnemonic processing exhibit a striking time-of-day dependence and likely implicate a temporally structured replay of memory traces. Molecular mechanisms fulfilling the requirements of sensing time and capturing time-related information are coded in dynamics of so-called clock genes and their protein products, first discovered and described in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus. Using real-time PCR and immunohistochemical analyses, we show that in wildtype mice core clock components (mPer1/PER1, mPer2/PER2, mCry1/CRY1, mCry2/CRY2, mClock/CLOCK, mBmal1/BMAL1) are expressed in neurons of all subregions of the hippocampus in a time-locked fashion over a 24-h (diurnal) day/night cycle. Temporal profiling of these transcriptional regulators reveals distinct and parallel peaks, at times when memory traces are usually formed and/or consolidated. The coordinated rhythmic expression of hippocampal clock gene expression is greatly disordered in mice deficient for the clock gene mPer1, a key player implicated in both, maintenance and adaptative plasticity of circadian clocks. Moreover, Per1-knockout animals are severely handicapped in a hippocampus-dependent long-term spatial learning paradigm. We propose that the dynamics of hippocampal clock gene expression imprint a temporal structure on memory processing and shape at the same time the efficacy of behavioral learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Jilg
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Anatomy, Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
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Wolf R, Matzke K, Paelchen K, Dobrowolny H, Bogerts B, Schwegler H. Reduction of Prepulse Inhibition (PPI) after neonatal excitotoxic lesion of the ventral thalamus in pubertal and adult rats. Pharmacopsychiatry 2010; 43:99-109. [PMID: 20131206 DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1242823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing evidence indicates the role of the thalamus in schizophrenia. The ventral part of the thalamus has been investigated in a few post-mortem studies, suggesting a possible neurodevelopmental etiology of the reduced neuron number. METHODS Here we adapt a neurodevelopmental animal model, the neonatal excitotoxic brain lesion, to the ventral thalamus (VT) of Sprague-Dawley rats. At postnatal day (PD) 7 male pups were bilaterally infused into the VT using ibotenic acid (IBA) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Repeated measurements of prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response, reviewed as a measure of sensorimotor gating deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, were performed during puberty and adulthood. RESULTS IBA animals showed lower PPI (p<0.001) compared to controls. The extent of VT lesions correlated negatively with PPI levels (p<0.001). PPI deficits in IBA animals were observed at PD 43 and PPI levels increased significantly after puberty without reaching control levels. Acute or subchronic clozapine treatment did not significantly restore low PPI in IBA rats. CONCLUSION The present data suggest that the VT may be involved in the PPI deficits observed in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Wolf
- Department of Psychiatry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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Müller S, Chakrapani BPS, Schwegler H, Hofmann HD, Kirsch M. Neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus depends on ciliary neurotrophic factor and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling. Stem Cells 2009; 27:431-41. [PMID: 19023034 DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2008-0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the neurogenic areas of the adult rodent brain, neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferate and produce new neurons throughout the lifetime. This requires a permanent pool of NSCs, the size of which needs to be tightly controlled. The gp130-associated cytokines ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) have been implicated in regulating NSC self-renewal and differentiation during embryonic development and in the adult brain. To study the relevance of the two cytokines in vivo, we analyzed precursor cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of CNTF- and LIF-deficient mouse mutants. The number of radial glia-like NSCs, proliferative activity, and generation of new neurons were all reduced in CNTF(-/-) mutants but unaltered in LIF(-/-) animals. Conditional ablation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) gene under the control of the human glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter resulted in a reduction of neurogenesis similar to that in CNTF(-/-) mice. The size of the granule cell layer was decreased in both mutants. Treatment of neurosphere cultures prepared from adult forebrain with CNTF inhibited overall proliferative activity but increased the number of NSCs as indicated by enhanced secondary neurosphere formation and upregulated expression of stem cell markers. Knockdown of STAT3 with short interfering RNA inhibited CNTF effects on neurospheres, and knockdown of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) enhanced them. Our results provide evidence that CNTF-induced STAT3 signaling is essential for the formation and/or maintenance of the neurogenic subgranular zone in the adult dentate gyrus and suggest that CNTF is required to keep the balance between NSC self-renewal and the generation of neuronal progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Müller
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Dolderer JH, Schuldes H, Bockhorn H, Altmannsberger M, Lambers C, von Zabern D, Jonas D, Schwegler H, Linke R, Schröder UH. HERG1 gene expression as a specific tumor marker in colorectal tissues. Eur J Surg Oncol 2009; 36:72-7. [PMID: 19577877 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2009.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2008] [Revised: 05/25/2009] [Accepted: 05/28/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Colorectal carcinomas exhibit a frequent recurrence after curative surgery, which may partially be due to histopathologically inconspicuous minimal residual disease. Reliable markers for tumor cells in colorectal tissue are still missing. Therefore, in this study we compared the predictive value of the putative tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin-19 (CK19) and cytokeratin-20 (CK20) to that of a novel marker, the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG1) K(+) channel, a suggested regulator of tumor cell proliferation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using RT-PCR we studied HERG, CEA, CK19 and CK20 expression in colorectal carcinomas and non-carcinoma controls. HERG1 immunhistochemistry was performed in a total of 66 specimens, in colorectal carcinoma (n = 23), in matched histopathologically negative samples (n = 23) taken near the excision site from the same tumor patients and in healthy control biopsies (n = 20). In order to verify the relevance of HERG1 for tumor proliferation we studied the effect of HERG1 inhibition in the Colo-205 colon cancer carcinoma cell line using the MTT-assay. RESULTS HERG1 was expressed in all tumor samples regardless of their stage and in adenomas larger than 0.4 cm, but absent in small adenomas, sigmadiverticulitis specimen and healthy histopathologically negative samples, except for one which developed a tumor recurrence. In contrast, CEA, CK19 and CK20 were absent in some tumors. The selective HERG1 inhibitor E-4031 dose-dependently impaired tumor growth in the proliferation assays. DISCUSSION Our data indicate that HERG1, but not CEA, CK19 or CK20, is a highly sensitive and reliable tumor biomarker that may constitute a novel molecular target for tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Dolderer
- Department of Surgery, Nordwest-Hospital, J.-W. Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Tretter F, Gebicke-Haerter PJ, Albus M, Heiden UAD, Schwegler H. Systems Biology and Addiction. Pharmacopsychiatry 2009; 42 Suppl 1:S11-31. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1220699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Janitzky K, Stork O, Lux A, Yanagawa Y, Schwegler H, Linke R. Behavioral effects and pattern of brain c-fos mRNA induced by 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline, a component of fox feces odor in GAD67-GFP knock-in C57BL/6 mice. Behav Brain Res 2009; 202:218-24. [PMID: 19463704 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2009.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2008] [Revised: 03/23/2009] [Accepted: 03/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Predator odors, which are non-intrusive and naturalistic stressors of high ethological relevance, were used to study the neurobiology of innate fear in rodents. The present study investigates behavioral effects and the induction of c-fos mRNA in adult male predator naive mice caused by acute exposure to 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT), a component of the fox feces odor. On the behavioral level, TMT potently increased unconditioned freezing and decreased non-defensive grooming behavior. With quantitative real time PCR we established a strong TMT-induced activation in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) (eight-fold increase, p<0.016) and in the ventral olfactory bulb (two-fold increase, p<0.036). In contrast, no significant TMT-induced c-fos induction could be observed in the dorsal olfactory bulb or in the amygdala. Our results display robust fear responses of GAD67-GFP knock-in mice exposed to TMT and suggest that the ventral olfactory bulb and the BNST are strongly activated during the elicitation of fear through predator odor in these transgenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Janitzky
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Magdeburg, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Rose C, Röhl FW, Hanke J, Schwegler H, Yilmazer-Hanke DM. Maternal and genetic effects on the acoustic startle reflex and its sensitization in C3H/HeN, DBA/2JHd and NMRI mice following blastocyst transfer. Behav Genet 2008; 38:596-611. [PMID: 18719991 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-008-9222-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2008] [Accepted: 08/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, reciprocal embryo transfers were conducted to examine genetic and maternal effects on the baseline and fear-sensitized acoustic startle response (ASR) in the two inbred strains C3H/HeN and DBA/2JHd and the outbred strain NMRI. The largest differences in the ASR were found in untreated strains (effect size 0.6). The transfer procedure per se had a significant effect on the behavior of NMRI mice resulting in a reduction in the baseline, and an increase in the fear-sensitized ASR. In contrast, there were no significant effects of the transfer procedure in the two inbred strains. Autosomal genetic effects had a stronger impact on the amplitude of the ASR (effect sizes 0.5) than sex (effect sizes 0.06) as revealed by reciprocal embryo transfer. Nevertheless, the genetic effects on the fear-sensitized ASR were somewhat more variable and strain-dependent (effect sizes 0.1-0.2). Global maternal effects were detected after embryo transfer into NMRI mothers resulting in a larger reduction of the ASR in the offspring of DBA and NMRI donors than C3H donors (effect sizes 0.1-0.2). An additional fostering procedure was introduced to dissect uterine and postnatal maternal effects in NMRI offspring. Uterine factors changed the baseline ASR of the offspring in direction of the recipient mother strain. Surprisingly, postnatal maternal effects on the ASR were contrary to the behavior of the rearing mother. In conclusion, both genetic and prenatal/postnatal maternal factors persistently influenced the ASR of the offspring, whereas the fear-sensitized ASR was mainly influenced by genetic factors. Our study shows that uterine and postnatal maternal influences deserve more attention when determining the phenotype of genetically engineered mice at least in the first generation following embryo transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Rose
- Institut für Anatomie, Medizinische Fakultät, Otto-von-Guericke Universität, Magdeburg, Germany
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Becker A, Grecksch G, Schwegler H, Roskoden T. Expression of mRNA of neurotrophic factors and their receptors are significantly altered after subchronic ketamine treatment. Med Chem 2008; 4:256-63. [PMID: 18473918 DOI: 10.2174/157340608784325124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The neurotrophic factors play an important role in the maintenance of neurone viability and neuronal communication which are considered to be altered in schizophrenia. Subchronic application of ketamine (Ket) was found to be a useful model in schizophrenia research. To further validate this model the mRNA levels of neurotrophic factors NGF, NT-3, and BDNF and their receptors TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC, respectively, were measured in different brain areas in Ket-pretreated rats subchronically dosed with the atypical antipsychotic drug risperidone (Ris). With the exception of NGF in the frontal cortex, Ket pretreatment did change NGF, NT-3, and BDNF mRNA levels in the frontal cortex, the hippocampus, the striatum, the thalamus/hypothalamus region, and in the cerebellum. These changes correspond with changes at their tyrosine kinase receptors. Ris treatment normalised altered NT-3 levels in the hippocampus and balanced BDNF levels in the same structure. It was concluded that the Ket model might reflect distinct alterations in neurotrophic factor activity as found in schizophrenic patients and, moreover, that Ris treatment rebalances disturbed neurotrophic factor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Becker
- Otto-von-Guericke University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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Wolf R, Paelchen K, Matzke K, Dobrowolny H, Bogerts B, Schwegler H. Acute or subchronic clozapine treatment does not ameliorate prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits in CPB-K mice with low levels of hippocampal NMDA receptor density. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2007; 194:93-102. [PMID: 17541558 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-007-0824-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2007] [Accepted: 05/07/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The hypo-glutamatergic hypothesis of schizophrenia is based on clinical similarities between schizophrenia and phencyclidine (PCP)-induced psychosis in mentally healthy humans. Sensorimotor gating, as measured by prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response (ASR), is impaired in schizophrenic patients. In animals, noncompetitive N-methyl-D: -aspartate (NMDA) antagonists such as PCP disrupt PPI in a way that resembles the defect seen in schizophrenia. In a previous study with inbred mouse strains, low PPI levels have been demonstrated in CPB-K mice possessing low levels of hippocampal NMDA receptor densities. The present study was performed to test whether the low magnitude of PPI in CPB-K mice can be reversed by the atypical antipsychotic drug clozapine (CLZ). RESULTS Before any treatment, CPB-K mice displayed a significant (p < 0.001) lower level in PPI and a significant (p < 0.001) higher ASR when compared to BALB/cJ mice known to have high hippocampal NMDA receptor densities. Acute and subchronic effects of a 2-week treatment with CLZ at daily doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally, respectively, did not reveal any significant alteration of PPI levels in CPB-K mice. Nevertheless, the examination of motor behavior during nonstimulus trials provided a positive control for the drug's effectiveness. CONCLUSION In summary, (1) this study confirmed our working hypothesis: Lower levels of hippocampal glutamatergic receptor densities correspond to lower sensorimotor gating in CPB-K mice, and (2) acute or subchronic treatment with CLZ did not elevate low PPI levels in CPB-K mice. Thus, further experiments will concentrate on other antipsychotic drugs to prove the predictive validity of this animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Wolf
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Janitzky K, Linke R, Yilmazer-Hanke DM, Grecksch G, Schwegler H. Disrupted visceral feedback reduces locomotor activity and influences background contextual fear conditioning in C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice. Behav Brain Res 2007; 182:109-18. [PMID: 17586062 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2007.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2007] [Revised: 05/07/2007] [Accepted: 05/10/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The present experiments were designed to study fear conditioning as an emotional learning task with disrupted visceral feedback. For that purpose we used the peripherally acting beta1-adrenoceptor blocker atenolol and studied its effects on the behavior of male C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice in an exploration-related test and during fear-conditioning. In the first experiment, we treated mice with saline or different doses of the beta1-adrenergic blocker atenolol (5mg/kg and 20mg/kg body weight i.p.) 30 min before behavioral testing in a motility box. Only the high but not the low dose of atenolol led to a reduction of locomotor activity (p<0.02). Factors known to be related to emotionality (rearing, area preference) were unaffected. In a second experiment, saline- and atenolol-treated mice (same dosages and mode of application) were trained for auditory fear conditioning, and 24h later they were retested in the same environment. We found differences between the effects of atenolol upon contextual- and cue-fear conditioning. Animals treated with 20mg/kg BW doses of atenolol showed significantly decreased background contextual fear compared to saline-treated control animals. In contrast, no differences were found during CS presentation in the conditioning context between atenolol-treated animals and saline-treated controls, independent from a paired or an unpaired conditioning paradigm. Thus, the blockade of peripheral beta1-adrenoceptors by atenolol may have disrupted the positive feedback to the central nervous system via visceral afferents resulting in a decreased locomotor activity and background contextual fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Janitzky
- Institute of Anatomy, Section Neuroanatomy, Medical Faculty of Otto-von-Guericke-University, University of Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Deller T, Bas Orth C, Del Turco D, Vlachos A, Burbach GJ, Drakew A, Chabanis S, Korte M, Schwegler H, Haas CA, Frotscher M. A role for synaptopodin and the spine apparatus in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Ann Anat 2007; 189:5-16. [PMID: 17319604 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2006.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Spines are considered sites of synaptic plasticity in the brain and are capable of remodeling their shape and size. A molecule thathas been implicated in spine plasticity is the actin-associated protein synaptopodin. This article will review a series of studies aimed at elucidating the role of synaptopodin in the rodent brain. First, the developmental expression of synaptopodin mRNA and protein were studied; secondly, the subcellular localization of synaptopodin in hippocampal principal neurons was analyzed using confocal microscopy as well as electron microscopy and immunogold labelling; and, finally, the functional role of synaptopodin was investigated using a synaptopodin-deficient mouse. The results of these studies are: (1) synaptopodin expression byhippocampal principal neurons develops during the first postnatal weeks and increases in parallel with the maturation of spines in the hippocampus. (2) Synaptopodin is sorted to the spine compartment, where it is tightly associated with the spine apparatus, an enigmatic organelle believed to be involved in calcium storage or local protein synthesis. (3) Synaptopodin-deficient mice generated by gene targeting are viable but lack the spine apparatus organelle. These mice show deficitsin synaptic plasticity as well as impaired learning and memory. Taken together, these data implicate synaptopodin and the spine apparatus in the regulation of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Future studies will be aimed at finding the molecular link between synaptopodin, the spine apparatus organelle, and synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Deller
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, J.W. Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
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Rose C, Schwegler H, Hanke J, Röhl FW, Yilmazer-Hanke DM. Differential effects of embryo transfer and maternal factors on anxiety-related behavior and numbers of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and parvalbumin (PARV) containing neurons in the amygdala of inbred C3H/HeN and DBA/2J mice. Behav Brain Res 2006; 173:163-8. [PMID: 16860404 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2006.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2006] [Revised: 06/12/2006] [Accepted: 06/14/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The effects of reciprocal embryo transfers were studied on anxiety-related behavior of inbred C3H/HeN and DBA/2J mice on the elevated plus maze (EPM), and related to amygdaloid neuropeptide Y (NPY)- and parvalbumin (PARV)-immunoreactive neurons. Embryo transfer significantly reduced closed arm entries in in-stain-transferred C3H mice, and maternal factors influenced open arm entries only in interaction with genetic background and sex. In DBA/2J-mice, embryo transfer resulted in a reduced number of NPY-immunoreactive (NPY-ir) neurons, while PARV-immunoreactive (PARV-ir) cells were not affected. In C3H/HeN mice, however, in-strain embryo transfer only resulted in a reduction of the number of PARV-immunoreactive neurons. Maternal factors mainly induced changes in the number of NPY-ir neurons in the basolateral complex of the amygdala either directly or in interaction with genetic factors. In summary, in-strain embryo transfer had a minor effect on the behavior of C3H/HeN mice, and a differential influence on the numbers of amygdaloid NPY-ir and PARV-ir neurons of inbred C3H/HeN and DBA/2J mice. Maternal factors had a stronger impact on the numbers of NPY-ir neurons than PARV-ir neurons. The present results indicate that alterations in behavior and amygdala morphology induced by embryo transfer or maternal factors depend on the genetic background of the mouse strains used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Rose
- Institut für Anatomie, Section Neuroanatomy, Otto-von-Guericke Universität, Haus 43, Leipziger Street 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Rose C, Röhl FW, Schwegler H, Hanke J, Yilmazer-Hanke DM. Maternal and Genetic Effects on Anxiety-Related Behavior of C3H/HeN, DBA/2J and NMRI Mice in a Motility-Box Following Blastocyst Transfer. Behav Genet 2006; 36:745-62. [PMID: 16465481 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-005-9037-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2005] [Accepted: 11/15/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Reciprocal embryo transfers were conducted to examine genetic and maternal effects on the behavior of inbred C3H/HeN and DBA/2J mice, and outbred NMRI mice using a motility-box. The behavioral variables measured were (i) horizontal locomotor activity assessed as the path and time spent during traveling; (ii) vertical activity assessed as the time spent with and numbers of rearings/leanings; (iii) and the time spent in the more anxiogenic central field. The transfer procedure per se resulted in a minor increase in vertical activity of inbred C3H/HeN mice, but had no effect in inbred DBA/2J mice. In contrast, outbred NMRI mice displayed a lower central field activity following embryo transfer indicating a higher anxiety level. Moreover, genetic differences between the mouse strains studied remained stable following embryo transfer for locomotor and vertical activity, but not central field activity depending on the recipient mother strain. Maternal effects were found for (i) vertical activity in the two inbred mouse strains, (ii) all behavioral variables studied in outbred NMRI mice, and (iii) an interaction with gender for the time spent in the anxiogenic central field. An additional fostering procedure revealed that the vertical activity of NMRI mice was modified towards the behavior of the recipient C3H/HeN strain by uterine factors, whereas the postnatal maternal effect of C3H/HeN mothers was the opposite. In summary, the effects of the embryo transfer procedure per se, stability of genetic characteristics following embryo transfer and maternal effects were related to the mouse strains used as donators and recipients, and the behavioral variables studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Rose
- Institut für Anatomie, Otto-von-Guericke Universität Magde- burg, Magdeburg, Germany
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Schwegler H. Phenomenological modelling of some mechanisms in schizophrenia. Pharmacopsychiatry 2006; 39 Suppl 1:S43-9. [PMID: 16508895 DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-931488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The paper shows how mechanisms being important factors in the development and treatment of schizophrenia can be modelled in terms of differential equations in order to understand better the interplay of these mechanisms. As an example, the nigrostriatal loop is chosen which is an essential part of the basic model presented by Carlsson. In the beginning, piecewise linear functions are used to demonstrate the mathematical procedures and to show that even such approximations can explain qualitative features. This is the case in particular in the neighbourhood of the operating point, which is shown to be an adequate concept in a situation of missing data on all complicated details. The simplified picture can be improved step by step. For instance, we calculate the occupation of receptors by dopamine and other ligands, and show how the operating point varies between healthy persons and schizophrenics (without and with neuroleptics). Different causes of the hypoactivity of striatal output can be discussed. That the modelling methods presented here can be applied to mechanisms in the mesoaccumbal system and in the cortex as well shall be shown in a forthcoming paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Schwegler
- Institute of Theoretical Physics, University Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
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Wolf R, Dobrowolny H, Matzke K, Paelchen K, Bogerts B, Schwegler H. Prepulse inhibition is different in two inbred mouse strains (CPB-K and BALB/cJ) with different hippocampal NMDA receptor densities. Behav Brain Res 2006; 166:78-84. [PMID: 16169608 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2005.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2005] [Revised: 07/15/2005] [Accepted: 07/18/2005] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The hypo-glutamatergic hypothesis of schizophrenia is not only based on the phencyclidine-(PCP)-induced psychosis in mentally healthy humans but also on studies with schizophrenic patients showing deficits in post mortem hippocampal N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor gene expression and deficits in prepulse inhibition. The inbred mouse strains CPB-K and BALB/cJ display considerable differences in hippocampal NMDA receptor densities. Therefore, our working hypothesis was based on the assumption that the CPB-K mouse strain, which has a lower NMDA receptor density in hippocampal CA1, might be a possible animal model for schizophrenia. For this purpose, the inbred mouse strains CPB-K and BALB/cJ were compared by using a sensorimotor gating paradigm. METHODS Acoustic startle response (ASR) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle reflex were measured. RESULTS CPB-K mice displayed a significantly higher ASR and a significantly lower magnitude of PPI as compared to BALB/cJ mice. The test-retest reliability was approved for PPI in both mouse strains, which was performed in repeated sessions over 13 weeks. In summary, our working hypothesis was confirmed that lower levels of hippocampal NMDA receptor densities correspond to lower sensorimotor gating in CPB-K mice. Based on this finding, further experiments using different behavioral paradigms have to be carried out to establish the CPB-K mouse strain as an animal model of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Wolf
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke University, D-39120 Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany.
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Roskoden T, Hanke J, Yilmazer-Hanke D, Schwegler H. Reduced number of CRF-containing neurons in the central amygdala correlated with enhanced locomotor activity following early postnatal corticosterone treatment in the Wistar rat. Behav Brain Res 2005; 165:221-8. [PMID: 16144721 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2005.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2005] [Revised: 07/01/2005] [Accepted: 07/01/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, newborn rats were implanted with corticosterone (CORT) containing polymers at postnatal day 0 (releasing rate 320-80 microg CORT/kg body weight and day). Controls received a CORT-free implant. All implants were removed at postnatal day 12. At the age of 16-20 weeks, these animals were tested for emotional behavior using an elevated plus-maze and fear-sensitized acoustic startle response. On the elevated plus-maze significant differences were found between hormone treated and control animals. The CORT-group demonstrated higher numbers of entries into closed arms and all arms, and the time spent in the center of the maze was significantly enhanced. Hormone-treated and control rats showed a significant fear sensitization of the acoustic startle response. However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups. The number of CRF-immunopositive neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala was decreased after CORT treatment, whereas the number of NPY-immunopositive neurons and total number of neurons in the amygdala did not differ significantly between both groups. In conclusion, early postnatal stress induced by CORT administration in neonatal rats led to a higher locomotor activity correlated with changes in the number of CRF containing neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Roskoden
- Institut of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
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Roskoden T, Linke R, Schwegler H. Transient early postnatal corticosterone treatment of rats leads to accelerated aquisition of a spatial radial maze task and morphological changes in the septohippocampal region. Behav Brain Res 2005; 157:45-53. [PMID: 15617770 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2004.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2004] [Revised: 06/04/2004] [Accepted: 06/09/2004] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In the present study new-born rats were treated with corticosterone (CORT) between postnatal days 1 and 12. At the age of 16-20 weeks, these animals were tested for spatial learning capacity using an eight-arm radial maze. After behavioral testing, density of cholinergic fibers and sizes of the mossy fiber terminal fields in the hippocampus and number of cholinergic and GABAergic neurons in the septal area were quantified. In the radial arm maze CORT-treated animals initially showed better working memory performance than controls. However, control animals showed a significant improvement of spatial working memory in the last trials and reached similar working memory scores as compared to treated animals. At neither day of training differences in reference memory errors were found between groups. In the diagonal band of Broca, both numbers of cholinergic and GABAergic neurons were increased after corticosterone treatment. The fiber systems in hippocampus showed no significant differences between groups. In conclusion, early postnatal stress induced by CORT administration in neonatal rats results in mild, yet significant morphological and behavioral changes in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Roskoden
- Institut of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Street 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Reiss J, Bonin M, Schwegler H, Sass JO, Garattini E, Wagner S, Lee HJ, Engel W, Riess O, Schwarz G. The pathogenesis of molybdenum cofactor deficiency, its delay by maternal clearance, and its expression pattern in microarray analysis. Mol Genet Metab 2005; 85:12-20. [PMID: 15862276 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2005.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2004] [Revised: 01/28/2005] [Accepted: 01/28/2005] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Molybdenum cofactor (Moco)-deficiency is a lethal autosomal recessive disease, for which until now no effective therapy is available. The biochemical hallmark of this disorder is the inactivity of the Moco-dependent sulfite oxidase, which results in elevated sulfite and diminished sulfate levels throughout the organism. In humans, Moco-deficiency results in neurological damage, which is apparent in untreatable seizures and various brain dysmorphisms. We have recently described a murine model for Moco-deficiency, which reflects all enzyme and metabolite changes observed in the patients, and an efficient therapy using a biosynthetic precursor of Moco has been established in this animal model. We now analyzed these mice in detail and excluded morphological brain damage, while expression analysis with microarrays indicates a massive cell death program. This neuronal damage appears to be triggered by elevated sulfite levels and is ameliorated in affected embryos by maternal clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Reiss
- Institut für Humangenetik der Universität Göttingen, Heinrich-Düker-Weg 12, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
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Crusio WE, Schwegler H. Learning spatial orientation tasks in the radial-maze and structural variation in the hippocampus in inbred mice. Behav Brain Funct 2005; 1:3. [PMID: 15916698 PMCID: PMC1143776 DOI: 10.1186/1744-9081-1-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2005] [Accepted: 04/22/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present paper we review a series of experiments showing that heritable variations in the size of the hippocampal intra- and infrapyramidal mossy fiber (IIPMF) terminal fields correlate with performance in spatial, but not non-spatial radial-maze tasks. Experimental manipulation of the size of this projection by means of early postnatal hyperthyroidism produces the effects predicted from the correlations obtained with inbred mouse strains. Although the physiological mechanisms behind these correlations are unknown as yet, several lines of evidence indicate that these correlations are causal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wim E Crusio
- Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 303 Belmont Street, Worcester, MA 01604, USA
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Fritz R, Yilmazer-Hanke D, Roskoden T, Schwegler H, Linke R. Separate sets of neurons of the central nucleus of the amygdala project to the substantia innominata and the caudal pontine reticular nucleus in the rat. Neurosci Lett 2005; 373:130-3. [PMID: 15567567 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2004] [Revised: 09/14/2004] [Accepted: 10/01/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is generally regarded as a control nucleus of subcortical target systems. Due to its widespread projections to different brain areas it is able to modulate emotional behavior of the organism. However, it is still not clear whether single neurons of the CeA project to different areas or to one target area. Injections of the retrograde tracers Fluorogold and True Blue into target regions of the central nucleus of the amygdala, i.e., the substantia innominata (SI) and the caudal pontine reticular nucleus (PNC), revealed overlapping but otherwise distinct neuronal populations within mainly the medial division of the CeA. From our study we conclude that SI and PNC receive input from different subsets of amygdala neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Fritz
- Institut für Anatomie, Otto-von-Guericke Universität, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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Reiser G, Striggow F, Hackmann C, Schwegler H, Yilmazer-Hanke DM. Short-term down-regulation of the brain-specific, PtdIns(3,4,5)P3/Ins(1,3,4,5)P4-binding, adapter protein, p42IP4/centaurin-α1 in rat brain after acoustic and electric stimulation. Neurochem Int 2004; 45:89-93. [PMID: 15082226 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2003.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2003] [Accepted: 12/02/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The protein p42(IP4), expressed mainly in brain, specifically recognizes two second messenger molecules, Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) (IP(4)), a water soluble metabolite of IP(3) and the lipid PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) (PIP(3)), the product of the growth factor-activated enzyme PI-3-kinase. Here, we studied whether there is short-term regulation of the expression level of p42(IP4) in limbic brain areas following acoustic and electric stimulation. The stimuli down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels within 2h in amygdala, hypothalamus and cingulate/retrospenial cortex. p42(IP4) mRNA decreased by about 50% for about 24h, but recovered to control values after 72 h. The present results are the first indication of a specific role of p42(IP4) in the short-term regulation of a behavioral response. They indicate that p42(IP4), an adapter protein in PIP(3)-dependent cellular signaling, may play an important role in the signal transduction pathways regulating plasticity in neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Reiser
- Institut für Neurobiochemie der Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Leipziger Street 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Wolf R, Dobrowolny H, Schwegler H, Bogerts B. Different inhibitory mechanism in BALB-c and CPB/K mice using the prepulse inhibition paradigm – An animal model for schizophrenia? Pharmacopsychiatry 2004. [DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-825565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Prior H, Schwegler H, Marashi V, Sachser N. Exploration, emotionality, and hippocampal mossy fibers in nonaggressive AB/Gat and congenic highly aggressive mice. Hippocampus 2004; 14:135-40. [PMID: 15058491 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.10166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
AB/Gat mice and congenic mice bred for high aggressiveness (CS/ag) were tested for exploratory behavior in novel situations and anxiety-related behavior, using an open-field test and the elevated plus-maze test. Subsequently, the size of hippocampal mossy fiber terminal fields was evaluated. Considerably higher exploratory activity was found in nonaggressive mice, whereas aggressive mice exhibited more anxiety-related behavior. Larger intra- and infrapyramidal mossy fiber terminal fields (IIP-MF) and a larger hilus were found in the highly aggressive strain. Within the nonaggressive AB/Gat strain, larger IIP-MF were correlated with higher exploratory behavior and lower anxiety in the plus-maze test. Within the aggressive strain, no individual correlations between hippocampal morphometry and behavior were found. The results corroborate the "ecotype hypothesis," which suggests that mice of subpopulations with highly aggressive males tend to display reduced exploratory behavior. The findings support the view that genetic factors involved in aggressive behavior also affect hippocampal connectivity. However, our results do not support the hypothesis that a higher level of aggressiveness is necessarily related to smaller IIP-MF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut Prior
- AE Biopsychologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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Hinz M, Schwegler H, Chwieralski CE, Laube G, Linke R, Pohle W, Hoffmann W. Trefoil factor family (TFF) expression in the mouse brain and pituitary: changes in the developing cerebellum. Peptides 2004; 25:827-32. [PMID: 15177878 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2004.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2003] [Accepted: 01/05/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Trefoil factor family (TFF) peptides, besides their prominent expression in mucous epithelia, are also synthesized in the central nervous system. Previously TFF1 expression was observed in mouse brain astrocytes, while oxytocinergic neurons of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis are recognized sites of TFF3 synthesis. Here, the expression of TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3 was systematically studied using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of dissected adult mouse brain regions including the pituitary. Additionally, the developmental profile of TFF expression in murine cerebral cortex and cerebellum was monitored. Overall, the expression patterns of the three TFF genes differed. The TFF1 and TFF2 profiles shared some similarities, whereas the TFF3 expression pattern was completely different. TFF1 was nearly uniformly, but weakly expressed in all brain regions tested. The TFF1 and TFF2 expression patterns differed characteristically in the pituitary where abundant TFF2 transcription was detected in the anterior and not the posterior lobe and the expression level in males was higher than in females. In contrast, TFF3 expression was limited to the hippocampus, the temporal cortex, and the cerebellum, the latter being surprisingly the major site of expression. Here, TFF3 mRNA appeared to be restricted mainly to neurons and not glial cells. Cerebellar TFF3 expression is clearly developmentally regulated (maximum at P15), indicating a role for TFF3 during postnatal cerebellar development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margitta Hinz
- Institut für Molekularbiologie und Medizinische Chemie, Otto-von-Guericke Universität, Universitätsklinikum, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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Yilmazer-Hanke DM, Wigger A, Linke R, Landgraf R, Schwegler H. Two Wistar Rat Lines Selectively Bred for Anxiety-Related Behavior Show Opposite Reactions in Elevated Plus Maze and Fear-Sensitized Acoustic Startle Tests. Behav Genet 2004; 34:309-18. [PMID: 14990869 DOI: 10.1023/b:bege.0000017874.40934.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Two Wistar rat lines selectively bred for high (HAB), and low anxiety-related behavior (LAB) on the elevated plus maze were tested for the fear-sensitized acoustic startle response. The study of male rats from the F9 generation revealed a higher anxiety level of HAB rats on the elevated plus maze. However, the LAB rats displayed a higher baseline and fear-sensitized acoustic startle response compared to HAB rats, although the two rat lines did not differ in freezing duration during the interstimulus intervals in the startle experiment (neither before, nor after, footshocks). Counts of neurons immunoreactive for corticotropin-releasing factor and neuropeptide Y in amygdaloid nuclei did not reveal any differences between the two lines, which is in marked contrast to findings in the Roman rat lines. The data indicate that opposite types of anxiety/fear responses are elicited in HAB/LAB rats in the elevated plus maze and fear-sensitized startle tests. Moreover, the animals displayed a differential fear response in the startle experiment, as assessed by measuring the fear-sensitized startle response and freezing.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Yilmazer-Hanke
- Institut für Anatomie, Otto-von-Guericke Universität, Magdeburg, Germany.
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Schwarz G, Santamaria-Araujo JA, Wolf S, Lee HJ, Adham IM, Gröne HJ, Schwegler H, Sass JO, Otte T, Hänzelmann P, Mendel RR, Engel W, Reiss J. Rescue of lethal molybdenum cofactor deficiency by a biosynthetic precursor from Escherichia coli. Hum Mol Genet 2004; 13:1249-55. [PMID: 15115759 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddh136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Substitution therapies for orphan genetic diseases, including enzyme replacement methods, are frequently hampered by the limited availability of the required therapeutic substance. We describe the isolation of a pterin intermediate from bacteria that was successfully used for the therapy of a hitherto incurable and lethal disease. Molybdenum cofactor (Moco) deficiency is a pleiotropic genetic disorder characterized by the loss of the molybdenum-dependent enzymes sulphite oxidase, xanthine oxidoreductase and aldehyde oxidase due to mutations in Moco biosynthesis genes. An intermediate of this pathway-'precursor Z'-is more stable than the cofactor itself and has an identical structure in all phyla. Thus, it was overproduced in the bacterium Escherichia coli, purified and used to inject precursor Z-deficient knockout mice that display a phenotype which resembles that of the human deficiency state. Precursor Z-substituted mice reach adulthood and fertility. Biochemical analyses further suggest that the described treatment can lead to the alleviation of most symptoms associated with human Moco deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter Schwarz
- Institut für Pflanzenbiologie der Technischen Universität Braunschweig, Germany
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Yilmazer-Hanke DM, Hantsch M, Hanke J, Schulz C, Faber-Zuschratter H, Schwegler H. Neonatal thyroxine treatment: changes in the number of corticotropin-releasing-factor (CRF) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) containing neurons and density of tyrosine hydroxylase positive fibers (TH) in the amygdala correlate with anxiety-related behavior of wistar rats. Neuroscience 2004; 124:283-97. [PMID: 14980379 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2003.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2003] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Neonatal hyperthyroidism induces persisting alterations in the adult brain, e.g. in spatial learning and hippocampal morphology. In the present study, the relationship between anxiety-related behavior and amygdala morphology was investigated in the adult rat after transient neonatal hyperthyroidism (daily s.c. injections of 7.5 microg L-thyroxine in 0.5 ml 0.9% NaCl solution from postnatal day p1 to p12). The behavioral tests used to study anxiety-related behavior were the motility test, elevated plus-maze and fear-sensitized acoustic startle response. In the amygdala, the number of neurons containing the anxiogenic peptide corticotropin releasing factor (CRF-ir and CRF mRNA) and anxiolytic neuropeptide Y (NPY-ir), the total number of neurons and the density of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH-ir) fibers were quantified. Thyroxine-treated pups presented an accelerated development including opening of eyes and snout elongation as typical signs of hyperthyroidism. Thyroxine-treated adult animals displayed a reduced anxiety in the motility box and elevated plus maze, a reduction in the number of CRF-ir neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala, as well as an increase in the number of NPY-ir neurons and density of TH-ir fibers in nuclei of the basolateral complex of the amygdala. Moreover, there was a reduction in the total number of neurons in all nuclei of the basolateral complex (despite the higher number of NPY-ir neurons), but not central nucleus of the amygdala. The number of CRF-ir neurons in the central nucleus correlated positively with anxiety-related behavior, and the number of NPY-ir neurons and the density of TH-ir fibers in the basolateral complex correlated inversely with anxiety-related behavior. The findings suggested a shift toward an anxiolytic rather than anxiogenic distribution of peptidergic neurons and fibers in the amygdala at adult age following transient neonatal hyperthyroidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Yilmazer-Hanke
- Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Institut für Anatomie, Leipziger Strasse 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Roskoden T, Otten U, Schwegler H. Early postnatal corticosterone administration regulates neurotrophins and their receptors in septum and hippocampus of the rat. Exp Brain Res 2003; 154:183-91. [PMID: 14557907 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-003-1656-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2003] [Accepted: 07/30/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The principal glucocorticoid in rats, corticosterone, interacts with neurons in the limbic system and leads to morphological and behavioral changes. Putative corticosterone-triggered mediators are neurotrophins. In the present study we investigated the effects of early postnatal corticosterone treatment in rats on neurotrophic factors of the nerve growth factor (NGF) family and their receptors. Newborn rats were treated with corticosterone-containing polymers until postnatal day 12. The mRNA and protein levels of the neurotrophins of the NGF family (NGF, BDNF, NT-3 and NT-4/5) and their receptors (trkA, trkB, trkC and p75) were quantified in septum and hippocampus using RT-PCR. In the septal region, we found an unchanged mRNA expression after corticosterone treatment, whereas in the hippocampus there was a general increase in mRNA. Particularly, the gene expression of NGF, NT-3, and the high affinity receptors trkA, trkB and trkC increased significantly. Quantification of the neurotrophin protein levels using an ELISA revealed significant treatment effects for NGF and NT-4/5 in the hippocampus. The present study of corticosterone treatment in young rats demonstrates interactions of steroid hormones with neurotrophic factors and their receptors in the septo-hippocampal system during the first two postnatal weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Roskoden
- Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
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Yilmazer-Hanke DM, Roskoden T, Zilles K, Schwegler H. Anxiety-related behavior and densities of glutamate, GABAA, acetylcholine and serotonin receptors in the amygdala of seven inbred mouse strains. Behav Brain Res 2003; 145:145-59. [PMID: 14529813 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-4328(03)00107-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The amygdala is a brain region involved in the regulation of anxiety-related behavior. The purpose of this study was to correlate anxiety-related behavior of inbred mouse strains (BA//c, BALB/cJ, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, CPB-K, DBA/2J, NMRI) to receptor binding in the amygdala. Binding site densities of receptors (NMDA, AMPA, kainate, GABA(A), serotonin, muscarinergic M(1)-M(2)) were measured with quantitative receptor autoradiography using tritiated ligands. Measurements of fear-sensitized acoustic startle response (ASR; induced by footshocks), elevated plus maze (EPM) behavior and receptor binding studies showed differences between the strains except for AMPA and muscarinergic M(2) receptors. Factor analysis revealed a Startle Factor with positive loadings of the density of serotonin and kainate receptors, and the amplitudes of the baseline and fear-sensitized ASRs. A second Anxiety-related Factor only correlated with the fear-sensitized ASR and anxiety parameters on the EPM but not receptor densities. There were also two General Activity Factors defined by (negative) correlations with entries to closed arms of the EPM. Because the density of NMDA and muscarinergic M(1) receptors also correlated negatively with the two factors, these receptors had a positive effect on general activity. In contrast, correlations of GABA(A), serotonin, and kainate receptors had the opposite sign as compared to closed arm entries. It is concluded that hereditary variations in the amygdala, particularly in kainate and serotonin receptors, play a role for the baseline and fear-sensitized ASR, whereas the general activity is influenced by many neurotransmitter receptor systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz M Yilmazer-Hanke
- Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Camboni D, Roskoden T, Schwegler H. Effect of early thyroxine treatment on brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA expression and protein amount in the rat medial septum/diagonal band of Broca. Neurosci Lett 2003; 350:141-4. [PMID: 14550914 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(03)00880-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
There is evidence that morphological alterations concerning deficiency or abundance of thyroid hormones (TH) may be mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). It has been demonstrated that the mRNA-expression of BDNF is increased after TH-treatment during the first postnatal weeks. After transient treatment of newborn rats with thyroxine mRNA expression, protein concentration and number and size of BDNF-immunopositive neurons were quantified in the medial septum/vertical diagonal Band of Broca (MS/vDB). The number and size of BDNF-immunopositive neurons were estimated in young (P10) and adult (4 months). The amount of mRNA and protein are significantly increased in TH-treated rats at P10 compared to control animals. TH-treated animals showed a significant decrease of BDNF-immunopositive cell numbers in the adulthood. The results demonstrate a correlated increase of BDNF mRNA and protein in the septum at P10 which is an important stage of differentiation processes in the septohippocampal system. These results provide further evidence that BDNF is a possible candidate for the mediation the TH effects in the MS/vDB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Camboni
- Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Strasse 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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