Normal tension glaucoma-like degeneration of the visual system in aged marmosets

Abstract The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a non-human primate that provides valuable models for neuroscience and aging research due to its anatomical similarities to humans and relatively short lifespan. This study was carried out to examine whether aged marmosets develop glaucoma, as seen in humans. We found that 11% of the aged marmosets presented with glaucoma-like characteristics; this incident rate is very similar to that in humans. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a significant volume loss in the visual cortex, and histological analyses confirmed the degeneration of the lateral geniculate nuclei and visual cortex in the affected marmosets. These marmosets did not have elevated intraocular pressure, but showed an increased oxidative stress level, low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, and low brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB expression in the retina, optic nerve head and CSF. Our findings suggest that marmosets have potential to provide useful information for the research of eye and the visual system.

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The Common Marmoset: A Highly Translatable Small Nonhuman Primate Model of Aging

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1589 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 412-412

Author(s):

Ricki Colman

Keyword(s):

Rapid Development ◽

Large Degree ◽

Common Marmoset ◽

High Fertility ◽

Primate Model ◽

Aging Research ◽

Short Lifespan ◽

Age Related ◽

Shared Parenting ◽

The Common

Abstract The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) has been used in biomedical research for many years, but within the last decade its popularity has increased dramatically prompted to a large degree by their realized utility for neuroscience and aging research. Many factors make the marmoset an attractive model system including their genetic and physiological similarity to humans, relatively short lifespan (average of ~13 years, maximum of ~20 years), high fertility (highest of any primate, routine production of 2-3 offspring every 5-6 months), rapid development (reproductively competent by ~1.5 years of age, aged by 7-8 years of age), small size (~400 grams), human-like social structure consisting of cooperative breeding with shared parenting responsibilities, and lack of zoonotic diseases of concern to humans. Marmosets share ~93% sequence identity with the human genome and they develop similar age-related conditions as humans. Marmosets may strike the perfect balance between similarity to humans and abbreviated aging course.

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Expression of taste signal transduction molecules in the caecum of common marmosets

Biology Letters ◽

10.1098/rsbl.2013.0409 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 20130409 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Sae Gonda ◽

Shuichi Matsumura ◽

Shoichiro Saito ◽

Yasuhiro Go ◽

Hiroo Imai

Keyword(s):

Signal Transduction ◽

Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽

Common Marmoset ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Common Marmosets ◽

Plant Exudates ◽

The Common ◽

Signal Transduction Proteins ◽

First Time ◽

Human Primate

The extraoral presence of taste signal transduction proteins has recently been reported in rodents and humans. Here, we report for the first time the presence of these signal transduction proteins in the caecum of a non-human primate, the common marmoset. Quantitative RT-PCR data on the gene expression of taste signal transduction molecules (gustducin and TRPM5) in common marmosets suggested high expression in the caecum, which was not observed in other non-human primates. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the specific presence of gustducin and taste receptors in marmoset caecal cells. These results may relate to the specific feeding behaviour of marmosets, which consume plant exudates, primarily gums.

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Prospects for genetically modified non-human primate models, including the common marmoset

Neuroscience Research ◽

10.1016/j.neures.2015.01.011 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 93 ◽

pp. 110-115 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Erika Sasaki

Keyword(s):

Genetically Modified ◽

Common Marmoset ◽

The Common ◽

Human Primate

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Aging research using the common marmoset: Focus on aging interventions

Nutrition and Healthy Aging ◽

10.3233/nha-180046 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 97-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Corinna N. Ross ◽

Adam B. Salmon

Keyword(s):

Common Marmoset ◽

Aging Research ◽

The Common

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DEVELOPING THE COMMON MARMOSET AS A TRANSLATIONAL MODEL OF AGE-RELATED OSTEOARTHRITIS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.390 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S104-S104

Author(s):

Dennis M Minton ◽

Angela J Marolf ◽

Kelly S Santangelo ◽

Adam B Salmon ◽

Adam R Konopka

Keyword(s):

Subchondral Bone ◽

Bone Structure ◽

Common Marmoset ◽

Knee Joints ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Bone Thickness ◽

Aging Research ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Age Related ◽

The Common

Abstract Age is a primary risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA). The mechanisms that contribute to OA are poorly understood and disease modifying treatments have not been identified. A critical shortcoming in developing therapies is the limited number of translational models available to identify the causes of naturally occurring OA. Our goal is to use the common marmoset as a non-human primate (NHP) model of age-related OA. NHP are the closest evolutionary relative to humans and share many characteristics of human aging. The marmoset has advantages over other NHP for aging research because of their relatively short maximal lifespan and small size. Micro-computed tomography (uCT) was performed on whole-knee joints obtained from young (10 yrs, n=3) marmosets at necropsy. OA was evaluated using a clinical uCT scoring system and quantitative assessments of subchondral bone structure and ossified meniscal volume. Advancing age was positively correlated to increased uCT OA score (p<0.05, r=0.59 ), mainly through increased number and size of osteophytes and progressive subchondral bone sclerosis from the medial to both medial and lateral compartments. For marmosets displaying meniscal ossification, older marmosets had greater (p<0.05) ossified meniscal volume than middle-aged and younger marmosets, respectively. Trabecular (p=0.05) and cortical bone thickness (p<0.05) were also lower in older marmosets. These data are the first to indicate that the marmoset develops naturally occurring, age-related OA and support the pursuit of additional studies using the marmoset to identify OA mechanisms and test potential interventions.

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The Brain/MINDS 3D digital marmoset brain atlas

10.1101/228676 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alexander Woodward ◽

Tsutomu Hashikawa ◽

Masahide Maeda ◽

Takaaki Kaneko ◽

Keigo Hikishima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Common Marmoset ◽

Brain Atlas ◽

File Format ◽

Modal Data ◽

Functional Studies ◽

Marmoset Monkey ◽

The Common ◽

The Brain ◽

Human Primate

AbstractWe present a new 3D digital brain atlas of the non-human primate, common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus), with MRI and coregistered Nissl histology data. To the best of our knowledge this is the first comprehensive digital 3D brain atlas of the common marmoset having normalized multi-modal data, cortical and sub-cortical segmentation, and in a common file format (NIfTI). The atlas can be registered to new data, is useful for connectomics, functional studies, simulation and as a reference.The atlas was based on previously published work but we provide several critical improvements to make this release valuable for researchers. Nissl histology images were processed to remove illumination and shape artifacts and then normalized to the MRI data. Brain region segmentation is provided for both hemispheres. The data is in the NIfTI format making it easy to integrate into neuroscience pipelines, whereas the previous atlas was in an inaccessible file format. We also provide cortical, mid-cortical and white matter boundary segmentations useful for visualization and analysis.

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