scholarly journals Bioluminescent imaging in induced mouse models of endometriosis reveals differences in four model variations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Dorning ◽  
Priya Dhami ◽  
Kavita Panir ◽  
Chloe Hogg ◽  
Emma Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Models ◽  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
Disease Modelling ◽  
Multiple Models ◽  
Bioluminescent Imaging ◽  
Cellular Composition ◽  
Limited Disease ◽  
Discovery Science ◽  
Lesion Regression ◽  
The Impact

Our understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of endometriosis remains limited. Disease modelling in the field is problematic as many versions of induced mouse models of endometriosis exist. We integrated bioluminescent imaging of ‘lesions’ generated using luciferase-expressing donor mice. We compared longitudinal bioluminescence and histology of lesions, sensory behavior of mice with induced endometriosis and the impact of the GnRH antagonist Cetrorelix on lesion regression and sensory behavior. Four models of endometriosis were tested. We found that the nature of the donor uterine material was a key determinant of how chronic the lesions were as well as their cellular composition. The severity of pain-like behavior also varied across models. Whilst Cetrorelix significantly reduced lesion bioluminescence in all models, it had varying impacts on pain-like behavior. Collectively, our results demonstrate key differences in the progression of the ‘disease’ across different mouse models of endometriosis. We propose that validation and testing in multiple models, each of which may be representative of the different subtypes / heterogeneity observed in women should become a standard approach to discovery science in the field of endometriosis.

scholarly journals Consideration of Gut Microbiome in Murine Models of Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1062
Author(s):  
Chunye Zhang ◽  
Craig L. Franklin ◽  
Aaron C. Ericsson
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Biomedical Research ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Disease Model ◽  
Potential Contributor ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
Models Of Disease ◽  
The Impact

The gut microbiome (GM), a complex community of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi located in the gut of humans and animals, plays significant roles in host health and disease. Animal models are widely used to investigate human diseases in biomedical research and the GM within animal models can change due to the impact of many factors, such as the vendor, husbandry, and environment. Notably, variations in GM can contribute to differences in disease model phenotypes, which can result in poor reproducibility in biomedical research. Variation in the gut microbiome can also impact the translatability of animal models. For example, standard lab mice have different pathogen exposure experiences when compared to wild or pet store mice. As humans have antigen experiences that are more similar to the latter, the use of lab mice with more simplified microbiomes may not yield optimally translatable data. Additionally, the literature describes many methods to manipulate the GM and differences between these methods can also result in differing interpretations of outcomes measures. In this review, we focus on the GM as a potential contributor to the poor reproducibility and translatability of mouse models of disease. First, we summarize the important role of GM in host disease and health through different gut–organ axes and the close association between GM and disease susceptibility through colonization resistance, immune response, and metabolic pathways. Then, we focus on the variation in the microbiome in mouse models of disease and address how this variation can potentially impact disease phenotypes and subsequently influence research reproducibility and translatability. We also discuss the variations between genetic substrains as potential factors that cause poor reproducibility via their effects on the microbiome. In addition, we discuss the utility of complex microbiomes in prospective studies and how manipulation of the GM through differing transfer methods can impact model phenotypes. Lastly, we emphasize the need to explore appropriate methods of GM characterization and manipulation.

IMMU-22. THE IMPACT OF MICROGLIA MODULATION ON GBM PROGRESSION IN SYNGENEIC MOUSE MODELS

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi96-vi96
Author(s):  
Marie-Françoise Ritz ◽  
Tala Shekarian ◽  
Tomás A Martins ◽  
Philip Schmassmann ◽  
Gregor Hutter
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Models ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Adaptive Immune Response ◽  
Tamoxifen Treatment ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Intracerebral Injection ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Tumor Immune Microenvironment ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BACKGROUND The tumor immune microenvironment (TME) of Glioblastoma consists of almost myeloid-derived macrophages and microglia called TAMs. We have shown that the disruption of CD47-Sirpα-axis induces an antitumor activity of TAMs against GBM in immune-deficient mice, through increases of phagocytosis of tumor cells by TAMs. We have aimed to study the role of microglia and its activation/depletion on GBM progression, in the syngeneic GBM model in immune-competent mice. We have studied the interplay of innate and adaptive immune response after activation and depletion of microglia and the effect on tumor progression and outcome of the mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used different colonies of genetically modified immunocompetent mouse strains to genetically activate/deplete microglia in the tumor context. We generated Sall1 CreERT2/fl mice and Cre-negative littermates. The application of Tamoxifen in this constellation leads to the excision of the transcription factor Sall1 and subsequent enhanced microglia activity. Conversely, we generated Sall1 CreERT2 x Csf1r fl/fl animals and the respective heterozygous and Cre-negative littermates in which Tamoxifen treatment leads to inactivation of microglia through the deletion of Csf1r. Glioblastoma tumors were induced by intracerebral injection of GL261, CT2A, or retrovirus-induced PDGF-Akt in pups and Tamoxifen treatment was started once the tumors were detected. RESULTS We observed a survival advantage in tumor-bearing mice after activation of microglia in Sall1 CreERT/fl animals compared to Cre-negative littermates. Genetic depletion of microglia in this model resulted in a shorter lifespan in microglia-depleted animals compared to Cre-negative littermates. Furthermore, the iTME in these tumors is subjected to scRNAseq analysis to identify mechanistic insights. CONCLUSION Microglia are important players in tumor development and progression of glioblastoma in mouse models. These cells may be targeted in future immunotherapeutic approaches for patients.

scholarly journals From Mosquito Bites to Sexual Transmission: Evaluating Mouse Models of Zika Virus Infection

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2244
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Balint ◽  
Amelia Montemarano ◽  
Emily Feng ◽  
Ali A. Ashkar
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Models ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Zikv Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Male To Female

Following the recent outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) infections in Latin America, ZIKV has emerged as a global health threat due to its ability to induce neurological disease in both adults and the developing fetus. ZIKV is largely mosquito-borne and is now endemic in many parts of Africa, Asia, and South America. However, several reports have demonstrated persistent ZIKV infection of the male reproductive tract and evidence of male-to-female sexual transmission of ZIKV. Sexual transmission may broaden the reach of ZIKV infections beyond its current geographical limits, presenting a significant threat worldwide. Several mouse models of ZIKV infection have been developed to investigate ZIKV pathogenesis and develop effective vaccines and therapeutics. However, the majority of these models focus on mosquito-borne infection, while few have considered the impact of sexual transmission on immunity and pathogenesis. This review will examine the advantages and disadvantages of current models of mosquito-borne and sexually transmitted ZIKV and provide recommendations for the effective use of ZIKV mouse models.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Impact of Post-Thaw Stress Pathway Modulation on Cell Recovery following Cryopreservation in a Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Model

Cells ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 278
Author(s):  
John M. Baust ◽  
Kristi K. Snyder ◽  
Robert G. Van Buskirk ◽  
John G. Baust
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Cell Recovery ◽  
Hematopoietic Progenitor ◽  
Discovery Science ◽  
The Impact

The development and use of complex cell-based products in clinical and discovery science continues to grow at an unprecedented pace. To this end, cryopreservation plays a critical role, serving as an enabling process, providing on-demand access to biological material, facilitating large scale production, storage, and distribution of living materials. Despite serving a critical role and substantial improvements over the last several decades, cryopreservation often remains a bottleneck impacting numerous areas including cell therapy, tissue engineering, and tissue banking. Studies have illustrated the impact and benefit of controlling cryopreservation-induced delayed-onset cell death (CIDOCD) through various “front end” strategies, such as specialized media, new cryoprotective agents, and molecular control during cryopreservation. While proving highly successful, a substantial level of cell death and loss of cell function remains associated with cryopreservation. Recently, we focused on developing technologies (RevitalICE™) designed to reduce the impact of CIDOCD through buffering the cell stress response during the post-thaw recovery phase in an effort to improve the recovery of previously cryopreserved samples. In this study, we investigated the impact of modulating apoptotic caspase activation, oxidative stress, unfolded protein response, and free radical damage in the initial 24 h post-thaw on overall cell survival. Human hematopoietic progenitor cells in vitro cryopreserved in both traditional extracellular-type and intracellular-type cryopreservation freeze media were utilized as a model cell system to assess impact on survival. Our findings demonstrated that through the modulation of several of these pathways, improvements in cell recovery were obtained, regardless of the freeze media and dimethyl sulfoxide concentration utilized. Specifically, through the use of oxidative stress inhibitors, an average increase of 20% in overall viability was observed. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that by using the post-thaw recovery reagent on samples cryopreserved in intracellular-type media (Unisol™), improvements in overall cell survival approaching 80% of non-frozen controls were attained. While improvements in overall survival were obtained, an assessment on the impact of specific cell subpopulations and functionality remains to be completed. While work remains, these results represent an important step forward in the development of improved cryopreservation processes for use in discovery science, and commercial and clinical settings.

scholarly journals MicroRNA-203 represses selection and expansion of oncogenic Hras transformed tumor initiating cells

eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kent Riemondy ◽  
Xiao-jing Wang ◽  
Enrique C Torchia ◽  
Dennis R Roop ◽  
Rui Yi
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Knockout Mouse ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Tumor Initiating Cells ◽  
Knockout Mouse Model ◽  
Active Selection ◽  
The Impact

In many mouse models of skin cancer, only a few tumors typically form even though many cells competent for tumorigenesis receive the same oncogenic stimuli. These observations suggest an active selection process for tumor-initiating cells. Here, we use quantitative mRNA- and miR-Seq to determine the impact of HrasG12V on the transcriptome of keratinocytes. We discover that microRNA-203 is downregulated by HrasG12V. Using a knockout mouse model, we demonstrate that loss of microRNA-203 promotes selection and expansion of tumor-initiating cells. Conversely, restoration of microRNA-203 using an inducible model potently inhibits proliferation of these cells. We comprehensively identify microRNA-203 targets required for Hras-initiated tumorigenesis. These targets include critical regulators of the Ras pathway and essential genes required for cell division. This study establishes a role for the loss of microRNA-203 in promoting selection and expansion of Hras mutated cells and identifies a mechanism through which microRNA-203 antagonizes Hras-mediated tumorigenesis.

Functional genetic mouse models: promising tools for investigation of the proteolytic internet

2009 ◽  
Vol 390 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Achim Krüger
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Models ◽  
Knockout Mice ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Disease Susceptibility ◽  
Molecular Polymorphism ◽  
Specific Protease ◽  
Molecular Phenotypes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Genetic Mouse Models

Abstract Knockout mice are the gold standard to probe for the role of a specific protease within the interacting network of proteases, substrates, and inhibitors. This proteolytic network, or protease web, determines cell signaling and organ homeostasis. Therefore, protease deficiency or inhibition is intrinsically tied to alterations within this network, always leading to new molecular phenotypes, which define susceptibility of an organ to disease. Furthermore, recent hints, mainly from research on matrix metalloproteinases, about the impact of the protease web on inter-organ signaling molecules suggest the existence of a proteolytic internet of communicating local organ- or molecular polymorphism-specific networks, thereby defining homeostasis and disease susceptibility in the whole organism.

29 Combining gnotobiotic mouse models with functional genomics to define the impact of the microflora on host physiology

2002 ◽  
pp. 559-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lora V. Hooper ◽  
Jason C. Mills ◽  
Kevin A. Roth ◽  
Thaddeus S. Stappenbeck ◽  
Melissa H. Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Genomics ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Host Physiology ◽  
The Impact

Opposing functions of β-arrestin 1 and 2 in Parkinson’s disease via microglia inflammation and Nprl3

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinquan Fang ◽  
Qingling Jiang ◽  
Shanshan Li ◽  
Hong Zhu ◽  
Xiao Ding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Microglia Activation ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Neuron Loss ◽  
Primary Mouse ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Although β-arrestins (ARRBs) regulate diverse physiological and pathophysiological processes, their function and regulation in Parkinson’s disease (PD) remain poorly defined. Methods We measured expression of ARRB1 and ARRB2 in liposaccharide (LPS)-induced and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD mice. ARRB1-deficient and ARRB2-deficient mouse were used to assess the impact of ARRBs on dopaminergic (DA) neuron loss and microglia activation in PD mouse models. After primary mouse DA neurons were exposed to the conditioned medium from ARRB1 knockdown or ARRB2 knockout microglia stimulated by LPS plus interferon γ (IFN-γ), the degeneration of DA neurons was quantified. Gain- and loss-of-function studies were used to study the effects of ARRBs on microglia activation in vitro. To further understand the mechanism, we measured the activation of classical inflammatory pathways and used RNA sequencing to identify the novel downstream effector of ARRBs. Result In this study, we demonstrate that expression of ARRB1 and ARRB2, particularly in microglia, is reciprocally regulated in PD mouse models. ARRB1 ablation ameliorates, whereas ARRB2 knockout aggravates, the pathological features of PD, including DA neuron loss, neuroinflammation and microglia activation in vivo, as well as microglia-mediated neuron damage and inflammation in vitro. In parallel, ARRB1 and ARRB2 produce adverse effects on the activation of inflammatory signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways in microglia. We also show that two ARRBs competitively interact with activated p65 in the NF-κB pathway and that nitrogen permease regulator-like 3 (Nprl3), a functionally poorly characterized protein, is a novel effector acting downstream of both ARRBs. Conclusion Collectively, these data demonstrate that two closely related ARRBs have completely opposite functions in microglia-mediated inflammatory responses, via Nprl3, and differentially affect the pathogenesis of PD, and suggest a potential therapeutic strategy.

scholarly journals Distinct Tumor Microenvironments Are a Defining Feature of Strain-Specific CRISPR/Cas9-Induced MPNSTs

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Scherer ◽  
Victoria R. Stephens ◽  
Gavin R. McGivney ◽  
Wade R. Gutierrez ◽  
Emily A. Laverty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Cancer Biology ◽  
Myeloid Cell ◽  
Inbred Strains ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors ◽  
Tumor Onset ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Strain Dependent

The tumor microenvironment plays important roles in cancer biology, but genetic backgrounds of mouse models can complicate interpretation of tumor phenotypes. A deeper understanding of strain-dependent influences on the tumor microenvironment of genetically-identical tumors is critical to exploring genotype–phenotype relationships, but these interactions can be difficult to identify using traditional Cre/loxP approaches. Here, we use somatic CRISPR/Cas9 tumorigenesis approaches to determine the impact of mouse background on the biology of genetically-identical malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) in four commonly-used inbred strains. To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically evaluate the impact of host strain on CRISPR/Cas9-generated mouse models. Our data identify multiple strain-dependent phenotypes, including changes in tumor onset and the immune microenvironment. While BALB/c mice develop MPNSTs earlier than other strains, similar tumor onset is observed in C57BL/6, 129X1 and 129/SvJae mice. Indel pattern analysis demonstrates that indel frequency, type and size are similar across all genetic backgrounds. Gene expression and IHC analysis identify multiple strain-dependent differences in CD4+ T cell infiltration and myeloid cell populations, including M2 macrophages and mast cells. These data highlight important strain-specific phenotypes of genomically-matched MPNSTs that have implications for the design of future studies using similar in vivo gene editing approaches.

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