Sex Hormone–Dependent Lipid Mediator Formation in Male and Female Mice During Peritonitis

Introduction: Sex differences in inflammation are obvious and contribute to divergences in the incidence and severity of inflammation-related diseases that frequently preponderate in women. Lipid mediators (LMs), mainly produced by lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), regulate all stages of inflammation. Experimental and clinical studies revealed sex divergences for selected LM pathways without covering the entire LM spectrum, and only few studies have addressed the respective role of sex hormones. Here, we performed the comprehensive LM profile analysis with inflammatory peritoneal exudates and plasma from male and female mice in zymosan-induced peritonitis to identify the potential sex differences in LM biosynthesis during the inflammatory response. We also addressed the impact of sex hormones by employing gonadectomy.Methods: Adult male and female CD1 mice received intraperitoneal injection of zymosan to induce peritonitis, a well-established experimental model of acute, self-resolving inflammation. Mice were gonadectomized 5 weeks prior to peritonitis induction. Peritoneal exudates and plasma were taken at 4 (peak of inflammation) and 24 h (onset of resolution) post zymosan and subjected to UPLC–MS-MS–based LM signature profiling; exudates were analyzed for LM biosynthetic proteins by Western blot; and plasma was analyzed for cytokines by ELISA.Results: Pro-inflammatory COX and 5-LOX products predominated in the peritoneum of males at 4 and 24 h post-zymosan, respectively, with slightly higher 12/15-LOX products in males after 24 h. Amounts of COX-2, 5-LOX/FLAP, and 15-LOX-1 were similar in exudates of males and females. In plasma of males, only moderate elevation of these LMs was apparent. At 4 h post-zymosan, gonadectomy strongly elevated 12/15-LOX products in the exudates of males, while in females, free PUFA and LOX products were rather impaired. In plasma, gonadectomy impaired most LMs in both sexes at 4 h with rather up-regulatory effects at 24 h. Finally, elevated 15-LOX-1 protein was evident in exudates of males at 24 h which was impaired by orchiectomy without the striking impact of gonadectomy on other enzymes in both sexes.Conclusions: Our results reveal obvious sex differences and roles of sex hormones in LM biosynthetic networks in acute self-resolving inflammation in mice, with several preponderances in males that appear under the control of androgens.

Collagen/Chitosan Gels Cross-Linked with Genipin for Wound Healing in Mice with Induced Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus continues to be one of the most common diseases often associated with diabetic ulcers. Chitosan is an attractive biopolymer for wound healing due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, mucoadhesiveness, low toxicity, and hemostatic effect. A panel of hydrogels based on chitosan, collagen, and silver nanoparticels were produced to treat diabetic wounds. The antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity, swelling, rheological properties, and longitudinal sections of hydrogels were studied. The ability of the gels for wound healing was studied in CD1 mice with alloxan-induced diabetes. Application of the gels resulted in an increase in VEGF, TGF-b1, IL-1b, and TIMP1 gene expression and earlier wound closure in a comparison with control untreated wounds. All gels increased collagen deposition, hair follicle repair, and sebaceous glands formation. The results of these tests show that the obtained hydrogels have good mechanical properties and biological activity and have potential applications in the field of wound healing. However, clinical studies are required to compare the efficacy of the gels as animal models do not reproduce full diabetes pathology.

Anatomy of an extensively drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae outbreak in Tuscany, Italy

A protracted outbreak of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)–producing carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae started in Tuscany, Italy, in November 2018 and continued in 2020 and through 2021. To understand the regional emergence and transmission dynamics over time, we collected and sequenced the genomes of 117 extensively drug-resistant, NDM-producing K. pneumoniae isolates cultured over a 20-mo period from 76 patients at several healthcare facilities in southeast Tuscany. All isolates belonged to high-risk clone ST-147 and were typically nonsusceptible to all first-line antibiotics. Albeit sporadic, resistances to colistin, tigecycline, and fosfomycin were also observed as a result of repeated, independent mutations. Genomic analysis revealed that ST-147 isolates circulating in Tuscany were monophyletic and highly genetically related (including a network of 42 patients from the same hospital and sharing nearly identical isolates), and shared a recent ancestor with clinical isolates from the Middle East. While the blaNDM-1 gene was carried by an IncFIB-type plasmid, our investigations revealed that the ST-147 lineage from Italy also acquired a hybrid IncFIB/IncHIB–type plasmid carrying the 16S methyltransferase armA gene as well as key virulence biomarkers often found in hypervirulent isolates. This plasmid shared extensive homologies with mosaic plasmids circulating globally including from ST-11 and ST-307 convergent lineages. Phenotypically, the carriage of this hybrid plasmid resulted in increased siderophore production but did not confer virulence to the level of an archetypical, hypervirulent K. pneumoniae in a subcutaneous model of infection with immunocompetent CD1 mice. Our findings highlight the importance of performing genomic surveillance to identify emerging threats.

Caracterización de un modelo murino de enterocolitis necrotizante

Introducción: La enterocolitis necrotizante (ECN) es la patología gastrointestinal de las más comunes y devastadoras en recién nacido con muy bajo peso al nacer (rango entre 500-1500g) y se caracteriza por inflamación y necrosis intestinal. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron desarrollar un modelo murino de ECN así como un modelo de sobreexpresión de proteínas en el intestino mediante la administración enteral mediante sonda de vectores lentivirales. Métodos: Para el modelo de ECN se utilizaron cepas de ratón C57BL6 y CD1 a los cuales se les trató por 6 veces cada dos horas con una dosis de anoxia con CO2 al 100% durante 10 o 7.5 minutos seguida una reoxigenación mediante hiperoxia al 95% por 5 minutos. Además, para activar el sistema inmune se administró LPS en las primeras dos dosis. Para la sobreexpresión de prolactina (PRL) en el intestino se administraron vectores lentivirales que sobreexpresan GFP (como control) o PRL por vía enteral a ratones CD1 en edades postnatales P2 y P3. Posteriormente se analizó la presencia de GFP y prolactina de las muestras de intestino mediante visualización por microscopia de fluorescencia y Western blot, respectivamente. Resultados: Se obtuvo una mortalidad del 45% y una eficiencia de desarrollo de ECN entre los animales vivos del 100% en ratones CD1 de edad postnatal P1, en contraste con la mortalidad de 85% y la eficiencia de desarrollo de ECN entre los animales vivos del 0% en ratones C57Bl6 de P1. En relación al modelo de sobreexpresión de proteínas en el intestino, se detectó GFP en el intestino de ratones administrados con 106 TU/ml vectores lentivirales para la sobreexpresión de GFP en el día P2 y evaluados 24 horas después. No se observó la sobreexpresión de PRL en el intestino de ratones administrados con 106 y 108 TU/ml vectores lentivirales para la sobreexpresión de PRL en los días P2 y P3 y evaluados 48 horas después. Conclusión: El modelo de ECN en ratones CD1 de P1 tuvo una efectividad del 100% a pesar de una mortalidad elevada. Además, se logró estandarizar el método para la sobreexpresión de proteínas en el intestino de ratones en P2 24 horas después de la administración de vectores lentivirales por la via enteral. La determinación de sobreexpresión de PRL en el intestino no fue conclusiva. Background: Necrotizating enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most common and devastating gastrointestinal disease in newborns with very low weight birth (range among 500 -1500 g). NEC is characterized by intestinal inflammation and necrosis. Our aims of this study were to develop a NEC murine model and a intestinal protein expression model by means of enteral administration of lentiviral vectors. Method: For the NEC model were used C57BL6 and CD1 mice which were treated with anoxia with 100% CO2 for 10 or 7.5 minutes followed by 95% O2 for 5 minutes. This treatment was repeated six times with a 2 hours interval. Moreover, to activate the immune system, LPS was administrated orally in the first two doses. For the overexpression of prolactin (PRL) in the intestine, lentiviral vectors that overexpress GFP (as a control) or PRL were administered by orally to CD1 mice at postnatal ages P2 and P3. Then, the presence of GFP and prolactin in the intestine samples was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and Western blot, respectively. Result: Mortality of 45% and a NEC development efficiency of 100% was obtained among live animals in CD1 mice of P1 postnatal age, in contrast to the mortality of 85% and development efficiency of 0% among live animals in C57BL6 mice of P1 age. In relation to the protein overexpression model in the intestine, GFP was detected in the mice gut administrated with 106 lentiviral vectors for the GFP overexpression on P2 evaluated 24 hours later. PRL overexpression was not observed in mice that received on day P1 postnatal 106 and 108 TU/ml of lentiviral vectors for the overexpression of PRL and evaluated on days P2 and P3. Conclusion: NEC model had an effectiveness of 100% in CD1 mice of 1 day of life, despite the high mortality. Moreover, a method for protein overexpression in the intestine was standardized. Lenviral vectors were orally administered 24 hours after birth and the expression of the protein was detected 24 hours later. Prolactin overexpression determination was not conclusive.

Energizing effects of bupropion on effortful behaviors in mice under positive and negative test conditions: modulation of DARPP-32 phosphorylation patterns

Motivational symptoms such as anergia, fatigue, and reduced exertion of effort are seen in depressed people. To model this, nucleus accumbens (Nacb) dopamine (DA) depletions are used to induce a low-effort bias in rodents tested on effort-based decision-making. We evaluated the effect of the catecholamine uptake blocker bupropion on its own, and after administration of tetrabenazine (TBZ), which blocks vesicular storage, depletes DA, and induces depressive symptoms in humans. Male CD1 mice were tested on a 3-choice-T-maze task that assessed preference between a reinforcer involving voluntary physical activity (running wheel, RW) vs. sedentary activities (sweet food pellet intake or a neutral non-social odor). Mice also were tested on the forced swim test (FST), two anxiety-related measures (dark–light box (DL), and elevated plus maze (EPM)). Expression of phosphorylated DARPP-32 (Thr34 and Thr75) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry as a marker of DA-related signal transduction. Bupropion increased selection of RW activity on the T-maze. TBZ reduced time running, but increased time-consuming sucrose, indicating an induction of a low-effort bias, but not an effect on primary sucrose motivation. In the FST, bupropion reduced immobility, increasing swimming and climbing, and TBZ produced the opposite effects. Bupropion reversed the effects of TBZ on the T-maze and the FST, and also on pDARPP32-Thr34 expression in Nacb core. None of these manipulations affected anxiety-related parameters. Thus, bupropion improved active behaviors, which were negatively motivated in the FST, and active behaviors that were positively motivated in the T-maze task, which has implications for using catecholamine uptake inhibitors for treating anergia and fatigue-like symptoms.

Cell Differentiation and Replication during Postnatal Development of the Murine First Molar

Various signaling molecular pathways are involved in odontogenesis to promote cellular replication and differentiation. Tooth formation is controlled mainly by epithelial–mesenchymal interactions. The aim of this work was to investigate how cellular replication and differentiation ensue during the formation of the murine first molar in postnatal ages until eruption, focusing on morphogenesis, odontoblast differentiation and cellular replication. Wild-type CD1 mice were examined from birth to weaning. Morphogenesis and interaction between developing epithelial and mesenchymal tissues were evaluated in hematoxylin–eosin and Gomori trichome stained sections. Immunohistochemistry for nestin, which mediates the differentiation of odontoblasts, especially their polarization and elongation, showed that this intermediate filament was apparent already at postnatal day P1 in the apical region of odontoblasts and progressed apically from cusp tips, while it was not present in epithelial tissues. The expression of nuclear antigen Ki-67 highlighted dividing cells in both epithelial and mesenchymal tissues at P1, while one week later they were restricted to the cementoenamel junction, guiding root elongation. The link between odontoblast maturation and cellular replication in the different tooth tissues is essential to understand the development of tooth shape and dimension, to outline mechanisms of tooth morphogenesis and possibly eruption.

CD-1 Outbred Mice Produce Less Variable Ultrasonic Vocalizations Than FVB Inbred Mice, While Displaying a Similar Developmental Trajectory

The production of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in neonatal mice is a critical means of communication that is used to elicit maternal care. Alterations in neonatal USV production is also an indicator of neurological deficits. However, USVs have been predominately assessed in inbred animals and are significantly understudied in outbred mice, even though outbred animals better represent the genetic diversity of humans and are used in several neurological disorder models. To determine the reproducibility of USVs across models, we compared male and female CD-1 (outbred) and FVB (inbred) mice on postnatal days (PD) 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20. We found that CD-1 and FVB mice displayed a similar developmental trajectory of USVs. However, CD1 mice emitted more USVs on PD 12 than FVB mice. In addition, FVB mice emitted a longer duration of calls on PD 4 and 8 and a higher overall maximum and minimum frequency of USVs than CD-1 mice. No differences in mean amplitude were found between groups. We also detected numerous significant differences between outbred and inbred mice when comparing each group's call composition. We next assessed the relative variability of mouse vocalizations between groups, finding that outbred mice were less variable than inbred mice. For the spectral and temporal characteristics of the USVs, variability was similar between groups. Altogether, we found that CD-1 outbred mice display a similar, if not lower, degree of variability than FVB inbred mice when assessing neonatal USVs.

Impact of Fluoxetine on Behavioral Invigoration of Appetitive and Aversively Motivated Responses: Interaction With Dopamine Depletion

Impaired behavioral activation and effort-related motivational dysfunctions like fatigue and anergia are debilitating treatment-resistant symptoms of depression. Depressed people show a bias towards the selection of low effort activities. To determine if the broadly used antidepressant fluoxetine can improve behavioral activation and reverse dopamine (DA) depletion-induced anergia, male CD1 mice were evaluated for vigorous escape behaviors in an aversive context (forced swim test, FST), and also with an exercise preference choice task [running wheel (RW)-T-maze choice task]. In the FST, fluoxetine increased active behaviors (swimming, climbing) while reducing passive ones (immobility). However, fluoxetine was not effective at reducing anergia induced by the DA-depleting agent tetrabenazine, further decreasing vigorous climbing and increasing immobility. In the T-maze, fluoxetine alone produced the same pattern of effects as tetrabenazine. Moreover, fluoxetine did not reverse tetrabenazine-induced suppression of RW time but it reduced sucrose intake duration. This pattern of effects produced by fluoxetine in DA-depleted mice was dissimilar from devaluing food reinforcement by pre-feeding or making the food bitter since in both cases sucrose intake time was reduced but animals compensated by increasing time in the RW. Thus, fluoxetine improved escape in an aversive context but decreased relative preference for active reinforcement. Moreover, fluoxetine did not reverse the anergic effects of DA depletion. These results have implications for the use of fluoxetine for treating motivational symptoms such as anergia in depressed patients.