Deterioration of atherosclerosis in mice lacking angiotensin II type 1A receptor in bone marrow-derived cells

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) modulates end-organ damages, resulting in cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Experiments both in vitro and in vivo demonstrate that the angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) receptor pathway also exerts pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic effects on bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs). Here, we investigated how AT1 receptor expression by BMDCs contributes to atherosclerosis and kidney injury in vivo by transplanting BM into RAS-activated transgenic mice. There was no difference in the extent of kidney damage between mice receiving BM transplants from mutant mice lacking the angiotensin II type 1a receptor (AT1a) gene and mice receiving transplants from wild-type (WT) mice. However, mice receiving transplants from AT1a 'knockout' (KO) mice displayed accelerated lethality and atherosclerotic lesions. These results indicated that the effects of AT1a receptor on BMDCs are organ dependent. Microarray expression profiling of macrophages from AT1a-KO mice revealed significant changes in the mRNA levels for a number of genes implicated in atherosclerosis. In accordance with the in vivo atherosclerosis results, AT1a-KO macrophages exhibited greater uptake of modified lipoproteins relative to macrophages from WT mice. We propose that the expression of AT1a receptor by BMDCs limits atherosclerosis in vivo.     

Aggression in male mice lacking functional estrogen receptor alpha

Estrogen receptor alpha knockout (ERaKO) male mice fail to display sexual behavior. The authors hypothesized that ERalphaKOs require higher testosterone (T) concentrations than wild-type (WT) males to exhibit copulatory behavior. Increasing T stimulated sexual behavior and preference for females in WT males but failed to do so in ERalphaKOs. However, T did induce female-directed aggression in ERaKOs. In aggression tests, WT residents selectively attacked T-treated male intruders. ERaKO residents attacked female, T-treated male, and estrogen-treated male intruders equally. Increased access to olfactory cues prior to direct contact reduced overall aggression in ERalphaKO versus WT males but did not cause ERalphaKOs to differentially attack male and female opponents. Results suggest that ERalpha is essential for normal social behavior, perhaps via processing of chemoinvestigatory cues, which are required to discriminate males from females.     

Low expression of the interleukin (IL)-4 receptor alpha chain and reduced signalling via the IL-4 receptor complex in human neonatal B cells

Diminished neonatal antibody responses following infection or immunization may stem in part from intrinsic characteristics of neonatal B cells. In this study, we used B‐cell subset sorting combined with gene expression assays to investigate major differences in the expression of host genes in neonatal and adult naïve B cells. We discovered significantly reduced expression of the interleukin (IL)‐4 receptor alpha chain and reduced IL‐4‐induced signalling in neonatal B cells. Neonatal naïve B cells were susceptible to more rapid and more profound levels of apoptosis when cultured in vitro. They also exhibited a limited response to IL‐4 treatment compared with adult cells. The expression level of the IL‐13 receptor alpha 1 chain, a key component of the IL‐13 receptor/IL‐4 type II receptor, and the response to IL‐13 treatment for protection against apoptosis in neonatal B cells were similar to those of the adult B cells. These studies suggest a possible mechanism underlying the limited magnitude and durability of neonatal antibody responses.     

Laminin alpha1 chain reduces muscular dystrophy in laminin alpha2 chain deficient mice

Laminin (LN) alpha2 chain deficiency in humans and mice leads to severe forms of congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). Here, we investigated whether LNalpha1 chain in mice can compensate for the absence of LNalpha2 chain and prevent the development of muscular dystrophy. We generated mice expressing a LNalpha1 chain transgene in skeletal muscle of LNalpha2 chain deficient mice. LNalpha1 is not normally expressed in muscle, but the transgenically produced LNalpha1 chain was incorporated into muscle basement membranes, and normalized the compensatory changes of expression of certain other laminin chains (alpha4, beta2). In 4-month-old mice, LNalpha1 chain could fully prevent the development of muscular dystrophy in several muscles, and partially in others. The LNalpha1 chain transgene not only reversed the appearance of histopathological features of the disease to a remarkable degree, but also greatly improved health and longevity of the mice. Correction of LNalpha2 chain deficiency by LNalpha1 chain may serve as a paradigm for gene therapy of CMD in patients.     

Prolongation of hippocampal miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in mice lacking the GABA(A) receptor alpha1 subunit

GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)-Rs) are pentameric structures consisting of two alpha, two beta, and one gamma subunit. The alpha subunit influences agonist efficacy, benzodiazepine pharmacology, and kinetics of activation/deactivation. To investigate the contribution of the alpha1 subunit to native GABA(A)-Rs, we analyzed miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) in CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells and interneurons from wild-type (WT) and alpha1 subunit knock-out (alpha1 KO) mice. mIPSCs recorded from interneurons and pyramidal cells obtained from alpha1 KO mice were detected less frequently, were smaller in amplitude, and decayed more slowly than mIPSCs recorded in neurons from WT mice. The effect of zolpidem was examined in view of its reported selectivity for receptors containing the alpha1 subunit. In interneurons and pyramidal cells from WT mice, zolpidem significantly increased mIPSC frequency, prolonged mIPSC decay, and increased mIPSC amplitude; those effects were diminished or absent in neurons from alpha1 KO mice. Nonstationary fluctuation analysis of mIPSCs indicated that the zolpidem-induced increase in mIPSC amplitude was associated with an increase in the number of open receptors rather than a change in the unitary conductance of individual channels. These data indicate that the alpha1 subunit is present at synapses on WT interneurons and pyramidal cells, although differences in mIPSC decay times and zolpidem sensitivity suggest that the degree to which the alpha1 subunit is functionally expressed at synapses on CA1 interneurons may be greater than that at synapses on CA1 pyramidal cells.     

Insulin hypersensitivity in mice lacking the V1b vasopressin receptor

We have reported that [Arg⁸]-vasopressin-stimulated insulin release is blunted in islet cells isolated from V1b receptor-deficient ( V1bR ^−/−) mice. In this study, we used V1bR ^−/− mice to examine the physiological role of the V1b receptor in regulating blood glucose levels in vivo , and we found that the fasting plasma glucose, insulin and glucagon levels were lower in V1bR ^−/− mice than in wild-type ( V1bR ^+/+) mice. Next, we evaluated glucose tolerance by performing an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (GTT). The plasma glucose and insulin levels during the GTT were lower in V1bR ^−/− mice than in V1bR ^+/+ mice. An insulin tolerance test (ITT) revealed that, after insulin administration, plasma glucose levels were lower in V1bR ^−/− mice than in V1bR ^+/+ mice. In addition, a hyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic clamp study showed that the glucose infusion rate was increased in V1bR ^−/− mice, indicating that insulin sensitivity was enhanced at the in vivo level in V1bR ^−/− mice. Furthermore, we found that the V1b receptor was expressed in white adipose tissue and that insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt as an important signaling molecule was increased in adipocytes isolated from V1bR ^−/− mice. Thus, the blockade of the V1b receptor could result, at least in part, in enhanced insulin sensitivity by altering insulin signalling in adipocytes.     

IL-10RA基因多态性及其与系统性红斑狼疮关系的研究

目的:确定SLE模型小鼠IL-10RA基因变异及其与SLE表现型是否存在关联。方法:用微卫星遗传标记及数量性状位点(QTL)分析方法确定SLE模型小鼠B/W F1的SLE易感基因精确染色体定位并选取候选易感基因,对候选易感基因进行测序分析,选取有基因序列异常的候选易感基因进行PCR-SSCP分析,确定候选易感基因碱基序列变异位点与抗染色质抗体、抗DNA抗体,抗组蛋白抗体及蛋白尿等SLE表现型的相关关系。结果:QTL分析结果表明B/W F1×NZB小鼠抗染色质抗体易感基因与NZW型IL-10RA基因紧密连锁;测序分析发现IL-10RA基因编码区有18处碱基变异,其中7处碱基变异将导致编码氨基酸的变异;抗染色质抗体、抗DNA抗体,抗组蛋白抗体及蛋白尿等SLE表现型与NZW型IL-10RA基因密切相关。另一种SLE模型小鼠MRL的IL-10RA基因存在相同变异。结论:NZW小鼠IL-10RA基因编码区碱基序列存在变异,B/W F1×NZB小鼠SLE表现型与NZW小鼠第9染色体IL-10RA编码区碱基变异相关,提示IL-10RA可能是SLE模型小鼠的一个SLE易感基因。     

Altered urinary bladder function in mice lacking the vanilloid receptor TRPV1

In the urinary bladder, the capsaicin-gated ion channel TRPV1 is expressed both within afferent nerve terminals and within the epithelial cells that line the bladder lumen. To determine the significance of this expression pattern, we analyzed bladder function in mice lacking TRPV1. Compared with wild-type littermates, trpv1(-/-) mice had a higher frequency of low-amplitude, non-voiding bladder contractions. This alteration was accompanied by reductions in both spinal cord signaling and reflex voiding during bladder filling (under anesthesia). In vitro, stretch-evoked ATP release and membrane capacitance changes were diminished in bladders excised from trpv1(-/-) mice, as was hypoosmolality-evoked ATP release from cultured trpv1(-/-) urothelial cells. These findings indicate that TRPV1 participates in normal bladder function and is essential for normal mechanically evoked purinergic signaling by the urothelium.     

Long-term potentiation and long-term depression in hippocampal CA1 neurons of mice lacking the IP(3) type 1 receptor

To investigate the role in synaptic plasticity of Ca(2+) released from intracellular Ca(2+) stores, mice lacking the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate type 1 receptor were developed and the physiological properties, long-term potentiation, and long-term depression of their hippocampal CA1 neurons were examined. There were no significant differences in basic synaptic functions, such as membrane properties and the input/output relationship, between homozygote mutant and wild-type mice. Enhanced paired-pulse facilitation at interpulse intervals of less than 60 ms and enhanced post-tetanic potentiation were observed in the mutant mice, suggesting that the presynaptic mechanism was altered by the absence of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate type 1 receptor. Long-term potentiation in the field-excitatory postsynaptic potentials induced by tetanus (100 Hz, 1 s) and the excitatory postsynaptic currents induced by paired stimulation in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons under whole-cell clamp conditions were significantly greater in mutant mice than in wild-type mice. Homosynaptic long-term depression of CA1 synaptic responses induced by low-frequency stimulation (1 Hz, 500 pulses) was not significantly different, but heterosynaptic depression of the non-associated pathway induced by tetanus was blocked in the mutant mice. Both long-term potentiation and long-term depression in mutant mice were completely dependent on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activity. To rule out the possibility of an effect compensating for the lack of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate type 1 receptor occurring during development, an anti-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate type 1 receptor monoclonal antibody that blocks receptor function was diffused into the wild-type cell through a patch pipette, and the effect of acute block of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate type 1 receptor on long-term potentiation was examined. Significant enhancement of long-term potentiation was observed compared with after control immunoglobulin G injection, suggesting that developmental redundancy was not responsible for the increase in long-term potentiation amplitude observed in the mutant mouse. The properties of channels that could be involved in long-term potentiation induction were examined using whole-cell recording. N-methyl-D-aspartate currents were significantly larger in mutant mice than in wild-type mice only between holding potentials of -60 and -80 mV. We conclude that inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate type 1 receptor activity is not essential for the induction of synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA1 neurons, but appears to negatively regulate long-term potentiation induction by mild modulation of channel activities.     

Albuminuria and glomerular damage in mice lacking the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1

The metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor 1 (GRM1) has been shown to play an important role in neuronal cells by triggering, through calcium release from intracellular stores, various signaling pathways that finally modulate neuron excitability, synaptic plasticity, and mechanisms of feedback regulation of neurotransmitter release. Herein, we show that Grm1 is expressed in glomerular podocytes and that a glomerular phenotype is exhibited by Grm1(crv4) mice carrying a spontaneous recessive inactivating mutation of the gene. Homozygous Grm1(crv4/crv4) and, to a lesser extent, heterozygous mice show albuminuria, podocyte foot process effacement, and reduced levels of nephrin and other proteins known to contribute to the maintenance of podocyte cell structure. Overall, the present data extend the role of mGlu1 receptor to the glomerular filtration barrier. The regulatory action of mGlu1 receptor in dendritic spine morphology and in the control of glutamate release is well acknowledged in neuronal cells. Analogously, we speculate that mGlu1 receptor may regulate foot process morphology and intercellular signaling in the podocyte.     

Enhanced tumor development in mice lacking a functional type I interferon receptor.

The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of endogenous - that is, without the addition of any interferon (IFN) inducer - type I IFN production in the defense against tumor development. To this purpose, the IFN-alpha receptor (IFNAR) knockout (KO)-induced mutation, resulting in the complete absence of IFN-alpha/beta activity, was introduced into a C3H genetic background by 10 backcross generations, followed by brother-sister matings for at least four generations. The resulting mice were inoculated either with syngeneic C3H melanoma K1735 cells, with allogeneic 3LL carcinoma cells, or with allogeneic B16F10 melanoma cells. With all three tumor cell lines, tumor development and ensuing mortality were enhanced in the IFNAR KO animals. This indicates that endogenous IFN-alpha/beta production is a mediator of natural immunity to tumor development.     

Unaltered pain-related behavior in mice lacking NMDA receptor GluRepsilon 1 subunit

Noxious afferent input following tissue damage and inflammation triggers a state of neuronal hyperexcitability-a phenomenon of central sensitization-which manifests behaviorally as allodynia and hyperalgesia. At the molecular level, maintenance of central sensitization is largely dependent on the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activation. NMDARs are composed of GluRzeta1 (NR1) and one of four GluRepsilon (NR2) subunits, which determine the functional properties of native NMDARs. Although there is accumulating evidence to implicate GluRepsilon 2-containing NMDARs in pain mechanisms, the functional significance of GluRepsilon 1-containing NMDARs in this setting has not been examined in detail. Here, we used hind paw injection of formalin, complete Freund's adjuvant and a nerve injury model to investigate the effects of GluRepsilon 1 subunit gene deletion on pain-related behavior in mice. In all of the models tested, GluRepsilon 1-deficient mice exhibited responses similar to wild-type controls. These results suggest that GluRepsilon 1 disruption does not result in altered nociceptive behavior in mice. Although the contribution of other nociceptive pathways cannot be ruled out, we speculate that the preserved function of GluRepsilon 2-containing NMDARs could explain unaltered nociceptive behavior in mutant mice.     

Role of the T cell receptor alpha chain in stabilizing TCR-superantigen-MHC class II complexes

Superantigens (SAGs) activate T cells by simultaneously binding the Vbeta domain of the TCR and MHC class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells. The preferential expression of certain Valpha regions among SAG-reactive T cells has suggested that the TCR alpha chain may modulate the level of activation through an interaction with MHC. We demonstrate that the TCR alpha chain is required for maximum stabilization of the TCR-SAG-MHC complex and that the alpha chain increases the half-life of the complex to match those of TCR-peptide/MHC complexes. The site on the TCR alpha chain responsible for these effects is CDR2. Thus, the overall stability of the TCR-SAG-MHC complex is determined by the combination of three distinct interactions: TCR-SAG, SAG-MHC, and MHC-TCR.     

Sleep and its homeostatic regulation in mice lacking the adenosine A1 receptor

Sleep deprivation (SD) increases extracellular adenosine levels in the basal forebrain, and pharmacological manipulations that increase extracellular adenosine in the same area promote sleep. As pharmacological evidence indicates that the effect is mediated through adenosine A1 receptors (A1R), we expected A1R knockout (KO) mice to have reduced rebound sleep after SD. Male homozygous A1R KO mice, wild-type (WT) mice, and heterozygotes (HET) from a mixed 129/C57BL background were implanted during anesthesia with electrodes for electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG). After 1 week of recovery, they were allowed to adapt to recording leads for 2 weeks. EEG and EMG were recorded continuously. All genotypes had a pronounced diurnal sleep/wake rhythm after 2 weeks of adaptation. We then analyzed 24 h of baseline recording, 6 h of SD starting at light onset, and 42 h of recovery recording. Neither rapid eye movement sleep (REM sleep) nor non-REM sleep (NREMS) amounts differed significantly between the groups. SD for 6 h induced a strong NREMS rebound in all three groups. NREMS time and accumulated EEG delta power were equal in WT, HET and KO. Systemic administration of the selective A1R antagonist 8-cyclopentyltheophylline (8-CPT) inhibited sleep for 30 min in WT, whereas saline and 8-CPT both inhibited sleep in KO. We conclude that constitutional lack of adenosine A1R does not prevent the homeostatic regulation of sleep.