Chad W. Schmiedt, Bianca N. Lourenço, Lauren E. Markovic, Meghan Lancaster, Sanjeev Gumber, Juliane Wannemacher, Peter Florian, Amanda E. Coleman
{"title":"Description of unilateral kidney embolism and contralateral nephrectomy as a less invasive remnant kidney model in cats; a proof-of-concept study","authors":"Chad W. Schmiedt, Bianca N. Lourenço, Lauren E. Markovic, Meghan Lancaster, Sanjeev Gumber, Juliane Wannemacher, Peter Florian, Amanda E. Coleman","doi":"10.1002/ame2.70001","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ame2.70001","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Refined models of kidney disease are critical to better understand disease processes and study novel treatments while minimizing discomfort in research animals. The objective of this study was to report a technique for minimally invasive partial kidney embolism in cats and describe outcomes following transcatheter administration of embolic microspheres with subsequent contralateral nephrectomy.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Eleven, apparently healthy, male, purpose-bred cats underwent unilateral kidney embolism with 0.25 or 0.5 mL of embolic microparticle (40–120 μm) suspension (0.2 mL microspheres/mL) delivered into the right renal artery under fluoroscopic guidance, followed 5 months later by contralateral nephrectomy. One month after nephrectomy, blood and urinary markers of kidney function were evaluated, and embolized kidneys were harvested for histopathology evaluation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Renal artery embolization was possible in all cats. Two cats did not complete the study, one after experiencing congestive heart failure (<i>n</i> = 1) and the other following evidence of complete kidney embolism precluding nephrectomy (<i>n</i> = 1) post-embolization. At study end, compared to baseline, cats had significant increases in median (range) serum creatinine (159.1 μmol/L [141.4–530.4] versus 128.2 μmol/L [92.8–150.3]; <i>p</i> = 0.0004), urea nitrogen (15.71 mmol/L [9.29–47.85] versus 7.50 mmol/L [6.07–8.57]; <i>p</i> < 0.0001), and symmetric dimethylarginine (0.74 μmol/L [0.59–3.12] versus 0.67 μmol/L [0.54–0.72]; <i>p</i> = 0.0288) concentrations. No differences in markers of kidney function were documented between dose groups.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Minimally invasive kidney embolism is a promising technique for modeling kidney disease in cats. Understanding optimal dose, timing of nephrectomy, and longer-term consequences requires additional work.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":93869,"journal":{"name":"Animal models and experimental medicine","volume":"8 5","pages":"886-895"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ame2.70001","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143434571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sarp Uzun, Özge Özcan, Ayşenur Gök, Aynur Işık, Sinem Bakır, Ayşen Günel-Özcan, İlyas Onbaşılar, Aytekin Akyol
{"title":"A new CRISPR-mediated Apc knockout allele leads to pyloric gland adenoma-like gastric polyps in mice with C57BL/6;FVB/N mixed background","authors":"Sarp Uzun, Özge Özcan, Ayşenur Gök, Aynur Işık, Sinem Bakır, Ayşen Günel-Özcan, İlyas Onbaşılar, Aytekin Akyol","doi":"10.1002/ame2.70002","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ame2.70002","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Adenomatous polyposis coli (<i>APC</i>) mutations are the most frequently identified genetic alteration in sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) cases, and a myriad of genetically engineered <i>Apc</i>-mutant CRC mouse models have been developed using various genetic manipulation techniques. The advent of the CRISPR/Cas9 system has revolutionized the field of genetic engineering and facilitated the development of new genetically engineered mouse models. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel <i>Apc</i> knockout allele using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and evaluate the phenotypic effects of this new allele in two different mouse strains. For this purpose, exon 16 of mouse <i>Apc</i> gene was targeted with a single-guide RNA, and the mouse carrying an <i>Apc</i> frameshift mutation at codon 750 (Δ750) was chosen as the founder. The mutant FVB-<i>Apc</i><sup>Δ750</sup> mice were backcrossed with wild-type C57BL/6 mice, and the phenotypic effects of the knockout allele were evaluated in F8-FVB-<i>Apc</i><sup>Δ750</sup>, F4-B6;FVB-<i>Apc</i><sup>Δ750</sup>, and F1-B6;FVB-<i>Apc</i><sup>Δ750</sup> by a macroscopic and microscopic examination of the gastrointestinal system. The result showed that the mean polyp number was significantly higher in F4-BL6;FVB-<i>Apc</i><sup>Δ750</sup> than in F8-FVB-<i>Apc</i><sup>Δ750</sup>. Intestinal polyposis was more prominent in F4-BL6;FVB-<i>Apc</i><sup>Δ750</sup>, whereas a higher number of colon polyps than intestinal polyps were observed in F8-FVB-<i>Apc</i><sup>Δ750</sup>. Additionally, F1-BL6;FVB-<i>Apc</i><sup>Δ750</sup> mixed background mice developed gastric polyps that morphologically resembled the pyloric gland adenoma of humans. In conclusion, we developed a novel CRISPR-mediated <i>Apc</i> knockout allele using two mouse strains. We showed that this allele can exert a strain-specific effect on the phenotype of mice and can cause gastric polyp formation.</p>","PeriodicalId":93869,"journal":{"name":"Animal models and experimental medicine","volume":"8 5","pages":"922-929"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ame2.70002","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143434568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aneesh Syal, Maria Martell, Rakesh Sikdar, Matthew Dietz, Zachary Ziegert, Cyrus Jahansouz, Mikael H. Elias, Christopher Staley
{"title":"Quorum quenching enzymes disrupt bacterial communication in a sex- and dose-dependent manner","authors":"Aneesh Syal, Maria Martell, Rakesh Sikdar, Matthew Dietz, Zachary Ziegert, Cyrus Jahansouz, Mikael H. Elias, Christopher Staley","doi":"10.1002/ame2.12520","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ame2.12520","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Over the past 50 years, the incidence of obesity has gradually increased, necessitating investigation into the multifactorial contributors to this disease, including the gut microbiota. Bacteria within the human gut microbiome communicate using a density-dependent process known as quorum sensing (QS), in which autoinducer (AI) molecules (e.g., <i>N-</i>acyl-homoserine lactones [AHLs]) are produced to enable bacterial interactions and regulate gene expression.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We aimed to disrupt QS using quorum quenching (QQ) lactonases GcL and SsoPox, which cleave AHL signaling molecules in a taxa-specific manner based on differing enzyme affinities for different substrates. We hypothesized that QQ hinders signals from obesity-associated pathobionts, thereby slowing or preventing obesity.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In a murine model of diet-induced obesity, we observed GcL and SsoPox treatments have separate sex-dependent and dose-dependent effects on intestinal community composition and diversity. Notably, male mice given 2 mg/mL SsoPox exhibited significant changes in the relative abundances of gram-negative taxa, including Porphyromonadaceae, Akkermansiaceae, Muribaculaceae, and Bacteroidales (Kruskal–Wallis <i>p</i> < 0.001). Additionally, we used covariance matrix network analysis to model bacterial taxa co-occurrence due to QQ enzyme administration. There were more associations among taxa in control mice, particularly among gram-negative bacteria, whereas mice receiving SsoPox had the fewest associations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Overall, our study establishes proof of concept that QQ is a targetable strategy for microbial control in vivo. Further characterization and dosage optimization of QQ enzymes are necessary to harness their therapeutic capability for the treatment of chronic microbial-associated diseases.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":93869,"journal":{"name":"Animal models and experimental medicine","volume":"8 3","pages":"473-482"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ame2.12520","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143416555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"circNR3C2 promotes chondrogenic differentiation and cartilage repair of human adipose-derived stem cells via the hsa-miR-647/SOX9 pathway.","authors":"Dabiao Hou, Huajun Wang, Hao Guo, Dongbin Luo, Xiaofei Zheng, Simin Luo","doi":"10.1002/ame2.12561","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ame2.12561","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are seed cells with application prospects in cartilage repair. However, the mechanism of hADSC chondrogenic differentiation is still unclear. This study identifies a novel circRNA, circNR3C2, which is significantly upregulated during the chondrogenic differentiation of hADSCs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To analyze their role in hADSC chondrogenic differentiation, hADSCs were separated and identified by flow cytometry. Thereafter, we conducted Alcian Blue staining to assess chondrogenic differentiation levels. Additionally, RT-qPCR was carried out to detect levels of the cartilage-related genes COL2, Aggrecan and SOX9. Moreover, overlapping target SOX9 and circNR3C2 miRNAs were detected by bioinformatics and luciferase analyses. Finally, the role of circNR3C2 was confirmed in vivo using animal models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We confirmed that the cell surface receptors CD44, CD90 and CD105 were positively expressed on hADSCs, and their cartilage differentiation levels dramatically increased after 2 weeks. Expression of the cartilage-related genes COL2 and Aggrecan and circNR3C2 also markedly increased. CircNR3C2 overexpression enhanced cartilage differentiation of hADSCs, while up-regulating COL2, SOX9 and Aggrecan. Bioinformatics analysis identified hsa-miR-647 as the target miRNA of circNR3C2 and SOX9. Hsa-miR-647 overexpression in hADSCs can antagonize the effect of circNR3C2 on chondrogenic differentiation, and reverse its effect on regulating the expression of COL2, Aggrecan, and SOX9. We also showed that hADSCs overexpressing circNR3C2 promote cartilage repair in vivo.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We show that circNR3C2 modulates SOX9 expression to promote hsa-miR-647-mediated hADSC chondrogenic differentiation; targeting circNR3C2 may help to develop new treatments to manage cartilage-related disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":93869,"journal":{"name":"Animal models and experimental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143416481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Yunweiling alleviates functional constipation: integrating network pharmacology and experimental study.","authors":"Peng Zhang, Wei Li, Weiwen Zheng, Jinwen Liu, Nuonan She, Xia Chen, Weibo Wen","doi":"10.1002/ame2.12567","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ame2.12567","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study investigated the impacts and mechanisms of yunweiling in the management of Functional Constipation (FC) using network pharmacology and experimental research.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Genecard, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) databases, a potential gene target for yunweiling in treating FC was found. A pharmacological network was built and viewed in Cytoscape. A protein interaction map was created with STRING and Cytoscape. 'clusterProfiler' helped uncover its mechanism. Molecular docking was done with AutoDock Vina. In a constipation mouse model, Western blot was used to assess yunweiling's effectiveness.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>To investigate yunweiling's therapeutic effects on FC, we employed a loperamide-induced constipation model. Successful model establishment was confirmed by first black stool time, reduced stool output, and impaired gastrointestinal motility. Yunweiling treatment, especially at high and medium doses, significantly alleviated constipation symptoms by reducing first black stool time, increasing stool output, and enhancing gastrointestinal motility. HE staining revealed yunweiling's ability to restore colon tissue structure. Yunweiling modulated the expression of key proteins TP53, P-AKT, P-PI3K, RET, and Rai, implicating its involvement in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Comparative analysis showed yunweiling to be more effective than its individual components (shionone, β-sitosterol, and daucosterol) in improving constipation. The combination of yunweiling with TP53 and PI3K-Akt inhibitors further enhanced its therapeutic effects, suggesting a synergistic mechanism.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The integration of network pharmacology and experimental investigations indicated the effectiveness of yunweiling in managing FC, offering essential theoretical support for clinical application.</p>","PeriodicalId":93869,"journal":{"name":"Animal models and experimental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143392676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mingfeng Li, Xinghan Wu, Lin Jiang, Min Liu, Gong Yanju, Xiaomeng Li, Fan Tian, Fan Ye, Jinlong Wang, Siyuan Wang, Chuan Qin, Ling Zhang
{"title":"Exploring the co-morbid relationship between Alzheimer's disease and lung cancer in the 5xFAD transgenic mouse model","authors":"Mingfeng Li, Xinghan Wu, Lin Jiang, Min Liu, Gong Yanju, Xiaomeng Li, Fan Tian, Fan Ye, Jinlong Wang, Siyuan Wang, Chuan Qin, Ling Zhang","doi":"10.1002/ame2.12527","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ame2.12527","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Alzheimer's disease (AD) and lung cancer are leading causes of mortality among the older population. Epidemiological evidence suggests an antagonistic relationship between them, whereby patients with AD exhibit a reduced risk of developing cancer and vice versa. However, the precise mechanism by which AD antagonizes lung cancer progression warrants further elucidation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To this end, we established a co-morbidity model using 5xFAD transgenic mice induced with the carcinogen urethane. We visualized and quantified surface lung tumor colonies, assessed pathological parameters associated with lung cancer and AD using histopathological analysis, and employed single-cell sequencing and molecular pathological analyses to explore the mechanisms by which AD confers resistance to lung cancer.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our findings revealed a significant reduction in lung tumor incidence in the AD group compared with that in the wild-type (WT) group. The results indicated a close association between AD-induced inhibition of lung tumor progression and iron homeostasis imbalance and increased oxidative stress. Moreover, greater CD8<sup>+</sup> T cytotoxic lymphocyte and effector natural killer cell infiltration in the lung tumor tissues of AD mice and enhanced CD8<sup>+</sup> T cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated killing of target cells may be the primary factors contributing to the inhibition of lung tumor growth in the presence of AD.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study identified essential mechanisms through which AD suppresses lung tumorigenesis, thereby providing targets for potential therapeutic interventions in these diseases.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":93869,"journal":{"name":"Animal models and experimental medicine","volume":"8 5","pages":"784-797"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ame2.12527","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143392674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effects of pregnancy on neuron electrophysiology in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and basolateral amygdala of mouse brain","authors":"Xuefan Bin, Huijuan Luo","doi":"10.1002/ame2.12574","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ame2.12574","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Pregnancy affects learning and memory in women. Thus, to investigate the effects of pregnancy, the authors examined the brain electrophysiology of pregnant mice.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique on isolated brain slices, we detected and compared the electrophysiological changes in the hippocampal CA1 (HIP CA1) region, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and basolateral amygdala (BLA) among 15 pregnant and 15 nonpregnant mice.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In pregnant mice, there was a trend toward an increase in the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) (<i>p</i> = 0.092) and a trend toward a decrease in the amplitude of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSC) (<i>p</i> = 0.071) in the HIP CA1. In the BLA, both the amplitudes of mEPSCs and mIPSCs were significantly reduced (<i>p</i> = 0.004 and 0.042, respectively). In the mPFC, the amplitudes of mEPSCs and hyperpolarization-activated currents (Ih), as well as the frequencies of mIPSCs, were higher compared to nonpregnant mice (<i>p</i> = 0.035, 0.009, and 0.038, respectively).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In pregnant mice, the electrophysiological change in neurons in the mPFC and BLA might contribute to the cognitive and emotional changes during pregnancy. A trend toward electrophysiological change in the HIP CA1 revealed that the mechanism of cognitive change during pregnancy might differ from that of other conditions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":93869,"journal":{"name":"Animal models and experimental medicine","volume":"8 5","pages":"864-873"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ame2.12574","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143384197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hui Zhong, Meiru Jiang, Kun Yuan, Fang Sheng, Xiuyun Xu, Yong Cui, Xijia Sun, Wenfei Tan
{"title":"Alterations in gut microbiota and metabolites contribute to postoperative sleep disturbances","authors":"Hui Zhong, Meiru Jiang, Kun Yuan, Fang Sheng, Xiuyun Xu, Yong Cui, Xijia Sun, Wenfei Tan","doi":"10.1002/ame2.12557","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ame2.12557","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The composition of the intestinal flora and the resulting metabolites affect patients' sleep after surgery.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We intended to elucidate the mechanisms by which disordered intestinal flora modulate the pathophysiology of postoperative sleep disturbances in hosts. In this study, we explored the impacts of anesthesia, surgery, and postoperative sleep duration on the fecal microbiota and metabolites of individuals classified postprocedurally as poor sleepers (PS) and good sleepers (GS), as diagnosed by the bispectral index. We also performed fecal microbiota transplantation in pseudo-germ-free (PGF) rats and applied Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and gut permeability analyses to identify the potential mechanism of its effect.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Research finding shows the PS group had significantly higher postoperative stool levels of the metabolites tryptophan and kynurenine than the GS group. PGF rats that received gut microbiota from PSs exhibited less rapid eye movement (REM) sleep than those that received GS microbiota (GS-PGF: 11.4% ± 1.6%, PS-PGF: 4.8% ± 2.0%, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Measurement of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) levels in the stool, serum, and prefrontal cortex (PFC) indicated that altered 5-HTP levels, including reduced levels in the PFC, caused sleep loss in PGF rats transplanted with PS gut flora. Through the brain–gut axis, the inactivity of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) and TPH2 in the colon and PFC, respectively, caused a loss of REM sleep in PGF rats and decreased the 5-HTP level in the PFC.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These findings indicate that postoperative gut dysbiosis and defective 5-HTP metabolism may cause postoperative sleep disturbances. Clinicians and sleep researchers may gain new insights from this study.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":93869,"journal":{"name":"Animal models and experimental medicine","volume":"8 6","pages":"977-989"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ame2.12557","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143384196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Iqbal M. Lone, Osayd Zohud, Kareem Midlej, Charles Brenner, Fuad A. Iraqi
{"title":"System genetic analysis of intestinal cancer and periodontitis development as influenced by aging and diabesity using Collaborative Cross mice","authors":"Iqbal M. Lone, Osayd Zohud, Kareem Midlej, Charles Brenner, Fuad A. Iraqi","doi":"10.1002/ame2.12568","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ame2.12568","url":null,"abstract":"<p>It is increasingly recognized that young, chow-fed inbred mice poorly model the complexity of human carcinogenesis. In humans, age and adiposity are major risk factors for malignancies, but most genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) induce carcinogenesis too rapidly to study these influences. Standard strains, such as C57BL/6, commonly used in GEMMs, further limit the exploration of aging and metabolic health effects. A similar challenge arises in modeling periodontitis, a disease influenced by aging, diabesity, and genetic architecture. We propose using diverse mouse populations with hybrid vigor, such as the Collaborative Cross (CC) × <i>Apc</i><sup><i>Min</i></sup> hybrid, to slow disease progression and better model human colorectal cancer (CRC) and comorbidities. This perspective highlights the advantages of this model, where delayed carcinogenesis reveals interactions with aging and adiposity. Unlike <i>Apc</i><sup><i>Min</i></sup> mice, which develop cancer rapidly, CC × <i>Apc</i><sup><i>Min</i></sup> hybrids recapitulate human-like progression. This facilitates the identification of modifier loci affecting inflammation, diet susceptibility, organ size, and polyposis distribution. The CC × <i>Apc</i><sup><i>Min</i></sup> model offers a transformative platform for studying CRC as a disease of adulthood, reflecting its complex interplay with aging and comorbidities. The insights gained from this approach will enhance early detection, management, and treatment strategies for CRC and related conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":93869,"journal":{"name":"Animal models and experimental medicine","volume":"8 4","pages":"758-770"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ame2.12568","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143374765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A murine model of aortic regurgitation generated by trans-apical wire destruction of the aortic valve","authors":"Xiaoxia Huang, Qiancheng Wang, Dan Han, Hairuo Lin, Zhihong Li, Cankun Zheng, Jianping Bin, Wangjun Liao, Zhanchun Cong, Mengjia Shen, Yulin Liao","doi":"10.1002/ame2.12558","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ame2.12558","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The mechanisms underlying cardiac remodeling in aortic valvular (AoV) disease remain poorly understood, partially due to the insufficiency of appropriate preclinical animal models. Here, we present a novel murine model of aortic regurgitation (AR) generated by trans-apical wire destruction of the AoV.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Directed by echocardiography, apical puncture of the left ventricle (LV) was performed in adult male C57BL/6 mice, and a metal guidewire was used to induce AoV destruction. Echocardiography, invasive LV hemodynamic and histological examination were conducted to assess the degree of AR, LV function and remodeling.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>AR mice exhibited rapid aortic regurgitation velocity (424 ± 15.22 mm/s) immediately following successful surgery. Four weeks post-surgery, echocardiography revealed a 54.6% increase in LV diastolic diameter and a 55.1% decrease in LV ejection fraction in AR mice compared to sham mice. Pressure-volume catheterization indicated that AR mice had significantly larger LV end-diastolic volumes (66.2 ± 1.5 μL vs. 41.8 ± 3.4 μL), reduced LV contractility (lower dP/dt<sub>max</sub> and Ees), and diminished LV compliance (smaller dP/dt<sub>min</sub> and longer Tau) compared to sham mice. Histological examination demonstrated that AR mice had significantly larger cardiomyocyte area and more myocardial fibrosis in LV tissue, as well as a 107% and a 122% increase of heart weight/tibial length and lung weight/tibial length, respectively, relative to sham mice.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The trans-apex wire-induced destruction of the AoV establishes a novel and efficient murine model to develop AR, characterized by significant eccentric LV hypertrophy, heart failure, and pulmonary congestion.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":93869,"journal":{"name":"Animal models and experimental medicine","volume":"8 3","pages":"493-500"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ame2.12558","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143375118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}