C57BL/6J小鼠实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎模型的建立及其病理特征

目的探讨C57BL/6J小鼠建立实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎（EAE）模型的可能性及其发病特点。方法使用PLP139-151抗原及其C57BL/6J小鼠自制脑脊髓匀浆（spinal cord homogenate,SCH）免疫C57BL/6J小鼠,使用完全福（氏）免疫佐剂为免疫佐剂,并在尾静脉注射百日咳杆菌,建立EAE模型,与经典的PLP139-151免疫的SJL/J小鼠EAE模型进行对比。结果PLP139-151免疫C57BL/6J小鼠仅有一只小鼠表现为尾部张力明显降低;自制SCH免疫C57BL/6J小鼠可见明显脱髓鞘改变。与PLP139-151免疫SJL/J小鼠组相比发病率较低（P〈0.05）,神经功能评分比较没有明显差异（P〉0.05）,但发病时间长于PLP139-151免疫SJL/J小鼠组（P〈0.05）。结论SCH免疫C57BL/6J小鼠的EAE动物模型,主要表现为急性单相病程,从临床表现和病理学特点来看符合人类MS的病理特点,值得在以后的研究中进一步研究探讨。     

碘酸钠诱导小鼠视网膜色素上皮变性模型的研究

目的:探讨股静脉注射不同剂量的碘酸钠后观察C57BL/6J小鼠视网膜色素上皮形态学及视网膜功能的变化。方法:选取30只6-8周龄C57BL/6J的雄性小鼠,随机分为正常对照组6只,实验1组(静脉注射碘酸钠10 mg/kg)6只,实验2组(静脉注射碘酸钠20 mg/kg)6只,实验3组(静脉注射碘酸钠35 mg/kg)6只,实验4组(静脉注射碘酸钠50 mg/kg);正常对照组注射同等剂量的生理盐水。实验组分别经股静脉注射碘酸钠10、20、35、50 mg/kg,于注射后1周行电生理检测,1周、2周行OCT检测。所有小鼠2周后摘除眼球制作冰冻切片以及RPE细胞平铺片进行HE染色、免疫荧光染色。结果:正常对照组小鼠视网膜各层排列整齐,各层之间分界清晰,外核层形态正常,RPE层细胞排列紧密。注射后1周,通过ERG可发现碘酸钠10 mg/kg组小鼠视锥细胞功能已出现损伤,但OCT显示视网膜形态正常;而20 mg/kg以及35 mg/kg小鼠除了视锥细胞功能出现损伤,视杆细胞的功能均降至对照组1/2;且视网膜外核层均出现异常高亮区,外层视网膜丧失分界清晰的结构。注射后2周,10 mg/kg组小鼠通过RPE细胞平铺片即可发现RPE细胞已出现轻微损伤。而20 mg/kg、35 mg/kg组小鼠通过OCT可发现外核层与对照组相比均明显变薄,视网膜出现退行性改变;且通过HE染色和RPE细胞平铺片以及冰冻切片,我们可以发现20 mg/kg、35 mg/kg小鼠外核层出现波浪状改变,单层RPE细胞的连续性被破坏,呈现剂量依赖性。结论:碘酸钠20 mg/kg组经静脉注射后,可以很好的模拟年龄相关性黄斑变性的发病过程,视网膜出现明显的形态和功能变化,为视网膜色素变性提供一个较好的小鼠动物模型。     

多次注射乌拉坦诱导的BALB/C及C57BL/6J小鼠肺癌模型的比较

目的探讨一种稳定的多次乌拉坦注射诱导小鼠肺癌模型的构建方法,比较BALB/C及C57BL/6J小鼠对该肺癌模型的敏感性。方法 10只BALB/C小鼠及10只C57BL/6J小鼠适应性饲养3周,随后每只小鼠分别被给予每周1次腹腔注射1 g/kg体重乌拉坦,连续注射10周,继续喂养15周后处死小鼠取肺组织。由3名不同的检测者在解剖显微镜下观察计数肺组织表面肿瘤数目并以直径记录肿瘤大小;HE染色检测肺组织病理变化。结果多次乌拉坦注射诱导的BALB/C及C57BL/6J小鼠肺癌发生率均为10/10(100%);BALB/C小鼠荷瘤数明显多于C57BL/6J小鼠(P0.01),同时,直径也大于C57BL/6J小鼠(P0.05);HE染色显示多次乌拉坦注射诱导的肺癌有非典型性腺瘤增生及腺瘤两种病变类型。结论 BALB/C和C57BL/6J小鼠均可以作为多次注射乌拉坦诱导性肺癌模型的动物,BALB/C小鼠对该肺癌模型的敏感性高于C57BL/6J小鼠。     

钙蛋白酶抑制蛋白转基因小鼠的构建和鉴定

目的：将人的钙蛋白酶抑制蛋白（ calpastatin, CAST）外源基因整合到C57BL/6J小鼠中,构建高表达CAST的转基因小鼠模型。方法利用Gateway技术构建pRP．EX3d-EF1A-CAST-IRES-eGFP载体,回收片段后通过显微注射法将目的基因片段注入到C57 BL/6 J小鼠受精卵中,将其胚胎移植至同期发情的假孕受体母鼠输卵管内获得子代小鼠。采用PCR方法鉴定出阳性的转基因小鼠,确定首建鼠,通过与C57BL/6J小鼠回交后互交数代建系。利用RT-PCR和Western blotting方法检测CAST基因和蛋白在各组织中的表达情况。结果将90枚注射受精卵移植到3只假孕鼠中,3只均怀孕,移植成功率100％,产下23只子鼠,经PCR鉴定得到2只转基因阳性首建鼠,阳性率为9％。子代小鼠进行RT-PCR检查显示,CAST基因在转基因小鼠的心、肝、脾、肺、肾、脑和骨骼肌中均有表达;Western blotting检查显示,CAST蛋白表达在转基因小鼠中显著高于同窝阴性小鼠。结论通过显微注射法成功构建CAST高表达的转基因小鼠,为进一步研究CAST奠定了良好的模型基础。     

GalR2基因的表达对小鼠抑郁症影响的初步探讨

目的 建立C57BL/6J小鼠抑郁症模型,探讨GalR2基因表达对小鼠抑郁症的影响.方法 脂质体转染重组真核表达质粒pEGFP-GalR2至人宫颈癌细胞系Hela细胞,Western blotting检测GalR2基因在细胞内的表达.参照CUMS和CORT建模方法构建小鼠抑郁症模型.侧脑室注射脂质体包裹的pEGFP-GalR2质粒,观察GalR2基因表达对小鼠抑郁症的影响.结果 通过Western blotting鉴定了GalR2基因获得表达.抑郁症模型小鼠体重增加量、摄食量、液体消耗实验中糖水消耗和糖水偏爱百分比均明显下降,纯水消耗显著提高;强迫游泳实验中挣扎时间和游泳时间缩短,不动时间延长.侧脑室注射pEGFP-GalR2后小鼠行为学改变未得到有统计学意义的结果.结论 成功鉴定了GalR2基因在细胞内的表达.成功构建C57BL/6J小鼠抑郁症模型.CORT模型造模效果要优于CUMS模型.GalR2蛋白对抑郁症的影响有待后续实验进一步探讨.     

不同方法建立C57BL/6J小鼠抑郁症模型的探讨

目的用不同方法建立C57BL/6J小鼠抑郁症模型,为探讨GalR蛋白对小鼠抑郁症的治疗作用打下基础。方法 C57BL/6J小鼠经体重、敞箱实验及反抗抓获实验初筛后,随机分为4组:Ⅰ.CUMS组,Ⅱ.CUMS+CORT组,Ⅲ.CORT组,Ⅳ.正常对照组。每天记录小鼠体重及摄食量。28d后进行液体消耗及强迫游泳实验测试。结果小鼠抑郁模型在第28d建立成功。Ⅱ组小鼠短期内体重迅速下降并死亡。与Ⅰ组小鼠相比,Ⅲ组小鼠液体消耗和强迫游泳实验指标改变更明显。结论成功建立C57BL/6J小鼠抑郁症模型。CUMS和CORT模型结合,小鼠不能耐受,短期内死亡。单独CORT模型造模效果要优于CUMS模型。在后续试验中,将用CORT法建立C57BL/6J小鼠抑郁症模型。     

动态观察姜黄素对APP/PS1双转基因小鼠尿液AD7C-NTP浓度的影响

目的通过动态检测小鼠尿液中AD7C-NTP的浓度变化,了解姜黄素在阿尔茨海默病治疗方面的作用。方法 3月龄APP/PS1双转基因小鼠35只,随机分为5组,每组7只,分别为模型组,阳性对照组(罗格列酮组),姜黄素大、中、小剂量组;另选用同月龄同背景的C57BL/6J小鼠7只作为正常对照组。以上6组连续灌胃3个月,分别于灌胃前、灌胃30d、灌胃60d和灌胃90d收集小鼠尿液,应用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测尿AD7C-NTP浓度的变化。结果不同时间点各组小鼠尿AD7C-NTP浓度的动态存在波动,各治疗组治疗2个月与治疗1个月相比,AD7C-NTP浓度均有所下降(P0.05,P0.01);同一时间点小鼠尿AD7C-NTP浓度组间比较:治疗2个月后,西药组,姜黄素大、小剂量组与模型组相比AD7C-NTP浓度有所下降(P0.05,P0.01)。结论姜黄素可降低AD模型小鼠尿液内AD7C-NTP浓度,延缓AD的进展。     

C57BL／6J-HBV转基因小鼠血清生化指标与性别年龄的关系

目的观察C57BL/6J-HBV乙型肝炎病毒转基因小鼠血清总胆红素（T-BIL）、丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、总蛋白（TP）和白蛋白（ALB）与性别和年龄的关系,以及与遗传背景相同的C57BL／6J小鼠的差异。方法选取8周龄和24周龄的C57BL／6J-HBV转基因小鼠及C57BL／6J小鼠的血清测定T-BIL、ALT、AST、TP和ALB值。结果C57BL／6J-HBV转基因小鼠与同周龄同性别的C57BL／6J小鼠相比,T-BIL、ALT、AST、TP和ALB均存在显著差异（P〈0．05）;24周龄的C57BL／6J-HBV转基因小鼠ALT和AST与其8周龄鼠相比均存在显著差异（P〈0．05）。结论C57BL／6J-HBV转基因小鼠T-BIL、ALT、AST、TP和ALB值显著高于C57BL／6J小鼠;且C57BL／6J-HBV转基因小鼠ALT和AST值与年龄有关,与性别无关。     

APP/PS1转基因老年性痴呆模型小鼠肠道甲醛浓度异常升高

【目的】肠道菌群通过"微生物-肠道-脑轴"影响中枢神经系统的功能,同时也与老年性痴呆的发生发展相关,特别是盲肠内微生物菌群的变化更为显著。肠道菌群可以产生和代谢甲醛,而肠道能够迅速吸收甲醛;体内甲醛含量与老年性痴呆病人的认知损害程度呈正相关。因此,本文比较了7月龄APP/PS1转基因老年性痴呆模型小鼠(简称APP/PS1转基因小鼠)与同月龄C57BL/6J野生型小鼠(简称C57BL/6J小鼠)肠道菌群产生甲醛的情况。【方法】取APP/PS1转基因小鼠(n=8)与C57BL/6J小鼠(n=9)的不同肠段(十二指肠、小肠、盲肠、结肠),采用2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazi zne(DNPH)显色偶联高效液相色谱(HPLC coupled with DNPH)测定肠道消化物和肠壁组织的甲醛。【结果】APP/PS1转基因小鼠盲肠消化物内的甲醛含量,较C57BL/6J小鼠存在显著升高(P=0.036);而两者小肠和结肠消化物甲醛含量无显著差别。在两种小鼠之间,小肠壁内甲醛存在差异(P=0.052),而盲肠和结肠壁甲醛含量无显著差异(P0.05)。【结论】肠道菌群是小鼠体内甲醛的主要来源之一,无论肠道消化物,还是肠道壁组织均为盲肠的甲醛含量最高。这些结果表明,APP/PS1转基因小鼠肠道菌群存在甲醛代谢失调,从而导致其肠道消化物的甲醛含量升高。     

基于体视显微镜观察两种鼠氟斑牙的形态变化

目的:通过对染氟大鼠和小鼠氟斑牙的观察,进一步确定氟斑牙作为慢性氟中毒的诊断指标的重要性。方法:通过不同浓度和不同时间的氟染毒,利用数码体视显微镜观察Wistar大鼠和C57BL/6J小鼠氟斑牙的形态变化。将Wistar大鼠随机分为4组,每组8只,共计32只,分笼饲养,C57BL/6J小鼠4组,每组12只,共计48只,分8笼饲养。对照组:蒸馏水组,实验组三组:氟化钠分别为50 mg/L组,100 mg/L组和150 mg/L组。在染氟至6个月时,应用在体视显微镜观察大鼠和小鼠牙齿的动态改变。结果:染氟组Wistar大鼠和C57BL/6J小鼠牙齿均出现规则的斑纹、白垩状、延迟断裂、缺损等症状。随着染氟时间的延长,C57BL/6J小鼠氟斑牙的损伤程度大于Wistar大鼠。在慢性氟中毒大鼠和小鼠的牙齿变化中发现,大鼠和小鼠的牙齿变化程度与种属有着密切的关系。结论:通过利用体视显微镜对Wistar大鼠和C57BL/6J小鼠染氟6个月进行氟斑牙的观察分析,为慢性氟中毒鼠模型提供氟斑牙的形态学的详实依据。并且,可根据研究需要适宜选择氟斑牙的动物模型。     

Reduced retinal function in amyloid precursor protein-over-expressing transgenic mice via attenuating glutamate-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor signaling

Here, we examined whether amyloid-beta (Abeta) protein participates in cell death and retinal function using three types of transgenic (Tg) mice in vivo [human mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) Tg (Tg 2576) mice, mutant presenilin-1 (PS-1) knock-in mice, and APP/PS-1 double Tg mice]. ELISA revealed that the insoluble form of Abeta(1-40) was markedly accumulated in the retinas of APP and APP/PS-1, but not PS-1 Tg, mice (vs. wild-type mice). In APP Tg and APP/PS-1 Tg mice, immunostaining revealed accumulations of intracellular Abeta(1-42) in retinal ganglion cells and in the inner and outer nuclear layers. APP Tg and APP/PS-1 Tg, but not PS-1 Tg, mice had less NMDA-induced retinal damage than wild-type mice, and the reduced damage in APP/PS-1 Tg mice was diminished by the pre-treatment of N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester, a gamma-secretase inhibitor. Furthermore, the number of TUNEL-positive cells was significantly less in ganglion cell layer of APP/PS-1 Tg mice than PS-1 Tg mice 24 h after NMDA injection. The phosphorylated form of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIalpha (CaMKIIalpha), but not total CaMKIIalpha or total NMDA receptor 1 (NR1) subunit, in total retinal extracts was decreased in non-treated retinas of APP/PS-1 Tg mice (vs. wild-type mice). CaMKIIalpha and NR2B proteins, but not NR1, in retinal membrane fraction were significantly decreased in APP/PS-1 Tg mice as compared with wild-type mice. The NMDA-induced increase in p-CaMKIIalpha in the retina was also lower in APP/PS-1 Tg mice than in wild-type mice. In electroretinogram and visual-evoked potential recordings, the implicit time to each peak from a light stimulus was prolonged in APP/PS-1 mice versus wild-type mice. Hence, Abeta may impair retinal function by reducing activation of NMDA-receptor signaling pathways.     

APP/PS1双转基因小鼠的繁育、鉴定及评价

目的：评价APP/PS1双转基因小鼠基因表达及认知行为能力的变化,为AD的相关研究提供有效的动物模型。方法：采用雄、雌鼠1：1合笼配对的方式,令APP/PS1双转基因小鼠自然交配进行繁育。PCR鉴定APP/PS1双转基因鼠仔鼠的基因型后,选择APP/PS1阳性小鼠作为模型（AD）组,同批APP/PS1阴性为对照（CT）组,每组8只小鼠。以Morris水迷宫实验检测仔鼠的空间学习记忆能力,以HE染色、刚果红染色观察仔鼠脑片组织病理学改变。结果：①APP/PS1双转基因鼠仔鼠基因经PCR扩增,出现约360 bp的目的基因条带,表明成功繁育出转入APP/PS1基因的仔鼠;②Morris水迷宫实验结果显示,与7月龄阴性小鼠（CT组）比较,同月龄的双转基因AD组小鼠的空间学习记忆能力明显降低（P<0.05）;③HE染色结果显示,AD组小鼠海马结构及细胞形态出现明显异常;刚果红染色结果显示,AD组小鼠脑片组织出现β淀粉样蛋白斑块沉积。结论：APP/PS1双转基因小鼠较好地模拟了AD的病理变化及行为学特征,可作为研究AD发病机制及开发AD防治药物的实验工具。     

Rhodopsin-iCre transgenic mouse line for Cre-mediated rod-specific gene targeting

Retinal photoreceptors are highly differentiated postmitotic neurons that transduce photons into electrical signals. While the functions of many photoreceptor-specific genes can be evaluated by direct gene targeting, here we facilitate the studies of nonphotoreceptor-specific genes in these cells by developing an Opsin-iCre transgenic mouse line, iCre-75, in which a 4-kb mouse rod opsin promoter drives the expression of bacteriophage P1 Cre recombinase. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that Cre recombinase is present exclusively in the outer nuclear layer of iCre75 mouse retina. Cre expression is found only in rods and not in cones. The expression level reached 188+/-44 ng per retina at postnatal day (pnd) 11 and increased to 687+/-56 ng at 2 months and older. Cre-mediated excision of floxed genomic DNA was absent at pnd 4, became detectable at pnd 7, and was completed by pnd 18. Retinal morphology and electroretinograms were normal in 8-month-old transgenic animals. The iCre-75 transgenic mice are thus suitable for future genetic studies of essential genes in retinal rod photoreceptors.     

Short-term environmental enrichment rescues adult neurogenesis and memory deficits in APP(Sw,Ind) transgenic mice

Epidemiological studies indicate that intellectual activity prevents or delays the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Similarly, cognitive stimulation using environmental enrichment (EE), which increases adult neurogenesis and functional integration of newborn neurons into neural circuits of the hippocampus, protects against memory decline in transgenic mouse models of AD, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. To study the therapeutic benefits of cognitive stimulation in AD we examined the effects of EE in hippocampal neurogenesis and memory in a transgenic mouse model of AD expressing the human mutant β-amyloid (Aβ) precursor protein (APP(Sw,Ind)). By using molecular markers of new generated neurons (bromodeoxiuridine, NeuN and doublecortin), we found reduced neurogenesis and decreased dendritic length and projections of doublecortin-expressing cells of the dentate gyrus in young APP(Sw,Ind) transgenic mice. Moreover, we detected a lower number of mature neurons (NeuN positive) in the granular cell layer and a reduced volume of the dentate gyrus that could be due to a sustained decrease in the incorporation of new generated neurons. We found that short-term EE for 7 weeks efficiently ameliorates early hippocampal-dependent spatial learning and memory deficits in APP(Sw,Ind) transgenic mice. The cognitive benefits of enrichment in APP(Sw,Ind) transgenic mice were associated with increased number, dendritic length and projections to the CA3 region of the most mature adult newborn neurons. By contrast, Aβ levels and the total number of neurons in the dentate gyrus were unchanged by EE in APP(Sw,Ind) mice. These results suggest that promoting the survival and maturation of adult generated newborn neurons in the hippocampus may contribute to cognitive benefits in AD mouse models.     

Unusual retinal layer organization in HPC-1/syntaxin 1A knockout mice

HPC-1/syntaxin 1A (STX1A) is abundantly expressed in neurons. STX1A is believed to regulate exocytosis in synaptic vesicles. In our recent studies, STX1A knockout (KO) mice showed normal development, and basal synaptic transmission in cultured hippocampal neurons appeared to be normal. However, behavioral abnormalities were observed in STX1A KO mice. In the normal rodent retina, the STX1A protein is expressed in two synaptic layers (plexiform layers). Here, to evaluate the effects of the loss of STX1A on retinal structure, we examined the retinal layer structure in STX1A KO mice using hematoxylin staining and immunostaining. We found that the general layer structures in the retina were preserved in all genotypes. However, the outer plexiform layer (OPL) was significantly thicker in KO and heterozygous mutant (HT) mice compared with that in wild-type (WT) mice. No significant differences were observed in the thicknesses of the other layers. Immunostaining for protein kinase C α showed that the alignment of rod bipolar cell bodies in the inner nuclear layer (INL) was slightly disrupted in HT and KO retinas. Furthermore, the dendrites of these cells in the OPL of KO mice were sparse, compared to those in WT mice. Our results show that STX1A KO mice have increased thickness of the OPL and changes in the morphology of the INL that may contribute to the change in OPL thickness. We suggest that STX1A may play a role in the structural formation of the INL and OPL in the retina.     

Connexin 40 expression in bovine and rat retinas

Retinal neurons are extensively coupled through gap junction intercellular channels, but few connexin subtypes have been identified in mammalian retinal neurons. Based on previous findings that retinal gap junctional coupling is modulated by both dopamine and nitric oxide, presumably through connexin phosphorylation, we examined whether the connexin phosphoprotein subtype, connexin 40 (Cx40), was expressed in mammalian retinas. Immunostaining of rat and bovine retinas using Cx40-specific antibodies from two independent sources showed punctate staining between cells in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and a sublayer of cells within the inner nuclear layer (INL). In addition, sparse punctate staining was detected in the ganglion cell/axon fiber layers (GCL/AFL). No punctate staining was observed in the outer (OS) or inner segment (IS) layers, and rarely in the outer plexiform layer (OPL) or inner plexiform layer (IPL). Double immunostaining of bovine retinas with antibodies to G(o), which stains bipolar cells, and to Cx40, showed little overlap, suggesting these bipolar cells do not express Cx40. Western blot analysis of alkaline-extracted bovine retinal membranes revealed Cx40 immunopositive bands of about 40 kD (monomer) and 80 kD (dimer). In both locations (monomer and dimer), the bands appeared as doublets, and their immunoreactivity was abolished when the antibody was pre-adsorbed with immunogenic Cx40 peptide. The doublet at 40 kD co-migrated with an immunopositive doublet present in heart membranes. Treatment with alkaline phosphatase altered the banding pattern of Cx40. The results suggest that the connexin phosphoprotein subtype, Cx40, is expressed within the neural layers of the mammalian retina.     

London/Swedish双突变APP转基因小鼠的鉴定

鉴定及评价APP双突变阿尔茨海默病的转基因小鼠模型。方法将London/Swedish双突变APP基因插入到PDGF启动子下游,构建转基因表达载体,通过显微注射法建立APP695^V652I/K596N/M597L双突变转基因C57BL/6J小鼠。PCR鉴定APP695双突变转基因小鼠的基因表型,RT-PCR和Western blotting检测APP突变基因表达,免疫组化检测APP695双突变转基因小鼠大脑病理改变。水迷宫检测APP695^V652I/K596N/M597L转基因小鼠的行为学改变。结果建立了2个品系的人APP695^V652I/K596N/M597L转基因小鼠。抗Aβ1-17免疫组织化学显示APP695双突变转基因小鼠海马区阳性细胞数较APP695^V652I单突变转基因小鼠,及野生小鼠阳性细胞数明显增多,胞膜着色明显加深。双突变转基因小鼠在5月龄时可检测到老年斑。行为学检测显示APP695^V652I/K596N/M597L双突变转基因小鼠学习记忆能力比APP695^V652I单突变转基因小鼠有明显下降。结论APP695^V652I/K596N/M597L转基因小鼠较APP695^V652I转基因小鼠更早出现老年斑及学习认知能力障碍。成功建立了人APP695^V652I/K596N/M597L转基因小鼠阿尔茨海默病模型,为研究阿尔茨海默病发病机制和药物研发提供了有价值的动物模型。     

Decreasing intraocular pressure significantly improves retinal vessel density,cytoarchitecture and visual function in rodent oxygen induced retinopathy

We attempted to explore a noninvasive, easily applicable and economically affordable therapy for retinopathy of prematurity(ROP). Rat pups were raised in 80% oxygen from postnatal day 7 to P12, and returned to room air. Travoprost eye drops were administered twice a day for 7 days, to reduce intraocular pressure(IOP) by about 20%. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to visualize vessel endothelial cells, to analyze retinal neurons and cytoarchitecture. Behavioral experiments were carried out to test visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. At the end of the 7-day treatment, the number of vessels extending to the vitreous body was significantly reduced and retinal vessel density increased. This improvement was maintained to the end of the12 th week. In the central retina of the model group, the horizontal cells were completely wiped out, the outer plexiform layer was undetectable, and the rod bipolar cell dendrites sprouted into the outer nuclear layer. The treatment partially reverted these architectural changes. Most importantly, behavioral experiments revealed significantly improved visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in the treated group. Therefore, reducing IOP could potentially serve as a safe and economical measure to treat ROP.     

Expression in brain of amyloid precursor protein mutated in the alpha-secretase site causes disturbed behavior, neuronal degeneration and premature death in transgenic mice.

A double mutation in the alpha-secretase site in the betaA4 region of mouse amyloid precursor protein (APP) reduced its secretion from COS cells, polarized MDCK cells and rat primary neurons. Expression of this mutant in the brain of mice, using the neuron-specific elements of the mouse Thy-1 gene promoter, resulted in transgenic mice that became progressively hyperactive, displayed seizures and died prematurely. In three different transgenic lines the severity of the phenotype was related directly to the expression levels of the transgene, estimated by both mRNA and protein levels. In addition, homozygous mice derived from each transgenic strain showed more severe symptoms which also occurred earlier in life than in heterozygotes. The observed symptoms were, however, not essentially different in the different lines. Increased aggressiveness, disturbed responses to kainic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartate, neophobia and deficiency in exploratory behavior were demonstrated in these mice. In the brain, the observed neuropathological changes included necrosis, apoptosis and astrogliosis in the hippocampus, cortex and other areas. The data demonstrate that incomplete or incorrect alpha-secretase processing of APP results in severe neurotoxicity and that this effect is expressed in a dominant manner.