PM2.5鼻腔滴注致小鼠海马组织损伤的炎性机制

目的: 探讨鼻腔滴注不同浓度的PM_2.5对小鼠海马组织损伤的炎性机制。方法: 30只C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为3组(n=10):对照组、低剂量组、高剂量组。采用鼻腔滴注方法进行染毒,每次染毒前测量体重,低剂量组和高剂量组PM_2.5染毒剂量分别为1.5 mg/kg BW和7.5 mg/kg BW,对照组给予等体积的生理盐水,隔天染毒一次,共12次。用ELISA法测定血清中肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白介素-1β(IL-1β)和白介素-6(IL-6)水平。HE染色和电镜观察肺和海马组织的病理变化及超微结构。用抗体芯片技术测定海马组织炎性细胞因子水平。结果: PM_2.5鼻腔滴注染毒对小鼠血清中TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6水平无显著影响(P＞0.05),肺组织结构也无明显病理改变。而在海马组织中,低剂量和高剂量PM_2.5暴露均能导致海马CA3区神经元排列紊乱,并存在神经元细胞周围突触数量减少,小血管周围水肿等超微结构变化。利用抗体芯片检测海马组织炎性细胞因子表达变化,结果显示,与对照组比较,低剂量组海马组织中CX3CL1、CSF2和TECK等炎性细胞因子水平显著升高(P＜0.05),而MIG和sTNFR1显著降低(P＜0.05);高剂量组中炎性因子CX3CL1、CSF2和TCA-3等显著升高(P＜0.05),而Leptin、MIG和FASLG等显著降低(P＜0.05)。结论: PM_2.5鼻腔滴注可诱导小鼠海马组织结构损伤,其作用途径可能为嗅脑通路,引起海马损伤的炎性机制可能与TNF-α和IL-6等促炎因子的显著升高和sTNFR1 、FASLG等炎性疾病标志物的显著降低有关。     

抗阻运动对胰岛素抵抗小鼠海马内焦亡相关蛋白的影响*

目的: 探讨胰岛素抵抗小鼠海马内焦亡相关蛋白的变化,以及抗阻训练对海马内焦亡相关蛋白的调节作用。方法: 6周龄C57BL/6J雄性小鼠随机分为对照组(C, n=12)和高脂膳食组(HFD, n=26)分别进行普通膳食或高脂膳食喂养12周。随后根据葡萄糖耐量实验(GTT)和胰岛素耐量实验(ITT)的结果,将HFD组分为胰岛素抵抗组(IR, n=10)和抗阻运动组(RT, n=10),维持高脂膳食喂养同时RT组小鼠进行抗阻训练。12周后,全部小鼠麻醉后处死,取脑并剥离出海马组织,通过Western blot检测焦亡相关蛋白的表达。结果: 与C组相比,IR组小鼠海马内NF-κB、NLRP3炎症小体、下游焦亡相关蛋白GSDMD-N和GSDMD以及炎症因子IL-1β和IL-18的蛋白表达量显著性上升(P＜0.05),SIRT1蛋白表达量以及p-AMPK蛋白水平显著性下降(P＜0.05);与IR组相比,RT组小鼠海马内NF-κB、NLRP3炎症小体、下游焦亡相关蛋白GSDMD-N和GSDMD以及炎症因子IL-1β和IL-18的蛋白表达量显著性下降(P＜0.05),SIRT1蛋白表达量以及p-AMPK蛋白水平显著性上升(P＜0.01)。结论: 胰岛素抵抗小鼠海马内NLRP3炎症小体被激活,介导海马内发生细胞焦亡;经过12周的抗阻运动可有效抑制NLRP3炎症小体激活,改善海马内细胞焦亡和炎症状态。     

腹腔一次注射法构建百草枯致小鼠肺间质纤维化模型

目的建立一种简便易行的百草枯(PQ)致肺间质纤维化动物模型。方法 33只C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为实验组(30只)和对照组(3只)。实验组腹腔一次性注射PQ 10 mg/kg,并于染毒后第2、5、7、14、28天处死小鼠,对照组腹腔注射生理盐水并于第28天处死。观察两组小鼠的一般情况、肺组织大体结构和肺组织病理学改变。结果实验组小鼠在染毒后2 h即出现中毒性改变,肺组织在第28天出现了明显的纤维化改变。结论腹腔一次性注射PQ能简便、可靠的构建出肺纤维化动物模型,可用于进一步研究PQ中毒所致的肺间质纤维化发病机制和治疗方法。     

PTK2B与Aβ、Tau和LRP-1在APP/PS1小鼠海马组织和血液中的表达随月龄变化的分析*

目的: 探讨阿尔茨海默病(AD)转基因动物模型脑组织中ptk2b基因及其表达产物PTK2B蛋白随着月龄的变化规律,及其与血液和脑组织中Aβ_1-42、Tau蛋白磷酸化和LRP-1含量的关系。方法: 设5月龄、10月龄、15月龄的APP/PS1转基因小鼠3个实验组,和同月龄的C57BL/6J小鼠3个对照组,共计6组,每组各8只。用Morris水迷宫检测各组小鼠的认知行为学能力,免疫组织化学、Western blot或ELISA检测小鼠海马组织或血液中PTK2B、Aβ_1-42、p-Tau /Tau和LRP-1的表达,qRT-PCR检测海马ptk2b mRNA的表达。结果: 各实验组结果显示,APP/PS1转基因小鼠随着月龄的增长海马组织中PTK2B、ptk2b mRNA和Aβ_1-42、p-Tau/Tau的表达均呈现逐渐增加,而血液中的Aβ_1-42则逐渐降低;海马组织中LRP-1表达也逐渐下调,同时,小鼠的认知行为学功能则表现为时间依赖性降低(P均＜0.05)。各对照组之间比较,除海马组织中LRP-1随着年龄增加而降低(P＜0.05)以外其余指标均没有明显差异(P＞0.05)。结论: APP/PS1转基因小鼠海马组织中PTK2B、Aβ_1-42、p-Tau/Tau的表达上调和LRP-1下调,与其认知功能降低均呈现时间依赖性变化。     

C57BL/6小鼠PD-1基因敲除后炎症与心房电重构的关系研究

目的:研究C57BL/6小鼠在PD-1基因敲除后体内炎症升高对房颤发病易感性的影响。方法:对两组动物进行了观察:C57BL/6小鼠和C57BL/6-PD-1基因敲除小鼠(各组均为15只,雄性,6-8周龄)。应用流式细胞仪微球芯片捕获技术对比了实验组与对照组的血清炎性细胞因子表达水平,应用多导电生理记录仪检测了实验组与对照组心房有效不应期和有效不应期离散度。结果:和对照组相比较,C57BL/6-PD-1-/-小鼠血清炎性细胞因子水平明显升高,C57BL/6-PD-1-/-小鼠心房肌有效不应期较对照组减低,而有效不应期离散度则明显升高。结论:PD-1基因敲除后出现的机体内炎性细胞因子水平的升高导致了C57BL/6小鼠的心房电重构,并由此使得C57BL/6-PD-1-/-小鼠心房纤颤发病易感性升高。     

α-荼异硫氰酸酯诱导小鼠胆汁淤积性肝纤维化及其炎症通路*

目的: 探讨α-荼异硫氰酸酯(ANIT)诱导的胆汁淤积性肝纤维化的发展及其炎症通路。方法: 将15只体重为(23±2) g的129/Sv小鼠随机分为对照组(n=5)和实验组(n=10)。对照组常规饲料喂养,实验组小鼠给予0.05% ANIT饲料食饲。实验组分别在14 d和28 d各处死5只小鼠,收集胆囊、血清、肝脏等标本。按试剂盒程序检测胆汁淤积生化指标,组织病理学评估肝细胞损伤程度,Q-PCR和WB分析肝纤维化、炎症反应等水平。结果: 与对照组相比,造模第2周ANIT -14 d组(A-D14)中的主要胆汁淤积指标总胆汁酸(TBA)从(3.2±0.9) μmol/L显著增加至(31.6±4.3) μmol/L,肝损伤指标谷草转氨酶(AST)和谷丙转氨酶(ALT)也显著升高(P＜0.05);纤维化因子金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子1(TIMP-1)、单核细胞趋化因子(MCP-1)、I型胶原蛋白(Collagen I)表达高于对照组(P＜0.05);Collagen I和α-SMA纤维化蛋白表达均上调;肝脏胶原纤维大量沉积,纤维化已产生(P＜0.05)。炎症因子表达高于对照组,JNK、c-Jun、STAT3等均被激活(P＜0.05)。ANIT-28 d组(A-D28)中除AST、基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP-2),Collagen I指标稍有降低外,其余胆汁淤积、肝损伤、肝纤维化、炎症等指标继续上调或保持稳定(P＜ 0.05)。结论: 0.05%的ANIT饲料干预14 d,小鼠即发生明显的胆汁淤积性肝纤维化;28 d后,胆汁淤积性肝纤维化趋于稳定;JNK炎症通路在肝纤维化的发生发展中起着至关重要的作用。     

腹主动脉缩窄小鼠心脏结构和功能的动态变化*

目的: 探讨腹主动脉缩窄小鼠在向心衰发展的过程中心脏结构和功能的动态变化。方法: 健康雄性昆明小鼠,随机分为模型组、假手术组和对照组。模型组采用腹主动脉缩窄的方法制备慢性心力衰竭小鼠模型,假手术组只分离出腹主动脉但不结扎,对照组不做任何处理。模型组组内分为2周组、4周组、6周组和8周组,每组10只。观察各组小鼠行为学表现、心电图、超声心动图和心肌组织病理学的变化。结果: 模型组与对照组相比:模型组小鼠术后2周开始出现行为学改变并且仅有2周组小鼠出现IVSS降低(P＜0.05);术后4周开始出现病理性J波、EF降低(P＜0.05)、IVSD增加(P＜0.05)和心肌损伤;术后6周开始出现LVPWD和LVPWS增加(P＜0.05);术后8周开始出现LV mass corrected增加(P＜0.05)。各组小鼠心率、R幅值、T幅值、ST段、PR间期、QT间期、QTc等数据差异均无显著性。结论: 腹主动脉缩窄导致小鼠出现心衰的过程中出现了EF降低、室间隔肥厚、病理性J波、左室后壁肥厚以及左室质量增加等变化。     

黄芪多糖对咪喹莫特诱导小鼠银屑病样皮炎的干预作用及其机制*

目的: 探讨黄芪多糖对咪喹莫特诱导的小鼠银屑病样皮炎的干预作用及其机制。方法: 40只健康雌性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组、黄芪多糖高剂量组(200 mg/kg)、中剂量组(100 mg/kg)和低剂量组(50 mg/kg),共5组,每组8只,利用5%咪喹莫特乳膏涂抹小鼠背部制备银屑病样皮炎模型,监测各组小鼠PASI评分,并采用ELISA测定小鼠炎症因子分泌的变化,通过流式细胞术检测皮炎中巨噬细胞的浸润程度。结果: 与空白对照组比较,模型组小鼠PASI评分明显增加(P＜0.05),血清TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6水平明显升高(P＜0.05),皮肤组织中浸润的巨噬细胞明显增加(P＜0.05);与模型组比较,黄芪多糖高、中剂量组小鼠PASI评分明显明显减少(P＜0.05),小鼠血清TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6水平明显下调(P＜0.05);黄芪多糖高剂量组小鼠皮肤组织中浸润的巨噬细胞明显减少(P＜0.05)。结论: 黄芪多糖通过抑制皮肤组织中巨噬细胞浸润,降低血清中TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6的分泌,来改善小鼠银屑病样皮炎。     

PD-L1基因敲除小鼠构建及初步表型验证

目的 程序性死亡配体-1(PD-L1)是免疫调节途径的重要因子,是抗肿瘤免疫疗法中重要的靶标之一。利用CRISPR/Cas9技术成功构建PD-L1基因敲除小鼠模型,并初步分析其表型。方法 构建Cas9和sgRNA载体,并转录获得RNA,通过显微注射方式将RNA注射到C57BL/6小鼠受精卵中,经过鉴定获得F₀代阳性小鼠。F₀代小鼠与野生型C57BL/6小鼠交配获得F₁代杂合子小鼠,再通过F₁代小鼠自交获得F₂代纯合子小鼠品系。随后通过Real-Time PCR和流式实验分别检测PD-L1基因在mRNA和蛋白质水平上的表达情况。结果 Real-Time PCR和流式实验检测结果显示与野生型C57小鼠相比,PD-L1纯合子小鼠的PD-L1 mRNA相对表达水平和细胞上的蛋白质表达均有显著性下降,仅测定到本底的信号,证实已成功构建PD-L1基因敲除小鼠品系,为PD-L1体内基因功能研究提供了新的小鼠模型。     

雌激素对老年C57BL/6J小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞凋亡的影响*

目的:观察雌激素对于老年C57BL/6J小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞凋亡的影响,并探讨雌激素对老年性耳聋保护作用的可能机制。方法:将40只C57BL/6J雌鼠分为以下4组(10只/组): 3 m组(3月龄组),12 m组(12月假手术组); 12 m OVX组(12月去卵巢组),在9月龄行双侧卵巢切除术,正常饲养至12月龄;12 m OVX+E2组(雌激素干预组)在9月龄行双侧卵巢切除术,经过1月洗脱期后,给予皮下注射雌激素100 μg/(kg·d),持续2月至12月龄,其余各组小鼠正常喂养。至12 m OVX+E2组小鼠给药结束后,尾静脉采血,酶联免疫吸附( ELISA) 法检测各组小鼠血清雌激素水平;听性脑干反应(ABR)检测各组小鼠听力阈值变化;用2%戊巴比妥钠麻醉小鼠,断颈后取双侧耳蜗,石蜡包埋切片,苏木精-伊红HE染色观察各组小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节形态学变化;TUNEL 染色观察各组小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节神经元凋亡情况;取耳蜗螺旋神经节,应用实时荧光定量PCR(QRT-PCR)检测各组小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节凋亡蛋白Caspase-3、Bax、Bcl-2 mRNA 表达水平。结果:12 m组与3 m组相比,小鼠听力阈值升高(P＜0.01),耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞出现缺失严重及异常凋亡(P＜0.01);12 m OVX组小鼠听力阈值高于12 m组(P＜0.01),且螺旋神经节细胞缺失加重,细胞凋亡增多(P＜0.01),凋亡蛋白 Caspase-3、Bax mRNA水平升高(P＜ 0.01),抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2 mRNA水平降低(P＜0.01);外源性给予雌激素12 m OVX+E2组,较12 m OVX组,听力阈值降低(P＜0.01),细胞凋亡减少,凋亡蛋白 Caspase-3、Bax mRNA水平降低(P＜0.01),抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2 mRNA水平升高(P＜0.01)。结论:雌激素可抑制老年C57BL/6J小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞凋亡,从而实现对老年性耳聋的保护作用。     

Effect of potassium deficiency on mouse kidney lysosomal enzymes.

Mice of inbred strains A/J, C57BL/6J and C57BL/6J beige were kept on a K+-deficient diet for up to 40 days to determine the magnitude and mechanism of changes in tissue lysosomal enzymes. From days 10 to 40 glucuronidase activity increased 3-fold in kidney of K+-deficient mice, but there was little effect on beta-galactosidase or acid phosphatase activity. Similar increases in kidney glucuronidase activity occurred in inbred strains known to have genetically altered control of the synthesis (A/J) and secretion (C57BL/6J beige) of glucuronidase in kidney proximal-tubule cells. Deprivation of K+ did not affect glucuronidase activity in liver, spleen, lung and brain, but there was a 2-3-FOld increase in glucuronidase activity in heart in the C57BL/6J and C57BL/6J beige strains. As shown by specific antibody titration, increased glucuronidase activity in kidney of K+-deficient mice was accompanied by accumulation of enzyme molecules. Likewise in kidney of deficient mice there was an increased rate of synthesis of glucuronidase as measured by incorporation of labelled leucine into immunoprecipitable glucuronidase. In kidney of K+-deficient mice the elevated glucuronidase activity was found in both collecting-tubule and interstitial cells of the medulla. It is probable therefore that a significant fraction of the increased kidney lysosomal synthesis and enzyme activity is due to infiltrating cells.     

Variations in the amount of glucose phosphate isomerase in lymphocytes and erythrocytes from A/J and C57BL/6J mice

In a comparative study of A/J (Gpi-1a) and C57BL/6J (Gpi-1b) mice, we observed that erythrocytes of A/J mice exhibited significantly higher glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) activity compared to erythrocytes of C57BL/6J mice on a per cell, per gram of protein, or per gram of hemoglobin basis. Higher GPI activity per cell was detected for peripheral blood lymphocytes of A/J compared to C57BL/6J mice. (A/J X C57BL/6J)F1 mice expressed erythrocyte and peripheral blood lymphocyte GPI activities intermediate to those of the parental mouse strains. The GPI activities of spleen lymphocytes from A/J, C57BL/6J, or (A/J X C57BL/6J)F1 mice were not significantly different from each other. The higher activity in the A/J mice could be due to GPI of a higher catalytic rate or to the presence of more GPI molecules. In order to distinguish these two possibilities, GPI was purified to homogeneity from both strains of mice. The specific activities (activity per milligram of protein) of the purified enzymes from the two strains were found to be similar, indicating that GPI from the A/J strain was not a more active enzyme. Antibody to the purified enzymes was prepared and used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to compare the relative amounts of enzyme molecules in cells of A/J and C57BL/6J mice. Results of the ELISA tests on peripheral blood lymphocytes indicated that A/J mice contain more molecules of GPI per cell and, therefore, have a higher GPI activity than C57BL/6J mice.     

Distinct organ-dependent mechanisms for the control of murine cytomegalovirus infection by natural killer cells.

Antiviral mechanisms by which natural killer (NK) cells control murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection in the spleens and livers of C57BL/6 mice were measured, revealing different mechanisms of control in different organs. Three days postinfection, MCMV titers in the spleens of perforin 0/0 mice were higher than in those of perforin +/+ mice, but no elevation of liver titers was found in perforin 0/0 mice. NK cell depletion in MCMV-infected perforin 0/0 mice resulted only in an increase in liver viral titers and not in spleen titers. Depletion of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) in C57BL/6 mice by injections with monoclonal antibodies to IFN-gamma resulted in an increase of viral titers in the liver but not in the spleen. Analyses using IFN-gamma-receptor-deficient mice, rendered chimeric with C57BL/6 bone marrow cells, indicated that in a recipient environment where IFN-gamma cannot exert its effects, the depletion of NK cells caused an increase in MCMV titers in the spleens but had little effect in the liver. IFN-gamma has the ability to induce a variety of cells to produce nitric oxide, and administrating the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(omega)-monomethyl-L-arginine into MCMV-infected C57BL/6 mice resulted in MCMV titer increases in the liver but not in the spleen. Taken together, these data suggest that in C57BL/6 mice, there is a dichotomy in the mechanisms utilized by NK cells in the regulation of MCMV in different organs. In the spleen NK cells exert their effects in a perforin-dependent manner, suggesting a cytotoxic mechanism, while in the liver the production of IFN-gamma by NK cells may be a predominant mechanism in the regulation of MCMV synthesis. These results may explain why the Cmv-lr locus, which maps closely to genes regulating NK cell cytotoxic function, confers an NK cell-dependent resistance to MCMV infection in the spleen but not in the liver.     

Somatic hybridization and oncogenesis: induction of tumors in mice by administration of mixtures of cells of the homologous organs and their hybrids]

The 2 months old C57BL/6J mice were injected with the mixtures of kidney and spleen cells from mice of the same strain or of the same cells following the hybridization induced by Sendai virus. The tumours of liver, kidney and lymphoid system appeared in 25% of recipients within 12--14 months. The result obtained is predicted by the general theory of oncogenesis proposed early by L. B. Mekler.     

Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis: experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis associated with systemic amyloidosis in mice

We infected Swiss and C57BL/6 female mice in the left hind footpad with 10⁴Leishmania (L.) amazonensis promastigotes in stationary phase. The macroscopic examination showed a nodular non-ulcerated lesion at the site of inoculation and hepatic and spleenic enlargement. Histopathologically, the primary lesion showed an extensive liquefactive necrosis and inflammatory infiltrate, mainly consisting of macrophages filled with amastigotes, and rare lymphocytes. The inflammatory reaction in liver, spleen and kidney showed amyloid deposits. Additionally, C57BL/6 had accentuated amyloidosis in both ovarian cortical and medullar region and inflammatory infiltrates in the pancreas and adrenal gland.     

Induction of multiple chemokine and colony-stimulating factor genes in experimental Burkholderia pseudomallei infection

Melioidosis is a disease of the tropics caused by the facultative intracellular bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. In human infection, increased levels of IFN-gamma in addition to the chemokines interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) and monocyte interferon-gamma-inducible protein (Mig) have been demonstrated. However, the role of these and other chemokines in the pathogenesis of melioidosis remains unknown. Using BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice as models of the acute and chronic forms of human melioidosis, the induction of mRNA was assessed for various chemokines and CSF (G-CSF, M-CSF, GM-CSF, IP-10, Mig, RANTES, MCP-1, KC and MIP-2) in spleen and liver following B. pseudomallei infection. Patterns of chemokine and CSF induction were similar in liver and spleen; however, responses were typically greater in spleen, which reflected higher tissue bacterial loads. In BALB/c mice, high-level expression of mRNA for all chemokines and CSF investigated was demonstrated at day 3 postinfection, correlating with peak bacterial load and extensive infiltration of leucocytes. In contrast, increased mRNA expression and bacterial numbers in C57BL/6 mice were greatest between 4 and 14 days following infection. This paralleled increases in the size and number of abscesses in liver and spleen of C57BL/6 mice at days 3 and 14 postinfection. Earlier induction of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (KC), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) and macrophage CSF (M-CSF) mRNA was demonstrated in spleen, while MIP-2, MCP-1, IP-10 and Mig were demonstrated in liver of BALB/c mice when compared to spleen and liver of C57BL/6. The magnitude of cellular responses observed in the tissue correlated with increased levels of the chemokines and CSF investigated, as well as bacterial load. Compared with C57BL/6 mice, greater infiltration of neutrophils was observed in liver and spleen of BALB/c mice at day 3. In contrast, early lesions in C57BL/6 mice predominantly comprised macrophages. These results suggest that the inability of BALB/c mice to contain the infection at sites of inflammation may underlie the susceptible phenotype of this mouse strain towards B. pseudomallei infection.     

Lactate dehydrogenase isozymes in xenotropic virus producing mice

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; E.C. 1.1.1.27) isozymes were compared in three inbred strains of mice, and two strains of wild mice, as well as the F1 hybrids and other genetic crosses involving two of the inbred strains. The strains examined were NZB/B1NJ, 129/J and C57BL/6J, Mus musculus molossinus and M. musculus castaneus. Genetic crosses were made between the xenotropic virus-producing NZB and the non-virus producing 129/J mice. Tissue specificity of LDH in these strains was studied using homogenates of kidney, liver, spleen and thymus. Polymorphism of the enzyme was studied by agarose gel electrophoresis. Enzyme polymorphism in the tissues of NZB and 129/J has not been previously reported. The liver and spleen tissues of 129/J showed the absence of LDH-1 and LDH-2 isozymes. Thymic homogenates of NZB showed a lack of expression of LDH-1, LDH-2 and LDH-3 isozymes. The F1, F2 and the backcross progeny from genetic crosses involving NZB, and 129/J mice showed an isozyme pattern more similar to the non-virus-producing 129/J strain than the virus-producing NZB. Evidence of genetic regulation at the LDH-B subunit appears to be the reason for the differential expression of the isozymes in NZB and 129/J strains. The other inbred strain of mice, C57BL/6J, also showed a greater similarity to the 129/J strain than NZB. The two strains of wild mice were similar in their expression of LDH-isozymes between each other and to the 129/J strain, with respect to the liver and spleen tissues.     

Expression of deafness protein Tmie in postnatal developmental stages of C57BL/6J mice

Loss-of function mutations in the transmembrane inner ear expressed (Tmie/TMIE) gene have been shown to cause deafness in mice and humans (DFNB6). Previous studies report that the circling mouse can be an animal model for DFNB6. However, the expression pattern of Tmie protein in postnatal developmental stages has not been clearly revealed. In this study we tried to investigate the expression of Tmie protein in the liver, spleen, kidney, and lung, as well as in the cochlea. We examined various tissue samples from five different age groups of C57BL/6J animals. Using western blotting analysis, the expression of Tmie protein in these organs has been identified. The results show that Tmie protein expression in the cochlea has been increased in postnatal developmental stages, indicating that Tmie plays an important role in not only the development and also in the function of the cochlea. The expression pattern of Tmie in adult mouse organs such as the liver, spleen, kidney, and spleen significantly vary in adult rats. The order of Tmie expression level in mice (63 days after birth) was spleen, liver, lung, cochlea, and kidney, whereas in the adult rat it was liver, cochlea, lung, spleen, and kidney.