The influences of age on T lymphocyte subsets in C57BL/6 mice

The aim of this study is to evaluate the age related changes of T lymphocyte subsets in C57BL/6 mice and immune function. Multi-color immunofluorescence techniques that were used to analyse relative numbers of T lymphocyte subsets include CD4⁺, CD8⁺, naive and memory CD4⁺ and CD8⁺, CD8⁺CD28⁺ T cells in peripheral blood of C57BL/6 mice from different age groups (Group I: 2 months old; Group II: 7 months old; Group III: 21 months old); Splenocytes isolated from different group mice were stimulated with Con A to evaluate the proliferative ability. Compared with group I, group II had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD4⁺, naive CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells and an increase in the percentage of CD8⁺ T cells, while group III had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD4⁺, naive CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells and increase in the percentage of CD8⁺, memory CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in peripheral blood. Compared with group II, group III had a significant reduction in the percentage of naive CD8⁺ T cells and increase in the percentage of memory CD4⁺ and CD8⁺, CD8⁺CD28⁺ T cells in peripheral blood. The T lymphocyte proliferation in vitro showed that groups II and III had a lower proliferative capacity than group I, between groups II and III, there was not a significant difference. We provide relative values for the T lymphocyte subsets in the different age groups of C57BL/6 mice. The immune system began aging at 7 months old in C57BL/6 mice under a specific pathogen free environment.     

C57BL/6小鼠性别差异对髓鞘少突胶质糖蛋白诱导的实验性自身脑脊髓炎疾病的影响

多发性硬化是人类常见的中枢神经系统自身免疫性炎症致脱髓鞘疾病．流行病学研究发现,女性患者多于男性,其平均发病时间早于男性．实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(EAE)与多发性硬化症有相似的临床症状和病理特征,是被广泛应用于人类疾病研究的动物模型．本实验利用髓鞘少突胶质糖蛋白MOG_33-35免疫C57BL/6小鼠建立EAE模型,观察29天．通过疾病评分发现雌雄小鼠在发病率、起病时间上均无明显差别,但雄鼠的发病症状明显比雌鼠严重．在其病理切片HE染色中观察到雄性小鼠中枢浸润的炎性细胞多于雌性小鼠,并且在LFB染色中同样观察到雄鼠脱髓鞘区域明显增大．对其发病高峰期中枢浸润细胞的染色分析时,可以发现雄性小鼠中浸润的CD4 T细胞及其亚群T_H-1和T_H-17细胞均有明显增加．这些都表明MOG_33-35免疫C57BL/6小鼠建立的EAE模型存在着性别差异的影响,这一发现为今后建立多发性硬化症的动物模型中动物性别的选择提供了一定的参考依据．     

寒冷对雌性C57BL/6小鼠动情周期的影响*

目的:研究寒冷对雌性C57BL/6小鼠动情周期的影响。方法:12只雌性小鼠随机分为对照组、低温组,每组6只;低温组每天4℃暴露4 h,每天阴道涂片法观察小鼠动情状况,对照组饲养于常温动物房;每2 d称量体重,2周后心脏取血、子宫和卵巢,检测小鼠血清E2、FSH、LH、Prl、P水平,进行子宫、卵巢的组织病理学检查。结果:与对照组比较,低温组小鼠体重无显著性差异(P＞0.05),小鼠子宫脏器系数明显较低、动情间期明显延长(P＜0.01),血清FSH显著升高、Prl显著降低(P＜0.01),小鼠子宫腺管扩张,卵巢卵泡数量明显减少。结论:寒冷可使雌性C57BL/6小鼠动情周期延长,进而可能影响生殖功能。     

利用CRISPR-Cas9敲除Tyr基因制作白化C57BL/6N小鼠

目的 为了获得白化的C57BL/6N小鼠,扩大其在皮肤移植和胚胎干细胞方面研究中的应用。方法 通过体外设计合成Cas9 mRNA和系列sgRNA(single guide RNAs),注射到小鼠的受精卵内,破坏合成C57BL/6N小鼠黑色素生成必须的酪氨酸酶(tyrosinase,TYR)基因序列的第1和第2外显子,产生基因突变,获得F0代白化的C57BL/6N小鼠,然后经过重复回交和自交,形成白化C57BL/6N小鼠近交系。结果 经过注射两对sgRNA,成功的获得了F0代的白化小鼠,在Tyr基因的第1和第2外显子中均发生了缺失突变,小鼠可以将突变基因传递给后代,并在其后代中产生了纯合的白色C57BL/6N小鼠,最后对白化小鼠突变类型进行了分析。结论 通过CRISPR-Cas9技术破坏了小鼠Tyr基因,成功地建立了白化C57BL/6N小鼠近交系,为将来的嵌合体制作、组织移植提供了新的研究工具。     

具高效种系嵌合能力的C57BL／6J 小鼠ES细胞系的建立

采用小鼠原代成纤维细胞作为饲养层,在含1×103单位白血病抑制因子（LIF）的DMEM高糖培养基中,建成了11个C57BL／6J小鼠的ES细胞系,成系率为9．6％。所建的11个ES细胞系中有5个核型正常率大于70％。这些细胞具早期胚胎细胞的特征,呈碱性磷酸酶阳性,具表达0014基因的特性5进行体内分化实验时能发生广泛的分化。通过嵌合体制作实验证明其中3个系具嵌合能力,并从中筛选出具高效种系嵌合能力的MESPU35细胞系,MESPU35细胞的克隆能达到种系传递,经过基因操作的细胞克隆,也保留了高效的嵌合能力。因此,MESPU35细胞可作为制作突变小鼠的有效载体。     

Flp recombinase transgenic mice of C57BL/6 strain for conditional gene targeting

We constructed an expression vector of Flp recombinase modified by adding a nuclear localization signal. Injection of the expression vector into fertilized eggs of the C57BL/6 strain yielded transgenic mouse lines expressing the Flp recombinase transgene in the testis. We crossed the transgenic mice to reporter mice carrying the neomycin phosphotransferase gene flanked by target sites of Flp recombinase. Examination of the deletion of the neomycin phosphotransferase gene in the progeny showed that Flp-mediated recombination took place efficiently in vivo in FLP66 transgenic mouse line. These results suggest that the Flp recombinase system is effective in mice and in combination with the Cre recombinase system extends the potentials of gene manipulation in mice. One of the useful applications of FLP66 transgenic mouse line is the removal of marker genes from mice manipulated for the conditional gene targeting with the Cre/loxP system in the pure C57BL/6 genetic background.     

A comparative phenotypic and genomic analysis of C57BL/6J and C57BL/6N mouse strains

Background

The mouse inbred line C57BL/6J is widely used in mouse genetics and its genome has been incorporated into many genetic reference populations. More recently large initiatives such as the International Knockout Mouse Consortium (IKMC) are using the C57BL/6N mouse strain to generate null alleles for all mouse genes. Hence both strains are now widely used in mouse genetics studies. Here we perform a comprehensive genomic and phenotypic analysis of the two strains to identify differences that may influence their underlying genetic mechanisms.

Results

We undertake genome sequence comparisons of C57BL/6J and C57BL/6N to identify SNPs, indels and structural variants, with a focus on identifying all coding variants. We annotate 34 SNPs and 2 indels that distinguish C57BL/6J and C57BL/6N coding sequences, as well as 15 structural variants that overlap a gene. In parallel we assess the comparative phenotypes of the two inbred lines utilizing the EMPReSSslim phenotyping pipeline, a broad based assessment encompassing diverse biological systems. We perform additional secondary phenotyping assessments to explore other phenotype domains and to elaborate phenotype differences identified in the primary assessment. We uncover significant phenotypic differences between the two lines, replicated across multiple centers, in a number of physiological, biochemical and behavioral systems.

Conclusions

Comparison of C57BL/6J and C57BL/6N demonstrates a range of phenotypic differences that have the potential to impact upon penetrance and expressivity of mutational effects in these strains. Moreover, the sequence variants we identify provide a set of candidate genes for the phenotypic differences observed between the two strains.     

Substrains matter in phenotyping of C57BL/6 mice

The inbred mouse strain C57BL/6 has been widely used as a background strain for spontaneous and induced mutations. Developed in the 1930s, the C57BL/6 strain diverged into two major groups in the 1950s, namely, C57BL/6J and C57BL/6N, and more than 20 substrains have been established from them worldwide. We previously reported genetic differences among C57BL/6 substrains in 2009 and 2015. Since then, dozens of reports have been published on phenotypic differences in behavioral, neurological, cardiovascular, and metabolic traits. Substrains need to be chosen according to the purpose of the study because phenotypic differences might affect the experimental results. In this paper, we review recent reports of phenotypic and genetic differences among C57BL/6 substrains, focus our attention on the proper use of C57BL/6 and other inbred strains in the era of genome editing, and provide the life science research community wider knowledge about this subject.     

Delayed matching-to-position performance in C57BL/6N mice

Delayed matching-to-sample is one of the most frequently employed behavioral tasks for assessing spatial working memory in animals. Although the advantages of the task have been widely acknowledged and it is used in the study of a variety of species, its application to mice has been rare. In the present study, we reported the efficacy of a delayed matching-to-position task in C57BL mice lever-pressing in an operant-conditioning chamber. Each trial started with the press of a back lever, followed by the presentation of either a left or right front lever. When the ratio requirement for presses to the front lever (sample) was met, a delay interval started. Delay interval continued until the mice made the first response after the elapse of the programmed delay interval. This was followed by the presentation of a choice of left or right front levers. The choice of the same front lever as the sample was reinforced, whereas the other was not. The proportion of correct choices showed a delay-dependent decrement. A higher ratio of response requirement to the sample resulted in increased accuracy, but the duration of the intertrial interval had no effect. Preceding trials also influenced response accuracy, indicating proactive interference. Overall, the results replicated the effects of parametric manipulations reported in other species, and thus, our findings validate the efficacy of the task for assessing spatial working memory in laboratory mice.     

Utility of a C57BL/6 ES line versus 129 ES lines for Targeted Mutations in Mice

Inbred ES lines, though useful for generating targeted mutations in mice, are used infrequently. To appreciate the relative efficiency of inbred ES lines, a C57BL/6 ES line was compared with 129 strain ES lines for effectiveness in chimera formation leading to the establishment of targeted mutations in mice. Data from a transgenic facility spanning 7 years were collected. C57BL/6 ES cells injected into Balb/c embryos results in lower coat color chimerism than do 129 ES cells injected into C57BL/6 embryos. Combined data indicate that five independent targeted C57BL/6 clones should be injected as compared to three independent 129 clones to generate enough chimeras to effectively test for germ-line transmission. Thus, although less efficient than 129 ES lines, the C57BL/6 ES line is a relatively competent line and useful for the routine generation of targeted mutations in mice on a defined genetic background.     

C57BL/6小鼠听皮层A1区LTP特性

应用在体细胞外记录群体细胞兴奋性突触后场电位方法,研究C57BL6小鼠听皮层A1区突触长时程增强(LTP)特性。观察到,给予模拟的θ节律电刺激(TBS),刺激听皮层白质,可在听皮层灰质ⅡⅢ层记录到明显LTP。根据TBS后LTP幅度变化特征,LTP可分为瞬时增强型(有PTP)和缓慢增强型。高强度TBS诱导的LTP增幅百分数比低强度TBS诱导的LTP增幅大,但两者诱导的LTP成功率无显著差异。实验还表明,2月龄小鼠较4月龄小鼠LTP幅度增长率更高,提示听皮层LTP具有年龄依赖性特征。实验结果为进一步研究听觉模态学习记忆的神经机制提供了资料。     

Susceptibility to re-infection in C57BL/6 mice with recombinant strains of Toxoplasma gondii

This work reports results of re-infection of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice with different recombinant strains of Toxoplasma gondii. Mice were prime-infected with the non-virulent D8 strain and challenged with virulent strains. PCR–RFLP of cS10-A6 genetic marker of T. gondii demonstrated that BALB/c mice were re-infected with the EGS strain, while C57BL/6 mice were re-infected with the EGS and CH3 strains. Levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 after D8 prime-infection were lower in C57BL/6 than in BALB/c mice. Brain inflammation after D8 prime-infection was more intense in C57BL/6 than in BALB/c mice. It was shown that re-infection depends on mice lineage and genotype of the strain used in the challenge.     

H5N1禽流感病毒对C57BL／6小鼠的致病性研究

本试验利用虎源H5N1禽流感病毒对6～8周龄雌性C57BL/6小鼠进行滴鼻感染,观测小鼠临床症状和组织病理变化,于感染后第3d和第5d每组分别处死3只小鼠,测定肺、脑、脾、肾、肝组织中的病毒含量;并测定该病毒对C57BL/6小鼠的MLD50。结果表明感染小鼠出现精神不振、体重下降、支气管炎和间质性肺炎为主的临床症状和病理变化;测得感染后小鼠肺脏中病毒拷贝数和病毒滴度最高,其次是脑、肾、脾、肝等组织;该病毒对C57BL/6小鼠的MLD50为10-6.5/0.05mL。此研究成功进行了H5N1禽流感病毒对C57BL/6小鼠的感染,可以作为感染模型进行H5N1禽流感病毒的发病机制、疫苗评价、药物筛选等研究。     

Effects of pre-germinated brown rice treatment high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome in C57BL/6J mice

To investigate using pre-germinated brown rice (PGBR) to treat metabolic syndrome, we fed one group of mice standard-regular-diet (SRD) for 20 weeks and another group of mice high-fat-diet (HFD) for 16 weeks. We subdivided them into HFD group and HFD + PGBR group whose dietary carbohydrate was replaced with PGBR for 4 weeks. The HFD group gained more weight, had higher blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose and lipids, liver levels of TG, feces TG and bile acid, lower adipose levels of adipocytokine, lower skeletal muscle IR, IRS-1, IRS-2, PI3 K, Akt/PKB, GLUT-1, GLUT-4, GCK and PPAR-γ; higher liver SREBP-1, SCD-1, FAS, HMGCR, LDLR, CYP7α1 and PPAR-α, and higher adipose SREBP-1, SCD-1, FAS, and lower adipose PPAR-α and adiponectin. The HFD + PGBR group had clearly improved blood pressure, biochemical parameters and above proteins expressions. PGBR successful treatment of metabolic syndrome was achieved through improvements in glucose and lipid synthesis and metabolism.     

Effect of chronic corticosterone application on depression‐like behavior in C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J mice

Many studies using genetic mouse models are performed with animals on either one of the two closely related genetic backgrounds, C57BL/6J or C57BL/6N. These strains differ only in a few genetic loci, but have some phenotypic differences that also affect behavior. In order to determine the effects of chronic stress hormone exposure, which is relevant for the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders, we investigated here the behavioral manifestations of long‐term increase in corticosterone levels. Thus, male mice from both sub‐strains were subcutaneously implanted with corticosterone (20 mg) or placebo pellets that released the hormone for a period of 21 days and resulted in significantly elevated plasma corticosterone levels. Corticosterone significantly increased food intake in B6N, but not in B6J mice. At various time points after pellet implantation, we performed tests relevant to activity and emotional behaviors. B6J mice displayed a generally higher activity in the home cage and the open field. Corticosterone decreased the activity. In B6N mice, corticosterone also decreased sucrose preference, worsened the coat state and increased forced swim immobility, while it had no effect in the B6J strain. Altogether, these results indicate that B6N mice are more sensitive to some of the effects of chronic corticosterone treatment than B6J mice.     

C57BL/6J慢性应激小鼠血中胆固醇和甘油三酯的变化

目的观察慢性应激对C57BL/6J小鼠行为和血液中血脂的影响。方法将20~25 g雄性C57BL/6J小鼠分成应激组及相应的对照组。应激组小鼠独笼饲养,将6个日相和6个夜相刺激及1个全天刺激随机安排到1周内,每周刺激顺序随机重新组合,连续8周。对照组动物则每5~6只小鼠合笼饲养,自由给水,整个实验过程中不接受任何刺激。2组动物均于刺激后的1、2、4和8周经内眦取血,用于血脂的检测。结果行为学实验结果显示:除第8周外,刺激后各时间点模型组小鼠体重均明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。空腹胆固醇及甘油三酯检查结果显示:与对照组相比较,模型组小鼠自刺激后的第2、4、8周显著增加(P<0.01),相反甘油三酯则在个时间点均显著降低(P<0.05)。结论复合式慢性应激是一种建立应激动物模型的有效方式;应激形成过程中动物体内胆固醇的增加提示长期的应激很可能对心血管系统造成一定危害。     

The pathogenic potential of the combined action of chronic Opisthorchis felineus infection and repeated social defeat stress in C57BL/6 mice

Parasitic food-borne diseases and chronic social stress are frequent attributes of day-to-day human life. Therefore, our aim was to model the combined action of chronic Opisthorchis felineus infection and repeated social defeat stress in C57BL/6 mice. Histological examination of the liver revealed inflammation sites, pronounced periductal fibrosis, and cholangiofibrosis together with proliferation of bile ducts and hepatocyte dystrophy in the infected mice, especially in the stress-exposed ones. Simultaneously with liver pathology, we detected significant structural changes in the cerebral cortex. Immunohistochemical analysis of the hippocampus indicated the highest increase in numerical density of Iba 1-, IL-6-, iNOS-, and Arg1-positive cells in mice simultaneously subjected to the two adverse factors. The number of GFAP-positive cells rose during repeated social defeat stress, most strongly in the mice subjected to both infection and stress. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression of genes Aif1 and Il6 differed among the analysed brain regions (hippocampus, hypothalamus, and frontal cortex) and depended on the adverse factors applied. In addition, among the brain regions, there was no consistent increase or decrease in these parameters when the two adverse treatments were combined: (i) in the hippocampus, there was upregulation of Aif1 and no change in Il6 expression; (ii) in the hypothalamus, expression levels of Aif1 and Il6 were not different from controls; and (iii) in the frontal cortex, Aif1 expression did not change while Il6 expression increased. It can be concluded that a combination of two long-lasting adverse factors, O. felineus infection and repeated social defeat stress, worsens not only the hepatic but also brain state, as evidenced behaviorally by disturbances of the startle response in mice.