MPTP致空间学习记忆障碍小鼠脑内NSF表达变化

目的:观察1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(MPTP)致空间学习记忆障碍小鼠脑内N-乙基马来酰亚胺敏感融合蛋白(NSF)表达变化。方法:C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为2组(n=24),包括对照组和MPTP处理组,雌雄各半。MPTP处理组给予C57BL/6J小鼠MPTP(20 mg/0.2 ml/(kg·d),s.c.)连续8 d,每天一次,对照组给予等量的生理盐水用同样方法处理。第9天起采用水迷宫实验,连续4 d检测C57BL/6J小鼠空间学习记忆的改变,水迷宫实验测试结束后,采用免疫组化和Western blot方法检测小鼠脑内NSF表达改变。结果:每组选取小鼠24只进行水迷宫测试,与对照组相比,MPTP处理组小鼠出现空间学习记忆障碍;每组选取小鼠5只进行免疫组化检测,同时每组选取5只小鼠进行Western blot检测,海马CA1区NSF免疫反应活性明显减弱(P0.01),前额叶皮层NSF的免疫反应活性(P0.01)和蛋白表达(P0.05)都明显增高。结论:MPTP致空间学习记忆障碍小鼠脑内NSF表达出现异常,可能参与MPTP致空间学习记忆障碍的发病机制。     

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。     

有氧运动降低胰岛素抵抗小鼠海马细胞焦亡相关蛋白及炎症因子的表达

本研究通过观察高脂饮食及有氧运动干预后小鼠海马细胞焦亡及炎症相关蛋白的表达情况,探讨运动改善胰岛素抵抗(insulin resistance, IR)的可能机制。选取6周龄C57BL/6J雄性小鼠38只,随机以正常饮食(n=12)或高脂饮食(n=26)喂养12周后进行葡萄糖和胰岛素耐量实验,根据结果将小鼠分为对照组(n=12)、IR组(n=10)和IR有氧运动组(n=10)。IR有氧运动组进行12周的渐增跑台训练。干预结束后麻醉处死小鼠并剥离海马组织,提取蛋白进行Western blot实验,检测细胞焦亡及炎症相关蛋白的表达情况。结果显示:(1)与对照组相比,IR小鼠海马NFκB,炎症小体相关蛋白Nod样受体蛋白3 (Nod-like receptor protein 3, NLRP3)、斑点样蛋白(apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD, ASC),细胞焦亡相关蛋白proCaspase-1、gasdermin D (GSDMD)、GSDMD-N及炎症因子IL-1β、IL-18均显著升高,而炎症小体相关蛋白NIMA相关蛋白激酶7 (NIMA-related kinase 7, NEK7)及焦亡相关蛋白Caspase-1有升高趋势,但无显著差异。(2)与IR组相比,渐增跑台训练能够显著降低IR小鼠海马NFκB、NLRP3、NEK7、ASC、pro-Caspase-1、GSDMD、GSDMD-N、IL-1β、IL-18的表达。以上结果提示,12周渐增跑台训练能够显著降低IR小鼠海马焦亡相关蛋白及炎症因子表达,抑制细胞焦亡。     

β片层阻断肽H102对双转基因AD小鼠海马脑区APP代谢酶的影响

目的:探讨β片层阻断肽H102对APP/PS1双转基因小鼠(AD小鼠)海马脑区β淀粉样蛋白前体蛋白(APP)代谢分泌酶以及学习记忆能力的影响。方法:将6月龄大小的30只AD模型小鼠随机分为AD组和H102组,相同月龄、数量和背景的C57BL/6J小鼠作为对照组(n=15)。H102组每日经鼻腔给予H102溶液(5.8 mg/kg)5μl,对照组及AD组每日给予辅料溶液5μl。给药30 d后,使用Morris水迷宫的方法检测各组小鼠的空间记忆能力变化,采用免疫组织化学方法及Western blot技术测定海马脑区α分泌酶(ADAM10和ADAM17)、β分泌酶(BACE1)及γ分泌酶(PS1,APH1a,PEN2)在小鼠海马中的表达。结果:与对照组比较,AD组小鼠海马脑区BACE1、PS1、PEN-2、APH1-a蛋白表达显著升高,ADAM10、ADAM17蛋白表达显著降低(P0.05);与模型组相比,H102能够明显提高AD小鼠的空间学习记忆能力,明显降低海马脑区BACE1、PS1、PEN-2、APH1-a蛋白的表达,明显提高ADAM10、ADAM17蛋白的表达(P0.05)。结论:β片层阻断肽H102能够减少海马脑区Aβ的生成,提高海马脑区α分泌酶的活性,降低β和γ分泌酶的活性,改善AD小鼠的学习记忆能力。     

水迷宫实验中三种品系小鼠学习记忆能力的比较

目的探讨三种品系小鼠在Morris水迷宫实验中的学习记忆能力差异,为与改善学习记忆能力相关新药研究的实验动物选择提供参考。方法选用C57BL/6小鼠、昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠,进行定位航行实验(5d)、空间搜索实验(1d)和工作记忆实验(4d),考察其学习记忆能力。结果定位航行实验从第3天起C57BL/6小鼠的潜伏期明显小于昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠(P0.01);空间搜索实验C57BL/6小鼠穿过原平台位置的次数、在原平台象限游程比率和时间比率均明显多于昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠(P0.05);动物每天工作记忆实验的潜伏期随测试次数增加而缩短,C57BL/6小鼠缩短的较昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠稍多。结论C57BL/6小鼠的空间参考记忆能力与工作记忆能力均优于昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠,且非空间因素对其学习记忆能力的评价干扰较小,可作为优先选择的水迷宫实验动物。     

龙井茶多酚提取物对C57BL/6J小鼠肝脏氧化应激和代谢酶的影响

探究龙井茶多酚提取物对C57BL/6J小鼠肝脏氧化应激水平的影响,及其对小鼠肝脏内代谢酶系和转运蛋白的作用.灌胃给予C57BL/6J小鼠三个剂量龙井茶多酚提取物,采用病理切片、血清中谷草转氨酶(alanine amin-otransferase,ALT)和谷丙转氨酶(aspartate aminotransferase...     

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。     

辽宁省6种常用近交系小鼠10个微卫星位点的遗传质量检测报告

目的利用微卫星技术对辽宁省6种近交系小鼠进行遗传质量分析。方法根据Mouse Genome Database和相关文献选取10个多态信息丰富的位点和引物,进行PCR扩增和PAGE电泳,对小鼠的遗传多态性进行研究。结果不同品系小鼠同一位点的扩增结果表现出多态性,同一品系同一位点表现单态性,所有小鼠的10个位点都处于纯合状态;遗传距离分析表明,C57BL/10与C57BL/6J小鼠之间的遗传距离最近,为0.1021,遗传距离最远的是BALB/c与C57BL/10、C57BL/6J,分别为0.1635和0.1614。结论运用所筛选的10个微卫星位点可以对近交系小鼠进行遗传质量检测,说明该方法具备可行性。     

电针对不同剂量X射线照射C57小鼠神经干细胞增殖和分化的影响及机制

本文旨在探讨电针对不同剂量X射线照射C57小鼠海马区内源性神经干细胞增殖、分化及Notch信号通路的影响。将30日龄C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为对照组、放射线照射组和电针组。对照组不接受照射处理,放射线照射组小鼠接受10min的4、8或16 Gy X射线照射,电针组在相应照射后接受3个疗程的电针(百会、风府和双侧肾俞)治疗。用免疫组织化学方法检测海马区内源性神经干细胞增殖和分化情况,用RT-PCR和Western blot分别检测海马区Notch信号通路相关基因mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果显示,与对照组比较,放射线照射组海马BrdU阳性细胞(4、8 Gy亚组)和BrdU/NeuN双标阳性细胞(3个剂量亚组)数目均显著减少,而电针治疗可逆转以上变化。放射线照射组各剂量亚组BrdU/GFAP双标阳性细胞数目相对对照组均显著减少,而电针治疗可以逆转4和8 Gy剂量亚组的这一变化。此外,与对照组比较,放射线照射组各剂量亚组小鼠海马Notch1mRNA及蛋白表达均显著上调,而Mash1基因及蛋白表达显著下降;而与放射线照射组比较,电针组各剂量亚组海马Notch1mRNA及蛋白表达均显著下降,4和8 Gy亚组Mash1 mRNA和蛋白表达均显著增加。上述结果提示,放射线照射可以抑制小鼠海马区神经干细胞增殖和分化,电针(百会、风府和双侧肾俞)能够显著提高放射线照射小鼠海马区神经干细胞的增殖和分化,这一作用可能与Notch蛋白信号通路相关。     

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。     

Behavioral profiles of inbred strains on novel olfactory,spatial and emotional tests for reference memory in mice

Studying the behavior of genetic background strains provides important information for the design and interpretation of cognitive phenotypes in mutant mice. Our experiments examined the performance of three commonly used strains (C57BL/6J, 129S6, DBA/2J) on three behavioral tests for learning and memory that measure very different forms of memory, and for which there is a lack of data on strain differences. In the social transmission of food preference test (STFP) all three strains demonstrated intact memory for an odor-cued food that had been sampled on the breath of a cagemate 24 hours previously. While C57BL/6J and 129S6 mice showed good trace fear conditioning, DBA/2J mice showed a profound deficit on trace fear conditioning. In the Barnes maze test for spatial memory, the 129S6 strain showed poor probe trial performance, relative to C57BL/6J mice. Comparison of strains for open field exploratory activity and anxiety-like behavior suggests that poor Barnes maze performance reflects low exploratory behavior, rather than a true spatial memory deficit, in 129S6 mice. This interpretation is supported by good Morris water maze performance in 129S6 mice. These data support the use of a C57BL/6J background for studying memory deficits in mutant mice using any of these tasks, and the use of a 129S6 background in all but the Barnes maze. A DBA/2J background may be particularly useful for investigating the genetic basis of emotional memory using fear conditioning.     

Differential expression and regulation of myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) in the hippocampus of C57/BL6J and DBA/2J mice

The myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) is a major protein kinase C (PKC) substrate in brain that binds the inner surface of the plasma membrane, calmodulin, and cross-links filamentous actin, all in a PKC phosphorylation-reversible manner. MARCKS has been implicated in hippocampal-dependent learning and long-term potentiation (LTP). Previous studies have shown DBA/2 mice to exhibit poor spatial/contextual learning, impaired hippocampal LTP, and hippocampal mossy fiber hypoplasia, as well as reduced hippocampal PKC activity and expression relative to C57BL/6 mice. In the present study, we assessed the expression (mRNA and protein) and subcellular distribution (membrane and cytolsol) of MARCKS in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice using quantitative western blotting. In the hippocampus, total MARCKS mRNA and protein levels in C57BL/6J mice were significantly lower ( approximately 45%) compared with DBA/2J mice, and MARCKS protein was observed predominantly in the cytosolic fraction. MARCKS expression in frontal cortex did not differ significantly between strains. To examine the dynamic regulation of MARCKS subcellular distribution, mice from each strain were subjected to 60 min restraint stress and MARCKS subcellular distribution was determined 24 h later. Restraint stress resulted in a significant reduction in membrane MARCKS expression in C57BL/6J hippocampus but not in the DBA/2J hippocampus despite similar stress-induced increases in serum corticosterone. Restraint stress did not affect cytosolic or total MARCKS levels in either strain. Similarly, restraint stress (30 min) in rats also induced a significant reduction in membrane MARCKS, but not total or cytosolic MARCKS, in the hippocampus but not in frontal cortex. In rats, chronic lithium treatment prior to stress exposure reduced hippocampal MARCKS expression but did not affect the stress-induced reduction in membrane MARCKS. Collectively these data demonstrate higher resting levels of MARCKS in the hippocampus of DBA/2J mice compared to C57BL/6J mice, and that acute stress leads to a long-term reduction in membrane MARCKS expression in C57BL/6J mice and rats but not in DBA/2J mice. These strain differences in hippocampal MARCKS expression and subcellular translocation following stress may contribute to the differences in behaviors requiring hippocampal plasticity observed between these strains.     

Hippocampal AMPA-type receptor complexes containing GluR3 and GluR4 are paralleling training in the Multiple T-Maze

Although it is well-known that AMPA receptors are involved in spatial learning and memory, published data on GluR3 and GluR4 are limited. Moreover, there is no information about GluR3 and GluR4 receptor complex levels in spatial memory training. It was therefore the aim of the study to determine the above-mentioned receptor levels following training in the Multiple T-Maze (MTM). Results from the MTM and hippocampal membrane proteins from C57BL/6J mice were taken from an own previous study and GluR3 and GluR4 receptor complexes were run on blue native gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting and quantification of bands. Subsequently, GluR3 and GluR4 were identified under denaturing conditions from two-dimensional gels by mass spectrometry (nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS). Hippocampal levels of GluR3 containing complexes (apparent molecular weight between 480 and 720) were decreased while GluR4 containing complexes (apparent molecular weight between 480 and 720) were increased. GluR4 complex levels in trained mice were correlating with latency and speed. Mass spectrometry unambiguously identified the two receptor subunits. The findings show that GluR3 and GluR4 may have different functions in the processes of spatial memory training in the MTM and indeed, different neurobiological functions of the two receptor subunits have been already reported. GluR3 and GluR4 receptor complex rather than subunit levels are paralleling training in the MTM and GluR4 complex levels were even linked to memory training, which may be of relevance for understanding molecular memory processes, interpretation of previous work or for design of future AMPA receptor studies.     

Olfactory bulb proteins linked to olfactory memory in C57BL/6J mice

Information on systematic analysis of olfactory memory-related proteins is poor. In this study, the odor discrimination task to investigate olfactory recognition memory of adult male C57BL/6J mice was used. Subsequently, olfactory bulbs (OBs) were taken, proteins extracted, and run on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with in-gel-protein digestion, followed by mass spectrometry and quantification of differentially expressed proteins. Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1), dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 1 (DRP1), and fascin are related with Lemon odor memory. Microtubule-associated protein RP/EB family member 3 is related to Rose odor memory. Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase is related with both Lemon and Rose odors memory. MEK1 and DRP1 levels were increased, while microtubule-associated protein RP/EB family member 3, fascin and hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase levels were decreased during olfactory memory. In summary, neurogenesis, signal transduction, cytoskeleton, and nucleotide metabolism are involved in olfactory memory formation and storage of C57BL/6J mice.     

Germinal center activity and B cell maturation are associated with protective antibody responses against Plasmodium pre-erythrocytic infection

Blocking Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, at the asymptomatic pre-erythrocytic stage would abrogate disease pathology and prevent transmission. However, the lack of well-defined features within vaccine-elicited antibody responses that correlate with protection represents a major roadblock to improving on current generation vaccines. We vaccinated mice (BALB/cJ and C57BL/6J) with Py circumsporozoite protein (CSP), the major surface antigen on the sporozoite, and evaluated vaccine-elicited humoral immunity and identified immunological factors associated with protection after mosquito bite challenge. Vaccination achieved 60% sterile protection and otherwise delayed blood stage patency in BALB/cJ mice. In contrast, all C57BL/6J mice were infected similar to controls. Protection was mediated by antibodies and could be passively transferred from immunized BALB/cJ mice into naïve C57BL/6J. Dissection of the underlying immunological features of protection revealed early deficits in antibody titers and polyclonal avidity in C57BL/6J mice. Additionally, PyCSP-vaccination in BALB/cJ induced a significantly higher proportion of antigen-specific B-cells and class-switched memory B-cell (MBCs) populations than in C57BL/6J mice. Strikingly, C57BL/6J mice also had markedly fewer CSP-specific germinal center experienced B cells and class-switched MBCs compared to BALB/cJ mice. Analysis of the IgG γ chain repertoires by next generation sequencing in PyCSP-specific memory B-cell repertoires also revealed higher somatic hypermutation rates in BALB/cJ mice than in C57BL/6J mice. These findings indicate that the development of protective antibody responses in BALB/cJ mice in response to vaccination with PyCSP was associated with increased germinal center activity and somatic mutation compared to C57BL/6J mice, highlighting the key role B cell maturation may have in the development of vaccine-elicited protective antibodies against CSP.     

Cognitive Deficits and Disruption of Neurogenesis in a Mouse Model of Apolipoprotein E4 Domain Interaction

Apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) allele is the major genetic risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer disease (AD) due to the higher prevalence and earlier onset of AD in apoE4 carriers. Accumulating data suggest that the interaction between the N- and the C-terminal domains in the protein may be the main pathologic feature of apoE4. To test this hypothesis, we used Arg-61 mice, a model of apoE4 domain interaction, by introducing the domain interaction feature of human apoE4 into native mouse apoE. We carried out hippocampus-dependent learning and memory tests and related cellular and molecular assays on 12- and 3-month-old Arg-61 and age-matched background C57BL/6J mice. Learning and memory task performance were impaired in Arg-61 mice at both old and young ages compared with C57BL/6J mice. Surprisingly, young Arg-61 mice had more mitotic doublecortin-positive cells in the subgranular zone; mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB were also higher in 3-month-old Arg-61 hippocampus compared with C57BL/6J mice. These early-age neurotrophic and neurogenic (proliferative) effects in the Arg-61 mouse may be an inadequate compensatory but eventually detrimental attempt by the system to “repair” itself. This is supported by the higher cleaved caspase-3 levels in the young animals that not only persisted, but increased in old age, and the lower levels of doublecortin at old age in the hippocampus of Arg-61 mice. These results are consistent with human apoE4-dependent cognitive and neuro-pathologic changes, supporting the principal role of domain interaction in the pathologic effect of apoE4. Domain interaction is, therefore, a viable therapeutic/prophylactic target for cognitive impairment and AD in apoE4 subjects.     

Hippocampal levels and activity of the sodium/potassium transporting ATPase subunit alpha-3 (AT1A3) are paralleling memory training in the multiple T-Maze in the C57BL/6J mouse

Although the sodium/potassium transporting ATPase subunit alpha-3 (AT1A3) has been linked to memory mechanisms in rodents, regulation of this ATPase in terms of activity and complex levels by memory performance in a land maze has not been shown so far. It was therefore the aim of the study to link memory retrieval in the multiple T-Maze (MTM) to AT1A3 protein levels and activity. C57BL/6J mice were trained in the MTM and euthanized 6h following memory retrieval. Hippocampal membrane proteins were prepared by ultracentrifugation and run on blue native gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE). Enzyme activity was evaluated using an in-gel method. AT1A3 protein was characterized using mass spectrometry (nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS). On BN-PAGE a single band was observed at 240kDa, which corresponds to the dimeric form of the enzyme. Higher levels of AT1A3 complex were seen in trained mice. Also ATPase activity was higher in trained mice, and was observed both at 110 and at 240kDa. Mass spectrometry unambiguously identified AT1A3 with 98.91% sequence coverage. A series of novel AT1A3 phosphorylation sites were detected. Taken together, it was shown that increased AT1A3 protein levels for the dimer as well as AT1A3 activity represented by the monomer and the dimer were paralleling memory training in the MTM. This may be relevant for understanding the role of the catalytic hydrolysis of ATP coupled with the exchange of sodium and potassium ions across the plasma membrane that generates the electrochemical gradient of sodium and potassium ions. Herein, we provide evidence for a possible role of AT1A3 in memory mechanisms and support previous findings using different animal models for memory formation.     

Comparative proteomic analysis of radiation-induced changes in mouse lung: fibrosis-sensitive and -resistant strains

To determine whether comparative proteomics could detect differential protein expression after lung irradiation in two mouse strains with different radiation responses, lung proteins were subjected to two-dimensional orthogonal liquid-phase separations, with chromatofocusing in the first dimension and nonporous silica reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (NPS-RP-HPLC) in the second. Five weeks after 12 Gy whole-lung irradiation, 15 and 31 proteins had significantly altered expression levels in C3H/HeJ (less likely to develop lung fibrosis) and C57BL/6J mice (more likely to develop lung fibrosis), respectively. These proteins were analyzed by HPLC-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) and identified by matching sequences in a peptide database. The proteins are associated with redox, energy consumption, glycolysis, or chromatin/ RNA structure formation. Five of the six redox-related proteins, including superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), cytochrome c oxidase, glutamate dehydrogenase, biliverdin reductase, peroxiredoxin and carbonyl reductase, were down-regulated in the irradiated C57BL/6J mice, whereas SOD1, sulfurtransferase and carbonyl reductase increased in the irradiated C3H/ HeJ mice. Thus decreased antioxidant proteins in the irradiated C57BL/6J mice may be correlated with increased early lung toxicity. Changes in SOD1 and 8-hydroxydeoxy-guanosine (8-OHdG, an oxidative stress marker) were further confirmed by immunohistochemistry and/or Western blot analysis. These data suggest that a proteomics approach has the potential to detect protein changes relevant to early lung toxicity after irradiation.