Partial SP-B deficiency perturbs lung function and causes air space abnormalities

Surfactant protein B (SP-B) is required for function of newborn and adult lung, and partial deficiency has been associated with susceptibility to lung injury. In the present study, transgenic mice were produced in which expression of SP-B in type II epithelial cells was conditionally regulated. Concentrations of SP-B were maintained at 60-70% of that normally present in control. Immunostaining for SP-B demonstrated cellular heterogeneity in expression of the protein. In subsets of type II cells in which SP-B staining was decreased, immunostaining for pro-SP-C was increased and lamellar body ultrastructure was disrupted, consistent with focal SP-B deficiency. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analyses of freshly isolated type II cells identified a population of cells with low SP-B content and a smaller population with increased SP-B content, confirming nonuniform expression of the SP-B transgene. Focal air space enlargement, without cellular infiltration or inflammation, was observed. Pressure-volume curves indicated that maximal tidal volume was unchanged; however, hysteresis was modestly altered and residual volumes were significantly decreased in the SP-B-deficient mice. Chronic, nonuniform SP-B deficiency perturbed pulmonary function and caused air space enlargement.     

Cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency causes fat loss in mice

Cystathionine beta synthase (CBS) is the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for the de novo synthesis of cysteine. Patients with CBS deficiency have greatly elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), decreased levels of plasma total cysteine (tCys), and often a marfanoid appearance characterized by thinness and low body-mass index (BMI). Here, we characterize the growth and body mass characteristics of CBS deficient TgI278T Cbs(-/-) mice and show that these animals have significantly decreased fat mass and tCys compared to heterozygous sibling mice. The decrease in fat mass is accompanied by a 34% decrease in liver glutathione (GSH) along with a significant decrease in liver mRNA and protein for the critical fat biosynthesizing enzyme Stearoyl CoA desaturase-1 (Scd-1). Because plasma tCys has been positively associated with fat mass in humans, we tested the hypothesis that decreased tCys in TgI278T Cbs(-/-) mice was the cause of the lean phenotype by placing the animals on water supplemented with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) from birth to 240 days of age. Although NAC treatment in TgI278T Cbs(-/-) mice caused significant increase in serum tCys and liver GSH, there was no increase in body fat content or in liver Scd-1 levels. Our results show that lack of CBS activity causes loss of fat mass, and that this effect appears to be independent of low serum tCys.     

Pex11a deficiency causes dyslipidaemia and obesity in mice

Peroxisomes play a central role in lipid metabolism. We previously demonstrated that Pex11a deficiency impairs peroxisome abundance and fatty acid β‐oxidation and results in hepatic triglyceride accumulation. The role of Pex11a in dyslipidaemia and obesity is investigated here with Pex11a knockout mice (Pex11a^?/?). Metabolic phenotypes including tissue weight, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, cholesterol levels, fatty acid profile, oxygen consumption, physical activity were assessed in wild‐type (WT) and Pex11a^?/? fed with a high‐fat diet. Molecular changes and peroxisome abundance in adipose tissue were evaluated through qRT‐PCR, Western blotting, and Immunofluorescence. Pex11a^?/? showed increased fat mass, decreased skeletal muscle, higher cholesterol levels, and more severely impaired glucose and insulin tolerance. Pex11a^?/? consumed less oxygen, indicating a decrease in fatty acid oxidation, which is consistent with the accumulation of very long‐ and long‐chain fatty acids. Adipose palmitic acid (C16:0) levels were elevated in Pex11a^?/?, which may be because of dramatically increased fatty acid synthase mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, Pex11a deficiency increased ventricle size and macrophage infiltration, which are related to the reduced physical activity. These data demonstrate that Pex11a deficiency impairs physical activity and energy expenditure, decreases fatty acid β‐oxidation, increases de novo lipogenesis and results in dyslipidaemia and obesity.     

Reversibility of lung inflammation caused by SP-B deficiency

Whereas decreased concentrations of surfactant protein (SP)-B are associated with lung injury and respiratory distress, potential causal relationships between SP-B deficiency and lung inflammation remain unclear. A transgenic mouse in which human SP-B expression was placed under conditional control of doxycycline via the CCSP promoter was utilized to determine the role of SP-B in the initiation of pulmonary inflammation. Adult mice, made SP-B deficient by removal of doxycycline, developed severe respiratory failure within 4 days. Deficiency of SP-B was associated with increased minimal surface tension of the surfactant and perturbed lung mechanics. Four days of SP-B deficiency did not alter SP-C content or surfactant phospholipid content or composition. SP-B deficiency was associated with lung inflammation and increased soluble L-selectin, STAT-3, and phosphorylated STAT-3 in alveolar macrophages and alveolar epithelial cells. Alveolar IL-6, IL-1beta, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 concentrations were increased after removal of doxycycline, indicating pulmonary inflammation. Restoration of SP-B expression following administration of doxycycline rapidly reversed SP-B-dependent abnormalities in lung mechanics and inflammation. SP-B deficiency is sufficient to cause lung dysfunction and inflammation in adult mice. SP-B reversed inflammation and maintained lung function in vivo, indicating its potential utility for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary injury and surfactant deficiency.     

Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency causes respiratory inflammation and destruction in the lung

The functional roles of neutral lipids are poorly understood in the lung. Blocking cholesteryl ester and triglyceride metabolism in lysosomal acid lipase gene knockout mice (lal-/-) resulted in a high level of neutrophil influx in the lungs as early as 2 mo of age. Bronchoalveolar macrophages appeared foamy and gradually increased in number with age progression. Affymetrix GeneChip array analysis of lung mRNA showed increased levels of proinflammatory cytokine (including IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) and matrix metalloproteinase (including MMP-8, MMP-9, and MMP-12) expression in lal-/- mice. With age progression, some areas of lal-/- mice developed severe abnormal cell proliferation and alveolar remodeling. In other areas, alveolar destruction (i.e., emphysema) was observed. In addition, Clara cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia developed in conducting airways. The pathophysiological phenotypes in the lal-/- mouse lungs became more severe with increasing age. The studies support the concept that neutral lipid metabolites play essential roles in pulmonary homeostasis, inflammatory responses, remodeling, and injury repair.     

ABCA3 inactivation in mice causes respiratory failure, loss of pulmonary surfactant, and depletion of lung phosphatidylglycerol

The highly branched mammalian lung relies on surfactant, a mixture of phospholipids, cholesterol, and hydrophobic proteins, to reduce intraalveolar surface tension and prevent lung collapse. Human mutations in the ABCA3 transporter have been associated with childhood respiratory disease of variable severity and onset. Here, we report the generation of Abca3 null mice, which became lethargic and cyanotic and died within 1 h of birth. Tissue blots found ABCA3 expression was highest in lung but was also detectable in other tissues, including the kidney. Gross development of kidney and lung was normal in neonatal Abca3(-/-) pups, but the mice failed to inflate their lungs, leading to death from atelectatic respiratory failure. Ultrastructural analysis of the Abca3(-/-) lungs revealed an absence of surfactant from the alveolar space and a profound loss of mature lamellar bodies, the intracellular storage organelle for surfactant. Mass spectrometry measurement of >300 phospholipids in lung tissue taken from Abca3(-/-) mice showed a dramatic reduction of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) levels as well as selective reductions in phosphatidylcholine species containing short acyl chains. These results establish a requirement of ABCA3 for lamellar body formation and pulmonary surfactant secretion and suggest a unique and critical role for the transporter in the metabolism of pulmonary PG. They also demonstrate the utility of the Abca3 null mouse as a model for a devastating human disease.     

Trib1 deficiency causes brown adipose respiratory chain depletion and mitochondrial disorder

Tribbles homolog 1 (TRIB1) belongs to the Tribbles family of pseudokinases, which plays a key role in tumorigenesis and inflammation. Although genome-wide analysis shows that TRIB1 expression is highly correlated with blood lipid levels, the relationship between TRIB1 and adipose tissue metabolism remains unclear. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to explore the role of TRIB1 on mitochondrial function in the brown adipose tissue (BAT). Trib1-knockout mice were established using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology. The metabolic function of the BAT was induced by a β3-adrenoceptor agonist and the energy metabolism function of mitochondria in the BAT of mice was evaluated. Trib1-knockout mice exhibited obesity and impaired BAT thermogenesis. In particular, Trib1 knockout reduced the ability of the BAT to maintain body temperature, inhibited β3-adrenoceptor agonist-induced thermogenesis, and accelerated lipid accumulation in the liver and adipose tissues. In addition, Trib1 knockout reduced mitochondrial respiratory chain complex III activity, produced an imbalance between mitochondrial fusion and fission, caused mitochondrial structural damage and dysfunction, and affected heat production and lipid metabolism in the BAT. Conversely, overexpression of Trib1 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes increased the number of mitochondria and improved respiratory function. These findings support the role of Trib1 in regulating the mitochondrial respiratory chain and mitochondrial dynamics by affecting mitochondrial function and thermogenesis in the BAT.Subject terms: Energy metabolism, Obesity     

Protein kinase A deficiency causes axially localized neural tube defects in mice

We have studied the function of protein kinase A (PKA) during embryonic development using a PKA-deficient mouse that retains only one functional catalytic subunit allele, either Calpha or Cbeta, of PKA. The reduced PKA activity results in neural tube defects that are specifically localized posterior to the forelimb buds and lead to spina bifida. The affected neural tube has closed appropriately but exhibits an enlarged lumen and abnormal neuroepithelium. Decreased PKA activity causes dorsal expansion of Sonic hedgehog signal response in the thoracic to sacral regions correlating with the regions of morphological abnormalities. Other regions of the neural tube appear normal. The regional sensitivity to changes in PKA activity indicates that downstream signaling pathways differ along the anterior-posterior axis and suggests a functional role for PKA activation in neural tube development.     

Blockade of adhesion molecule CD146 causes pregnancy failure in mice

Unexplained pregnancy loss and recurrent miscarriage seriously impair human fecundity. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Recent studies suggest that the adhesion molecule CD146 may be involved in unexplained recurrent miscarriage. Here, we investigate the effect of CD146 on early pregnancy. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we found that CD146 was specifically expressed in the receptive maternal uteri and invasive embryonic trophoblasts during the early stages of pregnancy, but it was completely absent in the non-pregnant uterus. Our in vitro studies demonstrated that blocking CD146 with a function-perturbation antibody AA98 significantly inhibited the attachment of blastocysts onto the receptive uterine luminal epithelial monolayer, the trophoblastic outgrowth of blastocysts and ectoplacental cones, and the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases. Animal experiments showed that applying this antibody before embryo implantation caused pregnancy failure in mice. Our data present direct evidence for the role of CD146 in mediating embryonic attachment and trophoblastic invasion, and provide new insight into the molecular mechanism underlying unexplained pregnancy loss and recurrent miscarriage.     

Helicobacter felis infection causes an acute iron deficiency in nonpregnant and pregnant mice

BACKGROUND: The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in iron deficiency during pregnancy is limited. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between Helicobacter infection and levels of iron stores in pregnant mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female C57BL/6 mice were either inoculated with 10(8) H. pylori, Helicobacter felis or water. In the nonpregnant study, 15 mice from each group were sacrificed after 4 and 20 weeks of infection. In the pregnancy study, after 6 weeks of infection all female mice were mated and approximately 2 weeks after mating, half of the pregnant mice (n = 9/group) from each group were sacrificed. The remaining mice were allowed to give birth, and approximately 4 weeks after birth, mice were asphyxiated with CO2, followed by heart puncture, and killed by cervical dislocation. Serum ferritin and iron were determined with a micro-particle enzyme immunoassay method and by a timed-endpoint method. RESULTS: Serum iron levels in mice infected with H. felis were significantly (p < .05) lowered compared to control (24%) and H. pylori (27%)-infected mice at 4 weeks of infection. Serum iron in the control, H. pylori and H. felis groups were significantly (p < .05) elevated at 20 weeks by 39, 26 and 77%, respectively, compared to 4 weeks of infection. H. felis-infected mice had a significantly (p < .05) decreased serum ferritin level during pregnancy (61%) compared to H. pylori-infected mice. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that H. felis but not H. pylori infection causes an acute iron deficiency in normal and pregnant mice.     

Ferrylmyoglobin formation induced by acute magnesium deficiency in perfused rat heart causes cardiac failure

The oxidation states in intracellular myoglobin and cytochrome oxidase aa₃ were monitored by reflectatnce spectrophotometry in isoltaed perfused rat hearts subjected to an acutely magnesium deficient environment. After exposure to low extracellular [Mg²⁺]_o (i.e., 0.3 mM) for 30 min, more than 80% of the oxymyoglobin converted to its deoxygenated form. The level of reduced cytochrome oxidase aa₃ also increased about 80% in low [Mg²⁺]_o. the deoxymyoglobin was converted further to a species identified as ferrymyoglobin by its reaction with Na₂S to form ferrous sulfmyoglobin which was optically visible. This process, set into motion by acute Mg deficiency, resulted from a direct accessibility of the exogenous peroxide to the cytosolic protein. The results suggest that a pathway leading to cardiac tissue damage, induced magnesium deficiency, is probably involved in the generation of a ferrylmyoglobin radical which could be prevented by addition of ascorbate, which is known to be a one-electron reductant of this hypervalent form of myglobin. In further studies, we also investigated whether addition of different concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA) to the perfusate could enhance myocardial function after exposure to log [Mg²⁺]_o perfusion. Four concentrations of AA (0.5, 1, 5, 10 mM) were tested, indicate that they exert their effects in a concentration-dependent manner; 1 mM AA was the most effective dose in improving aortic output in a Mg-deficient heart. Ferrylmyoglobin formation was found to be formed considerably before intracellylar release of either creatine phosphokinase or lactic dehydrogenase. These studies may have wide implications as a new mechanisms by which extracellular Mg²⁺ can induce myocardial injury and subsequent cardiac failure.     

Selective Runx2-II deficiency leads to low-turnover osteopenia in adult mice

Runx2 transcribes Runx2-II and Runx2-I isoforms with distinct N-termini. Deletion of both isoforms results in complete arrest of bone development, whereas selective loss of Runx2-II is sufficient to form a grossly intact skeleton with impaired endochondral bone development. To elucidate the role of Runx2-II in osteoblast function in adult mice, we examined heterozygous Runx2-II (Runx2-II(+/-)) and homozygous Runx2-II (Runx2-II(-/-))-deficient mice, which, respectively, lack one or both copies of Runx2-II but intact Runx2-I expression. Compared to wild-type mice, 6-week-old Runx2-II(+/-) had reduced trabecular bone volume (BV/TV%), cortical thickness (Ct.Th), and bone mineral density (BMD), decreased osteoblastic and osteoclastic markers, lower bone formation rates, impaired osteoblast maturation of BMSCs in vitro, and significant reductions in mechanical properties. Homozygous Runx2-II(-/-) mice had a more severe reduction in BMD, BV/TV%, and Ct.Th, and greater suppression of osteoblastic and osteoclastic markers than Runx2-II(+/-) mice. Non-selective Runx2(+/-) mice, which have an equivalent reduction in Runx2 expression due to the lack one copy of Runx2-I and II, however, had an intermediate reduction in BMD. Thus, selective Runx2-II mutation causes diminished osteoblastic function in an adult mouse leading to low-turnover osteopenia and suggest that Runx2-I and II have distinct functions imparted by their different N-termini.     

Gestational zinc deficiency amplifies the regulation of metallothionein induction in adult mice

To determine if prenatal zinc deficiency has a persistent effect on metallothionein (MT) regulation, Swiss-Webster mice were mated and fed a diet containing either control (100 micrograms Zn/g) or low levels of zinc (5 micrograms Zn/g) from Day 7 of gestation to parturition. After birth all mice were given the control diet. Liver zinc and MT levels were 50% lower in newborn pups from dams fed the low zinc diets than in control pups. In control pups, liver zinc and MT concentrations were relatively stable during the first week of postnatal life. In contrast, in pups prenatally deprived of zinc, liver levels of zinc and MT increased such that by Day 3 of postnatal life, the levels were not significantly different from controls. At Day 56, serum IgM concentrations were significantly lower in the low zinc offspring. Liver zinc concentrations in the two groups of mice were similar at Day 70 postnatal, and in both groups liver MT levels were below detection limits. However, when Day 70 mice were given zinc injections to stimulate MT synthesis, the prenatally zinc deprived offspring showed markedly higher liver MT levels than did control mice given similar injections, despite similar liver zinc concentrations in the two groups. These results show that prenatal zinc deficiency has pronounced effects on postnatal MT metabolism which can persist into adulthood.     

CPEB3 deficiency in mice affect ovarian follicle development and causes premature ovarian insufficiency

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a heterogeneous and multifactorial disorder. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in research on the pathogenesis and treatment of POI, owing to the implementation of the second-child policy in China. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein 3 (CPEB3) is an RNA-binding protein that can bind to specific RNA sequences. CPEB3 can bind to and affect the expression, cellular location, and stability of target RNAs. Cpeb3 is highly expressed in the ovary; however, its functions remain unknown. In this study, Cpeb3-mutant mice were used to characterize the physiological functions of CPEB3. Cpeb3-mutant female mice manifested signs of gradual loss of ovarian follicles, ovarian follicle development arrest, increased follicle atresia, and subfertility with a phenotype analogous to POI in women. Further analysis showed that granulosa cell proliferation was inhibited and apoptosis was markedly increased in Cpeb3-mutant ovaries. In addition, the expression of Gdf9, a potential target of CPEB3, was decreased in Cpeb3-mutant ovaries and oocytes. Altogether, these results reveal that CPEB3 is essential for ovarian follicle development and female fertility as it regulates the expression of Gdf9 in oocytes, disruption of which leads to impaired ovarian follicle development and POI.Subject terms: RNA-binding proteins, Infertility     

Progressive troponin I loss impairs cardiac relaxation and causes heart failure in mice

Cardiac troponin I (TnI) knockout mice exhibit a phenotype of sudden death at 17-18 days after birth due to a progressive loss of TnI. The objective of this study was to gain insight into the physiological consequences of TnI depletion and the cause of death in these mice. Cardiac function was monitored serially between 12 and 17 days of age by using high-resolution ultrasonic imaging and Doppler echocardiography. Two-dimensional B-mode and anatomical M-mode imaging and Doppler echocardiography were performed using a high-frequency ( approximately 20-45 MHz) ultrasound imaging system on homozygous cardiac TnI mutant mice (cTnI(-/-)) and wild-type littermates. On day 12, cTnI(-/-) mice were indistinguishable from wild-type mice in terms of heart rate, atrial and LV (LV) chamber dimensions, LV posterior wall thickness, and body weight. By days 16 through 17, wild-type mice showed up to a 40% increase in chamber dimensions due to normal growth, whereas cTnI(-/-) mice showed increases in atrial dimensions of up to 97% but decreases in ventricular dimensions of up to 70%. Mitral Doppler analysis revealed prolonged isovolumic relaxation time and pronounced inversion of the mitral E/A ratio (early ventricular filling wave-to-late atrial contraction filling wave) only in cTnI(-/-) mice indicative of impaired LV relaxation. cTnI(-/-) mouse hearts showed clear signs of failure on day 17, characterized by >50% declines in cardiac output, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening. B-mode echocardiography showed a profoundly narrowed tube-like LV and enlarged atria at this time. Our data are consistent with TnI deficiency causing impaired LV relaxation, which leads to diastolic heart failure in this model.     

Acute tau knockdown in the hippocampus of adult mice causes learning and memory deficits

Misfolded and hyperphosphorylated tau accumulates in several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism, corticobasal degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy, Down syndrome, and Pick's disease. Tau is a microtubule‐binding protein, and its role in microtubule stabilization is well defined. In contrast, while growing evidence suggests that tau is also involved in synaptic physiology, a complete assessment of tau function in the adult brain has been hampered by robust developmental compensation of other microtubule‐binding proteins in tau knockout mice. To circumvent these developmental compensations and assess the role of tau in the adult brain, we generated an adeno‐associated virus (AAV) expressing a doxycycline‐inducible short‐hairpin (Sh) RNA targeted to tau, herein referred to as AAV‐ShRNATau. We performed bilateral stereotaxic injections in 7‐month‐old C57Bl6/SJL wild‐type mice with either the AAV‐ShRNATau or a control AAV. We found that acute knockdown of tau in the adult hippocampus significantly impaired motor coordination and spatial memory. Blocking the expression of the AAV‐ShRNATau, thereby allowing tau levels to return to control levels, restored motor coordination and spatial memory. Mechanistically, the reduced tau levels were associated with lower BDNF levels, reduced levels of synaptic proteins associated with learning, and decreased spine density. We provide compelling evidence that tau is necessary for motor and cognitive function in the adult brain, thereby firmly supporting that tau loss‐of‐function may contribute to the clinical manifestations of many tauopathies. These findings have profound clinical implications given that anti‐tau therapies are in clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease.     

Hantaan virus infection causes an acute neurological disease that is fatal in adult laboratory mice

Hantaan virus, the etiological agent of Korean hemorrhagic fever, is transmitted to humans from persistently infected mice (Apodemus agrarius), which serve as the primary reservoir. Here we demonstrate that several strains of adult Mus musculus domesticus (C57BL/6, BALB/c, AKR/J, and SJL/J) were susceptible to Hantaan virus infection when infected intraperitoneally. First clinical signs were loss of weight, ruffled fur, and reduced activity, which were followed by neurological symptoms, such as paralyses and convulsions. Within 2 days of disease onset, the animals died of acute encephalitis. PCR analysis indicated a systemic infection with viral RNA present in all major organs. Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization analyses of postmortem material detected viral antigen and RNA in the central nervous system (predominantly brain), liver, and spleen. In the central nervous system, viral antigen and RNA colocalized with perivascular infiltrations, the predominant pathological finding. To investigate the involvement of the interferon system in Hantaan virus pathogenesis, we infected alpha/beta interferon receptor knockout mice. These animals were more susceptible to Hantaan virus infection, indicating an important role of interferon-induced antiviral defense mechanisms in Hantaan virus pathogenesis. The present model may help to overcome shortcomings in the development of therapeutic and prophylactic measurements against hantavirus infections.