ABSTRACT
Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the central nervous system (CNS). They provide trophic support for neurons, modulate synaptic transmission and plasticity, and contribute to neuronal dysfunction. Many transgenic mouse lines have been generated to obtain astrocyte-specific expression of inducible Cre recombinase for functional studies; however, the expression patterns of inducible Cre recombinase in these lines have not been systematically characterized. We generated a new astrocyte-specific Aldh1l1-CreER knock-in mouse line and compared the expression pattern of Cre recombinase between this and five widely-used transgenic lines (hGfap-CreER from The Jackson Laboratory and The Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center, Glast-CreER, Cx30-CreER, and Fgfr3-iCreER) by crossing with Ai14 mice, which express tdTomato fluorescence following Cre-mediated recombination. In adult Aldh1l1-CreER:Ai14 transgenic mice, tdTomato was detected throughout the CNS, and five novel morphologically-defined types of astrocyte were described. Among the six evaluated lines, the specificity of Cre-mediated recombination was highest when driven by Aldh1l1 and lowest when driven by hGfap; in the latter mice, co-staining between tdTomato and NeuN was observed in the hippocampus and cortex. Notably, evident leakage was noted in Fgfr3-iCreER mice, and the expression level of tdTomato was low in the thalamus when Cre recombinase expression was driven by Glast and in the capsular part of the central amygdaloid nucleus when driven by Cx30. Furthermore, tdTomato was clearly expressed in peripheral organs in four of the lines. Our results emphasize that the astrocyte-specific CreER transgenic lines used in functional studies should be carefully selected.
ABSTRACT
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mood disorder that affects almost 20% of the global population. In addition, much evidence has implicated altered function of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) system in the pathophysiology of depression. Recent research has indicated that GABA receptors (GABARs) are an emerging therapeutic target in the treatment of stress-related disorders such as MDD. However, which cell types with GABARs are involved in this process is unknown. As hippocampal dysfunction is implicated in MDD, we knocked down GABARs in the hippocampus and found that knocking down these receptors in astrocytes, but not in GABAergic or pyramidal neurons, caused a decrease in immobility in the forced swimming test (FST) without affecting other anxiety- and depression-related behaviors. We also generated astrocyte-specific GABAR-knockout mice and found decreased immobility in the FST in these mice. Furthermore, the conditional knockout of GABARs in astrocytes selectively increased the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein in hippocampal astrocytes, which controlled the decrease in immobility in the FST. Taken together, our findings contribute to the current understanding of which cell types expressing GABARs modulate antidepressant activity in the FST, and they may provide new insights into the pathological mechanisms and potential targets for the treatment of depression.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mental status of the infertile men and explore the risk factors for the mental disorders.METHODS: Men with perceived male infertility were divided into two groups(mild or severe)according to their severity of semen quality from Aug. 2015 to Feb. 2016 in Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University.Their mental health was assessed with the symptom check list(SCL-90).Multiple Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors of the mental disorders.RESULTS: The SCL-90 total score,somatization factor score,depression factor score,anxiety factor score and psychoticism factor score of the poor semen quality group were significantly higher than those of the group with better semen quality(P<0.05).RESULTS: of the Logistic regression analysis showed that the general risk factors for mental disorders in infertile men were irregular daily life,irregular meals,lack of regular exercise,recent experience of significant adverse events and poor semen quality.Among them,poor semen quality was the risk factor for the anxiety factor,while the risk factors for depression were irregular daily life,lack of regular exercise and recent experience of significant adverse events.CONCLUSION: Men with perceived male infertility tend to have more severe psychological disorders when their semen quality is poor.Men who do not have regular daily life,meals or exercise,or who have recently experienced significant adverse events or who have poorer semen quality are more prone to mental disorders.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect difference of behavior training with head needling retention and behavior training after acupuncture for autism children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty qualified autism children were divided randomly into simultaneous head needling retention and behavior training group (trial group) and behavior training after acupuncture treatment group (control group) with 30 case in each group. Retention needles on the head with simultaneous behavior training was applied for the trial group. The main acupoints included Sishen Xue, Dingshen Sanxue (3 points for mental tranquilization), Nao Sanxue (3 points for the function of brain), Shou Zhisanxue (3 points for mental activities on hand) and Zozhi Sonxue (3 points for mental activities on foot). Other points were combined according to conditions of patients. Needles on the 4 extremities were withdrawn first after 30 minutes, needles on head were remained during behavior training. While behavior training was applied to the control group when acupuncture treatment was completely accomplished. Treatments were applied once a day to both groups. And 3 months was taken as one observation cycle. Estimation was made on therapeutic effect and developing level of autism children with CARS and PEP.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate of the trial group was 83.3% (25/30), better than 66.7% (20/30) of the control group (P < 0.05). The CARS scores of both groups declined after the treatment. And the score of trail group was lower than the control group (all P < 0.05). While the PEP scores of both groups increased, and the score of trail group was higher than the control group (all P < 0.05). The increasing level of scores of cognitive understanding and cognitive expression were all better than the control group (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The effect of behavior training with head needle retention on autism children is better than behavior training after acupuncture treatment, especially in enhancing cognition understanding and cognition expression.</p>