Project description:We performed single-nuclei RNAseq of Sprague Dawley rat area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius brain samples to identify cellular subtypes.
Project description:the expression characteristics of lncRNAs among hypertrophic cardiomyocytes induced by isoproterenol in rat ventricular myocytes from newborn Sprague-Dawley rats.
Project description:The area postrema (AP) is a sensory circumventricular organ characterised by extensive fenestrated vasculature and neurons which are capable of detecting circulating signals of osmotic, cardiovascular, immune and metabolic status. The AP can communicate these messages via efferent projections to brainstem and hypothalamic structures that are able to orchestrate an appropriate response. We have used microarrays to profile the transcriptome of the AP in the Sprague Dawley (SD) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat and present here a comprehensive catalogue of gene expression, focussing specifically on the population of ion channels, receptors and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) expressed in this sensory tissue; of the GPCRs expressed in the rat AP we identified ~36% that are orphans having no established ligand. We have also looked at the ways in which the AP transcriptome responds to the physiological stressors of 72-hours dehydration (DSD) and 48-hours fasting (FSD) and have performed microarrays under these conditions. Comparison between the DSD and SD or between FSD and SD revealed only a modest number of AP genes that are regulated by these homeostatic challenges. The expression levels of a much larger number of genes are altered in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) AP compared to the normotensive WKY controls however. Finally, analysis of these ‘hypertension-related’ elements revealed genes that are involved in both the regulation of blood pressure and immune function and as such are excellent targets for further study.
Project description:We have previously shown that Brown Norway (BN) rats are progesterone resistant. Thus this experiment was designed to compare the transcriptomes in uterus that are altered by progesterone challenge between this strain of rat with Holtzman Sprague Dawley (HSD) rats
Project description:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is diagnosed by airway obstruction and underlies a group of ailments such as bronchitis, emphysema and often asthma; however, rodent models do not resemble human pathology. Because genetically predisposed spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats display phenotypes such as systemic inflammation, thrombosis, oxidative stress, and suppressed immune function, that are also apparent in COPD patients, we exposed SH and commonly used male Sprague Dawley (SD) to 0, 250, or 350 ppm sulfur dioxide (SO2), 5h/d for 4 consecutive days. Airways disease was characterized by pulmonary functional, pathological and molecular analysis. SO2 caused dose-dependent changes in breathing parameters in both strains with SH rats being slightly more affected than SD. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) total cells and neutrophilic inflammation were dose-dependent and significantly greater in SH than in SD rats. The recovery was incomplete 4-day following SO2 exposure in SH rats. Pulmonary protein leakage did not occur in either strain but lactate dehydrogenase and n-acetyl glucosaminidase activity was increased in BALF of SH rats. Lung pathology and morphometric evaluation of mucin production in the airways demonstrated significantly greater impact of SO2 in SH than in SD rats. Baseline differences in lung gene expression pattern suggested marked immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, and impairment cell signaling and fatty acid metabolism in SH rats. Gene expression pattern of SD and SH rats following SO2 exposure demonstrated greater effect on inflammation/immune markers, and oxidative stress. Thus, the SH rat may serve as a better and more susceptible rat strain to be used for experimental model of bronchitis which is relevant to human disease. Experiment Overall Design: Spontaneously hypertensive and Sprague Dawley rats were used in this experiment. Each strain of rat was treated with either SO2 or AIR (control). There were 4 biological replicates for each strain/treatment.
