Project description:Transcriptional analysis of immunological characteristics of petstore mice, C57Bl/6 laboratory mice, and C57Bl/6 laboratory mice cohoused with petstore. We hypothesized that cohousing would confer a basal transcriptional signature of immune activation to laboratory mice from petstore mice. Comparison of these data with existing human adult vs. neonatal PBMC expression profiling data (GSE27272) revealed close concordance of laboratory mice with human neonates, and of cohoused or petstore mice with human adults. Results highlight the impact of environment on the basal immune state and suggest that restoring physiological microbial exposure in laboratory mice could provide a relevant tool for modeling immunological events in free-living organisms, including humans.
Project description:Transcriptional analysis of immunological characteristics of petstore mice, C57Bl/6 laboratory mice, and C57Bl/6 laboratory mice cohoused with petstore. We hypothesized that cohousing would confer a basal transcriptional signature of immune activation to laboratory mice from petstore mice. Comparison of these data with existing human adult vs. neonatal PBMC expression profiling data (GSE27272) revealed close concordance of laboratory mice with human neonates, and of cohoused or petstore mice with human adults. Results highlight the impact of environment on the basal immune state and suggest that restoring physiological microbial exposure in laboratory mice could provide a relevant tool for modeling immunological events in free-living organisms, including humans. Total RNA was isolated from PBMC of C57Bl/6 laboratory mice, petstore mice and C57Bl/6 laboratory mice cohoused with petstore mice (at least after 60 days post-cohousing)and transcriptional comparison among 3 groups were performed.
Project description:Laboratory mice comprise an inexpensive and expeditious model organism for preclinical vaccine testing; however, vaccine immunogenicity often fails to adequately translate to humans. Recent reports indicate that reconstituting physiologic microbial experience to specific pathogen free (SPF) mice induces durable immunological changes that better recapitulate the human immune system. We examined the impact of microbial experience on responses to vaccination after cohousing laboratory mice with pet store mice. We demonstrate that human transcriptional responses to influenza vaccination are better recapitulated in cohoused mice. Induction of humoral responses by vaccination was dampened in cohoused mice and resulted in poor control upon challenge. Additionally, the establishment of protective heterosubtypic T cell immunity was compromised in cohoused mice. In summary, SPF mice exaggerated both humoral and T cell protection induced by influenza vaccines compared to cohoused mice, suggesting that reconstituting microbial experience in laboratory mice through cohousing may better inform preclinical vaccine testing.
Project description:We collected whole genome testis expression data from hybrid zone mice. We integrated GWAS mapping of testis expression traits and low testis weight to gain insight into the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility.
Project description:We collected whole genome testis expression data from hybrid zone mice. We integrated GWAS mapping of testis expression traits and low testis weight to gain insight into the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility. Gene expression was measured in whole testis from males aged 62-86 days. Samples include 190 first generation lab-bred male offspring of wild-caught mice from the Mus musculus musculus - M. m. domesticus hybrid zone.
Project description:To characterize the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility in detail, we used a systems genetics approach, integrating mapping of gene expression traits with sterility phenotypes and QTL. We measured genome-wide testis expression in 305 male F2s from a cross between wild-derived inbred strains of M. musculus musculus and M. m. domesticus. We identified several thousand cis- and trans-acting QTL contributing to expression variation (eQTL). Many trans eQTL cluster into eleven ‘hotspots,’ seven of which co-localize with QTL for sterility phenotypes identified in the cross. The number and clustering of trans eQTL - but not cis eQTL - were substantially lower when mapping was restricted to a ‘fertile’ subset of mice, providing evidence that trans eQTL hotspots are related to sterility. Functional annotation of transcripts with eQTL provides insights into the biological processes disrupted by sterility loci and guides prioritization of candidate genes. Using a conditional mapping approach, we identified eQTL dependent on interactions between loci, revealing a complex system of epistasis. Our results illuminate established patterns, including the role of the X chromosome in hybrid sterility.
Project description:SILAC based protein correlation profiling using size exclusion of protein complexes derived from Mus musculus tissues (Heart, Liver, Lung, Kidney, Skeletal Muscle, Thymus)
Project description:To quantify gene expression differences in olfactory epithelium between the mouse (Mus musculus) and the Nile rat (Arvicanthis niloticus), paired-end RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to profile olfactory epithelium transcriptomes of six Nile rats and six mice (C57BL/6J) (one male and one female at the age of 8, 12, and 16 weeks for each species).
