Project description:To explore the gene expression prolife in the chroniclly hypoxic myocardium, 8 rats were divided randomly into normoxic (n=4) or chroniclly hypoxic (n=4) group, and were exposed to room air (21% O2) or continued hypoxia (10% O2) for 4 weeks. Heart tissues were collected and RNA sequencing was applied to detect the overall gene expression prolife. Genes with adjusted P-value ≤0.01 (corrected by Benjamini-Hochberg) and |log2_ratio|≥0.585 are identified as differentially expressed genes. RNA sequencing identified a total of 2014 gene with statistical significances, among which 1260 genes were significantlly increased and 754 genes were significantlly decreased. The results showed that gene expression profiling was perturbed in chronically hypoxic myocardium.
Project description:Gene expression was evaluated in the myocardium of male Wistar rats after a single sc administration of 0.5 mg of isoproterenol, a β-adrenergic agonist that causes acute tachycardia with subsequent myocardial necrosis. Histology of the heart, clinical chemistry and hematology were evaluated at 9 time-points (0.5 hr to 14 d post-injection). Myocardial gene expression was evaluated at 4 time-points (1 hr to 3 d). Contraction bands and loss of cross striation were identified on phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin-stained sections 0.5 hr post-dosing. Plasma troponin I elevation was detected at 0.5 hr, peaked at 3 hr, and returned to baseline values at 3 d post-dosing. Interleukin 6 (Il6) expression spiked at 1-3 hr and was followed by a short-lived time-dependant dysregulation of its downstream targets. Concurrently and consistent with the kinetics of the histologic findings, many pathways indicative of necrosis/apoptosis (p38 MAPK signaling, NF-kB signaling) and adaptation to hypertension (PPAR signaling) were over-represented at 3 hr. The 1 d and 3 d time-points indicated an adaptative response, with down-regulation of the fatty acid metabolism pathway, up-regulation of the fetal gene program, and superimposed inflammation and repair at 3 d. These results suggest early involvement of Il6 in isoproterenol-induced myocardial necrosis and emphasize the value of early time-points in transcriptomic studies Keywords: time course study of Isoproternol hydrochloride
Project description:Introduction: β-adrenergic stimulation using β-agonists such as isoproterenol has been routinely used to induce cardiac fibrosis in experimental in animal models. While transcriptome changes in surgical models of cardiac fibrosis such as Transverse aortic constriction (TAC), and coronary artery ligation (CAL) are well-studied, transcriptional changes during isoproterenol induced cardiac fibrosis is not well explored. Methods: Cardiac fibrosis was induced in male C57BL6 mice by administration of isoproterenol for 4, 8 or 11 days at 50mg/kg/day dose. Temporal changes in gene expression were studied by RNA sequencing. Results: We observed a significant alteration in the transcriptome profile across the different experimental groups compared to the saline group. Isoproterenol treatment caused upregulation of genes associated with ECM organization, cell-cell contact, three-dimensional structure, and cell growth, while genes associated with fatty acid oxidation, sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ion transport, and cardiac muscle contraction are downregulated. A number of known long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and putative novel lncRNAs exhibited differential regulation. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study shows that isoproterenol administration leads to the deregulation of genes relevant to ECM deposition and cardiac contraction and serves as an excellent alternate model to the surgical models of heart failure.
Project description:Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphorus insecticide that despite imposed restricitions on its use by the EPA, is one of the most commonly used insecticides. Although CPF is so widely used little is known about its effect on overall gene expression in vivo. DNA microarray technology was used to determine differential gene expression resulting from chlorpyrifos (CPF) exposure. Keywords: Dose course
Project description:The Norway rat has important impacts on our life. They are amongst the most used research subjects, resulting in ground-breaking advances. At the same time, wild rats live in close association with us, leading to various adverse interactions. In face of this relevance, it is surprising how little is known about their natural behaviour. While recent laboratory studies revealed their complex social skills, little is known about their social behaviour in the wild. An integration of these different scientific approaches is crucial to understand their social life, which will enable us to design more valid research paradigms, develop more effective management strategies, and to provide better welfare standards. Hence, I first summarise the literature on their natural social behaviour. Second, I provide an overview of recent developments concerning their social cognition. Third, I illustrate why an integration of these areas would be beneficial to optimise our interactions with them.
Project description:BackgroundMurine kobuviruses (MuKV) are newly recognized picornaviruses first detected in murine rodents in the USA in 2011. Little information on MuKV epidemiology in murine rodents is available. Therefore, we conducted a survey of the prevalence and genomic characteristics of rat kobuvirus in Guangdong, China.ResultsFecal samples from 223 rats (Rattus norvegicus) were collected from Guangdong and kobuviruses were detected in 12.6% (28) of samples. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial 3D and complete VP1 sequence regions showed that rat kobuvirus obtained in this study were genetically closely related to those of rat/mouse kobuvirus reported in other geographical areas. Two near full-length rat kobuvirus genomes (MM33, GZ85) were acquired and phylogenetic analysis of these revealed that they shared very high nucleotide/amino acids identity with one another (95.4%/99.4%) and a sewage-derived sequence (86.9%/93.5% and 87.5%/93.7%, respectively). Comparison with original Aichivirus A strains, such human kobuvirus, revealed amino acid identity values of approximately 80%.ConclusionOur findings indicate that rat kobuvirus have distinctive genetic characteristics from other Aichivirus A viruses. Additionally, rat kobuvirus may spread via sewage.
Project description:d-serine is naturally present throughout the human body. It is also used as add-on therapy for treatment-refractory schizophrenia. d-Serine interacts with the strychnine-insensitive glycine binding site of NMDA receptor, and this interaction could lead to potentially toxic activity (i.e., excitotoxicity) in brain tissue. The transcriptomic changes that occur in the brain after d-serine exposure have not been fully explored. Affymetrix microarray technology was used to determine differential gene expression resulting from D-Serine exposure. Keywords: Dose course