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At least 811 records · Page 45Linked to original sources

Engineering mosquito resistance to malaria parasites: the avian malaria model.

Genetic approaches to controlling the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases are being developed to augment the available chemical control practices and environmental manipulation methods. Much progress has been made in laboratory-based research that seeks to develop antipathogen or antivector effector genes and methods for genetically manipulating host vector strains. Research is summarized here in the development of a malaria-resistant phenotype using as a model system the avian parasite, Plasmodium gallinaceum, and the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Robust transformation technology based on a number of transposable elements, the identification of promoter regions derived from endogenous mosquito genes, and the development of single-chain antibodies as effector genes have made it possible to produce malaria-resistant mosquitoes. Future challenges include discovery of methods for spreading antiparasite genes through mosquito populations, determining the threshold levels below which parasite intensities of infection must be held, and defining the circumstances in which a genetic control strategy would be employed in the field.

Aedes↗

A genetic mouse model carrying the nonfunctional xeroderma pigmentosum group G gene.

A genetic mouse model with a disrupted XPG allele was generated by insertion of neo cassette sequences into exon 3 of the XPG gene by using embryonic stem (ES) cell techniques. The xpg-deficient mice showed distinct developmental characteristics. Their body was marked smaller than that in wild-type littermates since the postnatal day 6, and this postnatal growth failure became more severe with developmental proceeding. Their life span was very short, all of the mutants died by postnatal day 23 after showing great weakness and emaciation. In addition, the mutant homozygous mice also showed some progressive neurological signs, like the lower level of activity and a progressive ataxia. Further examination indicated there was developmental retardation of the brain in the mutant mice. Their brain weight, and thickness of cerebral cortex and cerebellar cortex were significant different from the controls. These characteristics, like small size brain, brain developmental retardation and progressive neurological dysfunctions in the homozygotes were similar to the typical clinical phenotype of the XPG patients and Cockayne syndrome, we believe that the xpgdeficient mice will be an animal model for studying the function of the XP-G protein in nucleotide-excision repair and mechanisms related to the clinic symptoms of XP-G and Cockayne syndrome in humans.

Animals↗

A genetically diabetic model "KK-CAy mice" for a pharmacological assay.

A genetically diabetic model, KK-CAy mice which were bred by mating female KK mice (aa, BB, cc) with male KK-CAy mice (Aya, BB, CC) was studied on the usefulness as a tool for a pharmacological assay. Body weights of KK-CAy mice increased more rapidly than those of control mice, KK-C. When the body weights of male KK-CAy mice reached about 30 g 10 weeks after birth, their blood glucose levels increased. Severe hyperglycemia (over 300 mg/100 ml) was often observed in the males, but not in the females. Glucose tolerance in the KK-CAy mice was more markedly impaired than that in the control mice. The increase in blood FFA level correlated with the increase in body weight on both KK-CAy mice and the controls. On hyperinsulinemia observed, the ratio of plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) level to blood glucose level in the male mice was lower than that seen in the female mice. On hyperglucagonemia observed, elevation of plasma immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) was more remarkable in the males than in the females. Morphological study showed insular degranulation only in the males. Since the dose-dependent insulin-induced falling was observed on blood glucose level in nonfasted KK-CAy mice, they could be used as a feasible tool for an assay of antidiabetic drugs.

Animals↗

Bone morphogenic protein-7 inhibits progression of chronic renal fibrosis associated with two genetic mouse models.

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a hallmark feature of chronic renal injury. Specific therapies to control the progression of renal fibrosis toward end-stage renal failure are limited. Previous studies have demonstrated that expression of endogenous bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7) is reduced in the kidneys of several inducible mouse models of acute and chronic renal disease and that administration of exogenous recombinant human BMP-7 (rhBMP-7) has a beneficial effect on kidney function. Here we report that treatment with rhBMP-7 leads to improved renal function, histology, and survival in mice deficient in the alpha3-chain of type IV collagen and MRL/MpJlpr/lpr lupus mice, two genetic models for chronic renal injury and fibrosis. Such therapeutic benefit is also associated with a significant decrease in the expression of profibrotic molecules, such as type I collagen and fibronectin, in renal fibroblasts. Additionally, rhBMP-7 induces expression of active matrix metalloproteinase-2, which is potentially important for removal of fibrotic matrix. Collectively, these studies provide further evidence for rhBMP-7 as an important bone-associated protein with protective function against renal pathology.

Animals↗

Statistical models for genetic susceptibility in toxicological and epidemiological investigations.

Models are presented for use in assessing genetic susceptibility to cancer (or other diseases) with animal or human data. Observations are assumed to be in the form of proportions, hence a binomial sampling distribution is considered. Generalized linear models are employed to model the response as a function of the genetic component; these include logistic and complementary log forms. Susceptibility is measured via odds ratios of response, relative to a background genetic group. Significance tests and confidence intervals for these odds ratios are based on maximum likelihood estimates of the regression parameters. Additional consideration is given to the problem of gene-environment interactions and to testing whether certain genetic identifiers/categories may be collapsed into a smaller set of categories. The collapsibility hypothesis provides an example of a mechanistic context wherein nonhierarchical models for the linear predictor can sometimes make sense.

Animals↗

Examination of candidate genes in language disorder: a model of genetic association for treatment studies.

The purpose of this review is to provide a model for studying genetic association of response to intervention in child language disorders. In addition to a theoretical overview and review of different approaches to studying candidate genes, a specific methodology for completing this type of analysis is presented. The goal of the analysis is to provide detail beyond simple broad phenotyping for affected and nonaffected individuals and to take advantage of data yielded from concise behavioral phenotyping often available in treatment studies.

Autistic Disorder↗

Testing structural equation models for twin data using LISREL.

Simple genetic models can be fitted to twin data using software packages such as LISREL (Jöreskog and Sörbom, 1986a). After discussion of data preparation and routine checks on possible violation of assumptions of the twin method, we illustrate univariate, bivariate, and multivariate genetic models which can be tested in cross-sectional twin data using LISREL. These include models for cohort or cohabitation effects, genotype x sex interaction, and certain types of genotype x environment interaction and genotype-environment correlation.

Computer Simulation↗

A new model of genetic hypertension in rats with superficial glomeruli.

Despite renal involvement in the genesis of hypertension, the precise renal hemodynamic events prior to and during development of hypertension have not been obtainable by direct study in the available rat models of genetic hypertension. We have developed a model of genetic salt-sensitive hypertension in rats with superficial glomeruli, using the protocol described by Dahl to develop the Brookhaven model. Adult Munich Wistar rats were purchased from Charles River and bred in our laboratory. Offspring were allowed to mature without intervention. Systolic blood pressure and body weight were measured weekly to determine the normal longitudinal changes with increasing age for this strain. Balance studies were also carried out longitudinally, and during these studies plasma renin activity (PRA) was determined. When the rats were 16 weeks old, the availability of superficial glomeruli was assessed under microscopic examination and only those rats with numerous superficial glomeruli/field were mated. The offspring of these breeders were used as the zero generation (F0) of salt-sensitive rats, and were treated as described by Dahl. Systolic blood pressure, body weights and balance studies were carried out in this and in all subsequent generations. Sibling breeding was maintained and rats were bred for salt-sensitivity (systolic blood pressure greater than 155 mmHg at the age of 2 months) and availability of superficial glomeruli. Those rats with systolic blood pressure of less than 120 mmHg were bred in an attempt to develop a salt-resistant strain, and untreated Munich Wistar rats were bred to provide another control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Genetic rodent models of depression.

Are there appropriate rodent models for human depressive disorders? A model that targets a core aspect of depression can become a helpful tool in the analysis of the causes, genetic or environmental, that result in symptoms homologous to those of depressed patients. Rodent models can also allow the study of the pathophysiology of specific behaviors, and can help in predicting therapeutic responses to pharmacological agents. A rodent model of depression should satisfy as many of the three main criteria as possible: similar etiology, similar pathophysiology, and similar treatment to the human condition. A wide range of rodent models of depression has been developed so far, including genetic models.

Animals↗

Behavioral phenotypes and pharmacology in genetic mouse models of Parkinsonism.

Prior to the discovery of genes associated with familial forms of Parkinson's disease, animal models of Parkinson's disease mainly consisted of toxin models based exclusively on the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons. These traditional models have provided valuable insight into symptomatic treatments for Parkinson's disease; however, they lack the broad extra-nigral pathology and the progression that is observed in the disease. The novel genetic mouse models recently generated are advantageous because they have mutations that are known to cause familial Parkinson's disease and thus they have good construct validity. To maximize the utility of these models, a thoughtful phenotypical characterization is important. Our laboratory has assembled a battery of behavioral tests to assess sensorimotor function in genetic mouse models of Parkinsonism. This review discusses the sensitivity of these tests in different genetic mice in addition to their behavioral response to dopamine agonists.

Animals↗

Genetic contribution to factor VII levels in families of patients undergoing coronary arteriography.

An elevated plasma level of factor VII is a risk factor for coronary artery disease. We investigated environmental, familial, and genetic influences on factor VII activity in 508 family members of 87 probands who underwent elective coronary arteriography. Maximum likelihood methods were used to fit several genetic and non-genetic models of inheritance to these data to determine whether an unobserved Mendelian major gene could explain the familial distribution of factor VII. Factor VII activities were adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, menopause status, and triglycerides prior to this segregation analysis (this model accounted for 33.5% of the total variation). Adjusted factor VII activities showed strong familial aggregation with an estimated parent-offspring correlation of 0.34, sibling correlation of 0.36 and a smaller spouse correlation of 0.16. Regressive models were used to test genetic and non-genetic models in these 87 families. Mendelian single-locus models with either two or three underlying genotypic distributions of factor VII activities were best supported by these data. Essentially, these Mendelian models suggest most individuals come from a low distribution (mean, 116%), with a few individuals homozygous for a high allele drawn from a distribution with a mean of 166%. Future linkage studies may be worthwhile to further clarify the mechanisms controlling factor VII activity.

Adolescent↗

Serotonergic regulation of somatosensory cortical development: lessons from genetic mouse models.

Monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems appear early during embryogenesis, suggesting that they could play important roles in brain development. Accumulated evidence indicates that serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) regulates neural as well as nonneural development, including early aspects of embryonic development, differentiation of neuronal progenitors, and morphogenesis of the craniofacial region, heart and limb. Recent studies using monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A), 5-HT transporter, vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2) and 5-HT1B receptor single, double and triple knockout mice have provided evidence that the serotonergic system plays important roles in barrel field formation in the developing somatosensory cortex. Here we review evidence from these genetic mouse models and, based on the accumulated evidence, propose a testable model for future studies of mechanisms underlying serotonergic regulation of cortical development.

Animals↗

Aggressive behavior and HPA axis hormones after social isolation in adult rats of two different genetic animal models for depression.

In the current study we explored behavioral and endocrinological effects of exposure to social isolation during adulthood in two different genetic animal models of depression, the Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL), and their controls, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) strain and their controls, Wistar rats. Behavioral patterns of the different strains in coping with an intruder were studied in the "aggression" or resident-intruder test. We also measured basal plasma levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormones corticosterone and ACTH and their levels after chronic stress (isolation). Significant alterations in the levels of HPA hormones after social isolation were noted in the "depressed-like" strains. There were no significant behavioral differences between FSL and SD rats in the "aggression" test. In contrast, WKY rats exhibited less frequent aggressive-like and social behavior compared to Wistar controls. The results suggest that the FSL and WKY strains, both genetic animal models of depression, exhibit separate patterns of HPA axis modulation and aggressive-like behavior after social isolation. These different patterns may reflect two different types of depression. An "avoidant" or socially inhibited type of depressive-like behavior is seen most clearly in the WKY strain.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Genetically engineered models have advantages over xenografts for preclinical studies.

Mouse models of human cancer are valuable tools for cancer research. Although xenografts and genetically engineered models (GEMs) possess limitations as well as advantages, each system plays a significant role in preclinical testing. Tumor xenografts are easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and reproducible. The main drawback of xenografts is that the genetics and histology of the tumors are frequently not representative of the respective human tumor and, thus far, these models have not been as predictive of therapeutic success as one would like. By contrast, GEMs are histologically and genetically accurate models of human cancer but have disadvantages of heterogeneity with regard to frequency, latency, and growth. These disadvantages are reminiscent of the variable behavior of actual human tumors. Recently, these shortcomings have been partly overcome with the development of anatomic and molecular in vivo imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and bioluminescence imaging. These new technologies will hopefully support the use of GEMs in preclinical trials and help determine if trials in GEMs are more predicative than xenografts of human responses.

Animals↗

Sleep in the Wistar-Kyoto rat, a putative genetic animal model for depression.

The Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat exhibits several behavioral and hormonal abnormalities often associated with depression. One of the hallmarks of depression consists of alterations in the sleep-wake cycle, particularly in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. If the WKY rat is indeed an animal model for depression, we hypothesized that it should also show sleep abnormalities relative to the control strain, the Wistar (WIS) rat Under baseline conditions, WKY rats showed a 50% increase in total REM sleep time during the 12 h light phase and an increase in sleep fragmentation during both the light and dark phase. The WKY rats also exhibited lower EEG power densities over the entire frequency range (0.2-25.0 Hz) during REM sleep. After a 6 h sleep deprivation, the REM sleep rebound was more pronounced during the dark but not the light phase in the WKY rats. Since the WKY rat represents a genetic model for depression with altered EEG sleep patterns, this strain may be particularly useful for investigating the relationship between depression and sleep abnormalities.

Animals↗

Parkin genetics: one model for Parkinson's disease.

The genetic epidemiology of late-onset idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and 'parkin-proven' parkinsonism (AR-JP) are limited. The clinical phenotype, prognosis and treatments are similar although PD is prevalent while AR-JP is rare. Molecular genetic and functional analysis suggests the E3 ubiquitin protein ligase activity of parkin, and the ubiquitin-proteosomal pathway, is central to disease pathogenesis. Herein, we compare and contrast PD and AR-JP and discuss the implications of recent data about parkin's genomic organization, regulation and function.

Animals↗

Understanding our drugs and our diseases.

Analysis of mouse genetic models of human disease-associated traits has provided important insight into the pathogenesis of human disease. As one example, analysis of a murine genetic model of osteoporosis demonstrated that genetic variation within the 15-lipoxygenase (Alox15) gene affected peak bone mass, and that treatment with inhibitors of this enzyme improved bone mass and quality in rodent models. However, the method that has been used to analyze mouse genetic models is very time consuming, inefficient, and costly. To overcome these limitations, a computational method for analysis of mouse genetic models was developed that markedly accelerates the pace of genetic discovery. It was used to identify a genetic factor affecting the rate of metabolism of warfarin, an anticoagulant that is commonly used to treat clotting disorders. Computational analysis of a murine genetic model of narcotic drug withdrawal suggested a potential new approach for treatment of narcotic drug addiction. Thus, the results derived from computational mouse genetic analysis can suggest new treatment strategies, and can provide new information about currently available medicines.

Animals↗

Gene selection for classification of cancers using probabilistic model building genetic algorithm.

Recently, DNA microarray-based gene expression profiles have been used to correlate the clinical behavior of cancers with the differential gene expression levels in cancerous and normal tissues. To this end, after selection of some predictive genes based on signal-to-noise (S2N) ratio, unsupervised learning like clustering and supervised learning like k-nearest neighbor (k NN) classifier are widely used. Instead of S2N ratio, adaptive searches like Probabilistic Model Building Genetic Algorithm (PMBGA) can be applied for selection of a smaller size gene subset that would classify patient samples more accurately. In this paper, we propose a new PMBGA-based method for identification of informative genes from microarray data. By applying our proposed method to classification of three microarray data sets of binary and multi-type tumors, we demonstrate that the gene subsets selected with our technique yield better classification accuracy.

Algorithms↗