ENPP1 enzyme replacement therapy improves ectopic calcification but does not rescue skeletal phenotype in a mouse model for craniometaphyseal dysplasia.

Craniometaphyseal dysplasia (CMD) is a rare genetic bone disorder, characterized by progressive thickening of craniofacial bones and flared metaphyses of long bones. Craniofacial hyperostosis leads to the obstruction of neural foramina and neurological symptoms such as facial palsy, blindness, deafness, or severe headache. Mutations in ANKH (mouse ortholog ANK), a transporter of small molecules such as citrate and ATP, are responsible for autosomal dominant CMD. Knock-in (KI) mice carrying an ANKF377del mutation (AnkKI/KI ) replicate many features of human CMD. Pyrophosphate (PPi) levels in plasma are significantly reduced in AnkKI/KI mice. PPi is a potent inhibitor of mineralization. To examine the extent to which restoration of circulating PPi levels may prevent the development of a CMD-like phenotype, we treated AnkKI/KI mice with the recombinant human ENPP1-Fc protein IMA2a. ENPP1 hydrolyzes ATP into AMP and PPi. Male and female Ank+/+ and AnkKI/KI mice (n ≥ 6/group) were subcutaneously injected with IMA2a or vehicle weekly for 12 wk, starting at the age of 1 wk. Plasma ENPP1 activity significantly increased in AnkKI/KI mice injected with IMA2a (Vehicle/IMA2a: 28.15 ± 1.65/482.7 ± 331.2 mOD/min; p <.01), which resulted in the successful restoration of plasma PPi levels (Ank+/+ /AnkKI/KI vehicle treatment/AnkKI/KI IMA2a: 0.94 ± 0.5/0.43 ± 0.2/1.29 ± 0.8 µM; p <.01). We examined the skeletal phenotype by X-Ray imaging and µCT. IMA2a treatment of AnkKI/KI mice did not significantly correct CMD features such as the abnormal shape of femurs, increased bone mass of mandibles, hyperostotic craniofacial bones, or the narrowed foramen magnum. However, µCT imaging showed ectopic calcification near basioccipital bones at the level of the foramen magnum and on joints of AnkKI/KI mice. Interestingly, IMA2a treatment significantly reduced the volume of calcified nodules at both sites. Our data demonstrate that IMA2a is sufficient to restore plasma PPi levels and reduce ectopic calcification but fails to rescue skeletal abnormalities in AnkKI/KI mice under our treatment conditions.

Comparison of CUMS at different pregnancy stages, maternal separation, and their effects on offspring in postpartum depression mouse models.

Due to the diversity of postpartum depression (PPD) patients and the complexity of associated pathophysiological changes, most current animal models cannot accurately simulate PPD-like symptoms. In this study, we established a reliable animal model for PPD by inducing chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) at different stages (pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, or postnatal) in female mice, followed by maternal separation (MS) from day 2-21 after delivery. The results for female mice subjected to pre-pregnancy stress were not statistically significant due to a lower conception rate. However, female mice exposed to CUMS during either the gestational or postnatal stage, followed by MS, successfully exhibited PPD-like symptoms. The models were deemed effective based on observed behavioral abnormalities, impaired hippocampal neuron functioning, and reduced serum concentrations of neurotransmitters (5-HT, GABA, and NE). Additionally, mice that underwent gestational CUMS followed by MS displayed a more dysfunctional hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and more severe uterine inflammation. The study also investigated the impact of PPD on the behavior and neurodevelopment of adolescent offspring through behavioral tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and western blotting (WB). The results indicated that adolescent offspring of mothers with PPD exhibited behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders, with male offspring being more susceptible than females. Female mice exposed to both CUMS and MS during the postnatal period had more severe adverse effects on their offspring compared to the other model groups.

Zinc for GNAO1 encephalopathy: Preclinical profiling and a clinical case.

BACKGROUND: De novo pathogenic variants in GNAO1-the gene encoding the major neuronal G protein Gαo-cause pediatric encephalopathies and other neurological deficiencies largely refractory to available therapies. Zn2+ emerged to restore guanosine triphosphate hydrolysis and cellular interactions of pathogenic Gαo; dietary zinc salt supplementation improves lifespan and motoric function in a Drosophila disease model. METHODS: Using biochemical, animal, and first-in-human studies, we provide support for the patient stratification and application of zinc acetate in GNAO1-associated disorders. FINDINGS: We show that 16 different pathogenic missense variants cluster in three distinct groups in their responsiveness to Zn2+, and we provide the safety study in a mouse disease model. We further describe treatment of a 3-year-old patient with the common pathogenic GNAO1 variant c607G>A, p.Gly203Arg with oral 50 mg zinc (in the form of zinc acetate) daily, as applied in Wilson's disease. During 11 months of treatment, the patient shows cessation of daily dyskinetic crises, improved Burke-Fahn Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale movement score, reduction in epileptic seizures, and an excellent safety profile. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings warrant a large-scale clinical trial and might set the new standard of care for GNAO1-related disorders. FUNDING: This work was funded by the Russian Science Foundation (grant #21-15-00138) and GNAO1 España.

In-vivo and in-vitro environments affect the storage and release of energy in tendons.

Understanding tendon mechanical properties, such as stiffness and hysteresis, can provide insights into injury mechanisms. This research addresses the inconsistency of previously reported in-vivo and in-vitro tendon hysteresis properties. Although limited, our preliminary findings suggest that in-vivo hystereses (Mean ± SD; 55% ± 9%) are greater than in-vitro hystereses (14% ± 1%) when directly comparing the same tendon for the same loading conditions in a sheep model in-vivo versus within 24 h post-mortem. Overall, it therefore appears that the tendon mechanical properties are affected by the testing environment, possibly related to differences in muscle-tendon interactions and fluid flow experienced in-vivo versus in-vitro. This communication advocates for more detailed investigations into the mechanisms resulting in the reported differences in tendon behaviour. Overall, such knowledge contributes to our understanding of tendon function towards improving modelling and clinical interventions, bridging the gap between in-vivo and in-vitro observations and enhancing the translational relevance of biomechanical studies.

Minimal phenotypes in transgenic mice with the human LOXL1/LOXL1-AS1 locus associated with exfoliation glaucoma.

Exfoliation syndrome is a leading cause of secondary glaucoma worldwide. Among the risk-factors for exfoliation syndrome and exfoliation glaucoma that have been investigated, a genetic association with 15q24.1 is among the most striking. The leading candidates for the causal gene at this locus are LOXL1 and/or LOXL1-AS1, but studies have not yet coalesced in establishing, or ruling out, either candidate. Here, we contribute to studies of the 15q24.1 locus by making a partially humanized mouse model in which 166 kb of human genomic DNA from the 15q24.1 locus was introduced into the mouse genome via BAC transgenesis (B6-Tg(RP11-71M11)Andm). Transgenic expression of human genes in the BAC was only detectable for LOXL1-AS1. One cohort of 34 mice (21 experimental hemizygotes and 13 non-carrier control littermates) was assessed by slit-lamp exams and SD-OCT imaging at early (1-2 months) and mid (4-5 months) time points; fundus exams were performed at 5 months of age. A second smaller cohort (3 hemizygotes) were aged extensively (>12 months) to screen for overt abnormalities. Across all genotypes and ages, 136 slit-lamp exams, 128 SD-OCT exams, and 42 fundus exams detected no overt indices of exfoliation syndrome. Quantitatively, small, but statistically significant, age-related declines in ganglion cell complex thickness and total retinal thickness were detected in the hemizygotes at 4 months of age. Overall, this study demonstrates complexity in gene regulation from the 15q24.1 locus and suggests that LOXL1-AS1 is unlikely to be a monogenic cause of exfoliation syndrome but may contribute to glaucomatous retinal damage.

RANDOMIZED EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF TOPICAL VASODILATORS IN MICROSURGERY WITH COST ANALYSIS.

Objective: Throughout microsurgical anastomosis, many surgeons use topical vasodilators in order to reduce pathological vasospasm. It was carried out an experimental study comparing the effectiveness of topical use of Nitroglycerin, Papaverine, Magnesium sulfate over a control group in the femoral artery and vein of rats, in reducing prolonged vasospasm. Methods: Randomized comparative experimental study in 15 rats, divided into four groups. The external diameter of the vases soaked in the randomized solution was measured. For statistical analysis, it was calculated the percentual increase in the external diameter of the vessels. Results: A statistically significant increase in arterial dilation was observed after 10 minutes of topical application of 10% magnesium sulfate compared to the control group, with p = 0.044 . No other drug showed a vasodilator effect superior to the control group. Magnesium sulfate at 10% is still not used in microsurgery and costs 15 times less than papaverine, the standard drug for topical vasodilation in clinical cases at our service. Conclusion: Magnesium sulfate had better vasodilating effects over the control group after 10 minutes of arterial microanastomosis. None of the tested drugs have presented superior vasodilating effects over each other nor the control group after venous microanastomosis. Level of evidence II, Experimental study, Randomized Trial.

Objetivo: Durante a anastomose microcirúrgica, muitos cirurgiões utilizam vasodilatadores tópicos para reduzir o vasoespasmo prolongado patológico, assim reduzindo o risco de complicações vasculares. Entretanto, ainda faltam dados experimentais para identificação da droga padrão-ouro para vasodilatadores tópicos em microcirurgia e sua avaliação de análise de custo, já que a droga geralmente utilizada para este objetivo é baseada, na maior parte dos casos, na experiência do cirurgião. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo experimental comparativo randomizado, avaliando a eficácia do uso tópico de Nitroglicerina, Papaverina e Sulfato de Magnésio em relação a um grupo controle, na redução do vasoespasmo na artéria e veia femoral de ratos. Foram avaliados o diâmetro externo dos vasos embebidos em solução randomizada dos fármacos para vasodilatação. Após cálculo do aumento percentual no diâmetro externo dos vasos, foi realizada análise estatística. Resultados: Observou-se aumento estatisticamente significativo da dilatação arterial após 10 minutos de aplicação tópica de sulfato de magnésio a 10% em relação ao grupo controle, com p = 0,044. Nenhuma outra droga apresentou efeito vasodilatador superior ao grupo controle. O sulfato de magnésio a 10% ainda não é utilizado em microcirurgia e apresenta custo até 15 vezes menor quando comparado com a papaverina, droga padrão para vasodilatação tópica em casos clínicos em nosso serviço. Conclusão: O sulfato de magnésio apresentou melhor efeito vasodilatador quando comparado ao grupo controle, após 10 minutos da microanastomose arterial. Nenhum dos fármacos testados apresentou efeito vasodilatador superior após a microanastomose venosa. Nível de Evidência II, Estudo experimental, Ensaio Randomizado.

Animal models of temporomandibular joint heterotopic ossification: a scoping review.

There are few animal models for heterotopic ossification of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ-HO). This scoping review provides an overview of current knowledge on the induction methods and specific conditions required to produce TMJ-HO in various animal models. Two independent reviewers selected papers from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. The inclusion criteria were articles in English, in vivo studies, and a TMJ-HO induction method. Observational, in vitro, human studies, reviews, and book chapters were excluded. Twenty-four publications were included. HO was surgically, genetically, or chemically induced through single or combined defects in the condyle, articular disc, and temporal bone in animal models (sheep=9 studies, mouse=5, rat=4, rabbit=2, pig=2, goat=1, dog=1, monkey=1) specific for traumatic TMJ-HO (n=4), ankylosis (n=9), osteoarthritis (n=8), experimental disc perforation (n=1), status post-TMJ replacement (n=1), and status post bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (n=1). TMJ-HO remains challenging to study due to its multifactorial etiology and largely unknown pathogenesis, which varies between species. There is a need for more accurate, reproducible animal models that can be extrapolated to human TMJ-HO and a consolidated clinical classification system to allow for meaningful future research.

Reverse Therapy: Impact of Hyperthermia and Rewarming on Newborn Outcomes.

Therapeutic hypothermia is now well established to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes after hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Although the overall principles of treatment are now well established, many smaller questions are unclear. The potential impact of reversal of hypothermia therapy and the effect of high temperatures on recovery of the neurovascular unit after therapeutic hypothermia for HIE has received relatively little attention. This article will address the effects of hypoxia-ischemia and rewarming and increased temperatures on the neurovascular unit in preclinical and clinical models.

Pipeline to Neonatal Clinical Transformation: The Importance of Preclinical Data.

Historically, neonatal neuroscience boasted a robust and successful preclinical pipeline for therapeutic interventions, in particular for the treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). However, since the successful translation of therapeutic hypothermia (TH), several high-profile failures of promising adjunctive therapies, in addition to the lack of benefit of TH in lower resource settings, have brought to light critical issues in that same pipeline. Using recent data from clinical trials of erythropoietin as an example, the authors highlight several key challenges facing preclinical neonatal neuroscience for HIE therapeutic development and propose key areas where model development and collaboration across the field in general can ensure ongoing success in treatment development for HIE worldwide.

Effect of vascular senescence on the efficacy and safety of warfarin: insights from rat models and a prospective cohort study.

Warfarin, with its narrow therapeutic range, requires the understanding of various influencing factors for personalized medication. Vascular senescence, marked by vascular stiffening and endothelial dysfunction, has an unclear effect on the efficacy and safety of warfarin. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that vascular senescence increases the risk of bleeding during warfarin therapy. This study aimed to explore these effects using animal models and clinical cohorts. We established rat models of vascular senescence and calcification using d-galactose (D-Gal), vitamin D and nicotine (VDN). After validating the models, we examined changes in the International Normalized Ratio (INR) at fixed warfarin doses (0.20 and 0.35 mg/kg). We found that vascular senescence caused significantly elevated INR values and increasd bleeding risk. In the prospective clinical cohort study(NCT06428110), hospitalized warfarin patients with standard dose adjustments were divided into vascular senescence and control groups based on ultrasound and Computed Tomography (CT) diagnosis. Using propensity score matching (PSM) to exclude the influence of confounding factors, we found that the vascular senescence group had lower steady-state warfarin doses and larger dose adjustments, with a higher probability of INR exceeding the therapeutic range. The vascular senescence group tended to experience more bleeding or thromboembolic/ischemic events during one year of follow-up, while there was no statistical difference. In conclusion, vascular senescence leads to unstable INR values and increases higher bleeding risk during warfarin therapy, highlighting the importance of considering vascular senescence in future precision warfarin therapies. Significance Statement Many factors influence warfarin efficacy, however, the effect of vascular senescence remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of vascular senescence on the efficacy and safety of warfarin. Through both rat models and clinical cohort studies, our findings indicated that vascular senescence may compromise the stability of warfarin, presenting challenges in maintaining its efficacy and safety.

Immunological aspects of necrotizing enterocolitis models: a review.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most devasting diseases affecting preterm neonates. However, despite a lot of research, NEC's pathogenesis remains unclear. It is known that the pathogenesis is a multifactorial process, including (1) a pathological microbiome with abnormal bacterial colonization, (2) an immature immune system, (3) enteral feeding, (3) an impairment of microcirculation, and (4) possibly ischemia-reperfusion damage to the intestine. Overall, the immaturity of the mucosal barrier and the increased expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) within the intestinal epithelium result in an intestinal hyperinflammation reaction. Concurrently, a deficiency in counter-regulatory mediators can be seen. The sum of these processes can ultimately result in intestinal necrosis leading to very high mortality rates of the affected neonates. In the last decade no substantial advances in the treatment of NEC have been made. Thus, NEC animal models as well as in vitro models have been employed to better understand NEC's pathogenesis on a cellular and molecular level. This review will highlight the different models currently in use to study immunological aspects of NEC.

Cognitive dysfunction in animal models of human lewy-body dementia.

Cognitive impairments are a common feature of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's Disease Dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. These pathologies are characterized by accumulation of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites as well as neuronal cell death. Alpha-synuclein is the main proteinaceous component of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. To model these pathologies in vivo, toxins that selectively target certain neuronal populations or different means of inducing alpha-synuclein aggregation can be used. Alpha-synuclein accumulation can be induced by genetic manipulation, viral vector overexpression or the use of preformed fibrils of alpha-synuclein. In this review, we summarize the cognitive impairments associated with different models of synucleinopathies and relevance to observations in human diseases.

Animal Models of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Vaccines: Current Status and Future Prospects.

Helicobacter pylori infection causes chronic gastritis, ulcers, and gastric cancer, making it a threat to human health. Despite the use of antibiotic therapy, the global prevalence of H. pylori infection remains high, necessitating early eradication measures. Immunotherapy, especially vaccine development, is a promising solution in this direction, albeit the selection of an appropriate animal model is critical in efficient vaccine production. Accordingly, we conducted a literature, search and summarized the commonly used H. pylori strains, H. pylori infection-related animal models, and models for evaluating H. pylori vaccines. Based on factors such as the ability to replicate human diseases, strain compatibility, vaccine types, and eliciting of immune responses, we systematically compared the advantages and disadvantages of different animal models, to obtain the informed recommendations. In addition, we have proposed novel perspectives on H. pylori-related animal models to advance research and vaccine evaluation for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as gastric cancer.

Resistance against the development of diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in female C3H mice: an experimental model.

Histopathological features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in mice display strong similarities with those seen in humans, including the higher tumor prevalence in males than in females. Previous studies have demonstrated that continual production of the pro-inflammatory IL-6 by Kupffer cells is involved in the initiation and progression of DEN-induced HCC and that estrogen-mediated reduction of IL-6 secretion would decrease its incidence in females. Given the predominant utilization of male mice in hepatic carcinogenesis research, the objective of this study was to examine histopathological and immunological parameters in the DEN-induced liver carcinogenesis model in female C3H mice. We observed a significant prevalence of hepatocellular hyperplasias and adenomas alongside a minimal infiltration of inflammatory cells and a scarcity of senescent areas in females. Further, a low expression of immunosuppression markers is observed in females - such as neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, PD-1 expression in CD8 T cells, and PD-L1 in myeloid cells - compared to males. Comparative studies between susceptible and resistant hosts to chemical carcinogenesis may help to unveil novel therapeutic strategies against cancer.

In Vivo Approaches to Understand Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Perspectives on Animal Models.

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is a hereditary cardiac disorder characterized by the gradual replacement of cardiomyocytes with fibrous and adipose tissue, leading to ventricular wall thinning, chamber dilation, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Despite advances in treatment, disease management remains challenging. Animal models, particularly mice and zebrafish, have become invaluable tools for understanding AC's pathophysiology and testing potential therapies. Mice models, although useful for scientific research, cannot fully replicate the complexity of the human AC. However, they have provided valuable insights into gene involvement, signalling pathways, and disease progression. Zebrafish offer a promising alternative to mammalian models, despite the phylogenetic distance, due to their economic and genetic advantages. By combining animal models with in vitro studies, researchers can comprehensively understand AC, paving the way for more effective treatments and interventions for patients and improving their quality of life and prognosis.

From sound waves to molecular and cellular mechanisms: Understanding noise­induced hearing loss and pioneering preventive approaches (Review).

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a significant and urgent global public health concern, arising from prolonged exposure to elevated levels of noise. This auditory impairment harms delicate inner ear structures, particularly the essential hair cells transmitting auditory signals to the brain. Recognized by the World Health Organization as a major contributor to worldwide hearing loss, NIHL requires a comprehensive examination of its molecular and cellular mechanisms. Animal models emerge as indispensable tools for unraveling these intricacies, allowing researchers to simulate and study the impact of noise exposure on auditory structures, shedding light on the interplay of oxidative stress, inflammation and immune responses-crucial factors in NIHL progression. The present review focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of NIHL, with a specific emphasis on findings derived from animal models, alongside the exploration of thorough preventive strategies, including protective measures and probing potential interventions. Understanding the molecular underpinnings not only provides insight into targeted treatment approaches, but also unlocks pathways for exploring and implementing preventive actions. This approach not only deepens the current comprehension of NIHL, but also has the potential to influence the shaping of public health policies, offering a nuanced perspective on this prevalent auditory disorder.

Rethinking the Three Rs: Growing Momentum Toward a New Gold Standard in Australian Research.

Recent years have seen increasing recognition of the scientific, economic and ethical benefits of the use of non-animal models in advancing preclinical research, giving reason to rethink the application and framework of the Three Rs. However, to benefit from the economic advantages of shifting to such alternative methods, and to realise Australia's drug development potential, legislative reform is essential. Such reform should be responsive to international regulations that encourage the use of animal-free methods, and be coupled with a corresponding re-evaluation of current Three Rs frameworks and principles. If these supportive changes, and the recommendations from the 2023 Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Futures Non-animal models report, are implemented concurrently - with government support paramount- then a new gold standard for scientific research in Australia could be created in which the use of non-animal models and animal-free methods is the default.

GSK3-Driven Modulation of Inflammation and Tissue Integrity in the Animal Model.

Nowadays, GSK3 is accepted as an enzyme strongly involved in the regulation of inflammation by balancing the pro- and anti-inflammatory responses of cells and organisms, thus influencing the initiation, progression, and resolution of inflammatory processes at multiple levels. Disturbances within its broad functional scope, either intrinsically or extrinsically induced, harbor the risk of profound disruptions to the regular course of the immune response, including the formation of severe inflammation-related diseases. Therefore, this review aims at summarizing and contextualizing the current knowledge derived from animal models to further shape our understanding of GSK3α and ß and their roles in the inflammatory process and the occurrence of tissue/organ damage. Following a short recapitulation of structure, function, and regulation of GSK3, we will focus on the lessons learned from GSK3α/ß knock-out and knock-in/overexpression models, both conventional and conditional, as well as a variety of (predominantly rodent) disease models reflecting defined pathologic conditions with a significant proportion of inflammation and inflammation-related tissue injury. In summary, the literature suggests that GSK3 acts as a crucial switch driving pro-inflammatory and destructive processes and thus contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of inflammation-associated diseases.

Reliability of Metformin's protective effects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: a meta-analysis of animal studies.

Background: The protective effects of metformin (Met) against doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity via potential hypotheses of mechanisms of action with unknown reliability and credibility. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Met against Dox-induced cardiotoxicity and the underlying mechanisms of action, as well as examine their reliability and credibility. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted within the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, and CNKI databases from inception to 31 December 2023. Animal experiments evaluating the efficacy of Met against Dox-induced cardiotoxicity were included in this study. The primary efficacy outcomes were markers of myocardial injury. Effect size was measured using the standardized mean difference for continuous variables. Data were pooled using a random-effects model in the Stata 18 statistical software package. Results: Twenty-one studies involving 203-208 animals treated with Dox and 271-276 animals treated with Dox and Met were included in this analysis. Quality assessment revealed high-quality scores. Pooled results favored Met treatment based on the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Sensitivity analysis using the leave-one-out method demonstrated stable results. Funnel plots, Egger's test, and Begg's test confirmed potential publication bias. The oxidative stress hypothesis has been investigated extensively based on abundant evidence. Conclusion: Met is effective and safe for protecting against Dox-induced cardiotoxicity, thus making it an appropriate drug for clinical investigation. The oxidative stress hypothesis of mechanism of action is well established with highest reliability and credibility.