IFNγ and iNOS-Mediated Alterations in the Bone Marrow and Thymus and Its Impact on -Induced Thymic Atrophy.

Disseminated infection with the high virulence strain of 25291 leads to progressive thymic atrophy. We previously showed that -induced thymic atrophy results from increased glucocorticoid levels that synergize with nitric oxide (NO) produced by interferon gamma (IFNγ) activated macrophages. Where and how these mediators act is not understood.

Exploring Female Mice Interstrain Differences Relevant for Models of Depression.

Depression is an extremely heterogeneous disorder. Diverse molecular mechanisms have been suggested to underlie its etiology. To understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for this complex disorder, researchers have been using animal models extensively, namely mice from various genetic backgrounds and harboring distinct genetic modifications.

An efficient chronic unpredictable stress protocol to induce stress-related responses in C57BL/6 mice.

Exposure to chronic stress can have broad effects on health ranging from increased predisposition for neuropsychiatric disorders to deregulation of immune responses. The chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) protocol has been widely used to study the impact of stress exposure in several animal models and consists in the random, intermittent, and unpredictable exposure to a variety of stressors during several weeks. CUS has consistently been shown to induce behavioral and immunological alterations typical of the chronic stress-response.