Nanoparticle-neutrophils interactions for autoimmune regulation.

Neutrophils play an essential role as 'first responders' in the immune response, necessitating many immune-modulating capabilities. Chronic, unresolved inflammation is heavily implicated in the progression and tissue-degrading effects of autoimmune disease. Neutrophils modulate disease pathogenesis by interacting with the inflammatory and autoreactive cells through effector functions, including signaling, degranulation, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) release.

Genetic Analysis of the Stereotypic Phenotype in Peromyscus maniculatus (deer mice).

Peromyscus maniculatus, including the laboratory stock BW, have been used as a model organism for autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder because of the high occurrence of stereotypy. Several studies have identified neurological and environmental components of the phenotype; however, the heritability of the phenotype has not been examined. This study characterizes the incidence and heritability of vertical jumping stereotypy (VS) and backflipping (BF) behavior in the BW stock of the Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center, which are indicative of autism spectrum disorders.

Effect of the Emulsion Solvent Evaporation Technique Cosolvent Choice on the Loading Efficiency and Release Profile of Anti-CD47 from PLGA Nanospheres.

Introduction: Side effects associated with using antibodies as therapeutics can limit systemic administration at the high concentrations often needed for therapeutic impact. Thus, therapeutic antibodies are usually considered for targeted delivery. Antibody encapsulation in polymeric nanoparticles via the emulsion-based nanofabrication methods typically yields low loading efficiencies.

Biodegradable, bile salt microparticles for localized fat dissolution.

Bile acids are proposed as therapeutic agents for various diseases, including liver diseases and obesity. However, oral or subcutaneous administration of a solubilized version of these drugs has limited efficacy and imposes unwanted side effects. Here, we describe a gold-templating method for fabricating stable, bile salt-cholate or deoxycholate-microparticles.

Using genomic resources for linkage analysis in Peromyscus with an application for characterizing Dominant Spot.

Background: Peromyscus are the most common mammalian species in North America and are widely used in both laboratory and field studies. The deer mouse, P. maniculatus and the old-field mouse, P.

A high methyl donor diet affects physiology and behavior in Peromyscus polionotus.

Folic acid and other dietary methyl donors are widely supplemented due to their ability to prevent neural tube defects. Dietary methyl donors are also added to other consumables such as energy drinks due to energy-promoting attributes and other perceived benefits. However, there is mounting evidence that indicates developmental exposure to high levels of dietary methyl donors may have deleterious effects.

Consequences of dietary methyl donor supplements: Is more always better?

Epigenetic mechanisms are now recognized to play roles in disease etiology. Several diseases increasing in frequency are associated with altered DNA methylation. DNA methylation is accomplished through metabolism of methyl donors such as folate, vitamin B12, methionine, betaine (trimethylglycine), and choline.

Hematologic and serum biochemical values of 4 species of Peromyscus mice and their hybrids.

Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and congeneric species are used in a wide variety of research applications, particularly studies of developmental, physiologic, and behavioral characteristics associated with habitat adaptation and speciation. Because peromyscine mice readily adapt to colony conditions, animals with traits of interest in the field are moved easily into the laboratory where they can be studied under controlled conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the serum chemistry and hematologic parameters of 4 frequently used species from the Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center species (P.

Pleiotropic effects of a methyl donor diet in a novel animal model.

Folate and other methyl-donor pathway components are widely supplemented due to their ability to prevent prenatal neural tube defects. Several lines of evidence suggest that these supplements act through epigenetic mechanisms (e.g.

Peromyscus (deer mice) as developmental models.

Deer mice (Peromyscus) are the most common native North American mammals, and exhibit great natural genetic variation. Wild-derived stocks from a number of populations are available from the Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center (PGSC). The PGSC also houses a number of natural variants and mutants (many of which appear to differ from Mus).

Caring for Peromyscus spp. in research environments.

Peromyscus spp. are the most abundant native North American mammals. They have gained popularity as research animals in the last 20 years, and this trend is expected to continue as new research tools, such as whole genome sequences, baseline physiological data and others, become available.

A genetic map of Peromyscus with chromosomal assignment of linkage groups (a Peromyscus genetic map).

The rodent genus Peromyscus is the most numerous and species-rich mammalian group in North America. The naturally occurring diversity within this genus allows opportunities to investigate the genetic basis of adaptation, monogamy, behavioral and physiological phenotypes, growth control, genomic imprinting, and disease processes. Increased genomic resources including a high quality genetic map are needed to capitalize on these opportunities.

Natural genetic variation underlying differences in Peromyscus repetitive and social/aggressive behaviors.

Peromyscus maniculatus (BW) and P. polionotus (PO) are interfertile North American species that differ in many characteristics. For example, PO exhibit monogamy and BW animals are susceptible to repetitive behaviors and thus a model for neurobehavioral disorders such as Autism.

Peromyscus as a Mammalian epigenetic model.

Deer mice (Peromyscus) offer an opportunity for studying the effects of natural genetic/epigenetic variation with several advantages over other mammalian models. These advantages include the ability to study natural genetic variation and behaviors not present in other models. Moreover, their life histories in diverse habitats are well studied.

Adh1 and Adh1/4 knockout mice as possible rodent models for presymptomatic Parkinson's disease.

Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) catalyze the reversible metabolism of many types of alcohols and aldehydes to prevent the possible toxic accumulation of these compounds. ADHs are of interest in Parkinson's disease (PD) since these compounds can be harmful to dopamine (DA) neurons. Genetic variants in ADH1C and ADH4 have been found to associate with PD and lack of Adh4 gene activity in a mouse model has recently been reported to induce changes in the DA system.

Tissue expression pattern of class II and class V genes found in the Adh complex on mouse chromosome 3.

The alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes in mice and humans are encoded by a linked group of genes in the same transcriptional orientation. The enzymes play important roles in alcohol metabolism and retinoid signaling and homeostasis. The expression patterns at the mRNA level of the mouse Adh4 (class II) gene and the recently identified Adh6a and Adh6b genes (class V) are now reported to complete this analysis for the entire family.

High and complementary expression patterns of alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases in the gastrointestinal tract: implications for Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a heterogeneous movement disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of dopamine neurons in substantia nigra. We have previously presented genetic evidence for the possible involvement of alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases (ADH; ALDH) by identifying genetic variants in ADH1C and ADH4 that associate with PD. The absence of the corresponding mRNA species in the brain led us to the hypothesis that one cause of PD could be defects in the defense systems against toxic aldehydes in the gastrointestinal tract.

Distal and proximal cis-linked sequences are needed for the total expression phenotype of the mouse alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (Adh1) gene.

Mouse alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (Adh1) gene expression occurs at high levels in liver and adrenal, moderate levels in kidney and intestine, low levels in a number of other tissues, and is undetectable in thymus, spleen and brain by Northern analysis. In transgenic mice, a minigene construct containing 10 kb of upstream and 1.5 kb of downstream flanking sequence directs expression in kidney, adrenal, lung, epididymis, ovary and skin but promotes ectopic expression in thymus and spleen while failing to control expression in liver, eye, intestine and seminal vesicle.

Organization of six functional mouse alcohol dehydrogenase genes on two overlapping bacterial artificial chromosomes.

Mammalian alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) form a complex enzyme system based on amino-acid sequence, functional properties, and gene expression pattern. At least four mouse Adh genes are known to encode different enzyme classes that share less than 60% amino-acid sequence identity. Two ADH-containing and overlapping C57BL/6 bacterial artificial chromosome clones, RP23-393J8 and -463H24, were identified in a library screen, physically mapped, and sequenced.