Studying the differential gene expression patterns of Hippocampus and Amygdala associated with social stress in mouse model

Abstract

The interaction of hippocampus (HC) with amygdala (AY) during the encoding of emotional memories apprises threat‐related stimuli and initiates fear conditioning, a process that is highly relevant in establishing proper care management for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our objective is to carry out global gene expression profiling of these brain regions in order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying stress‐induced plasticity in fear circuits. We developed a social stress (SS) mouse model which parallels the classic symptoms of PTSD such as avoidance and retarded locomotion. This model was established by housing a male C57B1/6 naïve subject mouse with an aggressive (AGG) mouse for 6h/d × 5d or 10d and briefly pairing with the AGG for 3x/ day. Controls were housed without food/liquid and no direct physical contact with AGG. RNA samples from HC and AY were collected immediately (1d) after the SS session and at a delayed time points (1.5wks for 5d and 6wks for 10d). Genes related to cell mediated immune response, cell morphology and cell death, neurological disease were differentially expressed. Further comprehensive analysis can potentially lead to identifying diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for stress vulnerability and stress resilience, thereby aiding in early diagnosis and treatment of PTSD. This work was supported by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, contract TMTI0029_09_WR_T.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2012
Source ID
10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.774.4

Entities

People

  • Bintu Sowe
  • James L. Meyerhoff
  • Marti Jett
  • Nabarun Chakraborty
  • Rasha Hammamieh
  • Seid Muhie
  • Seshamalini Srinivasan
  • Stacy-ann Miller

Organizations

  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Neuroscience