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General Information
Mouse: Swiss Webster x CB57BL/DAB, CB57BL/J6 or CB57BL/J6 x CB57BL/6JOIa
Expression of the wild type human alpha-synuclein under the control of the rat tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter.
Endogenous mouse alpha synuclein:
- Yes (Swiss Webster x CB57BL/DAB and CB57BL/J6)
- No (CB57BL/J6 x CB57BL/6JOIa). CB57BL/6JOIa mice have a spontaneous deletion of the alpha-synuclein gene.
Corresponding human genotype: gene multiplication in familial PD; polymorphism in the noncoding region of the alpha-synuclein locus
Transgene insertion: not specified
References: Matsuoka 2001; Richfield 2002;Manning-Bog 2003; Su 2008; Prasad 2011
Transgene expression
Swiss Webster x CB57BL/DAB
- 12 months: Transgene expression is observed in the brainstem and midbrain neurons, olfactory bulb and retinal anacrine cells. High protein levels are detected in nigrostriatal dopamine neurons.
CB57BL/J6
- 2-3 months: high transgene expression is observed in the SN (cell bodies) and striatum (terminals), eye, locus coeruleus. Expression of human alpha-synuclein is about 25% of that of endogenous mouse alpha-synuclein.
CB57BL/J6 x CB57BL/6JOIa
- Low expression of human alpha-synuclein is observed in the striatum; these levels do not reach that normally observed for the endogenous mouse alpha synuclein in the CB57BL/J6 background.
Neurodegeneration
Swiss Webster x CB57BL/DAB
- 12 months: No loss of TH-positive neurons is observed. Reduced sensitivity to paraquat toxicity detected.
CB57BL/J6
- 2-3 months: No loss of TH-positive neurons is detected but an increase in DAT density is observed. Increased vulnerability to MPTP treatment is observed.
- 19 months: Slight loss (13%) of TH-positive neurons is observed compared to non-transgenic mice
CB57BL/J6 x CB57BL/6JOIa
- Elevated basal expression of striatal tyrosine hydroxyls is observed compared to that detected in non-transgenic mice.
- 9 months: no changes in the number and size of TH-positive neurons is observed in the SN
Dopamine Homeostasis
Swiss Webster x CB57BL/DAB
- Not reported
CB57BL/J6
- No changes in dopamine and dopamine metabolites are detected
CB57BL/J6 x CB57BL/6JOIa
- Increased levels of striatal catecholamine and catecholamine metabolites are detected.
Inclusions
Swiss Webster x CB57BL/DAB
- 12 months: no inclusions are detected
CB57BL/J6
- 2-3 months: no inclusions are observed
CB57BL/J6 x CB57BL/6JOIa
- Inclusions are detected in the hippocampus (DG)
Motor Behaviours
Swiss Webster x CB57BL/DAB
- Not reported
CB57BL/J6
- 2-3 months: Increased motor response (horizontal activity) to repeated amphetamine injection is detected. A greater decrease in motor activity following MPTP treatment is observed in the transgenic mice compared to non-transgenic littermates.
- Up to 23 months: No significant differences are observed in spontaneous locomotor activities at any age compared to nontransgenic mice although an overall age-related decline is observed.
CB57BL/J6 x CB57BL/6JOIa
- Not reported
Response to L-DOPA treatment
Swiss Webster x CB57BL/DAB
- Not reported
CB57BL/J6
- Not reported
CB57BL/J6 x CB57BL/6JOIa
- Not reported
Non motor Behaviours
Swiss Webster x CB57BL/DAB
- Not reported
CB57BL/J6
- Not reported
CB57BL/J6 x CB57BL/6JOIa
Not reported
Electrophysiology
Swiss Webster x CB57BL/DAB
- Not reported
CB57BL/J6
- Not reported
CB57BL/J6 x CB57BL/6JOIa
- Not reported
Neuroinflammation
Swiss Webster x CB57BL/DAB
- Not reported
CB57BL/J6
- 1 months: increased number of activated microglia is observed in the SN but not in the striatum. An elevation of TNF-alpha expression is detected
CB57BL/J6 x CB57BL/6JOIa
- Not reported
