Open Access

Alterations in splenic function and gene expression in mice with depressive-like behavior induced by exposure to corticosterone

  • Authors:
    • Heqin Zhan
    • Feng Huang
    • Fulin Yan
    • Zhenghang Zhao
    • Jixia Zhang
    • Taizhen Cui
    • Fan Yang
    • Guangfan Hai
    • Xiaoman Jia
    • Yongji Shi
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: January 5, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2017.2850
  • Pages: 327-336
  • Copyright: © Zhan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Depressed patients present with increased cortisol levels and attenuated immune responses. However, little is known about the association between depression and the spleen, as this is the largest peripheral immune organ. In this study, we examined alterations in splenic function and gene expression in mice with depressive-like behavior, well as the expression of certain proteins in related pathways. A mouse model of depression was established with the use of corticosterone. Splenic function and histopathology were assessed using Wright and H&E staining. The Agilent Whole Mouse Genome Oligo Microarray containing >41,174 transcript probes was used to measure the levels of gene-expression in the spleens from control and model mice, and the levels of certain proteins associated with depression were measured by western blot analysis in the brain and spleen separately. We found that splenic function and immunity in the mice with depressive-like behavior were markedly impaired. A total of 53 genes exhibited a differential response in the mice with depressive-like behavior, 11 of which were more notable, including collagen, type VI, α5 (Col6a5), immunoglobulin superfamily, member 11 (Igsf11), D site albumin promoter binding protein (Dbp), tachykinin 2 (Tac2) and γ-aminobutyric acid B receptor 2 (Gabbr2). Pathway analysis revealed that the amino acid biosynthesis and the clock gene pathways were more meaningful among these genes. The levels of GABBR2, DBP and substance P (SP; encoded by the Tac2 gene) related proteins in the brain were markedly downregulated, and similar results were observed in the spleen. The anti-depressant, fluoxetine, reversed the changes in the levels of these proteins. The findings of our study regarding changes occurring in the spleen during depression may indirectly elucidate and shed light into the pathogenesis of depression and depressive-like behavior.
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February-2017
Volume 39 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Zhan H, Huang F, Yan F, Zhao Z, Zhang J, Cui T, Yang F, Hai G, Jia X, Shi Y, Shi Y, et al: Alterations in splenic function and gene expression in mice with depressive-like behavior induced by exposure to corticosterone. Int J Mol Med 39: 327-336, 2017
APA
Zhan, H., Huang, F., Yan, F., Zhao, Z., Zhang, J., Cui, T. ... Shi, Y. (2017). Alterations in splenic function and gene expression in mice with depressive-like behavior induced by exposure to corticosterone. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 39, 327-336. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2017.2850
MLA
Zhan, H., Huang, F., Yan, F., Zhao, Z., Zhang, J., Cui, T., Yang, F., Hai, G., Jia, X., Shi, Y."Alterations in splenic function and gene expression in mice with depressive-like behavior induced by exposure to corticosterone". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 39.2 (2017): 327-336.
Chicago
Zhan, H., Huang, F., Yan, F., Zhao, Z., Zhang, J., Cui, T., Yang, F., Hai, G., Jia, X., Shi, Y."Alterations in splenic function and gene expression in mice with depressive-like behavior induced by exposure to corticosterone". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 39, no. 2 (2017): 327-336. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2017.2850