A rat model of slow Wallerian degeneration (WldS) with improved preservation of neuromuscular synapses.
The slow Wallerian degeneration phenotype, Wld(S), which delays Wallerian degeneration and axon pathology for several weeks, has so far been studied only in mice. A rat model would have several advantages. First, rats model some human disorders better than mice. Second, the larger body size of rats facilitates more complex surgical manipulations. Third, rats provide a greater yield of tissue for primary culture and biochemical investigations. We generated transgenic Wld(S) rats expressing the Ube4b/Nmnat1 chimeric gene in the central and peripheral nervous system. As in Wld(S) mice, their axons survive up to 3 weeks after transection and remain functional for at least 1 week. Protection of axotomized nerve terminals is stronger than in mice, particularly in one line, where 95-100% of neuromuscular junctions remained intact and functional after 5 days. Furthermore, the loss of synaptic phenotype with age was much less in rats than in mice. Thus, the slow Wallerian degeneration phenotype can be transferred to another mammalian species and synapses may be more effectively preserved after axotomy in species with longer axons.
Adalbert
Robert
R
The Babraham Institute, Babraham, Cambridge CB2 4AT, UK.
Gillingwater
Thomas H
TH
Haley
Jane E
JE
Bridge
Katherine
K
Beirowski
Bogdan
B
Berek
Livia
L
Wagner
Diana
D
Grumme
Daniela
D
Thomson
Derek
D
Celik
Arzu
A
Addicks
Klaus
K
Ribchester
Richard R
RR
Coleman
Michael P
MP
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019771:Axotomy / Q000379:methods; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D020426:Sciatic Neuropathy / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014855:Wallerian Degeneration / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*
D002038:Bungarotoxins; C073804:FM1 43; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C442580:Wld protein, mouse