title: Social Isolation Alters Social and Mating Behavior in the R451C Neuroligin Mouse Model of Autism.
abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder typified by impaired social communication and restrictive and repetitive behaviors. Mice serve as an ideal candidate organism for studying the neural mechanisms that subserve these symptoms. The Neuroligin-3 (NL3) mouse, expressing a R451C mutation discovered in two Swedish brothers with ASD, exhibits impaired social interactions and heightened aggressive behavior towards male mice. Social interactions with female mice have not been characterized and in the present study were assessed in male NL3R451Cand WT mice. Mice were housed in social and isolation conditions to test for isolation-induced increases in social interaction. Tests were repeated to investigate potential differences in interaction in naïve and experienced mice. We identified heightened interest in mating and atypical aggressive behavior in NL3R451Cmice. NL3R451Cmice exhibited normal social interaction with WT females, indicating that abnormal aggressive behavior towards females is not due to altered motivation to engage. Social isolation rearing heightened interest in social behavior in all mice. Isolation housing selectively modulated the response to female pheromones in NL3R451Cmice. This study is the first to show altered mating behavior in the NL3R451Cmouse and has provided new insights into the aggressive phenotype in this model.
authors.affiliation: Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: E L
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6675-4679
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Burrows
authors.affiliation: Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Eastwood
authors.affiliation: Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: May
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: S C
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4685-1380
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kolbe
authors.affiliation: Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: McLachlan
authors.affiliation: Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 245 Burgundy St, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Churilov
authors.affiliation: Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: A J
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7532-8922
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hannan
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D012934:Social Isolation
chemical_list: D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C098004:neuroligin 3