Nadeem · 2019 · Behavioural brain research
Mouse social behavior and Th17/antioxidant responses
Did behavioral changes in mice occur alongside immune and oxidative stress responses?
Animal · mechanistic study in BTBR mice
Key findings
Changes in behavioral tests
Treated BTBR mice showed more social interaction and less self-grooming and marble burying.
Immune and oxidative stress responses
Th17-related signaling and some oxidative stress measures declined.
Increased antioxidant defense
Measures related to antioxidant enzymes, including SOD, GPx, and GR, increased.
Detailed results
Social and repetitive behaviors were assessed in mice.
The researchers used BTBR mice, which show reduced social interaction and repetitive behavior, and C57 comparator mice. After sulforaphane treatment, interaction increased in the three-chamber social test, while self-grooming and marble burying decreased.
Immune and oxidative stress measures changed alongside behavior.
In CD4+ T cells, STAT3, RORC, IL-17A, and IL-23R measures related to the Th17 response decreased. In neutrophils and the cerebellum, inflammation and oxidative stress markers were analyzed, and increased expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes including SOD, GPx, and GR were observed.
Changes in the Nrf2 cellular defense pathway, immune responses, and behavior were observed together.
Linking behavior and biological responses
This study examined how behavior in mice changed alongside Th17 immune signaling and antioxidant defenses.
Study design
Behavioral tests and measures in blood immune cells and the cerebellum were compared across two mouse strains. Changes in Th17 immune signaling and antioxidant defenses after SFN treatment were assessed.
- Participants
- BTBR mice and C57 comparator strain
Animal model - Intake and observation
- SFN-treated versus untreated groups
Behavioral, immune, and oxidative stress analyses - Measures
- Social tests, self-grooming and marble burying, Th17 and oxidative stress measures
Study context
A mechanistic study linking behavior in BTBR mice with responses in blood immune cells and the cerebellum.
Original paper and sources
Nrf2 activator, sulforaphane ameliorates autism-like symptoms through suppression of Th17 related signaling and rectification of oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in periphery and brain of BTBR T+tf/J mice.
- Journal
- Behavioural brain research · 2019 · 364: 213-224
- First published
- 2019-02-19