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Multiple myeloma (MM), a tumor of germinal center (GC)-experienced plasma cells, comprises distinct genetic subgroups, such as the t(11;14)/CCND1 and the t(4;14)/MMSET subtype. We have generated genetically defined, subgroup-specific MM models by the GC B cell-specific coactivation of mouse Ccnd1 or MMSET with a constitutively active Ikk2 mutant, mimicking the secondary NF-κB activation frequently seen in human MM. Ccnd1/Ikk2ca and MMSET/Ikk2ca mice developed a pronounced, clonally restricted plasma cell outgrowth with age, accompanied by serum M spikes, bone marrow insufficiency, and bone lesions. The transgenic plasma cells could be propagated in vivo and showed distinct transcriptional profiles, resembling their human MM counterparts. Thus, we show that targeting the expression of genes involved in MM subgroup-specific chromosomal translocations into mouse GC B cells translates into distinct MM-like diseases that recapitulate key features of the human tumors, opening the way to a better understanding of the pathogenesis and therapeutic vulnerabilities of different MM subgroups.

Background: Phosphodiesterase 3A ( PDE3A ) gain-of-function mutations cause hypertension with brachydactyly (HTNB) and lead to stroke. Increased peripheral vascular resistance, rather than salt retention, is responsible. It is surprising that the few patients with HTNB examined so far did not develop cardiac hypertrophy or heart failure. We hypothesized that, in the heart, PDE3A mutations could be protective. Methods: We studied new patients. CRISPR-Cas9–engineered rat HTNB models were phenotyped by telemetric blood pressure measurements, echocardiography, microcomputed tomography, RNA-sequencing, and single nuclei RNA-sequencing. Human induced pluripotent stem cells carrying PDE3A mutations were established, differentiated to cardiomyocytes, and analyzed by Ca 2+ imaging. We used Förster resonance energy transfer and biochemical assays. Results: We identified a new PDE3A mutation in a family with HTNB. It maps to exon 13 encoding the enzyme’s catalytic domain. All hitherto identified HTNB PDE3A mutations cluster in exon 4 encoding a region N-terminally from the catalytic domain of the enzyme. The mutations were recapitulated in rat models. Both exon 4 and 13 mutations led to aberrant phosphorylation, hyperactivity, and increased PDE3A enzyme self-assembly. The left ventricles of our patients with HTNB and the rat models were normal despite preexisting hypertension. A catecholamine challenge elicited cardiac hypertrophy in HTNB rats only to the level of wild-type rats and improved the contractility of the mutant hearts, compared with wild-type rats. The β-adrenergic system, phosphodiesterase activity, and cAMP levels in the mutant hearts resembled wild-type hearts, whereas phospholamban phosphorylation was decreased in the mutants. In our induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocyte models, the PDE3A mutations caused adaptive changes of Ca 2+ cycling. RNA-sequencing and single nuclei RNA-sequencing identified differences in mRNA expression between wild-type and mutants, affecting, among others, metabolism and protein folding. Conclusions: Although in vascular smooth muscle, PDE3A mutations cause hypertension, they confer protection against hypertension-induced cardiac damage in hearts. Nonselective PDE3A inhibition is a final, short-term option in heart failure treatment to increase cardiac cAMP and improve contractility. Our data argue that mimicking the effect of PDE3A mutations in the heart rather than nonselective PDE3 inhibition is cardioprotective in the long term. Our findings could facilitate the search for new treatments to prevent hypertension-induced cardiac damage.

AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission, and the plastic modulation of their surface levels determines synaptic strength. AMPARs of different subunit compositions fulfill distinct roles in synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) to enable learning. Largely unknown endocytic mechanisms mediate the subunit-selective regulation of the surface levels of GluA1-homomeric Ca 2+ -permeable (CP) versus heteromeric Ca 2+ -impermeable (CI) AMPARs. Here, we report that the Alzheimer’s disease risk factor CALM controls the surface levels of CP-AMPARs and thereby reciprocally regulates LTP and LTD in vivo to modulate learning. We show that CALM selectively facilitates the endocytosis of ubiquitinated CP-AMPARs via a mechanism that depends on ubiquitin recognition by its ANTH domain but is independent of clathrin. Our data identify CALM and related ANTH domain–containing proteins as the core endocytic machinery that determines the surface levels of CP-AMPARs to bidirectionally control synaptic plasticity and modulate learning in the mammalian brain.

Background: High blood pressure is the primary risk factor for cardiovascular death worldwide. Autosomal dominant hypertension with brachydactyly clinically resembles salt-resistant essential hypertension and causes death by stroke before 50 years of age. We recently implicated the gene encoding phosphodiesterase 3A ( PDE3A ); however, in vivo modeling of the genetic defect and thus showing an involvement of mutant PDE3A is lacking. Methods: We used genetic mapping, sequencing, transgenic technology, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, immunoblotting, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer. We identified new patients, performed extensive animal phenotyping, and explored new signaling pathways. Results: We describe a novel mutation within a 15 base pair (bp) region of the PDE3A gene and define this segment as a mutational hotspot in hypertension with brachydactyly. The mutations cause an increase in enzyme activity. A CRISPR/Cas9-generated rat model, with a 9-bp deletion within the hotspot analogous to a human deletion, recapitulates hypertension with brachydactyly. In mice, mutant transgenic PDE3A overexpression in smooth muscle cells confirmed that mutant PDE3A causes hypertension. The mutant PDE3A enzymes display consistent changes in their phosphorylation and an increased interaction with the 14-3-3θ adaptor protein. This aberrant signaling is associated with an increase in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and changes in vessel morphology and function. Conclusions: The mutated PDE3A gene drives mechanisms that increase peripheral vascular resistance causing hypertension. We present 2 new animal models that will serve to elucidate the underlying mechanisms further. Our findings could facilitate the search for new antihypertensive treatments.

Preeclampsia, with the hallmark features of new-onset hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation, is a major cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Studies have demonstrated a role for the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in its pathogenesis; however, small-molecule RAS blockers are contraindicated because of fetal toxicity. We evaluated whether siRNA targeting maternal hepatic angiotensinogen (Agt) could ameliorate symptoms of preeclampsia without adverse placental or fetal effects in 2 rodent models. The first model used a cross of females expressing human Agt with males expressing human renin, resulting in upregulation of the circulating and uteroplacental RAS. The second model induced ischemia/reperfusion injury and subsequent local and systemic inflammation by surgically reducing placental blood flow midgestation (reduced uterine perfusion pressure [RUPP]). These models featured hypertension, proteinuria, and fetal growth restriction, with altered biomarkers. siRNA treatment ameliorated the preeclamptic phenotype in both models, reduced blood pressure, and improved intrauterine growth restriction, with no observed deleterious effects on the fetus. Treatment also improved the angiogenic balance and proteinuria in the transgenic model, and it reduced angiotensin receptor activating antibodies in both. Thus, an RNAi therapeutic targeting Agt ameliorated the clinical sequelae and improved fetal outcomes in 2 rodent models of preeclampsia.

To establish the first protocol for high-resolution three-dimensional imaging of multiple organs in rodents, we performed microvasculature casting with Microfil silicone rubber substance in non-living rats and combined the method with advanced image analysis protocols after micro-CT scanning. This newly established method allows changes in individual organs to be visualized and examined in extraordinary detail as part of a multi-organ approach. Previously published protocols only address visualization of single organs or are insufficiently resolved with respect to vessel diameter analysis. With optimized staining protocols, samples can additionally be examined for possible structural changes such as inflammatory processes or fibrotic formation. Preeclampsia is a condition during pregnancy that leads to up to a 4-fold increased risk of maternal cardiovascular disease later in life, although symptoms usually resolve after delivery. In former preeclamptic rats, a reduction in microvascular density in the heart and brain with a simultaneous increase in retinal vessels has been described, even weeks after the disappearance of major features such as hypertension and albuminuria. The technique described will enhance studies of the vasculature in many other animal models and provide striking insights into vascular physiology necessary to drive translation.

Multiple myeloma (MM), a tumor of germinal center (GC)-experienced plasma cells, comprises distinct genetic subgroups, such as the t(11;14)/CCND1 and the t(4;14)/MMSET subtype. We have generated subgroup-specific MM models by the GC B cell-specific co-activation of Ccnd1 or MMSET with a constitutively active Ikk2 mutant, mimicking the secondary NFκB activation frequently seen in human MM. Ccnd1/Ikk2ca and MMSET/Ikk2ca mice developed a pronounced, clonally restricted plasma cell outgrowth with age, accompanied by serum M spikes, bone marrow insufficiency and bone lesions. The transgenic plasma cells could be propagated in vivo and showed transcriptional profiles resembling their human counterparts. Thus, we show that Ccnd1 and MMSET cooperate with NFκB in MM pathogenesis, considering for the first time the genetic heterogeneity of MM for the generation of preclinical models.

Manganese in its divalent state (Mn2+) has features that make it a unique tool for tracing neuronal pathways. It is taken up and transported by neurons in an activity dependent manner and it can cross synapses. It also acts as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enabling visualization of neuronal tracts. However, due to the limited sensitivity of MRI systems relatively high Mn2+ doses are required. This is undesirable, especially in long-term studies, because of the known toxicity of the metal. In order to overcome this limitation, we propose 52Mn as a positron emission tomography (PET) neuronal tract tracer. We used 52Mn for imaging dopaminergic pathways after a unilateral injection into the ventral tegmental area (VTA), as well as the striatonigral pathway after an injection into the dorsal striatum (STR) in rats. Furthermore, we tested potentially noxious effects of the radioactivity dose with a behavioral test and histological staining. 24 h after 52Mn administration, the neuronal tracts were clearly visible in PET images and statistical analysis confirmed the observed distribution of the tracer. We noticed a behavioral impairment in some animals treated with 170 kBq of 52Mn, most likely caused by dysfunction of dopaminergic cells. Moreover, there was a substantial DNA damage in the brain tissue after applying 150 kBq of the tracer. However, all those effects were completely eliminated by reducing the 52Mn dose to 20-30 kBq. Crucially, the reduced dose was still sufficient for PET imaging.

The development of radiopharmaceuticals for positron emission tomography (PET) is an emerging area of research in neuroscience that allows for the early and differential diagnosis of neurological disorders and enables the assessment of the effects of drugs on the central nervous system (CNS). A radiopharmaceutical must fulfill several requirements to be a successful PET tracer in the CNS. These criteria include high specificity and selectivity for the intended target, the efficient penetration of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), high target-to-background contrast ratios, fast clearance from the brain, and a lack of radiolabeled metabolites with the ability to enter the brain. Furthermore, several preclinical in vitro and in vivo experiments must be performed to check if these requirements are met before a tracer can be translated to the clinic. These procedures include binding assays using recombinant proteins and tissue homogenates, in vitro autoradiography experiments using human and animal brain slices, plasma protein binding assays, and in vivo PET studies in rats and mice. Since each of these experiments requires careful consideration, this chapter will give a detailed description of each method and provide practical protocols to ensure that the data can be collected, analyzed, and interpreted in an unbiased manner.

The goal of this study was to validate the use of an MR-compatible blood sampler (BS) with a detector system based on a lutetium oxyorthosilicate scintillator and avalanche photodiodes for small-animal PET. Methods: Five rats underwent a 60-min 18F-FDG study. For each animal, the arterial input function (AIF) was derived from the BS recording, from manual sampling (MS), and from the PET image. These AIFs were applied for kinetic modeling of the striatum using the irreversible 2-tissue-compartment model. The MS-based technique with a dispersion correction served as a reference approach, and the kinetic parameters that were estimated with the BS- and the image-derived AIFs were compared with the reference values. Additionally, the effect of applying a population-based activity ratio for plasma to whole blood (p/wb) and the dispersion correction was assessed. Results: The K1, k2, and k3 values estimated with the reference approach were 0.174 ± 0.037 mL/min/cm3, 0.342 ± 0.080 1/min, and 0.048 ± 0.009 1/min, respectively. The corresponding parameters obtained with the BS- and image-derived AIFs deviated from these values by 0.6%-18.8% and 16.7%-47.9%, respectively. To compensate for the error in the BS-based technique, data from one MS collected at the end of the experiment were combined with the data from the first 10 min of the BS recording. This approach reduced the deviation in the kinetic parameters to 1.8%-6.3%. Using p/wb led to a 1.7%-8.3% difference from the reference parameters. The sensitivity of the BS was 23%, the energy resolution for the 511-keV photopeak was 19%, and the timing resolution was 11.2 ns. Conclusion: Online recording of the blood activity level with the BS allows precise measurement of AIF, without loss of blood volume. Combining the BS data with one MS is the most accurate approach for the data analysis. The high sensitivity of the device may allow application of lower radioactivity doses.

Rosmarinus officinalis L. leaf as part of a diet and medication can be a valuable proposal for the prevention and treatment of dementia. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of subchronic (28-fold) administration of a plant extract (RE) (200 mg/kg, p.o.) on behavioral and cognitive responses of rats linked with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity and their mRNA expression level in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. The passive avoidance test results showed that RE improved long-term memory in scopolamine-induced rats. The extract inhibited the AChE activity and showed a stimulatory effect on BuChE in both parts of rat brain. Moreover, RE produced a lower mRNA BuChE expression in the cortex and simultaneously an increase in the hippocampus. The study suggests that RE led to improved long-term memory in rats, which can be partially explained by its inhibition of AChE activity in rat brain.