Effects of manipulating epithelial cell-nerve signaling on anxiety-like behavior in mice

Study Purpose: Clinical and laboratory evidence point to an association between gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological comorbidity in IBS. In this study, we examined whether silencing or activation of enterochromaffin cells influenced anxiety-like behavior in mice using an elevated plus maze test.

Data Collection: Animal behavior in the elevated plus maze was quantified automatically using ANYMAZE software.

Primary Conclusion: Manipulating enterochromaffin cell-mucosal afferent activity induces anxiety-like behavior in mice. Interestingly, we found that manipulating EC cell activity in both males and females led to a significant increase in anxiety-like behaviors that could be blocked by alosetron, a potent 5-HT3R antagonist. Our findings support the notion that changes in EC cell activity might underlie the anxiety-related symptoms prevalent in patients with IBS.

Curator's Notes

Experimental Design: Prior to initiating the study, rodents underwent pre-handling for 3-5 days. On the day of the experiment, the equipment was cleaned, dried, and configured with the appropriate arm selection in the ANYmaze program (RRID:SCR_014289). Information, including ID, status, and treatment, was entered into the software. Experimental animals were given a minimum of 45 minutes to acclimate to the testing room. The experiment began by placing a mouse in the maze's center with its head directed towards the closed arm. The ANYmaze software was then initiated, allowing the mouse to explore undisturbed for 5 minutes. Each animal underwent a single trial without repeated testing. Control Group: Received no treatment. DCZ Group: Received DREADD agonist, deschloroclozapine (DCZ) injections intra-peritoneally. Alosetron Pre-treatment Group: Received subcutaneous injections of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, alosetron, followed by DCZ injections.

Completeness: This dataset is a part of the larger study: Mouse genetic models to manipulate enterochromaffin cell activity.

Subjects & Samples: Female (n=39) and male (n=34) adult transgenic mice were used in this study.

Primary vs derivative data: The primary data is organized into "pool-" folders, each containing tabular data detailing the time spent and distance traveled by the experimental animals in both the open and closed arms setting. All animal IDs are internally recorded for each set of animals. There is no derivative data folder.