Journal Scope
Primates and Animal Models Conservation and Utilization of Animal ResourcesAnimal Diversity and Evolution
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SARS-CoV-2感染老年中国猕猴呈现迟发且严重的细胞因子风暴和免疫细胞浸润
截至2020年6月，全球新型冠状病毒感染者死亡人数已增至44万人，死亡患者中年龄大于65岁的老年人约占74％。因此，高龄是目前公认的新型冠状病毒感染死亡最重要风险因素。本研究通过构建老年及青年中国猕猴新型冠状病毒感染疾病模型，分析年龄对新型冠状病毒感染疾病进程的影响。结果表明，青年猕猴在感染后第1周表现为呼吸功能受损、肺部病毒活跃复制、肺部严重病理损伤以及肺组织中CD11b+ 细胞和CD8+ T细胞浸润，但在感染第2周疾病特征迅速恢复。与之相比，老年猕猴在感染第2周表现出明显的免疫反应和严重的细胞因子风暴，肺部CD11b+ 细胞浸润增加并伴有CD8+ T细胞持续浸润。同时，老年猕猴外周血T细胞显示出比年轻猕猴更明显的趋化性，但其抗病毒功能较弱。因此，延迟但更严重的细胞因子风暴和免疫细胞浸润可能是老年新型冠状病毒感染者预后不良的原因。
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乳腺癌动物模型及应用
乳腺癌是女性最常见的恶性肿瘤。乳腺癌基础和转化研究依赖于实验动物模型。理想的乳腺癌模型应与人类乳腺癌在肿瘤病因，生物学行为，病理学和对治疗的反应而言最好具有共性。根据构建模型的方法以及实验目的的不同，目前乳腺癌动物模型分为自发型、诱发型、移植型、基因工程型等，该篇综述介绍了不同乳腺癌实验动物模型研究的最新进展，并分析了它们的特征，优缺点和潜在应用。最后，我们指出了乳腺癌动物模型的未来研究方向。
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SARS-CoV-2感染中国树鼩呈现COVID-19样症状
2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）大流行对全球公共卫生安全构成了巨大威胁。找到易感染新型冠状病毒（SARS-CoV-2/HCoV-19）的实验动物对于控制疫情、筛选有效的预防或治疗方法都是至关重要的。在本研究中，我们对灵长动物近亲——树鼩进行了新型冠状病毒感染模型创建研究。我们选择了不同年龄段的树鼩，包括1岁左右的成年树鼩和5-6岁的老年树鼩，感染SARS-CoV-2。在树鼩接种病毒后的不同天数进行肺部影像学、病毒载量、血常规和生化以及组织病理学等分析。结果表明，树鼩可以感染SARS-CoV-2病毒。X射线检查可以在大多数感染树鼩看到肺部浸润。在感染后3、5和7天，感染树鼩肺组织中可检测到病毒RNA，血常规和血清生化相关参数也发生变化，包括天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）和尿素氮（BUN）水平升高。感染后3天成年组和7天老年组树鼩肺组织病理学染色显示肺泡间隔增厚，间质出血。在病毒排出高峰方面，两个不同的年龄组中存在一些差异。我们的研究结果表明，中国树鼩有可能成为COVID-19机制研究、药物和疫苗评价的模型动物。
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磁性纳米氧化铁药物介导的脑磁刺激新策略可快速改善小鼠抑郁样行为
磁刺激极大地促进了神经科学的进步，其中高频（10 Hz）重复经颅磁刺激（rTMS）刺激左背外侧前额叶皮层（DLPFC）已于2008年获得美国食品药品监督管理局（FDA）的批准，用于治疗成人难治性抑郁。但目前rTMS仍然存在技术局限性，包括穿透力差，磁刺激聚焦精度不足，刺激深度有限等。特别是在小动物精神疾病模型中，即使最小的通用线圈也会刺激整个半球甚至整个大脑，无法做到精准定位，难以研究rTMS的神经调控机制等脑科学相关的重大科学问题。针对此问题，我们提出了利用获得中国FDA批准的超顺磁性纳米氧化铁（SPIO）药物，结合轻度磁脉冲序列，以提高局部皮层敏感性的磁性脑刺激的新策略，即联合磁性刺激系统（c-MSS）。小鼠左前额叶皮层中与人类DLPFC同源的脑区为PrL，磁共振成像证明SPIO可稳定存在于PrL脑区至少11天。从细胞、动物和体外模型多方面证明了c-MSS的安全性和物理性特征。建立慢性不可预测的轻度应激（CUMS）抑郁模型小鼠，使用0.1T c-MSS（每次5分钟，每天两次）进行磁干预，结果表明10 Hz磁刺激5天可快速改善CUMS小鼠的抑郁样症状，这可能与增加脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）和改善下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺（HPA）轴有密切关系。c-MSS是一种可精准刺激小动物任意皮层靶标的新方法，这一项研究成果将极大地丰富磁刺激的潜在应用领域，促进基于磁性纳米药物的磁刺激技术临床转化。
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印支灰叶猴 (Trachypithecus crepusculus) 林层利用及森林覆盖率对乌叶猴属 (Trachypithecus) 地栖性的影响
研究动物在不同栖息地条件下表现出的行为弹性对于濒危物种保护来说至关重要。乌叶猴属动物生活在多样的栖息地中，表现出不同的林层利用模式；然而栖息地结构对于林层利用的影响尚未得到深入研究。本研究于2012年6月至2016年1月调查了印支灰叶猴 (Trachypithecus crepusculus) 在无量山原始常绿林中的林层利用模式，并且比较了印支灰叶猴和其它5个乌叶猴属物种在林层利用和地栖行为上的异同。不同于生活在喀斯特石山的叶猴，印支灰叶猴研究群体表现出高度的树栖性，在地面活动的时间只占总活动时间的2.9%。研究群体倾向于在较高的林层休息，在较低的林层 (<20m) 移动；在地面的时间主要用于食土，极少用于取食其它食物。这些林层利用模式与石山叶猴 (黑叶猴，T. francoisi) 在连续性较好的森林中的行为相似。本研究还发现乌叶猴属地栖程度与栖息地森林覆盖率之间存在显著的负相关关系，这种关系在石山叶猴内部也具有显著性，暗示石山叶猴因森林覆盖率的下降而提高了地栖性。本研究结果揭示了乌叶猴属物种在林层利用方面的行为弹性，强调了连续程度高的森林对于叶猴保护的重要性。
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2019年人类冠状病毒(HCoV-19)引起人畜共患病溯源研究的重要性
2019年人类冠状病毒（HCoV-19/SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV）感染引起2019年肺炎爆发，造成对人类全球性威胁。作者参考两种引起人类严重肺炎的新型冠状病毒SARS-CoV和MERS-CoV的流行病学数据，总结了HCoV-19人畜共患病起源的现有数据。作者建议今后应加紧HCoV-19的溯源研究，为控制和预防该病提供重要的科学依据。
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基于全基因组数据解析新型冠状病毒演化和传播
2019年12月中旬新型肺炎疫情(COVID-19)在湖北武汉爆发，截至2020年2月29日，新冠病毒SARS-CoV-2（2019-nCoV/HCoV-19）已感染全球85 000多人。在本研究中，我们使用了GISAID EpiFluTM数据库中的93个完整新冠病毒基因组来解析新冠病毒在疫情爆发前两个月的演化，以及人际传播情况。我们采用系统发育网状分析方法，构建了SARS-CoV-2基因组的单倍型的演化关系，并进一步对病毒的潜在种群大小变化进行估算。利用公式t =τ/ 2u，基于扩展参数tau（τ）推算了病毒可能发生扩张（即大量人传人）日期。在新冠病毒基因组的八个编码区中共发现120个的变异位点，关联119个密码子有79个非同义和40个同义替换。我们猜测40个改变氨基酸属性的非同义替换可能与病毒适应性有关。另外，我们分析中没有检测到病毒重组事件。从93个病毒基因组中鉴定出58种单倍型，将其划分为五组用于传播和扩散分析。通过蝙蝠冠状病毒基因组（bat-RaTG13-CoV）作为外群，我们发现单倍型H13和H38可能是古老的单倍型，单倍型H1是从单倍型H3演化而来。种群扩张时间估算发现在2020年1月6日和2019年12月8日可能发生大量人传人。此外，我们利用谱系流行病学方法回溯了一些人际传播事件。同时，这种方法可以用于寻找感染病例的病毒感染源。
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短腿蟾属（无尾目：角蟾科）复查并恢复平头短腿蟾的有效性及描述一新种
最近，关于广义角蟾属有诸多分类争论，其中也包括单系群短腿蟾。短腿蟾具有明显的可识别的形态特征，且最近所有分子系统学研究都表明其为一个稳定的单系群，因此将其作为一个独立属是合理的。本研究对该属做了全面复查，并基于形态学差异和系统发育关系提出了两个种组，同时认为平头短腿蟾是一个有效种，其与宽头短腿蟾有较大遗传分化和显著形态差异。此外，基于采自中国东南部的一系列标本，描述了一新种——东方短腿蟾。至此，短腿蟾属成员增加到7个，其多样性显然被低估了。另外，基于分类便利性、单系性和紧凑性原则，本研究还讨论了角蟾亚科其他单系群的属级分类地位问题。
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利用两种携带不同荧光蛋白的逆行感染的腺相关病毒证明小鼠副嗅球的向心投射具有弥散特征
脊椎动物拥有主嗅和副嗅两套嗅觉系统，共同感知和处理挥发性和非挥发性的社会性化学信息，进而调控不同的性行为和社会行为。副嗅球是副嗅系统进行信息传递和处理的第一级中枢，位于主嗅球的背后侧。由于其特殊的解剖位置和缺乏特异性分子细胞标记，我们对副嗅球的内部和外部神经网络了解得非常有限。本文中，我们利用可以在轴突末端吸收并逆行传递和感染神经元胞体的腺相关病毒（retro-rAAV），在小鼠副嗅皮层（终纹床核、皮层杏仁核前侧、中央杏仁核和皮层杏仁核后内侧）注射retro-rAAV，成功实现了对小鼠副嗅球内投射神经元的荧光标记，证明了该方法的有效性。在此基础上，我们利用携带不同荧光蛋白的retro-rAAV分别注射在上述不同的副嗅皮层，发现了副嗅球内投射神经元被共标，证明了小鼠副嗅球内投射神经元向心投射具有弥散的特征（1对多），与主嗅球的投射神经元类似。此外，我们还发现投射到不同皮层的副嗅球投射神经元被感染的数量有所不同，表明单个投射神经元的信息在向心传递过程中，可能会传递到不同皮层内不同数量的皮层神经元。这些结果为我们理解脊椎动物副嗅系统对外周环境中的气味信息的编码和解码机制提供了一定的神经环路基础。
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神经保护甾体减轻急性低压缺氧引起的食蟹猴脑损伤
高原是地球上最恶劣的环境之一，最主要的特点是低气压所导致的缺氧。暴露在低压缺氧环境下，未习服人群会出现脑损伤，在严重情况下甚至会发展成为致命性的高原脑水肿。长期以来，人们应用一些遗传背景和人类差异较大的动物研究高原相关疾病，这可能延缓了防治这些疾病的研发进展。在这项研究中，我们应用非人灵长类动物食蟹猴为研究对象，通过对白细胞和大脑皮层进行转录组测序的方法来探索低压缺氧引起脑损伤的机制，并评价两种具有神经保护功能的甾体——孕酮和5α-androst-3β,5,6β-triol （TRIOL）在这个模型上的药效与可能分子机制。暴露在急性低压缺氧环境下，食蟹猴出现了与人类高原脑水肿相似的症状，包括行为失调、脑含水量升高、神经元受损以及血管源性脑水肿等。白细胞转录组数据分析揭示了经典的缺氧反应通路HIF-1信号，以及一些新发现的关键性通路如维生素D受体信号，这些通路可能共同调控了低压缺氧所导致的炎症反应。急性低压缺氧也改变了大脑的转录调控模式，激活了血管发生的调控通路，并抑制了有氧呼吸和蛋白折叠相关的通路，而这些通路很有可能与脑损伤的病理机制相关。整体上两种甾体的药效相似，都可以显著有效减轻急性低压缺氧所造成的脑损伤和大脑转录谱的改变，但功能分析显示两种药物却作用在不同的通路上，孕酮可以有效的提高红细胞生成，而TRIOL可以减轻谷氨酸兴奋性毒性。总之，本研究加深了我们对急性低压缺氧诱发脑损伤病理机制的理解，并为缺氧性脑损伤的药物研发提供了潜在的候选化合物。
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摘要:
Accumulating studies have been conducted to identify risk genes and relevant biological mechanisms underlying major depressive disorder (MDD). In particular, transcriptomic analyses in brain regions engaged in cognitive and emotional processes, e.g., the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), have provided essential insights. Based on three independent DLPFC RNA-seq datasets of 79 MDD patients and 75 healthy controls, we performed differential expression analyses using two alternative approaches for cross-validation. We also conducted transcriptomic analyses in mice undergoing chronic variable stress (CVS) and chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). We identified 12 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through both analytical methods in MDD patients, the majority of which were also dysregulated in stressed mice. Notably, the mRNA level of the immediate early gene FOS (Fos proto-oncogene) was significantly decreased in both MDD patients and CVS-exposed mice, and CSDS-susceptible mice exhibited a greater reduction in Fos expression compared to resilient mice. These findings suggest the potential key roles of this gene in the pathogenesis of MDD related to stress exposure. Altered transcriptomes in the DLPFC of MDD patients might be, at least partially, the result of stress exposure, supporting that stress is a primary risk factor for MDD.
Accumulating studies have been conducted to identify risk genes and relevant biological mechanisms underlying major depressive disorder (MDD). In particular, transcriptomic analyses in brain regions engaged in cognitive and emotional processes, e.g., the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), have provided essential insights. Based on three independent DLPFC RNA-seq datasets of 79 MDD patients and 75 healthy controls, we performed differential expression analyses using two alternative approaches for cross-validation. We also conducted transcriptomic analyses in mice undergoing chronic variable stress (CVS) and chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). We identified 12 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through both analytical methods in MDD patients, the majority of which were also dysregulated in stressed mice. Notably, the mRNA level of the immediate early gene FOS (Fos proto-oncogene) was significantly decreased in both MDD patients and CVS-exposed mice, and CSDS-susceptible mice exhibited a greater reduction in Fos expression compared to resilient mice. These findings suggest the potential key roles of this gene in the pathogenesis of MDD related to stress exposure. Altered transcriptomes in the DLPFC of MDD patients might be, at least partially, the result of stress exposure, supporting that stress is a primary risk factor for MDD.
摘要:
Spain has been one of the main global pandemic epicenters for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we analyzed >41 000 genomes (including >26 000 high-quality (HQ) genomes) downloaded from the GISAID repository, including 1 245 (922 HQ) sampled in Spain. The aim of this study was to investigate genome variation of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and reconstruct phylogeographic and transmission patterns in Spain. Phylogeographic analysis suggested at least 34 independent introductions of SARS-CoV-2 to Spain at the beginning of the outbreak. Six lineages spread very successfully in the country, probably favored by super-spreaders, namely, A2a4 (7.8%), A2a5 (38.4%), A2a10 (2.8%), B3a (30.1%), and B9 (8.7%), which accounted for 87.9% of all genomes in the Spanish database. One distinct feature of the Spanish SARS-CoV-2 genomes was the higher frequency of B lineages (39.3%, mainly B3a+B9) than found in any other European country. While B3a, B9, (and an important sub-lineage of A2a5, namely, A2a5c) most likely originated in Spain, the other three haplogroups were imported from other European locations. The B3a strain may have originated in the Basque Country from a B3 ancestor of uncertain geographic origin, whereas B9 likely emerged in Madrid. The time of the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of SARS-CoV-2 suggested that the first coronavirus entered the country around 11 February 2020, as estimated from the TMRCA of B3a, the first lineage detected in the country. Moreover, earlier claims that the D614G mutation is associated to higher transmissibility is not consistent with the very high prevalence of COVID-19 in Spain when compared to other countries with lower disease incidence but much higher frequency of this mutation (56.4% in Spain vs. 82.4% in rest of Europe). Instead, the data support a major role of genetic drift in modeling the micro-geographic stratification of virus strains across the country as well as the role of SARS-CoV-2 super-spreaders.
Spain has been one of the main global pandemic epicenters for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we analyzed >41 000 genomes (including >26 000 high-quality (HQ) genomes) downloaded from the GISAID repository, including 1 245 (922 HQ) sampled in Spain. The aim of this study was to investigate genome variation of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and reconstruct phylogeographic and transmission patterns in Spain. Phylogeographic analysis suggested at least 34 independent introductions of SARS-CoV-2 to Spain at the beginning of the outbreak. Six lineages spread very successfully in the country, probably favored by super-spreaders, namely, A2a4 (7.8%), A2a5 (38.4%), A2a10 (2.8%), B3a (30.1%), and B9 (8.7%), which accounted for 87.9% of all genomes in the Spanish database. One distinct feature of the Spanish SARS-CoV-2 genomes was the higher frequency of B lineages (39.3%, mainly B3a+B9) than found in any other European country. While B3a, B9, (and an important sub-lineage of A2a5, namely, A2a5c) most likely originated in Spain, the other three haplogroups were imported from other European locations. The B3a strain may have originated in the Basque Country from a B3 ancestor of uncertain geographic origin, whereas B9 likely emerged in Madrid. The time of the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of SARS-CoV-2 suggested that the first coronavirus entered the country around 11 February 2020, as estimated from the TMRCA of B3a, the first lineage detected in the country. Moreover, earlier claims that the D614G mutation is associated to higher transmissibility is not consistent with the very high prevalence of COVID-19 in Spain when compared to other countries with lower disease incidence but much higher frequency of this mutation (56.4% in Spain vs. 82.4% in rest of Europe). Instead, the data support a major role of genetic drift in modeling the micro-geographic stratification of virus strains across the country as well as the role of SARS-CoV-2 super-spreaders.
摘要:
The interpretation of patterns of biodiversity requires the disentanglement of geographical and environmental variables. Disjunct alpine communities are geographically isolated from one another but experience similar environmental impacts. Isolated homogenous habitats may promote speciation but constrain functional trait variation. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that dispersal limitation promotes taxonomic divergence, whereas habitat similarity in alpine mountains leads to functional convergence. We performed standardized field investigation to sample non-volant small mammals from 18 prominent alpine sites in the Three Parallel Rivers area. We estimated indices quantifying taxonomic and functional alpha- and beta-diversity, as well as beta-diversity components. We then assessed the respective importance of geographical and environmental predictors in explaining taxonomic and functional compositions. No evidence was found to show that species were more functionally similar than expected in local assemblages. However, the taxonomic turnover components were higher than functional ones (0.471±0.230 vs. 0.243±0.215), with nestedness components showing the opposite pattern (0.063±0.054 vs. 0.269±0.225). This indicated that differences in taxonomic compositions between sites occurred from replacement of functionally similar species. Geographical barriers were the key factor influencing both taxonomic total dissimilarity and turnover components, whereas functional beta-diversity was primarily explained by climatic factors such as minimum temperature of the coldest month. Our findings provide empirical evidence that taxonomic and functional diversity patterns can be independently driven by different ecological processes. Our results point to the importance of clarifying different components of beta-diversity to understand the underlying mechanisms of community assembly. These results also shed light on the assembly rules and ecological processes of terrestrial mammal communities in extreme environments.
The interpretation of patterns of biodiversity requires the disentanglement of geographical and environmental variables. Disjunct alpine communities are geographically isolated from one another but experience similar environmental impacts. Isolated homogenous habitats may promote speciation but constrain functional trait variation. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that dispersal limitation promotes taxonomic divergence, whereas habitat similarity in alpine mountains leads to functional convergence. We performed standardized field investigation to sample non-volant small mammals from 18 prominent alpine sites in the Three Parallel Rivers area. We estimated indices quantifying taxonomic and functional alpha- and beta-diversity, as well as beta-diversity components. We then assessed the respective importance of geographical and environmental predictors in explaining taxonomic and functional compositions. No evidence was found to show that species were more functionally similar than expected in local assemblages. However, the taxonomic turnover components were higher than functional ones (0.471±0.230 vs. 0.243±0.215), with nestedness components showing the opposite pattern (0.063±0.054 vs. 0.269±0.225). This indicated that differences in taxonomic compositions between sites occurred from replacement of functionally similar species. Geographical barriers were the key factor influencing both taxonomic total dissimilarity and turnover components, whereas functional beta-diversity was primarily explained by climatic factors such as minimum temperature of the coldest month. Our findings provide empirical evidence that taxonomic and functional diversity patterns can be independently driven by different ecological processes. Our results point to the importance of clarifying different components of beta-diversity to understand the underlying mechanisms of community assembly. These results also shed light on the assembly rules and ecological processes of terrestrial mammal communities in extreme environments.
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Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Basic and translational breast cancer research relies heavily on experimental animal models. Ideally, such models for breast cancer should have commonality with human breast cancer in terms of tumor etiology, biological behavior, pathology, and response to therapeutics. This review introduces current progress in different breast cancer experimental animal models and analyzes their characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and potential applications. Finally, we propose future research directions for breast cancer animal models.
2020, 41(5): 495-502.
doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.109
As a transparent avascular tissue located at the front of the eyeball, the cornea is an important barrier to external damage. Both epithelial and endothelial cells of the cornea harbor primary cilia, which sense changes in the external environment and regulate intracellular signaling pathways. Accumulating evidence suggests that the primary cilium regulates corneal development in several ways, including participation in corneal epithelial stratification and maintenance of corneal endothelial cell morphology. In addition, the primary cilium has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several corneal diseases. In this review, we discuss recent findings that demonstrate the critical role of the primary cilium in corneal development. We also discuss the link between ciliary dysfunction and corneal diseases, which suggests that the primary cilium could be targeted to treat these diseases.
2020, 41(5): 503-516.
doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.202
As of June 2020, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has killed an estimated 440 000 people worldwide, 74% of whom were aged ≥65 years, making age the most significant risk factor for death caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. To examine the effect of age on death, we established a SARS-CoV-2 infection model in Chinese rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) of varied ages. Results indicated that infected young macaques manifested impaired respiratory function, active viral replication, severe lung damage, and infiltration of CD11b+ and CD8+ cells in lungs at one-week post infection (wpi), but also recovered rapidly at 2 wpi. In contrast, aged macaques demonstrated delayed immune responses with a more severe cytokine storm, increased infiltration of CD11b+ cells, and persistent infiltration of CD8+ cells in the lungs at 2 wpi. In addition, peripheral blood T cells from aged macaques showed greater inflammation and chemotaxis, but weaker antiviral functions than that in cells from young macaques. Thus, the delayed but more severe cytokine storm and higher immune cell infiltration may explain the poorer prognosis of older aged patients suffering SARS-CoV-2 infection.
2020, 41(5): 517-526.
doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.053
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to pose a global threat to the human population. Identifying animal species susceptible to infection with the SARS-CoV-2/ HCoV-19 pathogen is essential for controlling the outbreak and for testing valid prophylactics or therapeutics based on animal model studies. Here, different aged Chinese tree shrews (adult group, 1 year old; old group, 5–6 years old), which are close relatives to primates, were infected with SARS-CoV-2. X-ray, viral shedding, laboratory, and histological analyses were performed on different days post-inoculation (dpi). Results showed that Chinese tree shrews could be infected by SARS-CoV-2. Lung infiltrates were visible in X-ray radiographs in most infected animals. Viral RNA was consistently detected in lung tissues from infected animals at 3, 5, and 7 dpi, along with alterations in related parameters from routine blood tests and serum biochemistry, including increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Histological analysis of lung tissues from animals at 3 dpi (adult group) and 7 dpi (old group) showed thickened alveolar septa and interstitial hemorrhage. Several differences were found between the two different aged groups in regard to viral shedding peak. Our results indicate that Chinese tree shrews have the potential to be used as animal models for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
2020, 41(5): 527-538.
doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.074
Sperm are specialized cells that require adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to support their function. Maintaining sperm energy homeostasis in vitro is vitally important to improve the efficacy of boar sperm preservation. Metformin can activate 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to improve metabolic flexibility and maintain energy homeostasis. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether metformin can improve boar sperm quality through AMPK mediation of energy metabolism. Sperm motility parameters, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), ATP content, glucose uptake, and lactate efflux were analyzed. Localization and expression levels of AMPK and phospho-Thr172-AMPK (p-AMPK) were also detected by immunofluorescence and western blotting. We found that metformin treatment significantly increased sperm motility parameters, ΔΨm, and ATP content during storage at 17 °C. Moreover, results showed that AMPK was localized at the acrosomal region, connecting piece, and midpiece of sperm and p-AMPK was distributed at the post-acrosomal region, connecting piece, and midpiece. When sperm were incubated with metformin for 4 h at 37 °C, sperm motility parameters, ΔΨm, ATP content, p-AMPK, glucose uptake, and lactate efflux all significantly increased, whereas the addition of Compound C treatment, an inhibitor of AMPK, counteracted these positive effects. Together, our results suggest that metformin promotes AMPK activation, which contributes to the maintenance of energy hemostasis and mitochondrial activity, thereby maintaining boar sperm functionality and improving the efficacy of semen preservation.
2020, 41(5): 539-551.
doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.051
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is characterized by deregulated hepatic lipid metabolism; however, the association between MAFLD development and mitochondrial dysfunction has yet to be confirmed. Herein, we employed high-resolution respirometry, blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-based in-gel activity measurement and immunoblot analysis to assess mitochondrial function in obesity-induced mouse models with varying degrees of MAFLD. Results showed a slight but significant decrease in hepatic mitochondrial respiration in some MAFLD mice compared to mice fed a standard diet. However, the activities and levels of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes remained unchanged during obesity-induced MAFLD progression. These results suggest that mitochondrial function, particularly oxidative phosphorylation, was mildly affected during obesity-induced MAFLD development. Moreover, transcriptome profiling of mouse and human liver tissues with varying degrees of MAFLD revealed that the decreased activation of mitochondria-related pathways was only associated with MAFLD of a high histological grade, whereas the major regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis were not altered in mice or humans during MAFLD development. Collectively, our results suggest that impaired hepatic mitochondrial function is not closely associated with obesity-induced MAFLD. Therefore, therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondria for the treatment of MAFLD should be reconsidered.
2020, 41(5): 552-556.
doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.052
With a population of around 4 000 individuals, the Kalash people have been living in the Hindu-Kush mountain valleys of present-day northern Pakistan for centuries. Due to their mysterious origin and fairer European complexion, the genetic history of this ethnic group has been investigated previously using different markers. To date, however, the maternal genetic architecture has not been systematically dissected based on high-resolution complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes), making their maternal genetic history, especially their genetic connection with Europeans from a matrilineal perspective, unclear. To unravel this issue, we analyzed mitogenome data of 34 Kalash samples together with 6 075 individuals from across Eurasia. Our results indicated exclusive western Eurasian origin of the Kalash people, represented by eight haplogroups. Among these haplogroups, J2b1a7a and R0a5a (accounting for ~50% of the Kalash gene pool) displayed in situ differentiations in the Kalash and could be traced to the Mediterranean region. Age estimations suggested these haplogroups arose in the Kalash population ~2.26 and 3.01 thousand years ago (kya), a time frame consistent with the invasion of Alexander III of Macedon to the region. One possible explanation for the maternal genetic contribution from Europeans to the Kalash people would be the involvement of women in foreign campaigns of ancient Greek warfare, followed by a founder effect. Our study thus sheds important light on the genetic origin of the Kalash community of Pakistan.
2020, 41(5): 557-563.
doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.092
Changes in gene expression occur as animals, including primates, age. Macaques have long been used as a model species for primate evolution and biomedical studies. Here, to study gene expression in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana, TMs) and its differences to humans, we applied RNA-Seq to obtain the blood transcriptomes of 24 TMs. In total, 2 523 age-associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Several pathways and processes that regulate aging, including the FoxO signaling pathway, autophagy, and platelet activation, were significantly enriched in the up-regulated DEGs. Two significantly age-related modules were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The TMs and humans shared 279 common DEGs, including 111 up-regulated and 141 down-regulated genes with advancing age in the same expression direction. However, 27 age-related DEGs presented the opposite expression direction in TMs as that in humans. For example, INPPL1, with inhibitory effects on the B cell receptor signaling pathway, was up-regulated in humans but down-regulated in TMs. In general, our study suggests that aging is a critical factor affecting gene expression in the captive TM population. The similarities and differences in gene expression patterns between TMs and humans could provide new insights into primate evolution and benefit TM model development.
2020, 41(5): 564-568.
doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.061
Osteonecrosis is a common human disease in orthopedics. It is difficult to treat, and half of patients may need artificial joint replacement, resulting in a considerable economic burden and a reduction in quality of life. Hormones are one of the major causes of osteonecrosis and high doses of corticosteroids are considered the most dangerous factor. Because of the complexity of treatment, we still need a better animal model that can be widely used in drug development and testing. Tree shrews are more closely related to primates than rodents. As such, we constructed a successful tree shrew model to establish and evaluate steroid-associated osteonecrosis (SAON). We found that low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) combined with high-dose methylprednisolone (MPS) over 12 weeks could be used to establish a tree shrew model with femoral head necrosis. Serum biochemical and histological analyses showed that an ideal model was obtained. Thus, this work provides a useful animal model for the study of SAON and for the optimization of treatment methods.
2020, 41(5): 569-575.
doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.131
The rise of the plasmid-encoded colistin resistance gene mcr-1 is a major concern globally. Here, during a routine surveillance, an unexpectedly high prevalence of Escherichia coli with reduced susceptibility to colistin (69.9%) was observed in a Chinese broiler farm. Fifty-three (63.9%) E. coli isolates were positive for mcr-1. All identified mcr-1-positive E. coli (MCREC) were multidrug resistant and carried other clinically significant resistance genes. Furthermore, the mcr-1 genes were mainly located on the IncI2 and IncHI2 plasmids. Conjugation experiments unraveled the co-transfer of mcr-1 with other antibiotic resistance genes (blaCTX-M-55, blaCTX-M-14, floR, and fosA3) via the IncI2 (n=3) and IncHI2 (n=4) plasmids. The stable genetic context mcr-1-pap2 was common in the IncI2 plasmids, whereas ISApl1-mcr-1-pap2-ISApl1 was mainly found in the IncHI2 plasmids. The dominance of mcr-1-bearing IncI2 and IncHI2 plasmids and co-selection of mcr-1 with other antimicrobial resistance genes might contribute to the exceptionally high prevalence of mcr-1 in this broiler farm. Our results emphasized the importance of appropriate antibiotic use in animal production.
2020, 41(5): 576-580.
doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.083
Theloderma pyaukkya is recorded for the first time in China based on a specimen collected from western Yunnan. Morphologically, the specimen shows good agreement with the original description of T. pyaukkya, and phylogenetically is clustered with the type specimens and holotype of T. pyaukkya from Kachin State (northern Myanmar) with strong support. The taxonomic status of T. pyaukkya from Chin State (western Myanmar) needs further examination. In addition, Theloderma moloch is also recorded in Yunnan for the first time. This brings the number of Theloderma species recorded in Yunnan, China, to seven, namely, T. albopunctatum, T. baibungense, T. bicolor, T. gordoni, T. moloch, T. pyaukkya, and T. rhododiscus.
2020, 41(5): 581-588.
doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.139
We report on a new species, Micryletta dissimulans sp. nov. , from the lowland forests of southern Thailand, which is described based on molecular and morphological evidence. The new species is characterized by a combination of the following characters: small body size (20.3–22.4 mm in males, 24.4–26.7 mm in females); slender body habitus; head longer than wide; snout rounded in dorsal and lateral view; eye length equal to snout length; tibiotarsal articulation reaching to tympanum; dorsal surface slightly granulated to shagreened; supratympanic fold indistinct, ventrally edged in black with large black spot behind eye; outer metatarsal tubercle absent; dorsum reddish-brown with merging irregular-shaped brown blotches edged in beige, no black spots on dorsum; body flanks brown with large black spots edged in whitish mottling, two large black blotches in axillary and inguinal areas on each side; lateral sides of head black, with white patches on lips absent, whitish mottling on tympanum and axillary region; ventral surface pinkish to bluish-gray, translucent, laterally with dark-brown marbled pattern, medially immaculate; throat in males dark-gray with sparse white mottling laterally; iris copper-orange. The new species is divergent from all other congeners in 16S rRNA gene sequences (5.0%–7.4%). To date, Micryletta dissimulans sp. nov. is only known from a single locality in Saba Yoi District, Songkhla Province, Thailand, at an elevation of 120 m a.s.l., but is also expected to occur in neighboring parts of Malaysia. We suggest Micryletta dissimulans sp. nov. be considered as a Data Deficient (DD) species following the IUCN’s Red List categories (IUCN Standards and Petitions Committee, 2019 ).
2020, 41(5): 589-594.
doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.129
A new stream salamander species, Batrachuperus daochengensis sp. nov. , from southwestern China, is described herein based on morphological and molecular evidence. Molecular phylogeny derived from the mitochondrial gene together with previous nuclear data revealed that B. daochengensis sp. nov. is sister to B. yenyuanensis. The new species differs from all other species of the genus by the following combination of characters: brown horny epidermis on tips of fingers and toes absent; tubercles on palms and soles absent; costal grooves 12; dorsal brown, mottled with blackish spots; fingers 2-3-4-1 in order of decreasing length; tips of longest digits of fore- and hindlimbs largely separated by one to two costal spaces when adpressed towards each other along sides of body. The new species is currently known in the central and southern Shaluli Mountains in southwestern China.
2020, 41(5): 595-598.
doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.068
Cryptic diversity (CD), the presence of highly divergent phylogenetic lineages within closed morphological species, has been documented for many taxa. Great arachnid orders such as Araneae or Scorpiones are well studied and many cases of CD have been described therein; to date, however, related research on smaller arachnid orders, such as whip spiders (Amblypygi), remains lacking. In the current study, we investigated CD based on cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI) in three nominal species of the genus Heterophrynus (H. alces, H. batesii, and H. longicornis), represented by 65 specimens. The sequences were compared using three different methods. All three species showed geographically structured CD. Thus, given its existence in this genus, it is important that CD and its spatial distribution be considered in future studies and possible conservation projects.
Vol 41, No 5 (18 September 2020)
Indexed by SCI-E
2019 影响因子 2.638
12/168 Zoology (Q1)
2020 Journal Citation Reports®
双月刊, 始于 1980
主编: Yong-Gang Yao
ISSN 2095-8137
CN 53-1229/Q
期刊动态More >
- Acknowledgments to reviewers of Zoological Research
- “2020动物学前沿论坛”第一轮通知
- Zoological Research入选2018百种中国杰出学术期刊
- Zoological Research喜获首个影响因子
- 中国科学院昆明动物研究所六十周年纪念系列活动—— “2019动物学前沿论坛”在云南昆明召开
- 2019年度 Zoological Research编委扩大会议在昆明召开
- 昆明动物所60周年所庆系列活动——“2019动物学前沿论坛”第3轮通知
- “2019动物学前沿论坛”第2轮通知
- 2018第八届灵长类生物医学国际研讨会会议邀请
- 2018 Frontiers in Zoology Symposium
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