Genetic background-dependent abnormalities of the enteric nervous system and intestinal function in Kif26a-deficient mice

Sci Rep. 2021 Feb 4;11(1):3191. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-82785-1.

Abstract

The Kif26a protein-coding gene has been identified as a negative regulator of the GDNF-Ret signaling pathway in enteric neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of genetic background on the phenotype of Kif26a-deficient (KO, -/-) mice. KO mice with both C57BL/6 and BALB/c genetic backgrounds were established. Survival rates and megacolon development were compared between these two strains of KO mice. Functional bowel assessments and enteric neuron histopathology were performed in the deficient mice. KO mice with the BALB/c genetic background survived more than 400 days without evidence of megacolon, while all C57BL/6 KO mice developed megacolon and died within 30 days. Local enteric neuron hyperplasia in the colon and functional bowel abnormalities were observed in BALB/c KO mice. These results indicated that megacolon and enteric neuron hyperplasia in KO mice are influenced by the genetic background. BALB/c KO mice may represent a viable model for functional gastrointestinal diseases such as chronic constipation, facilitating studies on the underlying mechanisms and providing a foundation for the development of treatments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Enteric Nervous System / metabolism*
  • Enteric Nervous System / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism
  • Intestine, Small / innervation
  • Intestine, Small / metabolism*
  • Intestine, Small / pathology
  • Kinesins / deficiency
  • Kinesins / genetics*
  • Megacolon / genetics*
  • Megacolon / metabolism
  • Megacolon / mortality
  • Megacolon / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • NADPH Dehydrogenase / genetics
  • NADPH Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Species Specificity
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Gdnf protein, mouse
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • NADPH Dehydrogenase
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
  • Ret protein, mouse
  • Kinesins