Background
Slit2 is a member of the Slit family of secreted glycoproteins that plays highly conserved roles in neuronal axon guidance and cellular migration. Our previous experimental
Conclusions
Slit2 overexpression causes depression-/anxiety-like behaviors in adult mice that may be related to an increase in inflammatory factors and damage to hippocampal neurons.
Results
The body weight of Slit2-Tg mice was lower than that of the wild-type mice from 15 weeks of age. Compared with the control mice, depression-like behaviors were found in Slit2-Tg mice from 15 to 21 weeks of age in the sucrose preference test, although Slit2-Tg mice were hyperactive in the tail suspension test. The anxiety-like behaviors were found in Slit2-Tg mice in the open field test, as well as increased locomotor activity. The anxiety-like behaviors were also found in adult Slit2-Tg mice in the elevated plus maze. Compared to wild-type mice at 23 weeks old, impairment of the hippocampal neurons were found in Slit2-Tg mice at the same age in hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E), including some eccentric dispersion and expansion of neuronal bodies. In addition, the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of TNF-α was elevated in the hippocampus of adult Slit2-Tg mice. Conclusions: Slit2 overexpression causes depression-/anxiety-like behaviors in adult mice that may be related to an increase in inflammatory factors and damage to hippocampal neurons.