Perineuronal Nets in Syrian Hamsters: Anatomical Localization, Sex Differences, Diurnal Variation, and Response to Social Stress

ABSTRACT Purpose Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are extracellular matrix proteoglycans surrounding neurons and glia. It has been suggested that PNNs are involved in the pathophysiology of multiple CNS illnesses, including stress‐related neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, major depressive disor...

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Main Authors: Emma K. Shaughnessy, Benjamin W. Horne, Kim L. Huhman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-12-01
Series:Brain and Behavior
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70189
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author Emma K. Shaughnessy
Benjamin W. Horne
Kim L. Huhman
author_facet Emma K. Shaughnessy
Benjamin W. Horne
Kim L. Huhman
author_sort Emma K. Shaughnessy
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Purpose Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are extracellular matrix proteoglycans surrounding neurons and glia. It has been suggested that PNNs are involved in the pathophysiology of multiple CNS illnesses, including stress‐related neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders. Method Before examining the putative role of PNNs in stress‐related responses, we described for the first time the anatomical distribution in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), an excellent model organism for studying social stress and circadian rhythms. Results We observed PNNs throughout the hamster cortex and hippocampus but found low to no expression in subcortical regions such as the hypothalamus, thalamus, and striatum, sites where they are observed in rats and mice. We further demonstrated that PNNs are dynamically regulated in a sex‐dependent manner in response to acute social stress, specifically in hippocampal area CA1. We did not observe a difference in PNNs between the beginning of the dark versus light phase of the light–dark cycle in hamsters, despite other laboratory rodents showing diurnal variation in PNNs. Finally, we also demonstrated that there are sex differences in PNN expression in the somatosensory cortex and the basolateral amygdala in hamsters, suggesting that sex as a biological variable should be considered in studies of PNN function. Conclusion Together, the data from the current study suggest that a comparative approach will be necessary to fully elucidate the functional role of PNNs and, further, that Syrian hamsters are a valuable model in this endeavor.
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spelling doaj-art-c333c15de6c24badaf00a5dc0f1f42242025-08-20T01:57:48ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792024-12-011412n/an/a10.1002/brb3.70189Perineuronal Nets in Syrian Hamsters: Anatomical Localization, Sex Differences, Diurnal Variation, and Response to Social StressEmma K. Shaughnessy0Benjamin W. Horne1Kim L. Huhman2Neuroscience Institute Georgia State University Atlanta Georgia USANeuroscience Institute Georgia State University Atlanta Georgia USANeuroscience Institute Georgia State University Atlanta Georgia USAABSTRACT Purpose Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are extracellular matrix proteoglycans surrounding neurons and glia. It has been suggested that PNNs are involved in the pathophysiology of multiple CNS illnesses, including stress‐related neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders. Method Before examining the putative role of PNNs in stress‐related responses, we described for the first time the anatomical distribution in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), an excellent model organism for studying social stress and circadian rhythms. Results We observed PNNs throughout the hamster cortex and hippocampus but found low to no expression in subcortical regions such as the hypothalamus, thalamus, and striatum, sites where they are observed in rats and mice. We further demonstrated that PNNs are dynamically regulated in a sex‐dependent manner in response to acute social stress, specifically in hippocampal area CA1. We did not observe a difference in PNNs between the beginning of the dark versus light phase of the light–dark cycle in hamsters, despite other laboratory rodents showing diurnal variation in PNNs. Finally, we also demonstrated that there are sex differences in PNN expression in the somatosensory cortex and the basolateral amygdala in hamsters, suggesting that sex as a biological variable should be considered in studies of PNN function. Conclusion Together, the data from the current study suggest that a comparative approach will be necessary to fully elucidate the functional role of PNNs and, further, that Syrian hamsters are a valuable model in this endeavor.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70189agonistic behaviorcircadianPNNsocial defeatWFA
spellingShingle Emma K. Shaughnessy
Benjamin W. Horne
Kim L. Huhman
Perineuronal Nets in Syrian Hamsters: Anatomical Localization, Sex Differences, Diurnal Variation, and Response to Social Stress
Brain and Behavior
agonistic behavior
circadian
PNN
social defeat
WFA
title Perineuronal Nets in Syrian Hamsters: Anatomical Localization, Sex Differences, Diurnal Variation, and Response to Social Stress
title_full Perineuronal Nets in Syrian Hamsters: Anatomical Localization, Sex Differences, Diurnal Variation, and Response to Social Stress
title_fullStr Perineuronal Nets in Syrian Hamsters: Anatomical Localization, Sex Differences, Diurnal Variation, and Response to Social Stress
title_full_unstemmed Perineuronal Nets in Syrian Hamsters: Anatomical Localization, Sex Differences, Diurnal Variation, and Response to Social Stress
title_short Perineuronal Nets in Syrian Hamsters: Anatomical Localization, Sex Differences, Diurnal Variation, and Response to Social Stress
title_sort perineuronal nets in syrian hamsters anatomical localization sex differences diurnal variation and response to social stress
topic agonistic behavior
circadian
PNN
social defeat
WFA
url https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70189
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AT benjaminwhorne perineuronalnetsinsyrianhamstersanatomicallocalizationsexdifferencesdiurnalvariationandresponsetosocialstress
AT kimlhuhman perineuronalnetsinsyrianhamstersanatomicallocalizationsexdifferencesdiurnalvariationandresponsetosocialstress