Brain and spinal cord lesions in 28 inbred strains of aging mice. Issue 6 (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ward, Jerrold M.; Vogel, Peter; Sundberg, John P.
• Is Part Of: Veterinary pathology. Volume 59:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 1047
• Page End: 1055
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: neuropathology -- axonal dystrophy -- spheroids -- autophagy -- gracile nucleus -- cuneate nucleus -- Hirano-like bodies -- mouse -- aging; Veterinary pathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Veterinary -- Periodicals; 636.089607
• DOI: 10.1177/03009858221120009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-9858

Abstract

Brain and spinal cord histopathology findings in male and female 20-month-old mice in a large-scale aging study of 28 inbred Jackson Laboratory mouse strains from 7 genetic families are described. Brain sections from selected strains at 12 and 24 months of age or older were also reviewed. Common lesions include axonal dystrophy in the gracile and/or cuneate nucleus in the sensory tract of the dorsal medulla and in the spinal cord in all strains. Hirano-like bodies were seen in 24/28 strains, and mineralization was observed in the thalamus of 9/28 strains. Less common lesions were also seen in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and other brain areas. No brain or spinal cord tumors were found. Evidence of an impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and/or suspected autophagy was manifested as medullary axonal dystrophy with intra-axonal granular eosinophilic bodies and LC3B immunohistochemistry in most strains. RIIIS/J, the most severely affected strain, showed moderate axonal dystrophy at 12 months, which progressed to severe lesions at 20 months. Comparative pathology in various species is discussed.