Fig. 3: Inactivation of Oxtr-HI ameliorates the disruptive effects of stress-related memory on sociability. | Translational Psychiatry

Fig. 3: Inactivation of Oxtr-HI ameliorates the disruptive effects of stress-related memory on sociability.

From: Stress-related memories disrupt sociability and associated patterning of hippocampal activity: a role of hilar oxytocin receptor-positive interneurons

Fig. 3

a Expression of Cre-dependent tetanus toxin for inactivating synaptic transmission in Oxtr-HI. Inset: CA3. Scale bars: 100 μm. b Schematic outline of the behavioral paradigm. Oxtr-Cre mice were infused with TetTox or control virus eGFP. Five and a half weeks later, mice were implanted with cannula targeting the DG. Three days later, mice were injected i.h. with GBX before S-SDFC (eGFP-S-SDFC and TetTox-S-SDFC groups, respectively). On alternating days, mice were tested for memory retrieval on VEH or GBX. Following memory retrieval tests, mice were subsequently tested for sociability. c During memory retrieval tests, eGFP-S-SDFC and TetTox-S-SDFC mice froze significantly less in the presence of VEH than in the presence of GBX. n = 10eGFP-SDFC/10TetTox-SDFC mice per group; retrieval drug F(1,19) = 43.32, P < 0.0001; virus F(1,19) = 2.416, NS; interaction F(1,19) = 0.1499, NS. d During sociability, eGFP-S-SDFC exhibited no preference between the mouse and toy, whereas TetTox-S-SDFC mice displayed a significant preference for the mouse. n = 10eGFP-SDFC mice t = 0.5769, df = 18, P = 0.5712; n = 11TetTox-SDFC mice t = 4.275, df = 20, P = 0.0004. All control both groups exhibited a significant preference between mouse and toy. n = 7eGFP-S-FC mice t = 2.484, df = 12, P = 0.0287; n = 7TetTox-S-FC mice t = 5.303, df = 12, P = 0.0002; n = 10eGFP mice t = 10.67, df = 18, P < 0.0001; 11TetTox mice t = 6.948, df = 20, P < 0.0001. e Confocal images showing eGFP-TetTox or eGFP (green) and VAMP2 (red) immunostaining in the DG. The florescent intensity of eGFP and VAMP2 per pixel was significantly correlated in the eGFP group, but not in the TetTox group. n = 3eGFP mice; mouse 1 r = 0.4904, P < 0.0001 (plots shown); mouse 2 r = 0.2584, P < 0.0001; mouse 3 r = 0.4299, P < 0.0001; n = 3TetTox mice; mouse 1 r = −0.01018, P = 0.8541 (plots shown); mouse 2 r = 0.08578, P = 0.1269; mouse 3 r = −0.07788, P = 0.0692. f Schematic outline of the control experiment. Oxtr-Cre mice were infused with TetTox or eGFP and implanted with cannula, as before. Mice were injected i.h. with VEH before S-FC (eGFP-S-FC and TetTox-S-FC groups, respectively). On alternating days, mice were tested for memory retrieval on VEH or GBX and were subsequently tested for sociability. g During memory retrieval tests, both groups froze similarly in the presence of VEH or GBX. n = 7eGFP-S-FC/7TetTox-S-FC mice per group; retrieval drug F(1,12) = 0.1389, NS; virus F(1,12) = 2.971, NS; interaction F(1,12) = 0.1389, NS. h Schematic outline of the behavioral paradigm. Oxtr-Cre mice were infused with eGFP or TetTox (eGFP and TetTox groups, respectively). Six weeks later, mice were tested for sociability. Scale bars: 10 μm. P < 0.0001. *P < 0.05; ***P < 0.001; ****P < 0.0001. Hil hilus, GCL granule cell layer, SM stratum moleculare.

Back to article page