• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

  • About
    • About AAAS
    • About the NSF
    • About the Conference
    • Partners/Supporters
    • Project Team
  • Conference
  • Abstracts
    • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
    • Graduate Abstract Locator
    • Abstract Submission Process
    • Presentation Schedules
    • Abstract Submission Guidelines
    • Presentation Guidelines
  • Travel Awards
  • Resources
    • Award Winners
    • Code of Conduct-AAAS Meetings
    • Code of Conduct-ERN Conference
    • Conference Agenda
    • Conference Materials
    • Conference Program Books
    • ERN Photo Galleries
    • Events | Opportunities
    • Exhibitor Info
    • HBCU-UP/CREST PI/PD Meeting
    • In the News
    • NSF Harassment Policy
    • Plenary Session Videos
    • Professional Development
    • Science Careers Handbook
    • Additional Resources
    • Archives
  • Engage
    • Webinars
    • ERN 10-Year Anniversary Videos
    • Plenary Session Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Astrocyte-specific expression of mutant TDP-43 increases anxiety-like behavior in aged mice

Graduate #44
Discipline: Neuroscience
Subcategory: Cell and Molecular Biology
Session: 4
Room: Embassy

Sharee McGriff - Delaware State University
Co-Author(s): Dr. Michael A. Gitcho, Delaware Center for Neuroscience Research, Delaware State University, Dover, DE



TDP-43 is the major pathological protein in motor neuron disease (MND) (~95%) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (-50%). Recently, TDP-43 pathology was found in ~50% of those with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). TDP-43 pathology in astrocytes is common in the developmental disorder, Alexander’s disease but at a lower frequency in MND, FTD, AD, and other TDP-43 proteinopathies. Pathological TDP-43 becomes hyperphosphorylated, proteolytically cleaved, and shows a decrease in solubility. We hypothesize that astrocyte-specific expression of TDP-43 will induce non-cell autonomous neurodegeneration leading to memory deficits and increased anxiety-like behaviors. Our study seeks to understand astrocyte function in the context of TDP-43 pathology. We have developed and characterized a new mouse model that selectively drives human TDP-43 containing three familial ALS mutations specifically in astrocytes. Utilizing the tetracycline inducible system (GFAP-tTA), we examined 12-month-old mice for anxiety-like behavior (open field) and memory (y-maze). Immunohistology and protein analysis was also evaluated in the spinal cord and brain of these aged mice, We show significant changes in memory and anxiety-like behavior with no motor deficits. These findings will hopefully broaden our understanding into astrocyte dysfunction seen in neurodegenerative diseases and to potentially find a correlation between TDP-43 pathology and neuro-inflammation.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): The following work was supported by: Delaware IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Pilot Award: NIH-NIGMS: 5P20GM103446, NIH-NIGMS Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE): 5P20GM103653, Delaware Economic Development Office Grant from the State of Delaware, and NIH-NIGMS G-RISE: 1T32GM144895-01

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michael A. Gitcho, mgitcho@desu.edu

Role: The part of the research that was conducted by me was the behavioral experimentation (open field and y-maze), immunohistology and protein analysis.

Sidebar

Abstract Locators

  • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
  • Graduate Abstract Locator

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

AAAS

1200 New York Ave, NW
Washington,DC 20005
202-326-6400
Contact Us
About Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The World’s Largest General Scientific Society

Useful Links

  • Membership
  • Careers at AAAS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Focus Areas

  • Science Education
  • Science Diplomacy
  • Public Engagement
  • Careers in STEM

Focus Areas

  • Shaping Science Policy
  • Advocacy for Evidence
  • R&D Budget Analysis
  • Human Rights, Ethics & Law

© 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science