Affiliations: [a] Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| [b] Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Dr. Thibault Renoir, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Melbourne, Australia. Tel.: +61 3 9035 6614; Fax: +61 3 9035 3107; E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected]
Abstract: Background:We previously reported sex differences in depression-like behaviours in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease (HD). Objective:We hypothesized that immune response could also be altered in HD mice in a sex-dependent manner. Methods:Here, we assessed the molecular effects of an acute challenge with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in female versus male R6/1 transgenic HD mice. Results:We found an enhancement of LPS-induced TNF-α gene expression in the hypothalamus of female HD mice. TNF-α serum levels following LPS administration were also higher in female HD mice compared to WT animals. In contrast, male HD mice exhibited reduced LPS-induced TNF-α gene expression compared to WT animals. Discussion:Our findings suggest that immune response to LPS is altered in HD mice in a sex-dependent manner. These pro-inflammatory abnormalities may contribute to the sexually dimorphic depression-like behaviours displayed by this mouse model of HD.
