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Peromyscus leucopus mice: a potential animal model for haematological studies
Yu Sun1, Marie J Desierto, Yasutaka Ueda
1Hematology Department, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China; Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Abstract:
Peromyscus leucopus mice share physical similarities with laboratory mice Mus musculus (MM) but have higher agility and longer lifespan. We compared domesticated P. leucopus linville (PLL) and M. musculus C57BL/6 (MMB6) mice for cellular composition of peripheral blood (PB), bone marrow (BM) and spleen. PLL mice had significantly fewer platelets and significantly more monocytes in the blood, and notably fewer megakaryocytes in the BM. Spleens of PLL mice were significantly smaller, with 50% fewer cells and reduced 'red pulp'. There was no obvious haematological change in PLL mice between 2-8 and 16-26 months of age, except for a significant increase in blood monocytes. Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content showed no change with age but differed significantly between different cell types. Treating two to eight month-old PLL mice with antioxidant N-acetylcysteine in drinking water for three months did not affect cellular ROS content, but increased blood leucocytes especially the concentration of monocytes. The low platelets, low megakaryocytes, high monocytes and low splenic erythropoiesis in PLL mice resemble human measurements better than the values seen in MMB6.
Insights
Peromyscus leucopus linville (PLL) mice exhibit distinct hematological profiles compared to Mus musculus, with fewer platelets and more monocytes. These differences suggest PLL mice may serve as a better model for human hematopoiesis.
Area of Science:
- Comparative hematology
- Mammalian physiology
- Biomedical research models
Background:
- Peromyscus leucopus (PLL) mice possess higher agility and longer lifespans than Mus musculus (MM).
- Understanding hematological differences is crucial for selecting appropriate animal models in research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the cellular composition of peripheral blood (PB), bone marrow (BM), and spleen between domesticated PLL and laboratory MM mice.
- To assess age-related hematological changes and the impact of antioxidant treatment in PLL mice.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of PB, BM, and spleen cellularity in PLL and MMB6 mice.
- Age-stratified analysis (2-8 months vs. 16-26 months) of PLL mice.
- Evaluation of N-acetylcysteine's effect on cellular ROS and hematology in PLL mice.
Main Results:
- PLL mice showed significantly lower platelets and higher monocytes in PB, and fewer megakaryocytes in BM compared to MMB6.
- PLL spleens were smaller with reduced cellularity and 'red pulp'.
- Monocyte counts increased with age in PLL mice; antioxidant treatment did not alter ROS but increased leukocytes and monocytes.
Conclusions:
- The hematological profile of PLL mice (low platelets, high monocytes, low splenic erythropoiesis) more closely resembles human physiology than MMB6 mice.
- PLL mice represent a potentially valuable model for studying human hematological conditions.
- Age and antioxidant intervention have specific, differential effects on PLL hematopoiesis.
