Negr1 Deficiency Modulates Sex-Specific Neurobehavioral Adaptations to Social Isolation

Objective: Neuronal growth regulator 1 (Negr1) is a GPI-anchored neuronal cell adhesion molecule of the IgLON superfamily associated with multiple psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to investigate behavioral and molecular adaptations to social isolation (SI) stress in Negr1-deficient (Negr1^-/-) mice. Methods: Male and female Negr1^-/- and wild-type (Wt) mice (n = 10 per group) were exposed to two weeks of SI or group housing (Ctl). Behavioral assays assessed exploratory and anxiety-like behavior. Gene expression analyses in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were performed using RT-qPCR, focusing on GABAergic, neurotrophic, and IgLON family genes. Results: SI-induced weight loss in Negr1^-/- mice compared to Wt was evident in both sexes but more pronounced in males. Behaviorally, SI Wt males showed stress-induced hyperactivity compared to Ctl Wt, whereas SI Negr1^-/- males exhibited blunted exploratory behavior relative to SI Wt in the open field test (OFT). Negr1^-/- females showed reduced exploration in the elevated plus maze (EPM), suggesting increased anxiety. Hippocampal Pvalb was downregulated in SI Negr1^-/- mice of both sexes compared to Wts, with a stronger decrease in males, indicating heightened male vulnerability in GABAergic interneuron function. In males, SI reduced hippocampal Bdnf in both genotypes, whereas Ntrk2 (TrkB) upregulation occurred only in Negr1^-/- mice, suggesting a genotype-specific compensatory response. Hippocampal expression of Fgfr2 and IgLON members (Ntm1a/1b, Lsamp1a/1b) was increased in SI Negr1^-/- males compared to SI Wt, with minimal changes in females. Conclusions: Negr1 deficiency leads to sex-specific behavioral and molecular adaptations to social isolation stress, highlighting the role of Negr1 in modulating neurotrophic and GABAergic signaling pathways under adverse environmental conditions.