Evaluating Mice lacking Serum Carboxylesterase as a Behavioral Model for Nerve Agent Intoxication

Mice and other rodents typically used for nerve agent research have high concentrations of carboxylesterase in the blood that can act as natural scavengers for nerve agents. To develop an improved rodent system for the study of chemical warfare nerve agents, a serum carboxylesterase knock out mouse model was made (Es-1 knock out). This study utilized mRNA analysis to evaluate the effects of knocking out the serum carboxylesterase in a mouse model. Brain, heart, kidney, liver, and lung tissues were collected from naïve knock out mice. Both male and female animals were included in the study. Total RNA was isolated and processed for hybridization to Affymetrix GeneChip HT MG-430 PM oligonucleotide microarrays.