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Article History

Received: 15 September 2025

Accepted: 16 March 2026

First Online: 10 April 2026

Declarations

:

: All animal studies were performed in the Sanford Research Animal Resource Center (ARC) with approval from the Sanford Health Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (2023 − 0105); all studies complied with relevant ethical regulations and were within institutional guidelines. The Animal Welfare Assurance number on file for Sanford Research is A-4568-01, and it is AAALAC, Intl accredited. In addition, Sanford Health is licensed with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a research facility with USDA certificate number 46-R-011. The ARC is a pathogen-free facility, and mice are maintained in IVC Tecniplast Green line Seal Safe Plus cages; cages are opened under aseptic conditions within an animal transfer station. Cage changes occur every other week and are performed using aseptic technique. All cages receive HEPA-filtered air and animal rooms are maintained at 75 °F with 30–70% humidity. Cages receive a minimum of 15 air changes/hour and are maintained under a 14:10 light: dark cycle. Nesting materials and corncob bedding are provided and autoclaved prior to use. Food consists of irradiated sterile Envigo pellets and water is acidified (pH 2.8-3.0); both are provided ad libitum. There is a maximum of 5 mice/cage, and they are observed daily by ARC technicians as well as laboratory staff for signs of distress or illness. Mice undergoing behavioral analysis were individually housed.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.