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Lykhmus O, Tzeng WY, Koval L, Uspenska K, Zirdum E, Kalashnyk O, Garaschuk O, Skok M. Impairment of brain function in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease during the pre-depositing phase: The role of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 178:117255. [PMID: 39116785 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-dependent incurable neurodegenerative disorder accompanied by neuroinflammation, amyloid accumulation, and memory impairment. It begins decades before the first clinical symptoms appear, and identifying early biomarkers is key for developing disease-modifying therapies. We show now in a mouse model of AD that before any amyloid deposition the brains of 1.5-month-old mice contain increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6, decreased levels of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain and brain mitochondria and increased amounts of α7 nAChR-bound Aβ1-42, along with impaired episodic memory and increased risk of apoptosis. Both acute (1-week-long) and chronic (4-month-long) treatments with α7-selective agonist PNU282987, starting at 1.5 months of age, were well tolerated. The acute treatment did not affect the levels of soluble Aβ1-42 but consistently upregulated the α7 nAChR expression, decreased the level of α7-Aβ1-42 complexes, and improved episodic memory of 1.5-month-old mice. The chronic treatment, covering the disease development phase, strongly upregulated the expression of all abundant brain nAChRs, reduced both free and α7-coupled Aβ1-42 within the brain, had anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects, and potently upregulated cognition, thus identifying α7 nAChRs as both early biomarker and potent therapeutic target for fighting this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Lykhmus
- Palladin Institute of Biochemistry NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Wen-Yu Tzeng
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lyudmyla Koval
- Palladin Institute of Biochemistry NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Elizabeta Zirdum
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olena Kalashnyk
- Palladin Institute of Biochemistry NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olga Garaschuk
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Maryna Skok
- Palladin Institute of Biochemistry NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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Pechlivanidou M, Vakrakou AG, Karagiorgou K, Tüzün E, Karachaliou E, Chroni E, Afrantou T, Grigoriadis N, Argyropoulou C, Paschalidis N, Şanlı E, Tsantila A, Dandoulaki M, Ninou EI, Zisimopoulou P, Mantegazza R, Andreetta F, Dudeck L, Steiner J, Lindstrom JM, Tzanetakos D, Voumvourakis K, Giannopoulos S, Tsivgoulis G, Tzartos SJ, Tzartos J. Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antibodies in autoimmune central nervous system disorders. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1388998. [PMID: 38863705 PMCID: PMC11165060 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1388998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are abundant in the central nervous system (CNS), playing critical roles in brain function. Antigenicity of nAChRs has been well demonstrated with antibodies to ganglionic AChR subtypes (i.e., subunit α3 of α3β4-nAChR) and muscle AChR autoantibodies, thus making nAChRs candidate autoantigens in autoimmune CNS disorders. Antibodies to several membrane receptors, like NMDAR, have been identified in autoimmune encephalitis syndromes (AES), but many AES patients have yet to be unidentified for autoantibodies. This study aimed to develop of a cell-based assay (CBA) that selectively detects potentially pathogenic antibodies to subunits of the major nAChR subtypes (α4β2- and α7-nAChRs) and its use for the identification of such antibodies in "orphan" AES cases. Methods The study involved screening of sera derived from 1752 patients from Greece, Turkey and Italy, who requested testing for AES-associated antibodies, and from 1203 "control" patients with other neuropsychiatric diseases, from the same countries or from Germany. A sensitive live-CBA with α4β2-or α7-nAChR-transfected cells was developed to detect antibodies against extracellular domains of nAChR major subunits. Flow cytometry (FACS) was performed to confirm the CBA findings and indirect immunohistochemistry (IHC) to investigate serum autoantibodies' binding to rat brain tissue. Results Three patients were found to be positive for serum antibodies against nAChR α4 subunit by CBA and the presence of the specific antibodies was quantitatively confirmed by FACS. We detected specific binding of patient-derived serum anti-nAChR α4 subunit antibodies to rat cerebellum and hippocampus tissue. No serum antibodies bound to the α7-nAChR-transfected or control-transfected cells, and no control serum antibodies bound to the transfected cells. All patients positive for serum anti-nAChRs α4 subunit antibodies were negative for other AES-associated antibodies. All three of the anti-nAChR α4 subunit serum antibody-positive patients fall into the AES spectrum, with one having Rasmussen encephalitis, another autoimmune meningoencephalomyelitis and another being diagnosed with possible autoimmune encephalitis. Conclusion This study lends credence to the hypothesis that the major nAChR subunits are autoimmune targets in some cases of AES and establishes a sensitive live-CBA for the identification of such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aigli G. Vakrakou
- First Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Aeginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Karagiorgou
- Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Erdem Tüzün
- Department of Neuroscience, Aziz Sancar Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Eleni Karachaliou
- Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics, Athens, Greece
- Second Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Theodora Afrantou
- Second Department of Neurology, “AHEPA“ University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Grigoriadis
- Second Department of Neurology, “AHEPA“ University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Nikolaos Paschalidis
- Mass Cytometry-CyTOF Laboratory, Center for Clinical Research, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA), Athens, Greece
| | - Elif Şanlı
- Department of Neuroscience, Aziz Sancar Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | | | | | | | | | - Renato Mantegazza
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Andreetta
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Leon Dudeck
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Johann Steiner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jon Martin Lindstrom
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Dimitrios Tzanetakos
- Second Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Voumvourakis
- Second Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sotirios Giannopoulos
- Second Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Socrates J. Tzartos
- Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics, Athens, Greece
- Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - John Tzartos
- Second Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Uchida S, Kagitani F. Influence of age on nicotinic cholinergic regulation of blood flow in rat's olfactory bulb and neocortex. J Physiol Sci 2024; 74:18. [PMID: 38491428 PMCID: PMC10941616 DOI: 10.1186/s12576-024-00913-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
The olfactory bulb receives cholinergic basal forebrain inputs as does the neocortex. With a focus on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), this review article provides an overview and discussion of the following findings: (1) the nAChRs-mediated regulation of regional blood flow in the neocortex and olfactory bulb, (2) the nAChR subtypes that mediate their responses, and (3) their activity in old rats. The activation of the α4β2-like subtype of nAChRs produces vasodilation in the neocortex, and potentiates olfactory bulb vasodilation induced by olfactory stimulation. The nAChR activity producing neocortical vasodilation was similarly maintained in 2-year-old rats as in adult rats, but was clearly reduced in 3-year-old rats. In contrast, nAChR activity in the olfactory bulb was reduced already in 2-year-old rats. Thus, age-related impairment of α4β2-like nAChR function may occur earlier in the olfactory bulb than in the neocortex. Given the findings, the vasodilation induced by α4β2-like nAChR activation may be beneficial for neuroprotection in the neocortex and the olfactory bulb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sae Uchida
- Department of Autonomic Neuroscience, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakaecho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan.
| | - Fusako Kagitani
- Department of Autonomic Neuroscience, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakaecho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan
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Crestini A, Carbone E, Rivabene R, Ancidoni A, Rosa P, Tata AM, Fabrizi E, Locuratolo N, Vanacore N, Lacorte E, Piscopo P. A Systematic Review on Drugs Acting as Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonists in the Treatment of Dementia. Cells 2024; 13:237. [PMID: 38334629 PMCID: PMC10854606 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine signaling is attenuated in early Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. A significant reduction in the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain of AD patients has also been reported in several molecular biological and in situ labeling studies. The modulation of the functional deficit of the cholinergic system as a pharmacological target could therefore have a clinical benefit, which is not to be neglected. This systematic review was conducted to identify clinical trials, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists using Clinicaltrial (CT) and EudraCT databases. Structured searches identified 39 trials, which used 15 different drugs designed to increase the function of the nAChRs. Most of the identified clinical trials were phase II trials, with some of them classified as ongoing for several years. The systematic screening of the literature led to the selection of 14 studies out of the 8261 bibliographic records retrieved. Six trials reported detailed data on adverse events associated with the intervention, while twelve trials reported data on efficacy measures, such as attention, behavior and cognition. Overall, smost of the physical side effects of cholinergic agonists were reported to be well tolerated. Some trials also reported improvements in attention. However, the efficacy of these drugs in other cognitive and behavioral outcomes remains highly controversial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Crestini
- Department of Neuroscience, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.C.); (R.R.); (P.P.)
| | - Elena Carbone
- Department of Neuroscience, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.C.); (R.R.); (P.P.)
| | - Roberto Rivabene
- Department of Neuroscience, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.C.); (R.R.); (P.P.)
| | - Antonio Ancidoni
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.A.); (N.L.); (N.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Paolo Rosa
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, 04100 Latina, Italy;
- ICOT (Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery), 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Ada Maria Tata
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Research Center in Neurobiology Daniel Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Fabrizi
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.A.); (N.L.); (N.V.); (E.L.)
- Doctoral School, The Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - Nicoletta Locuratolo
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.A.); (N.L.); (N.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Nicola Vanacore
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.A.); (N.L.); (N.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Eleonora Lacorte
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.A.); (N.L.); (N.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Paola Piscopo
- Department of Neuroscience, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.C.); (R.R.); (P.P.)
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Zhang Y, Zhang XJ, Yuan N, Wang YM, Ip P, Chen LJ, Tham CC, Pang CP, Yam JC. Secondhand smoke exposure and ocular health: A systematic review. Surv Ophthalmol 2023; 68:1166-1207. [PMID: 37479063 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
The toxicology of secondhand smoke (SHS), along with the harm of its exposure to human health, has been generally acknowledged; however, specific evidence is lacking on the association between SHS exposure and ocular health. In this systematic review (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022247992), we included 55 original articles published by 12 May 2023, which dealt with SHS exposure and ocular disorders, such as eye irritation, conjunctivitis, dry eye diseases, uveitis, myopia, astigmatism, contact lens discomfort, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and thyroid eye disease that addressed the ocular neurovascular structures of the macular, retinal nerve fiber layer, choroid, and corneal biomechanical parameters. We found compelling correlational evidence for eye irritation, conjunctivitis, and dry eye symptoms-supporting that SHS exposure was positively associated with inflammatory and allergic changes in the eyes. Yet, evidence about the associations between SHS exposure and other ocular disorders, structures, and parameters is still limited or controversial. Given the limitations of existing literature, more investigations with high quality and rigorous design are warranted to elucidate the potentially harmful effects of SHS exposure on ocular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjuan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiu Juan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Nan Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Kunming Bright Eye Hospital, Kunming, China
| | - Yu Meng Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Ip
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Li Jia Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University, Shantou, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Clement C Tham
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University, Shantou, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chi Pui Pang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University, Shantou, China; Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jason C Yam
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University, Shantou, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Terry AV, Jones K, Bertrand D. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in neurological and psychiatric diseases. Pharmacol Res 2023; 191:106764. [PMID: 37044234 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels that are widely distributed both pre- and post-synaptically in the mammalian brain. By modulating cation flux across cell membranes, neuronal nAChRs regulate neuronal excitability and the release of a variety of neurotransmitters to influence multiple physiologic and behavioral processes including synaptic plasticity, motor function, attention, learning and memory. Abnormalities of neuronal nAChRs have been implicated in the pathophysiology of neurologic disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and Tourette´s syndrome, as well as psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. The potential role of nAChRs in a particular illness may be indicated by alterations in the expression of nAChRs in relevant brain regions, genetic variability in the genes encoding for nAChR subunit proteins, and/or clinical or preclinical observations where specific ligands showed a therapeutic effect. Over the past 25 years, extensive preclinical and some early clinical evidence suggested that ligands at nAChRs might have therapeutic potential for neurologic and psychiatric disorders. However, to date the only approved indications for nAChR ligands are smoking cessation and the treatment of dry eye disease. It has been argued that progress in nAChR drug discovery has been limited by translational gaps between the preclinical models and the human disease as well as unresolved questions regarding the pharmacological goal (i.e., agonism, antagonism or receptor desensitization) depending on the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin V Terry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912.
| | - Keri Jones
- Educational Innovation Institute, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912
| | - Daniel Bertrand
- HiQScreen Sàrl, 6, rte de Compois, 1222 Vésenaz, Geneva, Switzerland
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Mahmoudi R, Novella JL, Laurent-Badr S, Boulahrouz S, Tran D, Morrone I, Jaïdi Y. Cholinergic Antagonists and Behavioral Disturbances in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24086921. [PMID: 37108085 PMCID: PMC10138684 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic antagonists interfere with synaptic transmission in the central nervous system and are involved in pathological processes in patients with neurocognitive disorders (NCD), such as behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). In this commentary, we will briefly review the current knowledge on the impact of cholinergic burden on BPSD in persons with NCD, including the main pathophysiological mechanisms. Given the lack of clear consensus regarding symptomatic management of BPSD, special attention must be paid to this preventable, iatrogenic condition in patients with NCD, and de-prescription of cholinergic antagonists should be considered in patients with BPSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid Mahmoudi
- Department of Geriatric and Internal Medicine, Reims University Hospitals, Maison Blanche Hospital, 51092 Reims, France
- UR 3797 Vieillissement, Fragilité (VieFra), Faculty of Medicine, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51687 Reims, France
| | - Jean Luc Novella
- Department of Geriatric and Internal Medicine, Reims University Hospitals, Maison Blanche Hospital, 51092 Reims, France
- UR 3797 Vieillissement, Fragilité (VieFra), Faculty of Medicine, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51687 Reims, France
| | - Sarah Laurent-Badr
- Department of Geriatric and Internal Medicine, Reims University Hospitals, Maison Blanche Hospital, 51092 Reims, France
| | - Sarah Boulahrouz
- Department of Geriatric and Internal Medicine, Reims University Hospitals, Maison Blanche Hospital, 51092 Reims, France
- UR 3797 Vieillissement, Fragilité (VieFra), Faculty of Medicine, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51687 Reims, France
| | - David Tran
- Department of Geriatric and Internal Medicine, Reims University Hospitals, Maison Blanche Hospital, 51092 Reims, France
| | - Isabella Morrone
- Department of Geriatric and Internal Medicine, Reims University Hospitals, Maison Blanche Hospital, 51092 Reims, France
- Cognition Health and Society Laboratory (C2S-EA 6291), Faculty of Medicine, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51687 Reims, France
| | - Yacine Jaïdi
- Department of Geriatric and Internal Medicine, Reims University Hospitals, Maison Blanche Hospital, 51092 Reims, France
- UR 3797 Vieillissement, Fragilité (VieFra), Faculty of Medicine, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51687 Reims, France
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Leitzke M. Is the post-COVID-19 syndrome a severe impairment of acetylcholine-orchestrated neuromodulation that responds to nicotine administration? Bioelectron Med 2023; 9:2. [PMID: 36650574 PMCID: PMC9845100 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-023-00104-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Following a SARS-CoV-2 infection, many individuals suffer from post-COVID-19 syndrome. It makes them unable to proceed with common everyday activities due to weakness, memory lapses, pain, dyspnea and other unspecific physical complaints. Several investigators could demonstrate that the SARS-CoV-2 related spike glycoprotein (SGP) attaches not only to ACE-2 receptors but also shows DNA sections highly affine to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The nAChR is the principal structure of cholinergic neuromodulation and is responsible for coordinated neuronal network interaction. Non-intrinsic viral nAChR attachment compromises integrative interneuronal communication substantially. This explains the cognitive, neuromuscular and mood impairment, as well as the vegetative symptoms, characterizing post-COVID-19 syndrome. The agonist ligand nicotine shows an up to 30-fold higher affinity to nACHRs than acetylcholine (ACh). We therefore hypothesize that this molecule could displace the virus from nAChR attachment and pave the way for unimpaired cholinergic signal transmission. Treating several individuals suffering from post-COVID-19 syndrome with a nicotine patch application, we witnessed improvements ranging from immediate and substantial to complete remission in a matter of days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Leitzke
- Department of Anesthesiology, Helios Clinics, Colditzer Straße 48, 04703, Leisnig, Germany.
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Maddux JM, Gonzales L, Kregar NP. β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes mediate nicotine-induced enhancement of Pavlovian conditioned responding to an alcohol cue. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:1004368. [PMCID: PMC9596985 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1004368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotine enhances Pavlovian conditioned responses to reward-associated cues. We investigated through which nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes nicotine acts to produce this behavioral effect to an alcohol-associated cue. Male Long-Evans rats with freely available food and water were first accustomed to drinking 15% ethanol in their home cages using an intermittent access, two-bottle choice procedure. Then the rats were given 15 Pavlovian conditioning sessions in which a 15-s audiovisual conditioned stimulus (CS) predicted the delivery of 0.2 ml of ethanol, the unconditioned stimulus (US). Each session contained 12 CS-US trials. A control group received explicitly unpaired presentations of the CS and US. We measured Pavlovian conditioned approach to the site of US delivery during presentations of the CS, accounting for pre-CS baseline activity. Before each conditioning session, rats were injected subcutaneously with nicotine (0.4 mg/kg) or saline (1 ml/kg). During nAChR antagonist test sessions, rats were first injected systemically with the β2*-selective nAChR antagonist dihydro-beta-erythroidine (DHβE; 3 mg/kg) or the α7-selective nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine (MLA; 6 mg/kg), followed by their assigned nicotine or saline injection before assessing their conditioned response to the alcohol-associated cue. Consistent with previous reports, nicotine enhanced the Pavlovian conditioned response to the alcohol-paired cue. DHβE attenuated this enhancement, whereas MLA did not. These results suggest that nicotine acts via β2*, but not α7, nAChRs to amplify Pavlovian conditioned responding to an alcohol cue. These findings contribute to a growing literature that identifies nAChRs as potential targets for pharmacological treatment of co-morbid alcohol and tobacco use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Marie Maddux
- Department of Psychology, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL, United States
- Neuroscience Program, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Jean-Marie Maddux
| | - Leslie Gonzales
- Department of Psychology, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL, United States
- Neuroscience Program, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL, United States
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Sabbir MG, Speth RC, Albensi BC. Loss of Cholinergic Receptor Muscarinic 1 (CHRM1) Protein in the Hippocampus and Temporal Cortex of a Subset of Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, or Frontotemporal Dementia: Implications for Patient Survival. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 90:727-747. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-220766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Dysfunction of cholinergic neurotransmission is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD); forming the basis for using acetylcholine (ACh) esterase (AChE) inhibitors to mitigate symptoms of ACh deficiency in AD. The Cholinergic Receptor Muscarinic 1 (CHRM1) is highly expressed in brain regions impaired by AD. Previous analyses of postmortem AD brains revealed unaltered CHRM1 mRNA expression compared to normal brains. However, the CHRM1 protein level in AD and other forms of dementia has not been extensively studied. Reduced expression of CHRM1 in AD patients may explain the limited clinical efficacy of AChE inhibitors. Objective: To quantify CHRM1 protein in the postmortem hippocampus and temporal cortex of AD, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) patients. Methods: Western blotting was performed on postmortem hippocampus (N = 19/73/7/9: unaffected/AD/FTD/PD) and temporal cortex (N = 9/74/27: unaffected/AD/PD) using a validated anti-CHRM1 antibody. Results: Quantification based on immunoblotting using a validated anti-CHRM1 antibody revealed a significant loss of CHRM1 protein level (<50%) in the hippocampi (78% AD, 66% PD, and 85% FTD) and temporal cortices (56% AD and 42% PD) of dementia patients. Loss of CHRM1 in the temporal cortex was significantly associated with early death (<65–75 years) for both AD and PD patients. Conclusion: Severe reduction of CHRM1 in a subset of AD and PD patients can explain the reported low efficacy of AChE inhibitors as a mitigating treatment for dementia patients. Based on this study, it can be suggested that future research should prioritize therapeutic restoration of CHRM1 protein levels in cholinergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Golam Sabbir
- Alzo Biosciences Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
- St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Davie, FL, USA
| | - Robert C. Speth
- Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Davie, FL, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Benedict C. Albensi
- Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Davie, FL, USA
- St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- University of Manitoba, College of Medicine, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Sex differences in P50 inhibition defects with psychopathology and cognition in patients with first-episode schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 111:110380. [PMID: 34111493 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A large number of studies have shown that the pathophysiology of schizophrenia may be involved in sensory gating that appears to be P50 inhibition. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between clinical symptoms, cognitive impairment and sensory gating disorders in patients with first-episode schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to explore the sex differences in the relationship between clinical symptoms, cognitive impairment and P50 inhibition defects in patients with first-episode schizophrenia, which has not been reported. METHODS 130 patients with first-episode schizophrenia (53 males and 77 females) and 189 healthy controls (87 males and 102 females) participated in the study. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to evaluate the patients' psychopathological symptoms, and the 64-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) system was used to record the P50 inhibition. RESULTS Male patients had higher PANSS negative symptom, general psychopathology, cognitive factor and total scores than female patients (all p < 0.01). The S1 amplitude was smaller in male than female patients (all p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that in male patients, S1 latency was contributor to negative symptoms, while S1 latency, S2 latency, age, and smoking status were contributors to cognitive factor (all p < 0.05). In female patients, no P50 component was found to be an independent contributor to PANSS scores (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that there is a sex difference in the relationship between clinical symptoms, cognitive impairment and P50 inhibition defects in Chinese Han patients with first-episode schizophrenia.
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Hauser SR, Rodd ZA, Deehan GA, Liang T, Rahman S, Bell RL. Effects of adolescent substance use disorders on central cholinergic function. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 160:175-221. [PMID: 34696873 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood, in which the individual undergoes significant cognitive, behavioral, physical, emotional, and social developmental changes. During this period, adolescents engage in experimentation and risky behaviors such as licit and illicit drug use. Adolescents' high vulnerability to abuse drugs and natural reinforcers leads to greater risk for developing substance use disorders (SUDs) during adulthood. Accumulating evidence indicates that the use and abuse of licit and illicit drugs during adolescence and emerging adulthood can disrupt the cholinergic system and its processes. This review will focus on the effects of peri-adolescent nicotine and/or alcohol use, or exposure, on the cholinergic system during adulthood from preclinical and clinical studies. This review further explores potential cholinergic agents and pharmacological manipulations to counteract peri-adolescent nicotine and/or alcohol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Hauser
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - Z A Rodd
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - G A Deehan
- Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - T Liang
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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Wu X, Craik DJ, Kaas Q. Interactions of Globular and Ribbon [γ4E]GID with α4β2 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19090482. [PMID: 34564144 PMCID: PMC8469569 DOI: 10.3390/md19090482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The α4β2 nAChR is implicated in a range of diseases and disorders including nicotine addiction, epilepsy and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Designing α4β2 nAChR selective inhibitors could help define the role of the α4β2 nAChR in such disease states. In this study, we aimed to modify globular and ribbon α-conotoxin GID to selectively target the α4β2 nAChR through competitive inhibition of the α4(+)β2(-) or α4(+)α4(-) interfaces. The binding modes of the globular α-conotoxin [γ4E]GID with rat α3β2, α4β2 and α7 nAChRs were deduced using computational methods and were validated using published experimental data. The binding mode of globular [γ4E]GID at α4β2 nAChR can explain the experimental mutagenesis data, suggesting that it could be used to design GID variants. The predicted mutational energy results showed that globular [γ4E]GID is optimal for binding to α4β2 nAChR and its activity could not likely be further improved through amino-acid substitutions. The binding mode of ribbon GID with the (α4)3(β2)2 nAChR was deduced using the information from the cryo-electron structure of (α4)3(β2)2 nAChR and the binding mode of ribbon AuIB. The program FoldX predicted the mutational energies of ribbon [γ4E]GID at the α4(+)α4(-) interface, and several ribbon[γ4E]GID mutants were suggested to have desirable properties to inhibit (α4)3(β2)2 nAChR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosa Wu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
- National Institutes of Health, Building 35A, Room 3D-953B, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3701, USA
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
- Correspondence: (D.J.C.); (Q.K.)
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
- Correspondence: (D.J.C.); (Q.K.)
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14
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Gibbons A, McPherson K, Gogos A, Dean B. An investigation into nicotinic receptor involvement in mood disorders uncovers novel depression candidate genes. J Affect Disord 2021; 288:154-160. [PMID: 33895417 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have previously reported reduced expression of the cholinergic autoreceptor CHRM2 in Brodmann's Area (BA) 24 of the anterior cingulate cortex from subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD), consistent with a hypercholinergic state. This led us to investigate whether levels of the high affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are also altered in BA 24. METHODS We measured the binding levels of a high-affinity nicotinic receptor-selective radioligand, [3H]epibatidine, in BA 24 from subjects with MDD (n = 20), BD (n = 18) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 20). We used qPCR to measure mRNA expression of the high affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit CHRNB2 in these subjects. RESULTS [3H]Epibatidine binding density and CHRNB2 mRNA expression were not significantly altered in either MDD or BD compared to control levels. While validating reference genes for our qPCR experiments, we found that the mRNA levels of 3 putative reference genes, TFB1M, PPIA and SNCA, were increased in MDD but not BD compared to controls. Further investigations in other cortical regions showed that these changes were specific to BA24. LIMITATIONS Cohort size and available patient data were limited due to standard constraints associated with post-mortem studies. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that decreased CHRM2 in BA24 in mood disorders is not associated with a corresponding change in high affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression. Our findings of increased TFB1M, PPIA and SNCA expression in MDD point to a broader derangement of several homeostatic pathways in MDD that are distinct from BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gibbons
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Kate McPherson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrea Gogos
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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15
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Afrashteh Nour M, Hajiasgharzadeh K, Kheradmand F, Asadzadeh Z, Bolandi N, Baradaran B. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in chemotherapeutic drugs resistance: An emerging targeting candidate. Life Sci 2021; 278:119557. [PMID: 33930371 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
There is no definitive cure for cancer, and most of the current chemotherapy drugs have limited effects due to the development of drug resistance and toxicity at high doses. Therefore, there is an ongoing need for identifying the causes of chemotherapeutic resistance, and it will be possible to develop innovative treatment approaches based on these novel targeting candidates. Cigarette smoking is known to be one of the main causes of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Nicotine as a component of cigarette smoke is an exogenous activator of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). It can inhibit apoptosis, increase cell proliferation and cell survival, reducing the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy drugs and cause a reduced therapeutic response. Recent studies have demonstrated that nAChRs and their downstream signaling pathways have considerable implications in different cancer's initiation, progression, and chemoresistance. In some previous studies, nAChRs have been targeted to obtain better efficacies for chemotherapeutics. Besides, nAChRs-based therapies have been used in combination with chemotherapy drugs to reduce the side effects. This strategy requires lower doses of chemotherapy drugs compared to the conditions that must be used alone. Here, we discussed the experimental and clinical studies that show the nAChRs involvement in response to chemotherapy agents. Also, controversies relating to the effects of nAChR on chemotherapy-induced apoptosis are in our focus in this review article. Delineating the complex influences of nAChRs would be of great interest in establishing new effective chemotherapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Afrashteh Nour
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Khalil Hajiasgharzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Kheradmand
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Zahra Asadzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nadia Bolandi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Pharmaceutical Analysis Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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16
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Cooper SY, Henderson BJ. The Impact of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) Flavors on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors and Nicotine Addiction-Related Behaviors. Molecules 2020; 25:E4223. [PMID: 32942576 PMCID: PMC7571084 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, combustible cigarette smoking has slowly declined by nearly 11% in America; however, the use of electronic cigarettes has increased tremendously, including among adolescents. While nicotine is the main addictive component of tobacco products and a primary concern in electronic cigarettes, this is not the only constituent of concern. There is a growing market of flavored products and a growing use of zero-nicotine e-liquids among electronic cigarette users. Accordingly, there are few studies that examine the impact of flavors on health and behavior. Menthol has been studied most extensively due to its lone exception in combustible cigarettes. Thus, there is a broad understanding of the neurobiological effects that menthol plus nicotine has on the brain including enhancing nicotine reward, altering nicotinic acetylcholine receptor number and function, and altering midbrain neuron excitability. Although flavors other than menthol were banned from combustible cigarettes, over 15,000 flavorants are available for use in electronic cigarettes. This review seeks to summarize the current knowledge on nicotine addiction and the various brain regions and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes involved, as well as describe the most recent findings regarding menthol and green apple flavorants, and their roles in nicotine addiction and vaping-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon J. Henderson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25703, USA;
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17
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Trikash I, Kasatkina L, Lykhmus O, Skok M. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors regulate clustering, fusion and acidification of the rat brain synaptic vesicles. Neurochem Int 2020; 138:104779. [PMID: 32474177 PMCID: PMC7256623 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed in pre-synaptic nerve terminals regulate neurotransmitter release. However, there is no evidence for the expression of nAChRs in synaptic vesicles, which deliver neurotransmitter to synaptic cleft. The aim of this paper was to investigate the presence of nAChRs in synaptic vesicles purified from the rat brain and to study their possible involvement in vesicles life cycle. According to dynamic light scattering analysis, the antibody against extracellular domain (1-208) of α7 nAChR subunit inhibited synaptic vesicles clustering. Sandwich ELISA with nAChR subunit-specific antibodies demonstrated the presence of α4β2, α7 and α7β2nAChR subtypes in synaptic vesicles and showed that α7 and β2 nAChR subunits are co-localized with synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A). Pre-incubation with either α7-selective agonist PNU282987 or nicotine did not affect synaptic vesicles clustering but delayed their Ca2+-dependent fusion with the plasma membranes. In contrast, nicotine but not PNU282987 stimulated acidification of isolated synaptic vesicles, indicating that α4β2 but not α7-containing nAChRs are involved in regulation of proton influx and neurotransmitter refilling. Treatment of rats with levetiracetam, a specific modulator of SV2A, increased the content of α7 nAChRs in synaptic vesicles accompanied by increased clustering but decreased Ca2+-dependent fusion. These data for the first time demonstrate the presence of nAChRs in synaptic vesicles and suggest an active involvement of cholinergic regulation in neurotransmitter release. Synaptic vesicles may be an additional target of nicotine inhaled upon smoking and of α7-specific drugs widely discussed as anti-inflammatory and pro-cognitive tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Trikash
- Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Olena Lykhmus
- Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Maryna Skok
- Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.
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18
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Prevalence and risk factors of myopia in Han and Yugur older adults in Gansu, China: a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8249. [PMID: 32427926 PMCID: PMC7237487 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65078-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Few studies have investigated the prevalence of myopia in Northwest China. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of myopia and high myopia in adults aged 40–80 years in the Han and Yugur populations living in Gansu Province, Northwest China. A total of 3,845 participants were included. The overall age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of myopia (spherical equivalent (SE) < −0.5 D), high myopia (SE < −6.0 D) and hyperopia (SE > + 0.5 D) were 16.4%, 0.7% and 26.2% in Yugur participants, respectively, and 34.3%, 5.0% and 19.2% in Han participants, respectively. The prevalence of myopia and high myopia in Han participants was significantly higher than that in Yugur participants (both P < 0.001). Yugur population, birth in rural areas, smoking history and outdoor work were found to be negatively associated with myopia. Higher education level and a family history of myopia were found to be positively associated with myopia in the study population. High myopia was negatively associated with Yugur population, aging, birth in rural areas and was positively associated with a family history of myopia. This study provided valuable information regarding the environmental risk factors of myopia and revealed an ethnic disparity in the prevalence of myopia in Gansu Province, Northwest China.
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Modulation of cholinergic activity through lynx prototoxins: Implications for cognition and anxiety regulation. Neuropharmacology 2020; 174:108071. [PMID: 32298703 PMCID: PMC7785133 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Lykhmus O, Kalashnyk O, Uspenska K, Horid’ko T, Kosyakova H, Komisarenko S, Skok M. Different Effects of Nicotine and N-Stearoyl-ethanolamine on Episodic Memory and Brain Mitochondria of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Knockout Mice. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E226. [PMID: 32028688 PMCID: PMC7072576 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of α7 subtype (α7 nAChRs) are involved in regulating neuroinflammation and cognitive functions. Correspondingly, α7-/- mice demonstrate pro-inflammatory phenotype and impaired episodic memory. In addition, nAChRs expressed in mitochondria regulate the release of pro-apoptotic factors like cytochrome c. Here we studied whether the cognitive deficiency of α7-/- mice can be cured by oral consumption of either nicotine or N-stearoylethanolamine (NSE), a lipid possessing anti-inflammatory, cannabimimetic and membrane-stabilizing activity. Mice were examined in Novel Object Recognition behavioral test, their blood, brains and brain mitochondria were tested for the levels of interleukin-6, various nAChR subtypes and cytochrome c released by ELISA. The data presented demonstrate that both substances stimulated the raise of interleukin-6 in the blood and improved episodic memory of α7-/- mice. However, NSE improved, while nicotine worsened the brain mitochondria sustainability to apoptogenic stimuli, as shown by either decreased or increased amounts of cytochrome c released. Both nicotine and NSE up-regulated α4β2 nAChRs in the brain; NSE up-regulated, while nicotine down-regulated α9-containing nAChRs in the brain mitochondria. It is concluded that the level of alternative nAChR subtypes in the brain is critically important for memory and mitochondria sustainability in the absence of α7 nAChRs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Maryna Skok
- Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, 01030 Kyiv, Ukraine; (O.L.); (O.K.); (K.U.); (T.H.); (H.K.); (S.K.)
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21
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Sabec MH, Wonnacott S, Warburton EC, Bashir ZI. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Control Encoding and Retrieval of Associative Recognition Memory through Plasticity in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex. Cell Rep 2019; 22:3409-3415. [PMID: 29590611 PMCID: PMC5896173 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed in the medial prefrontal cortex have critical roles in cognitive function. However, whether nAChRs are required for associative recognition memory and the mechanisms by which nAChRs may contribute to mnemonic processing are not known. We demonstrate that nAChRs in the prefrontal cortex exhibit subtype-specific roles in associative memory encoding and retrieval. We present evidence that these separate roles of nAChRs may rely on bidirectional modulation of plasticity at synaptic inputs to the prefrontal cortex that are essential for associative recognition memory. Prefrontal α7 nAChRs are critical for encoding of associative recognition memory Prefrontal α4β2 nAChRs are required for retrieval of associative recognition memory α7 and α4β2 nAChRs gate bidirectional plasticity at hippocampal-prefrontal synapses Bidirectional plasticity underlies the role of nAChR in associative recognition
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie H Sabec
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
| | - Susan Wonnacott
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - E Clea Warburton
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Zafar I Bashir
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
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22
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Lykhmus O, Kalashnyk O, Koval L, Voytenko L, Uspenska K, Komisarenko S, Deryabina O, Shuvalova N, Kordium V, Ustymenko A, Kyryk V, Skok M. Mesenchymal Stem Cells or Interleukin-6 Improve Episodic Memory of Mice Lacking α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. Neuroscience 2019; 413:31-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor upregulation by anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2746. [PMID: 31227712 PMCID: PMC6588605 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10723-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) mediate and modulate synaptic transmission throughout the brain, and contribute to learning, memory, and behavior. Dysregulation of α7-type nAChRs in neuropsychiatric as well as immunological and oncological diseases makes them attractive targets for pharmaceutical development. Recently, we identified NACHO as an essential chaperone for α7 nAChRs. Leveraging the robust recombinant expression of α7 nAChRs with NACHO, we utilized genome-wide cDNA library screening and discovered that several anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins further upregulate receptor assembly and cell surface expression. These effects are mediated by an intracellular motif on α7 that resembles the BH3 binding domain of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, and can be blocked by BH3 mimetic Bcl-2 inhibitors. Overexpression of Bcl-2 member Mcl-1 in neurons enhanced surface expression of endogenous α7 nAChRs, while a combination of chemotherapeutic Bcl2-inhibitors suppressed neuronal α7 receptor assembly. These results demonstrate that Bcl-2 proteins link α7 nAChR assembly to cell survival pathways. The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) plays a major role in shaping the activity of neuronal circuits and contributes to the pathophysiology of several neurological disorders. Following cDNA library screening, the authors identify anti-apoptotic, Bcl-2 family proteins as enhancers of α7 nAChR assembly, acting through an intracellular BH3-like domain during receptor biogenesis in the endoplasmic reticulum.
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Lykhmus O, Koval L, Voytenko L, Uspenska K, Komisarenko S, Deryabina O, Shuvalova N, Kordium V, Ustymenko A, Kyryk V, Skok M. Intravenously Injected Mesenchymal Stem Cells Penetrate the Brain and Treat Inflammation-Induced Brain Damage and Memory Impairment in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:355. [PMID: 31057400 PMCID: PMC6479176 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is regarded as one of the pathogenic factors of Alzheimer disease (AD). Previously, we showed that mice regularly injected with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) possessed the AD-like symptoms like episodic memory decline, elevated amounts of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide (1-42), and decreased levels of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain. The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which can differentiate into multiple cell types, including neurons, is an attractive idea of regenerative medicine, in particular, for neurodegenerative disorders like AD. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether pathogenic effect of LPS on the brain and behavior of mice can be prevented or treated by injection of MSCs or MSC-produced soluble factors. Fluorescently-labeled MSCs, injected intravenously, were found in the brain blood vessels of LPS-treated mice. Mice co-injected with LPS and MSCs did not demonstrate episodic memory impairment, Aβ (1-42) accumulation, and nAChR decrease in the brain and brain mitochondria. Their mitochondria released less cytochrome c under the effect of Ca2+ compared to mitochondria of LPS-only-treated mice. Moreover, MSCs could reverse the pathogenic symptoms developed 3 weeks after LPS injection. Cultured MSCs produced IL-6 in response to LPS and MSCs effect in vivo was accompanied by additional stimulation of both micro- and macroglia. Xenogeneic (human) MSCs were almost as efficient as allogeneic (mouse) ones and regular injections of human MSC-conditioned medium also produced positive effect. These data allow suggesting MSCs as a potential therapeutic tool to cure neuroinflammation-related cognitive pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Lykhmus
- Laboratory of Cell Receptors Immunology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry NAS, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Lyudmyla Koval
- Laboratory of Cell Receptors Immunology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry NAS, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Larysa Voytenko
- Laboratory of Cell Receptors Immunology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry NAS, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Kateryna Uspenska
- Laboratory of Cell Receptors Immunology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry NAS, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Serhiy Komisarenko
- Laboratory of Cell Receptors Immunology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry NAS, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olena Deryabina
- Department of Gene Technologies, State Institute of Genetic and Regenerative Medicine NAMS, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Nadia Shuvalova
- Department of Gene Technologies, State Institute of Genetic and Regenerative Medicine NAMS, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Vitalii Kordium
- Department of Gene Technologies, State Institute of Genetic and Regenerative Medicine NAMS, Kyiv, Ukraine.,Department of Cell Regulatory Mechanisms, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics NAS, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Alina Ustymenko
- Department of Gene Technologies, State Institute of Genetic and Regenerative Medicine NAMS, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Vitalii Kyryk
- Department of Gene Technologies, State Institute of Genetic and Regenerative Medicine NAMS, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Maryna Skok
- Laboratory of Cell Receptors Immunology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry NAS, Kyiv, Ukraine
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25
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Therapeutic Effect of Agmatine on Neurological Disease: Focus on Ion Channels and Receptors. Neurochem Res 2019; 44:735-750. [PMID: 30610652 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-018-02712-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is the most injury-prone part of the mammalian body. Any acute or chronic, central or peripheral neurological disorder is related to abnormal biochemical and electrical signals in the brain cells. As a result, ion channels and receptors that are abundant in the nervous system and control the electrical and biochemical environment of the CNS play a vital role in neurological disease. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, 2-amino-3-(5-methyl-3-oxo-1,2-oxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid receptor, kainate receptor, acetylcholine receptor, serotonin receptor, α2-adrenoreceptor, and acid-sensing ion channels are among the major channels and receptors known to be key components of pathophysiological events in the CNS. The primary amine agmatine, a neuromodulator synthesized in the brain by decarboxylation of L-arginine, can regulate ion channel cascades and receptors that are related to the major CNS disorders. In our previous studies, we established that agmatine was related to the regulation of cell differentiation, nitric oxide synthesis, and murine brain endothelial cell migration, relief of chronic pain, cerebral edema, and apoptotic cell death in experimental CNS disorders. In this review, we will focus on the pathophysiological aspects of the neurological disorders regulated by these ion channels and receptors, and their interaction with agmatine in CNS injury.
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26
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Milienne-Petiot M, Higa KK, Grim A, Deben D, Groenink L, Twamley EW, Geyer MA, Young JW. Nicotine improves probabilistic reward learning in wildtype but not alpha7 nAChR null mutants, yet alpha7 nAChR agonists do not improve probabilistic learning. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 28:1217-1231. [PMID: 30213668 PMCID: PMC6344043 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2017] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive impairments, e.g., reward learning, are present in various psychiatric disorders and warrant treatment. Improving reward-related learning could synergistically enhance psychosocial treatments and cognition generally. A critical first step is to understand the mechanisms underlying reward learning. The dopamine system has been implicated in such learning, but less known is how indirect activation of this system may affect reward learning. We determined the role of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) on a probabilistic reversal learning task (PRLT) in mice that includes reward and punishment. Male alpha7 knockout (KO), heterozygous (HT), and wildtype (WT) littermate mice (n = 84) were treated with vehicle, 0.03, or 0.3 mg/kg nicotine. Two cohorts of C57BL/6NJ male mice were treated with various alpha7 nAChR ligands, including the full agonists PNU282877 and AR-R-17779, the positive allosteric modulator CCMI, the partial agonist SSR180711, and the antagonist methyllycaconitine. All mice were then tested in the PRLT. Nicotine (0.3 mg/kg) significantly improved initial reward learning in alpha7 WT and HT mice but did not improve learning in KO mice, suggesting an involvement of the alpha7 nAChR in the pro-learning effects of nicotine. Neither alpha7 nAChR treatments (PNU282987, AR-R-17779, CCMI, SSR180711, nor methyllycaconitine) affected mouse PRLT performance however. Nicotine improved reward learning via a mechanism that may include alpha7 nAChRs. This improvement unlikely relied solely on alpha7 nAChRs however, since no alpha7 nAChR ligand improved reward learning in normal mice. Future assessments of the effects of other nAChR subtypes on reward learning are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Milienne-Petiot
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States; Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kerin K Higa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States
| | - Andrea Grim
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States
| | - Debbie Deben
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States; Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lucianne Groenink
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States
| | - Elizabeth W Twamley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States; Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health and Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, United States
| | - Mark A Geyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Jared W Young
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States.
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27
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Liu W, Li MD. Insights Into Nicotinic Receptor Signaling in Nicotine Addiction: Implications for Prevention and Treatment. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 16:350-370. [PMID: 28762314 PMCID: PMC6018190 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x15666170801103009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 06/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) belong to the Cys-loop ligandgated ion-channel (LGIC) superfamily, which also includes the GABA, glycine, and serotonin receptors. Many nAChR subunits have been identified and shown to be involved in signal transduction on binding to them of either the neurotransmitter acetylcholine or exogenous ligands such as nicotine. The nAChRs are pentameric assemblies of homologous subunits surrounding a central pore that gates cation flux, and they are expressed at neuromuscular junctions throughout the nervous system. METHODS AND RESULTS Because different nAChR subunits assemble into a variety of pharmacologically distinct receptor subtypes, and different nAChRs are implicated in various physiological functions and pathophysiological conditions, nAChRs represent potential molecular targets for drug addiction and medical therapeutic research. This review intends to provide insights into recent advances in nAChR signaling, considering the subtypes and subunits of nAChRs and their roles in nicotinic cholinergic systems, including structure, diversity, functional allosteric modulation, targeted knockout mutations, and rare variations of specific subunits, and the potency and functional effects of mutations by focusing on their effects on nicotine addiction (NA) and smoking cessation (SC). Furthermore, we review the possible mechanisms of action of nAChRs in NA and SC based on our current knowledge. CONCLUSION Understanding these cellular and molecular mechanisms will lead to better translational and therapeutic operations and outcomes for the prevention and treatment of NA and other drug addictions, as well as chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Finally, we put forward some suggestions and recommendations for therapy and treatment of NA and other chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuyi Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,School of Biological Sciences and Food Engineering, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, Anuhi 236041, China
| | - Ming D Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, United States
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28
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Zoli M, Pucci S, Vilella A, Gotti C. Neuronal and Extraneuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 16:338-349. [PMID: 28901280 PMCID: PMC6018187 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x15666170912110450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) belong to a super-family of Cys-loop ligand-gated ion chan-nels that respond to endogenous acetylcholine (ACh) or other cholinergic ligands. These receptors are also the targets of drugs such as nicotine (the main addictive agent delivered by cigarette smoke) and are involved in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Numerous studies have shown that the expression and/or function of nAChRs is com-promised in many neurological and psychiatric diseases. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that neuronal nAChRs are found in a large number of non-neuronal cell types in-cluding endothelial cells, glia, immune cells, lung epithelia and cancer cells where they regulate cell differentiation, prolifera-tion and inflammatory responses. The aim of this review is to describe the most recent findings concerning the structure and function of native nAChRs inside and outside the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Zoli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Susanna Pucci
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute-Milano, Biometra University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonietta Vilella
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Gotti
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute-Milano, Biometra University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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29
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Mineur YS, Mose TN, Blakeman S, Picciotto MR. Hippocampal α7 nicotinic ACh receptors contribute to modulation of depression-like behaviour in C57BL/6J mice. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:1903-1914. [PMID: 28264149 PMCID: PMC5979617 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Clinical studies have identified links between cholinergic signalling and depression in human subjects. Increased cholinergic signalling in hippocampus also increases behaviours related to anxiety and depression in mice, which can be reversed by ACh receptor antagonists. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH As the α7 subunit of the nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) is highly expressed in hippocampus, we determined whether blocking α7 nAChRs could reverse the effects of increased ACh signalling in anxiety- and depression-related behaviours in mice. KEY RESULTS Administration of the α7 nAChR agonist GTS-21 had no effect in tail suspension or forced swim tests. Conversely, the α7 nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine (MLA) induced significant antidepressant-like effects in male mice in these paradigms, consistent with previous studies, but this was not observed in female mice. MLA also decreased physostigmine-induced c-fos immunoreactivity (a marker of neuronal activity) in hippocampus. Local knockdown of α7 nAChRs in hippocampus had no effect on its own but decreased a subset of depression-like phenotypes induced by physostigmine in male mice. Few effects of α7 nAChR knockdown were observed in depression-like behaviors in female mice, possibly due to a limited response to physostigmine. There was no significant effect of hippocampal α7 nAChR knockdown on anxiety-like phenotypes in male mice. However, a modest increase in anxiety-like behavior was observed in female mice infused with a scrambled control vector in response to physostigmine administration, that was not seen after a7 nAChR knockdown in the hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest that ACh signalling through α7 nAChRs in the hippocampus contributes to regulation of a subset of depression-like behaviours when ACh is increased, as can occur under stressful conditions. These studies also provide evidence for sex differences that may be relevant for treatments of mood disorders based on cholinergic signalling. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.11/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann S Mineur
- Department of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenCTUSA
| | - Tenna N Mose
- Department of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenCTUSA
| | - Sam Blakeman
- Department of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenCTUSA
| | - Marina R Picciotto
- Department of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenCTUSA
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Mendoza C, Barreto GE, Iarkov A, Tarasov VV, Aliev G, Echeverria V. Cotinine: A Therapy for Memory Extinction in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:6700-6711. [PMID: 29335846 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-0869-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that may develop after exposure to exceptionally threatening or unescapable horrifying events. Actual therapies fail to alleviate the emotional suffering and cognitive impairment associated with this disorder, mostly because they are ineffective in treating the failure to extinguish trauma memories in a great percentage of those affected. In this review, current behavioral, cellular, and molecular evidence supporting the use of cotinine for treating PTSD are reviewed. The role of the positive modulation by cotinine of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and their downstream effectors, the protection of astroglia, and the inhibition of microglia in the PTSD brain are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristhian Mendoza
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur 1457, 4030000, Concepción, Chile
| | - George E Barreto
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.,Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexandre Iarkov
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur 1457, 4030000, Concepción, Chile
| | - Vadim V Tarasov
- Institute of Pharmacy and Translational Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991, Moscow, Russia
| | - Gjumrakch Aliev
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Severniy Proezd, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, 1142432, Russia. .,"GALLY" International Biomedical Research Consulting LLC, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA. .,School of Health Sciences and Healthcare Administration, University of Atlanta, Johns Creek, GA, 30097, USA.
| | - Valentina Echeverria
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur 1457, 4030000, Concepción, Chile. .,Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Research and Development, Bay Pines, FL, 33744, USA.
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α-Conotoxins to explore the molecular, physiological and pathophysiological functions of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Neurosci Lett 2017; 679:24-34. [PMID: 29199094 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.11.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The vast diversity of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine subunits expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as in non-neuronal tissues, constitutes a formidable challenge for researchers and clinicians to decipher the role of particular subtypes, including complex subunit associations, in physiological and pathophysiological functions. Many natural products target the nAChRs, but there is no richer source of nicotinic ligands than the venom of predatory gastropods known as cone snails. Indeed, every single species of cone snail was shown to produce at least one type of such α-conotoxins. These tiny peptides (10-25 amino acids), constrained by disulfide bridges, proved to be unvaluable tools to investigate the structure and function of nAChRs, some of them having also therapeutic potential. In this review, we provide a recent update on the pharmacology and subtype specificity of several major α-conotoxins.
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Jareczek FJ, White SR, Hammond DL. Plasticity in Brainstem Mechanisms of Pain Modulation by Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Rat. eNeuro 2017; 4:ENEURO.0364-16.2017. [PMID: 28197544 PMCID: PMC5286660 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0364-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with chronic pain may be driven to smoke more because the analgesic efficacy of nicotine diminishes. To determine whether persistent pain diminishes the actions of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist in pain modulatory pathways, we examined the effects of epibatidine in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) of rats with and without inflammatory injury induced by intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). In uninjured rats, epibatidine produced a dose-dependent antinociception that was completely blocked by dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHβE; α4β2 antagonist) and partially blocked by methyllycaconitine (MLA; α7 antagonist). Epibatidine reversed heat hyperalgesia when microinjected in the RVM 4 h, 4 d, or 2 weeks after CFA treatment. Although DHβE completely blocked epibatidine's antihyperalgesic effect at 4 h, at 2 weeks it elicited only partial antagonism. Methyllycaconitine was ineffective at both time points. Epibatidine's antinociceptive efficacy in the uninjured hind paw progressively declined, and it was without effect 2 weeks after CFA. Moreover, as early as 4 h after CFA, the antinociceptive effect of epibatidine was no longer antagonized by DHβE. Neither antagonist alone altered paw withdrawal latency in uninjured or CFA-treated rats, suggesting that neither α4β2 nor α7 nAChRs are tonically active in the RVM. The Bmax and Kd of α4β2 nAChRs in the RVM were unchanged after CFA treatment. These observations provide the first evidence of pharmacological plasticity of the actions of α4β2 nAChR agonists in a critical brainstem pain modulatory pathway and may in part explain why people with chronic pain smoke more than the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis J. Jareczek
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | | | - Donna L. Hammond
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Anesthesia, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
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Terayama H, Endo H, Tsukamoto H, Matsumoto K, Umezu M, Kanazawa T, Ito M, Sato T, Naito M, Kawakami S, Fujino Y, Tatemichi M, Sakabe K. Acetamiprid Accumulates in Different Amounts in Murine Brain Regions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:ijerph13100937. [PMID: 27669271 PMCID: PMC5086676 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13100937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Neonicotinoids such as acetamiprid (ACE) belong to a new and widely used single class of pesticides. Neonicotinoids mimic the chemical structure of nicotine and share agonist activity with the nicotine acetylcholine receptor (nAchR). Neonicotinoids are widely considered to be safe in humans; however, they have recently been implicated in a number of human health disorders. A wide range of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders associated with high doses of neonicotinoids administered to animals have also been reported. Consequently, we used a mouse model to investigate the response of the central nervous system to ACE treatment. Our results show that exposure to ACE-containing water for three or seven days (decuple and centuple of no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL)/day) caused a decrease in body weight in 10-week old A/JJmsSlc (A/J) mice. However, the treatments did not affect brain histology or expression of CD34. ACE concentrations were significantly higher in the midbrain of ACE-treated mice than that of the normal and vehicle groups. Expression levels of α7, α4, and β2 nAChRs were found to be low in the olfactory bulb and midbrain of normal mice. Furthermore, in the experimental group (centuple ACE-containing water for seven days), β2 nAChR expression decreased in many brain regions. Information regarding the amount of accumulated ACE and expression levels of the acetylcholine receptor in each region of the brain is important for understanding any clinical symptoms that may be associated with ACE exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayato Terayama
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Basic Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
| | - Hitoshi Endo
- Department of Community Health, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
| | - Hideo Tsukamoto
- Support Center for Medical Research and Education, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
| | - Koichi Matsumoto
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Basic Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
| | - Mai Umezu
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Basic Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
| | - Teruhisa Kanazawa
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Basic Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
| | - Masatoshi Ito
- Support Center for Medical Research and Education, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
| | - Tadayuki Sato
- Support Center for Medical Research and Education, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
| | - Munekazu Naito
- Department of Anatomy, Aichi Medical University, Aichi 480-1195, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Kawakami
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Anatomy, Graduate School of Dentistry, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Yasuhiro Fujino
- Department of Human Development, Tokai University School of Humanities and Culture, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan.
| | - Masayuki Tatemichi
- Department of Community Health, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
| | - Kou Sakabe
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Basic Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
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Accumulation of human full-length tau induces degradation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α4 via activating calpain-2. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27283. [PMID: 27277673 PMCID: PMC4899694 DOI: 10.1038/srep27283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic impairments and tau accumulation are hallmark pathologies in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), however, the intrinsic link between tau accumulation and cholinergic deficits is missing. Here, we found that overexpression of human wild-type full-length tau (termed hTau) induced a significant reduction of α4 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with an increased cleavage of the receptor producing a ~55kDa fragment in primary hippocampal neurons and in the rat brains, meanwhile, the α4 nAChR currents decreased. Further studies demonstrated that calpains, including calpain-1 and calpain-2, were remarkably activated with no change of caspase-3, while simultaneous suppression of calpain-2 by selective calpain-2 inhibitor but not calpain-1 attenuated the hTau-induced degradation of α4 nAChR. Finally, we demonstrated that hTau accumulation increased the basal intracellular calcium level in primary hippocampal neurons. We conclude that the hTau accumulation inhibits nAChRs α4 by activating calpain-2. To our best knowledge, this is the first evidence showing that the intracellular accumulation of tau causes cholinergic impairments.
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Sano K, Isobe T, Yang J, Win-Shwe TT, Yoshikane M, Nakayama SF, Kawashima T, Suzuki G, Hashimoto S, Nohara K, Tohyama C, Maekawa F. In utero and Lactational Exposure to Acetamiprid Induces Abnormalities in Socio-Sexual and Anxiety-Related Behaviors of Male Mice. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:228. [PMID: 27375407 PMCID: PMC4891355 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonicotinoids, a widely used group of pesticides designed to selectively bind to insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, were considered relatively safe for mammalian species. However, they have been found to activate vertebrate nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and could be toxic to the mammalian brain. In the present study, we evaluated the developmental neurotoxicity of acetamiprid (ACE), one of the most widely used neonicotinoids, in C57BL/6J mice whose mothers were administered ACE via gavage at doses of either 0 mg/kg (control group), 1.0 mg/kg (low-dose group), or 10.0 mg/kg (high-dose group) from gestational day 6 to lactation day 21. The results of a battery of behavior tests for socio-sexual and anxiety-related behaviors, the numbers of vasopressin-immunoreactive cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and testosterone levels were used as endpoints. In addition, behavioral flexibility in mice was assessed in a group-housed environment using the IntelliCage, a fully automated mouse behavioral analysis system. In adult male mice exposed to ACE at both low and high doses, a significant reduction of anxiety level was found in the light-dark transition test. Males in the low-dose group also showed a significant increase in sexual and aggressive behaviors. In contrast, neither the anxiety levels nor the sexual behaviors of females were altered. No reductions in the testosterone level, the number of vasopressin-immunoreactive cells, or behavioral flexibility were detected in either sex. These results suggest the possibility that in utero and lactational ACE exposure interferes with the development of the neural circuits required for executing socio-sexual and anxiety-related behaviors in male mice specifically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Sano
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Isobe
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Jiaxin Yang
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tin-Tin Win-Shwe
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Mitsuha Yoshikane
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shoji F Nakayama
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Takaharu Kawashima
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Go Suzuki
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental StudiesTsukuba, Japan; Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental StudiesTsukuba, Japan
| | - Shunji Hashimoto
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Analysis, National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Keiko Nohara
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Fumihiko Maekawa
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba, Japan
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Carignano C, Barila EP, Spitzmaul G. Analysis of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α4β2 activation at the single-channel level. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2016; 1858:1964-1973. [PMID: 27233449 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α4β2 forms pentameric proteins with two alternate stoichiometries. The high-sensitivity receptor is related to (α4)2(β2)3 stoichiometry while the low-sensitivity receptor to (α4)3(β2)2 stoichiometry. Both subtypes share two binding sites at the α4((+))/β2((-)) interface with high affinity for agonists. (α4)3(β2)2 has an additional binding site at the α4((+))/α4((-)) interface with low affinity for agonists. We investigated activation kinetics of both receptor subtypes by patch-clamp recordings of single-channel activity in the presence of several concentrations of acetylcholine (0.5 to 300μM). We used kinetic software to fit these data with kinetic models. We found that the high-sensitivity subtype correlates with the low-conductance channel (g-70=29pS) and does not activate with high efficacy. On the contrary, the low-sensitivity subtype correlated with a high-conductance channel (g-70=44pS) and exhibited higher activation efficacy. Opening events of individual nAChRs at high agonist concentrations occurred in clusters, which allowed us to determine kinetic constants for the activation of the triliganded receptor. Our kinetic modeling identified an intermediate state, between resting and open conformation of the receptor. Binding of the third molecule increases the efficacy of receptor activation by favoring the transition between resting and intermediate state around 18 times. The low rate for this transition in the diliganded receptor explains the action of acetylcholine as partial agonist when it binds to the high-affinity sites. The presence of the third binding site emerges as a potent modulator of nicotinic receptor α4β2 activation which may display different functions depending on agonist concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Carignano
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Esteban Pablo Barila
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Guillermo Spitzmaul
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
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Locker AR, Marks MJ, Kamens HM, Klein LC. Exposure to nicotine increases nicotinic acetylcholine receptor density in the reward pathway and binge ethanol consumption in C57BL/6J adolescent female mice. Brain Res Bull 2015; 123:13-22. [PMID: 26428091 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2015.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Nearly 80% of adult smokers begin smoking during adolescence. Binge alcohol consumption is also common during adolescence. Past studies report that nicotine and ethanol activate dopamine neurons in the reward pathway and may increase synaptic levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens through nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) stimulation. Activation of the reward pathway during adolescence through drug use may produce neural alterations affecting subsequent drug consumption. Consequently, the effect of nicotine exposure on binge alcohol consumption was examined along with an assessment of the neurobiological underpinnings that drive adolescent use of these drugs. Adolescent C57BL/6J mice (postnatal days 35-44) were exposed to either water or nicotine (200μg/ml) for ten days. On the final four days, ethanol intake was examined using the drinking-in-the-dark paradigm. Nicotine-exposed mice consumed significantly more ethanol and displayed higher blood ethanol concentrations than did control mice. Autoradiographic analysis of nAChR density revealed higher epibatidine binding in frontal cortical regions in mice exposed to nicotine and ethanol compared to mice exposed to ethanol only. These data show that nicotine exposure during adolescence increases subsequent binge ethanol consumption, and may affect the number of nAChRs in regions of the brain reward pathway, specifically the frontal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia R Locker
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States; The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biobehavioral Health, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
| | - Michael J Marks
- University of Colorado Boulder, Institute for Behavioral Genetics and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boulder, CO 80303, United States
| | - Helen M Kamens
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biobehavioral Health, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Laura Cousino Klein
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biobehavioral Health, University Park, PA 16802, United States
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Zoli M, Pistillo F, Gotti C. Diversity of native nicotinic receptor subtypes in mammalian brain. Neuropharmacology 2015; 96:302-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 10/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Wilking JA, Stitzel JA. Natural genetic variability of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit genes in mice: Consequences and confounds. Neuropharmacology 2015; 96:205-12. [PMID: 25498233 PMCID: PMC4461559 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Revised: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Recent human genetic studies have identified genetic variants in multiple nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit genes that are associated with risk for nicotine dependence and other smoking-related measures. Genetic variability also exists in the nAChR subunit genes in mice. Most studies on mouse nAChR subunit gene variability to date have focused on Chrna4, the gene that encodes the α4 nAChR subunit and Chrna7, the gene that encodes the α7 nAChR subunit. However, genetic variability exists for all nAChR genes in mice. In this review, we will describe what is known about nAChR subunit gene polymorphisms in mice and how it relates to variability in nAChR expression and function in brain. The relationship between nAChR genetic variability in mice and the effects of nicotine on several behavioral and physiological measures also will be discussed. In addition, an overview of the contribution of other genetic variation to nicotine sensitivity in mice will be provided. Finally, the potential for natural genetic variability to confound and/or modify the results of studies that utilize genetically engineered mice will be considered. As an example of the ability of a natural genetic variant to modify the effect of an engineered mutation, data will be presented that demonstrate that the effect of Chrna5 deletion on oral nicotine intake is dependent upon naturally occurring variant alleles of Chrna4. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'The Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor: From Molecular Biology to Cognition'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Wilking
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, USA; Department of Integrative Physiology, UCB447, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Jerry A Stitzel
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, USA; Department of Integrative Physiology, UCB447, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
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Pombero A, Martinez S. The α2-subunit of the nicotinic cholinergic receptor is specifically expressed in medial subpallium-derived cells of mammalian amygdala. J Comp Neurol 2015; 523:1608-21. [PMID: 25641263 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Revised: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes are expressed in specific neuronal populations, which are involved in numerous neural functions such as sleep, fatigue, anxiety, and cognition, as well as the central processing of pain and food intake. Moreover, mutations in nAChRs subunits have been related to frontal lobe epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, and other neurological disorders, including schizophrenia and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Previous studies have shown that the α2-subunit of the AChR (Chrna2) is expressed in the basal forebrain, in the septum, and in some amygdalar nuclei in the adult rodent brain. However, although the importance of this amygdalar expression in emotion-related behavior and the physiopathology of neuropsychiatric disorders has been accepted, a detailed study of the Chrna2 expression pattern during development has been lacking. In this study we found that Chrna2 is specifically expressed in medial subpallium-derived amygdalar nuclei from early developmental stages to adult. This finding could help us to better understand the role of Chrna2 in the differentiation and functional maturation of amygdalar neurons involved in cholinergic-regulated emotional behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Pombero
- Neurosciences Institute, University Miguel Hernandez-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), San Juan de Alicante, 03550, Spain
| | - Salvador Martinez
- Neurosciences Institute, University Miguel Hernandez-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), San Juan de Alicante, 03550, Spain.,Murcia Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB)-Arraixaca, University of Murcia, 30071, Spain.,Biomedical Research Center, Mental Healthe Network (CIBERSAM), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, 28029, Spain
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Weltzin MM, Schulte MK. Desformylflustrabromine Modulates α4β2 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor High- and Low-Sensitivity Isoforms at Allosteric Clefts Containing the β2 Subunit. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2015; 354:184-94. [PMID: 26025967 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.115.223933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in expression patterns of α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have been demonstrated to alter cholinergic neurotransmission and are implicated in neurologic disorders, including autism, nicotine addiction, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) represent promising new leads in the development of therapeutic agents for the treatment of these disorders. This study investigates the involvement of the β2-containing subunit interfaces of α4β2 receptors in the modulation of acetylcholine (ACh)-induced responses by the PAM desformylflustrabromine (dFBr). Eight amino acids on the principal face of the β2 subunit were mutated to alanine to explore the involvement of this region in the potentiation of ACh-induced currents by dFBr. ACh-induced responses obtained from wild-type and mutant α4β2 receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes were recorded in the presence and absence of dFBr using two-electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology. Wild-type and mutant receptors were expressed in both high and low ACh sensitivity isoforms by using biased injection ratios of 1:5 or 5:1 α4 to β2 complementary RNA. Mutations were made in the B, C, and A loops of the principal face of the β2 subunit, which are regions not involved in the binding of ACh. Mutant β2(Y120A) significantly eliminated dFBr potency in both isoform preparations. Several other mutations altered dFBr potentiation levels in both preparations. Our findings support the involvement of the principal face of the β2 subunit in dFBr modulation of ACh-induced responses. Findings from this study will aid in the improved design of dFBr-like PAMs for potential therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maegan M Weltzin
- Division of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurologic Institute, Phoenix, Arizona (M.M.W.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (M.K.S.)
| | - Marvin K Schulte
- Division of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurologic Institute, Phoenix, Arizona (M.M.W.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (M.K.S.)
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Hirano T, Yanai S, Omotehara T, Hashimoto R, Umemura Y, Kubota N, Minami K, Nagahara D, Matsuo E, Aihara Y, Shinohara R, Furuyashiki T, Mantani Y, Yokoyama T, Kitagawa H, Hoshi N. The combined effect of clothianidin and environmental stress on the behavioral and reproductive function in male mice. J Vet Med Sci 2015; 77:1207-15. [PMID: 25960033 PMCID: PMC4638285 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.15-0188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonicotinoids, some of the most widely used pesticides in the world, act as agonists to
the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) of insects, resulting in death from
abnormal excitability. Neonicotinoids unexpectedly became a major topic as a compelling
cause of honeybee colony collapse disorder, which is damaging crop production that
requires pollination worldwide. Mammal nAChRs appear to have a certain affinity for
neonicotinoids with lower levels than those of insects; there is thus rising concern about
unpredictable adverse effects of neonicotinoids on vertebrates. We hypothesized that the
effects of neonicotinoids would be enhanced under a chronic stressed condition, which is
known to alter the expression of targets of neonicotinoids, i.e.,
neuronal nAChRs. We performed immunohistochemical and behavioral analyses in male mice
actively administered a neonicotinoid, clothianidin (CTD; 0, 10, 50 and 250 mg/kg/day),
for 4 weeks under an unpredictable chronic stress procedure. Vacuolated seminiferous
epithelia and a decrease in the immunoreactivity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione
peroxidase 4 were observed in the testes of the CTD+stress mice. In an open field test,
although the locomotor activities were not affected, the anxiety-like behaviors of the
mice were elevated by both CTD and stress. The present study demonstrates that the
behavioral and reproductive effects of CTD become more serious in combination with
environmental stress, which may reflect our actual situation of multiple exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsushi Hirano
- Laboratory of Molecular Morphology, Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
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Jiang L, López-Hernández GY, Lederman J, Talmage DA, Role LW. Optogenetic studies of nicotinic contributions to cholinergic signaling in the central nervous system. Rev Neurosci 2015; 25:755-71. [PMID: 25051276 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2014-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Molecular manipulations and targeted pharmacological studies provide a compelling picture of which nicotinic receptor subtypes are where in the central nervous system (CNS) and what happens if one activates or deletes them. However, understanding the physiological contribution of nicotinic receptors to endogenous acetylcholine (ACh) signaling in the CNS has proven a more difficult problem to solve. In this review, we provide a synopsis of the literature on the use of optogenetic approaches to control the excitability of cholinergic neurons and to examine the role of CNS nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs). As is often the case, this relatively new technology has answered some questions and raised others. Overall, we believe that optogenetic manipulation of cholinergic excitability in combination with some rigorous pharmacology will ultimately advance our understanding of the many functions of nAChRs in the brain.
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Rupprecht LE, Smith TT, Schassburger RL, Buffalari DM, Sved AF, Donny EC. Behavioral mechanisms underlying nicotine reinforcement. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2015; 24:19-53. [PMID: 25638333 PMCID: PMC4536896 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-13482-6_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide, and nicotine, the primary psychoactive constituent in tobacco, drives sustained use. The behavioral actions of nicotine are complex and extend well beyond the actions of the drug as a primary reinforcer. Stimuli that are consistently paired with nicotine can, through associative learning, take on reinforcing properties as conditioned stimuli. These conditioned stimuli can then impact the rate and probability of behavior and even function as conditioning reinforcers that maintain behavior in the absence of nicotine. Nicotine can also act as a conditioned stimulus (CS), predicting the delivery of other reinforcers, which may allow nicotine to acquire value as a conditioned reinforcer. These associative effects, establishing non-nicotine stimuli as conditioned stimuli with discriminative stimulus and conditioned reinforcing properties as well as establishing nicotine as a CS, are predicted by basic conditioning principles. However, nicotine can also act non-associatively. Nicotine directly enhances the reinforcing efficacy of other reinforcing stimuli in the environment, an effect that does not require a temporal or predictive relationship between nicotine and either the stimulus or the behavior. Hence, the reinforcing actions of nicotine stem both from the primary reinforcing actions of the drug (and the subsequent associative learning effects) as well as the reinforcement enhancement action of nicotine which is non-associative in nature. Gaining a better understanding of how nicotine impacts behavior will allow for maximally effective tobacco control efforts aimed at reducing the harm associated with tobacco use by reducing and/or treating its addictiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Alan F. Sved
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
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Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are a critical component of the brain's cholinergic neurotransmission system that modulates important physiological processes and whose dysfunction has been observed in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and mental illness. nAChRs are a heterogeneous family of receptor subtypes consisting of pentameric combinations of α and β subunits, and are widely expressed throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. nAChR subtypesnAChR subtypes share a common basic structure but their biophysical and pharmacological properties depend on their subunit compositionSubunit composition , which is therefore central to understanding receptor function in the nervous system and discovering new subtype-selective drugs. We briefly review some recent findings concerning the structure and function of nAChRs, particularly the native subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fasoli
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129, Milan, Italy
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Li J, Bo L, Zhang P, Gao Q, Li L, Tang J, Wu C, Li D, Xiao J, Chen J, Tao J, Mao C, Xu Z. Exposure to nicotine during pregnancy and altered learning and memory in the rat offspring. Nicotine Tob Res 2014; 17:661-6. [PMID: 25239954 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntu178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prenatal exposure to nicotine can cause many fetal developmental problems. This study determined the influence of nicotine during pregnancy on the development of cognitive behavior in the offspring. METHODS Nicotine was administered to pregnant rats through implanted osmotic mini-pumps at 6mg/kg/day and flow rate of 60 μl/day for whole pregnancy from gestational day 4. Fetal and offspring body and brain weight was measured. Learning and memory were tested in adult offspring with Morris water maze; Learning and memory-related receptors were measured. RESULTS The results showed that exposure to prenatal nicotine (PN) not only caused fetal growth restriction, but also had long-term effects on learning and memory in the offspring. The PN offspring exhibited longer escape latency regardless of sex. The number of passing the platform was significantly less in the PN offspring than that of the control. The expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) in the hippocampus was significantly increased, whereas alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) protein was decreased with unchanged α7 nAChR mRNA in the PN offspring. CONCLUSION The data provided novel information on the PN-affected development in learning and memory in the offspring, suggesting that α7 nAChR and NMDAR1 in the hippocampus might be the targets for actions of PN in association with memory impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayue Li
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Le Bo
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Pengjie Zhang
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qinqin Gao
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lingjun Li
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiaqi Tang
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chonglong Wu
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Dawei Li
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jianping Xiao
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jianying Tao
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Caiping Mao
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhice Xu
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
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Duncan JR, Garland M, Stark RI, Myers MM, Fifer WP, Mokler DJ, Kinney HC. Prenatal nicotine exposure selectively affects nicotinic receptor expression in primary and associative visual cortices of the fetal baboon. Brain Pathol 2014; 25:171-81. [PMID: 24903536 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to nicotine during pregnancy via maternal cigarette smoking is associated with visual deficits in children. This is possibly due to the activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the occipital cortex, which are important in the development of visual mapping. Using a baboon model, we explored the effects of prenatal nicotine on parameters in the primary and associated visual cortices. Pregnant baboons were infused with nicotine (0.5 mg/h, intravenous) or saline from 86 days gestation. At 161 days gestation, fetal brains were collected (n = 5 per group) and the occipital lobe assessed for nAChRs and markers of the serotonergic and catecholaminergic systems using tissue autoradiography and/or high-performance liquid chromatography. Neuronal nAChRs and serotonergic markers were expressed in a region- and subunit-dependent manner. Prenatal nicotine exposure was associated with increased binding for (3) H-epibatidine sensitive nAChRs in the primary visual cortex [Brodmann areas (BA) 17] and BA 18, but not BA 19, of the associative visual cortex (P < 0.05). Markers of the serotonergic or catecholaminergic systems were not significantly altered. Thus, prenatal nicotine exposure is associated with alterations in the cholinergic system in the occipital lobe, which may aid in the explanation of the appearance of visual deficits in children from mothers who smoke during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhodie R Duncan
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Quednow BB, Brzózka MM, Rossner MJ. Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) and schizophrenia: integrating the animal and the human perspective. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:2815-35. [PMID: 24413739 PMCID: PMC11113759 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1553-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Revised: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/30/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a genetically complex disease considered to have a neurodevelopmental pathogenesis and defined by a broad spectrum of positive and negative symptoms as well as cognitive deficits. Recently, large genome-wide association studies have identified common alleles slightly increasing the risk for schizophrenia. Among the few schizophrenia-risk genes that have been consistently replicated is the basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) transcription factor 4 (TCF4). Haploinsufficiency of the TCF4 (formatting follows IUPAC nomenclature: TCF4 protein/protein function, Tcf4 rodent gene cDNA mRNA, TCF4 human gene cDNA mRNA) gene causes the Pitt-Hopkins syndrome-a neurodevelopmental disease characterized by severe mental retardation. Accordingly, Tcf4 null-mutant mice display developmental brain defects. TCF4-associated risk alleles are located in putative coding and non-coding regions of the gene. Hence, subtle changes at the level of gene expression might be relevant for the etiopathology of schizophrenia. Behavioural phenotypes obtained with a mouse model of slightly increased gene dosage and electrophysiological investigations with human risk-allele carriers revealed an overlapping spectrum of schizophrenia-relevant endophenotypes. Most prominently, early information processing and higher cognitive functions appear to be associated with TCF4 risk genotypes. Moreover, a recent human study unravelled gene × environment interactions between TCF4 risk alleles and smoking behaviour that were specifically associated with disrupted early information processing. Taken together, TCF4 is considered as an integrator ('hub') of several bHLH networks controlling critical steps of various developmental, and, possibly, plasticity-related transcriptional programs in the CNS and changes of TCF4 expression also appear to affect brain networks important for information processing. Consequently, these findings support the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia and provide a basis for identifying the underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris B. Quednow
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Magdalena M. Brzózka
- Department of Psychiatry, Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Ludwig-Maximillians-University, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz J. Rossner
- Department of Psychiatry, Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Ludwig-Maximillians-University, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Research Group Gene Expression, Max-Planck-Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, Goettingen, 37075 Germany
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Uchida S. Cholinergic Vasodilative System in the Cerebral Cortex: Effects of Acupuncture and Aging. J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2014; 7:173-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jams.2014.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
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50
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Grizzell JA, Echeverria V. New Insights into the Mechanisms of Action of Cotinine and its Distinctive Effects from Nicotine. Neurochem Res 2014; 40:2032-46. [PMID: 24970109 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-014-1359-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco consumption is far higher among a number of psychiatric and neurological diseases, supporting the notion that some component(s) of tobacco may underlie the oft-reported reduction in associated symptoms during tobacco use. Popular dogma holds that this component is nicotine. However, increasing evidence support theories that cotinine, the main metabolite of nicotine, may underlie at least some of nicotine's actions in the nervous system, apart from its adverse cardiovascular and habit forming effects. Though similarities exist, disparate and even antagonizing actions between cotinine and nicotine have been described both in terms of behavior and physiology, underscoring the need to further characterize this potentially therapeutic compound. Cotinine has been shown to be psychoactive in humans and animals, facilitating memory, cognition, executive function, and emotional responding. Furthermore, recent research shows that cotinine acts as an antidepressant and reduces cognitive-impairment associated with disease and stress-induced dysfunction. Despite these promising findings, continued focus on this potentially safe alternative to tobacco and nicotine use is lacking. Here, we review the effects of cotinine, including comparisons with nicotine, and discuss potential mechanisms of cotinine-specific actions in the central nervous system which are, to date, still being elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Alex Grizzell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33611, USA.,Department of Research and Development, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, 10,000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bldg. 23, Rm. 123, Bay Pines, FL, 33744, USA
| | - Valentina Echeverria
- Department of Research and Development, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, 10,000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bldg. 23, Rm. 123, Bay Pines, FL, 33744, USA. .,Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Carlos Antúnez 1920, Providencia, Santiago, Chile. .,Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33647, USA.
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