Striatal medium-sized spiny neurons: identification by nuclear staining and study of neuronal subpopulations in BAC transgenic mice

The NR2B antagonist, ifenprodil, corrects the l-DOPA-induced deficit of bilateral movement and reduces c-Fos expression in the subthalamic nucleus of hemiparkinsonian rats

The use of NR2B antagonists in Parkinsonism is still controversial. To examine their anti-parkinsonian effects, the NR2B antagonist, ifenprodil, and L-DOPA were administered together and separately in hemiparkinsonian rats (hemi-PD) that were subjected to a cylinder test. Recovery from hypoactivity was achieved by single administration of 3-7 mg/kg of L-DOPA; however, improvement in the deficit of bilateral forelimb use was not observed. When administered alone, ifenprodil had no anti-parkinsonian effects; however, combined administration of ifenprodil and 7 mg/kg of L-DOPA significantly reversed the deficit of bilateral forelimb use without adversely affecting the L-DOPA-induced improvement in motor activity. Next, in order to identify the brain area influenced by L-DOPA and ifenprodil, quantitative analysis of L-DOPA-induced c-Fos immunoreactivity was performed in various brain areas of hemi-PD following administration of L-dopa with and without ifenprodil. Among brain areas with robust c-Fos expression within the motor loop circuit in dopamine-depleted hemispheres, co-administered ifenprodil markedly attenuated L-DOPA-induced c-Fos expression in only the subthalamic nucleus (STN), suggesting that the STN is the primary target for the anti-parkinsonian action of NR2B antagonists.

STEP61 is a substrate of the E3 ligase parkin and is upregulated in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The loss of SNc dopaminergic neurons affects the plasticity of striatal neurons and leads to significant motor and cognitive disabilities during the progression of the disease. PARK2 encodes for the E3 ubiquitin ligase parkin and is implicated in genetic and sporadic PD. Mutations in PARK2 are a major contributing factor in the early onset of autosomal-recessive juvenile parkinsonism (AR-JP), although the mechanisms by which a disruption in parkin function contributes to the pathophysiology of PD remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that parkin is an E3 ligase for STEP61 (striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase), a protein tyrosine phosphatase implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders. In cellular models, parkin ubiquitinates STEP61 and thereby regulates its level through the proteasome system, whereas clinically relevant parkin mutants fail to do so. STEP61 protein levels are elevated on acute down-regulation of parkin or in PARK2 KO rat striatum. Relevant to PD, STEP61 accumulates in the striatum of human sporadic PD and in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-lesioned mice. The increase in STEP61 is associated with a decrease in the phosphorylation of its substrate ERK1/2 and the downstream target of ERK1/2, pCREB [phospho-CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein)]. These results indicate that STEP61 is a novel substrate of parkin, although further studies are necessary to determine whether elevated STEP61 levels directly contribute to the pathophysiology of PD.

The dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer exerts a tonic inhibitory effect on the expression of amphetamine-induced locomotor sensitization

A role for the dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer in the regulation of reward and addiction-related processes has been previously implicated. In the present study, we examined the effects of D1-D2 heteromer stimulation by the agonist SKF 83959 and its disruption by a selective TAT-D1 peptide on amphetamine-induced locomotor sensitization, a behavioral model widely used to study the neuroadaptations associated with psychostimulant addiction. D1-D2 heteromer activation by SKF 83959 did not alter the acute locomotor effects of amphetamine but significantly inhibited amphetamine-induced locomotor responding across the 5day treatment regimen. In addition, a single injection of SKF 83959 was sufficient to abolish the expression of locomotor sensitization induced by a priming injection of amphetamine after a 72-hour withdrawal. Conversely, inhibition of D1-D2 heteromer activity by the TAT-D1 peptide enhanced subchronic amphetamine-induced locomotion and the expression of amphetamine locomotor sensitization. Treatment solely with the TAT-D1 disrupting peptide during the initial 5day treatment phase was sufficient to induce a sensitized locomotor phenotype in response to the priming injection of amphetamine. Together these findings demonstrate that the dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer exerts a tonic inhibitory control on neurobiological processes involved in sensitization to amphetamine, indicating that the dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer may be a novel molecular substrate in addiction processes involving psychostimulants.

Regulation of c-fos expression by the dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer

The dopamine D1 and D2 receptors form the D1-D2 receptor heteromer in a subset of neurons and couple to the Gq protein to regulate intracellular calcium signaling. In the present study the effect of D1-D2 heteromer activation and disruption on neuronal activation in the rat brain was mapped. This was accomplished using the dopamine agonist SKF 83959 to activate the D1-D2 heteromer in combination with a TAT-D1 disrupting peptide we developed, and which has been shown to disrupt the D1/D2 receptor interaction and antagonize D1-D2 heteromer-induced cell signaling and behavior. Acute SKF 83959 administration to rats induced significant c-fos expression in the nucleus accumbens that was significantly inhibited by TAT-D1 pretreatment. No effects of SKF 83959 were seen in caudate putamen. D1-D2 heteromer disruption by TAT-D1 did not have any effects in any striatal subregions, but induced significant c-fos immunoreactivity in a number of cortical regions including the orbitofrontal cortex, prelimbic and infralimbic cortices and piriform cortex. The induction of c-fos by TAT-D1 was also evident in the anterior olfactory nucleus, as well as the lateral habenula and thalamic nuclei. These findings show for the first time that the D1-D2 heteromer can differentially regulate c-fos expression in a region-dependent manner either through its activation or through tonic inhibition of neuronal activity.

Dopamine D1 receptor signaling: does GαQ-phospholipase C actually play a role?

Despite numerous studies showing therapeutic potential, no central dopamine D1 receptor ligand has ever been approved, because of potential limitations, such as hypotension, seizures, and tolerance. Functional selectivity has been widely recognized as providing a potential mechanism to develop novel therapeutics from existing targets, and a highly biased, functionally selective D1 ligand might overcome some of the past limitations. SKF-83959 [6-chloro-3-methyl-1-(m-tolyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[d]azepine-7,8-diol] is reported to be a highly biased D1 ligand, having full agonism at D1-mediated activation of phospholipase C (PLC) signaling (via GαQ) and antagonism at D1-mediated adenylate cyclase signaling (via GαOLF/S). For this reason, numerous studies have used this compound to elucidate the physiologic role of D1-PLC signaling, including a novel molecular mechanism (GαQ-PLC activation via D1-D2 heterodimers). There is, however, contradictory literature that suggests that SKF-83959 is actually a partial agonist at both D1-mediated adenylate cyclase and β-arrestin recruitment. Moreover, the D1-mediated PLC stimulation has also been questioned. This Minireview examines 30 years of relevant literature and proposes that the data strongly favor alternate hypotheses: first, that SKF-83959 is a typical D1 partial agonist; and second, that the reported activation of PLC by SKF-83959 and related benzazepines likely is due to off-target effects, not actions at D1 receptors. If these hypotheses are supported by future studies, it would suggest that caution should be used regarding the role of PLC and downstream pathways in D1 signaling.

Distribution and morphological characteristics of striatal interneurons expressing calretinin in mice: a comparison with human and nonhuman primates

Striatal interneurons display a morphological and chemical heterogeneity that has been particularly well characterized in rats, monkeys and humans. By comparison much less is known of striatal interneurons in mice, although these animals are now widely used as transgenic models of various neurodegenerative diseases. The present immunohistochemical study aimed at characterizing striatal interneurons expressing calretinin (CR) in mice compared to those in squirrel monkeys and humans. The mouse striatum contains both small (9-12 μm) and medium-sized (15-20 μm) CR+ cells. The small cells are intensely stained with a single, slightly varicose and moderately arborized process. They occur throughout the striatum (77±9 cells/mm(3)), but prevail in the area of the subventricular zone and subcallosal streak, with statistically significant anteroposterior and dorsoventral decreasing gradients. The medium-sized cells are less intensely immunoreactive and possess 2-3 long, slightly varicose and poorly branched dendrites. They are rather uniformly scattered throughout the striatum and three times more numerous (224±31 cells/mm(3)) than the smaller CR+ cells. Double immunostaining experiments with choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) as a cholinergic marker in normal and Drd1a-tdTomato/Drd2-EGFP double transgenic mice reveal that none of the small or medium-sized CR+ cells express ChAT or D1 and D2 dopamine receptors. In contrast, the striatum in human and nonhuman primates harbors small and medium-sized CR+/ChAT- cells, as well as large CR+/ChAT+ interneurons that are absent in mice. Such a difference between rodents and primates must be taken into consideration if one hopes to better understand the striatal function in normal and pathological conditions.

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 10A has differential effects on dopamine D1 and D2 receptor modulation of sensorimotor gating

RATIONALE

Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A), an enzyme highly expressed in medium spiny neurons of the mammalian striatum, enhance activity in direct (dopamine D1 receptor-expressing) and indirect (D2 receptor-expressing striatal output) pathways. The ability of such agents to act to potentiate D1 receptor signaling while inhibiting D2 receptor signaling suggest that PDE10A inhibitors may have a unique antipsychotic-like behavioral profile differentiated from the D2 receptor antagonist-specific antipsychotics currently used in the treatment of schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the functional consequences of PDE10A inhibitor modulation of D1 and D2 receptor pathway signaling, we compared the effects of a PDE10A inhibitor (TP-10) on D1 and D2 receptor agonist-induced disruptions in prepulse inhibition (PPI), a measure of sensorimotor gating disrupted in patients with schizophrenia.

RESULTS

Our results indicate that, in rats: (1) PDE10A inhibition (TP-10, 0.32-10.0 mg/kg) has no effect on PPI disruption resulting from the mixed D1/D2 receptor agonist apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg), confirming previous report; (2) Yet, TP-10 blocked the PPI disruption induced by the D2 receptor agonist quinpirole (0.5 mg/kg); and attenuated apomorphine-induced disruptions in PPI in the presence of the D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 (0.005 mg/kg).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that TP-10 cannot block dopamine agonist-induced deficits in PPI in the presence of D1 activation and suggest that the effect of PDE10A inhibition on D1 signaling may be counterproductive in some models of antipsychotic activity. These findings, and the contribution of TP-10 effects in the direct pathway on sensorimotor gating in particular, may have implications for the potential antipsychotic efficacy of PDE10A inhibitors.

Neuronal targets for reducing mutant huntingtin expression to ameliorate disease in a mouse model of Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion leading to an elongated polyglutamine stretch in huntingtin. Mutant huntingtin (mHTT) is ubiquitously expressed in all cells but elicits selective cortical and striatal neurodegeneration in HD. The mechanistic basis for such selective neuronal vulnerability remains unclear. A necessary step toward resolving this enigma is to define the cell types in which mHTT expression is causally linked to the disease pathogenesis. Using a conditional transgenic mouse model of HD, in which the mice express full-length human mHTT from a bacterial artificial chromosome transgene (BACHD), we genetically reduced mHTT expression in neuronal populations in the striatum, cortex or both. We show that reduction of cortical mHTT expression in BACHD mice partially improves motor and psychiatric-like behavioral deficits but does not improve neurodegeneration, whereas reduction of mHTT expression in both neuronal populations consistently ameliorates all behavioral deficits and selective brain atrophy in this HD model. Furthermore, whereas reduction of mHTT expression in cortical or striatal neurons partially ameliorates corticostriatal synaptic deficits, further restoration of striatal synaptic function can be achieved by reduction of mHTT expression in both neuronal cell types. Our study demonstrates distinct but interacting roles of cortical and striatal mHTT in HD pathogenesis and suggests that optimal HD therapeutics may require targeting mHTT in both cortical and striatal neurons.

Behavioral flexibility is increased by optogenetic inhibition of neurons in the nucleus accumbens shell during specific time segments

Behavioral flexibility is vital for survival in an environment of changing contingencies. The nucleus accumbens may play an important role in behavioral flexibility, representing learned stimulus–reward associations in neural activity during response selection and learning from results. To investigate the role of nucleus accumbens neural activity in behavioral flexibility, we used light-activated halorhodopsin to inhibit nucleus accumbens shell neurons during specific time segments of a bar-pressing task requiring a win–stay/lose–shift strategy. We found that optogenetic inhibition during action selection in the time segment preceding a lever press had no effect on performance. However, inhibition occurring in the time segment during feedback of results—whether rewards or nonrewards—reduced the errors that occurred after a change in contingency. Our results demonstrate critical time segments during which nucleus accumbens shell neurons integrate feedback into subsequent responses. Inhibiting nucleus accumbens shell neurons in these time segments, during reinforced performance or after a change in contingencies, increases lose–shift behavior. We propose that the activity of nucleus shell accumbens shell neurons in these time segments plays a key role in integrating knowledge of results into subsequent behavior, as well as in modulating lose–shift behavior when contingencies change.

Cannabinoid, melanocortin and opioid receptor expression on DRD1 and DRD2 subpopulations in rat striatum

The striatum harbors two neuronal populations that enable action selection. One population represents the striatonigral pathway, expresses the dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) and promotes the execution of motor programs, while the other population represents the striatopallidal pathway, expresses the dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) and suppresses voluntary activity. The two populations integrate distinct sensorimotor, cognitive, and emotional information streams and their combined activity enables the selection of adaptive behaviors. Characterization of these populations is critical to the understanding of their role in action selection, because it aids the identification of the molecular mechanisms that separate them. To that end, we used fluorescent in situ hybridization to quantify the percentage of striatal cells that (co)express dopaminergic receptors and receptors of the cannabinoid, melanocortin or opioid neurotransmitters systems. Our main findings are that the cannabinoid 1 receptor is equally expressed on both populations with a gradient from dorsal to ventral striatum, that the opioid receptors have a preference for expression with either the DRD1 or DRD2 and that the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is predominantly expressed in ventral parts of the striatum. In addition, we find that the level of MC4R expression determines its localization to either the DRD1 or the DRD2 population. Thereby, we provide insight into the sensitivity of the two dopaminoceptive populations to these neurotransmitters and progress the understanding of the mechanisms that enable action selection.

δ-opioid and dopaminergic processes in accumbens shell modulate the cholinergic control of predictive learning and choice

Decision-making depends on the ability to extract predictive information from the environment to guide future actions. Outcome-specific Pavlovian-instrumental transfer (PIT) provides an animal model of this process in which a stimulus predicting a particular outcome biases choice toward actions earning that outcome. Recent evidence suggests that cellular adaptations of δ-opioid receptors (DORs) on cholinergic interneurons (CINs) in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAc-S) are necessary for PIT. Here we found that modulation of DORs in CINs critically influences D1-receptor (D1R)-expressing projection neurons in the NAc-S to promote PIT. First, we assessed PIT-induced changes in signaling processes in dopamine D1- and D2-receptor-expressing neurons using drd2-eGFP mice, and found that PIT-related signaling was restricted to non-D2R-eGFP-expressing neurons, suggesting major involvement of D1R-neurons. Next we confirmed the role of D1Rs pharmacologically: the D1R antagonist SCH-23390, but not the D2R antagonist raclopride, infused into the NAc-S abolished PIT in rats, an effect that depended on DOR activity. Moreover, asymmetrical infusion of SCH-23390 and the DOR antagonist naltrindole into the NAc-S also abolished PIT. DOR agonists were found to sensitize the firing responses of CINs in brain slices prepared immediately after the PIT test. We confirmed the opioid-acetylcholinergic influence over D1R-neurons by selectively blocking muscarinic M4 receptors in the NAc-S, which tightly regulate the activity of D1Rs, a treatment that rescued the deficit in PIT induced by naltrindole. We describe a model of NAc-S function in which DORs modulate CINs to influence both D1R-neurons and stimulus-guided choice between goal-directed actions.

Bacterial biofilms and increased bacterial counts are associated with airway stenosis

OBJECTIVES

Most airway stenoses are acquired secondary to the use of prolonged endotracheal intubation. Antibiotics have been shown to decrease local inflammation and granulation tissue formation in the trachea. However, antibiotic therapy is not 100% effective in preventing or treating granulation tissue formation. Development of bacterial biofilms may explain this finding. This study evaluates the difference between tracheal stenotic segments and normal trachea in terms of (1) presence of bacterial biofilms, (2) quantitative bacterial counts, and (3) inflammatory markers.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Tertiary care academic medical center.

SUBJECTS

A total of 12 patients were included in the study. Tissue from stenotic segments from 6 patients with airway stenosis undergoing open airway procedures were compared with tracheal tissue from 6 patients without airway stenosis undergoing tracheostomy.

METHODS

Scanning electron microscopy for biofilm detection, quantitative polymerase chain reaction for quantitative analysis of bacterial count, and immunohistochemistry were performed for inflammatory markers transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and SMAD3.

RESULTS

Compared with the patients without airway stenosis, patients in the airway stenosis group showed presence of bacterial biofilms, a significantly higher expression of 16S rRNA gene copies per microgram of tissue (187.5 vs 7.33, P = .01), and higher expression of TGF-β1 (91% vs 8%, P < .001) and SMAD3 (83.5% vs 17.8%, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Bacterial biofilms, increased bacterial counts, and higher expression of TGF-β1 and SMAD3 are associated with airway stenosis.

Dorsal and ventral streams: the distinct role of striatal subregions in the acquisition and performance of goal-directed actions

Considerable evidence suggests that distinct neural processes mediate the acquisition and performance of goal-directed instrumental actions. Whereas a cortical-dorsomedial striatal circuit appears critical for the acquisition of goal-directed actions, a cortical-ventral striatal circuit appears to mediate instrumental performance, particularly the motivational control of performance. Here we review evidence that these distinct mechanisms of learning and performance constitute two distinct 'streams' controlling instrumental conditioning. From this perspective, the regulation of the interaction between these 'streams' becomes a matter of considerable importance. We describe evidence that the basolateral amygdala, which is heavily interconnected with both the dorsal and ventral subregions of the striatum, coordinates this interaction providing input to the final common path to action as a critical component of the limbic-motor interface.

Role of the plasticity-associated transcription factor zif268 in the early phase of instrumental learning

Gene transcription is essential for learning, but the precise role of transcription factors that control expression of many other genes in specific learning paradigms is yet poorly understood. Zif268 (Krox24/Egr-1) is a transcription factor and an immediate-early gene associated with memory consolidation and reconsolidation, and induced in the striatum after addictive drugs exposure. In contrast, very little is known about its physiological role at early stages of operant learning. We investigated the role of Zif268 in operant conditioning for food. Zif268 expression was increased in all regions of the dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens in mice subjected to the first session of operant conditioning. In contrast, Zif268 increase in the dorsomedial caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens core was not detected in yoked mice passively receiving the food reward. This indicates that Zif268 induction in these structures is linked to experiencing or learning contingency, but not to reward delivery. When the task was learned (5 sessions), Zif268 induction disappeared in the nucleus accumbens and decreased in the medial caudate-putamen, whereas it remained high in the lateral caudate-putamen, previously implicated in habit formation. In transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the striatonigral neurons, Zif268 induction occured after the first training session in both GFP-positive and negative neurons indicating an enhanced Zif268 expression in both striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons. Mutant mice lacking Zif268 expression obtained less rewards, but displayed a normal discrimination between reinforced and non-reinforced targets, and an unaltered approach to food delivery box. In addition, their motivation to obtain food rewards, evaluated in a progressive ratio schedule, was blunted. In conclusion, Zif268 participates in the processes underlying performance and motivation to execute food-conditioned instrumental task.

Transient and steady-state selection in the striatal microcircuit

Although the basal ganglia have been widely studied and implicated in signal processing and action selection, little information is known about the active role the striatal microcircuit plays in action selection in the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical loops. To address this knowledge gap we use a large scale three dimensional spiking model of the striatum, combined with a rate coded model of the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical loop, to asses the computational role the striatum plays in action selection. We identify a robust transient phenomena generated by the striatal microcircuit, which temporarily enhances the difference between two competing cortical inputs. We show that this transient is sufficient to modulate decision making in the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuit. We also find that the transient selection originates from a novel adaptation effect in single striatal projection neurons, which is amenable to experimental testing. Finally, we compared transient selection with models implementing classical steady-state selection. We challenged both forms of model to account for recent reports of paradoxically enhanced response selection in Huntington's disease patients. We found that steady-state selection was uniformly impaired under all simulated Huntington's conditions, but transient selection was enhanced given a sufficient Huntington's-like increase in NMDA receptor sensitivity. Thus our models provide an intriguing hypothesis for the mechanisms underlying the paradoxical cognitive improvements in manifest Huntington's patients.

Haloperidol-induced Nur77 expression in striatopallidal neurons is under the control of protein phosphatase 1 regulation by DARPP-32

Impaired dopaminergic signaling in the striatum is involved in diseases as diverse as Parkinson's disease, addiction, and schizophrenia. An important pathophysiological aspect is the loss of balance between striatopallidal and striatonigral pathways. Nur77 is an orphan nuclear receptor and dopamine-regulated immediate-early gene. Classical antipsychotic drugs widely used in the treatment of schizophrenia, such as haloperidol, increase Nur77 mRNA expression in the striatum. However, little is known about the intracellular signaling pathways involved in Nur77 induction. Here, using pharmacological approaches and transgenic mutant mice, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the up-regulation of Nur77 protein expression in the dorsal striatum after haloperidol injection. In drd1a::EGFP transgenic mice that express GFP in D1 neurons, Nur77 up-regulation induced by haloperidol occurred predominantly in GFP-negative neurons. In Gαolf heterozygous mutant mice, in which cAMP production in response to A2A stimulation is impaired in the striatum, haloperidol effect was not altered. In contrast, in DARPP-32 knock-in mutant mice bearing a T34A point mutation of the site responsible for cAMP-dependent phosphatase 1 inhibition, Nur77 up-regulation by haloperidol was prevented. Haloperidol also induced Nur77 protein in D2 neurons of the nucleus accumbens core of wild type but not T34A knock-in mice. Thus, our results show that expression of Nur77 is induced by haloperidol in D2 receptors-expressing medium-sized spiny neurons, through cAMP-dependent regulation of protein phosphatase 1, which is likely to modulate the effects of other protein kinases. Our results clarify the mechanisms of Nur77 induction by antipsychotic and its possible contribution to extrapyramidal effects.

BDNF-TrkB signaling in striatopallidal neurons controls inhibition of locomotor behavior

The physiology of brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling in enkephalinergic striatopallidal neurons is poorly understood. Changes in cortical Bdnf expression levels, and/or impairment in brain-derived neurotrophic factor anterograde transport induced by mutant huntingtin (mHdh) are believed to cause striatopallidal neuron vulnerability in early-stage Huntington’s disease. Although several studies have confirmed a link between altered cortical brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling and striatal vulnerability, it is not known whether the effects are mediated via the brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor TrkB, and whether they are direct or indirect. Using a novel genetic mouse model, here, we show that selective removal of brain-derived neurotrophic factor–TrkB signaling from enkephalinergic striatal targets unexpectedly leads to spontaneous and drug-induced hyperlocomotion. This is associated with dopamine D2 receptor-dependent increased striatal protein kinase C and MAP kinase activation, resulting in altered intrinsic activation of striatal enkephalinergic neurons. Therefore, brain-derived neurotrophic factor/TrkB signaling in striatopallidal neurons controls inhibition of locomotor behavior by modulating neuronal activity in response to excitatory input through the protein kinase C/MAP kinase pathway.

The neurotrophic factor BDNF is implicated in striatal cell long-term survival. Besusso et al. selectively delete BDNF receptors in the striatal circuitry of mice and find that this leads to hyperlocomotion, which is associated with dopamine receptor-dependent increases in specific kinases.

Chronic cocaine dampens dopamine signaling during cocaine intoxication and unbalances D1 over D2 receptor signaling

Dopamine increases triggered by cocaine and consequent stimulation of dopamine receptors (including D1 and D2) are associated with its rewarding effects. However, while facilitation of D1 receptor (D1R) signaling enhances the rewarding effects of cocaine, facilitation of D2R signaling decreases it, which indicates that for cocaine to be rewarding it must result in a predominance of D1R over D2R signaling. Moreover, the transition to compulsive cocaine intake might result from an imbalance between D1R and D2R signaling. To test the hypothesis that chronic cocaine use unbalances D1R over D2R signaling during cocaine intoxication, we used microprobe optical imaging to compare dynamic changes in intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i, marker of neuronal activation) to acute cocaine in striatal D1R-EGFP and D2R-EGFP-expressing neurons between control and chronically treated mice. Chronic cocaine attenuated responses to acute cocaine in D1R (blunting Ca(2+) increases by 67 ± 16%) and D2R (blunting Ca(2+) decrease by 72 ± 17%) neurons in most D1R and D2R neurons (~75%). However, the dynamics of this attenuation during cocaine intoxication was longer lasting for D2R than for D1R. Thus, whereas control mice showed a fast but short-lasting predominance of D1R over D2R signaling (peaking at ~8 min) during acute cocaine intoxication, in chronically treated mice D1R predominance was sustained for >30 min (throughout the measurement period). Thus, chronic cocaine use dramatically reduced cocaine-induced DA signaling, shifting the balance between D1R and D2R signaling during intoxication to a predominance of D1R (stimulatory) over D2R (inhibitory) signaling, which might facilitate compulsive intake in addiction.

A rat model of hemidystonia induced by 3-nitropropionic acid

OBJECTIVE

Secondary dystonia commonly presents as hemidystonia and is often refractory to current treatments. We aimed to establish an inducible rat model of hemidystonia utilizing 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) and to determine the pathophysiology of this model.

METHODS

Two different doses of 3-NP were stereotactically administered into the ipsilateral caudate putamen (CPu) of Wistar rats. Behavioral changes and alterations in the neurotransmitter levels in the basal ganglia were analyzed. We also performed an electromyogram, 7.0-T magnetic resonance imaging and transmission electron microscopy examination to determine the pathophysiology of the model.

RESULTS

In the CPu region, 3-NP produced mitochondrial cristae rupture, axonal degeneration, increased excitatory synaptic vesicles and necrosis. The extracellular concentrations of excitatory amino acids increased, whereas the inhibitory amino acids decreased in the CPu. Furthermore, an imbalance of neurotransmitters was found in other regions of the basal ganglia with the exception of the external globus pallidus. This study demonstrated that 3-NP administration results in CPu damage, and combined with a neurotransmitter imbalance in the basal ganglia, it produces specific neurobehavioral changes in rats. Right limb (contralateral side of CPu lesion) and trunk dystonic postures, shortened step length and ipsiversive dystonic posturing were observed in these rats. Furthermore, EMG recordings confirmed that co-contraction of the agonist and antagonist muscles could be seen for several seconds in right limbs.

CONCLUSIONS

Stereotactic injection of 3-NP into the ipsilateral CPu of rats established an inducible model for hemidystonia. This effect might result from an imbalance of neurotransmitter levels, which induce dysfunctional activity of the basal ganglia mainly via the cortico-striato-GPi direct pathway. Symptoms in this model were present for 1 week. Activation of the cortico-striato-GPe indirect pathway and rebalance of neurotransmitters may lead to recovery. This rat model may be a suitable tool used to understand and further investigate the pathophysiology of dystonia.

Acute binge pattern cocaine administration induces region-specific effects in D1-r- and D2-r-expressing cells in eGFP transgenic mice

Cocaine addiction is driven by genetic, neurologic and environmental components. The D1-like (D1 and D5) and D2-like (D2, D3 and D4) families of dopamine receptors play an important role in modulating the effects of cocaine administration on drug-seeking behavior. The advent of bacterial artificial chromosome-eGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) transgenic mice that express eGFP driven by the endogenous D1-receptor (D1-r) or D2-receptor (D2-r) promoters provides a unique opportunity to distinguish between these subpopulations of cells. In an effort to identify cocaine-induced alterations in D1-r- versus D2-r-expressing cells during the initial stages of addiction, we examined cells that expressed D1-rs in Drd1-eGFP mice, or D2-rs in Drd2-eGFP mice, after an acute, 1-day binge pattern of cocaine administration. We used multiphoton confocal microscopy and Visiopharm© software, to conduct unbiased stereological counts of D1-r-labeled or D2-r-labeled cells in various striatal regions. Mice were sacrificed at 30 min and 24-h post cocaine or saline administration. Compared to saline controls, Drd1-eGFP mice that received cocaine had a higher count of D1-r-labeled cells in the dorsolateral (DL) striatum, at the 30-min and 24-h time-points. No changes in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core or shell were observed in Drd1-eGFP mice. Drd2-eGFP mice that received cocaine had fewer D2-r-labeled cells in the DL striatum and NAc core compared to saline controls. This effect was observed at the 30-min time-point but not at 24h. Drd2-eGFP mice that received cocaine also had fewer numbers of D2-r-labeled cells in the NAc core compared to saline controls, but no significant differences in the number of D2-r-labeled cells in the NAc shell. These results suggest that acute binge pattern cocaine administration may induce region-specific alterations in D1-r or D2-receptor gene expression, and may help elucidate the differential role of dopamine receptors in the initial stages of the addiction cycle.

Exercise modifies α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor expression in striatopallidal neurons in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-lesioned mouse

The α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic-acid-type glutamate receptor (AMPAR) plays a critical role in modulating experience-dependent neuroplasticity, and alterations in AMPAR expression may underlie synaptic dysfunction and disease pathophysiology. Using the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of dopamine (DA) depletion, our previous work showed exercise increases total GluA2 subunit expression and the contribution of GluA2-containing channels in MPTP mice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exercise-dependent changes in AMPAR expression after MPTP are specific to the striatopallidal (D2 R) or striatonigral (D1 R) medium spiny neuron (MSN) striatal projection pathways. Drd2 -eGFP-BAC transgenic mice were used to delineate differences in AMPAR expression between striatal D2 R-MSNs and D1 R-MSNs. Striatal AMPAR expression was assessed by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, Western immunoblotting (WB) of preparations enriched for postsynaptic density (PSD), and alterations in the current-voltage relationship of MSNs. We found DA depletion results in the emergence of GluA2-lacking AMPARs selectively in striatopallidal D2 R-MSNs and that exercise reverses this effect in MPTP mice. Exercise-induced changes in AMPAR channels observed after DA depletion were associated with alterations in GluA1 and GluA2 subunit expression in postsynaptic protein, D2 R-MSN cell surface expression, and restoration of corticostriatal plasticity. Mechanisms regulating experience-dependent changes in AMPAR expression may provide innovative therapeutic targets to increase the efficacy of treatments for basal ganglia disorders, including Parkinson's disease.

Spatial distribution of D1R- and D2R-expressing medium-sized spiny neurons differs along the rostro-caudal axis of the mouse dorsal striatum

The striatum projection neurons are striatonigral and striatopallidal medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs) that preferentially express D1 (D1R) and D2 (D2R) dopamine receptors, respectively. It is generally assumed that these neurons are physically intermingled, without cytoarchitectural organization although this has not been tested. To address this question we used BAC transgenic mice expressing enhanced green fluorescence (EGFP) under the control of Drd1a or Drd2 promoter and spatial point pattern statistics. We demonstrate that D1R- and D2R-expressing MSNs are randomly distributed in most of the dorsal striatum, whereas a specific region in the caudal striatum, adjacent to the GPe, lacks neurons expressing markers for indirect pathway neurons. This area comprises almost exclusively D1R-expressing MSNs. These neurons receive excitatory inputs from the primary auditory cortex and the medial geniculate thalamic nucleus and a rich dopamine innervation. This area contains cholinergic and GABAergic interneurons but apparently no D2R/A2aR modulation because no fluorescence was detected in the neuropil of Drd2-EGFP or Drd2-Cre, and Adora-Cre BAC transgenic mice crossed with reporter mice. This striatal area that expresses calbindin D28k, VGluT1 and 2, is poor in μ opiate receptors and preproenkephalin. Altogether, the differences observed in D1R-MSNs, D2R-MSNs, and interneurons densities, as well as the anatomical segregation of D1R- and D2R/A2aR-expressing MSNs suggest that there are regional differences in the organization of the striatum.

Molecular and cellular mechanisms of dopamine-mediated behavioral plasticity in the striatum

The striatum is the input structure of the basal ganglia system. By integrating glutamatergic signals from cortical and subcortical regions and dopaminergic signals from mesolimbic nuclei the striatum functions as an important neural substrate for procedural and motor learning as well as for reward-guided behaviors. In addition, striatal activity is significantly altered in pathological conditions in which either a loss of dopamine innervation (Parkinson's disease) or aberrant dopamine-mediated signaling (drug addiction and L-DOPA induced dyskinesia) occurs. Here we discuss cellular mechanisms of striatal synaptic plasticity and aspects of cell signaling underlying striatum-dependent behavior, with a major focus on the neuromodulatory action of the endocannabinoid system and on the role of the Ras-ERK cascade.

The thalamostriatal pathway and cholinergic control of goal-directed action: interlacing new with existing learning in the striatum

The capacity for goal-directed action depends on encoding specific action-outcome associations, a learning process mediated by the posterior dorsomedial striatum (pDMS). In a changing environment, plasticity has to remain flexible, requiring interference between new and existing learning to be minimized, yet it is not known how new and existing learning are interlaced in this way. Here we investigated the role of the thalamostriatal pathway linking the parafascicular thalamus (Pf) with cholinergic interneurons (CINs) in the pDMS in this process. Removing the excitatory input from Pf to the CINs was found to reduce the firing rate and intrinsic activity of these neurons and produced an enduring deficit in goal-directed learning after changes in the action-outcome contingency. Disconnection of the Pf-pDMS pathway produced similar behavioral effects. These data suggest that CINs reduce interference between new and existing learning, consistent with claims that the thalamostriatal pathway exerts state control over learning-related plasticity.

Calbindin expression in developing striatum of zebra finches and its relation to the formation of area X

A sexually dimorphic network of brain regions controls learning and production of song in zebra finches. How this specialized song system evolved is unknown. To start addressing this question, we focused on developmental differences between the sexes, using the expression of the calcium-binding protein calbindin (CB) during embryonic to adult stages to map out the early development of Area X, a male-specific striatal structure. We related this pattern to the expression of three transcription factors, Pax6 and Islet1 to delineate the striatal radial domains, and Nkx2.1 as a marker for cells of pallidal origin. An incipient Area X-CB+ domain became discernable at embryonic day 13 in the Islet1-ventral striatal field. This region contained many Nkx2.1-expressing cells with a morphology characteristic of migrating cells. Eight days after hatching (PHD) CB staining clearly delineated Area X. Another CB+ structure formed around PHD5 at the subpallial/pallial boundary. We call it the CB+striatal capsule (CB-StC) and discuss its relation with the previously described striatal capsule in vertebrates. The CB cell population in both Area X and CB-StC, but not in the surrounding striatum, colocalized with the striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) marker, D1-receptor associated signaling protein dopamine-and-cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein of 32 kDa, DARPP32. In females, CB-positive cells were also present in the rostral striatum but did not coalesce into an Area X-like structure. We discuss possible reasons for CB expression in MSNs in songbirds and mammals, but not described in chicken striatum.

Cell type-selective expression of the zinc finger-containing gene Nolz-1/Zfp503 in the developing mouse striatum

The zinc finger-containing gene Nolz-1/Zfp503 is a developmentally regulated striatum-enriched gene. In the present study, we characterized the cell type-selective expression pattern of Nolz-1 protein in the developing mouse striatum. Nolz-1 immunoreactivity was present in Isl-1-positive ventral LGE (vLGE, striatal primordia), but absent in Pax6-positive dorsal LGE (dLGE, non-striatal primordia). In the vLGE, Nolz-1 immunoreactivity was detected in early differentiating TuJ1-positive neurons, but not in Ki67-positive proliferating progenitor cells. Moreover, many Nolz-1-immunoreactive cells co-expressed Foxp1 or Foxp2, markers for striatal projection neurons. To further characterize Nolz-1 expression with respect to D1R-containing striatonigral and D2R-containing striatopallidal projection neurons, we used the Drd1-EGFP and Drd2-EGFP transgenic mice. Nolz-1 and EGFP double labeled neurons were found in the developing striatum of Drd1-EGFP and Drd2-EGFP mice, indicating Nolz-1 expression in both populations of striatal projection neurons. Notably, Nolz-1 protein was not expressed in Nkx2.1-positive interneuron progenitors, Lhx8-positive cholinergic interneuron progenitors, nNOS and calretinin-positive interneurons in E18.5 striatum. In the developing nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercles of ventral striatum, many Nolz-1-positive cells co-expressed Sox1, an important transcriptional regulator for ventral striatum, suggesting a role of Nolz-1 in regulating development of the ventral striatum. Finally, in contrast to postnatal down-regulation of Nolz-1 in the dorsal striatum, Nolz-1 protein was persistently expressed in the olfactory tubercle from E15.5 to adulthood. Taken together, our study suggests that Nolz-1 serves as a marker for early differentiating striatal projection neurons and that Nolz-1 may regulate development of striatal projection neurons.

Membrane properties of striatal direct and indirect pathway neurons in mouse and rat slices and their modulation by dopamine

D1 and D2 receptor expressing striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) are ascribed to striatonigral (“direct”) and striatopallidal (“indirect”) pathways, respectively, that are believed to function antagonistically in motor control. Glutamatergic synaptic transmission onto the two types is differentially affected by Dopamine (DA), however, less is known about the effects on MSN intrinsic electrical properties. Using patch clamp recordings, we comprehensively characterized the two pathways in rats and mice, and investigated their DA modulation. We identified the direct pathway by retrograde labeling in rats, and in mice we used transgenic animals in which EGFP is expressed in D1 MSNs. MSNs were subjected to a series of current injections to pinpoint differences between the populations, and in mice also following bath application of DA. In both animal models, most electrical properties were similar, however, membrane excitability as measured by step and ramp current injections consistently differed, with direct pathway MSNs being less excitable than their counterparts. DA had opposite effects on excitability of D1 and D2 MSNs, counteracting the initial differences. Pronounced changes in AP shape were seen in D2 MSNs. In direct pathway MSNs, excitability increased across experimental conditions and parameters, and also when applying DA or the D1 agonist SKF-81297 in presence of blockers of cholinergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic receptors. Thus, DA induced changes in excitability were D1 R mediated and intrinsic to direct pathway MSNs, and not a secondary network effect of altered synaptic transmission. DAergic modulation of intrinsic properties therefore acts in a synergistic manner with previously reported effects of DA on afferent synaptic transmission and dendritic processing, supporting the antagonistic model for direct vs. indirect striatal pathway function.

Distribution and compartmental organization of GABAergic medium-sized spiny neurons in the mouse nucleus accumbens

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a critical brain region involved in many reward-related behaviors. The NAc comprises major compartments the core and the shell, which encompass several subterritories. GABAergic medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs) constitute the output neurons of the NAc core and shell. While the functional organization of the NAc core outputs resembles the one described for the dorsal striatum, a simple classification of the NAc shell neurons has been difficult to define due to the complexity of the compartmental segregation of cells. We used a variety of BAC transgenic mice expressing enhanced green fluorescence (EGFP) or the Cre-recombinase (Cre) under the control of the promoter of dopamine D1, D2, and D3 receptors and of adenosine A2a receptor to dissect the microanatomy of the NAc. Moreover, using various immunological markers we characterized in detail the distribution of MSNs in the mouse NAc. In addition, cell-type specific extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in the NAc subterritories was analyzed following acute administration of SKF81297 (a D1R-like agonist), quinpirole (a D2 receptors (D2R)-like agonist), apomorphine (a non-selective DA receptor agonist), raclopride (a D2R-like antagonist), and psychostimulant drugs, including cocaine and d-amphetamine. Each drug generated a unique topography and cell-type specific activation of ERK in the NAc. Our results show the existence of marked differences in the receptor expression pattern and functional activation of MSNs within the shell subterritories. This study emphasizes the anatomical and functional heterogeneity of the NAc, which will have to be considered in its further study.

Striatal cholinergic interneurons display activity-related phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6

Cholinergic interneurons (CINs) provide the main source of acetylcholine to all striatal regions, and strongly modulate dopaminergic actions through complex regulation of pre- and post-synaptic acetylcholine receptors. Although striatal CINs have a well-defined electrophysiological profile, their biochemical properties are poorly understood, likely due to their low proportion within the striatum (2-3%). We report a strong and sustained phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 on its serine 240 and 244 residues (p-Ser²⁴⁰⁻²⁴⁴-S6rp), a protein integrant of the ribosomal machinery related to the mammalian target of the rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway, which we found to be principally expressed in striatal CINs in basal conditions. We explored the functional relevance of this cellular event by pharmacologically inducing various sustained physiological activity states in CINs and assessing the effect on the levels of S6rp phosphorylation. Cell-attached electrophysiological recordings from CINs in a striatal slice preparation showed an inhibitory effect of tetrodotoxin (TTX) on action potential firing paralleled by a decrease in the p-Ser²⁴⁰⁻²⁴⁴-S6rp signal as detected by immunofluorescence after prolonged incubation. On the other hand, elevation in extracellular potassium concentration and the addition of apamin generated an increased firing rate and a burst-firing activity in CINs, respectively, and both stimulatory conditions significantly increased Ser²⁴⁰⁻²⁴⁴-S6rp phosphorylation above basal levels when incubated for one hour. Apamin generated a particularly large increase in phosphorylation that was sensitive to rapamycin. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time a link between the state of neuronal activity and a biochemical signaling event in striatal CINs, and suggest that immunofluorescence can be used to estimate the cellular activity of CINs under different pharmacological and/or behavioral conditions.

Striatal development involves a switch in gene expression networks, followed by a myelination event: implications for neuropsychiatric disease

Because abnormal development of striatal neurons is thought to be the part of pathology underlying major psychiatric illnesses, we studied the expression pattern of genes involved in striatal development and of genes comprising key striatal-specific pathways, during an active striatal maturation period, the first two postnatal weeks in rat. This period parallels human striatal development during the second trimester, when prenatal stress is though to lead to increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders. To identify genes involved in this developmental process, we used subtractive hybridization, followed by quantitative real-time PCR, which allowed us to characterize the developmental expression of over 60 genes, many not previously known to play a role in neuromaturation. Of these 12 were novel transcripts, which did not match known genes, but which showed strict developmental expression and may play a role in striatal neurodevelopment. An additional 89 genes were identified as strong candidates for involvement in this neurodevelopmental process. We show that during the first two postnatal weeks in rat, an early gene expression network, still lacking key striatal-specific signaling pathways, is downregulated and replaced by a mature gene expression network, containing key striatal-specific genes including the dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, conferring to these neurons their functional identity. Therefore, before this developmental switch, striatal neurons lack many of their key phenotypic characteristics. This maturation process is followed by a striking rise in expression of myelination genes, indicating a striatal-specific myelination event. Such strictly controlled developmental program has the potential to be a point of susceptibility to disruption by external factors. Indeed, this period is known to be a susceptibility period in both humans and rats.

Identification of optogenetically activated striatal medium spiny neurons by Npas4 expression

Optogenetics is a powerful neuromodulatory tool with many unique advantages to explore functions of neuronal circuits in physiology and diseases. Yet, interpretation of cellular and behavioral responses following in vivo optogenetic manipulation of brain activities in experimental animals often necessitates identification of photoactivated neurons with high spatial resolution. Although tracing expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) provides a convenient approach, neuronal activation is not always followed by specific induction of widely used neuronal activity markers like c-fos, Egr1 and Arc. In this study we performed unilateral optogenetic stimulation of the striatum in freely moving transgenic mice that expressed a channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) variant ChR2(C128S) in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs). We found that in vivo blue light stimulation significantly altered electrophysiological activity of striatal neurons and animal behaviors. To identify photoactivated neurons we then analyzed IEG expression patterns using in situ hybridization. Upon light illumination an induction of c-fos was not apparent whereas another neuronal IEG Npas4 was robustly induced in MSNs ipsilaterally. Our results demonstrate that tracing Npas4 mRNA expression following in vivo optogenetic modulation can be an effective tool for reliable and sensitive identification of activated MSNs in the mouse striatum.

Silent synapses in selectively activated nucleus accumbens neurons following cocaine sensitization

Cocaine-induced alterations in synaptic glutamate function in nucleus accumbens are thought to mediate drug-related behaviors such as psychomotor sensitization. However, previous studies examined global alterations in randomly selected accumbens neurons regardless of their activation state during cocaine-induced behavior. We recently found that a minority of strongly activated Fos-expressing accumbens neurons are necessary for cocaine-induced psychomotor sensitization while the majority of accumbens neurons are less directly involved. Here, we assessed synaptic alterations in these strongly activated accumbens neurons in c-fos-GFP mice that express a fusion protein of Fos and green fluorescent protein (GFP) in strongly activated neurons and compared these alterations with those in surrounding non-activated neurons. Cocaine sensitization produced higher levels of ‘silent synapses’ that contained functional NMDA receptors and non-functional AMPA receptors in only GFP-positive neurons, 6–11 days after sensitization. Thus unique synaptic alterations are induced in the most strongly activated accumbens neurons that mediate psychomotor sensitization.

Restricted transgene expression in the brain with cell-type specific neuronal promoters

Tissue-targeted expression is of major interest for studying the contribution of cellular subpopulations to neurodegenerative diseases. However, in vivo methods to investigate this issue are limited. Here, we report an analysis of the cell specificity of expression of fluorescent reporter genes driven by six neuronal promoters, with the ubiquitous phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK) promoter used as a reference. Quantitative analysis of AcGFPnuc expression in the striatum and hippocampus of rodents showed that all lentiviral vectors (LV) exhibited a neuronal tropism; however, there was substantial diversity of transcriptional activity and cell-type specificity of expression. The promoters with the highest activity were those of the 67 kDa glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67), homeobox Dlx5/6, glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1), and preprotachykinin 1 (Tac1) genes. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and dopaminergic receptor 1 (Drd1a) promoters showed weak activity, but the integration of an amplification system into the LV overcame this limitation. In the striatum, the expression profiles of Tac1 and Drd1a were not limited to the striatonigral pathway, whereas in the hippocampus, Drd1a and Dlx5/6 showed the expected restricted pattern of expression. Regulation of the Dlx5/6 promoter was observed in a disease condition, whereas Tac1 activity was unaffected. These vectors provide safe tools that are more selective than others available, for the administration of therapeutic molecules in the central nervous system (CNS). Nevertheless, additional characterization of regulatory elements in neuronal promoters is still required.

Striatal microcircuitry and movement disorders

The basal ganglia network serves to integrate information about context, actions, and outcomes to shape the behavior of an animal based on its past experience. Clinically, the basal ganglia receive the most attention for their role in movement disorders. Recent advances in technology have opened new avenues of research into the structure and function of basal ganglia circuits. One emerging theme is the importance of GABAergic interneurons in coordinating and regulating network function. Here, we discuss evidence that changes in striatal GABAergic microcircuits contribute to basal ganglia dysfunction in several movement disorders. Because interneurons are genetically and neurochemically unique from striatal projection neurons, they may provide promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of a variety of striatal-based disorders.

Involvement of nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 receptors in ethanol drinking, ethanol-induced conditioned place preference, and ethanol-induced psychomotor sensitization in mice

RATIONALE

Dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) signaling has been associated to ethanol consumption and reward in laboratory animals.

OBJECTIVES

Here, we hypothesize that this receptor, which is located within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons, modulates alcohol reward mechanisms.

METHODS

To test this hypothesis, we measured alcohol consumption and ethanol-induced psychomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice that received bilateral microinjections of small interference RNA (siRNA)-expressing lentiviral vectors (LV-siD1R) producing D1R knock-down. The other group received control (LV-Mock) viral vectors into the NAc.

RESULTS

There were no differences in the total fluid consumed and also no differences in the amount of ethanol consumed between groups prior to surgery. However, after surgery, the LV-siD1R group consumed less ethanol than the control group. This difference was not associated to taste neophobia. In addition, results have shown that down-regulation of endogenous D1R using viral-mediated siRNA in the NAc significantly decreased ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization as well as acquisition, but not expression, of ethanol-induced place preference.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that decreased D1R expression into the NAc led to reduced ethanol rewarding properties, thereby leading to lower voluntary ethanol consumption. Together, these findings demonstrate that the D1 receptor pathway within the NAc controls ethanol reward and intake.

Optogenetic modulation of neural circuits that underlie reward seeking

The manifestation of complex neuropsychiatric disorders, such as drug and alcohol addiction, is thought to result from progressive maladaptive alterations in neural circuit function. Clearly, repeated drug exposure alters a distributed network of neural circuit elements. However, a more precise understanding of addiction has been hampered by an inability to control and, consequently, identify specific circuit components that underlie addictive behaviors. The development of optogenetic strategies for selectively modulating the activity of genetically defined neuronal populations has provided a means for determining the relationship between circuit function and behavior with a level of precision that has been previously unobtainable. Here, we briefly review the main optogenetic studies that have contributed to elucidate neural circuit connectivity within the ventral tegmental area and the nucleus accumbens, two brain nuclei that are essential for the manifestation of addiction-related behaviors. Additional targeted manipulation of genetically defined neural populations in these brain regions, as well as afferent and efferent structures, promises to delineate the cellular mechanisms and circuit components required for the transition from natural goal-directed behavior to compulsive reward seeking despite negative consequences.

Striatal mechanisms underlying movement, reinforcement, and punishment

Direct and indirect pathway striatal neurons are known to exert opposing control over motor output. In this review, we discuss a hypothetical extension of this framework, in which direct pathway striatal neurons also mediate reinforcement and reward, and indirect pathway neurons mediate punishment and aversion.

Striatal D2 receptors regulate dendritic morphology of medium spiny neurons via Kir2 channels

Structural plasticity in the adult brain is essential for adaptive behaviors and is thought to contribute to a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Medium spiny neurons of the striatum show a high degree of structural plasticity that is modulated by dopamine through unknown signaling mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that overexpression of dopamine D2 receptors in medium spiny neurons increases their membrane excitability and decreases the complexity and length of their dendritic arbors. These changes can be reversed in the adult animal after restoring D2 receptors to wild-type levels, demonstrating a remarkable degree of structural plasticity in the adult striatum. Increased excitability and decreased dendritic arborization are associated with downregulation of inward rectifier potassium channels (Kir2.1/2.3). Downregulation of Kir2 function is critical for the neurophysiological and morphological changes in vivo because virally mediated expression of a dominant-negative Kir2 channel is sufficient to recapitulate the changes in D2 transgenic mice. These findings may have important implications for the understanding of basal ganglia disorders, and more specifically schizophrenia, in which excessive activation of striatal D2 receptors has long been hypothesized to be of pathophysiologic significance.

Restoration of the striatal circuitry: from developmental aspects toward clinical applications

In the basal ganglia circuitry, the striatum is a highly complex structure coordinating motor and cognitive functions and it is severely affected in Huntington's disease (HD) patients. Transplantation of fetal ganglionic eminence (GE) derived precursor cells aims to restore neural circuitry in the degenerated striatum of HD patients. Pre-clinical transplantation in genetic and lesion HD animal models has increased our knowledge of graft vs. host interactions, and clinical studies have been shown to successfully reduce motor and cognitive effects caused by the disease. Investigating the molecular mechanisms of striatal neurogenesis is a key research target, since novel strategies aim on generating striatal neurons by differentiating embryonic stem cells or by reprogramming somatic cells as alternative cell source for neural transplantation.

Combinatorial topography and cell-type specific regulation of the ERK pathway by dopaminergic agonists in the mouse striatum

Therapeutic agents and drugs of abuse regulate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade signaling in the medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs) of the striatum. However, whether this regulation is associated with specific cortical and thalamic inputs has never been studied. We used Drd2-EGFP BAC-transgenic mice to undertake a topographical and cell-type specific analysis of ERK phosphorylation and two of its downstream targets histone H3 and ribosomal protein S6 (rS6) in the dorsal striatum following injection of SKF81297 (D1R-like agonist), quinpirole (D2R-like agonist) or apomorphine (non selective DA receptor agonist). In striatal areas receiving inputs from the cingulate/prelimbic, visual and auditory cortex, SKF81297 treatment increased phosphorylation of ERK, histone H3 and rS6 selectively in EGFP-negative MSNs of Drd2-EGFP mice. In contrast, no regulation was found in striatal region predominantly targeted by the sensorimotor and motor cortex. Apomorphine slightly enhanced ERK and rS6, but not histone H3 phosphorylation. This regulation occurred exclusively in EGFP-negative neurons mostly in striatal sectors receiving connections from the insular, visual and auditory cortex. Quinpirole administration inhibited basal ERK activation but did not change histone H3 and rS6 phosphorylation throughout the rostrocaudal axis of the dorsal striatum. This anatomo-functional study indicates that D1R and D2R agonists produce a unique topography and cell-type specific regulation of the ERK cascade signaling in the mouse striatum, and that those patterns are closely associated with particular cortical and thalamic inputs. This work evidences the need of a precise identification of the striatal areas under study to further understand striatal plasticity.

The vertebrate mesolimbic reward system and social behavior network: a comparative synthesis

All animals evaluate the salience of external stimuli and integrate them with internal physiological information into adaptive behavior. Natural and sexual selection impinge on these processes, yet our understanding of behavioral decision-making mechanisms and their evolution is still very limited. Insights from mammals indicate that two neural circuits are of crucial importance in this context: the social behavior network and the mesolimbic reward system. Here we review evidence from neurochemical, tract-tracing, developmental, and functional lesion/stimulation studies that delineates homology relationships for most of the nodes of these two circuits across the five major vertebrate lineages: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and teleost fish. We provide for the first time a comprehensive comparative analysis of the two neural circuits and conclude that they were already present in early vertebrates. We also propose that these circuits form a larger social decision-making (SDM) network that regulates adaptive behavior. Our synthesis thus provides an important foundation for understanding the evolution of the neural mechanisms underlying reward processing and behavioral regulation.

Nucleus accumbens D2- and D1-receptor expressing medium spiny neurons are selectively activated by morphine withdrawal and acute morphine, respectively

Opioids are effective analgesic agents but serious adverse effects such as tolerance and withdrawal contribute to opioid dependence and limit their use. Opioid withdrawal involves numerous brain regions and includes suppression of dopamine release and activation of neurons in the ventral striatum. By contrast, acute opioids increase dopamine release. Like withdrawal, acute opioids also activate neurons in the ventral striatum, suggesting that different populations of ventral striatal neurons may be activated by withdrawal and acute opioid actions. Here, immunofluorescence for the activity-related immediate-early gene, c-Fos, was examined in transgenic reporter mouse lines by confocal microscopy to study the specific populations of ventral striatal neurons activated by morphine withdrawal and acute morphine. After chronic morphine, naloxone-precipitated withdrawal strongly increased expression of c-Fos immunoreactivity, predominantly in D2-receptor (D2R) medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs) of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core and shell regions. By contrast, a single injection of morphine exclusively activated c-Fos immunoreactivity in D1-receptor expressing (D1R) MSNs of the core and shell of the NAc. These results reveal a striking segregation of neuronal responses occurring in the two populations of MSNs of the NAc in response to morphine withdrawal and acute morphine.

Transcription factor LIM homeobox 7 (Lhx7) maintains subtype identity of cholinergic interneurons in the mammalian striatum

The generation and maintenance of a plethora of neuronal subtypes is essential for normal brain function. Nevertheless, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that maintain the defining characteristics of neurons following their initial postmitotic specification. Using conditional gene ablation in mice, we demonstrate here that the homeodomain protein LIM homeobox (Lhx)7 is essential for maintaining the morphological and molecular characteristics of cholinergic interneurons of the striatum. Lhx7-depleted cholinergic interneurons extinguish expression of several subtype-specific markers, including choline acetyl transferase and Isl1, and are respecified into Lhx6-expressing mature GABAergic interneurons. Additional expression studies support a model where Lhx7 controls the choice between cholinergic or GABAergic identity by gating a cross inhibitory regulation between Isl1 and Lhx6. By demonstrating that the switch between alternative striatal interneuron fates depends on persistent activity of a single transcription factor, we provide evidence that the intrinsic plasticity of mammalian forebrain neuronal subtypes is maintained after the initial specification and lineage commitment and possibly throughout life.

Dopaminergic Control of the Exploration-Exploitation Trade-Off via the Basal Ganglia

We continuously face the dilemma of choosing between actions that gather new information or actions that exploit existing knowledge. This "exploration-exploitation" trade-off depends on the environment: stability favors exploiting knowledge to maximize gains; volatility favors exploring new options and discovering new outcomes. Here we set out to reconcile recent evidence for dopamine's involvement in the exploration-exploitation trade-off with the existing evidence for basal ganglia control of action selection, by testing the hypothesis that tonic dopamine in the striatum, the basal ganglia's input nucleus, sets the current exploration-exploitation trade-off. We first advance the idea of interpreting the basal ganglia output as a probability distribution function for action selection. Using computational models of the full basal ganglia circuit, we showed that, under this interpretation, the actions of dopamine within the striatum change the basal ganglia's output to favor the level of exploration or exploitation encoded in the probability distribution. We also found that our models predict striatal dopamine controls the exploration-exploitation trade-off if we instead read-out the probability distribution from the target nuclei of the basal ganglia, where their inhibitory input shapes the cortical input to these nuclei. Finally, by integrating the basal ganglia within a reinforcement learning model, we showed how dopamine's effect on the exploration-exploitation trade-off could be measurable in a forced two-choice task. These simulations also showed how tonic dopamine can appear to affect learning while only directly altering the trade-off. Thus, our models support the hypothesis that changes in tonic dopamine within the striatum can alter the exploration-exploitation trade-off by modulating the output of the basal ganglia.

Roles of D1-like dopamine receptors in the nucleus accumbens and dorsolateral striatum in conditioned avoidance responses

RATIONALE

Aversively motivated learning is more poorly understood than appetitively motivated learning in many aspects, including the role of dopamine receptors in different regions of the striatum.

OBJECTIVES

The present study investigated the roles of the D1-like DA receptors in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and dorsolateral striatum (DLS) on learning and performance of conditioned avoidance responses (CARs).

METHODS

Adult male Wistar rats received intraperitoneal (i.p.), intra-NAc, or intra-DLS injections of the D1 dopamine receptor agonist SKF 81297 or the D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 20 min before or immediately after a training session in the CAR task two-way active avoidance, carried out 24 h before a test session.

RESULTS

Pre-training administration of SCH 23390, but not SKF 81297, caused a significant decrease in the number of CARs in the test, but not in the training session, when injected into the DLS, or in either session when injected into the NAc. It also caused a significant increase in the number of escape failures in the training session when injected into the NAc. Systemic administration caused a combination of these effects. Post-training administrations of these drugs caused no significant effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the D1-like receptors in the NAc and DLS play important, though different, roles in learning and performance of CAR.

Integrating neurotransmission in striatal medium spiny neurons

The striatum is a major entry structure of the basal ganglia. Its role in information processing in close interaction with the cerebral cortex and thalamus has various behavioral consequences depending on the regions concerned, including control of body movements and motivation. A general feature of striatal information processing is the control by reward-related dopamine signals of glutamatergic striatal inputs and of their plasticity. This relies on specific sets of receptors and signaling proteins in medium-sized spiny neurons which belong to two groups, striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons. Some signaling pathways are activated only by dopamine or glutamate, but many provide multiple levels of interactions. For example, the cAMP pathway is mostly regulated by dopamine D1 receptors in striatonigral neurons, whereas the ERK pathway detects a combination of glutamate and dopamine signals and is essential for long-lasting modifications. These adaptations require changes in gene expression, and the signaling pathways linking synaptic activity to nuclear function and epigenetic changes are beginning to be deciphered. Their alteration underlies many aspects of striatal dysfunction in pathological conditions which include a decrease or an increase in dopamine transmission, as encountered in Parkinson's disease or exposure to addictive drugs, respectively.