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Liu Y, Chen L, Lin L, Xu C, Xiong Y, Qiu H, Li X, Li S, Cao H. Unveiling the hidden pathways: Exploring astrocytes as a key target for depression therapy. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 174:101-113. [PMID: 38626560 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Depressive disorders are widely debilitating psychiatric disease. Despite the considerable progress in the field of depression therapy, extensive research spanning many decades has failed to uncover pathogenic pathways that might aid in the creation of long-acting and rapid-acting antidepressants. Consequently, it is imperative to reconsider existing approaches and explore other targets to improve this area of study. In contemporary times, several scholarly investigations have unveiled that persons who have received a diagnosis of depression, as well as animal models employed to study depression, demonstrate a decrease in both the quantity as well as density of astrocytes, accompanied by alterations in gene expression and morphological attributes. Astrocytes rely on a diverse array of channels and receptors to facilitate their neurotransmitter transmission inside tripartite synapses. This study aimed to investigate the potential processes behind the development of depression, specifically focusing on astrocyte-associated neuroinflammation and the involvement of several molecular components such as connexin 43, potassium channel Kir4.1, aquaporin 4, glutamatergic aspartic acid transporter protein, SLC1A2 or GLT-1, glucocorticoid receptors, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2B, and autophagy, that localized on the surface of astrocytes. The study also explores novel approaches in the treatment of depression, with a focus on astrocytes, offering innovative perspectives on potential antidepressant medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Lin Lin
- Scientific Research Management Department, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Caijuan Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Yifan Xiong
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Huiwen Qiu
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Sixin Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Hui Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
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Liu L, Tang J, Liang X, Li Y, Zhu P, Zhou M, Qin L, Deng Y, Li J, Wang Y, Jiang L, Huang D, Zhou Y, Wang S, Xiao Q, Luo Y, Tang Y. Running exercise alleviates hippocampal neuroinflammation and shifts the balance of microglial M1/M2 polarization through adiponectin/AdipoR1 pathway activation in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable stress. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02464-1. [PMID: 38361125 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02464-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Running exercise has been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms. However, the mechanism underlying the antidepressant effects of running exercise is not fully understood. The imbalance of M1/M2 microglia phenotype/polarization and concomitant dysregulation of neuroinflammation play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of depression. Running exercise increases circulating levels of adiponectin which is known to cross the blood‒brain barrier and suppress inflammatory responses. AdipoR1 is an adiponectin receptor that is involved in regulating microglial phenotypes and activation states. However, whether running exercise regulates hippocampal microglial phenotypes and neuroinflammation through adiponectin/AdipoR1 to exert its antidepressant effects remains unclear. In the current study, 4 weeks of running exercise significantly alleviated the depressive-like behaviors of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-exposed mice. Moreover, running exercise decreased the microglial numbers and altered microglial morphology in three subregions of the hippocampus to restore the M1/M2 balance; these effects were accompanied by regulation of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine production and secretion in CUS-exposed mice. These effects may involve elevation of peripheral tissue (adipose tissue and muscle) and plasma adiponectin levels, and hippocampal AdipoR1 levels as well as activation of the AMPK-NF-κB/STAT3 signaling pathway by running exercise. When an adeno-associated virus was used to knock down hippocampal AdipoR1, mice showed depressive-like behaviors and alterations in microglia and inflammatory factor expression in the hippocampus that were similar to those observed in CUS-exposed mice. Together, these results suggest that running exercise maintains the M1/M2 balance and inhibits neuroinflammation in the hippocampus of CUS-exposed mice. These effects might occur via adiponectin/AdipoR1-mediated activation of the AMPK-NF-κB/STAT3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Liang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Peilin Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei Zhou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Qin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhui Deng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiying Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Jiang
- Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Dujuan Huang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuning Zhou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Shun Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Xiao
- Department of Radioactive Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanmin Luo
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yong Tang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China.
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China.
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Favoretto CA, Pagliusi M, Morais-Silva G. Involvement of brain cell phenotypes in stress-vulnerability and resilience. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1175514. [PMID: 37476833 PMCID: PMC10354562 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1175514] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress-related disorders' prevalence is epidemically increasing in modern society, leading to a severe impact on individuals' well-being and a great economic burden on public resources. Based on this, it is critical to understand the mechanisms by which stress induces these disorders. The study of stress made great progress in the past decades, from deeper into the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to the understanding of the involvement of a single cell subtype on stress outcomes. In fact, many studies have used state-of-the-art tools such as chemogenetic, optogenetic, genetic manipulation, electrophysiology, pharmacology, and immunohistochemistry to investigate the role of specific cell subtypes in the stress response. In this review, we aim to gather studies addressing the involvement of specific brain cell subtypes in stress-related responses, exploring possible mechanisms associated with stress vulnerability versus resilience in preclinical models. We particularly focus on the involvement of the astrocytes, microglia, medium spiny neurons, parvalbumin neurons, pyramidal neurons, serotonergic neurons, and interneurons of different brain areas in stress-induced outcomes, resilience, and vulnerability to stress. We believe that this review can shed light on how diverse molecular mechanisms, involving specific receptors, neurotrophic factors, epigenetic enzymes, and miRNAs, among others, within these brain cell subtypes, are associated with the expression of a stress-susceptible or resilient phenotype, advancing the understanding/knowledge on the specific machinery implicate in those events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Aparecida Favoretto
- Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marco Pagliusi
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gessynger Morais-Silva
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
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Liang X, Li X, Jin Y, Wang Y, Wei C, Zhu Z. Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Intestinal Microbiota with Amino Acids and Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Methamphetamine-Induced Mice. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13030361. [PMID: 36984800 PMCID: PMC10055719 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13030361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the changes in intestinal homeostasis and metabolism in mice after methamphetamine (MA) administration and exercise intervention. In this study, male C57BL/B6J mice were selected to establish a model of methamphetamine-induced addiction, and the gut microbiota composition, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and amino acid levels were assessed by 16S rRNA, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. The results showed that 23 dominant microbiota, 12 amino acids, and 1 SCFA were remarkably higher and 9 amino acids and 6 SCFAs were remarkably lower in the exercise model group than in the control group. Among the top 10 markers with opposite trends between the exercise intervention group and model group, the differential microbiomes included Oscillibacter, Alloprevotella, Colidextribacter, Faecalibaculum, Uncultured, Muribaculaceae, and Negativibacillus; amino acids included proline; and SCFAs included isovaleric acid and pentanoic acid. Proline was negatively correlated with Negativibacillus and positively correlated with pentanoic acid. The results suggested that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise may modulate changes in the composition of the gut microbiota and the levels of amino acids and SCFAs induced by MA administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liang
- School of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xue Li
- School of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-135-5014-6822
| | - Yu Jin
- School of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yi Wang
- School of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Changling Wei
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Zhicheng Zhu
- School of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China
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