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Slifstein M, Qu W, Gil R, Weinstein JJ, Perlman G, Jaworski-Calara T, Meng J, Hu B, Moeller SJ, Horga G, Abi-Dargham A. Kappa opioid receptor availability predicts severity of anhedonia in schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01975-3. [PMID: 39217267 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01975-3] [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: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and its endogenous agonist dynorphin have been implicated in multiple psychiatric conditions including psychotic disorders. We tested the hypotheses that kappa expression is elevated and associated with psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. We measured kappa expression in unmedicated patients with schizophrenia (7 female, 6 male) and matched controls (7 female, 6 male) with positron emission tomography (PET). We also acquired a measurement of cumulative dopamine activity over the life span in the same subjects using neuromelanin sensitive MRI. We hypothesized that neuromelanin accumulation would be higher in patients than controls and that in patients there would be a positive association between KOR availability and neuromelanin accumulation. Fourteen patients and thirteen controls were enrolled. Whole brain dynamic PET imaging data using the KOR selective tracer [18F]LY245998 were acquired. Distribution volume (VT) was measured with region of interest analysis in 14 brain regions. Neuromelanin accumulation in midbrain dopaminergic nuclei was assessed in the same subjects. Positive and negative symptoms were measured by a clinical psychologist. We did not observe group level differences in KOR expression, neuromelanin accumulation or relationships of these to positive symptoms. Unexpectedly, we did observe strong positive associations between KOR expression and symptoms of anhedonia in the patients (Pearson r > 0.7, uncorrected p < 0.01 in 8 cortical brain regions). We also observed moderate associations between KOR expression and neuromelanin levels in patients. In conclusion, we did not observe a relationship between kappa and symptoms of psychosis but the observed relationship to the negative symptom of anhedonia is in line with recent work testing kappa antagonism as a therapy for anhedonia in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Slifstein
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.
| | - Wenchao Qu
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Roberto Gil
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Jodi J Weinstein
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Greg Perlman
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | | | - Jiayan Meng
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Bao Hu
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Scott J Moeller
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Guillermo Horga
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Anissa Abi-Dargham
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
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Merlo Pich E. Placebo response in RCT for antidepressant may not always be the 'villain' to fight: are KOR antagonists possibly affecting the intrinsic placebo response? Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:1355-1356. [PMID: 38783111 PMCID: PMC11250800 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01878-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
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3
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Jain L, Meeks TW, Blazes CK. Reconsidering the usefulness of long-term high-dose buprenorphine. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1401676. [PMID: 39114740 PMCID: PMC11303732 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1401676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Buprenorphine has been successfully used for decades in the treatment of opioid use disorder, yet there are complexities to its use that warrant attention to maximize its utility. While the package insert of the combination product buprenorphine\naloxone continues to recommend a maximum dose of 16 mg daily for maintenance, the emergence of fentanyl and synthetic analogs in the current drug supply may be limiting the effectiveness of this standard dose. Many practitioners have embraced and appropriately implemented novel practices to mitigate the sequelae of our current crisis. It has become common clinical practice to stabilize patients with 24 - 32 mg of buprenorphine daily at treatment initiation. Many of these patients, however, are maintained on these high doses (>16 mg/d) indefinitely, even after prolonged stability. Although this may be a necessary strategy in the short term, there is little evidence to support its safety and efficacy, and these high doses may be exposing patients to more complications and side effects than standard doses. Commonly known side effects of buprenorphine that are likely dose-related include hyperhidrosis, sedation, decreased libido, constipation, and hypogonadism. There are also complications related to the active metabolite of buprenorphine (norbuprenorphine) which is a full agonist at the mu opioid receptor and does not have a ceiling on respiratory suppression. Such side effects can lead to medical morbidity as well as decreased medication adherence, and we, therefore, recommend that after a period of stabilization, practitioners consider a trial of decreasing the dose of buprenorphine toward standard dose recommendations. Some patients' path of recovery may never reach this stabilization phase (i.e., several months of adherence to medications, opioid abstinence, and other clinical indicators of stability). Side effects of buprenorphine may not have much salience when patients are struggling for survival and safety, but for those who are fortunate enough to advance in their recovery, the side effects become more problematic and can limit quality of life and adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshit Jain
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Thomas W. Meeks
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Christopher K. Blazes
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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Demyttenaere K. Aticaprant, a kappa opioid receptor antagonist, and the recovered 'interest and pleasure' in the concept of major depressive disorder. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024:10.1007/s00406-024-01851-7. [PMID: 38969753 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-024-01851-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Lack of positive mood and anhedonia probably are the most specific depressive symptoms. Anhedonia is a multifaceted concept: the clinical language describes anticipatory/consummatory anhedonia and sensory/social anhedonia while the cognitive neuroscience language describes readiness for reward, energy expenditure to attain reward, updating reward presence and value. Mounting evidence supports the potential of kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) antagonists as novel pharmacotherapies for major depressive disorder : aticaprant is a potent, selective, short-acting KOR antagonist. The fast-fail approach evaluated the impact of aticaprant on the brain circuitry hypothesized to mediate anhedonia and significantly increased fMRI activation in the ventral striatal activation during reward anticipation as compared to placebo; the aticaprant induced changes in the self-reported psychological measures of anhedonia were rather inconsistent. The recently reported results of a phase 2a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the efficacy and safety of aticaprant, co-administered to an oral SSRI/SNRI antidepressant in depressed patients who had an inadequate response to 1 or 2 antidepressants. The improvement from baseline favoured the co-administration of aticaprant over the co-administration of placebo at all time points (during 6 weeks), and this was confirmed by higher response rates with aticaprant. A mid-split of patients with higher or lower than median anhedonia also showed that the patients with higher baseline anhedonia had the largest decrease on the MADRS. Tolerability and safety were reassuring. These promising results of the co-administration of aticaprant to an SSRI/SNRI in depressed patients with prominent anhedonia support he further investigation of aticaprant in larger trials.
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5
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Gisemba SA, Ferracane MJ, Murray TF, Aldrich JV. A Bicyclic Analog of the Linear Peptide Arodyn Is a Potent and Selective Kappa Opioid Receptor Antagonist. Molecules 2024; 29:3109. [PMID: 38999061 PMCID: PMC11243530 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29133109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonists have potential therapeutic applications in the treatment of stress-induced relapse to substance abuse and mood disorders. The dynorphin A analog arodyn (Ac[Phe1,2,3,Arg4,D-Ala8]dynorphin A-(1-11)-NH2) exhibits potent and selective kappa opioid receptor antagonism. Multiple cyclizations in longer peptides, such as dynorphin and its analogs, can extend the conformational constraint to additional regions of the peptide beyond what is typically constrained by a single cyclization. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of a bicyclic arodyn analog with two constraints in the opioid peptide sequence. The peptide, designed based on structure-activity relationships of monocyclic arodyn analogs, was synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis and cyclized by sequential ring-closing metathesis (RCM) in the C- and N-terminal sequences. Molecular modeling studies suggest similar interactions of key aromatic and basic residues in the bicyclic peptide with KOR as found in the cryoEM structure of KOR-bound dynorphin, despite substantial differences in the backbone conformations of the two peptides. The bicyclic peptide's affinities at KOR and mu opioid receptors (MOR) were determined in radioligand binding assays, and its KOR antagonism was determined in the [35S]GTPγS assay in KOR-expressing cells. The bicyclic analog retains KOR affinity and selectivity (Ki = 26 nM, 97-fold selectivity over MOR) similar to arodyn and exhibits potent KOR antagonism in the dynorphin-stimulated [35S]GTPγS assay. This bicyclic peptide represents a promising advance in preparing cyclic opioid peptide ligands and opens avenues for the rational design of additional bicyclic opioid peptide analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon A Gisemba
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | | | - Thomas F Murray
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68102, USA
| | - Jane V Aldrich
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Hampsey E, Jelen L, Young AH. Aticaprant: (a κ-opioid receptor antagonist) for major depressive disorder. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38682267 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2024.2345645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Major depression is a common, disabling mental health condition associated with the highest disease burden for any neuropsychiatric disorder worldwide, according to the WHO. Due to the imperfect efficacy and tolerability profiles of existing treatments, investigational compounds in novel treatment classes are needed. Opioid-receptor antagonists are a potential new class of treatments currently under investigation. AREAS COVERED Major depressive disorder is first overviewed. Existing treatments, both their mechanisms of action and their place within the antidepressant space, are discussed herein. Then, the profile of Aticaprant and the wider context of kappa-opioid antagonism for depression are discussed in focus. EXPERT OPINION Early evidence indicates that Aticaprant may possess desirable pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. A lack of convincing efficacy data at the time of writing precludes any definitive statement on its potential as an antidepressant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot Hampsey
- Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Luke Jelen
- Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Allan H Young
- Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
- South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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7
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Dagher M, Alayoubi M, Sigal GH, Cahill CM. Unveiling the link between chronic pain and misuse of opioids and cannabis. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2024; 131:563-580. [PMID: 38570361 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-024-02765-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Over 50 million Americans endure chronic pain where many do not receive adequate treatment and self-medicate to manage their pain by taking substances like opioids and cannabis. Research has shown high comorbidity between chronic pain and substance use disorders (SUD) and these disorders share many common neurobiological underpinnings, including hypodopaminergic transmission. Drugs commonly used for self-medication such as opioids and cannabis relieve emotional, bothersome components of pain as well as negative emotional affect that perpetuates misuse and increases the risk of progressing towards drug abuse. However, the causal effect between chronic pain and the development of SUDs has not been clearly established. In this review, we discuss evidence that affirms the proposition that chronic pain is a risk factor for the development of opioid and cannabis use disorders by outlining the clinical evidence and detailing neurobiological mechanisms that link pain and drug misuse. Central to the link between chronic pain and opioid and cannabis misuse is hypodopaminergic transmission and the modulation of dopamine signaling in the mesolimbic pathway by opioids and cannabis. Moreover, we discuss the role of kappa opioid receptor activation and neuroinflammation in the context of dopamine transmission, their contribution to opioid and cannabis withdrawal, along with potential new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merel Dagher
- MacDonald Research Laboratory Building, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Shirley and Stefan Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, 675 Charles E Young Drive South, Office 2774, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Myra Alayoubi
- MacDonald Research Laboratory Building, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Shirley and Stefan Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, 675 Charles E Young Drive South, Office 2774, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Gabriella H Sigal
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Catherine M Cahill
- MacDonald Research Laboratory Building, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Shirley and Stefan Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, 675 Charles E Young Drive South, Office 2774, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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8
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Mayer FP, Stewart A, Blakely RD. Leaky lessons learned: Efflux prone dopamine transporter variant reveals sex and circuit specific contributions of D2 receptor signalling to neuropsychiatric disease. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2024; 134:206-218. [PMID: 37987120 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant dopamine (DA) signalling has been implicated in various neuropsychiatric disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (BPD) and addiction. The availability of extracellular DA is sculpted by the exocytotic release of vesicular DA and subsequent transporter-mediated clearance, rendering the presynaptic DA transporter (DAT) a crucial regulator of DA neurotransmission. D2-type DA autoreceptors (D2ARs) regulate multiple aspects of DA homeostasis, including (i) DA synthesis, (ii) vesicular release, (iii) DA neuron firing and (iv) the surface expression of DAT and DAT-mediated DA clearance. The DAT Val559 variant, identified in boys with ADHD or ASD, as well as in a girl with BPD, supports anomalous DA efflux (ADE), which we have shown drives tonic activation of D2ARs. Through ex vivo and in vivo studies of the DAT Val559 variant using transgenic knock-in mice, we have uncovered a circuit and sex-specific capacity of D2ARs to regulate DAT, which consequently disrupts DA signalling and behaviour differently in males and females. Our studies reveal the ability of the construct-valid DAT Val559 model to elucidate endogenous mechanisms that support DA signalling, findings that may be of translational and/or therapeutic importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix P Mayer
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Adele Stewart
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Randy D Blakely
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
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9
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Jelen LA, Young AH, Mehta MA. Opioid Mechanisms and the Treatment of Depression. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2024; 66:67-99. [PMID: 37923934 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2023_448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Opioid receptors are widely expressed in the brain, and the opioid system has a key role in modulating mood, reward processing and stress responsivity. There is mounting evidence that the endogenous opioid system may be dysregulated in depression and that drug treatments targeting mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors may show antidepressant potential. The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of opioid system engagement are complex and likely multi-factorial. This chapter explores various pathways through which the modulation of the opioid system may influence depression. These include impacts on monoaminergic systems, the regulation of stress and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the immune system and inflammation, brain-derived neurotrophic factors, neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, social pain and social reward, as well as expectancy and placebo effects. A greater understanding of the diverse mechanisms through which opioid system modulation may improve depressive symptoms could ultimately aid in the development of safe and effective alternative treatments for individuals with difficult-to-treat depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke A Jelen
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Allan H Young
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mitul A Mehta
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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10
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Gilgoff R, Mengelkoch S, Elbers J, Kotz K, Radin A, Pasumarthi I, Murthy R, Sindher S, Harris NB, Slavich GM. The Stress Phenotyping Framework: A multidisciplinary biobehavioral approach for assessing and therapeutically targeting maladaptive stress physiology. Stress 2024; 27:2327333. [PMID: 38711299 PMCID: PMC11219250 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2024.2327333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Although dysregulated stress biology is becoming increasingly recognized as a key driver of lifelong disparities in chronic disease, we presently have no validated biomarkers of toxic stress physiology; no biological, behavioral, or cognitive treatments specifically focused on normalizing toxic stress processes; and no agreed-upon guidelines for treating stress in the clinic or evaluating the efficacy of interventions that seek to reduce toxic stress and improve human functioning. We address these critical issues by (a) systematically describing key systems and mechanisms that are dysregulated by stress; (b) summarizing indicators, biomarkers, and instruments for assessing stress response systems; and (c) highlighting therapeutic approaches that can be used to normalize stress-related biopsychosocial functioning. We also present a novel multidisciplinary Stress Phenotyping Framework that can bring stress researchers and clinicians one step closer to realizing the goal of using precision medicine-based approaches to prevent and treat stress-associated health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Gilgoff
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Summer Mengelkoch
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jorina Elbers
- Trauma recovery Program, HeartMath Institute, Boulder Creek, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Isha Pasumarthi
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Reanna Murthy
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Sayantani Sindher
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | - George M. Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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11
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Darrow SM, Pizzagalli DA, Smoski M, Mathew SJ, Nurnberger J, Lisanby SH, Iosifescu D, Murrough JW, Yang H, Weiner RD, Sanacora G, Keefe RSE, Song A, Goodman W, Whitton AE, Potter WZ, Krystal AD. Using latent profile analyses to classify subjects with anhedonia based on reward-related measures obtained in the FAST-MAS study. J Affect Disord 2023; 339:584-592. [PMID: 37467805 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing evidence indicates that anhedonia is a multifaceted construct. This study examined the possibility of identifying subgroups of people with anhedonia using multiple reward-related measures to provide greater understanding the Research Domain Criteria's Positive Valence Systems Domain and pathways for developing treatments. METHODS Latent profile analysis of baseline data from a study that examined the effects of a novel kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonist drug on measures and biomarkers associated with anhedonia was used to identify subgroups. Measures included ventral striatal activation during the Monetary Incentive Delay task, response bias in the Probabilistic Reward Task, reward valuation scores from the Effort-Expenditure for Rewards Task, and scores from reward-related self-report measures. RESULTS Two subgroups were identified, which differed on self-report measures of reward. Participants in the subgroup reporting more anhedonia also reported more depression and had greater illness severity and functional impairments. Graphs of change with treatment showed a trend for the less severe subgroup to demonstrate higher response to KOR antagonist treatment on the neuroimaging measure, probabilistic reward task, and ratings of functioning; the subgroup with greater severity showed a trend for higher treatment response on reward-related self-report measures. LIMITATIONS The main limitations include the small sample size and exploratory nature of analyses. CONCLUSIONS Evidence of possible dissociation between self-reported measures of anhedonia and other measures with respect to treatment response emerged. These results highlight the importance for future research to consider severity of self-reported reward-related deficits and how the relationship across measurement methods may vary with severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina M Darrow
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, United States of America.
| | | | - Moria Smoski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, United States of America
| | | | - John Nurnberger
- Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University Medical Center, United States of America
| | - Sarah H Lisanby
- National Institute of Mental Health, United States of America
| | | | - James W Murrough
- Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, United States of America
| | | | | | - Gerard Sanacora
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, United States of America
| | - Richard S E Keefe
- Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, United States of America
| | - Allen Song
- Duke University, United States of America
| | - Wayne Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, United States of America
| | | | | | - Andrew D Krystal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, United States of America
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12
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Ma Q, Wonnacott S, Bailey SJ, Bailey CP. Sex Differences in Brain Region-Specific Activation of c-Fos following Kappa Opioid Receptor Stimulation or Acute Stress in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15098. [PMID: 37894779 PMCID: PMC10606335 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Kappa opioid receptors (KOPr) are involved in the response to stress. KOPr are also targets for the treatment of stress-related psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, and addiction although effects of KOPr are often sex-dependent. Here we investigated c-Fos expression in a range of brain regions in male and female mice following an acute stressor, and a single injection of KOPr agonist. Using adult C57BL/6 c-Fos-GFP transgenic mice and quantitative fluorescence microscopy, we identified brain regions activated in response to a challenge with the KOPr agonist U50,488 (20 mg/kg) or an acute stress (15 min forced swim stress, FSS). In male mice, U50,488 increased expression of c-Fos in the prelimbic area of the prefrontal cortex (PFCx), nucleus accumbens (NAcc), and basolateral nuclei of the amygdala (BLA). In contrast, in female mice U50,488 only activated the BLA but not the PFCx or the NAcc. FSS increased activation of PFCx, NAcc, and BLA in males while there was no activation of the PFCx in female mice. In both sexes, the KOPr antagonist norBNI significantly blocked U50,488-induced, but not stress-induced activation of brain regions. In separate experiments, activated cells were confirmed as non-GABAergic neurons in the PFCx and NAcc. Together these data demonstrate sex differences in activation of brain regions that are key components of the 'reward' circuitry. These differential responses may contribute to sex differences in stress-related psychiatric disorders and in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah J. Bailey
- Correspondence: (S.J.B.); (C.P.B.); Tel.: +44-(0)1225-383-935 (C.P.B.)
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13
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Davis LL, Petrakis IL, Pilkinton PD, Nolen T, Vandergrift N, Hirsch S, Norrholm SD, Kosten TR. Comorbid alcohol use disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder: A proof-of-concept randomized placebo-controlled trial of buprenorphine and naltrexone combination treatment. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:1756-1772. [PMID: 37468230 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effective pharmacologic treatments for comorbid alcohol use disorder (AUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are lacking. Kappa (κ) opioid receptor antagonists may address this unmet need. Buprenorphine is a κ-opioid antagonist and a partial agonist of mu (μ) opioid receptors. Whereas naltrexone blocks all μ-mediated effects combining it with buprenorphine yields a pharmacologic net effect of opioid receptor antagonism. Because no κ-opioid receptor antagonist it available for clinical use, we tested this combination in a proof-of-concept study. METHODS Consenting participants were enrolled in a Phase II, multisite, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of sublingual (SL) buprenorphine combined with extended-release (XR) injectable naltrexone for the treatment of comorbid AUD and PTSD. Eligible participants (n = 75) were randomized (1:1:1) to receive either buprenorphine 2 mg/day plus naltrexone-XR (n = 35), buprenorphine 8 mg/day plus naltrexone-XR (n = 6) or SL plus injectable placebo (n = 34) for 12 weeks. The buprenorphine 8 mg/day plus naltrexone-XR arm was dropped early in the trial due to the negative impact of COVID-19 on enrollment. A binary primary outcome of response at week 8 was defined as a decrease from baseline of ≥10 points on the past week Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) and a reduction of ≥1 of past month alcohol risk level, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and measured by the Timeline Follow-Back. RESULTS Based on the results of a futility analysis, enrollment was stopped prior to reaching the initial goal of 90 participants. At the week eight primary timepoint, there were no statistically significant differences between buprenorphine plus naltrexone-XR and placebo group for the primary composite outcome (OR = 0.63; p-value = 0.52), or the subcomponents of the PTSD outcome (OR = 0.76; p-value = 0.69) and AUD outcome (OR = 0.17; p-value = 0.08). The placebo arm had a significantly higher proportion of participants with ≥1 WHO risk level reduction than the buprenorphine plus naltrexone-XR arm (OR = 0.18, p value = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to evaluate the potential of κ-opioid receptor antagonism for the treatment of comorbid AUD and PTSD. The combination of buprenorphine and naltrexone-XR showed no significant improvement over placebo for the composite, PTSD, or alcohol measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori L Davis
- Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, Birmingham, USA
| | - Ismene L Petrakis
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Connecticut, West Haven, USA
- Yale University, Connecticut, New Haven, USA
| | | | - Tracy Nolen
- RTI International, North Carolina, Research Triangle Park, USA
| | | | - Shawn Hirsch
- RTI International, North Carolina, Research Triangle Park, USA
| | - Seth D Norrholm
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Michigan, Detroit, USA
- United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, Colorado Springs, USA
| | - Thomas R Kosten
- Baylor College of Medicine, Texas, Houston, USA
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
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14
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Salas-Estrada L, Provasi D, Qiu X, Kaniskan HÜ, Huang XP, DiBerto JF, Lamim Ribeiro JM, Jin J, Roth BL, Filizola M. De Novo Design of κ-Opioid Receptor Antagonists Using a Generative Deep-Learning Framework. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:5056-5065. [PMID: 37555591 PMCID: PMC10466374 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Likely effective pharmacological interventions for the treatment of opioid addiction include attempts to attenuate brain reward deficits during periods of abstinence. Pharmacological blockade of the κ-opioid receptor (KOR) has been shown to abolish brain reward deficits in rodents during withdrawal, as well as to reduce the escalation of opioid use in rats with extended access to opioids. Although KOR antagonists represent promising candidates for the treatment of opioid addiction, very few potent selective KOR antagonists are known to date and most of them exhibit significant safety concerns. Here, we used a generative deep-learning framework for the de novo design of chemotypes with putative KOR antagonistic activity. Molecules generated by models trained with this framework were prioritized for chemical synthesis based on their predicted optimal interactions with the receptor. Our models and proposed training protocol were experimentally validated by binding and functional assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Salas-Estrada
- Department
of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Davide Provasi
- Department
of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Xing Qiu
- Department
of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Husnu Ümit Kaniskan
- Department
of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Xi-Ping Huang
- National
Institute of Mental Health, Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, Department
of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina
School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jeffrey F. DiBerto
- National
Institute of Mental Health, Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, Department
of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina
School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - João Marcelo Lamim Ribeiro
- Department
of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Jian Jin
- Department
of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
- Mount
Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Oncological
Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Bryan L. Roth
- National
Institute of Mental Health, Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, Department
of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina
School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Division
of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Marta Filizola
- Department
of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
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15
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Silvestro M, Iannone LF, Orologio I, Tessitore A, Tedeschi G, Geppetti P, Russo A. Migraine Treatment: Towards New Pharmacological Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12268. [PMID: 37569648 PMCID: PMC10418850 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Migraine is a debilitating neurological condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Until a few years ago, preventive migraine treatments were based on molecules with pleiotropic targets, developed for other indications, and discovered by serendipity to be effective in migraine prevention, although often burdened by tolerability issues leading to low adherence. However, the progresses in unravelling the migraine pathophysiology allowed identifying novel putative targets as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Nevertheless, despite the revolution brought by CGRP monoclonal antibodies and gepants, a significant percentage of patients still remains burdened by an unsatisfactory response, suggesting that other pathways may play a critical role, with an extent of involvement varying among different migraine patients. Specifically, neuropeptides of the CGRP family, such as adrenomedullin and amylin; molecules of the secretin family, such as pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP); receptors, such as transient receptor potential (TRP) channels; intracellular downstream determinants, such as potassium channels, but also the opioid system and the purinergic pathway, have been suggested to be involved in migraine pathophysiology. The present review provides an overview of these pathways, highlighting, based on preclinical and clinical evidence, as well as provocative studies, their potential role as future targets for migraine preventive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Silvestro
- Headache Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (I.O.); (A.T.); (G.T.)
- Advanced MRI Neuroimaging Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Luigi Francesco Iannone
- Headache Centre and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Careggi University Hospital Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.F.I.); (P.G.)
| | - Ilaria Orologio
- Headache Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (I.O.); (A.T.); (G.T.)
| | - Alessandro Tessitore
- Headache Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (I.O.); (A.T.); (G.T.)
- Advanced MRI Neuroimaging Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Gioacchino Tedeschi
- Headache Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (I.O.); (A.T.); (G.T.)
- Advanced MRI Neuroimaging Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Pierangelo Geppetti
- Headache Centre and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Careggi University Hospital Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.F.I.); (P.G.)
| | - Antonio Russo
- Advanced MRI Neuroimaging Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
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16
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Adzic M, Lukic I, Mitic M, Glavonic E, Dragicevic N, Ivkovic S. Contribution of the opioid system to depression and to the therapeutic effects of classical antidepressants and ketamine. Life Sci 2023:121803. [PMID: 37245840 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) afflicts approximately 5 % of the world population, and about 30-50 % of patients who receive classical antidepressant medications do not achieve complete remission (treatment resistant depressive patients). Emerging evidence suggests that targeting opioid receptors mu (MOP), kappa (KOP), delta (DOP), and the nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor (NOP) may yield effective therapeutics for stress-related psychiatric disorders. As depression and pain exhibit significant overlap in their clinical manifestations and molecular mechanisms involved, it is not a surprise that opioids, historically used to alleviate pain, emerged as promising and effective therapeutic options in the treatment of depression. The opioid signaling is dysregulated in depression and numerous preclinical studies and clinical trials strongly suggest that opioid modulation can serve as either an adjuvant or even an alternative to classical monoaminergic antidepressants. Importantly, some classical antidepressants require the opioid receptor modulation to exert their antidepressant effects. Finally, ketamine, a well-known anesthetic whose extremely efficient antidepressant effects were recently discovered, was shown to mediate its antidepressant effects via the endogenous opioid system. Thus, although opioid system modulation is a promising therapeutical venue in the treatment of depression further research is warranted to fully understand the benefits and weaknesses of such approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Adzic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca - Institute for Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Iva Lukic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca - Institute for Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milos Mitic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca - Institute for Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Emilija Glavonic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca - Institute for Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nina Dragicevic
- Department of Pharmacy, Singidunum University, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sanja Ivkovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca - Institute for Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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17
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Özkan-Kotiloğlu S, Kaya-Akyüzlü D, Yurdakul R, Yıldırım MA, Özgür-İlhan İ. Effect of PDYN and OPRK1 polymorphisms on the risk of alcohol use disorder and the intensity of depressive symptoms. Alcohol Alcohol 2023:7161013. [PMID: 37177778 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agad036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The dynorphin (DYN)/Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) system has been suggested to be involved in both negative affective states and the action of alcohol. The present study was undertaken to explore whether the DYN/KOR system genes, PDYN and OPRK1, influence on individual differences in the intensity of depressive symptoms at admission as well as the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD) risk in a sample of 101 individuals with AUD and 100 controls. METHODS PDYN (rs2281285, rs2225749 and rs910080) and OPRK1 (rs6473797, rs963549 and rs997917) polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP. The intensity of depressive and anxiety symptoms and craving were measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Penn Alcohol Craving Scale, respectively. RESULTS A significant association between the risk of AUD and OPRK1 rs6473797 (P < 0.05) at the gene level. OPRK1 rs6473797 CC genotype was found to lead to a 3.11 times greater alcohol dependence risk. In addition, the BDI-II score of the OPRK1 rs963549 CC genotype was found to be significantly lower (20.9 ± 11.2, min: 1.0, max: 48.0) than that of the CT + TT genotypes (27.04 ± 12.7, min: 0.0, max: 49.0) (t: -2.332, P = 0.022). None of the PDYN polymorphisms were associated with BDI-II score. CONCLUSION Variations in the KOR are associated with the risk of AUD and the intensity of depressive symptoms at admission at the gene level in Turkish males. On the other hand, PDYN gene seemed not to be associated with AUD, depression, anxiety, and craving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selin Özkan-Kotiloğlu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science and Art, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, 40100, Turkey
| | - Dilek Kaya-Akyüzlü
- Department of Forensic Biology, Institute of Forensic Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, 06590, Turkey
| | - Rabia Yurdakul
- Department of Forensic Biology, Institute of Forensic Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, 06590, Turkey
- Department of Interdisciplinary Forensic Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, 06110, Turkey
| | - Mukaddes Asena Yıldırım
- Department of Forensic Biology, Institute of Forensic Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, 06590, Turkey
- Department of Interdisciplinary Forensic Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, 06110, Turkey
| | - İnci Özgür-İlhan
- Department of Mental Health and Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, 06590, Turkey
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18
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Farahbakhsh ZZ, Song K, Branthwaite HE, Erickson KR, Mukerjee S, Nolan SO, Siciliano CA. Systemic kappa opioid receptor antagonism accelerates reinforcement learning via augmentation of novelty processing in male mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:857-868. [PMID: 36804487 PMCID: PMC10156709 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01547-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Selective inhibition of kappa opioid receptors (KORs) is highly anticipated as a pharmacotherapeutic intervention for substance use disorders and depression. The accepted explanation for KOR antagonist-induced amelioration of aberrant behaviors posits that KORs globally function as a negative valence system; antagonism thereby blunts the behavioral influence of negative internal states such as anhedonia and negative affect. While effects of systemic KOR manipulations have been widely reproduced, explicit evaluation of negative valence as an explanatory construct is lacking. Here, we tested a series of falsifiable hypotheses generated a priori based on the negative valence model by pairing reinforcement learning tasks with systemic pharmacological KOR blockade in male C57BL/6J mice. The negative valence model failed to predict multiple experimental outcomes: KOR blockade accelerated contingency learning during both positive and negative reinforcement without altering innate responses to appetitive or aversive stimuli. We next proposed novelty processing, which influences learning independent of valence, as an alternative explanatory construct. Hypotheses based on novelty processing predicted subsequent observations: KOR blockade increased exploration of a novel, but not habituated, environment and augmented the reinforcing efficacy of novel visual stimuli in a sensory reinforcement task. Together, these results revise and extend long-standing theories of KOR system function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Z Farahbakhsh
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Keaton Song
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Hannah E Branthwaite
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Kirsty R Erickson
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Snigdha Mukerjee
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Suzanne O Nolan
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Cody A Siciliano
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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19
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Salas-Estrada L, Provasi D, Qui X, Kaniskan HÜ, Huang XP, DiBerto JF, Ribeiro JML, Jin J, Roth BL, Filizola M. De Novo Design of κ-Opioid Receptor Antagonists Using a Generative Deep Learning Framework. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.25.537995. [PMID: 37162828 PMCID: PMC10168226 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.25.537995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Likely effective pharmacological interventions for the treatment of opioid addiction include attempts to attenuate brain reward deficits during periods of abstinence. Pharmacological blockade of the κ-opioid receptor (KOR) has been shown to abolish brain reward deficits in rodents during withdrawal, as well as to reduce the escalation of opioid use in rats with extended access to opioids. Although KOR antagonists represent promising candidates for the treatment of opioid addiction, very few potent selective KOR antagonists are known to date and most of them exhibit significant safety concerns. Here, we used a generative deep learning framework for the de novo design of chemotypes with putative KOR antagonistic activity. Molecules generated by models trained with this framework were prioritized for chemical synthesis based on their predicted optimal interactions with the receptor. Our models and proposed training protocol were experimentally validated by binding and functional assays.
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20
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Olabarrieta E, Totorikaguena L, Matorras R, Agirregoitia E, Agirregoitia N. Delta and kappa opioid receptors in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle: Expression and localization. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2023; 283:68-73. [PMID: 36801594 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Endogenous opioid peptides were reported to be involved in the regulation of reproductive physiology and their precursors and receptors were described in many of the male and female reproductive tissues. Mu opioid receptor (MOR) was described in human endometrial cells and its expression and localization changed during the menstrual cycle. However, there is no data from the distribution of the other opioid receptors: Delta (DOR) and Kappa (KOR). The objective of the present work was to analyze the dynamics of expression and localization of DOR and KOR in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. STUDY DESIGN Human endometrial samples from different menstrual cycle phases were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS DOR and KOR were present in all samples analyzed and the protein expression and localization changed throughout the menstrual cycle. Both receptor expression increased during the late proliferative phase and decreased during the late secretory-one, especially in the luminal epithelium. DOR expression was generally higher than KOR expression in all cell compartments. CONCLUSIONS The presence of DOR and KOR in human endometrium and their dynamic changes during the menstrual cycle join the results previously obtained in MOR suggesting a possible role of opioids in reproduction events related to the human endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estibaliz Olabarrieta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bizkaia; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Spain
| | - Lide Totorikaguena
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bizkaia
| | - Roberto Matorras
- Human Reproduction Unit, Cruces University Hospital, Biocruces, IVIRMA, IVI Bilbao, Leioa, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bizkaia
| | - Ekaitz Agirregoitia
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bizkaia
| | - Naiara Agirregoitia
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bizkaia.
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21
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Johnson BN, Allen MI, Reboussin BA, LaValley C, Nader MA. Delay discounting as a behavioral phenotype associated with social rank in female and male cynomolgus monkeys: Correlation with kappa opioid receptor availability. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 225:173545. [PMID: 37004977 PMCID: PMC10732250 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a significant problem worldwide, with no FDA-approved treatments. Epidemiological data indicate that only about 17 % of people that use cocaine will meet DSM criteria for CUD. Thus, the identification of biomarkers predictive of eventual cocaine use may be of great value. Two potentially useful predictors of CUD are social hierarchies in nonhuman primates and delay discounting. Both social rank and preference for a smaller, immediate reinforcer relative to a larger, delayed reinforcer have been predictive of CUD. Therefore, we wanted to determine if there was also a relationship between these two predictors of CUD. In the present study, monkeys cocaine-naive responded under a concurrent schedule of 1- vs. 3-food pellets and delivery of the 3-pellet option was delayed. The primary dependent variable was the indifference point (IP), which is the delay that results in 50 % choice for both options. In the initial determination of IP, there were no differences based on sex or social rank of the monkeys. When the delays were redetermined after ~25 baseline sessions (range 5-128 sessions), dominant females and subordinate males showed the largest increases in IP scores from the first determination to the second. Because 13 of these monkeys had prior PET scans of the kappa opioid receptor (KOR), we examined the relationship between KOR availability and IP values and found that the change in IP scores from the first to the second determination significantly negatively predicted average KOR availability in most brain regions. Future studies will examine acquisition to cocaine self-administration in these same monkeys, to determine if IP values are predictive of vulnerability to cocaine reinforcement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard N Johnson
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States of America
| | - Mia I Allen
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States of America
| | - Beth A Reboussin
- Department of Biostatistics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States of America
| | - Christina LaValley
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States of America
| | - Michael A Nader
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States of America.
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22
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Cardona-Acosta AM, Bolaños-Guzmán CA. Role of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway in the antidepressant effects of ketamine. Neuropharmacology 2023; 225:109374. [PMID: 36516891 PMCID: PMC9839658 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Depression is a complex and highly heterogeneous disorder which diagnosis is based on an exceedingly variable set of clinical symptoms. Current treatments focus almost exclusively on the manipulation of monoamine neurotransmitter systems, but despite considerable efforts, these remain inadequate for a significant proportion of those afflicted by the disorder. The emergence of racemic (R, S)-ketamine as a fast-acting antidepressant has provided an exciting new path for the study of major depressive disorder (MDD) and the search for better therapeutics for its treatment. Previous work suggested that ketamine's mechanism of action is primarily mediated via blockaded of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, however, this is an area of active research and clinical and preclinical evidence now indicate that ketamine acts on multiple systems. The last couple of decades have cemented the mesolimbic dopamine reward pathway's involvement in the pathogenesis of MDD and related mood disorders. Exposure to negative stress dysregulates dopamine neuronal activity disrupting reward and motivational processes resulting in anhedonia (lack of pleasure), a hallmark symptom of depression. Although the mechanism(s) underlying ketamine's antidepressant activity continue to be elucidated, current evidence indicate that its therapeutic effects are mediated, at least in part, via long-lasting synaptic changes and subsequent molecular adaptations in brain regions within the mesolimbic dopamine system. Notwithstanding, ketamine is a drug of abuse, and this liability may pose limitations for long term use as an antidepressant. This review outlines the current knowledge of ketamine's actions within the mesolimbic dopamine system and its abuse potential. This article is part of the Special Issue on 'Ketamine and its Metabolites'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid M Cardona-Acosta
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Carlos A Bolaños-Guzmán
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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23
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Akins NS, Salahuddin MF, Pandey P, Kim SJ, Mahdi F, Khan MIH, Moss EM, Worth CJ, Keane MM, Chittiboyina AG, Doerksen RJ, Paris JJ, Le HV. Alleviation of Cocaine Withdrawal and Pertinent Interactions between Salvinorin-Based Antagonists and Kappa Opioid Receptor. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:958-976. [PMID: 36795782 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The kappa opioid receptor (KOR) is involved in the regulation of both the reward and mood processes. Recent reports find that the use of drugs of abuse increases the production of dynorphin and the overall activation of KOR. Long-acting KOR antagonists, such as norbinaltorphimine (nor-BNI), JDTic, and 5'-guanidinonaltrindole (GNTI), have been shown to stop depressive and anxiety-related disorders, which are the common side effects of withdrawal that can lead to a relapse in drug use. Unfortunately, these prototypical KOR antagonists are known to induce selective KOR antagonism that is delayed by hours and extremely prolonged, and their use in humans comes with serious safety concerns because they possess a large window for potential drug-drug interactions. Furthermore, their persistent pharmacodynamic activities can hinder the ability to reverse unanticipated side effects immediately. Herein, we report our studies of the lead selective, salvinorin-based KOR antagonist (1) as well as nor-BNI on C57BL/6N male mice for spontaneous cocaine withdrawal. Assessment of pharmacokinetics showed that 1 is a short-acting compound with an average half-life of 3.75 h across different compartments (brain, spinal cord, liver, and plasma). Both 1 (5 mg/kg) and nor-BNI (5 mg/kg) were shown to reduce spontaneous withdrawal behavior in mice, with 1 producing additional anti-anxiety-like behavior in a light-dark transition test (however, no mood-related effects of 1 or nor-BNI were observed at the current dosing in an elevated plus maze or a tail suspension test). Our results support the study of selective, short-acting KOR antagonists for the treatment of psychostimulant withdrawal and the associated negative mood states that contribute to relapse. Furthermore, we identified pertinent interactions between 1 and KOR via computational studies, including induced-fit docking, mutagenesis, and molecular dynamics simulations, to gain insight into the design of future selective, potent, and short-acting salvinorin-based KOR antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas S Akins
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Mohammed F Salahuddin
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Pankaj Pandey
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Seong Jong Kim
- Natural Products Utilization Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Fakhri Mahdi
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Md Imdadul H Khan
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Emaya M Moss
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Charlie J Worth
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Madeline M Keane
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Amar G Chittiboyina
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Robert J Doerksen
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States.,Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Jason J Paris
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States.,Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Hoang V Le
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States.,Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
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Scangos KW, State MW, Miller AH, Baker JT, Williams LM. New and emerging approaches to treat psychiatric disorders. Nat Med 2023; 29:317-333. [PMID: 36797480 PMCID: PMC11219030 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-02197-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are highly prevalent, often devastating diseases that negatively impact the lives of millions of people worldwide. Although their etiological and diagnostic heterogeneity has long challenged drug discovery, an emerging circuit-based understanding of psychiatric illness is offering an important alternative to the current reliance on trial and error, both in the development and in the clinical application of treatments. Here we review new and emerging treatment approaches, with a particular emphasis on the revolutionary potential of brain-circuit-based interventions for precision psychiatry. Limitations of circuit models, challenges of bringing precision therapeutics to market and the crucial advances needed to overcome these obstacles are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine W Scangos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Matthew W State
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andrew H Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Justin T Baker
- McLean Hospital Institute for Technology in Psychiatry, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Leanne M Williams
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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25
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English BA, Ereshefsky L. Experimental Medicine Approaches in Early-Phase CNS Drug Development. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 30:417-455. [PMID: 36928860 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-21054-9_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, Phase 1 clinical trials were largely conducted in healthy normal volunteers and focused on collection of safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic data. However, in the CNS therapeutic area, with more drugs failing in later phase development, Phase 1 trials have undergone an evolution that includes incorporation of novel approaches involving novel study designs, inclusion of biomarkers, and early inclusion of patients to improve the pharmacologic understanding of novel CNS-active compounds early in clinical development with the hope of improving success in later phase pivotal trials. In this chapter, the authors will discuss the changing landscape of Phase 1 clinical trials in CNS, including novel trial methodology, inclusion of pharmacodynamic biomarkers, and experimental medicine approaches to inform early decision-making in clinical development.
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26
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Johnson BN, Kumar A, Su Y, Singh S, Sai KKS, Nader SH, Li S, Reboussin BA, Huang Y, Deep G, Nader MA. PET imaging of kappa opioid receptors and receptor expression quantified in neuron-derived extracellular vesicles in socially housed female and male cynomolgus macaques. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:410-417. [PMID: 36100655 PMCID: PMC9751296 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01444-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Recent positron emission tomography (PET) studies of kappa opioid receptors (KOR) in humans reported significant relationships between KOR availability and social status, as well as cocaine choice. In monkey models, social status influences physiology, receptor pharmacology and behavior; these variables have been associated vulnerability to cocaine abuse. The present study utilized PET imaging to examine KOR availability in socially housed, cocaine-naïve female and male monkeys, and peripheral measures of KORs with neuron-derived extracellular vesicles (NDE). KOR availability was assessed in dominant and subordinate female and male cynomolgus macaques (N = 4/rank/sex), using PET imaging with the KOR selective agonist [11C]EKAP. In addition, NDE from the plasma of socially housed monkeys (N = 13/sex; N = 6-7/rank) were isolated by immunocapture method and analyzed for OPRK1 protein expression by ELISA. We found significant interactions between sex and social rank in KOR availability across 12 of 15 brain regions. This was driven by female data, in which KOR availability was significantly higher in subordinate monkeys compared with dominant monkeys; the opposite relationship was observed among males, but not statistically significant. No sex or rank differences were observed for NDE OPRK1 concentrations. In summary, the relationship between brain KOR availability and social rank was different in female and male monkeys. This was particularly true in female monkeys. We hypothesize that lower [11C]EKAP binding potentials were due to higher concentrations of circulating dynorphin, which is consistent with greater vulnerability in dominant compared with subordinate females. These findings suggest that the KOR is an important target for understanding the neurobiology associated with vulnerability to abused drugs and sex differences, and detectable in peripheral circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard N Johnson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Center for Addiction Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Yixin Su
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Sangeeta Singh
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kiran Kumar Solingapuram Sai
- Center for Addiction Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Susan H Nader
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Songye Li
- Yale PET Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Beth A Reboussin
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Yiyun Huang
- Yale PET Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gagan Deep
- Center for Addiction Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
| | - Michael A Nader
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
- Center for Addiction Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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Grigsby KB, Kerr NR, Kelty TJ, Mao X, Childs TE, Booth FW. Acute Wheel-Running Increases Markers of Stress and Aversion-Related Signaling in the Basolateral Amygdala of Male Rats. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2022; 8:jfmk8010006. [PMID: 36648898 PMCID: PMC9844436 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk8010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Physical activity (PA) is a non-invasive, cost-effective means of reducing chronic disease. Most US citizens fail to meet PA guidelines, and individuals experiencing chronic stress are less likely to be physically active. To better understand the barriers to maintaining active lifestyles, we sought to determine the extent to which short- versus long-term PA increases stress- and aversion-related markers in wild-type (WT) and low voluntary running (LVR) rats, a unique genetic model of low physical activity motivation. Here, we tested the effects of 1 and 4 weeks of voluntary wheel-running on physiological, behavioral, and molecular measures of stress and Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA)-axis responsiveness (corticosterone levels, adrenal wet weights, and fecal boli counts). We further determined measures of aversion-related signaling (kappa opioid receptor, dynorphin, and corticotropin releasing hormone mRNA expression) in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a brain region well characterized for its role in anxiety and aversion. Compared to sedentary values, 1, but not 4 weeks of voluntary wheel-running increased adrenal wet weights and plasma corticosterone levels, suggesting that HPA responsiveness normalizes following long-term PA. BLA mRNA expression of prodynorphin (Pdyn) was significantly elevated in WT and LVR rats following 1 week of wheel-running compared to sedentary levels, suggesting that aversion-related signaling is elevated following short- but not long-term wheel-running. In all, it appears that the stress effects of acute PA may increase molecular markers associated with aversion in the BLA, and that LVR rats may be more sensitive to these effects, providing a potential neural mechanism for their low PA motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kolter B. Grigsby
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, and VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Correspondence: (K.B.G.); (N.R.K.)
| | - Nathan R. Kerr
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Correspondence: (K.B.G.); (N.R.K.)
| | - Taylor J. Kelty
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Xuansong Mao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Thomas E. Childs
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Frank W. Booth
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Dalton Cardiovascular Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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28
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Lee SJ, Logsdon AF, Yagi M, Baskin BM, Peskind ER, Raskind MM, Cook DG, Schindler AG. The dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor mediates adverse immunological and behavioral outcomes induced by repetitive blast trauma. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:288. [PMID: 36463243 PMCID: PMC9719647 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02643-3] [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: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse pathophysiological and behavioral outcomes related to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and chronic pain are common following blast exposure and contribute to decreased quality of life, but underlying mechanisms and prophylactic/treatment options remain limited. The dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system helps regulate behavioral and inflammatory responses to stress and injury; however, it has yet to be investigated as a potential mechanism in either humans or animals exposed to blast. We hypothesized that blast-induced KOR activation mediates adverse outcomes related to inflammation and affective behavioral response. METHODS C57Bl/6 adult male mice were singly or repeatedly exposed to either sham (anesthesia only) or blast delivered by a pneumatic shock tube. The selective KOR antagonist norBNI or vehicle (saline) was administered 72 h prior to repetitive blast or sham exposure. Serum and brain were collected 10 min or 4 h post-exposure for dynorphin A-like immunoreactivity and cytokine measurements, respectively. At 1-month post-exposure, mice were tested in a series of behavioral assays related to adverse outcomes reported by humans with blast trauma. RESULTS Repetitive but not single blast exposure resulted in increased brain dynorphin A-like immunoreactivity. norBNI pretreatment blocked or significantly reduced blast-induced increase in serum and brain cytokines, including IL-6, at 4 h post exposure and aversive/anxiety-like behavioral dysfunction at 1-month post-exposure. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate a previously unreported role for the dynorphin/KOR system as a mediator of biochemical and behavioral dysfunction following repetitive blast exposure and highlight this system as a potential prophylactic/therapeutic treatment target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhjung Janet Lee
- grid.413919.70000 0004 0420 6540VA Northwest Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, S182, 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108 USA
| | - Aric F. Logsdon
- grid.413919.70000 0004 0420 6540VA Northwest Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, S182, 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108 USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Mayumi Yagi
- grid.413919.70000 0004 0420 6540VA Northwest Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, S182, 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108 USA
| | - Britahny M. Baskin
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Elaine. R. Peskind
- grid.413919.70000 0004 0420 6540VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108 USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Murray M. Raskind
- grid.413919.70000 0004 0420 6540VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108 USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - David G. Cook
- grid.413919.70000 0004 0420 6540VA Northwest Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, S182, 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108 USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Abigail. G. Schindler
- grid.413919.70000 0004 0420 6540VA Northwest Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, S182, 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108 USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
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Hu G, Zhang M, Wang Y, Yu M, Zhou Y. Potential of Heterogeneous Compounds as Antidepressants: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213776. [PMID: 36430254 PMCID: PMC9692659 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a globally widespread disorder caused by a complicated interplay of social, psychological, and biological factors. Approximately 280 million people are suffering from depression worldwide. Traditional frontline antidepressants targeting monoamine neurotransmitters show unsatisfactory effects. The development and application of novel antidepressants for dissimilar targets are on the agenda. This review characterizes the antidepressant effects of multiple endogenous compounds and/or their targets to provide new insight into the working mechanism of antidepressants. We also discuss perspectives and challenges for the generation of novel antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonghui Hu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Institute of Brain Sciences and Related Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Institute of Brain Sciences and Related Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yuyang Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Ming Yu
- Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Institute, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Institute of Brain Sciences and Related Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Institute, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266000, China
- Correspondence:
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Ji MJ, Gao ZQ, Yang J, Cai JH, Li KX, Wang J, Zhang H, Zhou CH, Cao JL, Liu C. Dynorphin promotes stress-induced depressive behaviors by inhibiting ventral pallidal neurons in rats. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2022; 236:e13882. [PMID: 36039689 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
AIM Endogenous dynorphin signaling via kappa opioid receptors (KORs) plays a key role in producing the depressive and aversive consequences of stress. We investigated the behavioral effects of the dynorphin/KOR system in the ventral pallidum (VP) and studied the underlying mechanisms. METHODS To investigate the effects of dynorphin on the VP, we conducted behavioral experiments after microinjection of drugs or shRNA and brain-slice electrophysiological recordings. Histological tracing and molecular biological experiments were used to identify the distribution of KORs and the possible sources of dynorphin projections to the VP. RESULTS An elevated dynorphin concentration and increased KOR activity were observed in the VP after acute stress. Infusion of dynorphin-A into the VP produced depressive-like phenotypes including anhedonia and despair and anxiety behaviors, but did not alter locomotor behavior. Mechanistically, dynorphin had an inhibitory effect on VP neurons-reducing their firing rate and inhibiting excitatory transmission-through direct activation of KORs and modulation of downstream G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels and high-voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs). Tracing revealed direct innervation of VP neurons by dynorphin-positive projections; potential sources of these dynorphinergic projections include the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and hypothalamus. Blockade of dynorphin/KOR signaling in the VP by drugs or viral knock-down of KORs significantly reduced despair behavior in rats. CONCLUSIONS Endogenous dynorphinergic modulation of the VP plays a critical role in mediating depressive reactions to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao-Jin Ji
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jiao Yang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ji-Heng Cai
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ke-Xue Li
- Department of Physiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Hongxing Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Cheng-Hua Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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Higginbotham JA, Markovic T, Massaly N, Morón JA. Endogenous opioid systems alterations in pain and opioid use disorder. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:1014768. [PMID: 36341476 PMCID: PMC9628214 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.1014768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Decades of research advances have established a central role for endogenous opioid systems in regulating reward processing, mood, motivation, learning and memory, gastrointestinal function, and pain relief. Endogenous opioid systems are present ubiquitously throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. They are composed of four families, namely the μ (MOPR), κ (KOPR), δ (DOPR), and nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOPR) opioid receptors systems. These receptors signal through the action of their endogenous opioid peptides β-endorphins, dynorphins, enkephalins, and nociceptins, respectfully, to maintain homeostasis under normal physiological states. Due to their prominent role in pain regulation, exogenous opioids-primarily targeting the MOPR, have been historically used in medicine as analgesics, but their ability to produce euphoric effects also present high risks for abuse. The ability of pain and opioid use to perturb endogenous opioid system function, particularly within the central nervous system, may increase the likelihood of developing opioid use disorder (OUD). Today, the opioid crisis represents a major social, economic, and public health concern. In this review, we summarize the current state of the literature on the function, expression, pharmacology, and regulation of endogenous opioid systems in pain. Additionally, we discuss the adaptations in the endogenous opioid systems upon use of exogenous opioids which contribute to the development of OUD. Finally, we describe the intricate relationship between pain, endogenous opioid systems, and the proclivity for opioid misuse, as well as potential advances in generating safer and more efficient pain therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Higginbotham
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,*Correspondence: Jessica A. Higginbotham,
| | - Tamara Markovic
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nicolas Massaly
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jose A. Morón
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Limoges A, Yarur HE, Tejeda HA. Dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor system regulation on amygdaloid circuitry: Implications for neuropsychiatric disorders. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:963691. [PMID: 36276608 PMCID: PMC9579273 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.963691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amygdaloid circuits are involved in a variety of emotional and motivation-related behaviors and are impacted by stress. The amygdala expresses several neuromodulatory systems, including opioid peptides and their receptors. The Dynorphin (Dyn)/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system has been implicated in the processing of emotional and stress-related information and is expressed in brain areas involved in stress and motivation. Dysregulation of the Dyn/KOR system has also been implicated in various neuropsychiatric disorders. However, there is limited information about the role of the Dyn/KOR system in regulating amygdala circuitry. Here, we review the literature on the (1) basic anatomy of the amygdala, (2) functional regulation of synaptic transmission by the Dyn/KOR system, (3) anatomical architecture and function of the Dyn/KOR system in the amygdala, (4) regulation of amygdala-dependent behaviors by the Dyn/KOR system, and (5) future directions for the field. Future work investigating how the Dyn/KOR system shapes a wide range of amygdala-related behaviors will be required to increase our understanding of underlying circuitry modulation by the Dyn/KOR system. We anticipate that continued focus on the amygdala Dyn/KOR system will also elucidate novel ways to target the Dyn/KOR system to treat neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Limoges
- Unit on Neuromodulation and Synaptic Integration, Bethesda, MD, United States
- NIH-Columbia University Individual Graduate Partnership Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hector E. Yarur
- Unit on Neuromodulation and Synaptic Integration, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Hugo A. Tejeda
- Unit on Neuromodulation and Synaptic Integration, Bethesda, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Hugo A. Tejeda,
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33
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Khan MIH, Sawyer BJ, Akins NS, Le HV. A systematic review on the kappa opioid receptor and its ligands: New directions for the treatment of pain, anxiety, depression, and drug abuse. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114785. [PMID: 36179400 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) is a member of the opioid receptor system, the G protein-coupled receptors that are expressed throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems and play crucial roles in the modulation of antinociception and a variety of behavioral states like anxiety, depression, and drug abuse. KOR agonists are known to produce potent analgesic effects and have been used clinically for the treatment of pain, while KOR antagonists have shown efficacy in the treatment of anxiety and depression. This review summarizes the history, design strategy, discovery, and development of KOR ligands. KOR agonists are classified as non-biased, G protein-biased, and β-arrestin recruitment-biased, according to their degrees of bias. The mechanisms and associated effects of the G protein signaling pathway and β-arrestin recruitment signaling pathway are also discussed. Meanwhile, KOR antagonists are classified as long-acting and short-acting, based on their half-lives. In addition, we have special sections for mixed KOR agonists and selective peripheral KOR agonists. The mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and behavioral studies for each of these categories are also discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Imdadul H Khan
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Benjamin J Sawyer
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Nicholas S Akins
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Hoang V Le
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA.
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Wedemeyer MJ, Jennings EM, Smith HR, Chavera TS, Jamshidi RJ, Berg KA, Clarke WP. 14-3-3γ mediates the long-term inhibition of peripheral kappa opioid receptor antinociceptive signaling by norbinaltorphimine. Neuropharmacology 2022; 220:109251. [PMID: 36126728 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Long-term inhibition of kappa opioid receptor (KOR) signaling in peripheral pain-sensing neurons is a potential obstacle for development of peripherally-restricted KOR agonists that produce analgesia. Such a long-term inhibitory mechanism is invoked from activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) that follows a single injection of the KOR antagonist norbinaltorphimine (norBNI). This effect requires protein synthesis of an unknown mediator in peripheral pain-sensing neurons. Using 2D difference gel electrophoresis with tandem mass spectrometry, we have identified that the scaffolding protein 14-3-3γ is upregulated in peripheral sensory neurons following activation of JNK with norBNI. Knockdown of 14-3-3γ by siRNA eliminates the long-term reduction in KOR-mediated cAMP signaling by norBNI in peripheral sensory neurons in culture. Similarly, knockdown of 14-3-3γ in the rat hind paw abolished the norBNI-mediated long-term reduction in peripheral KOR-mediated antinociception. Further, overexpression of 14-3-3γ in KOR expressing CHO cells prevented KOR-mediated inhibition of cAMP signaling. These long-term effects are selective for KOR as heterologous regulation of other receptor systems was not observed. These data suggest that 14-3-3γ is both necessary and sufficient for the long-term inhibition of KOR by norBNI in peripheral sensory neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Wedemeyer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Elaine M Jennings
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Hudson R Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Teresa S Chavera
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Raehannah J Jamshidi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Kelly A Berg
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - William P Clarke
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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35
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Bales KL, Rogers FD. Interactions between the
κ
opioid system, corticotropin-releasing hormone and oxytocin in partner loss. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210061. [PMID: 35858099 PMCID: PMC9272146 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective adult social attachments, or ‘pair bonds’, represent central relationships for individuals in a number of social species, including humans. Loss of a pair mate has emotional consequences that may or may not diminish over time, and that often translate into impaired psychological and physical health. In this paper, we review the literature on the neuroendocrine mechanisms for the emotional consequences of partner loss, with a special focus on hypothesized interactions between oxytocin, corticotropin-releasing hormone and the κ opioid system. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Interplays between oxytocin and other neuromodulators in shaping complex social behaviours’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L. Bales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Forrest D. Rogers
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, NJ 08540, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, NJ 08540, USA
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36
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Walwyn WM, Valenza M. Editorial: Kappa opioid receptors revealed: Disentangling the pharmacology to open up new therapeutic strategies. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:973780. [PMID: 36034837 PMCID: PMC9413185 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.973780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Margaret Walwyn
- Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Marta Valenza
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Marta Valenza,
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37
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The Opioid System in Depression. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 140:104800. [PMID: 35914624 PMCID: PMC10166717 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Opioid receptors are widely distributed throughout the brain and play an essential role in modulating aspects of human mood, reward, and well-being. Accumulating evidence indicates the endogenous opioid system is dysregulated in depression and that pharmacological modulators of mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors hold potential for the treatment of depression. Here we review animal and clinical data, highlighting evidence to support: dysregulation of the opioid system in depression, evidence for opioidergic modulation of behavioural processes and brain regions associated with depression, and evidence for opioidergic modulation in antidepressant responses. We evaluate clinical trials that have examined the safety and efficacy of opioidergic agents in depression and consider how the opioid system may be involved in the effects of other treatments, including ketamine, that are currently understood to exert antidepressant effects through non-opioidergic actions. Finally, we explore key neurochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the potential therapeutic effects of opioid system engagement, that together provides a rationale for further investigation into this relevant target in the treatment of depression.
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Pizzagalli DA. Toward a Better Understanding of the Mechanisms and Pathophysiology of Anhedonia: Are We Ready for Translation? Am J Psychiatry 2022; 179:458-469. [PMID: 35775159 PMCID: PMC9308971 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20220423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Anhedonia-the loss of pleasure or lack of reactivity to pleasurable stimuli-remains a formidable treatment challenge across neuropsychiatric disorders. In major depressive disorder, anhedonia has been linked to poor disease course, worse response to psychological, pharmacological, and neurostimulation treatments, and increased suicide risk. Moreover, although some neural abnormalities linked to anhedonia normalize after successful treatment, several persist-for example, blunted activation of the ventral striatum to reward-related cues and reduced functional connectivity involving the ventral striatum. Critically, some of these abnormalities have also been identified in unaffected, never-depressed children of parents with major depressive disorder and have been found to prospectively predict the first onset of major depression. Thus, neural abnormalities linked to anhedonia may be promising targets for prevention. Despite increased appreciation of the clinical importance of anhedonia and its underlying neural mechanisms, important gaps remain. In this overview, the author first summarizes the extant knowledge about the pathophysiology of anhedonia, which may provide a road map toward novel treatment and prevention strategies, and then highlights several priorities to facilitate clinically meaningful breakthroughs. These include a need for 1) appropriately controlled clinical trials, especially those embracing an experimental therapeutics approach to probe target engagement; 2) novel preclinical models relevant to anhedonia, with stronger translational value; and 3) clinical scales that incorporate neuroscientific advances in our understanding of anhedonia. The author concludes by highlighting important future directions, emphasizing the need for an integrated, collaborative, cross-species, and multilevel approach to tackling anhedonic phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego A. Pizzagalli
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, and McLean Hospital, Belmont, Mass
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39
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Wulf HA, Browne CA, Zarate CA, Lucki I. Mediation of the behavioral effects of ketamine and (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine in mice by kappa opioid receptors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:2309-2316. [PMID: 35459958 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06118-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence has implicated the endogenous opioid system in mediating ketamine's antidepressant activity in subjects with major depressive disorder. To date, mu opioid receptors have been suggested as the primary opioid receptor of interest. However, this hypothesis relies primarily on observations that the opioid antagonist naltrexone blocked the effects of ketamine in humans and rodents. This report confirms previous findings that pretreatment with naltrexone (1 mg/kg) just prior to ketamine (10 mg/kg) administration effectively blocks the behavioral effect of ketamine in the mouse forced swim test 24 h post-treatment. Furthermore, pharmacological blockade of kappa opioid receptors prior to ketamine administration with the selective, short-acting antagonist LY2444296 successfully blocked ketamine's effects in the forced swim test. Likewise, the ability of the ketamine metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine to reduce immobility scores in the forced swim test was also blocked following pretreatment with either naltrexone or LY2444296. These data support a potential role of kappa opioid receptors in mediating the behavioral activity of ketamine and its non-dissociate metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hildegard A Wulf
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Caroline A Browne
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
| | - Carlos A Zarate
- National Institute on Mental Health, MD, 20814, Bethesda, USA
| | - Irwin Lucki
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
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40
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Orsolini L, Salvi V, Volpe U. Craving and addictive potential of esketamine as side effects? Expert Opin Drug Saf 2022; 21:803-812. [PMID: 35509224 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2022.2071422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Esketamine was approved for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in conjunction with an oral antidepressant, and for treating depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation or behavior. However, evidence of great efficacy and safety of esketamine is accompanied by a widespread concern regarding its addictive potential. AREAS COVERED A comprehensive review on the craving and addictive potential of ketamine and esketamine was carried out. In addition, a clinical case of a 34-year-old TRD woman treated with esketamine who experienced drug-seeking behaviors and craving symptomatology was described and critically discussed, with a particular focus on treatment strategies to manage craving in the short- and long term. EXPERT OPINION Esketamine showed great efficacy and safety in treating TRD and MDD with acute suicidal ideation or behavior. Our clinical experience demonstrated the presence of an additive potential, which has been favorably managed with slow esketamine de-titration and combination with bupropion. However, literature so far published is scant and shows contradictory findings. Therefore, it is crucial to promptly detect and manage craving symptomatology in esketamine-treated TRD patients. In our experience, the use of bupropion to counteract craving and addictive symptoms was proven to be effective and safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Orsolini
- Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Virginio Salvi
- Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Umberto Volpe
- Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
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41
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Sturaro C, Malfacini D, Argentieri M, Djeujo FM, Marzola E, Albanese V, Ruzza C, Guerrini R, Calo’ G, Molinari P. Pharmacology of Kappa Opioid Receptors: Novel Assays and Ligands. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:873082. [PMID: 35529436 PMCID: PMC9068900 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.873082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the in vitro pharmacology of the human kappa opioid receptor using multiple assays, including calcium mobilization in cells expressing chimeric G proteins, the dynamic mass redistribution (DMR) label-free assay, and a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay that allows measurement of receptor interaction with G protein and β-arrestin 2. In all assays, dynorphin A, U-69,593, and [D-Pro10]dyn(1-11)-NH2 behaved as full agonists with the following rank order of potency [D-Pro10]dyn(1-11)-NH2 > dynorphin A ≥ U-69,593. [Dmt1,Tic2]dyn(1-11)-NH2 behaved as a moderate potency pure antagonist in the kappa-β-arrestin 2 interaction assay and as low efficacy partial agonist in the other assays. Norbinaltorphimine acted as a highly potent and pure antagonist in all assays except kappa-G protein interaction, where it displayed efficacy as an inverse agonist. The pharmacological actions of novel kappa ligands, namely the dynorphin A tetrameric derivative PWT2-Dyn A and the palmitoylated derivative Dyn A-palmitic, were also investigated. PWT2-Dyn A and Dyn A-palmitic mimicked dynorphin A effects in all assays showing similar maximal effects but 3–10 fold lower potency. In conclusion, in the present study, multiple in vitro assays for the kappa receptor have been set up and pharmacologically validated. In addition, PWT2-Dyn A and Dyn A-palmitic were characterized as potent full agonists; these compounds are worthy of further investigation in vivo for those conditions in which the activation of the kappa opioid receptor elicits beneficial effects e.g. pain and pruritus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Sturaro
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Davide Malfacini
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- *Correspondence: Davide Malfacini,
| | - Michela Argentieri
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Francine M. Djeujo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Erika Marzola
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valentina Albanese
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calo’
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Paola Molinari
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
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42
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Ma H, Brust T, Frankowski KJ, Lovell KM, Cameron MD, Bohn LM, Aubé J. Advances in Sulfonamide Kappa Opioid Receptor Antagonists: Structural Refinement and Evaluation of CNS Clearance. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1315-1332. [PMID: 35410469 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Focused modification of a sulfonamide-based kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonist series previously reported by this laboratory was investigated. A total of 32 analogues were prepared to explore linker replacement, constraint manipulation, and aryl group or amine substitution. All analogues were assayed for KOR antagonist activity, and the initial lead compound was assessed for in vivo CNS penetration. The most improved analogue possessed a 4-fold increase of potency (IC50 = 18.9 ± 4.4 nM) compared with the lead compound (IC50 = 83.5 ± 20 nM) from an earlier work. The initial lead compound was found to attain suitable brain levels and to possess a shorter clearance time than canonical KOR antagonists such as JDTic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyong Ma
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, 125 Mason Farm Road, CB 7363, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, 2034 Becker Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States
| | - Tarsis Brust
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, #2A2, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Kevin J Frankowski
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, 125 Mason Farm Road, CB 7363, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, 2034 Becker Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States
| | - Kimberly M Lovell
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, #2A2, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Michael D Cameron
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, #2A1, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Laura M Bohn
- Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, #2A2, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Jeffrey Aubé
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, 125 Mason Farm Road, CB 7363, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, 2034 Becker Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States
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43
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McCarthy DM, Zhang L, Wilkes BJ, Vaillancourt DE, Biederman J, Bhide PG. Nicotine and the developing brain: Insights from preclinical models. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 214:173355. [PMID: 35176350 PMCID: PMC9063417 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Use of tobacco products during pregnancy is associated with increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring. Preclinical models of developmental nicotine exposure have offered valuable insights into the neurobiology of nicotine's effects on the developing brain and demonstrated lasting effects of developmental nicotine exposure on brain structure, neurotransmitter signaling and behavior. These models have facilitated discovery of novel compounds as candidate treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with prenatal nicotine exposure. Using these models the significance of heritability of behavioral phenotypes from the nicotine-exposed pregnant female or adult male to multiple generations of descendants has been demonstrated. Finally, research using the preclinical models has demonstrated synergistic interactions between developmental nicotine exposure and repetitive mild traumatic brain injury that contribute to "worse" outcomes from the injury in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder associated with developmental nicotine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre M McCarthy
- Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL 32306, United States of America
| | - Lin Zhang
- Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL 32306, United States of America
| | - Bradley J Wilkes
- Laboratory for Rehabilitation Neuroscience, Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States of America
| | - David E Vaillancourt
- Laboratory for Rehabilitation Neuroscience, Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States of America
| | - Joseph Biederman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Pradeep G Bhide
- Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL 32306, United States of America.
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44
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Abraham AD, Casello SM, Land BB, Chavkin C. Optogenetic stimulation of dynorphinergic neurons within the dorsal raphe activate kappa opioid receptors in the ventral tegmental area and ablation of dorsal raphe prodynorphin or kappa receptors in dopamine neurons blocks stress potentiation of cocaine reward. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 1. [PMID: 36176476 PMCID: PMC9518814 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral stress exposure increases the risk of drug-taking in individuals with substance use disorders by mechanisms involving the dynorphins, which are the endogenous neuropeptides for the kappa opioid receptor (KOR). KOR agonists have been shown to encode dysphoria, aversion, and changes in reward valuation, and kappa opioid antagonists are in clinical development for treating substance use disorders. In this study, we confirmed that KORs were expressed in dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of male C57BL6/J mice. Genetic ablation of KORs from dopamine neurons blocked the potentiating effects of repeated forced swim stress on cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP). KOR activation inhibited dopamine neuron GCaMP6m calcium activity in VTA during swim stress and caused a rebound enhancement during the period after stress exposure. Transient optogenetic inhibition of VTA dopamine neurons with AAV5-DIO-SwiChR was acutely aversive in a real time place preference assay and blunted cocaine CPP when inhibition was administered concurrently with cocaine conditioning. However, when inhibition preceded cocaine conditioning by 30 min, cocaine CPP was enhanced. Retrograde tracing with CAV2-DIO-ZsGreen identified a population of prodynorphinCre neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) projecting to the VTA. Optogenetic stimulation of dynorphinergic neurons within the DRN by Channelrhodopsin2 activated KOR in VTA and ablation of prodynorphin blocked stress potentiation of cocaine CPP. Together, these studies demonstrate the presence of a dynorphin/KOR midbrain circuit that projects from the DRN to VTA and is involved in altering the dynamic response of dopamine neuron activity to enhance drug reward learning.
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45
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Treatment-Resistant Depression with Anhedonia: Integrating Clinical and Preclinical Approaches to Investigate Distinct Phenotypes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 136:104578. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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46
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Blockade of kappa opioid receptors reduces mechanical hyperalgesia and anxiety-like behavior in a rat model of trigeminal neuropathic pain. Behav Brain Res 2022; 417:113595. [PMID: 34592375 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
It has been shown that kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonists, such as nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), have antinociceptive effects in some pain models that affect the trigeminal system. Also, its anxiolytic-like effect has been extensively demonstrated in the literature. The present study aimed to investigate the systemic, local, and central effect of nor-BNI on trigeminal neuropathic pain using the infraorbital nerve constriction model (CCI-ION), as well as to evaluate its effect on anxiety-like behavior associated with this model. Animals received nor-BNI systemically; in the trigeminal ganglion (TG); in the subarachnoid space to target the spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Sp5C) or in the central amygdala (CeA) 14 days after CCI-ION surgery. Systemic administration of nor-BNI caused a significant reduction of facial mechanical hyperalgesia and promoted an anxiolytic-like effect, which was detected in the elevated plus-maze and the light-dark transition tests. When administered in the TG or CeA, the KOR antagonist was able to reduce facial mechanical hyperalgesia induced by CCI-ION, but without changing the anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, no change was observed on nociception and anxiety-like behavior after nor-BNI injection into the Sp5C. The present study demonstrated antinociceptive and anxiolytic-like effects of nor-BNI in a model of trigeminal neuropathic pain. The antinociceptive effect seems to be dissociated from the anxiolytic-like effect, at both the sites involved and at the dose need to achieve the effect. In conclusion, the kappa opioid system may represent a promising target to be explored for the control of trigeminal pain and associated anxiety. However, further studies are necessary to better elucidate its functioning and modulatory role in chronic trigeminal pain states.
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Missig G, Fritsch EL, Mehta N, Damon ME, Jarrell EM, Bartlett AA, Carroll FI, Carlezon WA. Blockade of kappa-opioid receptors amplifies microglia-mediated inflammatory responses. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 212:173301. [PMID: 34826432 PMCID: PMC8748402 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Brain kappa-opioid receptors (KORs) are implicated in the pathophysiology of depressive and anxiety disorders, stimulating interest in the therapeutic potential of KOR antagonists. Research on KOR function has tended to focus on KOR-expressing neurons and pathways such as the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system. However, KORs are also expressed on non-neuronal cells including microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain. The effects of KOR antagonists on microglia are not understood despite the potential contributions of these cells to overall responsiveness to this class of drugs. Previous work in vitro suggests that KOR activation suppresses proinflammatory signaling mediated by immune cells including microglia. Here, we examined how KOR antagonism affects microglia function in vivo, together with its effects on physiological and behavioral responses to an immune challenge. Pretreatment with the prototypical KOR antagonist JDTic potentiates levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6) in blood following administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an immune-activating agent, without triggering effects on its own. Using magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACs), we found that KOR antagonism potentiates LPS-induced cytokine expression within microglia. This effect is accompanied by potentiation of LPS-induced hyperthermia, although reductions in body weight and locomotion were not affected. Histological analyses confirm that LPS produces visible changes in microglia morphology consistent with activation, but this effect is not altered by KOR antagonism. Considering that inflammation is increasingly implicated in depressive and anxiety disorders, these findings raise the possibility that KOR antagonist actions on microglia may detract from actions on neurons that contribute to their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galen Missig
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont MA, 02478, USA
| | - Emma L. Fritsch
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont MA, 02478, USA
| | - Niyati Mehta
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont MA, 02478, USA
| | - Miles E. Damon
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont MA, 02478, USA
| | - Erica M. Jarrell
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont MA, 02478, USA
| | - Andrew A. Bartlett
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont MA, 02478, USA
| | - F. Ivy Carroll
- Center for Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Research Triangle Institute, P. O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park NC, 27709, USA
| | - William A. Carlezon
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont MA, 02478, USA
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Best KM, Mojena MM, Barr GA, Schmidt HD, Cohen AS. Endogenous Opioid Dynorphin Is a Potential Link between Traumatic Brain Injury, Chronic Pain, and Substance Use Disorder. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:1-19. [PMID: 34751584 PMCID: PMC8978570 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2021.0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem associated with numerous physical and neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Chronic pain is prevalent and interferes with post-injury functioning and quality of life, whereas substance use disorder (SUD) is the third most common neuropsychiatric diagnosis after TBI. Neither of these conditions has a clear mechanistic explanation based on the known pathophysiology of TBI. Dynorphin is an endogenous opioid neuropeptide that is significantly dysregulated after TBI. Both dynorphin and its primary receptor, the ĸ-opioid receptor (KOR), are implicated in the neuropathology of chronic pain and SUD. Here, we review the known roles of dynorphin and KORs in chronic pain and SUDs. We synthesize this information with our current understanding of TBI and highlight potential mechanistic parallels between and across conditions that suggest a role for dynorphin in long-term sequelae after TBI. In pain studies, dynorphin/KOR activation has either antinociceptive or pro-nociceptive effects, and there are similarities between the signaling pathways influenced by dynorphin and those underlying development of chronic pain. Moreover, the dynorphin/KOR system is considered a key regulator of the negative affective state that characterizes drug withdrawal and protracted abstinence in SUD, and molecular and neurochemical changes observed during the development of SUD are mirrored by the pathophysiology of TBI. We conclude by proposing hypotheses and directions for future research aimed at elucidating the potential role of dynorphin/KOR in chronic pain and/or SUD after TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin M. Best
- Department of Nursing and Clinical Care Services, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marissa M. Mojena
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gordon A. Barr
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Psychology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Heath D. Schmidt
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Akiva S. Cohen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Address correspondence to: Akiva S. Cohen, PhD, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Room 816-I, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Klein ME, Grice AB, Sheth S, Go M, Murrough JW. Pharmacological Treatments for Anhedonia. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2022; 58:467-489. [PMID: 35507281 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Anhedonia - the reduced ability to experience or respond to pleasure - is an important symptom domain for many psychiatric disorders. It is particularly relevant to depression and other mood disorders and it is a diagnostic criterion of a major depressive episode. Developing safe and effective pharmacological interventions for anhedonia is a critical public health need. The current chapter will review the state of the field with respect to both the efficacy of currently available pharmacotherapies for anhedonia and the recent clinical research focusing on new brain targets, including the kappa-opioid receptor and the KCNQ2/3 receptors. The evidence for anti-anhedonic effects of ketamine and psychedelic agents will be reviewed, as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Klein
- Depression and Anxiety Center, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Ariela Buxbaum Grice
- Depression and Anxiety Center, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sahil Sheth
- Depression and Anxiety Center, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Megan Go
- Depression and Anxiety Center, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - James W Murrough
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Aldrich JV, McLaughlin JP. Peptide Kappa Opioid Receptor Ligands and Their Potential for Drug Development. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2022; 271:197-220. [PMID: 34463847 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Ligands for kappa opioid receptors (KOR) have potential uses as non-addictive analgesics and for the treatment of pruritus, mood disorders, and substance abuse. These areas continue to have major unmet medical needs. Significant advances have been made in recent years in the preclinical development of novel opioid peptides, notably ones with structural features that inherently impart stability to proteases. Following a brief discussion of the potential therapeutic applications of KOR agonists and antagonists, this review focuses on two series of novel opioid peptides, all-D-amino acid tetrapeptides as peripherally selective KOR agonists for the treatment of pain and pruritus without centrally mediated side effects, and macrocyclic tetrapeptides based on CJ-15,208 that can exhibit different opioid profiles with potential applications such as analgesics and treatments for substance abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane V Aldrich
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Jay P McLaughlin
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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