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Hidema S, Sato K, Mizukami H, Takahashi Y, Maejima Y, Shimomura K, Nishimori K. Oxytocin Receptor-Expressing Neurons in the Medial Preoptic Area Are Essential for Lactation, whereas Those in the Lateral Septum Are Not Critical for Maternal Behavior. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 114:517-537. [PMID: 38071956 PMCID: PMC11151981 DOI: 10.1159/000535362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In nurturing systems, the oxytocin (Oxt)-oxytocin receptor (Oxtr) system is important for parturition, and essential for lactation and parental behavior. Among the nerve nuclei that express Oxtr, the lateral septal nucleus (LS) and medial preoptic area (MPOA) are representative regions that control maternal behavior. METHODS We investigated the role of Oxtr- and Oxtr-expressing neurons, located in the LS and MPOA, in regulating maternal behavior by regulating Oxtr expression in a region-specific manner using recombinant mice and adeno-associated viruses. We quantified the prolactin (Prl) concentrations in the pituitary gland and plasma when Oxtr expression in the MPOA was reduced. RESULTS The endogenous Oxtr gene in the neurons of the LS did not seem to play an essential role in maternal behavior. Conversely, decreased Oxtr expression in the MPOA increased the frequency of pups being left outside the nest and reduced their survival rate. Deletion of Oxtr in MPOA neurons prevented elevation of Prl levels in plasma and pituitary at postpartum day 2. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION Oxtr-expressing neurons in the MPOA are involved in the postpartum production of Prl. We confirmed the essential functions of Oxtr-expressing neurons and the Oxtr gene itself in the MPOA for the sustainability of maternal behavior, which involved Oxtr-dependent induction of Prl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizu Hidema
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Keisuke Sato
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mizukami
- Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Yumi Takahashi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yuko Maejima
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kenju Shimomura
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Nishimori
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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2
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Zhao H, Wang Y, Xu H, Liu M, Xu X, Zhu S, Liu Z, Cai H, Wang Y, Lu J, Yang X, Kong S, Bao H, Wang H, Deng W. Stromal cells-specific retinoic acid determines parturition timing at single-cell and spatial-temporal resolution. iScience 2023; 26:107796. [PMID: 37720083 PMCID: PMC10502414 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The underlying mechanisms governing parturition remain largely elusive due to limited knowledge of parturition preparation and initiation. Accumulated evidences indicate that maternal decidua plays a critical role in parturition initiation. To comprehensively decrypt the cell heterogeneity in decidua approaching parturition, we investigate the roles of various cell types in mouse decidua process and reveal previously unappreciated insights in parturition initiation utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). We enumerate the cell types in decidua and identity five different stromal cells populations and one decidualized stromal cells. Furthermore, our study unravels that stromal cells prepare for parturition by regulating local retinol acid (RA) synthesis. RA supplement decreases expression of extracellular matrix-related genes in vitro and accelerates the timing of parturition in vivo. Collectively, the discovery of contribution of stromal cells in parturition expands current knowledge about parturition and opens up avenues for the intervention of preterm birth (PTB).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xinmei Xu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Sijing Zhu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Zhao Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Han Cai
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yinan Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jinhua Lu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaoqing Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Xisi Road, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuangbo Kong
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Haili Bao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Haibin Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Wenbo Deng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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Levine AS, Jewett DC, Kotz CM, Olszewski PK. Behavioral plasticity: Role of neuropeptides in shaping feeding responses. Appetite 2022; 174:106031. [PMID: 35395362 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106031] [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: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral plasticity refers to changes occurring due to external influences on an organism, including adaptation, learning, memory and enduring influences from early life experience. There are 2 types of behavioral plasticity: "developmental", which refers to gene/environment interactions affecting a phenotype, and "activational" which refers to innate physiology and can involve structural physiological changes of the body. In this review, we focus on feeding behavior, and studies involving neuropeptides that influence behavioral plasticity - primarily opioids, orexin, neuropeptide Y, and oxytocin. In each section of the review, we include examples of behavioral plasticity as it relates to actions of these neuropeptides. It can be concluded from this review that eating behavior is influenced by a number of external factors, including time of day, type of food available, energy balance state, and stressors. The reviewed work underscores that environmental factors play a critical role in feeding behavior and energy balance, but changes in eating behavior also result from a multitude of non-environmental factors, such that there can be no single mechanism or variable that can explain ingestive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen S Levine
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55113, USA.
| | - David C Jewett
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, USA
| | - Catherine M Kotz
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA; Geriatric, Research, Education and Clinical Center, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Pawel K Olszewski
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55113, USA; Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA; Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
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Targeting Neurons with Functional Oxytocin Receptors: A Novel Set of Simple Knock-In Mouse Lines for Oxytocin Receptor Visualization and Manipulation. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0423-21.2022. [PMID: 35082173 PMCID: PMC8856715 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0423-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin (Oxt) plays important roles in modulating social behaviors. Oxt receptor (Oxtr) is abundantly expressed in the brain and its relationship to socio-behavioral controls has been extensively studied using mouse brains. Several genetic tools to visualize and/or manipulate Oxtr-expressing cells, such as fluorescent reporters and Cre recombinase drivers, have been generated by ES-cell based gene targeting or bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenesis. However, these mouse lines displayed some differences in their Oxtr expression profiles probably because of the complex context and integrity of their genomic configurations in each line. Here, we apply our sophisticated genome-editing techniques to the Oxtr locus, systematically generating a series of knock-in mouse lines, in which its endogenous transcriptional regulations are intactly preserved and evaluate their expression profiles to ensure the reliability of our new tools. We employ the epitope tagging strategy, with which C-terminally fused tags can be detected by highly specific antibodies, to successfully visualize the Oxtr protein distribution on the neural membrane with super-resolution imaging for the first time. By using T2A self-cleaving peptide sequences, we also induce proper expressions of tdTomato reporter, codon-improved Cre recombinase (iCre), and spatiotemporally inducible Cre-ERT2 in Oxtr-expressing neurons. Electrophysiological recordings from tdTomato-positive cells in the reporter mice support the validity of our tool design. Retro-orbital injections of AAV-PHP.eB vector into the Cre line further enabled visualization of recombinase activities in the appropriate brain regions. Moreover, the first-time Cre-ERT2 line drives Cre-mediated recombination in a spatiotemporally controlled manner on tamoxifen (TMX) administration. These tools thus provide an excellent resource for future functional studies in Oxt-responsive neurons and should prove of broad interest in the field.
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Niu J, Tong J, Blevins JE. Oxytocin as an Anti-obesity Treatment. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:743546. [PMID: 34720864 PMCID: PMC8549820 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.743546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a growing health concern, as it increases risk for heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cancer, COVID-19 related hospitalizations and mortality. However, current weight loss therapies are often associated with psychiatric or cardiovascular side effects or poor tolerability that limit their long-term use. The hypothalamic neuropeptide, oxytocin (OT), mediates a wide range of physiologic actions, which include reproductive behavior, formation of prosocial behaviors and control of body weight. We and others have shown that OT circumvents leptin resistance and elicits weight loss in diet-induced obese rodents and non-human primates by reducing both food intake and increasing energy expenditure (EE). Chronic intranasal OT also elicits promising effects on weight loss in obese humans. This review evaluates the potential use of OT as a therapeutic strategy to treat obesity in rodents, non-human primates, and humans, and identifies potential mechanisms that mediate this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- JingJing Niu
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Office of Research and Development, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jenny Tong
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Office of Research and Development, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - James E Blevins
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Office of Research and Development, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
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6
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Horie K, Inoue K, Nishimori K, Young LJ. Investigation of Oxtr-expressing Neurons Projecting to Nucleus Accumbens using Oxtr-ires-Cre Knock-in prairie Voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Neuroscience 2021; 448:312-324. [PMID: 33092784 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Social bonds such as parent-infant attachment or pair bonds can be critical for mental and physical well-being. The monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) has proven useful for examining the neural substrates regulating social behaviors, including social bonding. Oxytocin (OXT) and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) play critical roles in alloparental care, pair bonding and consoling behavior in prairie voles. While OXTR in a few regions, such as the nucleus accumbnes (NAcc), prefrontal cortex (PFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), have been implicated in regulating these behaviors, the extent to which other OXT sensitive areas modulate social behaviors has not been investigated. The NAcc is a central hub for modulating OXTR dependent social behaviors. To identify neurons expressing Oxtr in prairie vole brain, we generated gene knock-in voles expressing Cre recombinase in tandem with Oxtr (Oxtr-ires-Cre) using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. We confirmed Oxtr and Cre mRNA co-localization in NAcc, validating this model. Next, we identified putative Oxtr-expressing neurons projecting to NAcc by infusing retrograde CRE-dependent EGFP AAV into NAcc and visualizing fluorescence. We found enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) positive neurons in anterior olfactory nucleus, PFC, ACC, insular cortex (IC), paraventricular thalamus (PVT), basolateral amygdala (BLA), and posteromedial and posterolateral cortical amygdaloid area (PMCo, PLCo). The ACC to NAcc OXTR projection may represent a species-specific circuit since Oxtr-expressing neurons in the ACC of mice were reported not to project to the NAcc. This is the first delineation of Oxtr-expressing neural circuits in the prairie vole, and demonstrates the utility of this novel genetically modified organism for characterizing OXTR circuits involved in social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kengo Horie
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1, Aramaki Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0845, Japan; Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Kiyoshi Inoue
- Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Katsuhiko Nishimori
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1, Aramaki Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0845, Japan.
| | - Larry J Young
- Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
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Hong SM, Ko JK, Moon JJ, Kim YR. Oxytocin: A Potential Therapeutic for Obesity. J Obes Metab Syndr 2021; 30:115-123. [PMID: 33820878 PMCID: PMC8277591 DOI: 10.7570/jomes20098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin is a neuropeptide involved in the homeostasis of food consumption and energy; it affects hedonic eating. Studies in obese or binge-eating patients reported the hypophagic effect of oxytocin, which reduced caloric intake after administration. Several studies have demonstrated the effect of oxytocin’s increasing energy intake, decreasing food consumption, and contributing to weight loss. Oxytocin’s effects on food intake and metabolism suggest its therapeutic potential for treating obesity and binge eating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Min Hong
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong-Kyung Ko
- Institute of Eating Disorders and Mental Health, Inje University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Joon Moon
- Department of Psychiatry, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University, Busan, Korea
| | - Youl-Ri Kim
- Institute of Eating Disorders and Mental Health, Inje University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University, Seoul, Korea
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Althammer F, Eliava M, Grinevich V. Central and peripheral release of oxytocin: Relevance of neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter actions for physiology and behavior. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 180:25-44. [PMID: 34225933 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-820107-7.00003-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is critically involved in the modulation of socio-emotional behavior, sexual competence, and pain perception and anticipation. While intracellular signaling of OT and its receptor (OTR), as well as the functional connectivity of hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic OT projections, have been recently explored, it remains elusive how one single molecule has pleotropic effects from cell proliferation all the way to modulation of complex cognitive processes. Moreover, there are astonishing species-dependent differences in the way OT regulates various sensory modalities such as touch, olfaction, and vision, which can be explained by differences in OTR expression in brain regions processing sensory information. Recent research highlights a small subpopulation of OT-synthesizing cells, namely, parvocellular cells, which merely constitute 1% of the total number of OT cells but act as "master cells' that regulate the activity of the entire OT system. In this chapter, we summarize the latest advances in the field of OT research with a particular focus on differences between rodents, monkeys and humans and highlight the main differences between OT and its "sister" peptide arginine-vasopressin, which often exerts opposite effects on physiology and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Althammer
- Neuroscience Department, Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Marina Eliava
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
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Activation of septal OXTr neurons induces anxiety- but not depressive-like behaviors. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7270-7279. [PMID: 34489531 PMCID: PMC8873014 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01283-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) is well recognized for eliciting anxiolytic effects and promoting social reward. However, emerging evidence shows that OXT increases aversive events. These seemingly inconsistent results may be attributable to the broad OXT receptor (OXTr) expression in the central nervous system. This study selectively activated septal neurons expressing OXTr using chemogenetics. We found that chemogenetic activation of septal OXTr neurons induced anxiety- but not depressive-like behavior. In addition, septal OXTr neurons projected dense fibers to the horizontal diagonal band of Broca (HDB), and selective stimulation of those HDB projections also elicited anxiety-like behaviors. We also found that septal OXTr neurons express the vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT) protein and optogenetic stimulation of septal OXTr projections to the HDB inactivated HDB neurons. Our data collectively reveal that septal OXTr neurons increase anxiety by projecting inhibitory GABAergic inputs to the HDB.
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10
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Horiai M, Otsuka A, Hidema S, Hiraoka Y, Hayashi R, Miyazaki S, Furuse T, Mizukami H, Teruyama R, Tamura M, Bito H, Maejima Y, Shimomura K, Nishimori K. Targeting oxytocin receptor (Oxtr)-expressing neurons in the lateral septum to restore social novelty in autism spectrum disorder mouse models. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22173. [PMID: 33335150 PMCID: PMC7746761 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79109-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a continuum of neurodevelopmental disorders and needs new therapeutic approaches. Recently, oxytocin (OXT) showed potential as the first anti-ASD drug. Many reports have described the efficacy of intranasal OXT therapy to improve the core symptoms of patients with ASD; however, the underlying neurobiological mechanism remains unknown. The OXT/oxytocin receptor (OXTR) system, through the lateral septum (LS), contributes to social behavior, which is disrupted in ASD. Therefore, we selectively express hM3Dq in OXTR-expressing (OXTR+) neurons in the LS to investigate this effect in ASD mouse models developed by environmental and genetic cues. In mice that received valproic acid (environmental cue), we demonstrated successful recovery of impaired social memory with three-chamber test after OXTR+ neuron activation in the LS. Application of a similar strategy to Nl3R451C knock-in mice (genetic cue) also caused successful recovery of impaired social memory in single field test. OXTR+ neurons in the LS, which are activated by social stimuli, are projected to the CA1 region of the hippocampus. This study identified a candidate mechanism for improving core symptoms of ASD by artificial activation of DREADDs, as a simulation of OXT administration to activate OXTR+ neurons in the LS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Machi Horiai
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aramaki-Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0845, Japan
| | - Ayano Otsuka
- Department of Obesity and Internal Inflammation, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Shizu Hidema
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aramaki-Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0845, Japan.,Department of Obesity and Internal Inflammation, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.,Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Yuichi Hiraoka
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuroscience Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Hayashi
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aramaki-Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0845, Japan.,Innovation Center, Nippon Flour Mills Co., Ltd., 5-1-3 Midorigaoka, Atsugi, Kanagawa, 243-0041, Japan
| | - Shinji Miyazaki
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aramaki-Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0845, Japan
| | - Tamio Furuse
- Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, Japan Mouse Clinic, RIKEN BioResouce Reserch Center (BRC), 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mizukami
- Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Teruyama
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Masaru Tamura
- Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, Japan Mouse Clinic, RIKEN BioResouce Reserch Center (BRC), 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Bito
- Department of Neurochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yuko Maejima
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Kenju Shimomura
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Nishimori
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aramaki-Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0845, Japan. .,Department of Obesity and Internal Inflammation, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan. .,Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.
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11
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Meyer MAA, Anstötz M, Ren LY, Fiske MP, Guedea AL, Grayson VS, Schroth SL, Cicvaric A, Nishimori K, Maccaferri G, Radulovic J. Stress-related memories disrupt sociability and associated patterning of hippocampal activity: a role of hilar oxytocin receptor-positive interneurons. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:428. [PMID: 33311459 PMCID: PMC7733596 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01091-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In susceptible individuals, memories of stressful experiences can give rise to debilitating socio-affective symptoms. This occurs even when the ability to retrieve such memories is limited, as seen in patients suffering from traumatic amnesia. We therefore hypothesized that the encoding, rather than retrieval, mechanisms of stress-related memories underlie their impact on social and emotional behavior. To test this hypothesis, we used combinations of stress-enhanced and state-dependent fear conditioning, which engage different encoding mechanisms for the formation of stress-related memories. We found that the encoding of stress-enhanced state-dependent memories robustly and sex specifically impairs sociability in male mice and disrupts the asymmetry of dentate gyrus (DG)/CA3 activity accompanying social interactions. These deficits were restored by chemogenetic inactivation of oxytocin receptor-positive interneurons localized in the hilus (Oxtr-HI), and by inactivation of dorsohippocampal efferents to the caudal lateral septum. Together, our data suggest that disrupted patterning of dorsohippocampal DG/CA3 activity underlies stress-induced sociability deficits, and that Oxtr-HI can be a cellular target for improving these deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah A. A. Meyer
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Max Anstötz
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Physiology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Lynn Y. Ren
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Michael P. Fiske
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Physiology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Anita L. Guedea
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Viktoriya S. Grayson
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Samantha L. Schroth
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Ana Cicvaric
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Katsuhiko Nishimori
- grid.411582.b0000 0001 1017 9540Department of Obesity and Internal Inflammation, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, 960-1295 Japan
| | - Gianmaria Maccaferri
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Physiology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Jelena Radulovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. .,Department of Physiology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience and Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, The Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
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12
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Wei J, Ma L, Ju P, Yang B, Wang YX, Chen J. Involvement of Oxytocin Receptor/Erk/MAPK Signaling in the mPFC in Early Life Stress-Induced Autistic-Like Behaviors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:564485. [PMID: 33134294 PMCID: PMC7561716 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.564485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The neonatal or infant period is a critical stage for the development of brain neuroplasticity. Early life stresses in the neonatal period, including neonatal maternal separation (NMS), have adverse effects on an increased risk of psychiatric disorders in juveniles and adults. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not largely understood. Here, we found that juvenile rats subjected to 4 h daily NMS during postnatal days 1 to 20 exhibited autistic-like behavioral deficits without impairments in learning and memory functions. Molecular mechanism studies showed that oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in the medial prefrontal cortex of NMS rats was evidently downregulated when compared with control pups, especially in neurons. Erk/MAPK signaling, the downstream coupling signaling of OTXR, was also inhibited in NMS juvenile rats. Treatment with oxytocin could relieve NMS-induced social deficit behaviors and activated phosphorylation of Erk/MAPK signaling. Furthermore, medication with the inhibitor of H3K4 demethylase alleviated the abnormal behaviors in NMS rats and increased the expression of OXTR in the medial prefrontal cortex, which showed an epigenetic mechanism underlying social deficits induced by NMS. Taken together, these findings identified a molecular mechanism by which disruptions of mother-infant interactions influenced later displays of typical social behaviors and suggested the potential for NMS-driven epigenetic tuning of OXTR expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbao Wei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,King's Lab, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Institute of Wudang Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Le Ma
- King's Lab, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peijun Ju
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Beibei Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Xiang Wang
- King's Lab, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinghong Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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13
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Boender AJ, Young LJ. Oxytocin, vasopressin and social behavior in the age of genome editing: A comparative perspective. Horm Behav 2020; 124:104780. [PMID: 32544402 PMCID: PMC7486992 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral neuroendocrinology has a rich history of using diverse model organisms to elucidate general principles and evolution of hormone-brain-behavior relationships. The oxytocin and vasopressin systems have been studied in many species, revealing their role in regulating social behaviors. Oxytocin and vasopressin receptors show remarkable species and individual differences in distribution in the brain that have been linked to diversity in social behaviors. New technologies allow for unprecedented interrogation of the genes and neural circuitry regulating behaviors, but these approaches often require transgenic models and are most often used in mice. Here we discuss seminal findings relating the oxytocin and vasopressin systems to social behavior with a focus on non-traditional animal models. We then evaluate the potential of using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to examine the roles of genes and enable circuit dissection, manipulation and activity monitoring of the oxytocin and vasopressin systems. We believe that it is essential to incorporate these genetic and circuit level techniques in comparative behavioral neuroendocrinology research to ensure that our field remains innovative and attractive for the next generation of investigators and funding agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjen J Boender
- Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Larry J Young
- Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
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14
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Newmaster KT, Nolan ZT, Chon U, Vanselow DJ, Weit AR, Tabbaa M, Hidema S, Nishimori K, Hammock EAD, Kim Y. Quantitative cellular-resolution map of the oxytocin receptor in postnatally developing mouse brains. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1885. [PMID: 32313029 PMCID: PMC7171089 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15659-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The oxytocin receptor (OTR) plays critical roles in social behavior development. Despite its significance, brain-wide quantitative understanding of OTR expression remains limited in postnatally developing brains. Here, we develop postnatal 3D template brains to register whole brain images with cellular resolution to systematically quantify OTR cell densities. We utilize fluorescent reporter mice (Otrvenus/+) and find that cortical regions show temporally and spatially heterogeneous patterns with transient postnatal OTR expression without cell death. Cortical OTR cells are largely glutamatergic neurons with the exception of cells in layer 6b. Subcortical regions show similar temporal regulation except the hypothalamus and two hypothalamic nuclei display sexually dimorphic OTR expression. Lack of OTR expression correlates with reduced dendritic spine densities in selected cortical regions of developing brains. Lastly, we create a website to visualize our high-resolution imaging data. In summary, our research provides a comprehensive resource for postnatal OTR expression in the mouse brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyra T Newmaster
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Zachary T Nolan
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Uree Chon
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Daniel J Vanselow
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State University, Hershey, PA, USA
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Penn State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Abigael R Weit
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Manal Tabbaa
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Shizu Hidema
- Tohoku University Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Miyagi, Japan
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Hikarigaoka 1, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Nishimori
- Tohoku University Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Miyagi, Japan
- Department of Obesity and Internal Inflammation, Fukushima Medical University, Hikarigaoka 1, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan
| | - Elizabeth A D Hammock
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Yongsoo Kim
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State University, Hershey, PA, USA.
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15
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McCormack SE, Blevins JE, Lawson EA. Metabolic Effects of Oxytocin. Endocr Rev 2020; 41:5658523. [PMID: 31803919 PMCID: PMC7012298 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnz012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that oxytocin (OXT), a hypothalamic hormone well recognized for its effects in inducing parturition and lactation, has important metabolic effects in both sexes. The purpose of this review is to summarize the physiologic effects of OXT on metabolism and to explore its therapeutic potential for metabolic disorders. In model systems, OXT promotes weight loss by decreasing energy intake. Pair-feeding studies suggest that OXT-induced weight loss may also be partly due to increased energy expenditure and/or lipolysis. In humans, OXT appears to modulate both homeostatic and reward-driven food intake, although the observed response depends on nutrient milieu (eg, obese vs. nonobese), clinical characteristics (eg, sex), and experimental paradigm. In animal models, OXT is anabolic to muscle and bone, which is consistent with OXT-induced weight loss occurring primarily via fat loss. In some human observational studies, circulating OXT concentrations are also positively associated with lean mass and bone mineral density. The impact of exogenous OXT on human obesity is the focus of ongoing investigation. Future randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials in humans should include rigorous, standardized, and detailed assessments of adherence, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, and efficacy in the diverse populations that may benefit from OXT, in particular those in whom hypothalamic OXT signaling may be abnormal or impaired (eg, individuals with Sim1 deficiency, Prader-Willi syndrome, or craniopharyngioma). Future studies will also have the opportunity to investigate the characteristics of new OXT mimetic peptides and the obligation to consider long-term effects, especially when OXT is given to children and adolescents. (Endocrine Reviews XX: XX - XX, 2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shana E McCormack
- Neuroendocrine Center, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - James E Blevins
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Office of Research and Development Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Seattle, Washington.,Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Elizabeth A Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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16
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Lawson EA, Olszewski PK, Weller A, Blevins JE. The role of oxytocin in regulation of appetitive behaviour, body weight and glucose homeostasis. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12805. [PMID: 31657509 PMCID: PMC7186135 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and its associated complications have reached epidemic proportions in the USA and also worldwide, highlighting the need for new and more effective treatments. Although the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) is well recognised for its peripheral effects on reproductive behaviour, the release of OXT from somatodendrites and axonal terminals within the central nervous system (CNS) is also implicated in the control of energy balance. In this review, we summarise historical data highlighting the effects of exogenous OXT as a short-term regulator of food intake in a context-specific manner and the receptor populations that may mediate these effects. We also describe what is known about the physiological role of endogenous OXT in the control of energy balance and whether serum and brain levels of OXT relate to obesity on a consistent basis across animal models and humans with obesity. We describe recent data on the effectiveness of chronic CNS administration of OXT to decrease food intake and weight gain or to elicit weight loss in diet-induced obese (DIO) and genetically obese mice and rats. Of clinical importance is the finding that chronic central and peripheral OXT treatments both evoke weight loss in obese animal models with impaired leptin signalling at doses that are not associated with visceral illness, tachyphylaxis or adverse cardiovascular effects. Moreover, these results have been largely recapitulated following chronic s.c. or intranasal treatment in DIO non-human primates (rhesus monkeys) and obese humans, respectively. We also identify plausible mechanisms that contribute to the effects of OXT on body weight and glucose homeostasis in rodents, non-human primates and humans. We conclude by describing the ongoing challenges that remain before OXT-based therapeutics can be used as a long-term strategy to treat obesity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pawel K Olszewski
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Aron Weller
- Psychology Department and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - James E Blevins
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Office of Research and Development Medical Research Service, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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17
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Cilz NI, Cymerblit-Sabba A, Young WS. Oxytocin and vasopressin in the rodent hippocampus. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 18:e12535. [PMID: 30378258 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The role of the hippocampus in social memory and behavior is under intense investigation. Oxytocin (Oxt) and vasopressin (Avp) are two neuropeptides with many central actions related to social cognition. Oxt- and Avp-expressing fibers are abundant in the hippocampus and receptors for both peptides are seen throughout the different subfields, suggesting that Oxt and Avp modulate hippocampal-dependent processes. In this review, we first focus on the anatomical sources of Oxt and Avp input to the hippocampus and consider the distribution of their corresponding receptors in different hippocampal subfields and neuronal populations. We next discuss the behavioral outcomes related to social memory seen with perturbation of hippocampal Oxt and Avp signaling. Finally, we review Oxt and Avp modulatory mechanisms in the hippocampus that may underlie the behavioral roles for both peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas I Cilz
- Section on Neural Gene Expression, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Adi Cymerblit-Sabba
- Section on Neural Gene Expression, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - W Scott Young
- Section on Neural Gene Expression, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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18
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Li D, Ji Y, Zhao C, Yao Y, Yang A, Jin H, Chen Y, San M, Zhang J, Zhang M, Zhang L, Feng X, Zheng Y. OXTR overexpression leads to abnormal mammary gland development in mice. J Endocrinol 2018; 239:121-136. [PMID: 30089682 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin receptor (OXTR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor and known for regulation of maternal and social behaviors. Null mutation (Oxtr-/-) leads to defects in lactation due to impaired milk ejection and maternal nurturing. Overexpression of OXTR has never been studied. To define the functions of OXTR overexpression, a transgenic mouse model that overexpresses mouse Oxtr under β-actin promoter was developed ( ++ Oxtr). ++ Oxtr mice displayed advanced development and maturation of mammary gland, including ductal distention, enhanced secretory differentiation and early milk production at non-pregnancy and early pregnancy. However, ++ Oxtr dams failed to produce adequate amount of milk and led to lethality of newborns due to early involution of mammary gland in lactation. Mammary gland transplantation results indicated the abnormal mammary gland development was mainly from hormonal changes in ++Oxtr mice but not from OXTR overexpression in mammary gland. Elevated OXTR expression increased prolactin-induced phosphorylation and nuclear localization of STAT5 (p-STAT5), and decreased progesterone level, leading to early milk production in non-pregnant and early pregnant females, whereas low prolactin and STAT5 activation in lactation led to insufficient milk production. Progesterone treatment reversed the OXTR-induced accelerated mammary gland development by inhibition of prolactin/p-STAT5 pathway. Prolactin administration rescued lactation deficiency through STAT5 activation. Progesterone plays a negative role in OXTR-regulated prolactin/p-STAT5 pathways. The study provides evidence that OXTR overexpression induces abnormal mammary gland development through progesterone and prolactin-regulated p-STAT5 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Transgenic Research Center, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yan Ji
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Chunlan Zhao
- Transgenic Research Center, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yapeng Yao
- Transgenic Research Center, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Anlan Yang
- Transgenic Research Center, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Honghong Jin
- Transgenic Research Center, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Transgenic Research Center, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Mingjun San
- Transgenic Research Center, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Transgenic Research Center, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Mingjiao Zhang
- Transgenic Research Center, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Luqing Zhang
- Transgenic Research Center, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xuechao Feng
- Transgenic Research Center, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yaowu Zheng
- Transgenic Research Center, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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19
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Tirko NN, Eyring KW, Carcea I, Mitre M, Chao MV, Froemke RC, Tsien RW. Oxytocin Transforms Firing Mode of CA2 Hippocampal Neurons. Neuron 2018; 100:593-608.e3. [PMID: 30293821 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin is an important neuromodulator in the mammalian brain that increases information salience and circuit plasticity, but its signaling mechanisms and circuit effect are not fully understood. Here we report robust oxytocinergic modulation of intrinsic properties and circuit operations in hippocampal area CA2, a region of emerging importance for hippocampal function and social behavior. Upon oxytocin receptor activation, CA2 pyramidal cells depolarize and fire bursts of action potentials, a consequence of phospholipase C signaling to modify two separate voltage-dependent ionic processes. A reduction of potassium current carried by KCNQ-based M channels depolarizes the cell; protein kinase C activity attenuates spike rate of rise and overshoot, dampening after-hyperpolarizations. These actions, in concert with activation of fast-spiking interneurons, promote repetitive firing and CA2 bursting; bursting then governs short-term plasticity of CA2 synaptic transmission onto CA1 and, thus, efficacy of information transfer in the hippocampal network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha N Tirko
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Katherine W Eyring
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ioana Carcea
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Skirball Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Mariela Mitre
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Skirball Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Moses V Chao
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Skirball Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Robert C Froemke
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Skirball Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Richard W Tsien
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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20
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Freeman SM, Ngo J, Singh B, Masnaghetti M, Bales KL, Blevins JE. Effects of Chronic Oxytocin Administration and Diet Composition on Oxytocin and Vasopressin 1a Receptor Binding in the Rat Brain. Neuroscience 2018; 392:241-251. [PMID: 30071278 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.07.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) elicits weight loss in diet-induced obese (DIO) rodents, nonhuman primates, and humans, in part, by reducing food intake. Chronic OT administration produces more sustained weight loss in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed DIO rodents relative to chow-fed controls, but the reasons for this effect remain unclear. We hypothesized that HFD-induced obesity is associated with elevated OT receptor (OXTR) binding in brain regions where OT is known to cause decreased food intake and that this sensitized neural system is one mechanism by which OT preferentially elicits weight loss in DIO rodents. We therefore determined the impact of diet (HFD vs chow) and drug treatment (chronic OT infusion vs vehicle) on (1) OXTR binding in hindbrain and forebrain sites where OT suppresses food intake relative to control sites that express OXTR and (2) forebrain vasopressin 1a receptor (AVPR1a) density to evaluate the specificity of any OT effects. Using quantitative receptor autoradiography, we found that (1) diet composition failed to alter OXTR or AVPR1a binding; (2) chronic OT treatment produced largely global reductions in forebrain OXTR and AVPR1a binding without significantly altering hindbrain OXTR binding. These findings suggest that forebrain OXTR and AVPR1a are down-regulated in response to chronic OT treatment. Given that chronic intranasal OT may be used as a therapeutic strategy to treat obesity, future studies should consider the potential downregulatory effect that chronic treatment can have across forebrain and hindbrain nonapeptide receptors and assess the potential contribution of both receptor subtypes to the outcome measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Freeman
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Julie Ngo
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Bhavdeep Singh
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Karen L Bales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - James E Blevins
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Office of Research and Development Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98108, USA; Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
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21
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Jurek B, Neumann ID. The Oxytocin Receptor: From Intracellular Signaling to Behavior. Physiol Rev 2018; 98:1805-1908. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00031.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 408] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The many facets of the oxytocin (OXT) system of the brain and periphery elicited nearly 25,000 publications since 1930 (see FIGURE 1 , as listed in PubMed), which revealed central roles for OXT and its receptor (OXTR) in reproduction, and social and emotional behaviors in animal and human studies focusing on mental and physical health and disease. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of OXT expression and release, expression and binding of the OXTR in brain and periphery, OXTR-coupled signaling cascades, and their involvement in behavioral outcomes to assemble a comprehensive picture of the central and peripheral OXT system. Traditionally known for its role in milk let-down and uterine contraction during labor, OXT also has implications in physiological, and also behavioral, aspects of reproduction, such as sexual and maternal behaviors and pair bonding, but also anxiety, trust, sociability, food intake, or even drug abuse. The many facets of OXT are, on a molecular basis, brought about by a single receptor. The OXTR, a 7-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor capable of binding to either Gαior Gαqproteins, activates a set of signaling cascades, such as the MAPK, PKC, PLC, or CaMK pathways, which converge on transcription factors like CREB or MEF-2. The cellular response to OXT includes regulation of neurite outgrowth, cellular viability, and increased survival. OXTergic projections in the brain represent anxiety and stress-regulating circuits connecting the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, or the medial prefrontal cortex. Which OXT-induced patterns finally alter the behavior of an animal or a human being is still poorly understood, and studying those OXTR-coupled signaling cascades is one initial step toward a better understanding of the molecular background of those behavioral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Jurek
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Inga D. Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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22
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Raam T, McAvoy KM, Besnard A, Veenema AH, Sahay A. Hippocampal oxytocin receptors are necessary for discrimination of social stimuli. Nat Commun 2017; 8:2001. [PMID: 29222469 PMCID: PMC5722862 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02173-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin receptor (Oxtr) signaling in neural circuits mediating discrimination of social stimuli and affiliation or avoidance behavior is thought to guide social recognition. Remarkably, the physiological functions of Oxtrs in the hippocampus are not known. Here we demonstrate using genetic and pharmacological approaches that Oxtrs in the anterior dentate gyrus (aDG) and anterior CA2/CA3 (aCA2/CA3) of mice are necessary for discrimination of social, but not non-social, stimuli. Further, Oxtrs in aCA2/CA3 neurons recruit a population-based coding mechanism to mediate social stimuli discrimination. Optogenetic terminal-specific attenuation revealed a critical role for aCA2/CA3 outputs to posterior CA1 for discrimination of social stimuli. In contrast, aCA2/CA3 projections to aCA1 mediate discrimination of non-social stimuli. These studies identify a role for an aDG-CA2/CA3 axis of Oxtr expressing cells in discrimination of social stimuli and delineate a pathway relaying social memory computations in the anterior hippocampus to the posterior hippocampus to guide social recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Raam
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kathleen M McAvoy
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Antoine Besnard
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Alexa H Veenema
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Amar Sahay
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. .,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. .,Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
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Abstract
Oxytocin, a hypothalamic hormone that is secreted directly into the brain and enters the peripheral circulation through the posterior pituitary gland, regulates a range of physiologic processes, including eating behaviour and metabolism. In rodents and nonhuman primates, chronic oxytocin administration leads to sustained weight reduction by reducing food intake, increasing energy expenditure and inducing lipolysis. Oxytocin might improve glucose homeostasis, independently of its effects on weight. Clinical studies are beginning to translate these important preclinical findings to humans. This Review describes key data linking oxytocin to eating behaviour and metabolism in humans. For example, a single intranasal dose of oxytocin can reduce caloric intake, increase fat oxidation and improve insulin sensitivity in men. Furthermore, a pilot study of 8 weeks of oxytocin treatment in adults with obesity or overweight led to substantial weight loss. Together, these data support further investigation of interventions that target pathways involving oxytocin as potential therapeutics in metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus. Therapeutic considerations and areas for further research are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Bulfinch 457 D, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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24
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Althammer F, Grinevich V. Diversity of oxytocin neurons: beyond magno- and parvocellular cell types? J Neuroendocrinol 2017; 30. [PMID: 29024187 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin (OT), which is evolutionarily conserved among different species throughout the animal kingdom, is a key modulator of a variety of socio-emotional behaviors such as fear, trust and empathy. OT cells in the mammalian hypothalamus have been traditionally divided into two distinct types - magnocellular (magnOT) and parvocellular (parvOT) or preautonomic neurons. This distinction is based on OT cell sizes and shapes, projections, electrophysiological activity and functions. Indeed, while neuroendocrine magnOT neurons are known to primarily project their axons to the posterior pituitary and to a number of forebrain regions, non-neuroendocrine parvOT neurons have been seen as the main source of OT innervation of the brainstem and spinal cord to control autonomic functions and pain perception. However, very recent findings demonstrated distinct genetic profiles in OT neurons, allowing discrimination of at least four types of cells expressing OT. Furthermore, unexpected axonal projections of parvOT neurons to the forebrain and magnOT neurons to the midbrain have been newly reported. In this review, we focus on the detailed analysis of methods of distinction between OT cell types, in- and output sites, morphology as well as on the direct connectivity between OT neurons and its physiological significance. At the end, we propose a hypothesis that the central OT system is composed of more than just two OT cell types, which should be further verified by the application of available genetic and anatomical techniques. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Althammer
- Schaller Research Group on Neuropeptides at German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Schaller Research Group on Neuropeptides at German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
- CellNetworks Cluster of Excellence at the, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, 68159, Germany
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25
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Vaidyanathan R, Hammock EA. Oxytocin receptor dynamics in the brain across development and species. Dev Neurobiol 2016; 77:143-157. [DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Radhika Vaidyanathan
- Department of Psychology; Florida State University; Tallahassee FL
- Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University; Tallahassee FL
| | - Elizabeth A.D. Hammock
- Department of Psychology; Florida State University; Tallahassee FL
- Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University; Tallahassee FL
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