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Kumaresan V, Lim Y, Juneja P, Tipton AE, de Guglielmo G, Carrette LLG, Kallupi M, Maturin L, Liu Y, George O, Zhang H. Abstinence from Escalation of Cocaine Intake Changes the microRNA Landscape in the Cortico-Accumbal Pathway. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1368. [PMID: 37239038 PMCID: PMC10216163 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cocaine administration alters the microRNA (miRNA) landscape in the cortico-accumbal pathway. These changes in miRNA can play a major role in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression during withdrawal. This study aimed to investigate the changes in microRNA expression in the cortico-accumbal pathway during acute withdrawal and protracted abstinence following escalated cocaine intake. Small RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq) was used to profile miRNA transcriptomic changes in the cortico-accumbal pathway [infralimbic- and prelimbic-prefrontal cortex (IL and PL) and nucleus accumbens (NAc)] of rats with extended access to cocaine self-administration followed by an 18-h withdrawal or a 4-week abstinence. An 18-h withdrawal led to differential expression (fold-change > 1.5 and p < 0.05) of 21 miRNAs in the IL, 18 miRNAs in the PL, and two miRNAs in the NAc. The mRNAs potentially targeted by these miRNAs were enriched in the following pathways: gap junctions, neurotrophin signaling, MAPK signaling, and cocaine addiction. Moreover, a 4-week abstinence led to differential expression (fold-change > 1.5 and p < 0.05) of 23 miRNAs in the IL, seven in the PL, and five miRNAs in the NAc. The mRNAs potentially targeted by these miRNAs were enriched in pathways including gap junctions, cocaine addiction, MAPK signaling, glutamatergic synapse, morphine addiction, and amphetamine addiction. Additionally, the expression levels of several miRNAs differentially expressed in either the IL or the NAc were significantly correlated with addiction behaviors. Our findings highlight the impact of acute and protracted abstinence from escalated cocaine intake on miRNA expression in the cortico-accumbal pathway, a key circuit in addiction, and suggest developing novel biomarkers and therapeutic approaches to prevent relapse by targeting abstinence-associated miRNAs and their regulated mRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidhya Kumaresan
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
| | - Yolpanhchana Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Y.L.); (P.J.); (Y.L.)
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Poorva Juneja
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Y.L.); (P.J.); (Y.L.)
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Allison E. Tipton
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
| | - Giordano de Guglielmo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (G.d.G.); (L.L.G.C.); (M.K.); (L.M.); (O.G.)
| | - Lieselot L. G. Carrette
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (G.d.G.); (L.L.G.C.); (M.K.); (L.M.); (O.G.)
| | - Marsida Kallupi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (G.d.G.); (L.L.G.C.); (M.K.); (L.M.); (O.G.)
| | - Lisa Maturin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (G.d.G.); (L.L.G.C.); (M.K.); (L.M.); (O.G.)
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Y.L.); (P.J.); (Y.L.)
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Olivier George
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (G.d.G.); (L.L.G.C.); (M.K.); (L.M.); (O.G.)
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Y.L.); (P.J.); (Y.L.)
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Zlomuzica A, Plank L, Dere E. A new path to mental disorders: Through gap junction channels and hemichannels. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104877. [PMID: 36116574 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral disturbances related to emotional regulation, reward processing, cognition, sleep-wake regulation and activity/movement represent core symptoms of most common mental disorders. Increasing empirical and theoretical evidence suggests that normal functioning of these behavioral domains relies on fine graded coordination of neural and glial networks which are maintained and modulated by intercellular gap junction channels and unapposed pannexin or connexin hemichannels. Dysfunctions in these networks might contribute to the development and maintenance of psychopathological and neurobiological features associated with mental disorders. Here we review and discuss the evidence indicating a prominent role of gap junction channel and hemichannel dysfunction in core symptoms of mental disorders. We further discuss how the increasing knowledge on intercellular gap junction channels and unapposed pannexin or connexin hemichannels in the brain might lead to deeper mechanistic insight in common mental disorders and to the development of novel treatment approaches. We further attempt to exemplify what type of future research on this topic could be integrated into multidimensional approaches to understand and cure mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Zlomuzica
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Laurin Plank
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787 Bochum, Germany
| | - Ekrem Dere
- Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum (RUB), Massenbergstraße 9-13, D-44787 Bochum, Germany; Sorbonne Université. Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, (IBPS), Département UMR 8256: Adaptation Biologique et Vieillissement, UFR des Sciences de la Vie, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Bâtiment B, 9 quai Saint Bernard, F-75005 Paris, France.
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3
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Jiang Q, Li C, Zeng W, Xu H, Li J, Zhang T, Deng G, Wang Y. Inhibition of Connexin 36 attenuates HMGB1-mediated depressive-like behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2470. [PMID: 35089644 PMCID: PMC8865165 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) released by neurons and microglia was demonstrated to be an important mediator in depressive-like behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), which could lead to the imbalance of two different metabolic approaches in kynurenine pathway (KP), thus enhancing glutamate transmission and exacerbating depressive-like behaviors. Evidence showed that HMGB1 signaling might be regulated by Connexin (Cx) 36 in inflammatory diseases of central nervous system (CNS). Our study aimed to further explore the role of Cx36 in depressive-like behaviors and its relationship with HMGB1. METHODS After 4-week chronic stress, behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate depressive-like behaviors, including sucrose preference test (SPT), tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST), and open field test (OFT). Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining were used to observe the expression and location of Cx36. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to detect the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines. And the excitability and inward currents of hippocampal neurons were recorded by whole-cell patch clamping. RESULTS The expression of Cx36 was significantly increased in hippocampal neurons of mice exposed to CUMS, while treatment with glycyrrhizinic acid (GZA) or quinine could both down-regulate Cx36 and alleviate depressive-like behaviors. The proinflammatory cytokines like HMGB1, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were all elevated by CUMS, and application of GZA and quinine could decrease them. In addition, the enhanced excitability and inward currents of hippocampal neurons induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) could be reduced by either GZA or quinine. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of Cx36 in hippocampal neurons might attenuates HMGB1-mediated depressive-like behaviors induced by CUMS through down-regulation of the proinflammatory cytokines and reduction of the excitability and intracellular ion overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Jiang
- Department of PsychiatryFaculty of PsychologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Chao‐Ran Li
- Department of Nautical PsychologyFaculty of PsychologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Wen‐Feng Zeng
- Department of Nautical PsychologyFaculty of PsychologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Hui‐Jing Xu
- Department of PsychiatryFaculty of PsychologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Jia‐Mei Li
- Department of Stress MedicineFaculty of PsychologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Nautical PsychologyFaculty of PsychologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Guang‐Hui Deng
- Department of PsychiatryFaculty of PsychologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Yun‐Xia Wang
- Department of Nautical PsychologyFaculty of PsychologySecond Military Medical UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
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Nagy JI, Pereda AE, Rash JE. Electrical synapses in mammalian CNS: Past eras, present focus and future directions. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2018; 1860:102-123. [PMID: 28577972 PMCID: PMC5705454 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Gap junctions provide the basis for electrical synapses between neurons. Early studies in well-defined circuits in lower vertebrates laid the foundation for understanding various properties conferred by electrical synaptic transmission. Knowledge surrounding electrical synapses in mammalian systems unfolded first with evidence indicating the presence of gap junctions between neurons in various brain regions, but with little appreciation of their functional roles. Beginning at about the turn of this century, new approaches were applied to scrutinize electrical synapses, revealing the prevalence of neuronal gap junctions, the connexin protein composition of many of those junctions, and the myriad diverse neural systems in which they occur in the mammalian CNS. Subsequent progress indicated that electrical synapses constitute key elements in synaptic circuitry, govern the collective activity of ensembles of electrically coupled neurons, and in part orchestrate the synchronized neuronal network activity and rhythmic oscillations that underlie fundamental integrative processes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Gap Junction Proteins edited by Jean Claude Herve.
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Affiliation(s)
- James I Nagy
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
| | - Alberto E Pereda
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, United States
| | - John E Rash
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Program in Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
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Castellano P, Nwagbo C, Martinez LR, Eugenin EA. Methamphetamine compromises gap junctional communication in astrocytes and neurons. J Neurochem 2016; 137:561-75. [PMID: 26953131 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (meth) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that results in psychological and physical dependency. The long-term effects of meth within the CNS include neuronal plasticity changes, blood-brain barrier compromise, inflammation, electrical dysfunction, neuronal/glial toxicity, and an increased risk to infectious diseases including HIV. Most of the reported meth effects in the CNS are related to dysregulation of chemical synapses by altering the release and uptake of neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. However, little is known about the effects of meth on connexin (Cx) containing channels, such as gap junctions (GJ) and hemichannels (HC). We examined the effects of meth on Cx expression, function, and its role in NeuroAIDS. We found that meth altered Cx expression and localization, decreased GJ communication between neurons and astrocytes, and induced the opening of Cx43/Cx36 HC. Furthermore, we found that these changes in GJ and HC induced by meth treatment were mediated by activation of dopamine receptors, suggesting that dysregulation of dopamine signaling induced by meth is essential for GJ and HC compromise. Meth-induced changes in GJ and HC contributed to amplified CNS toxicity by dysregulating glutamate metabolism and increasing the susceptibility of neurons and astrocytes to bystander apoptosis induced by HIV. Together, our results indicate that connexin containing channels, GJ and HC, are essential in the pathogenesis of meth and increase the sensitivity of the CNS to HIV CNS disease. Methamphetamine (meth) is an extremely addictive central nervous system stimulant. Meth reduced gap junctional (GJ) communication by inducing internalization of connexin-43 (Cx43) in astrocytes and reducing expression of Cx36 in neurons by a mechanism involving activation of dopamine receptors (see cartoon). Meth-induced changes in Cx containing channels increased extracellular levels of glutamate and resulted in higher sensitivity of neurons and astrocytes to apoptosis in response to HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Castellano
- Public Health Research Institute (PHRI), New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Chisom Nwagbo
- Public Health Research Institute (PHRI), New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Luis R Martinez
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York, USA
| | - Eliseo A Eugenin
- Public Health Research Institute (PHRI), New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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6
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Lynn BD, Li X, Nagy JI. Under construction: building the macromolecular superstructure and signaling components of an electrical synapse. J Membr Biol 2012; 245:303-17. [PMID: 22722764 PMCID: PMC3506381 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-012-9451-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 06/01/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
A great deal is now known about the protein components of tight junctions and adherens junctions, as well as how these are assembled. Less is known about the molecular framework of gap junctions, but these also have membrane specializations and are subject to regulation of their assembly and turnover. Thus, it is reasonable to consider that these three types of junctions may share macromolecular commonalities. Indeed, the tight junction scaffolding protein zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) is also present at adherens and gap junctions, including neuronal gap junctions. On the basis of these earlier observations, we more recently found that two additional proteins, AF6 and MUPP1, known to be associated with ZO-1 at tight and adherens junctions, are also components of neuronal gap junctions in rodent brain and directly interact with connexin36 (Cx36) that forms these junctions. Here, we show by immunofluorescence labeling that the cytoskeletal-associated protein cingulin, commonly found at tight junctions, is also localized at neuronal gap junctions throughout the central nervous system. In consideration of known functions related to ZO-1, AF6, MUPP1, and cingulin, our results provide a context in which to examine functional relationships between these proteins at Cx36-containing electrical synapses in brain--specifically, how they may contribute to regulation of transmission at these synapses, and how they may govern gap junction channel assembly and/or disassembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. D. Lynn
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Xinbo Li
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - J. I. Nagy
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
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Steffensen SC, Bradley KD, Hansen DM, Wilcox JD, Wilcox RS, Allison DW, Merrill CB, Edwards JG. The role of connexin-36 gap junctions in alcohol intoxication and consumption. Synapse 2011; 65:695-707. [PMID: 21638336 PMCID: PMC3051038 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Accepted: 10/31/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) GABA neurons appear to be critical substrates underlying the acute and chronic effects of ethanol on dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the mesocorticolimbic system implicated in alcohol reward. The aim of this study was to examine the role of midbrain connexin-36 (Cx36) gap junctions (GJs) in ethanol intoxication and consumption. Using behavioral, molecular, and electrophysiological methods, we compared the effects of ethanol in mature Cx36 knockout (KO) mice and age-matched wild-type (WT) controls. Compared to WT mice, Cx36 KO mice exhibited significantly more ethanol-induced motor impairment in the open field test, but less disruption in motor coordination in the rotarod paradigm. Cx36 KO mice, and WT mice treated with the Cx36 antagonist mefloquine (MFQ), consumed significantly less ethanol than their WT controls in the drink-in-the-dark procedure. The firing rate of VTA GABA neurons in WT mice was inhibited by ethanol with an IC₅₀ of 0.25 g/kg, while VTA GABA neurons in KO mice were significantly less sensitive to ethanol. Dopamine neuron GABA-mediated sIPSC frequency was reduced by ethanol (30 mM) in WT mice, but not affected in KO mice. Cx36 KO mice evinced a significant up-regulation in DAT and D2 receptors in the VTA, as assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. These findings demonstrate the behavioral relevance of Cx36 GJ-mediated electrical coupling between GABA neurons in mature animals, and suggest that loss of coupling between VTA GABA neurons results in disinhibition of DA neurons, a hyper-DAergic state and lowered hedonic valence for ethanol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott C Steffensen
- Department of Psychology and Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA.
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Dere E, Zlomuzica A. The role of gap junctions in the brain in health and disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2011; 36:206-17. [PMID: 21664373 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2011.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2010] [Revised: 05/25/2011] [Accepted: 05/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Gap junctions connect the cytosolic compartments of adjacent cells for direct electrotonic and metabolic cell-to-cell communication. Gap junctions between glial cells or neurons are ubiquitously expressed in the brain and play a role in brain development including cell differentiation, cell migration and survival, tissue homeostasis, as well as in human diseases including hearing loss, skin disease, neuropathies, epilepsy, brain trauma, and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, gap junctions are involved in the synchronization and rhythmic oscillation of hippocampal and neocotical neuronal ensembles which might be important for memory formation and consolidation. In this review the accumulated evidence from mouse mutant and pharmacological studies using gap junction blockers is summarized and the progress made in dissecting the physiological, pathophysiological and behavioral roles of gap junction mediated intercellular communication in the brain is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekrem Dere
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 6, UFR des Sciences de la Vie, UMR 7102, Neurobiologie des Processus Adaptatifs, 9 quai St Bernard, 75005 Paris, France.
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Freeman WM, Patel KM, Brucklacher RM, Lull ME, Erwin M, Morgan D, Roberts DCS, Vrana KE. Persistent alterations in mesolimbic gene expression with abstinence from cocaine self-administration. Neuropsychopharmacology 2008; 33:1807-17. [PMID: 17851536 PMCID: PMC2810407 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1301577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine-responsive gene expression changes have been described after either no drug abstinence or short periods of abstinence. Little data exist on the persistence of these changes after long-term abstinence. Previously, we reported that after discrete-trial cocaine self-administration and 10 days of forced abstinence, incubation of cocaine reinforcement was observable by a progressive ratio schedule. The present study used rat discrete-trial cocaine self-administration and long-term forced abstinence to examine extinction responding, mRNA abundance of known cocaine-responsive genes, and chromatin remodeling. At 30 and 100 days of abstinence, extinction responding increased compared to 3-day abstinent rats. Decreases in both medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens c-fos, Nr4a1, Arc, and EGR1 mRNA were observed, and in most cases persisted, for 100 days of abstinence. The signaling peptides CART and neuropeptide Y (NPY) transiently increased in the mPFC, but returned to baseline levels following 10 days of abstinence. To investigate a potential regulatory mechanism for these persistent mRNA changes, levels of histone H3 acetylation at promoters for genes with altered mRNA expression were examined. In the mPFC, histone H3 acetylation decreased after 1 and 10 days of abstinence at the promoter for EGR1. H3 acetylation increased for NPY after 1 day of abstinence and returned to control levels by 10 days of abstinence. Behaviorally, these results demonstrate incubation after discrete-trial cocaine self-administration and prolonged forced abstinence. This incubation is accompanied by changes in gene expression that persist long after cessation of drug administration and may be regulated by chromatin remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willard M Freeman
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
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10
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Mantsch JR, Baker DA, Serge JP, Hoks MA, Francis DM, Katz ES. Surgical adrenalectomy with diurnal corticosterone replacement slows escalation and prevents the augmentation of cocaine-induced reinstatement in rats self-administering cocaine under long-access conditions. Neuropsychopharmacology 2008; 33:814-26. [PMID: 17534378 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1301464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The loss of control over cocaine use and persistently heightened susceptibility to drug relapse that define human cocaine addiction are consequences of drug-induced neuroplasticity and can be studied in rats self-administering cocaine under conditions of daily long access (LgA) as escalating patterns of drug intake and heightened susceptibility to reinstatement. This study investigated the potential contribution of elevated glucocorticoids at the time of LgA cocaine self-administration (SA) to these behavioral indices of addiction-related neuroplasticity. Rats provided 14 days of 6-h access (LgA) to cocaine showed a progressive escalation of SA and were more susceptible to cocaine-induced reinstatement (10 mg/kg, i.p.) compared to rats self-administering under short-access (ShA; 2 h) conditions. A surgical adrenalectomy and corticosterone replacement (ADX/C) regimen that eliminated SA-induced increases in corticosterone (CORT) while maintaining the diurnal pattern of secretion failed to alter SA or reinstatement in ShA rats but slowed escalation and attenuated later reinstatement in LgA rats when applied before but not after chronic LgA SA testing. Although the contribution of other adrenal hormones cannot be ruled out, these data suggest that elevated glucocorticoids at the time of cocaine exposure may be required for the effects of LgA SA on cocaine intake and later reinstatement. The inability of daily CORT administration before daily ShA SA, at a dose that reproduced the response during LgA SA, to mimic the effects of LgA SA suggests that elevated glucocorticoids during SA may play a permissive role in cocaine-induced neuroplasticity that contributes to addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Mantsch
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA.
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Greco D, Leo D, di Porzio U, Perrone Capano C, Auvinen P. Pre-filtering improves reliability of Affymetrix GeneChips results when used to analyze gene expression in complex tissues. Mol Cell Probes 2007; 22:115-21. [PMID: 18162367 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2007.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2007] [Revised: 10/26/2007] [Accepted: 11/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Affymetrix GeneChip represents a very reliable and standardized technology for genome-wide gene expression screening. However, in experiments carried out on complex biological samples (e.g. brain tissues composed of several diverse cell types), significant noise can arise due to important transcripts being expressed in a relatively small number of cells. This noise results in many observations coming from unreliable hybridization reactions. Here we propose a method for pre-filtering Affymetrix data according to measures of hybridization reliability. We used our pre-filtering method on a microarray dataset obtained from the brains of rats chronically treated with a psychostimulant drug. Our pre-filter protocol facilitates selection of biologically relevant candidate genes, which could be validated by real-time PCR with a rate of 98%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Greco
- DNA-Microarray Laboratory, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
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12
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Abstract
The basal ganglia (BG) provide a major integrative system of the forebrain involved in the organization of goal-directed behaviour. Pathological alteration of BG function leads to major motor and cognitive impairments such as observed in Parkinson's disease. Recent advances in BG research stress the role of neural oscillations and synchronization in the normal and pathological function of BG. As demonstrated in several brain structures, these patterns of neural activity can emerge from electrically coupled neuronal networks. This review aims at addressing the presence, functionality and putative role of electrical synapses in BG, with a particular emphasis on the striatum and the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), two main BG nuclei in which the existence and functional properties of neuronal coupling are best documented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Vandecasteele
- Dynamique et Pathophysiologie des Réseaux Neuronaux, INSERM U667, Collège de France
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13
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Nolan EB, Harrison LM, Lahoste GJ, Ruskin DN. Behavioral synergism between D(1) and D(2) dopamine receptors in mice does not depend on gap junctions. Synapse 2007; 61:279-87. [PMID: 17318881 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Activation of the D(1) and D(2) classes of dopamine receptor in the striatum synergistically promotes motor stereotypy. The mechanism of D(1)/D(2) receptor interaction remains unclear. To investigate the involvement of electrical synaptic transmission in this phenomenon, genetic inactivation of the neuronal gap junction (GJ) protein connexin 36 and pharmacological blockade of GJs were utilized. Stereotyped motor behavior was quantified after selective activation of D(1) receptors, D(2) receptors, or both receptors. These patterns of activation were produced by injection of the agonist apomorphine (3.0 mg/kg) 30 min after either the D(2) antagonist eticlopride (0.3 mg/kg), the D(1) antagonist SCH 23390 (0.1 mg/kg) or vehicle, respectively. Mixed background C57/BL6-129SvEv mice homozygous or heterozygous for the connexin 36 "knockout" allele displayed potent synergistic interaction between D(1) and D(2) receptor activation, and did not differ significantly from wild-type mice on any measure. All genotypes demonstrated long-lasting stereotypic sniffing, chewing, and/or licking after simultaneous activation of D(1) and D(2) receptors, effects that were absent following selective D(1) or D(2) activation. Swiss-Webster mice treated with the GJ blockers carbenoxolone (35 mg/kg), octanol (350 mg/kg) or mefloquine (50 mg/kg) also demonstrated the normal synergistic interaction between D(1) and D(2) receptors, although these drugs did block the grooming stimulated by selective D(1) receptor activation, independently of D(2) receptors. While D(1) receptor-stimulated grooming depends on GJs composed of connexins or possibly pannexins, the synergistic interaction of D(1) and D(2) receptors in control of stereotypy does not involve GJs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen B Nolan
- Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70148, USA
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Takahashi T. Hyperbolic discounting may be reduced to electrical coupling in dopaminergic neural circuits. Med Hypotheses 2006; 69:195-8. [PMID: 17196757 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2006] [Accepted: 10/24/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Loss of self-control in drug addicts (e.g. cocaine and amphetamine dependent patients) has been associated with hyperbolic discounting of delayed rewards (i.e., inconsistency in intertemporal choice). Neurobiophysical mechanisms underlying hyperbolic discounting are still unknown in spite of recent extensive work in neuroeconomics. Understanding of neuronal mechanisms of hyperbolic discounting is important for establishing neuropharmacological treatment of addiction. At the cognitive level, previous studies have indicated that psychophysics of time-estimation (i.e., Weber-Fechner law and Steven's power law of time-perception) may explain inconsistency in intertemporal choice. Regarding neuronal substrates of time-estimation, drugs of abuse dramatically change time-estimation, indicating that dopaminergic activities may mediate time-estimation. With respect to neuronal changes induced by drugs of abuse, recent studies have revealed that gap junction proteins (e.g., connexin 36) in dopamine neurons are increased by an self-administration of dopaminergic drugs such as cocaine and amphetamine. However, it has been yet to be examined how the enhanced electrical coupling due to substance administration induces addiction. Furthermore, a recent biophysical modelling study has demonstrated that the effect of the psychophysical laws are potentiated by non-synaptic electrical coupling between neurons via gap junctions. Based on these current findings, we hypothesized that hyperbolic discounting may be reduced to biophysical characteristics of dopamine neural circuits, that is, electrical coupling between time-encoding dopaminergic neurons via gap junctions. The present hypothesis states that drugs of abuse may induce addiction by exacerbating subject's impulsivity (a discount rate) and inconsistency (hyperbolicity) in intertemporal choice partly due to enhanced expression of gap junction proteins in dopaminergic neurons. Possible psychopharmacological treatments of impulsivity in drug addicts implied by our present hypothesis, e.g., administration of a gap junction blocker, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiki Takahashi
- Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Science, The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan.
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