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Jimenez Chavez CL, Szumlinski KK. Modulation of marble-burying behavior in adult versus adolescent C57BL/6J mice of both sexes by ethologically relevant chemosensory stimuli. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 3:kvae009. [PMID: 38915792 PMCID: PMC11195632 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvae009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
The marble-burying test is a pharmacologically validated paradigm used to study anxiety-like behaviors in laboratory rodents. Our laboratory has employed this assay as part of a behavioral screen to examine drug-induced negative affective states. Historically, the majority of our prior binge alcohol-drinking studies employed male subjects exclusively and reliably detected adolescent-adult differences in both basal and alcohol withdrawal-induced negative affect. However, age-related differences in marble-burying behavior were either absent or opposite those observed in our prior work when female subjects were included in the experimental design. As chemosensory cues from females are reported to be anxiolytic in males, the present study examined how odors from adult members of the opposite and same sex (obtained from soiled bedding) influence marble-burying behavior in adult, as well as adolescent, mice. Control studies examined the responsiveness of mice in the presence of novel neutral (vanilla) and aversive (tea tree) odors. Adult males exhibited reduced signs of anxiety-like behavior in the presence of female-soiled bedding, while adult females and adolescent mice of both sexes increased marble-burying behavior in the presence of both male- and female-soiled bedding. All mice exhibited increased burying in the presence of an aversive odor, while only adolescents increased marble-burying in response to the novel neutral odor. These data indicate sex by age interactions in the effects of volatile and nonvolatile odors from sexually-naive adult conspecifics on indices of anxiety-like behavior in the marble-burying test of relevance to the experimental design and procedural timing of experiments including sex as a biological variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Leonardo Jimenez Chavez
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Psychology Building, U Cen Road, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA
| | - Karen K Szumlinski
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Psychology Building, U Cen Road, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, Bio II Building, U Cen Road, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9625, USA
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2
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Raithatha S, Hagel JM, Matinkhoo K, Yu L, Press D, Cook SG, Sharma G, Dhananjaya D, Jensen G, Lee JB, Cai C, Gallant J, Bains J, Tucker JE, Facchini PJ. Novel Psilocin Prodrugs with Altered Pharmacological Properties as Candidate Therapies for Treatment-Resistant Anxiety Disorders. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1024-1043. [PMID: 37983270 PMCID: PMC10823477 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The psychedelic prodrug psilocybin has shown therapeutic benefits for the treatment of numerous psychiatric conditions. Despite positive clinical end points targeting depression and anxiety, concerns regarding the duration of the psychedelic experience produced by psilocybin, associated with enduring systemic exposure to the active metabolite psilocin, pose a barrier to its therapeutic application. Our objective was to create a novel prodrug of psilocin with similar therapeutic benefits but a reduced duration of psychedelic effects compared with psilocybin. Here, we report the synthesis and functional screening of 28 new chemical entities. Our strategy was to introduce a diversity of cleavable groups at the 4-hydroxy position of the core indole moiety to modulate metabolic processing. We identified several novel prodrugs of psilocin with altered pharmacokinetic profiles and reduced pharmacological exposure compared with psilocybin. These candidate prodrugs have the potential to maintain the long-term benefits of psilocybin therapy while attenuating the duration of psychedelic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jillian M. Hagel
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Kaveh Matinkhoo
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Lisa Yu
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - David Press
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Sarah G. Cook
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Govinda Sharma
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - D. Dhananjaya
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Glynnis Jensen
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Jessica B. Lee
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Charlie Cai
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Jonathan Gallant
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Jaideep Bains
- Hotchkiss
Brain Institute and Department of Physiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Joseph E. Tucker
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Peter J. Facchini
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
- Department
of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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3
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Lyu Y, Wei X, Yang X, Li J, Wan G, Wang Y, Hao Z, Lu Y, Guo J, Shi J. 11-Ethoxyviburtinal improves chronic restraint stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors in gender-specific mice via PI3K/Akt and E 2 /ERβ signaling pathways. Phytother Res 2023; 37:4149-4165. [PMID: 37300355 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety disorder is a chronic and disabling psychiatric disorder that is more prevalent in females than in males. 11-Ethoxyviburtinal is an iridoid extracted from Valeriana jatamansi Jones, which has anxiolytic potential. The aim of the present work was to study the anxiolytic efficacy and mechanism of 11-ethoxyviburtinal in gender-specific mice. We first evaluated the anxiolytic-like efficacy of 11-ethoxyviburtinal in chronic restraint stress (CRS) mice of different sexes through behavioral experiments and biochemical indexes. In addition, network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to predict potential targets and important pathways for the treatment of anxiety disorder with 11-ethoxyviburtinal. Finally, the influence of 11-ethoxyviburtinal on phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, estrogen receptor β (ERβ) expression, and anxiety-like behavior in mice was verified by western blotting, immunohistochemistry staining, antagonist intervention methods, and behavioral experiments. 11-ethoxyviburtinal alleviated the anxiety-like behaviors induced by CRS and inhibited neurotransmitter dysregulation and HPA axis hyperactivity. It inhibited the abnormal activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, modulated estrogen production, and promoted ERβ expression in mice. In addition, the female mice may be more sensitive to the pharmacological effects of 11-ethoxyviburtinal. 11-ethoxyviburtinal may exert its anxiolytic-like effects through PI3K/Akt and E2/ERβ signaling pathways. Meanwhile, by comparing the male and female mice, gender differences may affect the therapy and development of anxiety disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lyu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojia Wei
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayuan Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guohui Wan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuangzhuang Hao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yifan Lu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyou Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinli Shi
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Roland AV, Coelho CAO, Haun HL, Gianessi CA, Lopez MF, D'Ambrosio S, Machinski SN, Kroenke CD, Frankland PW, Becker HC, Kash TL. Alcohol Dependence Modifies Brain Networks Activated During Withdrawal and Reaccess: A c-Fos-Based Analysis in Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:393-404. [PMID: 36736419 PMCID: PMC10517410 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-level alcohol consumption causes neuroplastic changes in the brain that promote pathological drinking behavior. Some of these changes have been characterized in defined brain circuits and cell types, but unbiased approaches are needed to explore broader patterns of adaptations. METHODS We used whole-brain c-Fos mapping and network analysis to assess patterns of neuronal activity during alcohol withdrawal and following reaccess in a well-characterized model of alcohol dependence. Mice underwent 4 cycles of chronic intermittent ethanol to increase voluntary alcohol consumption, and a subset underwent forced swim stress to further escalate consumption. Brains were collected either 24 hours (withdrawal) or immediately following a 1-hour period of alcohol reaccess. c-fos counts were obtained for 110 brain regions using iDISCO and ClearMap. Then, we classified mice as high or low drinkers and used graph theory to identify changes in network properties associated with high-drinking behavior. RESULTS During withdrawal, chronic intermittent ethanol mice displayed widespread increased c-Fos expression relative to air-exposed mice, independent of forced swim stress. Reaccess drinking reversed this increase. Network modularity, a measure of segregation into communities, was increased in high-drinking mice after alcohol reaccess relative to withdrawal. The cortical amygdala showed increased cross-community coactivation during withdrawal in high-drinking mice, and cortical amygdala silencing in chronic intermittent ethanol mice reduced voluntary drinking. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol withdrawal in dependent mice causes changes in brain network organization that are attenuated by reaccess drinking. Olfactory brain regions, including the cortical amygdala, drive some of these changes and may play an important but underappreciated role in alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison V Roland
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Cesar A O Coelho
- Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harold L Haun
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Carol A Gianessi
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Marcelo F Lopez
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Shannon D'Ambrosio
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Samantha N Machinski
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Christopher D Kroenke
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Paul W Frankland
- Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Howard C Becker
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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5
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Athanason A, Nadav T, Cates-Gatto C, Roberts A, Roberto M, Varodayan F. Chronic ethanol alters adrenergic receptor gene expression and produces cognitive deficits in male mice. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 24:100542. [PMID: 37197395 PMCID: PMC10184141 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperkateifia and stress-induced alcohol cravings drive relapse in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The brain stress signal norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline) tightly controls cognitive and affective behavior and was thought to be broadly dysregulated with AUD. The locus coeruleus (LC) is a major source of forebrain norepinephrine, and it was recently discovered that the LC sends distinct projections to addiction-associated regions suggesting that alcohol-induced noradrenergic changes may be more brain region-specific than originally thought. Here we investigated whether ethanol dependence alters adrenergic receptor gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and central amgydala (CeA), as these regions mediate the cognitive impairment and negative affective state of ethanol withdrawal. We exposed male C57BL/6J mice to the chronic intermittent ethanol vapor-2 bottle choice paradigm (CIE-2BC) to induce ethanol dependence, and assessed reference memory, anxiety-like behavior and adrenergic receptor transcript levels during 3-6 days of withdrawal. Dependence bidirectionally altered mouse brain α1 and β receptor mRNA levels, potentially leading to reduced mPFC adrenergic signaling and enhanced noradrenergic influence over the CeA. These brain region-specific gene expression changes were accompanied by long-term retention deficits and a shift in search strategy in a modified Barnes maze task, as well as greater spontaneous digging behavior and hyponeophagia. Current clinical studies are evaluating adrenergic compounds as a treatment for AUD-associated hyperkatefia, and our findings can contribute to the refinement of these therapies by increasing understanding of the specific neural systems and symptoms that may be targeted.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.C. Athanason
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - T. Nadav
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - C. Cates-Gatto
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - A.J. Roberts
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - M. Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - F.P. Varodayan
- Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
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Wu X, Li S, Zhang M, Bai S, Ni Y, Xu Q, Fan Y, Lu C, Xu Z, Ji C, Du G, Qin Y. Early-life bisphenol AP exposure impacted neurobehaviors in adulthood through microglial activation in mice. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 317:137935. [PMID: 36696922 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol AP (BPAP), a structural analog of bisphenol A (BPA), has been widely detected in environment and biota. BPAP was reported to interfere with hormone and metabolism, while limited data were available about its effects on neurobehavior, especially exposure to it during early-life time. A mouse model of early-life BPAP exposure was established to evaluate the long-term neurobehaviors in offspring. Collectively, early-life BPAP exposure caused anxiety-like behaviors and impaired learning and memory in adult offspring. Through brain bulk RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), we found differential expressed genes were enriched in pathways related to behaviors and neurodevelopment, which were consistent with the observed phenotype. Besides, single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) showed BPAP exposure altered the transcriptome of microglia in hippocampus. Mechanistically, BPAP exposure induced inflammations in hippocampus through upregulating Iba-1 and activating the microglia. In addition, we observed that BPAP exposure could activate peripheral immunity and promote proportion of macrophages and activation of dendritic cells in the offspring. In conclusion, early-life exposure to BPAP impaired neurobehaviors in adult offspring accompanied with excessive activation of hippocampal microglia. Our findings provide new clues to the underlying mechanisms of BPAP's neurotoxic effects and therefore more cautions should be taken about BPAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorong Wu
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Microbiology and Infection, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shiqi Li
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Microbiology and Infection, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meijia Zhang
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Microbiology and Infection, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shengjun Bai
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Microbiology and Infection, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yangyue Ni
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Fan
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Microbiology and Infection, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuncheng Lu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhipeng Xu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenbo Ji
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guizhen Du
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yufeng Qin
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Microbiology and Infection, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Kielbinski M, Bernacka J, Zajda K, Wawrzczak-Bargieła A, Maćkowiak M, Przewlocki R, Solecki W. Acute stress modulates noradrenergic signaling in the ventral tegmental area-amygdalar circuit. J Neurochem 2023; 164:598-612. [PMID: 36161462 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Noradrenergic neurotransmission is a critical mediator of stress responses. In turn, exposure to stress induces noradrenergic system adaptations, some of which are implicated in the etiology of stress-related disorders. Adrenergic receptors (ARs) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been demonstrated to regulate phasic dopamine (DA) release in the forebrain, necessary for behavioral responses to conditional cues. However, the impact of stress on noradrenergic modulation of the VTA has not been previously explored. We demonstrate that ARs in the VTA regulate dopaminergic activity in the VTA-BLA (basolateral amygdala) circuit, a key system for processing stress-related stimuli; and that such control is altered by acute stress. We utilized fast-scan cyclic voltammetry to assess the effects of intra-VTA microinfusion of α1 -AR and α2 -AR antagonists (terazosin and RX-821002, respectively), on electrically evoked phasic DA release in the BLA in stress-naïve and stressed (unavoidable electric shocks - UES) anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition, we used western blotting to explore UES-induced alterations in AR protein level in the VTA. Intra-VTA terazosin or RX-821002 dose-dependently attenuated DA release in the BLA. Interestingly, UES decreased the effects of intra-VTA α2 -AR blockade on DA release (24 h but not 7 days after stress), while the effects of terazosin were unchanged. Despite changes in α2 -AR physiological function in the VTA, UES did not alter α2 -AR protein levels in either intracellular or membrane fractions. These findings demonstrate that NA-ergic modulation of the VTA-BLA circuit undergoes significant alterations in response to acute stress, with α2 -AR signaling indicated as a key target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Kielbinski
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Krakow, Poland
| | - Joanna Bernacka
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Krakow, Poland.,Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Zajda
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Wawrzczak-Bargieła
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marzena Maćkowiak
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ryszard Przewlocki
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Wojciech Solecki
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Krakow, Poland
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8
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CB2R activation ameliorates late adolescent chronic alcohol exposure-induced anxiety-like behaviors during withdrawal by preventing morphological changes and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation in prefrontal cortex microglia in mice. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 110:60-79. [PMID: 36754245 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic alcohol exposure (CAE) during late adolescence increases the risk of anxiety development. Alcohol-induced prefrontal cortex (PFC) microglial activation, characterized by morphological changes and increased associations with neurons, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of anxiety. Alcohol exposure increases NLRP3 inflammasome expression, increasing cytokine secretion by activated microglia. Cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R), an essential receptor of the endocannabinoid system, regulates microglial activation and neuroinflammatory reactions. We aimed to investigate the role of CB2R activation in ameliorating late adolescent CAE-induced anxiety-like behaviors and microglial activation in C57BL/6J mice. METHODS Six-week-old C57BL/6J mice were acclimated for 7 days and then were administered alcohol by gavage (4 g/kg, 25 % w/v) for 28 days. The mice were intraperitoneally injected with the specific CB2R agonist AM1241 1 h before alcohol treatment. Anxiety-like behaviors during withdrawal were assessed by open field test and elevated plus maze test 24 h after the last alcohol administration. Microglial activation, microglia-neuron interactions, and CB2R and NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecule expression in the PFC were measured using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemical, qPCR, and Western blotting assays. Microglial morphology was evaluated by Sholl analysis and the cell body-to-total cell size index. Additionally, N9 microglia were activated by LPS in vitro, and the effects of AM1241 on NLRP3 and N9 microglial activation were investigated. RESULTS After CAE, mice exhibited severe anxiety-like behaviors during withdrawal. CAE induced obvious microglia-neuron associations, and increased expression of microglial activation markers, CB2R, and NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules in the PFC. Microglia also showed marked filament retraction and reduction and cell body enlargement after CAE. AM1241 treatment ameliorated anxiety-like behaviors in CAE model mice, and it prevented microglial morphological changes, reduced microglial activation marker expression, and suppressed the microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion induced by CAE. AM1241 suppressed the LPS-induced increase in NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules, IL-1β release, and M1 phenotype markers (iNOS and CD86) in N9 cell, which was reversed by CB2R antagonist treatment. CONCLUSIONS CAE caused anxiety-like behaviors in late adolescent mice at least partly by inducing microglial activation and increasing microglia-neuron associations in the PFC. CB2R activation ameliorated these effects by preventing morphological changes and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation in PFC microglia.
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9
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Joanna B, Michal K, Agnieszka WB, Katarzyna Z, Marzena M, Ryszard P, Wojciech S. Alpha-2A but not 2B/C noradrenergic receptors in ventral tegmental area regulate phasic dopamine release in nucleus accumbens core. Neuropharmacology 2022; 220:109258. [PMID: 36116534 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109258] [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: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Adrenergic receptors (AR) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) modulate local neuronal activity and, as a consequence, dopamine (DA) release in the mesolimbic forebrain. Such modulation has functional significance: intra-VTA blockade of α1-AR attenuates behavioral responses to salient environmental stimuli in rat models of drug seeking and conditioned fear as well as phasic DA release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). In contrast, α2-AR in the VTA has been suggested to act primarily as autoreceptors, limiting local noradrenergic input. The regulation of noradrenaline efflux by α2-AR could be of clinical interest, as α2-AR agonists are proposed as promising pharmacological tools in the treatment of PTSD and substance use disorder. Thus, the aim of our study was to determine the subtype-specificity of α2-ARs in the VTA capable of modulating phasic DA release. We used fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) in anaesthetized male rats to measure DA release in the NAc after combined electrical stimulation and infusion of selected α2-AR antagonists into the VTA. Intra-VTA microinfusion of idazoxan - a non-subtype-specific α2-AR antagonist, as well as BRL-44408 - a selective α2A-AR antagonist, attenuated electrically-evoked DA in the NAc. In contrast, local administration of JP-1302 or imiloxan (α2B- and α2C-AR antagonists, respectively) had no effect. The effect of BRL-44408 on DA release was attenuated by intra-VTA DA D2 antagonist (raclopride) pre-administration. Finally, we confirmed the presence of α2A-AR protein in the VTA using western blotting. In conclusion, these data specify α2A-, but not α2B- or α2C-AR as the receptor subtype controlling NA release in the VTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernacka Joanna
- Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Łojasiewicza Str. 4, 30-348, Krakow, Poland; Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Smętna Str. 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Kielbinski Michal
- Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Łojasiewicza Str. 4, 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Wawrzczak-Bargieła Agnieszka
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Smętna Str. 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Zajda Katarzyna
- Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Łojasiewicza Str. 4, 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Maćkowiak Marzena
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Smętna Str. 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Przewlocki Ryszard
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Smętna Str. 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Solecki Wojciech
- Jagiellonian University, Institute of Applied Psychology, Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Łojasiewicza Str. 4, 30-348, Krakow, Poland.
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10
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Solecki WB, Kielbinski M, Wilczkowski M, Zajda K, Karwowska K, Joanna B, Rajfur Z, Przewłocki R. Regulation of cocaine seeking behavior by locus coeruleus noradrenergic activity in the ventral tegmental area is time- and contingency-dependent. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:967969. [PMID: 35992934 PMCID: PMC9388848 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.967969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorder is linked to impairments in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) reward system. Noradrenergic (NA) inputs from locus coeruleus (LC) into VTA have been shown to modulate VTA neuronal activity, and are implicated in psychostimulant effects. Phasic LC activity controls time- and context-sensitive processes: decision making, cognitive flexibility, motivation and attention. However, it is not yet known how such temporally-distinct LC activity contributes to cocaine seeking. In a previous study we demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of NA signaling in VTA specifically attenuates cocaine-seeking. Here, we used virally-delivered opsins to target LC neurons for inhibition or excitation, delivered onto afferents in VTA of male rats seeking cocaine under extinction conditions. Optogenetic stimulation or inhibition was delivered in distinct conditions: upon active lever press, contingently with discreet cues; or non-contingently, i.e., throughout the cocaine seeking session. Non-contingent inhibition of LC noradrenergic terminals in VTA attenuated cocaine seeking under extinction conditions. In contrast, contingent inhibition increased, while contingent stimulation reduced cocaine seeking. These findings were specific for cocaine, but not natural reward (food) seeking. Our results show that NA release in VTA drives behavior depending on timing and contingency between stimuli – context, discreet conditioned cues and reinforcer availability. We show that, depending on those factors, noradrenergic signaling in VTA has opposing roles, either driving CS-induced drug seeking, or contributing to behavioral flexibility and thus extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech B. Solecki
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- *Correspondence: Wojciech B. Solecki,
| | - Michał Kielbinski
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Michał Wilczkowski
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Zajda
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Karolina Karwowska
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Bernacka Joanna
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Brain Biostructure, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Zenon Rajfur
- Department of Biosystems Physics, Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Ryszard Przewłocki
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
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11
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Lustberg DJ, Liu JQ, Iannitelli AF, Vanderhoof SO, Liles LC, McCann KE, Weinshenker D. Norepinephrine and dopamine contribute to distinct repetitive behaviors induced by novel odorant stress in male and female mice. Horm Behav 2022; 144:105205. [PMID: 35660247 PMCID: PMC10216880 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to unfamiliar odorants induces an array of repetitive defensive and non-defensive behaviors in rodents which likely reflect adaptive stress responses to the uncertain valence of novel stimuli. Mice genetically deficient for dopamine β-hydroxylase (Dbh-/-) lack the enzyme required to convert dopamine (DA) into norepinephrine (NE), resulting in globally undetectable NE and supranormal DA levels. Because catecholamines modulate novelty detection and reactivity, we investigated the effects of novel plant-derived odorants on repetitive behaviors in Dbh-/- mice and Dbh+/- littermate controls, which have catecholamine levels comparable to wild-type mice. Unlike Dbh+/- controls, which exhibited vigorous digging in response to novel odorants, Dbh-/- mice displayed excessive grooming. Drugs that block NE synthesis or neurotransmission suppressed odorant-induced digging in Dbh+/- mice, while a DA receptor antagonist attenuated grooming in Dbh-/- mice. The testing paradigm elicited high circulating levels of corticosterone regardless of Dbh genotype, indicating that NE is dispensable for this systemic stress response. Odorant exposure increased NE and DA abundance in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of Dbh+/- mice, while Dbh-/- animals lacked NE and had elevated PFC DA levels that were unaffected by novel smells. Together, these findings suggest that novel odorant-induced increases in central NE tone contribute to repetitive digging and reflect psychological stress, while central DA signaling contributes to repetitive grooming. Further, we have established a simple method for repeated assessment of stress-induced repetitive behaviors in mice, which may be relevant for modeling neuropsychiatric disorders like Tourette syndrome or obsessive-compulsive disorder that are characterized by stress-induced exacerbation of compulsive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Lustberg
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Joyce Q Liu
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Alexa F Iannitelli
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Samantha O Vanderhoof
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - L Cameron Liles
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Katharine E McCann
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - David Weinshenker
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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12
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Haun HL, Lebonville CL, Solomon MG, Griffin WC, Lopez MF, Becker HC. Dynorphin/Kappa Opioid Receptor Activity Within the Extended Amygdala Contributes to Stress-Enhanced Alcohol Drinking in Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:1019-1028. [PMID: 35190188 PMCID: PMC9167153 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While there is high comorbidity of stress-related disorders and alcohol use disorder, few effective treatments are available and elucidating underlying neurobiological mechanisms has been hampered by a general lack of reliable animal models. Here, we use a novel mouse model demonstrating robust and reproducible stress-enhanced alcohol drinking to examine the role of dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (DYN/KOR) activity within the extended amygdala in mediating this stress-alcohol interaction. METHODS Mice received repeated weekly cycles of chronic intermittent ethanol exposure alternating with weekly drinking sessions ± forced swim stress exposure. Pdyn messenger RNA expression was measured in the central amygdala (CeA), and DYN-expressing CeA neurons were then targeted for chemogenetic inhibition. Finally, a KOR antagonist was microinjected into the CeA or bed nucleus of the stria terminalis to examine the role of KOR signaling in promoting stress-enhanced drinking. RESULTS Stress (forced swim stress) selectively increased alcohol drinking in mice with a history of chronic intermittent ethanol exposure, and this was accompanied by elevated Pdyn messenger RNA levels in the CeA. Targeted chemogenetic silencing of DYN-expressing CeA neurons blocked stress-enhanced drinking, and KOR antagonism in the CeA or bed nucleus of the stria terminalis significantly reduced stress-induced elevated alcohol consumption without altering moderate intake in control mice. CONCLUSIONS Using a novel and robust model of stress-enhanced alcohol drinking, a significant role for DYN/KOR activity within extended amygdala circuitry in mediating this effect was demonstrated, thereby providing further evidence that the DYN/KOR system may be a valuable target in the development of more effective treatments for individuals presenting with comorbidity of stress-related disorders and alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold L Haun
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Christina L Lebonville
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Matthew G Solomon
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - William C Griffin
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Marcelo F Lopez
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Howard C Becker
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina.
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13
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Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 in infralimbic cortex modulates social stress-altered decision-making. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 116:110523. [PMID: 35122897 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chronic stress could lead to a bias in behavioral strategies toward habits. However, it remains unclear which neuronal system modulates stress-induced behavioral abnormality during decision making. The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which has been implicated in governing strategy choice, is involved in the response to stress. The present study aimed to clarify whether altered function in cortical CRF receptors is linked to abnormal behaviors after chronic stress. In results, mice subjected to a 10-day social defeat preferred to use a habitual strategy. The infralimbic cortex (IL), but not the prelimbic cortex (PL) or anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), showed higher cFos expression in stress-subjected mice than in control mice, which may be associated with habitual behavior choice. Furthermore, CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) agonist and antagonist infusion in IL during behavioral training mimicked and rescued stress-caused behavioral change in the decision-making assessment, respectively. An electrophysiological approach showed that the frequencies of both spontaneous IPSC and spontaneous EPSC, but not their amplitude, increased after stress and were modulated by CRFR1 agents. Further recordings revealed that an increased ratio of excitation to inhibition (E/I ratio) of IL by stress was rescued under conditions with CRFR1 antagonist. Collectively, these data indicate that CRFR1 plays a critical role in stress-permitted or enhanced glutamatergic and GABAergic presynaptic transmission in direct or indirect ways, as well as the modulation for E/I ratio in the IL. Thus, CRFR1 in the mPFC may be a proper target for treating cases of chronic stress-altered behavior.
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14
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Rodberg EM, Vazey EM. Individual differences in behavioral flexibility predict future volitional ethanol consumption in mice. Alcohol 2022; 101:37-43. [PMID: 35395359 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive control is key to regulating alcohol intake and preventing relapse. Behavioral inflexibility can prevent adaptive strategies such as mindfulness or other relapse-prevention behaviors. In a mouse model we investigated whether individual variability in behavioral flexibility (using attentional set-shifting task; ASST) predicts future alcohol intake. Adult male and female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to ASST using a bowl-digging paradigm where mice identify a baited bowl based on compound odor and textural cues. This was completed prior to any alcohol exposure. Individual performance across mice varied within the group. We integrated several metrics, specifically ASST stage completed, trials to completion, and errors performed to produce an individual performance index measure of behavioral flexibility. Afterward, ASST mice were trained to drink ethanol (15%, v/v, 1 h/day) for 3-4 weeks until intake stabilized. Using this prospective approach, we identified an inverse relationship between behavioral flexibility and drinking-less-flexible mice had a propensity to consume more alcohol. Similar relationships have been identified previously in non-human primates and rats. Our results show that the relationship between alcohol and behavioral flexibility is a robust trait that is conserved across species and can be used in mice to study neural substrates underlying these behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M Rodberg
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program and Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 611 North Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, United States
| | - Elena M Vazey
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program and Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 611 North Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, United States.
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15
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Bloch S, Holleran KM, Kash TL, Vazey EM, Rinker JA, Lebonville CL, O'Hara K, Lopez MF, Jones SR, Grant KA, Becker HC, Mulholland PJ. Assessing negative affect in mice during abstinence from alcohol drinking: Limitations and future challenges. Alcohol 2022; 100:41-56. [PMID: 35181404 PMCID: PMC8983487 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is frequently comorbid with mood disorders, and these co-occurring neuropsychiatric disorders contribute to the development and maintenance of alcohol dependence and relapse. In preclinical models, mice chronically exposed to alcohol display anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors during acute withdrawal and protracted abstinence. However, in total, results from studies using voluntary alcohol-drinking paradigms show variable behavioral outcomes in assays measuring negative affective behaviors. Thus, the main objective of this review is to summarize the literature on the variability of negative affective behaviors in mice after chronic alcohol exposure. We compare the behavioral phenotypes that emerge during abstinence across different exposure models, including models of alcohol and stress interactions. The complicated outcomes from these studies highlight the difficulties of assessing negative affective behaviors in mouse models designed for the study of AUD. We discuss new behavioral assays, comprehensive platforms, and unbiased machine-learning algorithms as promising approaches to better understand the interaction between alcohol and negative affect in mice. New data-driven approaches in the understanding of mouse behavior hold promise for improving the identification of mechanisms, cell subtypes, and neurocircuits that mediate negative affect. In turn, improving our understanding of the neurobehavioral basis of alcohol-associated negative affect will provide a platform to test hypotheses in mouse models that aim to improve the development of more effective strategies for treating individuals with AUD and co-occurring mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solal Bloch
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Katherine M Holleran
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Elena M Vazey
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, United States
| | - Jennifer A Rinker
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Christina L Lebonville
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Krysten O'Hara
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Marcelo F Lopez
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Sara R Jones
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States
| | - Kathleen A Grant
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, United States
| | - Howard C Becker
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Patrick J Mulholland
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States.
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16
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Dornellas APS, Burnham NW, Luhn KL, Petruzzi MV, Thiele TE, Navarro M. Activation of locus coeruleus to rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg) noradrenergic pathway blunts binge-like ethanol drinking and induces aversive responses in mice. Neuropharmacology 2021; 199:108797. [PMID: 34547331 PMCID: PMC8583311 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
There is strong evidence that ethanol entails aversive effects that can act as a deterrent to overconsumption. We have found that in doses that support the development of a conditioned taste aversion ethanol increases the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC), a primary source of norepinephrine (NE). Using cre-inducible AAV8-ChR2 viruses in TH-ires-cre mice we found that the LC provides NE projections that innervate the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg), a brain region that has been implicated in the aversive properties of drugs. Because the neurocircuitry underlying the aversive effects of ethanol is poorly understood, we characterized the role of the LC to RMTg circuit in modulating aversive unconditioned responses and binge-like ethanol intake. Here, both male and female TH-ires-cre mice were cannulated in the RMTg and injected in the LC with rAVV viruses that encode for a Gq-expressing designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) virus, or its control virus, to directly control the activity of NE neurons. A Latin Square paradigm was used to analyze both 20% ethanol and 3% sucrose consumption using the "drinking-in-the-dark" (DID) paradigm. Chemogenetic activation of the LC to RMTg pathway significantly blunted the binge-ethanol drinking, with no effect on the sucrose consumption, increased the emission of mid-frequency vocalizations and induced malaise-like behaviors in mice. The present findings indicate an important involvement of the LC to RMTg pathway in reducing ethanol consumption, and characterize unconditioned aversive reactions induced by activation of this noradrenergic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula S Dornellas
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3270, USA; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, NC, 27599-7178, USA
| | - Nathan W Burnham
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3270, USA
| | - Kendall L Luhn
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3270, USA
| | - Maxwell V Petruzzi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3270, USA
| | - Todd E Thiele
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3270, USA; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, NC, 27599-7178, USA
| | - Montserrat Navarro
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3270, USA; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, NC, 27599-7178, USA.
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17
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Cannady R, Nguyen T, Padula AE, Rinker JA, Lopez MF, Becker HC, Woodward JJ, Mulholland PJ. Interaction of chronic intermittent ethanol and repeated stress on structural and functional plasticity in the mouse medial prefrontal cortex. Neuropharmacology 2021; 182:108396. [PMID: 33181147 PMCID: PMC7942177 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Stress is a risk factor that plays a considerable role in the development and maintenance of alcohol (ethanol) abuse and relapse. Preclinical studies examining ethanol-stress interactions have demonstrated elevated ethanol drinking, cognitive deficits, and negative affective behaviors in mice. However, the neural adaptations in prefrontal cortical regions that drive these aberrant behaviors produced by ethanol-stress interactions are unknown. In this study, male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) and repeated forced swim stress (FSS). After two cycles of CIE x FSS, brain slices containing the prelimbic (PrL) and infralimbic (IfL) cortex were prepared for analysis of adaptations in dendritic spines and synaptic plasticity. In the PrL cortex, total spine density was increased in mice exposed to CIE. Immediately following induction of long-term potentiation (LTP), the fEPSP slope was increased in the PrL of CIE x FSS treated mice, indicative of a presynaptic adaptation on post-tetanic potentiation (PTP). In the IfL cortex, CIE exposure regardless of FSS experience resulted in an increase in spine density. FSS alone or when combined with CIE exposure increased PTP following LTP induction. Repeated FSS episodes increased IfL cortical paired-pulse facilitation, a second measure of presynaptic plasticity. In summary, CIE exposure resulted in structural adaptations while repeated stress exposure drove metaplastic changes in presynaptic function, demonstrating distinct morphological and functional changes in PrL and IfL cortical neurons. Thus, the structural and functional adaptations may be one mechanism underlying the development of excessive drinking and cognitive deficits associated with ethanol-stress interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reginald Cannady
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA; Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, 1601 East Market Street, Barnes Hall 215, Greensboro, NC, 27411, USA
| | - Tiffany Nguyen
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Audrey E Padula
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Jennifer A Rinker
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Marcelo F Lopez
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Howard C Becker
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - John J Woodward
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Patrick J Mulholland
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 30 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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18
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Padula AE, Rinker JA, Lopez MF, Mulligan MK, Williams RW, Becker HC, Mulholland PJ. Bioinformatics identification and pharmacological validation of Kcnn3/K Ca2 channels as a mediator of negative affective behaviors and excessive alcohol drinking in mice. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:414. [PMID: 33247097 PMCID: PMC7699620 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01099-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mood disorders are often comorbid with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and play a considerable role in the development and maintenance of alcohol dependence and relapse. Because of this high comorbidity, it is necessary to determine shared and unique genetic factors driving heavy drinking and negative affective behaviors. In order to identify novel pharmacogenetic targets, a bioinformatics analysis was used to quantify the expression of amygdala K+ channel genes that covary with anxiety-related phenotypes in the well-phenotyped and fully sequenced family of BXD strains. We used a model of stress-induced escalation of drinking in alcohol-dependent mice to measure negative affective behaviors during abstinence. A pharmacological approach was used to validate the key bioinformatics findings in alcohol-dependent, stressed mice. Amygdalar expression of Kcnn3 correlated significantly with 40 anxiety-associated phenotypes. Further examination of Kcnn3 expression revealed a strong eigentrait for anxiety-like behaviors and negative correlations with binge-like and voluntary alcohol drinking. Mice treated with chronic intermittent alcohol exposure and repeated swim stress consumed more alcohol in their home cages and showed hypophagia on the novelty-suppressed feeding test during abstinence. Pharmacologically targeting Kcnn gene products with the KCa2 (SK) channel-positive modulator 1-EBIO decreased drinking and reduced feeding latency in alcohol-dependent, stressed mice. Collectively, these validation studies provide central nervous system links into the covariance of stress, negative affective behaviors, and AUD in the BXD strains. Further, the bioinformatics discovery tool is effective in identifying promising targets (i.e., KCa2 channels) for treating alcohol dependence exacerbated by comorbid mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey E Padula
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Jennifer A Rinker
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Marcelo F Lopez
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Megan K Mulligan
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, 38163, USA
| | - Robert W Williams
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, 38163, USA
| | - Howard C Becker
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Patrick J Mulholland
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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