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Kingsbury MA. The intertwining of oxytocin's effects on social affiliation and inflammation. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2024; 19:100239. [PMID: 38784104 PMCID: PMC11112266 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2024.100239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
•Oxytocin is an ancient adaptive hormone that promotes social affiliation to maximize fitness and longevity.•Oxytocin is a multifaceted hormone that regulates stress responses at all levels of cellular organization within individuals.•Oxytocin's dual actions on sociability and inflammation highlight its powerful capacity as a modulator of human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcy A. Kingsbury
- Department of Pediatrics, Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
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2
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Mendoza-Viveros L, Marmolejo-Gutierrez C, Cid-Castro C, Escalante-Covarrubias Q, Montellier E, Carreño-Vázquez E, Noriega LG, Velázquez-Villegas LA, Tovar AR, Sassone-Corsi P, Aguilar-Arnal L, Orozco-Solis R. Astrocytic circadian clock control of energy expenditure by transcriptional stress responses in the ventromedial hypothalamus. Glia 2023; 71:1626-1647. [PMID: 36919670 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24360] [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: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Hypothalamic circuits compute systemic information to control metabolism. Astrocytes residing within the hypothalamus directly sense nutrients and hormones, integrating metabolic information, and modulating neuronal responses. Nevertheless, the role of the astrocytic circadian clock on the control of energy balance remains unclear. We used mice with a targeted ablation of the core-clock gene Bmal1 within Gfap-expressing astrocytes to gain insight on the role played by this transcription factor in astrocytes. While this mutation does not substantially affect the phenotype in mice fed normo-caloric diet, under high-fat diet we unmasked a thermogenic phenotype consisting of increased energy expenditure, and catabolism in brown adipose and overall metabolic improvement consisting of better glycemia control, and body composition. Transcriptomic analysis in the ventromedial hypothalamus revealed an enhanced response to moderate cellular stress, including ER-stress response, unfolded protein response and autophagy. We identified Xbp1 and Atf1 as two key transcription factors enhancing cellular stress responses. Therefore, we unveiled a previously unknown role of the astrocytic circadian clock modulating energy balance through the regulation of cellular stress responses within the VMH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Mendoza-Viveros
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), México City, Mexico
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México UNAM, México City, Mexico
- Centro de Investigación sobre el Envejecimiento, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CIE-CINVESTAV), México City, México
| | | | - Carolina Cid-Castro
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), México City, Mexico
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México UNAM, México City, Mexico
- Centro de Investigación sobre el Envejecimiento, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CIE-CINVESTAV), México City, México
| | | | | | | | - Lilia G Noriega
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Armando R Tovar
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Lorena Aguilar-Arnal
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México UNAM, México City, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Orozco-Solis
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), México City, Mexico
- Centro de Investigación sobre el Envejecimiento, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CIE-CINVESTAV), México City, México
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3
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Gonzalez A, Hammock EAD. Oxytocin and microglia in the development of social behaviour. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210059. [PMID: 35858111 PMCID: PMC9272152 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin is a well-established regulator of social behaviour. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, regulate brain development and maintenance in health and disease. Oxytocin and microglia interact: microglia appear to regulate the oxytocin system and are, in turn, regulated by oxytocin, which appears to have anti-inflammatory effects. Both microglia and oxytocin are regulated in sex-specific ways. Oxytocin and microglia may work together to promote experience-dependent circuit refinement through multiple developmental-sensitive periods contributing to individual differences in social behaviour. This article is part of the theme issue 'Interplays between oxytocin and other neuromodulators in shaping complex social behaviours'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Gonzalez
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. D. Hammock
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, 1107 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
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4
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Lopez JB, Chang CC, Kuo YM, Chan MF, Winn BJ. Oxytocin and secretin receptors - implications for dry eye syndrome and ocular pain. FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2022; 2:948481. [PMID: 38983562 PMCID: PMC11182124 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2022.948481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Dry eye syndrome, a form of ocular surface inflammation, and chronic ocular pain are common conditions impacting activities of daily living and quality of life. Oxytocin and secretin are peptide hormones that have been shown to synergistically reduce inflammation in various tissues and attenuate the pain response at both the neuron and brain level. The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and secretin receptor (SCTR) have been found in a wide variety of tissues and organs, including the eye. We reviewed the current literature of in vitro experiments, animal models, and human studies that examine the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive roles of oxytocin and secretin. This review provides an overview of the evidence supporting oxytocin and secretin as the basis for novel treatments of dry eye and ocular pain syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline B Lopez
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Chih-Chiun Chang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Yien-Ming Kuo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Matilda F Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Bryan J Winn
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Surgical Service, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
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5
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Klein BY, Greenblatt CL, Gofrit ON, Bercovier H. Bacillus Calmette–Guérin in Immuno-Regulation of Alzheimer’s Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:861956. [PMID: 35832066 PMCID: PMC9271739 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.861956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus Calmette–Guérin is frequently the treatment of choice of superficial bladder cancer. Exposing the urinary bladder of elderly patients with bladder cancer to the BCG vaccine reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) substantially. Vaccines against other infectious microorganisms by other vaccination methods showed a similar but a lesser effect. This suggests that immune effects on AD are antigenically non-specific, likely being a metabolic result of immune system activation, similar to that shown for Juvenile diabetes. In this mini review we point to the benefit of BCG vaccine. We then briefly highlight the pathological involvement of the immune system in the AD both, in the peripheral and the central (brain) compartments. Given the uncertain prophylactic mechanism of the BCG effect against AD we propose to take advantage of the therapeutically planned bladder exposure to BCG. Based on pathological aggregation of wrongly cleaved amyloid precursor protein (APP) resistant to the unfolded protein response (UPR) which results in amyloid beta plaques we predict that BCG may impact the UPR signaling cascade. In addition pathways of innate immunity training concerned with energy metabolism, predict capability of activated immune cells to substitute deranged astrocytes that fail to support neuronal energy metabolism. This mini review points to ways through which immune cells can mediate between BCG vaccination and AD to support the wellness of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Y. Klein
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- *Correspondence: Benjamin Y. Klein,
| | - Charles L. Greenblatt
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofer N. Gofrit
- Department of Urology, Hadassah Medical Center, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hervé Bercovier
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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6
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Ludwig RJ, Welch MG. Wired to Connect: The Autonomic Socioemotional Reflex Arc. Front Psychol 2022; 13:841207. [PMID: 35814106 PMCID: PMC9268160 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.841207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously proposed that mothers and infants co-regulate one another’s autonomic state through an autonomic conditioning mechanism, which starts during gestation and results in the formation of autonomic socioemotional reflexes (ASRs) following birth. Theoretically, autonomic physiology associated with the ASR should correlate concomitantly with behaviors of mother and infant, although the neuronal pathway by which this phenomenon occurs has not been elucidated. In this paper, we consider the neuronal pathway by which sensory stimuli between a mother and her baby/child affect the physiology and emotional behavior of each. We divide our paper into two parts. In the first part, to gain perspective on current theories on the subject, we conduct a 500-year narrative history of scientific investigations into the human nervous system and theories that describe the neuronal pathway between sensory stimulus and emotional behavior. We then review inconsistencies between several currently accepted theories and recent data. In the second part, we lay out a new theory of emotions that describes how sensory stimuli between mother and baby unconsciously control the behavior and physiology of both. We present a theory of mother/infant emotion based on a set of assumptions fundamentally different from current theories. Briefly, we propose that mother/infant sensory stimuli trigger conditional autonomic socioemotional reflexes (ASRs), which drive cardiac function and behavior without the benefit of the thalamus, amygdala or cortex. We hold that the ASR is shaped by an evolutionarily conserved autonomic learning mechanism (i.e., functional Pavlovian conditioning) that forms between mother and fetus during gestation and continues following birth. We highlight our own and others research findings over the past 15 years that support our contention that mother/infant socioemotional behavior is driven by mutual autonomic state plasticity, as opposed to cortical trait plasticity. We review a novel assessment tool designed to measure the behaviors associated with the ASR phenomenon. Finally, we discuss the significance of our theory for the treatment of mothers and infants with socioemotional disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Ludwig
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Robert J. Ludwig,
| | - Martha G. Welch
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
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7
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Yu Y, Li J, Liu C. Oxytocin suppresses epithelial cell-derived cytokines production and alleviates intestinal inflammation in food allergy. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 195:114867. [PMID: 34863977 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Food allergy is a growing healthcare problem worldwide, but prophylactic options and regulatory therapies are limited. Oxytocin (OXT), conventionally acknowledged as a hormone, was recently proven to have potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities in certain diseases. Here, we reported the novel function and its underlying mechanisms of OXT on food allergy in vivo and in vitro. We showed that the levels of OXT were elevated in ovalbumin (OVA)-allergic mice and patients with food allergy. In HT-29 cells, OXT inhibited the production of the epithelial cell-derived cytokines thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-25 and IL-33 by suppressing NF-κB signaling, in which β-arrestin2 participated. These functions of OXT were abolished by oxytocin receptor (OXTR) depletion. Treating OVA-induced BALB/c mice with OXT suppressed TSLP, IL-25 and IL-33 production and attenuated systemic anaphylaxis and intestinal inflammation. OXTR-/- mice showed extreme increases in TSLP, IL-25 and IL-33 levels as well as severe systemic anaphylaxis and intestinal inflammation. In conclusion, through OXTRs, OXT has a promising antiallergic effect on experimental food allergy by suppressing epithelial TSLP, IL-25 and IL-33 production via inhibiting NF-κB signaling and upregulating β-arrestin2 expression. Our study provides a new therapeutic perspective for food allergy in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiang Yu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jingxin Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Chuanyong Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China; Provincial Key Lab of Mental Disorders, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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8
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Gryksa K, Neumann ID. Consequences of pandemic-associated social restrictions: Role of social support and the oxytocin system. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 135:105601. [PMID: 34837776 PMCID: PMC8605825 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
During pandemics, governments take drastic actions to prevent the spreading of the disease, as seen during the present COVID-19 crisis. Sanctions of lockdown, social distancing and quarantine urge people to exclusively work and teach at home and to restrict social contacts to a minimum; lonely people get into further isolation, while families` nerves are strained to the extreme. Overall, this results in a dramatic and chronic increase in the level of psychosocial stress over several months mainly caused by i) social isolation and ii) psychosocial stress associated with overcrowding, social tension in families, and domestic violence. Moreover, pandemic-associated social restrictions are accompanied by loss of an essential stress buffer and important parameter for general mental and physical health: social support. Chronic psychosocial stress and, in particular, social isolation and lack of social support affect not only mental health, but also the brain oxytocin system and the immune system. Hence, pandemic-associated social restrictions are expected to increase the risk of developing psychopathologies, such as depression, anxiety-related and posttraumatic stress disorders, on the one hand, but also to induce a general inflammatory state and to impair the course of infectious disorders on the other. Due to its pro-social and stress-buffering effects, resulting in an anti-inflammatory state in case of disease, the role of the neuropeptide oxytocin will be discussed and critically considered as an emerging treatment option in cases of pandemic-induced psychosocial stress, viral infection and during recovery. In this review, we aim to critically focus on possible short- and long-term consequences of social restrictions on mental health and the immune system, while discussion oxytocin as a possible treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Gryksa
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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9
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Xuan B, Park J, Choi S, You I, Nam BH, Noh ES, Kim EM, Song MY, Shin Y, Jeon JH, Kim EB. Draft Genome of the Korean smelt Hypomesus nipponensis and its transcriptomic responses to heat stress in the liver and muscle. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6263857. [PMID: 33944944 PMCID: PMC8496316 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pond smelt (Hypomesus nipponensis) is a cold-freshwater fish species and a winter economic aquaculture resource in South Korea. Because of its high susceptibility to abnormal water temperature from global warming, a large number of smelt die in hot summers. Here, we present the first draft genome of H. nipponensis and transcriptomic changes in molecular mechanisms or intracellular responses under heat stress. We combined Illumina and PacBio sequencing technologies to generate the draft genome of H. nipponensis. Based on the reference genome, we conducted transcriptome analysis of liver and muscle tissues under normal (NT, 5°C) vs. warm (HT, 23°C) conditions to identify heat stress–induced genes and gene categories. We observed a total of 1987 contigs with N50 of 0.46 Mbp, with the largest contig (3.03 Mbp) in the assembled genome. A total of 20,644 protein-coding genes were predicted, and 19,224 genes were functionally annotated: 15,955 genes for Gene Ontology terms and 11,560 genes for KEGG Orthology. We conducted the lost and gained genes analysis compared with three species that: human, zebrafish, and salmon. In the lost genes analysis, we detected that smelt lost 4461 (22.16%), 2825 (10.62%), and 1499 (3.09%) genes compare with above three species, respectively. In the gained genes analysis, we observed that smelt gained 1133 (5.49%), 1670 (8.09%), and 229 (1.11%) genes compared with the above species, respectively. From transcriptome analysis, a total of 297 and 331 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with a false discovery rate <0.05 were identified in the liver and muscle tissues, respectively. Gene enrichment analysis of DEGs indicates that upregulated genes were significantly enriched for lipid biosynthetic process (GO:0008610, P < 0.001) and regulation of apoptotic process (GO:0042981, P < 0.01), and genes were downregulated by immune responses such as myeloid cell differentiation (GO:0030099, P < 0.001) in the liver under heat stress. In muscle tissue, upregulated genes were enriched for hypoxia (GO:0001666, P < 0.05), transcription regulator activity (GO:0140110, P < 0.001), and calcium-release channel activity (GO:0015278, P < 0.01), and genes were downregulated for a nicotinamide nucleotide biosynthetic process (GO:0019359, P < 0.01). The results of KEGG pathway analysis were similar to that of gene enrichment analysis. The draft genome and transcriptomic of H. nipponensis will be a useful genetic resource for functional and evolutionary studies. Our findings will improve understanding of molecular mechanisms and heat responses and be useful for predicting survival of the smelt and its closely related species under global warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Xuan
- Department of Applied Animal Science, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea.,Laboratory of Microbial Genomics and Big Data, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongbin Park
- Department of Applied Animal Science, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea.,Laboratory of Microbial Genomics and Big Data, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sukjung Choi
- Laboratory of Microbial Genomics and Big Data, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Inhwan You
- Department of Applied Animal Science, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea.,Laboratory of Microbial Genomics and Big Data, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Hye Nam
- Biotechnology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, Korea
| | - Eun Soo Noh
- Biotechnology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, Korea
| | - Eun Mi Kim
- Biotechnology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, Korea
| | - Mi-Young Song
- Inland Fisheries Research Institute, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Gapyeong 12453, Korea
| | - Younhee Shin
- Research and Development Center, Insilicogen Inc, Yongin 16954, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hyeon Jeon
- Research and Development Center, Insilicogen Inc, Yongin 16954, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biological Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Eun Bae Kim
- Department of Applied Animal Science, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea.,Laboratory of Microbial Genomics and Big Data, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea
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10
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Paiva L, Lozic M, Allchorne A, Grinevich V, Ludwig M. Identification of peripheral oxytocin-expressing cells using systemically applied cell-type specific adeno-associated viral vector. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12970. [PMID: 33851744 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin is primarily synthesised in the brain and is widely known for its role in lactation and parturition after being released into the blood from the posterior pituitary gland. Nevertheless, peripheral tissues have also been reported to express oxytocin. Using systemic injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector, we investigated the expression of the green fluorescent protein Venus under the control of the oxytocin promoter in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and testes of adult rats. Here, we confirm that the vector infects oxytocin neurones of the enteric nervous system in ganglia of the myenteric and submucosal plexuses. Venus was detected in 25%-60% of the ganglia in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses identified by co-staining with the neuronal marker PGP9.5. Oxytocin expression was also detected in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas and the Leydig cells of the testes. Our data illustrate that peripheral administration of the viral vector represents a powerful method for selectively labelling oxytocin-producing cells outside the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Paiva
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Maja Lozic
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew Allchorne
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mike Ludwig
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Immunology, Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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11
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Carter CS, Kenkel WM, MacLean EL, Wilson SR, Perkeybile AM, Yee JR, Ferris CF, Nazarloo HP, Porges SW, Davis JM, Connelly JJ, Kingsbury MA. Is Oxytocin "Nature's Medicine"? Pharmacol Rev 2021; 72:829-861. [PMID: 32912963 PMCID: PMC7495339 DOI: 10.1124/pr.120.019398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin is a pleiotropic, peptide hormone with broad implications for general health, adaptation, development, reproduction, and social behavior. Endogenous oxytocin and stimulation of the oxytocin receptor support patterns of growth, resilience, and healing. Oxytocin can function as a stress-coping molecule, an anti-inflammatory, and an antioxidant, with protective effects especially in the face of adversity or trauma. Oxytocin influences the autonomic nervous system and the immune system. These properties of oxytocin may help explain the benefits of positive social experiences and have drawn attention to this molecule as a possible therapeutic in a host of disorders. However, as detailed here, the unique chemical properties of oxytocin, including active disulfide bonds, and its capacity to shift chemical forms and bind to other molecules make this molecule difficult to work with and to measure. The effects of oxytocin also are context-dependent, sexually dimorphic, and altered by experience. In part, this is because many of the actions of oxytocin rely on its capacity to interact with the more ancient peptide molecule, vasopressin, and the vasopressin receptors. In addition, oxytocin receptor(s) are epigenetically tuned by experience, especially in early life. Stimulation of G-protein–coupled receptors triggers subcellular cascades allowing these neuropeptides to have multiple functions. The adaptive properties of oxytocin make this ancient molecule of special importance to human evolution as well as modern medicine and health; these same characteristics also present challenges to the use of oxytocin-like molecules as drugs that are only now being recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sue Carter
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (C.S.C., W.M.K., A.M.P., H.P.N., S.W.P.); School of Anthropology, Department of Psychology, and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (E.L.M.); Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (S.R.W.); Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria (J.R.Y.); Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (C.F.F.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (J.M.D.); Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (J.J.C.); and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charleston, Massachusetts (M.A.K.)
| | - William M Kenkel
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (C.S.C., W.M.K., A.M.P., H.P.N., S.W.P.); School of Anthropology, Department of Psychology, and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (E.L.M.); Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (S.R.W.); Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria (J.R.Y.); Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (C.F.F.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (J.M.D.); Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (J.J.C.); and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charleston, Massachusetts (M.A.K.)
| | - Evan L MacLean
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (C.S.C., W.M.K., A.M.P., H.P.N., S.W.P.); School of Anthropology, Department of Psychology, and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (E.L.M.); Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (S.R.W.); Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria (J.R.Y.); Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (C.F.F.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (J.M.D.); Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (J.J.C.); and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charleston, Massachusetts (M.A.K.)
| | - Steven R Wilson
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (C.S.C., W.M.K., A.M.P., H.P.N., S.W.P.); School of Anthropology, Department of Psychology, and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (E.L.M.); Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (S.R.W.); Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria (J.R.Y.); Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (C.F.F.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (J.M.D.); Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (J.J.C.); and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charleston, Massachusetts (M.A.K.)
| | - Allison M Perkeybile
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (C.S.C., W.M.K., A.M.P., H.P.N., S.W.P.); School of Anthropology, Department of Psychology, and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (E.L.M.); Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (S.R.W.); Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria (J.R.Y.); Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (C.F.F.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (J.M.D.); Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (J.J.C.); and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charleston, Massachusetts (M.A.K.)
| | - Jason R Yee
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (C.S.C., W.M.K., A.M.P., H.P.N., S.W.P.); School of Anthropology, Department of Psychology, and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (E.L.M.); Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (S.R.W.); Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria (J.R.Y.); Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (C.F.F.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (J.M.D.); Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (J.J.C.); and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charleston, Massachusetts (M.A.K.)
| | - Craig F Ferris
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (C.S.C., W.M.K., A.M.P., H.P.N., S.W.P.); School of Anthropology, Department of Psychology, and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (E.L.M.); Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (S.R.W.); Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria (J.R.Y.); Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (C.F.F.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (J.M.D.); Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (J.J.C.); and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charleston, Massachusetts (M.A.K.)
| | - Hossein P Nazarloo
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (C.S.C., W.M.K., A.M.P., H.P.N., S.W.P.); School of Anthropology, Department of Psychology, and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (E.L.M.); Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (S.R.W.); Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria (J.R.Y.); Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (C.F.F.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (J.M.D.); Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (J.J.C.); and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charleston, Massachusetts (M.A.K.)
| | - Stephen W Porges
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (C.S.C., W.M.K., A.M.P., H.P.N., S.W.P.); School of Anthropology, Department of Psychology, and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (E.L.M.); Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (S.R.W.); Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria (J.R.Y.); Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (C.F.F.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (J.M.D.); Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (J.J.C.); and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charleston, Massachusetts (M.A.K.)
| | - John M Davis
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (C.S.C., W.M.K., A.M.P., H.P.N., S.W.P.); School of Anthropology, Department of Psychology, and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (E.L.M.); Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (S.R.W.); Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria (J.R.Y.); Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (C.F.F.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (J.M.D.); Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (J.J.C.); and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charleston, Massachusetts (M.A.K.)
| | - Jessica J Connelly
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (C.S.C., W.M.K., A.M.P., H.P.N., S.W.P.); School of Anthropology, Department of Psychology, and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (E.L.M.); Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (S.R.W.); Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria (J.R.Y.); Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (C.F.F.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (J.M.D.); Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (J.J.C.); and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charleston, Massachusetts (M.A.K.)
| | - Marcy A Kingsbury
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (C.S.C., W.M.K., A.M.P., H.P.N., S.W.P.); School of Anthropology, Department of Psychology, and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (E.L.M.); Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (S.R.W.); Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria (J.R.Y.); Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (C.F.F.); Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (J.M.D.); Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (J.J.C.); and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charleston, Massachusetts (M.A.K.)
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12
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Jankowski M, Broderick TL, Gutkowska J. The Role of Oxytocin in Cardiovascular Protection. Front Psychol 2020; 11:2139. [PMID: 32982875 PMCID: PMC7477297 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The beneficial effects of oxytocin on infarct size and functional recovery of the ischemic reperfused heart are well documented. The mechanisms for this cardioprotection are not well defined. Evidence indicates that oxytocin treatment improves cardiac work, reduces apoptosis and inflammation, and increases scar vascularization. Oxytocin-mediated cytoprotection involves the production of cGMP stimulated by local release of atrial natriuretic peptide and synthesis of nitric oxide. Treatment with oxytocin reduces the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and reduces immune cell infiltration. Oxytocin also stimulates differentiation stem cells to cardiomyocyte lineages as well as generation of endothelial and smooth muscle cells, promoting angiogenesis. The beneficial actions of oxytocin may include the increase in glucose uptake by cardiomyocytes, reduction in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, decrease in oxidative stress, and mitochondrial protection of several cell types. In cardiac and cellular models of ischemia and reperfusion, acute administration of oxytocin at the onset of reperfusion enhances cardiomyocyte viability and function by activating Pi3K and Akt phosphorylation and downstream cellular signaling. Reperfusion injury salvage kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins cardioprotective pathways are involved. Oxytocin is cardioprotective by reducing the inflammatory response and improving cardiovascular and metabolic function. Because of its pleiotropic nature, this peptide demonstrates a clear potential for the treatment of cardiovascular pathologies. In this review, we discuss the possible cellular mechanisms of action of oxytocin involved in cardioprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Jankowski
- Cardiovascular Biochemistry Laboratory, University of Montreal Hospital Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tom L Broderick
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Exercise Metabolism, Department of Physiology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, United States
| | - Jolanta Gutkowska
- Cardiovascular Biochemistry Laboratory, University of Montreal Hospital Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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13
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Szeto A, Cecati M, Ahmed R, McCabe PM, Mendez AJ. Oxytocin reduces adipose tissue inflammation in obese mice. Lipids Health Dis 2020; 19:188. [PMID: 32819381 PMCID: PMC7441653 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-020-01364-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity and adipose tissue expansion is characterized by a chronic state of systemic inflammation that contributes to disease. The neuropeptide, oxytocin, working through its receptor has been shown to attenuate inflammation in sepsis, wound healing, and cardiovascular disease. The current study examined the effects of chronic oxytocin infusions on adipose tissue inflammation in a murine model of obesity, the leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mouse. METHODS The effect of obesity on oxytocin receptor protein and mRNA expression in adipose tissue was evaluated by Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Mice were implanted with osmotic minipumps filled with oxytocin or vehicle for 8 weeks. At study endpoint adipose tissue inflammation was assessed by measurement of cytokine and adipokine mRNA tissue levels, adipocyte size and macrophage infiltration via histopathology, and plasma levels of adiponectin and serum amyloid A as markers of systemic inflammation. RESULTS The expression of adipose tissue oxytocin receptor was increased in obese db/db mice compared to lean controls. In adipose tissue oxytocin infusion reduced adipocyte size, macrophage infiltration, IL-6 and TNFα mRNA expression, and increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory adipokine, adiponectin. In plasma, oxytocin infusion reduced the level of serum amyloid A, a marker of systemic inflammation, and increased circulating adiponectin. CONCLUSIONS In an animal model of obesity and diabetes chronic oxytocin treatment led to a reduction in visceral adipose tissue inflammation and plasma markers of systemic inflammation, which may play a role in disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Szeto
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, PO Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Monia Cecati
- Department of Medicine and Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1450 N.W. 10th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Raisa Ahmed
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, PO Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Philip M McCabe
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, PO Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Armando J Mendez
- Department of Medicine and Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1450 N.W. 10th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
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14
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Inoue T, Yamakage H, Tanaka M, Kusakabe T, Shimatsu A, Satoh-Asahara N. Oxytocin Suppresses Inflammatory Responses Induced by Lipopolysaccharide through Inhibition of the eIF-2-ATF4 Pathway in Mouse Microglia. Cells 2019; 8:cells8060527. [PMID: 31159306 PMCID: PMC6627458 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia maintain brain homeostasis and modulate neuroinflammation and are implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we found that in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related eIF-2-ATF4 pathway plays significant roles in TNF- and IL-6 production, as well as in the inflammasome-mediated production of IL-1. Furthermore, our analysis revealed that oxytocin (OT), a nonapeptide synthesized in the hypothalamus, suppressed the production of these proinflammatory cytokines by inhibiting activation of the eIF-2-ATF4 pathway. Our findings therefore suggest a novel anti-inflammatory axis of OT in activated microglia, which would be helpful for developing the novel effective strategies for regulating microglia-associated neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Inoue
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Hypertension Research, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan.
| | - Hajime Yamakage
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Hypertension Research, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan.
| | - Masashi Tanaka
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Hypertension Research, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan.
- Department of Physical Therapy, Health Science University, Yamanashi 401-0380, Japan.
| | - Toru Kusakabe
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Hypertension Research, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan.
| | - Akira Shimatsu
- Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan.
| | - Noriko Satoh-Asahara
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Hypertension Research, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan.
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15
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Mitochondria, Oxytocin, and Vasopressin: Unfolding the Inflammatory Protein Response. Neurotox Res 2018; 36:239-256. [PMID: 30259418 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-018-9962-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine and immune signaling pathways are activated following insults such as stress, injury, and infection, in a systemic response aimed at restoring homeostasis. Mitochondrial metabolism and function have been implicated in the control of immune responses. Commonly studied along with mitochondrial function, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are closely linked to cellular inflammatory responses. It is also accepted that cells experiencing mitochondrial or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induce response pathways in order to cope with protein-folding dysregulation, in homeostatic responses referred to as the unfolded protein responses (UPRs). Recent reports indicate that the UPRs may play an important role in immune responses. Notably, the homeostasis-regulating hormones oxytocin (OXT) and vasopressin (AVP) are also associated with the regulation of inflammatory responses and immune function. Intriguingly, OXT and AVP have been linked with ER unfolded protein responses (UPRER), and can impact ROS production and mitochondrial function. Here, we will review the evidence for interactions between these various factors and how these neuropeptides might influence mitochondrial processes.
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16
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Gross Margolis K, Vittorio J, Talavera M, Gluck K, Li Z, Iuga A, Stevanovic K, Saurman V, Israelyan N, Welch MG, Gershon MD. Enteric serotonin and oxytocin: endogenous regulation of severity in a murine model of necrotizing enterocolitis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2017; 313:G386-G398. [PMID: 28774871 PMCID: PMC5792212 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00215.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a gastrointestinal inflammatory disease of unknown etiology that may also affect the liver, causes a great deal of morbidity and mortality in premature infants. We tested the hypothesis that signaling molecules, which are endogenous to the bowel, regulate the severity of intestinal and hepatic damage in an established murine NEC model. Specifically, we postulated that mucosal serotonin (5-HT), which is proinflammatory, would exacerbate experimental NEC and that oxytocin (OT), which is present in enteric neurons and is anti-inflammatory, would oppose it. Genetic deletion of the 5-HT transporter (SERT), which increases and prolongs effects of 5-HT, was found to increase the severity of systemic manifestations, intestinal inflammation, and associated hepatotoxicity of experimental NEC. In contrast, genetic deletion of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1), which is responsible for 5-HT biosynthesis in enterochromaffin (EC) cells of the intestinal mucosa, and TPH inhibition with LP-920540 both decrease the severity of experimental NEC in the small intestine and liver. These observations suggest that 5-HT from EC cells helps to drive the inflammatory damage to the gut and liver that occurs in the murine NEC model. Administration of OT decreased, while the OT receptor antagonist atosiban exacerbated, the intestinal inflammation of experimental NEC. Data from the current investigation are consistent with the tested hypotheses-that the enteric signaling molecules, 5-HT (positively) and OT (negatively) regulate severity of inflammation in a mouse model of NEC. Moreover, we suggest that mucosally restricted inhibition of 5-HT biosynthesis and/or administration of OT may be useful in the treatment of NEC.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Serotonin (5-HT) and oxytocin reciprocally regulate the severity of intestinal inflammation and hepatotoxicity in a murine model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Selective depletion of mucosal 5-HT through genetic deletion or inhibition of tryptophan hydroxylase-1 ameliorates, while deletion of the 5-HT uptake transporter, which increases 5-HT availability, exacerbates the severity of NEC. In contrast, oxytocin reduces, while the oxytocin receptor antagonist atosiban enhances, NEC severity. Peripheral tryptophan hydroxylase inhibition may be useful in treatment of NEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara Gross Margolis
- Department of Pediatrics, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; .,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; and
| | - Jennifer Vittorio
- 1Department of Pediatrics, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; ,2Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; and
| | - Maria Talavera
- 1Department of Pediatrics, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; ,2Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; and
| | - Karen Gluck
- 1Department of Pediatrics, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; ,2Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; and
| | - Zhishan Li
- 1Department of Pediatrics, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; ,2Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; and
| | - Alina Iuga
- 2Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; and
| | - Korey Stevanovic
- 1Department of Pediatrics, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; ,2Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; and
| | - Virginia Saurman
- 1Department of Pediatrics, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; ,2Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; and
| | - Narek Israelyan
- 1Department of Pediatrics, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; ,2Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; and
| | - Martha G. Welch
- 1Department of Pediatrics, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; ,2Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; and ,3Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Michael D. Gershon
- 2Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; and
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17
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Zhu Z, Yi S, Shan Z, Guo H, Ke S. Effect of isoflurane + N 2O inhalation and propofol + fentanyl anesthesia on myocardial function as assessed by cardiac troponin, caspase-3, cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Exp Ther Med 2017; 14:4377-4382. [PMID: 29067116 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.5029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of isoflurane + N2O inhalation and propofol + fentanyl anesthesia on myocardial function as assessed by cardiac troponin T (cTnT). A total of 60 patients were randomized into two groups: isoflurane + N2O inhalation (n=30) and propofol + fentanyl anesthesia (n=30). The findings demonstrated that there was no significant difference between the two experimental groups in terms of cTnT levels, demographic properties or hemodynamic parameters. Isoflurane + N2O inhalation and propofol + fentanyl anesthesia, respectively, were also investigated in a rat model of myocardial infarction. Myocardial cell damage, inflammation and oxidative stress levels, caspase-3/9 activities and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression were markedly decreased, although there was no statistical significance difference between the two experimental groups. Notably, inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression in the isoflurane + N2O inhalation group was significantly higher than that of the propofol + fentanyl anesthesia group (P<0.01). In conclusion, isoflurane + N2O inhalation and propofol + fentanyl anesthesia are not associated with risks for myocardial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuanghui Zhu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Shuanglian Yi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Zhonggui Shan
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China.,Department of Cardiac Surgery, Teaching Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Guo
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Shaofan Ke
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
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18
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Leng G, Sabatier N. Oxytocin - The Sweet Hormone? Trends Endocrinol Metab 2017; 28:365-376. [PMID: 28283319 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2017.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian neurons that produce oxytocin and vasopressin apparently evolved from an ancient cell type with both sensory and neurosecretory properties that probably linked reproductive functions to energy status and feeding behavior. Oxytocin in modern mammals is an autocrine/paracrine regulator of cell function, a systemic hormone, a neuromodulator released from axon terminals within the brain, and a 'neurohormone' that acts at receptors distant from its site of release. In the periphery oxytocin is involved in electrolyte homeostasis, gastric motility, glucose homeostasis, adipogenesis, and osteogenesis, and within the brain it is involved in food reward, food choice, and satiety. Oxytocin preferentially suppresses intake of sweet-tasting carbohydrates while improving glucose tolerance and supporting bone remodeling, making it an enticing translational target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Leng
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh UK.
| | - Nancy Sabatier
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh UK
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19
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Klein BY, Tamir H, Ludwig RJ, Glickstein SB, Welch MG, Anwar M. Colostrum oxytocin modulates cellular stress response, inflammation, and autophagy markers in newborn rat gut villi. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 487:47-53. [PMID: 28389244 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the role of oxytocin (OT) in colostrum during early gut colonization. We previously showed that transient OT receptor (OTR) expression on newborn rat enterocytes coincides with the milk-suckling period, and that OT activates endoplasmic reticulum stress sensors in cultured enterocytes. Here, we explored whether colostrum-OT attenuates stress in newborn villi primed and unprimed by colostrum by measuring levels of stress markers including BiP (an ER chaperone), eIF2a (translation initiation factor), and pPKR (eIF2a kinase). We also measured two inflammation-signaling proteins NF-κB and its inhibitor IκB. To test the impact of colostrum on autophagy, we measured a marker of autophagy initiation, LC3A. Colostrum increased inactive p-eIF2a, p-PKR and IκB and reduced p-IκB, BiP and LC3A. LPS increased and OT decreased p-IkB. BiP (GRP78) was higher in unprimed than primed villi. Together, these data suggest that colostrum OT attenuates the impact of inflammation on postnatal gut villi and that OT enhances autophagy to protect against amino acid insufficiency-induced stress during the interval between birth and the first feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Y Klein
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Hadassah Tamir
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Robert J Ludwig
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Martha G Welch
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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20
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Szeto A, Sun-Suslow N, Mendez AJ, Hernandez RI, Wagner KV, McCabe PM. Regulation of the macrophage oxytocin receptor in response to inflammation. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2017; 312:E183-E189. [PMID: 28049625 PMCID: PMC5374296 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00346.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) attenuates oxidative stress and inflammation in macrophages. In the current study, we examined the role of inflammation on the expression of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR). We hypothesized that OXTR expression is increased during the inflammation through a nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-mediated pathway, thus responding as an acute-phase protein. Inflammation was induced by treating macrophages (human primary, THP-1, and murine) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and monitored by expression of IL-6. Expression of OXTR and vasopressin receptors was assessed by qPCR, and OXTR expression was confirmed by immunoblotting. Inflammation upregulated OXTR transcription 10- to 250-fold relative to control in THP-1 and human primary macrophages and increased OXTR protein expression. In contrast, vasopressin receptor-2 mRNA expression was reduced following LPS treatment. Blocking NF-κB activation prevented the increase in OXTR transcription. OT treatment of control cells and LPS-treated cells increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation, demonstrating activation of the OXTR/Gαq/11 signaling pathway. OT activation of OXTR reduced secretion of IL-6 in LPS-activated macrophages. Collectively, these findings suggest that OXTR is an acute-phase protein and that its increased expression is regulated by NF-κB and functions to attenuate cellular inflammatory responses in macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Szeto
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida; and
| | - Ni Sun-Suslow
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida; and
| | - Armando J Mendez
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism and Diabetes Research Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Florida
| | - Rosa I Hernandez
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism and Diabetes Research Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Florida
| | - Klaus V Wagner
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida; and
| | - Philip M McCabe
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida; and
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Li T, Wang P, Wang SC, Wang YF. Approaches Mediating Oxytocin Regulation of the Immune System. Front Immunol 2017; 7:693. [PMID: 28119696 PMCID: PMC5223438 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic neuroendocrine system is mainly composed of the neural structures regulating hormone secretion from the pituitary gland and has been considered as the higher regulatory center of the immune system. Recently, the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system (HNS) emerged as an important component of neuroendocrine–immune network, wherein the oxytocin (OT)-secreting system (OSS) plays an essential role. The OSS, consisting of OT neurons in the supraoptic nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, their several accessory nuclei and associated structures, can integrate neural, endocrine, metabolic, and immune information and plays a pivotal role in the development and functions of the immune system. The OSS can promote the development of thymus and bone marrow, perform immune surveillance, strengthen immune defense, and maintain immune homeostasis. Correspondingly, OT can inhibit inflammation, exert antibiotic-like effect, promote wound healing and regeneration, and suppress stress-associated immune disorders. In this process, the OSS can release OT to act on immune system directly by activating OT receptors or through modulating activities of other hypothalamic–pituitary–immune axes and autonomic nervous system indirectly. However, our understandings of the role of the OSS in neuroendocrine regulation of immune system are largely incomplete, particularly its relationship with other hypothalamic–pituitary–immune axes and the vasopressin-secreting system that coexists with the OSS in the HNS. In addition, it remains unclear about the relationship between the OSS and peripherally produced OT in immune regulation, particularly intrathymic OT that is known to elicit central immunological self-tolerance of T-cells to hypophysial hormones. In this work, we provide a brief review of current knowledge of the features of OSS regulation of the immune system and of potential approaches that mediate OSS coordination of the activities of entire neuroendocrine–immune network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , China
| | - Ping Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , China
| | - Stephani C Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albany Medical Center , Albany, NY , USA
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , China
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Yuan L, Liu S, Bai X, Gao Y, Liu G, Wang X, Liu D, Li T, Hao A, Wang Z. Oxytocin inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in microglial cells and attenuates microglial activation in lipopolysaccharide-treated mice. J Neuroinflammation 2016; 13:77. [PMID: 27075756 PMCID: PMC4831099 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0541-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Overactivated microglia is involved in various kinds of neurodegenerative diseases. Suppression of microglial overactivation has emerged as a novel strategy for treatment of neuroinflammation-based neurodegeneration. In the current study, anti-inflammatory effects of oxytocin (OT), which is a highly conserved nonapeptide with hormone and neurotransmitter properties, were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Methods BV-2 cells and primary microglia were pre-treated with OT (0.1, 1, and 10 μM) for 2 h followed by LPS treatment (500 ng/ml); microglial activation and pro-inflammatory mediators were measured by Western blot, RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence. The MAPK and NF-κB pathway proteins were assessed by Western blot. The intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was determined using Fluo2-/AM assay. Intranasal application of OT was pre-treated in BALB/C mice (adult male) followed by injected intraperitoneally with LPS (5 mg/kg). The effect of OT on LPS-induced microglial activation and pro-inflammatory mediators was measured by Western blot, RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence in vivo. Results Using the BV-2 microglial cell line and primary microglia, we found that OT pre-treatment significantly inhibited LPS-induced microglial activation and reduced subsequent release of pro-inflammatory factors. In addition, OT inhibited phosphorylation of ERK and p38 but not JNK MAPK in LPS-induced microglia. OT remarkably reduced the elevation of [Ca2+]i in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells. Furthermore, a systemic LPS-treated acute inflammation murine brain model was used to study the suppressive effects of OT against neuroinflammation in vivo. We found that pre-treatment with OT showed marked attenuation of microglial activation and pro-inflammatory factor levels. Conclusions Taken together, the present study demonstrated that OT possesses anti-neuroinflammatory activity and might serve as a potential therapeutic agent for treating neuroinflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yuan
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuemei Bai
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangheng Liu
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueer Wang
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Dexiang Liu
- Department of Medical Psychology, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Aijun Hao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Department of Histology and Embryology, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Physiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Department of Histology and Embryology, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China.
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