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Herrera-Pérez JJ, Hernández-Hernández OT, Flores-Ramos M, Cueto-Escobedo J, Rodríguez-Landa JF, Martínez-Mota L. The intersection between menopause and depression: overview of research using animal models. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1408878. [PMID: 39081530 PMCID: PMC11287658 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1408878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Menopausal women may experience symptoms of depression, sometimes even progressing clinical depression requiring treatment to improve quality of life. While varying levels of estrogen in perimenopause may contribute to an increased biological vulnerability to mood disturbances, the effectiveness of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in the relief of depressive symptoms remains controversial. Menopausal depression has a complex, multifactorial etiology, that has limited the identification of optimal treatment strategies for the management of this psychiatric complaint. Nevertheless, clinical evidence increasingly supports the notion that estrogen exerts neuroprotective effects on brain structures related to mood regulation. Indeed, research using preclinical animal models continues to improve our understanding of menopause and the effectiveness of ERT and other substances at treating depression-like behaviors. However, questions regarding the efficacy of ERT in perimenopause have been raised. These questions may be answered by further investigation using specific animal models of reduced ovarian function. This review compares and discusses the advantages and pitfalls of different models emulating the menopausal stages and their relationship with the onset of depressive-like signs, as well as the efficacy and mechanisms of conventional and novel ERTs in treating depressive-like behavior. Ovariectomized young rats, middle-to-old aged intact rats, and females treated with reprotoxics have all been used as models of menopause, with stages ranging from surgical menopause to perimenopause. Additionally, this manuscript discusses the impact of organistic and therapeutic variables that may improve or reduce the antidepressant response of females to ERT. Findings from these models have revealed the complexity of the dynamic changes occurring in brain function during menopausal transition, reinforcing the idea that the best approach is timely intervention considering the opportunity window, in addition to the careful selection of treatment according to the presence or absence of reproductive tissue. Additionally, data from animal models has yielded evidence to support new promising estrogens that could be considered as ERTs with antidepressant properties and actions in endocrine situations in which traditional ERTs are not effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Jaime Herrera-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología Conductual, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Olivia Tania Hernández-Hernández
- Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías Research Fellow. Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mónica Flores-Ramos
- Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jonathan Cueto-Escobedo
- Departamento de Investigación Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa-Enríquez, Mexico
| | | | - Lucía Martínez-Mota
- Laboratorio de Farmacología Conductual, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, Mexico
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Bendis PC, Zimmerman S, Onisiforou A, Zanos P, Georgiou P. The impact of estradiol on serotonin, glutamate, and dopamine systems. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1348551. [PMID: 38586193 PMCID: PMC10998471 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1348551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Estradiol, the most potent and prevalent member of the estrogen class of steroid hormones and is expressed in both sexes. Functioning as a neuroactive steroid, it plays a crucial role in modulating neurotransmitter systems affecting neuronal circuits and brain functions including learning and memory, reward and sexual behaviors. These neurotransmitter systems encompass the serotonergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic signaling pathways. Consequently, this review examines the pivotal role of estradiol and its receptors in the regulation of these neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Through a comprehensive analysis of current literature, we investigate the multifaceted effects of estradiol on key neurotransmitter signaling systems, namely serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate. Findings from rodent models illuminate the impact of hormone manipulations, such as gonadectomy, on the regulation of neuronal brain circuits, providing valuable insights into the connection between hormonal fluctuations and neurotransmitter regulation. Estradiol exerts its effects by binding to three estrogen receptors: estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), and G protein-coupled receptor (GPER). Thus, this review explores the promising outcomes observed with estradiol and estrogen receptor agonists administration in both gonadectomized and/or genetically knockout rodents, suggesting potential therapeutic avenues. Despite limited human studies on this topic, the findings underscore the significance of translational research in bridging the gap between preclinical findings and clinical applications. This approach offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between estradiol and neurotransmitter systems. The integration of evidence from neurotransmitter systems and receptor-specific effects not only enhances our understanding of the neurobiological basis of physiological brain functioning but also provides a comprehensive framework for the understanding of possible pathophysiological mechanisms resulting to disease states. By unraveling the complexities of estradiol's impact on neurotransmitter regulation, this review contributes to advancing the field and lays the groundwork for future research aimed at refining understanding of the relationship between estradiol and neuronal circuits as well as their involvement in brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyton Christine Bendis
- Psychoneuroendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Sydney Zimmerman
- Psychoneuroendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Anna Onisiforou
- Translational Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Panos Zanos
- Translational Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- Psychoneuroendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Torres Irizarry VC, Feng B, Yang X, Patel N, Schaul S, Ibrahimi L, Ye H, Luo P, Carrillo-Sáenz L, Lai P, Kota M, Dixit D, Wang C, Lasek AW, He Y, Xu P. Estrogen signaling in the dorsal raphe regulates binge-like drinking in mice. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:122. [PMID: 38413577 PMCID: PMC10899193 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02821-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Estrogens promote binge alcohol drinking and contribute to sex differences in alcohol use disorder. However, the mechanisms are largely unknown. This study aims to test if estrogens act on 5-hydroxytryptamine neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (5-HTDRN) to promote binge drinking. We found that female mice drank more alcohol than male mice in chronic drinking in the dark (DID) tests. This sex difference was associated with distinct alterations in mRNA expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and 5-HT-related genes in the DRN, suggesting a potential role of estrogen/ERs/5-HT signaling. In supporting this view, 5-HTDRN neurons from naïve male mice had lower baseline firing activity but higher sensitivity to alcohol-induced excitation compared to 5-HTDRN neurons from naïve female mice. Notably, this higher sensitivity was blunted by 17β-estradiol treatment in males, indicating an estrogen-dependent mechanism. We further showed that both ERα and ERβ are expressed in 5-HTDRN neurons, whereas ERα agonist depolarizes and ERβ agonist hyperpolarizes 5-HTDRN neurons. Notably, both treatments blocked the stimulatory effects of alcohol on 5-HTDRN neurons in males, even though they have antagonistic effects on the activity dynamics. These results suggest that ERs' inhibitory effects on ethanol-induced burst firing of 5-HTDRN neurons may contribute to higher levels of binge drinking in females. Consistently, chemogenetic activation of ERα- or ERβ-expressing neurons in the DRN reduced binge alcohol drinking. These results support a model in which estrogens act on ERα/β to prevent alcohol-induced activation of 5-HTDRN neurons, which in return leads to higher binge alcohol drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria C Torres Irizarry
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Bing Feng
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808, USA
| | - Xiaohua Yang
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Tianhe District, 510642, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Nirali Patel
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Sarah Schaul
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Lucas Ibrahimi
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Hui Ye
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Pei Luo
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Tianhe District, 510642, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Leslie Carrillo-Sáenz
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Penghua Lai
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Maya Kota
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Devin Dixit
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Chunmei Wang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Amy W Lasek
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics and Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VI, 23298, USA
| | - Yanlin He
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808, USA.
| | - Pingwen Xu
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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Jamu IM, Okamoto H. Recent advances in understanding adverse effects associated with drugs targeting the serotonin receptor, 5-HT GPCR. Front Glob Womens Health 2022; 3:1012463. [PMID: 36619589 PMCID: PMC9812521 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.1012463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been acknowledged that more women suffer from adverse effects of drugs than men globally. A group of drugs targeting serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine] (5-HT) binding G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been reported to preferentially affect women more than men, causing adverse effects such as breast cancer and infertility. 5-HT GPCR-targeted drugs in the central nervous system (CNS) manage psychiatric conditions, such as depression or bipolar and in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) treat migraines. Physiological characteristics such as specific types of hormones, higher body fat density and smaller body mass in women result in disparities in pharmacodynamics of drugs, thus explaining sex-related differences in the observed adverse effects. In this review, we discuss the side effects of drugs targeting 5-HT GPCRs based on serotonin's roles in the CNS and PNS. We have systematically reviewed adverse effects of drugs targeting 5-HT GPCR using information from the Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency. Further information on drug side effects and receptor targets was acquired from the SIDER and DrugBank databases, respectively. These drugs bind to 5-HT GPCRs in the CNS, namely the brain, and PNS such as breasts, ovaries and testes, potentially causing side effects within these areas. Oestrogen affects both the biosynthesis of 5-HT and the densities of 5-HT GPCRs in given tissues and cells. 5-HT GPCR-targeting drugs perturb this process. This is likely a reason why women are experiencing more adverse effects than men due to their periodic increase and the relatively high concentrations of oestrogen in women and, thus a greater incidence of the oestrogen-mediated 5-HT system interference. In addition, women have a lower concentration of serotonin relative to men and also have a relatively faster rate of serotonin metabolism which might be contributing to the former. We discuss potential approaches that could mitigate at least some of the adverse effects experienced by women taking the 5-HT GPCR-targeting drugs.
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Synthetic corticosteroids as tryptophan hydroxylase stabilizers. Future Med Chem 2021; 13:1465-1474. [PMID: 34251270 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2021-0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Clinically, corticosteroids are used mainly for their immune-modulatory properties but are also known to influence mood. Despite evidence of a role in regulating tryptophan hydroxylases (TPH), key enzymes in serotonin biosynthesis, a direct action of corticosteroids on these enzymes has not been systematically investigated. Methodology & results: Corticosteroid effects on TPHs were tested using an in vitro assay. The compound with the strongest modulatory effect, beclomethasone dipropionate, activated TPH1 and TPH2 with low micromolar potency. Thermostability assays suggested a stabilizing mechanism, and computational docking indicated that beclomethasone dipropionate interacts with the TPH active site. Conclusion: Beclomethasone dipropionate is a stabilizer of TPHs, acting as a pharmacological chaperone. Our findings may inspire further development of steroid scaffolds as putative antidepressant drugs.
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Zhou J, Wang X, Feng L, Xiao L, Yang R, Zhu X, Shi H, Hu Y, Chen R, Boyce P, Wang G. Venlafaxine vs. fluoxetine in postmenopausal women with major depressive disorder: an 8-week, randomized, single-blind, active-controlled study. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:260. [PMID: 34011310 PMCID: PMC8135153 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03253-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the population of postmenopausal patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), the superiority of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) over selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has not yet been definitively proven. Consequently, a direct comparison of the efficacy of SSRIs and SNRIs in the treatment of postmenopausal depression could provide relevant data. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of venlafaxine vs. fluoxetine in the treatment of postmenopausal MDD. METHODS This was an 8-week, multicenter, randomized, single-blind, active-controlled trial conducted at a psychiatric hospital (Beijing Anding Hospital) and a general hospital (Beijing Chaoyang Hospital) between April 2013 and September 2017. The primary outcome measure was improving depressive symptoms (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-24) score). The secondary outcomes included the change of HAMD-24 anxiety/somatization factor score and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) response rate. Safety was assessed by treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and laboratory tests. Efficacy was analyzed by using the full analysis set (FAS) following the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) principle. The primary endpoint measurements were analyzed using a mixed-effect model for repeated measures (MMRM) model with patients as a random-effect factor, treatment group as the independent variable, time as a repeated measure, and baseline covariates, using a first-order ante dependence covariance matrix. RESULTS A total of 184 women were randomized. The full analysis set (FAS) included 172 patients (venlafaxine, n = 82; fluoxetine, n = 90). Over the 8-week study period, the reduction in HAMD-24 scores was significant (P < 0.001) in both groups, while a significantly greater decline from baseline was observed in the venlafaxine group compared with the fluoxetine group (least-squares mean difference [95% CI]: - 2.22 [- 7.08, - 0.41]), P = 0.001). The baseline-to-week-8 least-squares mean change of the anxiety/somatization factor scores, CGI-I response rate were greater in the venlafaxine group than in the fluoxetine group (all P < 0.05). The most frequent TEAEs (≥5%) in both groups were nausea, somnolence, dizziness, headache, and dry mouth. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. CONCLUSION Venlafaxine was well tolerated and compared to fluoxetine, it led to a greater improvement in the treatment of postmenopausal MDD. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trials. gov #NCT01824433 . The trial was registered on April 4, 2013.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhou
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XThe National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders & Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 5. Ankang Lane, Deshengmen Wai, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088 China ,grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XAdvanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XThe National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders & Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 5. Ankang Lane, Deshengmen Wai, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088 China
| | - Lei Feng
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XThe National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders & Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 5. Ankang Lane, Deshengmen Wai, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088 China ,grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XAdvanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Le Xiao
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XThe National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders & Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 5. Ankang Lane, Deshengmen Wai, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088 China ,grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XAdvanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Yang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XThe National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders & Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 5. Ankang Lane, Deshengmen Wai, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088 China ,grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XAdvanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuequan Zhu
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XThe National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders & Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 5. Ankang Lane, Deshengmen Wai, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088 China
| | - Hui Shi
- grid.411607.5Department of Clinical Psychology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yongdong Hu
- grid.411607.5Department of Clinical Psychology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Runsen Chen
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XThe National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders & Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 5. Ankang Lane, Deshengmen Wai, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088 China ,grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XAdvanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Philip Boyce
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDiscipline of Psychiatry, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.413252.30000 0001 0180 6477Department of Psychiatry, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gang Wang
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders & Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 5. Ankang Lane, Deshengmen Wai, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088, China. .,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Aging-Associated Alterations in Mammary Epithelia and Stroma Revealed by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108566. [PMID: 33378681 PMCID: PMC7898263 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is closely associated with increased susceptibility to breast cancer, yet there have been limited systematic studies of aging-induced alterations in the mammary gland. Here, we leverage high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing to generate a detailed transcriptomic atlas of young and aged murine mammary tissues. By analyzing epithelial, stromal, and immune cells, we identify age-dependent alterations in cell proportions and gene expression, providing evidence that suggests alveolar maturation and physiological decline. The analysis also uncovers potential pro-tumorigenic mechanisms coupled to the age-associated loss of tumor suppressor function and change in microenvironment. In addition, we identify a rare, age-dependent luminal population co-expressing hormone-sensing and secretory-alveolar lineage markers, as well as two macrophage populations expressing distinct gene signatures, underscoring the complex heterogeneity of the mammary epithelia and stroma. Collectively, this rich single-cell atlas reveals the effects of aging on mammary physiology and can serve as a useful resource for understanding aging-associated cancer risk. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing, Li et al. compare mammary epithelia and stroma in young and aged mice. Age-dependent changes at cell and gene levels provide evidence suggesting alveolar maturation, functional deterioration, and potential pro-tumorigenic and inflammatory alterations. Additionally, identification of heterogeneous luminal and macrophage subpopulations underscores the complexity of mammary lineages.
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Kawabata-Sakata Y, Nishiike Y, Fleming T, Kikuchi Y, Okubo K. Androgen-dependent sexual dimorphism in pituitary tryptophan hydroxylase expression: relevance to sex differences in pituitary hormones. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200713. [PMID: 32517612 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonin is a biogenic monoamine conserved across phyla that is implicated in diverse physiological and behavioural functions. On examining the expression of the rate-limiting enzymes in serotonin synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylases (TPHs), in the teleost medaka (Oryzias latipes), we found that males have much higher levels of tph1 expression as compared with females. This robust sexual dimorphism was found to probably result from the direct stimulation of tph1 transcription by androgen/androgen receptor binding to canonical bipartite androgen-responsive elements in its proximal promoter region. Our results further revealed that tph1 expression occurs exclusively in pro-opiomelanocortin (pomc)-expressing cells and that the resulting serotonin and its derivative melatonin inhibit the expression of the pituitary hormone genes, fshb, sl and tshb. This suggests that serotonin and/or melatonin synthesized in pomc-expressing cells act in a paracrine manner to suppress pituitary hormone levels. Consistent with these findings and the male-biased expression of tph1, the expression levels of fshb, sl and tshb were all higher in females than in males. Taken together, the male bias in tph1 expression and consequent serotonin/melatonin production presumably contribute to sex differences in the expression of pituitary hormones and ultimately in the physiological functions mediated by them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukika Kawabata-Sakata
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.,Department of Pathophysiology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
| | - Yuji Nishiike
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Thomas Fleming
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yukiko Kikuchi
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kataaki Okubo
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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9
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Neonatal treatment with clomipramine modifies the expression of estrogen receptors in brain areas of male adult rats. Brain Res 2019; 1724:146443. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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10
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Reduced serotonin impairs long-term depression in basolateral amygdala complex and causes anxiety-like behaviors in a mouse model of perimenopause. Exp Neurol 2019; 321:113030. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.113030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Dufour S, Quérat B, Tostivint H, Pasqualini C, Vaudry H, Rousseau K. Origin and Evolution of the Neuroendocrine Control of Reproduction in Vertebrates, With Special Focus on Genome and Gene Duplications. Physiol Rev 2019; 100:869-943. [PMID: 31625459 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00009.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, as in the other mammals, the neuroendocrine control of reproduction is ensured by the brain-pituitary gonadotropic axis. Multiple internal and environmental cues are integrated via brain neuronal networks, ultimately leading to the modulation of the activity of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. The decapeptide GnRH is released into the hypothalamic-hypophysial portal blood system and stimulates the production of pituitary glycoprotein hormones, the two gonadotropins luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. A novel actor, the neuropeptide kisspeptin, acting upstream of GnRH, has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Other neuropeptides, such as gonadotropin-inhibiting hormone/RF-amide related peptide, and other members of the RF-amide peptide superfamily, as well as various nonpeptidic neuromediators such as dopamine and serotonin also provide a large panel of stimulatory or inhibitory regulators. This paper addresses the origin and evolution of the vertebrate gonadotropic axis. Brain-pituitary neuroendocrine axes are typical of vertebrates, the pituitary gland, mediator and amplifier of brain control on peripheral organs, being a vertebrate innovation. The paper reviews, from molecular and functional perspectives, the evolution across vertebrate radiation of some key actors of the vertebrate neuroendocrine control of reproduction and traces back their origin along the vertebrate lineage and in other metazoa before the emergence of vertebrates. A focus is given on how gene duplications, resulting from either local events or from whole genome duplication events, and followed by paralogous gene loss or conservation, might have shaped the evolutionary scenarios of current families of key actors of the gonadotropic axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Dufour
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France; INSERM U1133, Physiologie de l'axe Gonadotrope, Paris, France; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (UMR 9197), Gif-sur-Yvette, France; and Université de Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
| | - Bruno Quérat
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France; INSERM U1133, Physiologie de l'axe Gonadotrope, Paris, France; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (UMR 9197), Gif-sur-Yvette, France; and Université de Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
| | - Hervé Tostivint
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France; INSERM U1133, Physiologie de l'axe Gonadotrope, Paris, France; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (UMR 9197), Gif-sur-Yvette, France; and Université de Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
| | - Catherine Pasqualini
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France; INSERM U1133, Physiologie de l'axe Gonadotrope, Paris, France; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (UMR 9197), Gif-sur-Yvette, France; and Université de Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
| | - Hubert Vaudry
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France; INSERM U1133, Physiologie de l'axe Gonadotrope, Paris, France; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (UMR 9197), Gif-sur-Yvette, France; and Université de Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
| | - Karine Rousseau
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems, CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France; INSERM U1133, Physiologie de l'axe Gonadotrope, Paris, France; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (UMR 9197), Gif-sur-Yvette, France; and Université de Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France
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12
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Satué K, Fazio E, Ferlazzo A, Medica P. Intrafollicular and systemic serotonin, oestradiol and progesterone concentrations in cycling mares. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 54:1411-1418. [PMID: 31373734 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The hypothesis that a local serotonergic network might also exist in the follicle of mares remains poorly documented, with exception for humans and laboratory species. For this reason, the aim of the present study was to clarify this possibility, investigating intrafollicular serotonin concentrations of the cycling mare at ovulation time. Sixty ovaries collected from 30 clinically healthy mares of slaughterhouse meat production with clinically normal reproductive tracts after slaughtering were evaluated. Blood samples were taken prior to sacrifice. Follicles were classified in three categories in relation to size, as small (20-30 mm), medium (31-40 mm) and large (>41 mm), and the follicular fluid samples were extracted from each follicle. Intrafollicular and systemic serotonin (5-HT), oestradiol-17β (E2 ) and progesterone (P4 ) were determined by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and RIA, respectively. Intrafollicular 5-HT, E2 and P4 concentrations were higher than systemic ones (p < .05). 5-HT concentrations increased in larger compared to medium follicles, without differences compared to small size follicles (p < .05). 5-HT and E2 (r = .79) and 5-HT and P4 (r = .79; p < .05) were positively correlated. 5-HT and P4 concentrations in follicular fluid increased progressively with the increase in follicular size (p < .05). Follicle diameter and E2 (r = .85) and P4 (r = .68) were correlated (p < .05). Since serotonin interacts with steroids, its role on steroidogenesis during growth of the dominant follicle may be suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katiuska Satué
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, Valencia, Spain
| | - Esterina Fazio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Sicilia, Italy
| | - Adriana Ferlazzo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Sicilia, Italy
| | - Pietro Medica
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Sicilia, Italy
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13
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Pratelli M, Pasqualetti M. Serotonergic neurotransmission manipulation for the understanding of brain development and function: Learning from Tph2 genetic models. Biochimie 2019; 161:3-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2018.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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14
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Hudon Thibeault AA, Sanderson JT, Vaillancourt C. Serotonin-estrogen interactions: What can we learn from pregnancy? Biochimie 2019; 161:88-108. [PMID: 30946949 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We have reviewed the scientific literature related to four diseases in which to serotonin (5-HT) is involved in the etiology, herein named 5-HT-linked diseases, and whose prevalence is influenced by estrogenic status: depression, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome and eating disorders. These diseases all have in common a sex-dimorphic prevalence, with women more frequently affected than men. The co-occurrence between these 5-HT-linked diseases suggests that they have common physiopathological mechanisms. In most 5-HT-linked diseases (except for anorexia nervosa and irritable bowel syndrome), a decrease in the serotonergic tone is observed and estrogens are thought to contribute to the improvement of symptoms by stimulating the serotonergic system. Human pregnancy is characterized by a unique 5-HT and estrogen synthesis by the placenta. Pregnancy-specific disorders, such as hyperemesis gravidarum, gestational diabetes mellitus and pre-eclampsia, are associated with a hyperserotonergic state and decreased estrogen levels. Fetal programming of 5-HT-linked diseases is a complex phenomenon that involves notably fetal-sex differences, which suggest the implication of sex steroids. From a mechanistic point of view, we hypothesize that estrogens regulate the serotonergic system, resulting in a protective effect against 5-HT-linked diseases, but that, in turn, 5-HT affects estrogen synthesis in an attempt to retrieve homeostasis. These two processes (5-HT and estrogen biosynthesis) are crucial for successful pregnancy outcomes, and thus, a disruption of this 5-HT-estrogen relationship may explain pregnancy-specific pathologies or pregnancy complications associated with 5-HT-linked diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrée-Anne Hudon Thibeault
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, 531, boulevard des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Well-Being, Health, Society and Environment (Cinbiose), Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P.8888, succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.
| | - J Thomas Sanderson
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, 531, boulevard des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada.
| | - Cathy Vaillancourt
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, 531, boulevard des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Well-Being, Health, Society and Environment (Cinbiose), Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P.8888, succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.
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15
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Puga-Olguín A, Rodríguez-Landa JF, Rovirosa-Hernández MDJ, Germán-Ponciano LJ, Caba M, Meza E, Guillén-Ruiz G, Olmos-Vázquez OJ. Long-term ovariectomy increases anxiety- and despair-like behaviors associated with lower Fos immunoreactivity in the lateral septal nucleus in rats. Behav Brain Res 2019; 360:185-195. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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16
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The Antidepressant-Like Effect of Lactate in an Animal Model of Menopausal Depression. Biomedicines 2018; 6:biomedicines6040108. [PMID: 30469388 PMCID: PMC6316721 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines6040108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the antidepressant-like effect of lactate and elucidate its mechanisms in ovariectomized rats with repeated stress. METHODS Two experiments were conducted on female rats in which all groups, except normal, were ovariectomized and underwent immobilization for 14 days. Lactate was administered orally (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days, and the rats' cutaneous body temperature was measured during the same period. Depression-like behavior in rats was assessed by the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST). Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry were conducted to evaluate the changes that occurred in the neurotransmitter levels and activity. RESULTS The lactate 100 and 250 groups had reduced time spent immobile in TST and FST and decreased peripheral body temperature. In ELISA tests, the lactate 250 group expressed elevated levels of serotonin and dopamine in many brain areas. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), and protein kinase C (PKC) immunoreactive cells showed increased density and cell counts in lactate administered groups. CONCLUSION Results indicated that lactate has an antidepressant effect that is achieved by activation of PKC and upregulation of TH and TPH expression, which eventually leads to enhanced serotonin and dopamine levels in the menopausal rat's brain.
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Effects of Estrogen Therapy on the Serotonergic System in an Animal Model of Perimenopause Induced by 4-Vinylcyclohexen Diepoxide (VCD). eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-NWR-0247-17. [PMID: 29362726 PMCID: PMC5777542 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0247-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic exposure to 4-vinylcycloxene diepoxide (VCD) in rodents accelerates the natural process of ovarian follicular atresia modelling perimenopause in women. We investigated why estrogen therapy is beneficial for symptomatic women despite normal or high estrogen levels during perimenopause. Female rats (28 d) were injected daily with VCD or oil for 15 d; 55-65 d after the first injection, pellets of 17β-estradiol or oil were inserted subcutaneously. Around 20 d after, the rats were euthanized (control rats on diestrus and estradiol-treated 21 d after pellets implants). Blood was collected for hormone measurement, the brains were removed and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), hippocampus (HPC), and amygdala (AMY) punched out for serotonin (5-HT), estrogen receptor β (ERβ), and progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA level measurements. Another set of rats was perfused for tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) immunohistochemistry in the DRN. Periestropausal rats exhibited estradiol levels similar to controls and a lower progesterone level, which was restored by estradiol. The DRN of periestropausal rats exhibited lower expression of PR and ERβ mRNA and a lower number of TPH cells. Estradiol restored the ERβ mRNA levels and number of serotonergic cells in the DRN caudal subregion. The 5-HT levels were lower in the AMY and HPC in peristropausal rats, and estradiol treatment increased the 5-HT levels in the HPC and also increased ERβ expression in this area. In conclusion, estradiol may improve perimenopause symptoms by increasing progesterone and boosting serotonin pathway from the caudal DRN to the dorsal HPC potentially through an increment in ERβ expression in the DRN.
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Role of estrogen receptor beta in neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E10428-E10437. [PMID: 29133394 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1714094114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to propagate mature cells and tissue from pluripotent stem cells offers enormous promise for treating many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. Before such cells can be used successfully in neurodegenerative diseases without causing unwanted cell growth and migration, genes regulating growth and migration of neural stem cells need to be well characterized. Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) is essential for migration of neurons and glial cells in the developing mouse brain. To examine whether ERβ influences differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) into neural lineages, we compared control and ERβ knockout (BERKO) mESCs at defined stages of neural development and examined the effects of an ERβ-selective ligand (LY3201) with a combination of global and targeted gene-expression profiling and the expression of key pluripotency markers. We found that ERβ was induced in embryoid bodies (EBs) and neural precursor cells (NPCs) during development. Proliferation was higher in BERKO NPCs and was inhibited by LY3201. Neurogenesis was reduced in BERKO ES cells, and oligodendrogliogenesis was enhanced. BERKO EBs expressed higher levels of key ectodermal and neural progenitor markers and lower levels of markers for mesoderm and endoderm lineages. ERβ-regulated factors are involved in cell adhesion, axon guidance, and signaling of Notch and GABA receptor pathways, as well as factors important for the differentiation of neuronal precursors into dopaminergic neurons (Engrailed 1) and for the oligodendrocyte fate acquisition (Olig2). Our data suggest that ERβ is an important component for differentiation into midbrain neurons as well as for preventing precocious oligodendrogliogenesis.
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Nawa Y, Kaneko H, Oda M, Tsubonoya M, Hiroi T, Gentile MT, Colucci-D'Amato L, Takahashi R, Matsui H. Functional characterization of the neuron-restrictive silencer element in the human tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene expression. J Neurochem 2017; 142:827-840. [PMID: 28464229 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) is the key enzyme in the synthesis of neuronal serotonin. Although previous studies suggest that TPH2 neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE) functions as a negative regulator dependent on neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF) activity, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we show a detailed analysis of the NRSE-mediated repression of the human TPH2 (hTPH2) promoter activity in RN46A cells, a cell line derived from rat raphe neurons. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed the expression of serotonergic marker genes (Mash1, Nkx2.2, Gata2, Gata3, Lmx1b, Pet-1, 5-Htt, and Vmat2) and Nrsf gene in RN46A cells. Tph1 mRNA is the prevalent form expressed in RN46A cells; Tph2 mRNA is also expressed but at a lower level. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and reporter assays showed that hTPH2 NRSE is necessary for the efficient DNA binding of NRSF and for the NRSF-dependent repression of the hTPH2 promoter activity. The hTPH2 promoter activity was increased by knockdown of NRSF, or over-expression of the engineered NRSF (a dominant-negative mutant or a DNA-binding domain and activation domain fusion protein). MS-275, a class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, was found to be more potent than MC-1568, a class II HDAC inhibitor, in enhancing the hTPH2 promoter activity. Furthermore, treatment with the ubiquitin-specific protease 7 deubiquitinase inhibitors, P-22077 or HBX 41108, increased the hTPH2 promoter activity. Collectively, our data demonstrate that the hTPH2 NRSE-mediated promoter repression via NRSF involves class I HDACs and is modulated by the ubiquitin-specific protease 7-mediated deubiquitination and stabilization of NRSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukino Nawa
- Institute of Radioisotope Research, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hanae Kaneko
- Institute of Radioisotope Research, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Masayuki Oda
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Masaaki Tsubonoya
- Institute of Radioisotope Research, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Tomoko Hiroi
- Institute of Radioisotope Research, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Maria Teresa Gentile
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Second University of Naples, Caserta, Italy
| | - Luca Colucci-D'Amato
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Second University of Naples, Caserta, Italy
| | - Ryoya Takahashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, Funabashi, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Matsui
- Institute of Radioisotope Research, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.,Department of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
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20
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Genes, Gender, Environment, and Novel Functions of Estrogen Receptor Beta in the Susceptibility to Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Brain Sci 2017; 7:brainsci7030024. [PMID: 28241485 PMCID: PMC5366823 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci7030024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Many neurological disorders affect men and women differently regarding prevalence, progression, and severity. It is clear that many of these disorders may originate from defective signaling during fetal or perinatal brain development, which may affect males and females differently. Such sex-specific differences may originate from chromosomal or sex-hormone specific effects. This short review will focus on the estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) signaling during perinatal brain development and put it in the context of sex-specific differences in neurodevelopmental disorders. We will discuss ERβ’s recent discovery in directing DNA de-methylation to specific sites, of which one such site may bear consequences for the susceptibility to the neurological reading disorder dyslexia. We will also discuss how dysregulations in sex-hormone signaling, like those evoked by endocrine disruptive chemicals, may affect this and other neurodevelopmental disorders in a sex-specific manner through ERβ.
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21
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Tetratricopeptide repeat domain 9A modulates anxiety-like behavior in female mice. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37568. [PMID: 27869229 PMCID: PMC5116628 DOI: 10.1038/srep37568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetratricopeptide repeat domain 9A (TTC9A) expression is abundantly expressed in the brain. Previous studies in TTC9A knockout (TTC9A-/-) mice have indicated that TTC9A negatively regulates the action of estrogen. In this study we investigated the role of TTC9A on anxiety-like behavior through its functional interaction with estrogen using the TTC9A-/- mice model. A battery of tests on anxiety-related behaviors was conducted. Our results demonstrated that TTC9A-/- mice exhibited an increase in anxiety-like behaviors compared to the wild type TTC9A+/+ mice. This difference was abolished after ovariectomy, and administration of 17-β-estradiol benzoate (EB) restored this escalated anxiety-like behavior in TTC9A-/- mice. Since serotonin is well-known to be the key neuromodulator involved in anxiety behaviors, the mRNA levels of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) 1, TPH2 (both are involved in serotonin synthesis), and serotonin transporter (5-HTT) were measured in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). Interestingly, the heightened anxiety in TTC9A-/- mice under EB influence is consistent with a greater induction of TPH 2, and 5-HTT by EB in DRN that play key roles in emotion regulation. In conclusion, our data indicate that TTC9A modulates the anxiety-related behaviors through modulation of estrogen action on the serotonergic system in the DRN.
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22
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Vargas KG, Milic J, Zaciragic A, Wen KX, Jaspers L, Nano J, Dhana K, Bramer WM, Kraja B, van Beeck E, Ikram MA, Muka T, Franco OH. The functions of estrogen receptor beta in the female brain: A systematic review. Maturitas 2016; 93:41-57. [PMID: 27338976 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2016.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Females have unique and additional risk factors for neurological disorders. Among classical estrogen receptors, estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) has been suggested as a therapeutic target. However, little is known about the role of ERβ in the female brain. Six electronic databases were searched for articles evaluating the role of ERβ in the female brain and the influence of age and menopause on ERβ function. After screening 3186 titles and abstracts, 49 articles were included in the review, all of which were animal studies. Of these, 19 focused on cellular signaling, 7 on neuroendocrine pathways, 8 on neurological disorders, 4 on neuroprotection and 19 on psychological and psychiatric outcomes (6 studies evaluated two or more outcomes). Our findings showed that ERβ phosphorylated and activated intracellular second messenger proteins and regulated protein expression of genes involved in neurological functions. It also promoted neurogenesis, modulated the neuroendocrine regulation of stress response, conferred neuroprotection against ischemia and inflammation, and reduced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Targeting ERβ may constitute a novel treatment for menopausal symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and neurological diseases. However, to establish potential therapeutic and preventive strategies targeting ERβ, future studies should be conducted in humans to further our understanding of the importance of ERβ in women's mental and cognitive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris G Vargas
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jelena Milic
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Asija Zaciragic
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ke-Xin Wen
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Loes Jaspers
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jana Nano
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Klodian Dhana
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Bledar Kraja
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania; University Clinic of Gastrohepatology, University Hospital Center Mother Teresa, Tirana, Albania
| | - Ed van Beeck
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - M Arfan Ikram
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Erasmus University Medical Center, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Taulant Muka
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Oscar H Franco
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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David D, Gardier A. Les bases de pharmacologie fondamentale du système sérotoninergique : application à la réponse antidépressive. Encephale 2016; 42:255-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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24
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Loewendorf AI, Matynia A, Saribekyan H, Gross N, Csete M, Harrington M. Roads Less Traveled: Sexual Dimorphism and Mast Cell Contributions to Migraine Pathology. Front Immunol 2016; 7:140. [PMID: 27148260 PMCID: PMC4836167 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Migraine is a common, little understood, and debilitating disease. It is much more prominent in women than in men (~2/3 are women) but the reasons for female preponderance are not clear. Migraineurs frequently experience severe comorbidities, such as allergies, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and others; many of the comorbidities are more common in females. Current treatments for migraine are not gender specific, and rarely are migraine and its comorbidities considered and treated by the same specialist. Thus, migraine treatments represent a huge unmet medical need, which will only be addressed with greater understanding of its underlying pathophysiology. We discuss the current knowledge about sex differences in migraine and its comorbidities, and focus on the potential role of mast cells (MCs) in both. Sex-based differences in pain recognition and drug responses, fluid balance, and the blood–brain barrier are recognized but their impact on migraine is not well studied. Furthermore, MCs are well recognized for their prominent role in allergies but much less is known about their contributions to pain pathways in general and migraine specifically. MC-neuron bidirectional communication uniquely positions these cells as potential initiators and/or perpetuators of pain. MCs can secrete nociceptor sensitizing and activating agents, such as serotonin, prostaglandins, histamine, and proteolytic enzymes that can also activate the pain-mediating transient receptor potential vanilloid channels. MCs express receptors for both estrogen and progesterone that induce degranulation upon binding. Furthermore, environmental estrogens, such as Bisphenol A, activate MCs in preclinical models but their impact on pain pathways or migraine is understudied. We hope that this discussion will encourage scientists and physicians alike to bridge the knowledge gaps linking sex, MCs, and migraine to develop better, more comprehensive treatments for migraine patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Matynia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Noah Gross
- Huntington Medical Research Institutes , Pasadena, CA , USA
| | - Marie Csete
- Huntington Medical Research Institutes , Pasadena, CA , USA
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Woo YS, Seo HJ, McIntyre RS, Bahk WM. Obesity and Its Potential Effects on Antidepressant Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Depressive Disorders: A Literature Review. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17010080. [PMID: 26771598 PMCID: PMC4730324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17010080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence regarding clinical, neurobiological, genetic, and environmental factors suggests a bidirectional link between obesity and depressive disorders. Although a few studies have investigated the link between obesity/excess body weight and the response to antidepressants in depressive disorders, the effect of weight on treatment response remains poorly understood. In this review, we summarized recent data regarding the relationship between the response to antidepressants and obesity/excess body weight in clinical studies of patients with depressive disorders. Although several studies indicated an association between obesity/excess body weight and poor antidepressant responses, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions due to the variability of subject composition and methodological differences among studies. Especially, differences in sex, age and menopausal status, depressive symptom subtypes, and antidepressants administered may have caused inconsistencies in the results among studies. The relationship between obesity/excess body weight and antidepressant responses should be investigated further in high-powered studies addressing the differential effects on subject characteristics and treatment. Moreover, future research should focus on the roles of mediating factors, such as inflammatory markers and neurocognitive performance, which may alter the antidepressant treatment outcome in patients with comorbid obesity and depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Sup Woo
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 07345, Korea.
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada.
| | - Hye-Jin Seo
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 07345, Korea.
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada.
| | - Won-Myong Bahk
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 07345, Korea.
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Prasad P, Ogawa S, Parhar IS. Role of serotonin in fish reproduction. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:195. [PMID: 26097446 PMCID: PMC4456567 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuroendocrine mechanism regulates reproduction through the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis which is evolutionarily conserved in vertebrates. The HPG axis is regulated by a variety of internal as well as external factors. Serotonin, a monoamine neurotransmitter, is involved in a wide range of reproductive functions. In mammals, serotonin regulates sexual behaviors, gonadotropin release and gonadotropin-release hormone (GnRH) secretion. However, the serotonin system in teleost may also play unique role in the control of reproduction as the mechanism of reproductive control in teleosts is not always the same as in the mammalian models. In fish, the serotonin system is also regulated by natural environmental factors as well as chemical substances. In particular, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly detected as pharmaceutical contaminants in the natural environment. Those factors may influence fish reproductive functions via the serotonin system. This review summarizes the functional significance of serotonin in the teleosts reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvathy Prasad
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Satoshi Ogawa
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ishwar S Parhar
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia Selangor, Malaysia
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Moore CJ, DeLong NE, Chan KA, Holloway AC, Petrik JJ, Sloboda DM. Perinatal Administration of a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Induces Impairments in Reproductive Function and Follicular Dynamics in Female Rat Offspring. Reprod Sci 2015; 22:1297-311. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719115578925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. J. Moore
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Pediatrics McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pediatrics McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - N. E. DeLong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pediatrics McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - K. A. Chan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Pediatrics McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - A. C. Holloway
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pediatrics McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - J. J. Petrik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pediatrics McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - D. M. Sloboda
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Pediatrics McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pediatrics McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
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Mosienko V, Beis D, Pasqualetti M, Waider J, Matthes S, Qadri F, Bader M, Alenina N. Life without brain serotonin: reevaluation of serotonin function with mice deficient in brain serotonin synthesis. Behav Brain Res 2014; 277:78-88. [PMID: 24928769 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Revised: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is a rate limiting enzyme in the synthesis of serotonin (5-HT), a monoamine which works as an autacoid in the periphery and as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. In 2003 we have discovered the existence of a second Tph gene, which is expressed exclusively in the brain, and, therefore, is responsible for the 5-HT synthesis in the central nervous system. In the following years several research groups have independently generated Tph2-deficient mice. In this review we will summarize the data gained from the existing mouse models with constitutive or conditional deletion of the Tph2 gene, focusing on biochemical, developmental, and behavioral consequences of Tph2-deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Beis
- Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Massimo Pasqualetti
- Department of Biology, Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jonas Waider
- Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Susann Matthes
- Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Michael Bader
- Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Natalia Alenina
- Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
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Gupta S, McCarson KE, Welch KMA, Berman NEJ. Mechanisms of pain modulation by sex hormones in migraine. Headache 2013; 51:905-22. [PMID: 21631476 DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2011.01908.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A number of pain conditions, acute as well as chronic, are much more prevalent in women, such as temporomandibular disorder (TMD), irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and migraine. The association of female sex steroids with these nociceptive conditions is well known, but the mechanisms of their effects on pain signaling are yet to be deciphered. We reviewed the mechanisms through which female sex steroids might influence the trigeminal nociceptive pathways with a focus on migraine. Sex steroid receptors are located in trigeminal circuits, providing the molecular substrate for direct effects. In addition to classical genomic effects, sex steroids exert rapid nongenomic actions to modulate nociceptive signaling. Although there are only a handful of studies that have directly addressed the effect of sex hormones in animal models of migraine, the putative mechanisms can be extrapolated from observations in animal models of other trigeminal pain disorders, like TMD. Sex hormones may regulate sensitization of trigeminal neurons by modulating expression of nociceptive mediator such as calcitonin gene-related peptide. Its expression is mostly positively regulated by estrogen, although a few studies also report an inverse relationship. Serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) is a neurotransmitter implicated in migraine; its synthesis is enhanced in most parts of brain by estrogen, which increases expression of the rate-limiting enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase and decreases expression of the serotonin re-uptake transporter. Downstream signaling, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation, calcium-dependent mechanisms, and cAMP response element-binding activation, are thought to be the major signaling events affected by sex hormones. These findings need to be confirmed in migraine-specific animal models that may also provide clues to additional ion channels, neuropeptides, and intracellular signaling cascades that contribute to the increased prevalence of migraine in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Gupta
- Department of Neurology, Glostrup Research Institute, Glostrup Hospital, Faculty of Health Science, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark
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Clark J, Alves S, Gundlah C, Rocha B, Birzin E, Cai SJ, Flick R, Hayes E, Ho K, Warrier S, Pai L, Yudkovitz J, Fleischer R, Colwell L, Li S, Wilkinson H, Schaeffer J, Wilkening R, Mattingly E, Hammond M, Rohrer S. Selective estrogen receptor-beta (SERM-beta) compounds modulate raphe nuclei tryptophan hydroxylase-1 (TPH-1) mRNA expression and cause antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test. Neuropharmacology 2012; 63:1051-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2012] [Revised: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 07/01/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Sex differences in the expression of serotonin-synthesizing enzymes in mouse trigeminal ganglia. Neuroscience 2011; 199:429-37. [PMID: 22056601 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2011] [Revised: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 10/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Migraine headaches are more prevalent in women and often occur during the early phases of the menstrual cycle, implying a link between migraine and ovarian steroids. Serotonin (5-HT) and its receptors have been proposed to play a key role in the pathophysiology of migraine. The trigeminal ganglion (TG) has been proposed as a site for 5-HT synthesis based on the expression of the rate limiting enzyme in peripheral 5-HT synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1), in female rodent trigeminal ganglia. Tryptophan hydroxylase levels vary over the estrus cycle, however, the expression and potential regulation of other enzymes involved in 5-HT synthesis has not been reported in this tissue. C57/BL6 mice of both sexes expressed TPH1 and aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), the key enzymes involved in 5-HT synthesis. Levels of both enzymes were significantly higher in juvenile males compared with females. In naturally cycling females TPH1 and AADC expression was highest during proestrus when compared with the other phases of the cycle, and this regulation was mirrored at the mRNA level. In situ hybridization experiments detected TPH1 and AADC mRNA in presumptive neurons in the trigeminal ganglion. Both key enzymes involved in the synthesis of 5-HT are expressed in mouse trigeminal ganglion and are localized to neurons. The levels of these enzymes are dependent on gender and estrus cycle stage, suggesting that ovarian steroids might play a role in the regulation of sensory neuron 5-HT synthesis.
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Huynh ML, Rivkin E, Mui R, Cordes SP. A tryptophan hydroxlyase 1 reporter that directs Cre recombinase extinguishable placental alkaline phosphatase expression in serotonergic (5-HT) neurons and peripheral tissues. Genesis 2011; 49:851-61. [DOI: 10.1002/dvg.20746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2010] [Revised: 03/01/2011] [Accepted: 03/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Hale MW, Shekhar A, Lowry CA. Development by environment interactions controlling tryptophan hydroxylase expression. J Chem Neuroanat 2011; 41:219-26. [PMID: 21640184 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2011.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2011] [Revised: 04/19/2011] [Accepted: 05/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Tryptophan hydroxylase is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT). Two isoforms of tryptophan hydroxylase, derived from different genes, tph1 and tph2, have been identified. The tph1 isoform is expressed in peripheral tissues, whereas tph2 is brain and neuron-specific. Recent studies suggest that tph2 expression and brain serotonin turnover are upregulated in depressed suicide patients, and drug-free depressed patients, respectively. Increased tph2 expression could result from genetic influences, early life developmental influences, adverse experience during adulthood, or interactions among these factors. Studies in rodents support the hypothesis that interactions between early life developmental influences and adverse experience during adulthood play an important role in determining tph2 expression. In this review, we highlight the evidence for the effects of adverse early life experience and stressful experience during adulthood on both tph1 and tph2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Hale
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, USA
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Oestrogen: an overlooked mediator in the neuropsychopharmacology of treatment response? Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2011; 14:553-66. [PMID: 20860875 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145710000982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depression (MD) and anorexia nervosa (AN) often present comorbidly and both share some affective symptoms, despite obvious phenotypic differences. In the illness phase, pathophysiological evidence indicates similar abnormalities in both clinical groups including dysfunction in the serotonin (5-HT) system (of which some abnormalities persist following recovery) and between 60% and 80% of patients in both groups present with significant hyperactivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. First-line approach to treatment for MD involves modulation of the 5-HT system using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). For AN, treatment with SSRIs has been shown to be considerably less effective compared to MD. Both illnesses show marked dysregulation in the HPA axis. A consequence of SSRI treatment is a reduction and/or normalization of indices of the HPA axis [i.e. cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)], which is consistent with recovery levels in both clinical groups. Oestrogen (in high doses) has been shown to exert antidepressant effects and positively impact on MD symptoms as a treatment in its own right, or in combination with antidepressants, in women of menopausal age. It is proposed that a combination of SSRIs and oestrogen therapy may facilitate physiological normalization in MD in women of non-menopausal age and in AN. Preliminary evidence suggests oestrogen treatment alone is of some benefit to patients and it is proposed that a combination of SSRI and oestrogen will precipitate and potentially accelerate symptomatic remission. Should this approach be successful, it offers the capacity for improvement over traditional antidepressant use in women diagnosed with MD and a novel strategy for the treatment of AN, a serious clinical illness associated with the highest mortality of any psychiatric condition.
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Waider J, Araragi N, Gutknecht L, Lesch KP. Tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2) in disorders of cognitive control and emotion regulation: a perspective. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2011; 36:393-405. [PMID: 21257271 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2010] [Revised: 12/22/2010] [Accepted: 12/23/2010] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Based on genetic variation, there is accumulating evidence that altered function of tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2), the enzyme critical for synthesis of serotonin (5-HT) in the brain, plays a role in anxiety-, aggression- and depression-related personality traits and in the pathogenesis of disorders featuring deficits in cognitive control and emotion regulation. Here, we appraise the genetic and neurobiological evidence to illustrate the critical role of TPH2 in central 5-HT system function and in the pathophysiology of a wide spectrum of disorders of cognitive control and emotion regulation, ranging from depression to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a phenotype commonly associated with difficulties in the control of emotion and with a high co-morbidity of depression. Findings from psychophysiological and functional imaging studies are indicative of various TPH2 polymorphisms directly influencing serotonergic function and thus impacting on mood disorders and on the response to antidepressant treatment. Especially a combination with uncontrollable stress seems to potentiate these effects linking gene-environment interaction directly with behavioral dysfunction in human and animal models. TPH2-deficient mice display alterations in anxiety-like behavior which is accompanied by adaptational changes of 5-HT(1A) receptors and its associated signaling pathway. Mouse models in conjunction with cognitive neuroscience approaches in humans are providing unexpected results and it may well be that future research on TPH2 will provide an entirely new view of 5-HT in brain development and function related to neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Waider
- Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Fuechsleinstrasse 15, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
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Abstract
Epidemiological studies suggest there are considerable differences in the prevalence and presentation of depression in men and women. Women are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression and may also report more atypical and anxiety symptoms than men. Men and women also differ in the metabolism and distribution of antidepressants and the presence of oestrogen in women of childbearing age may interfere with the mechanism of action of a number of antidepressants. These differences have led many researchers to question whether antidepressants are equally effective and tolerated in men and women. While some reports suggest that selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are more effective and result in fewer adverse drug reactions in women than tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), gender differences in antidepressant response remains a controversial topic. The potential effects of antidepressant exposure in utero and in breast milk further complicate treatment options for antenatal and postnatal depression. While some research suggests the SSRI paroxetine is teratogenic, further carefully designed naturalistic studies are required to fully evaluate these effects. Finally, response to antidepressants and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions is marked by inter-individual variability which may be in part due to genetic differences. Future studies should therefore consider genotypes of the mother, foetus and infant in antidepressant response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Keers
- MRC SGDP Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, UK.
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Browne CA, Clarke G, Dinan TG, Cryan JF. Differential stress-induced alterations in tryptophan hydroxylase activity and serotonin turnover in two inbred mouse strains. Neuropharmacology 2011; 60:683-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2010.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2010] [Revised: 11/23/2010] [Accepted: 11/24/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Keating C. Sex differences precipitating anorexia nervosa in females: the estrogen paradox and a novel framework for targeting sex-specific neurocircuits and behavior. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2011; 8:189-207. [PMID: 21769727 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2010_99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In anorexia nervosa (AN), reward contamination likely plays a significant role in maintenance of the illness. Reward contamination is a context in which patients' behaviors of self-starvation and excessive exercise, while initially rewarding, become aversive, even punishing; but patients may not recognize the punishing and conflicted/contaminated behaviors. An emerging neurocircuit encompassing the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been functionally linked to symptoms including reward contamination and body dysmorphic processing. Owing to the significantly greater prevalence of AN in females, evidence from clinical literature and preclinical models is spearheaded to provide a novel rationale for estrogen triggering sensitivity to the experience of stress and reward, precipitating AN disproportionately in females at the time of puberty. Paradoxically, however, estrogen may facilitate response to pharmacological interventions and (desensitization of the identified neurocircuits) via its contribution to serotonin modulation, hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA)-axis attenuation, and effects on dopamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Keating
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc), The Alfred Hospital, 1st floor, Old Baker Building, Commercial Road, Prahran, VIC, 3181, Australia.
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Lubbers LS, Zafian PT, Gautreaux C, Gordon M, Alves SE, Correa L, Lorrain DS, Hickey GJ, Luine V. Estrogen receptor (ER) subtype agonists alter monoamine levels in the female rat brain. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2010; 122:310-7. [PMID: 20800684 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2010.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2010] [Revised: 08/18/2010] [Accepted: 08/19/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the effects of subtype-selective ER agonists on monoamine levels in discrete regions of the female rat brain. Ovariectomized (ovx) rats were treated for 4 days with vehicle, 17β-estradiol (E; 0.05mg/kg), an ERβ agonist (C19; 3mg/kg) or an ERα agonist (PPT; 3mg/kg) and samples from brain regions were assessed for monoamines and metabolites. We also assessed effects of ERβ modulation on baseline and fenfluramine-induced release of monoamines in hippocampus using microdialysis. In the first study, E and the ERα agonist increased norepinephrine in cortex and all three ER ligands increased it in the ventral hippocampus. Changes in levels of the noradrenergic metabolite, MHPG and the dopaminergic metabolite, DOPAC were noted in brain areas of ER ligand-treated animals. E also increased levels of 5HIAA in three brain areas. In the microdialysis study, there were no differences among groups in baseline levels of monoamines. However, E and the ERβ agonist increased levels of the dopaminergic metabolite, HVA following fenfluramine. In summary, activation of the two nuclear ERs with selective agonists affects monoamine and metabolite levels in discrete brain areas, a number of which are known to play key roles in cognitive and affective function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura S Lubbers
- Department of Pharmacology, Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
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Underlying mechanisms mediating the antidepressant effects of estrogens. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2010; 1800:1136-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2009.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2009] [Revised: 10/14/2009] [Accepted: 11/02/2009] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Sugiyama N, Barros RPA, Warner M, Gustafsson JA. ERbeta: recent understanding of estrogen signaling. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2010; 21:545-52. [PMID: 20646931 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2010.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2010] [Revised: 05/01/2010] [Accepted: 05/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of a second estrogen receptor, ERbeta, and the finding that 5alpha-androstane-3beta,17beta-diol (3betaAdiol) strongly binds to ERbeta, have opened up a new aspect of estrogen signaling. Some of the major shifts in our understanding come from finding ERbeta in tissues which do not express ERalpha but are estrogen-responsive; these were called sites of 'indirect estrogen action'. Two key sites that fall into this category are the brain and the prostate. Studies of ERbeta in the past 10 years have led us to hypothesize that estrogen signaling depends on the balance between ERalpha and ERbeta, and that inadequate predominance of one or the other isoform could lead to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiro Sugiyama
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX, 77004, USA
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Hasegawa H, Nakamura K. Tryptophan Hydroxylase and Serotonin Synthesis Regulation. HANDBOOK OF BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-7339(10)70078-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Sugden K, Tichopad A, Khan N, Craig IW, D'Souza UM. Genes within the serotonergic system are differentially expressed in human brain. BMC Neurosci 2009; 10:50. [PMID: 19445671 PMCID: PMC2697991 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-10-50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2008] [Accepted: 05/15/2009] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter with wide-ranging functions throughout the central nervous system. There is strong evidence to suggest that regulation of serotonergic gene expression might be related to genetic variability, and several studies have focused on understanding the functional effects of specific polymorphisms within these genes on expression levels. However, the combination of genotype together with gender and brain region could have an overall effect on gene expression. In this study, we report expression patterns of five serotonergic genes (TPH1, TPH2, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, 5-HTT) in seven different human post-mortem brain regions (superior frontal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, striatum, cerebellum, hippocampus, midbrain and thalamus) using TaqMan™ real-time quantitative PCR. In addition, the effect of genotype and gender on their expression levels was determined. Results The data revealed that mRNA from the five genes investigated was detected in all brain regions and showed an overall significant difference in expression levels. Furthermore, the expression of 5-HT2C, 5-HT2A and TPH2 was found to be significantly different between the various brain regions. However, neither gender nor genotype showed significant effects on the expression levels of any of the genes assayed. Interestingly, TPH1 and TPH2 were expressed in all brain regions similarly except for within the striatum and cerebellum, where TPH1 was expressed at a significantly higher level than TPH2. Conclusion The effect of brain region has a greater influence on serotonergic gene expression than either genotype or gender. These data add to the growing body of evidence that effects of functional polymorphisms on gene expression in vitro are not observed ex vivo, and provide information that will aid in the design of expression studies of the serotonergic gene system within human post-mortem brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Sugden
- MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK.
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Rossmanith WG, Ruebberdt W. What causes hot flushes? The neuroendocrine origin of vasomotor symptoms in the menopause. Gynecol Endocrinol 2009; 25:303-14. [PMID: 19903037 DOI: 10.1080/09513590802632514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) such as hot flushes and night sweats are frequently encountered during menopause and can greatly reduce the quality of life. These symptoms are causally related to decreasing estradiol concentrations, mainly in the serum and subsequently also in the hypothalamic temperature regulating centre. The lack of estrogens alters neurotransmitter activity, especially in the serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways. Because sex steroids act as potent neuromodulators, the substitution of ovarian sex steroids by hormone replacement therapy is the most effective treatment option for VMS. When contraindications exist for the use of sex steroids, steroid-free drugs are a possible alternative. A better understanding of the physiology of thermoregulation, thermoregulatory dysfunction and adaptive processes of the brain may facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches. Such drugs could then be used to treat vasomotor disorders even when the use of steroid hormones is contraindicated. This review article summarises our knowledge on the mechanisms of temperature regulation and describes deviations from this regulation during altered sex steroid conditions. Our current knowledge on neuroendocrinology of thermoregulation may serve as a basis for the use of steroid-free pharmacological intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winfried G Rossmanith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Diakonissenkrankenhaus 28, D-76199 Karlsruhe, Germany.
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Gutknecht L, Kriegebaum C, Waider J, Schmitt A, Lesch KP. Spatio-temporal expression of tryptophan hydroxylase isoforms in murine and human brain: convergent data from Tph2 knockout mice. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2009; 19:266-82. [PMID: 19181488 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2008] [Revised: 12/05/2008] [Accepted: 12/16/2008] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH)-dependent serotonin (5-HT) synthesis, has been implicated in various neuropsychiatric disorders, although the differential expression pattern of the two isoforms is controversial. Here, we report a comprehensive spatio-temporal isoform-specific analysis of TPH1 and TPH2 expression during pre- and postnatal development of mouse brain and in adult human brain. TPH2 expression was consistently detected in the raphe nuclei, as well as in fibers in the deep pineal gland and in small intestine. Although TPH1 expression was found in these peripheral tissues, no significant TPH1 expression was detected in the brain, neither during murine development, nor in mouse and human adult brain. In support of TPH2 specificity in brain 5-HT synthesis, raphe neurons of Tph2 knockout mice were completely devoid of 5-HT, with no compensatory activation of Tph1 expression. In conclusion, our findings indicate that brain 5-HT synthesis across the lifespan is exclusively maintained by TPH2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Gutknecht
- Molecular and Clinical Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Fuechsleinstrasse 15, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany.
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Gutknecht L, Waider J, Kraft S, Kriegebaum C, Holtmann B, Reif A, Schmitt A, Lesch KP. Deficiency of brain 5-HT synthesis but serotonergic neuron formation in Tph2 knockout mice. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2008; 115:1127-32. [PMID: 18665319 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-008-0096-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2008] [Accepted: 07/06/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The relative contribution of the two tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) isoforms, TPH1 and TPH2, to brain serotonergic system function is controversial. To investigate the respective role of TPH2 in neuron serotonin (5-HT) synthesis and the role of 5-HT in brain development, mice with a targeted disruption of Tph2 were generated. The preliminary results indicate that in Tph2 knockout mice raphe neurons are completely devoid of 5-HT, whereas no obvious alteration in morphology and fiber distribution are observed. The findings confirm the exclusive specificity of Tph2 in brain 5-HT synthesis and suggest that Tph2-synthesized 5-HT is not required for serotonergic neuron formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Gutknecht
- Molecular and Clinical Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Fuechsleinstrasse 15, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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Porter RJ, Mulder RT, Joyce PR, Miller AL, Kennedy M. Tryptophan hydroxylase gene (TPH1) and peripheral tryptophan levels in depression. J Affect Disord 2008; 109:209-12. [PMID: 18177948 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2007.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2007] [Revised: 11/23/2007] [Accepted: 11/23/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic variants have been discovered in two genes encoding for tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH)-TPH1 and TPH2. Low tryptophan (TRP) levels are associated with depression and may arise because of stress. Evidence suggests that hypothalamic and peripheral 5HT systems have a significant role in appetite regulation, possibly a homeostatic mechanism in regulating peripheral TRP levels. METHODS We examined the association between a polymorphism in intron 7 of TPH1, 218A>C and plasma total TRP levels in 118 patients with major depression. RESULTS There was an interaction between 218A>C and gender in determining plasma TRP whereby presence of the 218C allele, in women, was associated with markedly reduced plasma TRP. LIMITATIONS The study investigated only the TRP1 gene and did not use a haplotype analysis. The results only apply to a population of subjects suffering from major depression. CONCLUSIONS TPH1 may be associated with the regulation of peripheral tryptophan levels and therefore availability of tryptophan to the brain. This may have relevance to a range of neuropsychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Porter
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Hughes ZA, Liu F, Platt BJ, Dwyer JM, Pulicicchio CM, Zhang G, Schechter LE, Rosenzweig-Lipson S, Day M. WAY-200070, a selective agonist of estrogen receptor beta as a potential novel anxiolytic/antidepressant agent. Neuropharmacology 2008; 54:1136-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2008.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2007] [Revised: 02/29/2008] [Accepted: 03/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Deecher DC, Dorries K. Understanding the pathophysiology of vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes and night sweats) that occur in perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause life stages. Arch Womens Ment Health 2008; 10:247-57. [PMID: 18074100 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-007-0209-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2007] [Accepted: 10/01/2007] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), commonly called hot flashes or flushes (HFs) and night sweats, are the menopausal symptoms for which women seek treatment during menopause most often. VMS are a form of temperature dysfunction that occurs due to changes in gonadal hormones. Normally, core body temperature (CBT) remains within a specific range, oscillating with daily circadian rhythms. Physiological processes that conserve and dissipate heat are responsible for maintaining CBT, and tight regulation is important for maintenance of optimal internal organ function. Disruption of this tightly controlled temperature circuit results in exaggerated heat-loss responses and presents as VMS. The mechanistic role related to changes in gonadal hormones associated with VMS is not understood. Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for VMS and other menopausal symptoms. Estrogens are known potent neuromodulators of numerous neuronal circuits throughout the central nervous system. Changing estrogen levels during menopause may impact multiple components involved in maintaining temperature homeostasis. Understanding the pathways and mechanisms involved in temperature regulation, probable causes of thermoregulatory dysfunction, and "brain adaptation" will guide drug discovery efforts. This review considers the processes and pathways involved in normal temperature regulation and the impact of fluctuating and declining hormones that result in VMS during the menopausal transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Deecher
- Women's Health Research, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA.
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Clark JA, Flick RB, Pai LY, Szalayova I, Key S, Conley RK, Deutch AY, Hutson PH, Mezey E. Glucocorticoid modulation of tryptophan hydroxylase-2 protein in raphe nuclei and 5-hydroxytryptophan concentrations in frontal cortex of C57/Bl6 mice. Mol Psychiatry 2008; 13:498-506. [PMID: 17622221 PMCID: PMC3392182 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mp.4002041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Considerable attention has focused on regulation of central tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) activity and protein expression. At the time of these earlier studies, it was thought that there was a single central TPH isoform. However, with the recent identification of TPH2, it becomes important to distinguish between regulatory effects on the protein expression and activity of the two isoforms. We have generated a TPH2-specific polyclonal antiserum (TPH2-6361) to study regulation of TPH2 at the protein level and to examine the distribution of TPH2 expression in rodent and human brain. TPH2 immunoreactivity (IR) was detected throughout the raphe nuclei, in lateral hypothalamic nuclei and in the pineal body of rodent and human brain. In addition, a prominent TPH2-IR fiber network was found in the human median eminence. We recently reported that glucocorticoid treatment of C57/Bl6 mice for 4 days markedly decreased TPH2 messenger RNA levels in the raphe nuclei, whereas TPH1 mRNA was unaffected. The glucocorticoid-elicited inhibition of TPH2 gene expression was blocked by co-administration of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone (RU-486). Using TPH2-6361, we have extended these findings to show a dose-dependent decrease in raphe TPH2 protein levels in response to 4 days of treatment with dexamethasone; this effect was blocked by co-administration of mifepristone. Moreover, the glucocorticoid-elicited inhibition of TPH2 was functionally significant: serotonin synthesis was significantly reduced in the frontal cortex of glucocorticoid-treated mice, an effect that was blocked by mifepristone co-administration. This study provides further evidence for the glucocorticoid regulation of serotonin biosynthesis via inhibition of TPH2 expression, and suggest that elevated glucocorticoid levels may be relevant to the etiology of psychiatric diseases, such as depression, where hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation has been documented.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Clark
- Stroke and Neurodegeneration, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, PA 19486, USA.
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