1
|
Arora I, Mal P, Arora P, Paul A, Kumar M. GABAergic implications in anxiety and related disorders. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 724:150218. [PMID: 38865810 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Evidence indicates that anxiety disorders arise from an imbalance in the functioning of brain circuits that govern the modulation of emotional responses to possibly threatening stimuli. The circuits under consideration in this context include the amygdala's bottom-up activity, which signifies the existence of stimuli that may be seen as dangerous. Moreover, these circuits encompass top-down regulatory processes that originate in the prefrontal cortex, facilitating the communication of the emotional significance associated with the inputs. Diverse databases (e.g., Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google Scholar) were searched for literature using a combination of different terms e.g., "anxiety", "stress", "neuroanatomy", and "neural circuits", etc. A decrease in GABAergic activity is present in both anxiety disorders and severe depression. Research on cerebral functional imaging in depressive individuals has shown reduced levels of GABA within the cortical regions. Additionally, animal studies demonstrated that a reduction in the expression of GABAA/B receptors results in a behavioral pattern resembling anxiety. The amygdala consists of inhibitory networks composed of GABAergic interneurons, responsible for modulating anxiety responses in both normal and pathological conditions. The GABAA receptor has allosteric sites (e.g., α/γ, γ/β, and α/β) which enable regulation of neuronal inhibition in the amygdala. These sites serve as molecular targets for anxiolytic medications such as benzodiazepine and barbiturates. Alterations in the levels of naturally occurring regulators of these allosteric sites, along with alterations to the composition of the GABAA receptor subunits, could potentially act as mechanisms via which the extent of neuronal inhibition is diminished in pathological anxiety disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indu Arora
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Pankaj Mal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Poonam Arora
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Anushka Paul
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Koh W, Kwak H, Cheong E, Lee CJ. GABA tone regulation and its cognitive functions in the brain. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:523-539. [PMID: 37495761 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00724-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter released at GABAergic synapses, mediating fast-acting phasic inhibition. Emerging lines of evidence unequivocally indicate that a small amount of extracellular GABA - GABA tone - exists in the brain and induces a tonic GABA current that controls neuronal activity on a slow timescale relative to that of phasic inhibition. Surprisingly, studies indicate that glial cells that synthesize GABA, such as astrocytes, release GABA through non-vesicular mechanisms, such as channel-mediated release, and thereby act as the source of GABA tone in the brain. In this Review, we first provide an overview of major advances in our understanding of the cell-specific molecular and cellular mechanisms of GABA synthesis, release and clearance that regulate GABA tone in various brain regions. We next examine the diverse ways in which the tonic GABA current regulates synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity through extrasynaptic GABAA-receptor-mediated mechanisms. Last, we discuss the physiological mechanisms through which tonic inhibition modulates cognitive function on a slow timescale. In this Review, we emphasize that the cognitive functions of tonic GABA current extend beyond mere inhibition, laying a foundation for future research on the physiological and pathophysiological roles of GABA tone regulation in normal and abnormal psychiatric conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wuhyun Koh
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hankyul Kwak
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eunji Cheong
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - C Justin Lee
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang H, Gao Z, Sun Y, Lu T, Wang Z, Gao D, Wang J, Qiao M, Gao M. Profiling GABA(A) Receptor Subunit Expression in the Hippocampus of PMDD Rat Models Based on TCM Theories. Mol Neurobiol 2023:10.1007/s12035-023-03354-3. [PMID: 37103685 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03354-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
γ-Aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAARs) play an important role in cognitive and emotional regulation and are related to the hippocampus. However, little is known regarding patterns of hippocampal GABAAR subunit expression in rat models of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This study investigated the above changes by establishing two PMDD rat models based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theories, namely, PMDD liver-qi invasion syndrome (PMDD-LIS) and PMDD liver-qi depression syndrome (PMDD-LDS). Behavioral tests were used to detect depression and irritability emotion. Western blot analysis was used to investigate protein levels of GABAAR α1, α2, α4, α5, β2, β3, and δ subunits, whereas ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis was performed to determine gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) levels in the hippocampus across each group. Concurrently, behavioral data indicated that the PMDD-LDS and PMDD-LIS rat models had been successfully established. GABAAR α2, α5, β2, and δ subunit was significantly upregulated, whereas α4 was significantly downregulated (P < 0.05) in PMDD-LDS rat models relative to controls. On the other hand, GABAAR α1, α2, and β3 were significantly downregulated while α4 and β2 were significantly upregulated in PMDD-LIS rat models relative to the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, GABA levels significantly decreased, while Glu and the ratio of glutamate to GABA increased in PMDD-LIS rat models (P < 0.05). Conversely, GABA and Glu levels significantly decreased, whereas the ratio of glutamate to GABA increased in PMDD-LIS rat models (P < 0.05). Conclusively, our results revealed differential expression of GABAAR α1, α2, α4, α5, β2, β3, and δ subunits between PMDD-LIS and PMDD-LDS rat models, suggesting that they may be biomarkers in the pathogenesis of PMDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhan Gao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ya Sun
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Tian Lu
- International Exchange and Cooperation Office, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhenzhen Wang
- Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Dongmei Gao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jieqiong Wang
- Office of Academic Research, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan , Shandong Province, China
| | - Mingqi Qiao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Mingzhou Gao
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bryson A, Reid C, Petrou S. Fundamental Neurochemistry Review: GABA A receptor neurotransmission and epilepsy: Principles, disease mechanisms and pharmacotherapy. J Neurochem 2023; 165:6-28. [PMID: 36681890 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder associated with alterations of excitation-inhibition balance within brain neuronal networks. GABAA receptor neurotransmission is the most prevalent form of inhibitory neurotransmission and is strongly implicated in both the pathophysiology and treatment of epilepsy, serving as a primary target for antiseizure medications for over a century. It is now established that GABA exerts a multifaceted influence through an array of GABAA receptor subtypes that extends far beyond simply negating excitatory activity. As the role of GABAA neurotransmission within inhibitory circuits is elaborated, this will enable the development of precision therapies that correct the network dysfunction underlying epileptic pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Bryson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher Reid
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steven Petrou
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Huang J, Xu F, Yang L, Tuolihong L, Wang X, Du Z, Zhang Y, Yin X, Li Y, Lu K, Wang W. Involvement of the GABAergic system in PTSD and its therapeutic significance. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1052288. [PMID: 36818657 PMCID: PMC9928765 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1052288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurobiological mechanism of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is poorly understood. The inhibition of GABA neurons, especially in the amygdala, is crucial for the precise regulation of the consolidation, expression, and extinction of fear conditioning. The GABAergic system is involved in the pathophysiological process of PTSD, with several studies demonstrating that the function of the GABAergic system decreases in PTSD patients. This paper reviews the preclinical and clinical studies, neuroimaging techniques, and pharmacological studies of the GABAergic system in PTSD and summarizes the role of the GABAergic system in PTSD. Understanding the role of the GABAergic system in PTSD and searching for new drug targets will be helpful in the treatment of PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Fei Xu
- Department of Psychiatry of School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liping Yang
- Department of Applied Psychology of School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lina Tuolihong
- Department of Basic Medical of Basic Medical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Eight-Year Master's and Doctoral Program in Clinical Medicine of the First Clinical Medical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zibo Du
- Eight-Year Master's and Doctoral Program in Clinical Medicine of the First Clinical Medical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiqi Zhang
- Eight-Year Master's and Doctoral Program in Clinical Medicine of the First Clinical Medical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuanlin Yin
- Department of Basic Medical of Basic Medical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingjun Li
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kangrong Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wanshan Wang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Upregulation of the endogenous peptide antisecretory factor enhances hippocampal long-term potentiation and promotes learning in wistar rats. Neuroscience 2022; 490:120-130. [PMID: 35276306 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Antisecretory Factor (AF) is an endogenous peptide known for its powerful antisecretory and anti-inflammatory properties. We have previously shown that AF also acts as a neuromodulator of GABAergic synaptic transmission in rat hippocampus in a way that results in disinhibition of CA1 pyramidal neurons. Disinhibition is expected to facilitate the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP), and LTP is known to play a crucial role in learning and memory acquisition. In the present study we investigated the effect of AF on LTP in CA3-CA1 synapses in rat hippocampus. In addition, endogenous AF plasma activity was upregulated by feeding the rats with specially processed cereals (SPC) and spatial learning and memory was studied in the Morris Water Maze (MWM). We found that LTP was significantly enhanced in the presence of AF, both when added exogenously in vitro as well as when upregulated endogenously by SPC-feeding. In the presence of the GABAA-receptor antagonist picrotoxin (PTX) there was however no significant enhancement of LTP. Moreover, rats fed with SPC demonstrated enhanced spatial learning and short-term memory, compared with control animals. These results show that the disinhibition of GABAergic transmission in the hippocampus by the endogenous peptide AF enhances LTP as well as spatial learning and memory.
Collapse
|
7
|
Huang SH, Liu WZ, Qin X, Guo CY, Xiong QC, Wang Y, Hu P, Pan BX, Zhang WH. Association of Increased Amygdala Activity with Stress-Induced Anxiety but not Social Avoidance Behavior in Mice. Neurosci Bull 2022; 38:16-28. [PMID: 34494228 PMCID: PMC8782949 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00762-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress leads to many psychiatric disorders, including social and anxiety disorders that are associated with over-activation of neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). However, not all individuals develop psychiatric diseases, many showing considerable resilience against stress exposure. Whether BLA neuronal activity is involved in regulating an individual's vulnerability to stress remains elusive. In this study, using a mouse model of chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), we divided the mice into susceptible and resilient subgroups based on their social interaction behavior. Using in vivo fiber photometry and in vitro patch-clamp recording, we showed that CSDS persistently (after 20 days of recovery from stress) increased BLA neuronal activity in all the mice regardless of their susceptible or resilient nature, although impaired social interaction behavior was only observed in susceptible mice. Increased anxiety-like behavior, on the other hand, was evident in both groups. Notably, the CSDS-induced increase of BLA neuronal activity correlated well with the heightened anxiety-like but not the social avoidance behavior in mice. These findings provide new insight to our understanding of the role of neuronal activity in the amygdala in mediating stress-related psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shou-He Huang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Wei-Zhu Liu
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Xia Qin
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Chen-Yi Guo
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Qing-Cheng Xiong
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Ping Hu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330001, China
| | - Bing-Xing Pan
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
| | - Wen-Hua Zhang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Qin X, Pan HQ, Huang SH, Zou JX, Zheng ZH, Liu XX, You WJ, Liu ZP, Cao JL, Zhang WH, Pan BX. GABA A(δ) receptor hypofunction in the amygdala-hippocampal circuit underlies stress-induced anxiety. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2022; 67:97-110. [PMID: 36545966 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2021.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulated GABAergic inhibition in the amygdala has long been implicated in stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying the dysregulation remain elusive. Here, by using a mouse model of chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), we observed that the dysregulation varied drastically across individual projection neurons (PNs) in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), one of the kernel amygdala subregions critical for stress coping. While persistently reducing the extrasynaptic GABAA receptor (GABAAR)-mediated tonic current in the BLA PNs projecting to the ventral hippocampus (BLA → vHPC PNs), CSDS increased the current in those projecting to the anterodorsal bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BLA → adBNST PNs), suggesting projection-based dysregulation of tonic inhibition in BLA PNs by CSDS. Transcriptional and electrophysiological analysis revealed that the opposite CSDS influences were mediated by loss- and gain-of-function of δ-containing GABAARs (GABAA(δ)Rs) in BLA → vHPC and BLA → adBNST PNs, respectively. Importantly, it was the lost inhibition in the former population but not the augmentation in the latter population that correlated with the increased anxiety-like behavior in CSDS mice. Virally mediated maintenance of GABAA(δ)R currents in BLA → vHPC PNs occluded CSDS-induced anxiety-like behavior. These findings clarify the molecular substrate for the dysregulated GABAergic inhibition in amygdala circuits for stress-associated psychopathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xia Qin
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Han-Qing Pan
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Shou-He Huang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Jia-Xin Zou
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Zhi-Heng Zheng
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Xiao-Xuan Liu
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Wen-Jie You
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Zhi-Peng Liu
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Wen-Hua Zhang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; Department of Biological Science, School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.
| | - Bing-Xing Pan
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; Department of Biological Science, School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Rudolph S, Guo C, Pashkovski SL, Osorno T, Gillis WF, Krauss JM, Nyitrai H, Flaquer I, El-Rifai M, Datta SR, Regehr WG. Cerebellum-Specific Deletion of the GABA A Receptor δ Subunit Leads to Sex-Specific Disruption of Behavior. Cell Rep 2021; 33:108338. [PMID: 33147470 PMCID: PMC7700496 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Granule cells (GCs) of the cerebellar input layer express high-affinity δ GABAA subunit-containing GABAA receptors (δGABAARs) that respond to ambient GABA levels and context-dependent neuromodulators like steroids. We find that GC-specific deletion of δGABAA (cerebellar [cb] δ knockout [KO]) decreases tonic inhibition, makes GCs hyperexcitable, and in turn, leads to differential activation of cb output regions as well as many cortical and subcortical brain areas involved in cognition, anxiety-like behaviors, and the stress response. Cb δ KO mice display deficits in many behaviors, but motor function is normal. Strikingly, δGABAA deletion alters maternal behavior as well as spontaneous, stress-related, and social behaviors specifically in females. Our findings establish that δGABAARs enable the cerebellum to control diverse behaviors not previously associated with the cerebellum in a sex-dependent manner. These insights may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie behavioral abnormalities in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders that display a gender bias. Rudolph et al. show that deletion of the neuromodulator and hormone-sensitive δGABAA receptor subunit from cerebellar granule cells results in anxiety-like behaviors and female-specific deficits in social behavior and maternal care. δGABAA deletion is associated with hyperexcitability of the cerebellar input layer and altered activation of many stress-related brain regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Rudolph
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chong Guo
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stan L Pashkovski
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tomas Osorno
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Winthrop F Gillis
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jeremy M Krauss
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hajnalka Nyitrai
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Isabella Flaquer
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mahmoud El-Rifai
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Wade G Regehr
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pan HQ, Zhang WH, Liao CZ, He Y, Xiao ZM, Qin X, Liu WZ, Wang N, Zou JX, Liu XX, Pan BX. Chronic Stress Oppositely Regulates Tonic Inhibition in Thy1-Expressing and Non-expressing Neurons in Amygdala. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:299. [PMID: 32362809 PMCID: PMC7180173 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic or prolonged exposure to stress ranks among the most important socioenvironmental factors contributing to the development of neuropsychiatric diseases, a process generally associated with loss of inhibitory tone in amygdala. Recent studies have identified distinct neuronal circuits within the basolateral amygdala (BLA) engaged in different emotional processes. However, the potential circuit involved in stress-induced dysregulation of inhibitory tones in BLA remains elusive. Here, a transgenic mouse model expressing yellow fluorescent protein under control of the Thy1 promoter was used to differentiate subpopulations of projection neurons (PNs) within the BLA. We observed that the tonic inhibition in amygdala neurons expressing and not expressing Thy1 (Thy1+/-) was oppositely regulated by chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). In unstressed control mice, the tonic inhibitory currents were significantly stronger in Thy1- PNs than their Thy1+ counterparts. CSDS markedly reduced the currents in Thy1- projection neurons (PNs), but increased that in Thy1+ ones. By contrast, CSDS failed to affect both the phasic A-type γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAAR) currents and GABABR currents in these two PN populations. Moreover, chronic corticosterone administration was sufficient to mimic the effect of CSDS on the tonic inhibition of Thy1+ and Thy1- PNs. As a consequence, the suppression of tonic GABAAR currents on the excitability of Thy1- PNs was weakened by CSDS, but enhanced in Thy1+ PNs. The differential regulation of chronic stress on the tonic inhibition in Thy1+ and Thy1- neurons may orchestrate cell-specific adaptation of amygdala neurons to chronic stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han-Qing Pan
- Department of Biological Science, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wen-Hua Zhang
- Department of Biological Science, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Cai-Zhi Liao
- Department of Biological Science, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ye He
- Center for Medical Experiments, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Xiao
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xia Qin
- Department of Biological Science, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wei-Zhu Liu
- Department of Biological Science, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Physiology, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Jia-Xin Zou
- Department of Biological Science, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiao-Xuan Liu
- Department of Biological Science, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bing-Xing Pan
- Department of Biological Science, School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institutes of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Han RW, Liu ZP, Lin HR, Tian AW, Xiao YF, Wei J, Deng KY, Pan BX, Xin HB. Role of lateral amygdala calstabin2 in regulation of fear memory. Mol Brain 2020; 13:35. [PMID: 32151269 PMCID: PMC7063811 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00576-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Calstabin2, also named FK506 binding protein 12.6 (FKBP12.6), is a subunit of ryanodine receptor subtype 2 (RyR2) macromolecular complex, an intracellular calcium channel. Studies from our and other's lab have shown that hippocampal calstabin2 regulates spatial memory. Calstabin2 and RyR2 are widely distributed in the brain, including the amygdala, a key brain area involved in the regulation of emotion including fear. Little is known about the role of calstabin2 in fear memory. Here, we found that genetic deletion of calstabin2 impaired long-term memory in cued fear conditioning test. Knockdown calstabin2 in the lateral amygdala (LA) by viral vector also impaired long-term cued fear memory expression. Furthermore, calstabin2 knockout reduced long-term potentiation (LTP) at both cortical and thalamic inputs to the LA. In conclusion, our present data indicate that calstabin2 in the LA plays a crucial role in the regulating of emotional memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Wen Han
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China. .,Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
| | - Zhi-Peng Liu
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hong-Ru Lin
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ao-Wen Tian
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yun-Fei Xiao
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jie Wei
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ke-Yu Deng
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bing-Xing Pan
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
| | - Hong-Bo Xin
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China. .,College of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Alugubelly N, Mohammad AN, Edelmann MJ, Nanduri B, Sayed M, Park JW, Carr RL. Proteomic and transcriptional profiling of rat amygdala following social play. Behav Brain Res 2019; 376:112210. [PMID: 31493430 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Social play is the most characteristic form of social interaction which is necessary for adolescents to develop proper cognitive, emotional, and social competency. The information available on neural substrates and the mechanism involved in social play is limited. This study characterized social play by proteomic and transcriptional profiling studies. Social play was performed on male Sprague Dawley rats on postnatal day 38 and protein and gene expression in the amygdala was determined following behavioral testing. The proteomic analysis led to the identification of 170 differentially expressed proteins (p ≤ 0.05) with 67 upregulated and 103 downregulated proteins. The transcriptomic analysis led to the identification of 188 genes (FDR ≤ 0.05) with 55 upregulated and 133 downregulated genes. DAVID analysis of gene/protein expression data revealed that social play altered GABAergic signaling, glutamatergic signaling, and G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. These data suggest that the synaptic levels of GABA and glutamate increased during play. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) confirmed these alterations. IPA also revealed that differentially expressed genes/proteins in our data had significant over representation of neurotransmitter signaling systems, including the opioid, serotonin, and dopamine systems, suggesting that play alters the systems involved in the regulation of reward. In addition, corticotropin-releasing hormone signaling was altered indicating that an increased level of stress occurs during play. Overall, our data suggest that increased inhibitory GPCR signaling in these neurotransmitter pathways occurs following social play as a physiological response to regulate the induced level of reward and stress and to maintain the excitatory-inhibitory balance in the neurotransmitter systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Navatha Alugubelly
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, MS, USA; Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, MS, USA
| | - Afzaal N Mohammad
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, MS, USA; Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, MS, USA
| | - Mariola J Edelmann
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Bindu Nanduri
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, MS, USA
| | - Mohammed Sayed
- Department of Computer Engineering and Computer Science, KY, USA
| | - Juw Won Park
- Department of Computer Engineering and Computer Science, KY, USA; KBRIN Bioinformatics Core, University of Louisville, KY, USA.
| | - Russell L Carr
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, MS, USA; Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, MS, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gender-dependent regulation of anxiety-like behavior by δ subunit-containing GABAA receptor during postnatal development. Neuroreport 2019; 30:753-759. [PMID: 31261237 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The δ subunit-containing GABAA receptor [GABAA(δ)R], which is exclusively situated in the extrasynaptic space, has considerable influence on emotion and behavior. Although the expression of this receptor experiences dramatic fluctuation during postnatal development, it remains unknown whether it regulates emotion in a development-dependent manner. Here, by using mice with genetic deletion of GABAA(δ)R (knockout) and their wild-type littermates, we examined the role of GABAA(δ)R in regulating anxiety-like behavior, as measured with open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze during the transition from puberty to adulthood. We observed that for female mice, the knockout ones at puberty but not adulthood showed increased anxiety-like behavior in the OFT relative to their wild-type littermates. However, such increase was not observed in elevated plus maze. For male mice, no between-genotype differences were observed in both tests at the above two developmental stages. Our results suggest that GABAA(δ)R preferentially affects the anxiety-like behavior in OFT in a development-dependent manner, but only in female mice.
Collapse
|
14
|
General anesthetic exposure in adolescent rats causes persistent maladaptations in cognitive and affective behaviors and neuroplasticity. Neuropharmacology 2019; 150:153-163. [PMID: 30926450 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that exposure to general anesthetics during infancy and childhood can cause persistent cognitive impairment, alterations in synaptic plasticity, and, to a lesser extent, increased incidence of behavioral disorders. Unfortunately, the developmental parameters of susceptibility to general anesthetics are not well understood. Adolescence is a critical developmental period wherein multiple late developing brain regions may also be vulnerable to enduring general anesthetic effects. Given the breadth of the adolescent age span, this group potentially represents millions more individuals than those exposed during early childhood. In this study, isoflurane exposure within a well-characterized adolescent period in Sprague-Dawley rats elicited immediate and persistent anxiety- and impulsive-like responding, as well as delayed cognitive impairment into adulthood. These behavioral abnormalities were paralleled by atypical dendritic spine morphology in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HPC), suggesting delayed anatomical maturation, and shifts in inhibitory function that suggest hypermaturation of extrasynaptic GABAA receptor inhibition. Preventing this hypermaturation of extrasynaptic GABAA receptor-mediated function in the PFC selectively reversed enhanced impulsivity resulting from adolescent isoflurane exposure. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the developmental window for susceptibility to enduring untoward effects of general anesthetics may be much longer than previously appreciated, and those effects may include affective behaviors in addition to cognition.
Collapse
|
15
|
Selleck RA, Zhang W, Mercier HD, Padival M, Rosenkranz JA. Limited prefrontal cortical regulation over the basolateral amygdala in adolescent rats. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17171. [PMID: 30464293 PMCID: PMC6249319 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35649-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive regulation of emotion develops from childhood into adulthood. This occurs in parallel with maturation of prefrontal cortical (PFC) regulation over the amygdala. The cellular substrates for this regulation may include PFC activation of inhibitory GABAergic elements in the amygdala. The purpose of this study was to determine whether PFC regulation over basolateral amygdala area (BLA) in vivo is immature in adolescence, and if this is due to immaturity of GABAergic elements or PFC excitatory inputs. Using in vivo extracellular electrophysiological recordings from anesthetized male rats we found that in vivo summation of PFC inputs to the BLA was less regulated by GABAergic inhibition in adolescents (postnatal day 39) than adults (postnatal day 72-75). In addition, stimulation of either prelimbic or infralimbic PFC evokes weaker inhibition over basal (BA) and lateral (LAT) nuclei of the BLA in adolescents. This was dictated by both weak recruitment of inhibition in LAT and weak excitatory effects of PFC in BA. The current results may contribute to differences in adolescent cognitive regulation of emotion. These findings identify specific elements that undergo adolescent maturation and may therefore be sensitive to environmental disruptions that increase risk for psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A. Selleck
- 0000 0004 0388 7807grid.262641.5Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064 USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- 0000 0004 0388 7807grid.262641.5Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064 USA
| | - Hannah D. Mercier
- 0000 0004 0388 7807grid.262641.5Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064 USA
| | - Mallika Padival
- 0000 0004 0388 7807grid.262641.5Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064 USA
| | - J. Amiel Rosenkranz
- 0000 0004 0388 7807grid.262641.5Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064 USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Neogenin in Amygdala for Neuronal Activity and Information Processing. J Neurosci 2018; 38:9600-9613. [PMID: 30228230 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0433-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear learning and memory are vital for livings to survive, dysfunctions in which have been implicated in various neuropsychiatric disorders. Appropriate neuronal activation in amygdala is critical for fear memory. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms are not well understood. Here we report that Neogenin, a DCC (deleted in colorectal cancer) family receptor, which plays important roles in axon navigation and adult neurogenesis, is enriched in excitatory neurons in BLA (Basolateral amygdala). Fear memory is impaired in male Neogenin mutant mice. The number of cFos+ neurons in response to tone-cued fear training was reduced in mutant mice, indicating aberrant neuronal activation in the absence of Neogenin. Electrophysiological studies show that Neogenin mutation reduced the cortical afferent input to BLA pyramidal neurons and compromised both induction and maintenance of Long-Term Potentiation evoked by stimulating cortical afferent, suggesting a role of Neogenin in synaptic plasticity. Concomitantly, there was a reduction in spine density and in frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), but not miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents, suggesting a role of Neogenin in forming excitatory synapses. Finally, ablating Neogenin in the BLA in adult male mice impaired fear memory likely by reducing mEPSC frequency in BLA excitatory neurons. These results reveal an unrecognized function of Neogenin in amygdala for information processing by promoting and maintaining neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity and provide insight into molecular mechanisms of neuronal activation in amygdala.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Appropriate neuronal activation in amygdala is critical for information processing. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms are not well understood. Neogenin is known to regulate axon navigation and adult neurogenesis. Here we show that it is critical for neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity in the amygdala and thus fear memory by using a combination of genetic, electrophysiological, behavioral techniques. Our studies identify a novel function of Neogenin and provide insight into molecular mechanisms of neuronal activation in amygdala for fear processing.
Collapse
|
17
|
An Emerging Circuit Pharmacology of GABA A Receptors. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2018; 39:710-732. [PMID: 29903580 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In the past 20 years we have learned a great deal about GABAA receptor (GABAAR) subtypes, and which behaviors are regulated or which drug effects are mediated by each subtype. However, the question of where GABAARs involved in specific drug effects and behaviors are located in the brain remains largely unanswered. We review here recent studies taking a circuit pharmacology approach to investigate the functions of GABAAR subtypes in specific brain circuits controlling fear, anxiety, learning, memory, reward, addiction, and stress-related behaviors. The findings of these studies highlight the complexity of brain inhibitory systems and the importance of taking a subtype-, circuit-, and neuronal population-specific approach to develop future therapeutic strategies using cell type-specific drug delivery.
Collapse
|
18
|
|
19
|
Meis S, Endres T, Munsch T, Lessmann V. Presynaptic Regulation of Tonic Inhibition by Neuromodulatory Transmitters in the Basal Amygdala. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:8509-8521. [PMID: 29560580 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-0984-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Tonic inhibition mediated by ambient levels of GABA that activate extrasynaptic GABAA receptors emerges as an essential factor that tunes neuronal network excitability in vitro and shapes behavioral responses in vivo. To address the role of neuromodulatory transmitter systems on this type of inhibition, we employed patch clamp recordings in mouse amygdala slice preparations. Our results show that the current amplitude of tonic inhibition (Itonic) in projection neurons of the basal amygdala (BA) is increased by preincubation with the neurosteroid THDOC, while the benzodiazepine diazepam is ineffective. This suggests involvement of THDOC sensitive δ subunit containing GABAA receptors in mediating tonic inhibition. Moreover, we provide evidence that the neuromodulatory transmitters NE, 5HT, and ACh strongly enhance spontaneous IPSCs as well as Itonic in the BA. As the increase in frequency, amplitude, and charge of sIPSCs by these neuromodulatory transmitters strongly correlated with the amplitude of Itonic, we conclude that spill-over of synaptic GABA leads to activation of Itonic and thereby to dampening of amygdala excitability. Since local injection of THDOC, as a positive modulator of tonic inhibition, into the BA interfered with the expression of contextual fear memory, our results point to a prominent role of Itonic in fear learning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Meis
- Institut für Physiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany. .,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - T Endres
- Institut für Physiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - T Munsch
- Institut für Physiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - V Lessmann
- Institut für Physiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany. .,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zhang WH, Zhou J, Pan HQ, Wang XY, Liu WZ, Zhang JY, Yin XP, Pan BX. δ Subunit-containing GABA A receptor prevents overgeneralization of fear in adult mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 24:381-384. [PMID: 28716958 PMCID: PMC5516689 DOI: 10.1101/lm.045856.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The role of δ subunit-containing GABAA receptor (GABAA(δ)R) in fear generalization is uncertain. Here, by using mice with or without genetic deletion of GABAA(δ)R and using protocols in which the conditioned tone stimuli were cross presented with different nonconditioned stimuli, we observed that when the two tone stimuli were largely similar, both genotypes froze similarly to either of them. However, when they differed markedly, the knockout mice froze much more than their wild-type littermates to the nonconditioned but not conditioned stimuli. Thus, GABAA(δ)R may prevent inappropriate fear generalization when the incoming stimuli differ clearly from the learned threat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hua Zhang
- Department of Neurology, the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Han-Qing Pan
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Xiao-Yang Wang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Wei-Zhu Liu
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Jun-Yu Zhang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Yin
- Department of Neurology, the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Bing-Xing Pan
- Department of Neurology, the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.,School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Song C, Zhang WH, Wang XH, Zhang JY, Tian XL, Yin XP, Pan BX. Acute stress enhances the glutamatergic transmission onto basoamygdala neurons embedded in distinct microcircuits. Mol Brain 2017; 10:3. [PMID: 28069030 PMCID: PMC5223467 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-016-0283-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Amygdala activation is known to be critical for the processing of stressful events in brain. Recent studies have shown that the projection neurons (PNs) in amygdala, although architecturally intermingled, are integrated into distinct microcircuits and thus play divergent roles in amygdala-related behaviors. It remains unknown how stress regulates the individual amygdala PNs embedded in distinct microcircuits. Here, by using retrograde tracing and electrophysiological recording in in vitro slices, we explored the modulation of acute immobilization stress (AIS) on the basoamygdala (BA) PNs projecting either to medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) or elsewhere, which we designated as BA-mPFC and non-BA-mPFC PNs respectively. The results showed that in the control mice, both the excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs/sIPSCs) were comparable between these two subsets of BA PNs. The influences of AIS on sEPSCs and sIPSCs were overall similar between the two neuronal populations. It markedly increased the sEPSCs amplitude but left unaltered their frequency as well as the sIPSCs amplitude and frequency. Despite this, several differences emerged between the effects of AIS on the distribution of sEPSCs/sIPSCs frequency in these two groups of BA PNs. Similar changes were also observed in the sEPSCs/sIPSCs of the two PN populations from mice experiencing forced swimming stress. Their intrinsic excitability, on the other hand, was nearly unaltered following AIS. Our results thus suggest that acute stress recruit both BA-mPFC and non-BA-mPFC PNs mainly through enhancing the glutamatergic transmission they receive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Song
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China.,College of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China
| | - Wen-Hua Zhang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China
| | - Xue-Hui Wang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China
| | - Jun-Yu Zhang
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiao-Li Tian
- College of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Yin
- Department of Neurology, the 2nd affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, 330031, Nanchang, China
| | - Bing-Xing Pan
- Laboratory of Fear and Anxiety Disorders, Institute of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China. .,College of Life Science, 330031, Nanchang, China. .,Department of Neurology, the 2nd affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, 330031, Nanchang, China. .,Jiangxi Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular, Digestive and Neuropsychiatric diseases, 330031, Nanchang, China.
| |
Collapse
|