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Lenoir M, Engeln M, Navailles S, Girardeau P, Ahmed SH. A large-scale c-Fos brain mapping study on extinction of cocaine-primed reinstatement. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:1459-1467. [PMID: 38664549 PMCID: PMC11251268 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01867-6] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Individuals with cocaine addiction can experience many craving episodes and subsequent relapses, which represents the main obstacle to recovery. Craving is often favored when abstinent individuals ingest a small dose of cocaine, encounter cues associated with drug use or are exposed to stressors. Using a cocaine-primed reinstatement model in rat, we recently showed that cocaine-conditioned interoceptive cues can be extinguished with repeated cocaine priming in the absence of drug reinforcement, a phenomenon we called extinction of cocaine priming. Here, we applied a large-scale c-Fos brain mapping approach following extinction of cocaine priming in male rats to identify brain regions implicated in processing the conditioned interoceptive stimuli of cocaine priming. We found that cocaine-primed reinstatement is associated with increased c-Fos expression in key brain regions (e.g., dorsal and ventral striatum, several prefrontal areas and insular cortex), while its extinction mostly disengages them. Moreover, while reinstatement behavior was correlated with insular and accumbal activation, extinction of cocaine priming implicated parts of the ventral pallidum, the mediodorsal thalamus and the median raphe. These brain patterns of activation and inhibition suggest that after repeated priming, interoceptive signals lose their conditioned discriminative properties and that action-outcome associations systems are mobilized in search for new contingencies, a brain state that may predispose to rapid relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magalie Lenoir
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Michel Engeln
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000, Bordeaux, France.
| | | | - Paul Girardeau
- Univ. Bordeaux, UFR des Sciences Odontologiques, Bordeaux, France
| | - Serge H Ahmed
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
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2
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Ament SA, Campbell RR, Lobo MK, Receveur JP, Agrawal K, Borjabad A, Byrareddy SN, Chang L, Clarke D, Emani P, Gabuzda D, Gaulton KJ, Giglio M, Giorgi FM, Gok B, Guda C, Hadas E, Herb BR, Hu W, Huttner A, Ishmam MR, Jacobs MM, Kelschenbach J, Kim DW, Lee C, Liu S, Liu X, Madras BK, Mahurkar AA, Mash DC, Mukamel EA, Niu M, O'Connor RM, Pagan CM, Pang APS, Pillai P, Repunte-Canonigo V, Ruzicka WB, Stanley J, Tickle T, Tsai SYA, Wang A, Wills L, Wilson AM, Wright SN, Xu S, Yang J, Zand M, Zhang L, Zhang J, Akbarian S, Buch S, Cheng CS, Corley MJ, Fox HS, Gerstein M, Gummuluru S, Heiman M, Ho YC, Kellis M, Kenny PJ, Kluger Y, Milner TA, Moore DJ, Morgello S, Ndhlovu LC, Rana TM, Sanna PP, Satterlee JS, Sestan N, Spector SA, Spudich S, Tilgner HU, Volsky DJ, White OR, Williams DW, Zeng H. The single-cell opioid responses in the context of HIV (SCORCH) consortium. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02620-7. [PMID: 38879719 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02620-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024]
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) and drug addiction are major threats to public health, impacting not only the millions of individuals struggling with SUD, but also surrounding families and communities. One of the seminal challenges in treating and studying addiction in human populations is the high prevalence of co-morbid conditions, including an increased risk of contracting a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Of the ~15 million people who inject drugs globally, 17% are persons with HIV. Conversely, HIV is a risk factor for SUD because chronic pain syndromes, often encountered in persons with HIV, can lead to an increased use of opioid pain medications that in turn can increase the risk for opioid addiction. We hypothesize that SUD and HIV exert shared effects on brain cell types, including adaptations related to neuroplasticity, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation. Basic research is needed to refine our understanding of these affected cell types and adaptations. Studying the effects of SUD in the context of HIV at the single-cell level represents a compelling strategy to understand the reciprocal interactions among both conditions, made feasible by the availability of large, extensively-phenotyped human brain tissue collections that have been amassed by the Neuro-HIV research community. In addition, sophisticated animal models that have been developed for both conditions provide a means to precisely evaluate specific exposures and stages of disease. We propose that single-cell genomics is a uniquely powerful technology to characterize the effects of SUD and HIV in the brain, integrating data from human cohorts and animal models. We have formed the Single-Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) consortium to carry out this strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth A Ament
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | - Mary Kay Lobo
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Linda Chang
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Dana Gabuzda
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Michelle Giglio
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Eran Hadas
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian R Herb
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wen Hu
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Cheyu Lee
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Shuhui Liu
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiaokun Liu
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Anup A Mahurkar
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Meng Niu
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | | | | | - Piya Pillai
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - W Brad Ruzicka
- McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Allen Wang
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Wills
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Siwei Xu
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Maryam Zand
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Le Zhang
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Shilpa Buch
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | | | - Howard S Fox
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | | | - Myriam Heiman
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ya-Chi Ho
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - David J Moore
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Susan Morgello
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Tariq M Rana
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - David J Volsky
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Owen R White
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Hongkui Zeng
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
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3
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Xie Y, Han X, Yu J, Yuan M, Yan Y, Qin J, Lan L, Wang Y. EGR3 and estrone are involved in the tamoxifen resistance and progression of breast cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:18103-18117. [PMID: 37999751 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05503-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tamoxifen (Tam) is an effective treatment for estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. However, a significant proportion of patients develop resistance under treatment, presenting a therapeutic challenge. The study aims to determine the role of early growth response protein (EGR) 3 in tamoxifen resistance (TamR) and elucidate its molecular mechanism. METHODS TamR cell models were established and NGS was used to screening signaling alternation. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to analysis the expression of ERα, EGR3, MCL1 and factors associated with apoptosis. CCK8, colony formation and apoptosis assay were used to analysis resistance to Tam. Immunofluorescence, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and dual luciferase assays were used to investigate mechanism of regulation. RESULTS We observed that EGR3, a deeply rooted ERα response factor, showed increased upregulation in response to both estrone (E1) and Tam in TamR cells with elevated level of E1 and ERα expression, indicating a potential connection between EGR3 and TamR. Mechanically, manipulating EGR3 expression revealed that it imparted resistance to Tam through increased expression of the downstream molecule MCL1 (apoptosis suppressor gene) that it regulated. Mechanismly, EGR3 directly binds to the promoter of the anti-apoptotic factor MCL1 gene, facilitating its transcription. Furthermore, apoptosis assays revealed that E1 reduces Tam induced apoptosis by upregulating EGR3 expression. Importantly, clinical public database confirmed the high expression of EGR3 in breast cancer tissue and in Tam-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS These findings shed light on the novel estrogen/EGR3/MCL1 axis and its role in inducing TamR in ER positive breast cancer. EGR3 emerges as a promising target to overcome TamR. The elucidation of this mechanism holds potential for the development of new therapeutic modalities to overcome endocrine therapy resistance in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Xie
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Xiao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Jing Yu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Mengci Yuan
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Hospital of Stomatology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300041, China
| | - Junfang Qin
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Lan Lan
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yue Wang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Hospital of Stomatology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300041, China.
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Estrin DJ, Kulik JM, Beacher NJ, Pawlak AP, Klein SD, West MO. Acquired Alterations in Nucleus Accumbens Responsiveness to a Cocaine-Paired Discriminative Stimulus Preceding Rats' Daily Cocaine Consumption. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 8:100121. [PMID: 37664217 PMCID: PMC10470667 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Resumption of drug taking is a primary focus for substance use disorder research and can be triggered by drug-associated environmental stimuli. The Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) is a key brain region which guides motivated behavior and is implicated in resumption. There remains a pressing need to characterize NAc neurons' responsiveness to drug associated stimuli during withdrawal and abstinence. We recorded discriminative stimulus (DS) induced NAc activity via in vivo single-unit electrophysiology in rats that self-administered cocaine. Male and female rats implanted with a jugular catheter and a microwire array in NAc Core and Shell self-administered cocaine under control of a 30s auditory DS for 6 hours per session across 14 consecutive days. Rats acquired tone discrimination within 4 sessions. To exclude pharmacological effects of circulating cocaine from all neural analyses, we studied changes in DS-induced firing only for trials preceding the first infusion of cocaine in each of the 14 sessions, which were defined as "pre-drug trials." NAc neuron responses were assessed prior to tone-evoked movement onset. Responsiveness to the DS tone was exhibited throughout all sessions by the NAc Core population, but only during Early sessions by the NAc Shell population. Both Core and Shell responded selectively to the DS, i.e., more strongly on drug taking trials, or Hits, than on Missed opportunities. These findings suggest that NAc Core and Shell play distinct roles in initiating cocaine seeking prior to daily cocaine consumption, and align with reports suggesting that as drug use becomes chronic, cue-evoked activity shifts from NAc Shell to NAc Core.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Estrin
- Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 East 69 Street, New York, NY 10021
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Julianna M. Kulik
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Nicholas J. Beacher
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
- Neural Engineering Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224
| | - Anthony P. Pawlak
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
- Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455
- Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Samuel D. Klein
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Mark O. West
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
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5
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Le AL, Lynch WJ, Rissman EF. Sex Chromosome Complement and Estradiol Modify Cocaine Self-Administration Behaviors in Male Mice. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 113:1177-1188. [PMID: 37348474 DOI: 10.1159/000531648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Women are more vulnerable to cocaine's reinforcing effects and have a more rapid course to addiction after initial cocaine use as compared to men. Studies in rodents similarly indicate an enhanced sensitivity to the reinforcing effects of cocaine in females versus males. Levels of estradiol (E2) are correlated with vulnerability to the rewarding actions of cocaine. Here, we asked if sex chromosome complement (SCC) influences vulnerability to cocaine use. METHODS We used the four-core genotype mouse that produces gonadal males and females with either XX or XY SCC. Mice were gonadectomized and implanted with either an estradiol (E2) or cholesterol-filled pellet. This allowed us to determine the effects of SCC in the absence (cholesterol-treated) and presence of tonic high physiological hormone levels (estradiol). Acquisition of cocaine self-administration was determined over a 12-day period using an escalated dose procedure (0.3 mg/kg/infusion, sessions 1-6; 0.6 mg/kg/infusion, sessions 6-12). RESULTS Without estradiol treatment, a greater percentage of castrated XY mice acquired cocaine self-administration and did so at a faster rate than XX castrates and ovariectomized XY females. These same XY males acquired sooner, infused more cocaine, and directed more nose pokes to the rewarded nose-poke hole than XX castrates and XY males receiving E2. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that in gonadal male mice, SCC and estradiol can modulate the reinforcing effects of cocaine which may influence the likelihood of cocaine use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron L Le
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, NCSU, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Wendy J Lynch
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Emilie F Rissman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, NCSU, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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6
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Choi EY, Franco D, Stapf CA, Gordin M, Chow A, Cover KK, Chandra R, Lobo MK. Inducible CRISPR Epigenome Systems Mimic Cocaine Induced Bidirectional Regulation of Nab2 and Egr3. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2242-2259. [PMID: 36849419 PMCID: PMC10072301 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1802-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorder is a chronic disease and a leading cause of disability around the world. The NAc is a major brain hub mediating reward behavior. Studies demonstrate exposure to cocaine is associated with molecular and functional imbalance in NAc medium spiny neuron subtypes (MSNs), dopamine receptor 1 and 2 enriched D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs. We previously reported repeated cocaine exposure induced transcription factor early growth response 3 (Egr3) mRNA in NAc D1-MSNs, and reduced it in D2-MSNs. Here, we report our findings of repeated cocaine exposure in male mice inducing MSN subtype-specific bidirectional expression of the Egr3 corepressor NGFI-A-binding protein 2 (Nab2). Using CRISPR activation and interference (CRISPRa and CRISPRi) tools combined with Nab2 or Egr3-targeted sgRNAs, we mimicked these bidirectional changes in Neuro2a cells. Furthermore, we investigated D1-MSN- and D2-MSN-specific expressional changes of histone lysine demethylases Kdm1a, Kdm6a, and Kdm5c in NAc after repeated cocaine exposure in male mice. Since Kdm1a showed bidirectional expression patterns in D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs, like Egr3, we developed a light-inducible Opto-CRISPR-KDM1a system. We were able to downregulate Egr3 and Nab2 transcripts in Neuro2A cells and cause similar bidirectional expression changes we observed in D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs of mouse repeated cocaine exposure model. Contrastingly, our Opto-CRISPR-p300 activation system induced the Egr3 and Nab2 transcripts and caused opposite bidirectional transcription regulations. Our study sheds light on the expression patterns of Nab2 and Egr3 in specific NAc MSNs in cocaine action and uses CRISPR tools to further mimic these expression patterns.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Substance use disorder is a major societal issue. The lack of medication to treat cocaine addiction desperately calls for a treatment development based on precise understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying cocaine addiction. In this study, we show that Egr3 and Nab2 are bidirectionally regulated in mouse NAc D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs after repeated exposure to cocaine. Furthermore, histone lysine demethylations enzymes with putative EGR3 binding sites showed bidirectional regulation in D1- and D2-MSNs after repeated exposure to cocaine. Using Cre- and light-inducible CRISPR tools, we show that we can mimic this bidirectional regulation of Egr3 and Nab2 in Neuro2a cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Y Choi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Graduate Program in Life Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
| | - Daniela Franco
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Program in Neuroscience, Graduate Program in Life Sciences
| | - Catherine A Stapf
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Program in Neuroscience, Graduate Program in Life Sciences
| | | | | | - Kara K Cover
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Program in Neuroscience, Graduate Program in Life Sciences
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
- Center for Innovative Biomedical Resources, Virus Vector Core, University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
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7
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Slosky LM, Pires A, Bai Y, Clark NB, Hauser ER, Gross JD, Porkka F, Zhou Y, Chen X, Pogorelov VM, Toth K, Wetsel WC, Barak LS, Caron MG. Establishment of multi-stage intravenous self-administration paradigms in mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21422. [PMID: 36503898 PMCID: PMC9742147 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24740-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically tractable animal models provide needed strategies to resolve the biological basis of drug addiction. Intravenous self-administration (IVSA) is the gold standard for modeling psychostimulant and opioid addiction in animals, but technical limitations have precluded the widespread use of IVSA in mice. Here, we describe IVSA paradigms for mice that capture the multi-stage nature of the disorder and permit predictive modeling. In these paradigms, C57BL/6J mice with long-standing indwelling jugular catheters engaged in cocaine- or remifentanil-associated lever responding that was fixed ratio-dependent, dose-dependent, extinguished by withholding the drug, and reinstated by the presentation of drug-paired cues. The application of multivariate analysis suggested that drug taking in both paradigms was a function of two latent variables we termed incentive motivation and discriminative control. Machine learning revealed that vulnerability to drug seeking and relapse were predicted by a mouse's a priori response to novelty, sensitivity to drug-induced locomotion, and drug-taking behavior. The application of these behavioral and statistical-analysis approaches to genetically-engineered mice will facilitate the identification of neural circuits driving addiction susceptibility and relapse and focused therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Slosky
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Andrea Pires
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yushi Bai
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth R Hauser
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joshua D Gross
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Fiona Porkka
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Xiaoxiao Chen
- School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Vladimir M Pogorelov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Krisztian Toth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, USA
| | - William C Wetsel
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Marc G Caron
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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8
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Mitra S, Thomas SA, Martin JA, Williams J, Woodhouse K, Chandra R, Li JX, Lobo MK, Sim FJ, Dietz DM. EGR3 regulates opioid-related nociception and motivation in male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:3539-3550. [PMID: 36098762 PMCID: PMC10094589 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06226-1] [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: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pain can be a debilitating condition, leading to profound changes in nearly every aspect of life. However, the reliance on opioids such as oxycodone for pain management is thought to initiate dependence and addiction liability. The neurobiological intersection at which opioids relieve pain and possibly transition to addiction is poorly understood. Using RNA sequencing pathway analysis in rats with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced chronic inflammation, we found that the transcriptional signatures in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC; a brain region where pain and reward signals integrate) elicited by CFA in combination with oxycodone differed from those elicited by CFA or oxycodone alone. However, the expression of Egr3 was augmented in all animals receiving oxycodone. Furthermore, virus-mediated overexpression of EGR3 in the mPFC increased mechanical pain relief but not the affective aspect of pain in animals receiving oxycodone, whereas pharmacological inhibition of EGR3 via NFAT attenuated mechanical pain relief. Egr3 overexpression also increased the motivation to obtain oxycodone infusions in a progressive ratio test without altering the acquisition or maintenance of oxycodone self-administration. Taken together, these data suggest that EGR3 in the mPFC is at the intersection of nociceptive and addictive-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarup Mitra
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, John C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1700, 3rd Avenue, Huntington, WV, 25755, USA.
| | - Shruthi A Thomas
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Jennifer A Martin
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Jamal Williams
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Kristen Woodhouse
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jun Xu Li
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Fraser J Sim
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - David M Dietz
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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9
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Engeln M, Fox ME, Chandra R, Choi EY, Nam H, Qadir H, Thomas SS, Rhodes VM, Turner MD, Herman RJ, Calarco CA, Lobo MK. Transcriptome profiling of the ventral pallidum reveals a role for pallido-thalamic neurons in cocaine reward. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3980-3991. [PMID: 35764708 PMCID: PMC9722585 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01668-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Psychostimulant exposure alters the activity of ventral pallidum (VP) projection neurons. However, the molecular underpinnings of these circuit dysfunctions are unclear. We used RNA-sequencing to reveal alterations in the transcriptional landscape of the VP that are induced by cocaine self-administration in mice. We then probed gene expression in select VP neuronal subpopulations to isolate a circuit associated with cocaine intake. Finally, we used both overexpression and CRISPR-mediated knockdown to test the role of a gene target on cocaine-mediated behaviors as well as dendritic spine density. Our results showed that a large proportion (55%) of genes associated with structural plasticity were changed 24 h following cocaine intake. Among them, the transcription factor Nr4a1 (Nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 1, or Nur77) showed high expression levels. We found that the VP to mediodorsal thalamus (VP → MDT) projection neurons specifically were recapitulating this increase in Nr4a1 expression. Overexpressing Nr4a1 in VP → MDT neurons enhanced drug-seeking and drug-induced reinstatement, while Nr4a1 knockdown prevented self-administration acquisition and subsequent cocaine-mediated behaviors. Moreover, we showed that Nr4a1 negatively regulated spine dynamics in this specific cell subpopulation. Together, our study identifies for the first time the transcriptional mechanisms occurring in VP in drug exposure. Our study provides further understanding on the role of Nr4a1 in cocaine-related behaviors and identifies the crucial role of the VP → MDT circuit in drug intake and relapse-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Engeln
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Megan E Fox
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric Y Choi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hyungwoo Nam
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Houman Qadir
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shavin S Thomas
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Victoria M Rhodes
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Makeda D Turner
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rae J Herman
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cali A Calarco
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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10
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Mayberry HL, Bavley CC, Karbalaei R, Peterson DR, Bongiovanni AR, Ellis AS, Downey SH, Toussaint AB, Wimmer ME. Transcriptomics in the nucleus accumbens shell reveal sex- and reinforcer-specific signatures associated with morphine and sucrose craving. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1764-1775. [PMID: 35190706 PMCID: PMC9372067 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01289-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Incubation of craving is a well-documented phenomenon referring to the intensification of drug craving over extended abstinence. The neural adaptations that occur during forced abstinence following chronic drug taking have been a topic of intense study. However, little is known about the transcriptomic changes occurring throughout this window of time. To define gene expression changes associated with morphine consumption and extended abstinence, male and female rats underwent 10 days of morphine self-administration. Separate drug-naive rats self-administered sucrose in order to compare opioid-induced changes from those associated with natural, non-drug rewards. After one or 30 days of forced abstinence, rats were tested for craving, or nucleus accumbens shell tissue was dissected for RNA sequencing. Morphine consumption was predictive of drug seeking after extended (30 days) but not brief (1 day) abstinence in both sexes. Extended abstinence was also associated with robust sex- and reinforcer-specific changes in gene expression, suggesting sex differences underlying incubation of morphine and sucrose seeking respectively. Importantly, these changes in gene expression occurred without re-exposure to drug-paired cues, indicating that chronic morphine causes long-lasting changes in gene expression that prime the system for increased craving. These findings lay the groundwork for identifying specific therapeutic targets for curbing opioid craving without impacting the natural reward system in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L Mayberry
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Charlotte C Bavley
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Reza Karbalaei
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Drew R Peterson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Angela R Bongiovanni
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alexandra S Ellis
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sara H Downey
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andre B Toussaint
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mathieu E Wimmer
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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11
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Inbar K, Levi LA, Kupchik YM. Cocaine induces input and cell-type-specific synaptic plasticity in ventral pallidum-projecting nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1461-1472. [PMID: 35121830 PMCID: PMC9205871 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01285-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine use and abstinence induce long-term synaptic alterations in the excitatory input to nucleus accumbens (NAc) medium spiny neurons (MSNs). The NAc regulates reward-related behaviors through two parallel projections to the ventral pallidum (VP)-originating in D1 or D2-expressing MSNs (D1-MSNs→VP; D2-MSNs→VP). The activity of these projections depends on their excitatory synaptic inputs, but it is not known whether and how abstinence from cocaine affects the excitatory transmission to D1-MSNs→VP and D2-MSNs→VP. Here we examined different forms of cocaine-induced synaptic plasticity in the inputs from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to NAc D1-MSNs→VP and putative D2-MSNs→VP (pD2-MSNs→VP) in the core and shell subcompartments of the NAc. We used the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to record excitatory postsynaptic currents from D1-tdTomato mice injected with ChR2 in either the BLA or the mPFC and retrograde tracer (RetroBeads) in the VP. We found that cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) followed by abstinence potentiated the excitatory input from the BLA and mPFC to both D1-MSNs→VP and pD2-MSNs→VP. Interestingly, while the strengthening of the inputs to D1-MSNs→VP was of postsynaptic origin and manifested as increased AMPA to NMDA ratio, in pD2-MSNs→VP plasticity was predominantly presynaptic and was detected as changes in the paired-pulse ratio and coefficient of variation. Lastly, some of the changes were sex-specific. Overall our data show that abstinence from cocaine changes the excitatory inputs to both D1-MSNs→VP and pD2-MSNs→VP but with different mechanisms. This may help understand how circuits converging into the VP change after cocaine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kineret Inbar
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9112102 Israel
| | - Liran A. Levi
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9112102 Israel
| | - Yonatan M. Kupchik
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9112102 Israel
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12
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Teague CD, Nestler EJ. Key transcription factors mediating cocaine-induced plasticity in the nucleus accumbens. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:687-709. [PMID: 34079067 PMCID: PMC8636523 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01163-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Repeated cocaine use induces coordinated changes in gene expression that drive plasticity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), an important component of the brain's reward circuitry, and promote the development of maladaptive, addiction-like behaviors. Studies on the molecular basis of cocaine action identify transcription factors, a class of proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences and regulate transcription, as critical mediators of this cocaine-induced plasticity. Early methods to identify and study transcription factors involved in addiction pathophysiology primarily relied on quantifying the expression of candidate genes in bulk brain tissue after chronic cocaine treatment, as well as conventional overexpression and knockdown techniques. More recently, advances in next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, cell-type-specific targeting, and locus-specific neuroepigenomic editing offer a more powerful, unbiased toolbox to identify the most important transcription factors that drive drug-induced plasticity and to causally define their downstream molecular mechanisms. Here, we synthesize the literature on transcription factors mediating cocaine action in the NAc, discuss the advancements and remaining limitations of current experimental approaches, and emphasize recent work leveraging bioinformatic tools and neuroepigenomic editing to study transcription factors involved in cocaine addiction.
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13
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Neuroadaptations and TGF-β signaling: emerging role in models of neuropsychiatric disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:296-306. [PMID: 34131268 PMCID: PMC8671568 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01186-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric diseases are manifested by maladaptive behavioral plasticity. Despite the greater understanding of the neuroplasticity underlying behavioral adaptations, pinpointing precise cellular mediators has remained elusive. This has stymied the development of pharmacological interventions to combat these disorders both at the level of progression and relapse. With increased knowledge on the putative role of the transforming growth factor (TGF- β) family of proteins in mediating diverse neuroadaptations, the influence of TGF-β signaling in regulating maladaptive cellular and behavioral plasticity underlying neuropsychiatric disorders is being increasingly elucidated. The current review is focused on what is currently known about the TGF-β signaling in the central nervous system in mediating cellular and behavioral plasticity related to neuropsychiatric manifestations.
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14
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Campbell RR, Chen S, Beardwood JH, López AJ, Pham LV, Keiser AM, Childs JE, Matheos DP, Swarup V, Baldi P, Wood MA. Cocaine induces paradigm-specific changes to the transcriptome within the ventral tegmental area. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:1768-1779. [PMID: 34155331 PMCID: PMC8357835 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01031-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
During the initial stages of drug use, cocaine-induced neuroadaptations within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are critical for drug-associated cue learning and drug reinforcement processes. These neuroadaptations occur, in part, from alterations to the transcriptome. Although cocaine-induced transcriptional mechanisms within the VTA have been examined, various regimens and paradigms have been employed to examine candidate target genes. In order to identify key genes and biological processes regulating cocaine-induced processes, we employed genome-wide RNA-sequencing to analyze transcriptional profiles within the VTA from male mice that underwent one of four commonly used paradigms: acute home cage injections of cocaine, chronic home cage injections of cocaine, cocaine-conditioning, or intravenous-self administration of cocaine. We found that cocaine alters distinct sets of VTA genes within each exposure paradigm. Using behavioral measures from cocaine self-administering mice, we also found several genes whose expression patterns corelate with cocaine intake. In addition to overall gene expression levels, we identified several predicted upstream regulators of cocaine-induced transcription shared across all paradigms. Although distinct gene sets were altered across cocaine exposure paradigms, we found, from Gene Ontology (GO) term analysis, that biological processes important for energy regulation and synaptic plasticity were affected across all cocaine paradigms. Coexpression analysis also identified gene networks that are altered by cocaine. These data indicate that cocaine alters networks enriched with glial cell markers of the VTA that are involved in gene regulation and synaptic processes. Our analyses demonstrate that transcriptional changes within the VTA depend on the route, dose and context of cocaine exposure, and highlight several biological processes affected by cocaine. Overall, these findings provide a unique resource of gene expression data for future studies examining novel cocaine gene targets that regulate drug-associated behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne R Campbell
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Biological Sciences University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- UC Irvine Center for Addiction Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Siwei Chen
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Joy H Beardwood
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Biological Sciences University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- UC Irvine Center for Addiction Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Alberto J López
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lilyana V Pham
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Biological Sciences University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- UC Irvine Center for Addiction Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ashley M Keiser
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Biological Sciences University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jessica E Childs
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Biological Sciences University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- UC Irvine Center for Addiction Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Dina P Matheos
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Biological Sciences University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- UC Irvine Center for Addiction Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Vivek Swarup
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Biological Sciences University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Pierre Baldi
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Marcelo A Wood
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, School of Biological Sciences University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- UC Irvine Center for Addiction Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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15
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López AJ, Johnson AR, Kunnath AJ, Morris AD, Zachry JE, Thibeault KC, Kutlu MG, Siciliano CA, Calipari ES. An optimized procedure for robust volitional cocaine intake in mice. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2021; 29:319-333. [PMID: 32658535 PMCID: PMC7890946 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a behavioral disorder characterized by volitional drug consumption. Mouse models of SUD allow for the use of molecular, genetic, and circuit-level tools, providing enormous potential for defining the underlying mechanisms of this disorder. However, the relevance of results depends on the validity of the mouse models used. Self-administration models have long been the preferred preclinical model for SUD as they allow for volitional drug consumption, thus providing strong face validity. While previous work has defined the parameters that influence intravenous cocaine self-administration in other species-such as rats and primates-many of these parameters have not been explicitly assessed in mice. In a series of experiments, we showed that commonly used mouse models of self-administration, where behavior is maintained on a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement, show similar levels of responding in the presence and absence of drug delivery-demonstrating that it is impossible to determine when drug consumption is and is not volitional. To address these issues, we have developed a novel mouse self-administration procedure where animals do not need to be pretrained on sucrose and behavior is maintained on a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement. This procedure increases rates of reinforcement behavior, increases levels of drug intake, and results in clearer delineation between drug-reinforced and saline conditions. Together, these data highlight a major issue with fixed-ratio models in mice that complicates subsequent analysis and provide a simple approach to minimize these confounds with variable-ratio schedules of reinforcement. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto J López
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University/Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
| | - Amy R Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University/Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
| | - Ansley J Kunnath
- Vanderbilt University Medical Scientists Training Program, Vanderbilt University/Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
| | - Allison D Morris
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University/Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
| | - Jennifer E Zachry
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University/Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
| | - Kimberly C Thibeault
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University/Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
| | - Munir G Kutlu
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University/Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
| | - Cody A Siciliano
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University/Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University/Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
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16
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Cole SL, Chandra R, Harris M, Patel I, Wang T, Kim H, Jensen L, Russo SJ, Turecki G, Gancarz-Kausch AM, Dietz DM, Lobo MK. Cocaine-induced neuron subtype mitochondrial dynamics through Egr3 transcriptional regulation. Mol Brain 2021; 14:101. [PMID: 34187517 PMCID: PMC8240292 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00800-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial function is required for brain energy homeostasis and neuroadaptation. Recent studies demonstrate that cocaine affects mitochondrial dynamics and morphological characteristics within the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Further, mitochondria are differentially regulated by cocaine in dopamine receptor-1 containing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) vs dopamine receptor-2 (D2)-MSNs. However, there is little understanding into cocaine-induced transcriptional mechanisms and their role in regulating mitochondrial processes. Here, we demonstrate that cocaine enhances binding of the transcription factor, early growth response factor 3 (Egr3), to nuclear genes involved in mitochondrial function and dynamics. Moreover, cocaine exposure regulates mRNA of these mitochondria-associated nuclear genes in both contingent or noncontingent cocaine administration and in both rodent models and human postmortem tissue. Interestingly, several mitochondrial nuclear genes showed distinct profiles of expression in D1-MSNs vs D2-MSNs, with cocaine exposure generally increasing mitochondrial-associated nuclear gene expression in D1-MSNs vs suppression in D2-MSNs. Further, blunting Egr3 expression in D1-MSNs blocks cocaine-enhancement of the mitochondrial-associated transcriptional coactivator, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC1α), and the mitochondrial fission molecule, dynamin related protein 1 (Drp1). Finally, reduction of D1-MSN Egr3 expression attenuates cocaine-induced enhancement of small-sized mitochondria, causally demonstrating that Egr3 regulates mitochondrial morphological adaptations. Collectively, these studies demonstrate cocaine exposure impacts mitochondrial dynamics and morphology by Egr3 transcriptional regulation of mitochondria-related nuclear gene transcripts; indicating roles for these molecular mechanisms in neuronal function and plasticity occurring with cocaine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon L Cole
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Maya Harris
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Ishan Patel
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Torrance Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Hyunjae Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Leah Jensen
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Scott J Russo
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences At the Icahn School of Medicine At Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Amy M Gancarz-Kausch
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The Research Institution On Addictions, State University of New York At Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Psychology, California State University, Bakersfield, Bakersfield, CA, USA
| | - David M Dietz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The Research Institution On Addictions, State University of New York At Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, HSF II Rm S265, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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17
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Engeln M, Song Y, Chandra R, La A, Fox ME, Evans B, Turner MD, Thomas S, Francis TC, Hertzano R, Lobo MK. Individual differences in stereotypy and neuron subtype translatome with TrkB deletion. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1846-1859. [PMID: 32366954 PMCID: PMC8480032 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0746-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Motor stereotypies occurring in early-onset neuropsychiatric diseases are associated with dysregulated basal ganglia direct-pathway activity. Disruptions in network connectivity through impaired neuronal structure have been implicated in both rodents and humans. However, the neurobiological mechanisms leading to direct-pathway neuron disconnectivity in stereotypy remain poorly understood. We have a mouse line with Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptor deletion from D1-expressing cells (D1-Cre-flTrkB) in which a subset of animals shows repetitive rotations and head tics with juvenile onset. Here we demonstrate these behaviors may be associated with abnormal direct-pathway activity by reducing rotations using chemogenetic inhibition of dorsal striatum D1-medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) in both juvenile and young-adult mice. Taking advantage of phenotypical differences in animals with similar genotypes, we then interrogated the D1-MSN specific translatome associated with repetitive behavior by using RNA sequencing of ribosome-associated mRNA. Detailed translatome analysis followed by multiplexed gene expression assessment revealed profound alterations in neuronal projection and synaptic structure related genes in stereotypy mice. Examination of neuronal morphology demonstrated dendritic atrophy and dendritic spine loss in dorsal striatum D1-MSNs from mice with repetitive behavior. Together, our results uncover phenotype-specific molecular alterations in D1-MSNs that relate to morphological adaptations in mice displaying stereotypy behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Engeln
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yang Song
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashley La
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Megan E. Fox
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brianna Evans
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Makeda D. Turner
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shavin Thomas
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - T. Chase Francis
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ronna Hertzano
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA., Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA., Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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18
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Alshammari TK. Sexual dimorphism in pre-clinical studies of depression. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 105:110120. [PMID: 33002519 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Although there is a sex bias in the pathological mechanisms exhibited by brain disorders, investigation of the female brain in biomedical science has long been neglected. Use of the male model has generally been the preferred option as the female animal model exhibits both biological variability and hormonal fluctuations. Existing studies that compare behavioral and/or molecular alterations in animal models of brain diseases are generally underrepresented, and most utilize the male model. Nevertheless, in recent years there has been a trend toward the increased inclusion of females in brain studies. However, current knowledge regarding sex-based differences in depression and stress-related disorders is limited. This can be improved by reviewing preclinical studies that highlight sex differences in depression. This paper therefore presents a review of sex-based preclinical studies of depression. These shed light on the discrepancies between males and females regarding the biological mechanisms that underpin mechanistic alterations in the diseased brain. This review also highlights the conclusions drawn by preclinical studies to advance our understanding of mood disorders, encouraging researchers to promote ways of investigating and managing sexually dimorphic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahani K Alshammari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmacy College, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia; Prince Naïf Bin Abdul-Aziz Health Research Center, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
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Mews P, Calipari ES, Day J, Lobo MK, Bredy T, Abel T. From Circuits to Chromatin: The Emerging Role of Epigenetics in Mental Health. J Neurosci 2021; 41:873-882. [PMID: 33446519 PMCID: PMC7880276 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1649-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A central goal of neuroscience research is to understand how experiences modify brain circuits to guide future adaptive behavior. In response to environmental stimuli, neural circuit activity engages gene regulatory mechanisms within each cell. This activity-dependent gene expression is governed, in part, by epigenetic processes that can produce persistent changes in both neural circuits and the epigenome itself. The complex interplay between circuit activity and neuronal gene regulation is vital to learning and memory, and, when disrupted, is linked to debilitating psychiatric conditions, such as substance use disorder. To develop clinical treatments, it is paramount to advance our understanding of how neural circuits and the epigenome cooperate to produce behavioral adaptation. Here, we discuss how new genetic tools, used to manipulate neural circuits and chromatin, have enabled the discovery of epigenetic processes that bring about long-lasting changes in behavior relevant to mental health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Mews
- Friedman Brain Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10129
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Departments of Pharmacology, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37323
| | - Jeremy Day
- Department of Neurobiology, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Timothy Bredy
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Ted Abel
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
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Housing conditions during self-administration determine motivation for cocaine in mice following chronic social defeat stress. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:41-54. [PMID: 32914243 PMCID: PMC8162736 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05657-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Stress exposure has a lasting impact on motivated behavior and can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities for developing a substance use disorder. Several models have been developed to examine how stressful experiences shape drug reward. These range from locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference to the propensity for drug self-administration or responding to drug-predictive cues. While self-administration studies are considered to have more translational relevance, most of the studies to date have been conducted in rats. Further, many self-administration studies are conducted in single-housed animals, adding the additional stressor of social isolation. OBJECTIVES We sought to establish how chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) and social housing conditions impact cocaine self-administration and cocaine-seeking behaviors in C57BL/6 mice. METHODS We assessed self-administration behavior (cocaine or saline, 0.5 mg/kg/infusion) in C57BL/6 mice subjected to 10-day CSDS or in unstressed controls. Mice were housed either in pairs or in isolation during self-administration. We compared the effect of housing on acquisition of self-administration, seeking, extinction, drug-induced reinstatement, and after re-exposure to the social stressor. RESULTS Pair-housing during self-administration revealed increased social avoidance after CSDS is associated with decreased cocaine intake. In contrast, single-housing revealed stress-sensitive cocaine intake, with increased social avoidance after CSDS associated with increased early cocaine intake. Pair-, but not single-housed mice are susceptible to drug-induced reinstatement independent of CSDS history. Stress re-exposure sensitized cocaine-seeking in stressed single-housed mice. CONCLUSIONS The social context surrounding cocaine intake can bidirectionally influence cocaine-related behaviors after psychosocial stress and should be considered when studying stress and drug cross-sensitization.
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Martini M, Irvin JW, Lee CG, Lynch WJ, Rissman EF. Sex chromosome complement influences vulnerability to cocaine in mice. Horm Behav 2020; 125:104821. [PMID: 32721403 PMCID: PMC7541729 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Women acquire cocaine habits faster and are more motivated to obtain drug than men. In general, female rodents acquire intravenous cocaine self-administration (SA) faster and show greater locomotor responses to cocaine than males. Sex differences are attributed to differences in circulating estradiol. We used the four core genotype (FCG) mouse to ask whether sex chromosome complement influences vulnerability to cocaine's reinforcing and/or locomotor-activating effects. The FCG cross produces ovary-bearing mice with XX or XY genotypes (XXF, XYF) and testes-bearing mice with XX or XY genotypes (XXM, XYM). A greater percentage of gonadal females acquired cocaine SA via infusions into jugular catheters as compared with XYM mice, but XXM mice were not significantly different than any other group. Discrimination of the active versus inactive nose poke holes and cocaine intake were in general greater in gonadal females than in gonadal males. Progressive ratio tests for motivation revealed an interaction between sex chromosomes and gonads: XYM mice were more motivated to self-administer cocaine taking more infusions than mice in any other group. Locomotor responses to cocaine exposure revealed effects of sex chromosomes. After acute exposure, activity was greater in XX than in XY mice and the reverse was true for behavioral sensitization. Mice with XY genotypes displayed more activity than XX mice when given cocaine after a 10-day drug-free period. Our data demonstrate that sex chromosome complement alone and/or interacting with gonadal status can modify cocaine's reinforcing and locomotor-activating effects. These data should inform current studies of sex differences in drug use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Martini
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Joshua W Irvin
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Christina G Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Wendy J Lynch
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Emilie F Rissman
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
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