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Han Q, Li W, Chen P, Wang L, Bao X, Huang R, Liu G, Chen X. Microglial NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation and therapeutic strategies in depression. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1890-1898. [PMID: 38227513 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.390964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated a bidirectional relationship between inflammation and depression. Activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat, and NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes is closely related to the pathogenesis of various neurological diseases. In patients with major depressive disorder, NLRP3 inflammasome levels are significantly elevated. Understanding the role that NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation plays in the pathogenesis of depression may be beneficial for future therapeutic strategies. In this review, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms that lead to the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in depression as well as to provide insight into therapeutic strategies that target the NLRP3 inflammasome. Moreover, we outlined various therapeutic strategies that target the NLRP3 inflammasome, including NLRP3 inflammatory pathway inhibitors, natural compounds, and other therapeutic compounds that have been shown to be effective in treating depression. Additionally, we summarized the application of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors in clinical trials related to depression. Currently, there is a scarcity of clinical trials dedicated to investigating the applications of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors in depression treatment. The modulation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in microglia holds promise for the management of depression. Further investigations are necessary to ascertain the efficacy and safety of these therapeutic approaches as potential novel antidepressant treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuqin Han
- Department of Scientific Research, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- Department of Scientific Research, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Peiqing Chen
- Department of Scientific Research, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Department of Scientific Research, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiwen Bao
- Department of Scientific Research, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Renyan Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Vascular Surgery, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guobin Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Vascular Surgery, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaorong Chen
- Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi Province, China
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Jia Z, Yu W, Li X, Dong T, Wang X, Li J, Yang J, Liu Y. Du-moxibustion ameliorates depression-like behavior and neuroinflammation in chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced mice. J Affect Disord 2024; 358:211-221. [PMID: 38705530 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.025] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation is involved in the advancement of depression. Du-moxibustion can treat depression. Here, we explored whether Du-moxibustion could alleviate neuroglia-associated neuro-inflammatory process in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice. METHODS C57BL/6J mice were distributed into five groups. Except for the CON group, other four groups underwent CUMS for four consecutive weeks, and Du-moxibustion was given simultaneously after modeling. Behavioral tests were then carried out. Additionally, Western blot was conducted to measure the relative expression levels of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Immunofluorescence was employed to evaluate the positive cells of ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Furthermore, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were analyzed using an ELISA assay. RESULTS We found that CUMS induced depression-like behaviors, such as reduced sucrose preference ratio, decreased locomotor and exploratory activity, decreased the time in open arms and prolonged immobility. Furthermore, versus the CON group, the expression of HMGB1, TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, positive cells of Iba-1, IL-1β and TNF-α were increased but positive cells of GFAP were decreased in CUMS group. However, the detrimental effects were ameliorated by treatment with CUMS+FLU and CUMS+DM. LIMITATIONS A shortage of this study is that only CUMS model of depression were used, while other depression model were not included. CONCLUSIONS Du-moxibustion alleviates depression-like behaviors in CUMS mice mainly by reducing neuroinflammation, which offers novel insights into the potential treatment of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixia Jia
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250011, Shandong, China
| | - Wenyan Yu
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250011, Shandong, China
| | - Xuhao Li
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250011, Shandong, China
| | - Tiantian Dong
- Traditional Chinese Medicine External Treatment Center, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, Shandong, China
| | - Xingxin Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250011, Shandong, China
| | - Jinling Li
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250011, Shandong, China
| | - Jiguo Yang
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250011, Shandong, China.
| | - Yuanxiang Liu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, Shandong, China.
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Tajabadi Farahani Z, Vaseghi S, Rajabbeigi E, Ghorbani Yekta B. The effect of olanzapine on spatial memory impairment, depressive-like behavior, pain perception, and BDNF and synaptophysin expression following childhood chronic unpredictable mild stress in adult male and female rats. Behav Brain Res 2024; 468:115039. [PMID: 38718877 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115039] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) method has been introduced as a rodent model of depression. On the other hand, olanzapine, as an antipsychotic, can induce antidepressant and antipsychotic effects. Also, olanzapine may improve cognitive functions. Both CUMS and olanzapine can also affect the expression level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synaptophysin, the molecular factors involved in synaptic function, and learning and memory. In this study, we investigated the effect of olanzapine on locomotor activity (using open field test), pain threshold (using hot plate), depressive-like behavior (using forced swim test), spatial learning and memory (using Morris water maze), and BDNF and synaptophysin hippocampal expression (using real-time PCR) in both male and female CUMS rats. CUMS was performed for three consecutive weeks. Olanzapine was also injected intraperitoneally at the dose of 5 mg/kg. Our data showed that olanzapine can reverse the effects of CUMS on behavioral functions and BDNF and synaptophysin expression levels in the hippocampus of both males and females. It was also shown that olanzapine effects on spatial memory, pain perception, and BDNF and synaptophysin level were stronger in females than males. In conclusion, we suggested that the therapeutic effects of olanzapine in CUMS rats may be closely related to the function of BDNF and synaptophysin. Also, the therapeutic effects of olanzapine may be stronger in females. Therefore, and for the first time, we showed that there may be a sex difference in the effects of olanzapine on behavioral and molecular changes following CUMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Tajabadi Farahani
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salar Vaseghi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran; Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Elham Rajabbeigi
- Department of Developmental Biology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Batool Ghorbani Yekta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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Li YX, Tan ZN, Li XH, Ma B, Adu Nti F, Lv XQ, Tian ZJ, Yan R, Man HY, Ma XM. Increased gene dosage of RFWD2 causes autistic-like behaviors and aberrant synaptic formation and function in mice. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02515-7. [PMID: 38503925 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02515-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions, communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. A study of autistic human subjects has identified RFWD2 as a susceptibility gene for autism, and autistic patients have 3 copies of the RFWD2 gene. The role of RFWD2 as an E3 ligase in neuronal functions, and its contribution to the pathophysiology of ASD, remain unknown. We generated RFWD2 knockin mice to model the human autistic condition of high gene dosage of RFWD2. We found that heterozygous knockin (Rfwd2+/-) male mice exhibited the core symptoms of autism. Rfwd2+/- male mice showed deficits in social interaction and communication, increased repetitive and anxiety-like behavior, and spatial memory deficits, whereas Rfwd2+/- female mice showed subtle deficits in social communication and spatial memory but were normal in anxiety-like, repetitive, and social behaviors. These autistic-like behaviors in males were accompanied by a reduction in dendritic spine density and abnormal synaptic function on layer II/III pyramidal neurons in the prelimbic area of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), as well as decreased expression of synaptic proteins. Impaired social behaviors in Rfwd2+/- male mice were rescued by the expression of ETV5, one of the major substrates of RFWD2, in the mPFC. These findings indicate an important role of RFWD2 in the pathogenesis of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Xia Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhi-Nei Tan
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xu-Hui Li
- Center for Neuron and Disease, Frontier Institutes of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Boyu Ma
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Frank Adu Nti
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Lv
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhen-Jun Tian
- Institute of Sports Biology, College of Physical Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Riqiang Yan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Xin-Ming Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA.
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He S, Shi Y, Ye J, Yin J, Yang Y, Liu D, Shen T, Zeng D, Zhang M, Li S, Xu F, Cai Y, Zhao F, Li H, Peng D. Does decreased autophagy and dysregulation of LC3A in astrocytes play a role in major depressive disorder? Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:362. [PMID: 38001115 PMCID: PMC10673997 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02665-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytic dysfunction contributes to the molecular pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the astrocytic subtype that mainly contributes to MDD etiology and whether dysregulated autophagy in astrocytes is associated with MDD remain unknown. Using a single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) atlas, three astrocyte subtypes were identified in MDD, while C2 State-1Q astrocytes showed aberrant changes in both cell proportion and most differentially expressed genes compared with other subtypes. Moreover, autophagy pathways were commonly inhibited in astrocytes in the prefrontal cortices (PFCs) of patients with MDD, especially in C2 State-1Q astrocytes. Furthermore, by integrating snRNA-seq and bulk transcriptomic data, we found significant reductions in LC3A expression levels in the PFC region of CUMS-induced depressed mice, as well as in postmortem PFC tissues and peripheral blood samples from patients with MDD. These results were further validated by qPCR using whole-blood samples from patients with MDD and healthy controls. Finally, LC3A expression in the whole blood of patients with MDD was negatively associated with the severity of depressive symptoms. Overall, our results underscore autophagy inhibition in PFC astrocytes as a common molecular characteristic in MDD and might reveal a novel potential diagnostic marker LC3A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen He
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Shi
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinmei Ye
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiahui Yin
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yufang Yang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Shen
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Duan Zeng
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Siyuan Li
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Feikang Xu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiyun Cai
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Faming Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Huafang Li
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Daihui Peng
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Dandi Ε, Theotokis P, Petri MC, Sideropoulou V, Spandou E, Tata DA. Environmental enrichment initiated in adolescence restores the reduced expression of synaptophysin and GFAP in the hippocampus of chronically stressed rats in a sex-specific manner. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22422. [PMID: 37796476 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22422] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
This study aims at investigating whether environmental enrichment (EE) initiated in adolescence can alter chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-associated changes in astroglial and synaptic plasticity markers in male and female rats. To this end, we studied possible alterations in hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and synaptophysin (SYN) in CUS rats previously housed in EE. Wistar rats on postnatal day (PND) 23 were housed for 10 weeks in standard housing (SH) or enriched conditions. On PND 66, animals were exposed to CUS for 4 weeks. SYN and GFAP expressions were evaluated in CA1 and CA3 subfields and dentate gyrus (DG). CUS reduced the expression of SYN in all hippocampal areas, whereas lower GFAP expression was evident only in CA1 and CA3. The reduced expression of SYN in DG and CA3 was evident to male SH/CUS rats, whereas the reduced GFAP expression in CA1 and CA3 was limited to SH/CUS females. EE housing increased the hippocampal expression of both markers and protected against CUS-associated decreases. Our findings indicate that the decreases in the expression of SYN and GFAP following CUS are region and sex-specific and underline the neuroprotective role of EE against these CUS-associated changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Εvgenia Dandi
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paschalis Theotokis
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Department of Neurology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Christina Petri
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vaia Sideropoulou
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Spandou
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Despina A Tata
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Shi S, Zhang S, Kong L. Effects of Treatment with Probiotics on Cognitive Function and Regulatory Role of Cortisol and IL-1β in Adolescent Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1829. [PMID: 37763233 PMCID: PMC10532456 DOI: 10.3390/life13091829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of probiotics on cognitive function and the regulation of cortisol and IL-1β in adolescents with depression. All 180 participants were randomly assigned to a study group (treated with probiotics combined with sertraline hydrochloride) and a control group (treated with sertraline hydrochloride). The repetitive Neuropsychological State Test (RBANS) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were administered to MDD patients. The levels of serum cortisol and IL-1β were detected using an ELISA kit. Except for speech function, factors including immediate memory, visual span, attention function, delayed memory, and the RBANS in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The levels of cortisol and interleukin-1β in the study group were significantly downregulated compared to those in the control group. Except for speech function, the cortisol level was negatively correlated with the RBANS total score and other factors in the study group. Interleukin-1β was also negatively correlated with the RBANS total score and each factor score. Cortisol and interleukin-1β were predictors of the RBANS total score, which explained 46.80% of the variance. Cortisol had significant predictive effects on attention function and delayed memory, and interleukin-1β had significant predictive effects on visual span and speech function. It could be concluded that probiotics could improve cognitive function in adolescents with depression by regulating cortisol and IL-1β levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoli Shi
- Psychiatry Department, The 5th People’s Hospital of Luoyang, Luoyang 471027, China;
| | - Shuyou Zhang
- Intervention Center of Mental Crisis, No.904 Hospital, Changzhou 213003, China;
| | - Lingming Kong
- Intervention Center of Mental Crisis, No.904 Hospital, Changzhou 213003, China;
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Dandi Ε, Spandou E, Dalla C, Tata DA. Τhe neuroprotective role of environmental enrichment against behavioral, morphological, neuroendocrine and molecular changes following chronic unpredictable mild stress: A systematic review. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:3003-3025. [PMID: 37461295 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Environmental factors interact with biological and genetic factors influencing the development and well-being of an organism. The interest in better understanding the role of environment on behavior and physiology led to the development of animal models of environmental manipulations. Environmental enrichment (EE), an environmental condition that allows cognitive and sensory stimulation as well as social interaction, improves cognitive function, reduces anxiety and depressive-like behavior and promotes neuroplasticity. In addition, it exerts protection against neurodegenerative disorders, cognitive aging and deficits aggravated by stressful experiences. Given the beneficial effects of EE on the brain and behavior, preclinical studies have focused on its protective role as an alternative, non-invasive manipulation, to help an organism to cope better with stress. A valid, reliable and effective animal model of chronic stress that enhances anxiety and depression-like behavior is the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The variety of stressors and the unpredictability in the time and sequence of exposure to prevent habituation, render CUMS an ethologically relevant model. CUMS has been associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, elevation in the basal levels of stress hormones, reduction in brain volume, dendritic atrophy and alterations in markers of synaptic plasticity. Although numerous studies have underlined the compensatory role of EE against the negative effects of various chronic stress regimens (e.g. restraint and social isolation), research concerning the interaction between EE and CUMS is sparse. The purpose of the current systematic review is to present up-to-date research findings regarding the protective role of EE against the negative effects of CUMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Εvgenia Dandi
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Spandou
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Despina A Tata
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Klotho Regulated by Estrogen Plays a Key Role in Sex Differences in Stress Resilience in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021206. [PMID: 36674721 PMCID: PMC9862442 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Klotho (KL) is a glycosyl hydrolase and aging-suppressor gene. Stress is a risk factor for depression and anxiety, which are highly comorbid with each other. The aim of this study is to determine whether KL is regulated by estrogen and plays an important role in sex differences in stress resilience. Our results showed that KL is regulated by estrogen in rat hippocampal neurons in vivo and in vitro and is essential for the estrogen-mediated increase in the number of presynaptic vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (Vglut1)-positive clusters on the dendrites of hippocampal neurons. The role of KL in sex differences in stress response was examined in rats using 3-week chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). CUMS produced a deficit in spatial learning and memory, anhedonic-like behaviors, and anxiety-like behaviors in male but not female rats, which was accompanied by a reduction in KL protein levels in the hippocampus of male but not female rats. This demonstrated the resilience of female rats to CUMS. Interestingly, the knockdown of KL protein levels in the rat hippocampus of both sexes caused a decrease in stress resilience in both sexes, especially in female rats. These results suggest that the regulation of KL by estrogen plays an important role in estrogen-mediated synapse formation and that KL plays a critical role in the sex differences in cognitive deficit, anhedonic-like behaviors, and anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic stress in rats, highlighting an important role of KL in sex differences in stress resilience.
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Zhang YM, Wei RM, Li XY, Feng YZ, Zhang KX, Ge YJ, Kong XY, Liu XC, Chen GH. Long-term environmental enrichment overcomes depression, learning, and memory impairment in elderly CD-1 mice with maternal sleep deprivation exposure. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1177250. [PMID: 37168717 PMCID: PMC10164971 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1177250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress disrupts central nervous system development and increases the risk of neuropsychiatric disorder in offspring based on rodent studies. Maternal sleep deprivation (MSD) in rodents has also been associated with depression and cognitive decline in adult offspring. However, it is not known whether these issues persist into old age. Environmental enrichment is a non-pharmacological intervention with proven benefits in improving depression and cognitive impairment; however, it is unclear whether these benefits hold for aging mice following MSD exposure. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of MSD on depression and cognition in elderly offspring CD-1 mice and to determine whether long-term environmental enrichment could alleviate these effects by improving neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity. The offspring mice subjected to MSD were randomly assigned to either a standard environment or an enriched environment. At 18 months of age, the forced swimming and tail suspension tests were used to evaluated depression-like behaviors, and the Morris water maze test was used to evaluate cognitive function. The expression levels of hippocampal proinflammatory cytokines and synaptic plasticity-associated proteins were also measured. MSD increased depression-like behaviors and impaired cognition function in aging CD-1 offspring mice. These effects were accompanied by upregulated interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α expression, and downregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor, tyrosine kinase receptor B, postsynaptic density-95, and synaptophysin expression in the hippocampus. All of these changes were reversed by long-term exposure to an enriched environment. These findings suggest that MSD exerts long-term effects on the behaviors of offspring in mice, leading to depression and cognitive impairment in older age. Importantly, long-term environmental enrichment could counteract the behavior difficulties induced by MSD through improving hippocampal proinflammatory cytokines and synaptic plasticity-associated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Ming Zhang
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ru-Meng Wei
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xue-Yan Li
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yi-Zhou Feng
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Kai-Xuan Zhang
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yi-Jun Ge
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao-Yi Kong
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xue-Chun Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Second People’s Hospital of Hefei, Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- *Correspondence: Gui-Hai Chen, ; Xue-Chun Liu,
| | - Gui-Hai Chen
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- *Correspondence: Gui-Hai Chen, ; Xue-Chun Liu,
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Postsynaptic Proteins at Excitatory Synapses in the Brain—Relationship with Depressive Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911423. [PMID: 36232725 PMCID: PMC9569598 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Depressive disorders (DDs) are an increasingly common health problem that affects all age groups. DDs pathogenesis is multifactorial. However, it was proven that stress is one of the most important environmental factors contributing to the development of these conditions. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the role of the glutamatergic system in the context of pharmacotherapy of DDs. Thus, it has become increasingly important to explore the functioning of excitatory synapses in pathogenesis and pharmacological treatment of psychiatric disorders (including DDs). This knowledge may lead to the description of new mechanisms of depression and indicate new potential targets for the pharmacotherapy of illness. An excitatory synapse is a highly complex and very dynamic structure, containing a vast number of proteins. This review aimed to discuss in detail the role of the key postsynaptic proteins (e.g., NMDAR, AMPAR, mGluR5, PSD-95, Homer, NOS etc.) in the excitatory synapse and to systematize the knowledge about changes that occur in the clinical course of depression and after antidepressant treatment. In addition, a discussion on the potential use of ligands and/or modulators of postsynaptic proteins at the excitatory synapse has been presented.
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