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Huang S, Shi C, Tao D, Yang C, Luo Y. Modulating reward and aversion: Insights into addiction from the paraventricular nucleus. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e70046. [PMID: 39295107 PMCID: PMC11410887 DOI: 10.1111/cns.70046] [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: 06/16/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug addiction, characterized by compulsive drug use and high relapse rates, arises from complex interactions between reward and aversion systems in the brain. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN), located in the anterior hypothalamus, serves as a neuroendocrine center and is a key component of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to explore how the PVN impacts reward and aversion in drug addiction through stress responses and emotional regulation and to evaluate the potential of PVN as a therapeutic target for drug addiction. METHODS We review the current literature, focusing on three main neuron types in the PVN-corticotropin-releasing factor, oxytocin, and arginine vasopressin neurons-as well as other related neurons, to understand their roles in modulating addiction. RESULTS Existing studies highlight the PVN as a key mediator in addiction, playing a dual role in reward and aversion systems. These findings are crucial for understanding addiction mechanisms and developing targeted therapies. CONCLUSION The role of PVN in stress response and emotional regulation suggests its potential as a therapeutic target in drug addiction, offering new insights for addiction treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Huang
- Hunan Province People's HospitalThe First‐Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence ResearchPeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Cuijie Shi
- College of Forensic MedicineHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangChina
| | - Dan Tao
- School of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Chang Yang
- School of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yixiao Luo
- Hunan Province People's HospitalThe First‐Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
- Key Laboratory for Birth Defects Research and Prevention of the National Health CommissionHunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care HospitalChangshaChina
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2
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Branham EM, McLean SA, Deliwala I, Mauck MC, Zhao Y, McKibben LA, Lee A, Spencer AB, Zannas AS, Lechner M, Danza T, Velilla MA, Hendry PL, Pearson C, Peak DA, Jones J, Rathlev NK, Linnstaedt SD. CpG Methylation Levels in HPA Axis Genes Predict Chronic Pain Outcomes Following Trauma Exposure. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:1127-1141. [PMID: 36906051 PMCID: PMC10330094 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Chronic post-traumatic musculoskeletal pain (CPTP) is a common outcome of traumatic stress exposure. Biological factors that influence the development of CPTP are poorly understood, though current evidence indicates that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a critical role in its development. Little is known about molecular mechanisms underlying this association, including epigenetic mechanisms. Here, we assessed whether peritraumatic DNA methylation levels at 248 5'-C-phosphate-G-3' (CpG) sites in HPA axis genes (FKBP5, NR3C1, CRH, CRHR1, CRHR2, CRHBP, POMC) predict CPTP and whether identified CPTP-associated methylation levels influence expression of those genes. Using participant samples and data collected from trauma survivors enrolled into longitudinal cohort studies (n = 290), we used linear mixed modeling to assess the relationship between peritraumatic blood-based CpG methylation levels and CPTP. A total of 66 (27%) of the 248 CpG sites assessed in these models statistically significantly predicted CPTP, with the three most significantly associated CpG sites originating from the POMC gene region (ie, cg22900229 [β = .124, P < .001], cg16302441 [β = .443, P < .001], cg01926269 [β = .130, P < .001]). Among the genes analyzed, both POMC (z = 2.36, P = .018) and CRHBP (z = 4.89, P < .001) were enriched in CpG sites significantly associated with CPTP. Further, POMC expression was inversely correlated with methylation levels in a CPTP-dependent manner (6-months NRS<4: r = -.59, P < .001; 6-months NRS ≥ 4: r = -.18, P = .2312). Our results suggest that methylation of HPA axis genes including POMC and CRHBP predict risk for and may contribute to vulnerability to CPTP. PERSPECTIVE: Peritraumatic blood levels of CpG methylation sites in HPA axis genes, particularly CpG sites in the POMC gene, predict CPTP development. This data substantially advances our understanding of epigenetic predictors and potential mediators of CPTP, a highly common, morbid, and hard-to-treat form of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica M Branham
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Samuel A McLean
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Ishani Deliwala
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Matthew C Mauck
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Ying Zhao
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Lauren A McKibben
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Aaron Lee
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Alex B Spencer
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Anthony S Zannas
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Carolina Stress Initiative, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Megan Lechner
- Forensic Nursing Program, Memorial Health System, Colorado Springs, Colorado
| | - Teresa Danza
- Forensic Nursing Program, Albuquerque SANE Collaborative, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | | | - Phyllis L Hendry
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Claire Pearson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Detroit Receiving, Detroit, Michigan
| | - David A Peak
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jeffrey Jones
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Niels K Rathlev
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School Baystate, Springfield, Massachusetts
| | - Sarah D Linnstaedt
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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3
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Gelernter J, Polimanti R. Genetics of substance use disorders in the era of big data. Nat Rev Genet 2021; 22:712-729. [PMID: 34211176 PMCID: PMC9210391 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-021-00377-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are conditions in which the use of legal or illegal substances, such as nicotine, alcohol or opioids, results in clinical and functional impairment. SUDs and, more generally, substance use are genetically complex traits that are enormously costly on an individual and societal basis. The past few years have seen remarkable progress in our understanding of the genetics, and therefore the biology, of substance use and abuse. Various studies - including of well-defined phenotypes in deeply phenotyped samples, as well as broadly defined phenotypes in meta-analysis and biobank samples - have revealed multiple risk loci for these common traits. A key emerging insight from this work establishes a biological and genetic distinction between quantity and/or frequency measures of substance use (which may involve low levels of use without dependence), versus symptoms related to physical dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Gelernter
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Renato Polimanti
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
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Abstract
Animal and humans exposed to stress early in life are more likely to suffer from long-term behavioral, mental health, metabolic, immune, and cardiovascular health consequences. The hypothalamus plays a nodal role in programming, controlling, and regulating stress responses throughout the life course. Epigenetic reprogramming in the hippocampus and the hypothalamus play an important role in adapting genome function to experiences and exposures during the perinatal and early life periods and setting up stable phenotypic outcomes. Epigenetic programming during development enables one genome to express multiple cell type identities. The most proximal epigenetic mark to DNA is a covalent modification of the DNA itself by enzymatic addition of methyl moieties. Cell-type-specific DNA methylation profiles are generated during gestational development and define cell and tissue specific phenotypes. Programming of neuronal phenotypes and sex differences in the hypothalamus is achieved by developmentally timed rearrangement of DNA methylation profiles. Similarly, other stations in the life trajectory such as puberty and aging involve predictable and scheduled reorganization of DNA methylation profiles. DNA methylation and other epigenetic marks are critical for maintaining cell-type identity in the brain, across the body, and throughout life. Data that have emerged in the last 15 years suggest that like its role in defining cell-specific phenotype during development, DNA methylation might be involved in defining experiential identities, programming similar genes to perform differently in response to diverse experiential histories. Early life stress impact on lifelong phenotypes is proposed to be mediated by DNA methylation and other epigenetic marks. Epigenetic marks, as opposed to genetic mutations, are reversible by either pharmacological or behavioral strategies and therefore offer the potential for reversing or preventing disease including behavioral and mental health disorders. This chapter discusses data testing the hypothesis that DNA methylation modulations of the HPA axis mediate the impact of early life stress on lifelong behavioral and physical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Carney BC, Dougherty RD, Moffatt LT, Simbulan-Rosenthal CM, Shupp JW, Rosenthal DS. Promoter Methylation Status in Pro-opiomelanocortin Does Not Contribute to Dyspigmentation in Hypertrophic Scar. J Burn Care Res 2021; 41:339-346. [PMID: 31541238 DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irz168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Burn injuries frequently result in hypertrophic scars (HTSs), specifically when excision and grafting are delayed due to limited resources or patient complications. In patient populations with dark baseline pigmentation, one symptom of HTS that often occurs is dyspigmentation. The mechanism behind dyspigmentation has not been explored, and, as such, prevention and treatment strategies for this morbidity are lacking. The mechanism by which cells make pigment is controlled at the apex of the pathway by pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), which is cleaved to its products alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH). α-MSH and ACTH secreted by keratinocytes bind to melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), expressed on melanocytes, to initiate melanogenesis. POMC protein expression is upregulated in hyperpigmented scar compared to hypopigmented scar by an unknown mechanism in a Duroc pig model of HTS. POMC RNA levels, as well as the POMC gene promoter methylation status were investigated as a possible mechanism. DNA was isolated from biopsies obtained from distinct areas of hyper- or hypopigmented scar and normal skin. DNA was bisulfite-converted, and amplified using two sets of primers to observe methylation patterns in two different CpG islands near the POMC promoter. Amplicons were then sequenced and methylation patterns were evaluated. POMC gene expression was significantly downregulated in hypopigmented scar compared to normal skin, consistent with previously reported protein expression levels. There were significant changes in methylation of the POMC promoter; however, none that would account for the development of hyper- or hypopigmentation. Future work will focus on other areas of POMC transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie C Carney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.,Firefighters' Burn and Surgical Research Laboratory, MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, DC
| | - Ryan D Dougherty
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Lauren T Moffatt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.,Firefighters' Burn and Surgical Research Laboratory, MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, DC
| | - Cynthia M Simbulan-Rosenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Jeffrey W Shupp
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.,Firefighters' Burn and Surgical Research Laboratory, MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, DC.,The Burn Center, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC.,Department of Surgery, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Dean S Rosenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
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Soundararajan S, Agrawal A, Purushottam M, Anand SD, Shankarappa B, Sharma P, Jain S, Murthy P. Changes in DNA methylation persist over time in males with severe alcohol use disorder-A longitudinal follow-up study. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2021; 186:183-192. [PMID: 33491855 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Treatment strategies for alcohol use disorder (AUD) aim for abstinence or harm reduction. While deranged biochemical parameters reverse with alcohol abstinence, whether molecular changes at the epigenetic level reverse is not clearly understood. We investigated whether the reduction from high alcohol use reflects DNA methylation at the gene-specific and global level. In subjects seeking treatment for severe AUD, we assessed gene-specific (aldehyde dehydrogenase [ALDH2]/methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR]) and global (long interspersed elements [LINE-1]) methylation across three-time points (baseline, after detoxification and at an early remission period of 3 months), in peripheral blood leukocytes. We observed that both gene-specific and global DNA methylation did not change over time, irrespective of the drinking status at 3 months (52% abstained from alcohol). Further, we also compared DNA methylation in AUD subjects with healthy controls. At baseline, there was a significantly higher gene-specific DNA methylation (ALDH2: p < .001 and MTHFR: p = .001) and a significant lower global methylation (LINE-1: p = .014) in AUD as compared to controls. Our results suggest that epigenetic changes at the DNA methylation level associated with severe AUD persist for at least 3 months of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soundarya Soundararajan
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India.,Centre for Addiction Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India.,Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
| | - Arpana Agrawal
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Meera Purushottam
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India.,Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
| | - Shravanthi Daphne Anand
- Centre for Addiction Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
| | - Bhagyalakshmi Shankarappa
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
| | - Priyamvada Sharma
- Centre for Addiction Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Neurotoxicology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
| | - Sanjeev Jain
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India.,Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
| | - Pratima Murthy
- Centre for Addiction Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India.,Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India
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Glahn A, Rhein M, Frieling H, Dette F, Bleich S, Hillemacher T, Muschler M. Smoking-induced changes in leptin serum levels and c/EBPalpha-related methylation status of the leptin core promotor during smoking cessation. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 100:106-112. [PMID: 30299257 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have provided evidence of an association between serum leptin levels and smoking as well as craving during smoking cessation. As promoter methylation also regulates leptin expression, we investigated the leptin gene promoter region of smokers before and after smoking cessation. Since leptin's core promoter region contains an essential c/EBPalpha transcription binding site, we narrowed our investigation to C-300 (-300 base pairs from the transcription start site) of that binding site. Female smokers showed hypermethylation of C-300 compared to non-smokers. Global methylation status is associated with higher craving and the degree of dependence in female smokers. Serum leptin levels in female smokers were significantly higher than in non-smokers. These findings support previous results and, for the first time, point to a pathophysiological role of c/EBPalpha-related C-300 methylation in tobacco dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Glahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry an Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Germany.
| | - Mathias Rhein
- Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry an Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry an Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Germany
| | - Franziska Dette
- Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry an Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Germany
| | - Stefan Bleich
- Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry an Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Germany
| | - Thomas Hillemacher
- Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry an Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Germany; Paracelsus University Nuremberg, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Germany
| | - Marc Muschler
- Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry an Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Germany
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