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Qu X, Zhang L, Wang L. Pterostilbene as a Therapeutic Alternative for Central Nervous System Disorders: A Review of the Current Status and Perspectives. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:14432-14457. [PMID: 37786984 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c06238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Neurological disorders are diverse, have complex causes, and often result in disability; yet, effective treatments remain scarce. The resveratrol derivative pterostilbene possesses numerous physiological activities that hold promise as a novel therapy for the central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This review aimed to summarize the protective mechanisms of pterostilbene in in vitro and in vivo models of CNS disorders and the pharmacokinetics and safety to assess its possible effects on CNS disorders. Available evidence supports the protective effects of pterostilbene in CNS disorders involving mechanisms such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, regulation of lipid metabolism and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, improvement of synaptic function and neurogenesis, induction of glioma cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of glioma cell migration and invasion. Studies have identified possible molecular targets and pathways for the protective actions of pterostilbene in CNS disorders including the AMPK/STAT3, Akt, NF-κB, MAPK, and ERK signaling pathways. The possible pharmacological effects and molecular pathways of pterostilbene in CNS disorders are critically discussed in this review. Future studies should aim to increase our understanding of pterostilbene in animal models and humans to further evaluate its role in CNS disorders and the detailed mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Qu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning, P.R. China
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Steinfeld MR, Torregrossa MM. Consequences of adolescent drug use. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:313. [PMID: 37802983 PMCID: PMC10558564 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02590-4] [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: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance use in adolescence is a known risk factor for the development of neuropsychiatric and substance use disorders in adulthood. This is in part due to the fact that critical aspects of brain development occur during adolescence, which can be altered by drug use. Despite concerted efforts to educate youth about the potential negative consequences of substance use, initiation remains common amongst adolescents world-wide. Additionally, though there has been substantial research on the topic, many questions remain about the predictors and the consequences of adolescent drug use. In the following review, we will highlight some of the most recent literature on the neurobiological and behavioral effects of adolescent drug use in rodents, non-human primates, and humans, with a specific focus on alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, and the interactions between these substances. Overall, consumption of these substances during adolescence can produce long-lasting changes across a variety of structures and networks which can have enduring effects on behavior, emotion, and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Steinfeld
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
| | - Mary M Torregrossa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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Adzic M, Lukic I, Mitic M, Glavonic E, Dragicevic N, Ivkovic S. Contribution of the opioid system to depression and to the therapeutic effects of classical antidepressants and ketamine. Life Sci 2023:121803. [PMID: 37245840 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) afflicts approximately 5 % of the world population, and about 30-50 % of patients who receive classical antidepressant medications do not achieve complete remission (treatment resistant depressive patients). Emerging evidence suggests that targeting opioid receptors mu (MOP), kappa (KOP), delta (DOP), and the nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor (NOP) may yield effective therapeutics for stress-related psychiatric disorders. As depression and pain exhibit significant overlap in their clinical manifestations and molecular mechanisms involved, it is not a surprise that opioids, historically used to alleviate pain, emerged as promising and effective therapeutic options in the treatment of depression. The opioid signaling is dysregulated in depression and numerous preclinical studies and clinical trials strongly suggest that opioid modulation can serve as either an adjuvant or even an alternative to classical monoaminergic antidepressants. Importantly, some classical antidepressants require the opioid receptor modulation to exert their antidepressant effects. Finally, ketamine, a well-known anesthetic whose extremely efficient antidepressant effects were recently discovered, was shown to mediate its antidepressant effects via the endogenous opioid system. Thus, although opioid system modulation is a promising therapeutical venue in the treatment of depression further research is warranted to fully understand the benefits and weaknesses of such approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Adzic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca - Institute for Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Iva Lukic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca - Institute for Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milos Mitic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca - Institute for Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Emilija Glavonic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca - Institute for Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nina Dragicevic
- Department of Pharmacy, Singidunum University, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sanja Ivkovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca - Institute for Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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The ERK phosphorylation levels in the amygdala predict anxiety symptoms in humans and MEK/ERK inhibition dissociates innate and learned defensive behaviors in rats. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7257-7269. [PMID: 34316004 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01203-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate that the rate of extracellular signal-related kinase phosphorylation (P-ERK1,2/Total-ERK1,2) in the amygdala is negatively and independently associated with anxiety symptoms in 23 consecutive patients with drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy that was surgically treated. In naive Wistar rats, the P-ERK1,2/Total-ERK1,2 ratio in the amygdala correlates negatively with innate anxiety-related behavior on the elevated plus maze (n = 20) but positively with expression of defensive-learned behavior (i.e., freezing) on Pavlovian aversive (fear) conditioning (n = 29). The microinfusion of ERK1/2 inhibitor (FR180204, n = 8-13/group) or MEK inhibitor (U0126, n = 8-9/group) into the basolateral amygdala did not affect anxiety-related behavior but impaired the evocation (anticipation) of conditioned-defensive behavior (n = 9-11/group). In conclusion, the P-ERK1,2/Total-ERK1,2 ratio in the amygdala predicts anxiety in humans and the innate anxiety- and conditioned freezing behaviors in rats. However, the ERK1/2 in the basolateral AMY is only required for the expression of defensive-learned behavior. These results support a dissociate ERK-dependent mechanism in the amygdala between innate anxiety-like responses and the anticipation of learned-defensive behavior. These findings have implications for understanding highly prevalent psychiatric disorders related to the defensive circuit manifested by anxiety and fear. HIGHLIGHTS: The P-ERK1,2/Total-ERK1,2 ratio in the amygdala (AMY) correlates negatively with anxiety symptoms in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. The P-ERK1,2/Total-ERK1,2 in the amygdala correlates negatively with the anxiety-like behavior and positively with freezing-learned behavior in naive rats. ERK1,2 in the basolateral amygdala is required for learned-defensive but not for the anxiety-like behavior expression in rats.
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Sałaciak K, Pytka K. Biased agonism in drug discovery: Is there a future for biased 5-HT 1A receptor agonists in the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases? Pharmacol Ther 2021; 227:107872. [PMID: 33905796 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) is one of the fundamental neurotransmitters that contribute to the information essential for an organism's normal, physiological function. Serotonin acts centrally and systemically. The 5-HT1A receptor is the most widespread serotonin receptor, and participates in many brain-related disorders, including anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairments. The 5-HT1A receptor can activate several different biochemical pathways and signals through both G protein-dependent and G protein-independent pathways. Preclinical experiments indicate that distinct signaling pathways in specific brain regions may be crucial for antidepressant-like, anxiolytic-like, and procognitive responses. Therefore, the development of new ligands that selectively target a particular signaling pathway(s) could open new possibilities for more effective and safer pharmacotherapy. This review discusses the current state of preclinical studies focusing on the concept of functional selectivity (biased agonism) regarding the 5-HT1A receptor and its role in antidepressant-like, anxiolytic-like, and procognitive regulation. Such work highlights not only the differential effects of targeted autoreceptors, vs. heteroreceptors, but also the importance of targeting specific downstream intracellular signaling processes, thereby enhancing favorable over unfavorable signaling activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Sałaciak
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Karolina Pytka
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland.
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Szkudlarek HJ, Rodríguez-Ruiz M, Hudson R, De Felice M, Jung T, Rushlow WJ, Laviolette SR. THC and CBD produce divergent effects on perception and panic behaviours via distinct cortical molecular pathways. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 104:110029. [PMID: 32623021 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and pre-clinical evidence demonstrates divergent psychotropic effects of THC vs. CBD. While THC can induce perceptual distortions and anxiogenic effects, CBD displays antipsychotic and anxiolytic properties. A key brain region responsible for regulation of cognition and affect, the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC), is strongly modulated by cannabinoids, suggesting that these dissociable THC/CBD-dependent effects may involve functional and molecular interplay within the PFC. The primary aim of this study was to investigate potential interactions and molecular substrates involved in PFC-mediated effects of THC and CBD on differential cognitive and affective behavioural processing. Male Sprague Dawley rats received intra-PFC microinfusions of THC, CBD or their combination, and tested in the latent inhibition paradigm, spontaneous oddity discrimination test, elevated T-maze and open field. To identify local, drug-induced molecular modulation in the PFC, PFC samples were collected and processed with Western Blotting. Intra-PFC THC induced strong panic-like responses that were counteracted with CBD. In contrast, CBD did not affect panic-like behaviours but blocked formation of associative fear memories and impaired latent inhibition and oddity discrimination performance. Interestingly, these CBD effects were dependent upon 5-HT1A receptor transmission but not influenced by THC co-administration. Moreover, THC induced robust phosphorylation of ERK1/2 that was prevented by CBD, while CBD decreased phosphorylation of p70S6K, independently of THC. These results suggest that intra-PFC infusion of THC promotes panic-like behaviour associated with increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In contrast, CBD impairs perceptive functions and latent inhibition via activation of 5-HT1A receptors and reduced phosphorylation of p70S6K.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna J Szkudlarek
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada.
| | - Mar Rodríguez-Ruiz
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Roger Hudson
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Marta De Felice
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Tony Jung
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Walter J Rushlow
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada; Department of Psychiatry. Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada; Department of Psychiatry. Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada.
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Laviolette SR. Molecular and neuronal mechanisms underlying the effects of adolescent nicotine exposure on anxiety and mood disorders. Neuropharmacology 2020; 184:108411. [PMID: 33245960 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco addiction is highly co-morbid with a variety of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders. Nicotine, the primary psychoactive compound in tobacco-related products is known to functionally modulate brain circuits that are disturbed in these disorders. Nicotine can potently regulate the transmission of various neurochemicals, including dopamine (DA), γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, within various mesocorticolimbic structures, such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAc) and prefrontal cortex (PFC), all of which show pathologies in these disorders. Many neuropsychiatric diseases have etiological origins during neurodevelopment, typically occurring during vulnerable periods of adolescent or pre-natal brain development. During these neurodevelopmental periods, exposure to extrinsic drug insults can induce enduring and long-term pathophysiological sequelae that ultimately increase the risk of developing chronic mental health disorders in later life. These vulnerability factors are of growing concern given rising rates of adolescent nicotine exposure via traditional tobacco use and the increasing use of alternative nicotine delivery formats such as vaping and e-cigarettes. A large body of clinical and pre-clinical evidence points to an important role for adolescent exposure to nicotine and increased vulnerability to developing mood and anxiety disorders in later life. This review will examine current clinical and pre-clinical evidence that pinpoints specific mechanisms within the mesocorticolimbic circuitry and molecular biomarkers linked to the association between adolescent nicotine exposure and increased risk of developing mood and anxiety-related disorders. This article is part of the special issue on 'Vulnerabilities to Substance Abuse'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group, Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Dept. of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, N6A 3K7, ON, Canada.
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Jiang N, Wang H, Lv J, Wang Q, Lu C, Li Y, Liu X. Dammarane sapogenins attenuates stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors by upregulating ERK/CREB/BDNF pathways. Phytother Res 2020; 34:2721-2729. [PMID: 32431006 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dammarane sapogenins (DS), an extract derived from ginseng by alkaline hydrolysis of total ginsenosides, possesses high pharmacological activity and higher bioavailability than ginsenosides. The present study was designed to investigate the anxiolytic-like effects of DS in a mouse model of chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). DS (40 and 80 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated social avoidance and anxiety-like behavior in four test models of CSDS, showing increased time in the interaction zone in the social interaction test and in the center of the field in the open field test, an increased percentage of entries and open arm time in the elevated plus maze, and reduced latency to eat in the novelty-suppressed feeding test. Biochemical analyses showed that DS significantly reduced serum corticosterone levels and increased brain concentration of neurotransmitter 5-HT and noradrenaline in CSDS mice. Treatment with DS significantly upregulated BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), p-CREB/CREB and p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 protein expression in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of CSDS mice. Collectively, these results suggest that DS exerts anxiolytic-like effects in CSDS model mice and the action is mediated, at least in part, by modulating the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis and monoamine neurotransmitter levels, and via ERK/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Jiang
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haixia Wang
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jingwei Lv
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Affiliated TCM Hospital/School of Pharmacy/Sino-Portugal TCM International Cooperation Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Cong Lu
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Yujiao Li
- Affiliated TCM Hospital/School of Pharmacy/Sino-Portugal TCM International Cooperation Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xinmin Liu
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Diazepam and SL-327 synergistically attenuate anxiety-like behaviours in mice - Possible hippocampal MAPKs specificity. Neuropharmacology 2020; 180:108302. [PMID: 32931814 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular signalling pathways have been extensively studied as therapeutic targets for the treatment of mental diseases. Our attention has been caught by two kinases potentially involved in anxiety, ERK1/2 and CaMKII. The study aimed to examine changes in the activation of ERK1/2 and CaMKII concerning anxiolytic-like behaviours in mice. To evaluate anxiety-related response in mice, we used the open field test and the elevated plus maze test. Behavioural studies were complemented with the immunoblotting analysis to identify proteins of interest in the cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. We analysed the phosphorylation status of ERK1/2 and CaMKII in mice treated with a well-known anxiolytic drug - diazepam. Next, the blockade of ERK1/2 pathway by SL-327, a selective MEK1/2 inhibitor, was checked for anxiolytic action. Finally, the co-administration of subeffective doses of diazepam and SL-327 was investigated for a potential synergistic anxiolytic effect. Anxiolytic effects of acute diazepam are accompanied by decreased p-ERK1/2 and upregulation of p-CaMKII. Subchronic treatment with SL-327 leads to the manifestation of anxiolytic-like behaviours and changes in the phosphorylation status of both kinases in a diazepam-like manner. Co-administration of subeffective doses of SL-327 and diazepam induces anxiolysis, which is CaMKII-independent and correlates to selectively decreased phosphoactive ERK1/2 in the hippocampus. The MEK-ERK pathway is significantly involved in anxiolytic action of diazepam and its prolonged inhibition produces anxiolytic-like phenotype in mice. ERK inhibition could be used to manage anxiety symptoms in a benzodiazepine-sparing regimen for treatment of anxiety.
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Anxiolytic Effect of Alcohol-Water Extracted Suanzaoren-Wuweizi Herb-Pair by Regulating ECS-BDNF-ERK Signaling Pathway Expression in Acute Restraint Stress Male Rats. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:2078932. [PMID: 32655658 PMCID: PMC7317328 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2078932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Herb-pairs are the basic units of composition in Chinese herbal formulae, where the bridge linking Chinese medicine and prescription consists of two Chinese medicine herbs. The Suanzaoren-Wuweizi herb-pair (SWHP) is commonly used as a sedative or tranquilizer. SWHP has been demonstrated to exert an antianxiety effect in animal models of anxiety. However, little information about its mechanism is available and the effects of SWHP have not been investigated. This study examined the effects of SWHP on ameliorating anxiety-like behaviors by regulating endocannabinoids system (ECS)-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signaling pathway expression, induced by restraint stress (RS) procedures. The antianxiety effects of SWHP on RS rats were then examined through the open-field test (OF) and the elevated plus maze test (EPM). The concentration of BNDF, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), and p-CREB expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of the rats was then measured by western blot. The number of positive cells of CB1 and CB2 in the rats' hippocampus CA1 region was measured by immunohistochemistry. These results gave compelling evidence that SWHP could modify anxiety-like behaviors of RS rats through regulation of the ECS-BDNF-ERK signaling pathway. Our study demonstrated that SWHP improved anxiety-like behaviors in RS rat models by regulating the ECS-BDNF-ERK signaling pathway. The findings indicate that SWHP may have a therapeutic application in the RS model of anxiety disorder, which proposes a potential new direction for research into anxiety disorders regarding mechanisms and the development of novel antianxiety drugs.
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Bartsch VB, Lord JS, Diering GH, Zylka MJ. Mania- and anxiety-like behavior and impaired maternal care in female diacylglycerol kinase eta and iota double knockout mice. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 19:e12570. [PMID: 30985063 PMCID: PMC6800745 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies linked diacylglycerol kinase eta and iota to mood disorders, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and both genes are expressed throughout the brain. Here, we generated and behaviorally characterized female mice lacking Dgkh alone, Dgki alone, and double Dgkh/Dgki-knockout (dKO) mice. We found that fewer than 30% of newborn pups raised by dKO females survived to weaning, while over 85% of pups survived to weaning when raised by wild-type (WT) females. Poor survival under the care of dKO mothers was unrelated to pup genotype. Moreover, pups from dKO dams survived when fostered by WT dams, suggesting the poor survival rate of dKO-raised litters was related to impaired maternal care by dKO dams. Nest building was similar between WT and dKO dams; however, some dKO females failed to retrieve any pups in a retrieval assay. Pups raised by dKO dams had smaller or absent milk spots and reduced weight, indicative of impaired nursing. Unlike WT females, postpartum dKO females showed erratic, panicked responses to cage disturbances. Virgin dKO females showed behavioral signs of anxiety and mania, which were not seen in mice lacking either Dgkh or Dgki alone. Our research indicates that combined deletion of Dgkh and Dgki impairs maternal behavior in the early postpartum period, and suggests female dKO mice model symptoms of mania and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria B. Bartsch
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Julia S. Lord
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina,UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Graham H. Diering
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina,UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Mark J. Zylka
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina,UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Fu A, Hou Y, Yu Z, Zhao Z, Liu Z. Healthy mitochondria inhibit the metastatic melanoma in lungs. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:2707-2718. [PMID: 31754341 PMCID: PMC6854369 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.38104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor mitochondria alter their functions to reprogram cell metabolism and then allow tumor cells to rapidly proliferate in the hypoxic and acidic microenvironment. However, roles of normal mitochondria played in tumor progression are still unclear. Here we investigate the normal mitochondrial effect on abnormal metabolism of tumors, and to clarify why the mitochondria have to undergo functional changes in the tumor growth. The mitochondria isolated from healthy mouse livers were intravenously injected into melanoma model mice with lung metastasis, then the tumor growth, animal survival and associated metabolic changes were studied. The results reveal that the mitochondria significantly retard tumor growth and increase survival days of animals. The anti-tumor effect of the mitochondria is related to interfering the tumor cell metabolisms, such as reducing glycolysis and producing an oxidative intracellular environment, all of which are not suitable for tumor cell proliferation. In addition, the mitochondria increases cell apoptosis, necrosis, and mitophagy. These effects are more efficient with the mitochondria isolated from young mouse livers than those from aged mice. Our study not only provides a valuable approach to invest mitochondrial function associated with tumor growth but also offer new insight into tumor therapy through interfering the tumor cell metabolism by healthy mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailing Fu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yixue Hou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zhenyao Yu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zizhen Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zesheng Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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Jobson CLM, Renard J, Szkudlarek H, Rosen LG, Pereira B, Wright DJ, Rushlow W, Laviolette SR. Adolescent Nicotine Exposure Induces Dysregulation of Mesocorticolimbic Activity States and Depressive and Anxiety-like Prefrontal Cortical Molecular Phenotypes Persisting into Adulthood. Cereb Cortex 2018; 29:3140-3153. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Considerable evidence demonstrates strong comorbidity between nicotine dependence and mood and anxiety disorders. Nevertheless, the neurobiological mechanisms linking adolescent nicotine exposure to mood and anxiety disorders are not known. Disturbances in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system, comprising the prefrontal cortex (PFC), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and nucleus accumbens (NAc), are correlates of mood and anxiety-related symptoms and this circuitry is strongly influenced by acute or chronic nicotine exposure. Using a combination of behavioral pharmacology, in vivo neuronal electrophysiology and molecular analyses, we examined and compared the effects of chronic nicotine exposure in rats during adolescence versus adulthood to characterize the mechanisms by which adolescent nicotine may selectively confer increased risk of developing mood and anxiety-related symptoms in later life. We report that exposure to nicotine, selectively during adolescence, induces profound and long-lasting neuronal, molecular and behavioral disturbances involving PFC DA D1R and downstream extracellular-signal-related kinase 1-2 (ERK 1-2) signaling. Remarkably, adolescent nicotine induced a persistent state of hyperactive DA activity in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) concomitant with hyperactive neuronal activity states in the PFC. Our findings identify several unique neuronal and molecular biomarkers that may serve as functional risk mechanisms for the long-lasting neuropsychiatric effects of adolescent smoking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L M Jobson
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Justine Renard
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hanna Szkudlarek
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura G Rosen
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian Pereira
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel J Wright
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Walter Rushlow
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven R Laviolette
- Addiction Research Group, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Serotonin transporter and receptor ligands with antidepressant activity as neuroprotective and proapoptotic agents. Pharmacol Rep 2017; 69:469-478. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2017.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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15
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Simone JJ, McCormick CM. Intracellular signalling and plasma hormone profiles associated with the expression of unconditioned and conditioned fear and anxiety in female rats. Physiol Behav 2016; 169:234-244. [PMID: 27939364 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
There is considerable overlap in the neural regions and intracellular signalling pathways implicated in anxiety and fear, although less is known in females. Here, we investigated whether unconditioned and conditioned fear are associated with distinct patterns of expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (ERK1/2), protein kinase B (Akt), and calcineurin (CaN) (proteins that are key regulators of the expression of and/or memory processes of fear and anxiety) in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, and amygdala (important regions in neural fear circuitry) of adult female rats, and used a multivariate approach to find patterns of signalling that might discriminate between the different states of fear. To isolate fear to the conditioned cue from generalized fear to the test context, rats were conditioned to an auditory tone (i.e. tone paired with footshock) and twenty-four hours later exposed to a novel context in the presence or absence of the conditioned cue. A third group that was exposed to the conditioning context without undergoing fear conditioning was included to control for unconditioned responses to the testing procedures, which are anxiogenic. A discriminate function analysis and MANOVA determined that hippocampal signalling best discriminated the three groups from each other. The addition of values for plasma concentrations of corticosterone and progesterone (as indices of activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress axis) to statistical analyses increased the separation of the three groups. There was high degree of association among the three signalling molecules in the four brain regions within each group. There was an absence of the associations between the medial prefrontal cortex and the amygdala in the cued fear recall group that were strong for the non-conditioned group. These results demonstrated unique neuronal and hormonal signalling profiles associated with unconditioned, generalized, and conditioned fear expression in females and highlight the importance of including appropriate comparisons to best discriminate between these different emotional states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Simone
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, L2S 3A1
| | - Cheryl M McCormick
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, L2S 3A1; Centre for Neuroscience, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, L2S 3A1; Department of Psychology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, L2S 3A1.
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Different effects of prenatal stress on ERK2/CREB/Bcl-2 expression in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex of adult offspring rats. Neuroreport 2016; 27:600-4. [DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000000581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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17
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Nesfatin-1, a potent anorexic agent, decreases exploration and induces anxiety-like behavior in rats without altering learning or memory. Brain Res 2015; 1629:171-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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18
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Chilmonczyk Z, Bojarski AJ, Pilc A, Sylte I. Functional Selectivity and Antidepressant Activity of Serotonin 1A Receptor Ligands. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:18474-506. [PMID: 26262615 PMCID: PMC4581256 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160818474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter that plays an important role in physiological functions. 5-HT has been implicated in sleep, feeding, sexual behavior, temperature regulation, pain, and cognition as well as in pathological states including disorders connected to mood, anxiety, psychosis and pain. 5-HT1A receptors have for a long time been considered as an interesting target for the action of antidepressant drugs. It was postulated that postsynaptic 5-HT1A agonists could form a new class of antidepressant drugs, and mixed 5-HT1A receptor ligands/serotonin transporter (SERT) inhibitors seem to possess an interesting pharmacological profile. It should, however, be noted that 5-HT1A receptors can activate several different biochemical pathways and signal through both G protein-dependent and G protein-independent pathways. The variables that affect the multiplicity of 5-HT1A receptor signaling pathways would thus result from the summation of effects specific to the host cell milieu. Moreover, receptor trafficking appears different at pre- and postsynaptic sites. It should also be noted that the 5-HT1A receptor cooperates with other signal transduction systems (like the 5-HT1B or 5-HT2A/2B/2C receptors, the GABAergic and the glutaminergic systems), which also contribute to its antidepressant and/or anxiolytic activity. Thus identifying brain specific molecular targets for 5-HT1A receptor ligands may result in a better targeting, raising a hope for more effective medicines for various pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdzisław Chilmonczyk
- National Medicines Institute, Chełmska 30/34, 00-725 Warszawa, Poland.
- Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Rzeszów, W. Kopisto 2A, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland.
| | - Andrzej Jacek Bojarski
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Andrzej Pilc
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Ingebrigt Sylte
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø-The Arctic University of Norway, No-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
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Borges G, Berrocoso E, Mico JA, Neto F. ERK1/2: Function, signaling and implication in pain and pain-related anxio-depressive disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2015; 60:77-92. [PMID: 25708652 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Revised: 01/31/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite the increasing knowledge regarding pain modulation, the understanding of the mechanisms behind a complex and pathologic chronic pain condition is still insufficient. These knowledge gaps might result in ineffective therapeutic approaches to relieve painful sensations. As a result, severe untreated chronic pain frequently triggers the onset of new disorders such as depression and/or anxiety, and therefore, both the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from chronic pain become seriously compromised, prompting a self-perpetuating cycle of symptomatology. The extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) are molecules strongly implicated in the somatic component of pain at the spinal cord level and have been emerging as mediators of the emotional-affective component as well. Although these molecules might represent good biomarkers, their use as pharmacological targets is still open to discussion as paradoxical information has been obtained. Here we review the current scientific literature regarding ERK1/2 signaling in the modulation of pain, depression and anxiety, including the emotional-affective spheres of the pain experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Borges
- Neuropsycopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience (Pharmacology and Psychiatry), University of Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain; Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Centro de Investigação Médica da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (CIM-FMUP), 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Grupo de Morfofisiologia do Sistema Nervoso, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Porto, Portugal
| | - Esther Berrocoso
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Psychobiology Area, Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, 11510 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Mico
- Neuropsycopharmacology and Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Neuroscience (Pharmacology and Psychiatry), University of Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fani Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Centro de Investigação Médica da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (CIM-FMUP), 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Grupo de Morfofisiologia do Sistema Nervoso, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Porto, Portugal.
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20
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Environmental Enrichment Reduces Anxiety by Differentially Activating Serotonergic and Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-Ergic System in Indian Field Mouse (Mus booduga): An Animal Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127945. [PMID: 26016844 PMCID: PMC4446351 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to a predator elicits an innate fear response and mimics several behavioral disorders related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The protective role of an enriched condition (EC) against psychogenic stressors in various animal models has been well documented. However, this condition has not been tested in field mice in the context of PTSD. In this study, we show that field mice (Mus booduga) housed under EC exhibit predominantly proactive and less reactive behavior compared with mice housed under standard conditions (SC) during exposure to their natural predator (field rat Rattus rattus). Furthermore, we observed that EC mice displayed less anxiety-like behavior in an elevated plus maze (EPM) and light/dark-box after exposure to the predator (7 hrs/7 days). In EC mice, predator exposure elevated the level of serotonin (5-Hydroxytrypamine, [5-HT]) in the amygdala as part of the coping response. Subsequently, the serotonin transporter (SERT) and 5-HT1A receptor were up-regulated significantly, but the same did not occur in the 5-HT2C receptor, which is associated with the activation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-II (CaMKII) and a transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). Our results show that predator exposure induced the activation of CaMKII/CREB, which is accompanied with increased levels of histone acetylation (H3, H4) and decreased histone deacetylases (HDAC1, 2). Subsequently, in the amygdala, the transcription of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and its Y1 receptor were up-regulated, whereas the Y2 receptor was down-regulated. Therefore, EC facilitated a coping response against a fear associated cue in a PTSD animal model and reduced anxiety by differentially activating serotonergic and NPY-ergic systems.
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21
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Salim S. Oxidative stress and psychological disorders. Curr Neuropharmacol 2014; 12:140-7. [PMID: 24669208 PMCID: PMC3964745 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x11666131120230309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 271] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2013] [Revised: 09/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is an imbalance between cellular production of reactive oxygen species and the counteracting antioxidant mechanisms. The brain with its high oxygen consumption and a lipid-rich environment is considered highly susceptible to oxidative stress or redox imbalances. Therefore, the fact that oxidative stress is implicated in several mental disorders including depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is not surprising. Although several elegant studies have established a link between oxidative stress and psychiatric disorders, the causal relationship between oxidative stress and psychiatric diseases is not fully determined. Another critical aspect that needs much attention and effort is our understanding of the association between cellular oxidative stress and emotional stress. This review examines some of the recent discoveries that link oxidative status with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A discussion of published results and questions that currently exist in the field regarding a causal relationship between oxidative and emotional stress is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samina Salim
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston, Texas, USA
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22
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Hart D, Nilges M, Pollard K, Lynn T, Patsos O, Shiel C, Clark SM, Vasudevan N. Activation of the G-protein coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) has different effects on anxiety in male and female mice. Steroids 2014; 81:49-56. [PMID: 24240011 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2013.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The GPR30, a former orphan GPCR, is a putative membrane estrogen receptor that can activate rapid signaling pathways such as extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) in a variety of cells and may contribute to estrogen's effects in the central nervous system. The distribution of GPR30 in the limbic system predicts a role for this receptor in the regulation of learning and memory and anxiety by estrogens. Though acute G-1 treatment is reported to be anxiogenic in ovariectomised female mice and in gonadally intact male mice, the effect of GPR30 activation is unknown in gonadectomised male mice. In this study, we show that an acute administration of G-1 to gonadectomised male mice, but not female mice, was anxiolytic on an elevated plus maze task, without affecting locomotor activity. In addition, though G-1 treatment did not regulate ERK, it was associated with increased estrogen receptor (ER)α phosphorylation in the ventral, but not dorsal, hippocampus of males. In the female, G-1 increased the ERK activation solely in the dorsal hippocampus, independent of state anxiety. This is the first study to report an anxiolytic effect of GPR30 activation in male mice, in a rapid time frame that is commensurate with non-genomic signaling by estrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hart
- Biological Chemistry Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States
| | - Mary Nilges
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States
| | - Kevin Pollard
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States
| | - Tucker Lynn
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States
| | - Olivia Patsos
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States
| | - Cassidy Shiel
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States
| | - Sara M Clark
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States
| | - Nandini Vasudevan
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States; Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States.
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Maldonado NM, Espejo PJ, Martijena ID, Molina VA. Activation of ERK2 in basolateral amygdala underlies the promoting influence of stress on fear memory and anxiety: influence of midazolam pretreatment. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 24:262-70. [PMID: 24182621 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2012] [Revised: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to emotionally arousing experiences elicits a robust and persistent memory and enhances anxiety. The amygdala complex plays a key role in stress-induced emotional processing and in the fear memory formation. It is well known that ERK activation in the amygdala is a prerequisite for fear memory consolidation. Moreover, stress elevates p-ERK2 levels in several areas of the brain stress circuitry. Therefore, given that the ERK1/2 cascade is activated following stress and that the role of this cascade is critical in the formation of fear memory, the present study investigated the potential involvement of p-ERK2 in amygdala subnuclei in the promoting influence of stress on fear memory formation and on anxiety-like behavior. A robust and persistent ERK2 activation was noted in the Basolateral amygdala (BLA), which was evident at 5min after restraint and lasted at least one day after the stressful experience. Midazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine ligand, administered prior to stress prevented the increase in the p-ERK2 level in the BLA. Pretreatment with intra-BLA infusion of U0126 (MEK inhibitor), but not into the adjacent central nucleus of the amygdala, attenuated the stress-induced promoting influence on fear memory formation. Finally, U0126 intra-BLA infusion prevented the enhancement of anxiety-like behavior in stressed animals. These findings suggest that the selective ERK2 activation in BLA following stress exposure is an important mechanism for the occurrence of the promoting influence of stress on fear memory and on anxiety-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M Maldonado
- IFEC-CONICET, Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UNC. Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - P J Espejo
- IFEC-CONICET, Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UNC. Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - I D Martijena
- IFEC-CONICET, Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UNC. Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - V A Molina
- IFEC-CONICET, Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, UNC. Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Córdoba, Argentina.
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Patki G, Solanki N, Atrooz F, Allam F, Salim S. Depression, anxiety-like behavior and memory impairment are associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation in a rat model of social stress. Brain Res 2013; 1539:73-86. [PMID: 24096214 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 277] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Revised: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 09/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we have examined the behavioral and biochemical effect of induction of psychological stress using a modified version of the resident-intruder model for social stress (social defeat). At the end of the social defeat protocol, body weights, food and water intake were recorded, depression and anxiety-like behaviors as well as memory function was examined. Biochemical analysis including oxidative stress measurement, inflammatory markers and other molecular parameters, critical to behavioral effects were examined. We observed a significant decrease in the body weight in the socially defeated rats as compared to the controls. Furthermore, social defeat increased anxiety-like behavior and caused memory impairment in rats (P<0.05). Socially defeated rats made significantly more errors in long term memory tests (P<0.05) as compared to control rats. Furthermore, brain extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2), and an inflammatory marker, interleukin (IL)-6 were activated (P<0.05), while the protein levels of glyoxalase (GLO)-1, glutathione reductase (GSR)-1, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type (CAMK)-IV, cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were significantly less (P<0.05) in the hippocampus, but not in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala of socially defeated rats, when compared to control rats. We suggest that social defeat stress alters ERK1/2, IL-6, GLO1, GSR1, CAMKIV, CREB, and BDNF levels in specific brain areas, leading to oxidative stress-induced anxiety-depression-like behaviors and as well as memory impairment in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Patki
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
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25
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Perrotti LI, Dennis TS, Jiao X, Servatius RJ, Pang KCH, Beck KD. Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and ΔFosB in emotion-associated neural circuitry after asymptotic levels of active avoidance behavior are attained. Brain Res Bull 2013; 98:102-10. [PMID: 23932962 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2013.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Revised: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Avoidance susceptibility may constitute a vulnerability to develop anxiety disorders, and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats exhibit unique features in their acquisition of avoidance behavior that appear to promote susceptibility to this form of learning, namely the absence of the commonly observed "warm-up" effect. The present study sought to determine if strain differences in acquired avoidance behavior, between WKY and Sprague Dawley rats, could be attributed to differences in dopamine-related plasticity, represented by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity, and prolonged neuronal activation, represented by ΔFosB accumulation, in three key areas of the brain: the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), dorsal striatum (DS), and basolateral amygdala (BLA). Consistent with earlier work, WKY rats exhibited a higher level of asymptotic performance of avoidance behavior, which included an absence of warm-up in the first few trials of later training sessions, and they exhibited more non-reinforced anticipatory responses in the single minute prior to the initiation of the first warning signal presentation of each training session. In the brain, phosyphorylated ERK2 (pERK2) activation was higher in avoidance trained rats in both the mPFC and DS, although the difference in DS was mostly observed in WKY rats. Avoidance-training was associated with higher levels of ΔFosB expression in the mPFC of SD rats, but not WKY rats. The strain differences in pERK2 activation in the DS and ΔFosB levels in the mPFC may underlie the strain-specific differences observed in warm-up, the emission of non-reinforced anticipatory responses, and general differences in asymptotic performance of active avoidance behavior. The mPFC and DS require further study as potential neural targets for understanding avoidance susceptibility and, as a result, anxiety vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda I Perrotti
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA.
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Allam F, Dao AT, Chugh G, Bohat R, Jafri F, Patki G, Mowrey C, Asghar M, Alkadhi KA, Salim S. Grape powder supplementation prevents oxidative stress-induced anxiety-like behavior, memory impairment, and high blood pressure in rats. J Nutr 2013; 143:835-42. [PMID: 23596160 PMCID: PMC3652881 DOI: 10.3945/jn.113.174649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined whether or not grape powder treatment ameliorates oxidative stress-induced anxiety-like behavior, memory impairment, and hypertension in rats. Oxidative stress in Sprague-Dawley rats was produced by using L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO). Four groups of rats were used: 1) control (C; injected with vehicle and provided with tap water), 2) grape powder-treated (GP; injected with vehicle and provided for 3 wk with 15 g/L grape powder dissolved in tap water), 3) BSO-treated [injected with BSO (300 mg/kg body weight), i.p. for 7 d and provided with tap water], and 4) BSO plus grape powder-treated (GP+BSO; injected with BSO and provided with grape powder-treated tap water). Anxiety-like behavior was significantly greater in BSO rats compared with C or GP rats (P < 0.05). Grape powder attenuated BSO-induced anxiety-like behavior in GP+BSO rats. BSO rats made significantly more errors in both short- and long-term memory tests compared with C or GP rats (P < 0.05), which was prevented in GP+BSO rats. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significantly greater in BSO rats compared with C or GP rats (P < 0.05), whereas grape powder prevented high blood pressure in GP+BSO rats. Furthermore, brain extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2) was activated (P < 0.05), whereas levels of glyoxalase-1 (GLO-1), glutathione reductase-1 (GSR-1), calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type IV (CAMK-IV), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were significantly less (P < 0.05) in BSO but not in GP+BSO rats compared with C or GP rats. We suggest that by regulating brain ERK-1/2, GLO-1, GSR-1, CAMK-IV, CREB, and BDNF levels, grape powder prevents oxidative stress-induced anxiety, memory impairment, and hypertension in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Samina Salim
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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27
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Cellular Uptake Mechanism and Therapeutic Utility of a Novel Peptide in Targeted-Delivery of Proteins into Neuronal Cells. Pharm Res 2013; 30:2108-17. [DOI: 10.1007/s11095-013-1068-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Fu A, Zhang M, Gao F, Xu X, Chen Z. A novel peptide delivers plasmids across blood-brain barrier into neuronal cells as a single-component transfer vector. PLoS One 2013; 8:e59642. [PMID: 23555734 PMCID: PMC3612029 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Accepted: 02/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
There is no data up to now to show that peptide can deliver plasmid into brain as a single-component transfer vector. Here we show that a novel peptide, RDP (consisted of 39 amino acids), can be exploited as an efficient plasmid vector for brain-targeting delivery. The plasmids containing Lac Z reporter gene (pVAX-Lac Z) and BDNF gene (pVAX-BDNF) are complexed with RDP and intravenously injected into mice. The results of gel retardation assay show that RDP enables to bind DNA in a dose-dependent manner, and the X-Gal staining identity that Lac Z is specifically expressed in the brain. Also, the results of Western blot and immunofluorescence staining of BDNF indicate that pVAX-BDNF complexed with RDP can be delivered into brain, and show neuroprotective properties in experimental Parkinson’s disease (PD) model. The results demonstrate that RDP enables to bind and deliver DNA into the brain, resulting in specific gene expression in the neuronal cells. This strategy provides a novel, simple and effective approach for non-viral gene therapy of brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailing Fu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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29
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Bonfiglio JJ, Inda C, Senin S, Maccarrone G, Refojo D, Giacomini D, Turck CW, Holsboer F, Arzt E, Silberstein S. B-Raf and CRHR1 internalization mediate biphasic ERK1/2 activation by CRH in hippocampal HT22 Cells. Mol Endocrinol 2013; 27:491-510. [PMID: 23371389 DOI: 10.1210/me.2012-1359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
CRH is a key regulator of neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral response to stress. CRH-stimulated CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1) activates ERK1/2 depending on intracellular context. In a previous work, we demonstrated that CRH activates ERK1/2 in limbic areas of the mouse brain (hippocampus and basolateral amygdala). ERK1/2 is an essential mediator of hippocampal physiological processes including emotional behavior, synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which CRH activates ERK1/2 in hippocampal neurons, we used the mouse hippocampal cell line HT22. We document for the first time that ERK1/2 activation in response to CRH is biphasic, involving a first cAMP- and B-Raf-dependent early phase and a second phase that critically depends on CRHR1 internalization and β-arrestin2. By means of mass-spectrometry-based screening, we identified B-Raf-associated proteins that coimmunoprecipitate with endogenous B-Raf after CRHR1 activation. Using molecular and pharmacological tools, the functional impact of selected B-Raf partners in CRH-dependent ERK1/2 activation was dissected. These results indicate that 14-3-3 proteins, protein kinase A, and Rap1, are essential for early CRH-induced ERK1/2 activation, whereas dynamin and vimentin are required for the CRHR1 internalization-dependent phase. Both phases of ERK1/2 activation depend on calcium influx and are affected by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inactivation. Thus, this report describes the dynamics and biphasic nature of ERK1/2 activation downstream neuronal CRHR1 and identifies several new critical components of the CRHR1 signaling machinery that selectively controls the early and late phases of ERK1/2 activation, thus providing new potential therapeutic targets for stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Bonfiglio
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA), CONICET, Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society, Godoy Cruz 2390, C1425FQA Buenos Aires, Argentina
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30
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Dong Z, Fu A. Prevention of age-related memory deficit in transgenic mice by human choline acetyltransferase. Eur J Pharmacol 2012; 683:174-8. [PMID: 22449376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Revised: 03/03/2012] [Accepted: 03/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT, acetylCoA:choline O-acetyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.6) is the biosynthetic enzyme of neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Here we showed for the first time that transgenic mice with human ChAT kept excellent learning and memory ability during aging process. Transgenic mice were prepared through microinjection of human ChAT into mouse fertilized eggs, and PCR reaction was used to screen out the transgenic mice. The results of measurements of ChAT activity and acetylcholine level in mouse brain indicated that human ChAT gene was expressed throughout the life of the transgenic mice. The results of step-through test and water maze test suggested that learning and memory ability was improved in transgenic mice compared to that of their age-matched littermates. The results support our idea that supplement of ChAT might serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for cognitive deficit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Dong
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu 610083, China
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31
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Abstract
Signaling through extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is important in multiple signal transduction networks in the CNS. However, the specific role of ERK2 in in vivo brain functions is not fully understood. Here we show that ERK2 play a critical role in regulating social behaviors as well as cognitive and emotional behaviors in mice. To study the brain function of ERK2, we used a conditional, region-specific, genetic approach to target Erk2 using the Cre/loxP strategy with a nestin promoter-driven cre transgenic mouse line to induce recombination in the CNS. The resulting Erk2 conditional knock-out (CKO) mice, in which Erk2 was abrogated specifically in the CNS, were viable and fertile with a normal appearance. These mice, however, exhibited marked anomalies in multiple aspects of social behaviors related to facets of autism-spectrum disorders: elevated aggressive behaviors, deficits in maternal nurturing, poor nest-building, and lower levels of social familiarity and social interaction. Erk2 CKO mice also exhibited decreased anxiety-related behaviors and impaired long-term memory. Pharmacological inhibition of ERK1 phosphorylation in Erk2 CKO mice did not affect the impairments in social behaviors and learning disabilities, indicating that ERK2, but not ERK1 plays a critical role in these behaviors. Our findings suggest that ERK2 has complex and multiple roles in the CNS, with important implications for human psychiatric disorders characterized by deficits in social behaviors.
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32
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Abstract
General or brain-region-specific decreases in spine number or morphology accompany major neuropsychiatric disorders. It is unclear, however, whether changes in spine density are specific for an individual mental process or disorder and, if so, which molecules confer such specificity. Here we identify the scaffolding protein IQGAP1 as a key regulator of dendritic spine number with a specific role in cognitive but not emotional or motivational processes. We show that IQGAP1 is an important component of NMDAR multiprotein complexes and functionally interacts with the NR2A subunits and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 signaling pathway. Mice lacking the IQGAP1 gene exhibited significantly lower levels of surface NR2A and impaired ERK activity compared to their wild-type littermates. Accordingly, primary hippocampal cultures of IQGAP1(-/-) neurons exhibited reduced surface expression of NR2A and disrupted ERK signaling in response to NR2A-dependent NMDAR stimulation. These molecular changes were accompanied by region-specific reductions of dendritic spine density in key brain areas involved in cognition, emotion, and motivation. IQGAP1 knock-outs exhibited marked long-term memory deficits accompanied by impaired hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in a weak cellular learning model; in contrast, LTP was unaffected when induced with stronger stimulation paradigms. Anxiety- and depression-like behavior remained intact. On the basis of these findings, we propose that a dysfunctional IQGAP1 gene contributes to the cognitive deficits in brain disorders characterized by fewer dendritic spines.
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33
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Inactivation of fibroblast growth factor binding protein 3 causes anxiety-related behaviors. Mol Cell Neurosci 2011; 46:200-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2010.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2010] [Revised: 09/02/2010] [Accepted: 09/03/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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Polter AM, Li X. 5-HT1A receptor-regulated signal transduction pathways in brain. Cell Signal 2010; 22:1406-12. [PMID: 20363322 PMCID: PMC2903656 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2010.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2010] [Accepted: 03/25/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin is an influential monoamine neurotransmitter that signals through a number of receptors to modulate brain function. Among different serotonin receptors, the serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptors have been tied to a variety of physiological and pathological processes, notably in anxiety, mood, and cognition. 5-HT1A receptors couple not only to the classical inhibitory G protein-regulated signaling pathway, but also to signaling pathways traditionally regulated by growth factors. Despite the importance of 5-HT1A receptors in brain function, little is known about how these signaling mechanisms link 5-HT1A receptors to regulation of brain physiology and behavior. Following a brief summary of the known physiological and behavioral effects of 5-HT1A receptors, this article will review the signaling pathways regulated by 5-HT1A receptors, and discuss the potential implication of these signaling pathways in 5-HT1A receptor-regulated physiological processes and behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail M. Polter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Xiaohua Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
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Refojo D, Holsboer F. CRH signaling. Molecular specificity for drug targeting in the CNS. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1179:106-19. [PMID: 19906235 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04983.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to generate new drugs or improve existing ones in the pharmacology of mood disorders. The corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) system is closely involved in the development and course of depression, and drugs targeting this system arguably offer hope to improve the current tools for drug treatment of depression. Recent clinical studies in depressed patients showed that CRHR1 antagonists improve clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression and reduce stress hormone release following psychosocial stress. These effects of CRHR1 antagonists were not associated with reduced secretory capacity of corticotrophic cells because of CRH receptor abundance at the pituitary level, which contrasts with CRH receptors in the brain. This is in accordance with previous studies showing that CRH injections into the mouse brain activate MAPK pathways in a brain region-specific manner pointing toward differences in signaling pathways beyond the receptor level. We will highlight this and discuss how these brain area-specific differences may offer opportunities for drug discovery. An additional puzzle in the search of new targets for depression is the lack of bona fide animal models helping to discover the antidepressants that are not monoamine based. We recently developed a conditional mouse model that overexpresses CRH in a spatio-temporal-regulated fashion and permits to dissect precisely the contribution of different brain areas to the CRH-dependent behaviors. Recent findings obtained with this mouse model and its usefulness in the context of the CRH-dependent, region-specific changes in depression will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Refojo
- Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
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Wang HT, Han F, Gao JL, Shi YX. Increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in the medial prefrontal cortex of the single-prolonged stress rats. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2009; 30:437-44. [PMID: 19816767 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-009-9468-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2009] [Accepted: 09/25/2009] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the change of phosphorylated p44/42 extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK1/2) and c-fos expression induced by single-prolonged stress (SPS) in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and to determine whether extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway plays a role in SPS. Before exposure to SPS, Wistar rats were bilaterally infused with PD98059, inhibitor of ERK, into the mPFC. Animals were then tested in the open field (OF), elevated plus-maze (EPM), and Morris water maze (MWM). Brains were removed for immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting of pERK1/2. And reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to detect the c-fos mRNA, a member of immediate early genes (IGEs) family. SPS exposure resulted in pronounced anxiety-like behavior compared to control animals. SPS-exposed animals also displayed marked learning and spatial memory impairments. PD98059 significantly ameliorated anxiety-like behavior, learning, and spatial memory impairments. Expression of pERK1/2 in mPFC was significantly increased after rats were exposed to SPS, and the increase induced by SPS was significantly abolished by PD98059. The results of RT-PCR showed that the expression of c-fos mRNA had a significant increase in SPS rats compared with control rats, and the increase was significantly abolished by PD98059. The results suggest that pERK1/2 may be related to signal transduction pathway in single-prolonged stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Tao Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical Sciences College, China Medical University, 92 North 2nd Road, 110001, Shenyang, China
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Silberstein S, Vogl AM, Refojo D, Senin SA, Wurst W, Holsboer F, Deussing JM, Arzt E. Amygdaloid pERK1/2 in corticotropin-releasing hormone overexpressing mice under basal and acute stress conditions. Neuroscience 2009; 159:610-7. [PMID: 19361479 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2008] [Revised: 01/09/2009] [Accepted: 01/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) coordinates neuroendocrine and behavioral adaptations to stress. Acute CRH administration in vivo activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in limbic brain areas, acting through the CRH receptor type 1 (CRH-R1). In the present study, we used CRH-COE-Cam mice that overexpress CRH in limbic-restricted areas, to analyze the effect of chronic CRH overexpression on ERK1/2 activation. By immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy analysis we found that pERK1/2 levels in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) were similar in control and CRH overexpressing mice under basal conditions. Acute stress caused comparably increased levels of corticosterone in both control (CRH-COEcon-Cam) and CRH overexpressing (CRH-COEhom-Cam) animals. CRH-COEhom-Cam mice after stress showed reduced pERK1/2 immunoreactivity in the BLA compared to CRH-COEhom-Cam animals under basal conditions. Radioligand binding and in situ hybridization revealed higher density of CRH-R1 in the amygdala of CRH-COEhom mice under basal conditions compared to control littermates. A significant reduction of the receptor levels was observed in this area after acute stress, suggesting that stress may trigger CRH-R1 internalization/downregulation in these CRH overexpressing mice. Chronic CRH overexpression leads to reduced ERK1/2 activation in response to acute stress in the BLA.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Silberstein
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Fisiología y Biología y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires and IFIBYNE-CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argenita
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Hesperidin, a flavonoid glycoside with sedative effect, decreases brain pERK1/2 levels in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2009; 92:291-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2008.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2008] [Revised: 12/10/2008] [Accepted: 12/18/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Silberstein S, Vogl AM, Bonfiglio JJ, Wurst W, Holsboer F, Arzt E, Deussing JM, Refojo D. Immunology, signal transduction, and behavior in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-related genetic mouse models. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1153:120-30. [PMID: 19236335 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2008.03967.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
A classical view of the neuroendocrine-immune network assumes bidirectional interactions where pro-inflammatory cytokines influence hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis-derived hormones that subsequently affect cytokines in a permanently servo-controlled circle. Nevertheless, this picture has been continuously evolving over the last years as a result of the discovery of redundant expression and extended functions of many of the molecules implicated. Thus, cytokines are not only expressed in cells of the immune system but also in the central nervous system, and many hormones present at hypothalamic-pituitary level are also functionally expressed in the brain as well as in other peripheral organs, including immune cells. Because of this intermingled network of molecules redundantly expressed, the elucidation of the unique roles of HPA axis-related molecules at every level of complexity is one of the major challenges in the field. Genetic engineering in the mouse offers the most convincing method for dissecting in vivo the specific roles of distinct molecules acting in complex networks. Thus, various immunological, behavioral, and signal transduction studies performed with different HPA axis-related mutant mouse lines to delineate the roles of beta-endorphin, the type 1 receptor of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRHR1), and its ligand CRH will be discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Silberstein
- Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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