1
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Hughes BW, Huebschman JL, Tsvetkov E, Siemsen BM, Snyder KK, Akiki RM, Wood DJ, Penrod RD, Scofield MD, Berto S, Taniguchi M, Cowan CW. NPAS4 supports cocaine-conditioned cues in rodents by controlling the cell type-specific activation balance in the nucleus accumbens. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5971. [PMID: 39117647 PMCID: PMC11310321 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50099-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Powerful associations that link drugs of abuse with cues in the drug-paired environment often serve as prepotent relapse triggers. Drug-associated contexts and cues activate ensembles of nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons, including D1-class medium spiny neurons (MSNs) that typically promote, and D2-class MSNs that typically oppose, drug seeking. We found that in mice, cocaine conditioning upregulated transiently the activity-regulated transcription factor, Neuronal PAS Domain Protein 4 (NPAS4), in a small subset of NAc neurons. The NPAS4+ NAc ensemble was required for cocaine conditioned place preference. We also observed that NPAS4 functions within NAc D2-, but not D1-, MSNs to support cocaine-context associations and cue-induced cocaine, but not sucrose, seeking. Together, our data show that the NPAS4+ ensemble of NAc neurons is essential for cocaine-context associations in mice, and that NPAS4 itself functions in NAc D2-MSNs to support cocaine-context associations by suppressing drug-induced counteradaptations that oppose relapse-related behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon W Hughes
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jessica L Huebschman
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Evgeny Tsvetkov
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Benjamin M Siemsen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kirsten K Snyder
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rose Marie Akiki
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Daniel J Wood
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rachel D Penrod
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Michael D Scofield
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Stefano Berto
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Makoto Taniguchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Christopher W Cowan
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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2
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Lau MYH, Gadiwalla S, Jones S, Galliano E. Different electrophysiological profiles of genetically labelled dopaminergic neurons in the mouse midbrain and olfactory bulb. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:1480-1499. [PMID: 38169095 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Dopaminergic (DA) neurons play pivotal roles in diverse brain functions, spanning movement, reward processing and sensory perception. DA neurons are most abundant in the midbrain (Substantia Nigra pars compacta [SNC] and Ventral Tegmental Area [VTA]) and the olfactory bulb (OB) in the forebrain. Interestingly, a subtype of OB DA neurons is capable of regenerating throughout life, while a second class is exclusively born during embryonic development. Compelling evidence in SNC and VTA also indicates substantial heterogeneity in terms of morphology, connectivity and function. To further investigate this heterogeneity and directly compare form and function of midbrain and forebrain bulbar DA neurons, we performed immunohistochemistry and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in ex vivo brain slices from juvenile DAT-tdTomato mice. After confirming the penetrance and specificity of the dopamine transporter (DAT) Cre line, we compared soma shape, passive membrane properties, voltage sags and action potential (AP) firing across midbrain and forebrain bulbar DA subtypes. We found that each DA subgroup within midbrain and OB was highly heterogeneous, and that DA neurons across the two brain areas are also substantially different. These findings complement previous work in rats as well as gene expression and in vivo datasets, further questioning the existence of a single "dopaminergic" neuronal phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggy Yu Hei Lau
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Sana Gadiwalla
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Susan Jones
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Elisa Galliano
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, UK
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3
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Ellioff KJ, Osting SM, Lentine A, Welper AD, Burger C, Greenspan DS. Ablation of Mitochondrial RCC1-L Induces Nigral Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration and Parkinsonian-like Motor Symptoms. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.01.567409. [PMID: 38585782 PMCID: PMC10996473 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.01.567409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to both idiopathic and familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD). We have previously identified RCC1-like (RCC1L) as a protein of the inner mitochondrial membrane important to mitochondrial fusion. Herein, to test whether deficits in RCC1L mitochondrial function might be involved in PD pathology, we have selectively ablated the Rcc1l gene in the dopaminergic (DA) neurons of mice. A PD-like phenotype resulted that includes progressive movement abnormalities, paralleled by progressive degeneration of the nigrostriatal tract. Experimental and control groups were examined at 2, 3-4, and 5-6 months of age. Animals were tested in the open field task to quantify anxiety, exploratory drive, locomotion, and immobility; and in the cylinder test to quantify rearing behavior. Beginning at 3-4 months, both female and male Rcc1l knockout mice show rigid muscles and resting tremor, kyphosis and a growth deficit compared with heterozygous or wild type littermate controls. Rcc1l knockout mice begin showing locomotor impairments at 3-4 months, which progress until 5-6 months of age, at which age the Rcc1l knockout mice die. The progressive motor impairments were associated with progressive and significantly reduced tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), and dramatic loss of nigral DA projections in the striatum. Dystrophic spherical mitochondria are apparent in the soma of SNc neurons in Rcc1l knockout mice as early as 1.5-2.5 months of age and become progressively more pronounced until 5-6 months. Together, the results reveal the RCC1L protein to be essential to in vivo mitochondrial function in DA neurons. Further characterization of this mouse model will determine whether it represents a new model for in vivo study of PD, and the putative role of the human RCC1L gene as a risk factor that might increase PD occurrence and severity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylin J. Ellioff
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI, 53706
- Present Address, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle WA, 98195
| | | | - Alyssa Lentine
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI, 53705
| | - Ashley D. Welper
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI, 53705
| | - Corinna Burger
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI, 53706
| | - Daniel S. Greenspan
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI, 53705
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4
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Burkert N, Roy S, Häusler M, Wuttke D, Müller S, Wiemer J, Hollmann H, Oldrati M, Ramirez-Franco J, Benkert J, Fauler M, Duda J, Goaillard JM, Pötschke C, Münchmeyer M, Parlato R, Liss B. Deep learning-based image analysis identifies a DAT-negative subpopulation of dopaminergic neurons in the lateral Substantia nigra. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1146. [PMID: 37950046 PMCID: PMC10638391 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05441-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we present a deep learning-based image analysis platform (DLAP), tailored to autonomously quantify cell numbers, and fluorescence signals within cellular compartments, derived from RNAscope or immunohistochemistry. We utilised DLAP to analyse subtypes of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive dopaminergic midbrain neurons in mouse and human brain-sections. These neurons modulate complex behaviour, and are differentially affected in Parkinson's and other diseases. DLAP allows the analysis of large cell numbers, and facilitates the identification of small cellular subpopulations. Using DLAP, we identified a small subpopulation of TH-positive neurons (~5%), mainly located in the very lateral Substantia nigra (SN), that was immunofluorescence-negative for the plasmalemmal dopamine transporter (DAT), with ~40% smaller cell bodies. These neurons were negative for aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1, with a lower co-expression rate for dopamine-D2-autoreceptors, but a ~7-fold higher likelihood of calbindin-d28k co-expression (~70%). These results have important implications, as DAT is crucial for dopamine signalling, and is commonly used as a marker for dopaminergic SN neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Burkert
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Shoumik Roy
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Max Häusler
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Sonja Müller
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Johanna Wiemer
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Helene Hollmann
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Marvin Oldrati
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jorge Ramirez-Franco
- UMR_S 1072, Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, Faculté de Médecine Secteur Nord, Marseille, France
- INT, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Campus Santé Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Julia Benkert
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Fauler
- Institute of General Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Johanna Duda
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jean-Marc Goaillard
- UMR_S 1072, Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, Faculté de Médecine Secteur Nord, Marseille, France
- INT, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Campus Santé Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Christina Pötschke
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Moritz Münchmeyer
- Wolution GmbH & Co. KG, 82152, Munich, Germany
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Rosanna Parlato
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim Center for Translational Neurosciences, Heidelberg University, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Birgit Liss
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
- Linacre College & New College, Oxford University, OX1 2JD, Oxford, UK.
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5
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Kim HY, Lee J, Kim HJ, Lee BE, Jeong J, Cho EJ, Jang HJ, Shin KJ, Kim MJ, Chae YC, Lee SE, Myung K, Baik JH, Suh PG, Kim JI. PLCγ1 in dopamine neurons critically regulates striatal dopamine release via VMAT2 and synapsin III. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:2357-2375. [PMID: 37907739 PMCID: PMC10689754 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01104-y] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Dopamine neurons are essential for voluntary movement, reward learning, and motivation, and their dysfunction is closely linked to various psychological and neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, understanding the detailed signaling mechanisms that functionally modulate dopamine neurons is crucial for the development of better therapeutic strategies against dopamine-related disorders. Phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1) is a key enzyme in intracellular signaling that regulates diverse neuronal functions in the brain. It was proposed that PLCγ1 is implicated in the development of dopaminergic neurons, while the physiological function of PLCγ1 remains to be determined. In this study, we investigated the physiological role of PLCγ1, one of the key effector enzymes in intracellular signaling, in regulating dopaminergic function in vivo. We found that cell type-specific deletion of PLCγ1 does not adversely affect the development and cellular morphology of midbrain dopamine neurons but does facilitate dopamine release from dopaminergic axon terminals in the striatum. The enhancement of dopamine release was accompanied by increased colocalization of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) at dopaminergic axon terminals. Notably, dopamine neuron-specific knockout of PLCγ1 also led to heightened expression and colocalization of synapsin III, which controls the trafficking of synaptic vesicles. Furthermore, the knockdown of VMAT2 and synapsin III in dopamine neurons resulted in a significant attenuation of dopamine release, while this attenuation was less severe in PLCγ1 cKO mice. Our findings suggest that PLCγ1 in dopamine neurons could critically modulate dopamine release at axon terminals by directly or indirectly interacting with synaptic machinery, including VMAT2 and synapsin III.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Yun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jieun Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Jin Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong Eun Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaewook Jeong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jeong Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Jun Jang
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Naju, 58245, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Jin Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Ji Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Young Chan Chae
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Eun Lee
- Research Animal Resource Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungjae Myung
- Center for Genomic Integrity, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja-Hyun Baik
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Pann-Ghill Suh
- Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Ick Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Kim SJ, Affan RO, Frostig H, Scott BB, Alexander AS. Advances in cellular resolution microscopy for brain imaging in rats. NEUROPHOTONICS 2023; 10:044304. [PMID: 38076724 PMCID: PMC10704261 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.10.4.044304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Rats are used in neuroscience research because of their physiological similarities with humans and accessibility as model organisms, trainability, and behavioral repertoire. In particular, rats perform a wide range of sophisticated social, cognitive, motor, and learning behaviors within the contexts of both naturalistic and laboratory environments. Further progress in neuroscience can be facilitated by using advanced imaging methods to measure the complex neural and physiological processes during behavior in rats. However, compared with the mouse, the rat nervous system offers a set of challenges, such as larger brain size, decreased neuron density, and difficulty with head restraint. Here, we review recent advances in in vivo imaging techniques in rats with a special focus on open-source solutions for calcium imaging. Finally, we provide suggestions for both users and developers of in vivo imaging systems for rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Jin Kim
- Johns Hopkins University, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Rifqi O. Affan
- Boston University, Center for Systems Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Boston University, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Hadas Frostig
- Boston University, Center for Systems Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Benjamin B. Scott
- Boston University, Center for Systems Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Boston University, Neurophotonics Center and Photonics Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Andrew S. Alexander
- University of California Santa Barbara, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Santa Barbara, California, United States
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7
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Alemi M, Pereira AR, Cerqueira-Nunes M, Monteiro C, Galhardo V, Cardoso-Cruz H. Role of Glutamatergic Projections from Lateral Habenula to Ventral Tegmental Area in Inflammatory Pain-Related Spatial Working Memory Deficits. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030820. [PMID: 36979799 PMCID: PMC10045719 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which form interconnected circuits, have important roles in the crucial control of sensory and cognitive motifs. Signaling in the LHb-VTA pathway can be exacerbated during pain conditions by a hyperactivity of LHb glutamatergic neurons to inhibit local VTA DAergic cells. However, it is still unclear whether and how this circuit is endogenously engaged in pain-related cognitive dysfunctions. To answer this question, we modulated this pathway by expressing halorhodopsin in LHb neurons of adult male rats, and then selectively inhibited the axonal projections from these neurons to the VTA during a working memory (WM) task. Behavioral performance was assessed after the onset of an inflammatory pain model. We evaluated the impact of the inflammatory pain in the VTA synapses by performing immunohistochemical characterization of specific markers for GABAergic (GAD65/67) and dopaminergic neurons (dopamine transporter (DAT), dopamine D2 receptor (D2r) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)). Our results revealed that inhibition of LHb terminals in the VTA during the WM delay-period elicits a partial recovery of the performance of pain animals (in higher complexity challenges); this performance was not accompanied by a reduction of nociceptive responses. Finally, we found evidence that the pain-affected animals exhibit VTA structural changes, namely with an upregulation of GAD65/67, and a downregulation of DAT and D2r. These results demonstrate a role of LHb neurons and highlight their responsibility in the stability of the local VTA network, which regulates signaling in frontal areas necessary to support WM processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mobina Alemi
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde-Pain Neurobiology Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Biomedicina-Unidade de Biologia Experimental, Universidade do Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Raquel Pereira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde-Pain Neurobiology Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Biomedicina-Unidade de Biologia Experimental, Universidade do Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Cerqueira-Nunes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde-Pain Neurobiology Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Biomedicina-Unidade de Biologia Experimental, Universidade do Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Programa Doutoral em Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Clara Monteiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde-Pain Neurobiology Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Biomedicina-Unidade de Biologia Experimental, Universidade do Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vasco Galhardo
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde-Pain Neurobiology Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Biomedicina-Unidade de Biologia Experimental, Universidade do Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Helder Cardoso-Cruz
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde-Pain Neurobiology Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Biomedicina-Unidade de Biologia Experimental, Universidade do Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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8
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Casey E, Avale ME, Kravitz A, Rubinstein M. Dopaminergic innervation at the central nucleus of the amygdala reveals distinct topographically segregated regions. Brain Struct Funct 2023; 228:663-675. [PMID: 36737539 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02614-1] [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: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is involved in the expression of fear and anxiety disorders. Anatomically, it is divided into medial (CeM), lateral (CeL), and capsular (CeC) divisions. The CeA is densely innervated by dopaminergic projections that originate in the ventral periaqueductal gray/dorsal raphe (vPAG/DR) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, whether dopamine (DA) exerts a homogenous control over the CeA or differentially regulates the various CeA subdivisions is still unknown. Here, we performed a neuroanatomical analysis of the mouse CeA and found that DAergic innervations from the PAG/DR and VTA constitute distinct, non-overlapping, pathways differing also in the relative expression of the dopamine transporter. By quantifying the distribution of DAergic fibers and the origin of DA inputs we identified two distinct regions in the CeL: a frontal region innervated by the VTA and vPAG/DR, a caudal region innervated only by the vPAG/DR, and three distinct regions in the CeC: fronto-dorsal innervated only by the VTA, fronto-ventral with sparse DAergic innervation, and a caudal region with low innervation from the vPAG/DR. In addition, we found that each region displays a distinct pattern of c-Fos activation following the administration of various DAeric drugs such as cocaine, SKF 38,393, quinpirole or haloperidol. In summary, we revealed unique properties of the DAergic pathways innervating the CeA, distinguishing six topographically segregated and functionally distinct regions. This unanticipated level of heterogeneity calls for more precise neuroanatomical specificity in future functional studies of the CeA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Casey
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63108, USA
| | - María Elena Avale
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alexxai Kravitz
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63108, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63108, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63108, USA
| | - Marcelo Rubinstein
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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9
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Manning CE, Fritz M, Kauer JA. Function of Excitatory Periaqueductal Gray Synapses in the Ventral Tegmental Area following Inflammatory Injury. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0324-22.2022. [PMID: 36635253 PMCID: PMC9797208 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0324-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Manipulating the activity of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons can drive nocifensive reflexes, and their firing rates are reduced following noxious stimuli. However, the pain-relevant inputs to the VTA remain incompletely understood. In this study, we used male and female mice in combination with identified dopamine and GABA neurons in the VTA that receive excitatory inputs from the periaqueductal gray (PAG), a nexus of ascending pain information. We tested whether PAG-VTA synapses undergo functional plasticity in response to a pain model using optical stimulation in conjunction with slice electrophysiology. We found that acute carrageenan inflammation does not significantly affect the strength of excitatory PAG synapses onto VTA DA neurons. However, at the PAG synapses on VTA GABA neurons, the subunit composition of NMDA receptors is altered; the complement of NR2D subunits at synaptic sites appears to be lost. Thus, our data support a model in which injury initially alters synapses on VTA GABA neurons. Over time, these alterations may increase tonic inhibition of VTA DA neurons leading to their reduced firing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Elena Manning
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5101
| | - Michael Fritz
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5101
| | - Julie Ann Kauer
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5101
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10
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Yamamoto R, Furuyama T, Zhao Q, Masuoka T, Hori Y, Ito T, Ono M, Kato N. [Characterization of the dorsal raphe-periaqueductal grey DAT neurons innervating onto the extended amygdala]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2022; 157:443-447. [PMID: 36328558 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.22050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
It has been known that a number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons, which are regarded as dopaminergic (DA) neurons, exist in the dorsal raphe (DR). These DA neurons in the DR and periaqueductal gray (PAG) region (DADR-PAG neurons) are thought to belong to the A10 cluster, which is known to be heterogeneous. This DA population projects to the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and has been reported to modulate various affective behaviors. The DA transporter (DAT) neurons, which are well overlapping with DA neurons, in the DR-PAG region are also expected to be heterogeneous. However, even though the heterogeneity of DA/DATDR-PAG neurons has been suggested, the characteristics of each DA/DATDR-PAG neuron subpopulation are not well investigated. In this paper, we summarize the previous reports investigating the heterogeneity of DA/DATDR-PAG neurons and the functional importance of DA/DATDR-PAG neurons on various affective behaviors and introduce our recent findings that DATDR-PAG neurons consist of two subpopulations: TH+/vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)- putative DA neurons and TH-/VIP+ putative glutamatergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Yamamoto
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University
| | | | - Qin Zhao
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University
| | | | - Yoshie Hori
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University
| | - Tetsufumi Ito
- Systems Function and Morphology Laboratory, Graduate School of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama
| | - Munenori Ono
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University
| | - Nobuo Kato
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University
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11
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Genetically Targeted Connectivity Tracing Excludes Dopaminergic Inputs to the Interpeduncular Nucleus from the Ventral Tegmentum and Substantia Nigra. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0127-21.2021. [PMID: 34088738 PMCID: PMC8223495 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0127-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The “habenulopeduncular system” consists of the medial habenula (MHb) and its principal target of innervation, the interpeduncular nucleus (IP). Neurons in the ventral MHb (MHbV) express acetylcholine along with glutamate, and both the MHb and IP are rich in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Much of the work on this system has focused on nicotinic mechanisms and their clinical implications for nicotine use, particularly because the IP expresses the α5 nicotinic receptor subunit, encoded by the CHRNA5 gene, which is genetically linked to smoking risk. A working model has emerged in which nicotine use may be determined by the balance of reinforcement mediated in part by nicotine effects on dopamine reward pathways, and an aversive “brake” on nicotine consumption encoded in the MHb-IP pathway. However, recent work has proposed that the IP also receives direct dopaminergic input from the ventral tegmental area (VTA). If correct, this would significantly impact the prevailing model of IP function. Here, we have used Chrna5Cre mice to perform rabies virus-mediated retrograde tracing of global inputs to the IP. We have also used Cre-dependent adeno-associated virus (AAV) anterograde tracing using Slc6a3Cre (DATCre) mice to map VTA dopaminergic efferents, and we have examined tract-tracing data using other transgenic models for dopaminergic neurons available in a public database. Consistent with the existing literature using non-genetic tracing methods, none of these experiments show a significant anatomic connection from the VTA or substantia nigra (SN) to the IP, and thus do not support a model of direct dopaminergic input to the habenulopeduncular system.
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12
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Perez-Bonilla P, Santiago-Colon K, Matasovsky J, Ramirez-Virella J, Khan R, Garver H, Fink G, Dorrance AM, Leinninger GM. Activation of ventral tegmental area neurotensin Receptor-1 neurons promotes weight loss. Neuropharmacology 2021; 195:108639. [PMID: 34116109 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) modulate physical activity and feeding behaviors that are disrupted in obesity. Yet, the heterogeneity of VTA DA neurons has hindered determination of which ones might be leveraged to support weight loss. We hypothesized that increased activity in the subset of VTA DA neurons expressing neurotensin receptor-1 (NtsR1) might promote weight loss behaviors. To test this, we used Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) to activate VTA NtsR1 neurons in normal weight and diet-induced obese mice. Acute activation of VTA NtsR1 neurons (24hr) significantly decreased body weight in normal weight and obese mice by reducing food intake and increasing physical activity. Moreover, daily activation of VTA NtsR1 neurons in obese mice sustained weight loss over 7 days. Activating VTA NtsR1 neurons also suppressed how much mice worked to obtain sucrose rewards, even when there was high motivation to consume. However, VTA NtsR1 neural activation was not reinforcing, nor did it invoke liabilities associated with whole-body NtsR1 agonism such as anxiety, vasodepressor response or hypothermia. Activating VTA NtsR1 neurons therefore promotes dual behaviors that support weight loss without causing adverse effects, and is worth further exploration for managing obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Perez-Bonilla
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | | | - Jillian Matasovsky
- Department of Physiology and College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Jariel Ramirez-Virella
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Rabail Khan
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Hannah Garver
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Gregory Fink
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA; College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Anne M Dorrance
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA; College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA
| | - Gina M Leinninger
- Department of Physiology and College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48114, USA.
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13
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Eskenazi D, Malave L, Mingote S, Yetnikoff L, Ztaou S, Velicu V, Rayport S, Chuhma N. Dopamine Neurons That Cotransmit Glutamate, From Synapses to Circuits to Behavior. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:665386. [PMID: 34093138 PMCID: PMC8170480 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.665386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Discovered just over 20 years ago, dopamine neurons have the ability to cotransmit both dopamine and glutamate. Yet, the functional roles of dopamine neuron glutamate cotransmission and their implications for therapeutic use are just emerging. This review article encompasses the current body of evidence investigating the functions of dopamine neurons of the ventral midbrain that cotransmit glutamate. Since its discovery in dopamine neuron cultures, further work in vivo confirmed dopamine neuron glutamate cotransmission across species. From there, growing interest has led to research related to neural functioning including roles in synaptic signaling, development, and behavior. Functional connectome mapping reveals robust connections in multiple forebrain regions to various cell types, most notably to cholinergic interneurons in both the medial shell of the nucleus accumbens and the lateral dorsal striatum. Glutamate markers in dopamine neurons reach peak levels during embryonic development and increase in response to various toxins, suggesting dopamine neuron glutamate cotransmission may serve neuroprotective roles. Findings from behavioral analyses reveal prominent roles for dopamine neuron glutamate cotransmission in responses to psychostimulants, in positive valence and cognitive systems and for subtle roles in negative valence systems. Insight into dopamine neuron glutamate cotransmission informs the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders such as addiction, schizophrenia and Parkinson Disease, with therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Eskenazi
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lauren Malave
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Susana Mingote
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
- Neuroscience Initiative, Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Leora Yetnikoff
- Department of Psychology, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States
- CUNY Neuroscience Collaborative, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Samira Ztaou
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Vlad Velicu
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Stephen Rayport
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nao Chuhma
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
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14
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Fry BR, Pence NT, McLocklin A, Johnson AW. Disruptions in effort-based decision-making following acute optogenetic stimulation of ventral tegmental area dopamine cells. Learn Mem 2021; 28:104-108. [PMID: 33723029 PMCID: PMC7970740 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053082.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The dopamine system has been implicated in decision-making particularly when associated with effortful behavior. We examined acute optogenetic stimulation of dopamine cells in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) as mice engaged in an effort-based decision-making task. Tyrosine hydroxylase-Cre mice were injected with Cre-dependent ChR2 or eYFP control virus in the VTA. While eYFP control mice showed effortful discounting, stimulation of dopamine cells in ChR2 mice disrupted effort-based decision-making by reducing choice toward the lever associated with a preferred outcome and greater effort. Surprisingly, disruptions in effortful discounting were observed in subsequent test sessions conducted in the absence of optogenetic stimulation, however during these sessions ChR2 mice displayed enhanced high choice responding across trial blocks. These findings suggest increases in VTA dopamine cell activity can disrupt effort-based decision-making in distinct ways dependent on the timing of optogenetic stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R Fry
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Nathan T Pence
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Andrew McLocklin
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Alexander W Johnson
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
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15
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Fischer KD, Knackstedt LA, Rosenberg PA. Glutamate homeostasis and dopamine signaling: Implications for psychostimulant addiction behavior. Neurochem Int 2021; 144:104896. [PMID: 33159978 PMCID: PMC8489281 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine abuse disorders are serious worldwide health problems. To date, there are no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of these disorders. Elucidation of the biochemical underpinnings contributing to psychostimulant addiction is critical for the development of effective therapies. Excitatory signaling and glutamate homeostasis are well known pathophysiological substrates underlying addiction-related behaviors spanning multiple types of psychostimulants. To alleviate relapse behavior to psychostimulants, considerable interest has focused on GLT-1, the major glutamate transporter in the brain. While many brain regions are implicated in addiction behavior, this review focuses on two regions well known for their role in mediating the effects of cocaine and amphetamines, namely the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In addition, because many investigators have utilized Cre-driver lines to selectively control gene expression in defined cell populations relevant for psychostimulant addiction, we discuss potential off-target effects of Cre-recombinase that should be considered in the design and interpretation of such experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn D Fischer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Lori A Knackstedt
- Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Paul A Rosenberg
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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16
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Paul S, Pickrell AM. Hidden phenotypes of PINK1/Parkin knockout mice. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2021; 1865:129871. [PMID: 33571581 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.129871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PINK1, a serine/threonine ubiquitin kinase, and Parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, work in coordination to target damaged mitochondria to the lysosome in a process called mitophagy. This review will cover what we have learned from PINK1 and Parkin knockout (KO) mice. Systemic PINK1 and Parkin KO mouse models haven't faithfully recapitulated early onset forms of Parkinson's disease found in humans with recessive mutations in these genes. However, the utilization of these mouse models has given us insight into how PINK1 and Parkin contribute to mitochondrial quality control and function in different tissues beyond the brain such as in heart and adipose tissue. Although PINK1 and Parkin KO mice have been generated over a decade ago, these models are still being used today to creatively elucidate cell-type specific functions. Recently, these mouse models have uncovered that these proteins contribute to innate immunity and cancer phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swagatika Paul
- Graduate Studies in Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24601, USA; School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Alicia M Pickrell
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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17
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Becker M, Pinhasov A, Ornoy A. Animal Models of Depression: What Can They Teach Us about the Human Disease? Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:123. [PMID: 33466814 PMCID: PMC7830961 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11010123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is apparently the most common psychiatric disease among the mood disorders affecting about 10% of the adult population. The etiology and pathogenesis of depression are still poorly understood. Hence, as for most human diseases, animal models can help us understand the pathogenesis of depression and, more importantly, may facilitate the search for therapy. In this review we first describe the more common tests used for the evaluation of depressive-like symptoms in rodents. Then we describe different models of depression and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. These models can be divided into several categories: genetic models, models induced by mental acute and chronic stressful situations caused by environmental manipulations (i.e., learned helplessness in rats/mice), models induced by changes in brain neuro-transmitters or by specific brain injuries and models induced by pharmacological tools. In spite of the fact that none of the models completely resembles human depression, most animal models are relevant since they mimic many of the features observed in the human situation and may serve as a powerful tool for the study of the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of depression, especially since only few patients respond to acute treatment. Relevance increases by the fact that human depression also has different facets and many possible etiologies and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Becker
- Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| | - Albert Pinhasov
- Department of Molecular Biology and Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| | - Asher Ornoy
- Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
- Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
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18
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Liu J, Hu T, Zhang MQ, Xu CY, Yuan MY, Li RX. Differential efferent projections of GABAergic neurons in the basolateral and central nucleus of amygdala in mice. Neurosci Lett 2021; 745:135621. [PMID: 33421491 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Basolateral amygdala (BLA) and central nucleus of the amygdala (CEA) have been proved to play a key role in the control of anxiety, stress and fear-related behaviors. BLA is a cortex-like complex consisting of both γ-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) interneurons and glutamatergic neurons. The CEA is a striatum-like output of the amygdala, consisting almost exclusively of GABAergic medium spiny neurons. In this study, we explored the morphology and axonal projections of the GABAergic neurons in BLA and CEA, using conditional anterograde axonal tracing, immunohistochemistry, and VGAT-Cre transgenic mice to further understand their functional roles. We found that the axonal projections of GABAergic neurons from the BLA mainly distributed to the forebrain, whilst GABAergic neurons from the CEA distributed to the forebrain, midbrain and brainstem. In the forebrain, the axonal projections of GABAergic neurons from the BLA projected to the anterior olfactory nucleus, the cerebral cortex, the septum, the striatum, the thalamus, the amygdala and the hippocampus. The axonal projections of GABAergic neurons from the CEA distributed to the nuclei of the prefrontal cortex, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the hypothalamus and the thalamus. In the midbrain and brainstem, the axonal projections of GABAergic neurons from the CEA were found in the periaqueductal gray, the substantia nigra, and the locus coeruleus. These data reveal the neuroanatomical basis for exploring the function of GABAergic neurons in the BLA and CEA, particularly during the processing of fear-related behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Life Sciences College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
| | - Tao Hu
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Meng-Qi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuan-Ying Xu
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Mao-Yun Yuan
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui-Xi Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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19
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Altered baseline and amphetamine-mediated behavioral profiles in dopamine transporter Cre (DAT-Ires-Cre) mice compared to tyrosine hydroxylase Cre (TH-Cre) mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:3553-3568. [PMID: 32778904 PMCID: PMC10120402 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05635-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Transgenic mouse lines expressing Cre-recombinase under the regulation of either dopamine transporter (DAT) or tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoters are commonly used to study the dopamine (DA) system. While use of the TH promoter appears to have less liability to changes in native gene expression, transgene insertion in the DAT locus results in reduced DAT expression and function. This confound is sometimes overlooked in genetically targeted behavioral experiments. OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate the suitability of DAT-Ires-Cre and TH-Cre transgenic lines for behavioral pharmacology experiments with DA agonists. We hypothesized that DAT-Ires-Cre expression would impact DAT-mediated behaviors, but no impact of TH-Cre expression would be observed. METHODS DAT-Ires-Cre and TH-Cre mice bred on mixed 129S6/C57BL/6 and pure C57BL/6 backgrounds were evaluated for novelty-induced, baseline, and amphetamine (AMPH)-induced locomotion, and for AMPH and D1 agonist (SKF-38393)-induced preservative behaviors. RESULTS DAT-Ires-Cre mice on both mixed 129S6/C57BL/6 and pure C57BL/6 backgrounds displayed increased novelty-induced activity and decreased AMPH-induced locomotion, with mixed results for AMPH-induced stereotypy. TH-Cre mice on both backgrounds showed typical baseline activity and AMPH-induced stereotypy, with a difference in AMPH-induced locomotion observed only on the mixed background. Both transgenic lines displayed unaltered SKF-38393-induced grooming behavior. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the DAT-Ires-Cre transgenic line may lead to confounds for experiments that are dependent on DAT expression. The TH-Cre transgenic line studied here may be a more useful option, depending on background strain, because of its lack of baseline and drug-induced phenotypes. These data highlight the importance of appropriate controls in studies employing transgenic mice.
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20
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Solecki W, Wilczkowski M, Pradel K, Karwowska K, Kielbinski M, Drwięga G, Zajda K, Blasiak T, Soltys Z, Rajfur Z, Szklarczyk K, Przewłocki R. Effects of brief inhibition of the ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons on the cocaine seeking during abstinence. Addict Biol 2020; 25:e12826. [PMID: 31478293 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical studies strongly suggest that cocaine seeking depends on the neuronal activity of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and phasic dopaminergic (DA) signaling. Notably, VTA pharmacological inactivation or dopamine receptor blockade in the forebrain may induce behavioral inhibition in general and acute aversive states in particular, thus reducing cocaine seeking indirectly. Such artifacts hinder successful translation of these findings in clinical studies and practice. Here, we aimed to evaluate if dynamic VTA manipulations effectively reduce cocaine seeking. We used male tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) IRES-Cre+ rats along with optogenetic tools to inhibit directly and briefly VTA DA neurons during conditioned stimulus (CS)-induced cocaine seeking under extinction conditions. The behavioral effects of optogenetic inhibition were also assessed in the real-time dynamic place aversion, conditioned place aversion, and CS-induced food-seeking tests. We found that brief and nondysphoric/nonsedative pulses of VTA photo-inhibition (1 s every 9 s, ie, for 10% of time) attenuated CS-induced cocaine seeking under extinction conditions in rats expressing archaerhodopsin selectively on the TH+ neurons. Furthermore, direct inhibition of the VTA DA activity reduced CS-induced cocaine seeking 24 hours after photo-modulation. Importantly, such effect appears to be selective for cocaine seeking as similar inhibition of the VTA DA activity had no effect on CS-induced food seeking. Thus, briefly inhibiting VTA DA activity during CS-induced cocaine seeking drastically and selectively reduces seeking without behavioral artifacts such as sedation or dysphoria. Our results point to the therapeutic possibilities of coupling nonpharmacologic treatments with extinction training in reducing cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- WojciechB. Solecki
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Michał Wilczkowski
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Kamil Pradel
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Karolina Karwowska
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Michał Kielbinski
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Gniewosz Drwięga
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Katarzyna Zajda
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Tomasz Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Zbigniew Soltys
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Zenon Rajfur
- Department of Biosystems Physics, Institute of Physics Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Klaudia Szklarczyk
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Applied Psychology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Ryszard Przewłocki
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences Krakow Poland
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21
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Hu H, Cui Y, Yang Y. Circuits and functions of the lateral habenula in health and in disease. Nat Rev Neurosci 2020; 21:277-295. [PMID: 32269316 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-020-0292-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed exponentially growing interest in the lateral habenula (LHb) owing to new discoveries relating to its critical role in regulating negatively motivated behaviour and its implication in major depression. The LHb, sometimes referred to as the brain's 'antireward centre', receives inputs from diverse limbic forebrain and basal ganglia structures, and targets essentially all midbrain neuromodulatory systems, including the noradrenergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. Its unique anatomical position enables the LHb to act as a hub that integrates value-based, sensory and experience-dependent information to regulate various motivational, cognitive and motor processes. Dysfunction of the LHb may contribute to the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders, especially major depression. Recently, exciting progress has been made in identifying the molecular and cellular mechanisms in the LHb that underlie negative emotional state in animal models of drug withdrawal and major depression. A future challenge is to translate these advances into effective clinical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailan Hu
- Department of Psychiatry of First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,The MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, China. .,Fountain-Valley Institute for Life Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yihui Cui
- The MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Yang
- The MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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22
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Kleinridders A, Pothos EN. Impact of Brain Insulin Signaling on Dopamine Function, Food Intake, Reward, and Emotional Behavior. Curr Nutr Rep 2020; 8:83-91. [PMID: 31001792 DOI: 10.1007/s13668-019-0276-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Dietary obesity is primarily attributed to an imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure. Adherence to lifestyle interventions reducing weight is typically low. As a result, obesity becomes a chronic state with increased co-morbidities such as insulin resistance and diabetes. We review the effects of brain insulin action and dopaminergic signal transmission on food intake, reward, and mood as well as potential modulations of these systems to counteract the obesity epidemic. RECENT FINDINGS Central insulin and dopamine action are interlinked and impact on food intake, reward, and mood. Brain insulin resistance causes hyperphagia, anxiety, and depressive-like behavior and compromises the dopaminergic system. Such effects can induce reduced compliance to medical treatment. Insulin receptor sensitization and dopamine receptor agonists show attenuation of obesity and improvement of mental health in rodents and humans. Modulating brain insulin and dopamine signaling in obese patients can potentially improve therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Kleinridders
- Central Regulation of Metabolism, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558, Nuthetal, Germany. .,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstaedter Land Str. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Emmanuel N Pothos
- Program in Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Pharmacology and Drug Development, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences and Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
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23
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Conditional Knockout of GLT-1 in Neurons Leads to Alterations in Aspartate Homeostasis and Synaptic Mitochondrial Metabolism in Striatum and Hippocampus. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:1420-1437. [PMID: 32144526 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-020-03000-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Expression of the glutamate transporter GLT-1 in neurons has been shown to be important for synaptic mitochondrial function in the cerebral cortex. Here we determined whether neuronal GLT-1 plays a similar role in the hippocampus and striatum, using conditional GLT-1 knockout mice in which GLT-1 was inactivated in neurons by expression of synapsin-Cre (synGLT-1 KO). Ex vivo 13C-labelling using [1,2-13C]acetate, representing astrocytic metabolism, yielded increased [4,5-13C]glutamate levels, suggesting increased astrocyte-neuron glutamine transfer, in the striatum but not in the hippocampus of the synGLT-1 KO. Moreover, aspartate concentrations were reduced - 38% compared to controls in the hippocampus and the striatum of the synGLT-1 KO. Mitochondria isolated from the hippocampus of synGLT-1 KO mice exhibited a lower oxygen consumption rate in the presence of oligomycin A, indicative of a decreased proton leak across the mitochondrial membrane, whereas the ATP production rate was unchanged. Electron microscopy revealed reduced mitochondrial inter-cristae distance within excitatory synaptic terminals in the hippocampus and striatum of the synGLT-1 KO. Finally, dilution of 13C-labelling originating from [U-13C]glucose, caused by metabolism of unlabelled glutamate, was reduced in hippocampal synGLT-1 KO synaptosomes, suggesting that neuronal GLT-1 provides glutamate for synaptic tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolism. Collectively, these data demonstrate an important role of neuronal expression of GLT-1 in synaptic mitochondrial metabolism in the forebrain.
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Verharen JPH, Zhu Y, Lammel S. Aversion hot spots in the dopamine system. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2020; 64:46-52. [PMID: 32146296 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Through the development of optogenetics and other viral vector-based technologies, our view of the dopamine system has substantially advanced over the last decade. In particular, progress has been made in the reclassification of dopamine neurons based on subtypes displaying specific projections, which are associated with different features at the anatomical, molecular and behavioral level. Together, these discoveries have raised the possibility that individual groups of dopamine cells make a unique contribution to the processing of reward and aversion. Here, we review recent studies that have identified non-canonical dopamine pathways that are excited in response to aversive stimuli, including dopamine projections to the ventromedial shell of the nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, tail of the striatum, and amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P H Verharen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, USA
| | - Yichen Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, USA
| | - Stephan Lammel
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, USA.
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25
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Bimpisidis Z, Wallén-Mackenzie Å. Neurocircuitry of Reward and Addiction: Potential Impact of Dopamine-Glutamate Co-release as Future Target in Substance Use Disorder. J Clin Med 2019; 8:E1887. [PMID: 31698743 PMCID: PMC6912639 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8111887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine-glutamate co-release is a unique property of midbrain neurons primarily located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Dopamine neurons of the VTA are important for behavioral regulation in response to rewarding substances, including natural rewards and addictive drugs. The impact of glutamate co-release on behaviors regulated by VTA dopamine neurons has been challenging to probe due to lack of selective methodology. However, several studies implementing conditional knockout and optogenetics technologies in transgenic mice have during the past decade pointed towards a role for glutamate co-release in multiple physiological and behavioral processes of importance to substance use and abuse. In this review, we discuss these studies to highlight findings that may be critical when considering mechanisms of importance for prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
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26
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Huang S, Borgland SL, Zamponi GW. Peripheral nerve injury-induced alterations in VTA neuron firing properties. Mol Brain 2019; 12:89. [PMID: 31685030 PMCID: PMC6827252 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-019-0511-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is one of the main brain regions harboring dopaminergic (DA) neurons, and plays important roles in reinforcement and motivation. Recent studies have indicated that DA neurons not only respond to rewarding stimuli, but also to noxious stimuli. Furthermore, VTA DA neurons undergo plasticity during chronic pain. Lateral and medial VTA neurons project to different brain areas, and have been characterized via their distinct electrophysiological properties. In this study, we characterized electrophysiological properties of lateral and medial VTA DA neurons using DAT-cre reporter mice, and examined their plasticity during neuropathic pain states. We observed various DA subpopulations in both the lateral and medial VTA, as defined by action potential firing patterns, independently of synaptic inputs. Our results demonstrated that lateral and medial VTA DA neurons undergo differential plasticity after peripheral nerve injury that leads to neuropathic pain. However, these changes only reside in specific DA subpopulations. This study suggests that lateral and medial VTA DA neurons are differentially affected during neuropathic pain conditions, and emphasizes the importance of subpopulation specificity when targeting VTA DA neurons for treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Huang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Stephanie L Borgland
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gerald W Zamponi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada. .,Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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27
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You Y, Botros MB, Enoo AAV, Bockmiller A, Herron S, Delpech JC, Ikezu T. Cre-inducible Adeno Associated Virus-mediated Expression of P301L Mutant Tau Causes Motor Deficits and Neuronal Degeneration in the Substantia Nigra. Neuroscience 2019; 422:65-74. [PMID: 31689387 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of microtubule associated protein tau in the substantia nigra is associated with several tauopathies including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). A number of studies have used mutant tau transgenic mouse model to mimic the neuropathology of tauopathies and disease phenotypes. However, tau expression in these transgenic mouse models is not specific to brain subregions, and may not recapitulate subcortical disease phenotypes of PSP. It is necessary to develop a new disease modeling system for cell and region-specific expression of pathogenic tau for modeling PSP in mouse brain. In this study, we developed a novel strategy to express P301L mutant tau to the dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra by coupling tyrosine hydroxylase promoter Cre-driver mice with a Cre-inducible adeno-associated virus (iAAV). The results showed that P301L mutant tau was successfully transduced in the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra at the presence of Cre recombinase and iAAV. Furthermore, the iAAV-tau-injected mice displayed severe motor deficits including impaired movement ability, motor balance, and motor coordination compared to the control groups over a short time-course. Immunochemical analysis revealed that tau gene transfer significantly resulted in loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive dopaminergic neurons and elevated phosphorylated tau in the substantia nigra. Our development of dopaminergic neuron-specific neurodegenerative mouse model with tauopathy will be helpful for studying the underlying mechanism of pathological protein propagation as well as development of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang You
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Mina B Botros
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Alicia A Van Enoo
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Aaron Bockmiller
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Shawn Herron
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jean Christophe Delpech
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Tsuneya Ikezu
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA.
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Off-Target Effects in Transgenic Mice: Characterization of Dopamine Transporter (DAT)-Cre Transgenic Mouse Lines Exposes Multiple Non-Dopaminergic Neuronal Clusters Available for Selective Targeting within Limbic Neurocircuitry. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0198-19.2019. [PMID: 31481399 PMCID: PMC6873162 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0198-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenic mouse lines are instrumental in our attempt to understand brain function. Promoters driving transgenic expression of the gene encoding Cre recombinase are crucial to ensure selectivity in Cre-mediated targeting of floxed alleles using the Cre-Lox system. For the study of dopamine (DA) neurons, promoter sequences driving expression of the Dopamine transporter (Dat) gene are often implemented and several DAT-Cre transgenic mouse lines have been found to faithfully direct Cre activity to DA neurons. While evaluating an established DAT-Cre mouse line, reporter gene expression was unexpectedly identified in cell somas within the amygdala. To indiscriminately explore Cre activity in DAT-Cre transgenic lines, systematic whole-brain analysis of two DAT-Cre mouse lines was performed upon recombination with different types of floxed reporter alleles. Results were compared with data available from the Allen Institute for Brain Science. The results identified restricted DAT-Cre-driven reporter gene expression in cell clusters within several limbic areas, including amygdaloid and mammillary subnuclei, septum and habenula, areas classically associated with glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission. While no Dat gene expression was detected, ample co-localization between DAT-Cre-driven reporter and markers for glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons was found. Upon viral injection of a fluorescent reporter into the amygdala and habenula, distinct projections from non-dopaminergic DAT-Cre neurons could be distinguished. The study demonstrates that DAT-Cre transgenic mice, beyond their usefulness in recombination of floxed alleles in DA neurons, could be implemented as tools to achieve selective targeting in restricted excitatory and inhibitory neuronal populations within the limbic neurocircuitry.
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29
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Three Rostromedial Tegmental Afferents Drive Triply Dissociable Aspects of Punishment Learning and Aversive Valence Encoding. Neuron 2019; 104:987-999.e4. [PMID: 31627985 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Persistence of reward seeking despite punishment or other negative consequences is a defining feature of mania and addiction, and numerous brain regions have been implicated in such punishment learning, but in disparate ways that are difficult to reconcile. We now show that the ability of an aversive punisher to inhibit reward seeking depends on coordinated activity of three distinct afferents to the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg) arising from cortex, brainstem, and habenula that drive triply dissociable RMTg responses to aversive cues, outcomes, and prediction errors, respectively. These three pathways drive correspondingly dissociable aspects of punishment learning. The RMTg in turn drives negative, but not positive, valence encoding patterns in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Hence, punishment learning involves pathways and functions that are highly distinct, yet tightly coordinated.
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30
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Cardozo Pinto DF, Yang H, Pollak Dorocic I, de Jong JW, Han VJ, Peck JR, Zhu Y, Liu C, Beier KT, Smidt MP, Lammel S. Characterization of transgenic mouse models targeting neuromodulatory systems reveals organizational principles of the dorsal raphe. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4633. [PMID: 31604921 PMCID: PMC6789139 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12392-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The dorsal raphe (DR) is a heterogeneous nucleus containing dopamine (DA), serotonin (5HT), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate neurons. Consequently, investigations of DR circuitry require Cre-driver lines that restrict transgene expression to precisely defined cell populations. Here, we present a systematic evaluation of mouse lines targeting neuromodulatory cells in the DR. We find substantial differences in specificity between lines targeting DA neurons, and in penetrance between lines targeting 5HT neurons. Using these tools to map DR circuits, we show that populations of neurochemically distinct DR neurons are arranged in a stereotyped topographical pattern, send divergent projections to amygdala subnuclei, and differ in their presynaptic inputs. Importantly, targeting DR DA neurons using different mouse lines yielded both structural and functional differences in the neural circuits accessed. These results provide a refined model of DR organization and support a comparative, case-by-case evaluation of the suitability of transgenic tools for any experimental application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Cardozo Pinto
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hongbin Yang
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Iskra Pollak Dorocic
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Johannes W de Jong
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Vivian J Han
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - James R Peck
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Yichen Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Christine Liu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Kevin T Beier
- Departments of Physiology and Biophysics, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Marten P Smidt
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, FNWI University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stephan Lammel
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
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31
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Robinson JE, Coughlin GM, Hori AM, Cho JR, Mackey ED, Turan Z, Patriarchi T, Tian L, Gradinaru V. Optical dopamine monitoring with dLight1 reveals mesolimbic phenotypes in a mouse model of neurofibromatosis type 1. eLife 2019; 8:e48983. [PMID: 31545171 PMCID: PMC6819083 DOI: 10.7554/elife.48983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder whose neurodevelopmental symptoms include impaired executive function, attention, and spatial learning and could be due to perturbed mesolimbic dopaminergic circuitry. However, these circuits have never been directly assayed in vivo. We employed the genetically encoded optical dopamine sensor dLight1 to monitor dopaminergic neurotransmission in the ventral striatum of NF1 mice during motivated behavior. Additionally, we developed novel systemic AAV vectors to facilitate morphological reconstruction of dopaminergic populations in cleared tissue. We found that NF1 mice exhibit reduced spontaneous dopaminergic neurotransmission that was associated with excitation/inhibition imbalance in the ventral tegmental area and abnormal neuronal morphology. NF1 mice also had more robust dopaminergic and behavioral responses to salient visual stimuli, which were independent of learning, and rescued by optogenetic inhibition of non-dopaminergic neurons in the VTA. Overall, these studies provide a first in vivo characterization of dopaminergic circuit function in the context of NF1 and reveal novel pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Elliott Robinson
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Gerard M Coughlin
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Acacia M Hori
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Jounhong Ryan Cho
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Elisha D Mackey
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Zeynep Turan
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Tommaso Patriarchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular MedicineUniversity of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Lin Tian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular MedicineUniversity of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Viviana Gradinaru
- Division of Biology and Biological EngineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
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32
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The NeuroD6 Subtype of VTA Neurons Contributes to Psychostimulant Sensitization and Behavioral Reinforcement. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0066-19.2019. [PMID: 31097625 PMCID: PMC6565376 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0066-19.2019] [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: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Reward-related behavior is complex and its dysfunction correlated with neuropsychiatric illness. Dopamine (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have long been associated with different aspects of reward function, but it remains to be disentangled how distinct VTA DA neurons contribute to the full range of behaviors ascribed to the VTA. Here, a recently identified subtype of VTA neurons molecularly defined by NeuroD6 (NEX1M) was addressed. Among all VTA DA neurons, less than 15% were identified as positive for NeuroD6. In addition to dopaminergic markers, sparse NeuroD6 neurons expressed the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2) gene. To achieve manipulation of NeuroD6 VTA neurons, NeuroD6(NEX)-Cre-driven mouse genetics and optogenetics were implemented. First, expression of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) was ablated to disrupt dopaminergic function in NeuroD6 VTA neurons. Comparing Vmat2lox/lox;NEX-Cre conditional knock-out (cKO) mice with littermate controls, it was evident that baseline locomotion, preference for sugar and ethanol, and place preference upon amphetamine-induced and cocaine-induced conditioning were similar between genotypes. However, locomotion upon repeated psychostimulant administration was significantly elevated above control levels in cKO mice. Second, optogenetic activation of NEX-Cre VTA neurons was shown to induce DA release and glutamatergic postsynaptic currents within the nucleus accumbens. Third, optogenetic stimulation of NEX-Cre VTA neurons in vivo induced significant place preference behavior, while stimulation of VTA neurons defined by Calretinin failed to cause a similar response. The results show that NeuroD6 VTA neurons exert distinct regulation over specific aspects of reward-related behavior, findings that contribute to the current understanding of VTA neurocircuitry.
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33
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Mao M, Nair A, Augustine GJ. A Novel Type of Neuron Within the Dorsal Striatum. Front Neural Circuits 2019; 13:32. [PMID: 31164808 PMCID: PMC6536632 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2019.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The striatum is predominantly composed of medium spiny projection neurons, with the remaining neurons consisting of several types of interneurons. Among the interneurons are a group of cells that express tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Although the intrinsic electrical properties of these TH-expressing interneurons have been characterized, there is no agreement on the number of TH-expressing cell types and their electrical properties. Here, we have used transgenic mice in which YFP-tagged channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) was expressed in potential TH-expressing cells in a Cre-dependent manner. We found that the YFP+ neurons in the striatum were heterogeneous in their intrinsic electrical properties; unbiased clustering indicated that there are three main neuronal subtypes. One population of neurons had aspiny dendrites with high-frequency action potential (AP) firing and plateau potentials, resembling the TH interneurons (THIN) described previously. A second, very small population of labeled neurons resembled medium-sized spiny neurons (MSN). The third population of neurons had dendrites with an intermediate density of spines, showed substantial AP adaptation and generated prolonged spikes. This type of striatal neuron has not been previously identified in the adult mouse and we have named it the Frequency-Adapting Neuron with Spines (FANS). Because of their distinctive properties, FANS may play a unique role in striatal information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Mao
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Aditya Nair
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
- Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency of Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - George J. Augustine
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
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34
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Brandão ML, Coimbra NC. Understanding the role of dopamine in conditioned and unconditioned fear. Rev Neurosci 2019; 30:325-337. [DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2018-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Pharmacological and molecular imaging studies in anxiety disorders have primarily focused on the serotonin system. In the meantime, dopamine has been known as the neurotransmitter of reward for 60 years, particularly for its action in the nervous terminals of the mesocorticolimbic system. Interest in the mediation by dopamine of the well-known brain aversion system has grown recently, particularly given recent evidence obtained on the role of D2 dopamine receptors in unconditioned fear. However, it has been established that excitation of the mesocorticolimbic pathway, originating from dopaminergic (DA) neurons from the ventral tegmental area (VTA), is relevant for the development of anxiety. Among the forebrain regions innervated by this pathway, the amygdala is an essential component of the neural circuitry of conditioned fear. Current findings indicate that the dopamine D2 receptor-signaling pathway connecting the VTA to the basolateral amygdala modulates fear and anxiety, whereas neural circuits in the midbrain tectum underlie the expression of innate fear. The A13 nucleus of the zona incerta is proposed as the origin of these DA neurons projecting to caudal structures of the brain aversion system. In this article we review data obtained in studies showing that DA receptor-mediated mechanisms on ascending or descending DA pathways play opposing roles in fear/anxiety processes. Dopamine appears to mediate conditioned fear by acting at rostral levels of the brain and regulate unconditioned fear at the midbrain level.
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35
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Deletion of Neuronal GLT-1 in Mice Reveals Its Role in Synaptic Glutamate Homeostasis and Mitochondrial Function. J Neurosci 2019; 39:4847-4863. [PMID: 30926746 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0894-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The glutamate transporter GLT-1 is highly expressed in astrocytes but also in neurons, primarily in axon terminals. We generated a conditional neuronal GLT-1 KO using synapsin 1-Cre (synGLT-1 KO) to elucidate the metabolic functions of GLT-1 expressed in neurons, here focusing on the cerebral cortex. Both synaptosomal uptake studies and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry demonstrated knockdown of GLT-1 in the cerebral cortex in the synGLT-1 KO mice. Aspartate content was significantly reduced in cerebral cortical extracts as well as synaptosomes from cerebral cortex of synGLT-1 KO compared with control littermates. 13C-Labeling of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates originating from metabolism of [U-13C]-glutamate was significantly reduced in synGLT-1 KO synaptosomes. The decreased aspartate content was due to diminished entry of glutamate into the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Pyruvate recycling, a pathway necessary for full glutamate oxidation, was also decreased. ATP production was significantly increased, despite unaltered oxygen consumption, in isolated mitochondria from the synGLT-1 KO. The density of mitochondria in axon terminals and perisynaptic astrocytes was increased in the synGLT-1 KO. Intramitochondrial cristae density of synGLT-1 KO mice was increased, suggesting increased mitochondrial efficiency, perhaps in compensation for reduced access to glutamate. SynGLT-1 KO synaptosomes exhibited an elevated oxygen consumption rate when stimulated with veratridine, despite a lower baseline oxygen consumption rate in the presence of glucose. GLT-1 expressed in neurons appears to be required to provide glutamate to synaptic mitochondria and is linked to neuronal energy metabolism and mitochondrial function.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT All synaptic transmitters need to be cleared from the extracellular space after release, and transporters are used to clear glutamate released from excitatory synapses. GLT-1 is the major glutamate transporter, and most GLT-1 is expressed in astrocytes. Only 5%-10% is expressed in neurons, primarily in axon terminals. The function of GLT-1 in axon terminals remains unknown. Here, we used a conditional KO approach to investigate the significance of the expression of GLT-1 in neurons. We found multiple abnormalities of mitochondrial function, suggesting impairment of glutamate utilization by synaptic mitochondria in the neuronal GLT-1 KO. These data suggest that GLT-1 expressed in axon terminals may be important in maintaining energy metabolism and biosynthetic activities mediated by presynaptic mitochondria.
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Runegaard AH, Fitzpatrick CM, Woldbye DPD, Andreasen JT, Sørensen AT, Gether U. Modulating Dopamine Signaling and Behavior with Chemogenetics: Concepts, Progress, and Challenges. Pharmacol Rev 2019; 71:123-156. [PMID: 30814274 DOI: 10.1124/pr.117.013995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
For more than 60 years, dopamine (DA) has been known as a critical modulatory neurotransmitter regulating locomotion, reward-based motivation, and endocrine functions. Disturbances in DA signaling have been linked to an array of different neurologic and psychiatric disorders, including Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and addiction, but the underlying pathologic mechanisms have never been fully elucidated. One major obstacle limiting interpretation of standard pharmacological and transgenic interventions is the complexity of the DA system, which only appears to widen as research progresses. Nonetheless, development of new genetic tools, such as chemogenetics, has led to an entirely new era for functional studies of neuronal signaling. By exploiting receptors that are engineered to respond selectively to an otherwise inert ligand, so-called Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs), chemogenetics enables pharmacological remote control of neuronal activity. Here we review the recent, extensive application of this technique to the DA field and how its use has advanced the study of the DA system and contributed to our general understanding of DA signaling and related behaviors. Moreover, we discuss the challenges and pitfalls associated with the chemogenetic technology, such as the metabolism of the DREADD ligand clozapine N-oxide (CNO) to the D2 receptor antagonist clozapine. We conclude that despite the recent concerns regarding CNO, the chemogenetic toolbox provides an exceptional approach to study neuronal function. The huge potential should promote continued investigations and additional refinements to further expound key mechanisms of DA signaling and circuitries in normal as well as maladaptive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Højrup Runegaard
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience (A.H.R., D.P.D.W., A.T.S., U.G.) and Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology (C.M.F., J.T.A.), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ciarán Martin Fitzpatrick
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience (A.H.R., D.P.D.W., A.T.S., U.G.) and Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology (C.M.F., J.T.A.), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David Paul Drucker Woldbye
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience (A.H.R., D.P.D.W., A.T.S., U.G.) and Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology (C.M.F., J.T.A.), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Tobias Andreasen
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience (A.H.R., D.P.D.W., A.T.S., U.G.) and Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology (C.M.F., J.T.A.), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Toft Sørensen
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience (A.H.R., D.P.D.W., A.T.S., U.G.) and Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology (C.M.F., J.T.A.), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Gether
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience (A.H.R., D.P.D.W., A.T.S., U.G.) and Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology (C.M.F., J.T.A.), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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GIRK Channel Activity in Dopamine Neurons of the Ventral Tegmental Area Bidirectionally Regulates Behavioral Sensitivity to Cocaine. J Neurosci 2019; 39:3600-3610. [PMID: 30837265 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3101-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) neurons of the VTA have been widely implicated in the cellular and behavioral responses to drugs of abuse. Inhibitory G protein signaling mediated by GABAB receptors (GABABRs) and D2 DA receptors (D2Rs) regulates the excitability of VTA DA neurons, DA neurotransmission, and behaviors modulated by DA. Most of the somatodendritic inhibitory effect of GABABR and D2R activation on DA neurons reflects the activation of G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels. Furthermore, GIRK-dependent signaling in VTA DA neurons can be weakened by exposure to psychostimulants and strengthened by phasic DA neuron firing. The objective of this study was to determine how the strength of GIRK channel activity in VTA DA neurons influences sensitivity to cocaine. We used a Cre-dependent viral strategy to overexpress the individual GIRK channel subunits in VTA DA neurons of male and female adult mice, leading to enhancement (GIRK2) or suppression (GIRK3) of GIRK channel activity. Overexpression of GIRK3 decreased somatodendritic GABABR- and D2R-dependent signaling and increased cocaine-induced locomotor activity, whereas overexpression of GIRK2 increased GABABR-dependent signaling and decreased cocaine-induced locomotion. Neither manipulation impacted anxiety- or depression-related behavior, despite the link between such behaviors and DA signaling. Together, these data show that behavioral sensitivity to cocaine in mice is inversely proportional to the strength of GIRK channel activity in VTA DA neurons and suggest that direct activators of the unique VTA DA neuron GIRK channel subtype (GIRK2/GIRK3 heteromer) could represent a promising therapeutic target for treatment of addiction.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Inhibitory G protein signaling in dopamine (DA) neurons, including that mediated by G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels, has been implicated in behavioral sensitivity to cocaine. Here, we used a viral approach to bidirectionally manipulate GIRK channel activity in DA neurons of the VTA. We found that decreasing GIRK channel activity in VTA DA neurons increased behavioral sensitivity to cocaine, whereas increasing GIRK channel activity decreased behavioral sensitivity to cocaine. These manipulations did not alter anxiety- or depression-related behaviors. These data highlight the unique GIRK channel subtype in VTA DA neurons as a possible therapeutic target for addiction.
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Fitzpatrick CM, Runegaard AH, Christiansen SH, Hansen NW, Jørgensen SH, McGirr JC, de Diego Ajenjo A, Sørensen AT, Perrier JF, Petersen A, Gether U, Woldbye DPD, Andreasen JT. Differential effects of chemogenetic inhibition of dopamine and norepinephrine neurons in the mouse 5-choice serial reaction time task. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 90:264-276. [PMID: 30529002 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by inattention, aberrant impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Although the underlying pathophysiology of ADHD remains unclear, dopamine and norepinephrine signaling originating from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and locus coeruleus (LC) is thought to be critically involved. In this study, we employ Designer Receptor Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) together with the mouse 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task (5-CSRTT) to investigate the necessary roles of these catecholamines in ADHD-related behaviors, including attention, impulsivity, and motivation. By selective inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive VTA dopamine neurons expressing the Gi-coupled DREADD (hM4Di), we observed a marked impairment of effort-based motivation and subsequently speed and overall vigor of responding. At the highest clozapine N-oxide (CNO) dose tested (i.e. 2 mg/kg) to activate hM4Di, we detected a reduction in locomotor activity. DREADD-mediated inhibition of LC norepinephrine neurons reduced attentional performance in a variable stimulus duration test designed to increase task difficulty, specifically by increasing trials omissions, reducing mean score, and visual processing speed. These findings show that VTA dopamine and LC norepinephrine neurons differentially affect attention, impulsive and motivational control. In addition, this study highlights how molecular genetic probing of selective catecholamine circuits can provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying ADHD-relevant behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciarán M Fitzpatrick
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark; Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark.
| | - Annika H Runegaard
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Søren H Christiansen
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Nikolaj W Hansen
- Neuronal Signaling Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Søren H Jørgensen
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Julia C McGirr
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Amaia de Diego Ajenjo
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Andreas T Sørensen
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Jean-François Perrier
- Neuronal Signaling Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Anders Petersen
- Center for Visual Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-1353, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Gether
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - David P D Woldbye
- Molecular Neuropharmacology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Jesper T Andreasen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
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Simmons SC, Wheeler K, Mazei-Robison MS. Determination of circuit-specific morphological adaptations in ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons by chronic morphine. Mol Brain 2019; 12:10. [PMID: 30736837 PMCID: PMC6368752 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-019-0435-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic opiate exposure induces neuroadaptations in the mesocorticolimbic system including ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons, whose soma size is decreased following opiate exposure. Yet it is now well documented that VTA DA neurons are heterogeneous, with notable differences between VTA DA neurons based on their projection target. Therefore, we sought to determine whether chronic morphine induced similar changes in the morphology of VTA DA neurons that project to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). We utilized Cre-dependent retrograde viral vectors in DA Cre driver lines to label VTA DA neurons that projected to NAc and PFC and assessed neuronal soma size. Consistent with previous data, the soma size of VTA DA neurons that projected to the NAc medial shell was decreased following morphine exposure. However, soma size of VTA DA neurons that projected to the NAc core was unaltered by morphine. Interestingly, morphology of PFC-projecting VTA DA neurons was also altered by morphine, but in this case soma size was increased compared to sham controls. Differences in basal soma size were also noted, suggesting stable differences in projection-specific morphology in addition to drug-induced changes. Together, these data suggest morphine-induced changes in VTA DA morphology occur within distinct VTA DA populations and that study of opiate-induced structural plasticity of individual VTA DA subcircuits may be critical for understanding addiction-related behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Simmons
- Neuroscience Program and Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, 567 Wilson Road, BPS 3182, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Katie Wheeler
- Neuroscience Program and Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, 567 Wilson Road, BPS 3182, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Michelle S Mazei-Robison
- Neuroscience Program and Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, 567 Wilson Road, BPS 3182, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
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40
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Hu H. Advances in Molecular and Circuitry Mechanisms of Depressive Disorder-A Focus on Lateral Habenula. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1180:135-146. [PMID: 31784961 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-32-9271-0_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Depression is a devastating disorder with a combination of diverse symptoms such as low self-esteem, lack of motivation, anhedonia, loss of appetite, low energy, and discomfort without a clear cause. Depression has been suggested to be the result of maladaptive changes in specific brain circuits. Recently, the lateral habenula (LHb) has emerged as a key brain region in the pathophysiology of depression. Increasing evidence from rodent, nonhuman primate, and human studies indicates that the aberrant activity of the LHb is associated with depressive symptoms such as helplessness, anhedonia, and excessive negative focus. Revealing the molecular, cellular, and circuit properties of the LHb will help explain how abnormalities in LHb activity are linked to depressive disorders and shed light on developing novel strategies for depression treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailan Hu
- Center for Neuroscience and Department of Psychiatry of First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Dedic N, Chen A, Deussing JM. The CRF Family of Neuropeptides and their Receptors - Mediators of the Central Stress Response. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2018; 11:4-31. [PMID: 28260504 PMCID: PMC5930453 DOI: 10.2174/1874467210666170302104053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background: Dysregulated stress neurocircuits, caused by genetic and/or environmental changes, underlie the development of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is the major physiological activator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and conse-quently a primary regulator of the mammalian stress response. Together with its three family members, urocortins (UCNs) 1, 2, and 3, CRF integrates the neuroendocrine, autonomic, metabolic and behavioral responses to stress by activating its cognate receptors CRFR1 and CRFR2. Objective: Here we review the past and current state of the CRF/CRFR field, ranging from pharmacologi-cal studies to genetic mouse models and virus-mediated manipulations. Results: Although it is well established that CRF/CRFR1 signaling mediates aversive responses, includ-ing anxiety and depression-like behaviors, a number of recent studies have challenged this viewpoint by revealing anxiolytic and appetitive properties of specific CRF/CRFR1 circuits. In contrast, the UCN/CRFR2 system is less well understood and may possibly also exert divergent functions on physiol-ogy and behavior depending on the brain region, underlying circuit, and/or experienced stress conditions. Conclusion: A plethora of available genetic tools, including conventional and conditional mouse mutants targeting CRF system components, has greatly advanced our understanding about the endogenous mecha-nisms underlying HPA system regulation and CRF/UCN-related neuronal circuits involved in stress-related behaviors. Yet, the detailed pathways and molecular mechanisms by which the CRF/UCN-system translates negative or positive stimuli into the final, integrated biological response are not completely un-derstood. The utilization of future complementary methodologies, such as cell-type specific Cre-driver lines, viral and optogenetic tools will help to further dissect the function of genetically defined CRF/UCN neurocircuits in the context of adaptive and maladaptive stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Dedic
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr, 2-10, 80804 Munich. Germany
| | - Alon Chen
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr, 2-10, 80804 Munich. Germany
| | - Jan M Deussing
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr, 2-10, 80804 Munich. Germany
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Sarno E, Robison AJ. Emerging role of viral vectors for circuit-specific gene interrogation and manipulation in rodent brain. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2018; 174:2-8. [PMID: 29709585 PMCID: PMC6369584 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Over the past half century, novel tools have allowed the characterization of myriad molecular underpinnings of neural phenomena including synaptic function, neurogenesis and neurodegeneration, membrane excitability, and neurogenetics/epigenetics. More recently, transgenic mice have made possible cell type-specific explorations of these phenomena and have provided critical models of many neurological and psychiatric diseases. However, it has become clear that many critical areas of study require tools allowing the study and manipulation of individual neural circuits within the brain, and viral vectors have come to the forefront in driving these circuit-specific studies. Here, we present a surface-level review of the general classes of viral vectors used for study of the brain, along with their suitability for circuit-specific studies. We then cover in detail a new long-lasting, retrograde expressing form of herpes simplex virus termed LT-HSV that has become highly useful in circuit-based studies. We detail some of its current uses and propose a variety of future uses for this critical new tool, including circuit-based transgene overexpression, gene editing, and gene expression profiling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Sarno
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Alfred J Robison
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.
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Chuhma N, Mingote S, Yetnikoff L, Kalmbach A, Ma T, Ztaou S, Sienna AC, Tepler S, Poulin JF, Ansorge M, Awatramani R, Kang UJ, Rayport S. Dopamine neuron glutamate cotransmission evokes a delayed excitation in lateral dorsal striatal cholinergic interneurons. eLife 2018; 7:39786. [PMID: 30295607 PMCID: PMC6175576 DOI: 10.7554/elife.39786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dopamine neurons have different synaptic actions in the ventral and dorsal striatum (dStr), but whether this heterogeneity extends to dStr subregions has not been addressed. We have found that optogenetic activation of dStr dopamine neuron terminals in mouse brain slices pauses the firing of cholinergic interneurons in both the medial and lateral subregions, while in the lateral subregion the pause is shorter due to a subsequent excitation. This excitation is mediated mainly by metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) and partially by dopamine D1-like receptors coupled to transient receptor potential channel 3 and 7. DA neurons do not signal to spiny projection neurons in the medial dStr, while they elicit ionotropic glutamate responses in the lateral dStr. The DA neurons mediating these excitatory signals are in the substantia nigra (SN). Thus, SN dopamine neurons engage different receptors in different postsynaptic neurons in different dStr subregions to convey strikingly different signals. Editorial note This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (see decision letter).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nao Chuhma
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Susana Mingote
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Leora Yetnikoff
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, United States.,Department of Psychology, College of Staten Island, New York, United States.,CUNY Neuroscience Collaborative, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, United States
| | - Abigail Kalmbach
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, United States.,Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, United States
| | - Thong Ma
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Samira Ztaou
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Anna-Claire Sienna
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Sophia Tepler
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | | | - Mark Ansorge
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, United States.,Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, United States
| | | | - Un Jung Kang
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Stephen Rayport
- Department of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, United States
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GIRK currents in VTA dopamine neurons control the sensitivity of mice to cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E9479-E9488. [PMID: 30228121 PMCID: PMC6176583 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1807788115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
GABABR-dependent activation of G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium channels (GIRK or KIR3) provides a well-known source of inhibition in the brain, but the details on how this important inhibitory pathway affects neural circuits are lacking. We used sorting nexin 27 (SNX27), an endosomal adaptor protein that associates with GIRK2c and GIRK3 subunits, to probe the role of GIRK channels in reward circuits. A conditional knockout of SNX27 in both substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons leads to markedly smaller GABABR- and dopamine D2R-activated GIRK currents, as well as to suprasensitivity to cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization. Expression of the SNX27-insensitive GIRK2a subunit in SNX27-deficient VTA dopamine neurons restored GIRK currents and GABABR-dependent inhibition of spike firing, while also resetting the mouse's sensitivity to cocaine-dependent sensitization. These results establish a link between slow inhibition mediated by GIRK channels in VTA dopamine neurons and cocaine addiction, revealing a therapeutic target for treating addiction.
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Pérez-López JL, Contreras-López R, Ramírez-Jarquín JO, Tecuapetla F. Direct Glutamatergic Signaling From Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Onto Pyramidal Prefrontal Cortex Neurons. Front Neural Circuits 2018; 12:70. [PMID: 30210308 PMCID: PMC6123373 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2018.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have been identified with the ability to co-release dopamine and glutamate. This ability was first documented in the nucleus accumbens but showed to be absent in the dorsal striatum. Recently the ability to release glutamate from a subpopulation of the VTA dopaminergic neurons has been shown to control the prefrontal cortex (PFC) excitation through the exclusive innervation of GABAergic fast spiking interneurons. Here, using an optogenetic approach, we expand this view by presenting that the VTA dopaminergic neurons do not only innervate interneurons but also pyramidal PFC neurons. This finding opens the range of possibilities for the VTA dopaminergic neurons to modulate the activity of PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Pérez-López
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular (IFC), Neuropatología Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rubén Contreras-López
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular (IFC), Neuropatología Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Josué O Ramírez-Jarquín
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular (IFC), Neuropatología Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fatuel Tecuapetla
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular (IFC), Neuropatología Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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Neuronal activity regulates neurotransmitter switching in the adult brain following light-induced stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:5064-5071. [PMID: 29686073 PMCID: PMC5960321 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1801598115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery that neurotransmitter identity is regulated by activity in the adult mammalian brain during a stress response raises questions about the extent and function of this plasticity. Specific synapses are associated with the release of a particular neurotransmitter or transmitters on the basis of evidence obtained under a single set of conditions. Transmitter switching endows the connectome with greater plasticity: Activity-dependent revision of signaling provides another dimension of flexibility to regulate normal behavior. Changes in transmitter identity are also positioned to contribute to diseases of the nervous system. Neurotransmitter imbalance has long been implicated in common neurological and psychiatric disorders, provoking interest in transmitter switching as a therapeutic tool for patients. Neurotransmitter switching in the adult mammalian brain occurs following photoperiod-induced stress, but the mechanism of regulation is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that elevated activity of dopaminergic neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PaVN) in the adult rat is required for the loss of dopamine expression after long-day photoperiod exposure. The transmitter switch occurs exclusively in PaVN dopaminergic neurons that coexpress vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2), is accompanied by a loss of dopamine type 2 receptors (D2Rs) on corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons, and can lead to increased release of CRF. Suppressing activity of all PaVN glutamatergic neurons decreases the number of inhibitory PaVN dopaminergic neurons, indicating homeostatic regulation of transmitter expression in the PaVN.
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In Vivo Observation of Structural Changes in Neocortical Catecholaminergic Projections in Response to Drugs of Abuse. eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-NWR-0071-17. [PMID: 29445765 PMCID: PMC5810039 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0071-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Catecholaminergic (dopamine and norepinephrine) projections to the cortex play an important role in cognitive functions and dysfunctions including learning, addiction, and mental disorders. While dynamics of glutamatergic synapses have been well studied in such contexts, little is known regarding catecholaminergic projections, owing to lack of robust methods. Here we report a system to monitor catecholaminergic projections in vivo over the timeframes that such events occur. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression driven by tyrosine hydroxylase promoter in a transgenic mouse line enabled us to perform two-photon imaging of cortical catecholaminergic projections through a cranial window. Repetitive imaging of the same axons over 24 h revealed the highly dynamic nature of catecholaminergic boutons. Surprisingly, administration of single high dose methamphetamine (MAP) induced a transient increase in bouton volumes. This new method opens avenues for longitudinal in vivo evaluation of structural changes at single release sites of catecholamines in association with physiology and pathology of cortical functions.
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Lateral habenula in the pathophysiology of depression. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2018; 48:90-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Midbrain circuit regulation of individual alcohol drinking behaviors in mice. Nat Commun 2017; 8:2220. [PMID: 29263389 PMCID: PMC5738419 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02365-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol-use disorder (AUD) is the most prevalent substance-use disorder worldwide. There is substantial individual variability in alcohol drinking behaviors in the population, the neural circuit mechanisms of which remain elusive. Utilizing in vivo electrophysiological techniques, we find that low alcohol drinking (LAD) mice have dramatically higher ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neuron firing and burst activity. Unexpectedly, VTA dopamine neuron activity in high alcohol drinking (HAD) mice does not differ from alcohol naive mice. Optogenetically enhancing VTA dopamine neuron burst activity in HAD mice decreases alcohol drinking behaviors. Circuit-specific recordings reveal that spontaneous activity of nucleus accumbens-projecting VTA (VTA-NAc) neurons is selectively higher in LAD mice. Specifically activating this projection is sufficient to reduce alcohol consumption in HAD mice. Furthermore, we uncover ionic and cellular mechanisms that suggest unique neuroadaptations between the alcohol drinking groups. Together, these data identify a neural circuit responsible for individual alcohol drinking behaviors. Mice exposed to a two-bottle alcohol choice paradigm can be divided into high and low drinking groups. Here, the authors show that stimulating VTA neurons to induce higher phasic activity patterns that are observed in low alcohol drinking mice, suppresses alcohol drinking in mice that are high alcohol drinking.
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Melchior JR, Jones SR. Chronic ethanol exposure increases inhibition of optically targeted phasic dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens core and medial shell ex vivo. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017; 85:93-104. [PMID: 28942046 PMCID: PMC5698100 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dopamine signaling encodes reward learning and motivated behavior through modulation of synaptic signaling in the nucleus accumbens, and aberrations in these processes are thought to underlie obsessive behaviors associated with alcohol abuse. The nucleus accumbens is divided into core and shell sub-regions with overlapping but also divergent contributions to behavior. Here we optogenetically targeted dopamine projections to the accumbens allowing us to isolate stimulation of dopamine terminals ex vivo. We applied 5 pulse (phasic) light stimulations to probe intrinsic differences in dopamine release parameters across regions. Also, we exposed animals to 4weeks of chronic intermittent ethanol vapor and measured phasic release. We found that initial release probability, uptake rate and autoreceptor inhibition were greater in the accumbens core compared to the shell, yet the shell showed greater phasic release ratios. Following chronic ethanol, uptake rates were increased in the core but not the shell, suggesting region-specific neuronal adaptations. Conversely, kappa opioid receptor function was upregulated in both regions to a similar extent, suggesting a local mechanism of kappa opioid receptor regulation that is generalized across the nucleus accumbens. These data suggest that dopamine axons in the nucleus accumbens core and shell display differences in intrinsic release parameters, and that ethanol-induced adaptations to dopamine neuron terminal fields may not be homogeneous. Also, chronic ethanol exposure induces an upregulation in kappa opioid receptor function, providing a mechanism for potential over-inhibition of accumbens dopamine signaling which may negatively impact downstream synaptic function and ultimately bias choice towards previously reinforced alcohol use behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Melchior
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States
| | - Sara R Jones
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States.
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