1
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Walker H, Frost NA. Distinct transcriptional programs define a heterogeneous neuronal ensemble for social interaction. iScience 2024; 27:110355. [PMID: 39045099 PMCID: PMC11263963 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Social interactions are encoded by the coordinated activity of heterogeneous cell types within distributed brain regions including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). However, our understanding of the cell types which comprise the social ensemble has been limited by available mouse lines and reliance on single marker genes. We identified differentially active neuronal populations during social interactions by quantifying immediate-early gene (IEG) expression using snRNA-sequencing. These studies revealed that distinct prefrontal neuron populations composed of heterogeneous cell types are activated by social interaction. Evaluation of IEG expression within these recruited neuronal populations revealed cell-type and region-specific programs, suggesting that reliance on a single molecular marker is insufficient to quantify activation across all cell types. Our findings provide a comprehensive description of cell-type specific transcriptional programs invoked by social interactions and reveal insights into the neuronal populations which compose the social ensemble.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailee Walker
- University of Utah, Department of Neurology, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Frost
- University of Utah, Department of Neurology, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
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2
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Mack NR, Bouras NN, Gao WJ. Prefrontal Regulation of Social Behavior and Related Deficits: Insights From Rodent Studies. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 96:85-94. [PMID: 38490368 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is well known as the executive center of the brain, combining internal states and goals to execute purposeful behavior, including social actions. With the advancement of tools for monitoring and manipulating neural activity in rodents, substantial progress has been made in understanding the specific cell types and neural circuits within the PFC that are essential for processing social cues and influencing social behaviors. Furthermore, combining these tools with translationally relevant behavioral paradigms has also provided novel insights into the PFC neural mechanisms that may contribute to social deficits in various psychiatric disorders. This review highlights findings from the past decade that have shed light on the PFC cell types and neural circuits that support social information processing and distinct aspects of social behavior, including social interactions, social memory, and social dominance. We also explore how the PFC contributes to social deficits in rodents induced by social isolation, social fear conditioning, and social status loss. These studies provide evidence that the PFC uses both overlapping and unique neural mechanisms to support distinct components of social cognition. Furthermore, specific PFC neural mechanisms drive social deficits induced by different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy R Mack
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Nadia N Bouras
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Wen-Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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3
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Peng S, Yang X, Meng S, Liu F, Lv Y, Yang H, Kong Y, Xie W, Li M. Dual circuits originating from the ventral hippocampus independently facilitate affective empathy. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114277. [PMID: 38805397 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Affective empathy enables social mammals to learn and transfer emotion to conspecifics, but an understanding of the neural circuitry and genetics underlying affective empathy is still very limited. Here, using the naive observational fear between cagemates as a paradigm similar to human affective empathy and chemo/optogenetic neuroactivity manipulation in mouse brain, we investigate the roles of multiple brain regions in mouse affective empathy. Remarkably, two neural circuits originating from the ventral hippocampus, previously unknown to function in empathy, are revealed to regulate naive observational fear. One is from ventral hippocampal pyramidal neurons to lateral septum GABAergic neurons, and the other is from ventral hippocampus pyramidal neurons to nucleus accumbens dopamine-receptor-expressing neurons. Furthermore, we identify the naive observational-fear-encoding neurons in the ventral hippocampus. Our findings highlight the potentially diverse regulatory pathways of empathy in social animals, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying empathy circuity and its disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Peng
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Xiuqi Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Sibie Meng
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Fuyuan Liu
- Jiangsu Provincial Joint International Research Laboratory of Medical Information Processing, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yaochen Lv
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Huiquan Yang
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Youyong Kong
- Jiangsu Provincial Joint International Research Laboratory of Medical Information Processing, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Wei Xie
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Moyi Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.
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4
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Beacher NJ, Kuo JY, Targum M, Wang M, Washington KA, Barbera G, Lin DT. A modular, cost-effective, versatile, open-source operant box solution for long-term miniscope imaging, 3D tracking, and deep learning behavioral analysis. MethodsX 2024; 12:102721. [PMID: 38660044 PMCID: PMC11041912 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In this procedure we have included an open-source method for a customized operant chamber optimized for long-term miniature microscope (miniscope) recordings. •The miniscope box is designed to function with custom or typical med-associates style accessories (e.g., houselights, levers, etc.).•The majority of parts can be directly purchased which minimizes the need for skilled and time-consuming labor.•We include designs and estimated pricing for a single box but it is recommended to build these in larger batches to efficiently utilize bulk ordering of certain components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Beacher
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Jessica Y. Kuo
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Miranda Targum
- Penn Memory Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael Wang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Kayden A. Washington
- The Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Giovanna Barbera
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
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5
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Xu P, Park G, Sun X, Ge Q, Jin Z, Lai CH, Liu X, Liu Q, Simha R, Zeng C, Du J, Lu H. Different emotional states engage distinct descending pathways from the prefrontal cortex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.28.596238. [PMID: 38853906 PMCID: PMC11160632 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.28.596238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Emotion regulation, essential for adaptive behavior, depends on the brain's capacity to process a range of emotions. Current research has largely focused on individual emotional circuits without fully exploring how their interaction influences physiological responses or understanding the neural mechanisms that differentiate emotional valence. Using in vivo calcium imaging, electrophysiology, and optogenetics, we examined neural circuit dynamics in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), targeting two key areas: the basal lateral amygdala (BLA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). Our results demonstrate distinct activation patterns in the mPFC→BLA and mPFC→NAc pathways in response to social stimuli, indicating a mechanism for discriminating emotions: increased mPFC→BLA activity signals anxiety, while heightened mPFC→NAc responses are linked to exploration. Additionally, chronic emotional states amplify activity in these pathways-positivity enhances mPFC→NAc, while negativity boosts mPFC→BLA. This study sheds light on the nuanced neural circuitry involved in emotion regulation, revealing the pivotal roles of mPFC projections in emotional processing. Identifying these specific circuits engaged by varied emotional states advances our understanding of emotional regulation's biological underpinnings and highlights potential targets for addressing emotional dysregulation in psychiatric conditions. Significance statement While existing circuitry studies have underscored the significance of emotional circuits, the majority of research has concentrated on individual circuits. The assessment of whether and how the balance among multiple circuits influences overall physiological outcomes is often overlooked. This study delves into the neural underpinnings of emotion regulation, focusing on how positive and negative valences are discriminated and managed. By examining the specific pathways from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to key emotional centers-the basal lateral amygdala (BLA) for negative valence and the nucleus accumbens (NAc) for positive one-we uncovered a novel dual-balanced neural circuit mechanism that enables this essential aspect of human cognition.
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6
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Chockanathan U, Padmanabhan K. Differential disruptions in population coding along the dorsal-ventral axis of CA1 in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Aβ pathology. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1012085. [PMID: 38709845 PMCID: PMC11098488 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is characterized by a range of behavioral alterations, including memory loss and psychiatric symptoms. While there is evidence that molecular pathologies, such as amyloid beta (Aβ), contribute to AD, it remains unclear how this histopathology gives rise to such disparate behavioral deficits. One hypothesis is that Aβ exerts differential effects on neuronal circuits across brain regions, depending on the neurophysiology and connectivity of different areas. To test this, we recorded from large neuronal populations in dorsal CA1 (dCA1) and ventral CA1 (vCA1), two hippocampal areas known to be structurally and functionally diverse, in the APP/PS1 mouse model of amyloidosis. Despite similar levels of Aβ pathology, dCA1 and vCA1 showed distinct disruptions in neuronal population activity as animals navigated a virtual reality environment. In dCA1, pairwise correlations and entropy, a measure of the diversity of activity patterns, were decreased in APP/PS1 mice relative to age-matched C57BL/6 controls. However, in vCA1, APP/PS1 mice had increased pair-wise correlations and entropy as compared to age matched controls. Finally, using maximum entropy models, we connected the microscopic features of population activity (correlations) to the macroscopic features of the population code (entropy). We found that the models' performance increased in predicting dCA1 activity, but decreased in predicting vCA1 activity, in APP/PS1 mice relative to the controls. Taken together, we found that Aβ exerts distinct effects across different hippocampal regions, suggesting that the various behavioral deficits of AD may reflect underlying heterogeneities in neuronal circuits and the different disruptions that Aβ pathology causes in those circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udaysankar Chockanathan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Krishnan Padmanabhan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Center for Visual Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
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7
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Fang S, Luo Z, Wei Z, Qin Y, Zheng J, Zhang H, Jin J, Li J, Miao C, Yang S, Li Y, Liang Z, Yu XD, Zhang XM, Xiong W, Zhu H, Gan WB, Huang L, Li B. Sexually dimorphic control of affective state processing and empathic behaviors. Neuron 2024; 112:1498-1517.e8. [PMID: 38430912 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Recognizing the affective states of social counterparts and responding appropriately fosters successful social interactions. However, little is known about how the affective states are expressed and perceived and how they influence social decisions. Here, we show that male and female mice emit distinct olfactory cues after experiencing distress. These cues activate distinct neural circuits in the piriform cortex (PiC) and evoke sexually dimorphic empathic behaviors in observers. Specifically, the PiC → PrL pathway is activated in female observers, inducing a social preference for the distressed counterpart. Conversely, the PiC → MeA pathway is activated in male observers, evoking excessive self-grooming behaviors. These pathways originate from non-overlapping PiC neuron populations with distinct gene expression signatures regulated by transcription factors and sex hormones. Our study unveils how internal states of social counterparts are processed through sexually dimorphic mechanisms at the molecular, cellular, and circuit levels and offers insights into the neural mechanisms underpinning sex differences in higher brain functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunchang Fang
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhengyi Luo
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zicheng Wei
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yuxin Qin
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jieyan Zheng
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hongyang Zhang
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jianhua Jin
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jiali Li
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Chenjian Miao
- Institute on Aging, Hefei, China and Brain Disorders, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Shana Yang
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yonglin Li
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zirui Liang
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiao-Dan Yu
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiao Min Zhang
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Institute on Aging, Hefei, China and Brain Disorders, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Hongying Zhu
- Institute on Aging, Hefei, China and Brain Disorders, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | | | - Lianyan Huang
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510655, China.
| | - Boxing Li
- Neuroscience Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Advanced Medical Technology Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510655, China.
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8
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Chen Z, Han Y, Ma Z, Wang X, Xu S, Tang Y, Vyssotski AL, Si B, Zhan Y. A prefrontal-thalamic circuit encodes social information for social recognition. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1036. [PMID: 38310109 PMCID: PMC10838311 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45376-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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Social recognition encompasses encoding social information and distinguishing unfamiliar from familiar individuals to form social relationships. Although the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is known to play a role in social behavior, how identity information is processed and by which route it is communicated in the brain remains unclear. Here we report that a ventral midline thalamic area, nucleus reuniens (Re) that has reciprocal connections with the mPFC, is critical for social recognition in male mice. In vivo single-unit recordings and decoding analysis reveal that neural populations in both mPFC and Re represent different social stimuli, however, mPFC coding capacity is stronger. We demonstrate that chemogenetic inhibitions of Re impair the mPFC-Re neural synchronization and the mPFC social coding. Projection pathway-specific inhibitions by optogenetics reveal that the reciprocal connectivity between the mPFC and the Re is necessary for social recognition. These results reveal an mPFC-thalamic circuit for social information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Chen
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yechao Han
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zheng Ma
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinnian Wang
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Surui Xu
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yong Tang
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Alexei L Vyssotski
- Institute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bailu Si
- School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Zhan
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
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9
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Silverstein SE, O'Sullivan R, Bukalo O, Pati D, Schaffer JA, Limoges A, Zsembik L, Yoshida T, O'Malley JJ, Paletzki RF, Lieberman AG, Nonaka M, Deisseroth K, Gerfen CR, Penzo MA, Kash TL, Holmes A. A distinct cortical code for socially learned threat. Nature 2024; 626:1066-1072. [PMID: 38326610 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-07008-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Animals can learn about sources of danger while minimizing their own risk by observing how others respond to threats. However, the distinct neural mechanisms by which threats are learned through social observation (known as observational fear learning1-4 (OFL)) to generate behavioural responses specific to such threats remain poorly understood. The dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) performs several key functions that may underlie OFL, including processing of social information and disambiguation of threat cues5-11. Here we show that dmPFC is recruited and required for OFL in mice. Using cellular-resolution microendoscopic calcium imaging, we demonstrate that dmPFC neurons code for observational fear and do so in a manner that is distinct from direct experience. We find that dmPFC neuronal activity predicts upcoming switches between freezing and moving state elicited by threat. By combining neuronal circuit mapping, calcium imaging, electrophysiological recordings and optogenetics, we show that dmPFC projections to the midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) constrain observer freezing, and that amygdalar and hippocampal inputs to dmPFC opposingly modulate observer freezing. Together our findings reveal that dmPFC neurons compute a distinct code for observational fear and coordinate long-range neural circuits to select behavioural responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shana E Silverstein
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Ruairi O'Sullivan
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Olena Bukalo
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dipanwita Pati
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Julia A Schaffer
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Aaron Limoges
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Leo Zsembik
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Takayuki Yoshida
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John J O'Malley
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Abby G Lieberman
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mio Nonaka
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Mario A Penzo
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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10
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Chen H, Xiong XX, Jin SY, He XY, Li XW, Yang JM, Gao TM, Chen YH. Dopamine D2 receptors in pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex regulate social behavior. Pharmacol Res 2024; 199:107042. [PMID: 38142878 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.107042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Drugs acting on dopamine D2 receptors are widely used for the treatment of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and depression. Social deficits are a core symptom of these disorders. Pharmacological manipulation of dopamine D2 receptors (Drd2), a Gi-coupled subtype of dopamine receptors, in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has shown that Drd2 is implicated in social behaviors. However, the type of neurons expressing Drd2 in the mPFC and the underlying circuit mechanism regulating social behaviors remain largely unknown. Here, we show that Drd2 were mainly expressed in pyramidal neurons in the mPFC and that the activation of the Gi-pathway in Drd2+ pyramidal neurons impaired social behavior in male mice. In contrast, the knockdown of D2R in pyramidal neurons in the mPFC enhanced social approach behaviors in male mice and selectively facilitated the activation of mPFC neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) during social interaction. Remarkably, optogenetic activation of mPFC-to-NAc-projecting neurons mimicked the effects of conditional D2R knockdown on social behaviors. Altogether, these results demonstrate a cell type-specific role for Drd2 in the mPFC in regulating social behavior, which may be mediated by the mPFC-to-NAc pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing-Xing Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Yang Jin
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Ying He
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Li
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Ming Yang
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian-Ming Gao
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China.
| | - Yi-Hua Chen
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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11
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Walker H, Frost NA. Distinct transcriptional programs define a heterogeneous neuronal ensemble for social interaction. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.22.573153. [PMID: 38187723 PMCID: PMC10769355 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.22.573153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Reliable representations of information regarding complex behaviors including social interactions require the coordinated activity of heterogeneous cell types within distributed brain regions. Activity in the medial prefrontal cortex is critical in regulating social behavior, but our understanding of the specific cell types which comprise the social ensemble has been limited by available mouse lines and molecular tagging strategies which rely on the expression of a single marker gene. Here we sought to quantify the heterogeneous neuronal populations which are recruited during social interaction in parallel in a non-biased manner and determine how distinct cell types are differentially active during social interactions. We identify distinct populations of prefrontal neurons activated by social interaction by quantification of immediate early gene (IEG) expression in transcriptomically clustered neurons. This approach revealed variability in the recruitment of different excitatory and inhibitory populations within the medial prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, evaluation of the populations of IEGs recruited following social interaction revealed both cell-type and region-specific transcriptional programs, suggesting that reliance on a single molecular marker is insufficient to quantify activation across all cell types. Our findings provide a comprehensive description of cell-type specific transcriptional programs invoked by social interactions and reveal new insights into the heterogeneous neuronal populations which compose the social ensemble.
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12
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Davidson CJ, Mascarin AT, Yahya MA, Rubio FJ, Gheidi A. Approaches and considerations of studying neuronal ensembles: a brief review. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1310724. [PMID: 38155864 PMCID: PMC10752959 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1310724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
First theorized by Hebb, neuronal ensembles have provided a framework for understanding how the mammalian brain operates, especially regarding learning and memory. Neuronal ensembles are discrete, sparsely distributed groups of neurons that become activated in response to a specific stimulus and are thought to provide an internal representation of the world. Beyond the study of region-wide or projection-wide activation, the study of ensembles offers increased specificity and resolution to identify and target specific memories or associations. Neuroscientists interested in the neurobiology of learning, memory, and motivated behavior have used electrophysiological-, calcium-, and protein-based proxies of neuronal activity in preclinical models to better understand the neurobiology of learned and motivated behaviors. Although these three approaches may be used to pursue the same general goal of studying neuronal ensembles, technical differences lead to inconsistencies in the output and interpretation of data. This mini-review highlights some of the methodologies used in electrophysiological-, calcium-, and protein-based studies of neuronal ensembles and discusses their strengths and weaknesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron J. Davidson
- William Beaumont School of Medicine, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, United States
| | - Alixandria T. Mascarin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Majd A. Yahya
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - F. Javier Rubio
- Neuronal Ensembles in Addiction Section, Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program/National Institute on Drug Abuse/National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Ali Gheidi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University, Macon, GA, United States
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13
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Wei Y, Miao Q, Zhang Q, Mao S, Li M, Xu X, Xia X, Wei K, Fan Y, Zheng X, Fang Y, Mei M, Zhang Q, Ding J, Fan Y, Lu M, Hu G. Aerobic glycolysis is the predominant means of glucose metabolism in neuronal somata, which protects against oxidative damage. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:2081-2089. [PMID: 37996529 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01476-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
It is generally thought that under basal conditions, neurons produce ATP mainly through mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and glycolytic activity only predominates when neurons are activated and need to meet higher energy demands. However, it remains unknown whether there are differences in glucose metabolism between neuronal somata and axon terminals. Here, we demonstrated that neuronal somata perform higher levels of aerobic glycolysis and lower levels of OXPHOS than terminals, both during basal and activated states. We found that the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase 2 (PKM2) is localized predominantly in the somata rather than in the terminals. Deletion of Pkm2 in mice results in a switch from aerobic glycolysis to OXPHOS in neuronal somata, leading to oxidative damage and progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons. Our findings update the conventional view that neurons uniformly use OXPHOS under basal conditions and highlight the important role of somatic aerobic glycolysis in maintaining antioxidant capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - QianQian Miao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shiyu Mao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengke Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xing Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xian Xia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ke Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinlei Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yinquan Fang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meng Mei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qingyu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianhua Ding
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Fan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Gang Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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14
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Hu P, Wang Y, Qi XH, Shan QH, Huang ZH, Chen P, Ma X, Yang YP, Swaab DF, Samuels BA, Zhang Z, Zhou JN. SIRT1 in the BNST modulates chronic stress-induced anxiety of male mice via FKBP5 and corticotropin-releasing factor signaling. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:5101-5117. [PMID: 37386058 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02144-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Although clinical reports have highlighted association of the deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) gene with anxiety, its exact role in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders remains unclear. The present study was designed to explore whether and how SIRT1 in the mouse bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a key limbic hub region, regulates anxiety. In a chronic stress model to induce anxiety in male mice, we used site- and cell-type-specific in vivo and in vitro manipulations, protein analysis, electrophysiological and behavioral analysis, in vivo MiniScope calcium imaging and mass spectroscopy, to characterize possible mechanism underlying a novel anxiolytic role for SIRT1 in the BNST. Specifically, decreased SIRT1 in parallel with increased corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) expression was found in the BNST of anxiety model mice, whereas pharmacological activation or local overexpression of SIRT1 in the BNST reversed chronic stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors, downregulated CRF upregulation, and normalized CRF neuronal hyperactivity. Mechanistically, SIRT1 enhanced glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated CRF transcriptional repression through directly interacting with and deacetylating the GR co-chaperone FKBP5 to induce its dissociation from the GR, ultimately downregulating CRF. Together, this study unravels an important cellular and molecular mechanism highlighting an anxiolytic role for SIRT1 in the mouse BNST, which may open up new therapeutic avenues for treating stress-related anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Hu
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, PR China.
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Xiu-Hong Qi
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, PR China
| | - Qing-Hong Shan
- Institute of Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Zhao-Huan Huang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Brain-inspired Intelligence Technology and Application, School of Information Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Institute of Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, PR China
| | - Yu-Peng Yang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, PR China
| | - Dick F Swaab
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin A Samuels
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, PR China
| | - Jiang-Ning Zhou
- Institute of Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.
- Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200072, PR China.
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15
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Li M, Eltabbal M, Tran HD, Kuhn B. Scn2a insufficiency alters spontaneous neuronal Ca 2+ activity in somatosensory cortex during wakefulness. iScience 2023; 26:108138. [PMID: 37876801 PMCID: PMC10590963 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
SCN2A protein-truncating variants (PTV) can result in neurological disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, but they are less likely to cause epilepsy in comparison to missense variants. While in vitro studies showed PTV reduce action potential firing, consequences at in vivo network level remain elusive. Here, we generated a mouse model of Scn2a insufficiency using antisense oligonucleotides (Scn2a ASO mice), which recapitulated key clinical feature of SCN2A PTV disorders. Simultaneous two-photon Ca2+ imaging and electrocorticography (ECoG) in awake mice showed that spontaneous Ca2+ transients in somatosensory cortical neurons, as well as their pairwise co-activities were generally decreased in Scn2a ASO mice during spontaneous awake state and induced seizure state. The reduction of neuronal activities and paired co-activity are mechanisms associated with motor, social and cognitive deficits observed in our mouse model of severe Scn2a insufficiency, indicating these are likely mechanisms driving SCN2A PTV pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody Li
- Optical Neuroimaging Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Mohamed Eltabbal
- Optical Neuroimaging Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Hoang-Dai Tran
- Optical Neuroimaging Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Bernd Kuhn
- Optical Neuroimaging Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
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16
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Kim J, Jung MW, Lee D. Reward learning improves social signal processing in autism model mice. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113228. [PMID: 37815916 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Social and reward signal processing and their association are critical elements of social motivation. Despite the use of reward learning to improve the social interactions of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the underlying neural mechanisms are unknown. Here, we found different yet conjunct neuronal representations of social and reward signals in the mouse medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We also found that social signal processing is selectively disrupted, whereas reward signal processing is intact in the mPFC of Shank2-knockout mice, a mouse model of ASD. Furthermore, reward learning not only allows Shank2-knockout mice to associate social stimuli with reward availability, but it also rescues the impaired social signal processing. These findings provide insights into the neural basis for the therapeutic use of reward learning in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joowon Kim
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Korea; Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Min Whan Jung
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea; Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunction, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Doyun Lee
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Korea.
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17
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Frost NA, Donohue KC, Sohal V. Context-invariant socioemotional encoding by prefrontal ensembles. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.19.563015. [PMID: 37961143 PMCID: PMC10634670 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.19.563015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex plays a key role in social interactions, anxiety-related avoidance, and flexible context- dependent behaviors, raising the question: how do prefrontal neurons represent socioemotional information across different environments? Are contextual and socioemotional representations segregated or intermixed, and does this cause socioemotional encoding to remap or generalize across environments? To address this, we imaged neuronal activity in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice engaged in social interactions or anxiety-related avoidance within different environments. Neuronal ensembles representing context and social interaction overlapped more than expected while remaining orthogonal. Anxiety-related representations similarly generalized across environments while remaining orthogonal to contextual information. This shows how prefrontal cortex multiplexes parallel information streams using the same neurons, rather than distinct subcircuits, achieving context-invariant encoding despite context-specific reorganization of population-level activity.
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18
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Zhao P, Chen X, Bellafard A, Murugesan A, Quan J, Aharoni D, Golshani P. Accelerated social representational drift in the nucleus accumbens in a model of autism. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.05.552133. [PMID: 37577515 PMCID: PMC10418509 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.05.552133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Impaired social interaction is one of the core deficits of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and may result from social interactions being less rewarding. How the nucleus accumbens (NAc), as a key hub of reward circuitry, encodes social interaction and whether these representations are altered in ASD remain poorly understood. We identified NAc ensembles encoding social interactions by calcium imaging using miniaturized microscopy. NAc population activity, specifically D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) activity, predicted social interaction epochs. Despite a high turnover of NAc neurons modulated by social interaction, we found a stable population code for social interaction in NAc which was dramatically degraded in Cntnap2-/- mouse model of ASD. Surprisingly, non-specific optogenetic inhibition of NAc core neurons increased social interaction time and significantly improved sociability in Cntnap2-/- mice. Inhibition of D1- or D2-MSNs showed reciprocal effects, with D1 inhibition decreasing social interaction and D2 inhibition increasing interaction. Therefore, social interactions are preferentially, specifically and dynamically encoded by NAc neurons and social representations are degraded in this autism model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Zhao
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Arash Bellafard
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Avaneesh Murugesan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Quan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Aharoni
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peyman Golshani
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- West Los Angeles Veteran Affairs Medical Center; Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, University of California; Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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19
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Sato M, Nakai N, Fujima S, Choe KY, Takumi T. Social circuits and their dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3194-3206. [PMID: 37612363 PMCID: PMC10618103 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02201-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Social behaviors, how individuals act cooperatively and competitively with conspecifics, are widely seen across species. Rodents display various social behaviors, and many different behavioral paradigms have been used for investigating their neural circuit bases. Social behavior is highly vulnerable to brain network dysfunction caused by neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Studying mouse models of ASD provides a promising avenue toward elucidating mechanisms of abnormal social behavior and potential therapeutic targets for treatment. In this review, we outline recent progress and key findings on neural circuit mechanisms underlying social behavior, with particular emphasis on rodent studies that monitor and manipulate the activity of specific circuits using modern systems neuroscience approaches. Social behavior is mediated by a distributed brain-wide network among major cortical (e.g., medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), anterior cingulate cortex, and insular cortex (IC)) and subcortical (e.g., nucleus accumbens, basolateral amygdala (BLA), and ventral tegmental area) structures, influenced by multiple neuromodulatory systems (e.g., oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin). We particularly draw special attention to IC as a unique cortical area that mediates multisensory integration, encoding of ongoing social interaction, social decision-making, emotion, and empathy. Additionally, a synthesis of studies investigating ASD mouse models demonstrates that dysfunctions in mPFC-BLA circuitry and neuromodulation are prominent. Pharmacological rescues by local or systemic (e.g., oral) administration of various drugs have provided valuable clues for developing new therapeutic agents for ASD. Future efforts and technological advances will push forward the next frontiers in this field, such as the elucidation of brain-wide network activity and inter-brain neural dynamics during real and virtual social interactions, and the establishment of circuit-based therapy for disorders affecting social functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Sato
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nakai
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Shuhei Fujima
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Katrina Y Choe
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Toru Takumi
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan.
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan.
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20
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Xu X, Zhou H, Wu H, Miao Z, Wan B, Ren H, Ge W, Wang G, Xu X. Tet2 acts in the lateral habenula to regulate social preference in mice. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112695. [PMID: 37402169 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The lateral habenula (LHb) has been considered a moderator of social behaviors. However, it remains unknown how LHb regulates social interaction. Here, we show that the hydroxymethylase Tet2 is highly expressed in the LHb. Tet2 conditional knockout (cKO) mice exhibit impaired social preference; however, replenishing Tet2 in the LHb rescues social preference impairment in Tet2 cKO mice. Tet2 cKO alters DNA hydroxymethylation (5hmC) modifications in genes that are related to neuronal functions, as is confirmed by miniature two-photon microscopy data. Further, Tet2 knockdown in the glutamatergic neurons of LHb causes impaired social behaviors, but the inhibition of glutamatergic excitability restores social preference. Mechanistically, we identify that Tet2 deficiency reduces 5hmC modifications on the Sh3rf2 promoter and Sh3rf2 mRNA expression. Interestingly, Sh3rf2 overexpression in the LHb rescues social preference in Tet2 cKO mice. Therefore, Tet2 in the LHb may be a potential therapeutic target for social behavior deficit-related disorders such as autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyun Xu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Hang Zhou
- Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; PKU-Nanjing Joint Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing 211800, China
| | - Hainan Wu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zhigang Miao
- Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Bo Wan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Haigang Ren
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Wei Ge
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221600, China
| | - Guanghui Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.
| | - Xingshun Xu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.
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21
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Kin K, Francis-Oliveira J, Kano SI, Niwa M. Adolescent stress impairs postpartum social behavior via anterior insula-prelimbic pathway in mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2975. [PMID: 37221211 PMCID: PMC10205810 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38799-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Adolescent stress can be a risk factor for abnormal social behavior in the postpartum period, which critically affects an individual social functioning. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using a mouse model with optogenetics and in vivo calcium imaging, we found that adolescent psychosocial stress, combined with pregnancy and delivery, caused hypofunction of the glutamatergic pathway from the anterior insula to prelimbic cortex (AI-PrL pathway), which altered PrL neuronal activity, and in turn led to abnormal social behavior. Specifically, the AI-PrL pathway played a crucial role during recognizing the novelty of other mice by modulating "stable neurons" in PrL, which were constantly activated or inhibited by novel mice. We also observed that glucocorticoid receptor signaling in the AI-PrL pathway had a causal role in stress-induced postpartum changes. Our findings provide functional insights into a cortico-cortical pathway underlying adolescent stress-induced postpartum social behavioral deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyohei Kin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Jose Francis-Oliveira
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Shin-Ichi Kano
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Minae Niwa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Engineering, Birmingham, AL, 22908, USA.
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Kin K, Francis-Oliveira J, Kano SI, Niwa M. Adolescent stress impairs postpartum social behavior via anterior insula-prelimbic pathway. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.03.522598. [PMID: 36711960 PMCID: PMC9881883 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.03.522598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Adolescent stress can be a risk factor for abnormal social behavior in the postpartum period, which critically affects the safety of mothers and children. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using a newly established mouse model with optogenetics and in vivo calcium imaging, we found that adolescent psychosocial stress, combined with pregnancy and delivery, caused hypofunction of the glutamatergic pathway from the anterior insula to prelimbic cortex (AI-PrL pathway), which altered PrL neuronal activity, and in turn led to abnormal social behavior. Specifically, the AI-PrL pathway played a crucial role during recognizing the novelty of other mice by modulating ″stable neurons″ in PrL, which were constantly activated or inhibited by novel mice. We also observed that glucocorticoid receptor signaling in the AI-PrL pathway had a causal role in stress-induced postpartum changes. Our findings provide novel and functional insights into a cortico-cortical pathway underlying adolescent stress-induced postpartum social behavioral deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyohei Kin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Jose Francis-Oliveira
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Shin-ichi Kano
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Minae Niwa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Engineering, Birmingham, AL 22908, USA
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23
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Zhao C, Chen S, Zhang L, Zhang D, Wu R, Hu Y, Zeng F, Li Y, Wu D, Yu F, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Chen L, Wang A, Cheng H. Miniature three-photon microscopy maximized for scattered fluorescence collection. Nat Methods 2023; 20:617-622. [PMID: 36823329 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-01777-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
In deep-tissue multiphoton microscopy, diffusion and scattering of fluorescent photons, rather than ballistic emanation from the focal point, have been a confounding factor. Here we report on a 2.17-g miniature three-photon microscope (m3PM) with a configuration that maximizes fluorescence collection when imaging in highly scattering regimes. We demonstrate its capability by imaging calcium activity throughout the entire cortex and dorsal hippocampal CA1, up to 1.2 mm depth, at a safe laser power. It also enables the detection of sensorimotor behavior-correlated activities of layer 6 neurons in the posterior parietal cortex in freely moving mice during single-pellet reaching tasks. Thus, m3PM-empowered imaging allows the study of neural mechanisms in deep cortex and subcortical structures, like the dorsal hippocampus and dorsal striatum, in freely behaving animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunzhu Zhao
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Shiyuan Chen
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lifeng Zhang
- Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Raygen Health, Nanjing, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Runlong Wu
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhui Hu
- Beijing Transcend Vivoscope Biotech, Beijing, China
| | | | - Yijun Li
- Beijing Transcend Vivoscope Biotech, Beijing, China
| | - Dakun Wu
- Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fei Yu
- Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Materials for High Power Laser, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunfeng Zhang
- School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jue Zhang
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, Beijing, China
- College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Liangyi Chen
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Aimin Wang
- School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication System and Networks, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Heping Cheng
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Raygen Health, Nanjing, China.
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24
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Kietzman HW, Gourley SL. How social information impacts action in rodents and humans: the role of the prefrontal cortex and its connections. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 147:105075. [PMID: 36736847 PMCID: PMC10026261 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105075] [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: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Day-to-day choices often involve social information and can be influenced by prior social experience. When making a decision in a social context, a subject might need to: 1) recognize the other individual or individuals, 2) infer their intentions and emotions, and 3) weigh the values of all outcomes, social and non-social, prior to selecting an action. These elements of social information processing all rely, to some extent, on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Patients with neuropsychiatric disorders often have disruptions in prefrontal cortical function, likely contributing to deficits in social reasoning and decision making. To better understand these deficits, researchers have turned to rodents, which have revealed prefrontal cortical mechanisms for contending with the complex information processing demands inherent to making decisions in social contexts. Here, we first review literature regarding social decision making, and the information processing underlying it, in humans and patient populations. We then turn to research in rodents, discussing current procedures for studying social decision making, and underlying neural correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry W Kietzman
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Emory University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, USA; Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta GA 30329, USA.
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, USA; Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta GA 30329, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, USA.
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25
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Morgan AA, Alves ND, Stevens GS, Yeasmin TT, Mackay A, Power S, Sargin D, Hanna C, Adib AL, Ziolkowski-Blake A, Lambe EK, Ansorge MS. Medial Prefrontal Cortex Serotonin Input Regulates Cognitive Flexibility in Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.30.534775. [PMID: 37034804 PMCID: PMC10081203 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.30.534775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) regulates cognitive flexibility and emotional behavior. Neurons that release serotonin project to the mPFC, and serotonergic drugs influence emotion and cognition. Yet, the specific roles of endogenous serotonin release in the mPFC on neurophysiology and behavior are unknown. We show that axonal serotonin release in the mPFC directly inhibits the major mPFC output neurons. In serotonergic neurons projecting from the dorsal raphe to the mPFC, we find endogenous activity signatures pre-reward retrieval and at reward retrieval during a cognitive flexibility task. In vivo optogenetic activation of this pathway during pre-reward retrieval selectively improved extradimensional rule shift performance while inhibition impaired it, demonstrating sufficiency and necessity for mPFC serotonin release in cognitive flexibility. Locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior were not affected by either optogenetic manipulation. Collectively, our data reveal a powerful and specific modulatory role of endogenous serotonin release from dorsal raphe-to-mPFC projecting neurons in cognitive flexibility.
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26
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Yang T, Bayless DW, Wei Y, Landayan D, Marcelo IM, Wang Y, DeNardo LA, Luo L, Druckmann S, Shah NM. Hypothalamic neurons that mirror aggression. Cell 2023; 186:1195-1211.e19. [PMID: 36796363 PMCID: PMC10081867 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Social interactions require awareness and understanding of the behavior of others. Mirror neurons, cells representing an action by self and others, have been proposed to be integral to the cognitive substrates that enable such awareness and understanding. Mirror neurons of the primate neocortex represent skilled motor tasks, but it is unclear if they are critical for the actions they embody, enable social behaviors, or exist in non-cortical regions. We demonstrate that the activity of individual VMHvlPR neurons in the mouse hypothalamus represents aggression performed by self and others. We used a genetically encoded mirror-TRAP strategy to functionally interrogate these aggression-mirroring neurons. We find that their activity is essential for fighting and that forced activation of these cells triggers aggressive displays by mice, even toward their mirror image. Together, we have discovered a mirroring center in an evolutionarily ancient region that provides a subcortical cognitive substrate essential for a social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taehong Yang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Daniel W Bayless
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yichao Wei
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Dan Landayan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ivo M Marcelo
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Program, Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Yangpeng Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Laura A DeNardo
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Liqun Luo
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Shaul Druckmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nirao M Shah
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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27
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Yan Z. A physiological cause to empathy deficits in a mouse model of FTD. Neuron 2023; 111:757-758. [PMID: 36924759 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Loss of empathy is a core behavioral symptom of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In this issue of Neuron, a study by Phillips et al.1 reveals that hypoactivity of dorsomedial prefrontal cortex is causally linked to empathy deficits in a mouse model of FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
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28
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Phillips HL, Dai H, Choi SY, Jansen-West K, Zajicek AS, Daly L, Petrucelli L, Gao FB, Yao WD. Dorsomedial prefrontal hypoexcitability underlies lost empathy in frontotemporal dementia. Neuron 2023; 111:797-806.e6. [PMID: 36638803 PMCID: PMC10023454 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Empathic function is essential for the well-being of social species. Empathy loss is associated with various brain disorders and represents arguably the most distressing feature of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a leading form of presenile dementia. The neural mechanisms are unknown. We established an FTD mouse model deficient in empathy and observed that aged somatic transgenic mice expressing GGGGCC repeat expansions in C9orf72, a common genetic cause of FTD, exhibited blunted affect sharing and failed to console distressed conspecifics by affiliative contact. Distress-induced consoling behavior activated the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), which developed profound pyramidal neuron hypoexcitability in aged mutant mice. Optogenetic dmPFC inhibition attenuated affect sharing and other-directed consolation in wild-type mice, whereas chemogenetically enhancing dmPFC excitability rescued empathy deficits in mutant mice, even at advanced ages when substantial cortical atrophy had occurred. These results establish cortical hypoexcitability as a pathophysiological basis of empathy loss in FTD and suggest a therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L Phillips
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Huihui Dai
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - So Yoen Choi
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Karen Jansen-West
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Alexis S Zajicek
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Luke Daly
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; Neuroscience Program, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | - Fen-Biao Gao
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; Neuroscience Program, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Wei-Dong Yao
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
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29
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Liu M, Chen Y, Sun M, Du Y, Bai Y, Lei G, Zhang C, Zhang M, Zhang Y, Xi C, Ma Y, Wang G. Auts2 regulated autism-like behavior, glucose metabolism and oxidative stress in mice. Exp Neurol 2023; 361:114298. [PMID: 36525998 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by abnormal social behavior and communication. The autism susceptibility candidate 2 (AUTS2) gene has been associated with multiple neurological diseases, including ASD. Glucose metabolism plays an important role in social behaviors associated with ASD, but the potential role of AUTS2 in glucose metabolism has not been studied. Here, we generated Auts2flox/flox; Emx1Cre+ conditional knockout mice with Auts2 deletion specifically in Exm1-positive neurons in the brain (Auts2-cKO mice) to evaluate the effects of Auts2 knockdown on social behaviors and metabolic pathways. Auts2-cKO mice exhibited ASD-like behaviors, including impaired social interactions and repetitive grooming behaviors. At the molecular level, we found that Auts2 knockdown reduced brain glucose uptake and inhibited the pentose phosphate pathway. Auts2 knockdown also resulted in signs of oxidative stress, and we documented increased levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde as well as decreased levels of antioxidant molecules, including glutathione and superoxide dismutases in Auts2-cKO mouse brains compared to controls. Finally, Auts2 knockdown significantly disrupted mitochondrial homeostasis and inhibited activity of the SIRT1-SIRT3 axis. Taken together, our findings indicate that loss of AUTS2 expression in Emx1-expressing cells induces multiple changes in metabolic pathways that have been linked to the pathology of ASD. Further characterization of the role of AUTS2 in Emx1-expressing cells in regulating the metabolism of brain neurons may identify opportunities to treat ASD and AUTS2-deficiency disorders with metabolism-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yimeng Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Miao Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, China
| | - Yingjie Du
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yafan Bai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Guiyu Lei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Congya Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Mingru Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Chunhua Xi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yulong Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
| | - Guyan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China.
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30
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Wang Z, Lou S, Ma X, Guo H, Liu Y, Chen W, Lin D, Yang Y. Neural ensembles in the murine medial prefrontal cortex process distinct information during visual perceptual learning. BMC Biol 2023; 21:44. [PMID: 36829186 PMCID: PMC9960446 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01529-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perceptual learning refers to an augmentation of an organism's ability to respond to external stimuli, which has been described in most sensory modalities. Visual perceptual learning (VPL) is a manifestation of plasticity in visual information processing that occurs in the adult brain, and can be used to ameliorate the ability of patients with visual defects mainly based on an improvement of detection or discrimination of features in visual tasks. While some brain regions such as the primary visual cortex have been described to participate in VPL, the way more general high-level cognitive brain areas are involved in this process remains unclear. Here, we showed that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was essential for both the training and maintenance processes of VPL in mouse models. RESULTS We built a new VPL model in a custom-designed training chamber to enable the utilization of miniScopes when mice freely executed the VPL task. We found that pyramidal neurons in the mPFC participate in both the training process and maintenance of VPL. By recording the calcium activity of mPFC pyramidal neurons while mice freely executed the task, distinct ON and OFF neural ensembles tuned to different behaviors were identified, which might encode different cognitive information. Decoding analysis showed that mouse behaviors could be well predicted using the activity of each ON ensemble. Furthermore, VPL recruited more reward-related components in the mPFC. CONCLUSION We revealed the neural mechanism underlying vision improvement following VPL and identify distinct ON and OFF neural ensembles in the mPFC that tuned to different information during visual perceptual training. These results uncover an important role of the mPFC in VPL, with more reward-related components being also involved, and pave the way for future clarification of the reward signal coding rules in VPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenni Wang
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China
| | - Shihao Lou
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China
| | - Xiao Ma
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China
| | - Hui Guo
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China
| | - Yan Liu
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China
| | - Wenjing Chen
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 China
| | - Dating Lin
- grid.420090.f0000 0004 0533 7147Intramural Research Program, National Institute On Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224 USA
| | - Yupeng Yang
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
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31
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Guo C, Wang A, Cheng H, Chen L. New imaging instrument in animal models: Two-photon miniature microscope and large field of view miniature microscope for freely behaving animals. J Neurochem 2023; 164:270-283. [PMID: 36281555 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, novel optical imaging tools have been developed for imaging neuronal activities along with the evolution of fluorescence indicators with brighter expression and higher sensitivity. Miniature microscopes, as revolutionary approaches, enable the imaging of large populations of neuron ensembles in freely behaving rodents and mammals, which allows exploring the neural basis of behaviors. Recent progress in two-photon miniature microscopes and mesoscale single-photon miniature microscopes further expand those affordable methods to navigate neural activities during naturalistic behaviors. In this review article, two-photon miniature microscopy techniques are summarized historically from the first documented attempt to the latest ones, and comparisons are made. The driving force behind and their potential for neuroscientific inquiries are also discussed. Current progress in terms of the mesoscale, i.e., the large field-of-view miniature microscopy technique, is addressed as well. Then, pipelines for registering single cells from the data of two-photon and large field-of-view miniature microscopes are discussed. Finally, we present the potential evolution of the techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changliang Guo
- Beijing Institute of Collaborative Innovation, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Aimin Wang
- School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication System and Networks, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Heping Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Liangyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China.,Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, Beijing, China
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32
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Neuronal ensemble dynamics in social memory. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 78:102654. [PMID: 36509026 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A large body of evidence suggests that cognitive functions rely on the coordination of ensembles of neurons across brain circuits. One example is social memory, the ability to recognize and remember other conspecifics. A broad range of brain regions have been implicated in social behaviors and memory processes. At the single-cell level, neurons from different brain areas have responded to specific social features. The coordination of these ensembles both within a region and across structures is required to support social memory and decision-making. The synchronous activation of these neuronal ensembles could allow for the integration of different aspects of a social episode into a unified representation of experience. In this review, recent results on the circuit basis and physiological mechanisms of social memory are discussed, from a systems neuroscience perspective. An integrative framework of the neuronal ensemble dynamics supporting this fundamental cognitive ability is proposed.
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33
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Histone deacetylase 4 inhibition ameliorates the social deficits induced by Ephrin-B2 mutation. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 120:110622. [PMID: 36029930 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Deterioration of inhibitory synapse may be an essential neurological basis underlying abnormal social behaviours. Manipulations that regulate GABAergic transmission are associated with improved behavioural phenotypes in sociability. The synaptic protein, Ephrin-B2 (EB2), plays an important role in the maintenance and reconfiguration of inhibitory synapses in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). However, the inhibitory cell-type specific role of EB2 in the pathophysiology and treatment of social deficits remains unknown. As expected, we revealed that tdTomato-expressing cells were only found in GABAergic neurons instead of excitatory neurons in transgenic EB2-vGATCre mice. This result indicated that depletion of EB2 would occur in those neurons, which further contribute to social deficits. In addition, specific over-expression of mPFC EB2 restored the defective social behaviour abnormalities. These results suggest that the effect of EB2 on social deficits is anatomically and cell-type specific. More importantly, the global upregulation of HDAC4 expression was found in EB2-vGATCre mice. Significant subcellular nuclear shuttling of HDAC4 in vGAT+ neurons was examined and quantified, suggesting a role of nuclear HDAC4 in mediating the mechanism underlying EB2 impairment in vGAT+ neurons. Treatment with LMK235 led to a remarkable rescue of social deficits, thus our data revealed a new domain for the potential utility of HDAC targeting agents to treat social deficits. In conclusion, these results not only revealed a novel molecular mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of social deficits, but also suggested a potential intervention avenue for the treatment of social deficits.
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Kim S, Kim YE, Kim IH. Simultaneous analysis of social behaviors and neural responses in mice using round social arena system. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101722. [PMID: 36153733 PMCID: PMC9513260 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Stable and accurate capturing of detailed social behaviors is essential for studying rodent sociability. Here, we introduce a round social arena (RSA) system that enables close-up monitoring of detailed social behaviors in mice. We describe the steps to build RSA apparatus and set up the wiring for video synchronization. We then detail how to conduct RSA experiment with simultaneous Ca2+ imaging or optogenetics. This protocol also includes a custom MATLAB script for aligning the behavioral dataset to Ca2+ trace data. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Kim et al. (2022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunwhi Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Yong-Eun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Il Hwan Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
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35
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Qi X, Cui K, Zhang Y, Wang L, Tong J, Sun W, Shao S, Wang J, Wang C, Sun X, Xiao L, Xi K, Cui S, Liu F, Ma L, Zheng J, Yi M, Wan Y. A nociceptive neuronal ensemble in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex underlies pain chronicity. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111833. [PMID: 36516746 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain chronicity involves unpleasant experience in both somatosensory and affective aspects, accompanied with the prefrontal cortex (PFC) neuroplastic alterations. However, whether specific PFC neuronal ensembles underlie pain chronicity remains elusive. Here we identify a nociceptive neuronal ensemble in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), which shows prominent reactivity to nociceptive stimuli. We observed that this ensemble shows distinct molecular characteristics and is densely connected to pain-related regions including basolateral amygdala (BLA) and lateral parabrachial nuclei (LPB). Prolonged chemogenetic activation of this nociceptive neuronal ensemble, but not a randomly transfected subset of dmPFC neurons, induces chronic pain-like behaviors in normal mice. By contrast, silencing the nociceptive dmPFC neurons relieves both pain hypersensitivity and anxiety in mice with chronic inflammatory pain. These results suggest the presence of specific dmPFC neuronal ensembles in processing nociceptive information and regulating pain chronicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuetao Qi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Kun Cui
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, CAMS&PUMC, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
| | - Linshu Wang
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Jifu Tong
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Weiqi Sun
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Shan Shao
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing (CIBR), Beijing 102206, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Liming Xiao
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Medical Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Ke Xi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Shuang Cui
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Fengyu Liu
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Longyu Ma
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Ming Yi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China.
| | - You Wan
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, P.R. China.
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Wang Y, Bai Y, Xiao X, Wang L, Wei G, Guo M, Song X, Tian Y, Ming D, Yang J, Zheng C. Low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation reverses social avoidance behavior in mice experiencing social defeat stress. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:5580-5596. [PMID: 35188969 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The excitatory neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) respond to social stimuli. However, little is known about how the neural activity is altered during social avoidance, and whether it could act as a target of low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation (LIFUS) to rescue social deficits. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of neuronal activities and inflammatory responses underlying the effect of LIFUS on social avoidance. We found that chronic LIFUS stimulation can effectively improve social avoidance in the defeated mice. Calcium imaging recordings by fiber photometry in the defeated mice showed inhibited ensemble activity during social behaviors. LIFUS instantaneously triggered the mPFC neuronal activities, and chronic LIFUS significantly enhanced their neuronal excitation related to social interactions. We further found that the excessive activation of microglial cells and the overexpression of the inflammation signaling, i.e. Toll-like receptors(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-КB), in mPFC were significantly inhibited by LIFUS. These results suggest that the LIFUS may inhibit social avoidance behavior by reducing activation of the inflammatory response, increasing neuronal excitation, and protecting the integrity of the neuronal structure in the mPFC. Our findings raised the possibility of LIFUS being applied as novel neuromodulation for social avoidance treatment in neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimeng Wang
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yang Bai
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xi Xiao
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China.,School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ganjiang Wei
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Mingkun Guo
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xizi Song
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yutao Tian
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Dong Ming
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China.,School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jiajia Yang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China.,School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chenguang Zheng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin 300072, China.,School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, #92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
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37
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Beacher NJ, Washington KA, Zhang Y, Li Y, Lin DT. GRIN lens applications for studying neurobiology of substance use disorder. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 4:100049. [PMID: 36531187 PMCID: PMC9757736 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is associated with severe health and social consequences. Continued drug use results in alterations of circuits within the mesolimbic dopamine system. It is critical to observe longitudinal impacts of SUD on neural activity in vivo to identify SUD predispositions, develop pharmaceuticals to prevent overdose, and help people suffering from SUD. However, implicated SUD associated areas are buried in deep brain which makes in vivo observation of neural activity challenging. The gradient index (GRIN) lens can probe these regions in mice and rats. In this short communications review, we will discuss how the GRIN lens can be coupled with other technologies such as miniaturized microscopes, fiberscopes, fMRI, and optogenetics to fully explore in vivo SUD research. Particularly, GRIN lens allows in vivo observation of deep brain regions implicated in SUD, differentiation of genetically distinct neurons, examination of individual cells longitudinally, correlation of neuronal patters with SUD behavior, and manipulation of neural circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas James Beacher
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kayden Alecsandre Washington
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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38
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Goral RO, Harper KM, Bernstein BJ, Fry SA, Lamb PW, Moy SS, Cushman JD, Yakel JL. Loss of GABA co-transmission from cholinergic neurons impairs behaviors related to hippocampal, striatal, and medial prefrontal cortex functions. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:1067409. [PMID: 36505727 PMCID: PMC9730538 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1067409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Altered signaling or function of acetylcholine (ACh) has been reported in various neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Tourette syndrome, epilepsy among others. Many neurons that release ACh also co-transmit the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) at synapses in the hippocampus, striatum, substantia nigra, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Although ACh transmission is crucial for higher brain functions such as learning and memory, the role of co-transmitted GABA from ACh neurons in brain function remains unknown. Thus, the overarching goal of this study was to investigate how a systemic loss of GABA co-transmission from ACh neurons affected the behavioral performance of mice. Methods: To do this, we used a conditional knock-out mouse of the vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT) crossed with the ChAT-Cre driver line to selectively ablate GABA co-transmission at ACh synapses. In a comprehensive series of standardized behavioral assays, we compared Cre-negative control mice with Cre-positive vGAT knock-out mice of both sexes. Results: Loss of GABA co-transmission from ACh neurons did not disrupt the animal's sociability, motor skills or sensation. However, in the absence of GABA co-transmission, we found significant alterations in social, spatial and fear memory as well as a reduced reliance on striatum-dependent response strategies in a T-maze. In addition, male conditional knockout (CKO) mice showed increased locomotion. Discussion: Taken together, the loss of GABA co-transmission leads to deficits in higher brain functions and behaviors. Therefore, we propose that ACh/GABA co-transmission modulates neural circuitry involved in the affected behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Oliver Goral
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,Center on Compulsive Behaviors, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kathryn M. Harper
- Department of Psychiatry and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Briana J. Bernstein
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,Department of Health and Human Services, Neurobehavioral Core, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Sydney A. Fry
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,Department of Health and Human Services, Neurobehavioral Core, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Patricia W. Lamb
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Sheryl S. Moy
- Department of Psychiatry and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jesse D. Cushman
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,Department of Health and Human Services, Neurobehavioral Core, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jerrel L. Yakel
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States,*Correspondence: Jerrel L. Yakel
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39
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Noradrenergic consolidation of social recognition memory is mediated by β-arrestin-biased signaling in the mouse prefrontal cortex. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1097. [PMID: 36253525 PMCID: PMC9576713 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04051-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Social recognition memory (SRM) is critical for maintaining social relationships and increasing the survival rate. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is an important brain area associated with SRM storage. Norepinephrine (NE) release regulates mPFC neuronal intrinsic excitability and excitatory synaptic transmission, however, the roles of NE signaling in the circuitry of the locus coeruleus (LC) pathway to the mPFC during SRM storage are unknown. Here we found that LC-mPFC NE projections bidirectionally regulated SRM consolidation. Propranolol infusion and β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) or β-arrestin2 knockout in the mPFC disrupted SRM consolidation. When carvedilol, a β-blocker that can mildly activate β-arrestin-biased signaling, was injected, the mice showed no significant suppression of SRM consolidation. The impaired SRM consolidation caused by β1-AR or β-arrestin2 knockout in the mPFC was not rescued by activating LC-mPFC NE projections; however, the impaired SRM by inhibition of LC-mPFC NE projections or β1-AR knockout in the mPFC was restored by activating the β-arrestin signaling pathway in the mPFC. Furthermore, the activation of β-arrestin signaling improved SRM consolidation in aged mice. Our study suggests that LC-mPFC NE projections regulate SRM consolidation through β-arrestin-biased β-AR signaling. Social memory consolidation requires norepinephrine release in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and enhancing beta-arrestin signaling in the mPFC restores social recognition memory that is normally impaired by age in mice.
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40
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Zhao Z, Zeng F, Wang H, Wu R, Chen L, Wu Y, Li S, Shao J, Wang Y, Wu J, Feng Z, Gao W, Hu Y, Wang A, Cheng H, Zhang J, Chen L, Wu H. Encoding of social novelty by sparse GABAergic neural ensembles in the prelimbic cortex. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo4884. [PMID: 36044579 PMCID: PMC9432833 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo4884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Although the prelimbic (PrL) area is associated with social behaviors, the neural ensembles that regulate social preference toward novelty or familiarity remain unknown. Using miniature two-photon microscopy (mTPM) to visualize social behavior-associated neuronal activity within the PrL in freely behaving mice, we found that the Ca2+ transients of GABAergic neurons were more highly correlated with social behaviors than those of glutamatergic neurons. Chemogenetic suppression of social behavior-activated GABAergic neurons in the PrL disrupts social novelty behaviors. Restoring the MeCP2 level in PrL GABAergic neurons in MECP2 transgenic (MECP2-TG) mice rescues the social novelty deficits. Moreover, we identified and characterized sparsely distributed NewPNs and OldPNs of GABAergic interneurons in the PrL preferentially responsible for new and old mouse exploration, respectively. Together, we propose that social novelty information may be encoded by the responses of NewPNs and OldPNs in the PrL area, possibly via synergistic actions on both sides of the seesaw.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | | | - Hanbin Wang
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Runlong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Shen Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Jingyuan Shao
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Wu
- College of Engineering, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Zhiheng Feng
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Weizheng Gao
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Yanhui Hu
- Beijing Transcend Vivoscope Biotech Co. Ltd., 100094 Beijing, China
| | - Aimin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication System and Networks, School of Electronics, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Heping Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Jue Zhang
- College of Engineering, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Liangyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, 100871 Beijing, China
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Haitao Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Coinnovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu Province, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, 102206 Beijing, China
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41
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Bhattarai JP, Etyemez S, Jaaro-Peled H, Janke E, Leon Tolosa UD, Kamiya A, Gottfried JA, Sawa A, Ma M. Olfactory modulation of the medial prefrontal cortex circuitry: Implications for social cognition. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 129:31-39. [PMID: 33975755 PMCID: PMC8573060 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Olfactory dysfunction is manifested in a wide range of neurological and psychiatric diseases, and often emerges prior to the onset of more classical symptoms and signs. From a behavioral perspective, olfactory deficits typically arise in conjunction with impairments of cognition, motivation, memory, and emotion. However, a conceptual framework for explaining the impact of olfactory processing on higher brain functions in health and disease remains lacking. Here we aim to provide circuit-level insights into this question by synthesizing recent advances in olfactory network connectivity with other cortical brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex. We will focus on social cognition as a representative model for exploring and critically evaluating the relationship between olfactory cortices and higher-order cortical regions in rodent models. Although rodents do not recapitulate all dimensions of human social cognition, they have experimentally accessible neural circuits and well-established behavioral tests for social motivation, memory/recognition, and hierarchy, which can be extrapolated to other species including humans. In particular, the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been recognized as a key brain region in mediating social cognition in both rodents and humans. This review will highlight the underappreciated connectivity, both anatomical and functional, between the olfactory system and mPFC circuitry, which together provide a neural substrate for olfactory modulation of social cognition and social behaviors. We will provide future perspectives on the functional investigation of the olfactory-mPFC circuit in rodent models and discuss how to translate such animal research to human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janardhan P Bhattarai
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Semra Etyemez
- Department of Psychiatry, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Hanna Jaaro-Peled
- Department of Psychiatry, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Emma Janke
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Usuy D Leon Tolosa
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Atsushi Kamiya
- Department of Psychiatry, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jay A Gottfried
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, School of Arts and Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Akira Sawa
- Department of Psychiatry, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Departments of Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, and Genetic Medicine, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
| | - Minghong Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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42
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Wei JA, Han Q, Luo Z, Liu L, Cui J, Tan J, Chow BKC, So KF, Zhang L. Amygdala neural ensemble mediates mouse social investigation behaviors. Natl Sci Rev 2022; 10:nwac179. [PMID: 36845323 PMCID: PMC9952061 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwac179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate social investigation behaviors are critical for animal survival and are regulated by both neural circuits and neuroendocrine factors. Our understanding of how neuropeptides regulate social interest, however, is incomplete at the current stage. In this study, we identified the expression of secretin (SCT) in a subpopulation of excitatory neurons in the basolateral amygdala. With distinct molecular and physiological features, BLASCT+ cells projected to the medial prefrontal cortex and were necessary and sufficient for promoting social investigation behaviors, whilst other basolateral amygdala neurons were anxiogenic and antagonized social behaviors. Moreover, the exogenous application of secretin effectively promoted social interest in both healthy and autism spectrum disorder model mice. These results collectively demonstrate a previously unrecognized group of amygdala neurons for mediating social behaviors and suggest promising strategies for social deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Linglin Liu
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jing Cui
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jiahui Tan
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Billy K C Chow
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China,Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou 510030, China,BiolandLaboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou 510006, China,Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 220619, China,Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Institute, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266113, China,Institute of Clinical Research for Mental Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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43
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Kietzman HW, Trinoskey-Rice G, Blumenthal SA, Guo JD, Gourley SL. Social incentivization of instrumental choice in mice requires amygdala-prelimbic cortex-nucleus accumbens connectivity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4768. [PMID: 35970891 PMCID: PMC9378688 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32388-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Social experiences influence decision making, including decision making lacking explicit social content, yet mechanistic factors are unclear. We developed a new procedure, social incentivization of future choice (SIFC). Female mice are trained to nose poke for equally-preferred foods, then one food is paired with a novel conspecific, and the other with a novel object. Mice later respond more for the conspecific-associated food. Thus, prior social experience incentivizes later instrumental choice. SIFC is pervasive, occurring following multiple types of social experiences, and is not attributable to warmth or olfactory cues alone. SIFC requires the prelimbic prefrontal cortex (PL), but not the neighboring orbitofrontal cortex. Further, inputs from the basolateral amygdala to the PL and outputs to the nucleus accumbens are necessary for SIFC, but not memory for a conspecific. Basolateral amygdala→PL connections may signal the salience of social information, leading to the prioritization of coincident rewards via PL→nucleus accumbens outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry W Kietzman
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gracy Trinoskey-Rice
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah A Blumenthal
- Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jidong D Guo
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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44
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Sakamoto T, Yashima J. Prefrontal cortex is necessary for long-term social recognition memory in mice. Behav Brain Res 2022; 435:114051. [PMID: 35952777 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays critical roles in social cognition and emotional regulation in humans and rodents; however, its involvement in social recognition memory in mice remains unclear. Here, we examined the roles of the PFC in short-term and long-term social recognition memory, social motivation, and anxiety-related behavior in C57BL/6J male mice. Sham control and PFC-lesioned mice underwent four different behavioral tests. In the social recognition test, composed of three daily trials over 3 consecutive days, the control mice spent less time investigating the juvenile stimulus mouse both within each day and across days. By contrast, while social investigation behavior in PFC-lesioned mice decreased across the three trials within each day, it did not decrease over the 3-day testing period. These results indicate that the PFC has an important role in long-term, but not short-term, social recognition memory. The control and PFC-lesioned mice exhibited similar social motivation in the three-chamber test - both groups preferred the juvenile mouse to the empty cylinder and did not prefer the adult mouse. In addition, the PFC lesion had no impact on anxiety-related behavior or general activity in the light-dark transition test or the open field test. Our findings demonstrate that the PFC is essential for long-term social recognition memory and that it plays a critical role in higher-order social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiro Sakamoto
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Science, Kyoto Tachibana University, Yamashina, Kyoto 607-8175, Japan.
| | - Joi Yashima
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Science, Kyoto Tachibana University, Yamashina, Kyoto 607-8175, Japan
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45
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Pattern decorrelation in the mouse medial prefrontal cortex enables social preference and requires MeCP2. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3899. [PMID: 35794118 PMCID: PMC9259602 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31578-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Sociability is crucial for survival, whereas social avoidance is a feature of disorders such as Rett syndrome, which is caused by loss-of-function mutations in MECP2. To understand how a preference for social interactions is encoded, we used in vivo calcium imaging to compare medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) activity in female wild-type and Mecp2-heterozygous mice during three-chamber tests. We found that mPFC pyramidal neurons in Mecp2-deficient mice are hypo-responsive to both social and nonsocial stimuli. Hypothesizing that this limited dynamic range restricts the circuit's ability to disambiguate coactivity patterns for different stimuli, we suppressed the mPFC in wild-type mice and found that this eliminated both pattern decorrelation and social preference. Conversely, stimulating the mPFC in MeCP2-deficient mice restored social preference, but only if it was sufficient to restore pattern decorrelation. A loss of social preference could thus indicate impaired pattern decorrelation rather than true social avoidance.
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46
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Kim S, Kim YE, Song I, Ujihara Y, Kim N, Jiang YH, Yin HH, Lee TH, Kim IH. Neural circuit pathology driven by Shank3 mutation disrupts social behaviors. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110906. [PMID: 35675770 PMCID: PMC9210496 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunctional sociability is a core symptom in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that may arise from neural-network dysconnectivity between multiple brain regions. However, pathogenic neural-network mechanisms underlying social dysfunction are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that circuit-selective mutation (ctMUT) of ASD-risk Shank3 gene within a unidirectional projection from the prefrontal cortex to the basolateral amygdala alters spine morphology and excitatory-inhibitory balance of the circuit. Shank3 ctMUT mice show reduced sociability as well as elevated neural activity and its amplitude variability, which is consistent with the neuroimaging results from human ASD patients. Moreover, the circuit hyper-activity disrupts the temporal correlation of socially tuned neurons to the events of social interactions. Finally, optogenetic circuit activation in wild-type mice partially recapitulates the reduced sociability of Shank3 ctMUT mice, while circuit inhibition in Shank3 ctMUT mice partially rescues social behavior. Collectively, these results highlight a circuit-level pathogenic mechanism of Shank3 mutation that drives social dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunwhi Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Yong-Eun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Inuk Song
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Yusuke Ujihara
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Namsoo Kim
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Yong-Hui Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Henry H Yin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Tae-Ho Lee
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Il Hwan Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
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47
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Liang B, Thapa R, Zhang G, Moffitt C, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Johnston A, Ruby HP, Barbera G, Wong PC, Zhang Z, Chen R, Lin DT, Li Y. Aberrant Neural Activity in Prefrontal Pyramidal Neurons Lacking TDP-43 Precedes Neuron loss. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 215:102297. [PMID: 35667630 PMCID: PMC9258405 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mislocalization of TAR DNA binding protein 43 kDa (TARDBP, or TDP-43) is a principal pathological hallmark identified in cases of neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). As an RNA binding protein, TDP-43 serves in the nuclear compartment to repress non-conserved cryptic exons to ensure the normal transcriptome. Multiple lines of evidence from animal models and human studies support the view that loss of TDP-43 leads to neuron loss, independent of its cytosolic aggregation. However, the underlying pathogenic pathways driven by the loss-of-function mechanism are still poorly defined. We employed a genetic approach to determine the impact of TDP-43 loss in pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Using a custom-built miniscope imaging system, we performed repetitive in vivo calcium imaging from freely behaving mice for up to 7 months. By comparing calcium activity in PFC pyramidal neurons between TDP-43 depleted and TDP-43 intact mice, we demonstrated remarkably increased numbers of pyramidal neurons exhibiting hyperactive calcium activity after short-term TDP-43 depletion, followed by rapid activity declines prior to neuron loss. Our results suggest aberrant neural activity driven by loss of TDP-43 as the pathogenic pathway at early stage in ALS and FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liang
- School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, College of Engineering & Mines, University of North Dakota, 243 Centennial Drive Stop 7165, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA.
| | - Rashmi Thapa
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
| | - Gracie Zhang
- Laramie High School, 1710 Boulder Drive, Laramie, WY 82070, USA.
| | - Casey Moffitt
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Lifeng Zhang
- School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, College of Engineering & Mines, University of North Dakota, 243 Centennial Drive Stop 7165, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA; Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA; Laramie High School, 1710 Boulder Drive, Laramie, WY 82070, USA; Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 100N. Greene St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Amanda Johnston
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
| | - Hyrum P Ruby
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
| | - Giovanni Barbera
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Philip C Wong
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Zhaojie Zhang
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 100N. Greene St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
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48
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Lv H, Gu X, Shan X, Zhu T, Ma B, Zhang HT, Bambini-Junior V, Zhang T, Li WG, Gao X, Li F. Nanoformulated Bumetanide Ameliorates Social Deficiency in BTBR Mice Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Immunol 2022; 13:870577. [PMID: 35693812 PMCID: PMC9179025 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.870577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with few medication options. Bumetanide, an FDA-approved diuretic, has been proposed as a viable candidate to treat core symptoms of ASD, however, neither the brain region related to its effect nor the cell-specific mechanism(s) is clear. The availability of nanoparticles provides a viable way to identify pharmacological mechanisms for use in ASD. Here, we found that treatment with bumetanide, in a systemic and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) region-specific way, attenuated social deficits in BTBR mice. Furthermore, using poly (ethylene glycol)-poly(l-lactide) (PEG-PLA) nanoparticles [NP(bumetanide)], we showed that the administration of NP(bumetanide) in a mPFC region-specific way also alleviated the social deficits of BTBR mice. Mechanistically, the behavioral effect of NP(bumetanide) was dependent on selective microglia-specific targeting in the mPFC. Pharmacological depletion of microglia significantly reduced the effect of nanoencapsulation and depletion of microglia alone did not improve the social deficits in BTBR mice. These findings suggest the potential therapeutic capabilities of nanotechnology for ASD, as well as the relevant link between bumetanide and immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Lv
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioural Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Gu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingyue Shan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tailin Zhu
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioural Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingke Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao-Tian Zhang
- Brain and Behavioral Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education (MOE)-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Victorio Bambini-Junior
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Tiantian Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Guang Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoling Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Li, ; Xiaoling Gao,
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric & Child Primary Care, Brain and Behavioural Research Unit of Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research and Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Li, ; Xiaoling Gao,
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Liang B, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Werner CT, Beacher NJ, Denman AJ, Li Y, Chen R, Gerfen CR, Barbera G, Lin DT. Striatal direct pathway neurons play leading roles in accelerating rotarod motor skill learning. iScience 2022; 25:104245. [PMID: 35494244 PMCID: PMC9046249 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Dorsal striatum is important for movement control and motor skill learning. However, it remains unclear how the spatially and temporally distributed striatal medium spiny neuron (MSN) activity in the direct and indirect pathways (D1 and D2 MSNs, respectively) encodes motor skill learning. Combining miniature fluorescence microscopy with an accelerating rotarod procedure, we identified two distinct MSN subpopulations involved in accelerating rotarod learning. In both D1 and D2 MSNs, we observed neurons that displayed activity tuned to acceleration during early stages of trials, as well as movement speed during late stages of trials. We found a distinct evolution trajectory for early-stage neurons during motor skill learning, with the evolution of D1 MSNs correlating strongly with performance improvement. Importantly, optogenetic inhibition of the early-stage neural activity in D1 MSNs, but not D2 MSNs, impaired accelerating rotarod learning. Together, this study provides insight into striatal D1 and D2 MSNs encoding motor skill learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, College of Engineering & Mines, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - Lifeng Zhang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Craig T. Werner
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Nicholas J. Beacher
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Alex J. Denman
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 100 N Greene St, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Charles R. Gerfen
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Building 49, Room 5A60, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Giovanni Barbera
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Da-Ting Lin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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50
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Tabet A, Apra C, Stranahan AM, Anikeeva P. Changes in Brain Neuroimmunology Following Injury and Disease. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:894500. [PMID: 35573444 PMCID: PMC9093707 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.894500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The nervous and immune systems are intimately related in the brain and in the periphery, where changes to one affect the other and vice-versa. Immune cells are responsible for sculpting and pruning neuronal synapses, and play key roles in neuro-development and neurological disease pathology. The immune composition of the brain is tightly regulated from the periphery through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), whose maintenance is driven to a significant extent by extracellular matrix (ECM) components. After a brain insult, the BBB can become disrupted and the composition of the ECM can change. These changes, and the resulting immune infiltration, can have detrimental effects on neurophysiology and are the hallmarks of several diseases. In this review, we discuss some processes that may occur after insult, and potential consequences to brain neuroimmunology and disease progression. We then highlight future research directions and opportunities for further tool development to probe the neuro-immune interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Tabet
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Anthony Tabet
| | - Caroline Apra
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Sorbonne Universite, Paris, France
| | - Alexis M. Stranahan
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Polina Anikeeva
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Polina Anikeeva
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