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Golmohammadi H, Shirmohammadi D, Mazaheri S, Haghparast A. D2-like dopamine receptors blockade within the dentate gyrus shows a greater effect on stress-induced analgesia in the tail-flick test compared to D1-like dopamine receptors. Behav Pharmacol 2024; 35:253-262. [PMID: 38869040 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute stress, as a protective mechanism to respond to an aversive stimulus, can often be accompanied by suppressing pain perception via promoting consistent burst firing of dopamine neurons. Besides, sensitive and advanced research techniques led to the recognition of the mesohippocampal dopaminergic terminals, particularly in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Moreover, previous studies have shown that dopamine receptors within the hippocampal DG play a critical role in induced antinociceptive responses by forced swim stress (FSS) in the presence of inflammatory pain. Since different pain states can trigger various mechanisms and transmitter systems, the present experiments aimed to investigate whether dopaminergic receptors within the DG have the same role in the presence of acute thermal pain. METHODS Ninety-seven adult male albino Wistar rats underwent stereotaxic surgery, and a stainless steel guide cannula was unilaterally implanted 1 mm above the DG. Different doses of SCH23390 or sulpiride as D1- and D2-like dopamine receptor antagonists were microinjected into the DG 5-10 min before exposure to FSS, and 5 min after FSS exposure, the tail-flick test evaluated the effect of stress on the nociceptive response at the time-set intervals. RESULTS The results demonstrated that exposure to FSS could significantly increase the acute pain perception threshold, while intra-DG administration of SCH23390 and sulpiride reduced the antinociceptive effect of FSS in the tail-flick test. DISCUSSION Additionally, it seems the D2-like dopamine receptor within the DG plays a more prominent role in FSS-induced analgesia in the acute pain model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Homayoon Golmohammadi
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science
| | | | - Sajad Mazaheri
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science
| | - Abbas Haghparast
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science
- School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences
- Department of Basic Sciences, Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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2
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Deng J, Chen L, Liu CC, Liu M, Guo GQ, Wei JY, Zhang JB, Fan HT, Zheng ZK, Yan P, Zhang XZ, Zhou F, Huang SX, Zhang JF, Xu T, Xie JD, Xin WJ. Distinct Thalamo-Subcortical Circuits Underlie Painful Behavior and Depression-Like Behavior Following Nerve Injury. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2401855. [PMID: 38973158 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202401855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Clinically, chronic pain and depression often coexist in multiple diseases and reciprocally reinforce each other, which greatly escalates the difficulty of treatment. The neural circuit mechanism underlying the chronic pain/depression comorbidity remains unclear. The present study reports that two distinct subregions in the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) play different roles in this pathological process. In the first subregion PVT posterior (PVP), glutamatergic neurons (PVPGlu) send signals to GABAergic neurons (VLPAGGABA) in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (VLPAG), which mediates painful behavior in comorbidity. Meanwhile, in another subregion PVT anterior (PVA), glutamatergic neurons (PVAGlu) send signals to the nucleus accumbens D1-positive neurons and D2-positive neurons (NAcD1→D2), which is involved in depression-like behavior in comorbidity. This study demonstrates that the distinct thalamo-subcortical circuits PVPGlu→VLPAGGABA and PVAGlu→NAcD1→D2 mediated painful behavior and depression-like behavior following spared nerve injury (SNI), respectively, which provides the circuit-based potential targets for preventing and treating comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Deng
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Neuroscience Program, Zhongshan School of Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Neuroscience Program, Zhongshan School of Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Cui-Cui Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Guo-Qing Guo
- Neuroscience Laboratory for Cognitive and Developmental Disorders, Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Jia-You Wei
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Neuroscience Program, Zhongshan School of Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jian-Bo Zhang
- Department of Pain Medicine, The State Key Clinical Specialty in Pain Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Hai-Ting Fan
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zi-Kun Zheng
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Pu Yan
- Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Xiang-Zhong Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- Department of Neurology, First people's hospital of Foshan, Foshan, Guangdong, 510168, China
| | - Sui-Xiang Huang
- Department of Pain Medicine, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Ji-Feng Zhang
- Neuroscience Laboratory for Cognitive and Developmental Disorders, Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Neuroscience Program, Zhongshan School of Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jing-Dun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Wen-Jun Xin
- Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Neuroscience Program, Zhongshan School of Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
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3
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Zhang Y, Ma H, Bai Y, Hou X, Yang Y, Wang G, Li Y. Chronic Neuropathic Pain and Comorbid Depression Syndrome: From Neural Circuit Mechanisms to Treatment. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:2432-2444. [PMID: 38916052 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00125] [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] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain and comorbid depression syndrome (CDS) is a major worldwide health problem that affects the quality of life of patients and imposes a tremendous socioeconomic burden. More than half of patients with chronic neuropathic pain also suffer from moderate or severe depression. Due to the complex pathogenesis of CDS, there are no effective therapeutic drugs available. The lack of research on the neural circuit mechanisms of CDS limits the development of treatments. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the various circuits involved in CDS. Notably, activating some neural circuits can alleviate pain and/or depression, while activating other circuits can exacerbate these conditions. Moreover, we discuss current and emerging pharmacotherapies for CDS, such as ketamine. Understanding the circuit mechanisms of CDS may provide clues for the development of novel drug treatments for improved CDS management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Hui Ma
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Yafan Bai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaojuan Hou
- Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, 075000, China
| | - Yixin Yang
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Guyan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yunfeng Li
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing, 100850, China
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4
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Harding EK, Zhang Z, Canet-Pons J, Stokes-Heck S, Trang T, Zamponi GW. Expression of GAD2 in excitatory neurons projecting from the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray to the locus coeruleus. iScience 2024; 27:109972. [PMID: 38868198 PMCID: PMC11166693 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109972] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) functionally projects to diverse brain regions, including the locus coeruleus (LC). Excitatory projections from the vlPAG to the LC are well described, while few studies have indicated the possibility of inhibitory projections. Here, we quantified the relative proportion of excitatory and inhibitory vlPAG-LC projections in male and female mice, and found an unexpected overlapping population of neurons expressing both GAD2 and VGLUT2. Combined in vitro optogenetic stimulation and electrophysiology of LC neurons revealed that vlPAG neurons expressing channelrhodopsin-2 under the GAD2 promoter release both GABA and glutamate. Subsequent experiments identified a population of GAD2+/VGLUT2+ vlPAG neurons exclusively releasing glutamate onto LC neurons. Altogether, we demonstrate that ∼25% of vlPAG-LC projections are inhibitory, and that there is a significant GAD2 expressing population of glutamatergic projections. Our findings have broad implications for the utility of GAD2-Cre lines within midbrain and brainstem regions, and especially within the PAG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika K. Harding
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Zizhen Zhang
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Julia Canet-Pons
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Sierra Stokes-Heck
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Tuan Trang
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Gerald W. Zamponi
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
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5
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Gereau GB, Torruella-Suárez ML, Sizer SE, Xia M, Zhou D, Wykoff LA, Teklezghi AT, Alvarez-Pamir A, Boyt KM, Kash TL, McElligott ZA. GABA release from central amygdala neurotensin neurons differentially modulates ethanol consumption in male and female mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:1151-1161. [PMID: 38418568 PMCID: PMC11109172 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01830-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala is known to play key roles in alcohol use and affect. Neurotensin neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala have been shown to regulate alcohol drinking in male mice. However, little is known about which neurotransmitters released by these cells drive alcohol consumption or whether these cells drive alcohol consumption in female mice. Here we show that knockdown of GABA release from central amygdala neurotensin neurons using a Nts-cre-dependent vGAT-shRNA-based AAV strategy reduces alcohol drinking in male, but not female, mice. This manipulation did not impact avoidance behavior, except in a fasted novelty-suppressed feeding test, in which vGAT shRNA mice demonstrated increased latency to feed on a familiar high-value food reward, an effect driven by male mice. In contrast, vGAT shRNA female mice showed heightened sensitivity to thermal stimulation. These data show a role for GABA release from central amygdala neurotensin neurons in modulating consumption of rewarding substances in different motivational states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graydon B Gereau
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - María L Torruella-Suárez
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sarah E Sizer
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mengfan Xia
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Diana Zhou
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Luke A Wykoff
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Adonay T Teklezghi
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ali Alvarez-Pamir
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kristen M Boyt
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Zoé A McElligott
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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6
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Li YD, Luo YJ, Su WK, Ge J, Crowther A, Chen ZK, Wang L, Lazarus M, Liu ZL, Qu WM, Huang ZL. Anterior cingulate cortex projections to the dorsal medial striatum underlie insomnia associated with chronic pain. Neuron 2024; 112:1328-1341.e4. [PMID: 38354737 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.01.014] [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: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Chronic pain often leads to the development of sleep disturbances. However, the precise neural circuit mechanisms responsible for sleep disorders in chronic pain have remained largely unknown. Here, we present compelling evidence that hyperactivity of pyramidal neurons (PNs) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) drives insomnia in a mouse model of nerve-injury-induced chronic pain. After nerve injury, ACC PNs displayed spontaneous hyperactivity selectively in periods of insomnia. We then show that ACC PNs were both necessary for developing chronic-pain-induced insomnia and sufficient to mimic sleep loss in naive mice. Importantly, combining optogenetics and electrophysiological recordings, we found that the ACC projection to the dorsal medial striatum (DMS) underlies chronic-pain-induced insomnia through enhanced activity and plasticity of ACC-DMS dopamine D1R neuron synapses. Our findings shed light on the pivotal role of ACC PNs in developing chronic-pain-induced sleep disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Dong Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Emotions and Affective Disorders (LEAD), Shanghai 201699, China.
| | - Yan-Jia Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Wei-Kun Su
- Songjiang Research Institute, Songjiang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Emotions and Affective Disorders (LEAD), Shanghai 201699, China
| | - Jing Ge
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Andrew Crowther
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Ze-Ka Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Michael Lazarus
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS) and Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Zi-Long Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Wei-Min Qu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Zhi-Li Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, and Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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7
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Zhang H, Zhu Z, Ma WX, Kong LX, Yuan PC, Bu LF, Han J, Huang ZL, Wang YQ. The contribution of periaqueductal gray in the regulation of physiological and pathological behaviors. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1380171. [PMID: 38650618 PMCID: PMC11034386 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1380171] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Periaqueductal gray (PAG), an integration center for neuronal signals, is located in the midbrain and regulates multiple physiological and pathological behaviors, including pain, defensive and aggressive behaviors, anxiety and depression, cardiovascular response, respiration, and sleep-wake behaviors. Due to the different neuroanatomical connections and functional characteristics of the four functional columns of PAG, different subregions of PAG synergistically regulate various instinctual behaviors. In the current review, we summarized the role and possible neurobiological mechanism of different subregions of PAG in the regulation of pain, defensive and aggressive behaviors, anxiety, and depression from the perspective of the up-down neuronal circuits of PAG. Furthermore, we proposed the potential clinical applications of PAG. Knowledge of these aspects will give us a better understanding of the key role of PAG in physiological and pathological behaviors and provide directions for future clinical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Screening and Re-evaluation of Active Compounds of Herbal Medicines in Southern Anhui, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center for Polysaccharide Drugs, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Zhe Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Xiang Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling-Xi Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping-Chuan Yuan
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Screening and Re-evaluation of Active Compounds of Herbal Medicines in Southern Anhui, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center for Polysaccharide Drugs, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Li-Fang Bu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Han
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Screening and Re-evaluation of Active Compounds of Herbal Medicines in Southern Anhui, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center for Polysaccharide Drugs, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Zhi-Li Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Qun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Joint International Research Laboratory of Sleep, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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8
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Peedikayil-Kurien S, Setty H, Oren-Suissa M. Environmental experiences shape sexually dimorphic neuronal circuits and behaviour. FEBS J 2024; 291:1080-1101. [PMID: 36582142 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Dimorphic traits, shaped by both natural and sexual selection, ensure optimal fitness and survival of the organism. This includes neuronal circuits that are largely affected by different experiences and environmental conditions. Recent evidence suggests that sexual dimorphism of neuronal circuits extends to different levels such as neuronal activity, connectivity and molecular topography that manifest in response to various experiences, including chemical exposures, starvation and stress. In this review, we propose some common principles that govern experience-dependent sexually dimorphic circuits in both vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. While sexually dimorphic neuronal circuits are predetermined, they have to maintain a certain level of fluidity to be adaptive to different experiences. The first layer of dimorphism is at the level of the neuronal circuit, which appears to be dictated by sex-biased transcription factors. This could subsequently lead to differences in the second layer of regulation namely connectivity and synaptic properties. The third regulator of experience-dependent responses is the receptor level, where dimorphic expression patterns determine the primary sensory encoding. We also highlight missing pieces in this field and propose future directions that can shed light onto novel aspects of sexual dimorphism with potential benefits to sex-specific therapeutic approaches. Thus, sexual identity and experience simultaneously determine behaviours that ultimately result in the maximal survival success.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hagar Setty
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Meital Oren-Suissa
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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9
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Lu X, Xue J, Lai Y, Tang X. Heterogeneity of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons: From molecular classifications, electrophysiological properties to functional connectivity. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23465. [PMID: 38315491 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202302031r] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The mesencephalic dopamine (DA) system is composed of neuronal subtypes that are molecularly and functionally distinct, are responsible for specific behaviors, and are closely associated with numerous brain disorders. Existing research has made significant advances in identifying the heterogeneity of mesencephalic DA neurons, which is necessary for understanding their diverse physiological functions and disease susceptibility. Moreover, there is a conflict regarding the electrophysiological properties of the distinct subsets of midbrain DA neurons. This review aimed to elucidate recent developments in the heterogeneity of midbrain DA neurons, including subpopulation categorization, electrophysiological characteristics, and functional connectivity to provide new strategies for accurately identifying distinct subtypes of midbrain DA neurons and investigating the underlying mechanisms of these neurons in various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaying Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Jinhua Xue
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Yudong Lai
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Xiaolu Tang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
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10
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Zhang Z, Zheng H, Yu Q, Jing X. Understanding of Spinal Wide Dynamic Range Neurons and Their Modulation on Pathological Pain. J Pain Res 2024; 17:441-457. [PMID: 38318328 PMCID: PMC10840524 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s446803] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The spinal dorsal horn (SDH) transmits sensory information from the periphery to the brain. Wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons within this relay site play a critical role in modulating and integrating peripheral sensory inputs, as well as the process of central sensitization during pathological pain. This group of spinal multi-receptive neurons has attracted considerable attention in pain research due to their capabilities for encoding the location and intensity of nociception. Meanwhile, transmission, processing, and modulation of incoming afferent information in WDR neurons also establish the underlying basis for investigating the integration of acupuncture and pain signals. This review aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the distinctive features of WDR neurons and their involvement in pain. Specifically, we will examine the regulation of diverse supraspinal nuclei on these neurons and analyze their potential in elucidating the mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyun Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Zheng
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingquan Yu
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xianghong Jing
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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11
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Liu D, Hu SW, Wang D, Zhang Q, Zhang X, Ding HL, Cao JL. An Ascending Excitatory Circuit from the Dorsal Raphe for Sensory Modulation of Pain. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0869232023. [PMID: 38124016 PMCID: PMC10860493 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0869-23.2023] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is an important nucleus in pain regulation. However, the underlying neural pathway and the function of specific cell types remain unclear. Here, we report a previously unrecognized ascending facilitation pathway, the DRN to the mesoaccumbal dopamine (DA) circuit, for regulating pain. Chronic pain increased the activity of DRN glutamatergic, but not serotonergic, neurons projecting to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) (DRNGlu-VTA) in male mice. The optogenetic activation of DRNGlu-VTA circuit induced a pain-like response in naive male mice, and its inhibition produced an analgesic effect in male mice with neuropathic pain. Furthermore, we discovered that DRN ascending pathway regulated pain through strengthened excitatory transmission onto the VTA DA neurons projecting to the ventral part of nucleus accumbens medial shell (vNAcMed), thereby activated the mesoaccumbal DA neurons. Correspondingly, optogenetic manipulation of this three-node pathway bilaterally regulated pain behaviors. These findings identified a DRN ascending excitatory pathway that is crucial for pain sensory processing, which can potentially be exploited toward targeting pain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Liu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Su-Wan Hu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Di Wang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Hai-Lei Ding
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
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12
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Liang Y, Zhou Y, Moneruzzaman M, Wang Y. Optogenetic Neuromodulation in Inflammatory Pain. Neuroscience 2024; 536:104-118. [PMID: 37977418 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory pain is one of the most prevalent forms of pain and negatively influences the quality of life. Neuromodulation has been an expanding field of pain medicine and is accepted by patients who have failed to respond to several conservative treatments. Despite its effectiveness, neuromodulation still lacks clinically robust evidence on inflammatory pain management. Optogenetics, which controls particular neurons or brain circuits with high spatiotemporal accuracy, has recently been an emerging area for inflammatory pain management and studying its mechanism. This review considers the fundamentals of optogenetics, including using opsins, targeting gene expression, and wavelength-specific light delivery techniques. The recent evidence on application and development of optogenetic neuromodulation in inflammatory pain is also summarised. The current limitations and challenges restricting the progression and clinical transformation of optogenetics in pain are addressed. Optogenetic neuromodulation in inflammatory pain has many potential targets, and developing strategies enabling clinical application is a desirable therapeutic approach and outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Liang
- Rehabilitation Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China; Research Center for Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Yaping Zhou
- Shandong Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Md Moneruzzaman
- Rehabilitation Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- Rehabilitation Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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13
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Bertagna NB, Wilson L, Bailey CK, Cruz FC, Albrechet-Souza L, Wills TA. Long-lasting mechanical hypersensitivity and CRF receptor type-1 neuron activation in the BNST following adolescent ethanol exposure. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:48-57. [PMID: 38206283 PMCID: PMC10784637 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent alcohol use can produce long-lasting alterations in brain function, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes in adulthood. Emerging evidence suggests that chronic alcohol use can increase pain sensitivity or exacerbate existing pain conditions, but the potential neural mechanisms underlying these effects require further investigation. Here, we evaluate the impact of chronic ethanol vapor on mechanical sensitivity over the course of acute and protracted withdrawal in adolescent and adult male and female mice, and its potential association with alterations in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). METHODS Adolescent and adult male and female mice underwent intermittent ethanol vapor exposure on 4 days/week for 2 weeks. Mechanical thresholds were evaluated 5 h and 7, 14, 21, and 28 d after cessation of ethanol exposure using the von Frey test. For mice with a history of adolescent ethanol exposure, brains were collected for in situ RNAscope processing after the final test. Messenger RNA expression of c-Fos, Crfr1, and Crf in the BNST subregions was examined. RESULTS Exposure to intermittent ethanol vapor induced persistent mechanical hypersensitivity during withdrawal in both adolescent and adult mice. Notably, the effect was more transient in mice exposed to ethanol during adulthood, resolving by day 28 after ethanol exposure. Furthermore, both male and female mice with a history of adolescent ethanol exposure exhibited increased activation of CRF receptor type 1 (CRFR1) neurons within the dorsolateral BNST. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the conclusion that intermittent ethanol exposure can induce mechanical hypersensitivity, potentially through the activation of BNST CRFR1 neurons. These findings provide a basis for future studies aimed at evaluating specific subpopulations of BNST neurons and their contribution to pain in individuals with a history of alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia B. Bertagna
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lisa Wilson
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Alcohol & Drug Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Connor K. Bailey
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Fabio C. Cruz
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas Albrechet-Souza
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Alcohol & Drug Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Tiffany A. Wills
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Alcohol & Drug Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
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14
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Yao D, Chen Y, Chen G. The role of pain modulation pathway and related brain regions in pain. Rev Neurosci 2023; 34:899-914. [PMID: 37288945 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Pain is a multifaceted process that encompasses unpleasant sensory and emotional experiences. The essence of the pain process is aversion, or perceived negative emotion. Central sensitization plays a significant role in initiating and perpetuating of chronic pain. Melzack proposed the concept of the "pain matrix", in which brain regions associated with pain form an interconnected network, rather than being controlled by a singular brain region. This review aims to investigate distinct brain regions involved in pain and their interconnections. In addition, it also sheds light on the reciprocal connectivity between the ascending and descending pathways that participate in pain modulation. We review the involvement of various brain areas during pain and focus on understanding the connections among them, which can contribute to a better understanding of pain mechanisms and provide opportunities for further research on therapies for improved pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Yao
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Yeru Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
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15
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Blaess S, Krabbe S. Cell type specificity for circuit output in the midbrain dopaminergic system. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 83:102811. [PMID: 37972537 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102811] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Midbrain dopaminergic neurons are a relatively small group of neurons in the mammalian brain controlling a wide range of behaviors. In recent years, increasingly sophisticated tracing, imaging, transcriptomic, and machine learning approaches have provided substantial insights into the anatomical, molecular, and functional heterogeneity of dopaminergic neurons. Despite this wealth of new knowledge, it remains unclear whether and how the diverse features defining dopaminergic subclasses converge to delineate functional ensembles within the dopaminergic system. Here, we review recent studies investigating various aspects of dopaminergic heterogeneity and discuss how development, behavior, and disease influence subtype characteristics. We then outline what further approaches could be pursued to gain a more inclusive picture of dopaminergic diversity, which could be crucial to understanding the functional architecture of this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Blaess
- Neurodevelopmental Genetics, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Sabine Krabbe
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany.
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16
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Li Y, Jiang Z, Zuo W, Huang C, Zhao J, Liu P, Wang J, Guo J, Zhang X, Wang M, Lu Y, Hou W, Wang Q. Sexual dimorphic distribution of G protein-coupled receptor 30 in pain-related regions of the mouse brain. J Neurochem 2023. [PMID: 37924265 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15995] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences in pain sensitivity have contributed to the fact that medications for curing chronic pain are unsatisfactory. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Brain-derived estrogen participates in modulation of sex differences in pain and related emotion. G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30), identified as a novel estrogen receptor with a different distribution than traditional receptors, has been proved to play a vital role in regulating pain affected by estrogen. However, the contribution of its distribution to sexually dimorphic pain-related behaviors has not been fully explored. In the current study, immunofluorescence assays were applied to mark the neurons expressing GPR30 in male and female mice (in metestrus and proestrus phase) in pain-related brain regions. The neurons that express CaMKIIα or VGAT were also labeled to observe overlap with GPR30. We found that females had more GPR30-positive (GPR30+ ) neurons in the primary somatosensory (S1) and insular cortex (IC) than males. In the lateral habenula (LHb) and the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), males had more GPR30+ neurons than females. Moreover, within the LHb, the expression of GPR30 varied with estrous cycle phase; females in metestrus had fewer GPR30+ neurons than those in proestrus. In addition, females had more GPR30+ neurons, which co-expressed CaMKIIα in the medial preoptic nucleus (mPOA) than males, while males had more than females in the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA). These findings may partly explain the different modulatory effects of GPR30 in pain and related emotional phenotypes between sexes and provide a basis for comprehension of sexual dimorphism in pain related to estrogen and GPR30, and finally provide new targets for exploiting new treatments of sex-specific pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Zhenhua Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
- Department of Nursing, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Wenqiang Zuo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Chenchen Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Jianshuai Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Peizheng Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Jiajia Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Jingzhi Guo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Minghui Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Wugang Hou
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
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17
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Ochandarena NE, Niehaus JK, Tassou A, Scherrer G. Cell-type specific molecular architecture for mu opioid receptor function in pain and addiction circuits. Neuropharmacology 2023; 238:109597. [PMID: 37271281 PMCID: PMC10494323 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109597] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Opioids are potent analgesics broadly used for pain management; however, they can produce dangerous side effects including addiction and respiratory depression. These harmful effects have led to an epidemic of opioid abuse and overdose deaths, creating an urgent need for the development of both safer pain medications and treatments for opioid use disorders. Both the analgesic and addictive properties of opioids are mediated by the mu opioid receptor (MOR), making resolution of the cell types and neural circuits responsible for each of the effects of opioids a critical research goal. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology is enabling the identification of MOR-expressing cell types throughout the nervous system, creating new opportunities for mapping distinct opioid effects onto newly discovered cell types. Here, we describe molecularly defined MOR-expressing neuronal cell types throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems and their potential contributions to opioid analgesia and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E Ochandarena
- Neuroscience Curriculum, Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, The University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Jesse K Niehaus
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Adrien Tassou
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Grégory Scherrer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; New York Stem Cell Foundation - Robertson Investigator, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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18
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Nguyen E, Chiang MC, Nguyen C, Ross SE. Brainstem Modulation of Nociception by Periaqueductal Gray Neurons Expressing the μ-Opioid Receptor in Mice. Anesthesiology 2023; 139:462-475. [PMID: 37364291 PMCID: PMC10870981 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000004668] [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] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacologic manipulations directed at the periaqueductal gray have demonstrated the importance of the μ-opioid receptor in modulating reflexive responses to nociception. The authors hypothesized that a supraspinal pathway centered on neurons in the periaqueductal gray containing the μ-opioid receptor could modulate nociceptive and itch behaviors. METHODS The study used anatomical, optogenetic, and chemogenetic approaches in male and female mice to manipulate μ-opioid receptor neurons in the periaqueductal gray. Behavioral assays including von Frey, Hargreaves, cold plantar, chloroquine-induced itch, hotplate, formalin-induced injury, capsaicin-induced injury, and open field tests were used. In separate experiments, naloxone was administered in a postsurgical model of latent sensitization. RESULTS Activation of μ-opioid receptor neurons in the periaqueductal gray increased jumping (least-squares mean difference of -3.30 s; 95% CI, -6.17 to -0.44; P = 0.023; n = 7 or 8 mice per group), reduced itch responses (least-squares mean difference of 70 scratching bouts; 95% CI, 35 to 105; P < 0.001; n = 8 mice), and elicited modestly antinociceptive effects (least-squares mean difference of -0.7 g on mechanical and -10.24 s on thermal testing; 95% CI, -1.3 to -0.2 and 95% CI, -13.77 to -6.70, and P = 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively; n = 8 mice). Last, the study uncovered the role of the periaqueductal gray in suppressing hyperalgesia after a postsurgical state of latent sensitization (least-squares mean difference comparing saline and naloxone of -12 jumps; 95% CI, -17 to -7; P < 0.001 for controls; and -2 jumps; 95% CI, -7 to 4; P = 0.706 after optogenetic stimulation; n = 7 to 9 mice per group). CONCLUSIONS μ-Opioid receptor neurons in the periaqueductal gray modulate distinct nocifensive behaviors: their activation reduced responses to mechanical and thermal testing, and attenuated scratching behaviors, but facilitated escape responses. The findings emphasize the role of the periaqueductal gray in the behavioral expression of nociception using reflexive and noxious paradigms. EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Nguyen
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Neurobiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Anesthesiology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael C. Chiang
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Neurobiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Catherine Nguyen
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Neurobiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sarah E. Ross
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Neurobiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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19
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Xie L, Wu H, Chen Q, Xu F, Li H, Xu Q, Jiao C, Sun L, Ullah R, Chen X. Divergent modulation of pain and anxiety by GABAergic neurons in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray and dorsal raphe. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1509-1519. [PMID: 36526697 PMCID: PMC10425368 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01520-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) collaborates with the dorsal raphe (DR) in pain regulation and emotional response. However, the roles of vlPAG and DR γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons in regulating nociception and anxiety are contradictory and poorly understood. Here, we observed that pharmacogenetic co-activation of vlPAG and DR GABAergic (vlPAG-DRGABA+) neurons enhanced sensitivity to mechanical stimulation and promoted anxiety-like behavior in naïve mice. Simultaneous inhibition of vlPAG-DRGABA+ neurons showed adaptive anti-nociception and anti-anxiety effects on mice with inflammatory pain. Notably, vlPAGGABA+ and DRGABA+ neurons exhibited opposing effects on the sensitivity to mechanical stimulation in both naïve state and inflammatory pain. In contrast to the role of vlPAGGABA+ neurons in pain processing, chemogenetic inhibition and chronic ablation of DRGABA+ neurons remarkably promoted nociception while selectively activating DRGABA+ neurons ameliorated inflammatory pain. Additionally, utilizing optogenetic technology, we observed that the pronociceptive effect arising from DRGABA+ neuronal inhibition was reversed by the systemic administration of morphine. Our results collectively provide new insights into the modulation of pain and anxiety by specific midbrain GABAergic subpopulations, which may provide a basis for cell type-targeted or subregion-targeted therapies for pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linghua Xie
- Department of Anesthesia, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Wu
- Department of Anesthesia, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing Chen
- Department of Anesthesia, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fang Xu
- Department of Anesthesia, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hua Li
- Department of Anesthesia, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Xu
- Department of Anesthesia, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Cuicui Jiao
- Department of Anesthesia, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lihong Sun
- Department of Anesthesia, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rahim Ullah
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinzhong Chen
- Department of Anesthesia, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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20
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Ibarra AJ, Roman K, Nguyen E, Yates ME, Nicholas A, Lim G. Translational research updates in female health anesthesiology: a narrative review. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2023; 11:357. [PMID: 37675293 PMCID: PMC10477624 DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-3547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objective Females represent 49.6% of the global population and constitute a significant proportion of surgical patients and hospital admissions. Little is known about the bi-directional effects of sex and anesthetics or the impact of anesthetic interventions on long-term female health outcomes. Sex differences in pain pathways can influence pain experience and treatment effectiveness. The impact of anesthetic management on the recurrence of breast cancer is poorly understood, as are the long-term consequences of cardiovascular disease and safe and effective treatments in pregnancy. This review aims to outline recent advances in translational science in female health anesthesiology research and highlight critical research opportunities in pain, cancer outcomes, and cardiovascular disorders. Methods We searched PubMed and summarized relevant articles published in English between December 2021 and June 2022. Key Content and Findings Studies reveal sex differences in pain pathways and highlight the importance of sex as a biological variable in experimental designs and translational medicine. Sex differences have also been observed in side effects attributed to opioid analgesics. We summarize some of the neural circuits that might underlie these differences. In the perioperative setting, specific anesthetics are implicated in metastatic seeding potential and acute and chronic pain outcomes, suggesting the importance of anesthetic selection in comprehensive care during oncologic surgery. In the peridelivery setting, preeclampsia, a cardiovascular disorder of pregnancy, affects maternal outcomes; however, biomarkers can risk-stratify females at risk for preeclampsia and hold promise for identifying the risk of adverse neurological and other health outcomes. Conclusions Research that builds diagnostic and predictive tools in pain and cardiovascular disease will help anesthesiologists minimize sex-related risks and side effects associated with anesthetics and peri-hospital treatments. Sex-specific anesthesia care will improve outcomes, as will the provision of practical information to patients and clinicians about the effectiveness of therapies and behavioral interventions. However, more research studies and specific analytic plans are needed to continue addressing sex-based outcomes in anesthesiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J. Ibarra
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Obstetric & Women’s Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kenny Roman
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Obstetric & Women’s Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Eileen Nguyen
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Megan E. Yates
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alexandra Nicholas
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Obstetric & Women’s Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Grace Lim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Obstetric & Women’s Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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21
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Priest MF, Freda SN, Rieth IJ, Badong D, Dumrongprechachan V, Kozorovitskiy Y. Peptidergic and functional delineation of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112992. [PMID: 37594894 PMCID: PMC10512657 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Many neuronal populations that release fast-acting excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain also contain slower-acting neuropeptides. These facultative peptidergic cell types are common, but it remains uncertain whether neurons that solely release peptides exist. Our fluorescence in situ hybridization, genetically targeted electron microscopy, and electrophysiological characterization suggest that most neurons of the non-cholinergic, centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus in mice are obligately peptidergic. We further show, using anterograde projection mapping, monosynaptic retrograde tracing, angled-tip fiber photometry, and chemogenetic modulation and genetically targeted ablation in conjunction with canonical assays for anxiety, that this peptidergic population activates in response to loss of motor control and promotes anxiety responses. Together, these findings elucidate an integrative, ethologically relevant role for the Edinger-Westphal nucleus and functionally align the nucleus with the periaqueductal gray, where it resides. This work advances our understanding of peptidergic modulation of anxiety and provides a framework for future investigations of peptidergic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Priest
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Sara N Freda
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Isabelle J Rieth
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Deanna Badong
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Vasin Dumrongprechachan
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
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22
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Deng H, Wu Y, Gao P, Kong D, Pan C, Xu S, Tang D, Jiao Y, Wen D, Yu W. Preoperative Pain Facilitates Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction via Periaqueductal Gray Matter-Dorsal Raphe Circuit. Neuroscience 2023; 524:209-219. [PMID: 36958595 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.03.019] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a medically induced, rapidly occurring postoperative disease, which is hard to recover and seriously threatens the quality of life, especially for elderly patients, so it is important to identify the risk factors for POCD and apply early intervention to prevent POCD. As we have known, pain can impair cognition, and many surgery patients experience different preoperative pain, but it is still unknown whether these patients are vulnerable for POCD. Here we found that chronic pain (7 days, but not 1 day acute pain) induced by Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) injected in the hind paw of rats could easily induce spatial cognition and memory impairment after being exposed to sevoflurane anesthesia. Next, for the mechanisms, we focused on the Periaqueductal Gray Matter (PAG), a well-known pivotal nucleus in pain process. It was detected the existence of neural projection from ventrolateral PAG (vlPAG) to adjacent nucleus Dorsal Raphe (DR), the origin of serotonergic projection for the whole cerebrum, through virus tracing and patch clamp recordings. The Immunofluorescence staining and western blot results showed that Tryptophan Hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) for serotonin synthesis in the DR was increased significantly in the rats treated with CFA for 7 days and sevoflurane for 3 hours, while chemo-genetic inhibition of the vlPAG-DR projection induced obvious spatial learning and memory impairment. Our study suggests that preoperative chronic pain may facilitate cognitive function impairment after receiving anesthesia through the PAG-DR neural circuit, and preventative analgesia should be a considerable measure to reduce the incidence of POCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyue Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Po Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Dexu Kong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Chao Pan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Saihong Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Dan Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Yingfu Jiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China.
| | - Daxiang Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China.
| | - Weifeng Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 200127, No. 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ministry of Education, China.
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23
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Zhu KW, Tao GJ, Huang ZL, Qu WM, Wang L. Whole-brain connectivity to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis calretinin-expressing interneurons in male mice. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:2807-2823. [PMID: 37452644 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a neuropeptide-enriched brain region that modulates a wide variety of emotional behaviours and states, including stress, anxiety, reward and social interaction. The BNST consists of diverse subregions and neuronal ensembles; however, because of the high molecular heterogeneity within BNST neurons, the mechanisms through which the BNST regulates distinct emotional behaviours remain largely unclear. Prior studies have identified BNST calretinin (CR)-expressing neurons, which lack neuropeptides. Here, employing virus-based cell-type-specific retrograde and anterograde tracing systems, we mapped the whole-brain monosynaptic inputs and axonal projections of BNST CR-expressing neurons in male mice. We found that BNST CR-expressing neurons received inputs mainly from the amygdalopiriform transition area, central amygdala and hippocampus and moderately from the medial preoptic area, basolateral amygdala, paraventricular thalamus and lateral hypothalamus. Within the BNST, plenty of input neurons were primarily located in the oval and interfascicular subregions. Furthermore, numerous BNST CR-expressing neuronal boutons were observed within the BNST but not in other brain regions, thus suggesting that these neurons are a type of interneuron. These results will help further elucidate the neuronal circuits underlying the elaborate and distinct functions of the BNST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Wei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gui-Jin Tao
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Li Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Min Qu
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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24
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Zheng C, Wei L, Liu B, Wang Q, Huang Y, Wang S, Li X, Gong H, Wang Z. Dorsal BNST DRD2 + neurons mediate sex-specific anxiety-like behavior induced by chronic social isolation. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112799. [PMID: 37453056 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112799] [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: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The dorsal bed nucleus of stria terminalis (dBNST) is a pivotal hub for stress response modulation. Dysfunction of dopamine (DA) network is associated with chronic stress, but the roles of DA network of dBNST in chronic stress-induced emotional disorders remain unclear. We examine the role of dBNST Drd1+ and Drd2+ neurons in post-weaning social isolation (PWSI)-induced behavior deficits. We find that male, but not female, PWSI rats exhibit negative emotional phenotypes and the increase of excitability and E-I balance of dBNST Drd2+ neurons. More importantly, hypofunction of dBNST Drd2 receptor underlies PWSI-stress-induced male-specific neuronal plasticity change of dBNST Drd2+ neurons. Furthermore, chemogenetic activation of dBNST Drd2+ neurons is sufficient to induce anxiogenic effects, while Kir4.1-mediated chronic inhibition of dBNST Drd2+ neurons ameliorate PWSI-induced anxiety-like behaviors. Our findings reveal an important neural mechanism underlying PWSI-induced sex-specific behavioral abnormalities and potentially provide a target for the treatment of social stress-related emotional disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaowen Zheng
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology and Core Facilities Sharing Platform, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Lei Wei
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Boyi Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qingxiu Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yanwang Huang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shangyi Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiangning Li
- Research Unit of Multimodal Cross Scale Neural Signal Detection and Imaging, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Hui Gong
- Research Unit of Multimodal Cross Scale Neural Signal Detection and Imaging, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215000, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zuoren Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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25
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Nguyen E, Grajales-Reyes JG, Gereau RW, Ross SE. Cell type-specific dissection of sensory pathways involved in descending modulation. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:539-550. [PMID: 37164868 PMCID: PMC10836406 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.04.002] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Decades of research have suggested that stimulation of supraspinal structures, such as the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM), inhibits nocifensive responses to noxious stimulation through a process known as descending modulation. Electrical stimulation and pharmacologic manipulations of the PAG and RVM identified transmitters and neuronal firing patterns that represented distinct cell types. Advances in mouse genetics, in vivo imaging, and circuit tracing methods, in addition to chemogenetic and optogenetic approaches, allowed the characterization of the cells and circuits involved in descending modulation in further detail. Recent work has revealed the importance of PAG and RVM neuronal cell types in the descending modulation of pruriceptive as well as nociceptive behaviors, underscoring their roles in coordinating complex behavioral responses to sensory input. This review summarizes how new technical advances that enable cell type-specific manipulation and recording of neuronal activity have supported, as well as expanded, long-standing views on descending modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Nguyen
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jose G Grajales-Reyes
- Washington University Pain Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Robert W Gereau
- Washington University Pain Center and Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sarah E Ross
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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26
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Liu X, He J, Jiang W, Wen S, Xiao Z. The Roles of Periaqueductal Gray and Dorsal Raphe Nucleus Dopaminergic Systems in the Mechanisms of Thermal Hypersensitivity and Depression in Mice. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:1213-1228. [PMID: 36796500 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Depression and thermal hypersensitivity share pathogenic features and symptomology, but their pathophysiologic interactions have not been fully elucidated. Dopaminergic systems in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) and dorsal raphe nucleus have been implicated in these conditions due to their antinociception and antidepression effects, although their specific roles and underlying mechanisms remain obscure. In this study, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CMS) was used to induce depression-like behaviors and thermal hypersensitivity in C57BL/6J (wild-type) or dopamine transporter promoter mice to establish a mouse model of pain and depression comorbidity. Microinjections of quinpirole, a dopamine D2 receptor agonist, up-regulated D2 receptor expression in dorsal raphe nucleus and reduced depressive behaviors and thermal hypersensitivity with CMS, while dorsal raphe nucleus injections of JNJ-37822681, an antagonist of D2 receptors, had the reciprocal effect on dopamine D2 receptor expression and behaviors. Moreover, using a chemical genetics approach to activate or inhibit dopaminergic neurons in vlPAG ameliorated or exacerbated depression-like behaviors and thermal hypersensitivity, respectively, in dopamine transporter promoter-Cre CMS mice. Collectively these results demonstrated the specific role of vlPAG and dorsal raphe nucleus dopaminergic systems in the regulation of pain and depression comorbidity in mice. PERSPECTIVE: The current study provides insights into the complex mechanisms underlying thermal hypersensitivity induced by depression, and the findings suggest that pharmacological and chemogenetic modulation of dopaminergic systems in the vlPAG and dorsal raphe nucleus may be a promising therapeutic strategy to simultaneously mitigate pain and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingfeng Liu
- Guizhou Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China; Guizhou Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Jingxin He
- Graduate School, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Graduate School, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Song Wen
- Department of Pain Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Zhi Xiao
- Guizhou Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China; Guizhou Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China.
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27
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Pati D, Lee SI, Conley SY, Sides T, Boyt KM, Hunker AC, Zweifel LS, Kash TL. Dopamine D2 receptors in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis modulate alcohol-related behaviors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.13.544820. [PMID: 37398115 PMCID: PMC10312666 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.13.544820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the dopamine (DA) system is a hallmark of substance abuse disorders, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). Of the DA receptor subtypes, the DA D2 receptors (D2Rs) play a key role in the reinforcing effects of alcohol. D2Rs are expressed in numerous brain regions associated with the regulation of appetitive behaviors. One such region is the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), which has been linked to the development and maintenance of AUD. Recently, we identified alcohol withdrawal-related neuroadaptations in the periaqueductal gray/dorsal raphe to BNST DA circuit in male mice. However, the role of D2R-expressing BNST neurons in voluntary alcohol consumption is not well characterized. In this study, we used a CRISPR-Cas9-based viral approach, to selectively reduce the expression of D2Rs in BNST VGAT neurons and interrogated the impact of BNST D2Rs in alcohol-related behaviors. In male mice, reduced D2R expression potentiated the stimulatory effects of alcohol and increased voluntary consumption of 20% w/v alcohol in a two-bottle choice intermittent access paradigm. This effect was not specific to alcohol, as D2R deletion also increased sucrose intake in male mice. Interestingly, cell-specific deletion of BNST D2Rs in female mice did not alter alcohol-related behaviors but lowered the threshold for mechanical pain sensitivity. Collectively, our findings suggest a role for postsynaptic BNST D2Rs in the modulation of sex-specific behavioral responses to alcohol and sucrose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipanwita Pati
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sophia I. Lee
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sara Y. Conley
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Curriculum of Neuroscience, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tori Sides
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kristen M. Boyt
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Avery C. Hunker
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Larry S. Zweifel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Thomas L. Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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28
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Gyawali U, Martin DA, Sun F, Li Y, Calu D. Dopamine in the dorsal bed nucleus of stria terminalis signals Pavlovian sign-tracking and reward violations. eLife 2023; 12:e81980. [PMID: 37232554 PMCID: PMC10219648 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81980] [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: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Midbrain and striatal dopamine signals have been extremely well characterized over the past several decades, yet novel dopamine signals and functions in reward learning and motivation continue to emerge. A similar characterization of real-time sub-second dopamine signals in areas outside of the striatum has been limited. Recent advances in fluorescent sensor technology and fiber photometry permit the measurement of dopamine binding correlates, which can divulge basic functions of dopamine signaling in non-striatal dopamine terminal regions, like the dorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (dBNST). Here, we record GRABDA signals in the dBNST during a Pavlovian lever autoshaping task. We observe greater Pavlovian cue-evoked dBNST GRABDA signals in sign-tracking (ST) compared to goal-tracking/intermediate (GT/INT) rats and the magnitude of cue-evoked dBNST GRABDA signals decreases immediately following reinforcer-specific satiety. When we deliver unexpected rewards or omit expected rewards, we find that dBNST dopamine signals encode bidirectional reward prediction errors in GT/INT rats, but only positive prediction errors in ST rats. Since sign- and goal-tracking approach strategies are associated with distinct drug relapse vulnerabilities, we examined the effects of experimenter-administered fentanyl on dBNST dopamine associative encoding. Systemic fentanyl injections do not disrupt cue discrimination but generally potentiate dBNST dopamine signals. These results reveal multiple dBNST dopamine correlates of learning and motivation that depend on the Pavlovian approach strategy employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Utsav Gyawali
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - David A Martin
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Fangmiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yulong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Donna Calu
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
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29
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Chen F, Zhang S, Li P, Xu K, Liu C, Geng B, Piao R, Liu P. Disruption of Periaqueductal Gray-default Mode Network Functional Connectivity in Patients with Crohn's Disease with Abdominal Pain. Neuroscience 2023; 517:96-104. [PMID: 36898497 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.03.002] [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: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Abdominal pain in Crohn's disease (CD) has been known to be associated with changes in the central nervous system. The periaqueductal gray (PAG) plays a well-established role in pain processing. However, the role of PAG-related network and the effect of pain on the network in CD remain unclear.Resting-state functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) data were collected from 24 CD patients in remission with abdominal pain, 24 CD patients without abdominal pain and 28 healthy controls (HCs). Using the subregions of PAG (dorsomedial (dmPAG), dorsolateral (dlPAG), lateral (lPAG) and ventrolateral (vlPAG)) as seeds, the seed-based FC maps were calculated and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to investigate the differences among the three groups.Results showed that the group differences were mainly involved in the FC of the vlPAG with the precuneus, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) as well as orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and the FC of the right lateral PAG (lPAG) with the precuneus, inferior parietal lobule (IPL), angular gyrus and premotor cortex. The FC values of all these regions decreased successively in the order of HCs, CD without abdominal pain and CD with abdominal pain. The pain score was negatively correlated with the FC of the l/vlPAG with the precuneus, angular gyrus and mPFC in CD patients with abdominal pain.This study implicated the disrupt communication between the PAG and the default mode network (DMN). These findings complemented neuroimaging evidence for the pathophysiology of visceral pain in CD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenrong Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No.157, Xi Wu Road, Xi'an 710003, China
| | - Shuming Zhang
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China; Engineering Research Center of Molecular and NeuroImaging, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Pengyu Li
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China; Engineering Research Center of Molecular and NeuroImaging, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China; Engineering Research Center of Molecular and NeuroImaging, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Chengxiang Liu
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China; Engineering Research Center of Molecular and NeuroImaging, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Bowen Geng
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China; Engineering Research Center of Molecular and NeuroImaging, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Ruiqing Piao
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China; Engineering Research Center of Molecular and NeuroImaging, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-Scale Life Information, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China; Engineering Research Center of Molecular and NeuroImaging, Ministry of Education, China.
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De la Luz-Cuellar YE, Coffeen U, Mercado F, Granados-Soto V. Spinal dopaminergic D1-and D2-like receptors have a sex-dependent effect in an experimental model of fibromyalgia. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 948:175696. [PMID: 37003519 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
There is evidence about the importance of sex in pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sex in the antiallodynic activity of spinal dopamine D1-and D2-like receptors in a model of fibromyalgia-type pain in rats. Reserpine induced the same extent of tactile allodynia in female and male rats. Intrathecal injection of SCH- 23390 (3-30 nmol, D1-like receptor antagonist), pramipexole (0.15-15 nmol) or quinpirole (1-10 nmol D2-like receptor agonists) increased withdrawal threshold in reserpine-treated female rats. Those drugs induced a greater antiallodynic effect in female rats. Sex-difference was also observed in a nerve injury model. Ovariectomy abated the antiallodynic effect of SCH- 23390 (30 nmol) in reserpine-treated rats, while systemic reconstitution of 17β-estradiol levels or intrathecal injection estrogen receptor-α agonist protopanaxatriol in ovariectomized reserpine-treated females restored the antiallodynic effect of SCH- 23390. Intrathecal administration of ICI-182,780 (estrogen receptor-α/β antagonist) or methyl-piperidino-pyrazole hydrate (estrogen receptor-α antagonist) abated 17β-estradiol-restored antiallodynic effect of SCH- 23390 in rats. In contrast, ovariectomy slightly reduced the effect of pramipexole (15 nmol) or quinpirole (10 nmol) in reserpine-treated rats, whereas systemic reconstitution of 17β-estradiol levels did not modify the antiallodynic effect of both drugs. Combination 17β-estradiol/progesterone, but not 17β-estradiol nor progesterone alone, restored the antiallodynic effect of pramipexole and quinpirole in the rats. Mifepristone (progesterone receptor antagonist) abated 17β-estradiol + progesterone restoration of antiallodynic effect of pramipexole and quinpirole. These data suggest that the antiallodynic effect of dopamine D1-and D2-like receptors in fibromyalgia-type pain depends on spinal 17β-estradiol/estrogen receptor-α and progesterone receptors, respectively.
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Abstract
The midbrain dopamine (mDA) system is composed of molecularly and functionally distinct neuron subtypes that mediate specific behaviours and are linked to various brain diseases. Considerable progress has been made in identifying mDA neuron subtypes, and recent work has begun to unveil how these neuronal subtypes develop and organize into functional brain structures. This progress is important for further understanding the disparate physiological functions of mDA neurons and their selective vulnerability in disease, and will ultimately accelerate therapy development. This Review discusses recent advances in our understanding of molecularly defined mDA neuron subtypes and their circuits, ranging from early developmental events, such as neuron migration and axon guidance, to their wiring and function, and future implications for therapeutic strategies.
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Wang D, Pan X, Zhou Y, Wu Z, Ren K, Liu H, Huang C, Yu Y, He T, Zhang X, Yang L, Zhang H, Han MH, Liu C, Cao JL, Yang C. Lateral septum-lateral hypothalamus circuit dysfunction in comorbid pain and anxiety. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1090-1100. [PMID: 36642737 PMCID: PMC10005966 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01922-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Pain and anxiety comorbidities are a common health problem, but the neural mechanisms underlying comorbidity remain unclear. We propose that comorbidity implies that similar brain regions and neural circuits, with the lateral septum (LS) as a major candidate, process pain and anxiety. From results of behavioral and neurophysiological experiments combined with selective LS manipulation in mice, we find that LS GABAergic neurons were critical for both pain and anxiety. Selective activation of LS GABAergic neurons induced hyperalgesia and anxiety-like behaviors. In contrast, selective inhibition of LS GABAergic neurons reduced nocifensive withdrawal responses and anxiety-like behaviors. This was found in two mouse models, one for chronic inflammatory pain (induced by complete Freund's adjuvant) and one for anxiety (induced by chronic restraint stress). Additionally, using TetTag chemogenetics to functionally mark LS neurons, we found that activation of LS neurons by acute pain stimulation could induce anxiety-like behaviors and vice versa. Furthermore, we show that LS GABAergic projection to the lateral hypothalamus (LH) plays an important role in the regulation of pain and anxiety comorbidities. Our study revealed that LS GABAergic neurons, and especially the LSGABAergic-LH circuit, are a critical to the modulation of pain and anxiety comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xiangyu Pan
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221000, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221000, China
| | - Zifeng Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Kunpeng Ren
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221000, China
| | - Hanyu Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Chaoli Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yumei Yu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221000, China
| | - Teng He
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Wuxi NO. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213000, China
| | - Hongxing Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221000, China
| | - Ming-Hu Han
- Department of Mental Health and Public Health, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Cunming Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221000, China.
| | - Chun Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
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Chronic Ethanol Exposure Modulates Periaqueductal Gray to Extended Amygdala Dopamine Circuit. J Neurosci 2023; 43:709-721. [PMID: 36526372 PMCID: PMC9899080 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1219-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a component of the extended amygdala that regulates motivated behavior and affective states and plays an integral role in the development of alcohol-use disorder (AUD). The dorsal subdivision of the BNST (dBNST) receives dense dopaminergic input from the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG)/dorsal raphe (DR). To date, no studies have examined the effects of chronic alcohol on this circuit. Here, we used chronic intermittent ethanol exposure (CIE), a well-established rodent model of AUD, to functionally interrogate the vlPAG/DR-BNST dopamine (DA) circuit during acute withdrawal. We selectively targeted vlPAG/DRDA neurons in tyrosine hydroxylase-expressing transgenic adult male mice. Using ex vivo electrophysiology, we found hyperexcitability of vlPAG/DRDA neurons in CIE-treated mice. Further, using optogenetic approaches to target vlPAG/DRDA terminals in the dBNST, we revealed a CIE-mediated shift in the vlPAG/DR-driven excitatory-inhibitory (E/I) ratio to a hyperexcitable state in dBNST. Additionally, to quantify the effect of CIE on endogenous DA signaling, we coupled optogenetics with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry to measure pathway-specific DA release in dBNST. CIE-treated mice had significantly reduced signal half-life, suggestive of faster clearance of DA signaling. CIE treatment also altered the ratio of vlPAG/DRDA-driven cellular inhibition and excitation of a subset of dBNST neurons. Overall, our findings suggest a dysregulation of vlPAG/DR to BNST dopamine circuit, which may contribute to pathophysiological phenotypes associated with AUD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The dorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (dBNST) is highly implicated in the pathophysiology of alcohol-use disorder and receives dopaminergic inputs from ventrolateral periaqueductal gray/dorsal raphe regions (vlPAG/DR). The present study highlights the plasticity within the vlPAG/DR to dBNST dopamine (DA) circuit during acute withdrawal from chronic ethanol exposure. More specifically, our data reveal that chronic ethanol strengthens vlPAG/DR-dBNST glutamatergic transmission while altering both DA transmission and dopamine-mediated cellular inhibition of dBNST neurons. The net result is a shift toward a hyperexcitable state in dBNST activity. Together, our findings suggest chronic ethanol may promote withdrawal-related plasticity by dysregulating the vlPAG/DR-dBNST DA circuit.
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Shen Z, Li W, Chang W, Yue N, Yu J. Sex differences in chronic pain-induced mental disorders: Mechanisms of cerebral circuitry. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1102808. [PMID: 36891517 PMCID: PMC9986270 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1102808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mental disorders such as anxiety and depression induced by chronic pain are common in clinical practice, and there are significant sex differences in their epidemiology. However, the circuit mechanism of this difference has not been fully studied, as preclinical studies have traditionally excluded female rodents. Recently, this oversight has begun to be resolved and studies including male and female rodents are revealing sex differences in the neurobiological processes behind mental disorder features. This paper reviews the structural functions involved in the injury perception circuit and advanced emotional cortex circuit. In addition, we also summarize the latest breakthroughs and insights into sex differences in neuromodulation through endogenous dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, GABAergic inhibition, norepinephrine, and peptide pathways like oxytocin, as well as their receptors. By comparing sex differences, we hope to identify new therapeutic targets to offer safer and more effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuqi Shen
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiqi Chang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Yue
- Weifang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Jin Yu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Gan Z, Gangadharan V, Liu S, Körber C, Tan LL, Li H, Oswald MJ, Kang J, Martin-Cortecero J, Männich D, Groh A, Kuner T, Wieland S, Kuner R. Layer-specific pain relief pathways originating from primary motor cortex. Science 2022; 378:1336-1343. [PMID: 36548429 DOI: 10.1126/science.add4391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The primary motor cortex (M1) is involved in the control of voluntary movements and is extensively mapped in this capacity. Although the M1 is implicated in modulation of pain, the underlying circuitry and causal underpinnings remain elusive. We unexpectedly unraveled a connection from the M1 to the nucleus accumbens reward circuitry through a M1 layer 6-mediodorsal thalamus pathway, which specifically suppresses negative emotional valence and associated coping behaviors in neuropathic pain. By contrast, layer 5 M1 neurons connect with specific cell populations in zona incerta and periaqueductal gray to suppress sensory hypersensitivity without altering pain affect. Thus, the M1 employs distinct, layer-specific pathways to attune sensory and aversive-emotional components of neuropathic pain, which can be exploited for purposes of pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Gan
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vijayan Gangadharan
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sheng Liu
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Körber
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Linette Liqi Tan
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Han Li
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manfred Josef Oswald
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juhyun Kang
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jesus Martin-Cortecero
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Deepitha Männich
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Groh
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kuner
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wieland
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty Heidelberg and University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rohini Kuner
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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36
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Pomrenze MB, Cardozo Pinto DF, Neumann PA, Llorach P, Tucciarone JM, Morishita W, Eshel N, Heifets BD, Malenka RC. Modulation of 5-HT release by dynorphin mediates social deficits during opioid withdrawal. Neuron 2022; 110:4125-4143.e6. [PMID: 36202097 PMCID: PMC9789200 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.09.024] [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: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Social isolation during opioid withdrawal is a major contributor to the current opioid addiction crisis. We find that sociability deficits during protracted opioid withdrawal in mice require activation of kappa opioid receptors (KORs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) medial shell. Blockade of release from dynorphin (Pdyn)-expressing dorsal raphe neurons (DRPdyn), but not from NAcPdyn neurons, prevents these deficits in prosocial behaviors. Conversely, optogenetic activation of DRPdyn neurons reproduced NAc KOR-dependent decreases in sociability. Deletion of KORs from serotonin (5-HT) neurons, but not from NAc neurons or dopamine (DA) neurons, prevented sociability deficits during withdrawal. Finally, measurements with the genetically encoded GRAB5-HT sensor revealed that during withdrawal KORs block the NAc 5-HT release that normally occurs during social interactions. These results define a neuromodulatory mechanism that is engaged during protracted opioid withdrawal to induce maladaptive deficits in prosocial behaviors, which in humans contribute to relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B Pomrenze
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Daniel F Cardozo Pinto
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Peter A Neumann
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Pierre Llorach
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jason M Tucciarone
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Wade Morishita
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Neir Eshel
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Boris D Heifets
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Robert C Malenka
- Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Tang YL, Liu AL, Lv SS, Zhou ZR, Cao H, Weng SJ, Zhang YQ. Green light analgesia in mice is mediated by visual activation of enkephalinergic neurons in the ventrolateral geniculate nucleus. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabq6474. [PMID: 36475906 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abq6474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Green light exposure has been shown to reduce pain in animal models. Here, we report a vision-associated enkephalinergic neural circuit responsible for green light-mediated analgesia. Full-field green light exposure at an intensity of 10 lux produced analgesic effects in healthy mice and in a model of arthrosis. Ablation of cone photoreceptors completely inhibited the analgesic effect, whereas rod ablation only partially reduced pain relief. The analgesic effect was not modulated by the ablation of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), which are atypical photoreceptors that control various nonvisual effects of light. Inhibition of the retino-ventrolateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN) pathway completely abolished the analgesic effects. Activation of this pathway reduced nociceptive behavioral responses; such activation was blocked by the inhibition of proenkephalin (Penk)-positive neurons in the vLGN (vLGNPenk). Moreover, green light analgesia was prevented by knockdown of Penk in the vLGN or by ablation of vLGNPenk neurons. In addition, activation of the projections from vLGNPenk neurons to the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) was sufficient to suppress nociceptive behaviors, whereas its inhibition abolished the green light analgesia. Our findings indicate that cone-dominated retinal inputs mediated green light analgesia through the vLGNPenk-DRN pathway and suggest that this signaling pathway could be exploited for reducing pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Long Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ai-Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Su-Su Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zi-Rui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hong Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shi-Jun Weng
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yu-Qiu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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Neural Subtype-dependent Cholinergic Modulation of Neural Activities by Activation of Muscarinic 2 Receptors and G Protein-activated Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channel in Rat Periaqueductal Gray Neurons. Neuroscience 2022; 506:1-13. [PMID: 36270414 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.10.012] [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: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholine plays a pivotal role in the regulation of functions such as pain and the sleep and wake cycle by modulating neural activities of the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG). Electrophysiological studies have shown that cholinergic effects are inconsistent among recorded neurons, particularly in the depolarization and hyperpolarization of the resting membrane potential (RMP). This discrepancy may be due to the neural subtype-dependent cholinergic modulation of the RMP. To examine this possibility, we performed whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from subtype-identified neurons using vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT)-Venus × ChAT-TdTomato rats and elucidated cellular mechanisms of cholinergic effects on the RMP. The application of carbachol hyperpolarized the RMP of cholinergic neurons in a dose-dependent manner but had much less of an effect on other neural subtypes, including GABAergic/glycinergic and glutamatergic neurons. Cholinergic hyperpolarization was accompanied by a decrease in input resistance. These cholinergic effects were blocked by AF-DX384 or gallamine and were mimicked by arecaidine but-2-ynyl ester tosylate, suggesting that the carbachol-induced hyperpolarization of the RMP in cholinergic neurons is mediated via M2 receptors. Tertiapin suppressed the carbachol-induced G protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium channel (GIRK) currents and hyperpolarization of the RMP in cholinergic neurons. Intracellular application of GDP-β-S blocked the carbachol-induced hyperpolarization of the RMP. Neostigmine slowly hyperpolarized the RMP in cholinergic neurons. These results suggest that neural firing of vlPAG cholinergic neurons is suppressed by GIRK currents induced via M2 receptor activation, and this negative feedback regulation of cholinergic neuronal activities can be induced by acetylcholine, which is intrinsically released in the vlPAG.
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Ge M, Balleine BW. The role of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in the motivational control of instrumental action. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:968593. [DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.968593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We review recent studies assessing the role of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) in the motivational control of instrumental conditioning. This evidence suggests that the BNST and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) form a circuit that modulates the ventral tegmental area (VTA) input to the nucleus accumbens core (NAc core) to control the influence of Pavlovian cues on instrumental performance. In support of these claims, we found that activity in the oval region of BNST was increased by instrumental conditioning, as indexed by phosphorylated ERK activity (Experiment 1), but that this increase was not due to exposure to the instrumental contingency or to the instrumental outcome per se (Experiment 2). Instead, BNST activity was most significantly incremented in a test conducted when the instrumental outcome was anticipated but not delivered, suggesting a role for BNST in the motivational effects of anticipated outcomes on instrumental performance. To test this claim, we examined the effect of NMDA-induced cell body lesions of the BNST on general Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (Experiment 3). These lesions had no effect on instrumental performance or on conditioned responding during Pavlovian conditioning to either an excitory conditioned stimulus (CS) or a neutral CS (CS0) but significantly attenuated the excitatory effect of the Pavlovian CS on instrumental performance. These data are consistent with the claim that the BNST mediates the general excitatory influence of Pavlovian cues on instrumental performance and suggest BNST activity may be central to CeA-BNST modulation of a VTA-NAc core circuit in incentive motivation.
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Sexually dimorphic architecture and function of a mechanosensory circuit in C. elegans. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6825. [PMID: 36369281 PMCID: PMC9652301 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34661-3] [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: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
How sensory perception is processed by the two sexes of an organism is still only partially understood. Despite some evidence for sexual dimorphism in auditory and olfactory perception, whether touch is sensed in a dimorphic manner has not been addressed. Here we find that the neuronal circuit for tail mechanosensation in C. elegans is wired differently in the two sexes and employs a different combination of sex-shared sensory neurons and interneurons in each sex. Reverse genetic screens uncovered cell- and sex-specific functions of the alpha-tubulin mec-12 and the sodium channel tmc-1 in sensory neurons, and of the glutamate receptors nmr-1 and glr-1 in interneurons, revealing the underlying molecular mechanisms that mediate tail mechanosensation. Moreover, we show that only in males, the sex-shared interneuron AVG is strongly activated by tail mechanical stimulation, and accordingly is crucial for their behavioral response. Importantly, sex reversal experiments demonstrate that the sexual identity of AVG determines both the behavioral output of the mechanosensory response and the molecular pathways controlling it. Our results present extensive sexual dimorphism in a mechanosensory circuit at both the cellular and molecular levels.
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Holley D, Fox AS. The central extended amygdala guides survival-relevant tradeoffs: Implications for understanding common psychiatric disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104879. [PMID: 36115597 PMCID: PMC11178236 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
To thrive in challenging environments, individuals must pursue rewards while avoiding threats. Extensive studies in animals and humans have identified the central extended amygdala (EAc)-which includes the central nucleus of the amygdala (Ce) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST)-as a conserved substrate for defensive behavior. These studies suggest the EAc influences defensive responding and assembles fearful and anxious states. This has led to the proliferation of a view that the EAc is fundamentally a defensive substrate. Yet mechanistic work in animals has implicated the EAc in numerous appetitive and consummatory processes, yielding fresh insights into the microcircuitry of survival- and emotion-relevant response selection. Coupled with the EAc's centrality in a conserved network of brain regions that encode multisensory environmental and interoceptive information, these findings suggest a broader role for the EAc as an arbiter of survival- and emotion-relevant tradeoffs for action selection. Determining how the EAc optimizes these tradeoffs promises to improve our understanding of common psychiatric illnesses such as anxiety, depression, alcohol- and substance-use disorders, and anhedonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Holley
- Department of Psychology and the California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Andrew S Fox
- Department of Psychology and the California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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Yang L, Lu J, Guo J, Chen J, Xiong F, Wang X, Chen L, Yu C. Ventrolateral Periaqueductal Gray Astrocytes Regulate Nociceptive Sensation and Emotional Motivation in Diabetic Neuropathic Pain. J Neurosci 2022; 42:8184-8199. [PMID: 36109166 PMCID: PMC9636999 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0920-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is a diabetes complication experienced by many patients. Ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) neurons are essential mediators of the descending pain modulation system, yet the role of vlPAG astrocytes in DNP remains unclear. The present study applied a multidimensional approach to elucidate the role of these astrocytes in DNP. We verified the activation of astrocytes in different regions of the PAG in male DNP-model rats. We found that only astrocytes in the vlPAG exhibited increased growth. Furthermore, we described differences in vlPAG astrocyte activity at different time points during DNP progression. After the 14th day of modeling, vlPAG astrocytes exhibited obvious activation and morphologic changes. Furthermore, activation of Gq-designer receptors exclusively activated by a designer drug (Gq-DREADDs) in vlPAG astrocytes in naive male rats induced neuropathic pain-like symptoms and pain-related aversion, whereas activation of Gi-DREADDs in vlPAG astrocytes in male DNP-model rats alleviated sensations of pain and promoted pain-related preference behavior. Thus, bidirectional manipulation of vlPAG astrocytes revealed their potential to regulate pain. Surprisingly, activation of Gi-DREADDs in vlPAG astrocytes also mitigated anxiety-like behavior induced by DNP. Thus, our results provide direct support for the hypothesis that vlPAG astrocytes regulate diabetes-associated neuropathic pain and concomitant anxiety-like behavior.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Many studies examined the association between the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) and neuropathic pain. However, few studies have focused on the role of vlPAG astrocytes in diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) and DNP-related emotional changes. This work confirmed the role of vlPAG astrocytes in DNP by applying a more direct and robust approach. We used chemogenetics to bidirectionally manipulate the activity of vlPAG astrocytes and revealed that vlPAG astrocytes regulate DNP and pain-related behavior. In addition, we discovered that activation of Gi-designer receptors exclusively activated by a designer drug in vlPAG astrocytes alleviated anxiety-like behavior induced by DNP. Together, these findings provide new insights into DNP and concomitant anxiety-like behavior and supply new therapeutic targets for treating DNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian China
| | - Jingshan Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian China
- Fujian Center for Safety Evaluation of New Drug, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian China
| | - Jianpeng Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian China
| | - Jian Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian China
| | - Fangfang Xiong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian China
| | - Xinyao Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Drug Target Discovery and Structural and Functional Research, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian China
| | - Changxi Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Drug Target Discovery and Structural and Functional Research, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian China
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Pechuk V, Goldman G, Salzberg Y, Chaubey AH, Bola RA, Hoffman JR, Endreson ML, Miller RM, Reger NJ, Portman DS, Ferkey DM, Schneidman E, Oren-Suissa M. Reprogramming the topology of the nociceptive circuit in C. elegans reshapes sexual behavior. Curr Biol 2022; 32:4372-4385.e7. [PMID: 36075218 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.08.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The effect of the detailed connectivity of a neural circuit on its function and the resulting behavior of the organism is a key question in many neural systems. Here, we study the circuit for nociception in C. elegans, which is composed of the same neurons in the two sexes that are wired differently. We show that the nociceptive sensory neurons respond similarly in the two sexes, yet the animals display sexually dimorphic behaviors to the same aversive stimuli. To uncover the role of the downstream network topology in shaping behavior, we learn and simulate network models that replicate the observed dimorphic behaviors and use them to predict simple network rewirings that would switch behavior between the sexes. We then show experimentally that these subtle synaptic rewirings indeed flip behavior. Interestingly, when presented with aversive cues, rewired males were compromised in finding mating partners, suggesting that network topologies that enable efficient avoidance of noxious cues have a reproductive "cost." Our results present a deconstruction of the design of a neural circuit that controls sexual behavior and how to reprogram it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladyslava Pechuk
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Gal Goldman
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yehuda Salzberg
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Aditi H Chaubey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - R Aaron Bola
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Jonathon R Hoffman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Morgan L Endreson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Renee M Miller
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Noah J Reger
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Douglas S Portman
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Denise M Ferkey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Elad Schneidman
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
| | - Meital Oren-Suissa
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
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Otsu Y, Aubrey KR. Kappa opioids inhibit the GABA/glycine terminals of rostral ventromedial medulla projections in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord. J Physiol 2022; 600:4187-4205. [PMID: 35979937 PMCID: PMC9540474 DOI: 10.1113/jp283021] [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: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Descending projections from neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) make synapses within the superficial dorsal horn (SDH) of the spinal cord that are involved in the modulation of nociception, the development of chronic pain and itch, and an important analgesic target for opioids. This projection is primarily inhibitory, but the relative contribution of GABAergic and glycinergic transmission is unknown and there is limited knowledge about the SDH neurons targeted. Additionally, the details of how spinal opioids mediate analgesia remain unclear, and no study has investigated the opioid modulation of this synapse. We address this using ex vivo optogenetic stimulation of RVM fibres in conjunction with whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from the SDH in spinal cord slices. We demonstrate that both GABAergic and glycinergic neurotransmission is employed and show that SDH target neurons have diverse morphological and electrical properties, consistent with both inhibitory and excitatory interneurons. Then, we describe a subtype of SDH neurons that have a glycine-dominant input, indicating that the quality of descending inhibition across cells is not uniform. Finally, we discovered that the kappa-opioid receptor agonist U69593 presynaptically suppressed most RVM-SDH synapses. By contrast, the mu-opioid receptor agonist DAMGO acted both pre- and post-synaptically at a subset of synapses, and the delta-opioid receptor agonist deltorphin II had little effect. These data provide important mechanistic information about a descending control pathway that regulates spinal circuits. This information is necessary to understand how sensory inputs are shaped and develop more reliable and effective alternatives to current opioid analgesics. Abstract figure legend We combined ex vivo optogenetic stimulation of RVM fibres with whole cell electrophysiology of SDH neurons to investigate the final synapse in a key descending pain modulatory pathway. We demonstrate that both glycine and GABA mediate signalling at the RVM-SDH synapse, that the SDH targets of RVM projections have diverse electrical and morphological characteristics, and that presynaptic inhibition is directly and consistently achieved by kappa opioid agonists. Opioid receptors shown are sized relative to the proportion of neurons that responded to its specific agonists (81 and 84percent of DF and non-DF neurons responded to kappa opioid receptor agonists, respectively. Responses that occurred in <255 percentage of neurons are not indicated here). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yo Otsu
- Pain Management Research, Kolling Institute at the Royal North Shore Hospital NSLHD, St Leonard, NSW, 2065, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Pain Consortium, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Karin R Aubrey
- Pain Management Research, Kolling Institute at the Royal North Shore Hospital NSLHD, St Leonard, NSW, 2065, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Pain Consortium, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
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McPherson KB, Ingram SL. Cellular and circuit diversity determines the impact of endogenous opioids in the descending pain modulatory pathway. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:963812. [PMID: 36045708 PMCID: PMC9421147 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.963812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The descending pain modulatory pathway exerts important bidirectional control of nociceptive inputs to dampen and/or facilitate the perception of pain. The ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) integrates inputs from many regions associated with the processing of nociceptive, cognitive, and affective components of pain perception, and is a key brain area for opioid action. Opioid receptors are expressed on a subset of vlPAG neurons, as well as on both GABAergic and glutamatergic presynaptic terminals that impinge on vlPAG neurons. Microinjection of opioids into the vlPAG produces analgesia and microinjection of the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone blocks stimulation-mediated analgesia, highlighting the role of endogenous opioid release within this region in the modulation of nociception. Endogenous opioid effects within the vlPAG are complex and likely dependent on specific neuronal circuits activated by acute and chronic pain stimuli. This review is focused on the cellular heterogeneity within vlPAG circuits and highlights gaps in our understanding of endogenous opioid regulation of the descending pain modulatory circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie B. McPherson
- Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy,Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Susan L. Ingram
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States,*Correspondence: Susan L. Ingram
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Szlaga A, Sambak P, Gugula A, Trenk A, Gundlach AL, Blasiak A. Catecholaminergic innervation and D2-like dopamine receptor-mediated modulation of brainstem nucleus incertus neurons in the rat. Neuropharmacology 2022; 218:109216. [PMID: 35973599 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Nucleus incertus (NI) is a brainstem structure involved in the control of arousal, stress responses and locomotor activity. It was reported recently that NI neurons express the dopamine type 2 (D2) receptor that belongs to the D2-like receptor (D2R) family, and that D2R activation in the NI decreased locomotor activity. In this study, using multiplex in situ hybridization, we observed that GABAergic and glutamatergic NI neurons express D2 receptor mRNA, and that D2 receptor mRNA-positive neurons belong to partially overlapping relaxin-3- and cholecystokinin-positive NI neuronal populations. Our immunohistochemical and viral-based retrograde tract-tracing studies revealed a dense innervation of the NI area by fibers containing the catecholaminergic biosynthesis enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH), and indicated the major sources of the catecholaminergic innervation of the NI as the Darkschewitsch, raphe and hypothalamic A13 nuclei. Furthermore, using whole-cell patch clamp recordings, we demonstrated that D2R activation by quinpirole produced excitatory and inhibitory influences on neuronal activity in the NI, and that both effects were postsynaptic in nature. Moreover, the observed effects were cell-type specific, as type I NI neurons were either excited or inhibited, whereas type II NI neurons were mainly excited by D2R activation. Our results reveal that rat NI receives a strong catecholaminergic innervation and suggest that catecholamines acting within the NI are involved in the control of diverse processes, including locomotor activity, social interaction and nociceptive signaling. Our data also strengthen the hypothesis that the NI acts as a hub integrating arousal-related neuronal information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Szlaga
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Patryk Sambak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Gugula
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Trenk
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
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47
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Nguyen E, Smith KM, Cramer N, Holland RA, Bleimeister IH, Flores-Felix K, Silberberg H, Keller A, Le Pichon CE, Ross SE. Medullary kappa-opioid receptor neurons inhibit pain and itch through a descending circuit. Brain 2022; 145:2586-2601. [PMID: 35598161 PMCID: PMC9612802 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In perilous and stressful situations, the ability to suppress pain can be critical for survival. The rostral ventromedial medulla contains neurons that robustly inhibit nocioception at the level of the spinal cord through a top-down modulatory pathway. Although much is known about the role of the rostral ventromedial medulla in the inhibition of pain, the precise ability to directly manipulate pain-inhibitory neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla has never been achieved. We now expose a cellular circuit that inhibits nocioception and itch in mice. Through a combination of molecular, tracing and behavioural approaches, we found that rostral ventromedial medulla neurons containing the kappa-opioid receptor inhibit itch and nocioception. With chemogenetic inhibition, we uncovered that these neurons are required for stress-induced analgesia. Using intersectional chemogenetic and pharmacological approaches, we determined that rostral ventromedial medulla kappa-opioid receptor neurons inhibit nocioception and itch through a descending circuit. Lastly, we identified a dynorphinergic pathway arising from the periaqueductal grey that modulates nociception within the rostral ventromedial medulla. These discoveries highlight a distinct population of rostral ventromedial medulla neurons capable of broadly and robustly inhibiting itch and nocioception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Nguyen
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kelly M Smith
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Nathan Cramer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Ruby A Holland
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Isabel H Bleimeister
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Krystal Flores-Felix
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Hanna Silberberg
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Asaf Keller
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Claire E Le Pichon
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sarah E Ross
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Partial Ablation of Postsynaptic Dopamine D2 Receptors in the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala Increases Risk Avoidance in Exploratory Tasks. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0528-21.2022. [PMID: 35210287 PMCID: PMC8925651 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0528-21.2022] [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: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is involved in the expression of fear and has been implicated in several anxiety disorders. This structure is densely innervated by DAergic projections that impinge on amygdalar neurons expressing various dopamine (DA) receptor subtypes, including D2 receptors (D2Rs). Although various pharmacological approaches have assessed the role of D2Rs in the CeA, the actual participation of postsynaptic D2Rs in the CeA to defensive behaviors remains unclear. Here, we investigated the distribution of D2Rs in the CeA and their role in modifying neuronal activity and fear related behaviors in mice. First, using the mouse reporter strain D2R-EGFP, we verified that D2Rs are present both in neurons of the CeA and in A10 dorsocaudal (A10dc) DAergic neurons that innervate the CeA. Moreover, we showed that pharmacological stimulation of D2Rs increases the activity of protein kinase C (PKC)δ cells present in the CeA, a type of neuron previously associated with reduced defensive behaviors. Finally, using a molecular genetics approach that discriminates postsynaptic D2Rs from presynaptic D2 autoreceptors, we demonstrated that mice carrying targeted deletions of postsynaptic D2Rs in the CeA display increased risk avoidance in exploratory tasks. Together, our results indicate that postsynaptic D2Rs in the CeA attenuate behavioral reactions to potential environmental threats.
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Qi G, Zhang P, Li T, Li M, Zhang Q, He F, Zhang L, Cai H, Lv X, Qiao H, Chen X, Ming J, Tian B. NAc-VTA circuit underlies emotional stress-induced anxiety-like behavior in the three-chamber vicarious social defeat stress mouse model. Nat Commun 2022; 13:577. [PMID: 35102141 PMCID: PMC8804001 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28190-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Emotional stress is considered a severe pathogenetic factor of psychiatric disorders. However, the circuit mechanisms remain largely unclear. Using a three-chamber vicarious social defeat stress (3C-VSDS) model in mice, we here show that chronic emotional stress (CES) induces anxiety-like behavior and transient social interaction changes. Dopaminergic neurons of ventral tegmental area (VTA) are required to control this behavioral deficit. VTA dopaminergic neuron hyperactivity induced by CES is involved in the anxiety-like behavior in the innate anxiogenic environment. Chemogenetic activation of VTA dopaminergic neurons directly triggers anxiety-like behavior, while chemogenetic inhibition of these neurons promotes resilience to the CES-induced anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, VTA dopaminergic neurons receiving nucleus accumbens (NAc) projections are activated in CES mice. Bidirectional modulation of the NAc-VTA circuit mimics or reverses the CES-induced anxiety-like behavior. In conclusion, we propose that a NAc-VTA circuit critically establishes and regulates the CES-induced anxiety-like behavior. This study not only characterizes a preclinical model that is representative of the nuanced aspect of CES, but also provides insight to the circuit-level neuronal processes that underlie empathy-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangjian Qi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- College of Acupuncture & Massage, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xixian New Area, Shaanxi Province, 712046, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture & Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xixian New Area, Shaanxi Province, 712046, P. R. China
| | - Pei Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Tongxia Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Feng He
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Lijun Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Hongwei Cai
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Xinyuan Lv
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Haifa Qiao
- College of Acupuncture & Massage, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xixian New Area, Shaanxi Province, 712046, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture & Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xixian New Area, Shaanxi Province, 712046, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqian Chen
- Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Jie Ming
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430022, P. R. China.
| | - Bo Tian
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China.
- Institute for Brain Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China.
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430030, P. R. China.
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Gao N, Shi H, Hu S, Zha B, Yuan A, Shu J, Fan Y, Bai J, Xie H, Cui J, Wang X, Li C, Qiu B, Yang J. Acupuncture Enhances Dorsal Raphe Functional Connectivity in Knee Osteoarthritis With Chronic Pain. Front Neurol 2022; 12:813723. [PMID: 35115998 PMCID: PMC8805588 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.813723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Knee osteoarthritis is a common disease in the elderly. Patients suffer from long-term chronic pain and reduced life quality. Acupuncture has been proven to be an effective treatment for KOA. However, the neural mechanism of acupuncture is unclear, so far. Periaqueductal gray (PAG) and raphe nuclei (RPN) are essential structures associated with chronic pain in human brains. This study aims to investigate functional connectivity (FC) changes of PAG and RPN in KOA to interpret the neural mechanism of acupuncture. METHODS In 15 patients with KOA and 15 healthy controls (HC), we acquired Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and resting-state fMRI images of each participant before and after acupuncture stimulation on EX-LE5 acupoint. Then, PAG and RPN were selected as seeds to perform FC analysis based on resting-state fMRI images. Finally, we compared FC patterns of PAG and RPN between patients with KOA and HC, then between pre-acupuncture and post-acupuncture. Correlations between FC values and VAS scores were calculated as well. RESULTS For PAG, FC of patients with KOA was lower in the right lingual gyrus at post-acupuncture compared with HC (p <0.001, uncorrected). For dorsal RPN, FC of patients with KOA was significantly higher in right putamen at post-acupuncture compared with HC (p <0.001, corrected with FDR), and FC changes were significant between pre-acupuncture and post-acupuncture in patients with KOA. Post-acupuncture FC values between dorsal RPN and right putamen were correlated with VAS scores. For medial RPN, FC of patients with KOA was lower in the right cerebellum at post-acupuncture compared with HC (p <0.001, uncorrected), but no significant FC changes were found between pre-acupuncture and post-acupuncture in patients with KOA. FC values between medial RPN and right cerebellum were not correlated with VAS scores at pre-acupuncture and post-acupuncture. DISCUSSION Our study demonstrated that acupuncture enhanced FC between dorsal RPN and the right putamen in patients with KOA, which was associated with chronic pain intensity. This result suggests that acupuncture stimulation can enhance FC between dorsal raphe and striatum, illustrating a neural mechanism that acupuncture can drive the patients' brain, with KOA, to perceive pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Gao
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Haiping Shi
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Sheng Hu
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Bixiang Zha
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Aihong Yuan
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Jianhua Shu
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yinqiu Fan
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Jin Bai
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Hongyu Xie
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | | | - Xiaoxiao Wang
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chuanfu Li
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Bensheng Qiu
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jun Yang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
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