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Zhou L, Zhang C, Xie Z, Yu Q, Wang J, Gong Y, Zhao J, Bai S, Yang L, Deng D, Zhang R, Shi Y. Neural Circuit Mechanisms of Sinisan formula for the Treatment of adolescent Depression: prefrontal cortex to dorsal raphe nucleus. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 334:118529. [PMID: 38972528 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118529] [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: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Sinisan formula (SNSF), documented in the classic books Shanghan Lun, is known for its ability to regulate liver-qi and treat depression. However, its underlying mechanism, particularly its effects on dynamic real-time neuron activity and circuits remains to be fully elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to investigate the antidepressant effect of SNSF and its central nervous system mechanism on depression-like behaviors, focusing on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) neural circuit in a stress-induced adolescent animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS SNSF comprised four herbs, the root of Bupleurum chinense DC., the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall., the fruit of Citrus aurantium L., the rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., in equal propotions. The adolescent depression animal model was induced by maternal separation (MS) and chronic restraint stress (CRS). In-vivo multichannel physiological electrodes were implanted into the PFC on PND 28 and animals were recorded 5 times during PND 35-46. From PND 47, the behavioral tests were performed to evaluate the antidepressant efficacy of SNSF. Subsequently, brain tissue was collected for Western blot and immunofluorescence staining analysis. Retro virus was injected into the DRN to explore sources of projections received by serotonergic (5-HTergic) neurons. And the PFC-to-DRN circuit was activated or inhibited through chemogenetic techniques to investigate the effects of SNSF on depression-like behaviors. RESULTS Administration of SNSF for 18 days effectively alleviated depression-like behaviors in MS&CRS adolescent mice. The PFC emerged as the primary glutamatergic projection source of the DRN5-HT neurons. Following SNSF administration for 13/15/18 days, there was an increase in the firing rate of excitatory neurons and excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) ratio in the PFC. MS&CRS stress let to a reduction in the density of 5-HT+ and CaMKII + neurons in the DRN, accompanied by an increase in the density of GAD + neurons in the DRN, while SNSF administration reversed the alterations. Chemogenetic activation of the PFC-to-DRN circuit rescued the depression-like behaviors induced by MS&CRS, whereas suppression of this circuit attenuated the antidepressant effect of SNSF. CONCLUSIONS SNSF significantly mitigated depression-like behaviors in MS&CRS mice. SNSF exerts its antidepressant effects by increasing the E/I ratio in the PFC and enhancing glutamatergic projections from the PFC to the DRN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuchang Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Fundamental Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Caixia Zhang
- Outpatient Department, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Zedan Xie
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qingying Yu
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Junjie Wang
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuwen Gong
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jinlan Zhao
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shasha Bai
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Di Deng
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Rong Zhang
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Yafei Shi
- School of Fundamental Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Huang J, Yang W, Bao L, Yin B. Effects of Peripubertal Experiences on Competitive Behavior in Male Rats at Different Stages of Adulthood. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22544. [PMID: 39236223 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22544] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Past studies in animal models have extensively investigated the impact of early life experiences on behavioral development, yet relatively few have specifically examined the implications of peripubertal experiences on the evolution of competitive behavior across distinct stages of adulthood. In the current research, we probed potential differences in competitive behavior during emerging adulthood (3 months old) and middle adulthood (12 months old) in 81 Sprague-Dawley male rats exposed to three different peripubertal (postnatal Days 37-60) environments: an enriched environment (EE), a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) condition, and a control condition. Anxiety-like behavior served as a positive control in our study. Results revealed significant variations in competitive behavior among the groups during emerging adulthood. The EE group displayed the least anxiety and outperformed their peers in food-reward-oriented competition, whereas the CUMS group excelled in status-driven, agonistic competition. However, these behavioral differentiations gradually attenuated by middle adulthood, at which point the control group began to show an advantage. Our findings suggest that although peripubertal experiences significantly shape competitive behavior in the emerging adulthood stage, this effect diminishes over time and is nearly non-detectable during mid-adulthood, underscoring the fluidity of behavioral development and demonstrating that the effects of peripubertal experiences can be modulated by subsequent life experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinkun Huang
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Wenjia Yang
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Lili Bao
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Bin Yin
- School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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Zhang B, Chen K, Dai Y, Luo X, Xiong Z, Zhang W, Huang X, So KF, Zhang L. Human α-synuclein aggregation activates ferroptosis leading to parvalbumin interneuron degeneration and motor learning impairment. Commun Biol 2024; 7:1227. [PMID: 39349708 PMCID: PMC11443099 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06896-x] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 10/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of α-synuclein induces neuronal loss in midbrain nuclei and leads to the disruption of motor circuits, while the pathology of α-synuclein in cortical regions remains elusive. To better characterize cortical synucleinopathy, here we generate a mouse model with the overexpression of human α-synuclein in the primary motor cortex (M1) of mice. A combination of molecular, in vivo recording, and behavioral approaches reveal that cortical expression of human α-synuclein results in the overexcitation of cortical pyramidal neurons (PNs), which are regulated by the decreased inhibitory inputs from parvalbumin-interneurons (PV-INs) to impair complex motor skill learning. Further mechanistic dissections reveal that human α-synuclein aggregation activates ferroptosis, contributing to PV-IN degeneration and motor circuit dysfunction. Taken together, the current study adds more knowledge to the emerging role and pathogenic mechanism of ferroptosis in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Kai Chen
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yelin Dai
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xi Luo
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Ziwei Xiong
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Weijia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodan Huang
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
- Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Institute, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Center for Exercise and Brain Science, School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Institute, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China.
- Center for Exercise and Brain Science, School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
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Nieves GM, Rahn RM, Baskoylu SN, Liston CM. Divergent reward cue representations in prefrontal cortex underlie differences in reward motivation between adolescents and adults. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.07.565069. [PMID: 37986789 PMCID: PMC10659319 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.07.565069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
A prevailing view on postnatal brain development is that brain regions gradually acquire adult functions as they mature. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) regulates reward learning, motivation, and behavioral inhibition, and undergoes a protracted postnatal maturation. During adolescence, reward-seeking behavior is heightened compared to adulthood - a developmental difference that may be driven by a hypoactive mPFC, with decreased top-down control of impulsive reward-seeking. However, this hypothesis has been difficult to test directly, due in part to technical challenges of recording neuronal activity in vivo across this developmental period. Here, using a novel 2-photon imaging-compatible platform for recording mPFC activity during an operant reward conditioning task beginning early in life, we show that the adolescent mPFC is hyper-responsive to reward cues. Distinct populations of mPFC neurons encode reward-predictive cues across development, but representations of no-reward cues and unrewarded outcomes are relatively muted in adolescence. Chemogenetic inhibition of GABAergic neurons decreased motivation in adolescence but not in adulthood. Together, our findings indicate that reward-related activity in the adolescent mPFC does not gradually increase across development. On the contrary, adolescent mPFC neurons are hyper-responsive to reward-related stimuli and encode reward-predictive cues and outcomes through qualitatively different mechanisms relative to the adult mPFC, opening avenues to developing distinct, developmentally informed strategies for modulating reward-seeking behavior in adolescence and adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Manzano Nieves
- Department of Psychiatry and Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel M Rahn
- Department of Psychiatry and Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Saba N Baskoylu
- Picower Institute for Learning & Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Conor M Liston
- Department of Psychiatry and Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Estrella LD, Manganaro JE, Sheldon L, Roland N, Snyder AD, George JW, Emanuel K, Lamberty BG, Stauch KL. Chronic glial activation and behavioral alterations induced by acute/subacute pioglitazone treatment in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 123:64-80. [PMID: 39242055 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disabling neurotraumatic condition and the leading cause of injury-related deaths and disability in the United States. Attenuation of neuroinflammation early after TBI is considered an important treatment target; however, while these inflammatory responses can induce secondary brain injury, they are also involved in the repair of the nervous system. Pioglitazone, which activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, has been shown to decrease inflammation acutely after TBI, but the long-term consequences of its use remain unknown. For this reason, the impacts of treatment with pioglitazone during the acute/subacute phase (30 min after injury and each subsequent 24 h for 5 days) after TBI were interrogated during the chronic phase (30- and 274-days post-injury (DPI)) in mice using the controlled cortical impact model of experimental TBI. Acute/subacute pioglitazone treatment after TBI results in long-term deleterious consequences, including disruption of tau homeostasis, chronic glial cell activation, neuronal pathology, and worsened injury severity particularly at 274 DPI, with male mice being more susceptible than female mice. Further, male pioglitazone-treated TBI mice exhibited increased dominant and offensive-like behavior while having a decreased non-social exploring behavior at 274 DPI. After TBI, both sexes exhibited glial activation at 30 DPI when treated with pioglitazone; however, while injury severity was increased in females it was not impacted in male mice. This work reveals that although pioglitazone has been shown to lead to attenuated TBI outcomes acutely, sex-based differences, timing and long-term consequences of treatment with glitazones must be considered and further studied prior to their clinical use for TBI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Daniel Estrella
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Department of Neurological Sciences, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jane E Manganaro
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Department of Neurological Sciences, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Lexi Sheldon
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Department of Neurological Sciences, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Nashanthea Roland
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Department of Neurological Sciences, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Austin D Snyder
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Department of Neurological Sciences, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Joseph W George
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Department of Neurological Sciences, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Katy Emanuel
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Department of Neurological Sciences, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Benjamin G Lamberty
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Department of Neurological Sciences, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Kelly L Stauch
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Department of Neurological Sciences, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Choi TY, Jeong S, Koo JW. Mesocorticolimbic circuit mechanisms of social dominance behavior. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:1889-1899. [PMID: 39218974 PMCID: PMC11447232 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01299-8] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Social animals, including rodents, primates, and humans, partake in competition for finite resources, thereby establishing social hierarchies wherein an individual's social standing influences diverse behaviors. Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of social dominance is imperative, given its ramifications for health, survival, and reproduction. Social dominance behavior comprises several facets, including social recognition, social decision-making, and actions, indicating the concerted involvement of multiple brain regions in orchestrating this behavior. While extensive research has been dedicated to elucidating the neurobiology of social interaction, recent studies have increasingly delved into adverse social behaviors such as social competition and hierarchy. This review focuses on the latest advancements in comprehending the mechanisms of the mesocorticolimbic circuit governing social dominance, with a specific focus on rodent studies, elucidating the intricate dynamics of social hierarchies and their implications for individual well-being and adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Yong Choi
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sejin Jeong
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Department of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja Wook Koo
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
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Tan H, Cao K, Zhao Y, Zhong J, Deng D, Pan B, Zhang J, Zhang R, Wang Z, Chen T, Shi Y. Brain-Targeted Black Phosphorus-Based Nanotherapeutic Platform for Enhanced Hypericin Delivery in Depression. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2310608. [PMID: 38461532 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202310608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Depression is a significant global health concern that remains inadequately treated due to the limited effectiveness of conventional drug therapies. One potential therapeutic agent, hypericin (HYP), is identified as an effective natural antidepressant. However, its poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and limited ability to penetrate the brain parenchyma have hindered its clinical application. To address these shortcomings and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of HYP, it is loaded onto black phosphorus nanosheets (BP) modified with the neural cell-targeting peptide RVG29 to synthesize a nanoplatform named BP-RVG29@HYP (BRH). This platform served as a nanocarrier for HYP and integrated the advantages of BP with advanced delivery methods and precise targeting strategies. Under the influence of 808 nm near-infrared irradiation (NIR), BRH effectively traversed an in vitro BBB model. In vivo experiments validated these findings, demonstrating that treatment with BRH significantly alleviated depressive-like behaviors and oxidative stress in mice. Importantly, BRH exhibited an excellent safety profile, causing minimal adverse effects, which highlighted its potential as a promising therapeutic agent. In brief, this novel nanocarrier holds great promise in the development of antidepressant drugs and can create new avenues for the treatment of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxu Tan
- School of Fundamental Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Kerun Cao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuying Zhao
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jialong Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Di Deng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bo Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Juping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhiyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Tongkai Chen
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Yafei Shi
- School of Fundamental Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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Mack NR, Bouras NN, Gao WJ. Prefrontal Regulation of Social Behavior and Related Deficits: Insights From Rodent Studies. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 96:85-94. [PMID: 38490368 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is well known as the executive center of the brain, combining internal states and goals to execute purposeful behavior, including social actions. With the advancement of tools for monitoring and manipulating neural activity in rodents, substantial progress has been made in understanding the specific cell types and neural circuits within the PFC that are essential for processing social cues and influencing social behaviors. Furthermore, combining these tools with translationally relevant behavioral paradigms has also provided novel insights into the PFC neural mechanisms that may contribute to social deficits in various psychiatric disorders. This review highlights findings from the past decade that have shed light on the PFC cell types and neural circuits that support social information processing and distinct aspects of social behavior, including social interactions, social memory, and social dominance. We also explore how the PFC contributes to social deficits in rodents induced by social isolation, social fear conditioning, and social status loss. These studies provide evidence that the PFC uses both overlapping and unique neural mechanisms to support distinct components of social cognition. Furthermore, specific PFC neural mechanisms drive social deficits induced by different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy R Mack
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Nadia N Bouras
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Wen-Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Li X, Zhou Q. Relationship of weight-adjusted waist index and developmental disabilities in children 6 to 17 years of age: a cross-sectional study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1406996. [PMID: 39027477 PMCID: PMC11254689 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1406996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The development of multiple system diseases is increased by obesity. However, the connection between obesity and developmental disabilities (DDs) in children is unclear. As an obesity index, the weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) assessed fat distribution and muscle mass. In this study, we examined the correlation between WWI and DDs among children 6 to 17 years of age. Methods This study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database (NHANES) covering 2003 to 2018, which included the data of 17,899 participants between 6 and 17 years of age. Data regarding their waist circumference, weight, and DDs were collected via physical examinations and questionnaire, respectively. A person's WWI is calculated by dividing their waist circumference by their weight squared. The correlation between WWI and DDs was studied using weighted multiple logistic regression models. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted utilizing a generalized additive model and smooth curve fitting. Results After adjusting for all covariates, WWI was positively related to DDs in children ages 6-17. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the correlation between the WWI and prevalence of DDs remained consistent across subgroups. Additionally, there was a J-shaped correlation between the WWI and the prevalence of DDs in children ages 6 through 11. Conclusion Children 6-17 years of age with a high WWI were at greater risk for DDs; however, the causal relationships and potential mechanisms require further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qi Zhou
- Department of Neonatal, Children's Medical Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Yu L, Zhu X, Peng K, Qin H, Yang K, Cai F, Hu J, Zhang Y. Propofol Alleviates Anxiety-Like Behaviors Associated with Pain by Inhibiting the Hyperactivity of PVN CRH Neurons via GABA A Receptor β3 Subunits. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2309059. [PMID: 38639389 PMCID: PMC11267288 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Pain, a comorbidity of anxiety disorders, causes substantial clinical, social, and economic burdens. Emerging evidence suggests that propofol, the most commonly used general anesthetic, may regulate psychological disorders; however, its role in pain-associated anxiety is not yet described. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of a single dose of propofol (100 mg kg-1) in alleviating pain-associated anxiety and examines the underlying neural mechanisms. In acute and chronic pain models, propofol decreased anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) tests. Propofol also reduced the serum levels of stress-related hormones including corticosterone, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and norepinephrine. Fiber photometry recordings indicated that the calcium signaling activity of CRH neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVNCRH) is reduced after propofol treatment. Interestingly, artificially activating PVNCRH neurons through chemogenetics interfered with the anxiety-reducing effects of propofol. Electrophysiological recordings indicated that propofol decreases the activity of PVNCRH neurons by increasing spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs). Further, reducing the levels of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor β3 (GABAAβ3) subunits in PVNCRH neurons diminished the anxiety-relieving effects of propofol. In conclusion, this study provides a mechanistic and preclinical rationale to treat pain-associated anxiety-like behaviors using a single dose of propofol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Yu
- Department of AnesthesiologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei230601China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Xiaona Zhu
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Kang Peng
- Department of AnesthesiologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei230601China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Huimin Qin
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Kexin Yang
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Fang Cai
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Ji Hu
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of AnesthesiologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei230601China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
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11
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Dautan D, Monai A, Maltese F, Chang X, Molent C, Mauro D, Galbusera A, Vecchia D, Antonelli F, Benedetti A, Drago F, Leggio GM, Pagani M, Fellin T, Gozzi A, Schumann G, Managò F, Papaleo F. Cortico-cortical transfer of socially derived information gates emotion recognition. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:1318-1332. [PMID: 38769153 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01647-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Emotion recognition and the resulting responses are important for survival and social functioning. However, how socially derived information is processed for reliable emotion recognition is incompletely understood. Here, we reveal an evolutionarily conserved long-range inhibitory/excitatory brain network mediating these socio-cognitive processes. Anatomical tracing in mice revealed the existence of a subpopulation of somatostatin (SOM) GABAergic neurons projecting from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to the retrosplenial cortex (RSC). Through optogenetic manipulations and Ca2+ imaging fiber photometry in mice and functional imaging in humans, we demonstrate the specific participation of these long-range SOM projections from the mPFC to the RSC, and an excitatory feedback loop from the RSC to the mPFC, in emotion recognition. Notably, we show that mPFC-to-RSC SOM projections are dysfunctional in mouse models relevant to psychiatric vulnerability and can be targeted to rescue emotion recognition deficits in these mice. Our findings demonstrate a cortico-cortical circuit underlying emotion recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dautan
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Neuroscience area, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
- Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Monai
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Neuroscience area, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Maltese
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Neuroscience area, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Xiao Chang
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Cinzia Molent
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Neuroscience area, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Daniele Mauro
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Neuroscience area, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Alberto Galbusera
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Dania Vecchia
- Optical Approaches to Brain Function Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Antonelli
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Neuroscience area, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Arianna Benedetti
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Neuroscience area, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marco Pagani
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Tommaso Fellin
- Optical Approaches to Brain Function Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gozzi
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Gunter Schumann
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Charite Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, CCM, Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Francesca Managò
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Neuroscience area, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Papaleo
- Genetics of Cognition Laboratory, Neuroscience area, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.
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12
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Peng S, Yang X, Meng S, Liu F, Lv Y, Yang H, Kong Y, Xie W, Li M. Dual circuits originating from the ventral hippocampus independently facilitate affective empathy. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114277. [PMID: 38805397 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Affective empathy enables social mammals to learn and transfer emotion to conspecifics, but an understanding of the neural circuitry and genetics underlying affective empathy is still very limited. Here, using the naive observational fear between cagemates as a paradigm similar to human affective empathy and chemo/optogenetic neuroactivity manipulation in mouse brain, we investigate the roles of multiple brain regions in mouse affective empathy. Remarkably, two neural circuits originating from the ventral hippocampus, previously unknown to function in empathy, are revealed to regulate naive observational fear. One is from ventral hippocampal pyramidal neurons to lateral septum GABAergic neurons, and the other is from ventral hippocampus pyramidal neurons to nucleus accumbens dopamine-receptor-expressing neurons. Furthermore, we identify the naive observational-fear-encoding neurons in the ventral hippocampus. Our findings highlight the potentially diverse regulatory pathways of empathy in social animals, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying empathy circuity and its disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Peng
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Xiuqi Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Sibie Meng
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Fuyuan Liu
- Jiangsu Provincial Joint International Research Laboratory of Medical Information Processing, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yaochen Lv
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Huiquan Yang
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Youyong Kong
- Jiangsu Provincial Joint International Research Laboratory of Medical Information Processing, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Wei Xie
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Moyi Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.
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13
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Chen WJ, Chen H, Li ZM, Huang WY, Wu JL. Acetylcholine muscarinic M1 receptors in the rodent prefrontal cortex modulate cognitive abilities to establish social hierarchy. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:974-982. [PMID: 38135842 PMCID: PMC11039707 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01785-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
In most social species, the attainment of social dominance is strongly affected by personality traits. Dominant individuals show better cognitive abilities, however, whether an individual's cognition can determine its social status has remained inconclusive. We found that mice show better cognitive abilities tend to possess a higher social rank after cohousing. The dynamic release of acetylcholine (ACh) in the prelimbic cortex (PL) is correlated with mouse dominance behavior. ACh enhanced the excitability of the PL neurons via acetylcholine muscarinic M1 receptors (M1). Inhibition of M1 impaired mice cognitive performance and induced losing in social competition. Mice with M1 deficiency in the PL performed worse on cognitive behavioral tests, and exhibited lower status when re-grouped with others. Elevating ACh level in the PL of subordinate mice induced winning. These results provide direct evidence for the involvement of M1 in social hierarchy and suggest that social rank can be tuned by altering cognition through cholinergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jun Chen
- Medical Research and Experimental Center, Meizhou People's Hospital, Meizhou, 514031, China
- Guangdong Engineering Technological Research Center of Clinical Molecular Diagnosis and Antibody Drugs, Meizhou, 514031, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zi-Ming Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Wei-Yuan Huang
- Orthopedic Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China.
| | - Jian-Lin Wu
- Medical Research and Experimental Center, Meizhou People's Hospital, Meizhou, 514031, China.
- Guangdong Engineering Technological Research Center of Clinical Molecular Diagnosis and Antibody Drugs, Meizhou, 514031, China.
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14
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Choi TY, Jeon H, Jeong S, Kim EJ, Kim J, Jeong YH, Kang B, Choi M, Koo JW. Distinct prefrontal projection activity and transcriptional state conversely orchestrate social competition and hierarchy. Neuron 2024; 112:611-627.e8. [PMID: 38086372 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.012] [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: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Social animals compete for limited resources, resulting in a social hierarchy. Although different neuronal subpopulations in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which has been mechanistically implicated in social dominance behavior, encode distinct social competition behaviors, their identities and associated molecular underpinnings have not yet been identified. In this study, we found that mPFC neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens (mPFC-NAc) encode social winning behavior, whereas mPFC neurons projecting to the ventral tegmental area (mPFC-VTA) encode social losing behavior. High-throughput single-cell transcriptomic analysis and projection-specific genetic manipulation revealed that the expression level of POU domain, class 3, transcription factor 1 (Pou3f1) in mPFC-VTA neurons controls social hierarchy. Optogenetic activation of mPFC-VTA neurons increases Pou3f1 expression and lowers social rank. Together, these data demonstrate that discrete activity and gene expression in separate mPFC projections oppositely orchestrate social competition and hierarchy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Yong Choi
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoungseok Jeon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sejin Jeong
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea; Department of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Eum Ji Kim
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongseop Kim
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea; Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu 41988, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Ha Jeong
- Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Byungsoo Kang
- Sysoft R&D Center, Daegu 41065, Republic of Korea; Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Murim Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ja Wook Koo
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea; Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu 41988, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Guo B, Xi K, Mao H, Ren K, Xiao H, Hartley ND, Zhang Y, Kang J, Liu Y, Xie Y, Zhou Y, Zhu Y, Zhang X, Fu Z, Chen JF, Hu H, Wang W, Wu S. CB1R dysfunction of inhibitory synapses in the ACC drives chronic social isolation stress-induced social impairments in male mice. Neuron 2024; 112:441-457.e6. [PMID: 37992714 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.10.027] [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: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation is a risk factor for multiple mood disorders. Specifically, social isolation can remodel the brain, causing behavioral abnormalities, including sociability impairments. Here, we investigated social behavior impairment in mice following chronic social isolation stress (CSIS) and conducted a screening of susceptible brain regions using functional readouts. CSIS enhanced synaptic inhibition in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), particularly at inhibitory synapses of cholecystokinin (CCK)-expressing interneurons. This enhanced synaptic inhibition in the ACC was characterized by CSIS-induced loss of presynaptic cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB1Rs), resulting in excessive axonal calcium influx. Activation of CCK-expressing interneurons or conditional knockdown of CB1R expression in CCK-expressing interneurons specifically reproduced social impairment. In contrast, optogenetic activation of CB1R or administration of CB1R agonists restored sociability in CSIS mice. These results suggest that the CB1R may be an effective therapeutic target for preventing CSIS-induced social impairments by restoring synaptic inhibition in the ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baolin Guo
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Kaiwen Xi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Honghui Mao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Keke Ren
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Haoxiang Xiao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Nolan D Hartley
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yangming Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Junjun Kang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yingying Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yuqiao Xie
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yongsheng Zhou
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhanyan Fu
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jiang-Fan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Hailan Hu
- School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wenting Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
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16
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Zhang X, Wang X, Li Y, Zhang Y, Zhu H, Xie C, Zhou Y, Shen Y, Tong J. Characterization of Retinal VIP-Amacrine Cell Development During the Critical Period. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2024; 44:19. [PMID: 38315298 PMCID: PMC10844409 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-024-01452-x] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Retinal vasoactive intestinal peptide amacrine cells (VIP-ACs) play an important role in various retinal light-mediated pathological processes related to different developmental ocular diseases and even mental disorders. It is important to characterize the developmental changes in VIP-ACs to further elucidate their mechanisms of circuit function. We bred VIP-Cre mice with Ai14 and Ai32 to specifically label retinal VIP-ACs. The VIP-AC soma and spine density generally increased, from postnatal day (P)0 to P35, reaching adult levels at P14 and P28, respectively. The VIP-AC soma density curve was different with the VIP-AC spine density curve. The total retinal VIP content reached a high level plateau at P14 but was decreased in adults. From P14 to P16, the resting membrane potential (RMP) became more negative, and the input resistance decreased. Cell membrane capacitance (MC) showed three peaks at P7, P12 and P16. The RMP and MC reached a stable level similar to the adult level at P18, whereas input resistance reached a stable level at P21. The percentage of sustained voltage-dependent potassium currents peaked at P16 and remained stable thereafter. The spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current and spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current frequencies and amplitudes, as well as charge transfer, peaked at P12 to P16; however, there were also secondary peaks at different time points. In conclusion, we found that the second, third and fourth weeks after birth were important periods of VIP-AC development. Many developmental changes occurred around eye opening. The development of soma, dendrite and electrophysiological properties showed uneven dynamics of progression. Cell differentiation may contribute to soma development whereas the changes of different ion channels may play important role for spine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhong Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, No.79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, No.79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
- Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, No.866 Yuhangtang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanqing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, No.79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, No.79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
- Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, No.866 Yuhangtang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, No.79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chen Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, No.79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yudong Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, No.79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
- Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, No.866 Yuhangtang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ye Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, No.79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jianping Tong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, No.79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China.
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17
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Wang Y, Liu N, Ma L, Yue L, Cui S, Liu FY, Yi M, Wan Y. Ventral Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons Encode Nociceptive Information. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:201-217. [PMID: 37440103 PMCID: PMC10838882 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01086-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
As a main structure of the limbic system, the hippocampus plays a critical role in pain perception and chronicity. The ventral hippocampal CA1 (vCA1) is closely associated with negative emotions such as anxiety, stress, and fear, yet how vCA1 neurons encode nociceptive information remains unclear. Using in vivo electrophysiological recording, we characterized vCA1 pyramidal neuron subpopulations that exhibited inhibitory or excitatory responses to plantar stimuli and were implicated in encoding stimuli modalities in naïve rats. Functional heterogeneity of the vCA1 pyramidal neurons was further identified in neuropathic pain conditions: the proportion and magnitude of the inhibitory response neurons paralleled mechanical allodynia and contributed to the confounded encoding of innocuous and noxious stimuli, whereas the excitatory response neurons were still instrumental in the discrimination of stimulus properties. Increased theta power and theta-spike coupling in vCA1 correlated with nociceptive behaviors. Optogenetic inhibition of vCA1 pyramidal neurons induced mechanical allodynia in naïve rats, whereas chemogenetic reversal of the overall suppressed vCA1 activity had analgesic effects in rats with neuropathic pain. These results provide direct evidence for the representations of nociceptive information in vCA1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Naizheng Liu
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Longyu Ma
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Lupeng Yue
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shuang Cui
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Feng-Yu Liu
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Ming Yi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - You Wan
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China.
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, 100083, China.
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226019, China.
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18
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Lopez K, Baker MR, Toth M. Single cell transcriptomic representation of social dominance in prefrontal cortex and the influence of preweaning maternal and postweaning social environment. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2206. [PMID: 38272981 PMCID: PMC10810822 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52200-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Social dominance encompasses winning dyadic contests and gaining priority access to resources and reproduction. Dominance is influenced by environmental factors, particularly during early postnatal life and adolescence. A disinhibitory medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) microcircuit has been implicated in the expression of dominance in the "tube test" social competition paradigm in mice, but the neuroplasticity underlying dominance is not known. We previously reported that male pups raised by physically active (wheel-running, as opposed to sedentary) dams exhibit tube test dominance and increased reproductive fitness, and here we show that social isolation from weaning also increases dominance. By using single cell transcriptomics, we tested if increased dominance in these models is associated with a specific transcriptional profile in one or more cell-types in the mPFC. The preweaning maternal effect, but not postweaning social isolation, caused gene expression changes in pyramidal neurons. However, both the effect of maternal exercise and social isolation induced the coordinated downregulation of synaptic channel, receptor, and adhesion genes in parvalbumin positive (PV) interneurons, suggesting that development of dominance is accompanied by impaired PV interneuron-mediated inhibition of pyramidal cells. This study may help understand environmentally induced transcriptional plasticity in the PFC and its relationship to tube test dominance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Lopez
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Madelyn R Baker
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Miklos Toth
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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19
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Chang YT, Lee YJ, Haque M, Chang HC, Javed S, Lin YC, Cho Y, Abramovitz J, Chin G, Khamis A, Raja R, Murai KK, Huang WH. Comparative analyses of the Smith-Magenis syndrome protein RAI1 in mice and common marmoset monkeys. J Comp Neurol 2024; 532:e25589. [PMID: 38289192 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25589] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Retinoic acid-induced 1 (RAI1) encodes a transcriptional regulator critical for brain development and function. RAI1 haploinsufficiency in humans causes a syndromic autism spectrum disorder known as Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS). The neuroanatomical distribution of RAI1 has not been quantitatively analyzed during the development of the prefrontal cortex, a brain region critical for cognitive function and social behaviors and commonly implicated in autism spectrum disorders, including SMS. Here, we performed comparative analyses to uncover the evolutionarily convergent and divergent expression profiles of RAI1 in major cell types during prefrontal cortex maturation in common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) and mice (Mus musculus). We found that while RAI1 in both species is enriched in neurons, the percentage of excitatory neurons that express RAI1 is higher in newborn mice than in newborn marmosets. By contrast, RAI1 shows similar neural distribution in adult marmosets and adult mice. In marmosets, RAI1 is expressed in several primate-specific cell types, including intralaminar astrocytes and MEIS2-expressing prefrontal GABAergic neurons. At the molecular level, we discovered that RAI1 forms a protein complex with transcription factor 20 (TCF20), PHD finger protein 14 (PHF14), and high mobility group 20A (HMG20A) in the marmoset brain. In vitro assays in human cells revealed that TCF20 regulates RAI1 protein abundance. This work demonstrates that RAI1 expression and protein interactions are largely conserved but with some unique expression in primate-specific cells. The results also suggest that altered RAI1 abundance could contribute to disease features in disorders caused by TCF20 dosage imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ting Chang
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Yu-Ju Lee
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Minza Haque
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Hao-Cheng Chang
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sehrish Javed
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Yu Cheng Lin
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Yoobin Cho
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Joseph Abramovitz
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Gabriella Chin
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Asma Khamis
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Reesha Raja
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Keith K Murai
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Wei-Hsiang Huang
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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20
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Spiteri Douglas R, Hartley MR, Yang JR, Franklin TB. Differential expression of Hdac2 in male and female mice of differing social status. Physiol Behav 2024; 273:114406. [PMID: 37949308 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114406] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Mice naturally form social hierarchies, and their experiences as subordinate or dominant mice inform future behavioural strategies. To better understand the neural bases of social dominance, we investigated hippocampal gene and protein expression of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), an epigenetic regulator that decreases expression of synaptic plasticity genes and reduces excitatory synaptic function. Hdac2 in hippocampus was associated with social status. The gene for a closely related histone deacetylase (Hdac1), and HDAC2 protein expression, were not associated with social rank in hippocampus. These findings suggest that Hdac2 expression in hippocampus is distinctly linked with social status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée Spiteri Douglas
- The Social Lab, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Mackenzie R Hartley
- The Social Lab, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - J Renee Yang
- The Social Lab, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Tamara B Franklin
- The Social Lab, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Halifax, NS, Canada.
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21
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Coleman PT, Costanza-Chavez GW, Martin HN, Amat J, Frank MG, Sanchez RJ, Potter GJ, Mellert SM, Carter RK, Bonnici GN, Maier SF, Baratta MV. Prior experience with behavioral control over stress facilitates social dominance. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 28:100597. [PMID: 38213318 PMCID: PMC10783635 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Dominance status has extensive effects on physical and mental health, and an individual's relative position can be shaped by experiential factors. A variety of considerations suggest that the experience of behavioral control over stressors should produce winning in dominance tests and that winning should blunt the impact of later stressors, as does prior control. To investigate the interplay between competitive success and stressor control, we first examined the impact of stressor controllability on subsequent performance in a warm spot competition test modified for rats. Prior experience of controllable, but not physically identical uncontrollable, stress increased later effortful behavior and occupation of the warm spot. Controllable stress subjects consistently ranked higher than did uncontrollable stress subjects. Pharmacological inactivation of the prelimbic (PL) cortex during behavioral control prevented later facilitation of dominance. Next, we explored whether repeated winning experiences produced later resistance against the typical sequelae of uncontrollable stress. To establish dominance status, triads of rats were given five sessions of warm spot competition. The development of stable dominance was prevented by reversible inactivation of the PL or NMDA receptor blockade in the dorsomedial striatum. Stable winning blunted the later stress-induced increase in dorsal raphe nucleus serotonergic activity, as well as prevented uncontrollable stress-induced social avoidance. In contrast, endocrine and neuroimmune responses to uncontrollable stress were unaffected, indicating a selective impact of prior dominance. Together, these data demonstrate that instrumental control over stress promotes later dominance, but also reveal that winning experiences buffer against the neural and behavioral outcomes of future adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Heather N. Martin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Jose Amat
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Matthew G. Frank
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Rory J. Sanchez
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Garrett J. Potter
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Simone M. Mellert
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Rene K. Carter
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Gianni N. Bonnici
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Steven F. Maier
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Michael V. Baratta
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
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22
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Gu X, Zhao Z, Chen X, Zhang L, Fang H, Zhao T, Ju S, Gao W, Qian X, Wang X, Zhang J, Cheng H. Imaging microglia surveillance during sleep-wake cycles in freely behaving mice. eLife 2023; 12:RP86749. [PMID: 38132088 PMCID: PMC10746140 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86749] [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] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia surveillance manifests itself as dynamic changes in cell morphology and functional remodeling. Whether and how microglia surveillance is coupled to brain state switches during natural sleep-wake cycles remains unclear. To address this question, we used miniature two-photon microscopy (mTPM) to acquire time-lapse high-resolution microglia images of the somatosensory cortex, along with EEG/EMG recordings and behavioral video, in freely-behaving mice. We uncovered fast and robust brain state-dependent changes in microglia surveillance, occurring in parallel with sleep dynamics and early-onset phagocytic microglial contraction during sleep deprivation stress. We also detected local norepinephrine fluctuation occurring in a sleep state-dependent manner. We showed that the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system, which is crucial to sleep homeostasis, is required for both sleep state-dependent and stress-induced microglial responses and β2-adrenergic receptor signaling plays a significant role in this process. These results provide direct evidence that microglial surveillance is exquisitely tuned to signals and stressors that regulate sleep dynamics and homeostasis so as to adjust its varied roles to complement those of neurons in the brain. In vivo imaging with mTPM in freely behaving animals, as demonstrated here, opens a new avenue for future investigation of microglia dynamics and sleep biology in freely behaving animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochun Gu
- PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Raygen HealthNanjingChina
- National Platform for Medical Engineering Education Integration, Southeast UniversityNanjingChina
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast UniversityNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Department of Histology Embryology, Medical School, Southeast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhong Zhao
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
- Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Xueli Chen
- Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Lifeng Zhang
- Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Huaqiang Fang
- Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Ting Zhao
- PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Raygen HealthNanjingChina
| | - Shenghong Ju
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Weizheng Gao
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, College of Engineering, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoyu Qian
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, College of Engineering, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xianhua Wang
- Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational MedicineNanjingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jue Zhang
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, College of Engineering, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Heping Cheng
- Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational MedicineNanjingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
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23
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Song BL, Zhou J, Jiang Y, Li LF, Liu YJ. Dopamine D2 receptor within the intermediate region of the lateral septum modulate social hierarchy in male mice. Neuropharmacology 2023; 241:109735. [PMID: 37788799 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
The dopamine (DA) system has long been involved in social hierarchies; however, the specific mechanisms have not been elucidated. The lateral septum (LS) is a limbic brain structure that regulates various emotional, motivational, and social behaviors. DA receptors are abundantly expressed in the LS, modulating its functions. In this study, we evaluated the functions of DA receptors within different subregions of the LS in social dominance using a confrontation tube test in male mice. The results showed that mice living in social groups formed linear dominance hierarchies after a few days of cohousing, and the subordinates showed increased anxiety. Fos expressions was elevated in the entire LS after a confrontation tube test in the subordinates. However, DA neurons were more activated in the dominates within the ventral tegmental area and the dorsal raphe nucleus. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction results showed that D2 receptor (D2R) within the intermediate region of the LS (LSi) were elevated in the subordinate. In the following pharmacological studies, we found simultaneous D2R activation in the dominants and D2R inhibition in the subordinates switched the original dominant-subordinate relationship. The aforementioned results suggested that D2R within the LSi plays an important role in social dominance in male mice. These findings improve our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying the social hierarchy, which is closely related to our social life and happiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bai-Lin Song
- Research Center of Henan Provincial Agricultural Biomass Resource Engineering and Technology, College of Life Science and Agriculture, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, 473061, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Research Center of Henan Provincial Agricultural Biomass Resource Engineering and Technology, College of Life Science and Agriculture, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, 473061, China
| | - Yi Jiang
- Research Center of Henan Provincial Agricultural Biomass Resource Engineering and Technology, College of Life Science and Agriculture, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, 473061, China
| | - Lai-Fu Li
- Research Center of Henan Provincial Agricultural Biomass Resource Engineering and Technology, College of Life Science and Agriculture, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, 473061, China.
| | - Ying-Juan Liu
- Research Center of Henan Provincial Agricultural Biomass Resource Engineering and Technology, College of Life Science and Agriculture, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, 473061, China.
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24
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Zhang Y, Chu G, Leng Y, Lin X, Zhou H, Lu Y, Liu B. Parvalbumin-positive neurons in the medial vestibular nucleus contribute to vestibular compensation through commissural inhibition. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1260243. [PMID: 38026699 PMCID: PMC10663245 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1260243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The commissural inhibitory system between the bilateral medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) plays a key role in vestibular compensation. Calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) is expressed in MVN GABAergic neurons. Whether these neurons are involved in vestibular compensation is still unknown. Methods After unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL), we measured the activity of MVN PV neurons by in vivo calcium imaging, and observed the projection of MVN PV neurons by retrograde neural tracing. After regulating PV neurons' activity by chemogenetic technique, the effects on vestibular compensation were evaluated by behavior analysis. Results We found PV expression and the activity of PV neurons in contralateral but not ipsilateral MVN increased 6 h following UL. ErbB4 is required to maintain GABA release for PV neurons, conditional knockout ErbB4 from PV neurons promoted vestibular compensation. Further investigation showed that vestibular compensation could be promoted by chemogenetic inhibition of contralateral MVN or activation of ipsilateral MVN PV neurons. Additional neural tracing study revealed that considerable MVN PV neurons were projecting to the opposite side of MVN, and that activating the ipsilateral MVN PV neurons projecting to contralateral MVN can promote vestibular compensation. Conclusion Contralateral MVN PV neuron activation after UL is detrimental to vestibular compensation, and rebalancing bilateral MVN PV neuron activity can promote vestibular compensation, via commissural inhibition from the ipsilateral MVN PV neurons. Our findings provide a new understanding of vestibular compensation at the neural circuitry level and a novel potential therapeutic target for vestibular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuejin Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guangpin Chu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yangming Leng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xueling Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yisheng Lu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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25
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Li J, Peng S, Zhang Y, Ge J, Gao S, Zhu Y, Bai Y, Wu S, Huang J. Glutamatergic Neurons in the Zona Incerta Modulate Pain and Itch Behaviors in Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:5866-5877. [PMID: 37354250 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03431-7] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggest that parvalbumin neurons in zona incerta (ZI) modulate pain and itch behavior in opposite manners. However, the role of ZI glutamatergic neurons, a unique incertal neuronal subpopulation residing in the caudal division, in pain and itch modulation remains unknown. In the present study, by combining chemogenetic manipulation, fiber photometry, and behavioral tests, we proved that incertal glutamatergic neurons served as an endogenous negative diencephalic modulator for both pain and itch processing. We demonstrated that ZI vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGluT2) neurons exhibited increased calcium signal upon hindpaw withdrawal in response to experimental mechanical and thermal stimuli. Behavioral tests further showed that pharmacogenetic activation of this specific type of neurons reduced nocifensive withdrawal responses in both naïve and inflammatory pain mice. Similar neural activity and modulatory role of ZI VGluT2 neurons were also observed upon histaminergic and non-histaminergic acute itch stimuli. Together, our study would expedite our understandings of brain mechanisms underlying somatosensory processing and modulation, and supply a novel therapeutic target for the management of chronic pain and itch disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Basic Medical Science Academy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Shihao Peng
- Department of Neurobiology, Basic Medical Science Academy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Basic Medical Science Academy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Junye Ge
- Department of Neurobiology, Basic Medical Science Academy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Shasha Gao
- Department of Neurobiology, Basic Medical Science Academy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhu
- Department of Neurobiology, Basic Medical Science Academy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yang Bai
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110015, China.
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, Basic Medical Science Academy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Neurobiology, Basic Medical Science Academy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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26
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Yang Y, Xu K, Guan S, Ding J, Wang J, Fang Y, Tian H. Ultraflexible Neural Probes for Multidirectional Neuronal Activity Recordings over Large Spatial and Temporal Scales. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:8568-8575. [PMID: 37669149 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c02348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
The widespread dissemination of ultraflexible neural probes depends on the development of advanced materials and implementation strategies that can allow reliable implantation of ultraflexible neural probes into targeted brain regions, especially deep and difficult-to-access brain regions. Here, we report ultraflexible and multidirectional probes that are encapsulated in a biocompatible polymer alloy with controllable dissolution kinetics. Our probes can be reliably implanted into targeted brain regions over large spatial scales, including deep hindbrain regions that are anatomically difficult-to-access in vivo. Chronically implanted probes can enable long-term, multidirectional recordings from several hundreds of neurons across distributed brain regions. In particular, our results show that 87.0% of chronically recorded neurons in the hindbrain are interneurons, whereas only 41.9% of chronically recorded neurons in the cortex are interneurons. These results demonstrate that our ultraflexible neural probes are a promising tool for large-scale, long-term neural circuit dissection in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Yang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ke Xu
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shouliang Guan
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jianfei Ding
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jinfen Wang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Ying Fang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Huihui Tian
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
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27
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Zhao C, Zhu Y, Zhang D, Fu Q, Pan M, Wu R, Wang A, Cheng H. Millimeter field-of-view miniature two-photon microscopy for brain imaging in freely moving mice. OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 31:32925-32934. [PMID: 37859084 DOI: 10.1364/oe.492674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Development of miniature two-photon microscopy (m2PM) has made it possible to observe fine structure and activity of neurons in the brain of freely moving animals. However, the imaging field-of-view of existing m2PM is still significantly smaller than that of miniature single-photon microscopy. Here we report that, through the design of low-magnification objective, large field-of-view scan lens and small tilt angle microscanner, a 2.5-g m2PM achieved a field-of-view of 1000 × 788 µm2, comparable to that of a typical single-photon miniscope. We demonstrated its capability by imaging neurons, dendrites and spines in the millimeter field-of-view, and simultaneous recording calcium activities, through a gradient-index lens, of approximately 400 neurons in the dorsal hippocampal CA1 in a freely moving mouse. Integrated with a detachable 1.2-g fast z-scanning module, it enables a 1000 × 788 × 500 µm3 volumetric neuronal imaging in the cerebral cortex. Thus, millimeter FOV m2PM provides a powerful tool for deciphering neuronal population dynamics in experimental paradigms allowing for animal's free movement.
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28
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Li C, Sun T, Zhang Y, Gao Y, Sun Z, Li W, Cheng H, Gu Y, Abumaria N. A neural circuit for regulating a behavioral switch in response to prolonged uncontrollability in mice. Neuron 2023; 111:2727-2741.e7. [PMID: 37352858 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Persistence in the face of failure helps to overcome challenges. But the ability to adjust behavior or even give up when the task is uncontrollable has advantages. How the mammalian brain switches behavior when facing uncontrollability remains an open question. We generated two mouse models of behavioral transition from action to no-action during exposure to a prolonged experience with an uncontrollable outcome. The transition was not caused by pain desensitization or muscle fatigue and was not a depression-/learned-helplessness-like behavior. Noradrenergic neurons projecting to GABAergic neurons within the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) are key regulators of this behavior. Fiber photometry, microdialysis, mini-two-photon microscopy, and tetrode/optrode in vivo recording in freely behaving mice revealed that the reduction of norepinephrine and downregulation of alpha 1 receptor in the OFC reduced the number and activity of GABAergic neurons necessary for driving action behavior resulting in behavioral transition. These findings define a circuit governing behavioral switch in response to prolonged uncontrollability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tianping Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yimu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhou Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Heping Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing 211500, China
| | - Yu Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Nashat Abumaria
- 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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Phi NT, Yu X, Hong W. Control of social hierarchy beyond neurons. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1485-1486. [PMID: 37563297 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01392-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen T Phi
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xinzhu Yu
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Weizhe Hong
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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30
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Li C, Shen W, Xu Z, Li C, Liu Q, Pang Y, Li J, Wang X, Wang Z, Feng S. The discovery of the new mechanism: Celastrol improves spinal cord injury by increasing cAMP through VIP-ADCYAP1R1-GNAS pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115250. [PMID: 37531781 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115250] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition that results in significant impairment of motor function and sensation. Despite the ongoing efforts to develop effective treatments, there are currently very limited options available for patients with SCI. Celastrol, a natural anti-inflammatory compound extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii, has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. In this study, we aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of celastrol for SCI and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. We found that local tissue often experiences a significant decrease in cAMP content and occurrs apoptosis after SCI. However, the treatment of celastrol could promote the production of cAMP by up-regulating the VIP-ADCYAP1R1-GNAS pathway. This could effectively inhibit the phosphorylation of JNK and prevent apoptosis, ultimately improving the exercise ability after SCI. Together, our results reveal celastrol may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanhao Li
- Department of Orthopedics, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Wenyuan Shen
- Department of Orthopedics, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, China; Spine Surgery Department of the Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, Shandong 250033, China
| | - Zhengyu Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Orthopedics, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Quan Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Yilin Pang
- Department of Orthopedics, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Junjin Li
- Department of Orthopedics, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Zhishuo Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Shiqing Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, China; Spine Surgery Department of the Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, Shandong 250033, China; Orthopedic Research Center of Shandong University &Advanced Medical Research Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250063, China.
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31
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Noh K, Cho WH, Lee BH, Kim DW, Kim YS, Park K, Hwang M, Barcelon E, Cho YK, Lee CJ, Yoon BE, Choi SY, Park HY, Jun SB, Lee SJ. Cortical astrocytes modulate dominance behavior in male mice by regulating synaptic excitatory and inhibitory balance. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1541-1554. [PMID: 37563296 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01406-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Social hierarchy is established as an outcome of individual social behaviors, such as dominance behavior during long-term interactions with others. Astrocytes are implicated in optimizing the balance between excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) neuronal activity, which may influence social behavior. However, the contribution of astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex to dominance behavior is unclear. Here we show that dorsomedial prefrontal cortical (dmPFC) astrocytes modulate E/I balance and dominance behavior in adult male mice using in vivo fiber photometry and two-photon microscopy. Optogenetic and chemogenetic activation or inhibition of dmPFC astrocytes show that astrocytes bidirectionally control male mouse dominance behavior, affecting social rank. Dominant and subordinate male mice present distinct prefrontal synaptic E/I balance, regulated by astrocyte activity. Mechanistically, we show that dmPFC astrocytes control cortical E/I balance by simultaneously enhancing presynaptic-excitatory and reducing postsynaptic-inhibitory transmission via astrocyte-derived glutamate and ATP release, respectively. Our findings show how dmPFC astrocyte-neuron communication can be involved in the establishment of social hierarchy in adult male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungchul Noh
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Hyun Cho
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Hun Lee
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Kim
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Sung Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Keebum Park
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minkyu Hwang
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ellane Barcelon
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Kyung Cho
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - C Justin Lee
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Eun Yoon
- Department of Molecular Biology, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Young Choi
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Yoon Park
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sang Beom Jun
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in Smart Factory, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Joong Lee
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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32
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Jiang LX, Huang GD, Tian YL, Cong RX, Meng X, Wang HL, Zhang C, Yu X. Diminished activation of excitatory neurons in the prelimbic cortex leads to impaired working memory capacity in mice. BMC Biol 2023; 21:171. [PMID: 37568146 PMCID: PMC10416384 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01674-3] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Working memory capacity impairment is an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Clarifying how working memory capacity is affected will help us better understand the pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease. We used the olfactory working memory capacity paradigm to evaluate memory capacity in 3-month-old 5XFAD (an animal model of Alzheimer's disease) mice. Immunofluorescence staining of the prefrontal cortex was performed to detect the number of FOS-positive neurons, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-positive neurons, and glutamate decarboxylase-positive neurons in the prelimbic cortex and infralimbic cortex. A chemogenetic method was then used to modulate the inhibition and activation of excitatory neurons in the prelimbic cortex of wild-type and 5XFAD mice and to measure the memory capacity of mice. RESULTS Working memory capacity was significantly diminished in 5XFAD mice compared to littermate wild-type mice. Neuronal activation of the prelimbic cortex, but not the infralimbic cortex, was attenuated in 5XFAD mice performing the olfactory working memory capacity task. Subsequently, the FOS-positive neurons were co-localized with both calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-positive neurons and glutamate decarboxylase-positive neurons. The results showed that the activation of excitatory neurons in the prelimbic cortex was correlated with working memory capacity in mice. Our results further demonstrate that the chemogenetic inhibition of prelimbic cortex excitatory neurons resulted in reduced working memory capacity in wild-type mice, while the chemogenetic activation of prelimbic cortex excitatory neurons improved the working memory capacity of 5XFAD mice. CONCLUSION The diminished activation of prelimbic cortex excitatory neurons in 5XFAD mice during task performance is associated with reduced working memory capacity, and activation modulation of excitatory neurons by chemogenetic methods can improve memory capacity impairment in 5XFAD mice. These findings may provide a new direction for exploring Alzheimer's disease therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Xin Jiang
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), No.51 Huayuanbei Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory for Translational Research On Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Geng-Di Huang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, No.77 Zhenbi Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518118, China
- Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, No.1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Fuguang Community, Taoyuan Street, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518118, China
| | - Yong-Lu Tian
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, No.5 Summer Palace Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Ri-Xu Cong
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xue Meng
- National Center of Gerontology, Beijing Hospital, No.1 Dahua Road, Dongdan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Hua-Li Wang
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), No.51 Huayuanbei Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Beijing, 100191, China.
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory for Translational Research On Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Chen Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, No.10 Xitoutiao, You'anmenwai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Xin Yu
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), No.51 Huayuanbei Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Beijing, 100191, China.
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory for Translational Research On Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, Beijing, 100191, China.
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Ghosal S, Gebara E, Ramos-Fernández E, Chioino A, Grosse J, Guillot de Suduiraut I, Zanoletti O, Schneider B, Zorzano A, Astori S, Sandi C. Mitofusin-2 in nucleus accumbens D2-MSNs regulates social dominance and neuronal function. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112776. [PMID: 37440411 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a brain hub regulating motivated behaviors, including social competitiveness. Mitochondrial function in the NAc links anxiety with social competitiveness, and the mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) in NAc neurons regulates anxiety-related behaviors. However, it remains unexplored whether accumbal Mfn2 levels also affect social behavior and whether Mfn2 actions in the emotional and social domain are driven by distinct cell types. Here, we found that subordinate-prone highly anxious rats show decreased accumbal Mfn2 levels and that Mfn2 overexpression promotes dominant behavior. In mice, selective Mfn2 downregulation in NAc dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) induced social subordination, accompanied by decreased accumbal mitochondrial functions and decreased excitability in D2-MSNs. Instead, D1-MSN-targeted Mfn2 downregulation affected competitive ability only transiently and likely because of an increase in anxiety-like behaviors. Our results assign dissociable cell-type specific roles to Mfn2 in the NAc in modulating social dominance and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriparna Ghosal
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elias Gebara
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eva Ramos-Fernández
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Chioino
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jocelyn Grosse
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Guillot de Suduiraut
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivia Zanoletti
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bernard Schneider
- Bertarelli Platform for Gene Therapy, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Zorzano
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Bioquímica i Biomedicina Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Simone Astori
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Zeng PY, Tsai YH, Lee CL, Ma YK, Kuo TH. Minimal influence of estrous cycle on studies of female mouse behaviors. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1146109. [PMID: 37470056 PMCID: PMC10352621 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1146109] [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: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sex bias has been an issue in many biomedical fields, especially in neuroscience. In rodent research, many scientists only focused on male animals due to the belief that female estrous cycle gives rise to unacceptable, high levels of variance in the experiments. However, even though female sexual behaviors are well known to be regulated by estrous cycle, which effects on other non-sexual behaviors were not always consistent in previous reports. Recent reviews analyzing published literature even suggested that there is no evidence for larger variation in female than male in several phenotypes. Methods To further investigate the impact of estrous cycle on the variability of female behaviors, we conducted multiple behavioral assays, including the open field test, forced swimming test, and resident-intruder assay to assess anxiety-, depression-like behaviors, as well as social interaction respectively. We compared females in the estrus and diestrus stages across four different mouse strains: C57BL/6, BALB/c, C3H, and DBA/2. Results Our results found no significant difference in most behavioral parameters between females in these two stages. On the other hand, the differences in behaviors among certain strains are relatively consistent in both stages, suggesting a very minimal effect of estrous cycle for detecting the behavioral difference. Last, we compared the behavioral variation between male and female and found very similar variations in most behaviors between the two sexes. Discussion While our study successfully identified behavioral differences among strains and between the sexes, we did not find solid evidence to support the notion that female behaviors are influenced by the estrous cycle. Additionally, we observed similar levels of behavioral variability between males and females. Female mice, therefore, have no reason to be excluded in future behavioral research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yun Zeng
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hsuan Tsai
- Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Lin Lee
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Kai Ma
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Han Kuo
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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Coleman PT, Costanza-Chavez GW, Martin HN, Amat J, Frank MG, Sanchez RJ, Potter GJ, Mellert SM, Carter RK, Bonnici GN, Maier SF, Baratta MV. Prior experience with behavioral control over stress facilitates social dominance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.06.543982. [PMID: 37333397 PMCID: PMC10274770 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.06.543982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Dominance status has extensive effects on physical and mental health, and an individual's relative position can be shaped by experiential factors. A variety of considerations suggest that the experience of behavioral control over stressors should produce winning in dominance tests and that winning should blunt the impact of later stressors, as does prior control. To investigate the interplay between competitive success and stressor control, we first examined the impact of stressor controllability on subsequent performance in a warm spot competition test modified for rats. Prior experience of controllable, but not physically identical uncontrollable, stress increased later effortful behavior and occupation of the warm spot. Controllable stress subjects consistently ranked higher than did uncontrollable stress subjects. Pharmacological inactivation of the prelimbic (PL) cortex during behavioral control prevented later facilitation of dominance. Next, we explored whether repeated winning experiences produced later resistance against the typical sequelae of uncontrollable stress. To establish dominance status, triads of rats were given five sessions of warm spot competition. Reversible inactivation of the PL or NMDA receptor blockade in the dorsomedial striatum led to a long-term reduction in social rank. Stable dominance blunted the later stress-induced increase in dorsal raphe nucleus serotonergic activity, as well as prevented stress-induced social avoidance. In contrast, endocrine and neuroimmune responses to uncontrollable stress were unaffected, indicating a selective impact of prior dominance. Together, these data demonstrate that instrumental control over stress promotes later dominance, but also reveal that winning experiences buffer against the neural and behavioral outcomes of future adversity.
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36
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Zhao C, Chen S, Zhang L, Zhang D, Wu R, Hu Y, Zeng F, Li Y, Wu D, Yu F, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Chen L, Wang A, Cheng H. Miniature three-photon microscopy maximized for scattered fluorescence collection. Nat Methods 2023; 20:617-622. [PMID: 36823329 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-01777-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
In deep-tissue multiphoton microscopy, diffusion and scattering of fluorescent photons, rather than ballistic emanation from the focal point, have been a confounding factor. Here we report on a 2.17-g miniature three-photon microscope (m3PM) with a configuration that maximizes fluorescence collection when imaging in highly scattering regimes. We demonstrate its capability by imaging calcium activity throughout the entire cortex and dorsal hippocampal CA1, up to 1.2 mm depth, at a safe laser power. It also enables the detection of sensorimotor behavior-correlated activities of layer 6 neurons in the posterior parietal cortex in freely moving mice during single-pellet reaching tasks. Thus, m3PM-empowered imaging allows the study of neural mechanisms in deep cortex and subcortical structures, like the dorsal hippocampus and dorsal striatum, in freely behaving animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunzhu Zhao
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Shiyuan Chen
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lifeng Zhang
- Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Raygen Health, Nanjing, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Runlong Wu
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhui Hu
- Beijing Transcend Vivoscope Biotech, Beijing, China
| | | | - Yijun Li
- Beijing Transcend Vivoscope Biotech, Beijing, China
| | - Dakun Wu
- Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fei Yu
- Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Materials for High Power Laser, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunfeng Zhang
- School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jue Zhang
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, Beijing, China
- College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Liangyi Chen
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Aimin Wang
- School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication System and Networks, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Heping Cheng
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Research Unit of Mitochondria in Brain Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PKU-Nanjing Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanjing Raygen Health, Nanjing, China.
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37
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Wood CR, Xi Y, Yang WJ, Wang H. Insight into Neuroethical Considerations of the Newly Emerging Technologies and Techniques of the Global Brain Initiatives. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:685-689. [PMID: 36441469 PMCID: PMC10073353 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00984-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Wood
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Yongmei Xi
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic and Developmental Disorders, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wei-Jun Yang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurosurgery of Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Education Ministry, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Precise Treatment and Clinical Translational Research of Neurological Diseases, MOE Frontier Science Centre for Brain Research and Brain Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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38
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Neural mechanism underlying depressive-like state associated with social status loss. Cell 2023; 186:560-576.e17. [PMID: 36693374 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Downward social mobility is a well-known mental risk factor for depression, but its neural mechanism remains elusive. Here, by forcing mice to lose against their subordinates in a non-violent social contest, we lower their social ranks stably and induce depressive-like behaviors. These rank-decline-associated depressive-like behaviors can be reversed by regaining social status. In vivo fiber photometry and single-unit electrophysiological recording show that forced loss, but not natural loss, generates negative reward prediction error (RPE). Through the lateral hypothalamus, the RPE strongly activates the brain's anti-reward center, the lateral habenula (LHb). LHb activation inhibits the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) that controls social competitiveness and reinforces retreats in contests. These results reveal the core neural mechanisms mutually promoting social status loss and depressive behaviors. The intertwined neuronal signaling controlling mPFC and LHb activities provides a mechanistic foundation for the crosstalk between social mobility and psychological disorder, unveiling a promising target for intervention.
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Wang L, Wang B, Wu C, Wang J, Sun M. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Neurodevelopmental Risk Factors, Biological Mechanism, and Precision Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031819. [PMID: 36768153 PMCID: PMC9915249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous, behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder. Over the past two decades, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders has progressively increased, however, no clear diagnostic markers and specifically targeted medications for autism have emerged. As a result, neurobehavioral abnormalities, neurobiological alterations in ASD, and the development of novel ASD pharmacological therapy necessitate multidisciplinary collaboration. In this review, we discuss the development of multiple animal models of ASD to contribute to the disease mechanisms of ASD, as well as new studies from multiple disciplines to assess the behavioral pathology of ASD. In addition, we summarize and highlight the mechanistic advances regarding gene transcription, RNA and non-coding RNA translation, abnormal synaptic signaling pathways, epigenetic post-translational modifications, brain-gut axis, immune inflammation and neural loop abnormalities in autism to provide a theoretical basis for the next step of precision therapy. Furthermore, we review existing autism therapy tactics and limits and present challenges and opportunities for translating multidisciplinary knowledge of ASD into clinical practice.
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Qi X, Cui K, Zhang Y, Wang L, Tong J, Sun W, Shao S, Wang J, Wang C, Sun X, Xiao L, Xi K, Cui S, Liu F, Ma L, Zheng J, Yi M, Wan Y. A nociceptive neuronal ensemble in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex underlies pain chronicity. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111833. [PMID: 36516746 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain chronicity involves unpleasant experience in both somatosensory and affective aspects, accompanied with the prefrontal cortex (PFC) neuroplastic alterations. However, whether specific PFC neuronal ensembles underlie pain chronicity remains elusive. Here we identify a nociceptive neuronal ensemble in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), which shows prominent reactivity to nociceptive stimuli. We observed that this ensemble shows distinct molecular characteristics and is densely connected to pain-related regions including basolateral amygdala (BLA) and lateral parabrachial nuclei (LPB). Prolonged chemogenetic activation of this nociceptive neuronal ensemble, but not a randomly transfected subset of dmPFC neurons, induces chronic pain-like behaviors in normal mice. By contrast, silencing the nociceptive dmPFC neurons relieves both pain hypersensitivity and anxiety in mice with chronic inflammatory pain. These results suggest the presence of specific dmPFC neuronal ensembles in processing nociceptive information and regulating pain chronicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuetao Qi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Kun Cui
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, CAMS&PUMC, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
| | - Linshu Wang
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Jifu Tong
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Weiqi Sun
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Shan Shao
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing (CIBR), Beijing 102206, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Liming Xiao
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Medical Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Ke Xi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Shuang Cui
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Fengyu Liu
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Longyu Ma
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Ming Yi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China.
| | - You Wan
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, P.R. China.
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Zhao Z, Zeng F, Wang H, Wu R, Chen L, Wu Y, Li S, Shao J, Wang Y, Wu J, Feng Z, Gao W, Hu Y, Wang A, Cheng H, Zhang J, Chen L, Wu H. Encoding of social novelty by sparse GABAergic neural ensembles in the prelimbic cortex. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo4884. [PMID: 36044579 PMCID: PMC9432833 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo4884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Although the prelimbic (PrL) area is associated with social behaviors, the neural ensembles that regulate social preference toward novelty or familiarity remain unknown. Using miniature two-photon microscopy (mTPM) to visualize social behavior-associated neuronal activity within the PrL in freely behaving mice, we found that the Ca2+ transients of GABAergic neurons were more highly correlated with social behaviors than those of glutamatergic neurons. Chemogenetic suppression of social behavior-activated GABAergic neurons in the PrL disrupts social novelty behaviors. Restoring the MeCP2 level in PrL GABAergic neurons in MECP2 transgenic (MECP2-TG) mice rescues the social novelty deficits. Moreover, we identified and characterized sparsely distributed NewPNs and OldPNs of GABAergic interneurons in the PrL preferentially responsible for new and old mouse exploration, respectively. Together, we propose that social novelty information may be encoded by the responses of NewPNs and OldPNs in the PrL area, possibly via synergistic actions on both sides of the seesaw.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | | | - Hanbin Wang
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Runlong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Shen Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Jingyuan Shao
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Wu
- College of Engineering, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Zhiheng Feng
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Weizheng Gao
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Yanhui Hu
- Beijing Transcend Vivoscope Biotech Co. Ltd., 100094 Beijing, China
| | - Aimin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication System and Networks, School of Electronics, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Heping Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Jue Zhang
- College of Engineering, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
- Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Study, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Liangyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, 100871 Beijing, China
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Haitao Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Coinnovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu Province, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, 102206 Beijing, China
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Takahashi A. The role of social isolation stress in escalated aggression in rodent models. Neurosci Res 2022:S0168-0102(22)00212-7. [PMID: 35917930 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Anti-social behavior and violence are major public health concerns. Globally, violence contributes to more than 1.6 million deaths each year. Previous studies have reported that social rejection or neglect exacerbates aggression. In rodent models, social isolation stress is used to demonstrate the adverse effects of social deprivation on physiological, endocrinological, immunological, and behavioral parameters, including aggressive behavior. This review summarizes recent rodent studies on the effect of social isolation stress during different developmental periods on aggressive behavior and the underlying neural mechanisms. Social isolation during adulthood affects the levels of neurosteroids and neuropeptides and increases aggressive behavior. These changes are ethologically relevant for the adaptation to changes in local environmental conditions in the natural habitats. Chronic deprivation of social interaction after weaning, especially during the juvenile to adolescent periods, leads to the disruption of the development of appropriate social behavior and the maladaptive escalation of aggressive behavior. The understanding of neurobiological mechanisms underlying social isolation-induced escalated aggression will aid in the development of therapeutic interventions for escalated aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Takahashi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
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43
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Jiang CC, Lin LS, Long S, Ke XY, Fukunaga K, Lu YM, Han F. Signalling pathways in autism spectrum disorder: mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:229. [PMID: 35817793 PMCID: PMC9273593 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01081-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent and complex neurodevelopmental disorder which has strong genetic basis. Despite the rapidly rising incidence of autism, little is known about its aetiology, risk factors, and disease progression. There are currently neither validated biomarkers for diagnostic screening nor specific medication for autism. Over the last two decades, there have been remarkable advances in genetics, with hundreds of genes identified and validated as being associated with a high risk for autism. The convergence of neuroscience methods is becoming more widely recognized for its significance in elucidating the pathological mechanisms of autism. Efforts have been devoted to exploring the behavioural functions, key pathological mechanisms and potential treatments of autism. Here, as we highlight in this review, emerging evidence shows that signal transduction molecular events are involved in pathological processes such as transcription, translation, synaptic transmission, epigenetics and immunoinflammatory responses. This involvement has important implications for the discovery of precise molecular targets for autism. Moreover, we review recent insights into the mechanisms and clinical implications of signal transduction in autism from molecular, cellular, neural circuit, and neurobehavioural aspects. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives are discussed with regard to novel strategies predicated on the biological features of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Chen Jiang
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses; Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Li-Shan Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Sen Long
- Department of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Mental Health Center Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310013, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Ke
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Ying-Mei Lu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Feng Han
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses; Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Institute of Brain Science, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215002, China.
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Ferreira-Fernandes E, Peça J. The Neural Circuit Architecture of Social Hierarchy in Rodents and Primates. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:874310. [PMID: 35634473 PMCID: PMC9133341 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.874310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Social status is recognized as a major determinant of social behavior and health among animals; however, the neural circuits supporting the formation and navigation of social hierarchies remain under extensive research. Available evidence suggests the prefrontal cortex is a keystone in this circuit, but upstream and downstream candidates are progressively emerging. In this review, we compare and integrate findings from rodent and primate studies to create a model of the neural and cellular networks supporting social hierarchies, both from a macro (i.e., circuits) to a micro-scale perspective (microcircuits and synapses). We start by summarizing the literature on the prefrontal cortex and other relevant brain regions to expand the current “prefrontal-centric” view of social hierarchy behaviors. Based on connectivity data we also discuss candidate regions that might inspire further investigation, as well as the caveats and strategies that have been used to further our understanding of the biological substrates underpinning social hierarchy and dominance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Ferreira-Fernandes
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Peça
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- *Correspondence: João Peça
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Li J, Bai Y, Liang Y, Zhang Y, Zhao Q, Ge J, Li D, Zhu Y, Cai G, Tao H, Wu S, Huang J. Parvalbumin Neurons in Zona Incerta Regulate Itch in Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:843754. [PMID: 35299695 PMCID: PMC8920991 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.843754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain and itch are intricately entangled at both circuitry and behavioral levels. Emerging evidence indicates that parvalbumin (PV)-expressing neurons in zona incerta (ZI) are critical for promoting nocifensive behaviors. However, the role of these neurons in itch modulation remains elusive. Herein, by combining FOS immunostaining, fiber photometry, and chemogenetic manipulation, we reveal that ZI PV neurons act as an endogenous negative diencephalic modulator for itch processing. Morphological data showed that both histamine and chloroquine stimuli induced FOS expression in ZI PV neurons. The activation of these neurons was further supported by the increased calcium signal upon scratching behavior evoked by acute itch. Behavioral data further indicated that chemogenetic activation of these neurons reduced scratching behaviors related to histaminergic and non-histaminergic acute itch. Similar neural activity and modulatory role of ZI PV neurons were seen in mice with chronic itch induced by atopic dermatitis. Together, our study provides direct evidence for the role of ZI PV neurons in regulating itch, and identifies a potential target for the remedy of chronic itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yang Bai
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Yi Liang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- The Cadet Team 6 of School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Qiuying Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Junye Ge
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Dangchao Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Guohong Cai
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Huiren Tao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
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Pathway-specific contribution of parvalbumin interneuron NMDARs to synaptic currents and thalamocortical feedforward inhibition. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:5124-5134. [PMID: 36075962 PMCID: PMC9763122 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01747-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a site of information convergence important for behaviors relevant to psychiatric disorders. Despite the importance of inhibitory GABAergic parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) interneurons to PFC circuit function and decades of interest in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in these neurons, examples of defined circuit functions that depend on PV+ interneuron NMDARs have been elusive. Indeed, it remains controversial whether all PV+ interneurons contain functional NMDARs in adult PFC, which has major consequences for hypotheses of the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. Using a combination of fluorescent in situ hybridization, pathway-specific optogenetics, cell-type-specific gene ablation, and electrophysiological recordings from PV+ interneurons, here we resolve this controversy. We found that nearly 100% of PV+ interneurons in adult medial PFC (mPFC) express transcripts encoding GluN1 and GluN2B, and they have functional NMDARs. By optogenetically stimulating corticocortical and thalamocortical inputs to mPFC, we show that synaptic NMDAR contribution to PV+ interneuron EPSCs is pathway-specific, which likely explains earlier reports of PV+ interneurons without synaptic NMDAR currents. Lastly, we report a major contribution of NMDARs in PV+ interneurons to thalamus-mediated feedforward inhibition in adult mPFC circuits, suggesting molecular and circuit-based mechanisms for cognitive impairment under conditions of reduced NMDAR function. These findings represent an important conceptual advance that has major implications for hypotheses of the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders.
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