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Wang X, Sun S, Chen H, Yun B, Zhang Z, Wang X, Wu Y, Lv J, He Y, Li W, Chen L. Identification of key genes and therapeutic drugs for cocaine addiction using integrated bioinformatics analysis. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1201897. [PMID: 37469839 PMCID: PMC10352680 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1201897] [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: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that is abused due to its excitatory effect on the central nervous system. It is critical to reveal the mechanisms of cocaine addiction and identify key genes that play an important role in addiction. Methods In this study, we proposed a centrality algorithm integration strategy to identify key genes in a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network constructed by deferential genes from cocaine addiction-related datasets. In order to investigate potential therapeutic drugs for cocaine addiction, a network of targeted relationships between nervous system drugs and key genes was established. Results Four key genes (JUN, FOS, EGR1, and IL6) were identified and well validated using CTD database correlation analysis, text mining, independent dataset analysis, and enrichment analysis methods, and they might serve as biomarkers of cocaine addiction. A total of seventeen drugs have been identified from the network of targeted relationships between nervous system drugs and key genes, of which five (disulfiram, cannabidiol, dextroamphetamine, diazepam, and melatonin) have been shown in the literature to play a role in the treatment of cocaine addiction. Discussion This study identified key genes and potential therapeutic drugs for cocaine addiction, which provided new ideas for the research of the mechanism of cocaine addiction.
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Cisneros IE, Cunningham KA. Covid-19 interface with drug misuse and substance use disorders. Neuropharmacology 2021; 198:108766. [PMID: 34454912 PMCID: PMC8388132 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic intensified the already catastrophic drug overdose and substance use disorder (SUD) epidemic, signaling a syndemic as social isolation, economic and mental health distress, and disrupted treatment services disproportionally impacted this vulnerable population. Along with these social and societal factors, biological factors triggered by intense stress intertwined with incumbent overactivity of the immune system and the resulting inflammatory outcomes may impact the functional status of the central nervous system (CNS). We review the literature concerning SARS-CoV2 infiltration and infection in the CNS and the prospects of synergy between stress, inflammation, and kynurenine pathway function during illness and recovery from Covid-19. Taken together, inflammation and neuroimmune signaling, a consequence of Covid-19 infection, may dysregulate critical pathways and underlie maladaptive changes in the CNS, to exacerbate the development of neuropsychiatric symptoms and in the vulnerability to develop SUD. This article is part of the special Issue on 'Vulnerabilities to Substance Abuse'.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Cisneros
- Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - K A Cunningham
- Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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Pimentel E, Sivalingam K, Doke M, Samikkannu T. Effects of Drugs of Abuse on the Blood-Brain Barrier: A Brief Overview. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:513. [PMID: 32670001 PMCID: PMC7326150 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of psychostimulants and alcohol disrupts blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, resulting in alterations to cellular function, and contributes to neurotoxicity. The BBB is the critical boundary of the central nervous system (CNS) where it maintains intracellular homeostasis and facilitates communication with the peripheral circulation. The BBB is regulated by tight junction (TJ) proteins that closely interact with endothelial cells (EC). The complex TJ protein network consists of transmembrane proteins, including claudins, occludins, and junction adhesion molecules (JAM), as well as cytoskeleton connected scaffolding proteins, zonula occludentes (ZO-1, 2, and 3). The use of psychostimulants and alcohol is known to affect the CNS and is implicated in various neurological disorders through neurotoxicity that partly results from increased BBB permeability. The present mini review primarily focuses on BBB structure and permeability. Moreover, we assess TJ protein and cytoskeletal changes induced by cocaine, methamphetamine, morphine, heroin, nicotine, and alcohol. These changes promote glial activation, enzyme potentiation, and BBB remodeling, which affect neuroinflammatory pathways. Although the effect of drugs of abuse on BBB integrity and the underlying mechanisms are well studied, the present review enhances the understanding of the underlying mechanisms through which substance abuse disorders cause BBB dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emely Pimentel
- School of Medicine, St. George's University, Great River, NY, United States
| | - Kalaiselvi Sivalingam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX, United States
| | - Mayur Doke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX, United States
| | - Thangavel Samikkannu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX, United States
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Cabana-Domínguez J, Arenas C, Cormand B, Fernàndez-Castillo N. MiR-9, miR-153 and miR-124 are down-regulated by acute exposure to cocaine in a dopaminergic cell model and may contribute to cocaine dependence. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:173. [PMID: 30166527 PMCID: PMC6117282 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0224-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cocaine is one of the most used psychostimulant drugs worldwide. MicroRNAs are post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression that are highly expressed in brain, and several studies have shown that cocaine can alter their expression. In a previous study, we identified several protein-coding genes that are differentially expressed in a dopaminergic neuron-like model after an acute exposure to cocaine. Now, we used the prediction tool WebGestalt to identify miRNA molecules potentially involved in the regulation of these genes. Using the same cellular model, we found that seven of these miRNAs are down-regulated by cocaine: miR-124-3p, miR-124-5p, miR-137, miR-101-3p, miR-9-5p, miR-369-3p and miR-153-3p, the last three not previously related to cocaine. Furthermore, we found that three of the miRNA genes that are differentially expressed in our model (hsa-miR-9-1, hsa-miR-153-1 and hsa-miR-124-3) are nominally associated with cocaine dependence in a case-control study (2,085 cases and 4,293 controls). In summary, we highlighted novel miRNAs that may be involved in those cocaine-induced changes of gene expression that underlie addiction. Moreover, we identified genetic variants that contribute to cocaine dependence in three of these miRNA genes, supporting the idea that genes differentially expressed under cocaine may play an important role in the susceptibility to cocaine dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Cabana-Domínguez
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Concepció Arenas
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Bru Cormand
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Noèlia Fernàndez-Castillo
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IR-SJD), Esplugues de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain.
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Sajja RK, Rahman S, Cucullo L. Drugs of abuse and blood-brain barrier endothelial dysfunction: A focus on the role of oxidative stress. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2016; 36:539-54. [PMID: 26661236 PMCID: PMC4794105 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x15616978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Psychostimulants and nicotine are the most widely abused drugs with a detrimental impact on public health globally. While the long-term neurobehavioral deficits and synaptic perturbations are well documented with chronic use of methamphetamine, cocaine, and nicotine, emerging human and experimental studies also suggest an increasing incidence of neurovascular complications associated with drug abuse. Short- or long-term administration of psychostimulants or nicotine is known to disrupt blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity/function, thus leading to an increased risk of brain edema and neuroinflammation. Various pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed to underlie drug abuse-induced BBB dysfunction suggesting a central and unifying role for oxidative stress in BBB endothelium and perivascular cells. This review discusses drug-specific effects of methamphetamine, cocaine, and tobacco smoking on brain microvascular crisis and provides critical assessment of oxidative stress-dependent molecular pathways focal to the global compromise of BBB. Additionally, given the increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalitis in drug abusers, we have summarized the synergistic pathological impact of psychostimulants and HIV infection on BBB integrity with an emphasis on unifying role of endothelial oxidative stress. This mechanistic framework would guide further investigations on specific molecular pathways to accelerate therapeutic approaches for the prevention of neurovascular deficits by drugs of abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi K Sajja
- Center for Blood-Brain Barrier Research, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - Luca Cucullo
- Center for Blood-Brain Barrier Research, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
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Coller JK, Hutchinson MR. Implications of central immune signaling caused by drugs of abuse: mechanisms, mediators and new therapeutic approaches for prediction and treatment of drug dependence. Pharmacol Ther 2012; 134:219-45. [PMID: 22316499 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In the past two decades a trickle of manuscripts examining the non-neuronal central nervous system immune consequences of the drugs of abuse has now swollen to a significant body of work. Initially, these studies reported associative evidence of central nervous system proinflammation resulting from exposure to the drugs of abuse demonstrating key implications for neurotoxicity and disease progression associated with, for example, HIV infection. However, more recently this drug-induced activation of central immune signaling is now understood to contribute substantially to the pharmacodynamic actions of the drugs of abuse, by enhancing the engagement of classical mesolimbic dopamine reward pathways and withdrawal centers. This review will highlight the key in vivo animal, human, biological and molecular evidence of these central immune signaling actions of opioids, alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Excitingly, this new appreciation of central immune signaling activity of drugs of abuse provides novel therapeutic interventions and opportunities to identify 'at risk' individuals through the use of immunogenetics. Discussion will also cover the evidence of modulation of this signaling by existing clinical and pre-clinical drug candidates, and novel pharmacological targets. Finally, following examination of the breadth of central immune signaling actions of the drugs of abuse highlighted here, the current known common immune signaling components will be outlined and their impact on established addiction neurocircuitry discussed, thereby synthesizing a common neuroimmune hypothesis of addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet K Coller
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia.
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Pérez-Cadahía B, Drobic B, Davie JR. Activation and function of immediate-early genes in the nervous system. Biochem Cell Biol 2011; 89:61-73. [PMID: 21326363 DOI: 10.1139/o10-138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immediate-early genes have important roles in processes such as brain development, learning, and responses to drug abuse. Further, immediate-early genes play an essential role in cellular responses that contribute to long-term neuronal plasticity. Neuronal plasticity is a characteristic of the nervous system that is not limited to the first stages of brain development but persists in adulthood and seems to be an inherent feature of everyday brain function. The plasticity refers to the neuron's capability of showing short- or long-lasting phenotypic changes in response to different stimuli and cellular scenarios. In this review, we focus on the immediate-early genes encoding transcription factors (AP-1 and Egr) that are relevant for neuronal responses. Our current understanding of the mechanisms involved in the induction of the immediate-early genes is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Pérez-Cadahía
- Toxicology Unit, Department of Psychobiology, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
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Jeon JP, Buono RJ, Han BG, Jang EY, Kim SC, Yang CH, Hwang M. Proteomic and Behavioral Analysis of Response to Isoliquiritigenin in Brains of Acute Cocaine Treated Rats. J Proteome Res 2008; 7:5094-102. [DOI: 10.1021/pr800237s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Pil Jeon
- The Research Center for Biomedical Resource of Oriental Medicine Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, Korea BioBank, National Institute of Health, Seoul, Korea, Department of Physiology, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, and Research Service, Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Coatesville, Pennsylvania 19320
| | - Russell J. Buono
- The Research Center for Biomedical Resource of Oriental Medicine Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, Korea BioBank, National Institute of Health, Seoul, Korea, Department of Physiology, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, and Research Service, Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Coatesville, Pennsylvania 19320
| | - Bok Ghee Han
- The Research Center for Biomedical Resource of Oriental Medicine Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, Korea BioBank, National Institute of Health, Seoul, Korea, Department of Physiology, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, and Research Service, Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Coatesville, Pennsylvania 19320
| | - Eun Young Jang
- The Research Center for Biomedical Resource of Oriental Medicine Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, Korea BioBank, National Institute of Health, Seoul, Korea, Department of Physiology, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, and Research Service, Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Coatesville, Pennsylvania 19320
| | - Sang Chan Kim
- The Research Center for Biomedical Resource of Oriental Medicine Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, Korea BioBank, National Institute of Health, Seoul, Korea, Department of Physiology, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, and Research Service, Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Coatesville, Pennsylvania 19320
| | - Chae Ha Yang
- The Research Center for Biomedical Resource of Oriental Medicine Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, Korea BioBank, National Institute of Health, Seoul, Korea, Department of Physiology, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, and Research Service, Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Coatesville, Pennsylvania 19320
| | - Meeyul Hwang
- The Research Center for Biomedical Resource of Oriental Medicine Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, Korea BioBank, National Institute of Health, Seoul, Korea, Department of Physiology, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea, and Research Service, Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Coatesville, Pennsylvania 19320
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Assis MA, Collino C, Figuerola MDL, Sotomayor C, Cancela LM. Amphetamine triggers an increase in met-enkephalin simultaneously in brain areas and immune cells. J Neuroimmunol 2006; 178:62-75. [PMID: 16904191 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2006.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2005] [Revised: 05/16/2006] [Accepted: 05/17/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
We analyzed effects of amphetamine on proenkephalin-derived peptides in brain areas and immune cells in rats. Acute, as well as a repeated amphetamine treatment, decreased the concanavalin-A-induced lymphocyte proliferation, concomitantly with an increase of free met-enkephalin in nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, spleen, thymus and splenic macrophages. Proenkephalin protein increased in prefrontal cortex, thymus (32 kDa isoform), nucleus accumbens and spleen (44 kDa isoform), while proenkephalin mRNA levels decreased in brain stem. The influence of met-ENK in key brain areas for sensitization and in immune organs is consistent with the idea that changes on met-ENK could underlie amphetamine's effects on brain and IS.
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Affiliation(s)
- María A Assis
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
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Crawford FC, Wood ML, Wilson SE, Mathura VS, Hollen TR, Geall F, Kolippakkam DN, Mullan MJ. Cocaine induced inflammatory response in human neuronal progenitor cells. J Neurochem 2006; 97:662-74. [PMID: 16539665 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03760.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We have employed a genomic approach in homogenous cell culture to investigate the fundamental transcriptional responses which occur in neurons over time as a consequence of a single 30-min exposure to cocaine. Data from 24 Affymetrix microarrays, representing eight treatment groups, were analyzed by GeneChip Operating Software and then further mined by hierarchical clustering, anova, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software to examine known molecular pathways impacted by the observed transcriptional changes. For each time point under investigation, the data sets of genes exhibiting altered expression in treated cells compared with control were interrogated with a specific focus on differential expression of genes involved in immunomodulation and inflammation. The existing literature on the effects of cocaine in a diverse array of experimental paradigms demonstrates a significant modulation of inflammation and immune mechanisms, but these have typically been studies of chronic exposure in immune-competent cells. Our data show a time-dependent up-regulation of genes associated with pro-inflammatory and immune responses, peaking at 24 h as confirmed by all methods of analysis, suggesting a specific neuronal immunomodulatory response to acute cocaine exposure.
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