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Shirsath KR, Patil VK, Awathale SN, Goyal SN, Nakhate KT. Pathophysiological and therapeutic implications of neuropeptide S system in neurological disorders. Peptides 2024; 175:171167. [PMID: 38325715 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2024.171167] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a 20 amino acids-containing neuroactive molecule discovered by the reverse pharmacology method. NPS is detected in specific brain regions like the brainstem, amygdala, and hypothalamus, while its receptor (NPSR) is ubiquitously expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). Besides CNS, NPS and NPSR are also expressed in the peripheral nervous system. NPSR is a G-protein coupled receptor that primarily uses Gq and Gs signaling pathways to mediate the actions of NPS. In animal models of Parkinsonism and Alzheimer's disease, NPS exerts neuroprotective effects. NPS suppresses oxidative stress, anxiety, food intake, and pain, and promotes arousal. NPSR facilitates reward, reinforcement, and addiction-related behaviors. Genetic variation and single nucleotide polymorphism in NPSR are associated with depression, schizophrenia, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. NPS interacts with several neurotransmitters including glutamate, noradrenaline, serotonin, corticotropin-releasing factor, and gamma-aminobutyric acid. It also modulates the immune system via augmenting pro-inflammatory cytokines and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. In the present review, we discussed the distribution profile of NPS and NPSR, signaling pathways, and their importance in the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders. We have also proposed the areas where further investigations on the NPS system are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamini R Shirsath
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vaishnavi K Patil
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sanjay N Awathale
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sameer N Goyal
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kartik T Nakhate
- Department of Pharmacology, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule 424001, Maharashtra, India.
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Akçalı İ, Akkan SS, Bülbül M. The regulatory role of central neuropeptide-S in locomotion. Peptides 2023; 170:171110. [PMID: 37832875 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171110] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Central exogenous Neuropeptide-S (NPS) was demonstrated to increase locomotor activity (LMA) in rodent studies. NPS receptor (NPSR) is produced in locomotion-related brain regions including basal ganglia while NPS mediates dopaminergic neurotransmission suggesting that endogenous brain NPS is involved in the regulation of locomotion. Aim of the study was to elucidate whether antagonism of NPSR impairs locomotion and to determine the neurochemical profile of NPSR-expressing cells in basal ganglia network. In the rats received intracerebroventricular injection of selective non-peptide NPSR antagonist ML154 (20 nmol/5 µL) or vehicle, in addition to measurement of catalepsy, motor performance, and motor coordination were evaluated by assessment of LMA and RR test, respectively. The immunoreactivities for NPSR, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) were detected by immunofluorescence in frozen sections. Compared to the control rats, total LMA was significantly declined following ML154 administration. The ML154-injected rats were more prone to fall in rotarod (RR) test, while they exhibited remarkably high catalepsy time. The most robust immunoreactivity for NPSR was detected in globus pallidus externa (GPe), while moderate levels of NPSR expression were observed in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), but not in striatum. The NPSR-ir cell bodies were found to express GAD67 in GPe and TH in SNpc and VTA, respectively. NPSR expression was detected in SNpc-projecting pallidal cells. The present findings indicate the regulatory role of central endogenous NPS in the control of locomotion. NPSR may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of movement disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- İrem Akçalı
- Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Simla Su Akkan
- Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Bülbül
- Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey.
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Gołyszny M, Zieliński M, Paul-Samojedny M, Pałasz A, Obuchowicz E. Chronic treatment with escitalopram and venlafaxine affects the neuropeptide S pathway differently in adult Wistar rats exposed to maternal separation. AIMS Neurosci 2022; 9:395-422. [PMID: 36329901 PMCID: PMC9581731 DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2022022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS), which is a peptide that is involved in the regulation of the stress response, seems to be relevant to the mechanism of action of antidepressants that have anxiolytic properties. However, to date, there have been no reports regarding the effect of long-term treatment with escitalopram or venlafaxine on the NPS system under stress conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the above-mentioned antidepressants on the NPS system in adult male Wistar rats that were exposed to neonatal maternal separation (MS). Animals were exposed to MS for 360 min. on postnatal days (PNDs) 2-15. MS causes long-lasting behavioral, endocrine and neurochemical consequences that mimic anxiety- and depression-related features. MS and non-stressed rats were given escitalopram or venlafaxine (10mg/kg) IP from PND 69 to 89. The NPS system was analyzed in the brainstem, hypothalamus, amygdala and anterior olfactory nucleus using quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical methods. The NPS system was vulnerable to MS in the brainstem and amygdala. In the brainstem, escitalopram down-regulated NPS and NPS mRNA in the MS rats and induced a tendency to reduce the number of NPS-positive cells in the peri-locus coeruleus. In the MS rats, venlafaxine insignificantly decreased the NPSR mRNA levels in the amygdala and a number of NPSR cells in the basolateral amygdala, and increased the NPS mRNA levels in the hypothalamus. Our data show that the studied antidepressants affect the NPS system differently and preliminarily suggest that the NPS system might partially mediate the pharmacological effects that are induced by these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miłosz Gołyszny
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Michał Zieliński
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Monika Paul-Samojedny
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Jedności 8, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Artur Pałasz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Ewa Obuchowicz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
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A Role for Neuropeptide S in Alcohol and Cocaine Seeking. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070800. [PMID: 35890099 PMCID: PMC9317571 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide S (NPS) is the endogenous ligand of the NPS receptor (NPSR). The NPSR is widely expressed in brain regions that process emotional and affective behavior. NPS possesses a unique physio-pharmacological profile, being anxiolytic and promoting arousal at the same time. Intracerebroventricular NPS decreased alcohol consumption in alcohol-preferring rats with no effect in non-preferring control animals. This outcome is most probably linked to the anxiolytic properties of NPS, since alcohol preference is often associated with high levels of basal anxiety and intense stress-reactivity. In addition, NPSR mRNA was overexpressed during ethanol withdrawal and the anxiolytic-like effects of NPS were increased in rodents with a history of alcohol dependence. In line with these preclinical findings, a polymorphism of the NPSR gene was associated with anxiety traits contributing to alcohol use disorders in humans. NPS also potentiated the reinstatement of cocaine and ethanol seeking induced by drug-paired environmental stimuli and the blockade of NPSR reduced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking. Altogether, the work conducted so far indicates the NPS/NPSR system as a potential target to develop new treatments for alcohol and cocaine abuse. An NPSR agonist would be indicated to help individuals to quit alcohol consumption and to alleviate withdrawal syndrome, while NPSR antagonists would be indicated to prevent relapse to alcohol- and cocaine-seeking behavior.
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Piwowarczyk-Nowak A, Pałasz A, Suszka-Świtek A, Della Vecchia A, Grajoszek A, Krzystanek M, Worthington JJ. Escitalopram alters local expression of noncanonical stress-related neuropeptides in the rat brain via NPS receptor signaling. Pharmacol Rep 2022; 74:637-653. [PMID: 35653031 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-022-00374-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a multifunctional regulatory factor that exhibits a potent anxiolytic activity in animal models. However, there are no reports dealing with the potential molecular relationships between the anxiolytic activity of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and NPS signaling, especially in the context of novel stress-related neuropeptides action. The present work therefore focused on gene expression of novel stress neuropeptides in the rat brain after acute treatment with escitalopram and in combination with neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR) blockade. METHODS Studies were carried out on adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats that were divided into five groups: animals injected with saline (control) and experimental rats treated with escitalopram (at single dose 10 mg/kg daily), escitalopram and SHA-68, a selective NPSR antagonist (at a single dose of 40 mg/kg), SHA-68 alone and corresponding vehicle (solvent SHA-68) control. To measure anxiety-like behavior and locomotor activity the open field test was performed. All individuals were killed under anaesthesia and the whole brain was excised. Total mRNA was isolated from homogenized samples of the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebellum, and brainstem. Real-time PCR was used for estimation of related NPS, NPSR, neuromedin U (NMU), NMU receptor 2 (NMUR2) and nesfatin-1 precursor nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2) gene expression. RESULTS Acute escitalopram administration affects the local expression of the examined neuropeptides mRNA in a varied manner depending on brain location. An increase in NPSR and NUCB2 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus and brainstem was abolished by SHA-68 coadministration, while NMU mRNA expression was upregulated after NPSR blockade in the hippocampus and cerebellum. CONCLUSIONS The pharmacological effects of escitalopram may be connected with local NPSR-related alterations in NPS/NMU/NMUR2 and nesfatin-1 gene expression at the level of selected rat brain regions. A novel alternative mode of SSRI action can be therefore cautiously proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Piwowarczyk-Nowak
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Artur Pałasz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Suszka-Świtek
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Alessandra Della Vecchia
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 67, Via Roma, 56100, Pisa, Italy
| | - Aniela Grajoszek
- Department for Experimental Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 4, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Marek Krzystanek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Clinic of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Ziolowa 45/47, 40-635, Katowice, Poland
| | - John J Worthington
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
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Bülbül M, Sinen O. The influence of early-life and adulthood stressors on brain neuropeptide-S system. Neuropeptides 2022; 92:102223. [PMID: 34982971 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2021.102223] [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: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Central administered neuropeptide-S (NPS) was shown to reduce stress response in rodents. This study aimed to investigate the alterations in NPS system upon chronic exposure to early-life and adulthood stressors. Newborn pups underwent maternal separation (MS) from postnatal day 1 to 14 comprised of daily 3-h separations. In the adulthood, 90-min of restraint stress was loaded to males as an acute stress (AS) model. For chronic homotypic stress (CHS), same stressor was applied for 5 consecutive days. The changes in the expression and the release of NPS were monitored by immunohistochemistry and microdialysis, respectively. Throughout the CHS, heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed on a daily basis. The immunoreactivity for NPS receptor (NPSR) was detected in basolateral amygdala (BLA) and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) by immunofluorescence staining. The NPS expression in the brainstem was increased upon AS which was more prominent following CHS, whereas these responses were found to be blunted in MS counterparts. Similar to histological data, the stress-induced release of NPS in BLA was attenuated in MS rats. CHS-induced elevations in sympatho-vagal balance were alleviated in control rats; which was not observed in MS rats. The expression of NPSR in BLA and PVN was down-regulated in MS rats. The brain NPS/NPSR system appears to be susceptible to the early-life stressors and the subsequent chronic stress exposure in adulthood which results in altered autonomic outflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Bülbül
- Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey.
| | - Osman Sinen
- Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
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Shao YF, Wang C, Rao XP, Wang HD, Ren YL, Li J, Dong CY, Xie JF, Yang XW, Xu FQ, Hou YP. Neuropeptide S Attenuates the Alarm Pheromone-Evoked Defensive and Risk Assessment Behaviors Through Activation of Cognate Receptor-Expressing Neurons in the Posterior Medial Amygdala. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:752516. [PMID: 35002616 PMCID: PMC8739225 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.752516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) acts by activating its cognate receptor (NPSR). High level expression of NPSR in the posterior medial amygdala suggests that NPS-NPSR system should be involved in regulation of social behaviors induced by social pheromones. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of central administration of NPS or with NPSR antagonist on the alarm pheromone (AP)-evoked defensive and risk assessment behaviors in mice. Furthermore, H129-H8, a novel high-brightness anterograde multiple trans-synaptic virus, c-Fos and NPSR immunostaining were employed to reveal the involved neurocircuits and targets of NPS action. The mice exposed to AP displayed an enhancement in defensive and risk assessment behaviors. NPS (0.1–1 nmol) intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection significantly attenuated the AP-evoked defensive and risk assessment behaviors. NPSR antagonist [D-Val5]NPS at the dose of 40 nmol completely blocked the effect of 0.5 nmol of NPS which showed the best effective among dose range. The H129-H8-labeled neurons were observed in the bilateral posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) and posteroventral medial amygdala (MePV) 72 h after the virus injection into the unilateral olfactory bulb (OB), suggesting that the MePD and MePV receive olfactory information inputs from the OB. The percentage of H129-H8-labeled neurons that also express NPSR were 90.27 ± 3.56% and 91.67 ± 2.46% in the MePD and MePV, respectively. NPS (0.5 nmol, i.c.v.) remarkably increased the number of Fos immunoreactive (-ir) neurons in the MePD and MePV, and the majority of NPS-induced Fos-ir neurons also expressed NPSR. The behavior characteristic of NPS or with [D-Val5]NPS can be better replicated in MePD/MePV local injection within lower dose. The present findings demonstrated that NPS, via selective activation of the neurons bearing NPSR in the posterior medial amygdala, attenuates the AP-evoked defensive and risk assessment behaviors in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Feng Shao
- Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Lab of Neurology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Can Wang
- Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Rao
- Center of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Hua-Dong Wang
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan-Li Ren
- Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jing Li
- Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chao-Yu Dong
- Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jun-Fan Xie
- Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xing-Wen Yang
- Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Fu-Qiang Xu
- Center of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China.,Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Ping Hou
- Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Lab of Neurology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Fang C, Zhang J, Wan Y, Li Z, Qi F, Dang Y, Li J, Wang Y. Neuropeptide S (NPS) and its receptor (NPSR1) in chickens: cloning, tissue expression, and functional analysis. Poult Sci 2021; 100:101445. [PMID: 34634709 PMCID: PMC8507198 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) and its receptor neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1) have been suggested to regulate many physiological processes in the central nervous system (CNS), such as arousal, anxiety, and food intake in mammals and birds, however, the functionality and tissue expression of this NPS-NPSR1 system remain unknown in birds. Here, we cloned NPS and NPSR1 cDNAs from the chicken brain and reported their functionality and tissue expression. The cloned chicken NPS is predicted to encode a mature NPS peptide of 20 amino acids, which shows a remarkable sequence identity (∼94%) among tetrapod species examined, while NPSR1 encodes a receptor of 373 amino acids conserved across vertebrates. Using cell-based luciferase reporter systems, we demonstrated that chicken NPS could potently activate NPSR1 expressed in vitro and thus stimulates multiple signaling pathways, including calcium mobilization, cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA), and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathways, indicating that NPS actions could be mediated by NPSR1 in birds. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that NPS and NPSR1 are widely expressed in chicken tissues, including the hypothalamus, and NPSR1 expression is likely controlled by a promoter upstream exon 1, which shows strong promoter activities in cultured DF-1 cells. Taken together, our data provide the first proof that the avian NPS-NPSR1 system is functional and helps to explore the conserved role of NPS and NPSR1 signaling in tetrapods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Fang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China; The Brain Cognition & Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiannan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Yiping Wan
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Zejiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Feiyang Qi
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Yuanhao Dang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Juan Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Yajun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
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Bülbül M, Sinen O, Bayramoğlu O. Central neuropeptide-S administration alleviates stress-induced impairment of gastric motor functions through orexin-A. TURKISH JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 2021; 31:65-72. [PMID: 32009616 DOI: 10.5152/tjg.2020.18626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The novel brain peptide neuropeptide-S (NPS) is produced exclusively by a small group of cells adjacent to the noradrenergic locus coeruleus. The NPSR mRNA has been detected in several brain areas involved in stress response and autonomic outflow, such as amygdala and hypothalamus, suggesting that central NPS may play a regulatory role in stress-induced changes in gastrointestinal (GI) motor functions. In rodents, exogenous central NPS was shown to inhibit stress-stimulated fecal output. Moreover, exogenous NPS was demonstrated to activate hypothalamic neurons that produce orexin-A (OXA), which has been shown to stimulate postprandial gastric motor functions via central vagal pathways. Therefore, we tested whether OXA mediates the NPS-induced alterations in gastric motor functions under stressed conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS We investigated the effect of central exogenous NPS on solid gastric emptying (GE) and gastric postprandial motility in acute restraint stress (ARS)-loaded conscious rats. The OXA receptor antagonist SB-334867 was administered centrally prior to the central NPS injection. The expression of NPSR in the hypothalamus and dorsal vagal complex was analyzed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS Central administration of NPS restored the ARS-induced delayed GE and uncoordinated postprandial antro-pyloric contractions. The alleviative effect of NPS on GE was abolished by pretreatment of the OX1R antagonist SB-334867. In addition to hypothalamus, NPSR was detected in the dorsal motor nucleus of vagus, which suggest a direct stimulatory action of exogenous NPS on gastric motility. CONCLUSION NPS may be a novel candidate for the treatment of stress-related gastric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Bülbül
- Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Osman Sinen
- Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Onur Bayramoğlu
- Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
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Tobinski AM, Rappeneau V. Role of the Neuropeptide S System in Emotionality, Stress Responsiveness and Addiction-Like Behaviours in Rodents: Relevance to Stress-Related Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080780. [PMID: 34451877 PMCID: PMC8400992 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide S (NPS) and its receptor (NPSR1) have been extensively studied over the last two decades for their roles in locomotion, arousal/wakefulness and anxiety-related and fear-related behaviours in rodents. However, the possible implications of the NPS/NPSR1 system, especially those of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs324981, in stress-related disorders and substance abuse in humans remain unclear. This is possibly due to the fact that preclinical and clinical research studies have remained separated, and a comprehensive description of the role of the NPS/NPSR1 system in stress-relevant and reward-relevant endpoints in humans and rodents is lacking. In this review, we describe the role of the NPS/NPSR1 system in emotionality, stress responsiveness and addiction-like behaviour in rodents. We also summarize the alterations in the NPS/NPSR1 system in individuals with stress-related disorders, as well as the impact of the SNP rs324981 on emotion, stress responses and neural activation in healthy individuals. Moreover, we discuss the therapeutic potential and possible caveats of targeting the NPS/NPSR1 system for the treatment of stress-related disorders. The primary goal of this review is to highlight the importance of studying some rodent behavioural readouts modulated by the NPS/NPSR1 system and relevant to stress-related disorders.
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Holanda VAD, Didonet JJ, Costa MBB, do Nascimento Rangel AH, da Silva ED, Gavioli EC. Neuropeptide S Receptor as an Innovative Therapeutic Target for Parkinson Disease. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080775. [PMID: 34451872 PMCID: PMC8401573 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease mainly characterized by the loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Patients suffering from PD develop severe motor dysfunctions and a myriad of non-motor symptoms. The treatment mainly consists of increasing central dopaminergic neurotransmission and alleviating motor symptoms, thus promoting severe side effects without modifying the disease’s progress. A growing body of evidence suggests a close relationship between neuropeptide S (NPS) and its receptor (NPSR) system in PD: (i) double immunofluorescence labeling studies showed that NPSR is expressed in the nigral tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons; (ii) central administration of NPS increases spontaneous locomotion in naïve rodents; (iii) central administration of NPS ameliorates motor and nonmotor dysfunctions in animal models of PD; (iv) microdialysis studies showed that NPS stimulates dopamine release in naïve and parkinsonian rodents; (v) central injection of NPS decreases oxidative damage to proteins and lipids in the rodent brain; and, (vi) 7 days of central administration of NPS protects from the progressive loss of nigral TH-positive cells in parkinsonian rats. Taken together, the NPS/NPSR system seems to be an emerging therapeutic strategy for alleviating motor and non-motor dysfunctions of PD and, possibly, for slowing disease progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor A. D. Holanda
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59078-900, Brazil; (V.A.D.H.); (J.J.D.); (M.B.B.C.); (E.D.d.S.J.)
| | - Julia J. Didonet
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59078-900, Brazil; (V.A.D.H.); (J.J.D.); (M.B.B.C.); (E.D.d.S.J.)
| | - Manara B. B. Costa
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59078-900, Brazil; (V.A.D.H.); (J.J.D.); (M.B.B.C.); (E.D.d.S.J.)
| | | | - Edilson D. da Silva
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59078-900, Brazil; (V.A.D.H.); (J.J.D.); (M.B.B.C.); (E.D.d.S.J.)
| | - Elaine C. Gavioli
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59078-900, Brazil; (V.A.D.H.); (J.J.D.); (M.B.B.C.); (E.D.d.S.J.)
- Correspondence:
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Sinen O, Bülbül M, Derin N, Ozkan A, Akcay G, Aslan MA, Agar A. The effect of chronic neuropeptide-S treatment on non-motor parameters in experimental model of Parkinson's disease. Int J Neurosci 2021; 131:765-774. [PMID: 32441169 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1754213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
AIM Besides motor impairment, non-motor symptoms including cognitive decline, anxiety, and depression are observed in Parkinson's Disease (PD). The aim of this study was to investigate whether chronic administration of central neuropeptide-S (NPS) improves non-motor symptoms in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced parkinsonian rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Experimental PD was utilized by unilateral stereotaxic injection of the 6-OHDA into the medial forebrain bundle (MFB), while the sham-operated animals underwent the same surgical procedures. NPS (1 nmol) or vehicle was daily administered through an intracerebroventricular (icv) cannula for 7 days. Radial arm maze (RAM) test was used to evaluate the working memory; whereas, elevated plus maze (EPM) test and sucrose preference test were used to monitor the anxiety and depression status, respectively. The levels of dopamine, glutamic acid, and glutamine was determined in harvested striatal and hippocampal tissue samples. The immunoreactivities for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was determined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS In the RAM test, the 6-OHDA-induced increases in the reference and working memory errors were reduced by the central NPS administration. The decreased sucrose preference in the parkinsonian rats was increased by centrally administered NPS. The levels of dopamine levels in striatum and hippocampus were decreased in the parkinsonian rats, however, they were not altered by the centrally administered NPS. Additionally, NPS treatment significantly attenuated the 6-OHDA-induced loss of TH neuronal number. CONCLUSION Consequently, NPS appears to be a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of non-motor complications of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osman Sinen
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Bülbül
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Narin Derin
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biophysics, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ayse Ozkan
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Guven Akcay
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biophysics, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Mutay Aydın Aslan
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Aysel Agar
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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Dissociative Effects of Neuropeptide S Receptor Deficiency and Nasal Neuropeptide S Administration on T-Maze Discrimination and Reversal Learning. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14070643. [PMID: 34358069 PMCID: PMC8308873 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to modify learned behavior in response to changes in the environment. In laboratory rodents, cognitive flexibility can be assessed in reversal learning, i.e., the change of contingencies, for example in T-maze discrimination learning. The present study investigated the role of the neuropeptide S (NPS) system in cognitive flexibility. In the first experiment, mice deficient of NPS receptors (NPSR) were tested in T-maze discrimination and reversal learning. In the second experiment, C57BL/6J mice were tested in the T-maze after nasal administration of NPS. Finally, the effect of nasal NPS on locomotor activity was evaluated. NPSR deficiency positively affected the acquisition of T-maze discrimination but had no effects on reversal learning. Nasal NPS administration facilitated reversal learning and supported an allocentric learning strategy without affecting acquisition of the task or locomotor activity. Taken together, the present data show that the NPS system is able to modulate both acquisition of T-maze discrimination and its reversal learning. However, NPSR deficiency only improved discrimination learning, while nasal NPS administration only improved reversal learning, i.e., cognitive flexibility. These effects, which at first glance appear to be contradictory, could be due to the different roles of the NPS system in the brain regions that are important for learning and cognitive flexibility.
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Reinscheid RK, Ruzza C. Pharmacology, Physiology and Genetics of the Neuropeptide S System. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14050401. [PMID: 33922620 PMCID: PMC8146834 DOI: 10.3390/ph14050401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Neuropeptide S (NPS) system is a rather ‘young’ transmitter system that was discovered and functionally described less than 20 years ago. This review highlights the progress that has been made in elucidating its pharmacology, anatomical distribution, and functional involvement in a variety of physiological effects, including behavior and immune functions. Early on, genetic variations of the human NPS receptor (NPSR1) have attracted attention and we summarize current hypotheses of genetic linkage with disease and human behaviors. Finally, we review the therapeutic potential of future drugs modulating NPS signaling. This review serves as an introduction to the broad collection of original research papers and reviews from experts in the field that are presented in this Special Issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer K. Reinscheid
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller University, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Physiology I, University Hospital Münster, Westfälische-Wilhelms University, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Correspondence: (R.K.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.K.R.); (C.R.)
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The Neural Network of Neuropeptide S (NPS): Implications in Food Intake and Gastrointestinal Functions. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14040293. [PMID: 33810221 PMCID: PMC8065993 DOI: 10.3390/ph14040293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Neuropeptide S (NPS), a 20 amino acids peptide, is recognized as the endogenous ligand of a previously orphan G protein-coupled receptor, now termed NPS receptor (NPSR). The limited distribution of the NPS-expressing neurons in few regions of the brainstem is in contrast with the extensive expression of NPSR in the rodent central nervous system, suggesting the involvement of this receptor in several brain functions. In particular, NPS promotes locomotor activity, behavioral arousal, wakefulness, and unexpectedly, at the same time, it exerts anxiolytic-like properties. Intriguingly, the NPS system is implicated in the rewarding properties of drugs of abuse and in the regulation of food intake. Here, we focus on the anorexigenic effect of NPS, centrally injected in different brain areas, in both sated and fasted animals, fed with standard or palatable food, and, in addition, on its influence in the gastrointestinal tract. Further investigations, regarding the role of the NPS/NPSR system and its potential interaction with other neurotransmitters could be useful to understand the mechanisms underlying its action and to develop novel pharmacological tools for the treatment of aberrant feeding patterns and obesity.
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Young CE, Tong Q. Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Signaling in the Bed Nuclei of the Stria Terminalis as a Link to Maladaptive Behaviors. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:642379. [PMID: 33867924 PMCID: PMC8044981 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.642379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BST) is a limbic region in the extended amygdala that is heavily implicated in anxiety processing and hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary (HPA) axis activation. The BST is complex, with many nuclei expressing different neurotransmitters and receptors involved in a variety of signaling pathways. One neurotransmitter that helps link its functions is corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). BST CRH neuron activation may cause both anxiogenic and anxiolytic effects in rodents, and CRH neurons interact with other neuron types to influence anxiety-like responses as well as alcohol and drug–seeking behavior. This review covers the link between BST CRH neurons and thirteen other neurotransmitters and receptors and analyzes their effect on rodent behavior. Additionally, it covers the translational potential of targeting CRH signaling pathways for the treatment of human mental health disorders. Given the massive impact of anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders on our society, further research into BST CRH signaling is critical to alleviate the social and economic burdens of those disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Emily Young
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Qingchun Tong
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy of McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,MD Anderson Cancer Center & UTHealth Graduate School of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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Siminski N, Böhme S, Zeller JBM, Becker MPI, Bruchmann M, Hofmann D, Breuer F, Mühlberger A, Schiele MA, Weber H, Schartner C, Deckert J, Pauli P, Reif A, Domschke K, Straube T, Herrmann MJ. BNST and amygdala activation to threat: Effects of temporal predictability and threat mode. Behav Brain Res 2020; 396:112883. [PMID: 32860830 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent animal and human studies highlight the uncertainty about the onset of an aversive event as a crucial factor for the involvement of the centromedial amygdala (CM) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) activity. However, studies investigating temporally predictable or unpredictable threat anticipation and confrontation processes are rare. Furthermore, the few existing fMRI studies analyzing temporally predictable and unpredictable threat processes used small sample sizes or limited fMRI paradigms. Therefore, we measured functional brain activity in 109 predominantly female healthy participants during a temporally predictable-unpredictable threat paradigm, which aimed to solve limited aspects of recent studies. Results showed higher BNST activity compared to the CM during the cue indicating that the upcoming confrontation is aversive relative to the cue indicating an upcoming neutral confrontation. Both the CM and BNST showed higher activity during the confrontation with unpredictable and aversive stimuli, but the reaction to aversive confrontation relative to neutral confrontation was stronger in the CM compared to the BNST. Additional modulation analyses by NPSR1 rs324981 genotype revealed higher BNST activity relative to the CM in unpredictable anticipation relative to predictable anticipation in T-carriers compared to AA carriers. Our results indicate that during the confrontation with aversive or neutral stimuli, temporal unpredictability modulates CM and BNST activity. Further, there is a differential activity concerning threat processing, as BNST is more involved when focussing on fear-related anticipation processes and CM is more involved when focussing on threat confrontation.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Siminski
- Center of Mental Health, Dept. of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - S Böhme
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - J B M Zeller
- Center of Mental Health, Dept. of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - M P I Becker
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - M Bruchmann
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - D Hofmann
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - F Breuer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS), Development Center for X-ray Technology (EZRT), Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - A Mühlberger
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - M A Schiele
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - H Weber
- Center of Mental Health, Dept. of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - C Schartner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - J Deckert
- Center of Mental Health, Dept. of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - P Pauli
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy), University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - A Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - K Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Center for Basics in Neuro Modulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - T Straube
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - M J Herrmann
- Center of Mental Health, Dept. of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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Neugebauer V, Mazzitelli M, Cragg B, Ji G, Navratilova E, Porreca F. Amygdala, neuropeptides, and chronic pain-related affective behaviors. Neuropharmacology 2020; 170:108052. [PMID: 32188569 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides play important modulatory roles throughout the nervous system, functioning as direct effectors or as interacting partners with other neuropeptide and neurotransmitter systems. Limbic brain areas involved in learning, memory and emotions are particularly rich in neuropeptides. This review will focus on the amygdala, a limbic region that plays a key role in emotional-affective behaviors and pain modulation. The amygdala is comprised of different nuclei; the basolateral (BLA) and central (CeA) nuclei and in between, the intercalated cells (ITC), have been linked to pain-related functions. A wide range of neuropeptides are found in the amygdala, particularly in the CeA, but this review will discuss those neuropeptides that have been explored for their role in pain modulation. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a key peptide in the afferent nociceptive pathway from the parabrachial area and mediates excitatory drive of CeA neurons. CeA neurons containing corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and/or somatostatin (SOM) are a source of long-range projections and serve major output functions, but CRF also acts locally to excite neurons in the CeA and BLA. Neuropeptide S (NPS) is associated with inhibitory ITC neurons that gate amygdala output. Oxytocin and vasopressin exert opposite (inhibitory and excitatory, respectively) effects on amygdala output. The opioid system of mu, delta and kappa receptors (MOR, DOR, KOR) and their peptide ligands (β-endorphin, enkephalin, dynorphin) have complex and partially opposing effects on amygdala function. Neuropeptides therefore serve as valuable targets to regulate amygdala function in pain conditions. This article is part of the special issue on Neuropeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
| | - Mariacristina Mazzitelli
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Bryce Cragg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Guangchen Ji
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Edita Navratilova
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Electroacupuncture Alleviates Pain-Related Emotion by Upregulating the Expression of NPS and Its Receptor NPSR in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex and Hypothalamus. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:8630368. [PMID: 32104195 PMCID: PMC7035524 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8630368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Objective Electroacupuncture (EA) is reported effective in alleviating pain-related emotion; however, the underlying mechanism of its effects still needs to be elucidated. The NPS-NPSR system has been validated for the involvement in the modulation of analgesia and emotional behavior. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of the NPS-NPSR system in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), hypothalamus, and central amygdala (CeA) in the use of EA to relieve affective pain modeled by complete Freund's adjuvant- (CFA-) evoked conditioned place aversion (C-CPA). Materials and Methods. CFA injection combined with a CPA paradigm was introduced to establish the C-CPA model, and the elevated O-maze (EOM) was used to test the behavioral changes after model establishment. We further explored the expression of NPS and NPSR at the protein and gene levels in the brain regions of interest by immunofluorescence staining and quantitative real-time PCR. Results We observed that EA stimulation delivered to the bilateral Zusanli (ST36) and Kunlun (BL60) acupoints remarkably inhibited sensory pain, pain-evoked place aversion, and anxiety-like behavior. The current study showed that EA significantly enhanced the protein expression of this peptide system in the ACC and hypothalamus, while the elevated expression of NPSR protein alone was just confined to the affected side in the CeA. Moreover, EA remarkably upregulated the mRNA expression of NPS in CeA, ACC, and hypothalamus and NPSR mRNA in the hypothalamus and CeA. Conclusions These data suggest the effectiveness of EA in alleviating affective pain, and these benefits may at least partially be attributable to the upregulation of the NPS-NPSR system in the ACC and hypothalamus.
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Du J, Fang J, Xu Z, Xiang X, Wang S, Sun H, Shao X, Jiang Y, Liu B, Fang J. Electroacupuncture suppresses the pain and pain-related anxiety of chronic inflammation in rats by increasing the expression of the NPS/NPSR system in the ACC. Brain Res 2020; 1733:146719. [PMID: 32044336 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neuropeptide S/Neuropeptide S receptor (NPS/NPSR) system is involved in the regulation of anxiety in rodents. Chronic inflammation can induce anxiety. Our lab has observed that electroacupuncture (EA) has a beneficial effect on chronic inflammatory pain and pain-related anxiety; however, the mechanism should be further clarified. In the present study, we used an inflammatory pain model to investigate the role of the NPS/NPSR system in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in the analgesic and antianxiety effects of EA. RESULTS In an inflammatory pain model, the paw withdrawal thresholds (PWTs) were decreased, pain-related anxiety-like behaviors were induced, and the ipsilateral protein expression of NPS and NPSR was decreased in the ACC. EA stimulation increased the PWTs, reduced pain-related anxiety-like behavior, and enhanced the ipsilateral protein expression of NPS and NPSR in the ACC. NPS microinjection increased the PWTs and decreased pain-related anxiety-like behaviors. Furthermore, an NPSR inhibitor combined with EA reversed the effect of EA on the PWTs and pain-related anxiety-like behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that EA suppresses pain and pain-related anxiety-like behavior of chronic inflammation in rats by increasing the expression of the NPS/NPSR system in the ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junying Du
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Junfan Fang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Zitong Xu
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Xuaner Xiang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Sisi Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Haiju Sun
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Xiaomei Shao
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Yongliang Jiang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Boyi Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Jianqiao Fang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, the Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310053, China.
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Tillmann S, Skibdal HE, Christiansen SH, Gøtzsche CR, Hassan M, Mathé AA, Wegener G, Woldbye DPD. Sustained overexpression of neuropeptide S in the amygdala reduces anxiety-like behavior in rats. Behav Brain Res 2019; 367:28-34. [PMID: 30914309 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) has shown anxiolytic-like effects in rodents after acute administration, but its long-term effects remain unknown. Gene therapy enables the targeted delivery of DNA to cell nuclei, and recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors have been identified as suitable tools for stable overexpression. Thus, to explore the effects of long-term expression of NPS, the present study examined anxiety- and depressive-like effects after rAAV-mediated NPS overexpression in the rat amygdala. Compared to rats injected with an empty control vector (rAAV-Empty), rAAV-NPS treatment was associated with reduced anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze and light-dark box, but did not affect depressive-like behavior in the forced swim test. Importantly, rAAV-NPS did not cause confounding effects on locomotion or bodyweight as opposed to currently used anxiolytic drugs. Immunohistochemical stainings revealed NPS-positive cells in the central and basolateral region of the amygdala in rAAV-NPS but not rAAV-Empty rats, indicating successful transduction. Our study provides novel evidence for sustained anxiolytic-like properties of NPS by transgenic overexpression. These data suggest that rAAV-NPS application deserves further attention as a potential treatment strategy for anxiety in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Tillmann
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Heidi E Skibdal
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren H Christiansen
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Casper R Gøtzsche
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Moustapha Hassan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine (LABMED), Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Aleksander A Mathé
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, AUGUST Centre, Aarhus University, Risskov, Denmark.
| | - David P D Woldbye
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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22
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Bülbül M, Sinen O, Özkan A, Aslan MA, Ağar A. Central neuropeptide-S treatment improves neurofunctions of 6-OHDA-induced Parkinsonian rats. Exp Neurol 2019; 317:78-86. [PMID: 30825442 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra (SN). The motor symptoms of PD include tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural impairment. In rodents, central administration of neuropeptide-S (NPS) has been shown to induce locomotor activity, dopamine release and neuronal survival by decreasing lipid peroxidation, additionally, the NPS receptor (NPSR) was detected in SN. Accumulating findings suggest that central NPS may ameliorate the parkinsonian symptoms, however, this has been explored incompletely due to the scarcity of experimental studies. Therefore, the present study was designed to test whether central NPS treatment exerts protective and/or alleviative effects on 6-OHDA-induced rat experimental PD model. Adult male Wistar rats received acute (alleviate; 10 nmol, icv) or chronic (protective; 1 nmol, icv for 7 days) NPS treatment following the central injection of 6-OHDA in medial forebrain bundle. Motor performance tests and in vivo nigral microdialysis were performed before and 7 days after the central 6-OHDA injection. The immunoreactivities for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), NPSR, 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and c-Fos were detected by immunohistochemistry in frozen SN sections. Our double immunofluorescence labeling studies demonstrated that NPSR is present in the nigral TH-positive neurons. Central NPS injection caused a remarkable c-Fos expression in SN; whereas, no change was observed following vehicle injection. In both chronic and acute treatment groups, the 6-OHDA-induced motor dysfunction and impaired nigral dopamine release were improved significantly. However, only chronic, but not acute treatment restored the loss of nigral TH-positive cells, while decreasing the 4-HNE immunoreactivity in SN. Our findings demonstrate that central NPS treatment not only exerts a neuroprotective action on nigral dopaminergic neurons, it also improves the striatal dopaminergic signaling. Therefore, the present study candidates the NPSR agonism as a novel therapeutic approach for PD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Bülbül
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Osman Sinen
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Özkan
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Mutay Aydın Aslan
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Aysel Ağar
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
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23
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Blough B, Namjoshi O. Small Molecule Neuropeptide S and Melanocortin 4 Receptor Ligands as Potential Treatments for Substance Use Disorders. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2019; 258:61-87. [PMID: 31628605 DOI: 10.1007/164_2019_313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is a vital need for novel approaches and biological targets for drug discovery and development. Treatment strategies for substance use disorders (SUDs) to date have been mostly ineffective other than substitution-like therapeutics. Two such targets are the peptide G-protein-coupled receptors neuropeptide S (NPS) and melanocortin 4 (MC4). Preclinical evidence suggests that antagonists, inverse agonists, or negative allosteric modulators of these receptors might be novel therapeutics for SUDs. NPS is a relatively unexplored receptor with high potential for treating SUD. MC4 has a strong link to early-onset obesity, and emerging evidence suggests significant overlap between food-maintained and drug-maintained behaviors making MC4 an intriguing target for SUD. This chapter provides an overview of the literature in relation to the roles of NPS and MC4 in drug-seeking behaviors and then provides a medicinal chemistry-based survey of the small molecule ligands for each receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Blough
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Ojas Namjoshi
- Center for Drug Discovery, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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24
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Abstract
Pain has a strong emotional component and is defined by its unpleasantness. Chronic pain represents a complex disorder with anxio-depressive symptoms and cognitive deficits. Underlying mechanisms are still not well understood but an important role for interactions between prefrontal cortical areas and subcortical limbic structures has emerged. Evidence from preclinical studies in the rodent brain suggests that neuroplastic changes in prefrontal (anterior cingulate, prelimbic and infralimbic) cortical and subcortical (amygdala and nucleus accumbens) brain areas and their interactions (corticolimbic circuitry) contribute to the complexity and persistence of pain and may be predetermining factors as has been proposed in recent human neuroimaging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy M Thompson
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX, United States; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.
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25
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Bülbül M, Travagli RA. Novel transmitters in brain stem vagal neurocircuitry: new players on the pitch. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2018; 315:G20-G26. [PMID: 29597355 PMCID: PMC6109706 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00059.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The last few decades have seen a major increase in the number of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides recognized as playing a role in brain stem neurocircuits, including those involved in homeostatic functions such as stress responsiveness, gastrointestinal motility, feeding, and/or arousal/wakefulness. This minireview will focus on the known physiological role of three of these novel neuropeptides, i.e., apelin, nesfatin-1, and neuropeptide-S, with a special emphasis on their hypothetical roles in vagal signaling related to gastrointestinal motor functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Bülbül
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Akdeniz UniversityAntalya, Turkey
| | - R. Alberto Travagli
- 2Department of Neural and Behavioral Neurosciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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26
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Yang N, Anapindi KDB, Rubakhin SS, Wei P, Yu Q, Li L, Kenny PJ, Sweedler JV. Neuropeptidomics of the Rat Habenular Nuclei. J Proteome Res 2018. [PMID: 29518334 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.7b00811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Conserved across vertebrates, the habenular nuclei are a pair of small symmetrical structures in the epithalamus. The nuclei functionally link the forebrain and midbrain by receiving input from and projecting to several brain regions. Each habenular nucleus comprises two major asymmetrical subnuclei, the medial and lateral habenula. These subnuclei are associated with different physiological processes and disorders, such as depression, nicotine addiction, and encoding aversive stimuli or omitting expected rewarding stimuli. Elucidating the functions of the habenular nuclei at the molecular level requires knowledge of their neuropeptide complement. In this work, three mass spectrometry (MS) techniques-liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to Orbitrap tandem MS (MS/MS), LC coupled to Fourier transform (FT)-ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) MS/MS, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) FT-ICR MS-were used to uncover the neuropeptide profiles of the rodent medial and lateral habenula. With the assistance of tissue stabilization and bioinformatics, a total of 262 and 177 neuropeptides produced from 27 and 20 prohormones were detected and identified from the medial and lateral habenula regions, respectively. Among these neuropeptides, 136 were exclusively found in the medial habenula, and 51 were exclusively expressed in the lateral habenula. Additionally, novel sites of sulfation, a rare post-translational modification, on the secretogranin I prohormone are identified. The results demonstrate that these two small brain nuclei have a rich and differentiated peptide repertoire, with this information enabling a range of follow-up studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Yang
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
| | - Krishna D B Anapindi
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
| | - Stanislav S Rubakhin
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
| | - Pingli Wei
- Chemistry Department , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin 53705 , United States
| | - Qing Yu
- School of Pharmacy , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin 53705 , United States
| | - Lingjun Li
- Chemistry Department , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin 53705 , United States.,School of Pharmacy , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin 53705 , United States
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Therapeutics , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , New York 10029 , United States
| | - Jonathan V Sweedler
- Department of Chemistry and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
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27
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Jiang JH, Peng YL, Zhang PJ, Xue HX, He Z, Liang XY, Chang M. The ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus plays an important role in anxiolytic-like effect of neuropeptide S. Neuropeptides 2018; 67:36-44. [PMID: 29195839 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS), the endogenous neuropeptide ligand of NPSR, has been reported to regulate anxiety-related behavior involved in multiple brain regions, including amygdale, locus coeruleus and Barrington's nucleus. However, little research has been conducted on the anxiolytic-like behaviors of NPS on the hypothalamus, which was an important area in defensive behavior. Here, we investigated a role of hypothalamus in anxiolytic-like behaviors of NPS. We found that NPSR protein of mouse distributed mainly in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). And in the single prolonged stress model (SPS), the results showed that NPS mRNA of the mice exposed to SPS was significantly higher than control, while NPSR mRNA was remarkable lower than control in hypothalamus. Further studies found that NPS intra-VMH infusion dose-dependently (1, 10 and 100pmol) induced anxiolytic effects, using elevated plus maze and open field tests. These anxiolytic effects could be blocked by NPSR antagonist (SHA68), but not by picrotoxin (a GABAA receptor antagonist) and sacolfen (a GABAB receptor antagonist). Meanwhile, our data showed that the expression of c-Fos was significantly increased in VMH after NPS delivered into the lateral ventricles. These results cast a new light on the hypothalamic nucleus in the anxiolytic-like effect of NPS system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hong Jiang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ya Li Peng
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Pei Jiang Zhang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Hong Xiang Xue
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhen He
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xue Ya Liang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - M Chang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
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28
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Grund T, Goyon S, Li Y, Eliava M, Liu H, Charlet A, Grinevich V, Neumann ID. Neuropeptide S Activates Paraventricular Oxytocin Neurons to Induce Anxiolysis. J Neurosci 2017; 37:12214-12225. [PMID: 29118105 PMCID: PMC6596824 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2161-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides, such as neuropeptide S (NPS) and oxytocin (OXT), represent potential options for the treatment of anxiety disorders due to their potent anxiolytic profile. In this study, we aimed to reveal the mechanisms underlying the behavioral action of NPS, and present a chain of evidence that the effects of NPS within the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) are mediated via actions on local OXT neurons in male Wistar rats. First, retrograde studies identified NPS fibers originating in the brainstem locus coeruleus, and projecting to the PVN. FACS identified prominent NPS receptor expression in PVN-OXT neurons. Using genetically encoded calcium indicators, we further demonstrated that NPS reliably induces a transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in a subpopulation of OXT neurons, an effect mediated by NPS receptor. In addition, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) NPS evoked a significant somatodendritic release of OXT within the PVN as assessed by microdialysis in combination with a highly sensitive radioimmunoassay. Finally, we could show that the anxiolytic effect of NPS seen after i.c.v. or intra-PVN infusion requires responsive OXT neurons of the PVN and locally released OXT. Thus, pharmacological blockade of OXT receptors as well as chemogenetic silencing of OXT neurons within the PVN prevented the effect of synthetic NPS. In conclusion, our results indicate a significant role of the OXT system in mediating the effects of NPS on anxiety, and fill an important gap in our understanding of brain neuropeptide interactions in the context of regulation of emotional behavior within the hypothalamus.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Given the rising scientific interest in neuropeptide research in the context of emotional and stress-related behaviors, our findings demonstrate a novel intrahypothalamic mechanism involving paraventricular oxytocin neurons that express the neuropeptide S receptor. These neurons respond with transient Ca2+ increase and somatodendritic oxytocin release following neuropeptide S stimulation. Thereby, oxytocin neurons seem essential for neuropeptide S-induced anxiolysis, as this effect was blocked by pharmacological and chemogenetic inhibition of the oxytocin system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grund
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Goyon
- Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences UPR3212, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University of Strasbourg, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Yuting Li
- Division of Molecular Neurogenetics, German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Marina Eliava
- Division of Neuropeptides (V078), German Cancer Research Center, Central Institute of Mental Health, CellNetwork Cluster of Excellence, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany, and
| | - Haikun Liu
- Division of Molecular Neurogenetics, German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Alexandre Charlet
- Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences UPR3212, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University of Strasbourg, 67084 Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Institute for Advanced Study, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Division of Neuropeptides (V078), German Cancer Research Center, Central Institute of Mental Health, CellNetwork Cluster of Excellence, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany, and
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany,
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Abstract
The amygdala is a limbic brain region that plays a key role in emotional processing, neuropsychiatric disorders, and the emotional-affective dimension of pain. Preclinical and clinical studies have identified amygdala hyperactivity as well as impairment of cortical control mechanisms in pain states. Hyperactivity of basolateral amygdala (BLA) neurons generates enhanced feedforward inhibition and deactivation of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), resulting in pain-related cognitive deficits. The mPFC sends excitatory projections to GABAergic neurons in the intercalated cell mass (ITC) in the amygdala, which project to the laterocapsular division of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeLC; output nucleus) and serve gating functions for amygdala output. Impairment of these cortical control mechanisms allows the development of amygdala pain plasticity. Mechanisms of abnormal amygdala activity in pain with particular focus on loss of cortical control mechanisms as well as new strategies to correct pain-related amygdala dysfunction will be discussed in the present review.
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30
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Roncacè V, Polli FS, Zojicic M, Kohlmeier KA. Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a neuropeptide with cellular actions in arousal and anxiety-related nuclei: Functional implications for effects of NPS on wakefulness and mood. Neuropharmacology 2017; 126:292-317. [PMID: 28655610 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a peptide recently recognized to be present in the CNS, and believed to play a role in vigilance and mood control, as behavioral studies have shown it promotes arousal and has an anxiolytic effect. Although NPS precursor is found in very few neurons, NPS positive fibers are present throughout the brain stem. Given the behavioral actions of this peptide and the wide innervation pattern, we examined the cellular effects of NPS within two brain stem nuclei known to play a critical role in anxiety and arousal: the dorsal raphe (DR) and laterodorsal tegmentum (LDT). In mouse brain slices, NPS increased cytoplasmic levels of calcium in DR and LDT cells. Calcium rises were independent of action potential generation, reduced by low extracellular levels of calcium, attenuated by IP3 - and ryanodine (RyR)-dependent intracellular calcium store depletion, and eliminated by the receptor (NPSR) selective antagonist, SHA 68. NPS also exerted an effect on the membrane of DR and LDT cells inducing inward and outward currents, which were driven by an increase in conductance, and eliminated by SHA 68. Membrane actions of NPS were found to be dependent on store-mediated calcium as depletion of IP3 and RyR stores eliminated NPS-induced currents. Finally, NPS also had actions on synaptic events, suggesting facilitation of glutamatergic and GABAergic presynaptic transmission. When taken together, actions of NPS influenced the excitability of DR and LDT neurons, which could play a role in the anxiolytic and arousal-promoting effects of this peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Roncacè
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Filip Souza Polli
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Minella Zojicic
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Kristi A Kohlmeier
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
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31
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Streit F, Akdeniz C, Haddad L, Kumsta R, Entringer S, Frank J, Yim IS, Zänkert S, Witt SH, Kirsch P, Rietschel M, Wüst S. Sex-specific association between functional neuropeptide S receptor gene (NPSR1) variants and cortisol and central stress responses. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 76:49-56. [PMID: 27883964 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The brain neuropeptide S (NPS) system has recently generated substantial interest and may be of major relevance for central stress regulation. The NPS receptor (NPSR1) is highly expressed in the limbic system, exogenous NPS exerts pronounced anxiolytic and fear-attenuating effects in rodents and extensive close crosstalk between the NPS system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been demonstrated. In humans, associations between NPSR1 variants and anxiety and panic disorder, as well as amygdala responsiveness to fear- relevant faces and prefrontal cortex activity in a fear conditioning paradigm have been reported. Moreover, a NPSR1 sequence variant was found to be associated with cortisol stress responses in males. Here, we performed a haplotype-based analysis covering three functional NPSR1 single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter (rs2530547), in exon 3 (rs324981) and exon 6 (rs727162) in 277 healthy subjects who were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). A significant sex-specific association with salivary cortisol responses to acute psychosocial stress was detected for the common TTC haplotype 2 (frequency of about 20%). In an additional study using an imaging genetics approach, 65 healthy subjects were exposed to a stress paradigm for scanner environments (“ScanSTRESS”). We found a significant and, again, sex-specific interaction between rs324981 (whose minor T-allele is harbored by haplotype 2) and the neural stress response in a cluster close to the parahippocampal gyrus (whole brain corrected). Moreover, as in the TSST sample, NPSR1 variation was associated with salivary cortisol responses (on a trend level) in a sex-specific way. In summary, our preliminary findings in two independent cohorts exposed to different stress paradigms suggest that the NPS system significantly influences acute stress responses and that sequence variation in NPSR1 may contribute to sex differences in stress regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Streit
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ceren Akdeniz
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Germany
| | - Leila Haddad
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Germany
| | - Robert Kumsta
- Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr- University Bochum, Germany
| | - Sonja Entringer
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, United States
| | - Josef Frank
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ilona S Yim
- Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine, United States
| | - Sandra Zänkert
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, University of Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie H Witt
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Germany
| | - Peter Kirsch
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stefan Wüst
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Germany; Institute of Experimental Psychology, University of Regensburg, Germany.
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32
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Ruzza C, Calò G, Di Maro S, Pacifico S, Trapella C, Salvadori S, Preti D, Guerrini R. Neuropeptide S receptor ligands: a patent review (2005-2016). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2016; 27:347-362. [PMID: 27788040 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2017.1254195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a 20-residue peptide and endogenous ligand of the NPS receptor (NPSR). This receptor was a formerly orphan GPCR whose activation increases calcium and cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels. The NPS/NPSR system is expressed in several brain regions where it controls important biological functions including locomotor activity, arousal and sleep, anxiety, food intake, memory, pain, and drug addiction. Areas covered: This review furnishes an updated overview of the patent literature covering NPSR ligands since 2005, when the first example of an NPSR antagonist was disclosed. Expert opinion: Several potent NPSR antagonists are available as valuable pharmacological tools despite showing suboptimal pharmacokinetic properties in vivo. The optimization of these ligands is needed to speed up their potential clinical advancement as pharmaceuticals to treat drug addiction. In order to support the design of novel NPSR antagonists, we performed a ligand-based conformational analysis recognizing some structural requirements for NPSR antagonism. The identification of small-molecule NPSR agonists now represents an unmet challenge to be addressed. These molecules will allow investigation of the beneficial effects of selective NPSR activation in a large panel of psychiatric disorders and to foresee their therapeutic potential as anxiolytics, nootropics, and analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Ruzza
- a Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, School of Medicine and National Institute of Neuroscience , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Girolamo Calò
- a Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, School of Medicine and National Institute of Neuroscience , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | | | - Salvatore Pacifico
- c Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Claudio Trapella
- c Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Severo Salvadori
- c Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Delia Preti
- c Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- c Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
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Cannella N, Kallupi M, Li HW, Stopponi S, Cifani C, Ciccocioppo R, Ubaldi M. Neuropeptide S differently modulates alcohol-related behaviors in alcohol-preferring and non-preferring rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:2915-24. [PMID: 27235017 PMCID: PMC4935615 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4333-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Neuropeptide S (NPS) displays unique pharmacological properties and induces both anxiolytic and pro-stress/arousal activities. Previous studies performed using Wistar rats demonstrated that NPS facilitated alcohol and cocaine seeking but did not affect alcohol or cocaine consumption. OBJECTIVES Here, we investigated the effects of NPS in Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats, a rat strain characterized by excessive alcohol consumption comorbid with heightened anxiety and depressive-like phenotypes. Specifically, we evaluated the effect of NPS on operant alcohol self-administration by msP rats compared to Wistar rats. The effect of NPS on cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking in msP rats was also evaluated. Finally, using the open field test (OFT) and the elevated plus maze (EPM), we evaluated the effects of NPS on locomotor activity and anxiety. RESULTS NPS reduced alcohol self-administration but did not affect cue-induced reinstatement in the msP rat. In addition, NPS induced reinstatement of extinguished alcohol seeking in Wistar rats without affecting alcohol intake. In the EPM task, NPS, in accordance with its anxiolytic activity, increased the time spent in the open arm of the arena by msP rats, although this effect was not observed in Wistar rats. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the effect of NPS is strongly influenced by the genetic background of the animal. In Wistar rats, NPS acts as a pro-arousal agent to promote the reinstatement of alcohol seeking. However, when alcohol drinking is motivated by or associated with a state of pathological anxiety, NPS attenuates alcohol consumption and seeking due to its anxiolytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazzareno Cannella
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC) 62032, Italy
| | - Marsida Kallupi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC) 62032, Italy
| | - Hong Wu Li
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC) 62032, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC) 62032, Italy
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino (MC) 62032, Italy
| | - Massimo Ubaldi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Building of Experimental Medicine, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, Camerino, MC, 62032, Italy.
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Liao Y, Lu B, Ma Q, Wu G, Lai X, Zang J, Shi Y, Liu D, Han F, Zhou N. Human Neuropeptide S Receptor Is Activated via a Gαq Protein-biased Signaling Cascade by a Human Neuropeptide S Analog Lacking the C-terminal 10 Residues. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:7505-16. [PMID: 26865629 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.704122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human neuropeptide S (NPS) and its cognate receptor regulate important biological functions in the brain and have emerged as a future therapeutic target for treatment of a variety of neurological and psychiatric diseases. The human NPS (hNPS) receptor has been shown to dually couple to Gαs- and Gαq-dependent signaling pathways. The human NPS analog hNPS-(1-10), lacking 10 residues from the C terminus, has been shown to stimulate Ca(2+)mobilization in a manner comparable with full-length hNPSin vitrobut seems to fail to induce biological activityin vivo Here, results derived from a number of cell-based functional assays, including intracellular cAMP-response element (CRE)-driven luciferase activity, Ca(2+)mobilization, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, show that hNPS-(1-10) preferentially activates Gαq-dependent Ca(2+)mobilization while exhibiting less activity in triggering Gαs-dependent CRE-driven luciferase activity. We further demonstrate that both Gαq- and Gαs-coupled signaling pathways contribute to full-length hNPS-mediated activation of ERK1/2, whereas hNPS-(1-10)-promoted ERK1/2 activation is completely inhibited by the Gαqinhibitor UBO-QIC but not by the PKA inhibitor H89. Moreover, the results of Ala-scanning mutagenesis of hNPS-(1-13) indicated that residues Lys(11)and Lys(12)are structurally crucial for the hNPS receptor to couple to Gαs-dependent signaling. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that hNPS-(1-10) is a biased agonist favoring Gαq-dependent signaling. It may represent a valuable chemical probe for further investigation of the therapeutic potential of human NPS receptor-directed signalingin vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liao
- From the Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, and
| | - Bin Lu
- From the Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, and
| | - Qiang Ma
- From the Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, and
| | - Gang Wu
- the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China and
| | - Xiangru Lai
- From the Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, and
| | - Jiashu Zang
- From the Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, and
| | - Ying Shi
- From the Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, and
| | - Dongxiang Liu
- the State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Feng Han
- the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China and
| | - Naiming Zhou
- From the Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, and
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Li MS, Peng YL, Jiang JH, Xue HX, Wang P, Zhang PJ, Han RW, Chang M, Wang R. Neuropeptide S Increases locomotion activity through corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 in substantia nigra of mice. Peptides 2015; 71:196-201. [PMID: 26239581 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2015.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS), the endogenous ligand of NPS receptor (NPSR), was reported to be involved in the regulation of arousal, anxiety, locomotion, learning and memory. The basal ganglia play a crucial role in regulating of locomotion-related behavior. Here, we found that NPSR protein of mouse was distributed in the substantia nigra (SN) and globus pallidus (LGP) by immunohistochemical analysis. However, less is known about the direct locomotion-related effects of NPS in both SN and LGP. Therefore, we investigated the role of NPS in locomotion processes, using the open field test. The results showed that NPS infused into the SN (0.03, 0.1, 1nmol) or LGP (0.01, 0.03, 0.1nmol) dose-dependently increased the locomotor activity in mice. SHA 68 (50mg/kg), an antagonist of NPSR, blocked the locomotor stimulant effect of NPS in both nuleus. Meanwhile, these effects of NPS were also counteracted by the CRF1 receptor antagonist antalarmin (30mg/kg, i.p.). In addition, we found that the expression of c-Fos was significantly increased after NPS was delivered into SN. In conclusion, these results indicate that NPS-NPSR system may regulate locomotion together with the CRF1 system in SN.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Li
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Y L Peng
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - J H Jiang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - H X Xue
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - P Wang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - P J Zhang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - R W Han
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - M Chang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - R Wang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
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Neuropeptide S ameliorates olfactory spatial memory impairment induced by scopolamine and MK801 through activation of cognate receptor-expressing neurons in the subiculum complex. Brain Struct Funct 2015; 221:3327-36. [PMID: 26323488 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-015-1103-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Our previous studies have demonstrated that neuropeptide S (NPS), via selective activation of the neurons bearing NPS receptor (NPSR) in the olfactory cortex, facilitates olfactory function. High level expression of NPSR mRNA in the subiculum complex of hippocampal formation suggests that NPS-NPSR system might be involved in the regulation of olfactory spatial memory. The present study was undertaken to investigate effects of NPS on the scopolamine- or MK801-induced impairment of olfactory spatial memory using computer-assisted 4-hole-board spatial memory test, and by monitoring Fos expression in the subiculum complex in mice. In addition, dual-immunofluorescence microscopy was employed to identify NPS-induced Fos-immunereactive (-ir) neurons that also bear NPSR. Intracerebroventricular administration of NPS (0.5 nmol) significantly increased the number of visits to switched odorants in recall trial in mice suffering from odor-discriminating inability induced by scopolamine, a selective muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist, or MK801, a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, after training trials. The improvement of olfactory spatial memory by NPS was abolished by the NPSR antagonist [D-Val(5)]NPS (40 nmol). Ex vivo c-Fos and NPSR immunohistochemistry revealed that, as compared with vehicle-treated mice, NPS markedly enhanced Fos expression in the subiculum complex encompassing the subiculum (S), presubiculum (PrS) and parasubiculum (PaS). The percentages of Fos-ir neurons that also express NPSR were 91.3, 86.5 and 90.0 % in the S, PrS and PaS, respectively. The present findings demonstrate that NPS, via selective activation of the neurons bearing NPSR in the subiculum complex, ameliorates olfactory spatial memory impairment induced by scopolamine and MK801 in mice.
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Selective breeding for high anxiety introduces a synonymous SNP that increases neuropeptide S receptor activity. J Neurosci 2015; 35:4599-613. [PMID: 25788677 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4764-13.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) has generated substantial interest due to its anxiolytic and fear-attenuating effects in rodents, while a corresponding receptor polymorphism associated with increased NPS receptor (NPSR1) surface expression and efficacy has been implicated in an increased risk of panic disorder in humans. To gain insight into this paradox, we examined the NPS system in rats and mice bred for high anxiety-related behavior (HAB) versus low anxiety-related behavior, and, thereafter, determined the effect of central NPS administration on anxiety- and fear-related behavior. The HAB phenotype was accompanied by lower basal NPS receptor (Npsr1) expression, which we could confirm via in vitro dual luciferase promoter assays. Assessment of shorter Npsr1 promoter constructs containing a sequence mutation that introduces a glucocorticoid receptor transcription factor binding site, confirmed via oligonucleotide pull-down assays, revealed increased HAB promoter activity-an effect that was prevented by dexamethasone. Analogous to the human NPSR1 risk isoform, functional analysis of a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism in the coding region of HAB rodents revealed that it caused a higher cAMP response to NPS stimulation. Assessment of the behavioral consequence of these differences revealed that intracerebroventricular NPS reversed the hyperanxiety of HAB rodents as well as the impaired cued-fear extinction in HAB rats and the enhanced fear expression in HAB mice, respectively. These results suggest that alterations in the NPS system, conserved across rodents and humans, contribute to innate anxiety and fear, and that HAB rodents are particularly suited to resolve the apparent discrepancy between the preclinical and clinical findings to date.
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Shirayama Y, Ishima T, Oda Y, Okamura N, Iyo M, Hashimoto K. Opposite roles for neuropeptide S in the nucleus accumbens and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in learned helplessness rats. Behav Brain Res 2015; 291:67-71. [PMID: 25986404 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The role of neuropeptide S (NPS) in depression remains unclear. We examined the antidepressant-like effects of NPS infusions into the shell or core regions of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) of learned helplessness (LH) rats (an animal model of depression). Infusions of NPS (10 pmol/side) into the NAc shell, but not the NAc core and BNST, exerted antidepressant-like effects in the LH paradigm. Implying that behavioral deficits could be improved in the conditioned avoidance test. Coinfusion of SHA68 (an NPS receptor antagonist, 100 pmol/side) with NPS into the NAc shell blocked these effects. In contrast, NPS receptor antagonism by SHA68 in the BNST induced antidepressant-like effects. Infusions of NPS into the NAc shell or SHA68 into the BNST did not produce memory deficits or locomotor activation in the passive avoidance and open field tests. These results suggest that excitatory and inhibitory actions by the NPS system are integral to the depression in LH animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiko Shirayama
- Department of Psychiatry, Teikyo University Chiba Medical Center, Ichihara, Japan; Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Tamaki Ishima
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yasunori Oda
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoe Okamura
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masaomi Iyo
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kenji Hashimoto
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan
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Abstract
A limbic brain area, the amygdala plays a key role in emotional responses and affective states and disorders such as learned fear, anxiety, and depression. The amygdala has also emerged as an important brain center for the emotional-affective dimension of pain and for pain modulation. Hyperactivity in the laterocapsular division of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeLC, also termed the "nociceptive amygdala") accounts for pain-related emotional responses and anxiety-like behavior. Abnormally enhanced output from the CeLC is the consequence of an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms. Impaired inhibitory control mediated by a cluster of GABAergic interneurons in the intercalated cell masses (ITC) allows the development of glutamate- and neuropeptide-driven synaptic plasticity of excitatory inputs from the brainstem (parabrachial area) and from the lateral-basolateral amygdala network (LA-BLA, site of integration of polymodal sensory information). BLA hyperactivity also generates abnormally enhanced feedforward inhibition of principal cells in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a limbic cortical area that is strongly interconnected with the amygdala. Pain-related mPFC deactivation results in cognitive deficits and failure to engage cortically driven ITC-mediated inhibitory control of amygdala processing. Impaired cortical control allows the uncontrolled persistence of amygdala pain mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Center for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, 79430-6592, USA,
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Valsalan R, Manoj N. Evolutionary history of the neuropeptide S receptor/neuropeptide S system. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2014; 209:11-20. [PMID: 24859256 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2013] [Revised: 05/04/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR) belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily and is activated by the neuropeptide S (NPS). Although recently discovered, the vertebrate NPSR-NPS system has been established as an important signaling system in the central nervous system and is involved in physiological processes such as locomotor activity, wakefulness, asthma pathogenesis, anxiety and food intake. The availability of a large number of genome sequences from multiple bilaterian lineages has provided an opportunity to establish the evolutionary history of the system. This review describes the origin and the molecular evolution of the NPSR-NPS system using data derived primarily from comparative genomic analyses. These analyses indicate that the NPSR-NPS system and the vasopressin-like receptor-vasopressin/oxytocin peptide (VPR-VP/OT) system originated from a single system in an ancestral bilaterian. Multiple duplications of this ancestral system gave rise to the bilaterian VPR-VP/OT system and to the protostomian cardioacceleratory peptide receptor-cardioacceleratory peptide (CCAPR-CCAP) system and to the NPSR-NPS system in the deuterostomes. Gene structure features of the receptors were consistent with the orthology annotations derived from phylogenetic analyses. The orthology of the peptide precursors closely paralleled that of the receptors suggesting an ancient coevolution of the receptor-peptide pair. An important challenge for the coevolution hypothesis will be to establish the molecular and structural basis of the divergence between orthologous receptor-ligand pairs in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravisankar Valsalan
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India.
| | - Narayanan Manoj
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India.
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Bonano JS, Runyon SP, Hassler C, Glennon RA, Stevens Negus S. Effects of the neuropeptide S receptor antagonist RTI-118 on abuse-related facilitation of intracranial self-stimulation produced by cocaine and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2014; 743:98-105. [PMID: 25220242 PMCID: PMC4259821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a neurotransmitter that activates the NPS receptor to modulate biological functions including anxiety-like behaviors, feeding, and drug reinforcement. RTI-118 is a novel NPS receptor antagonist that decreased cocaine self-administration in rats at doses that had little or no effect on food-maintained responding. To build on these previous findings, this study examined effects of RTI-118 on cocaine-induced facilitation of intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) in rats. To provide a context for data interpretation, effects of RTI-118 were compared to effects of the kappa opioid receptor agonist U69,593, because the kappa opioid receptor is another peptide neurotransmitter receptor reported to modulate abuse-related cocaine effects. RTI-118 effects were also examined on ICSS facilitation produced by methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a novel designer drug of abuse with some cocaine-like effects. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=12) with electrodes targeting the medial forebrain bundle responded under a fixed-ratio 1 schedule for range of brain stimulation frequencies. Under control conditions, brain stimulation maintained a frequency-dependent increase in ICSS rates. Cocaine (1.0-10mg/kg) and MDPV (3.2mg/kg) facilitated ICSS. RTI-118 (3.2-32mg/kg) alone produced little effect on ICSS but dose dependently blocked cocaine-induced ICSS facilitation. U69,593 (0.25-0.5mg/kg) also attenuated cocaine effects, but blockade of cocaine effects was incomplete even at a U69,593 dose that alone depressed ICSS. RTI-118 (32mg/kg) failed to block MDPV-induced ICSS facilitation. These results support further consideration of NPS receptor antagonists as candidate treatments for cocaine abuse and provide evidence for differential effects of a candidate treatment on abuse-related effects of cocaine and MDPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie S Bonano
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
| | - Scott P Runyon
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Research Triangle Institute, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Carla Hassler
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Research Triangle Institute, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Richard A Glennon
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, PO Box 980551, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - S Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Central adenosine A1 and A2A receptors mediate the antinociceptive effects of neuropeptide S in the mouse formalin test. Life Sci 2014; 120:8-12. [PMID: 25447449 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2014.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The present study aimed to investigate the intraplantar (ipl) and central (icv) effects of neuropeptide S (NPS) in the formalin test and to evaluate the role of adenosine receptors, mainly A1 and A2A, in mediating such effects. MAIN METHODS The ipl injection of formalin was used to assess the nociceptive activity. Moreover, by pretreating mice with non-selective and selective antagonists of adenosine receptors, the effects of icv NPS on formalin-induced ongoing nociception were assessed. KEY FINDINGS Morphine-induced antinociceptive effects were observed during phases 1 and 2 of the test, while indomethacin was active only at the later nociceptive phase. The ipl injection of NPS (alone or combined with formalin) did not modify the nociceptive response. However, icv NPS significantly reduced formalin-induced nociception during both phases. Caffeine (3 mg/kg, ip), a non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist, prevented NPS-induced antinociceptive effects. Similar to caffeine, icv ZM241385 (0.01 nmol), an A2A receptor antagonist, prevented the antinociceptive effects of NPS. Moreover, icv DPCPX (0.001 nmol), an A1 receptor antagonist, blocked the effects of NPS only during phase 1. SIGNIFICANCE The above findings suggest that: (i) NPS evokes central antinociceptive effects by activating both A1 and A2A receptors during phase 1, but (ii) only the adenosine A2A receptor during phase 2 of the formalin test.
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Ghazal P, Corsi M, Roth A, Faggioni F, Corti C, Merlo Pick E, Pucciarelli S, Ciccocioppo R, Ubaldi M. Paradoxical response to the sedative effects of diazepam and alcohol in C57BL/6J mice lacking the neuropeptide S receptor. Peptides 2014; 61:107-13. [PMID: 25240770 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide S (NPS) system is characterized by a unique pharmacology because it has anxiolytic-like effects and promotes arousal and wakefulness. To shed light on this peptidergic system, we tested the sedative effect of the central depressants diazepam and ethanol on the loss of righting reflex in mice lacking the neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR), NPSR(-/-). Furthermore, we tested the effect of the intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of NPS on the sedative effect of diazepam and ethanol in NPSR(-/-) and their wild type counterpart NPSR(+/+). Finally, we evaluated the effect of the pro-arousal neuropeptides CRF and Hcrt-1/Ox-A in NPSR-deficient mice. Contrary to our expectations, the results showed that the NPSR(-/-) were less sensitive to the hypnotic effects of both diazepam and ethanol compared with their wild type littermates. ICV NPS was able to attenuate the sedative effect of both alcohol and diazepam in wild type mice, but not in the NPSR(-/-) line. The administration of CRF and Hcrt-1/Ox-A, two classic pro-arousal peptides, elicited the same effects in both NPSR(-/-) and wild type mice, ruling out the possibility that adaptive mechanisms occurring at the level of these two systems could have occurred during NPSR(-/-) development to compensate for the lack of NPSR receptors. Our findings demonstrated that the deletion of NPSR leads to minor changes in the arousal behavior of mice. Moreover, we demonstrated that the deletion of NPSR did not lead to compensatory changes in the vigilance-promoting effects of the CRF and Hcrt-1/Ox-A systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasha Ghazal
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy
| | - Mauro Corsi
- Neurosciences Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Adelheid Roth
- Neurosciences Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Faggioni
- Neurosciences Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Corrado Corti
- Neurosciences Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Emilio Merlo Pick
- Neurosciences Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Centre, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Sandra Pucciarelli
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy
| | - Massimo Ubaldi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy.
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Effect of Toxoplasma gondii infection on glucose metabolism in the brain of pregnant rats by [18F]FDG microPET imaging. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-014-3192-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Streit F, Haddad L, Paul T, Frank J, Schäfer A, Nikitopoulos J, Akdeniz C, Lederbogen F, Treutlein J, Witt S, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Rietschel M, Kirsch P, Wüst S. A functional variant in the neuropeptide S receptor 1 gene moderates the influence of urban upbringing on stress processing in the amygdala. Stress 2014; 17:352-61. [PMID: 24800784 DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2014.921903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that urban upbringing and city living were associated with stress-induced activity in the amygdala and the perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pACC). This finding might link the epidemiological risk factor "urbanicity" to neurobiological mechanisms of psychiatric disorders. However, given the heritability of stress-related phenotypes, it appears likely that genetic factors can modulate the effect of urbanicity on social stress processing. In the present exploratory study, we investigated if a functional sequence variation in the neuropeptide S receptor gene (NPSR1 rs324981) is associated with brain activation patterns under acute psychosocial stress and if it modulates the link between urbanicity and central stress processing. In animals, neuropeptide S has strong anxiolytic effects and it induces hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation. In humans, rs324981 was found to be associated with anxiety and stress-related phenotypes. Forty-two subjects were exposed to a psychosocial stress task for scanner environments (ScanSTRESS). While no main effect of rs324981 on amygdala and pACC activity was detected, we found a distinct interaction between rs324981 and urban upbringing modulating right amygdala responses. Moreover, right amygdala responses were significantly higher in subjects who also showed a salivary cortisol response to the stress exposure. The present finding of a gene × environment interaction further supports the view that the brain NPS system is involved in central stress regulation. This study provides first evidence for the assumption that a NPSR1 variant modulates brain activation under stress, interacting with the environmental risk factor urban upbringing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Streit
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg , Mannheim , Germany
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Beiderbeck DI, Lukas M, Neumann ID. Anti-aggressive effects of neuropeptide S independent of anxiolysis in male rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:185. [PMID: 24910598 PMCID: PMC4038774 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) exerts robust anxiolytic and memory enhancing effects, but only in a non-social context. In order to study whether NPS affects aggressive behavior we used Wistar rats bred for low (LAB) and high (HAB) levels of innate anxiety-related behavior, respectively, which were both described to display increased levels of aggression compared with Wistar rats not selectively bred for anxiety (NAB). Male LAB, HAB, and NAB rats were tested for aggressive behavior toward a male intruder rat within their home cage (10 min, resident-intruder [RI] test). Intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of NPS (1 nmol) significantly reduced inter-male aggression in LAB rats, and tended to reduce aggression in HAB and NAB males. However, local infusion of NPS (0.2 or 0.1 nmol NPS) into either the nucleus accumbens or the lateral hypothalamus did not influence aggressive behavior. Social investigation in the RI test and general social motivation assessed in the social preference paradigm were not altered by icv NPS (1 nmol). The anti-aggressive effect of NPS is most likely not causally linked to its anxiolytic properties, as intraperitoneal administration of the anxiogenic drug pentylenetetrazole decreased aggression in LAB rats whereas the anxiolytic drug diazepam did not affect aggression in HAB rats. Thus, although NPS has so far only been shown to exert effects on non-social behaviors, our results are the first demonstration of anti-aggressive effects of NPS in male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela I Beiderbeck
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Lukas
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
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Medina G, Ji G, Grégoire S, Neugebauer V. Nasal application of neuropeptide S inhibits arthritis pain-related behaviors through an action in the amygdala. Mol Pain 2014; 10:32. [PMID: 24884567 PMCID: PMC4046088 DOI: 10.1186/1744-8069-10-32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently discovered neuropeptide S (NPS) has anxiolytic and pain-inhibiting effects in rodents. We showed previously that NPS increases synaptic inhibition of amygdala output to inhibit pain behaviors. The amygdala plays a key role in emotional-affective aspects of pain. Of clinical significance is that NPS can be applied nasally to exert anxiolytic effects in rodents. This study tested the novel hypothesis that nasal application of NPS can inhibit pain-related behaviors in an arthritis model through NPS receptors (NPSR) in the amygdala. Behaviors and electrophysiological activity of amygdala neurons were measured in adult male Sprague Dawley rats. Nasal application of NPS, but not saline, inhibited audible and ultrasonic vocalizations and had anxiolytic-like effects in the elevated plus-maze test in arthritic rats (kaolin/carrageenan knee joint arthritis model) but had no effect in normal rats. Stereotaxic application of a selective non-peptide NPSR antagonist (SHA68) into the amygdala by microdialysis reversed the inhibitory effects of NPS. NPS had no effect on hindlimb withdrawal thresholds. We showed previously that intra-amygdala application of an NPSR antagonist alone had no effect. Nasal application of NPS or stereotaxic application of NPS into the amygdala by microdialysis inhibited background and evoked activity of amygdala neurons in arthritic, but not normal, anesthetized rats. The inhibitory effect was blocked by a selective NPSR antagonist ([D-Cys(tBu)5]NPS). In conclusion, nasal application of NPS can inhibit emotional-affective, but not sensory, pain-related behaviors through an action in the amygdala. The beneficial effects of non-invasive NPS application may suggest translational potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Medina
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 Univ. Blvd. RT1069, Galveston, TX 77555-1069, USA
| | - Guangchen Ji
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 Univ. Blvd. RT1069, Galveston, TX 77555-1069, USA
| | - Stéphanie Grégoire
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 Univ. Blvd. RT1069, Galveston, TX 77555-1069, USA
| | - Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 Univ. Blvd. RT1069, Galveston, TX 77555-1069, USA
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Han RW, Xu HJ, Zhang RS, Wang P, Chang M, Peng YL, Deng KY, Wang R. Neuropeptide S interacts with the basolateral amygdala noradrenergic system in facilitating object recognition memory consolidation. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2014; 107:32-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2013.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2013] [Revised: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Ren W, Kiritoshi T, Grégoire S, Ji G, Guerrini R, Calo G, Neugebauer V. Neuropeptide S: a novel regulator of pain-related amygdala plasticity and behaviors. J Neurophysiol 2013; 110:1765-81. [PMID: 23883857 PMCID: PMC3798934 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00874.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amygdala plasticity is an important contributor to the emotional-affective dimension of pain. Recently discovered neuropeptide S (NPS) has anxiolytic properties through actions in the amygdala. Behavioral data also suggest antinociceptive effects of centrally acting NPS, but site and mechanism of action remain to be determined. This is the first electrophysiological analysis of pain-related NPS effects in the brain. We combined whole cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slices and behavioral assays to test the hypothesis that NPS activates synaptic inhibition of amygdala output to suppress pain behavior in an arthritis pain model. Recordings of neurons in the laterocapsular division of the central nucleus (CeLC), which serves pain-related amygdala output functions, show that NPS inhibited the enhanced excitatory drive [monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs)] from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in the pain state. As shown by miniature EPSC analysis, the inhibitory effect of NPS did not involve direct postsynaptic action on CeLC neurons but rather a presynaptic, action potential-dependent network mechanism. Indeed, NPS increased external capsule (EC)-driven synaptic inhibition of CeLC neurons through PKA-dependent facilitatory postsynaptic action on a cluster of inhibitory intercalated (ITC) cells. NPS had no effect on BLA neurons. High-frequency stimulation (HFS) of excitatory EC inputs to ITC cells also inhibited synaptic activation of CeLC neurons, providing further evidence that ITC activation can control amygdala output. The cellular mechanisms by which EC-driven synaptic inhibition controls CeLC output remain to be determined. Administration of NPS into ITC, but not CeLC, also inhibited vocalizations and anxiety-like behavior in arthritic rats. A selective NPS receptor antagonist ([d-Cys(tBu)(5)]NPS) blocked electrophysiological and behavioral effects of NPS. Thus NPS is a novel tool to control amygdala output and pain-related affective behaviors through a direct action on inhibitory ITC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Ren
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
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A novel brain penetrant NPS receptor antagonist, NCGC00185684, blocks alcohol-induced ERK-phosphorylation in the central amygdala and decreases operant alcohol self-administration in rats. J Neurosci 2013; 33:10132-42. [PMID: 23761908 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4742-12.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Neuropeptide S receptor, a Gs/Gq-coupled GPCR expressed in brain regions involved in mediating drug reward, has recently emerged as a candidate therapeutic target in addictive disorders. Here, we describe the in vitro and in vivo pharmacology of a novel, selective and brain penetrant NPSR antagonist with nanomolar affinity for the NPSR, NCGC00185684. In vitro, NCGC00185684 shows biased antagonist properties, and preferentially blocks ERK-phosphorylation over intracellular cAMP or calcium responses to NPS. In vivo, systemic NCGC00185684 blocks alcohol-induced ERK-phosphorylation in the rat central amygdala, a region involved in regulation of alcohol intake. NCGC00185684 also decreases operant alcohol self-administration, and lowers motivation for alcohol reward as measured using progressive ratio responding. These effects are behaviorally specific, in that they are observed at doses that do not influence locomotor activity or reinstatement responding following extinction. Together, these data provide an initial validation of the NPSR as a therapeutic target in alcoholism.
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