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Mamczarz J, Lane M, Merchenthaler I. Letrozole delays acquisition of water maze task in female BALB/c mice: Possible involvement of anxiety. Horm Behav 2024; 162:105524. [PMID: 38513526 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor preventing estrogen synthesis from testosterone, is used as an adjuvant therapy in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients. However, like other aromatase inhibitors, it induces many side effects, including impaired cognition. Despite its negative effect in humans, results from animal models are inconsistent and suggest that letrozole can either impair or improve cognition. Here, we studied the effects of chronic letrozole treatment on cognitive behavior of adult female BALB/c mice, a relevant animal model for breast cancer studies, to develop an appropriate animal model aimed at testing therapies to mitigate side effects of letrozole. In Morris water maze, letrozole 0.1 mg/kg impaired reference learning and memory. Interestingly, most of the letrozole 0.1 mg/kg-treated mice were able to learn the new platform position in reversal training and performed similar to control mice in a reversal probe test. Results of the reversal test suggest that letrozole did not completely disrupt spatial navigation, but rather delayed acquisition of spatial information. The delay might be related to increased anxiety as suggested by increased thigmotactic behavior during the reference memory training. The learning impairment was water maze-specific since we did not observe impairment in other spatial tasks such as in Y-maze or object location test. In contrast, the dose of 0.3 mg/kg did not have effect on water maze learning and facilitated locomotor habituation and recognition in novel object recognition test. The current study shows that letrozole dose-dependently modulates behavioral response and that its effects are task-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Mamczarz
- Division of Translational Toxicology, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America.
| | - Malcolm Lane
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Istvan Merchenthaler
- Division of Translational Toxicology, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America; Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
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2
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Desai PB, Karve AS, Zawit M, Arora P, Dave N, Awosika J, Li N, Fuhrman B, Medvedovic M, Sallans L, Kendler A, DasGupta B, Plas D, Curry R, Zuccarello M, Chaudhary R, Sengupta S, Wise-Draper TM. A Phase 0/I Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamics and Safety and Tolerability Study of Letrozole in Combination with Standard Therapy in Recurrent High-Grade Gliomas. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:2068-2077. [PMID: 38530160 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE High-grade gliomas (HGG) carry a poor prognosis, with glioblastoma accounting for almost 50% of primary brain malignancies in the elderly. Unfortunately, despite the use of multiple treatment modalities, the prognosis remains poor in this population. Our preclinical studies suggest that the presence of aromatase expression, encoded by CYP19A1, is significantly upregulated in HGGs. Remarkably, we find that letrozole (LTZ), an FDA-approved aromatase inhibitor, has marked activity against HGGs. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a phase 0/I single-center clinical trial (NCT03122197) to assess the tumoral availability, pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and tolerability of LTZ in recurrent patients with HGG. Planned dose cohorts included 2.5, 5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, and 20 mg of LTZ administered daily pre- and postsurgery or biopsy. Tumor samples were assayed for LTZ content and relevant biomarkers. The recommended phase 2 dose (R2PD) was determined as the dose that resulted in predicted steady-state tumoral extracellular fluid (ECF; Css,ecf) >2 μmol/L and did not result in ≥33% dose-limiting adverse events (AE) assessed using CTCAE v5.0. RESULTS Twenty-one patients were enrolled. Common LTZ-related AEs included fatigue, nausea, musculoskeletal, anxiety, and dysphoric mood. No DLTs were observed. The 15 mg dose achieved a Css,ecf of 3.6 ± 0.59 μmol/L. LTZ caused dose-dependent inhibition of estradiol synthesis and modulated DNA damage pathways in tumor tissues as evident using RNA-sequencing analysis. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of safety, brain tumoral PK, and mechanistic data, 15 mg daily is identified as the RP2D for future trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj B Desai
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Aniruddha S Karve
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Misam Zawit
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Priyanka Arora
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Nimita Dave
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Joy Awosika
- National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ningjing Li
- Division of Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Mario Medvedovic
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Larry Sallans
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ady Kendler
- Department of Pathology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Biplab DasGupta
- Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - David Plas
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | - Mario Zuccarello
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Rekha Chaudhary
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Soma Sengupta
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery & the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Trisha M Wise-Draper
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Farokhi Larijani S, Hassanzadeh G, Zahmatkesh M, Radfar F, Farahmandfar M. Intranasal insulin intake and exercise improve memory function in amyloid-β induced Alzheimer's-like disease in rats: Involvement of hippocampal BDNF-TrkB receptor. Behav Brain Res 2024; 460:114814. [PMID: 38104636 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The most prevalent type of dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), is a compelling illustration of the link between cognitive deficits and neurophysiological anomalies. We investigated the possible protective effect of intranasal insulin intake with exercise on amyloid-β (Aβ)-induced neuronal damage. The level of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) were analyzed to understand the involvement of BDNF-TrkB pathway in this modulation. In this study, we induced AD-like pathology by amyloid-β (Aβ) administration. Then, we examined the impact of a 4-week pretreatment of moderate treadmill exercise and intranasal intake of insulin on working and spatial memory in male Wistar rats. We also analyzed the mechanisms of improved memory and anxiety through changes in the protein level of BDNF and TrkB. Results showed that animals received Aβ had impaired working memory, increased anxiety which were accompanied by lower protein levels of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus. The exercise training and intranasal insulin improved working memory deficits, decreased anxiety, and increased BDNF, and TrkB levels in the hippocampus of animals received Aβ. Our finding of improved memory performance after intranasal intake of insulin and exercise may be of significance for the treatment of memory impairments and anxiety-like behavior in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Setare Farokhi Larijani
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Hassanzadeh
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Zahmatkesh
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Forough Radfar
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences in Sports, Sports and Health Sciences Faculty, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Farahmandfar
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Bellingacci L, Canonichesi J, Sciaccaluga M, Megaro A, Mazzocchetti P, Di Mauro M, Costa C, Di Filippo M, Pettorossi VE, Tozzi A. Locally Synthetized 17-β-Estradiol Reverses Amyloid-β-42-Induced Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation Deficits. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1377. [PMID: 38338656 PMCID: PMC10855267 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ42) aggregates acutely impair hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission, and 17β-estradiol is crucial for hippocampal LTP. We tested whether boosting the synthesis of neural-derived 17β-estradiol (nE2) saves hippocampal LTP by the neurotoxic action of Aβ42. Electrophysiological recordings were performed to measure dentate gyrus (DG) LTP in rat hippocampal slices. Using a pharmacological approach, we tested the ability of nE2 to counteract the LTP impairment caused by acute exposure to soluble Aβ42 aggregates. nE2 was found to be required for LTP in DG under physiological conditions. Blockade of steroid 5α-reductase with finasteride, by increasing nE2 synthesis from testosterone (T), completely recovered LTP in slices treated with soluble Aβ42 aggregates. Modulation of the glutamate N-methyl-D aspartate receptor (NMDAR) by memantine effectively rescued the LTP deficit observed in slices exposed to Aβ42, and memantine prevented LTP reduction observed under the blocking of nE2 synthesis. nE2 is able to counteract Aβ42-induced synaptic dysfunction. This effect depends on a rapid, non-genomic mechanism of action of nE2, which may share a common pathway with glutamate NMDAR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alessandro Tozzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06156 Perugia, Italy; (L.B.); (J.C.); (M.S.)
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Hu J, Huang Y, Gao F, Sun W, Liu H, Ma H, Yuan T, Liu Z, Tang L, Ma Y, Zhang X, Bai J, Wang R. Brain-derived estrogen: a critical player in maintaining cognitive health of aged female rats, possibly involving GPR30. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 129:15-27. [PMID: 37257405 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived estrogen is an endogenous neuroprotective agent, whether and how might this protective function with aging, especially postmenopausal drops in circulating estrogen, remain unclear. We herein subjected 6, 14, and 18 Mon female rats to mimic natural aging, and found that estrogen synthesis is more active in the healthy aged brain, as evidenced by the highest levels of mRNA and protein expression of aromatase, the key enzyme of E2 biosynthesis, among the three groups. Aromatase knockout in forebrain neurons (FBN-Aro-/-) impaired hippocampal and cortical neurons, and cognitive function in 18 Mon rats, compared to wild-type controls. Furthermore, estrogen nuclear receptors (ERα/β) displayed opposite changes, with a significant ERα decrease and ERβ increase, while membrane receptor GPR30 expressed stably in hippocampus during aging. Intriguingly, GPR30, but not ERα and ERβ, was decreased by FBN-Aro-/-. The results indicate that GPR30 is more sensitive to brain local E2 synthesis. Our findings provide evidence of a critical role for brain-derived estrogen in maintaining healthy brain function in older individuals, possibly involving GPR30.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiewei Hu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
| | - Fujia Gao
- Neurobiology Institute, Key Laboratory of Dementia and Cognitive Dysfunction, School of Public Health of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
| | - Wuxiang Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
| | - Huiyu Liu
- Neurobiology Institute, Key Laboratory of Dementia and Cognitive Dysfunction, School of Public Health of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
| | - Haoran Ma
- Neurobiology Institute, Key Laboratory of Dementia and Cognitive Dysfunction, School of Public Health of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
| | - Tao Yuan
- Neurobiology Institute, Key Laboratory of Dementia and Cognitive Dysfunction, School of Public Health of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
| | - Zixuan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
| | - Lei Tang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
| | - Yuxuan Ma
- Neurobiology Institute, Key Laboratory of Dementia and Cognitive Dysfunction, School of Public Health of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
| | - Xin Zhang
- Neurobiology Institute, Key Laboratory of Dementia and Cognitive Dysfunction, School of Public Health of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
| | - Jing Bai
- Neurobiology Institute, Key Laboratory of Dementia and Cognitive Dysfunction, School of Public Health of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
| | - Ruimin Wang
- Neurobiology Institute, Key Laboratory of Dementia and Cognitive Dysfunction, School of Public Health of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
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Jain A, Woolley CS. Mechanisms That Underlie Expression of Estradiol-Induced Excitatory Synaptic Potentiation in the Hippocampus Differ between Males and Females. J Neurosci 2023; 43:1298-1309. [PMID: 36650060 PMCID: PMC9987570 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2080-19.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
17β-estradiol (E2) is synthesized in the hippocampus of both sexes and acutely potentiates excitatory synapses in each sex. Previously, we found that the mechanisms for initiation of E2-induced synaptic potentiation differ between males and females, including in the molecular signaling involved. Here, we used electrical stimulation and two-photon glutamate uncaging in hippocampal slices from adult male and female rats to investigate whether the downstream consequences of distinct molecular signaling remain different between the sexes or converge to the same mechanism(s) of expression of potentiation. This showed that synaptic activity is necessary for expression of E2-induced potentiation in females but not males, which paralleled a sex-specific requirement in females for calcium-permeable AMPARs (cpAMPARs) to stabilize potentiation. Nonstationary fluctuation analysis of two-photon evoked unitary synaptic currents showed that the postsynaptic component of E2-induced potentiation occurs either through an increase in AMPAR conductance or in nonconductive properties of AMPARs (number of channels × open probability) and never both at the same synapse. In females, most synapses (76%) were potentiated via increased AMPAR conductance, whereas in males, more synapses (60%) were potentiated via an increase in nonconductive AMPAR properties. Inhibition of cpAMPARs eliminated E2-induced synaptic potentiation in females, whereas some synapses in males were unaffected by cpAMPAR inhibition; these synapses in males potentiated exclusively via increased AMPAR nonconductive properties. This sex bias in expression mechanisms of E2-induced synaptic potentiation underscores the concept of latent sex differences in mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in which the same outcome in each sex is achieved through distinct underlying mechanisms.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Estrogens are synthesized in the brains of both sexes and potentiate excitatory synapses to the same degree in each sex. Despite this apparent similarity, the molecular signaling that initiates estrogen-induced synaptic potentiation differs between the sexes. Here we show that these differences extend to the mechanisms of expression of synaptic potentiation and result in distinct patterns of postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptor modulation in each sex. Such latent sex differences, in which the same outcome is achieved through distinct underlying mechanisms in males versus females, indicate that molecular mechanisms targeted for drug development may differ between the sexes even in the absence of an overt sex difference in behavior or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anant Jain
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208
| | - Catherine S Woolley
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208
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Edwards M, Lam S, Ranjan R, Pereira M, Babbitt C, Lacreuse A. Letrozole treatment alters hippocampal gene expression in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Horm Behav 2023; 147:105281. [PMID: 36434852 PMCID: PMC9839488 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are a class of drugs commonly given to patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent breast cancers to reduce estrogenic stimulation. However, AIs like Letrozole are associated with negative side effects such as cognitive deficits, sleep disturbances and hot flashes. We have previously shown that these negative effects can be recapitulated in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) treated with Letrozole (20 μg daily) for 4 weeks and that marmosets treated with Letrozole show increased levels of estradiol in the hippocampus (Gervais et al., 2019). In order to better understand the mechanisms through which AIs affect cognitive function and increase steroid levels in the hippocampus, we used bulk, paired-end RNA-sequencing to examine differentially expressed genes among Letrozole-treated (LET; n = 8) and vehicle-treated (VEH; n = 8) male and female animals. Gene ontology results show significant reduction across hundreds of categories, some of the most significant being inflammatory response, stress response, MHC Class II protein complex binding, T-cell activation, carbohydrate binding and signaling receptor binding in LET animals. GSEA results indicate that LET females, but not LET males, show enrichment for hormonal gene sets. Based on the transcriptional changes observed, we conclude that AIs may differentially affect the sexes in part due to processes mediated by the CYP-450 superfamily. Ongoing studies will further investigate the longitudinal effects of AIs on behavior and whether AIs increase the risk of stress-induced neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélise Edwards
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Neuroscience and Behavior Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
| | - Sam Lam
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Ravi Ranjan
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Genomics Resource Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Mariana Pereira
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Neuroscience and Behavior Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Courtney Babbitt
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Biology, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Agnès Lacreuse
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Neuroscience and Behavior Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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Liu H, Zhong L, Dai Q, Zhang Y, Yang J. Astragalin alleviates cognitive deficits and neuronal damage in SAMP8 mice through upregulating estrogen receptor expression. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 37:3033-3046. [PMID: 35984596 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-01045-x] [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: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Senile plaques composed of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of intracellular hyper-phosphorylated tau are major causes of cognitive impairment and neuronal damage in Alzheimer disease (AD). Astragalin (AST), a naturally-occurring flavonoid compound, was reported to have neuroprotective effects in the brain, but its effects in AD remain unknown. Herein, the learning and memory deficits were alleviated and neuronal damage in the hippocampus were inhibited after the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mouse were given AST (5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg) daily by gavage for 2 months. Furthermore, AST reduced Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 deposition, decreased β-carboxyl-terminal fragment (β-CTF) protein level and tau hyper-phosphorylation, but increased α-CTF protein level and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3β) phosphorylation in hippocampus of SAMP8 mice. Meanwhile, the effects of AST on AD were also explored in vitro by treating primary neurons with amyloid-β1-42 oligomers (Aβ1-42O). Consistently, AST also alleviated amyloid-β1-42 oligomers (Aβ1-42O)-induced neuronal damage, amyloid plaques, and tau phosphorylation in vitro model. Of note, estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ expression in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice and Aβ1-42O-treated neurons was significantly decreased but their levels were increased by AST. Moreover, in vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that ER antagonist, Fulvestrant, reversed the effects caused by AST. Altogether, our investigation indicates that AST may ameliorate cognitive deficits and AD-type pathologies in SAMP8 mice and Aβ1-42O-treated neurons through upregulating ERα and ERβ expression. Our findings indicate the value of AST as a potential reagent for AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Liu
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, No. 24, Heping Road, 150040, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Lili Zhong
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qiaomei Dai
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, No. 24, Heping Road, 150040, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, No. 24, Heping Road, 150040, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
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Hokenson RE, Alam YH, Short AK, Jung S, Jang C, Baram TZ. Sex-dependent effects of multiple acute concurrent stresses on memory: a role for hippocampal estrogens. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:984494. [PMID: 36160685 PMCID: PMC9492881 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.984494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory disruption commonly follows chronic stress, whereas acute stressors are generally benign. However, acute traumas such as mass shootings or natural disasters—lasting minutes to hours and consisting of simultaneous physical, social, and emotional stresses—are increasingly recognized as significant risk factors for memory problems and PTSD. Our prior work has revealed that these complex stresses (concurrent multiple acute stresses: MAS) disrupt hippocampus-dependent memory in male rodents. In females, the impacts of MAS are estrous cycle-dependent: MAS impairs memory during early proestrus (high estrogens phase), whereas the memory of female mice stressed during estrus (low estrogens phase) is protected. Female memory impairments limited to high estrogens phases suggest that higher levels of estrogens are necessary for MAS to disrupt memory, supported by evidence that males have higher hippocampal estradiol than estrous females. To test the role of estrogens in stress-induced memory deficits, we blocked estrogen production using aromatase inhibitors. A week of blockade protected male and female mice from MAS-induced memory disturbances, suggesting that high levels of estrogens are required for stress-provoked memory impairments in both males and females. To directly quantify 17β-estradiol in murine hippocampus we employed both ELISA and mass spectrometry and identified significant confounders in both procedures. Taken together, the cross-cycle and aromatase studies in males and females support the role for high hippocampal estrogens in mediating the effect of complex acute stress on memory. Future studies focus on the receptors involved, the longevity of these effects, and their relation to PTSD-like behaviors in experimental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E. Hokenson
- Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Rachael E. Hokenson
| | - Yasmine H. Alam
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Annabel K. Short
- Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA =, United States
| | - Sunhee Jung
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Cholsoon Jang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Tallie Z. Baram
- Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA =, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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McDonald BC, Van Dyk K, Deardorff RL, Bailey JN, Zhai W, Carroll JE, Root JC, Ahles TA, Mandelblatt JS, Saykin AJ. Multimodal MRI examination of structural and functional brain changes in older women with breast cancer in the first year of antiestrogen hormonal therapy. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2022; 194:113-126. [PMID: 35476252 PMCID: PMC9255382 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06597-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cancer patients are concerned about treatment-related cognitive problems. We examined effects of antiestrogen hormonal therapy on brain imaging metrics in older women with breast cancer. METHODS Women aged 60 + treated with hormonal therapy only and matched non-cancer controls (n = 29/group) completed MRI and objective and self-reported cognitive assessment at pre-treatment/enrollment and 12 months later. Gray matter was examined using voxel-based morphometry (VBM), FreeSurfer, and brain age calculations. Functional MRI (fMRI) assessed working memory-related activation. Analyses examined cross-sectional and longitudinal differences and tested associations between brain metrics, cognition, and days on hormonal therapy. RESULTS The cancer group showed regional reductions over 12 months in frontal, temporal, and parietal gray matter on VBM, reduced FreeSurfer cortical thickness in prefrontal, parietal, and insular regions, and increased working memory-related fMRI activation in frontal, cingulate, and visual association cortex. Controls showed only reductions in fusiform gyrus on VBM and FreeSurfer temporal and parietal cortex thickness. Women with breast cancer showed higher estimated brain age and lower regional gray matter volume than controls at both time points. The cancer group showed a trend toward lower performance in attention, processing speed, and executive function at follow-up. There were no significant associations between brain imaging metrics and cognition or days on hormonal therapy. CONCLUSION Older women with breast cancer showed brain changes in the first year of hormonal therapy. Increased brain activation during working memory processing may be a sign of functional compensation for treatment-related structural changes. This hypothesis should be tested in larger samples over longer time periods. CLINICALTRIALS GOV IDENTIFIER NCT03451383.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenna C McDonald
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine and Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Kathleen Van Dyk
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine and UCLA Jonnson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rachael L Deardorff
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine and Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jessica N Bailey
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine and Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Wanting Zhai
- Georgetown University and Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Judith E Carroll
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine and UCLA Jonnson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - James C Root
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tim A Ahles
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeanne S Mandelblatt
- Georgetown University and Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Andrew J Saykin
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine and Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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11
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Karizmeh MS, Shabani M, Shabani M, Sardari M, Babaei JF, Nabavizadeh F, Sadr SS, Adeli S. Preconditioning exercise reduces hippocampal neuronal damage via increasing Klotho expression in ischemic rats. Brain Res Bull 2022; 188:133-142. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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12
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Luine V, Mohan G, Attalla S, Jacome L, Frankfurt M. Androgens Enhance Recognition Memory and Dendritic Spine Density in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex of Ovariectomized Female Rats. Neuroscience 2022:S0306-4522(22)00287-1. [PMID: 35671881 PMCID: PMC9719572 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen replacement has been repeatedly shown to enhance memory and increase dendritic spine density in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Given the potential deleterious effects of chronic estrogen administration, the present study assessed cognitive function using recognition memory tasks and measured dendritic spine density in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex after subchronic androgen replacement to adult OVX female rats. All androgens enhanced recognition memory in OVX rats, but object placement (OP) and object recognition (OR) results differed. Only testosterone enhanced OR. Testosterone had no effect on OP while dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and androstenedione (AD) enhanced OP. Dendritic spine density was increased by both TP and DHEA in both brain areas (DHT and AD were not tested). Lastly, we used the aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, to discriminate between potential androgenic and estrogenic effects of androgens on behavior. Letrozole alone did not alter recognition memory in OVX rats and did not block the effects of either TP or DHEA on recognition memory suggesting that effects were mediated via androgenic mechanisms. The present results expand previous information on gonadal hormone actions and show that, in addition to estrogens, androgens also improve memory and increase spine density in brains of OVX female rats. While requiring further investigation, these observations provide a basis for therapeutic interventions in the treatment of menopausal, age or disease related memory loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Luine
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States.
| | - Govini Mohan
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Sara Attalla
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Luis Jacome
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Maya Frankfurt
- Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, 160 Hofstra University, 400A Shapiro Family Hall, Hempstead, NY 11549, United States
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13
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Marchant IC, Chabert S, Martínez-Pinto J, Sotomayor-Zárate R, Ramírez-Barrantes R, Acevedo L, Córdova C, Olivero P. Estrogen, Cognitive Performance, and Functional Imaging Studies: What Are We Missing About Neuroprotection? Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:866122. [PMID: 35634466 PMCID: PMC9133497 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.866122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Menopause transition can be interpreted as a vulnerable state characterized by estrogen deficiency with detrimental systemic effects as the low-grade chronic inflammation that appears with aging and partly explains age-related disorders as cancer, diabetes mellitus and increased risk of cognitive impairment. Over the course of a lifetime, estrogen produces several beneficial effects in healthy neurological tissues as well as cardioprotective effects, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, clinical evidence on the efficacy of hormone treatment in menopausal women has failed to confirm the benefit reported in observational studies. Unambiguously, enhanced verbal memory is the most robust finding from longitudinal and cross-sectional studies, what merits consideration for future studies aiming to determine estrogen neuroprotective efficacy. Estrogen related brain activity and functional connectivity remain, however, unexplored. In this context, the resting state paradigm may provide valuable information about reproductive aging and hormonal treatment effects, and their relationship with brain imaging of functional connectivity may be key to understand and anticipate estrogen cognitive protective effects. To go in-depth into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying rapid-to-long lasting protective effects of estrogen, we will provide a comprehensive review of cognitive tasks used in animal studies to evaluate the effect of hormone treatment on cognitive performance and discuss about the tasks best suited to the demonstration of clinically significant differences in cognitive performance to be applied in human studies. Eventually, we will focus on studies evaluating the DMN activity and responsiveness to pharmacological stimulation in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivanny Carolina Marchant
- Laboratorio de Modelamiento en Medicina, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Chile
- Centro Interoperativo en Ciencias Odontológicas y Médicas, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- *Correspondence: Ivanny Carolina Marchant
| | - Stéren Chabert
- Millennium Nucleus in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Ingeniería Biomédica, Universidad de Valparaiso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería en Salud, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Jonathan Martínez-Pinto
- Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa, Valparaíso, Chile
- Laboratorio de Neuroquímica y Neurofarmacología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Ramón Sotomayor-Zárate
- Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa, Valparaíso, Chile
- Laboratorio de Neuroquímica y Neurofarmacología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | | | - Lilian Acevedo
- Servicio de Neurología Hospital Carlos van Buren, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Claudio Córdova
- Laboratorio de Estructura y Función Celular, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Pablo Olivero
- Centro Interoperativo en Ciencias Odontológicas y Médicas, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Laboratorio de Estructura y Función Celular, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Pablo Olivero
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14
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Wright KN, Johnson NL, Dossat AM, Wilson JT, Wesson DW. Reducing local synthesis of estrogen in the tubular striatum promotes attraction to same-sex odors in female mice. Horm Behav 2022; 140:105122. [PMID: 35101702 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived 17β-estradiol (E2) confers rapid effects on neural activity. The tubular striatum (TuS, also called the olfactory tubercle) is both capable of local E2 synthesis due to its abundant expression of aromatase and is a critical locus for odor-guided motivated behavior and odor hedonics. TuS neurons also contain mRNA for estrogen receptors α, β, and the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor. We demonstrate here that mRNA for estrogen receptors appears to be expressed upon TuS dopamine 1 receptor-expressing neurons, suggesting that E2 may play a neuromodulatory role in circuits which are important for motivated behavior. Therefore, we reasoned that E2 in the TuS may influence attraction to urinary odors which are highly attractive. Using whole-body plethysmography, we examined odor-evoked high-frequency sniffing as a measure of odor attaction. Bilateral infusion of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole into the TuS of gonadectomized female adult mice induced a resistance to habituation over successive trials in their investigatory sniffing for female mouse urinary odors, indicative of an enhanced attraction. All males displayed resistance to habituation for female urinary odors, indicative of enhanced attraction that is independent from E2 manipulation. Letrozole's effects were not due to group differences in basal respiration, nor changes in the ability to detect or discriminate between odors (both monomolecular odorants and urinary odors). Therefore, de novo E2 synthesis in the TuS impacts females' but not males' attraction to female urinary odors, suggesting a sex-specific influence of E2 in odor hedonics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine N Wright
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Center for Addiction Research and Education, 1200 Newell Dr., Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Natalie L Johnson
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Center for Addiction Research and Education, 1200 Newell Dr., Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Amanda M Dossat
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Center for Addiction Research and Education, 1200 Newell Dr., Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Jamie T Wilson
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Center for Addiction Research and Education, 1200 Newell Dr., Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Daniel W Wesson
- University of Florida, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Center for Smell and Taste, Center for Addiction Research and Education, 1200 Newell Dr., Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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15
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Brann DW, Lu Y, Wang J, Sareddy GR, Pratap UP, Zhang Q, Tekmal RR, Vadlamudi RK. Neuron-Derived Estrogen-A Key Neuromodulator in Synaptic Function and Memory. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413242. [PMID: 34948039 PMCID: PMC8706511 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to being a steroid hormone, 17β-estradiol (E2) is also a neurosteroid produced in neurons in various regions of the brain of many species, including humans. Neuron-derived E2 (NDE2) is synthesized from androgen precursors via the action of the biosynthetic enzyme aromatase, which is located at synapses and in presynaptic terminals in neurons in both the male and female brain. In this review, we discuss evidence supporting a key role for NDE2 as a neuromodulator that regulates synaptic plasticity and memory. Evidence supporting an important neuromodulatory role of NDE2 in the brain has come from studies using aromatase inhibitors, aromatase overexpression in neurons, global aromatase knockout mice, and the recent development of conditional forebrain neuron-specific knockout mice. Collectively, these studies demonstrate a key role of NDE2 in the regulation of synapse and spine density, efficacy of excitatory synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation, and regulation of hippocampal-dependent recognition memory, spatial reference memory, and contextual fear memory. NDE2 is suggested to achieve these effects through estrogen receptor-mediated regulation of rapid kinase signaling and CREB-BDNF signaling pathways, which regulate actin remodeling, as well as transcription, translation, and transport of synaptic proteins critical for synaptic plasticity and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrell W. Brann
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Yujiao Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
| | - Gangadhara R. Sareddy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (G.R.S.); (U.P.P.); (R.R.T.); (R.K.V.)
| | - Uday P. Pratap
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (G.R.S.); (U.P.P.); (R.R.T.); (R.K.V.)
| | - Quanguang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA;
| | - Rajeshwar R. Tekmal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (G.R.S.); (U.P.P.); (R.R.T.); (R.K.V.)
| | - Ratna K. Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (G.R.S.); (U.P.P.); (R.R.T.); (R.K.V.)
- Audie L. Murphy Division, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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16
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Brann DW, Lu Y, Wang J, Zhang Q, Thakkar R, Sareddy GR, Pratap UP, Tekmal RR, Vadlamudi RK. Brain-derived estrogen and neural function. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:793-817. [PMID: 34823913 PMCID: PMC8816863 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Although classically known as an endocrine signal produced by the ovary, 17β-estradiol (E2) is also a neurosteroid produced in neurons and astrocytes in the brain of many different species. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the localization, regulation, sex differences, and physiological/pathological roles of brain-derived E2 (BDE2). Much of what we know regarding the functional roles of BDE2 has come from studies using specific inhibitors of the E2 synthesis enzyme, aromatase, as well as the recent development of conditional forebrain neuron-specific and astrocyte-specific aromatase knockout mouse models. The evidence from these studies support a critical role for neuron-derived E2 (NDE2) in the regulation of synaptic plasticity, memory, socio-sexual behavior, sexual differentiation, reproduction, injury-induced reactive gliosis, and neuroprotection. Furthermore, we review evidence that astrocyte-derived E2 (ADE2) is induced following brain injury/ischemia, and plays a key role in reactive gliosis, neuroprotection, and cognitive preservation. Finally, we conclude by discussing the key controversies and challenges in this area, as well as potential future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrell W Brann
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
| | - Yujiao Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Quanguang Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Roshni Thakkar
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Gangadhara R Sareddy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antoio TX, 78229, USA
| | - Uday P Pratap
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antoio TX, 78229, USA
| | - Rajeshwar R Tekmal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antoio TX, 78229, USA
| | - Ratna K Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health, San Antoio TX, 78229, USA; Audie L. Murphy Division, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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17
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Godó S, Barabás K, Lengyel F, Ernszt D, Kovács T, Kecskés M, Varga C, Jánosi TZ, Makkai G, Kovács G, Orsolits B, Fujiwara T, Kusumi A, Ábrahám IM. Single-Molecule Imaging Reveals Rapid Estradiol Action on the Surface Movement of AMPA Receptors in Live Neurons. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:708715. [PMID: 34631701 PMCID: PMC8495425 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.708715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Gonadal steroid 17β-estradiol (E2) exerts rapid, non-genomic effects on neurons and strictly regulates learning and memory through altering glutamatergic neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. However, its non-genomic effects on AMPARs are not well understood. Here, we analyzed the rapid effect of E2 on AMPARs using single-molecule tracking and super-resolution imaging techniques. We found that E2 rapidly decreased the surface movement of AMPAR via membrane G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) in neurites in a dose-dependent manner. The cortical actin network played a pivotal role in the GPER1 mediated effects of E2 on the surface mobility of AMPAR. E2 also decreased the surface movement of AMPAR both in synaptic and extrasynaptic regions on neurites and increased the synaptic dwell time of AMPARs. Our results provide evidence for understanding E2 action on neuronal plasticity and glutamatergic neurotransmission at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soma Godó
- PTE-NAP Molecular Neuroendocrinology Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Center, Medical School, Institute of Physiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Klaudia Barabás
- PTE-NAP Molecular Neuroendocrinology Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Center, Medical School, Institute of Physiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Lengyel
- PTE-NAP Molecular Neuroendocrinology Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Center, Medical School, Institute of Physiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Dávid Ernszt
- PTE-NAP Molecular Neuroendocrinology Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Center, Medical School, Institute of Physiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamás Kovács
- PTE-NAP Molecular Neuroendocrinology Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Center, Medical School, Institute of Physiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Miklós Kecskés
- PTE-NAP Cortical Microcircuits Research Group, Institute of Physiology, Medical School, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Institute, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Csaba Varga
- PTE-NAP Cortical Microcircuits Research Group, Institute of Physiology, Medical School, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Institute, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tibor Z Jánosi
- PTE-NAP Molecular Neuroendocrinology Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Center, Medical School, Institute of Physiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Géza Makkai
- PTE-NAP Molecular Neuroendocrinology Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Center, Medical School, Institute of Physiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gergely Kovács
- PTE-NAP Molecular Neuroendocrinology Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Center, Medical School, Institute of Physiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Barbara Orsolits
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Takahiro Fujiwara
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akihiro Kusumi
- Membrane Cooperativity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), Onna, Japan
| | - István M Ábrahám
- PTE-NAP Molecular Neuroendocrinology Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Center, Medical School, Institute of Physiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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18
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de Souza LO, Machado GDB, de Freitas BS, Rodrigues SLC, Severo MPA, Molz P, da Silva JAC, Bromberg E, Roesler R, Schröder N. The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) regulates recognition and aversively-motivated memory in male rats. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 184:107499. [PMID: 34352396 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens, particularly 17β-estradiol (estradiol, E2), regulate memory formation. E2 acts through its intracellular receptors, estrogen receptors (ER) ERα and ERβ, as well as a recently identified G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). Although the effects of E2 on memory have been investigated, studies examining the effects of GPER stimulation are scarce. Selective GPER agonism improves memory in ovariectomized female rats, but little information is available regarding the effects of GPER stimulation in male rodents. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the GPER agonist, G1, on consolidation and reconsolidation of inhibitory avoidance (IA) and object recognition (OR) memory in male rats. Animals received vehicle, G1 (15, 75, 150 µg/kg; i.p.), or the GPER antagonist G15 (100 µg/kg; i.p.) immediately after training, or G1 (150 µg/kg; i.p.) 3 or 6 h after training. To investigate reconsolidation, G1 was administered immediately after IA retention Test 1. Results indicated that G1 administered immediately after training at the highest dose enhanced both OR and IA memory consolidation, while GPER blockade immediately after training impaired OR. No effects of GPER stimulation were observed when G1 was given 3 or 6 h after training or after Test 1. The present findings provide evidence that GPER is involved in the early stages of memory consolidation in both neutral and emotional memory tasks in male adult rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lariza Oliveira de Souza
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Dalto Barroso Machado
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Betânia Souza de Freitas
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Sarah Luize Camargo Rodrigues
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Maria Paula Arakaki Severo
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Molz
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - José Afonso Corrêa da Silva
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Elke Bromberg
- Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Health and Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Nadja Schröder
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil.
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19
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Court L, Balthazart J, Ball GF, Cornil CA. Effect of chronic intracerebroventricular administration of an aromatase inhibitor on the expression of socio-sexual behaviors in male Japanese quail. Behav Brain Res 2021; 410:113315. [PMID: 33901434 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aromatase converts androgens into estrogens in the brain of vertebrates including humans. This enzyme is also expressed in other tissues where its action may result in negative effects on human health (e.g., promotion of tumor growth). To prevent these effects, aromatase inhibitors were developed and are currently used to block human estrogen-dependent tumors. In vertebrates including quail, aromatase is expressed in a highly conserved set of interconnected brain nuclei known as the social behavior network. This network is directly implicated in the expression of a large range of social behaviors. The primary goal of this study was to characterize in Japanese quail the potential impact of brain aromatase on sexual behavior, aggressiveness and social motivation (i.e., tendency to approach and stay close to conspecifics). An additional goal was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of long-term delivery of an aromatase inhibitor directly into the third ventricle via Alzet™ osmotic minipumps using male sexual behavior as the aromatase dependent measure. We demonstrate that this mode of administration results in the strongest inhibition of both copulatory behavior and sexual motivation ever observed in this species, while other social behaviors were variably affected. Sexual motivation and the tendency to approach a group of conspecifics including females clearly seem to depend on brain aromatase, but the effects of central estrogen production on aggressive behavior and on the motivation to approach males remain less clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Court
- GIGA Neurosciences, University of Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Gregory F Ball
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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