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Nerella SG, Telu S, Liow JS, Jenkins MD, Zoghbi SS, Gomez JL, Michaelides M, Eldridge MAG, Richmond BJ, Innis RB, Pike VW. Synthesis and preclinical evaluation of [ 11C]uPSEM792 for PSAM 4-GlyR based chemogenetics. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1886. [PMID: 38253691 PMCID: PMC10803328 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51307-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemogenetic tools are designed to control neuronal signaling. These tools have the potential to contribute to the understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders and to the development of new treatments. One such chemogenetic technology comprises modified Pharmacologically Selective Actuator Modules (PSAMs) paired with Pharmacologically Selective Effector Molecules (PSEMs). PSAMs are receptors with ligand-binding domains that have been modified to interact only with a specific small-molecule agonist, designated a PSEM. PSAM4 is a triple mutant PSAM derived from the α7 nicotinic receptor (α7L131G,Q139L,Y217F). Although having no constitutive activity as a ligand-gated ion channel, PSAM4 has been coupled to the serotonin 5-HT3 receptor (5-HT3R) and to the glycine receptor (GlyR). Treatment with the partner PSEM to activate PSAM4-5-HT3 or PSAM4-GlyR, causes neuronal activation or silencing, respectively. A suitably designed radioligand may enable selective visualization of the expression and location of PSAMs with positron emission tomography (PET). Here, we evaluated uPSEM792, an ultrapotent PSEM for PSAM4-GlyR, as a possible lead for PET radioligand development. We labeled uPSEM792 with the positron-emitter, carbon-11 (t1/2 = 20.4 min), in high radiochemical yield by treating a protected precursor with [11C]iodomethane followed by base deprotection. PET experiments with [11C]uPSEM792 in rodents and in a monkey transduced with PSAM4-GlyR showed low peak radioactivity uptake in brain. This low uptake was probably due to high polarity of the radioligand, as evidenced by physicochemical measurements, and to the vulnerability of the radioligand to efflux transport at the blood-brain barrier. These findings can inform the design of a more effective PSAM4 based PET radioligand, based on the uPSEM792 chemotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sridhar Goud Nerella
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sanjay Telu
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Jeih-San Liow
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Madeline D Jenkins
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sami S Zoghbi
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Juan L Gomez
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael Michaelides
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark A G Eldridge
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Barry J Richmond
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Robert B Innis
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Victor W Pike
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Nerella SG, Michaelides M, Minamimoto T, Innis RB, Pike VW, Eldridge MAG. PET reporter systems for the brain. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:941-952. [PMID: 37734962 PMCID: PMC10592100 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Positron emission tomography (PET) can be used as a noninvasive method to longitudinally monitor and quantify the expression of proteins in the brain in vivo. It can be used to monitor changes in biomarkers of mental health disorders, and to assess therapeutic interventions such as stem cell and molecular genetic therapies. The utility of PET monitoring depends on the availability of a radiotracer with good central nervous system (CNS) penetration and high selectivity for the target protein. This review evaluates existing methods for the visualization of reporter proteins and/or protein function using PET imaging, focusing on engineered systems, and discusses possible approaches for future success in the development of high-sensitivity and high-specificity PET reporter systems for the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sridhar Goud Nerella
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Michael Michaelides
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Takafumi Minamimoto
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Robert B Innis
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Victor W Pike
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mark A G Eldridge
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Laing BT, Anderson MS, Bonaventura J, Jayan A, Sarsfield S, Gajendiran A, Michaelides M, Aponte Y. Anterior hypothalamic parvalbumin neurons are glutamatergic and promote escape behavior. Curr Biol 2023; 33:3215-3228.e7. [PMID: 37490921 PMCID: PMC10529150 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.070] [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: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The anterior hypothalamic area (AHA) is a critical structure for defensive responding. Here, we identified a cluster of parvalbumin-expressing neurons in the AHA (AHAPV) that are glutamatergic with fast-spiking properties and send axonal projections to the dorsal premammillary nucleus (PMD). Using in vivo functional imaging, optogenetics, and behavioral assays, we determined the role of these AHAPV neurons in regulating behaviors essential for survival. We observed that AHAPV neuronal activity significantly increases when mice are exposed to a predator, and in a real-time place preference assay, we found that AHAPV neuron photoactivation is aversive. Moreover, activation of both AHAPV neurons and the AHAPV → PMD pathway triggers escape responding during a predator-looming test. Furthermore, escape responding is impaired after AHAPV neuron ablation, and anxiety-like behavior as measured by the open field and elevated plus maze assays does not seem to be affected by AHAPV neuron ablation. Finally, whole-brain metabolic mapping using positron emission tomography combined with AHAPV neuron photoactivation revealed discrete activation of downstream areas involved in arousal, affective, and defensive behaviors including the amygdala and the substantia nigra. Our results indicate that AHAPV neurons are a functional glutamatergic circuit element mediating defensive behaviors, thus expanding the identity of genetically defined neurons orchestrating fight-or-flight responses. Together, our work will serve as a foundation for understanding neuropsychiatric disorders triggered by escape such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenton T Laing
- Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224-6823, USA
| | - Megan S Anderson
- Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224-6823, USA
| | - Jordi Bonaventura
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224-6823, USA
| | - Aishwarya Jayan
- Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224-6823, USA
| | - Sarah Sarsfield
- Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224-6823, USA
| | - Anjali Gajendiran
- Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224-6823, USA
| | - Michael Michaelides
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224-6823, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yeka Aponte
- Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224-6823, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Bonaventura J, Boehm MA, Jedema HP, Solis O, Pignatelli M, Song X, Lu H, Richie CT, Zhang S, Gomez JL, Lam S, Morales M, Gharbawie OA, Pomper MG, Stein EA, Bradberry CW, Michaelides M. Expression of the excitatory opsin ChRERα can be traced longitudinally in rat and nonhuman primate brains with PET imaging. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadd1014. [PMID: 37494470 PMCID: PMC10938262 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.add1014] [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: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics is a widely used technology with potential for translational research. A critical component of such applications is the ability to track the location of the transduced opsin in vivo. To address this problem, we engineered an excitatory opsin, ChRERα (hChR2(134R)-V5-ERα-LBD), that could be visualized using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in a noninvasive, longitudinal, and quantitative manner. ChRERα consists of the prototypical excitatory opsin channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the human estrogen receptor α (ERα). ChRERα showed conserved ChR2 functionality and high affinity for [18F]16α-fluoroestradiol (FES), an FDA-approved PET radiopharmaceutical. Experiments in rats demonstrated that adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression of ChRERα enables neural circuit manipulation in vivo and that ChRERα expression could be monitored using FES-PET imaging. In vivo experiments in nonhuman primates (NHPs) confirmed that ChRERα expression could be monitored at the site of AAV injection in the primary motor cortex and in long-range neuronal terminals for up to 80 weeks. The anatomical connectivity map of the primary motor cortex identified by FES-PET imaging of ChRERα expression overlapped with a functional connectivity map identified using resting state fMRI in a separate cohort of NHPs. Overall, our results demonstrate that ChRERα expression can be mapped longitudinally in the mammalian brain using FES-PET imaging and can be used for neural circuit modulation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Bonaventura
- Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Neuropharmacology and Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia 08907, Spain
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Matthew A. Boehm
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI 02906, USA
| | - Hank P. Jedema
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Oscar Solis
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Marco Pignatelli
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xiaowei Song
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Hanbing Lu
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Section, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Christopher T. Richie
- Genetic Engineering and Viral Vector Core, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Shiliang Zhang
- Confocal and Electron Microscopy Core, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Juan L. Gomez
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Sherry Lam
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Marisela Morales
- Neuronal Networks Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Omar A. Gharbawie
- Systems Neuroscience Center, Departments of Neurobiology and Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Martin G. Pomper
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Elliot A. Stein
- Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Charles W. Bradberry
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Michael Michaelides
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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Claes M, De Groef L, Moons L. The DREADDful Hurdles and Opportunities of the Chronic Chemogenetic Toolbox. Cells 2022; 11:1110. [PMID: 35406674 PMCID: PMC8998042 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The chronic character of chemogenetics has been put forward as one of the assets of the technique, particularly in comparison to optogenetics. Yet, the vast majority of chemogenetic studies have focused on acute applications, while repeated, long-term neuromodulation has only been booming in the past few years. Unfortunately, together with the rising number of studies, various hurdles have also been uncovered, especially in relation to its chronic application. It becomes increasingly clear that chronic neuromodulation warrants caution and that the effects of acute neuromodulation cannot be extrapolated towards chronic experiments. Deciphering the underlying cellular and molecular causes of these discrepancies could truly unlock the chronic chemogenetic toolbox and possibly even pave the way for chemogenetics towards clinical application. Indeed, we are only scratching the surface of what is possible with chemogenetic research. For example, most investigations are concentrated on behavioral read-outs, whereas dissecting the underlying molecular signature after (chronic) neuromodulation could reveal novel insights in terms of basic neuroscience and deregulated neural circuits. In this review, we highlight the hurdles associated with the use of chemogenetic experiments, as well as the unexplored research questions for which chemogenetics offers the ideal research platform, with a particular focus on its long-term application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Claes
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Lies De Groef
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Laboratory of Cellular Communication and Neurodegeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieve Moons
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
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Applications of chemogenetics in non-human primates. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2022; 64:102204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Behavioral Responses to Neural Circuit Control: Pitfalls and Possible Solutions. eNeuro 2021; 8:8/4/ENEURO.0223-21.2021. [PMID: 34244311 PMCID: PMC8270009 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0223-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Highlighted Research Paper:Lewis AS, Calipari ES, Siciliano CA (2021) Toward Standardized Guidelines for Investigating Neural Circuit Control of Behavior in Animal Research.
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