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Rystrom TL, Richter SH, Sachser N, Kaiser S. Social niche shapes social behavior and cortisol concentrations during adolescence in female guinea pigs. Horm Behav 2024; 162:105539. [PMID: 38608380 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105539] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Individualized social niches arise in social groups, resulting in divergent social behavior profiles among group members. During sensitive life phases, the individualized social niche can profoundly impact the development of social behavior and associated phenotypes such as hormone (e.g. cortisol) concentrations. Focusing on adolescence, we investigated the relationship between the individualized social niche, social behavior, and cortisol concentrations (baseline and responsiveness) in female guinea pigs. Females were pair-housed in early adolescence (initial social pair formation), and a social niche transition was induced after six weeks by replacing the partner with either a larger or smaller female. Regarding social behavior, dominance status was associated with aggression in both the initial social pairs and after the social niche transition, and the results suggest that aggression was rapidly and completely reshaped after the social niche transition. Meanwhile, submissive behavior was rapidly reshaped after the social niche transition, but this was incomplete. The dominance status attained in the initial social pair affected the extent of submissive behavior after the social niche transition, and this effect was still detected three weeks after the social niche transition. Regarding cortisol concentrations, higher baseline cortisol concentrations were measured in dominant females in the initial social pairs. After the social niche transition, cortisol responsiveness significantly increased for the females paired with a larger, older female relative to those paired with a smaller, younger female. These findings demonstrate that the social niche during adolescence plays a significant role in shaping behavior and hormone concentrations in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor L Rystrom
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany; Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - S Helene Richter
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany; Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Norbert Sachser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany; Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Sylvia Kaiser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany; Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
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2
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Zuloaga DG, Lafrican JJ, Zuloaga KL. Androgen regulation of behavioral stress responses and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Horm Behav 2024; 162:105528. [PMID: 38503191 PMCID: PMC11144109 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105528] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Testosterone is a powerful steroid hormone that can impact the brain and behavior in various ways, including regulating behavioral and neuroendocrine (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis) stress responses. Early in life androgens can act to alter development of brain regions associated with stress regulation, which ultimately impacts the display of stress responses later in life. Adult circulating androgens can also influence the expression of distinct genes and proteins that regulate stress responses. These changes in the brain are hypothesized to underlie the potent effects of androgens in regulating behaviors related to stress and stress-induced activation of the HPA axis. Androgens can induce alterations in these functions through direct binding to the androgen receptor (AR) or following conversion to estrogens and subsequent binding to estrogen receptors including estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), beta (ERβ), and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1). In this review, we focus on the role of androgens in regulating behavioral and neuroendocrine stress responses at different stages of the lifespan and the sex hormone receptors involved in regulating these effects. We also review the specific brain regions and cell phenotypes upon which androgens are proposed to act to regulate stress responses with an emphasis on hypothalamic and extended amygdala subregions. This knowledge of androgen effects on these neural systems is critical for understanding how sex hormones regulate stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian G Zuloaga
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA.
| | | | - Kristen L Zuloaga
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
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3
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Gencturk S, Unal G. Rodent tests of depression and anxiety: Construct validity and translational relevance. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 24:191-224. [PMID: 38413466 PMCID: PMC11039509 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-024-01171-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Behavioral testing constitutes the primary method to measure the emotional states of nonhuman animals in preclinical research. Emerging as the characteristic tool of the behaviorist school of psychology, behavioral testing of animals, particularly rodents, is employed to understand the complex cognitive and affective symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders. Following the symptom-based diagnosis model of the DSM, rodent models and tests of depression and anxiety focus on behavioral patterns that resemble the superficial symptoms of these disorders. While these practices provided researchers with a platform to screen novel antidepressant and anxiolytic drug candidates, their construct validity-involving relevant underlying mechanisms-has been questioned. In this review, we present the laboratory procedures used to assess depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in rats and mice. These include constructs that rely on stress-triggered responses, such as behavioral despair, and those that emerge with nonaversive training, such as cognitive bias. We describe the specific behavioral tests that are used to assess these constructs and discuss the criticisms on their theoretical background. We review specific concerns about the construct validity and translational relevance of individual behavioral tests, outline the limitations of the traditional, symptom-based interpretation, and introduce novel, ethologically relevant frameworks that emphasize simple behavioral patterns. Finally, we explore behavioral monitoring and morphological analysis methods that can be integrated into behavioral testing and discuss how they can enhance the construct validity of these tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinem Gencturk
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Boğaziçi University, 34342, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gunes Unal
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Boğaziçi University, 34342, Istanbul, Turkey.
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4
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Streiff C, Herrera A, Voelkl B, Palme R, Würbel H, Novak J. The impact of cage dividers on mouse aggression, dominance and hormone levels. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297358. [PMID: 38324564 PMCID: PMC10849263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297358] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Home cage aggression in group-housed male mice is a major welfare concern and may compromise animal research. Conventional cages prevent flight or retreat from sight, increasing the risk that agonistic encounters will result in injury. Moreover, depending on social rank, mice vary in their phenotype, and these effects seem highly variable and dependent on the social context. Interventions that reduce aggression, therefore, may reduce not only injuries and stress, but also variability between cage mates. Here we housed male mice (Balb/c and SWISS, group sizes of three and five) with or without partial cage dividers for two months. Mice were inspected for wounding weekly and home cages were recorded during housing and after 6h isolation housing, to assess aggression and assign individual social ranks. Fecal boli and fur were collected to quantify steroid levels. We found no evidence that the provision of cage dividers improves the welfare of group housed male mice; The prevalence of injuries and steroid levels was similar between the two housing conditions and aggression was reduced only in Balb/c strain. However, mice housed with cage dividers developed less despotic hierarchies and had more stable social ranks. We also found a relationship between hormone levels and social rank depending on housing type. Therefore, addition of cage dividers may play a role in stabilizing social ranks and modulating the activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes, thus reducing phenotypic variability between mice of different ranks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Streiff
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Herrera
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard Voelkl
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hanno Würbel
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Janja Novak
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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5
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Kos A, Lopez JP, Bordes J, de Donno C, Dine J, Brivio E, Karamihalev S, Luecken MD, Almeida-Correa S, Gasperoni S, Dick A, Miranda L, Büttner M, Stoffel R, Flachskamm C, Theis FJ, Schmidt MV, Chen A. Early life adversity shapes social subordination and cell type-specific transcriptomic patterning in the ventral hippocampus. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadj3793. [PMID: 38039370 PMCID: PMC10691768 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj3793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Adverse events in early life can modulate the response to additional stressors later in life and increase the risk of developing psychiatric disorders. The underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects remain unclear. Here, we uncover that early life adversity (ELA) in mice leads to social subordination. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we identified cell type-specific changes in the transcriptional state of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in the ventral hippocampus of ELA mice after exposure to acute social stress in adulthood. These findings were reflected by an alteration in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission induced by ELA in response to acute social stress. Finally, enhancing the inhibitory network function through transient diazepam treatment during an early developmental sensitive period reversed the ELA-induced social subordination. Collectively, this study significantly advances our understanding of the molecular, physiological, and behavioral alterations induced by ELA, uncovering a previously unknown cell type-specific vulnerability to ELA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aron Kos
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Juan Pablo Lopez
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joeri Bordes
- Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Carlo de Donno
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Mathematics, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Julien Dine
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Elena Brivio
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
| | - Stoyo Karamihalev
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
| | - Malte D. Luecken
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Lung Health and Immunity, Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Serena Gasperoni
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alec Dick
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Lucas Miranda
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
- Department of Statistical Genetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Maren Büttner
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Mathematics, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Rainer Stoffel
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Cornelia Flachskamm
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Fabian J. Theis
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Mathematics, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Mathias V. Schmidt
- Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Alon Chen
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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6
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Dubey H, Roychoudhury R, Alex A, Best C, Liu S, White A, Carlson A, Azcarate-Peril MA, Mansfield LS, Knickmeyer R. Effect of Human Infant Gut Microbiota on Mouse Behavior, Dendritic Complexity, and Myelination. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.24.563309. [PMID: 37961091 PMCID: PMC10634763 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.24.563309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian gut microbiome influences numerous developmental processes. In human infants it has been linked with cognition, social skills, hormonal responses to stress, and brain connectivity. Yet, these associations are not necessarily causal. The present study tested whether two microbial stool communities, common in human infants, affected behavior, myelination, dendritic morphology, and spine density when used to colonize mouse models. Humanized animals were more like specific-pathogen free mice than germ-free mice for most phenotypes, although in males, both humanized groups were less social. Both humanized groups had thinner myelin sheaths in the hippocampus, than did germ-free animals. Humanized animals were similar to each other except for dendritic morphology and spine density where one group had greater dendritic length in the prefrontal cortex, greater dendritic volume in the nucleus accumbens, and greater spine density in both regions, compared to the other. Results add to a body of literature suggesting the gut microbiome impacts brain development. Teaser Fecal transplants from human infants with highly abundant Bifidobacterium , an important inhabitant of the intestinal tract of breastfed newborns, may promote brain connectivity in mice.
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Gryksa K, Schmidtner AK, Masís-Calvo M, Rodríguez-Villagra OA, Havasi A, Wirobski G, Maloumby R, Jägle H, Bosch OJ, Slattery DA, Neumann ID. Selective breeding of rats for high (HAB) and low (LAB) anxiety-related behaviour: A unique model for comorbid depression and social dysfunctions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105292. [PMID: 37353047 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105292] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Animal models of selective breeding for extremes in emotionality are a strong experimental approach to model psychopathologies. They became indispensable in order to increase our understanding of neurobiological, genetic, epigenetic, hormonal, and environmental mechanisms contributing to anxiety disorders and their association with depressive symptoms or social deficits. In the present review, we extensively discuss Wistar rats selectively bred for high (HAB) and low (LAB) anxiety-related behaviour on the elevated plus-maze. After 30 years of breeding, we can confirm the prominent differences between HAB and LAB rats in trait anxiety, which are accompanied by consistent differences in depressive-like, social and cognitive behaviours. We can further confirm a single nucleotide polymorphism in the vasopressin promotor of HAB rats causative for neuropeptide overexpression, and show that low (or high) anxiety and fear levels are unlikely due to visual dysfunctions. Thus, HAB and LAB rats continue to exist as a reliable tool to study the multiple facets underlying the pathology of high trait anxiety and its comorbidity with depression-like behaviour and social dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Gryksa
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Anna K Schmidtner
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Marianella Masís-Calvo
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Odir A Rodríguez-Villagra
- Centro de Investigación en Neurosciencias, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica.
| | - Andrea Havasi
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Gwendolyn Wirobski
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Rodrigue Maloumby
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Herbert Jägle
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Oliver J Bosch
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - David A Slattery
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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8
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Larosa A, Wong TP. The hippocampus in stress susceptibility and resilience: Reviewing molecular and functional markers. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 119:110601. [PMID: 35842073 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the individual variability that comes with the likelihood of developing stress-related psychopathologies is of paramount importance when addressing mechanisms of their neurobiology. This article focuses on the hippocampus as a region that is highly influenced by chronic stress exposure and that has strong ties to the development of related disorders, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. We first outline three commonly used animal models that have been used to separate animals into susceptible and resilient cohorts. Next, we review molecular and functional hippocampal markers of susceptibility and resilience. We propose that the hippocampus plays a crucial role in the differences in the processing and storage of stress-related information in animals with different stress susceptibilities. These hippocampal markers not only help us attain a more comprehensive understanding of the various facets of stress-related pathophysiology, but also could be targeted for the development of new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Larosa
- Neuroscience Division, Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tak Pan Wong
- Neuroscience Division, Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada; Dept. of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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9
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Novak J, Jaric I, Rosso M, Rufener R, Touma C, Würbel H. Handling method affects measures of anxiety, but not chronic stress in mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20938. [PMID: 36463282 PMCID: PMC9719500 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25090-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies in mice have shown that less aversive handling methods (e.g. tunnel or cup handling) can reduce behavioural measures of anxiety in comparison to picking mice up by their tail. Despite such evidence, tail handling continues to be used routinely. Besides resistance to change accustomed procedures, this may also be due to the fact that current evidence in support of less aversive handling is mostly restricted to effects of extensive daily handling, which may not apply to routine husbandry practices. The aim of our study was to assess whether, and to what extent, different handling methods during routine husbandry induce differences in behavioural and physiological measures of stress in laboratory mice. To put the effects of handling method in perspective with chronic stress, we compared handling methods to a validated paradigm of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). We housed mice of two strains (Balb/c and C57BL/6) and both sexes either under standard laboratory conditions (CTRL) or under UCMS. Half of the animals from each housing condition were tail handled and half were tunnel handled twice per week, once during a cage change and once for a routine health check. We found strain dependent effects of handling method on behavioural measures of anxiety: tunnel handled Balb/c mice interacted with the handler more than tail handled conspecifics, and tunnel handled CTRL mice showed increased open arm exploration in the elevated plus-maze. Mice undergoing UCMS showed increased plasma corticosterone levels and reduced sucrose preference. However, we found no effect of handling method on these stress-associated measures. Our results therefore indicate that routine tail handling can affect behavioural measures of anxiety, but may not be a significant source of chronic husbandry stress. Our results also highlight strain dependent responses to handling methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janja Novak
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ivana Jaric
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marianna Rosso
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Reto Rufener
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Chadi Touma
- grid.10854.380000 0001 0672 4366Department of Behavioural Biology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Hanno Würbel
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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10
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Jaric I, Voelkl B, Clerc M, Schmid MW, Novak J, Rosso M, Rufener R, von Kortzfleisch VT, Richter SH, Buettner M, Bleich A, Amrein I, Wolfer DP, Touma C, Sunagawa S, Würbel H. The rearing environment persistently modulates mouse phenotypes from the molecular to the behavioural level. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001837. [PMID: 36269766 PMCID: PMC9629646 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The phenotype of an organism results from its genotype and the influence of the environment throughout development. Even when using animals of the same genotype, independent studies may test animals of different phenotypes, resulting in poor replicability due to genotype-by-environment interactions. Thus, genetically defined strains of mice may respond differently to experimental treatments depending on their rearing environment. However, the extent of such phenotypic plasticity and its implications for the replicability of research findings have remained unknown. Here, we examined the extent to which common environmental differences between animal facilities modulate the phenotype of genetically homogeneous (inbred) mice. We conducted a comprehensive multicentre study, whereby inbred C57BL/6J mice from a single breeding cohort were allocated to and reared in 5 different animal facilities throughout early life and adolescence, before being transported to a single test laboratory. We found persistent effects of the rearing facility on the composition and heterogeneity of the gut microbial community. These effects were paralleled by persistent differences in body weight and in the behavioural phenotype of the mice. Furthermore, we show that environmental variation among animal facilities is strong enough to influence epigenetic patterns in neurons at the level of chromatin organisation. We detected changes in chromatin organisation in the regulatory regions of genes involved in nucleosome assembly, neuronal differentiation, synaptic plasticity, and regulation of behaviour. Our findings demonstrate that common environmental differences between animal facilities may produce facility-specific phenotypes, from the molecular to the behavioural level. Furthermore, they highlight an important limitation of inferences from single-laboratory studies and thus argue that study designs should take environmental background into account to increase the robustness and replicability of findings. The phenotype of an organism results not only from its genotype but also the influence of its environment throughout development. This study shows that common environmental differences between animal facilities can induce substantial variation in the phenotype of mice, thereby highlighting an important limitation of inferences from single-laboratory studies in animal research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Jaric
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (IJ); (HW)
| | - Bernhard Voelkl
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Clerc
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Janja Novak
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marianna Rosso
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Reto Rufener
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | | | - S. Helene Richter
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Manuela Buettner
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - André Bleich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Animal Facility, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Irmgard Amrein
- Institute of Anatomy, Division of Functional Neuroanatomy, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David P. Wolfer
- Institute of Anatomy, Division of Functional Neuroanatomy, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Chadi Touma
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Shinichi Sunagawa
- Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hanno Würbel
- Animal Welfare Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (IJ); (HW)
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11
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Kovac M, Vladimirovna Ippolitova T, Pozyabin S, Aliev R, Lobanova V, Drakul N, S. Rutland C. Equine Stress: Neuroendocrine Physiology and Pathophysiology. Vet Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.105045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
This review presents new aspects to understanding the neuroendocrine regulation of equine stress responses, and their influences on the physiological, pathophysiological, and behavioral processes. Horse management, in essence, is more frequently confirmed by external and internal stress factors, than in other domestic animals. Regardless of the nature of the stimulus, the equine stress response is an effective and highly conservative set of interconnected relationships designed to maintain physiological integrity even in the most challenging circumstances (e.g., orthopedic injuries, abdominal pain, transport, competitions, weaning, surgery, and inflammation). The equine stress response is commonly a complementary homeostatic mechanism that provides protection (not an adaptation) when the body is disturbed or threatened. It activates numerous neural and hormonal networks to optimize metabolic, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and immunological functions. This review looks into the various mechanisms involved in stress responses, stress-related diseases, and assessment, prevention or control, and management of these diseases and stress. Stress-related diseases can not only be identified and assessed better, given the latest research and techniques but also prevented or controlled.
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Effects of Cohousing Mice and Rats on Stress Levels, and the Attractiveness of Dyadic Social Interaction in C57BL/6J and CD1 Mice as Well as Sprague Dawley Rats. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11020291. [PMID: 35205157 PMCID: PMC8869709 DOI: 10.3390/biology11020291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Rats, including those of the Sprague Dawley strain, may kill mice. Because of this muricidal behavior, it is standard practice in many research animal housing facilities to separate mice from rats (i.e., the predators) to minimize stress for the mice. We tested the effect of cohousing on the stress levels of mice from either the C57BL/6J (BL6) or the CD1 strain and Sprague Dawley rats (SD rat) by quantifying their fecal corticosterone and metabolites (FCM) concentration. We also investigated cohousing impacts a behavioral assay, i.e., conditioned place preference for intragenus (i.e., mouse–mouse or rat–rat) dyadic social interaction (DSI CPP) that was shown be sensitive to social factors, especially to handling by humans. We found that the two delivery batches of BL6 mice or SD rats, respectively, had different stress levels at delivery that were statistically significant for the BL6 mice. Even so, the BL6 mice cohoused with rats had significantly increased FCM concentrations, indicative of higher stress levels, as compared to (1) BL6 mice housed alone or (2) BL6 mice at delivery. In contrast to their elevated stress levels, the attractiveness of contextual cues associated with mouse–mouse social interaction (DSI CPP) even increased in rat-cohoused BL6 mice, albeit non-significantly. Thus, cohousing BL6 mice and rats did not impair a behavioral assay in BL6 mice that was proven to be sensitive to handling stress by humans in our laboratory. SD rats cohoused with BL6- or CD1 mice, and CD1 mice cohoused with SD rats, showed DSI CPP that was not different from our previously published data on SD rats and BL6 mice of the Jackson- or NIH substrain obtained in the absence of cohousing. CD1 mice cohoused with rats did not show an increased FCM concentration compared to delivery. Our findings suggest that the effect of cohousing rats and mice under the conditions described above on their stress levels as opposed to their behavior might be less clearcut than generally assumed and might be overriden by conditions that cannot be controlled, i.e., different deliveries. Our findings can help to use research animal housing resources, which are usually limited, more efficiently.
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13
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Evolution of an increased performance under acute challenge does not exacerbate vulnerability to chronic stress. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2126. [PMID: 35136150 PMCID: PMC8825808 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06060-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
An adequate stress response plays a vital role in coping with challenges. However, if selection for improved coping with an acute challenge affects the entire stress response system, susceptibility to adverse effects of chronic stressors can be deepened. Here, we used bank voles from lines selected for high swim-induced aerobic metabolism (A) and unselected control (C), and asked if the selection affected sensitivity to chronic mild stress (CMS). The voles were first habituated to daily weighing and feces collection for three weeks, and then for two weeks were exposed to CMS or remained undisturbed. The habituation itself resulted in an increased swim-induced oxygen consumption in both line types, and a decreased body mass. The CMS treatment caused reduction of food consumption in the second week of the experiment, and, in males, a decline in the metabolic rate. Paradoxically, fecal corticosterone metabolites decreased in the CMS-treated group. The response to CMS did not differ between the line types. Thus, the selection for increased performance was not traded off by increased vulnerability to chronic stress. The counter-intuitive results may even lead to a speculation that bank voles—and perhaps also other animals—prefer experiencing unpredictable, unpleasant stressors over the monotony of standard laboratory housing.
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14
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The effect of stress and exercise on the learning performance of horses. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1918. [PMID: 35121736 PMCID: PMC8816904 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03582-4] [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: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestic horses are widely used for physically demanding activities but the effect of exercise on their learning abilities has not been explored. Horses are also frequently exposed to stressors that may affect their learning. Stress and exercise result in the release of glucocorticoids, noradrenaline and other neurotransmitters that can influence learning. It is not currently possible to directly measure concentrations of neurotransmitters in the brains of behaving horses, however the inference of neurobiological processes from peripheral markers have been widely used in studies of human cognition. We assigned 41 horses to either ridden exercise, uncontrollable stress or inactivity and evaluated their acquisition of an industry-style aversive instrumental learning task. Exercised horses achieved the learning criterion in the fewest number of trials compared to the stressed and inactive horses whose performance did not differ. The exercised horses’ salivary cortisol concentrations decreased during learning whereas the concentrations of the other groups increased. Spearman’s correlations revealed that horses with the highest cortisol concentrations required the most trials to reach the criterion. We present novel data that exercise prior to learning may enhance the acquisition of learning in horses. Conversely, activities that expose horses to uncontrollable stressors causing strong cortisol release may impair learning. It is proposed that these effects may be due to the influence of neurotransmitters such as cortisol and noradrenaline on brain regions responsible for learning.
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15
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Rystrom TL, Prawitt RC, Richter SH, Sachser N, Kaiser S. Repeatability of endocrine traits and dominance rank in female guinea pigs. Front Zool 2022; 19:4. [PMID: 35031061 PMCID: PMC8760769 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00449-2] [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: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol) are associated with variation in social behavior, and previous studies have linked baseline as well as challenge-induced glucocorticoid concentrations to dominance status. It is known that cortisol response to an acute challenge is repeatable and correlates to social behavior in males of many mammal species. However, it is unclear whether these patterns are also consistent for females. The aim of this study was to investigate whether baseline and response cortisol concentrations are repeatable in female guinea pigs (Cavia aperea f. porcellus) and whether dominance rank is stable and correlated to baseline cortisol concentration and/or cortisol responsiveness. RESULTS Our results show that cortisol responsiveness (after 1 h: R = 0.635, 95% CI = 0.229, 0.927; after 2 h: R = 0.764, 95% CI = 0.433, 0.951) and dominance rank (R = 0.709, 95% CI = 0.316, 0.935) of females were significantly repeatable after six weeks but not correlated. Baseline cortisol was not repeatable (R = 0, 95% CI = 0, 0.690) and also did not correlate to dominance rank. Furthermore, the difference in repeatability estimates of baseline and response values was due to high within-individual variance of baseline cortisol concentration; the amount of between-individual variance was similar for baseline cortisol and the two measures of cortisol responsiveness. CONCLUSIONS Females occupying different dominance ranks did not have long-term differences in cortisol concentrations, and cortisol responsiveness does not seem to be significantly involved in the maintenance of dominance rank. Overall, this study reveals the remarkable stability of cortisol responsiveness and dominance rank in a female rodent, and it remains an open question whether the magnitude of cortisol responsiveness is adaptive in social contexts for females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor L Rystrom
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestr. 13, 48149, Münster, Germany. .,Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1a, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Romy C Prawitt
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestr. 13, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - S Helene Richter
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestr. 13, 48149, Münster, Germany.,Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1a, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Norbert Sachser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestr. 13, 48149, Münster, Germany.,Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1a, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Sylvia Kaiser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestr. 13, 48149, Münster, Germany.,Münster Graduate School of Evolution, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1a, 48149, Münster, Germany
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16
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Cahill S, Chandola T, Hager R. Genetic Variants Associated With Resilience in Human and Animal Studies. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:840120. [PMID: 35669264 PMCID: PMC9163442 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.840120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Resilience is broadly defined as the ability to maintain or regain functioning in the face of adversity and is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. The identification of specific genetic factors and their biological pathways underpinning resilient functioning can help in the identification of common key factors, but heterogeneities in the operationalisation of resilience have hampered advances. We conducted a systematic review of genetic variants associated with resilience to enable the identification of general resilience mechanisms. We adopted broad inclusion criteria for the definition of resilience to capture both human and animal model studies, which use a wide range of resilience definitions and measure very different outcomes. Analyzing 158 studies, we found 71 candidate genes associated with resilience. OPRM1 (Opioid receptor mu 1), NPY (neuropeptide Y), CACNA1C (calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C), DCC (deleted in colorectal carcinoma), and FKBP5 (FKBP prolyl isomerase 5) had both animal and human variants associated with resilience, supporting the idea of shared biological pathways. Further, for OPRM1, OXTR (oxytocin receptor), CRHR1 (corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1), COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase), BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), APOE (apolipoprotein E), and SLC6A4 (solute carrier family 6 member 4), the same allele was associated with resilience across divergent resilience definitions, which suggests these genes may therefore provide a starting point for further research examining commonality in resilience pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Cahill
- Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Humanities, Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Tarani Chandola
- Faculty of Humanities, Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Methods Hub, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Reinmar Hager
- Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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17
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Leschik J, Lutz B, Gentile A. Stress-Related Dysfunction of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis-An Attempt for Understanding Resilience? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7339. [PMID: 34298958 PMCID: PMC8305135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Newborn neurons in the adult hippocampus are regulated by many intrinsic and extrinsic cues. It is well accepted that elevated glucocorticoid levels lead to downregulation of adult neurogenesis, which this review discusses as one reason why psychiatric diseases, such as major depression, develop after long-term stress exposure. In reverse, adult neurogenesis has been suggested to protect against stress-induced major depression, and hence, could serve as a resilience mechanism. In this review, we will summarize current knowledge about the functional relation of adult neurogenesis and stress in health and disease. A special focus will lie on the mechanisms underlying the cascades of events from prolonged high glucocorticoid concentrations to reduced numbers of newborn neurons. In addition to neurotransmitter and neurotrophic factor dysregulation, these mechanisms include immunomodulatory pathways, as well as microbiota changes influencing the gut-brain axis. Finally, we discuss recent findings delineating the role of adult neurogenesis in stress resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Leschik
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Beat Lutz
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany;
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), 55122 Mainz, Germany
| | - Antonietta Gentile
- Synaptic Immunopathology Lab, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, 00166 Rome, Italy;
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18
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Peritore AF, Crupi R, Scuto M, Gugliandolo E, Siracusa R, Impellizzeri D, Cordaro M, D'amico R, Fusco R, Di Paola R, Cuzzocrea S. The Role of Annexin A1 and Formyl Peptide Receptor 2/3 Signaling in Chronic Corticosterone-Induced Depression-Like behaviors and Impairment in Hippocampal-Dependent Memory. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2021; 19:27-43. [PMID: 31914916 DOI: 10.2174/1871527319666200107094732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The activity of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis is commonly dysregulated in stress-related psychiatric disorders. Annexin A1 (ANXA1), an endogenous ligand of Formyl Peptide Receptor (FPR) 2/3, is a member of the family of phospholipid- and calcium-binding proteins with a well-defined role in the delayed early inhibitory feedback of Glucocorticoids (GC) in the pituitary gland and implicated in the occurrence of behavioural disorders such as anxiety. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to evaluate the potential role of ANXA1 and its main receptor, as a cellular mediator of behavioural disorders, in a model of Corticosterone (CORT)-induced depression and subsequently, the possible correlation between the depressive state and impairment of hippocampal memory. METHODS To induce the depression model, Wild-Type (WT), ANXA1 Knockout (KO), and FPR2/3 KO mice were exposed to oral administration of CORT for 28 days dissolved in drinking water. Following this, histological, biochemical and behavioural analyses were performed. RESULTS FPR2/3 KO and ANXA1 KO mice showed improvement in anxiety and depression-like behaviour compared with WT mice after CORT administration. In addition, FPR2/3 KO and ANXA1 KO mice showed a reduction in histological alterations and neuronal death in hippocampal sections. Moreover, CORT+ FPR2/3 KO and ANXA1 KO, exhibited a higher expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), phospho-ERK, cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) and a decrease in Serotonin Transporter Expression (SERT) compared to WT(CORT+) mice. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the absence of the ANXA1 protein, even more than the absence of its main receptor (FPR 2/3), was fundamental to the inhibitory action of GC on the HPA axis; it also maintained the hippocampal homeostasis by preventing neuronal damage associated with depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Filippo Peritore
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Scuto
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Enrico Gugliandolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalba Siracusa
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Marika Cordaro
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Ramona D'amico
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Fusco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, United Stated
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19
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Male long-Evans rats: An outbred model of marked hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal hyperactivity. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100355. [PMID: 34307794 PMCID: PMC8283147 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rat and mouse strains differ in behavioral and physiological characteristics, and such differences can contribute to explain discrepant results between laboratories and better select the most appropriate strain for a particular purpose. Differences in the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are particularly important given the pivotal role of this system in determining consequences of exposure to stressors. In this regard, Long-Evans (LE) rats are widely used in stress research, but there is no specific study aiming at thoroughly characterizing HPA activity in LE versus other extensively used strains. In a first experiment, LE showed higher resting ACTH and corticosterone levels only at certain points of the circadian rhythm, but much greater ACTH responsiveness to stressors (novel environment and forced swim) than Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Accordingly, enhanced corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and reduced expression of glucocorticoid receptors were observed in the hippocampal formation. Additionally, they are hyperactive in novel environments, and prone to adopt passive-like behavior when compared to SD rats. Supporting that altered HPA function has a marked physiological impact, we observed in another set of animals much lower thymus weight in LE than SD rats. Finally, to demonstrate that LE rats are likely to have higher HPA responsiveness to stressors than most strains, we studied resting and stress levels of HPA hormones in LE versus Wistar and Fischer rats, the latter considered an example of high HPA responsiveness. Again, LE showed higher resting and stress levels of ACTH than both Wistar and Fischer rats. As ACTH responsiveness to stressors in LE rats is stronger than that previously reported when comparing other rat strains and they are commercially available, they could be an appropriate model for studying the behavioral and physiological implications of a hyper-active HPA axis under normal and pathological conditions. Strain differences in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function were studied. Long-Evans (LE) rats show greater HPA response to stressors than other strains. CRH expression in critical brain areas is greater in LE than Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Glucocorticoid receptor expression was lower in the hippocampal formation of LE rats. LE rats are more active in novel environments but showed more passive coping.
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20
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Nadal R, Gabriel-Salazar M, Sanchís-Ollé M, Gagliano H, Belda X, Armario A. Individual differences in the neuroendocrine response of male rats to emotional stressors are not trait-like and strongly depend on the intensity of the stressors. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 125:105127. [PMID: 33453596 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Biological response to stressors is critical to understand stress-related pathologies and vulnerability to psychiatric diseases. It is assumed that we can identify trait-like characteristics in biological responsiveness by testing subjects in a particular stressful situation, but there is scarce information on this issue. We then studied, in a normal outbred population of adult male rats (n = 32), the response of well-characterized stress markers (ACTH, corticosterone and prolactin) to different types of stressors: two novel environments (open-field, OF1 and OF2), an elevated platform (EP), forced swim (SWIM) and immobilization (IMO). Based on both plasma ACTH and prolactin levels, the OF1 was the lowest intensity situation, followed by the OF2 and the EP, then SWIM and finally IMO. When correlations between the individual responses to the different stressors were studied, the magnitude of the correlations was most dependent on the similarities in intensity rather than on other characteristics of stressors, with good correlations between similar intensity stressors and no correlations at all were found between stressors markedly differing in intensity. In two additional confirmatory experiments (n = 37 and n = 20) with HPA hormones, we observed good correlation between the response to restraint and IMO, which were close in intensity, and no correlation between OF1 and SWIM. The present results suggest that individual neuroendocrine response to a particular stressor does not predict the response to another stressor greatly differing in intensity, thus precluding characterization of low or high responsive individuals to any stressor in a normal population. The present data have important implications for human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roser Nadal
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain; Psychobiology Unit, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain; CIBERSAM, Spain
| | - Marina Gabriel-Salazar
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain; Animal Physiology Unit (Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology), Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Sanchís-Ollé
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain; Animal Physiology Unit (Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology), Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Humberto Gagliano
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain; Animal Physiology Unit (Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology), Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Belda
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain; Animal Physiology Unit (Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology), Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Armario
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain; Animal Physiology Unit (Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology), Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain; CIBERSAM, Spain.
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21
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HUZARD D, RAPPENEAU V, MEIJER OC, TOUMA C, ARANGO-LIEVANO M, GARABEDIAN MJ, JEANNETEAU F. Experience and activity-dependent control of glucocorticoid receptors during the stress response in large-scale brain networks. Stress 2021; 24:130-153. [PMID: 32755268 PMCID: PMC7907260 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2020.1806226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The diversity of actions of the glucocorticoid stress hormones among individuals and within organs, tissues and cells is shaped by age, gender, genetics, metabolism, and the quantity of exposure. However, such factors cannot explain the heterogeneity of responses in the brain within cells of the same lineage, or similar tissue environment, or in the same individual. Here, we argue that the stress response is continuously updated by synchronized neural activity on large-scale brain networks. This occurs at the molecular, cellular and behavioral levels by crosstalk communication between activity-dependent and glucocorticoid signaling pathways, which updates the diversity of responses based on prior experience. Such a Bayesian process determines adaptation to the demands of the body and external world. We propose a framework for understanding how the diversity of glucocorticoid actions throughout brain networks is essential for supporting optimal health, while its disruption may contribute to the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders, such as major depression, and resistance to therapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien HUZARD
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France
| | - Virginie RAPPENEAU
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Onno C. MEIJER
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Chadi TOUMA
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Margarita ARANGO-LIEVANO
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Freddy JEANNETEAU
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France
- Corresponding author:
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22
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Gasser BA, Kurz J, Senn W, Escher G, Mohaupt MG. Stress-induced alterations of social behavior are reversible by antagonism of steroid hormones in C57/BL6 mice. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 394:127-135. [PMID: 32894324 PMCID: PMC7778626 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-020-01970-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Various disturbances of social behavior, such as autism, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder, have been associated with an altered steroid hormone homeostasis and a dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. A link between steroid hormone antagonists and the treatment of stress-related conditions has been suggested. We evaluated the effects of stress induction on social behavior in the three chambers and its potential reversibility upon specific steroid hormone antagonism in mice. C57BL/6 mice were stressed twice daily for 8 days by chronic swim testing. Social behavior was evaluated by measuring, first, the preference for sociability and, second, the preference for social novelty in the three-chamber approach before and after the chronic swim test. The reversibility of behavior upon stress induction was analyzed after applying steroid hormone antagonists targeting glucocorticoids with etomidate, mineralocorticoids with potassium canrenoate, and androgens with cyproterone acetate and metformin. In the chronic swim test, increased floating time from 0.8 ± 0.2 min up to 4.8 ± 0.25 min was detected (p < 0.01). In the three-chamber approach, increased preference for sociability and decreased preference for social novelty was detected pre- versus post-stress induction. These alterations of social behavior were barely affected by etomidate and potassium canrenoate, whereas the two androgen antagonists metformin and cyproterone acetate restored social behavior even beyond baseline conditions. The alteration of social behavior was better reversed by the androgen as compared with the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid antagonists. This suggests that social behavior is primarily controlled by androgen rather than by glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid action. The stress-induced changes in preference for sociability are incompletely explained by steroid hormone action alone. As the best response was related to metformin, an effect via glucose levels might confound the results and should be subject to future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Johann Kurz
- Intersci Research Association, Karl Morre Gasse 10, 8430 Leibnitz, Austria
| | - Walter Senn
- Department of Physiology, University of Bern, 3012 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Genevieve Escher
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Berne, Switzerland
- Division of Nephrology/Hypertension, University of Bern, 3010 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Markus Georg Mohaupt
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Berne, Switzerland
- Teaching Hospital Internal Medicine, Lindenhofgruppe, 3006 Berne, Switzerland
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23
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Rappeneau V, Wilmes L, Touma C. Molecular correlates of mitochondrial dysfunctions in major depression: Evidence from clinical and rodent studies. Mol Cell Neurosci 2020; 109:103555. [PMID: 32979495 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2020.103555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent stress-related mental disorders worldwide. Several biological mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of MDD have been proposed, including endocrine disturbances, neurotransmitter deficits, impaired neuronal plasticity, and more recently, mitochondrial dysfunctions. In this review, we provide an overview of relevant molecular correlates of mitochondrial dysfunction in MDD, based on findings from clinical studies and stress-induced rodent models. We also compare differences and similarities between the phenotypes of MDD patients and animal models. Our analysis of the literature reveals that both MDD and stress are associated, in humans and animals, with changes in mitochondrial biogenesis, redox imbalance, increased oxidative damages of cellular macromolecules, and apoptosis. Yet, a considerable amount of conflicting data exist and therefore, the translation of findings from clinical and preclinical research to novel therapies for MDD remains complex. Further studies are needed to advance our understanding of the molecular networks and biological mechanisms involving mitochondria in the pathophysiology of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Rappeneau
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.
| | - Lars Wilmes
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Chadi Touma
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
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Meyer N, Kröger M, Thümmler J, Tietze L, Palme R, Touma C. Impact of three commonly used blood sampling techniques on the welfare of laboratory mice: Taking the animal's perspective. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238895. [PMID: 32898190 PMCID: PMC7478650 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Laboratory mice are the most frequently used animals in biomedical research. In accordance with guidelines for humane handling, several blood sampling techniques have been established. While the effects of these procedures on blood quality and histological alterations at the sampling site are well studied, their impact on the animals’ welfare has not been extensively investigated. Therefore, our study aimed to compare three commonly used blood sampling techniques regarding their effects on different indicators of animal welfare, including physiological and behavioural response stress parameters, including pain measures, home-cage behaviour and nest-building as well as exploratory activity and neophobia. Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to a single blood collection from either the vena facialis, the retrobulbar sinus or the tail vessel, or were allocated to the respective control treatment. While all blood sampling techniques led to an acute increase in plasma corticosterone levels, the response was strongest in animals that underwent sampling from the vena facialis and the retrobulbar sinus. Similar results were observed when the time-course of adrenocortical activity was monitored via corticosterone metabolites from faecal samples. Blood collection from the vena facialis and the retrobulbar sinus also decreased exploration of novel stimuli, resulted in decreased nest-building activity and induced higher scores in the Mouse Grimace Scale. Moreover, locomotor activity and anxiety-related behaviour were strongly affected after facial vein bleeding. Interestingly, tail vessel bleeding only induced little alterations in the assessed physiological and behavioural parameters. Importantly, the observed effects in all treatment groups were no longer detectable after 24 hours, indicating only short-term impacts. Thus, by also taking the animal’s perspective and comprehensively assessing the severity of the particular sampling procedures, the results of our study contribute to Refinement within the 3R concept and allow researchers to objectively select the most appropriate and welfare-friendly blood sampling technique for a given experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neele Meyer
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrueck, Germany
- * E-mail: (NM); (CT)
| | - Mareike Kröger
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Julia Thümmler
- Research Group of Psychoneuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Tietze
- Research Group of Psychoneuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chadi Touma
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrueck, Germany
- * E-mail: (NM); (CT)
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25
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Qiao Y, Zhao J, Li C, Zhang M, Wei L, Zhang X, Kurskaya O, Bi H, Gao T. Effect of combined chronic predictable and unpredictable stress on depression-like symptoms in mice. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:942. [PMID: 32953742 PMCID: PMC7475446 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-5168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Mental stress mainly induces depression, and predictable stress, as well as a constant bombardment of chronic unpredictable micro-stressors, always coexist in daily life. However, the combined effect of predictable and unpredictable stress on depression is still not fully understood. Methods The chronic restraint stress (CRS) is to restrain the mice for 6 h per day for 3 weeks, and the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) is to stimulate the mice with 7 different stressors for 3 weeks. We evaluated the combined effect of CRS and CUMS on depression-like symptoms using behavioral tests and investigated the action mechanism through analysis of neurotransmitters, brain-derived factors, inflammatory factors, antioxidants, and intestinal microorganisms. Results Our data suggested the combined stress of CRS and CUMS caused significant weight loss, food intake reduction, depression-like behaviors-including anhedonia, learned helplessness, and reduction in spontaneous activity-and even atrophy and severe structural damage to the hippocampus in mice. Our pathogenesis study showed that combined stress-induced the reduction of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) levels, loss of oligodendrocytes (NG2 and Olig2 cells), and inhibition of neuron proliferation in the CA1, CA3, and DG regions of the hippocampus, decreased the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters (5-HT and NE) and BDNF in the cerebral cortex, caused hyperactivity of the HPA system, led to immune dysfunction, aggravated oxidative stress, and weakened the capacity of antioxidants in mice. Compared with single stress, combined stress gave rise to a more significant diversity change of the gut microbiota. Conclusions Combined stress caused significant depression-like behaviors, atrophy, and severe structural damage to the hippocampus in mice via monoamine neurotransmitter, BDNF, HPA axis, neurogenesis, and neurodegenerative, immune, oxidative stress and gut-brain axis action pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Qiao
- Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Xining, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiubo Zhao
- Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Psychiatry, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cen Li
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Xining, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Xining, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
| | - Lixin Wei
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Xining, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Zhang
- Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Psychiatry, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Olga Kurskaya
- Department of Experimental Modeling and Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Hongtao Bi
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Xining, China
| | - Tingting Gao
- Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Psychiatry, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Emmerzaal TL, Preston G, Geenen B, Verweij V, Wiesmann M, Vasileiou E, Grüter F, de Groot C, Schoorl J, de Veer R, Roelofs M, Arts M, Hendriksen Y, Klimars E, Donti TR, Graham BH, Morava E, Rodenburg RJ, Kozicz T. Impaired mitochondrial complex I function as a candidate driver in the biological stress response and a concomitant stress-induced brain metabolic reprogramming in male mice. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:176. [PMID: 32488052 PMCID: PMC7266820 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-0858-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria play a critical role in bioenergetics, enabling stress adaptation, and therefore, are central in biological stress responses and stress-related complex psychopathologies. To investigate the effect of mitochondrial dysfunction on the stress response and the impact on various biological domains linked to the pathobiology of depression, a novel mouse model was created. These mice harbor a gene trap in the first intron of the Ndufs4 gene (Ndufs4GT/GT mice), encoding the NDUFS4 protein, a structural component of complex I (CI), the first enzyme of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. We performed a comprehensive behavioral screening with a broad range of behavioral, physiological, and endocrine markers, high-resolution ex vivo brain imaging, brain immunohistochemistry, and multi-platform targeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. Ndufs4GT/GT mice presented with a 25% reduction of CI activity in the hippocampus, resulting in a relatively mild phenotype of reduced body weight, increased physical activity, decreased neurogenesis and neuroinflammation compared to WT littermates. Brain metabolite profiling revealed characteristic biosignatures discriminating Ndufs4GT/GT from WT mice. Specifically, we observed a reversed TCA cycle flux and rewiring of amino acid metabolism in the prefrontal cortex. Next, exposing mice to chronic variable stress (a model for depression-like behavior), we found that Ndufs4GT/GT mice showed altered stress response and coping strategies with a robust stress-associated reprogramming of amino acid metabolism. Our data suggest that impaired mitochondrial CI function is a candidate driver for altered stress reactivity and stress-induced brain metabolic reprogramming. These changes result in unique phenomic and metabolomic signatures distinguishing groups based on their mitochondrial genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim L. Emmerzaal
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands ,grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Graeme Preston
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA ,grid.265219.b0000 0001 2217 8588Hayward Genetics Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112 USA
| | - Bram Geenen
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Vivienne Verweij
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maximilian Wiesmann
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elisavet Vasileiou
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Femke Grüter
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Corné de Groot
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Schoorl
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Renske de Veer
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Monica Roelofs
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn Arts
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Yara Hendriksen
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Eva Klimars
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Brett H. Graham
- grid.257413.60000 0001 2287 3919Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
| | - Eva Morava
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Richard J. Rodenburg
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Pediatrics, Radboud Center for Mitochondrial Medicine, Translational Metabolic Laboratory, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tamas Kozicz
- Department of Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. .,Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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Effects of sleep on the splenic milieu in mice and the T cell receptor repertoire recruited into a T cell dependent B cell response. Brain Behav Immun Health 2020; 5:100082. [PMID: 34589857 PMCID: PMC8474558 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep is known to improve immune function ranging from cell distribution in the naïve state to elevated antibody titers after an immune challenge. The underlying mechanisms still remain unclear, partially because most studies have focused on the analysis of blood only. Hence, we investigated the effects of sleep within the spleen in female C57BL/6J mice with normal sleep compared to short-term sleep-deprived animals both in the naïve state and after an antigen challenge. Lack of sleep decreased the expression of genes associated with immune cell recruitment into and antigen presentation within the spleen both in the naïve state and during a T cell dependent B cell response directed against sheep red blood cells (SRBC). However, neither T cell proliferation nor formation of SRBC-specific antibodies was affected. In addition, the T cell receptor repertoire recruited into the immune response within seven days was not influenced by sleep deprivation. Thus, sleep modulated the molecular milieu within the spleen whereas we could not detect corresponding changes in the primary immune response against SRBC. Further studies will show whether sleep influences the secondary immune response against SRBC or the development of the B cell receptor repertoire, and how this can be compared to other antigens. Sleep deprivation (SD) decreases expression of genes involved in T cell function. SD induces those changes in the milieu of both lymph nodes and spleen. SD dampens the expression of several genes in the spleen during an immune response. SD does not alter the T cell receptor repertoire recruited into the immune response.
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Key Words
- Antigen presentation
- BCZ, B cell zone
- CCL, C–C motif ligand
- CCR, C–C motif receptor
- CD, cluster of differentiation
- CIITA, class II major histocompatibility complex transactivator
- CXCL, C-X-C motif ligand
- FDR, false discovery rate
- GC, germinal center
- IFN, interferon
- IL, interleukin
- Lymphocyte migration
- MHC-II, major histocompatibility complex II
- SD, sleep deprivation
- SLO, secondary lymphoid organ
- SRBC, sheep red blood cells
- Sheep red blood cells
- Sleep deprivation
- T cell dependent B cell Response
- T cell receptor repertoire
- TCR, T cell receptor
- TCR-R, T cell receptor repertoire
- TCZ, T cell zone
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Wasserman D, Wasserman J, Sokolowski M. Genetics of HPA-axis, depression and suicidality. Eur Psychiatry 2020; 25:278-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2009.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2009] [Accepted: 12/21/2009] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe ultimate consequence of mental ill-health, suicidal behavior (SB), is a significant problem in most societies of the world. Suicide causes about one million deaths worldwide each year, and 10–20 times more people attempt suicide. The causes of why certain people engage in SB are complex, involving for e.g., both environmental and genetic factors, and interactions in-between. Well-established environmental risk factors are events causing significant psychological stress, which are particularly difficult to cope with, e.g. exposure to physical and sexual abuse. Excessive stress have the potential to induce unfavorable effects in a variety of higher brain-functions, incurred as side-effects to maladaptive responses in the genetically controlled stress-responsive neurosystems, e.g. the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; a major and systemic stress-modulator, which is mainly controlled by the regulatory corticotrophin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) gene. Variation in-between individuals in such stress-regulatory genes such as CRHR1, may underlie the causes of the increased susceptibility of certain individuals towards SB. Here we review some of the current knowledge on what is known about the roles of the HPA axis in SB, with a focus on CRHR1.
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29
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Planchez B, Surget A, Belzung C. Animal models of major depression: drawbacks and challenges. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 126:1383-1408. [PMID: 31584111 PMCID: PMC6815270 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02084-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Major depression is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease. This situation is mainly related to the chronicity and/or recurrence of the disorder, and to poor response to antidepressant therapy. Progress in this area requires valid animal models. Current models are based either on manipulating the environment to which rodents are exposed (during the developmental period or adulthood) or biological underpinnings (i.e. gene deletion or overexpression of candidate genes, targeted lesions of brain areas, optogenetic control of specific neuronal populations, etc.). These manipulations can alter specific behavioural and biological outcomes that can be related to different symptomatic and pathophysiological dimensions of major depression. However, animal models of major depression display substantial shortcomings that contribute to the lack of innovative pharmacological approaches in recent decades and which hamper our capabilities to investigate treatment-resistant depression. Here, we discuss the validity of these models, review putative models of treatment-resistant depression, major depression subtypes and recurrent depression. Furthermore, we identify future challenges regarding new paradigms such as those proposing dimensional rather than categorical approaches to depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Catherine Belzung
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France.
- UMR 1253, iBrain, UFR Sciences et Techniques, Parc Grandmont, 37200, Tours, France.
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30
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Lattin CR, Merullo DP, Riters LV, Carson RE. In vivo imaging of D 2 receptors and corticosteroids predict behavioural responses to captivity stress in a wild bird. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10407. [PMID: 31320692 PMCID: PMC6639298 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46845-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Individual physiological variation may underlie individual differences in behaviour in response to stressors. This study tested the hypothesis that individual variation in dopamine and corticosteroid physiology in wild house sparrows (Passer domesticus, n = 15) would significantly predict behaviour and weight loss in response to a long-term stressor, captivity. We found that individuals that coped better with captivity (fewer anxiety-related behaviours, more time spent feeding, higher body mass) had lower baseline and higher stress-induced corticosteroid titres at capture. Birds with higher striatal D2 receptor binding (examined using positron emission tomography (PET) with 11C-raclopride 24 h post-capture) spent more time feeding in captivity, but weighed less, than birds with lower D2 receptor binding. In the subset of individuals imaged a second time, D2 receptor binding decreased in captivity in moulting birds, and larger D2 decreases were associated with increased anxiety behaviours 2 and 4 weeks post-capture. This suggests changes in dopaminergic systems could be one physiological mechanism underlying negative behavioural effects of chronic stress. Non-invasive technologies like PET have the potential to transform our understanding of links between individual variation in physiology and behaviour and elucidate which neuroendocrine phenotypes predict stress resilience, a question with important implications for both humans and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine R Lattin
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
| | - Devin P Merullo
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Lauren V Riters
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Richard E Carson
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Kikusui T, Kanbara N, Ozaki M, Hirayama N, Ida K, Tokita M, Tanabe N, Mitsuyama K, Abe H, Yoshida M, Nagasawa M, Mogi K. Early weaning increases anxiety via brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling in the mouse prefrontal cortex. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3991. [PMID: 30850750 PMCID: PMC6408497 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40530-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Deprivation of maternal care during early development markedly affects emotional development, but the underlying neuromolecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In a mouse model of disrupted mother-infant relationship, early weaning causes long-term impacts on pups to exhibit increased corticosterone secretion, anxiety, and stress responses in their adulthood. Revealing the molecular mechanisms behind it would beneficial to ameliorating mental problems caused by abuse in childhood. We report that normalizing circulating corticosterone in early-weaned mice, either in adulthood or soon after weaning, ameliorated anxiety levels assessed in the plus maze test. Administering a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist into the prefrontal cortex (PFC) reversed the effects of early weaning, whereas administering corticosterone increased anxiety levels, suggesting that the PFC is corticosterone’s target brain region. In the PFCs of early-weaned mice, we observed prolonged reductions in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and associated mRNAs. Anxiety in early-weaned mice was ameliorated by pretreatment with BDNF or a BDNF receptor agonist. In summary, early weaning increased anxiety levels by modulating glucocorticoid and BDNF signaling in the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takefumi Kikusui
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Natsumi Kanbara
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Mariya Ozaki
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Nozomi Hirayama
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Kumiko Ida
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Mika Tokita
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Naho Tanabe
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Kuriko Mitsuyama
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Hatsuki Abe
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Miki Yoshida
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Miho Nagasawa
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Mogi
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, 252-5201, Japan.
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Richter SH, Hintze S. From the individual to the population – and back again? Emphasising the role of the individual in animal welfare science. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Chronic stress influences attentional and judgement bias and the activity of the HPA axis in sheep. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211363. [PMID: 30699168 PMCID: PMC6353200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Environmental challenges are part of everyday life for most domestic animals. However, very little is known about how animals cope emotionally and physiologically with cumulative challenges. This experiment aimed to determine the impact of long-term exposure to environmental challenges on the affective state and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses to a subsequent additional acute shearing challenge. METHODS Sheep were exposed to either a long-term environmental challenge (rest disruption and individual housing) in order to induce chronic stress (chronic stress group) or control conditions (group housing in a field with low stress handling and daily feed rewards, control group). Judgement and attention bias were assessed as measures of the emotional state following several days of the challenge or control treatment (pre-shearing tests). In addition, the responsiveness of the HPA-axis was evaluated using a combined Corticotropin Releasing Hormone and Arginine Vasopressin (CRH/AVP) challenge. Finally, all animals were exposed to an acute shearing challenge, then judgement bias (post-shearing test), HPA-axis and internal body temperature responses were determined. RESULTS In the pre-shearing judgement bias test, the chronic stress group slightly increased optimism compared to the control treatment. In the attention bias test, the chronic stress group showed reduced vigilance behaviour towards a predator threat and a quicker approach to the food compared to the control treatment. The chronic stress group also had lower plasma ACTH concentrations in response to the CRH/AVP challenge compared to the control group, no differences in cortisol concentrations were found. In the post-shearing judgement bias test, differences in optimism were no longer evident between the chronic stress and control groups. Plasma ACTH concentrations and body temperatures showed a greater increase in response to shearing in the chronic stress group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that long-term exposure to challenges biased cognitive measures of the affective state towards an increased expectation of a reward and reduced attention towards a threat. The exaggerated ACTH responses in the chronic stress group may be indicative of HPA-axis dysregulation. Despite a period of challenge exposure in the chronic stress group, judgement bias responses to the shearing challenge were similar in the chronic stress and control groups; the reasons for this need further investigation. The altered affective state together with signs of HPA-axis dysregulation may indicate an increased risk of compromised welfare in animals exposed to long-term environmental challenges.
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Schnabl K, Westermeier J, Li Y, Klingenspor M. Opposing Actions of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone and Glucocorticoids on UCP1-Mediated Respiration in Brown Adipocytes. Front Physiol 2019; 9:1931. [PMID: 30705635 PMCID: PMC6344423 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Brown fat is a potential target in the treatment of metabolic disorders as recruitment and activation of this thermogenic organ increases energy expenditure and promotes satiation. A large variety of G-protein coupled receptors, known as classical drug targets in pharmacotherapy, is expressed in brown adipocytes. In the present study, we analyzed transcriptome data for the expression of these receptors to identify potential pathways for the recruitment and activation of thermogenic capacity in brown fat. Our analysis revealed 12 Gs-coupled receptors abundantly expressed in murine brown fat. We screened ligands for these receptors in brown adipocytes for their ability to stimulate UCP1-mediated respiration and Ucp1 gene expression. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a ligand for the melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R), turned out to be the most potent activator of UCP1 whereas its capability to stimulate Ucp1 gene expression was comparably low. Adrenocorticotropic hormone is the glandotropic hormone of the endocrine hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal-axis stimulating the release of glucocorticoids in response to stress. In primary brown adipocytes ACTH acutely increased the cellular respiration rate similar to isoproterenol, a β-adrenergic receptor agonist. The effect of ACTH on brown adipocyte respiration was mediated via the MC2R as confirmed by using an antagonist. Inhibitor-based studies revealed that ACTH-induced respiration was dependent on protein kinase A and lipolysis, compatible with a rise of intracellular cAMP in response to ACTH. Furthermore, it is dependent on UCP1, as cells from UCP1-knockout mice did not respond. Taken together, ACTH is a non-adrenergic activator of murine brown adipocytes, initiating the canonical adenylyl cyclase–cAMP–protein kinase A-lipolysis-UCP1 pathway, and thus a potential target for the recruitment and activation of thermogenic capacity. Based on these findings in primary cell culture, the physiological significance might be that cold-induced ACTH in concert with norepinephrine released from sympathetic nerves contributes to BAT thermogenesis. Notably, dexamethasone attenuated isoproterenol-induced respiration. This effect increased gradually with the duration of pretreatment. In vivo, glucocorticoid release triggered by ACTH might oppose beta-adrenergic stimulation of metabolic fuel combustion in BAT and limit stress-induced hyperthermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Schnabl
- Chair for Molecular Nutritional Medicine, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.,EKFZ - Else Kröner-Fresenius Zentrum for Nutritional Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.,ZIEL - Institute for Food & Health, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Julia Westermeier
- Chair for Molecular Nutritional Medicine, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.,EKFZ - Else Kröner-Fresenius Zentrum for Nutritional Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Yongguo Li
- Chair for Molecular Nutritional Medicine, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.,EKFZ - Else Kröner-Fresenius Zentrum for Nutritional Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Martin Klingenspor
- Chair for Molecular Nutritional Medicine, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.,EKFZ - Else Kröner-Fresenius Zentrum for Nutritional Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.,ZIEL - Institute for Food & Health, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
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Individual responses of rodents in modelling of affective disorders and in their treatment: prospective review. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2018; 30:323-333. [PMID: 29909818 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2018.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
IntroductionLack of good animal models for affective disorders, including major depression and bipolar disorder, is noted as a major bottleneck in attempts to study these disorders and develop better treatments. We suggest that an important approach that can help in the development and use of better models is attention to variability between model animals. RESULTS: Differences between mice strains were studied for some decades now, and sex differences get more attention than in the past. It is suggested that one factor that is mostly neglected, individual variability within groups, should get much more attention. The importance of individual differences in behavioral biology and ecology was repeatedly mentioned but its application to models of affective illness or to the study of drug response was not heavily studied. The standard approach is to overcome variability by standardization and by increasing the number of animals per group. CONCLUSIONS: Possibly, the individuality of specific animals and their unique responses to a variety of stimuli and drugs, can be helpful in deciphering the underlying biology of affective behaviors as well as offer better prediction of drug responses in patients.
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Palme R. Non-invasive measurement of glucocorticoids: Advances and problems. Physiol Behav 2018; 199:229-243. [PMID: 30468744 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 313] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs; i.e. cortisol/corticosterone) are a central component of the stress response and thus their measurement is frequently used to evaluate the impact of stressful situations. Their metabolites from faeces of various animal species are more and more taken as a non-invasive aid to assess GC release and thus adrenocortical activity. The current literature review includes an extensive collection (1327 papers) and evaluation (see also Supplementary Tables) of the literature on faecal cortisol/corticosterone metabolite (FCM) analysis published to date. It aims at giving reference for researchers interested in implementing FCM analysis into their study or seeking to improve such methods by providing background knowledge on GC metabolism and excretion, conveying insights into methodological issues and stating caveats of FCM analysis and by highlighting prerequisites for and some examples of a successful application of such methods. Collecting faecal samples and analysing FCMs may appear simple and straightforward, but researchers have to select and apply methods correctly. They also need to be aware of the many pitfalls and potentially confounding factors and, last but not least, have to carefully interpret results. Applied properly, measurement of FCMs is a powerful non-invasive tool in a variety of research areas, such as (stress) biology, ethology, ecology, animal conservation and welfare, but also biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
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Masis-Calvo M, Schmidtner AK, de Moura Oliveira VE, Grossmann CP, de Jong TR, Neumann ID. Animal models of social stress: the dark side of social interactions. Stress 2018; 21:417-432. [PMID: 29745275 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2018.1462327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Social stress occurs in all social species, including humans, and shape both mental health and future interactions with conspecifics. Animal models of social stress are used to unravel the precise role of the main stress system - the HPA axis - on the one hand, and the social behavior network on the other, as these are intricately interwoven. The present review aims to summarize the insights gained from three highly useful and clinically relevant animal models of psychosocial stress: the resident-intruder (RI) test, the chronic subordinate colony housing (CSC), and the social fear conditioning (SFC). Each model brings its own focus: the role of the HPA axis in shaping acute social confrontations (RI test), the physiological and behavioral impairments resulting from chronic exposure to negative social experiences (CSC), and the neurobiology underlying social fear and its effects on future social interactions (SFC). Moreover, these models are discussed with special attention to the HPA axis and the neuropeptides vasopressin and oxytocin, which are important messengers in the stress system, in emotion regulation, as well as in the social behavior network. It appears that both nonapeptides balance the relative strength of the stress response, and simultaneously predispose the animal to positive or negative social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianela Masis-Calvo
- a Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
| | - Anna K Schmidtner
- a Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
| | | | - Cindy P Grossmann
- a Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
| | - Trynke R de Jong
- a Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
- b Medische Biobank Noord-Nederland B.V , Groningen , Netherlands
| | - Inga D Neumann
- a Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
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Walker SE, Papilloud A, Huzard D, Sandi C. The link between aberrant hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity during development and the emergence of aggression—Animal studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 91:138-152. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Fuller-Jackson JP, Henry BA. Adipose and skeletal muscle thermogenesis: studies from large animals. J Endocrinol 2018; 237:R99-R115. [PMID: 29703782 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The balance between energy intake and energy expenditure establishes and preserves a 'set-point' body weight. The latter is comprised of three major components including metabolic rate, physical activity and thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is defined as the cellular dissipation of energy via heat production. This process has been extensively characterised in brown adipose tissue (BAT), wherein uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) creates a proton leak across the inner mitochondrial membrane, diverting protons away from ATP synthesis and resulting in heat dissipation. In beige adipocytes and skeletal muscle, thermogenesis can occur independent of UCP1. Beige adipocytes have been shown to produce heat via UCP1 as well as via both futile creatine and calcium cycling pathways. On the other hand, the UCP1 homologue UCP3 is abundant in skeletal muscle and post-prandial thermogenesis has been associated with UCP3 and the futile calcium cycling. This review will focus on the differential contributions of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in determining total thermogenic output and energy expenditure in large mammals. Sheep and pigs do not have a circumscribed brown fat depot but rather possess white fat depots that contain brown and beige adipocytes interspersed amongst white adipose tissue. This is representative of humans, where brown, beige and white adipocytes have been identified in the neck and supraclavicular regions. This review will describe the mechanisms of thermogenesis in pigs and sheep and the relative roles of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue thermogenesis in controlling body weight in larger mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Belinda A Henry
- Metabolism, Diabetes and Obesity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Bairos-Novak KR, Ryan CP, Freeman AR, Anderson WG, Hare JF. Like mother, like daughter: heritability of female Richardson's ground squirrel Urocitellus richardsonii cortisol stress responses. Curr Zool 2018; 64:153-163. [PMID: 30402055 PMCID: PMC5905375 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zox014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis liberates glucocorticoids, which provides an acute indication of an individual's response to stressors. The heritability of the stress response in wild mammals, however, remains poorly documented. We quantified the cortisol stress response of female Richardson's ground squirrels (RGSs) to handling and physical restraint, testing for: (1) the effects of individual age, time of day, and sample latency; (2) repeatability within individuals; (3) narrow-sense heritability; and (4) differences among individuals owing to potential genetic and/or environmental effects. We detected a positive linear relationship between baseline plasma cortisol (BL-cortisol) concentration and stress-induced plasma cortisol (SI-cortisol) concentration that defined each individual's cortisol stress response. BL-cortisol, SI-cortisol, and stress response did not differ according to the time the sample was taken, or by subject age. Cortisol stress response was highly repeatable within individuals, had a mother-offspring heritability of h 2 = 0.40 ± 0.24 (mean ± SE), full-sibling heritability ofh FS 2 = 0.37 ± 0.71 , and half-sibling heritability ofh HS 2 = 0.75 ± 1.41 . Stress responses of sibling groups, immediate-family groups, and squirrels within a given area did not differ, whereas those of individuals from more distantly related matrilines did. Our results highlight the natural variability in HPA axis reactivity among individuals by quantifying both BL- and SI-cortisol levels, demonstrate partial heritability of the stress response that is not attributable to environmental variation, and suggest that at least part of an individual's stress response can be accounted for by differences in matrilineal history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Bairos-Novak
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E2 Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Calen P Ryan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208 Illinois, USA
| | - Angela R Freeman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, 44242 Ohio, USA
| | - W Gary Anderson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - James F Hare
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
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Schoenemann KL, Bonier F. Repeatability of glucocorticoid hormones in vertebrates: a meta-analysis. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4398. [PMID: 29492340 PMCID: PMC5826989 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We often expect that investigations of the patterns, causes, and consequences of among-individual variation in a trait of interest will reveal how selective pressures or ecological conditions influence that trait. However, many endocrine traits, such as concentrations of glucocorticoid (GC) hormones, exhibit adaptive plasticity and, therefore, do not necessarily respond to these pressures as predicted by among-individual phenotypic correlations. To improve our interpretations of among-individual variation in GC concentrations, we need more information about the repeatability of these traits within individuals. Many studies have already estimated the repeatability of baseline, stress-induced, and integrated GC measures, which provides an opportunity to use meta-analytic techniques to investigate (1) whether GC titers are generally repeatable across taxa, and (2) which biological or methodological factors may impact these estimates. From an intensive search of the literature, we collected 91 GC repeatability estimates from 47 studies. Overall, we found evidence that GC levels are repeatable, with mean repeatability estimates across studies ranging from 0.230 for baseline levels to 0.386 for stress-induced levels. We also noted several factors that predicted the magnitude of these estimates, including taxon, sampling season, and lab technique. Amphibians had significantly higher repeatability in baseline and stress-induced GCs than birds, mammals, reptiles, or bony fish. The repeatability of stress-induced GCs was higher when measured within, rather than across, life history stages. Finally, estimates of repeatability in stress-induced and integrated GC measures tended to be lower when GC concentrations were quantified using commercial kit assays rather than in-house assays. The extent to which among-individual variation in GCs may explain variation in organismal performance or fitness (and thereby inform our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary processes driving that variation) depends on whether measures of GC titers accurately reflect how individuals differ overall. Our findings suggest that while GC titers can reflect some degree of consistent differences among individuals, they frequently may not. We discuss how our findings contribute to interpretations of variation in GCs, and suggest routes for the design and analysis of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frances Bonier
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Weidt A, Gygax L, Palme R, Touma C, König B. Impact of male presence on female sociality and stress endocrinology in wild house mice (Mus musculus domesticus). Physiol Behav 2018; 189:1-9. [PMID: 29474839 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.02.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In group living animals, reproductive competition plays an important role in shaping social relationships and associations among female group members. In this study, we investigated the impact of male presence on the development of female-female competition and female sociality in groups of female wild house mice, using physiological and behavioral parameters. We predicted that, by eliciting intra-sexual competition, males influence social relationships among female group members and thus affect female associations to potential cooperation partners. To test this hypothesis we compared stress hormone production, the frequency of agonistic interactions, social hierarchies and social partner preferences in groups of unrelated, unfamiliar females in the absence and presence of males. Our results revealed no indication that the introduction of males into all-female groups of wild house mice elicited increased competition among female group members, neither on the physiological nor on the behavioral level. We found no effect of male presence on female glucocorticoid secretion, aggression, dominance hierarchies or on the females' sociability. Females thus seem not to intensely compete over access to males. This female ability to behaviorally and physiologically deal with even previously unfamiliar same-sex group members may be an important feature of female house mouse societies. In fact, it could be a necessary prerequisite to establish cooperative relationships between females in the context of reproduction, such as communal nursing of young.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Weidt
- Institute of Zoology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lorenz Gygax
- Department of Crop and Animal Sciences, Humboldt University, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Chadi Touma
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Barbara König
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Seki K, Yoshida S, Jaiswal MK. Molecular mechanism of noradrenaline during the stress-induced major depressive disorder. Neural Regen Res 2018; 13:1159-1169. [PMID: 30028316 PMCID: PMC6065220 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.235019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress-induced depression is a common hallmark of many psychiatric disorders with high morbidity rate. Stress-induced dysregulation of noradrenergic system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of depression. Lack of monoamine in the brain has been believed to be the main causative factor behind pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) and several antidepressants functions by increasing the monoamine level at the synapses in the brain. However, it is undetermined whether the noradrenergic receptor stimulation is critical for the therapeutic effect of antidepressant. Contrary to noradrenergic receptor stimulation, it has been suggested that the desensitization of β-adrenoceptor is involved in the therapeutic effect of antidepressant. In addition, enhanced noradrenaline (NA) release is central response to stress and thought to be a risk factor for the development of MDD. Moreover, fast acting antidepressant suppresses the hyperactivation of noradrenergic neurons in locus coeruleus (LC). However, it is unclear how they alter the firing activity of LC neurons. These inconsistent reports about antidepressant effect of NA-reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) and enhanced release of NA as a stress response complicate our understanding about the pathophysiology of MDD. In this review, we will discuss the role of NA in pathophysiology of stress and the mechanism of therapeutic effect of NA in MDD. We will also discuss the possible contributions of each subtype of noradrenergic receptors on LC neurons, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA-axis) and brain derived neurotrophic factor-induced hippocampal neurogenesis during stress and therapeutic effect of NRIs in MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenjiro Seki
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Ohu University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Satomi Yoshida
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Ohu University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Manoj Kumar Jaiswal
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Walker SE, Zanoletti O, Guillot de Suduiraut I, Sandi C. Constitutive differences in glucocorticoid responsiveness to stress are related to variation in aggression and anxiety-related behaviors. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017. [PMID: 28647673 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids coordinate responses that enable an individual to cope with stressful challenges and, additionally, mediate adaptation following cessation of a stressor. There are important individual differences in the magnitude of glucocorticoid responsiveness to stressors. However, whether individual differences in glucocorticoid responsiveness to stress are linked to different behavioral strategies in coping with social and non-social challenges is not easily studied, owing to the lack of appropriate animal models. To address this, we generated three lines of Wistar rats selectively bred for the magnitude of their glucocorticoid responses following exposure to a variety of stressors over three consecutive days at juvenility. Here, we present findings following observations of a high level of variation in glucocorticoid responsiveness to stress in outbred Wistar rats, and the strong response to selection for this trait over a few generations. When challenged with different stressful challenges, rats from the three lines differed in their coping behaviors. Strikingly, the line with high glucocorticoid responsiveness to stress displayed enhanced aggression and anxiety-like behaviors. In addition, these rats also showed alterations in the expression of genes within both central and peripheral nodes of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and enhanced reactivity to acute stress exposure. Together, these findings strongly link differences in glucocorticoid responsiveness to stress with marked differences in coping styles. The developed rat lines are thus a promising model with which to examine the relationship between variation in reactivity of the HPA axis and stress-related pathophysiology and could be employed to assess the therapeutic potential of treatments modulating stress habituation to ameliorate psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie E Walker
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
| | - Olivia Zanoletti
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Guillot de Suduiraut
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland.
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Sun L, Liu P, Liu F, Zhou Y, Chu Z, Li Y, Chu G, Zhang Y, Wang J, Dang YH. Effects of Hint1 deficiency on emotional-like behaviors in mice under chronic immobilization stress. Brain Behav 2017; 7:e00831. [PMID: 29075577 PMCID: PMC5651401 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 1 (HINT1) is regarded as a haplo-insufficient tumor suppressor and is closely associated with diverse neuropsychiatric diseases. Moreover, HINT1 is related to gender-specific acute behavior changes in schizophrenia and in response to nicotine. Stress has a range of molecular effects in emotional disorders, which can cause a reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus, resulting in hippocampal atrophy and neuronal cell loss. METHODS This study examined the role of HINT1 deficiency in anxiety-related and depression-like behaviors and BDNF expression in the hippocampus under chronic immobilization stress, and investigated whether the sex-specific and haplo-insufficient effects exist in emotional-like behaviors under the same condition. RESULTS In a battery of behavior tests, the results of the control group, not exposed to stress, showed that knockout (KO) and heterozygosity (HT) of Hint1 had anxiolytic-like and antidepression-like effects on the male and female mice. However, both male and female Hint1-KO mice showed elevated anxiety-related and antidepression-like behavior under chronic immobilization stress; moreover, both male and female Hint1-HT mice displayed elevated anxiety-related behavior and increased depression-like behavior under chronic immobilization stress. There were no significant differences in general locomotor activity between Hint1-KO and -HT mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates. Hint1-KO mice under basal and chronic immobilization stress conditions expressed more BDNF in the hippocampus than did Hint1-HT and WT mice; overall, there were no significant sex differences in emotional-like behaviors of Hint1-KO and -HT mice. Additionally, Hint1-HT mice showed haplo-insufficient effects on emotional-like behaviors under basic conditions, rather than under chronic immobilization stress. CONCLUSIONS Both male and female HINT 1 KO and HT mice had a trend of anxiolytic-like behavior and antidepression-like behavior at control group. However, both male and female HINT1 KO mice showed elevated anxiety-related and antidepression-like behavior under chronic immobilization stress; moreover, both male and female HINT1 HT mice displayed elevated anxiety-related behavior and increased depression-like behavior under chronic immobilization stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liankang Sun
- First Affiliated Hospital Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an China
| | - Peng Liu
- College of Medicine & Forensics Key Laboratory of the Health Ministry for Forensic Medicine Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases of the Education Ministry Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center Xi'an China
| | - Fei Liu
- College of Medicine & Forensics Key Laboratory of the Health Ministry for Forensic Medicine Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases of the Education Ministry Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center Xi'an China.,Clinical Research Center of Shaanxi Province for Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases College of Stomatology Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Qi De College Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an China
| | - Zheng Chu
- College of Medicine & Forensics Key Laboratory of the Health Ministry for Forensic Medicine Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases of the Education Ministry Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center Xi'an China
| | - Yuqi Li
- Qi De College Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an China
| | - Guang Chu
- Zong Lian College Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Qi De College Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an China
| | - Jiabei Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmacy University of Maryland Baltimore MD USA
| | - Yong-Hui Dang
- College of Medicine & Forensics Key Laboratory of the Health Ministry for Forensic Medicine Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases of the Education Ministry Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center Xi'an China
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Water and T-maze protocols are equally efficient methods to assess spatial memory in 3xTg Alzheimer’s disease mice. Behav Brain Res 2017; 331:54-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Revised: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Trans-generation enrichment of clozapine-responsiveness trait in mice using a subchronic hypo-glutamatergic model of schizophrenia:A preliminary study. Behav Brain Res 2017; 323:141-145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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McIlwrick S, Pohl T, Chen A, Touma C. Late-Onset Cognitive Impairments after Early-Life Stress Are Shaped by Inherited Differences in Stress Reactivity. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:9. [PMID: 28261058 PMCID: PMC5306385 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) has been associated with lasting cognitive impairments and with an increased risk for affective disorders. A dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s main stress response system, is critically involved in mediating these long-term consequences of adverse early-life experience. It remains unclear to what extent an inherited predisposition for HPA axis sensitivity or resilience influences the relationship between ELS and cognitive impairments, and which neuroendocrine and molecular mechanisms may be involved. To investigate this, we exposed animals of the stress reactivity mouse model, consisting of three independent lines selectively bred for high (HR), intermediate (IR), or low (LR) HPA axis reactivity to a stressor, to ELS and assessed their cognitive performance, neuroendocrine function and hippocampal gene expression in early and in late adulthood. Our results show that HR animals that were exposed to ELS exhibited an HPA axis hyper-reactivity in early and late adulthood, associated with cognitive impairments in hippocampus-dependent tasks, as well as molecular changes in transcript levels involved in the regulation of HPA axis activity (Crh) and in neurotrophic action (Bdnf). In contrast, LR animals showed intact cognitive function across adulthood, with no change in stress reactivity. Intriguingly, LR animals that were exposed to ELS even showed significant signs of enhanced cognitive performance in late adulthood, which may be related to late-onset changes observed in the expression of Crh and Crhr1 in the dorsal hippocampus of these animals. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the lasting consequences of ELS at the level of cognition differ as a function of inherited predispositions and suggest that an innate tendency for low stress reactivity may be protective against late-onset cognitive impairments after ELS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silja McIlwrick
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Pohl
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry Munich, Germany
| | - Alon Chen
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of PsychiatryMunich, Germany; Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovot, Israel
| | - Chadi Touma
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of PsychiatryMunich, Germany; Department of Behavioural Biology, University of OsnabrückOsnabrück, Germany
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Surget A, Van Nieuwenhuijzen PS, Heinzmann JM, Knapman A, McIlwrick S, Westphal WP, Touma C, Belzung C. Antidepressant treatment differentially affects the phenotype of high and low stress reactive mice. Neuropharmacology 2016; 110:37-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Hewagalamulage SD, Clarke IJ, Rao A, Henry BA. Ewes With Divergent Cortisol Responses to ACTH Exhibit Functional Differences in the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis. Endocrinology 2016; 157:3540-9. [PMID: 27414744 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Within any population, the cortisol response to ACTH covers a considerable range. High responders (HRs) exhibit a greater cortisol secretory response to stress or ACTH, compared with individuals classified as low cortisol responders (LRs). We administered ACTH (0.2 μg/kg, iv) to 160 female sheep and selected subpopulations of animals as LR and HR. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in HR and LR and to identify factors that underlie the differing cortisol responses to ACTH. Hypothalami, pituitaries, and adrenals were collected from nonstressed HR and LR ewes. Expression of genes for CRH, arginine vasopressin (AVP), oxytocin, glucocorticoid receptor, and mineralocorticoid receptor were measured by in situ hybridization in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene expression was measured in the anterior pituitary. Expression of CRH, AVP, and POMC was higher in HR, with no differences in either glucocorticoid receptor or mineralocorticoid receptor expression. Oxytocin expression was greater in LR. In the adrenal gland, real-time PCR analysis indicated that expression of the ACTH receptor and a range of steroidogenic enzymes was similar in HR and LR. Adrenal weights, the cortex to medulla ratio and adrenal cortisol content were also similar in LR and HR. In conclusion, LR and HR display innate differences in the steady-state expression of CRH, AVP, oxytocin, and POMC, indicating that selection for cortisol responsiveness identifies distinct subpopulations that exhibit innate differences in the gene expression/function of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakda D Hewagalamulage
- Metabolic Disease and Obesity Program (S.D.H., B.A.H.) and Neuroscience Program (I.J.C., A.R.), Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Iain J Clarke
- Metabolic Disease and Obesity Program (S.D.H., B.A.H.) and Neuroscience Program (I.J.C., A.R.), Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Alexandra Rao
- Metabolic Disease and Obesity Program (S.D.H., B.A.H.) and Neuroscience Program (I.J.C., A.R.), Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Belinda A Henry
- Metabolic Disease and Obesity Program (S.D.H., B.A.H.) and Neuroscience Program (I.J.C., A.R.), Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
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