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George K, Hoang HTM, Tibbs T, Nagaraja RY, Li G, Troyano-Rodriguez E, Ahmad M. Robust GRK2/3/6-dependent desensitization of oxytocin receptor in neurons. iScience 2024; 27:110047. [PMID: 38883814 PMCID: PMC11179071 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110047] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin plays critical roles in the brain as a neuromodulator, regulating social and other affective behavior. However, the regulatory mechanisms controlling oxytocin receptor (OXTR) signaling in neurons remain unexplored. In this study, we have identified robust and rapid-onset desensitization of OXTR response in multiple regions of the mouse brain. Both cell autonomous spiking response and presynaptic activation undergo similar agonist-induced desensitization. G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRK) GRK2, GRK3, and GRK6 are recruited to the activated OXTR in neurons, followed by recruitment of β-arrestin-1 and -2. Neuronal OXTR desensitization was impaired by suppression of GRK2/3/6 kinase activity but remained unaltered with double knockout of β-arrestin-1 and -2. Additionally, we observed robust agonist-induced internalization of neuronal OXTR and its Rab5-dependent recruitment to early endosomes, which was impaired by GRK2/3/6 inhibition. This work defines distinctive aspects of the mechanisms governing OXTR desensitization and internalization in neurons compared to prior studies in heterologous cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran George
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Hanh T M Hoang
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Taryn Tibbs
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Raghavendra Y Nagaraja
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Guangpu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Eva Troyano-Rodriguez
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Mohiuddin Ahmad
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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Cymerblit-Sabba A, Walsh C, Duan KZ, Song J, Holmes O, Young WS. Simultaneous Knockouts of the Oxytocin and Vasopressin 1b Receptors in Hippocampal CA2 Impair Social Memory. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.30.526271. [PMID: 36789441 PMCID: PMC9928026 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.30.526271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (Oxt) and vasopressin (Avp) are two neuropeptides with many central actions related to social cognition. The oxytocin (Oxtr) and vasopressin 1b (Avpr1b) receptors are co-expressed in the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal subfield CA2 and are known to play a critical role in social memory formation. How the neuropeptides perform this function in this region is not fully understood. Here, we report the behavioral effects of a life-long conditional removal (knockout, KO) of either the Oxtr alone or both Avpr1b and Oxtr from the pyramidal neurons of CA2 as well as the resultant changes in synaptic transmission within the different fields of the hippocampus. Surprisingly, the removal of both receptors results in mice that are unable to habituate to a familiar female presented for short duration over short intervals but are able to recognize and discriminate females when presented for a longer duration over a longer interval. Importantly, these double KO mice were unable to discriminate between a male littermate and a novel male. Synaptic transmission between CA3 and CA2 is enhanced in these mice, suggesting a compensatory mechanism is activated to make up for the loss of the receptors. Overall, our results demonstrate that co-expression of the receptors in CA2 is necessary to allow intact social memory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adi Cymerblit-Sabba
- Section on Neural Gene Expression, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Caroline Walsh
- Section on Neural Gene Expression, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kai-Zheng Duan
- Section on Neural Gene Expression, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - June Song
- Section on Neural Gene Expression, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Oliver Holmes
- Section on Neural Gene Expression, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - W Scott Young
- Section on Neural Gene Expression, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Yoo T, Joshi S, Prajapati S, Cho YS, Kim J, Park PH, Bae YC, Kim E, Kim SY. A Deficiency of the Psychiatric Risk Gene DLG2/PSD-93 Causes Excitatory Synaptic Deficits in the Dorsolateral Striatum. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:938590. [PMID: 35966008 PMCID: PMC9370999 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.938590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic variations resulting in the loss of function of the discs large homologs (DLG2)/postsynaptic density protein-93 (PSD-93) gene have been implicated in the increased risk for schizophrenia, intellectual disability, and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Previously, we have reported that mice lacking exon 14 of the Dlg2 gene (Dlg2–/– mice) display autistic-like behaviors, including social deficits and increased repetitive behaviors, as well as suppressed spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents in the striatum. However, the neural substrate underpinning such aberrant synaptic network activity remains unclear. Here, we found that the corticostriatal synaptic transmission was significantly impaired in Dlg2–/– mice, which did not seem attributed to defects in presynaptic releases of cortical neurons, but to the reduced number of functional synapses in the striatum, as manifested in the suppressed frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents in spiny projection neurons (SPNs). Using transmission electron microscopy, we found that both the density of postsynaptic densities and the fraction of perforated synapses were significantly decreased in the Dlg2–/– dorsolateral striatum. The density of dendritic spines was significantly reduced in striatal SPNs, but notably, not in the cortical pyramidal neurons of Dlg2–/– mice. Furthermore, a DLG2/PSD-93 deficiency resulted in the compensatory increases of DLG4/PSD-95 and decreases in the expression of TrkA in the striatum, but not particularly in the cortex. These results suggest that striatal dysfunction might play a role in the pathology of psychiatric disorders that are associated with a disruption of the Dlg2 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taesun Yoo
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Shambhu Joshi
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | | | - Yi Sul Cho
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jinkyeong Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Pil-Hoon Park
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Yong Chul Bae
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Soo Young Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Soo Young Kim,
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Jiang J, Ju J, Luo L, Song Z, Liao H, Yang X, Wei S, Wang D, Zhu W, Chang J, Ma J, Hu H, Yu J, Wang H, Hou ST, Li S, Li H, Li N. Salmon Calcitonin Exerts an Antidepressant Effect by Activating Amylin Receptors. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:826055. [PMID: 35237169 PMCID: PMC8883047 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.826055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Depressive disorder is defined as a psychiatric disease characterized by the core symptoms of anhedonia and learned helplessness. Currently, the treatment of depression still calls for medications with high effectiveness, rapid action, and few side effects, although many drugs, including fluoxetine and ketamine, have been approved for clinical usage by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In this study, we focused on calcitonin as an amylin receptor polypeptide, of which the antidepressant effect has not been reported, even if calcitonin gene-related peptides have been previously demonstrated to improve depressive-like behaviors in rodents. Here, the antidepressant potential of salmon calcitonin (sCT) was first evaluated in a chronic restraint stress (CRS) mouse model of depression. We observed that the immobility duration in CRS mice was significantly increased during the tail suspension test and forced swimming test. Furthermore, a single administration of sCT was found to successfully rescue depressive-like behaviors in CRS mice. Lastly, AC187 as a potent amylin receptor antagonist was applied to investigate the roles of amylin receptors in depression. We found that AC187 significantly eliminated the antidepressant effects of sCT. Taken together, our data revealed that sCT could ameliorate a depressive-like phenotype probably via the amylin signaling pathway. sCT should be considered as a potential therapeutic candidate for depressive disorder in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Jiang
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jun Ju
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liang Luo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ze Song
- Oncology Department, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huanquan Liao
- The Clinical Neuroscience Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiuyan Yang
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shoupeng Wei
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dilong Wang
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenhui Zhu
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinlong Chang
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Junzhe Ma
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- China-UK Institute for Frontier Science, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, Division of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jiezhong Yu
- The Fourth People’s Hospital of Datong City, Datong, China
| | - Huiqing Wang
- The Fifth People’s Hospital of Datong City, Datong, China
| | - Sheng-Tao Hou
- Brain Research Centre and Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shupeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Shupeng Li, ; Huiliang Li, ; Ningning Li,
| | - Huiliang Li
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, Division of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Shupeng Li, ; Huiliang Li, ; Ningning Li,
| | - Ningning Li
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- China-UK Institute for Frontier Science, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Shupeng Li, ; Huiliang Li, ; Ningning Li,
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Wang X, Escobar JB, Mendelowitz D. Sex Differences in the Hypothalamic Oxytocin Pathway to Locus Coeruleus and Augmented Attention with Chemogenetic Activation of Hypothalamic Oxytocin Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168510. [PMID: 34445224 PMCID: PMC8395169 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The tightly localized noradrenergic neurons (NA) in the locus coeruleus (LC) are well recognized as essential for focused arousal and novelty-oriented responses, while many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit diminished attention, engagement and orienting to exogenous stimuli. This has led to the hypothesis that atypical LC activity may be involved in ASD. Oxytocin (OXT) neurons and receptors are known to play an important role in social behavior, pair bonding and cognitive processes and are under investigation as a potential treatment for ASD. However, little is known about the neurotransmission from hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) OXT neurons to LC NA neurons. In this study, we test, in male and female rats, whether PVN OXT neurons excite LC neurons, whether oxytocin is released and involved in this neurotransmission, and whether activation of PVN OXT neurons alters novel object recognition. Using "oxytocin sniffer cells" (CHO cells that express the human oxytocin receptor and a Ca indicator) we show that there is release of OXT from hypothalamic PVN OXT fibers in the LC. Optogenetic excitation of PVN OXT fibers excites LC NA neurons by co-release of OXT and glutamate, and this neurotransmission is greater in males than females. In male, but not in female animals, chemogenetic activation of PVN OXT neurons increases attention to novel objects.
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Gandhi T, Lee CC. Neural Mechanisms Underlying Repetitive Behaviors in Rodent Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 14:592710. [PMID: 33519379 PMCID: PMC7840495 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.592710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is comprised of several conditions characterized by alterations in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the heterogeneous development of ASD behaviors. Several rodent models display ASD-like phenotypes, including repetitive behaviors. In this review article, we discuss the potential neural mechanisms involved in repetitive behaviors in rodent models of ASD and related neuropsychiatric disorders. We review signaling pathways, neural circuits, and anatomical alterations in rodent models that display robust stereotypic behaviors. Understanding the mechanisms and circuit alterations underlying repetitive behaviors in rodent models of ASD will inform translational research and provide useful insight into therapeutic strategies for the treatment of repetitive behaviors in ASD and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Gandhi
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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Arakawa H. Dynamic regulation of oxytocin neuronal circuits in the sequential processes of prosocial behavior in rodent models. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 2:100011. [PMID: 36246512 PMCID: PMC9559098 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2021.100011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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Longaretti A, Forastieri C, Toffolo E, Caffino L, Locarno A, Misevičiūtė I, Marchesi E, Battistin M, Ponzoni L, Madaschi L, Cambria C, Bonasoni MP, Sala M, Perrone D, Fumagalli F, Bassani S, Antonucci F, Tonini R, Francolini M, Battaglioli E, Rusconi F. LSD1 is an environmental stress-sensitive negative modulator of the glutamatergic synapse. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 13:100280. [PMID: 33457471 PMCID: PMC7794663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Along with neuronal mechanisms devoted to memory consolidation –including long term potentiation of synaptic strength as prominent electrophysiological correlate, and inherent dendritic spines stabilization as structural counterpart– negative control of memory formation and synaptic plasticity has been described at the molecular and behavioral level. Within this work, we report a role for the epigenetic corepressor Lysine Specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1) as a negative neuroplastic factor whose stress-enhanced activity may participate in coping with adverse experiences. Constitutively increasing LSD1 activity via knocking out its dominant negative splicing isoform neuroLSD1 (neuroLSD1KO mice), we observed extensive structural, functional and behavioral signs of excitatory decay, including disrupted memory consolidation. A similar LSD1 increase, obtained with acute antisense oligonucleotide-mediated neuroLSD1 splicing knock down in primary neuronal cultures, dampens spontaneous glutamatergic transmission, reducing mEPSCs. Remarkably, LSD1 physiological increase occurs in response to psychosocial stress-induced glutamatergic signaling. Since this mechanism entails neuroLSD1 splicing downregulation, we conclude that LSD1/neuroLSD1 ratio modulation in the hippocampus is instrumental to a negative homeostatic feedback, restraining glutamatergic neuroplasticity in response to glutamate. The active process of forgetting provides memories with salience. With our work, we propose that softening memory traces of adversities could further represent a stress-coping process in which LSD1/neuroLSD1 ratio modulation may help preserving healthy emotional references.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Longaretti
- Dept. of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, Segrate (MI), Italy
| | - C Forastieri
- Dept. of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, Segrate (MI), Italy
| | - E Toffolo
- Dept. of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, Segrate (MI), Italy
| | - L Caffino
- Dept. of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti, 9, Milano, Italy
| | - A Locarno
- Neuromodulation of Cortical and Subcortical Circuits Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morengo, 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - I Misevičiūtė
- Neuromodulation of Cortical and Subcortical Circuits Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morengo, 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - E Marchesi
- Dept. of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università di Ferrara, Via Borsari, 46, Ferrara, Italy
| | - M Battistin
- Dept. of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, Segrate (MI), Italy
| | - L Ponzoni
- Institute of Neuroscience, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Vanvitelli, 32, Milan, Italy
| | - L Madaschi
- UNITECH NO LIMITS, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, Milan, Italy
| | - C Cambria
- Dept. of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, Segrate (MI), Italy
| | - M P Bonasoni
- ASMN Santa Maria Nuova Via Risorgimento, 80 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - M Sala
- Institute of Neuroscience, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Vanvitelli, 32, Milan, Italy
| | - D Perrone
- Dept. of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università di Ferrara, Via Borsari, 46, Ferrara, Italy
| | - F Fumagalli
- Dept. of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti, 9, Milano, Italy
| | - S Bassani
- Institute of Neuroscience, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Vanvitelli, 32, Milan, Italy
| | - F Antonucci
- Dept. of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, Segrate (MI), Italy
| | - R Tonini
- Neuromodulation of Cortical and Subcortical Circuits Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morengo, 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - M Francolini
- Dept. of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, Segrate (MI), Italy
| | - E Battaglioli
- Dept. of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, Segrate (MI), Italy
| | - F Rusconi
- Dept. of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via F.lli Cervi, 93, Segrate (MI), Italy
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Lefter R, Ciobica A, Antioch I, Ababei DC, Hritcu L, Luca AC. Oxytocin Differentiated Effects According to the Administration Route in a Prenatal Valproic Acid-Induced Rat Model of Autism. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56060267. [PMID: 32485966 PMCID: PMC7353871 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56060267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: The hormone oxytocin (OXT) has already been reported in both human and animal studies for its promising therapeutic potential in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the comparative effectiveness of various administration routes, whether central or peripheral has been insufficiently studied. In the present study, we examined the effects of intranasal (IN) vs. intraperitoneal (IP) oxytocin in a valproic-acid (VPA) autistic rat model, focusing on cognitive and mood behavioral disturbances, gastrointestinal transit and central oxidative stress status. Materials and Methods: VPA prenatally-exposed rats (500 mg/kg; age 90 days) in small groups of 5 (n = 20 total) were given OXT by IP injection (10 mg/kg) for 8 days consecutively or by an adapted IN pipetting protocol (12 IU/kg, 20 μL/day) for 4 consecutive days. Behavioral tests were performed during the last three days of OXT treatment, and OXT was administrated 20 minutes before each behavioral testing for each rat. Biochemical determination of oxidative stress markers in the temporal area included superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA). A brief quantitative assessment of fecal discharge over a period of 24 hours was performed at the end of the OXT treatment to determine differences in intestinal transit. Results: OXT improved behavioral and oxidative stress status in both routes of administration, but IN treatment had significantly better outcome in improving short-term memory, alleviating depressive manifestations and mitigating lipid peroxidation in the temporal lobes. Significant correlations were also found between behavioral parameters and oxidative stress status in rats after OXT administration. The quantitative evaluation of the gastrointestinal (GI) transit indicated lower fecal pellet counts in the VPA group and homogenous average values for the control and both OXT treated groups. Conclusions: The data from the present study suggest OXT IN administration to be more efficient than IP injections in alleviating autistic cognitive and mood dysfunctions in a VPA-induced rat model. OXT effects on the cognitive and mood behavior of autistic rats may be associated with its effects on oxidative stress. Additionally, present results provide preliminary evidence that OXT may have a balancing effect on gastrointestinal motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radu Lefter
- Center of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, B dul Carol I, No 8, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Research, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B dul Carol I, No 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (L.H.)
| | - Iulia Antioch
- Department of Research, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B dul Carol I, No 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Daniela Carmen Ababei
- “Grigore T.Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16, Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (D.C.A.); (A.-C.L.)
| | - Luminita Hritcu
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciencies and Veterinary Medicine “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” of Iasi, 3rd Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (L.H.)
| | - Alina-Costina Luca
- “Grigore T.Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16, Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (D.C.A.); (A.-C.L.)
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Yoo T, Kim SG, Yang SH, Kim H, Kim E, Kim SY. A DLG2 deficiency in mice leads to reduced sociability and increased repetitive behavior accompanied by aberrant synaptic transmission in the dorsal striatum. Mol Autism 2020; 11:19. [PMID: 32164788 PMCID: PMC7069029 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00324-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background DLG2, also known as postsynaptic density protein-93 (PSD-93) or chapsyn-110, is an excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding protein that interacts with synaptic surface receptors and signaling molecules. A recent study has demonstrated that mutations in the DLG2 promoter region are significantly associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although DLG2 is well known as a schizophrenia-susceptibility gene, the mechanisms that link DLG2 gene disruption with ASD-like behaviors remain unclear. Methods Mice lacking exon 14 of the Dlg2 gene (Dlg2–/– mice) were used to investigate whether Dlg2 deletion leads to ASD-like behavioral abnormalities. To this end, we performed a battery of behavioral tests assessing locomotion, anxiety, sociability, and repetitive behaviors. In situ hybridization was performed to determine expression levels of Dlg2 mRNA in different mouse brain regions during embryonic and postnatal brain development. We also measured excitatory and inhibitory synaptic currents to determine the impacts of Dlg2 deletion on synaptic transmission in the dorsolateral striatum. Results Dlg2–/– mice showed hypoactivity in a novel environment. They also exhibited decreased social approach, but normal social novelty recognition, compared with wild-type animals. In addition, Dlg2–/– mice displayed strong self-grooming, both in home cages and novel environments. Dlg2 mRNA levels in the striatum were heightened until postnatal day 7 in mice, implying potential roles of DLG2 in the development of striatal connectivity. In addition, the frequency of excitatory, but not inhibitory, spontaneous postsynaptic currents in the Dlg2–/– dorsolateral striatum was significantly reduced. Conclusion These results suggest that homozygous Dlg2 deletion in mice leads to ASD-like behavioral phenotypes, including social deficits and increased repetitive behaviors, as well as reductions in excitatory synaptic input onto dorsolateral spiny projection neurons, implying that the dorsal striatum is one of the brain regions vulnerable to the developmental dysregulation of DLG2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taesun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Sun-Gyun Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Soo Hyun Yang
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Soo Young Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, Korea.
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Hayashi R, Kasahara Y, Hidema S, Fukumitsu S, Nakagawa K, Nishimori K. Oxytocin Ameliorates Impaired Behaviors of High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:379. [PMID: 32719656 PMCID: PMC7347791 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive intake of fat is a major risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases such as heart disease and also affects brain function such as object recognition memory, social recognition, anxiety behavior, and depression-like behavior. Although oxytocin (OXT) has been reported to improve object recognition, social recognition, anxiety behavior, and depression-like behavior in specific conditions, previous studies did not explore the impact of OXT in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether intake of HFD affects OXT/oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in the brain. Here, we demonstrated that peripheral OXT administration improves not only social recognition but also object recognition and depressive-like behavior in HFD-fed mice. In contrast, peripheral OXT administration to HFD-fed male mice increased fear and anxiety-related behavior. In addition, we observed that intake of HFD decreased OXTR and c-fos mRNA expression in the hippocampus, specifically. Furthermore, peripheral OXT administration increased OXT mRNA expression in the hypothalamus. Altogether, these findings suggest that OXT has the potential to improve various recognition memory processes via peripheral administration but also has side effects that increase fear-related behavior in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryotaro Hayashi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Food and Biodynamic Chemistry Laboratory, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Nippon Flour Mills Co., Ltd., Innovation Center, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Kasahara
- Department of Fetal Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Shizu Hidema
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Satoshi Fukumitsu
- Nippon Flour Mills Co., Ltd., Innovation Center, Kanagawa, Japan
- Collaborative Graduate School Program, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- Alliance for Research on the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Nakagawa
- Food and Biodynamic Chemistry Laboratory, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Nishimori
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Obesity and Inflammation Research, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
- *Correspondence: Katsuhiko Nishimori
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