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Mukherjee D, Gonzales BJ, Ashwal-Fluss R, Turm H, Groysman M, Citri A. Egr2 induction in spiny projection neurons of the ventrolateral striatum contributes to cocaine place preference in mice. eLife 2021; 10:65228. [PMID: 33724178 PMCID: PMC8057818 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction develops due to brain-wide plasticity within neuronal ensembles, mediated by dynamic gene expression. Though the most common approach to identify such ensembles relies on immediate early gene expression, little is known of how the activity of these genes is linked to modified behavior observed following repeated drug exposure. To address this gap, we present a broad-to-specific approach, beginning with a comprehensive investigation of brain-wide cocaine-driven gene expression, through the description of dynamic spatial patterns of gene induction in subregions of the striatum, and finally address functionality of region-specific gene induction in the development of cocaine preference. Our findings reveal differential cell-type specific dynamic transcriptional recruitment patterns within two subdomains of the dorsal striatum following repeated cocaine exposure. Furthermore, we demonstrate that induction of the IEG Egr2 in the ventrolateral striatum, as well as the cells within which it is expressed, are required for the development of cocaine seeking. The human brain is ever changing, constantly rewiring itself in response to new experiences, knowledge or information from the environment. Addictive drugs such as cocaine can hijack the genetic mechanisms responsible for this plasticity, creating dangerous, obsessive drug-seeking and consuming behaviors. Cocaine-induced plasticity is difficult to apprehend, however, as brain regions or even cell populations can react differently to the compound. For instance, sub-regions in the striatum – the brain area that responds to rewards and helps to plan movement – show distinct responses during progressive exposure to cocaine. And while researchers know that the drug immediately changes how neurons switch certain genes on and off, it is still unclear how these genetic modifications later affect behavior. Mukherjee, Gonzales et al. explored these questions at different scales, first focusing on how progressive cocaine exposure changed the way various gene programs were activated across the entire brain. This revealed that programs in the striatum were the most affected by the drug. Examining this region more closely showed that cocaine switches on genes in specific ‘spiny projection’ neuron populations, depending on where these cells are located and the drug history of the mouse. Finally, Mukherjee, Gonzales et al. used genetically modified mice to piece together cocaine exposure, genetic changes and modifications in behavior. These experiments revealed that the drive to seek cocaine depended on activation of the Egr2 gene in populations of spiny projection neurons in a specific sub-region of the striatum. The gene, which codes for a protein that regulates how genes are switched on and off, was itself strongly activated by cocaine intake. Cocaine addiction can have devastating consequences for individuals. Grasping how this drug alters the brain could pave the way for new treatments, while also providing information on the basic mechanisms underlying brain plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diptendu Mukherjee
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel.,Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ben Jerry Gonzales
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel.,Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Reut Ashwal-Fluss
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hagit Turm
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel.,Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Maya Groysman
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ami Citri
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel.,Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Program in Child and Brain Development, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, MaRS Centre, Toronto, Canada
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2
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Fultz EK, Martin DL, Hudson CN, Kippin TE, Szumlinski KK. Methamphetamine-alcohol interactions in murine models of sequential and simultaneous oral drug-taking. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017; 177:178-186. [PMID: 28601731 PMCID: PMC6445265 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A high degree of co-morbidity exists between methamphetamine (MA) addiction and alcohol use disorders and both sequential and simultaneous MA-alcohol mixing increases risk for co-abuse. As little preclinical work has focused on the biobehavioral interactions between MA and alcohol within the context of drug-taking behavior, we employed simple murine models of voluntary oral drug consumption to examine how prior histories of either MA- or alcohol-taking influence the intake of the other drug. METHODS In one study, mice with a 10-day history of binge alcohol-drinking [5,10, 20 and 40% (v/v); 2h/day] were trained to self-administer oral MA in an operant-conditioning paradigm (10-40mg/L). In a second study, mice with a 10-day history of limited-access oral MA-drinking (5, 10, 20 and 40mg/L; 2h/day) were presented with alcohol (5-40% v/v; 2h/day) and then a choice between solutions of 20% alcohol, 10mg/L MA or their mix. RESULTS Under operant-conditioning procedures, alcohol-drinking mice exhibited less MA reinforcement overall, than water controls. However, when drug availability was not behaviorally-contingent, alcohol-drinking mice consumed more MA and exhibited greater preference for the 10mg/L MA solution than drug-naïve and combination drug-experienced mice. Conversely, prior MA-drinking history increased alcohol intake across a range of alcohol concentrations. DISCUSSION These exploratory studies indicate the feasibility of employing procedurally simple murine models of sequential and simultaneous oral MA-alcohol mixing of relevance to advancing our biobehavioral understanding of MA-alcohol co-abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissa K Fultz
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9660, USA
| | - Douglas L Martin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9660, USA
| | - Courtney N Hudson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9660, USA
| | - Tod E Kippin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9660, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9660, USA; Institute for Collaborative Biotechnology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9660, USA
| | - Karen K Szumlinski
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9660, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9660, USA.
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3
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Rozas JL, Goitia B, Bisagno V, Urbano FJ. Differential alterations of intracellular [Ca 2+] dynamics induced by cocaine and methylphenidate in thalamocortical ventrobasal neurons. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 2. [PMID: 28920083 DOI: 10.15761/tbr.1000114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The ventrobasal (VB) thalamus relay nucleus processes information from rodents' whiskers, projecting to somatosensory cortex. Cocaine and methylphenidate (MPH) have been described to differentially alter intrinsic properties of, and spontaneous GABAergic input to, VB neurons. Here we studied using bis-fura 2 ratiometric fluorescence the effects of cocaine and MPH on intracellular [Ca2+] dynamics at the soma and dendrites of VB neurons. Cocaine increased baseline fluorescence in VB somatic and dendritic compartments. Peak and areas of fluorescence amplitudes were reduced by cocaine binge treatment in somas and dendrites at different holding potentials. MPH binge treatment did not alter ratiometric fluorescence at either somatic or dendritic levels. These novel cocaine-mediated blunting effects on intracellular [Ca2+] might account for alterations in the capacity of thalamocortical neurons to maintain gamma band oscillations, as well as their ability to integrate synaptic afferents.
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Affiliation(s)
- José L Rozas
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular "Dr. Héctor Maldonado", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
| | - Belén Goitia
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular "Dr. Héctor Maldonado", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
| | - Verónica Bisagno
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Francisco J Urbano
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular "Dr. Héctor Maldonado", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
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Robison LS, Ananth M, Hadjiargyrou M, Komatsu DE, Thanos PK. Chronic oral methylphenidate treatment reversibly increases striatal dopamine transporter and dopamine type 1 receptor binding in rats. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2017; 124:655-667. [PMID: 28116523 PMCID: PMC5400672 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-017-1680-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we created an 8-h limited-access dual bottle drinking paradigm to deliver methylphenidate (MP) to rats at two dosages that result in a pharmacokinetic profile similar to patients treated for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Chronic treatment resulted in altered behavior, with some effects persisting beyond treatment. In the current study, adolescent male Sprague-Dawley rats were split into three groups at four weeks of age: control (water), low-dose MP (LD), and high-dose MP (HD). Briefly, 4 mg/kg (low dose; LD) or 30 mg/kg (high dose; HD) MP was consumed during the first hour, and 10 mg/kg (LD) or 60 mg/kg (HD) MP during hours two through eight. Following three months of treatment, half of the rats in each group (n = 8-9/group) were euthanized, and remaining rats went through a 1-month abstinence period, then euthanized. In vitro receptor autoradiography was performed to quantify binding levels of dopamine transporter (DAT), dopamine type 1 (D1R)-like receptors, and dopamine type 2 (D2R)-like receptors using [3H] WIN35,428, [3H] SCH23390, and [3H] Spiperone, respectively. Immediately following treatment, HD MP-treated rats had increased DAT and D1R-like binding in several subregions of the basal ganglia, particularly more caudal portions of the caudate putamen, which correlated with some previously reported behavioral changes. There were no differences between treatment groups in any measure following abstinence. These findings suggest that chronic treatment with a clinically relevant high dose of MP results in reversible changes in dopamine neurochemistry, which may underlie some effects on behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa S Robison
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Mala Ananth
- Department of Neurobiology, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Michael Hadjiargyrou
- Department of Life Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Northern Boulevard, P.O. Box 8000, Old Westbury, NY, 11568, USA
| | - David E Komatsu
- Department of Orthopedics, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Panayotis K Thanos
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory On Addictions, Research Institute On Addictions, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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5
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Tobón KE, Catuzzi JE, Cote SR, Sonaike A, Kuzhikandathil EV. Post-transcriptional regulation of dopamine D1 receptor expression in caudate-putamen of cocaine-sensitized mice. Eur J Neurosci 2015; 42:1849-57. [PMID: 25900179 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The dopamine D1 receptor is centrally involved in mediating the effects of cocaine and is essential for cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization. Changes in D1 receptor expression have been reported in various models of cocaine addiction; however, the mechanisms that mediate these changes in D1 receptor expression are not well understood. Using preadolescent drd1a-EGFP mice and a binge cocaine treatment protocol we demonstrate that the D1 receptor is post-transcriptionally regulated in the caudate-putamen of cocaine-sensitized animal. While cocaine-sensitized mice express high levels of steady-state D1 receptor mRNA, the expression of D1 receptor protein is not elevated. We determined that the post-transcriptional regulation of D1 receptor mRNA is rapidly attenuated and D1 receptor protein levels increase within 30 min when the sensitized mice are challenged with cocaine. The rapid increase in D1 receptor protein levels requires de novo protein synthesis and correlates with the cocaine-induced hyperlocomotor activity in the cocaine-sensitized mice. The increase in D1 receptor protein levels in the caudate-putamen inversely correlated with the levels of microRNA 142-3p and 382, both of which regulate D1 receptor protein expression. The levels of these two microRNAs decreased significantly within 5 min of cocaine challenge in sensitized mice. The results provide novel insights into the previously unknown rapid kinetics of D1 receptor protein expression which occurs in a time scale that is comparable to the expression of immediate early genes. Furthermore, the results suggest a potential novel role for inherently labile microRNAs in regulating the rapid expression of D1 receptor protein in cocaine-sensitized animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna E Tobón
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB, I-647, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Jennifer E Catuzzi
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB, I-647, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Samantha R Cote
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB, I-647, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Adenike Sonaike
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB, I-647, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Eldo V Kuzhikandathil
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB, I-647, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
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6
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Freet CS, Ballard SM, Alexander DN, Cox TA, Imperio CG, Anosike N, Carter AB, Mahmoud S, Ruiz-Velasco V, Grigson PS. Cocaine-induced suppression of saccharin intake and morphine modulation of Ca²⁺ channel currents in sensory neurons of OPRM1 A118G mice. Physiol Behav 2014; 139:216-23. [PMID: 25449401 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Revised: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have shown that human carriers of the single nucleotide polymorphism of the μ-opioid receptor, OPRM1 A118G, exhibit greater drug and alcohol use, increased sensitivity to pain, and reduced sensitivity to the antinociceptive effects of opiates. In the present study, we employed a 'humanized' mouse model containing the wild-type (118AA) or variant (118GG) allele to examine behavior in our model of drug-induced suppression of a natural reward cue and to compare the morphine pharmacological profile in acutely isolated sensory neurons. Compared with 118AA mice, our results demonstrate that homozygous 118GG mice exhibit greater avoidance of the cocaine-paired saccharin cue, a behavior linked to an aversive withdrawal-like state. Electrophysiological recordings confirmed the reduced modulation of Ca(2+) channels by morphine in trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons from 118GG mice compared to the 118AA control cells. However, repeated cocaine exposure in 118GG mice led to a leftward shift of the morphine concentration-response relationship when compared with 118GG control mice, while a rightward shift was observed in 118AA mice. These results suggest that cocaine exposure of mice carrying the 118G allele leads to a heightened sensitivity of the reward system and a blunted modulation of Ca(2+) channels by morphine in sensory neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S Freet
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Sarah M Ballard
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Danielle N Alexander
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Taylor A Cox
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Caesar G Imperio
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Nnaemeka Anosike
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Alyssa B Carter
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Saifeldin Mahmoud
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Victor Ruiz-Velasco
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Patricia S Grigson
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
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Tobón KE, Kuzhikandathil EV. Preadolescent drd1-EGFP mice exhibit cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization. Neurosci Lett 2013; 558:20-5. [PMID: 24095672 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.09.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Revised: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In adult mice, repeated cocaine administration induces behavioral sensitization measured as increased horizontal locomotor activity. Cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization has been well characterized in adult mice. In adult animals, the D1 dopamine receptor is important for mediating effects of cocaine. The effect of cocaine on D1 receptor expression and function in preadolescent animals is less understood. The recently described drd1-enhanced green fluorescent protein (drd1-EGFP) reporter mouse is a useful model for performing such mechanistic studies; however, preadolescent drd1-EGFP mice have not been characterized previously. Here we studied cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization in preadolescent drd1-EGFP reporter mice. We administered 15mg/kg cocaine three times daily at 1h intervals for seven consecutive days beginning on postnatal day 23 to drd1-EGFP reporter mice and the commonly used C57BL/6 mice. Under this regimen, preadolescent mice of both strains exhibited cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization; however, by day 7 the cocaine-induced locomotor activity in the drd1-EGFP mice was maintained for a longer duration compared to the C57BL/6 mice. The preadolescent drd1-EGFP mice also exhibited elevated basal locomotor activity in a novel environment and had higher D1 and D2 dopamine receptor mRNA levels in the caudate nucleus compared to the C57BL/6 mice. The cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization was not retained when the drd1-EGFP mice were maintained cocaine-free for two weeks suggesting that in preadolescent drd1-EGFP mice the cocaine-induced changes do not persist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna E Tobón
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Eldo V Kuzhikandathil
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
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Schlussman SD, Buonora M, Brownstein AJ, Zhang Y, Ho A, Kreek MJ. Regional mRNA expression of GABAergic receptor subunits in brains of C57BL/6J and 129P3/J mice: strain and heroin effects. Brain Res 2013; 1523:49-58. [PMID: 23732339 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Revised: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
C57BL/6J and 129 substrains of mice are known to differ in their basal levels of anxiety and behavioral response to drugs of abuse. We have previously shown strain differences in heroin-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) between C57BL/6J (C57) and 129P3/J (129) mice, and in the regional expression of several receptor and peptide mRNAs. In this study, we examined the contribution of the GABAergic system in the cortex, nucleus accumbens (NAc), caudate putamen (CPu) and the region containing the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA) to heroin reward by measuring mRNA levels of 7 of the most commonly expressed GABA-A receptor subunits, and both GABA-B receptor subunits, in these same mice following saline (control) or heroin administration in a CPP design. Using real-time PCR, we studied the effects of strain and heroin administration on GABA-A α1, α2, α3, β2, and γ2 subunits, which typically constitute synaptic GABA-A receptors, GABA-A α4 and δ subunits, which typically constitute extrasynaptic GABA-A receptors, and GABA-B R1 and R2 subunits. In saline-treated animals, we found an experiment-wise significant strain difference in GABA-Aα2 mRNA expression in the SN/VTA. Point-wise significant strain differences were also observed in GABA-Aα2, GABA-Aα3, and GABA-Aα4 mRNA expression in the NAc, as well as GABA-BR2 mRNA expression in the NAc and CPu, and GABA-BR1 mRNA expression in the cortex. For all differences, 129 mice had higher mRNA expression compared to C57 animals, with the exception of GABA-BR1 mRNA in the cortex where we observed lower levels in 129 mice. Therefore, it may be possible that known behavioral differences between these two strains are, in part, due to differences in their GABAergic systems. While we did not find heroin dose-related changes in mRNA expression levels in C57 mice, we did observe dose-related differences in 129 mice. These results may relate to our earlier behavioral finding that 129 mice are hyporesponsive to the rewarding effects of heroin.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Schlussman
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - M Buonora
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - A J Brownstein
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Y Zhang
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - A Ho
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - M J Kreek
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
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9
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Sex differences in novelty- and psychostimulant-induced behaviors of C57BL/6 mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 225:707-18. [PMID: 22975726 PMCID: PMC3547129 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2860-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 08/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Women are more sensitive than men to psychostimulants and progress from initial use to drug addiction more quickly. The mouse has been an under-utilized model to study sex differences in psychostimulant action. Mice could serve as an ideal genetically tractable model for mechanistic studies into sex and hormone effects on psychostimulant behavior. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to characterize psychostimulant effects in male and female mice with a combination of automated data collection and behavioral observation. METHODS Male and female C57BL/6 mice (Charles River) were given a single dose or sequential ascending binge doses of D-amphetamine (AMPH) or cocaine (COC). Behavior was assessed in open field chambers using both automated photobeam interruptions and behavioral observations. Brain psychostimulant concentrations were determined at the time of maximum behavioral stimulation. RESULTS Psychostimulants induced behavioral activation in mice including both increased locomotion as detected with an automated system and a sequence of behaviors progressing from stereotyped sniffing at low doses to patterned locomotion and rearing at high doses. Females exhibited more patterned locomotion and a shift towards higher behavior scores after either psychostimulant despite having lower AMPH and equivalent COC brain levels as males. CONCLUSIONS Female C57BL/6 mice exhibit enhanced psychostimulant-induced behavior compared to males, similar to reports in rats. The combination of automated behavioral measures and behavioral observation was essential for verifying the existence of these differences. These results indicate the importance of testing both sexes when characterizing genetically manipulated mice to control for potential sex-specific effects.
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Zhang Y, Schlussman SD, Rabkin J, Butelman ER, Ho A, Kreek MJ. Chronic escalating cocaine exposure, abstinence/withdrawal, and chronic re-exposure: effects on striatal dopamine and opioid systems in C57BL/6J mice. Neuropharmacology 2012; 67:259-66. [PMID: 23164614 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2012] [Revised: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine addiction is a chronic relapsing disease with periods of chronic escalating self-exposure, separated by periods of abstinence/withdrawal of varying duration. Few studies compare such cycles in preclinical models. This study models an "addiction-like cycle" in mice to determine neurochemical/molecular alterations that underlie the chronic, relapsing nature of this disease. Groups of male C57BL/6J mice received acute cocaine exposure (14-day saline/14-day withdrawal/13-day saline + 1-day cocaine), chronic cocaine exposure (14 day cocaine) or chronic re-exposure (14-day cocaine/14-day withdrawal/14-day cocaine). Escalating-dose binge cocaine (15-30 mg/kg/injection × 3/day, i.p. at hourly intervals) or saline (14-day saline) was administered, modeling initial exposure. In "re-exposure" groups, after a 14-day injection-free period (modeling abstinence/withdrawal), mice that had received cocaine were re-injected with 14-day escalating-dose binge cocaine, whereas controls received saline. Microdialysis was conducted on the 14th day of exposure or re-exposure to determine striatal dopamine content. Messenger RNA levels of preprodynorphin (Pdyn), dopamine D1 (Drd1) and D2 (Drd2) in the caudate putamen were determined by real-time PCR. Basal striatal dopamine levels were lower in mice after 14-day escalating exposure or re-exposure than in those in the acute cocaine group and controls. Pdyn mRNA levels were higher in the cocaine groups than in controls. Long-term adaptation was observed across the stages of this addiction-like cycle, in that the effects of cocaine on dopamine levels were increased after re-exposure compared to exposure. Changes in striatal dopaminergic responses across chronic escalating cocaine exposure and re-exposure are a central feature of the neurobiology of relapsing addictive states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhang
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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11
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Abstract
Relative to intravenous drug self-administration, locomotor activity is easier to measure with high throughput, particularly in mice. Therefore its potential to predict differences in self-administration between genotypes (e.g., targeted mutations, recombinant inbred strains) is appealing, but such predictive value is unverified. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the utility of the locomotor assay for accurately predicting differences in cocaine self-administration. A second goal was to evaluate any correlation between activity in a novel environment, and cocaine-induced hyperactivity, between strains. We evaluated locomotor activity in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats and 15 mouse strains (129S1/SvImJ, 129S6/SvEvTac, 129X1/SvJ, A/J, BALB/cByJ, BALB/cJ, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, CAST/EiJ, DBA/2J, FVB/NJ, SJL/J, SPRET/EiJ, and outbred Swiss Webster and CD-1/ICR), as well as cocaine self-administration in BALB substrains. All but BALB/cJ mice showed locomotor habituation and significant cocaine-induced hyperactivity. BALB/cJ mice also failed to self-administer cocaine. BALB/cByJ mice showed modest locomotor habituation, cocaine-induced locomotion, and cocaine self-administration. As previously reported, female rats showed greater cocaine-induced locomotion than males, but this was only observed in one of 15 mouse strains (FVB/NJ), and the reverse was observed in two strains (129X1/SvJ, BALB/cByJ). The intriguing phenotype of the BALB/cJ strain may indicate some correlation between all-or-none locomotion in a novel environment, and stimulant and reinforcing effects of cocaine. However, neither novelty- nor cocaine-induced activity offered a clear prediction of relative reinforcing effects among strains. Additionally, these results should aid in selecting mouse strains for future studies in which relative locomotor responsiveness to psychostimulants is a necessary consideration.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Central Nervous System Stimulants/metabolism
- Central Nervous System Stimulants/pharmacology
- Cocaine/metabolism
- Cocaine/pharmacology
- Conditioning, Operant
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Female
- Hyperkinesis/chemically induced
- Locomotion/drug effects
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C3H
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred DBA
- Mice, Inbred Strains
- Models, Animal
- Motor Activity/drug effects
- Phenotype
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Reinforcement, Psychology
- Self Administration
- Sex Factors
- Substance-Related Disorders
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Thomsen
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Center, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Mail Stop 214,115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
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12
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Eisener-Dorman AF, Grabowski-Boase L, Tarantino LM. Cocaine locomotor activation, sensitization and place preference in six inbred strains of mice. Behav Brain Funct 2011; 7:29. [PMID: 21806802 PMCID: PMC3160884 DOI: 10.1186/1744-9081-7-29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2011] [Accepted: 08/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expanding set of genomics tools available for inbred mouse strains has renewed interest in phenotyping larger sets of strains. The present study aims to explore phenotypic variability among six commonly-used inbred mouse strains to both the rewarding and locomotor stimulating effects of cocaine in a place conditioning task, including several strains or substrains that have not yet been characterized for some or all of these behaviors. METHODS C57BL/6J (B6), BALB/cJ (BALB), C3H/HeJ (C3H), DBA/2J (D2), FVB/NJ (FVB) and 129S1/SvImJ (129) mice were tested for conditioned place preference to 20 mg/kg cocaine. RESULTS Place preference was observed in most strains with the exception of D2 and 129. All strains showed a marked increase in locomotor activity in response to cocaine. In BALB mice, however, locomotor activation was context-dependent. Locomotor sensitization to repeated exposure to cocaine was most significant in 129 and D2 mice but was absent in FVB mice. CONCLUSIONS Genetic correlations suggest that no significant correlation between conditioned place preference, acute locomotor activation, and locomotor sensitization exists among these strains indicating that separate mechanisms underlie the psychomotor and rewarding effects of cocaine.
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13
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Schlussman SD, Cassin J, Zhang Y, Levran O, Ho A, Kreek MJ. Regional mRNA expression of the endogenous opioid and dopaminergic systems in brains of C57BL/6J and 129P3/J mice: strain and heroin effects. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2011; 100:8-16. [PMID: 21807019 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2011.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Revised: 07/08/2011] [Accepted: 07/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown strain and dose differences in heroin-induced behavior, reward and regional expression of somatostatin receptor mRNAs in C57BL/6J and 129P3/J mice. Using Real Time PCR we examined the effects of five doses of heroin on the levels of the transcripts of endogenous opioid peptides and their receptors and dopaminergic receptors in the mesocorticolimbic and nigrostriatal pathways in these same mice. Compared to C57BL/6J animals, 129P3/J mice had higher mRNA levels of Oprk1 in the nucleus accumbens and of Oprd1 in the nucleus accumbens and a region containing both the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA). In the cortex of 129P3/J mice, lower levels of both Oprk1 and Oprd1 mRNAs were observed. Pdyn mRNA was also lower in the caudate putamen of 129P3/J mice. Strain differences were not found in the levels of Oprm1, Penk or Pomc mRNAs in any region examined. Within strains, complex patterns of heroin dose-dependent changes in the levels of Oprm1, Oprk1 and Oprd1 mRNAs were observed in the SN/VTA. Additionally, Oprd1 mRNA was dose-dependently elevated in the hypothalamus. Also in the hypothalamus, we found higher levels of Drd1a mRNA in C57BL/6J mice than in 129P3/J animals and higher levels of DAT (Slc6a3) mRNA in the caudate putamen of C57BL/6J animals than in 129P3/J counterparts. Heroin had dose-related effects on Drd1a mRNA in the hypothalamus and on Drd2 mRNA in the caudate putamen.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Schlussman
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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14
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Ade KK, Wan Y, Chen M, Gloss B, Calakos N. An Improved BAC Transgenic Fluorescent Reporter Line for Sensitive and Specific Identification of Striatonigral Medium Spiny Neurons. Front Syst Neurosci 2011; 5:32. [PMID: 21713123 PMCID: PMC3113108 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2011.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of BAC transgenic mice expressing promoter-specific fluorescent reporter proteins has been a great asset for neuroscience by enabling detection of neuronal subsets in live tissue. For the study of basal ganglia physiology, reporters driven by type 1 and 2 dopamine receptors have been particularly useful for distinguishing the two classes of striatal projection neurons – striatonigral and striatopallidal. However, emerging evidence suggests that some of the transgenic reporter lines may have suboptimal features. The ideal transgenic reporter line should (1) express a reporter with high sensitivity and specificity for detecting the cellular subset of interest and that does not otherwise alter the biology of the cells in which it is expressed, and (2) involve a genetic manipulation that does not cause any additional genetic effects other than expression of the reporter. Here we introduce a new BAC transgenic reporter line, Drd1a-tdTomato line 6, with features that approximate these ideals, offering substantial benefits over existing lines. In this study, we investigate the integrity of dopamine-sensitive behaviors and test the sensitivity and specificity of tdTomato fluorescence for identifying striatonigral projection neurons in mice. Behaviorally, hemizygous Drd1a-tdTomato line 6 mice are similar to littermate controls; while hemizygous Drd2-EGFP mice are not. In characterizing the sensitivity and specificity of line 6 mice, we find that both are high. The results of this characterization indicate that line 6 Drd1a-tdTomato+/− mice offer a useful alternative approach to identify both striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons in a single transgenic line with a high degree of accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen K Ade
- Division of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuroscience, Duke University Durham, NC, USA
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15
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Zombeck JA, Swearingen SP, Rhodes JS. Acute locomotor responses to cocaine in adolescents vs. adults from four divergent inbred mouse strains. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2011; 9:892-8. [PMID: 20662938 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2010.00630.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that adolescent mice display differential sensitivity to the acute locomotor activating effects of cocaine as compared to adults, but the direction of the difference varies across studies and the reasons are not clear. Few studies have directly examined genetic contributions to age differences in locomotor stimulation from cocaine. The goal of this study was to determine the extent to which reduced stimulation in C57BL/6J adolescents as compared to adults generalizes to other strains. Therefore, we examined male and female mice from four genetically divergent inbred stains (BALB/cByJ, C57BL/6J, DBA/2J and FVB/NJ) at two ages, postnatal day 30 and postnatal day 65. Mice received either saline or cocaine (15 or 30 mg/kg), and then immediately were placed back into their home cages. Locomotor activity was recorded continuously in the home cage by video tracking. Adolescents displayed reduced stimulation as compared to adults for C57BL/6J, BALB/cByJ and female FVB/NJ mice. No age differences were observed for DBA/2J or male FVB/NJ. No main effects of sex were observed. Strain differences in pharmacokinetics, neural development or physiology could contribute to the observed differences between ages across strains. Future comparative studies could discover biological differences between strains that explain age differences in cocaine sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Zombeck
- Department of Psychology, The Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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16
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Yoo JH, Bailey A, Ansonoff M, Pintar JE, Matifas A, Kieffer BL, Kitchen I. Lack of genotype effect on D1, D2 receptors and dopamine transporter binding in triple MOP-, DOP-, and KOP-opioid receptor knockout mice of three different genetic backgrounds. Synapse 2010; 64:520-7. [PMID: 20196137 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
We investigated D1, D2 receptors and dopamine transporter (DAT) binding levels in mice lacking all three opioid receptors and wild-type (WT) mice on three different genetic backgrounds. Quantitative autoradiography was used to determine the level of radioligand binding to the D1 and D2 receptors and DAT labeled with [(3)H]SCH23390, [(3)H]raclopride, and [(3)H]mazindol, respectively in triple-opioid receptor knockout (KO) and WT maintained on C57BL/6 (B6) and 129/SvEvTac (129) as well as C57BL/6 x 129/SvPas (B6 x 129) strains. No significant genotype effect was observed in D1, D2 receptors and DAT binding in any regions analyzed in any of the strains studied, suggesting that a lack of all three opioid receptors does not influence D1, D2 receptors and DAT expression, irrespective of their genetic strain background. However, strain differences were observed in D1 binding between the three strains of mice studied. Lower levels of D1 binding were observed in the substantia nigra of B6 x 129 WT mice compared with the 129 WT mice and in the olfactory tubercle of B6 x 129 WT compared with B6 WT and 129 WT mice. Lower levels of D1 binding were observed in the caudate putamen of B6 x 129 KO mice compared with 129 KO mice. In contrast, no significant strain differences were observed in D2 and DAT binding between the three strains of mice in any regions analyzed. Overall, these results indicate a lack of modulation of the dopaminergic system by the deletion of all three opioid receptors regardless of different background strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hoon Yoo
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
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17
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Schlussman SD, Cassin J, Levran O, Zhang Y, Ho A, Kreek MJ. Relative expression of mRNA for the somatostatin receptors in the caudate putamen of C57BL/6J and 129P3/J mice: strain and heroin effects. Brain Res 2010; 1345:206-12. [PMID: 20478275 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2010] [Revised: 04/20/2010] [Accepted: 05/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Using real time qPCR, we examined the expression of mRNAs for the five somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) in the caudate putamen of male C57BL/6J and 129P3/J mice. Animals were exposed to multiple injections of heroin, or saline, in the setting of a conditioned place preference study. The relative expression levels of the five SSTR mRNAs differed between the two strains. In both strains, SSTR-1 mRNA was expressed at the highest levels and SSTR-5 at the lowest. Interestingly, in 129P3/J mice SSTR-3 mRNA was not detected in the caudate putamen. We confirmed this finding in the frontal cortex, hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens and a region containing the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. We also found strain differences in the mRNA levels of SSTR-2 and -4. Intermittent heroin administration had a dose-dependent effect on the levels of SSTR-1 and -3 mRNAs. These results demonstrate strain differences in the expression of specific mRNAs and a heroin-induced dose-dependent elevation of SSTR-1 and -3 mRNAs in the mouse caudate putamen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan D Schlussman
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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18
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Zombeck JA, Lewicki AD, Patel K, Gupta T, Rhodes JS. Patterns of neural activity associated with differential acute locomotor stimulation to cocaine and methamphetamine in adolescent versus adult male C57BL/6J mice. Neuroscience 2009; 165:1087-99. [PMID: 19932887 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2009] [Revised: 11/12/2009] [Accepted: 11/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a time period when major changes occur in the brain with long-term consequences for behavior. One ramification is altered responses to drugs of abuse, but the specific brain mechanisms and implications for mental health are poorly understood. Here, we used a mouse model in which adolescents display dramatically reduced sensitivity to the acute locomotor stimulating effects of cocaine and methamphetamine. The goal was to identify key brain regions or circuits involved in the differential behavior. Male adolescent (postnatal day (PN), 30-35) and young adult (PN, 69-74) C57BL/6J mice were administered an i.p. injection of cocaine (0, 15, 30 mg/kg) or methamphetamine (0, 2, 4 mg/kg) and euthanized 90 min later. Locomotor activity was monitored continuously in the home cage by video tracking. Immunohistochemical detection of Fos protein was used to quantify neuronal activation in 16 different brain regions. As expected, adolescents were less sensitive to the locomotor stimulating effects of cocaine and methamphetamine as indicated by a rightward shift in the dose response relationship. After a saline injection, adolescents showed similar levels of Fos as adults in all regions except the dorsal caudate (CPuD) and lateral caudate (CPuL) where levels were lower in adolescents. Cocaine and methamphetamine dose dependently increased Fos in all brain regions sampled in both adolescents and adults, but Fos levels were similar in both age groups for a majority of regions and doses. Locomotor activity was correlated with Fos in several brain areas within adolescent and adult groups, and adolescents had a significantly greater induction of Fos for a given amount of locomotor activity in key brain regions including the caudate where they showed reduced Fos under baseline conditions. Future research will identify the molecular and cellular events that are responsible for the differential psychostimulant-induced patterns of brain activation and behavior observed in adolescent versus adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Zombeck
- Department of Psychology, The Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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19
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Urbano FJ, Bisagno V, Wikinski SI, Uchitel OD, Llinás RR. Cocaine acute "binge" administration results in altered thalamocortical interactions in mice. Biol Psychiatry 2009; 66:769-76. [PMID: 19520366 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2009] [Revised: 04/21/2009] [Accepted: 04/21/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormalities in both thalamic and cortical areas have been reported in human cocaine addicts with noninvasive functional magnetic resonance imaging. Given the substantial involvement of the thalamocortical system in sensory processing and perception, we defined electrophysiology-based protocols to attempt a characterization of cocaine effects on thalamocortical circuits. METHODS Thalamocortical function was studied in vivo and in vitro in mice after cocaine "binge" administration. In vivo awake electroencephalography (EEG) was implemented in mice injected with saline, 1 hour or 24 hours after the last cocaine "binge" injection. In vitro current- and voltage-clamp whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed from slices including thalamic relay ventrobasal (VB) neurons. RESULTS In vivo EEG recordings after cocaine "binge" administration showed a significant increment, compared with saline, in low frequencies while observing no changes in high-frequency gamma activity. In vitro patch recordings from VB neurons after cocaine "binge" administration showed low threshold spikes activation at more negative membrane potentials and increments in both I(h) and low voltage activated T-type calcium currents. Also, a 10-mV negative shift on threshold activation level of T-type current and a remarkable increment in both frequency and amplitudes of gamma-aminobutyric acid-A-mediated minis were observed. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that thalamocortical dysfunctions observed in cocaine abusers might be due to two distinct but additive events: 1) increased low frequency oscillatory thalamocortical activity, and 2) overinhibition of VB neurons that can abnormally "lock" the whole thalamocortical system at low frequencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Urbano
- Department of Physiology & Neuroscience, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
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20
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Karlsson RM, Hefner KR, Sibley DR, Holmes A. Comparison of dopamine D1 and D5 receptor knockout mice for cocaine locomotor sensitization. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2008; 200:117-27. [PMID: 18600316 PMCID: PMC2586326 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1165-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2007] [Accepted: 04/06/2008] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE There is compelling support for the contribution of dopamine and the D1R-like (D1R, D5R) receptor subfamily to the behavioral and neural effects of psychostimulant drugs of abuse. The relative roles of D1R and D5R subtypes in mediating these effects are not clear. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are to directly compare (C57BL/6J congenic) D1R knockout (KO) and D5R KO mice for baseline locomotor exploration, acute locomotor responses to cocaine, and locomotor sensitization to repeated cocaine administration, and to examine cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) in D5R KO. MATERIALS AND METHODS D1R KO, D5R KO, and wild-type (WT) were assessed for baseline open field exploration, locomotor-stimulating effects of 15 mg/kg acute cocaine and sensitized locomotor responses to cocaine after repeated home cage treatment with 20 or 30 mg/kg cocaine. D5R KO and WT were tested for CPP to 15 mg/kg cocaine. RESULTS D1R KO showed modest basal hyperactivity and increased center exploration relative to WT. Acute locomotor responses to cocaine were consistently absent in D1R KO, but intact in D5R KO. D5R KO showed normal locomotor sensitization to cocaine and normal cocaine CPP. D1R KO failed to show a sensitized locomotor response to 30 mg/kg cocaine. Failure to sensitize in D1R KO was not because of excessive stereotypies. Surprisingly, D1R KO showed a strong trend for sensitization to 20 mg/kg cocaine. CONCLUSIONS D5R KO does not alter acute or sensitized locomotor responses to cocaine or cocaine CPP. D1R KO abolishes acute locomotor response to cocaine, but does not fully prevent locomotor sensitization to cocaine at all doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose-Marie Karlsson
- Section on Behavioral Science and Genetics, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health
| | - Kathryn R. Hefner
- Section on Behavioral Science and Genetics, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health
| | - David R. Sibley
- Molecular Neuropharmacology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke, National Institute of Mental Health
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Section on Behavioral Science and Genetics, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health
- Corresponding author: Andrew Holmes, PhD Section on Behavioral Science and Genetics Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 5625 Fishers Lane Rm 2N09 Rockville, MD 20852−9411 USA Telephone: 301−402−3519 Fax: 301−480−1952
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Kreek MJ, Schlussman SD, Reed B, Zhang Y, Nielsen DA, Levran O, Zhou Y, Butelman ER. Bidirectional translational research: Progress in understanding addictive diseases. Neuropharmacology 2008; 56 Suppl 1:32-43. [PMID: 18725235 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2008.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2008] [Revised: 07/29/2008] [Accepted: 07/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The focus of this review is primarily on recent developments in bidirectional translational research on the addictions, within the Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases at The Rockefeller University. This review is subdivided into major interacting aspects, including (a) Investigation of neurobiological and molecular adaptations (e.g., in genes for the opioid receptors or endogenous neuropeptides) in response to cocaine or opiates, administered under laboratory conditions modeling chronic patterns of human self-exposure (e.g., chronic escalating "binge"). (b) The impact of such drug exposure on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and interacting neuropeptidergic systems (e.g., opioid, orexin and vasopressin). (c) Molecular genetic association studies using candidate gene and whole genome approaches, to define particular systems involved in vulnerability to develop specific addictions, and response to pharmacotherapy. (d) Neuroendocrine challenge studies in normal volunteers and current addictive disease patients along with former addicts in treatment, to investigate differential pharmacodynamics and responsiveness of molecular targets, in particular those also investigated in the experimental and molecular genetic approaches as described above.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Kreek
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Bailey A, Metaxas A, Yoo JH, McGee T, Kitchen I. Decrease of D2 receptor binding but increase in D2-stimulated G-protein activation, dopamine transporter binding and behavioural sensitization in brains of mice treated with a chronic escalating dose 'binge' cocaine administration paradigm. Eur J Neurosci 2008; 28:759-70. [PMID: 18671743 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06369.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the neurobiology of the transition from initial drug use to excessive drug use has been a challenge in drug addiction. We examined the effect of chronic 'binge' escalating dose cocaine administration, which mimics human compulsive drug use, on behavioural responses and the dopaminergic system of mice and compared it with a chronic steady dose (3 x 15 mg/kg/day) 'binge' cocaine administration paradigm. Male C57BL/6J mice were injected with saline or cocaine in an escalating dose paradigm for 14 days. Locomotor and stereotypy activity were measured and quantitative autoradiographic mapping of D(1) and D(2) receptors, dopamine transporters and D(2)-stimulated [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding was performed in the brains of mice treated with this escalating and steady dose paradigm. An initial sensitization to the locomotor effects of cocaine followed by a dose-dependent increase in the duration of the locomotor effect of cocaine was observed in the escalating but not the steady dose paradigm. Sensitization to the stereotypy effect of cocaine and an increase in cocaine-induced stereotypy score was observed from 3 x 20 to 3 x 25 mg/kg/day cocaine. There was a significant decrease in D(2) receptor density, but an increase in D(2)-stimulated G-protein activity and dopamine transporter density in the striatum of cocaine-treated mice, which was not observed in our steady dose paradigm. Our results document that chronic 'binge' escalating dose cocaine treatment triggers profound behavioural and neurochemical changes in the dopaminergic system, which might underlie the transition from drug use to compulsive drug use associated with addiction, which is a process of escalation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bailey
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, AY Building, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK.
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Schlussman SD, Zhang Y, Hsu NM, Allen JM, Ho A, Kreek MJ. Heroin-induced locomotor activity and conditioned place preference in C57BL/6J and 129P3/J mice. Neurosci Lett 2008; 440:284-8. [PMID: 18579303 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.05.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2008] [Revised: 05/29/2008] [Accepted: 05/30/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Differences in the locomotor stimulating and rewarding properties of drugs of abuse have been described in several inbred strains of mice, and comparisons of inbred strains with differing responses to drugs of abuse may provide crucial insight into the question of individual vulnerability to the effects of drugs of abuse. The present study was designed to examine the rewarding and locomotor-stimulating effects of heroin in C57BL/6J and 129P3/J mice. Heroin produced a robust dose-dependent locomotor stimulation in both strains. Both strains also developed conditioned place preference to heroin, again in a dose-dependent manner. However C57BL/6J mice developed conditioned place preference to only the two lowest doses of heroin tested, while the 129P3/J counterparts showed conditioned place preference to only the three highest doses tested. These studies indicate that 129P3/J mice are less sensitive to the rewarding effects of heroin than are age-matched C57BL/6J mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan D Schlussman
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, Box 171, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States.
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Bailey A, Yoo JH, Racz I, Zimmer A, Kitchen I. Preprodynorphin mediates locomotion and D2 dopamine and mu-opioid receptor changes induced by chronic 'binge' cocaine administration. J Neurochem 2007; 102:1817-1830. [PMID: 17532787 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.04661.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that the kappa-opioid receptor (KOP-r) system plays an important role in cocaine addiction. Indeed, cocaine induces endogenous KOP activity, which is a mechanism that opposes alterations in behaviour and brain function resulting from repeated cocaine use. In this study, we have examined the influence of deletion of preprodynorphin (ppDYN) on cocaine-induced behavioural effects and on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Furthermore, we have measured mu-opioid receptor (MOP-r) agonist-stimulated [(35)S]GTPgammaS, dopamine D(1), D(2) receptor and dopamine transporter (DAT) binding. Male wild-type (WT) and ppDYN knockout (KO) mice were injected with saline or cocaine (45 mg/kg/day) in a 'binge' administration paradigm for 14 days. Chronic cocaine produced an enhancement of locomotor sensitisation in KO. No genotype effect was found on stereotypy behaviour. Cocaine-enhanced MOP-r activation in WT but not in KO. There was an overall decrease in D(2) receptor binding in cocaine-treated KO but not in WT mice. No changes were observed in D(1) and DAT binding. Cocaine increased plasma corticosterone levels in WT but not in KO. The data confirms that the endogenous KOP system inhibits dopamine neurotransmission and that ppDYN may mediate the enhancement of MOP-r activity and the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis after chronic cocaine treatment.
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MESH Headings
- Analgesics, Opioid/metabolism
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Animals
- Binding, Competitive/drug effects
- Binding, Competitive/physiology
- Cocaine/adverse effects
- Cocaine-Related Disorders/genetics
- Cocaine-Related Disorders/metabolism
- Cocaine-Related Disorders/physiopathology
- Corticosterone/metabolism
- Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/drug effects
- Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism
- Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors/adverse effects
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Dynorphins/genetics
- Dynorphins/metabolism
- Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)/metabolism
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/drug effects
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/metabolism
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiopathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Motor Activity/drug effects
- Motor Activity/physiology
- Pituitary-Adrenal System/drug effects
- Pituitary-Adrenal System/physiology
- Protein Precursors/genetics
- Protein Precursors/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/drug effects
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/drug effects
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/drug effects
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/drug effects
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bailey
- School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UKDepartment of Molecular Psychiatry, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - J H Yoo
- School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UKDepartment of Molecular Psychiatry, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - I Racz
- School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UKDepartment of Molecular Psychiatry, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - A Zimmer
- School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UKDepartment of Molecular Psychiatry, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - I Kitchen
- School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UKDepartment of Molecular Psychiatry, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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25
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Chen R, Zhang M, Park S, Gnegy ME. C57BL/6J mice show greater amphetamine-induced locomotor activation and dopamine efflux in the striatum than 129S2/SvHsd mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2007; 87:158-63. [PMID: 17524461 PMCID: PMC2104492 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2007.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2007] [Revised: 04/19/2007] [Accepted: 04/19/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Inbred strains of mice have served as valuable models for studying genetic susceptibility to drug addiction, an alternative to genetically modified mouse models. This is the first study comparing amphetamine (AMPH) effects on locomotor stimulation and dopamine efflux between two inbred strains of mice C57BL/6J and 129S2/SvHsd, frequently used as background strains for production of genetically engineered mice. There were no significant differences in basal locomotor activity and basal dopamine levels between the two strains. However, C57BL/6J mice showed greater AMPH-stimulated locomotor activity and AMPH-induced striatal dopamine efflux than 129S2/SvHsd mice. The differential AMPH effects could not be explained by differences in presynaptic dopamine components such as surface and total dopamine transporter (DAT) expression levels, striatal dopamine contents, and DAT activity. C57BL/6J and 129S2/SvHsd mice are excellent models for future identification of genetic, molecular, and behavioral components related to individual vulnerability to AMPH addiction. This study emphasizes the importance of mouse strain selections in the production of genetically modified mice for investigating phenotypes and mechanisms of psychostimulants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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26
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Serradj N, Jamon M. Age-related changes in the motricity of the inbred mice strains 129/sv and C57BL/6j. Behav Brain Res 2007; 177:80-9. [PMID: 17126421 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2006.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2006] [Revised: 10/27/2006] [Accepted: 11/02/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The development of motor skills was studied at different stages in the life of the mouse, focusing on three key aspects of motor development: early rhythmic motor activities prior to the acquisition of quadruped locomotion, motor skills in young adults, and the effect of aging on motor skills. The age-related development pattern was analysed and compared in two strains of major importance for genomic studies (C57Bl6/j and 129/sv). Early rhythmic air-stepping activities by l-dopa injected mice showed similar overall development in both strains; differences were observed with greater beating frequency and less inter-limb coordination in 129/sv, suggesting that 129/sv had a different maturation process. Performance on the rotarod by young adult C57Bl6/j gradually improved between 1 and 3 months, but then declined with age; performance on the treadmill also declined with an age-related increase in fatigability. Overall performance by 129/sv mice was lower than C57Bl6/j, and the age-related pattern of change was different, with 129/sv having relatively stable performance over time. Inter-strain differences and their possible causes, in particular the role of dopaminergic pathways, are discussed together with repercussions affecting mutant phenotyping procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najet Serradj
- CNRS, GFCP/P3M, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France.
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27
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Erb S, Brown ZJ. A role for corticotropin-releasing factor in the long-term expression of behavioral sensitization to cocaine. Behav Brain Res 2006; 172:360-4. [PMID: 16822557 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2006.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2006] [Revised: 05/23/2006] [Accepted: 05/31/2006] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been implicated in a number of the behavioral and biochemical effects of cocaine. We recently reported that central injections of CRF produce a potentiated locomotor response in animals that had been given repeated injections of cocaine up to 4 weeks earlier. We now report that with as few as 1 or 3 exposures to cocaine (total of 45 mg/kg, i.p., per day), and a drug-free period of 28 days, i.c.v. injections of CRF (0.5 microg) produce augmented locomotor responses, similar to those induced by cocaine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) itself. In addition, in animals pre-exposed to cocaine for 3 days, pre-treatment with the CRF receptor antagonist, D-Phe CRF(12-41) (1 microg, i.c.v.), blocks the expression of behavioral sensitization to a cocaine challenge after a 28-day drug-free period. These results demonstrate that short-term exposure to cocaine produces a form of long-term sensitization within systems upon which CRF acts and that activation of CRF receptors is importantly involved in the expression of behavioral sensitization to cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Erb
- Centre for the Neurobiology of Stress, Departments of Life Science and Psychology, University of Toronto at Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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28
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Thomsen M, Caine SB. Cocaine self-administration under fixed and progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement: comparison of C57BL/6J, 129X1/SvJ, and 129S6/SvEvTac inbred mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2006; 184:145-54. [PMID: 16369835 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-005-0207-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2005] [Accepted: 09/16/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Combining strains to generate mutant mice may obscure conclusions regarding the targeted gene. Specifically, cocaine may have reduced reinforcing effects in 129 substrains compared to the C57BL/6 strain, commonly used for ES cells and breeding, respectively. OBJECTIVES We tested the hypothesis that reinforcing effects of cocaine differ between the C57BL/6J strain and two substrains of 129, 129X1/SvJ and 129S6/SvEvTac. METHODS To assess and reduce performance differences, operant responding was established with liquid food as a reinforcer and evaluated under fixed and progressive ratio schedules. Dose-effect functions for intravenous cocaine self-administration were then determined under both schedules. Finally, reinforced and nonreinforced manipulanda were reversed to assess acquisition of self-administration using a previously nonreinforced response. RESULTS Relative to C57BL/6J mice, 129X1/SvJ mice showed decreased reinforcing effects of low-magnitude food and cocaine reinforcers. Dose-effect functions for cocaine self-administration were comparable between C57BL/6J and 129S6/SvEvTac mice, despite delayed acquisition of operant behaviors and rightward shifts in the food concentration-effect functions in 129S6/SvEvTac mice. A high cocaine dose clearly served as a positive reinforcer in all three strains in a reversal procedure. CONCLUSIONS Relative to C57BL/6J mice, the reinforcing effects of cocaine were diminished in 129X1/SvJ mice, but only for low cocaine doses, and a similar profile was observed with food reinforcement. 129S6/SvEvTac mice required more extensive operant training than C57BL/6J mice did, but after acquisition, reinforcing effects of cocaine were similar in the two strains. We suggest that comparable phenotypes observed in gene-targeting studies may result from genetic background, whereas more profound or qualitatively different phenotypes may be more confidently attributed to targeted mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Thomsen
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Center, McLean Hospital-Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
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29
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Schlussman SD, Zhou Y, Bailey A, Ho A, Kreek MJ. Steady-dose and escalating-dose "binge" administration of cocaine alter expression of behavioral stereotypy and striatal preprodynorphin mRNA levels in rats. Brain Res Bull 2005; 67:169-75. [PMID: 16144651 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2005.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2004] [Revised: 04/14/2005] [Accepted: 04/14/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the effects of chronic (14-day) steady-dose and escalating-dose "binge" pattern cocaine administration on striatal preprodynorphin (ppDyn) mRNA levels and behavioral stereotypies. Animals in the steady-state and escalating groups received cocaine in a "binge" pattern (three equal injections starting 30 min following the start of the daily light cycle, separated by 1 h). The dose of cocaine in the "steady-dose" group was 15 mg/kg/injection and remained constant throughout the study. The escalating group received 15 mg/kg/injection on days 1-3, 20 mg/kg/injection on days 4-6, 25 mg/kg/injection on days 7-9 and 30 mg/kg/injection thereafter, for a maximum daily dose of 90 mg/kg. Levels of ppDyn mRNA were determined by solution hybridization. Cocaine significantly affected body weight. Both steady-dose and escalating-dose "binge" cocaine administration resulted in expression of behavioral stereotypy and induced intense, rapid head movements which were dose- and time-dependent. Cocaine, independent of dose, increased ppDyn mRNA levels in the caudate putamen (CPu), but not in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). These data suggest that the ppDyn response to cocaine in the CPu is not dose-dependent or that it has reached a maximal level at the 45 mg/kg daily dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan D Schlussman
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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30
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Kreek MJ, Schlussman SD, Bart G, Laforge KS, Butelman ER. Evolving perspectives on neurobiological research on the addictions: celebration of the 30th anniversary of NIDA. Neuropharmacology 2004; 47 Suppl 1:324-44. [PMID: 15464148 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2004.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2004] [Revised: 07/02/2004] [Accepted: 07/20/2004] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The roots of the Laboratory of the Biology of the Addictive Diseases are in the development of methadone maintenance for the treatment of opiate addiction. Methadone maintenance therapy continues to be one of the major effective forms of addiction pharmacotherapy and underscores the importance of biological factors in the physiology and treatment of the addictive diseases. Recent work in the Laboratory has focused on the neurobiological, neurochemical, neuroendocrine and behavioral aspects of addictive diseases (principally cocaine and the opiate addictions), using an interdisciplinary approach. The models we have focused on range from in vitro molecular biology and neuroscience, to in vivo animal models, to experiments in normal human populations and patients with specific addictive diseases, and most recently to the human molecular genetics of different addictive diseases. Two long-term corollary hypotheses have guided the Laboratory's work: (1) That the endogenous opioid peptide/receptor systems play a central role in the addictive states and therefore in their treatment. (2) That atypical responsivity to stressors (e.g., in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) plays a role in vulnerability and relapse to specific addictive diseases. This atypical responsivity may be drug-induced, environmentally acquired, and/or due to genetic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jeanne Kreek
- Laboratory of the Biology of the Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 171, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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31
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Hummel M, Ansonoff MA, Pintar JE, Unterwald EM. Genetic and pharmacological manipulation of mu opioid receptors in mice reveals a differential effect on behavioral sensitization to cocaine. Neuroscience 2004; 125:211-20. [PMID: 15051160 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2004.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization is a complex phenomenon involving a number of neuromodulator and neurotransmitter systems. To specifically investigate the role of the micro opioid receptor (MOR) in cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in mice, both genetic and pharmacological approaches were undertaken. MOR-1 deficient mice of varying backgrounds (C57BL/6J, 129S6, F1 hybrid 129S6xC57BL/6J and 129S6xC57BL/6J) and wild-type C57BL/6J mice exposed continuously to naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, received single daily injections of saline or cocaine for 10 days. All mice received a single cocaine challenge 7 days following the last saline or cocaine injection to test for the expression of sensitization. The locomotor-stimulating and sensitizing effects of cocaine observed in MOR-1 wild-type mice were absent in MOR-1 knockout mice maintained on the mixed 129S6xC57BL/6J background. In contrast, MOR-1 deficient mice developed on a C57BL/6J background showed an accentuated sensitivity to cocaine-induced locomotion. Cocaine's psychomotor activating effects were more pronounced in the MOR-1 C57BL/6J knockouts injected daily with cocaine than in the MOR-1 wild-type mice. Similar locomotor-stimulating and sensitizing effects were found in both F1 hybrid 129S6xC57BL/6J MOR-1 wild-type and MOR-1 knockout mice, while the 129S6 strain showed an overall indifference to cocaine. That is, both the locomotor-stimulating and sensitizing effects of cocaine were absent in both MOR-1 wild-type and MOR-1 knockout mice maintained on the 129S6 background. Lastly, the locomotor-stimulating and sensitizing effects of cocaine were attenuated in C57BL/6J wild-type mice exposed continuously to naltrexone. Collectively, these data support a role for opioidergic involvement in cocaine-influenced behavior in mice. Moreover, MORs appear to differentially modulate a sensitized response to cocaine in different strains of mice as delineated by MOR-1 gene deletion and pharmacological antagonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Hummel
- Department of Pharmacology and The Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University School of Medicine, 3420 North Broad Street, MRB 324, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
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32
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Zhang Y, Schlussman SD, Ho A, Kreek MJ. Effect of chronic "binge cocaine" on basal levels and cocaine-induced increases of dopamine in the caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens of C57BL/6J and 129/J mice. Synapse 2004; 50:191-9. [PMID: 14515336 DOI: 10.1002/syn.10251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In vivo microdialysis was used to measure the effect of chronic "binge" pattern cocaine administration on basal and cocaine-induced dopamine levels in the caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens of C57BL/6J and 129/J mice. Mice were implanted with a guide cannula in the caudate putamen or nucleus accumbens and after 4 days recovery, one group received "binge" pattern cocaine administration for 13 days (15 mg/kg x 3, i.p. at hourly intervals) while another group received saline in the same pattern. On the day before microdialysis, dialysis probes were lowered into the caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens. The next morning, after baseline dopamine collection, all animals received "binge" cocaine administration. Dialysates were collected every 20 min and dopamine content was determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection. In the basal condition, the mean level of dopamine in the dialysate from both brain regions of mice pretreated with "binge" pattern cocaine administration was significantly lower than that of the mice pretreated with saline administration. The absolute levels of dopamine achieved following "binge" pattern cocaine challenge were lower in the mice that had received chronic cocaine administration. However, when expressed as percent increase over baseline, the dopamine response to cocaine in the nucleus accumbens was significantly higher in mice that received chronic than in mice that received acute cocaine administration. Chronic cocaine administration led to a lowering of both basal dopamine and the absolute levels of cocaine-induced increases of dopamine in the two brain regions, but enhanced the percent increases over the baseline in response to cocaine in the nucleus accumbens of both mouse strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhang
- Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA.
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