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Chéry SL, O'Buckley TK, Boero G, Balan I, Morrow AL. Neurosteroid [3α,5α]3-hydroxypregnan-20-one inhibition of chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in alcohol-preferring rat brain neurons, microglia, and astroglia. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024. [PMID: 38991981 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroimmune dysfunction in alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with activation of myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)-dependent Toll-like receptors (TLR) resulting in overexpression of the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2). MCP-1 overexpression in the brain is linked to anxiety, higher alcohol intake, neuronal death, and activation of microglia observed in AUD. The neurosteroid [3α,5α][3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP) has been reported as an inhibitor of MyD88-dependent TLR activation and MCP-1 overexpression in mouse and human macrophages and the brain of alcohol-preferring (P) rats. METHODS We investigated how 3α,5α-THP regulates MCP-1 expression at the cellular level in P rat nucleus accumbens (NAc) and central amygdala (CeA). We focused on neurons, microglia, and astrocytes, examining the individual voxel density of MCP-1, neuronal marker NeuN, microglial marker IBA1, astrocytic marker GFAP, and their shared voxel density, defined as intersection. Ethanol-naïve male and female P rats were perfused 1 h after IP injections of 15 mg/kg of 3α,5α-THP, or vehicle. The NAc and CeA were imaged using confocal microscopy following double-immunofluorescence staining for MCP-1 with NeuN, IBA1, and GFAP, respectively. RESULTS MCP-1 intersected with NeuN predominantly and IBA1/GFAP negligibly. 3α,5α-THP reduced MCP-1 expression in NeuN-labeled cells by 38.27 ± 28.09% in male and 56.11 ± 21.46% in female NAc, also 37.99 ± 19.53% in male and 54.96 ± 30.58% in female CeA. In females, 3α,5α-THP reduced the MCP-1 within IBA1 and GFAP-labeled voxels in the NAc and CeA. Conversely, in males, 3α,5α-THP did not significantly alter the MCP-1 within IBA1 in NAc or with GFAP in the CeA. Furthermore, 3α,5α-THP decreased levels of IBA1 in both regions and sexes with no impact on GFAP or NeuN levels. Secondary analysis performed on data normalized to % control values indicated that no significant sex differences were present. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that 3α,5α-THP inhibits neuronal MCP-1 expression and decreases the proliferation of microglia in P rats. These results increase our understanding of potential mechanisms for 3α,5α-THP modulation of ethanol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Lucenell Chéry
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Todd K O'Buckley
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Giorgia Boero
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Irina Balan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - A Leslie Morrow
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Balan I, Grusca A, Chéry SL, Materia BR, O’Buckley TK, Morrow AL. Neurosteroid [3α,5α]-3-Hydroxy-pregnan-20-one Enhances the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 Pathway in the Brain of Alcohol-Preferring Rats with Sex-Specificity. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:860. [PMID: 39063614 PMCID: PMC11277648 DOI: 10.3390/life14070860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of allopregnanolone ([3α,5α]3-hydroxypregnan-20-one or 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (3α,5α-THP); 10 mg/kg, IP) on fractalkine/CX3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) levels, associated signaling components, and markers for microglial and astrocytic cells in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of male and female alcohol-preferring (P) rats. Previous research suggested that 3α,5α-THP enhances anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) cytokine production in the brains of male P rats, with no similar effect observed in females. This study reveals that 3α,5α-THP elevates CX3CL1 levels by 16% in the NAc of female P rats, with no significant changes observed in males. The increase in CX3CL1 levels induced by 3α,5α-THP was observed in females across multiple brain regions, including the NAc, amygdala, hypothalamus, and midbrain, while no significant effect was noted in males. Additionally, female P rats treated with 3α,5α-THP exhibited notable increases in CX3CL1 receptor (CX3CR1; 48%) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1; 24%) levels, along with heightened activation (phosphorylation) of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1; 85%) in the NAc. Conversely, no similar alterations were observed in male P rats. Furthermore, 3α,5α-THP decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels by 19% in both female and male P rat NAc, without affecting microglial markers ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1) and transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119). These findings indicate that 3α,5α-THP enhances the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 pathway in the female P rat brain but not in males, primarily influencing astrocyte reactivity, with no observed effect on microglial activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Balan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Adelina Grusca
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.)
| | - Samantha Lucenell Chéry
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.)
- Neuroscience Curriculum, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Baylee R. Materia
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.)
| | - Todd K. O’Buckley
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.)
| | - A. Leslie Morrow
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Balan I, Boero G, Chéry SL, McFarland MH, Lopez AG, Morrow AL. Neuroactive Steroids, Toll-like Receptors, and Neuroimmune Regulation: Insights into Their Impact on Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:582. [PMID: 38792602 PMCID: PMC11122352 DOI: 10.3390/life14050582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pregnane neuroactive steroids, notably allopregnanolone and pregnenolone, exhibit efficacy in mitigating inflammatory signals triggered by toll-like receptor (TLR) activation, thus attenuating the production of inflammatory factors. Clinical studies highlight their therapeutic potential, particularly in conditions like postpartum depression (PPD), where the FDA-approved compound brexanolone, an intravenous formulation of allopregnanolone, effectively suppresses TLR-mediated inflammatory pathways, predicting symptom improvement. Additionally, pregnane neurosteroids exhibit trophic and anti-inflammatory properties, stimulating the production of vital trophic proteins and anti-inflammatory factors. Androstane neuroactive steroids, including estrogens and androgens, along with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), display diverse effects on TLR expression and activation. Notably, androstenediol (ADIOL), an androstane neurosteroid, emerges as a potent anti-inflammatory agent, promising for therapeutic interventions. The dysregulation of immune responses via TLR signaling alongside reduced levels of endogenous neurosteroids significantly contributes to symptom severity across various neuropsychiatric disorders. Neuroactive steroids, such as allopregnanolone, demonstrate efficacy in alleviating symptoms of various neuropsychiatric disorders and modulating neuroimmune responses, offering potential intervention avenues. This review emphasizes the significant therapeutic potential of neuroactive steroids in modulating TLR signaling pathways, particularly in addressing inflammatory processes associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. It advances our understanding of the complex interplay between neuroactive steroids and immune responses, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies tailored to individual needs and providing insights for future research aimed at unraveling the intricacies of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Balan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Giorgia Boero
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
| | - Samantha Lucenell Chéry
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Neuroscience Curriculum, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Minna H. McFarland
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Neuroscience Curriculum, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Alejandro G. Lopez
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - A. Leslie Morrow
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Airapetov M, Eresko S, Ignatova P, Lebedev A, Bychkov E, Shabanov P. Effect of rifampicin on TLR4-signaling pathways in the nucleus accumbens of the rat brain during abstinence of long-term alcohol treatment. Alcohol Alcohol 2024; 59:agae016. [PMID: 38520481 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agae016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS The treatment with the antibiotic rifampicin (Rif) led to a decrease in the frequency of neurodegenerative pathologies. There are suggestions that the mechanism of action of Rif may be mediated by its effect on toll-like receptor (TLR)4-dependent pathways. We evaluated the expression status of TLR4-dependent genes during abstinence from long-term alcohol treatments in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of the rat brain, and also studied the effects of Rif to correct these changes. METHODS The long-term alcohol treatment was performed by intragastric delivery of ethanol solution. At the end of alcohol treatment intraperitoneal injections of Rif (100 mg/kg) or saline were made. Extraction of the brain structures was performed on the 10th day of abstinence from alcohol. We used the SYBR Green qPCR method to quantitatively analyze the relative expression levels of the studied genes. RESULTS The long-term alcohol treatment promotes an increase in the level of TLR4 mRNA and mRNA of its endogenous ligand high-mobility group protein B1 during abstinence drop alcohol in NAc of rats. The use of Rif in our study led to a decrease in the increased expression of high-mobility group protein B1, Tlr4, and proinflammatory cytokine genes (Il1β, Il6) in the NAc of the rat brain during abstinence of long-term alcohol treatment. In addition, Rif administration increased the decreased mRNA levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (Il10, Il11). CONCLUSION The data obtained indicate the ability of Rif to correct the mechanisms of the TLR4 system genes in the NAc of the rat brain during alcohol abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marat Airapetov
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, P.O. Box 197376, 12 Academician Pavlova str., St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Military Medical Academy of S.M. Kirov, P.O. Box 194044, 6G Akademika Lebedeva str., St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Sergei Eresko
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, P.O. Box 197376, 12 Academician Pavlova str., St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Center for Chemical Engineering, Saint-Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics, P.O. Box 197101, 49 Kronverksky pr., St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Polina Ignatova
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, P.O. Box 197376, 12 Academician Pavlova str., St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Andrei Lebedev
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, P.O. Box 197376, 12 Academician Pavlova str., St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Evgenii Bychkov
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, P.O. Box 197376, 12 Academician Pavlova str., St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Petr Shabanov
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, P.O. Box 197376, 12 Academician Pavlova str., St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Military Medical Academy of S.M. Kirov, P.O. Box 194044, 6G Akademika Lebedeva str., St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
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5
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Cruz B, Borgonetti V, Bajo M, Roberto M. Sex-dependent factors of alcohol and neuroimmune mechanisms. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 26:100562. [PMID: 37601537 PMCID: PMC10432974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive alcohol use disrupts neuroimmune signaling across various cell types, including neurons, microglia, and astrocytes. The present review focuses on recent, albeit limited, evidence of sex differences in biological factors that mediate neuroimmune responses to alcohol and underlying neuroimmune systems that may influence alcohol drinking behaviors. Females are more vulnerable than males to the neurotoxic and negative consequences of chronic alcohol drinking, reflected by elevations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators. Differences in cytokine, microglial, astrocytic, genomic, and transcriptomic evidence suggest females are more reactive than males to neuroinflammatory changes after chronic alcohol exposure. The growing body of evidence supports that innate immune factors modulate synaptic transmission, providing a mechanistic framework to examine sex differences across neurocircuitry. Targeting neuroimmune signaling may be a viable strategy for treating AUD, but more research is needed to understand sex-specific differences in alcohol drinking and neuroimmune mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Cruz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA, 92073
| | - Vittoria Borgonetti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA, 92073
| | - Michal Bajo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA, 92073
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA, 92073
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6
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Atkinson NS. The Role of Toll and Nonnuclear NF-κB Signaling in the Response to Alcohol. Cells 2023; 12:1508. [PMID: 37296629 PMCID: PMC10252657 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
An understanding of neuroimmune signaling has become central to a description of how alcohol causes addiction and how it damages people with an AUD. It is well known that the neuroimmune system influences neural activity via changes in gene expression. This review discusses the roles played by CNS Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling in the response to alcohol. Also discussed are observations in Drosophila that show how TLR signaling pathways can be co-opted by the nervous system and potentially shape behavior to a far greater extent and in ways different than generally recognized. For example, in Drosophila, TLRs substitute for neurotrophin receptors and an NF-κB at the end of a TLR pathway influences alcohol responsivity by acting non-genomically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel S Atkinson
- Department of Neuroscience and The Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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Inan S, Meissler JJ, Shekarabi A, Foss J, Wiah S, Eisenstein TK, Rawls SM. Cyanidin prevents MDPV withdrawal-induced anxiety-like effects and dysregulation of cytokine systems in rats. Brain Res 2023; 1806:148310. [PMID: 36871847 PMCID: PMC10190163 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Psychostimulant exposure and withdrawal cause neuroimmune dysregulation and anxiety that contributes to dependence and relapse. Here, we tested the hypothesis that withdrawal from the synthetic cathinone MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone) produces anxiety-like effects and enhanced levels of mesocorticolimbic cytokines that are inhibited by cyanidin, an anti-inflammatory flavonoid and nonselective blocker of IL-17A signaling. For comparison, we tested effects on glutamate transporter systems that are also dysregulated during psychostimulant free period. Rats injected for 9 d with MDPV (1 mg/kg, IP) or saline were pretreated daily with cyanidin (0.5 mg/kg, IP) or saline, followed by behavioral testing on the elevated zero maze (EZM) 72 h after the last MDPV injection. MDPV withdrawal caused a reduction in time spent on the open arm of the EZM that was prevented by cyanidin. Cyanidin itself did not affect locomotor activity or time spent on the open arm, or cause aversive or rewarding effects in place preference experiments. MDPV withdrawal caused enhancement of cytokine levels (IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF=α, IL-10, and CCL2) in the ventral tegmental area, but not amygdala, nucleus accumbens, or prefrontal cortex, that was prevented by cyanidin. During MDPV withdrawal, mRNA levels of glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST) and glutamate transporter subtype 1 (GLT-1) in the amygdala were also elevated but normalized by cyanidin treatment. These results show that MDPV withdrawal induced anxiety, and brain-region specific dysregulation of cytokine and glutamate systems, that are both prevented by cyanidin, thus identifying cyanidin for further investigation in the context of psychostimulant dependence and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saadet Inan
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Joseph J Meissler
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aryan Shekarabi
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Foss
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sonita Wiah
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Toby K Eisenstein
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Scott M Rawls
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Leko AH, Ray LA, Leggio L. The vicious cycle between (neuro)inflammation and alcohol use disorder: An opportunity to develop new medications? ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:843-847. [PMID: 36882163 PMCID: PMC10289133 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andras H. Leko
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore and Bethesda, MD, USA
- Center on Compulsive Behaviors, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lara A. Ray
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore and Bethesda, MD, USA
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Division of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
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Airapetov MI, Eresko SO, Skabelkin DA, Iskalieva AR, Lebedev AA, Bychkov ER, Shabanov PD. [The effect of rifampicin on the system of Toll-like receptors in the nucleus accumbens of the brain of long-term alcoholized rats during alcohol withdrawal]. BIOMEDITSINSKAIA KHIMIIA 2022; 68:279-287. [PMID: 36005846 DOI: 10.18097/pbmc20226804279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nucleus accumbens (NAc) is the ventral part of the striatum of the brain; it is an important part of the mesolimbic pathway involved in the reward system that mediates the formation of various forms of addiction, in particular alcohol addiction. Neuroimaging data and in vitro studies indicate the development of a pronounced neurodegenerative process in the NAc, with long-term alcohol use, but the key mechanisms mediating this process remain unknown. In recent years, the attention of researchers has been focused on studying the system of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), the increased activity of which is clearly shown in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus during prolonged alcohol exposure, but there is a need to study the role of this system in other brain structures. In this study, we have shown that prolonged alcohol exposure (2 months) with moderate doses of ethanol (2 g/kg) promotes a pronounced increase in the expression of the Tlr4 gene and its endogenous ligand Hmgb1 in NAc during the period of alcohol withdrawal in rats. Injections of rifampicin (100 mg/kg) reduced the elevated expression level of Hmgb1, Tlr4, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokine genes (IL1β, IL6), while the administration of the drug increased the reduced level of mRNA of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL10, IL11).
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Affiliation(s)
- M I Airapetov
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia; Department of Pharmacology, St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University
| | - S O Eresko
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia; Research and Training Center of Molecular and Cellular Technologies, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - D A Skabelkin
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - A R Iskalieva
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - A A Lebedev
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - E R Bychkov
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - P D Shabanov
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia; Department of Pharmacology, Kirov Military Medical Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia
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10
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Zhu C, Li H, Kong X, Wang Y, Sun T, Wang F. Possible Mechanisms Underlying the Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist on Cocaine Use Disorder. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:819470. [PMID: 35300299 PMCID: PMC8921771 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.819470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a major public health challenge with a high relapse rate and lack of effective pharmacotherapies; therefore, there is a substantial need to identify novel medications to treat this epidemic. Since the advent of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors (GLP-1Rs) agonists (GLP-1RAs), their potential has been extensively explored and expanded. In this review, we first summarized the biological effects of GLP-1, GLP-1Rs, and GLP-1RAs. Subsequently, the recent literature examining the behavioral effects and the possible pharmacological mechanisms of GLP-1RAs on CUD was reviewed. Increasing preclinical evidence suggests that GLP-1RAs are promising in regulating dopamine release, dopamine transporter (DAT) surface expression and function, mesolimbic reward system and GABAergic neurons, and maladaptive behaviors in animal models of self-administration and conditioned place preference. In addition, the emerging role of GLP-1RAs in inhibiting inflammatory cytokines was reported. These findings indicate that GLP-1RAs perform essential functions in the modulation of cocaine-seeking and cocaine-taking behaviors likely through multifaceted mechanisms. Although the current preclinical evidence provides convincing evidence to support GLP-1RA as a promising pharmacotherapy for CUD, other questions concerning clinical availability, impact and specific mechanisms remain to be addressed in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changliang Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Yinchuan, China.,Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Hailiang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Yinchuan, China.,Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xuerui Kong
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Yinchuan, China.,Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yezhong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Yinchuan, China.,Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Yinchuan, China.,Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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11
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Liu J, Li JX, Wu R. Toll-Like Receptor 4: A Novel Target to Tackle Drug Addiction? Handb Exp Pharmacol 2022; 276:275-290. [PMID: 35434747 PMCID: PMC9829382 DOI: 10.1007/164_2022_586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behaviors despite the major negative consequences. Current well-established neuronal underpinnings of drug addiction have promoted the substantial progress in understanding this disorder. However, non-neuronal mechanisms of drug addiction have long been underestimated. Fortunately, increased evidence indicates that neuroimmune system, especially Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling, plays an important role in the different stages of drug addiction. Drugs like opioids, psychostimulants, and alcohol activate TLR4 signaling and enhance the proinflammatory response, which is associated with drug reward-related behaviors. While extensive studies have shown that inhibition of TLR4 attenuated drug-related responses, there are conflicting findings implicating that TLR4 signaling may not be essential to drug addiction. In this chapter, preclinical and clinical studies will be discussed to further evaluate whether TLR4-based neuroimmune pharmacotherapy can be used to treat drug addiction. Furthermore, the possible mechanisms underlying the effects of TLR4 inhibition in modulating drug-related behaviors will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Liu
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA,Corresponding authors: Dr. Jun-Xu Li, , Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214. Tel: +1 716 829 2482; Fax: +1 716 829 2801 And Dr. Ruyan Wu, , School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Ruyan Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA,School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China,Corresponding authors: Dr. Jun-Xu Li, , Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214. Tel: +1 716 829 2482; Fax: +1 716 829 2801 And Dr. Ruyan Wu, , School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
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12
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Miczek KA, DiLeo A, Newman EL, Akdilek N, Covington HE. Neurobiological Bases of Alcohol Consumption After Social Stress. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2022; 54:245-281. [PMID: 34964935 PMCID: PMC9698769 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2021_273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The urge to seek and consume excessive alcohol is intensified by prior experiences with social stress, and this cascade can be modeled under systematically controlled laboratory conditions in rodents and non-human primates. Adaptive coping with intermittent episodes of social defeat stress often transitions to maladaptive responses to traumatic continuous stress, and alcohol consumption may become part of coping responses. At the circuit level, the neural pathways subserving stress coping intersect with those for alcohol consumption. Increasingly discrete regions and connections within the prefrontal cortex, the ventral and dorsal striatum, thalamic and hypothalamic nuclei, tegmental areas as well as brain stem structures begin to be identified as critical for reacting to and coping with social stress while seeking and consuming alcohol. Several candidate molecules that modulate signals within these neural connections have been targeted in order to reduce excessive drinking and relapse. In spite of some early clinical failures, neuropeptides such as CRF, opioids, or oxytocin continue to be examined for their role in attenuating stress-escalated drinking. Recent work has focused on neural sites of action for peptides and steroids, most likely in neuroinflammatory processes as a result of interactive effects of episodic social stress and excessive alcohol seeking and drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus A. Miczek
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA,Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alyssa DiLeo
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily L. Newman
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Naz Akdilek
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
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13
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Meredith LR, Burnette EM, Grodin EN, Irwin MR, Ray LA. Immune treatments for alcohol use disorder: A translational framework. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 97:349-364. [PMID: 34343618 PMCID: PMC9044974 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
While the immune system is essential for survival, an excessive or prolonged inflammatory response, such as that resulting from sustained heavy alcohol use, can damage the host and contribute to psychiatric disorders. A growing body of literature indicates that the immune system plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorder (AUD). As such, there is enthusiasm for treatments that can restore healthy levels of inflammation as a mechanism to reduce drinking and promote recovery. In this qualitative literature review, we provide a conceptual rationale for immune therapies and discuss progress in medications development for AUD focused on the immune system as a treatment target. This review is organized into sections based on primary signaling pathways targeted by the candidate therapies, namely: (a) toll-like receptors, (b) phosphodiesterase inhibitors, (c) peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, (d) microglia and astrocytes, (e) other immune pharmacotherapies, and (f) behavioral therapies. As relevant within each section, we examine the basic biological mechanisms of each class of therapy and evaluate preclinical research testing the role of the therapy on mitigating alcohol-related behaviors in animal models. To the extent available, translational findings are reviewed with discussion of completed and ongoing randomized clinical trials and their findings to date. An applied and clinically focused approach is taken to identify the potential clinical applications of the various treatments reviewed. We conclude by delineating the most promising candidate treatments and discussing future directions by considering opportunities for immune treatment development and personalized medicine for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay R Meredith
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Burnette
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Erica N Grodin
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael R Irwin
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lara A Ray
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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14
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Zhu C, Tao H, Rong S, Xiao L, Li X, Jiang S, Guo B, Wang L, Ding J, Gao C, Chang H, Sun T, Wang F. Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analog Exendin-4 Ameliorates Cocaine-Mediated Behavior by Inhibiting Toll-Like Receptor 4 Signaling in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:694476. [PMID: 34349653 PMCID: PMC8327264 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.694476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Exendin-4 (Ex4), a long-lasting glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, was reported to exert favourable actions on inhibiting cocaine-associated rewarding and reinforcing effects of drug in animal models of addiction. However, the therapeutic potential of different dose of GLP-1 receptor agonist Ex4 in different behavioral paradigms and the underlying pharmacological mechanisms of action are incompletely understood. Herein, we firstly investigated the effects of Ex4 on cocaine-induced condition place preference (CPP) as well as extinction and reinstatement in male C57BL/6J mice. Additionally, we sought to elucidate the underlying pharmacological mechanism of these actions of Ex4. The paradigm of cocaine-induced CPP was established using 20 mg/kg cocaine or saline alternately during conditioning, while the reinstatement paradigm was modeled using 10 mg/kg cocaine on the reinstatement day. Different dose of Ex4 was administrated intraperitoneally either during conditioning or during extinction state or only on the test day. To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the potential effects of Ex4 on maladaptive behaviors of cocaine, the TLR4-related inflammation within the hippocampus was observed by immunofluorescence staining, and the expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β were detected by Western blotting. As a consequence, systemic administration of different dose of Ex4 was sufficient to inhibit the acquisition and expression of cocaine-induced CPP, facilitate the extinction of cocaine-associated reward and attenuate reinstatement of cocaine-induced behavior. Furthermore, Ex4 treatment diminished expression levels of TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-1β, which were up-regulated by cocaine exposure. Altogether, our results indicated that Ex4 effectively ameliorated cocaine-induced behaviors likely through neurobiological mechanisms partly attributable to the inhibition of TLR4, TNF-α and IL-1β in mice. Consequently, our findings improved our understanding of the efficacy of Ex4 for the amelioration of cocaine-induced behavior and suggested that Ex4 may be applied as a drug candidate for cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changliang Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Hong Tao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shikuo Rong
- Department of General Surgery, Chengdu Second Hospital, Chendu, China
| | - Lifei Xiao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xinxiao Li
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Shucai Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Baorui Guo
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jiangwei Ding
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Caibing Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Haigang Chang
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebro Cranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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15
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Li Y, Chen L, Zhao W, Sun L, Zhang R, Zhu S, Xie K, Feng X, Wu X, Sun Z, Shu G, Wang S, Gao P, Zhu X, Wang L, Jiang Q. Food reward depends on TLR4 activation in dopaminergic neurons. Pharmacol Res 2021; 169:105659. [PMID: 33971268 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The rising prevalence of obesity and being overweight is a worldwide health concern. Food reward dysregulation is the basic factor for the development of obesity. Dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) play a vital role in food reward. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a transmembrane pattern recognition receptor that can be activated by saturated fatty acids. Here, we show that the deletion of TLR4 specifically in DA neurons increases body weight, increases food intake, and decreases food reward. Conditional deletion of TLR4 also decreased the activity of DA neurons while suppressing the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the VTA, which regulates the concentration of DA in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) to affect food reward. Meanwhile, AAV-Cre-GFP mediated VTA-specific TLR4-deficient mice recapitulates food reward of DAT-TLR4-KO mice. Food reward could be rescued by re-expressing TLR4 in VTA DA neurons. Moreover, effects of intra-VTA infusion of lauric acid (a saturated fatty acid with 12 carbon) on food reward were abolished in mice lacking TLR4 in DA neurons. Our study demonstrates the critical role of TLR4 signaling in regulating the activity of VTA DA neurons and the normal function of the mesolimbic DA system that may contribute to food reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxiang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Lvshuang Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Weijie Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Lijuan Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Ruixue Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Shuqing Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Kailai Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Xiajie Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Xin Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Zhonghua Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Gang Shu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Songbo Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Ping Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Xiaotong Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
| | - Qingyan Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
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16
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Nwachukwu KN, Evans WA, Sides TR, Trevisani CP, Davis A, Marshall SA. Chemogenetic manipulation of astrocytic signaling in the basolateral amygdala reduces binge-like alcohol consumption in male mice. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:1957-1972. [PMID: 33844860 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Binge drinking is a common occurrence in the United States, but a high concentration of alcohol in the blood has been shown to have reinforcing and reciprocal effects on the neuroimmune system in both dependent and non-dependent scenarios. The first part of this study examined alcohol's effects on the astrocytic response in the central amygdala and basolateral amygdala (BLA) in a non-dependent model. C57BL/6J mice were given access to either ethanol, water, or sucrose during a "drinking in the dark" paradigm, and astrocyte number and astrogliosis were measured using immunohistochemistry. Results indicate that non-dependent consumption increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) density but not the number of GFAP+ cells, suggesting that non-dependent ethanol is sufficient to elicit astrocyte activation. The second part of this study examined how astrocytes impacted behaviors and the neurochemistry related to alcohol using the chemogenetic tool, DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs). Transgenic GFAP-hM3Dq mice were administered clozapine N-oxide both peripherally, affecting the entire central nervous system (CNS), or directly into the BLA. In both instances, GFAP-Gq-signaling activation significantly reduced ethanol consumption and correlating blood ethanol concentrations. However, GFAP-Gq-DREADD activation throughout the CNS had more broad effects resulting in decreased locomotor activity and sucrose consumption. More targeted GFAP-Gq-signaling activation in the BLA only impacted ethanol consumption. Finally, a glutamate assay revealed that after GFAP-Gq-signaling activation glutamate concentrations in the amygdala were partially normalized to control levels. Altogether, these studies support the theory that astrocytes represent a viable target for alcohol use disorder therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kala N Nwachukwu
- Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - William A Evans
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fred P. Wilson School of Pharmacy, High Point University, High Point, NC, USA
| | - Tori R Sides
- Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christopher P Trevisani
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fred P. Wilson School of Pharmacy, High Point University, High Point, NC, USA
| | - Ambryia Davis
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fred P. Wilson School of Pharmacy, High Point University, High Point, NC, USA
| | - S Alex Marshall
- Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fred P. Wilson School of Pharmacy, High Point University, High Point, NC, USA.,Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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17
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Cirino TJ, McLaughlin JP. Mini review: Promotion of substance abuse in HIV patients: Biological mediation by HIV-1 Tat protein. Neurosci Lett 2021; 753:135877. [PMID: 33838257 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite successful viral suppression by combinatorial anti-retroviral therapy, HIV infection continues to negatively impact the quality of life of patients by promoting neuropathy and HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND), where substance use disorder (SUD) is highly comorbid and known to worsen health outcomes. While substance abuse exacerbates the progression of HIV, emerging evidence also suggests the virus may potentiate the rewarding effect of abused substances. As HIV does not infect neurons, these effects are theorized to be mediated by viral proteins. Key among these proteins are HIV-1 Tat, which can continue to be produced under viral suppression in patients. This review will recap the behavioral evidence for HIV-1 Tat mediation of a potentiation of cocaine, opioid and alcohol reward, and explore the neurochemical dysfunction associated by Tat as potential mechanisms underlying changes in reward. Targeting rampant oxidative stress, inflammation and excitotoxicity associated with HIV and Tat protein exposure may prove useful in combating persistent substance abuse comorbid with HIV in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Cirino
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Jay P McLaughlin
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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18
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Airapetov M, Eresko S, Lebedev A, Bychkov E, Shabanov P. The role of Toll-like receptors in neurobiology of alcoholism. Biosci Trends 2021; 15:74-82. [PMID: 33716257 DOI: 10.5582/bst.2021.01041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Alcoholism is a global socially significant problem and still remains one of the leading causes of disability and premature death. One of the main signs of the disease is the loss of cognitive control over the amount of alcohol consumed. Among the mechanisms of the development of this pathology, changes in neuroimmune mechanisms occurring in the brain during prolonged alcohol consumption and its withdrawal have recently become the focus of numerous studies. Ethanol consumption leads to the activation of neuroimmune signaling in the central nervous system through many subtypes of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), as well as release of their endogenous agonists (high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), S100 protein, heat shock proteins (HSPs), and extracellular matrix degradation proteins). TLR activation triggers intracellular molecular cascades of reactions leading to increased expression of genes of the innate immune system, particularly, proinflammatory cytokines, causing further development of a persistent neuroinflammatory process in the central nervous system. This leads to death of neurons and neuroglial cells in various brain structures, primarily in those associated with the development of a pathological craving for alcohol. In addition, there is evidence that some subtypes of TLRs (TLR3, TLR4) are able to form heterodimers with neuropeptide receptors, thereby possibly playing other roles in the central nervous system, in addition to participating in the activation of the innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marat Airapetov
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Department of Pharmacology, St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Sergei Eresko
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Research and Education Center for Molecular and Cellular Technologies, St. Petersburg State Chemical Pharmaceutical University, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Andrei Lebedev
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Evgenii Bychkov
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Petr Shabanov
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Department of Pharmacology, Kirov Military Medical Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia
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19
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Balan I, Aurelian L, Schleicher R, Boero G, O'Buckley T, Morrow AL. Neurosteroid allopregnanolone (3α,5α-THP) inhibits inflammatory signals induced by activated MyD88-dependent toll-like receptors. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:145. [PMID: 33637705 PMCID: PMC7909379 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01266-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We have shown that endogenous neurosteroids, including pregnenolone and 3α,5α-THP inhibit toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signal activation in mouse macrophages and the brain of alcohol-preferring (P) rat, which exhibits innate TLR4 signal activation. The current studies were designed to examine whether other activated TLR signals are similarly inhibited by 3α,5α-THP. We report that 3α,5α-THP inhibits selective agonist-mediated activation of TLR2 and TLR7, but not TLR3 signaling in the RAW246.7 macrophage cell line. The TLR4 and TLR7 signals are innately activated in the amygdala and NAc from P rat brains and inhibited by 3α,5α-THP. The TLR2 and TLR3 signals are not activated in P rat brain and they are not affected by 3α,5α-THP. Co-immunoprecipitation studies indicate that 3α,5α-THP inhibits the binding of MyD88 with TLR4 or TLR7 in P rat brain, but the levels of TLR4 co-precipitating with TRIF are not altered by 3α,5α-THP treatment. Collectively, the data indicate that 3α,5α-THP inhibits MyD88- but not TRIF-dependent TLR signal activation and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators through its ability to block TLR-MyD88 binding. These results have applicability to many conditions involving pro-inflammatory TLR activation of cytokines, chemokines, and interferons and support the use of 3α,5α-THP as a therapeutic for inflammatory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Balan
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Laure Aurelian
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Riana Schleicher
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Giorgia Boero
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Todd O'Buckley
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - A Leslie Morrow
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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20
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Boero G, Tyler RE, Todd CA, O'Buckley TK, Balan I, Besheer J, Morrow AL. (3α,5α)3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP) regulation of hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic corticotropin releasing factor (CRF): Sexual dimorphism and brain region specificity in Sprague Dawley rats. Neuropharmacology 2021; 186:108463. [PMID: 33460689 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
CRF is the main activator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to stress. CRF neurons are found mainly in the hypothalamus, but CRF positive cells and CRF1 receptors are also found in extrahypothalamic structures, including amygdala (CeA), hippocampus, NAc and VTA. CRF release in the hypothalamus is regulated by inhibitory GABAergic interneurons and extrahypothalamic glutamatergic inputs, and disruption of this balance is found in stress-related disorders and addiction. (3α,5α)3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP), the most potent positive modulator of GABAA receptors, attenuates the stress response reducing hypothalamic CRF mRNA expression and ACTH and corticosterone serum levels. In this study, we explored 3α,5α-THP regulation of hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic CRF mRNA and peptide expression, in male and female Sprague Dawley rats, following vehicle or 3α,5α-THP administration (15 mg/kg). In the hypothalamus, we found sex differences in CRF mRNA expression (females +74%, p < 0.01) and CRF peptide levels (females -71%, p < 0.001). 3α,5α-THP administration reduced hypothalamic CRF mRNA expression only in males (-50%, p < 0.05) and did not alter CRF peptide expression in either sex. In hippocampus and CeA, 3α,5α-THP administration reduced CRF peptide concentrations only in the male (hippocampus -29%, p < 0.05; CeA -62%, p < 0.01). In contrast, 3α,5α-THP injection increased CRF peptide concentration in the VTA of both males (+32%, p < 0.01) and females (+26%, p < 0.01). The results show sex and region-specific regulation of CRF signals and the response to 3α,5α-THP administration. This data may be key to successful development of therapeutic approaches for stress-related disorders and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Boero
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ryan E Tyler
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Caroline A Todd
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Todd K O'Buckley
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Irina Balan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Joyce Besheer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - A Leslie Morrow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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21
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Chu C, Xu G, Li X, Duan Z, Tao L, Cai H, Yang M, Zhang X, Chen B, Zheng Y, Shi H, Li X. Sustained expression of MCP-1 induced low wall shear stress loading in conjunction with turbulent flow on endothelial cells of intracranial aneurysm. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 25:110-119. [PMID: 33332775 PMCID: PMC7810920 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Shear stress was reported to regulate the expression of AC007362, but its underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. In this study, to isolate endothelial cells of blood vessels, unruptured and ruptured intracranial aneurysm (IA) tissues were collected from IA patients. Subsequently, quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR), Western blot and luciferase assay were performed to investigate the relationships between AC007362, miRNAs‐493 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to shear stress. Reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS) was performed to assess the level of DNA methylation in AC007362 promoter. Accordingly, AC007362 and MCP‐1 were significantly up‐regulated while miR‐493 was significantly down‐regulated in HUVECs exposed to shear stress. AC007362 could suppress the miR‐493 expression and elevate the MCP‐1 expression, and miR‐493 was shown to respectively target AC007362 and MCP‐1. Moreover, shear stress in HUVECs led to the down‐regulated DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), as well as the decreased DNA methylation level of AC007362 promoter. Similar results were also observed in ruptured IA tissues when compared with unruptured IA tissues. In conclusion, this study presented a deep insight into the operation of the regulatory network of AC007362, miR‐493 and MCP‐1 upon shear stress. Under shear stress, the expression of AC007362 was enhanced by the inhibited promoter DNA methylation, while the expression of MCP‐1 was enhanced by sponging the expression of miR‐493.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xiaocong Li
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zuowei Duan
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Lihong Tao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Hongxia Cai
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xinjiang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yanyu Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Hongcan Shi
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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22
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ELMostafi H, Bahbiti Y, Elhessni A, Bousalham R, Doumar H, Ouichou A, Benmhammed H, Touil T, Mesfioui A. Neuroprotective potential of Argan oil in neuropsychiatric disorders in rats: A review. J Funct Foods 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2020.104233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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23
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Wu R, Li JX. Toll-Like Receptor 4 Signaling and Drug Addiction. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:603445. [PMID: 33424612 PMCID: PMC7793839 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.603445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The emphasis of neuronal alterations and adaptations have long been the main focus of the studies of the mechanistic underpinnings of drug addiction. Recent studies have begun to appreciate the role of innate immune system, especially toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in drug reward-associated behaviors and physiology. Drugs like opioids, alcohol and psychostimulants activate TLR4 signaling and subsequently induce proinflammatory responses, which in turn contributes to the development of drug addiction. Inhibition of TLR4 or its downstream effectors attenuated the reinforcing effects of opioids, alcohol and psychostimulants, and this effect is also involved in the withdrawal and relapse-like behaviors of different drug classes. However, conflicting results also argue that TLR4-related immune response may play a minimal part in drug addiction. This review discussed the preclinical evidence that whether TLR4 signaling is involved in multiple drug classes action and the possible mechanisms underlying this effect. Moreover, clinical studies which examined the potential efficacy of immune-base pharmacotherapies in treating drug addiction are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyan Wu
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
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24
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Airapetov MI, Eresko SO, Lebedev AA, Bychkov ER, Shabanov PD. [Involvement of TOLL-like receptors in the neuroimmunology of alcoholism]. BIOMEDIT︠S︡INSKAI︠A︡ KHIMII︠A︡ 2020; 66:208-215. [PMID: 32588826 DOI: 10.18097/pbmc20206603208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use is a global socially significant problem that remains one of the leading risk factors for disability and premature death. One of the main pathological characteristics of alcoholism is the loss of cognitive control over the amount of consumed alcohol. Growing body of evidence suggests that alterations of neuroimmune communication occurring in the brain during prolonged alcoholization are one of the main mechanisms responsible for the development of this pathology. Ethanol consumption leads to activation of neuroimmune signaling in the central nervous system through many types of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), as well as the release of their endogenous agonists (HMGB1 protein, S100 protein, heat shock proteins, extracellular matrix breakdown proteins). Activation of TLRs triggers intracellular molecular cascades leading to increased expression of the innate immune system genes, particularly proinflammatory cytokines, subsequently causing the development of a persistent neuroinflammatory process in the central nervous system, which results in massive death of neurons and glial cells in the brain structures, which are primarily associated with the development of a pathological craving for alcohol. In addition, some subtypes of TLRs are capable of forming heterodimers with neuropeptide receptors (corticoliberin, orexin, ghrelin receptors), and may also have other functional relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- M I Airapetov
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia; St. Petersburg State Medical Pediatric University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - S O Eresko
- University ITMO (National Research University), St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - A A Lebedev
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - E R Bychkov
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - P D Shabanov
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia; Kirov Military Medical Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia
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25
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Harper KM, Knapp DJ, Todd CA, Balan I, Aurelian L, Criswell HE, Breese GR. Phenotyping CCL2 Containing Central Amygdala Neurons Controlling Alcohol Withdrawal-Induced Anxiety. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:580583. [PMID: 33192326 PMCID: PMC7531233 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.580583] [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: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokines such as chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) play a role in several behaviors, including anxiety-like behavior, but whether neurons are an important source of CCL2 for behavior and how neuronal CCL2 may work to affect behavior are still debated. When a herpes simplex virus (HSV) vector was used to knockdown CCL2 mRNA in neurons of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) in rats experiencing multiple withdrawals from low dose ethanol, anxiety-like behavior appeared in the social interaction task. To examine this finding further Fractalkine (CX3CL1), a chemokine that is often found to have an opposing function to CCL2 was measured in these rats. Both alcohol withdrawal and CCL2 knockdown increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory protein CX3CL1. The combination of alcohol withdrawal and CCL2 knockdown decreased CX3CL1 and may alter pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory balance, and thus highlights the potential importance of CCL2 and CCL2/CX3CL1 balance in anxiety. To find a mechanism by which neuronal chemokines like CCL2 could affect behavior, retrograde tracing with fluorescent nanobeads was done in two brain regions associated with anxiety the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and the ventral periaqueductal gray (VPAG). These studies identified CeA projection neurons to these brain regions that contain CCL2. To demonstrate that CCL2 can be transported via axons to downstream brain regions, the axonal transport blocker, colchicine, was given and 24 h later, the accumulation of CCL2 in CeA neuronal cell bodies was found. Finally, CCL2 in CeA neurons was localized to the synapse using confocal microscopy with enhanced resolution following deconvolution and electron microscopy, which along with the other evidence suggests that CCL2 may be transported down axons in CeA neurons and released from nerve terminals perhaps into brain regions like the BNST and VPAG to affect behaviors such as anxiety. These results suggest that neurons are an important target for chemokine research related to behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Harper
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Darin J Knapp
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Caroline A Todd
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Irina Balan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Laure Aurelian
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Hugh E Criswell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - George R Breese
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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26
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Chang GQ, Karatayev O, Boorgu DSSK, Leibowitz SF. Third Ventricular Injection of CCL2 in Rat Embryo Stimulates CCL2/CCR2 Neuroimmune System in Neuroepithelial Radial Glia Progenitor Cells: Relation to Sexually Dimorphic, Stimulatory Effects on Peptide Neurons in Lateral Hypothalamus. Neuroscience 2020; 443:188-205. [PMID: 31982472 PMCID: PMC7681774 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Clinical and animal studies show maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes in offspring persistent alterations in neuroimmune and neurochemical systems known to increase alcohol drinking and related behaviors. Studies in lateral hypothalamus (LH) demonstrate in adolescent offspring that maternal oral administration of ethanol stimulates the neuropeptide, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), together with the inflammatory chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) and its receptor CCR2 which are increased in most MCH neurons. These effects, consistently stronger in females than males, are detected in embryos, not only in LH but hypothalamic neuroepithelium (NEP) along the third ventricle where neurons are born and CCL2 is stimulated within radial glia progenitor cells and their laterally projecting processes that facilitate MCH neuronal migration toward LH. With ethanol's effects similarly produced by maternal peripheral CCL2 administration and blocked by CCR2 antagonist, we tested here using in utero intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections whether CCL2 acts locally within the embryonic NEP. After ICV injection of CCL2 (0.1 µg/µl) on embryonic day 14 (E14) when neurogenesis peaks, we observed in embryos just before birth (E19) a significant increase in endogenous CCL2 within radial glia cells and their processes in NEP. These auto-regulatory effects, evident only in female embryos, were accompanied by increased density of CCL2 and MCH neurons in LH, more strongly in females than males. These results support involvement of embryonic CCL2/CCR2 neuroimmune system in radial glia progenitor cells in mediating sexually dimorphic effects of maternal challenges such as ethanol on LH MCH neurons that colocalize CCL2 and CCR2.
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27
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Kamal H, Tan GC, Ibrahim SF, Shaikh MF, Mohamed IN, Mohamed RMP, Hamid AA, Ugusman A, Kumar J. Alcohol Use Disorder, Neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease: Interplay Between Oxidative Stress, Neuroimmune Response and Excitotoxicity. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:282. [PMID: 33061892 PMCID: PMC7488355 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Prolonged excessive alcohol intake contributes to increased production of reactive oxygen species that triggers neuroimmune response and cellular apoptosis and necrosis via lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial, protein or DNA damage. Long term binge alcohol consumption also upregulates glutamate receptors, glucocorticoids and reduces reuptake of glutamate in the central nervous system, resulting in glutamate excitotoxicity, and eventually mitochondrial injury and cell death. In this review, we delineate the following principles in alcohol-induced neurodegeneration: (1) alcohol-induced oxidative stress, (2) neuroimmune response toward increased oxidants and lipopolysaccharide, (3) glutamate excitotoxicity and cell injury, and (4) interplay between oxidative stress, neuroimmune response and excitotoxicity leading to neurodegeneration and (5) potential chronic alcohol intake-induced development of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haziq Kamal
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Geok Chin Tan
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siti Fatimah Ibrahim
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd. Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Isa Naina Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rashidi M. Pakri Mohamed
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Adila A. Hamid
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Azizah Ugusman
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jaya Kumar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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28
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Loftis JM, Navis T, Taylor J, Hudson R, Person U, Lattal KM, Vandenbark AA, Shirley R, Huckans M. Partial MHC/neuroantigen peptide constructs attenuate methamphetamine-seeking and brain chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 levels in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 880:173175. [PMID: 32416183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
There are no medications that target the neurotoxic effects or reduce the use of methamphetamine. Recombinant T-cell receptor ligand (RTL) 1000 [a partial major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) class II construct with a tethered myelin peptide], addresses the neuroimmune effects of methamphetamine addiction by competitively inhibiting the disease-promoting activity of macrophage migration inhibitory factor to CD74, a key pathway involved in several chronic inflammatory conditions, including substance use disorders. We previously reported that RTL constructs improve learning and memory impairments and central nervous system (CNS) inflammation induced by methamphetamine in mouse models. The present study in Lewis rats evaluated the effects of RTL1000 on maintenance of self-administration and cue-induced reinstatement using operant behavioral methods. Post-mortem brain and serum samples were evaluated for the levels of inflammatory factors. Rats treated with RTL1000 displayed significantly fewer presses on the active lever as compared to rats treated with vehicle during the initial extinction session, indicating more rapid extinction in the presence of RTL1000. Immunoblotting of rat brain sections revealed reduced levels of the pro-inflammatory chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in the frontal cortex of rats treated with RTL1000, as compared to vehicle. Post hoc analysis identified a positive association between the levels of CCL2 detected in the frontal cortex and the number of lever presses during the first extinction session. Taken together, results suggest that RTL1000 may block downstream inflammatory effects of methamphetamine exposure and facilitate reduced drug seeking-potentially offering a new strategy for the treatment of methamphetamine-induced CNS injury and neuropsychiatric impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Loftis
- Research & Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Methamphetamine Research Center, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Tommy Navis
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jonathan Taylor
- Research & Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Rebekah Hudson
- Research & Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ulziibat Person
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - K Matthew Lattal
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Arthur A Vandenbark
- Research & Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Renee Shirley
- Virogenomics BioDevelopment, Inc., Portland, OR, USA
| | - Marilyn Huckans
- Research & Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Methamphetamine Research Center, Portland, OR, USA; Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences Division, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
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29
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Vena AA, Zandy SL, Cofresí RU, Gonzales RA. Behavioral, neurobiological, and neurochemical mechanisms of ethanol self-administration: A translational review. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 212:107573. [PMID: 32437827 PMCID: PMC7580704 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder has multiple characteristics including excessive ethanol consumption, impaired control over drinking behaviors, craving and withdrawal symptoms, compulsive seeking behaviors, and is considered a chronic condition. Relapse is common. Determining the neurobiological targets of ethanol and the adaptations induced by chronic ethanol exposure is critical to understanding the clinical manifestation of alcohol use disorders, the mechanisms underlying the various features of the disorder, and for informing medication development. In the present review, we discuss ethanol's interactions with a variety of neurotransmitter systems, summarizing findings from preclinical and translational studies to highlight recent progress in the field. We then describe animal models of ethanol self-administration, emphasizing the value, limitations, and validity of commonly used models. Lastly, we summarize the behavioral changes induced by chronic ethanol self-administration, with an emphasis on cue-elicited behavior, the role of ethanol-related memories, and the emergence of habitual ethanol seeking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A Vena
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, United States of America
| | | | - Roberto U Cofresí
- Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, United States of America
| | - Rueben A Gonzales
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy and Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, United States of America.
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30
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Abstract
The pervasive and devastating nature of substance use disorders underlies the need for the continued development of novel pharmacotherapies. We now know that glia play a much greater role in neuronal processes than once believed. The various types of glial cells (e.g., astrocytes, microglial, oligodendrocytes) participate in numerous functions that are crucial to healthy central nervous system function. Drugs of abuse have been shown to interact with glia in ways that directly contribute to the pharmacodynamic effects responsible for their abuse potential. Through their effect upon glia, drugs of abuse also alter brain function resulting in behavioral changes associated with substance use disorders. Therefore, drug-induced changes in glia and inflammation within the central nervous system (neuroinflammation) have been investigated to treat various aspects of drug abuse and dependence. This article presents a brief overview of the effects of each of the major classes of addictive drugs on glia. Next, the paper reviews the pre-clinical and clinical studies assessing the effects that glial modulators have on abuse-related behavioral effects, such as pleasure, withdrawal, and motivation. There is a strong body of pre-clinical literature demonstrating the general effectiveness of several glia-modulating drugs in models of reward and relapse. Clinical studies have also yielded promising results, though not as robust. There is still much to disentangle regarding the integration between addictive drugs and glial cells. Improved understanding of the relationship between glia and the pathophysiology of drug abuse should allow for more precise exploration in the development and testing of glial-directed treatments for substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jermaine D. Jones
- Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
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31
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Gondré-Lewis MC, Bassey R, Blum K. Pre-clinical models of reward deficiency syndrome: A behavioral octopus. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 115:164-188. [PMID: 32360413 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with mood disorders or with addiction, impulsivity and some personality disorders can share in common a dysfunction in how the brain perceives reward, where processing of natural endorphins or the response to exogenous dopamine stimulants is impaired. Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) is a polygenic trait with implications that suggest cross-talk between different neurological systems that include the known reward pathway, neuroendocrine systems, and motivational systems. In this review we evaluate well-characterized animal models for their construct validity and as potential models for RDS. Animal models used to study substance use disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), early life stress, immune dysregulation, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compulsive gambling and compulsive eating disorders are discussed. These disorders recruit underlying reward deficiency mechanisms in multiple brain centers. Because of the widespread and remarkable array of associated/overlapping behavioral manifestations with a common root of hypodopaminergia, the basic endophenotype recognized as RDS is indeed likened to a behavioral octopus. We conclude this review with a look ahead on how these models can be used to investigate potential therapeutics that target the underlying common deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie C Gondré-Lewis
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, 520 W Street, NW, Washington D.C., 20059, United States; Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Howard University College of Medicine, 520 W Street, NW, Washington D.C., 20059, United States.
| | - Rosemary Bassey
- Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Howard University College of Medicine, 520 W Street, NW, Washington D.C., 20059, United States; Department of Science Education, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/ Northwell, 500 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549, United States
| | - Kenneth Blum
- Western University Health Sciences, Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Pomona, California, United States
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Solanki N, Abijo T, Galvao C, Darius P, Blum K, Gondré-Lewis MC. Administration of a putative pro-dopamine regulator, a neuronutrient, mitigates alcohol intake in alcohol-preferring rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 385:112563. [PMID: 32070691 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excessive alcohol intake is a serious but preventable public health problem in the United States and worldwide. Alcohol and other substance use disorders occur co-morbid with more generalized reward deficiency disorders, characterized by a reduction in dopamine (DA) signaling within the reward pathway, and classically associated with increased impulsivity, risk taking and subsequent drug seeking behavior. It is postulated that increasing dopamine availability and thus restoring DA homeostasis in the mesocorticolimbic system could reduce the motivation to seek and consume ethanol. Here, we treated animals with a neuro-nutrient, KB220Z also known as Synaptamine, designed to augment DA signaling. METHOD KB220Z was administered to genetically alcohol-preferring (P) adult male and female rats by oral gavage (PO), intraperioneally (IP), or subcutaneously (SQ) for 4 consecutive days at a 3.4 mL/Kg rat equivalent dose and compared to saline (SQ, IP) or water (PO) controls. Subsequent to treatment, lever pressing and consumption of 10 % ethanol or control 3% sucrose during operant responding was assessed using a drinking in the dark multiple scheduled access (DIDMSA) binge drinking protocol. Locomotor and elevated zero maze activity, and DRD2 mRNA expression via in situ hybridization (ISH) were assessed independently following 4 days of a SQ regimen of KB220Z. RESULTS KB220Z administered via IP and SQ markedly and immediately reduced binge drinking of 10 % ethanol in both male and female rats whereas PO administration took at least 3 days to decrease lever pressing for ethanol in both male and female rats. There was no effect of SQ KB220Z on 3% sucrose drinking. Elevated activity in the open field was significantly decreased, and time spent in the open arm of the EZM was moderately reduced. The regimen of SQ KB220Z did not impact the number of DRD2 punctae in neurons of the NAc, but the NAc shell expressed more DRD2 mRNA/cell than NAc core independent of KB220Z. CONCLUSION KB220Z attenuates ethanol drinking and other RDS behaviors in P rats possibly by acting on the dopaminergic system, but not by effecting an increase in NAc DRD2 mRNA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naimesh Solanki
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University, Washington D.C., 20059, USA; Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington D.C., 20059, USA
| | - Tomilowo Abijo
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University, Washington D.C., 20059, USA; Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington D.C., 20059, USA
| | - Carine Galvao
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University, Washington D.C., 20059, USA; Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington D.C., 20059, USA
| | - Philippe Darius
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University, Washington D.C., 20059, USA; Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington D.C., 20059, USA
| | - Kenneth Blum
- Western University Health Science Center, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Pomona, CA, 91766 USA; Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marjorie C Gondré-Lewis
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University, Washington D.C., 20059, USA; Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington D.C., 20059, USA.
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Morrow AL, Boero G, Porcu P. A Rationale for Allopregnanolone Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders: Basic and Clinical Studies. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:320-339. [PMID: 31782169 PMCID: PMC7018555 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
For many years, research from around the world has suggested that the neuroactive steroid (3α,5α)-3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (allopregnanolone or 3α,5α-THP) may have therapeutic potential for treatment of various symptoms of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). In this critical review, we systematically address all the evidence that supports such a suggestion, delineate the etiologies of AUDs that are addressed by treatment with allopregnanolone or its precursor pregnenolone, and the rationale for treatment of various components of the disease based on basic science and clinical evidence. This review presents a theoretical framework for understanding how endogenous steroids that regulate the effects of stress, alcohol, and the innate immune system could play a key role in both the prevention and the treatment of AUDs. We further discuss cautions and limitations of allopregnanolone or pregnenolone therapy with suggestions regarding the management of risk and the potential for helping millions who suffer from AUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Leslie Morrow
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Giorgia Boero
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Patrizia Porcu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
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Chang GQ, Karatayev O, Boorgu DSSK, Leibowitz SF. CCL2/CCR2 Chemokine System in Embryonic Hypothalamus: Involvement in Sexually Dimorphic Stimulatory Effects of Prenatal Ethanol Exposure on Peptide-Expressing Neurons. Neuroscience 2019; 424:155-171. [PMID: 31705896 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Maternal consumption of ethanol during pregnancy is known to increase the offspring's risk for developing alcohol use disorders and associated behavioral disturbances. Studies in adolescent and adult animals suggest the involvement of neuroimmune and neurochemical systems in the brain that control these behaviors. To understand the origin of these effects during early developmental stages, we examined in the embryo and neonate the effects of maternal intraoral administration of ethanol (2 g/kg/day) from embryonic day 10 (E10) to E15 on the inflammatory chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) and its receptor CCR2 in a specific, dense population of neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), where they are closely related to an orexigenic neuropeptide, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), known to promote ethanol consumption and related behaviors. We found that prenatal ethanol exposure increases the expression and density of CCL2 and CCR2 cells along with MCH neurons in the LH and the colocalization of CCL2 with MCH. We also discovered that these effects are sexually dimorphic, consistently stronger in female embryos, and are blocked by maternal administration of a CCL2 antibody (1 and 5 µg/day, i.p., E10-E15) that neutralizes endogenous CCL2 and of a CCR2 antagonist INCB3344 (1 mg/day, i.p., E10-E15) that blocks CCL2's main receptor. These results, which in the embryo anatomically and functionally link the CCL2/CCR2 system to MCH neurons in the LH, suggest an important role for this neuroimmune system in mediating ethanol's sexually dimorphic, stimulatory effect on MCH neurons that may promote higher level of alcohol consumption described in females.
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Centanni SW, Bedse G, Patel S, Winder DG. Driving the Downward Spiral: Alcohol-Induced Dysregulation of Extended Amygdala Circuits and Negative Affect. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2019; 43:2000-2013. [PMID: 31403699 PMCID: PMC6779502 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) afflicts a large number of individuals, families, and communities globally. Affective disturbances, including stress, depression, and anxiety, are highly comorbid with AUD, contributing in some cases to initial alcohol use and continued use. Negative affect has a particularly strong influence on the withdrawal/abstinence stage of addiction as individuals with AUD frequently report stressful events, depression, and anxiety as key factors for relapse. Treatment options for negative affect associated with AUD are limited and often ineffective, highlighting the pressing need for preclinical studies examining the underlying neural circuitry driving AUD-associated negative affect. The extended amygdala (EA) is a set of brain areas collectively involved in generating and regulating affect, and extensive research has defined a critical role for the EA in all facets of substance use disorder. Here, we review the expansive historical literature examining the effects of ethanol exposure on the EA, with an emphasis on the complex EA neural circuitry driving negative affect in all phases of the alcohol addiction cycle. Specifically, this review focuses on the effects of alcohol exposure on the neural circuitry in 2 key components of the EA, the central nucleus of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Additionally, future directions are proposed to advance our understanding of the relationship between AUD-associated negative affect and neural circuitry in the EA, with the long-term goal of developing better diagnostic tools and new pharmacological targets aimed at treating negative affect in AUD. The concepts detailed here will serve as the foundation for a companion review focusing on the potential for the endogenous cannabinoid system in the EA as a novel target for treating the stress, anxiety, and negative emotional state driving AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel W. Centanni
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Gaurav Bedse
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sachin Patel
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Danny G. Winder
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA
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Aurelian L, Balan I. GABA AR α2-activated neuroimmune signal controls binge drinking and impulsivity through regulation of the CCL2/CX3CL1 balance. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:3023-3043. [PMID: 31030249 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05220-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of innate immune system receptors that respond to pathogen-derived and tissue damage-related ligands and are increasingly recognized for their impact on homeostasis and its dysregulation in the nervous system. TLR signaling participates in brain injury and addiction, but its role in the alcohol-seeking behavior, which initiates alcohol drinking, is still poorly understood. In this review, we discuss our findings designed to elucidate the potential contribution of the activated TLR4 signal located in neurons, on impulsivity and the predisposition to initiate alcohol drinking (binge drinking). RESULTS Our findings indicate that the TLR4 signal is innately activated in neurons from alcohol-preferring subjects, identifying a genetic contribution to the regulation of impulsivity and the alcohol-seeking propensity. Signal activation is through the non-canonical, previously unknown, binding of TLR4 to the α2 subunit of the γ-aminobutyric 2 acid A receptor (GABAAR α2). Activation is sustained by the stress hormone corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and additional still poorly recognized ligand/scaffold proteins. Focus is on the effect of TLR4 signal activation on the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory chemokines [chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2)/chemokine (C-X3-C motif) ligand 1 (CX3CL1)] and its effect on binge drinking. CONCLUSION The results are discussed within the context of current findings on the distinct activation and functions of TLR signals located in neurons, as opposed to immune cells. They indicate that the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory TLR4 signaling plays a major role in binge drinking. These findings have major impact on future basic and translational research, including the development of potential therapeutic and preventative strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure Aurelian
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. .,Stanford University School of Medicine OFDD, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Irina Balan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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Erickson EK, Blednov YA, Harris RA, Mayfield RD. Glial gene networks associated with alcohol dependence. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10949. [PMID: 31358844 PMCID: PMC6662804 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47454-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic alcohol abuse alters the molecular structure and function of brain cells. Recent work suggests adaptations made by glial cells, such as astrocytes and microglia, regulate physiological and behavioral changes associated with addiction. Defining how alcohol dependence alters the transcriptome of different cell types is critical for developing the mechanistic hypotheses necessary for a nuanced understanding of cellular signaling in the alcohol-dependent brain. We performed RNA-sequencing on total homogenate and glial cell populations isolated from mouse prefrontal cortex (PFC) following chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure (CIE). Compared with total homogenate, we observed unique and robust gene expression changes in astrocytes and microglia in response to CIE. Gene co-expression network analysis revealed biological pathways and hub genes associated with CIE in astrocytes and microglia that may regulate alcohol-dependent phenotypes. Astrocyte identity and synaptic calcium signaling genes were enriched in alcohol-associated astrocyte networks, while TGF-β signaling and inflammatory response genes were disrupted by CIE treatment in microglia gene networks. Genes related to innate immune signaling, specifically interferon pathways, were consistently up-regulated across CIE-exposed astrocytes, microglia, and total homogenate PFC tissue. This study illuminates the cell-specific effects of chronic alcohol exposure and provides novel molecular targets for studying alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma K Erickson
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712-01095, USA.
| | - Yuri A Blednov
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712-01095, USA
| | - R Adron Harris
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712-01095, USA
| | - R Dayne Mayfield
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712-01095, USA
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Abstract
Innate immune signaling is an important feature in the pathology of alcohol use disorders. Alcohol abuse causes persistent innate immune activation in the brain. This is seen in postmortem human alcoholic brain specimens, as well as in primate and rodent models of alcohol consumption. Further, in vitro models of alcohol exposure in neurons and glia also demonstrate innate immune activation. The activation of the innate immune system seems to be important in the development of alcohol use pathology, as anti-immune therapies reduce pathology and ethanol self-administration in rodent models. Further, innate immune activation has been identified in each of the stages of addiction: binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/craving. This suggests that innate immune activation may play a role both in the development and maintenance of alcoholic pathology. In this chapter, we discuss the known contributions of innate immune signaling in the pathology of alcohol use disorders, and present potential therapeutic interventions that may be beneficial for alcohol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon G Coleman
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Fulton T Crews
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Abstract
The innate immune system plays a critical role in the ethanol-induced neuroimmune response in the brain. Ethanol initiates the innate immune response via activation of the innate immune receptors Toll-like receptors (TLRs, e.g., TLR4, TLR3, TLR7) and NOD-like receptors (inflammasome NLRs) leading to a release of a plethora of chemokines and cytokines and development of the innate immune response. Cytokines and chemokines can have pro- or anti-inflammatory properties through which they regulate the immune response. In this chapter, we will focus on key cytokines (e.g., IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α) and chemokines (e.g., MCP-1/CCL2) that mediate the ethanol-induced neuroimmune responses. In this regard, we will use IL-1β, as an example cytokine, to discuss the neuromodulatory properties of cytokines on cellular properties and synaptic transmission. We will discuss their involvement through a set of evidence: (1) changes in gene and protein expression following ethanol exposure, (2) association of gene polymorphisms (humans) and alterations in gene expression (animal models) with increased alcohol intake, and (3) modulation of alcohol-related behaviors by transgenic or pharmacological manipulations of chemokine and cytokine systems. Over the last years, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms mediating cytokine- and chemokine-dependent regulation of immune responses has advanced tremendously, and we review evidence pointing to cytokines and chemokines serving as neuromodulators and regulators of neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Roberto
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Reesha R Patel
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michal Bajo
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Warden AS, Azzam M, DaCosta A, Mason S, Blednov YA, Messing RO, Mayfield RD, Harris RA. Toll-like receptor 3 dynamics in female C57BL/6J mice: Regulation of alcohol intake. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 77:66-76. [PMID: 30550930 PMCID: PMC6399033 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there are sex differences in the effects of alcohol on immune responses, it is unclear if sex differences in immune response can influence drinking behavior. Activation of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) by polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) produced a rapid proinflammatory response in males that increased alcohol intake over time (Warden et al., 2019). Poly(I:C) produced a delayed and prolonged innate immune response in females. We hypothesized that the timecourse of innate immune activation could regulate drinking behavior in females. Therefore, we chose to test the effect of two time points in the innate immune activation timecourse on every-other-day two-bottle-choice drinking: (1) peak activation; (2) descending limb of activation. Poly(I:C) reduced ethanol consumption when alcohol access occurred during peak activation. Poly(I:C) did not change ethanol consumption when alcohol access occurred on the descending limb of activation. Decreased levels of MyD88-dependent pathway correlated with decreased alcohol intake and increased levels of TRIF-dependent pathway correlated with increased alcohol intake in females. To validate the effects of poly(I:C) were mediated through MyD88, we tested female mice lacking Myd88. Poly(I:C) did not change alcohol intake in Myd88 knockouts, indicating that poly(I:C)-induced changes in alcohol intake are dependent on MyD88 in females. We next determined if the innate immune timecourse also regulated drinking behavior in males. Poly(I:C) reduced ethanol consumption in males when alcohol was presented at peak activation. Therefore, the timecourse of innate immune activation regulates drinking behavior and sex-specific dynamics of innate immune response must be considered when designing therapeutics to treat excessive drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Warden
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Moatasem Azzam
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Adriana DaCosta
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Sonia Mason
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Yuri A Blednov
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Robert O Messing
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - R Dayne Mayfield
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - R Adron Harris
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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Warden AS, Azzam M, DaCosta A, Mason S, Blednov YA, Messing RO, Mayfield RD, Harris RA. Toll-like receptor 3 activation increases voluntary alcohol intake in C57BL/6J male mice. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 77:55-65. [PMID: 30550931 PMCID: PMC6399060 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Many genes differentially expressed in brain tissue from human alcoholics and animals that have consumed large amounts of alcohol are components of the innate immune toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway. TLRs initiate inflammatory responses via two branches: (1) MyD88-dependent or (2) TRIF-dependent. All TLRs signal through MyD88 except TLR3. Prior work demonstrated a direct role for MyD88-dependent signaling in regulation of alcohol consumption. However, the role of TLR3 as a potential regulator of excessive alcohol drinking has not previously been investigated. To test the possibility TLR3 activation regulates alcohol consumption, we injected mice with the TLR3 agonist polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) and tested alcohol consumption in an every-other-day two-bottle choice test. Poly(I:C) produced a persistent increase in alcohol intake that developed over several days. Repeated poly(I:C) and ethanol exposure altered innate immune transcript abundance; increased levels of TRIF-dependent pathway components correlated with increased alcohol consumption. Administration of poly(I:C) before exposure to alcohol did not alter alcohol intake, suggesting that poly(I:C) and ethanol must be present together to change drinking behavior. To determine which branch of TLR signaling mediates poly(I:C)-induced changes in drinking behavior, we tested either mice lacking MyD88 or mice administered a TLR3/dsRNA complex inhibitor. MyD88 null mutants showed poly(I:C)-induced increases in alcohol intake. In contrast, mice pretreated with a TLR3/dsRNA complex inhibitor reduced their alcohol intake, suggesting poly(I:C)-induced escalations in alcohol intake are, at least partially, dependent on TLR3. Together, these results strongly suggest that TLR3-dependent signaling drives excessive alcohol drinking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Warden
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Moatasem Azzam
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Adriana DaCosta
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Sonia Mason
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Yuri A Blednov
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Robert O Messing
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - R Dayne Mayfield
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - R Adron Harris
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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Varodayan FP, Khom S, Patel RR, Steinman MQ, Hedges DM, Oleata CS, Homanics GE, Roberto M, Bajo M. Role of TLR4 in the Modulation of Central Amygdala GABA Transmission by CRF Following Restraint Stress. Alcohol Alcohol 2019; 53:642-649. [PMID: 29309503 PMCID: PMC6203127 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agx114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Stress induces neuroimmune responses via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation. Here, we investigated the role of TLR4 in the effects of the stress peptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on GABAergic transmission in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) following restraint stress. Methods Tlr4 knock out (KO) and wild-type rats were exposed to no stress (naïve), a single restraint stress (1 h) or repeated restraint stress (1 h per day for 3 consecutive days). After 1 h recovery from the final stress session, whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology was used to investigate the effects of CRF (200 nM) on CeA GABAA-mediated spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs). Results TLR4 does not regulate baseline GABAergic transmission in the CeA of naive and stress-treated animals. However, CRF significantly increased the mean sIPSC frequencies (indicating enhanced GABA release) across all genotypes and stress treatments, except for the Tlr4 KO rats that experienced repeated restraint stress. Conclusions Overall, our results suggest a limited role for TLR4 in CRF's modulation of CeA GABAergic synapses in naïve and single stress rats, though TLR4-deficient rats that experienced repeated psychological stress exhibit a blunted CRF cellular response. Short Summary TLR4 has a limited role in CRF's activation of the CeA under basal conditions, but interacts with the CRF system to regulate GABAergic synapse function in animals that experience repeated psychological stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- F P Varodayan
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - S Khom
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - R R Patel
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M Q Steinman
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - D M Hedges
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - C S Oleata
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - G E Homanics
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, and Neurobiology, University of 6060 Biomedical Science Tower 3, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - M Roberto
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M Bajo
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Endogenous Neurosteroid (3α,5α)3-Hydroxypregnan-20-one Inhibits Toll-like-4 Receptor Activation and Pro-inflammatory Signaling in Macrophages and Brain. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1220. [PMID: 30718548 PMCID: PMC6362084 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37409-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The endogenous neurosteroid (3α,5α)3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP, allopregnanolone) has protective activity in animal models of alcoholism, depression, traumatic brain injury, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease that is poorly understood. Because these conditions involve proinflammatory signaling through toll-like receptors (TLRs), we examined the effects of 3α,5α-THP, and pregnenolone on TLR4 activation in both the periphery and the central nervous system (CNS). We used monocytes/macrophages (RAW264.7) as a model of peripheral immune signaling and studied innately activated TLR4 in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of selectively bred alcohol-preferring (P) rats. LPS activated the TLR4 pathway in RAW264.7 cells as evidenced by increased levels of p-TAK1, TRAF6, NF-κB p50, phospho-NF-κB- p65, pCREB, HMGB1, and inflammatory mediators, including MCP-1 and TNFα. Both 3α,5α-THP and pregnenolone (0.5–1.0μM) substantially (~80%) inhibited these effects, indicating pronounced inhibition of TLR4 signaling. The mechanism of inhibition appears to involve blockade of TLR4/MD-2 protein interactions in RAW246.7 cells. In VTA, 3α,5α-THP (15 mg/kg, IP) administration reduced TRAF6 (~20%), CRF (~30%), and MCP-1 (~20%) levels, as well as TLR4 binding to GABAA receptor α2 subunits (~60%) and MyD88 (~40%). The data suggest that inhibition of proinflammatory neuroimmune signaling underlies protective effects of 3α,5α-THP in immune cells and brain, apparently involving blocking of protein-protein interactions that initiate TLR4-dependent signaling. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory TLR4 activation represents a new mechanism of 3α,5α-THP action in the periphery and the brain.
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Zhang K, Luo J. Role of MCP-1 and CCR2 in alcohol neurotoxicity. Pharmacol Res 2019; 139:360-366. [PMID: 30472461 PMCID: PMC6360095 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol abuse causes profound damage to both the developing brain and the adult brain. Prenatal exposure to alcohol results in a wide range of deficits known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Alcohol abuse in adults is associated with brain shrinkage, memory and attention deficits, communication disorders and physical disabilities. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) is one of the key chemokines that regulate the recruitment and activation of monocytes and microglia. Both MCP-1 and its receptor C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) expressed in the brain are involved in various neuroinflammatory disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the role of MCP-1/CCR2 in alcohol-induced brain damage is unclear. Recent evidence indicates that alcohol exposure increased the activity of MCP-1/CCR2 in both mature and developing central nervous systems (CNS). MCP-1/CCR2 signaling in the brain was involved in alcohol drinking behavior. MCP-1/CCR2 inhibition alleviated alcohol neurotoxicity by reducing microglia activation/neuroinflammation in the developing brain and spinal cord. In this review, we discussed the role of MCP-1/CCR2 signaling in alcohol-induced neuroinflammation and brain damage. We also discussed the signaling cascades that are involved in the activation of MCP-1/CCR2 in response to alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Jia Luo
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; Lexington VA Health Care System, Research & Development, 1101 Veterans Drive, Lexington, KY 40502, USA.
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Erickson EK, Grantham EK, Warden AS, Harris RA. Neuroimmune signaling in alcohol use disorder. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2018; 177:34-60. [PMID: 30590091 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2018.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a widespread disease with limited treatment options. Targeting the neuroimmune system is a new avenue for developing or repurposing effective pharmacotherapies. Alcohol modulates innate immune signaling in different cell types in the brain by altering gene expression and the molecular pathways that regulate neuroinflammation. Chronic alcohol abuse may cause an imbalance in neuroimmune function, resulting in prolonged perturbations in brain function. Likewise, manipulating the neuroimmune system may change alcohol-related behaviors. Psychiatric disorders that are comorbid with AUD, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and other substance use disorders, may also have underlying neuroimmune mechanisms; current evidence suggests that convergent immune pathways may be involved in AUD and in these comorbid disorders. In this review, we provide an overview of major neuroimmune cell-types and pathways involved in mediating alcohol behaviors, discuss potential mechanisms of alcohol-induced neuroimmune activation, and present recent clinical evidence for candidate immune-related drugs to treat AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma K Erickson
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-01095, USA.
| | - Emily K Grantham
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-01095, USA
| | - Anna S Warden
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-01095, USA
| | - R A Harris
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-01095, USA
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Linker KE, Cross SJ, Leslie FM. Glial mechanisms underlying substance use disorders. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 50:2574-2589. [PMID: 30240518 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Addiction is a devastating disorder that produces persistent maladaptive changes to the central nervous system, including glial cells. Although there is an extensive body of literature examining the neuronal mechanisms of substance use disorders, effective therapies remain elusive. Glia, particularly microglia and astrocytes, have an emerging and meaningful role in a variety of processes beyond inflammation and immune surveillance, and may represent a promising therapeutic target. Indeed, glia actively modulate neurotransmission, synaptic connectivity and neural circuit function, and are critically poised to contribute to addictive-like brain states and behaviors. In this review, we argue that glia influence the cellular, molecular, and synaptic changes that occur in neurons following drug exposure, and that this cellular relationship is critically modified following drug exposure. We discuss direct actions of abused drugs on glial function through immune receptors, such as Toll-like receptor 4, as well as other mechanisms. We highlight how drugs of abuse affect glia-neural communication, and the profound effects that glial-derived factors have on neuronal excitability, structure, and function. Recent research demonstrates that glia have brain region-specific functions, and glia in different brain regions have distinct contributions to drug-associated behaviors. We will also evaluate the evidence demonstrating that glial activation is essential for drug reward and drug-induced dopamine release, and highlight clinical evidence showing that glial mechanisms contribute to drug abuse liability. In this review, we synthesize the extensive evidence that glia have a unique, pivotal, and underappreciated role in the development and maintenance of addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Linker
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - S J Cross
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - F M Leslie
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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Hypothalamic CCL2/CCR2 Chemokine System: Role in Sexually Dimorphic Effects of Maternal Ethanol Exposure on Melanin-Concentrating Hormone and Behavior in Adolescent Offspring. J Neurosci 2018; 38:9072-9090. [PMID: 30201767 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0637-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical and animal studies show that ethanol exposure and inflammation during pregnancy cause similar behavioral disturbances in the offspring. While ethanol is shown to stimulate both neuroimmune and neurochemical systems in adults, little is known about their anatomical relationship in response to ethanol in utero and whether neuroimmune factors mediate ethanol's effects on neuronal development and behavior in offspring. Here we examined in female and male adolescent rats a specific population of neurons concentrated in lateral hypothalamus, which coexpress the inflammatory chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) or its receptor CCR2 with the orexigenic neuropeptide, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), that promotes ethanol drinking behavior. We demonstrate that maternal administration of ethanol (2 g/kg/d) from embryonic day 10 (E10) to E15, while having little impact on glia, stimulates expression of neuronal CCL2 and CCR2, increases density of both large CCL2 neurons colocalizing MCH and small CCL2 neurons surrounding MCH neurons, and stimulates ethanol drinking and anxiety in adolescent offspring. We show that these neuronal and behavioral changes are similarly produced by maternal administration of CCL2 (4 or 8 μg/kg/d, E10-E15) and blocked by maternal administration of a CCR2 antagonist INCB3344 (1 mg/kg/d, E10-E15), and these effects of ethanol and CCL2 are sexually dimorphic, consistently stronger in females. These results suggest that this neuronal CCL2/CCR2 system closely linked to MCH neurons has a role in mediating the effects of maternal ethanol exposure on adolescent offspring and contributes to the higher levels of adolescent risk factors for alcohol use disorders described in women.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Ethanol consumption and inflammatory agents during pregnancy similarly increase alcohol intake and anxiety in adolescent offspring. To investigate how neurochemical and neuroimmune systems interact to mediate these disturbances, we examined a specific population of hypothalamic neurons coexpressing the inflammatory chemokine CCL2 and its receptor CCR2 with the neuropeptide, melanin-concentrating hormone. We demonstrate in adolescent offspring that maternal administration of CCL2, like ethanol, stimulates these neurons and increases ethanol drinking and anxiety, and these effects of ethanol are blocked by maternal CCR2 antagonist and consistently stronger in females. This suggests that neuronal chemokine signaling linked to neuropeptides mediates effects of maternal ethanol exposure on adolescent offspring and contributes to higher levels of adolescent risk factors for alcohol use disorders in women.
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Knapp DJ, Harper KM, Melton J, Breese G. Comparative effects of stressors on behavioral and neuroimmune responses of fawn-hooded (FH/Wjd) and Wistar rats: Implications for models of depression. J Neuroimmunol 2018; 322:74-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2018.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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The GABA A Receptor α2 Subunit Activates a Neuronal TLR4 Signal in the Ventral Tegmental Area that Regulates Alcohol and Nicotine Abuse. Brain Sci 2018; 8:brainsci8040072. [PMID: 29690521 PMCID: PMC5924408 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8040072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcoholism initiates with episodes of excessive alcohol drinking, known as binge drinking, which is one form of excessive drinking (NIAAA Newsletter, 2004) that is related to impulsivity and anxiety (Ducci et al., 2007; Edenberg et al., 2004) and is also predictive of smoking status. The predisposition of non-alcohol exposed subjects to initiate binge drinking is controlled by neuroimmune signaling that includes an innately activated neuronal Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signal. This signal also regulates cognitive impulsivity, a heritable trait that defines drug abuse initiation. However, the mechanism of signal activation, its function in dopaminergic (TH+) neurons within the reward circuitry implicated in drug-seeking behavior [viz. the ventral tegmental area (VTA)], and its contribution to nicotine co-abuse are still poorly understood. We report that the γ-aminobutyric acidA receptor (GABAAR) α2 subunit activates the TLR4 signal in neurons, culminating in the activation (phosphorylation/nuclear translocation) of cyclic AMP response element binding (CREB) but not NF-kB transcription factors and the upregulation of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The signal is activated through α2/TLR4 interaction, as evidenced by co-immunoprecipitation, and it is present in the VTA from drug-untreated alcohol-preferring P rats. VTA infusion of neurotropic herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors for α2 (pHSVsiLA2) or TLR4 (pHSVsiTLR4) but not scrambled (pHSVsiNC) siRNA inhibits signal activation and both binge alcohol drinking and nicotine sensitization, suggesting that the α2-activated TLR4 signal contributes to the regulation of both alcohol and nicotine abuse.
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Ezquer F, Morales P, Quintanilla ME, Santapau D, Lespay-Rebolledo C, Ezquer M, Herrera-Marschitz M, Israel Y. Intravenous administration of anti-inflammatory mesenchymal stem cell spheroids reduces chronic alcohol intake and abolishes binge-drinking. Sci Rep 2018; 8:4325. [PMID: 29567966 PMCID: PMC5864829 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22750-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic alcohol intake leads to neuroinflammation and astrocyte dysfunction, proposed to perpetuate alcohol consumption and to promote conditioned relapse-like binge drinking. In the present study, human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were cultured in 3D-conditions to generate MSC-spheroids, which greatly increased MSCs anti-inflammatory ability and reduced cell volume by 90% versus conventionally 2D-cultured MSCs, enabling their intravenous administration and access to the brain. It is shown, in an animal model of chronic ethanol intake and relapse-drinking, that both the intravenous and intra-cerebroventricular administration of a single dose of MSC-spheroids inhibited chronic ethanol intake and relapse-like drinking by 80–90%, displaying significant effects over 3–5 weeks. The MSC-spheroid administration fully normalized alcohol-induced neuroinflammation, as shown by a reduced astrocyte activation, and markedly increased the levels of the astrocyte Na-glutamate (GLT-1) transporter. This research suggests that the intravenous administration of MSC-spheroids may constitute an effective new approach for the treatment of alcohol-use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Ezquer
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paola Morales
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - María Elena Quintanilla
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Santapau
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolyne Lespay-Rebolledo
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcelo Ezquer
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mario Herrera-Marschitz
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yedy Israel
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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