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G Anversa R, Campbell EJ, Walker LC, S Ch'ng S, Muthmainah M, S Kremer F, M Guimarães A, O'Shea MJ, He S, Dayas CV, Andrews ZB, Lawrence AJ, Brown RM. A paraventricular thalamus to insular cortex glutamatergic projection gates "emotional" stress-induced binge eating in females. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1931-1940. [PMID: 37474763 PMCID: PMC10584903 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01665-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
It is well-established that stress and negative affect trigger eating disorder symptoms and that the brains of men and women respond to stress in different ways. Indeed, women suffer disproportionately from emotional or stress-related eating, as well as associated eating disorders such as binge eating disorder. Nevertheless, our understanding of the precise neural circuits driving this maladaptive eating behavior, particularly in women, remains limited. We recently established a clinically relevant model of 'emotional' stress-induced binge eating whereby only female mice display binge eating in response to an acute "emotional" stressor. Here, we combined neuroanatomic, transgenic, immunohistochemical and pathway-specific chemogenetic approaches to investigate whole brain functional architecture associated with stress-induced binge eating in females, focusing on the role of Vglut2 projections from the paraventricular thalamus (PVTVglut2+) to the medial insular cortex in this behavior. Whole brain activation mapping and hierarchical clustering of Euclidean distances revealed distinct patterns of coactivation unique to stress-induced binge eating. At a pathway-specific level, PVTVglut2+ cells projecting to the medial insular cortex were specifically activated in response to stress-induced binge eating. Subsequent chemogenetic inhibition of this pathway suppressed stress-induced binge eating. We have identified a distinct PVTVglut2+ to insular cortex projection as a key driver of "emotional" stress-induced binge eating in female mice, highlighting a novel circuit underpinning this sex-specific behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta G Anversa
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Erin J Campbell
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Biochemical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Leigh C Walker
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sarah S Ch'ng
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Muthmainah Muthmainah
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia
| | - Frederico S Kremer
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Amanda M Guimarães
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Mia J O'Shea
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Suheng He
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Christopher V Dayas
- School of Biochemical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Zane B Andrews
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robyn M Brown
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
- The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
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Neira S, Lee S, Hassanein LA, Sides T, D'Ambrosio SL, Boyt KM, Bains JS, Kash TL. Impact and Role of Hypothalamic Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Neurons in Withdrawal from Chronic Alcohol Consumption in Female and Male Mice. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7657-7667. [PMID: 37833068 PMCID: PMC10634552 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1153-23.2023] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, alcohol use and abuse are a leading risk of mortality, causing 5.3% of all deaths (World Health Organization, 2022). The endocrine stress system, initiated by the peripheral release of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) from primarily glutamatergic neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), is profoundly linked with alcohol use, abuse, and relapse (Blaine and Sinha, 2017). These PVN CRH-releasing (PVNCRH) neurons are essential for peripheral and central stress responses (Rasiah et al., 2023), but little is known about how alcohol affects these neurons. Here, we show that two-bottle choice alcohol consumption blunts the endocrine-mediated corticosterone response to stress during acute withdrawal in female mice. Conversely, using slice electrophysiology, we demonstrate that acute withdrawal engenders a hyperexcitable phenotype of PVNCRH neurons in females that is accompanied by increased glutamatergic transmission in both male and female mice. GABAergic synaptic transmission was unaffected by alcohol history. We then tested whether chemogenetic inhibition of PVNCRH neurons would restore stress response in female mice with a history of alcohol drinking in the looming disk test, which mimics an approaching predator threat. Accordingly, inhibition of PVNCRH neurons reduced active escape in hM4Di alcohol history mice only. This study indicates that stress-responsive PVNCRH neurons in females are particularly affected by a history of alcohol consumption. Interestingly, women have indicated an increase in heavy alcohol use to cope with stress (Rodriguez et al., 2020), perhaps pointing to a potential underlying mechanism in alcohol-mediated changes to PVNCRH neurons that alter stress response.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus neurons that release corticotropin releasing hormone (PVNCRH) are vital for stress response. These neurons have been understudied in relation to alcohol and withdrawal despite profound relations between stress, alcohol use disorders (AUD), and relapse. In this study, we use a variety of techniques to show that acute withdrawal from a history of alcohol impacts peripheral stress response, PVNCRH neurons, and behavior. Specifically, PVNCRH are in a hyperactive state during withdrawal, which drives an increase in active stress coping behaviors in female mice only. Understanding how alcohol use and withdrawal affects stress responding PVNCRH neurons may contribute to finding new potential targets for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Neira
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Sophia Lee
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Leslie A Hassanein
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Tori Sides
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Shannon L D'Ambrosio
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Kristen M Boyt
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Jaideep S Bains
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
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3
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Ford MM, George BE, Van Laar VS, Holleran KM, Naidoo J, Hadaczek P, Vanderhooft LE, Peck EG, Dawes MH, Ohno K, Bringas J, McBride JL, Samaranch L, Forsayeth JR, Jones SR, Grant KA, Bankiewicz KS. GDNF gene therapy for alcohol use disorder in male non-human primates. Nat Med 2023; 29:2030-2040. [PMID: 37580533 PMCID: PMC10602124 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02463-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) exacts enormous personal, social and economic costs globally. Return to alcohol use in treatment-seeking patients with AUD is common, engendered by a cycle of repeated abstinence-relapse episodes even with use of currently available pharmacotherapies. Repeated ethanol use induces dopaminergic signaling neuroadaptations in ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons of the mesolimbic reward pathway, and sustained dysfunction of reward circuitry is associated with return to drinking behavior. We tested this hypothesis by infusing adeno-associated virus serotype 2 vector encoding human glial-derived neurotrophic factor (AAV2-hGDNF), a growth factor that enhances dopaminergic neuron function, into the VTA of four male rhesus monkeys, with another four receiving vehicle, following induction of chronic alcohol drinking. GDNF expression ablated the return to alcohol drinking behavior over a 12-month period of repeated abstinence-alcohol reintroduction challenges. This behavioral change was accompanied by neurophysiological modulations to dopamine signaling in the nucleus accumbens that countered the hypodopaminergic signaling state associated with chronic alcohol use, indicative of a therapeutic modulation of limbic circuits countering the effects of alcohol. These preclinical findings suggest gene therapy targeting relapse prevention may be a potential therapeutic strategy for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Ford
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Psychology, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Brianna E George
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
| | - Victor S Van Laar
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Katherine M Holleran
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jerusha Naidoo
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Piotr Hadaczek
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lauren E Vanderhooft
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Emily G Peck
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
| | - Monica H Dawes
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kousaku Ohno
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John Bringas
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jodi L McBride
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Lluis Samaranch
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John R Forsayeth
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sara R Jones
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kathleen A Grant
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Krystof S Bankiewicz
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Borgonetti V, Cruz B, Vozella V, Khom S, Steinman MQ, Bullard R, D’Ambrosio S, Oleata CS, Vlkolinsky R, Bajo M, Zorrilla EP, Kirson D, Roberto M. IL-18 Signaling in the Rat Central Amygdala Is Disrupted in a Comorbid Model of Post-Traumatic Stress and Alcohol Use Disorder. Cells 2023; 12:1943. [PMID: 37566022 PMCID: PMC10416956 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151943] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and anxiety disorders are frequently comorbid and share dysregulated neuroimmune-related pathways. Here, we used our established rat model of comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)/AUD to characterize the interleukin 18 (IL-18) system in the central amygdala (CeA). Male and female rats underwent novel (NOV) and familiar (FAM) shock stress, or no stress (unstressed controls; CTL) followed by voluntary alcohol drinking and PTSD-related behaviors, then all received renewed alcohol access prior to the experiments. In situ hybridization revealed that the number of CeA positive cells for Il18 mRNA increased, while for Il18bp decreased in both male and female FAM stressed rats versus CTL. No changes were observed in Il18r1 expression across groups. Ex vivo electrophysiology showed that IL-18 reduced GABAA-mediated miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) frequencies in CTL, suggesting reduced CeA GABA release, regardless of sex. Notably, this presynaptic effect of IL-18 was lost in both NOV and FAM males, while it persisted in NOV and FAM females. IL-18 decreased mIPSC amplitude in CTL female rats, suggesting postsynaptic effects. Overall, our results suggest that stress in rats with alcohol access impacts CeA IL-18-system expression and, in sex-related fashion, IL-18's modulatory function at GABA synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Borgonetti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92073, USA; (V.B.); (B.C.); (V.V.); (S.K.); (M.Q.S.); (R.B.); (S.D.); (C.S.O.); (R.V.); (M.B.); (E.P.Z.); (D.K.)
| | - Bryan Cruz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92073, USA; (V.B.); (B.C.); (V.V.); (S.K.); (M.Q.S.); (R.B.); (S.D.); (C.S.O.); (R.V.); (M.B.); (E.P.Z.); (D.K.)
| | - Valentina Vozella
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92073, USA; (V.B.); (B.C.); (V.V.); (S.K.); (M.Q.S.); (R.B.); (S.D.); (C.S.O.); (R.V.); (M.B.); (E.P.Z.); (D.K.)
| | - Sophia Khom
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92073, USA; (V.B.); (B.C.); (V.V.); (S.K.); (M.Q.S.); (R.B.); (S.D.); (C.S.O.); (R.V.); (M.B.); (E.P.Z.); (D.K.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Q. Steinman
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92073, USA; (V.B.); (B.C.); (V.V.); (S.K.); (M.Q.S.); (R.B.); (S.D.); (C.S.O.); (R.V.); (M.B.); (E.P.Z.); (D.K.)
| | - Ryan Bullard
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92073, USA; (V.B.); (B.C.); (V.V.); (S.K.); (M.Q.S.); (R.B.); (S.D.); (C.S.O.); (R.V.); (M.B.); (E.P.Z.); (D.K.)
| | - Shannon D’Ambrosio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92073, USA; (V.B.); (B.C.); (V.V.); (S.K.); (M.Q.S.); (R.B.); (S.D.); (C.S.O.); (R.V.); (M.B.); (E.P.Z.); (D.K.)
| | - Christopher S. Oleata
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92073, USA; (V.B.); (B.C.); (V.V.); (S.K.); (M.Q.S.); (R.B.); (S.D.); (C.S.O.); (R.V.); (M.B.); (E.P.Z.); (D.K.)
| | - Roman Vlkolinsky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92073, USA; (V.B.); (B.C.); (V.V.); (S.K.); (M.Q.S.); (R.B.); (S.D.); (C.S.O.); (R.V.); (M.B.); (E.P.Z.); (D.K.)
| | - Michal Bajo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92073, USA; (V.B.); (B.C.); (V.V.); (S.K.); (M.Q.S.); (R.B.); (S.D.); (C.S.O.); (R.V.); (M.B.); (E.P.Z.); (D.K.)
| | - Eric P. Zorrilla
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92073, USA; (V.B.); (B.C.); (V.V.); (S.K.); (M.Q.S.); (R.B.); (S.D.); (C.S.O.); (R.V.); (M.B.); (E.P.Z.); (D.K.)
| | - Dean Kirson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92073, USA; (V.B.); (B.C.); (V.V.); (S.K.); (M.Q.S.); (R.B.); (S.D.); (C.S.O.); (R.V.); (M.B.); (E.P.Z.); (D.K.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92073, USA; (V.B.); (B.C.); (V.V.); (S.K.); (M.Q.S.); (R.B.); (S.D.); (C.S.O.); (R.V.); (M.B.); (E.P.Z.); (D.K.)
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Chuong V, Farokhnia M, Khom S, Pince CL, Elvig SK, Vlkolinsky R, Marchette RC, Koob GF, Roberto M, Vendruscolo LF, Leggio L. The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue semaglutide reduces alcohol drinking and modulates central GABA neurotransmission. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e170671. [PMID: 37192005 PMCID: PMC10371247 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.170671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence indicates that the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) system is involved in the neurobiology of addictive behaviors, and GLP-1 analogues may be used for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Here, we examined the effects of semaglutide, a long-acting GLP-1 analogue, on biobehavioral correlates of alcohol use in rodents. A drinking-in-the-dark procedure was used to test the effects of semaglutide on binge-like drinking in male and female mice. We also tested the effects of semaglutide on binge-like and dependence-induced alcohol drinking in male and female rats, as well as acute effects of semaglutide on spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) from central amygdala (CeA) and infralimbic cortex (ILC) neurons. Semaglutide dose-dependently reduced binge-like alcohol drinking in mice; a similar effect was observed on the intake of other caloric/noncaloric solutions. Semaglutide also reduced binge-like and dependence-induced alcohol drinking in rats. Semaglutide increased sIPSC frequency in CeA and ILC neurons from alcohol-naive rats, suggesting enhanced GABA release, but had no overall effect on GABA transmission in alcohol-dependent rats. In conclusion, the GLP-1 analogue semaglutide decreased alcohol intake across different drinking models and species and modulated central GABA neurotransmission, providing support for clinical testing of semaglutide as a potentially novel pharmacotherapy for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicky Chuong
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program (NIDA IRP) and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research (NIAAA DICBR), NIH, Baltimore and Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, NIDA IRP, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mehdi Farokhnia
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program (NIDA IRP) and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research (NIAAA DICBR), NIH, Baltimore and Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sophia Khom
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claire L. Pince
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program (NIDA IRP) and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research (NIAAA DICBR), NIH, Baltimore and Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, NIDA IRP, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sophie K. Elvig
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, NIDA IRP, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Roman Vlkolinsky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - George F. Koob
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, NIDA IRP, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Leandro F. Vendruscolo
- Stress and Addiction Neuroscience Unit, NIDA IRP and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program (NIDA IRP) and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research (NIAAA DICBR), NIH, Baltimore and Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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6
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Abstract
Ethanol (EtOH) has effects on numerous cellular molecular targets, and alterations in synaptic function are prominent among these effects. Acute exposure to EtOH activates or inhibits the function of proteins involved in synaptic transmission, while chronic exposure often produces opposing and/or compensatory/homeostatic effects on the expression, localization, and function of these proteins. Interactions between different neurotransmitters (e.g., neuropeptide effects on release of small molecule transmitters) can also influence both acute and chronic EtOH actions. Studies in intact animals indicate that the proteins affected by EtOH also play roles in the neural actions of the drug, including acute intoxication, tolerance, dependence, and the seeking and drinking of EtOH. The present chapter is an update of our previous Lovinger and Roberto (Curr Top Behav Neurosci 13:31-86, 2013) chapter and reviews the literature describing these acute and chronic synaptic effects of EtOH with a focus on adult animals and their relevance for synaptic transmission, plasticity, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Lovinger
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Molecular Medicine Department, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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7
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Rodriguez L, Kirson D, Wolfe SA, Patel RR, Varodayan FP, Snyder AE, Gandhi PJ, Khom S, Vlkolinsky R, Bajo M, Roberto M. Alcohol Dependence Induces CRF Sensitivity in Female Central Amygdala GABA Synapses. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:7842. [PMID: 35887190 PMCID: PMC9318832 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronically relapsing disease characterized by loss of control in seeking and consuming alcohol (ethanol) driven by the recruitment of brain stress systems. However, AUD differs among the sexes: men are more likely to develop AUD, but women progress from casual to binge drinking and heavy alcohol use more quickly. The central amygdala (CeA) is a hub of stress and anxiety, with corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-CRF1 receptor and Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)-ergic signaling dysregulation occurring in alcohol-dependent male rodents. However, we recently showed that GABAergic synapses in female rats are less sensitive to the acute effects of ethanol. Here, we used patch-clamp electrophysiology to examine the effects of alcohol dependence on the CRF modulation of rat CeA GABAergic transmission of both sexes. We found that GABAergic synapses of naïve female rats were unresponsive to CRF application compared to males, although alcohol dependence induced a similar CRF responsivity in both sexes. In situ hybridization revealed that females had fewer CeA neurons containing mRNA for the CRF1 receptor (Crhr1) than males, but in dependence, the percentage of Crhr1-expressing neurons in females increased, unlike in males. Overall, our data provide evidence for sexually dimorphic CeA CRF system effects on GABAergic synapses in dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (L.R.); (S.A.W.); (R.R.P.); (F.P.V.); (A.E.S.); (P.J.G.); (S.K.); (R.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Dean Kirson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (L.R.); (S.A.W.); (R.R.P.); (F.P.V.); (A.E.S.); (P.J.G.); (S.K.); (R.V.); (M.B.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Sarah A. Wolfe
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (L.R.); (S.A.W.); (R.R.P.); (F.P.V.); (A.E.S.); (P.J.G.); (S.K.); (R.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Reesha R. Patel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (L.R.); (S.A.W.); (R.R.P.); (F.P.V.); (A.E.S.); (P.J.G.); (S.K.); (R.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Florence P. Varodayan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (L.R.); (S.A.W.); (R.R.P.); (F.P.V.); (A.E.S.); (P.J.G.); (S.K.); (R.V.); (M.B.)
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Angela E. Snyder
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (L.R.); (S.A.W.); (R.R.P.); (F.P.V.); (A.E.S.); (P.J.G.); (S.K.); (R.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Pauravi J. Gandhi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (L.R.); (S.A.W.); (R.R.P.); (F.P.V.); (A.E.S.); (P.J.G.); (S.K.); (R.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Sophia Khom
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (L.R.); (S.A.W.); (R.R.P.); (F.P.V.); (A.E.S.); (P.J.G.); (S.K.); (R.V.); (M.B.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Roman Vlkolinsky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (L.R.); (S.A.W.); (R.R.P.); (F.P.V.); (A.E.S.); (P.J.G.); (S.K.); (R.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Michal Bajo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (L.R.); (S.A.W.); (R.R.P.); (F.P.V.); (A.E.S.); (P.J.G.); (S.K.); (R.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (L.R.); (S.A.W.); (R.R.P.); (F.P.V.); (A.E.S.); (P.J.G.); (S.K.); (R.V.); (M.B.)
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Synaptic effects of IL-1β and CRF in the central amygdala after protracted alcohol abstinence in male rhesus macaques. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:847-856. [PMID: 34837077 PMCID: PMC8882167 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01231-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A major barrier to remission from an alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the continued risk of relapse during abstinence. Assessing the neuroadaptations after chronic alcohol and repeated abstinence is important to identify mechanisms that may contribute to relapse. In this study, we used a rhesus macaque model of long-term alcohol use and repeated abstinence, providing a platform to extend mechanistic findings from rodents to primates. The central amygdala (CeA) displays elevated GABA release following chronic alcohol in rodents and in abstinent male macaques, highlighting this neuroadaptation as a conserved mechanism that may underlie excessive alcohol consumption. Here, we determined circulating interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels, CeA transcriptomic changes, and the effects of IL-1β and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) signaling on CeA GABA transmission in male controls and abstinent drinkers. While no significant differences in peripheral IL-1β or the CeA transcriptome were observed, pathway analysis identified several canonical immune-related pathways. We addressed this potential dysregulation of CeA immune signaling in abstient drinkers with an electrophysiological approach. We found that IL-1β decreased CeA GABA release in controls while abstinent drinkers were less sensitive to IL-1β's effects, suggesting adaptations in the neuromodulatory role of IL-1β. In contrast, CRF enhanced CeA GABA release similarly in controls and abstinent drinkers, consistent with rodent studies. Notably, CeA CRF expression was inversely correlated with intoxication, suggesting that CRF levels during abstinence may predict future intoxication. Together, our findings highlight conserved and divergent actions of chronic alcohol on neuroimmune and stress signaling on CeA GABA transmission across rodents and macaques.
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Khom S, Rodriguez L, Gandhi P, Kirson D, Bajo M, Oleata CS, Vendruscolo LF, Mason BJ, Roberto M. Alcohol dependence and withdrawal increase sensitivity of central amygdalar GABAergic synapses to the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone in male rats. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 164:105610. [PMID: 34995754 PMCID: PMC9301881 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant glucocorticoid signaling via glucocorticoid receptors (GR) plays a critical role in alcohol use disorder (AUD). Acute alcohol withdrawal and protracted abstinence in dependent rats are associated with increased GR signaling and changes in GR-mediated transcriptional activity in the rat central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). The GR antagonist mifepristone decreases alcohol consumption in dependent rats during acute withdrawal and protracted abstinence. Regulation of CeA synaptic activity by GR is currently unknown. Here, we utilized mifepristone and the selective GR antagonist CORT118335 (both at 10 μM) as pharmacological tools to dissect the role of GR on GABA transmission in male, adult Sprague-Dawley rats using slice electrophysiology. We subjected rats to chronic intermittent alcohol vapor exposure for 5–7 weeks to induce alcohol dependence. A subset of dependent rats subsequently underwent protracted alcohol withdrawal for 2 weeks, and air-exposed rats served as controls. Mifepristone reduced the frequency of pharmacologically-isolated spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSC) in the CeA (medial subdivision) without affecting postsynaptic measures in all groups, suggesting decreased GABA release with the largest effect in dependent rats. CORT118335 did not significantly alter GABA transmission in naive, but decreased sIPSC frequency in dependent rats. Similarly, mifepristone decreased amplitudes of evoked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials only in dependent rats and during protracted withdrawal. Collectively, our study provides insight into regulation of CeA GABAergic synapses by GR. Chronic ethanol enhances the efficiency of mifepristone and CORT118335, thus highlighting the potential of drugs targeting GR as a promising pharmacological avenue for the treatment of AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Khom
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, United States of America; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Larry Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, United States of America
| | - Pauravi Gandhi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, United States of America
| | - Dean Kirson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 71 S Manassas, Memphis, TN 38163, United States of America
| | - Michal Bajo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, United States of America
| | - Christopher S Oleata
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, United States of America
| | - Leandro F Vendruscolo
- Integrative Neuroscience Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America
| | - Barbara J Mason
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, United States of America
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, United States of America.
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10
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Kisby BR, Farris SP, McManus MM, Varodayan FP, Roberto M, Harris RA, Ponomarev I. Alcohol Dependence in Rats Is Associated with Global Changes in Gene Expression in the Central Amygdala. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11091149. [PMID: 34573170 PMCID: PMC8468792 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11091149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol dependence is associated with adverse consequences of alcohol (ethanol) use and is evident in most severe cases of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) plays a critical role in the development of alcohol dependence and escalation of alcohol consumption in dependent subjects. Molecular mechanisms underlying the CeA-driven behavioral changes are not well understood. Here, we examined the effects of alcohol on global gene expression in the CeA using a chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor model in rats and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). The CIE procedure resulted in robust changes in CeA gene expression during intoxication, as the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was significantly greater than those expected by chance. Over-representation analysis of cell types, functional groups and molecular pathways revealed biological categories potentially important for the development of alcohol dependence in our model. Genes specific for astrocytes, myelinating oligodendrocytes, and endothelial cells were over-represented in the DEG category, suggesting that these cell types were particularly affected by the CIE procedure. The majority of the over-represented functional groups and molecular pathways were directly related to the functions of glial and endothelial cells, including extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, myelination, and the regulation of innate immune response. A coordinated regulation of several ECM metalloproteinases (e.g., Mmp2; Mmp14), their substrates (e.g., multiple collagen genes and myelin basic protein; Mbp), and a metalloproteinase inhibitor, Reck, suggests a specific mechanism for ECM re-organization in response to chronic alcohol, which may modulate neuronal activity and result in behavioral changes, such as an escalation of alcohol drinking. Our results highlight the importance of glial and endothelial cells in the effects of chronic alcohol exposure on the CeA, and demonstrate further insight into the molecular mechanisms of alcohol dependence in rats. These molecular targets may be used in future studies to develop therapeutics to treat AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent R. Kisby
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (B.R.K.); (M.M.M.)
| | - Sean P. Farris
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78715, USA; (S.P.F.); (R.A.H.)
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA
| | - Michelle M. McManus
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (B.R.K.); (M.M.M.)
| | - Florence P. Varodayan
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-SUNY, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA;
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
| | - R. Adron Harris
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78715, USA; (S.P.F.); (R.A.H.)
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78741, USA
| | - Igor Ponomarev
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (B.R.K.); (M.M.M.)
- Correspondence:
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11
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Steinman MQ, Kirson D, Wolfe SA, Khom S, D'Ambrosio SR, Spierling Bagsic SR, Bajo M, Vlkolinský R, Hoang NK, Singhal A, Sureshchandra S, Oleata CS, Messaoudi I, Zorrilla EP, Roberto M. Importance of sex and trauma context on circulating cytokines and amygdalar GABAergic signaling in a comorbid model of posttraumatic stress and alcohol use disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:3093-3107. [PMID: 33087855 PMCID: PMC8058115 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00920-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and anxiety disorders are frequently comorbid and share mechanisms that could be therapeutic targets. To facilitate mechanistic studies, we adapted an inhibitory avoidance-based "2-hit" rat model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and identified predictors and biomarkers of comorbid alcohol (ethanol)/PTSD-like symptoms in these animals. Stressed Wistar rats received a single footshock on two occasions. The first footshock occurred when rats crossed into the dark chamber of a shuttle box. Forty-eight hours later, rats received the second footshock in a familiar (FAM) or novel (NOV) context. Rats then received 4 weeks of two-bottle choice (2BC) ethanol access. During subsequent abstinence, PTSD-like behavior responses, GABAergic synaptic transmission in the central amygdala (CeA), and circulating cytokine levels were measured. FAM and NOV stress more effectively increased 2BC drinking in males and females, respectively. Stressed male rats, especially drinking-vulnerable individuals (≥0.8 g/kg average 2-h ethanol intake with >50% ethanol preference), showed higher fear overgeneralization in novel contexts, increased GABAergic transmission in the CeA, and a profile of increased G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-13, IL-6, IL-17a, leptin, and IL-4 that discriminated between stress context (NOV > FAM > Control). However, drinking-resilient males showed the highest G-CSF, IL-13, and leptin levels. Stressed females showed increased acoustic startle and decreased sleep maintenance, indicative of hyperarousal, with increased CeA GABAergic transmission in NOV females. This paradigm promotes key features of PTSD, including hyperarousal, fear generalization, avoidance, and sleep disturbance, with comorbid ethanol intake, in a sex-specific fashion that approximates clinical comorbidities better than existing models, and identifies increased CeA GABAergic signaling and a distinct pro-hematopoietic, proinflammatory, and pro-atopic cytokine profile that may aid in treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Q Steinman
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Dean Kirson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Sarah A Wolfe
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Sophia Khom
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Shannon R D'Ambrosio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | | | - Michal Bajo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Roman Vlkolinský
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Noah K Hoang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Anshita Singhal
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Suhas Sureshchandra
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Christopher S Oleata
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ilhem Messaoudi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Eric P Zorrilla
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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12
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Kirson D, Khom S, Rodriguez L, Wolfe SA, Varodayan FP, Gandhi PJ, Patel RR, Vlkolinsky R, Bajo M, Roberto M. Sex Differences in Acute Alcohol Sensitivity of Naïve and Alcohol Dependent Central Amygdala GABA Synapses. Alcohol Alcohol 2021; 56:581-588. [PMID: 33912894 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agab034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is linked to hyperactivity of brain stress systems, leading to withdrawal states which drive relapse. AUD differs among the sexes, as men are more likely to have AUD than women, but women progress from casual use to binge and heavy alcohol use more quickly and are more likely to relapse into repetitive episodes of heavy drinking. In alcohol dependence animal models of AUD, the central amygdala (CeA) functions as a hub of stress and anxiety processing and gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic signaling within the CeA is involved in dependence-induced increases in alcohol consumption. We have shown dysregulation of CeA GABAergic synaptic signaling in alcohol dependence animal models, but previous studies have exclusively used males. METHODS Here, we used whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology to examine basal CeA GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSC) and the effects of acute alcohol in both naïve and alcohol dependent rats of both sexes. RESULTS We found that sIPSC kinetics differ between females and males, as well as between naïve and alcohol-dependent animals, with naïve females having the fastest current kinetics. Additionally, we find differences in baseline current kinetics across estrous cycle stages. In contrast to the increase in sIPSC frequency routinely found in males, acute alcohol (11-88 mM) had no effect on sIPSCs in naïve females, however the highest concentration of alcohol increased sIPSC frequency in dependent females. CONCLUSION These results provide important insight into sex differences in CeA neuronal function and dysregulation with alcohol dependence and highlight the need for sex-specific considerations in the development of effective AUD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Kirson
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sophia Khom
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Larry Rodriguez
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sarah A Wolfe
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Florence P Varodayan
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Pauravi J Gandhi
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Reesha R Patel
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Roman Vlkolinsky
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Michal Bajo
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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13
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Walker LC. A balancing act: the role of pro- and anti-stress peptides within the central amygdala in anxiety and alcohol use disorders. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1615-1643. [PMID: 33450069 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is widely implicated as a structure that integrates both appetitive and aversive stimuli. While intrinsic CeA microcircuits primarily consist of GABAergic neurons that regulate amygdala output, a notable feature of the CeA is the heterogeneity of neuropeptides and neuropeptide/neuromodulator receptors that it expresses. There is growing interest in the role of the CeA in mediating psychopathologies, including stress and anxiety states and their interactions with alcohol use disorders. Within the CeA, neuropeptides and neuromodulators often exert pro- or anti- stress actions, which can influence anxiety and alcohol associated behaviours. In turn, alcohol use can cause adaptions within the CeA, which may render an individual more vulnerable to stress which is a major trigger of relapse to alcohol seeking. This review examines the neurocircuitry, neurochemical phenotypes and how pro- and anti-stress peptide systems act within the CeA to regulate anxiety and alcohol seeking, focusing on preclinical observations from animal models. Furthermore, literature exploring the targeting of genetically defined populations or neuronal ensembles and the role of the CeA in mediating sex differences in stress x alcohol interactions are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Walker
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
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14
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Abstract
Alcohol dependence is a chronically relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking, loss of control in limiting intake, and the emergence of a withdrawal syndrome in the absence of the drug. Accumulating evidence suggests an important role for synaptic transmission in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) in mediating alcohol-related behaviors and neuroadaptive mechanisms associated with alcohol dependence. Acute alcohol facilitates γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic transmission in the CeA via both pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms, and chronic alcohol increases baseline GABAergic transmission. Acute alcohol inhibits glutamatergic transmission via effects at N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors in the CeA, whereas chronic alcohol up-regulates NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated transmission. Pro- (e.g., corticotropin-releasing factor [CRF]) and antistress (e.g., nociceptin/orphanin FQ, oxytocin) neuropeptides affect alcohol- and anxiety-related behaviors, and also alter the alcohol-induced effects on CeA neurotransmission. Alcohol dependence produces plasticity in these neuropeptide systems, reflecting a recruitment of those systems during the transition to alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Roberto
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Dean Kirson
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Sophia Khom
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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15
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Alcohol. Alcohol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816793-9.00001-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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16
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Warden AS, Wolfe SA, Khom S, Varodayan FP, Patel RR, Steinman MQ, Bajo M, Montgomery SE, Vlkolinsky R, Nadav T, Polis I, Roberts AJ, Mayfield RD, Harris RA, Roberto M. Microglia Control Escalation of Drinking in Alcohol-Dependent Mice: Genomic and Synaptic Drivers. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:910-921. [PMID: 32680583 PMCID: PMC7674270 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microglia, the primary immune cells of the brain, are implicated in alcohol use disorder. However, it is not known if microglial activation contributes to the transition from alcohol use to alcohol use disorder or is a consequence of alcohol intake. METHODS We investigated the role of microglia in a mouse model of alcohol dependence using a colony stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor (PLX5622) to deplete microglia and a chronic intermittent ethanol vapor two-bottle choice drinking procedure. Additionally, we examined anxiety-like behavior during withdrawal. We then analyzed synaptic neuroadaptations in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and gene expression changes in the medial prefrontal cortex and CeA from the same animals used for behavioral studies. RESULTS PLX5622 prevented escalations in voluntary alcohol intake and decreased anxiety-like behavior associated with alcohol dependence. PLX5622 also reversed expression changes in inflammatory-related genes and glutamatergic and GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) genes in the medial prefrontal cortex and CeA. At the cellular level in these animals, microglia depletion reduced inhibitory GABAA and excitatory glutamate receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in the CeA, supporting the hypothesis that microglia regulate dependence-induced changes in neuronal function. CONCLUSIONS Our multifaceted approach is the first to link microglia to the molecular, cellular, and behavioral changes associated with the development of alcohol dependence, suggesting that microglia may also be critical for the development and progression of alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Warden
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Sarah A Wolfe
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Sophia Khom
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Florence P Varodayan
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Reesha R Patel
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Michael Q Steinman
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Michal Bajo
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Sarah E Montgomery
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Roman Vlkolinsky
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Tali Nadav
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Ilham Polis
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Amanda J Roberts
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - R Dayne Mayfield
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - R Adron Harris
- Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California.
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17
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IL-10 normalizes aberrant amygdala GABA transmission and reverses anxiety-like behavior and dependence-induced escalation of alcohol intake. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 199:101952. [PMID: 33197496 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol elicits a neuroimmune response in the brain contributing to the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorder (AUD). While pro-inflammatory mediators initiate and drive the neuroimmune response, anti-inflammatory mediators provide an important homeostatic mechanism to limit inflammation and prevent pathological damage. However, our understanding of the role of anti-inflammatory signaling on neuronal physiology in critical addiction-related brain regions and pathological alcohol-dependence induced behaviors is limited, precluding our ability to identify promising therapeutic targets. Here, we hypothesized that chronic alcohol exposure compromises anti-inflammatory signaling in the central amygdala, a brain region implicated in anxiety and addiction, consequently perpetuating a pro-inflammatory state driving aberrant neuronal activity underlying pathological behaviors. We found that alcohol dependence alters the global brain immune landscape increasing IL-10 producing microglia and T-regulatory cells but decreasing local amygdala IL-10 levels. Amygdala IL-10 overexpression decreases anxiety-like behaviors, suggesting its local role in regulating amygdala-mediated behaviors. Mechanistically, amygdala IL-10 signaling through PI3K and p38 MAPK modulates GABA transmission directly at presynaptic terminals and indirectly through alterations in spontaneous firing. Alcohol dependence-induces neuroadaptations in IL-10 signaling leading to an overall IL-10-induced decrease in GABA transmission, which normalizes dependence-induced elevated amygdala GABA transmission. Notably, amygdala IL-10 overexpression abolishes escalation of alcohol intake, a diagnostic criterion of AUD, in dependent mice. This highlights the importance of amygdala IL-10 signaling in modulating neuronal activity and underlying anxiety-like behavior and aberrant alcohol intake, providing a new framework for therapeutic intervention.
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Khom S, Wolfe SA, Patel RR, Kirson D, Hedges DM, Varodayan FP, Bajo M, Roberto M. Alcohol Dependence and Withdrawal Impair Serotonergic Regulation of GABA Transmission in the Rat Central Nucleus of the Amygdala. J Neurosci 2020; 40:6842-6853. [PMID: 32769108 PMCID: PMC7470924 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0733-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive serotonin (5-HT) signaling plays a critical role in the etiology of alcohol use disorder. The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is a key player in alcohol-dependence associated behaviors. The CeA receives dense innervation from the dorsal raphe nucleus, the major source of 5-HT, and expresses 5-HT receptor subtypes (e.g., 5-HT2C and 5-HT1A) critically linked to alcohol use disorder. Notably, the role of 5-HT regulating rat CeA activity in alcohol dependence is poorly investigated. Here, we examined neuroadaptations of CeA 5-HT signaling in adult, male Sprague Dawley rats using an established model of alcohol dependence (chronic intermittent alcohol vapor exposure), ex vivo slice electrophysiology and ISH. 5-HT increased frequency of sIPSCs without affecting postsynaptic measures, suggesting increased CeA GABA release in naive rats. In dependent rats, this 5-HT-induced increase of GABA release was attenuated, suggesting blunted CeA 5-HT sensitivity, which partially recovered in protracted withdrawal (2 weeks). 5-HT increased vesicular GABA release in naive and dependent rats but had split effects (increase and decrease) after protracted withdrawal indicative of neuroadaptations of presynaptic 5-HT receptors. Accordingly, 5-HT abolished spontaneous neuronal firing in naive and dependent rats but had bidirectional effects in withdrawn. Alcohol dependence and protracted withdrawal did not alter either 5-HT1A-mediated decrease of CeA GABA release or Htr1a expression but disrupted 5-HT2C-signaling without affecting Htr2c expression. Collectively, our study provides detailed insights into modulation of CeA activity by the 5-HT system and unravels the vulnerability of the CeA 5-HT system to chronic alcohol and protracted withdrawal.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Elevated GABA signaling in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) underlies key behaviors associated with alcohol dependence. The CeA is reciprocally connected with the dorsal raphe nucleus, the main source of serotonin (5-HT) in the mammalian brain, and excessive 5-HT signaling is critically implicated in the etiology of alcohol use disorder. Our study, using a well-established rat model of alcohol dependence, ex vivo electrophysiology and ISH, provides mechanistic insights into how both chronic alcohol exposure and protracted withdrawal dysregulate 5-HT signaling in the CeA. Thus, our study further expands our understanding of CeA cellular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of alcohol dependence and withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Khom
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92307
| | - Sarah A Wolfe
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92307
| | - Reesha R Patel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92307
| | - Dean Kirson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92307
| | - David M Hedges
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92307
| | - Florence P Varodayan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92307
| | - Michal Bajo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92307
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92307
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Jimenez VA, Walter NAR, Shnitko TA, Newman N, Diem K, Vanderhooft L, Hunt H, Grant KA. Mifepristone Decreases Chronic Voluntary Ethanol Consumption in Rhesus Macaques. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2020; 375:258-267. [PMID: 32873623 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.120.000169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of short-term treatment with mifepristone (MIFE), a high-affinity, nonselective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, to reduce ethanol drinking was tested in a rhesus macaque model. Stable individual daily ethanol intakes were established, ranging from 1.6 to 4.0 g/kg per day (n = 9 monkeys). After establishment of chronic ethanol intake, a MIFE dosing regimen that modeled a study of rodent drinking and human alcohol craving was evaluated. Three doses of MIFE (17, 30, and 56 mg/kg per day) were each administered for four consecutive days. Both 30 and 56 mg/kg decreased ethanol intake compared with baseline drinking levels without a change in water intake. The dose of 56 mg/kg per day of MIFE produced the largest reduction in ethanol self-administration, with the average intake at 57% of baseline intakes. Cortisol was elevated during MIFE dosing, and a mediation analysis revealed that the effect on ethanol drinking was fully mediated through cortisol. During a forced abstinence phase, access to 1.5 g/kg ethanol resulted in relapse in all drinkers and was not altered by treatment with 56 mg/kg MIFE. Overall, these results show that during active drinking MIFE is efficacious in reducing heavy alcohol intake in a monkey model, an effect that was related to MIFE-induced increase in cortisol. However, MIFE treatment did not eliminate ethanol drinking. Further, cessation of MIFE treatment resulted in a rapid return to baseline intakes, and MIFE was not effective in preventing a relapse during early abstinence. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Mifepristone reliably decreases average daily ethanol self-administration in a nonhuman primate model. This effect was mediated by cortisol, was most effective during open-access conditions, and did not prevent or reduce relapse drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa A Jimenez
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Hillsboro, Oregon (V.A.J., N.A.R.W., T.A.S., N.N., K.D., L.V., K.A.G.); Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California (H.H.); and Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (K.A.G.)
| | - Nicole A R Walter
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Hillsboro, Oregon (V.A.J., N.A.R.W., T.A.S., N.N., K.D., L.V., K.A.G.); Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California (H.H.); and Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (K.A.G.)
| | - Tatiana A Shnitko
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Hillsboro, Oregon (V.A.J., N.A.R.W., T.A.S., N.N., K.D., L.V., K.A.G.); Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California (H.H.); and Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (K.A.G.)
| | - Natali Newman
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Hillsboro, Oregon (V.A.J., N.A.R.W., T.A.S., N.N., K.D., L.V., K.A.G.); Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California (H.H.); and Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (K.A.G.)
| | - Kaya Diem
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Hillsboro, Oregon (V.A.J., N.A.R.W., T.A.S., N.N., K.D., L.V., K.A.G.); Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California (H.H.); and Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (K.A.G.)
| | - Lauren Vanderhooft
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Hillsboro, Oregon (V.A.J., N.A.R.W., T.A.S., N.N., K.D., L.V., K.A.G.); Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California (H.H.); and Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (K.A.G.)
| | - Hazel Hunt
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Hillsboro, Oregon (V.A.J., N.A.R.W., T.A.S., N.N., K.D., L.V., K.A.G.); Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California (H.H.); and Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (K.A.G.)
| | - Kathleen A Grant
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Hillsboro, Oregon (V.A.J., N.A.R.W., T.A.S., N.N., K.D., L.V., K.A.G.); Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, California (H.H.); and Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (K.A.G.)
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Hauser J, Llano López LH, Feldon J, Gargiulo PA, Yee BK. Small lesions of the dorsal or ventral hippocampus subregions are associated with distinct impairments in working memory and reference memory retrieval, and combining them attenuates the acquisition rate of spatial reference memory. Hippocampus 2020; 30:938-957. [DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Hauser
- Laboratory of Behavioural NeurobiologySwiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich Schwerzenbach Switzerland
| | - Luis H. Llano López
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias y Psicología ExperimentalInstituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo Mendoza Argentina
- Servicio de Terapia Intensiva Infantil. Servicio de Recuperación Cardiovascular Pediátrica. Hospital Pediátrico Humberto Notti Mendoza Argentina
| | - Joram Feldon
- Laboratory of Behavioural NeurobiologySwiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich Schwerzenbach Switzerland
| | - Pascual A. Gargiulo
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias y Psicología ExperimentalInstituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo Mendoza Argentina
| | - Benjamin K. Yee
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health & Social SciencesThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hung Hom Hong Kong
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Khom S, Steinkellner T, Hnasko TS, Roberto M. Alcohol dependence potentiates substance P/neurokinin-1 receptor signaling in the rat central nucleus of amygdala. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz1050. [PMID: 32206720 PMCID: PMC7080445 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz1050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral and clinical studies suggest a critical role of substance P (SP)/neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) signaling in alcohol dependence. Here, we examined regulation of GABA transmission in the medial subdivision of the central amygdala (CeM) by the SP/NK-1R system, and its neuroadaptation following chronic alcohol exposure. In naïve rats, SP increased action potential-dependent GABA release, and the selective NK-1R antagonist L822429 decreased it, demonstrating SP regulation of CeM activity under basal conditions. SP induced a larger GABA release in alcohol-dependent rats accompanied by decreased NK-1R expression compared to naïve controls, suggesting NK-1R hypersensitivity which persisted during protracted alcohol withdrawal. The NK-1R antagonist blocked acute alcohol-induced GABA release in alcohol-dependent and withdrawn but not in naïve rats, indicating that dependence engages the SP/NK-1R system to mediate acute effects of alcohol. Collectively, we report long-lasting CeA NK-1R hypersensitivity corroborating that NK-1Rs are promising targets for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Khom
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Corresponding author. (M.R.); (S.K.)
| | - T. Steinkellner
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - T. S. Hnasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Research Service, VASDHS, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - M. Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Corresponding author. (M.R.); (S.K.)
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Bajo M, Patel RR, Hedges DM, Varodayan FP, Vlkolinsky R, Davis TD, Burkart MD, Blednov YA, Roberto M. Role of MyD88 in IL-1β and Ethanol Modulation of GABAergic Transmission in the Central Amygdala. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9120361. [PMID: 31817854 PMCID: PMC6956324 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9120361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid differentiation primary response protein (MyD88) is a critical neuroimmune adaptor protein in TLR (Toll-like receptor) and IL-1R (Interleukin-1 receptor) signaling complexes. These two pro-inflammatory families play an important role in the neurobiology of alcohol use disorder, specifically MyD88 regulates ethanol drinking, ethanol-induced sedation, and ethanol-induced deficits in motor coordination. In this study, we examined the role of MyD88 in mediating the effects of IL-1β and ethanol on GABAergic transmission in the central amygdala (CeA) of male mice using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in combination with pharmacological (AS-1, a mimetic that prevents MyD88 recruitment by IL-1R) and genetic (Myd88 knockout mice) approaches. We demonstrate through both approaches that IL-1β and ethanol’s modulatory effects at CeA GABA synapses are not dependent on MyD88. Myd88 knockout potentiated IL-1β’s actions in reducing postsynaptic GABAA receptor function. Pharmacological inhibition of MyD88 modulates IL-1β’s action at CeA GABA synapses similar to Myd88 knockout mice. Additionally, ethanol-induced CeA GABA release was greater in Myd88 knockout mice compared to wildtype controls. Thus, MyD88 is not essential to IL-1β or ethanol regulation of CeA GABA synapses but plays a role in modulating the magnitude of their effects, which may be a potential mechanism by which it regulates ethanol-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Bajo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA (D.M.H.); (F.P.V.); (R.V.); (M.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-858-784-7259
| | - Reesha R. Patel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA (D.M.H.); (F.P.V.); (R.V.); (M.R.)
| | - David M. Hedges
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA (D.M.H.); (F.P.V.); (R.V.); (M.R.)
| | - Florence P. Varodayan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA (D.M.H.); (F.P.V.); (R.V.); (M.R.)
| | - Roman Vlkolinsky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA (D.M.H.); (F.P.V.); (R.V.); (M.R.)
| | - Tony D. Davis
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (T.D.D.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Michael D. Burkart
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (T.D.D.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Yuri A. Blednov
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA (D.M.H.); (F.P.V.); (R.V.); (M.R.)
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