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Zhu H, Pan H, Fang Y, Wang H, Chen Z, Hu W, Tong L, Ren J, Lu X, Huang C. Apoptosis-induced decline in hippocampal microglia mediates the development of depression-like behaviors in adult mice triggered by unpredictable stress during adolescence. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 978:176763. [PMID: 38906239 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Depression triggered by harmful stress during adolescence is a common problem that can affect mental health. To date, the mechanisms underlying this type of depression remain unclear. One mechanism for the promotion of depression by chronic stress in adulthood is the loss of hippocampal microglia. Since deleterious stress in adolescence also activates microglia, we investigated the dynamic changes of microglia in the hippocampus in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) in adolescence. Our results showed that 12 days of CUS stimulation in adolescence induced typical depression-like behaviors in adult mice, which were accompanied by a significant decrease and dystrophy of microglia in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Further analysis showed that this decrease in microglia was mediated by the initial response of microglia to unpredictable stress in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and their subsequent apoptosis. Blocking the initial response of microglia to unpredictable stress by pretreatment with minocycline was able to prevent apoptosis and microglial decline as well as the development of depression-like behaviors in adult mice induced by adolescent CUS. Moreover, administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or macrophage-colony stimulatory factor (M-CSF), two drugs that reversed microglia decline in the dentate gyrus, ameliorated the depression-like behaviors induced by CUS stimulation in adolescence. These findings reveal a novel mechanism for the development of depression-like behaviors in animals triggered by deleterious stress in adolescence and suggest that reversing microglial decline in the hippocampus may be a hopeful strategy for the treatment of depression triggered by deleterious stress in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haojie Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hainan Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yunli Fang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hanxiao Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Invasive Technology Department, Nantong First People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, #6 North Road Hai'er Xiang, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wenfeng Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Nantong University, #399 Shijidadao, Nantong, 226007, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lijuan Tong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xu Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Chao Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, #19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China.
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2
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Myers T, Birmingham EA, Rhoads BT, McGrath AG, Miles NA, Schuldt CB, Briand LA. Post-weaning social isolation alters sociability in a sex-specific manner. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1444596. [PMID: 39267986 PMCID: PMC11390411 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1444596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period for brain development in humans and stress exposure during this time can have lasting effects on behavior and brain development. Social isolation and loneliness are particularly salient stressors that lead to detrimental mental health outcomes particularly in females, although most of the preclinical work on social isolation has been done in male animals. Our lab has developed a model of post-weaning adolescent social isolation that leads to increased drug reward sensitivity and altered neuronal structure in limbic brain regions. The current study utilized this model to determine the impact of adolescent social isolation on a three-chamber social interaction task both during adolescence and adulthood. We found that while post-weaning isolation does not alter social interaction during adolescence (PND45), it has sex-specific effects on social interaction in young adulthood (PND60), potentiating social interaction in male mice and decreasing it in female mice. As early life stress can activate microglia leading to alterations in neuronal pruning, we next examined the impact of inhibiting microglial activation with daily minocycline administration during the first 3 weeks of social isolation on these changes in social interaction. During adolescence, minocycline dampened social interaction in male mice, while having no effect in females. In contrast, during young adulthood, minocycline did not alter the impact of adolescent social isolation in males, with socially isolated males exhibiting higher levels of social interaction compared to their group housed counterparts. In females, adolescent minocycline treatment reversed the effect of social isolation leading to increased social interaction in the social isolation group, mimicking what is seen in naïve males. Taken together, adolescent social isolation leads to sex-specific effects on social interaction in young adulthood and adolescent minocycline treatment alters the effects of social isolation in females, but not males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teneisha Myers
- Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Birmingham
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Brigham T. Rhoads
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Anna G. McGrath
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nylah A. Miles
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Carmen B. Schuldt
- Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lisa A. Briand
- Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Myers T, Birmingham EA, Rhoads BT, McGrath AG, Miles NA, Schuldt CB, Briand LA. Post-weaning social isolation alters sociability in a sex-specific manner. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.11.603129. [PMID: 39026733 PMCID: PMC11257562 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.11.603129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period for brain development in humans and stress exposure during this time can have lasting effects on behavior and brain development. Social isolation and loneliness are particularly salient stressors that lead to detrimental mental health outcomes particularly in females, although most of the preclinical work on social isolation has been done in male animals. Our lab has developed a model of post-weaning adolescent social isolation that leads to increased drug reward sensitivity and altered neuronal structure in limbic brain regions. The current study utilized this model to determine the impact of adolescent social isolation on a three-chamber social interaction task both during adolescence and adulthood. We found that while post-weaning isolation does not alter social interaction during adolescence (PND45), it has sex-specific effects on social interaction in adulthood (PND60), potentiating social interaction in male mice and decreasing it in female mice. As early life stress can activate microglia leading to alterations in neuronal pruning, we next examined the impact of inhibiting microglial activation with daily minocycline administration during the first three weeks of social isolation on these changes in social interaction. During adolescence, minocycline dampened social interaction in male mice, while having no effect in females. In contrast, during adulthood, minocycline did not alter the impact of adolescent social isolation in males, with socially isolated males exhibiting higher levels of social interaction compared to their group housed counterparts. In females, adolescent minocycline treatment reversed the effect of social isolation leading to increased social interaction in the social isolation group, mimicking what is seen in naïve males. Taken together, adolescent social isolation leads to sex-specific effects on social interaction in adulthood and adolescent minocycline treatment alters the effects of social isolation in females, but not males.
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4
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Crews FT, Macht V, Vetreno RP. Epigenetic regulation of microglia and neurons by proinflammatory signaling following adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) exposure and in human AUD. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2024; 4:12094. [PMID: 38524847 PMCID: PMC10957664 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2024.12094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Adolescent alcohol drinking is linked to high rates of adult alcohol problems and alcohol use disorder (AUD). The Neurobiology of Alcohol Drinking in Adulthood (NADIA) consortium adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) models adolescent binge drinking, followed by abstinent maturation to adulthood to determine the persistent AIE changes in neurobiology and behavior. AIE increases adult alcohol drinking and preference, increases anxiety and reward seeking, and disrupts sleep and cognition, all risks for AUD. In addition, AIE induces changes in neuroimmune gene expression in neurons and glia that alter neurocircuitry and behavior. HMGB1 is a unique neuroimmune signal released from neurons and glia by ethanol that activates multiple proinflammatory receptors, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), that spread proinflammatory gene induction. HMGB1 expression is increased by AIE in rat brain and in post-mortem human AUD brain, where it correlates with lifetime alcohol consumption. HMGB1 activation of TLR increase TLR expression. Human AUD brain and rat brain following AIE show increases in multiple TLRs. Brain regional differences in neurotransmitters and cell types impact ethanol responses and neuroimmune gene induction. Microglia are monocyte-like cells that provide trophic and synaptic functions, that ethanol proinflammatory signals sensitize or "prime" during repeated drinking cycles, impacting neurocircuitry. Neurocircuits are differently impacted dependent upon neuronal-glial signaling. Acetylcholine is an anti-inflammatory neurotransmitter. AIE increases HMGB1-TLR4 signaling in forebrain, reducing cholinergic neurons by silencing multiple cholinergic defining genes through upregulation of RE-1 silencing factor (REST), a transcription inhibitor known to regulate neuronal differentiation. HMGB1 REST induction reduces cholinergic neurons in basal forebrain and cholinergic innervation of hippocampus. Adult brain hippocampal neurogenesis is regulated by a neurogenic niche formed from multiple cells. In vivo AIE and in vitro studies find ethanol increases HMGB1-TLR4 signaling and other proinflammatory signaling as well as reducing trophic factors, NGF, and BDNF, coincident with loss of the cholinergic synapse marker vChAT. These changes in gene expression-transcriptomes result in reduced adult neurogenesis. Excitingly, HMGB1 antagonists, anti-inflammatories, and epigenetic modifiers like histone deacetylase inhibitors restore trophic the neurogenesis. These findings suggest anti-inflammatory and epigenetic drugs should be considered for AUD therapy and may provide long-lasting reversal of psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulton T. Crews
- Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Pantoja-Urbán AH, Richer S, Mittermaier A, Giroux M, Nouel D, Hernandez G, Flores C. Gains and Losses: Resilience to Social Defeat Stress in Adolescent Female Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:37-47. [PMID: 37355003 PMCID: PMC10996362 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescence is a unique period of psychosocial growth during which social adversity can negatively influence mental health trajectories. Understanding how adolescent social stress impacts males and females and why some individuals are particularly affected is becoming increasingly urgent. Social defeat stress models for adolescent male mice have been effective in reproducing some physical/psychological aspects of bullying. Designing a model suitable for females has proven challenging. METHODS We report a version of the adolescent male accelerated social defeat stress (AcSD) paradigm adapted for females. Early adolescent C57BL/6J female mice (N = 107) were exposed to our modified AcSD procedure twice a day for 4 days and categorized as resilient or susceptible based on a social interaction test 24 hours later. Mice were then assessed for changes in Netrin-1/DCC guidance cue expression in dopamine systems, for inhibitory control in adulthood using the Go/No-Go task, or for alterations in dopamine connectivity organization in the matured prefrontal cortex. RESULTS Most adolescent females showed protection against stress-induced social avoidance, but in adulthood, these resilient females developed inhibitory control deficits and showed diminution of prefrontal cortex presynaptic dopamine sites. Female mice classified as susceptible were protected against cognitive and dopaminergic alterations. AcSD did not alter Netrin-1/DCC in early adolescent females, contrary to previous findings with males. CONCLUSIONS Preserving prosocial behavior in adolescent females may be important for survival advantage but seems to come at the price of developing persistent cognitive and dopamine deficiencies. The female AcSD paradigm produced findings comparable to those found in males, allowing mechanistic investigation in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Harée Pantoja-Urbán
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada; Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Samuel Richer
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada; Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Michel Giroux
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Dominique Nouel
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Cecilia Flores
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Québec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
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Lisco G, Giagulli VA, De Pergola G, Guastamacchia E, Jirillo E, Vitale E, Triggiani V. Chronic Stress as a Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes: Endocrine, Metabolic, and Immune Implications. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2024; 24:321-332. [PMID: 37534489 DOI: 10.2174/1871530323666230803095118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic stress is a condition of pressure on the brain and whole body, which in the long term may lead to a frank disease status, even including type 2 diabetes (T2D). Stress activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis with release of glucocorticoids (GCs) and catecholamines, as well as activation of the inflammatory pathway of the immune system, which alters glucose and lipid metabolism, ultimately leading to beta-cell destruction, insulin resistance and T2D onset. Alteration of the glucose and lipid metabolism accounts for insulin resistance and T2D outcome. Furthermore, stress-related subversion of the intestinal microbiota leads to an imbalance of the gut-brain-immune axis, as evidenced by the stress-related depression often associated with T2D. A condition of generalized inflammation and subversion of the intestinal microbiota represents another facet of stress-induced disease. In fact, chronic stress acts on the gut-brain axis with multiorgan consequences, as evidenced by the association between depression and T2D. Oxidative stress with the production of reactive oxygen species and cytokine-mediated inflammation represents the main hallmarks of chronic stress. ROS production and pro-inflammatory cytokines represent the main hallmarks of stress-related disorders, and therefore, the use of natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances (nutraceuticals) may offer an alternative therapeutic approach to combat stress-related T2D. Single or combined administration of nutraceuticals would be very beneficial in targeting the neuro-endocrine-immune axis, thus, regulating major pathways involved in T2D onset. However, more clinical trials are needed to establish the effectiveness of nutraceutical treatment, dosage, time of administration and the most favorable combinations of compounds. Therefore, in view of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the use of natural products or nutraceuticals for the treatment of stress-related diseases, even including T2D, will be discussed. Several evidences suggest that chronic stress represents one of the main factors responsible for the outcome of T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lisco
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Angelo Giagulli
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni De Pergola
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Edoardo Guastamacchia
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Emilio Jirillo
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Elsa Vitale
- Department of Mental Health, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Local Health Authority Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Triggiani
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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Wegener AJ, Hyer MM, Targett I, Kloster A, Shaw GA, Rodriguez AMM, Dyer SK, Neigh GN. Behavior, synaptic mitochondria, and microglia are differentially impacted by chronic adolescent stress and repeated endotoxin exposure in male and female rats. Stress 2024; 27:2299971. [PMID: 38179979 PMCID: PMC11064104 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2299971] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Early life adversity and chronic inflammation have both been associated with cognitive impairment and neural compromise. In this study, we investigated the interactions between a history of chronic adolescent stress (CAS) and repeated endotoxin exposure on behavior, synaptic mitochondria, and microglia in adult male and female Wistar rats. Adult rats from chronic stress and control conditions were exposed to either repeated endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) or saline injections every 3 days for 9 weeks. In both sexes, repeated LPS, regardless of stress history, impaired working memory in the Y maze. Regarding spatial memory, LPS impaired function for females; whereas, CAS altered function in males. Although males had an increase in anxiety-like behavior shortly after CAS, there were no long-term effects on anxiety-like behavior or social interaction observed in males or females. Stress did not alter synaptic mitochondrial function in either sex. Repeated LPS altered synaptic mitochondrial function such that ATP production was increased in females only. There were no observed increases in IBA-1 positive cells within the hippocampus for either sex. However, LPS and CAS altered microglia morphology in females. Impact of repeated LPS was evident at the terminal endpoint with increased spleen weight in both sexes and decreased adrenal weight in males only. Circulating cytokines were not impacted by repeated LPS at the terminal endpoint, but evidence of CAS effects on cytokines in females were evident. These data suggest a long-term impact of chronic stress and an impact of repeated endotoxin challenge in adulthood; however, not all physiological and behavioral metrics examined were impacted by the paradigm employed in this study and the two environmental challenges rarely interacted.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Wegener
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - M M Hyer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - I Targett
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - A Kloster
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - G A Shaw
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - A M M Rodriguez
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - S K Dyer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - G N Neigh
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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Rowson S, Bekhbat M, Kelly S, Hyer MM, Dyer S, Weinshenker D, Neigh G. Chronic adolescent stress alters GR-FKBP5 interactions in the hippocampus of adult female rats. Stress 2024; 27:2312467. [PMID: 38557197 PMCID: PMC11067065 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2024.2312467] [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: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress exposure during development can have lasting behavioral consequences that differ in males and females. More specifically, increased depressive behaviors in females, but not males, are observed in both humans and rodent models of chronic stress. Despite these known stress-induced outcomes, the molecular consequences of chronic adolescent stress in the adult brain are less clear. The stress hormone corticosterone activates the glucocorticoid receptor, and activity of the receptor is regulated through interactions with co-chaperones-such as the immunophilin FK506 binding proteins 5 (FKBP5). Previously, it has been reported that the adult stress response is modified by a history of chronic stress; therefore, the current study assessed the impact of chronic adolescent stress on the interactions of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) with its regulatory co-chaperone FKBP5 in response to acute stress in adulthood. Although protein presence for FKBP5 did not differ by group, assessment of GR-FKBP5 interactions demonstrated that adult females with a history of chronic adolescent stress had elevated GR-FKBP5 interactions in the hippocampus following an acute stress challenge which could potentially contribute to a reduced translocation pattern given previous literature describing the impact of FKBP5 on GR activity. Interestingly, the altered co-chaperone interactions of the GR in the stressed female hippocampus were not coupled to an observable difference in transcription of GR-regulated genes. Together, these studies show that chronic adolescent stress causes lasting changes to co-chaperone interactions with the glucocorticoid receptor following stress exposure in adulthood and highlight the potential role that FKBP5 plays in these modifications. Understanding the long-term implications of adolescent stress exposure will provide a mechanistic framework to guide the development of interventions for adult disorders related to early life stress exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Rowson
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Graduate Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mandakh Bekhbat
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sean Kelly
- Department of Physiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Molly M. Hyer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Samya Dyer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - David Weinshenker
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gretchen Neigh
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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Bekhbat M, Drake J, Reed EC, Lauten TH, Natour T, Vladimirov VI, Case AJ. Repeated social defeat stress leads to immunometabolic shifts in innate immune cells of the spleen. Brain Behav Immun Health 2023; 34:100690. [PMID: 37791319 PMCID: PMC10543777 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychosocial stress has been shown to prime peripheral innate immune cells, which take on hyper-inflammatory phenotypes and are implicated in depressive-like behavior in mouse models. However, the impact of stress on cellular metabolic states that are thought to fuel inflammatory phenotypes in immune cells are unknown. Using single cell RNA-sequencing, we investigated mRNA enrichment of immunometabolic pathways in innate immune cells of the spleen in mice subjected to repeated social defeat stress (RSDS) or no stress (NS). RSDS mice displayed a significant increase in the number of splenic macrophages and granulocytes (p < 0.05) compared to NS littermates. RSDS-upregulated genes in macrophages, monocytes, and granulocytes significantly enriched immunometabolic pathways thought to play a role in myeloid-driven inflammation (glycolysis, HIF-1 signaling, MTORC1 signaling) as well as pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and oxidative stress (p < 0.05 and FDR<0.1). These results suggest that the metabolic enhancement reflected by upregulation of glycolytic and OXPHOS pathways may be important for cellular proliferation of splenic macrophages and granulocytes following repeated stress exposure. A better understanding of these intracellular metabolic mechanisms may ultimately help develop novel strategies to reverse the impact of stress and associated peripheral immune changes on the brain and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandakh Bekhbat
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - John Drake
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Emily C. Reed
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Tatlock H. Lauten
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Tamara Natour
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Vladimir I. Vladimirov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Adam J. Case
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
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10
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Li X, Du ZJ, Xu JN, Liang ZM, Lin S, Chen H, Li SJ, Li XW, Yang JM, Gao TM. mGluR5 in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons mediates stress-induced anxiety-like behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1164-1174. [PMID: 36797374 PMCID: PMC10267178 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01548-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacological manipulation of mGluR5 has showed that mGluR5 is implicated in the pathophysiology of anxiety and mGluR5 has been proposed as a potential drug target for anxiety disorders. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying the mGluR5 involvement in stress-induced anxiety-like behavior remains largely unknown. Here, we found that chronic restraint stress induced anxiety-like behavior and decreased the expression of mGluR5 in hippocampal CA1. Specific knockdown of mGluR5 in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons produced anxiety-like behavior. Furthermore, both chronic restraint stress and mGluR5 knockdown impaired inhibitory synaptic inputs in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Notably, positive allosteric modulator of mGluR5 rescued stress-induced anxiety-like behavior and restored the inhibitory synaptic inputs. These findings point to an essential role for mGluR5 in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in mediating stress-induced anxiety-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuo-Jun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun-Nan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Man Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Song Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Ji Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Ming Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian-Ming Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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11
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Crews FT, Coleman LG, Macht VA, Vetreno RP. Targeting Persistent Changes in Neuroimmune and Epigenetic Signaling in Adolescent Drinking to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder in Adulthood. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:380-396. [PMID: 36781218 PMCID: PMC9969522 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.122.000710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies universally find early age of drinking onset is linked to lifelong risks of alcohol problems and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Assessment of the lasting effect of drinking during adolescent development in humans is confounded by the diversity of environmental and genetic factors that affect adolescent development, including emerging personality disorders and progressive increases in drinking trajectories into adulthood. Preclinical studies using an adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) exposure rat model of underage binge drinking avoid the human confounds and support lifelong changes that increase risks. AIE increases adult alcohol drinking, risky decision-making, reward-seeking, and anxiety as well as reductions in executive function that all increase risks for the development of an AUD. AIE causes persistent increases in brain neuroimmune signaling high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), Toll-like receptor, receptor for advanced glycation end products, and innate immune genes that are also found to be increased in human AUD brain. HMGB1 is released from cells by ethanol, both free and within extracellular vesicles, that act on neurons and glia, shifting transcription and cellular phenotype. AIE-induced decreases in adult hippocampal neurogenesis and loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons are reviewed as examples of persistent AIE-induced pathology. Both are prevented and reversed by anti-inflammatory and epigenetic drugs. Findings suggest AIE-increased HMGB1 signaling induces the RE-1 silencing transcript blunting cholinergic gene expression, shifting neuronal phenotype. Inhibition of HMGB1 neuroimmune signaling, histone methylation enzymes, and galantamine, the cholinesterase inhibitor, both prevent and reverse AIE pathology. These findings provide new targets that may reverse AUD neuropathology as well as other brain diseases linked to neuroimmune signaling. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Adolescent underage binge drinking studies find that earlier adolescent drinking is associated with lifelong alcohol problems including high levels of lifetime alcohol use disorder (AUD). Preclinical studies find the underage binge drinking adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) model causes lasting changes in adults that increase risks of developing adult alcohol problems. Loss of hippocampal neurogenesis and loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons provide examples of how AIE-induced epigenetic and neuroimmune signaling provide novel therapeutic targets for adult AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulton T Crews
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies and Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Leon G Coleman
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies and Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Victoria A Macht
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies and Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Ryan P Vetreno
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies and Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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12
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Mahony C, O'Ryan C. A molecular framework for autistic experiences: Mitochondrial allostatic load as a mediator between autism and psychopathology. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:985713. [PMID: 36506457 PMCID: PMC9732262 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.985713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular autism research is evolving toward a biopsychosocial framework that is more informed by autistic experiences. In this context, research aims are moving away from correcting external autistic behaviors and toward alleviating internal distress. Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) are associated with high rates of depression, suicidality and other comorbid psychopathologies, but this relationship is poorly understood. Here, we integrate emerging characterizations of internal autistic experiences within a molecular framework to yield insight into the prevalence of psychopathology in ASC. We demonstrate that descriptions of social camouflaging and autistic burnout resonate closely with the accepted definitions for early life stress (ELS) and chronic adolescent stress (CAS). We propose that social camouflaging could be considered a distinct form of CAS that contributes to allostatic overload, culminating in a pathophysiological state that is experienced as autistic burnout. Autistic burnout is thought to contribute to psychopathology via psychological and physiological mechanisms, but these remain largely unexplored by molecular researchers. Building on converging fields in molecular neuroscience, we discuss the substantial evidence implicating mitochondrial dysfunction in ASC to propose a novel role for mitochondrial allostatic load in the relationship between autism and psychopathology. An interplay between mitochondrial, neuroimmune and neuroendocrine signaling is increasingly implicated in stress-related psychopathologies, and these molecular players are also associated with neurodevelopmental, neurophysiological and neurochemical aspects of ASC. Together, this suggests an increased exposure and underlying molecular susceptibility to ELS that increases the risk of psychopathology in ASC. This article describes an integrative framework shaped by autistic experiences that highlights novel avenues for molecular research into mechanisms that directly affect the quality of life and wellbeing of autistic individuals. Moreover, this framework emphasizes the need for increased access to diagnoses, accommodations, and resources to improve mental health outcomes in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Colleen O'Ryan
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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13
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Granata L, Gildawie KR, Ismail N, Brenhouse HC, Kopec AM. Immune signaling as a node of interaction between systems that sex-specifically develop during puberty and adolescence. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2022; 57:101143. [PMID: 35933922 PMCID: PMC9357835 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2022.101143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is pivotal for neural and behavioral development across species. During this period, maturation occurs in several biological systems, the most well-recognized being activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis marking pubertal onset. Increasing comparative studies of sex differences have enriched our understanding of systems integration during neurodevelopment. In recent years, immune signaling has emerged as a key node of interaction between a variety of biological signaling processes. Herein, we review the age- and sex-specific changes that occur in neural, hypothalamic-pituitary, and microbiome systems during adolescence. We then describe how immune signaling interacts with these systems, and review recent preclinical evidence indicating that immune signaling may play a central role in integrating changes in their typical and atypical development during adolescence. Finally, we discuss the translational relevance of these preclinical studies to human health and wellness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Granata
- Northeastern University, 125 Nightingale Hall, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Kelsea R Gildawie
- Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Rd. North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
| | - Nafissa Ismail
- University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier Hall 2076A, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Canada.
| | | | - Ashley M Kopec
- Albany Medical College, 43 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208, USA.
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14
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Gano A, Lebonville CL, Becker HC. TLR3 activation with poly I:C exacerbates escalated alcohol consumption in dependent male C57BL/6J mice. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2022:1-12. [PMID: 36095319 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2022.2092492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Background: Activation of TLR3 receptors, which are sensitive to viral infection, has emerged as a possible mechanism that increases alcohol intake in rodents.Objectives: These studies examined whether a history of ethanol dependence exacerbated the increase in drinking driven by the TLR3 agonist poly I:C.Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice (>10 per group) were given access to ethanol (20% v/v) 2 hours a day following a history of home cage drinking or after having been rendered ethanol-dependent using a chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor model. After testing multiple doses, a 5 mg/kg repeated poly I:C challenge was used to probe the effects of repeated immune challenge, alone or in conjunction with repeated cycles of CIE, on voluntary drinking. An ethanol (12% v/v) operant self-administration model was used to test the effects of poly I:C on stress-induced reinstatement of ethanol seeking and consumption.Results: Poly I:C in naive animals resulted in transient, modest increases in ethanol intake in the home cage and in self-administration (p < 0.05). However, poly I:C challenge resulted in sensitized stress-induced ethanol consumption and evoked a strong and persistent escalation of drinking in mice with a history of dependence (p < 0.05 for both).Conclusion: Activation of viral immune defense may affect ethanol consumption in dependence and sensitivity to future stressors. As patients who suffer from alcohol use disorder are at a heightened risk for viral infection, this interaction could generate risk factors for exacerbating behaviors associated with Alcohol Use Disorders via an immune mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anny Gano
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Christina L Lebonville
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Howard C Becker
- Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- RHJ Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
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15
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Mineur YS, Garcia-Rivas V, Thomas MA, Soares AR, McKee SA, Picciotto MR. Sex differences in stress-induced alcohol intake: a review of preclinical studies focused on amygdala and inflammatory pathways. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:2041-2061. [PMID: 35359158 PMCID: PMC9704113 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06120-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Clinical studies suggest that women are more likely than men to relapse to alcohol drinking in response to stress; however, the mechanisms underlying this sex difference are not well understood. A number of preclinical behavioral models have been used to study stress-induced alcohol intake. Here, we review paradigms used to study effects of stress on alcohol intake in rodents, focusing on findings relevant to sex differences. To date, studies of sex differences in stress-induced alcohol drinking have been somewhat limited; however, there is evidence that amygdala-centered circuits contribute to effects of stress on alcohol seeking. In addition, we present an overview of inflammatory pathways leading to microglial activation that may contribute to alcohol-dependent behaviors. We propose that sex differences in neuronal function and inflammatory signaling in circuits centered on the amygdala are involved in sex-dependent effects on stress-induced alcohol seeking and suggest that this is an important area for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann S Mineur
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 34 Park Street, 3Rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Vernon Garcia-Rivas
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 34 Park Street, 3Rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Merrilee A Thomas
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 34 Park Street, 3Rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Alexa R Soares
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 34 Park Street, 3Rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
- Yale Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sherry A McKee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 34 Park Street, 3Rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Marina R Picciotto
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 34 Park Street, 3Rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA.
- Yale Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, New Haven, CT, USA.
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16
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Butler-Struben HM, Kentner AC, Trainor BC. What's wrong with my experiment?: The impact of hidden variables on neuropsychopharmacology research. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1285-1291. [PMID: 35338255 PMCID: PMC9117327 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01309-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The field of neuropsychopharmacology relies on behavioral assays to quantify behavioral processes related to mental illness and substance use disorders. Although these assays have been highly informative, sometimes laboratories have unpublished datasets from experiments that "didn't work". Often this is because expected outcomes were not observed in positive or negative control groups. While this can be due to experimenter error, an important alternative is that under-appreciated environmental factors can have a major impact on results. "Hidden variables" such as circadian cycles, husbandry, and social environments are often omitted in methods sections, even though there is a strong body of literature documenting their impact on physiological and behavioral outcomes. Applying this knowledge in a more critical manner could provide behavioral neuroscientists with tools to develop better testing methods, improve the external validity of behavioral techniques, and make better comparisons of experimental data across institutions. Here we review the potential impact of "hidden variables" that are commonly overlooked such as light-dark cycles, transport stress, cage ventilation, and social housing structure. While some of these conditions may not be under direct control of investigators, it does not diminish the potential impact of these variables on experimental results. We provide recommendations to investigators on which variables to report in publications and how to address "hidden variables" that impact their experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda C Kentner
- School of Arts & Sciences, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Brian C Trainor
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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17
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Lovelock DF, Randall PA, Van Voorhies K, Vetreno RP, Crews FT, Besheer J. Increased alcohol self-administration following repeated Toll-like receptor 3 agonist treatment in male and female rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 216:173379. [PMID: 35395252 PMCID: PMC9263963 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling may play an important role in the neuroimmune system's involvement in the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorder (AUD). In the present study we administered the TLR3 agonist poly(I:C) in male and female Long-Evans rats to determine whether TLR3 agonism can increase alcohol consumption on a daily 15% alcohol operant self-administration paradigm. We found few effects when poly(I:C) was given every-other-day at 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg. However, when 1.0 mg/kg was given on consecutive days, alcohol intake increased in the days following injections specifically in females. In a second experiment, we found that this effect only emerged when rats had a history of multiple poly(I:C) injections. In the final experiment the poly(I:C) dose was increased to 3.0 mg/kg on consecutive days which resulted in significant reductions in alcohol intake on injection days in females that were not accompanied by subsequent increases. The poly(I:C) dose was increased to 9.0 mg/kg for one final pair of injections which led to reductions in intake in both males and females followed by a male specific delayed increase in alcohol intake. Overall, repeated poly(I:C) administration was able to increase subsequent alcohol consumption in both sexes, with females showing an increase at a lower dose than males. These findings support TLR3 agonism in contributing to increased alcohol consumption and add to the body of work identifying the neuroimmune system as a potential therapeutic target for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis F Lovelock
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Patrick A Randall
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Kalynn Van Voorhies
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ryan P Vetreno
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Fulton T Crews
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Joyce Besheer
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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18
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Barnett A, David E, Rohlman A, Nikolova VD, Moy SS, Vetreno RP, Coleman LG. Adolescent Binge Alcohol Enhances Early Alzheimer's Disease Pathology in Adulthood Through Proinflammatory Neuroimmune Activation. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:884170. [PMID: 35559229 PMCID: PMC9086457 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.884170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies suggest that heavy alcohol use early in life is associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, mechanisms connecting AD with alcohol use have not been identified. Both heavy alcohol use and AD feature increased proinflammatory signaling. Therefore, we hypothesized that adolescent binge ethanol would increase AD molecular and behavioral pathology in adulthood through proinflammatory signaling. The 3xTg-AD mouse model (APPSwe, tauP301, Psen1tm1Mpm) which features amyloid (Aβ) and tau pathology beginning at 6-12 months underwent adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE, 5 g/kg/d, i.g., P25-55) with assessment of AD pathologic mediators at P200. A second group of mice received AIE +/- minocycline (30 mg/kg/d, IP) followed by behavioral testing in adulthood. Behavioral testing and age of testing included: locomotor activity and exploration (27-28 weeks), novel object recognition (NORT, 28-30 weeks), 3-chamber sociability and social memory (29-31 weeks), prepulse inhibition (PPI, 30-32 weeks), Morris Water Maze with reversal (MWM, 31-35 weeks), and Piezo sleep monitoring (35-37 weeks). We found that AIE increased levels of neurotoxic Aβ1-42 in adult female hippocampus as well as intraneuronal Aβ1-42 in amygdala and entorhinal cortex. Phosphorylated tau at residue Thr181 (p-tau-181) was also increased in female hippocampus by AIE. Several proinflammatory genes were persistently increased by AIE in the female hippocampus, including IL-1β, MCP-1, IL-6, and IFNα. Expression of these genes was strongly correlated with the levels of Aβ1-42 and p-tau-181 in hippocampus. AIE caused persistent decreases in locomotor activity (open-field and NORT habituation) and increased anxiety-like behavior (thigmotaxis) while reducing memory retention. Treatment with the anti-inflammatory compound minocycline during AIE blocked persistent increases in Aβ1-42 in amygdala and p-tau-181 in hippocampus, and prevented AIE-induced thigmotaxis and memory loss. Together, these data find that adolescent binge ethanol enhances AD molecular and behavioral pathology in adulthood through proinflammatory signaling. Blockade of proinflammatory signaling during ethanol exposure prevents ethanol-induced effects on pathologic accumulation of AD-associated proteins and persistent behavior changes relevant to human AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Barnett
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States,Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Emeraghi David
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Aaron Rohlman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States,Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Viktoriya D. Nikolova
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disorders, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Sheryl S. Moy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disorders, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ryan P. Vetreno
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Leon G. Coleman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States,Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States,*Correspondence: Leon G. Coleman Jr,
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19
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Abstract
In order to survive and thrive, organisms must adapt to constantly changing environmental pressures. When there are significant shifts in the environment, the brain and body engage a set of physiological and behavioral countermeasures collectively known as the "stress response". These responses, which include changes at the cellular, systems, and organismal level, are geared toward protecting homeostasis and adapting physiological operating parameters so as to enable the organism to overcome short-term challenges. It is the shift of these well-organized acute responses to dysregulated chronic responses that leads to pathologies. In a sense, the protective measures become destructive, causing the myriad health problems that are associated with chronic stress. To further complicate the situation, these challenges need not be purely physical in nature. Indeed, psychosocial stressors such as ruminating about challenges at work, resource insecurity, and unstable social environments can engage the very same emergency threat systems and eventually lead to the same types of pathologies that sometimes are described as "burnout" in humans. This short review focuses on very recent empirical work exploring the effects of chronic stress on key brain circuits, metabolism and metabolic function, and immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon L Roberts
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Neuroscience and Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Ilia N Karatsoreos
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Neuroscience and Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
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20
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Bollinger J. Uncovering microglial pathways driving sex-specific neurobiological effects in stress and depression. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 16:100320. [PMID: 34589809 PMCID: PMC8474553 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Women suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD) more often than men and report greater MDD symptom severity. Mounting evidence suggests that sex differences in MDD may be driven, in part, by sex-specific neurobiological mechanisms. Chronic stress is a significant risk factor in MDD, and preclinical rodent models show differential patterns of stress-induced neural remodeling and cognitive-behavioral dysfunction in males and females. For instance, chronic stress leads to synapse loss in the medial prefrontal cortex in male rodents yet has either no effect on- or increases-synapse number in females. Recent reports have implicated microglia, the immune cells of the brain, in MDD, and findings demonstrate sex-specific microglial signatures in both preclinical stress models and MDD patients. Given that microglia can remodel neural architecture, modulate synaptic transmission, and affect subsequent changes in behavior, it is plausible that microglial pathways contribute to differential stress effects on neuroplasticity and function in males and females. As such, this review examines the evidence for sex-specific microglia-neuron interactions in preclinical stress models and in patients with MDD. Discoveries highlighted herein demonstrate divergent microglial contributions in males and females and suggest that future studies investigating stress-linked disorders should be guided by sex-dependent neurobiological and behavioral findings. Examining these pathways represents a clear avenue toward both a richer understanding of brain, behavior, and immunity, and innovative psychoneuroimmunology-based applications in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- J.L. Bollinger
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 2120 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45237, USA
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21
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Abstract
The appearance on the skin of herpes virus lesions, concomitantly with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, leads us to suspect an underlying infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Diagnostic reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction tests and immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG seroconversion studies have therefore been carried out. We present three cases of herpes virus infections in immunocompetent patients: one of the infections was herpes simplex 1 in a 40-year-old woman, and the other two were herpes varicella-zoster infections in a 62-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman. The patients were in the care of the southern health district of Seville of the SAS (Andalusian Health Service) during the Spanish state of alarm over the COVID-19 pandemic. The SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in only one of the three cases. In this study, we briefly review the etiopathogenic role of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, whereby immunodeficiencies are generated that favour the appearance of other viral infections, such as herpes virus infections.
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22
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Chronic adolescent stress causes sustained impairment of cognitive flexibility and hippocampal synaptic strength in female rats. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 14:100303. [PMID: 33614865 PMCID: PMC7876631 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Females that experience chronic stress during development, particularly adolescence, are the most vulnerable group to stress-induced disease. While considerable attention has been devoted to stress-induced manifestation of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, evidence indicates that a history of chronic stress is also a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia - with females again in a higher risk group. This interplay between sex and stress history indicates specific mechanisms drive neural dysfunction across the lifespan. The presence of sex and stress steroid receptors in the hippocampus provides a point of influence for these variables to drive changes in cognitive function. Here, we used a rodent model of chronic adolescent stress (CAS) to determine the extent to which CAS modifies glutamatergic signaling resulting in cognitive dysfunction. Male and female Wistar rats born in-house remained non-stressed (NS), unmanipulated aside from standard cage cleaning, or were exposed to either physical restraint (60 min) or social defeat (CAS) each day (6 trials each), along with social isolation, throughout the adolescent period (PND 35-47). Cognition was assessed in adult (PND 80-130) male and female rats (n = 10-12) using the Barnes Maze task and the Attention Set-Shift task. Whole hippocampi were extracted from a second cohort of male and female rats (NS and CAS; n = 9-10) and processed for RNA sequencing. Brain tissue from the first cohort (n = 6) was processed for density of glutamatergic synaptic markers (GluA1, NMDA1a, and synaptophysin) or whole-cell patch clamping (n = 4) to determine glutamatergic activity in the hippocampus. Females with a history of chronic stress had shorter latencies to locate the goal box than NS controls during acquisition learning but showed an increased latency to locate the new goal box during reversal learning. This reversal deficit persisted across domains as females with a history of stress required more trials to reach criterion during the reversal phases of the Attention Set-Shift task compared to controls. Ovariectomy resulted in greater performance variability overall during reversal learning with CAS females showing worse performance. Males showed no effects of CAS history on learning or memory performance. Bioinformatic prediction using gene ontology categorization indicated that in females, postsynaptic membrane gene clusters, specifically genes related to glutamatergic synapse remodeling, were enriched with a history of stress. Structural analysis indicated that CAS did not alter glutamate receptor density in females. However, functionally, CAS females had a decreased AMPA/NMDA-dependent current ratio compared to controls indicating a weakening in synaptic strength in the hippocampus. Males showed only a slight change in density of NMDA1a labeling in the CA3 region with a history of stress. The data observed here suggest that females are at risk for impaired cognitive flexibility following a history of adolescent stress, possibly driven by changes in glutamatergic signaling.
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Bendersky CJ, Milian AA, Andrus MD, De La Torre U, Walker DM. Long-Term Impacts of Post-weaning Social Isolation on Nucleus Accumbens Function. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:745406. [PMID: 34616326 PMCID: PMC8488119 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.745406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is a period of incredible change, especially within the brain's reward circuitry. Stress, including social isolation, during this time has profound effects on behaviors associated with reward and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Because the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc), is crucial to the integration of rewarding stimuli, the NAc is especially sensitive to disruptions by adolescent social isolation stress. This review highlights the long-term behavioral consequences of adolescent social isolation rearing on the NAc. It will discuss the cellular and molecular changes within the NAc that might underlie the long-term effects on behavior. When available sex-specific effects are discussed. Finally by mining publicly available data we identify, for the first time, key transcriptional profiles induced by adolescence social isolation in genes associated with dopamine receptor 1 and 2 medium spiny neurons and genes associated with cocaine self-administration. Together, this review provides a comprehensive discussion of the wide-ranging long-term impacts of adolescent social isolation on the dopaminergic system from molecules through behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cari J Bendersky
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science and University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Allison A Milian
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science and University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Mason D Andrus
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science and University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Ubaldo De La Torre
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Deena M Walker
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science and University, Portland, OR, United States
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