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Ament SA, Campbell RR, Lobo MK, Receveur JP, Agrawal K, Borjabad A, Byrareddy SN, Chang L, Clarke D, Emani P, Gabuzda D, Gaulton KJ, Giglio M, Giorgi FM, Gok B, Guda C, Hadas E, Herb BR, Hu W, Huttner A, Ishmam MR, Jacobs MM, Kelschenbach J, Kim DW, Lee C, Liu S, Liu X, Madras BK, Mahurkar AA, Mash DC, Mukamel EA, Niu M, O'Connor RM, Pagan CM, Pang APS, Pillai P, Repunte-Canonigo V, Ruzicka WB, Stanley J, Tickle T, Tsai SYA, Wang A, Wills L, Wilson AM, Wright SN, Xu S, Yang J, Zand M, Zhang L, Zhang J, Akbarian S, Buch S, Cheng CS, Corley MJ, Fox HS, Gerstein M, Gummuluru S, Heiman M, Ho YC, Kellis M, Kenny PJ, Kluger Y, Milner TA, Moore DJ, Morgello S, Ndhlovu LC, Rana TM, Sanna PP, Satterlee JS, Sestan N, Spector SA, Spudich S, Tilgner HU, Volsky DJ, White OR, Williams DW, Zeng H. The single-cell opioid responses in the context of HIV (SCORCH) consortium. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02620-7. [PMID: 38879719 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02620-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024]
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) and drug addiction are major threats to public health, impacting not only the millions of individuals struggling with SUD, but also surrounding families and communities. One of the seminal challenges in treating and studying addiction in human populations is the high prevalence of co-morbid conditions, including an increased risk of contracting a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Of the ~15 million people who inject drugs globally, 17% are persons with HIV. Conversely, HIV is a risk factor for SUD because chronic pain syndromes, often encountered in persons with HIV, can lead to an increased use of opioid pain medications that in turn can increase the risk for opioid addiction. We hypothesize that SUD and HIV exert shared effects on brain cell types, including adaptations related to neuroplasticity, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation. Basic research is needed to refine our understanding of these affected cell types and adaptations. Studying the effects of SUD in the context of HIV at the single-cell level represents a compelling strategy to understand the reciprocal interactions among both conditions, made feasible by the availability of large, extensively-phenotyped human brain tissue collections that have been amassed by the Neuro-HIV research community. In addition, sophisticated animal models that have been developed for both conditions provide a means to precisely evaluate specific exposures and stages of disease. We propose that single-cell genomics is a uniquely powerful technology to characterize the effects of SUD and HIV in the brain, integrating data from human cohorts and animal models. We have formed the Single-Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) consortium to carry out this strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth A Ament
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | - Mary Kay Lobo
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Linda Chang
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Dana Gabuzda
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Michelle Giglio
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Eran Hadas
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian R Herb
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wen Hu
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Cheyu Lee
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Shuhui Liu
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiaokun Liu
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Anup A Mahurkar
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Meng Niu
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | | | | | - Piya Pillai
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - W Brad Ruzicka
- McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Allen Wang
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Wills
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Siwei Xu
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Maryam Zand
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Le Zhang
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Shilpa Buch
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | | | - Howard S Fox
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | | | - Myriam Heiman
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ya-Chi Ho
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - David J Moore
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Susan Morgello
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Tariq M Rana
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - David J Volsky
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Owen R White
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Hongkui Zeng
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
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Looschen K, Khatri SN, Maulik M, Salisbury C, Carman AF, Corriveau K, Smith C, Manetti D, Romanelli MN, Arias HR, Gipson CD, Mitra S. Novel psychoplastogen DM506 reduces cue-induced heroin-seeking and inhibits tonic GABA currents in the Prelimbic Cortex. Neurochem Int 2024; 178:105785. [PMID: 38838988 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder is a major public health crisis that is manifested by persistent drug-seeking behavior and high relapse frequency. Most of the available treatments rely on targeting opioid receptors using small molecules that do not provide sustained symptom alleviation. Psychoplastogens are a novel class of non-opioid drugs that produce rapid and sustained effects on neuronal plasticity, intended to produce therapeutic benefits. Ibogalogs are synthetic derivatives of iboga alkaloids that lack hallucinogenic or adverse side effects. In the current study, we examine the therapeutic potential of DM506, a novel ibogalog lacking any cardiotoxic or hallucinogenic effects, in cue-induced seeking behavior following heroin self-administration. At a single systemic dose of 40 mg/kg, DM506 significantly decreased cue-induced seeking in both male and female rats at abstinence day 1 (AD1) following heroin self-administration. Upon re-testing for cue-induced seeking at AD14, we found that males receiving DM506 continued to show decreased cue-induced seeking, an effect not observed in females. Since there is evidence of psychedelics influencing tonic GABA currents, and opioid and psychoplastogen-mediated neuroadaptations in the medial prefrontal cortex (PrL) underlying its functional effects, we performed patch-clamp recordings on PrL slices of drug-naïve rats with an acute application or chronic incubation with DM506. Tonic GABA current was decreased in slices incubated with DM506 for 2 h. qPCR analysis did not reveal any differences in the mRNA levels of GABAA receptor α and δ subunits at AD14 in heroin and saline self-administered animals that received vehicle or DM506 at AD1. Overall, our data indicate that DM506 attenuates cue-induced heroin seeking and inhibits tonic GABA current in the prelimbic cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassandra Looschen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
| | - Shailesh Narayan Khatri
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Malabika Maulik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Colin Salisbury
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
| | - Alaina F Carman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
| | - Katilyn Corriveau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
| | - Colton Smith
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
| | - Dina Manetti
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Novella Romanelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Hugo R Arias
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tahlequah, USA
| | - Cassandra D Gipson
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Swarup Mitra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, USA.
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Dabrowski KR, Daws SE. Morphine-Driven m6A Epitranscriptomic Neuroadaptations in Primary Cortical Cultures. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04219-z. [PMID: 38780720 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04219-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States and remains a major public health concern, despite significant resources aimed at combating opioid misuse. Neurobiological research to elucidate molecular and cellular consequences of opioid exposure is required to define avenues to explore for reversal of opioid-induced neuroadaptations. Opioids impart well-documented regulation of the transcriptome and epigenetic modifications in the brain, but opioid-induced epitranscriptomic posttranscriptional regulation of RNA is vastly understudied. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation is significantly enriched in the brain and involved in learning, memory, and reward. m6A modifications have not been studied in opioid use disorder, despite being the most common RNA modification. We detected significant regulation of m6A-modifying enzymes in rat primary cortical cultures following morphine treatment, including AlkB Homolog 5 (Alkbh5). The m6a demethylase ALKBH5 functions as an m6A eraser, removing m6A modifications from mRNA. We hypothesized that chronic opioid treatment regulates m6A modifications through modulation of Alkbh5 and profiled m6A modifications in primary cortical cultures following chronic morphine treatment and Alkbh5 knock-down. We observed differential regulation of m6A modifications for a common set of transcripts following morphine or Alkbh5 knock-down, and the two treatments elicited concordant m6A epitranscriptomic profiles, suggesting that a subset of morphine-driven m6A modifications may be mediated through downregulation of Alkbh5 in cortical cultures. Gene Ontology terms of commonly regulated transcripts included serotonin secretion, synapse disassembly, neuron remodeling, and immune response. Thus, we conclude that morphine can drive epitranscriptomic changes, a subset of which may occur in an Alkbh5-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad R Dabrowski
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie E Daws
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Neural Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Pandey S, Miller CA. Targeting the cytoskeleton as a therapeutic approach to substance use disorders. Pharmacol Res 2024; 202:107143. [PMID: 38499081 PMCID: PMC11034636 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107143] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) are chronic relapsing disorders governed by continually shifting cycles of positive drug reward experiences and drug withdrawal-induced negative experiences. A large body of research points to plasticity within systems regulating emotional, motivational, and cognitive processes as drivers of continued compulsive pursuit and consumption of substances despite negative consequences. This plasticity is observed at all levels of analysis from molecules to networks, providing multiple avenues for intervention in SUD. The cytoskeleton and its regulatory proteins within neurons and glia are fundamental to the structural and functional integrity of brain processes and are potentially the major drivers of the morphological and behavioral plasticity associated with substance use. In this review, we discuss preclinical studies that provide support for targeting the brain cytoskeleton as a therapeutic approach to SUD. We focus on the interplay between actin cytoskeleton dynamics and exposure to cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, opioids, and nicotine and highlight preclinical studies pointing to a wide range of potential therapeutic targets, such as nonmuscle myosin II, Rac1, cofilin, prosapip 1, and drebrin. These studies broaden our understanding of substance-induced plasticity driving behaviors associated with SUD and provide new research directions for the development of SUD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surya Pandey
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States; Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States
| | - Courtney A Miller
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States; Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States.
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Chen Y, Yan P, Wei S, Zhu Y, Lai J, Zhou Q. Ketamine metabolite alleviates morphine withdrawal-induced anxiety via modulating nucleus accumbens parvalbumin neurons in male mice. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 186:106279. [PMID: 37661023 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106279] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid withdrawal generates extremely unpleasant physical symptoms and negative affective states. A rapid relief of opioid withdrawal-induced anxiety has obvious clinical relevance but has been rarely reported. We have shown that injection of ketamine metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) leads to a rapid alleviation of anxiety-like behaviors in male mice undergoing chronic morphine withdrawal. Here we investigated the contribution of nucleus accumbens shell (sNAc) parvalbumin (PV)-neurons to this process. Chronic morphine withdrawal was associated with higher intrinsic excitability of sNAc PV-neurons via reduced voltage-dependent potassium currents. Chemogenetic inhibition of sNAc PV-neurons reversed the enhanced excitability of PV-neurons and anxiety-like behaviors in these morphine withdrawal male mice, while activation of sNAc PV-neurons induced anxiety-like behaviors in naive male mice. (2R,6R)-HNK reversed the altered potassium currents and intrinsic excitability of sNAc PV-neurons. Our findings demonstrate an important contribution of sNAc PV-neurons to modulating morphine withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behaviors and rapid relief of anxiety-like behaviors by (2R,6R)-HNK, this newly identified target may have therapeutic potentials in treating opioid addiction and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Chen
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Yan
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shuguang Wei
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yongsheng Zhu
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianghua Lai
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Qiang Zhou
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China.
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Maulik M, Looschen K, Smith C, Johnson K, Carman AF, Nagisetty C, Corriveau K, Salisbury C, Deschepper K, Michels M, Henderson-Redmond AN, Morgan DJ, Mitra S. Postpartum scarcity-adversity inflicts sex-specific cerebellar adaptations and reward behaviors in adolescence. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 231:173620. [PMID: 37625522 PMCID: PMC10565883 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173620] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Early life adversity in the form of poor postnatal care is a major developmental stressor impacting behavior later in life. Previous studies have shown the impact of early life stress on neurobehavioral abnormalities. Specifically, research has demonstrated how limited bedding and nesting (LBN) materials can cause behavioral deficits in adulthood. There is, however, a limited understanding of how LBN influences sex-specific neurobehavioral adaptation in adolescence, a developmental stage susceptible to psychiatric diseases including substance use disorder. LBN and stress-naive c57BL/6 adolescent male and female mouse offspring were tested for a battery of behaviors including open field, novel object recognition, elevated plus maze, social preference, and morphine-induced conditioned place preference. There was a significant sex-specific deficit in social preference in male mice exposed to LBN compared to stress-naïve counterparts and both LBN males and females had a higher preference towards the drug-paired chamber in the morphine-induced conditioned place preference test. These behavioral deficits were concomitant with sex-specific increases in the transcription factor, Klf9 in the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) of males. Further, mRNA levels of the circadian gene Bmal1, which is known to be transcriptionally regulated by Klf9, were decreased in the DCN. Since Bmal1 has recently been implicated in extracellular matrix modulation, we examined perineuronal nets (PNN) and observed depleted PNN in the DCN of males but not female LBN mice. Overall, we provide a novel understanding of how postpartum adversity impinges on the cerebellar extracellular matrix homeostasis, likely, through disruption of the circadian axis by Klf9 that might underlie sex-specific behavioral adaptations in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malabika Maulik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Kassandra Looschen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Colton Smith
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Khyla Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Alaina F Carman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Cherishma Nagisetty
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Katilyn Corriveau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Colin Salisbury
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Kayla Deschepper
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Madison Michels
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Angela N Henderson-Redmond
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Daniel J Morgan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Swarup Mitra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA.
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7
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Kolli U, Roy S. The role of the gut microbiome and microbial metabolism in mediating opioid-induced changes in the epigenome. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1233194. [PMID: 37670983 PMCID: PMC10475585 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1233194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The current opioid pandemic is a major public health crisis in the United States, affecting millions of people and imposing significant health and socioeconomic burdens. Preclinical and clinical research over the past few decades has delineated certain molecular mechanisms and identified various genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors responsible for the pathophysiology and comorbidities associated with opioid use. Opioid use-induced epigenetic modifications have been identified as one of the important factors that mediate genetic changes in brain regions that control reward and drug-seeking behavior and are also implicated in the development of tolerance. Recently, it has been shown that opioid use results in microbial dysbiosis, leading to gut barrier disruption, which drives systemic inflammation, impacting the perception of pain, the development of analgesic tolerance, and behavioral outcomes. In this review, we highlight the potential role of microbiota and microbial metabolites in mediating the epigenetic modifications induced by opioid use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabita Roy
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
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Yin LT, Feng RR, Xie XY, Yang XR, Yang ZF, Hu JJ, Wu SF, Zhang C. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 overexpression in the hippocampus reduces alcohol-induced conditioned-place preference by regulating synaptic plasticity in mice. Behav Brain Res 2023; 442:114330. [PMID: 36746309 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114330] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix proteins appear to be necessary for the synaptic plasticity that underlies addiction memory. In the brain, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), have been recently implicated in processes involving alcohol reward and memory. Here, we showed for the first time, the positive effects of MMP-9 on alcohol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) behavior and hippocampal neuron plasticity in C57BL/6 mice. Using recombinant adeno-associated viruses to overexpress MMP-9 in the hippocampus, we investigated the NMDAR, PSD-95, and cellular cytoskeleton proteins F-actin/G-actin in the modulation of alcohol reward behavior in mice exposed to CPP. We found that hippocampal infusions of MMP-9 decreased alcohol-induced place preference suggesting a reduction in alcohol reward. Western blot analysis demonstrated that protein expression of NMDA receptors (GluN1, GluN2A and GluN2B) in the hippocampus of alcohol-exposed mice were higher than that of the saline group. Further, the expression of these proteins was decreased in MMP-9 overexpressing mice. MMP-9 also regulated the ratio of F-actin/G-actin (dendritic spines cytoskeleton proteins), which might be the key mediator for behavioral changes in mice. Consequently, our results highlight new evidence that MMP-9 may play an important role in the molecular mechanism underlying alcohol reward and preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Tian Yin
- Key Laboratory for Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology in Shanxi Province, Department of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, China.
| | - Rui-Rui Feng
- Key Laboratory for Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology in Shanxi Province, Department of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Xie
- Key Laboratory for Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology in Shanxi Province, Department of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, China
| | - Xiao-Rong Yang
- Key Laboratory for Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology in Shanxi Province, Department of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, China
| | - Zhuan-Fang Yang
- Key Laboratory for Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology in Shanxi Province, Department of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, China
| | - Jia-Jia Hu
- Key Laboratory for Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology in Shanxi Province, Department of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, China
| | - Shu-Fen Wu
- Key Laboratory for Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology in Shanxi Province, Department of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, China; Department of Pediatrics, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, China
| | - Ce Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology in Shanxi Province, Department of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, China.
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Fox ME, Wulff AB, Franco D, Choi EY, Calarco CA, Engeln M, Turner MD, Chandra R, Rhodes VM, Thompson SM, Ament SA, Lobo MK. Adaptations in Nucleus Accumbens Neuron Subtypes Mediate Negative Affective Behaviors in Fentanyl Abstinence. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:489-501. [PMID: 36435669 PMCID: PMC9931633 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid discontinuation generates a withdrawal syndrome marked by increased negative affect. Increased symptoms of anxiety and dysphoria during opioid discontinuation are significant barriers to achieving long-term abstinence in opioid-dependent individuals. While adaptations in the nucleus accumbens are implicated in opioid abstinence syndrome, the precise neural mechanisms are poorly understood. Additionally, our current knowledge is limited to changes following natural and semisynthetic opioids, despite recent increases in synthetic opioid use and overdose. METHODS We used a combination of cell subtype-specific viral labeling and electrophysiology in male and female mice to investigate structural and functional plasticity in nucleus accumbens medium spiny neuron (MSN) subtypes after fentanyl abstinence. We characterized molecular adaptations after fentanyl abstinence with subtype-specific RNA sequencing and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. We used viral-mediated gene transfer to manipulate the molecular signature of fentanyl abstinence in D1-MSNs. RESULTS Here, we show that fentanyl abstinence increases anxiety-like behavior, decreases social interaction, and engenders MSN subtype-specific plasticity in both sexes. D1-MSNs, but not D2-MSNs, exhibit dendritic atrophy and an increase in excitatory drive. We identified a cluster of coexpressed dendritic morphology genes downregulated selectively in D1-MSNs that are transcriptionally coregulated by E2F1. E2f1 expression in D1-MSNs protects against loss of dendritic complexity, altered physiology, and negative affect-like behaviors caused by fentanyl abstinence. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that fentanyl abstinence causes unique structural, functional, and molecular changes in nucleus accumbens D1-MSNs that can be targeted to alleviate negative affective symptoms during abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Fox
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Andreas B Wulff
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniela Franco
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eric Y Choi
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Cali A Calarco
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michel Engeln
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Makeda D Turner
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Victoria M Rhodes
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Scott M Thompson
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Seth A Ament
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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10
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Engeln M, Fox ME, Chandra R, Choi EY, Nam H, Qadir H, Thomas SS, Rhodes VM, Turner MD, Herman RJ, Calarco CA, Lobo MK. Transcriptome profiling of the ventral pallidum reveals a role for pallido-thalamic neurons in cocaine reward. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3980-3991. [PMID: 35764708 PMCID: PMC9722585 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01668-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Psychostimulant exposure alters the activity of ventral pallidum (VP) projection neurons. However, the molecular underpinnings of these circuit dysfunctions are unclear. We used RNA-sequencing to reveal alterations in the transcriptional landscape of the VP that are induced by cocaine self-administration in mice. We then probed gene expression in select VP neuronal subpopulations to isolate a circuit associated with cocaine intake. Finally, we used both overexpression and CRISPR-mediated knockdown to test the role of a gene target on cocaine-mediated behaviors as well as dendritic spine density. Our results showed that a large proportion (55%) of genes associated with structural plasticity were changed 24 h following cocaine intake. Among them, the transcription factor Nr4a1 (Nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 1, or Nur77) showed high expression levels. We found that the VP to mediodorsal thalamus (VP → MDT) projection neurons specifically were recapitulating this increase in Nr4a1 expression. Overexpressing Nr4a1 in VP → MDT neurons enhanced drug-seeking and drug-induced reinstatement, while Nr4a1 knockdown prevented self-administration acquisition and subsequent cocaine-mediated behaviors. Moreover, we showed that Nr4a1 negatively regulated spine dynamics in this specific cell subpopulation. Together, our study identifies for the first time the transcriptional mechanisms occurring in VP in drug exposure. Our study provides further understanding on the role of Nr4a1 in cocaine-related behaviors and identifies the crucial role of the VP → MDT circuit in drug intake and relapse-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Engeln
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Megan E Fox
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric Y Choi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hyungwoo Nam
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Houman Qadir
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shavin S Thomas
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Victoria M Rhodes
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Makeda D Turner
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rae J Herman
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cali A Calarco
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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11
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Fulton SL, Mitra S, Lepack AE, Martin JA, Stewart AF, Converse J, Hochstetler M, Dietz DM, Maze I. Histone H3 dopaminylation in ventral tegmental area underlies heroin-induced transcriptional and behavioral plasticity in male rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1776-1783. [PMID: 35094023 PMCID: PMC9372029 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01279-4] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Persistent transcriptional events in ventral tegmental area (VTA) and other reward relevant brain regions contribute to enduring behavioral adaptations that characterize substance use disorder. Recent data from our laboratory indicate that aberrant accumulation of the newly discovered histone post-translational modification (PTM), H3 dopaminylation at glutamine 5 (H3Q5dop), contributes significantly to cocaine-seeking behavior following prolonged periods of abstinence. It remained unclear, however, whether this modification is important for relapse vulnerability in the context of other drugs of abuse, such as opioids. Here, we showed that H3Q5dop plays a critical role in heroin-mediated transcriptional plasticity in midbrain regions, particularly the VTA. In rats undergoing abstinence from heroin self-administration (SA), we found acute and persistent accumulation of H3Q5dop in VTA. Attenuation of H3Q5dop during abstinence induced persistent changes in gene expression programs associated with neuronal signaling and dopaminergic function in heroin abstinence and led to reduced heroin-seeking behavior. Interestingly, the observed changes in molecular pathways after heroin SA showed significant yet reversed overlap with the same genes altered in cocaine SA. These findings establish an essential role for H3Q5dop, and its downstream transcriptional consequences, in heroin-induced functional plasticity in VTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha L. Fulton
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Swarup Mitra
- grid.273335.30000 0004 1936 9887Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214 USA
| | - Ashley E. Lepack
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Jennifer A. Martin
- grid.273335.30000 0004 1936 9887Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214 USA
| | - Andrew F. Stewart
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Jacob Converse
- grid.273335.30000 0004 1936 9887Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214 USA
| | - Mason Hochstetler
- grid.273335.30000 0004 1936 9887Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214 USA
| | - David M. Dietz
- grid.273335.30000 0004 1936 9887Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Program in Neuroscience, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214 USA
| | - Ian Maze
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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12
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Neuroadaptations and TGF-β signaling: emerging role in models of neuropsychiatric disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:296-306. [PMID: 34131268 PMCID: PMC8671568 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01186-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric diseases are manifested by maladaptive behavioral plasticity. Despite the greater understanding of the neuroplasticity underlying behavioral adaptations, pinpointing precise cellular mediators has remained elusive. This has stymied the development of pharmacological interventions to combat these disorders both at the level of progression and relapse. With increased knowledge on the putative role of the transforming growth factor (TGF- β) family of proteins in mediating diverse neuroadaptations, the influence of TGF-β signaling in regulating maladaptive cellular and behavioral plasticity underlying neuropsychiatric disorders is being increasingly elucidated. The current review is focused on what is currently known about the TGF-β signaling in the central nervous system in mediating cellular and behavioral plasticity related to neuropsychiatric manifestations.
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13
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Motz CT, Kabat V, Saxena T, Bellamkonda RV, Zhu C. Neuromechanobiology: An Expanding Field Driven by the Force of Greater Focus. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100102. [PMID: 34342167 PMCID: PMC8497434 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The brain processes information by transmitting signals through highly connected and dynamic networks of neurons. Neurons use specific cellular structures, including axons, dendrites and synapses, and specific molecules, including cell adhesion molecules, ion channels and chemical receptors to form, maintain and communicate among cells in the networks. These cellular and molecular processes take place in environments rich of mechanical cues, thus offering ample opportunities for mechanical regulation of neural development and function. Recent studies have suggested the importance of mechanical cues and their potential regulatory roles in the development and maintenance of these neuronal structures. Also suggested are the importance of mechanical cues and their potential regulatory roles in the interaction and function of molecules mediating the interneuronal communications. In this review, the current understanding is integrated and promising future directions of neuromechanobiology are suggested at the cellular and molecular levels. Several neuronal processes where mechanics likely plays a role are examined and how forces affect ligand binding, conformational change, and signal induction of molecules key to these neuronal processes are indicated, especially at the synapse. The disease relevance of neuromechanobiology as well as therapies and engineering solutions to neurological disorders stemmed from this emergent field of study are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara T Motz
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0363, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0363, USA
| | - Victoria Kabat
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0363, USA
| | - Tarun Saxena
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Ravi V Bellamkonda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0363, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0363, USA
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0363, USA
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14
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-second consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2019 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
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15
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Dendritic spine remodeling and plasticity under general anesthesia. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 226:2001-2017. [PMID: 34061250 PMCID: PMC8166894 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02308-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ever since its first use in surgery, general anesthesia has been regarded as a medical miracle enabling countless life-saving diagnostic and therapeutic interventions without pain sensation and traumatic memories. Despite several decades of research, there is a lack of understanding of how general anesthetics induce a reversible coma-like state. Emerging evidence suggests that even brief exposure to general anesthesia may have a lasting impact on mature and especially developing brains. Commonly used anesthetics have been shown to destabilize dendritic spines and induce an enhanced plasticity state, with effects on cognition, motor functions, mood, and social behavior. Herein, we review the effects of the most widely used general anesthetics on dendritic spine dynamics and discuss functional and molecular correlates with action mechanisms. We consider the impact of neurodevelopment, anatomical location of neurons, and their neurochemical profile on neuroplasticity induction, and review the putative signaling pathways. It emerges that in addition to possible adverse effects, the stimulation of synaptic remodeling with the formation of new connections by general anesthetics may present tremendous opportunities for translational research and neurorehabilitation.
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16
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Levran O, Randesi M, Adelson M, Kreek MJ. OPRD1 SNPs associated with opioid addiction are cis-eQTLs for the phosphatase and actin regulator 4 gene, PHACTR4, a mediator of cytoskeletal dynamics. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:316. [PMID: 34031368 PMCID: PMC8144180 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01439-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several OPRD1 intronic variants were associated with opioid addiction (OD) in a population-specific manner. This follow-up study aims to further characterize the OPRD1 haplotype pattern of the risk variants in different populations and apply in silico analysis to identify potential causal variants. A population-specific haplotype pattern was revealed based on six OPRD1 eQTL SNPs and five common haplotypes were identified in a sample of European ancestry (CEU). A European-specific haplotype ('Hap 3') that includes SNPs previously associated with OD and is tagged by SNP rs2236861 is more common in subjects with OD. It is quite common (10%) in CEU but is absent in the African sample (YRI) and extends upstream of OPRD1. SNP rs2236857 is most probably a non-causal variant in LD with the causal SNP/s in a population-specific manner. The study provides an explanation for the lack of association in African Americans, despite its high frequency in this population. OD samples homozygous for 'Hap 3' were reanalyzed using a denser coverage of the region and revealed at least 25 potentially regulatory SNPs in high LD. Notably, GTEx data indicate that some of the SNPs are eQTLs for the upstream phosphatase and actin regulator 4 (PHACTR4), in the cortex, and others are eQTLs for OPRD1 and the upstream lncRNA ENSG00000270605, in the cerebellum. The study highlights the limitation of single SNP analysis and the sensitivity of association studies of OPRD1 to a genetic background. It proposes a long-range functional connection between OPRD1 and PHACTR4. PHACTR4, a mediator of cytoskeletal dynamics, may contribute to drug addiction by modulating synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orna Levran
- The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Matthew Randesi
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY USA
| | - Miriam Adelson
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY USA ,Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment and Research, Las Vegas, NV USA
| | - Mary Jeanne Kreek
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519The Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY USA
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17
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Effects of neuronal drebrin on actin dynamics. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:685-692. [PMID: 33739391 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Drebrin is a key regulator of actin cytoskeleton in neuronal cells which is critical for synaptic plasticity, neuritogenesis, and neuronal migration. It is also known to orchestrate a cross-talk between actin and microtubules. Decreased level of drebrin is a hallmark of multiple neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Despite its established importance in health and disease, we still have a lot to learn about drebrin's interactome and its effects on cytoskeletal dynamics. This review aims to summarize the recently reported novel effects of drebrin on actin and its regulators. Here I will also reflect on the most recent progress made in understanding of the role of drebrin isoforms and posttranslational modifications on its functionality.
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18
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Abstract
A growing body of evidence from the past 15 years implicates epigenetic mechanisms in the behavioral effects of addictive drugs. The main focus of these studies has been epigenetic mechanisms of psychomotor sensitization and drug reinforcement, as assessed by the conditioned place preference and drug self-administration procedures. Some of these studies have documented long-lasting changes in the expression of epigenetic enzymes and molecules that persist for weeks after the last drug exposure. These observations have inspired more recent investigations on the epigenetic mechanisms of relapse to drug seeking after prolonged abstinence. Here, we review studies that have examined epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., histone modifications, chromatin remodeler-associated modifications, and DNA methylation) that contribute to relapse to cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, morphine, heroin, nicotine, or alcohol seeking, as assessed in rodent models. We first provide a brief overview of studies that have examined persistent epigenetic changes in the brain after prolonged abstinence from noncontingent drug exposure or drug self-administration. Next, we review studies on the effect of either systemic or brain site-specific epigenetic manipulations on the reinstatement of drug-conditioned place preference after extinction of the learned preference, the reinstatement of drug seeking after operant drug self-administration and extinction of the drug-reinforced responding, and the incubation of drug craving (the time-dependent increase in drug seeking after cessation of drug self-administration). We conclude by discussing the implications of these studies for understanding mechanisms contributing to persistent relapse vulnerability after prolonged abstinence. We also discuss the implications of these results for translational research on the potential use of systemically administered epigenetic enzyme inhibitors for relapse prevention in human drug users.
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19
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Thompson BL, Oscar-Berman M, Kaplan GB. Opioid-induced structural and functional plasticity of medium-spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 120:417-430. [PMID: 33152423 PMCID: PMC7855607 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a chronic relapsing clinical condition with tremendous morbidity and mortality that frequently persists, despite treatment, due to an individual's underlying psychological, neurobiological, and genetic vulnerabilities. Evidence suggests that these vulnerabilities may have neurochemical, cellular, and molecular bases. Key neuroplastic events within the mesocorticolimbic system that emerge through chronic exposure to opioids may have a determinative influence on behavioral symptoms associated with OUD. In particular, structural and functional alterations in the dendritic spines of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and its dopaminergic projections from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are believed to facilitate these behavioral sequelae. Additionally, glutamatergic neurons from the prefrontal cortex, the basolateral amygdala, the hippocampus, and the thalamus project to these same MSNs, providing an enriched target for synaptic plasticity. Here, we review literature related to neuroadaptations in NAc MSNs from dopaminergic and glutamatergic pathways in OUD. We also describe new findings related to transcriptional, epigenetic, and molecular mechanisms in MSN plasticity in the different stages of OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L Thompson
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA; Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130, USA.
| | - Marlene Oscar-Berman
- Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130, USA; Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 720 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, 80 East Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Gary B Kaplan
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 720 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Mental Health Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, 940 Belmont Street, Brockton, MA, 02301, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
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20
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Strong CE, Hagarty DP, Brea Guerrero A, Schoepfer KJ, Cajuste SM, Kabbaj M. Chemogenetic selective manipulation of nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons bidirectionally controls alcohol intake in male and female rats. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19178. [PMID: 33154463 PMCID: PMC7644642 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76183-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc), considered the hub of reward circuitry, is comprised of two medium spiny neuron (MSN) subtypes that are classified by their enrichment of dopamine 1 (D1) or 2 (D2) receptors. While reports indicate that alcohol increases excitatory neurotransmission exclusively on NAc D1-MSNs in male rats, it remains unknown how NAc MSNs control alcohol intake in either sex. Therefore, this study investigated how NAc MSNs mediate alcohol intake by using Drd1a-iCre and Drd2-iCre transgenic rats of both sexes. Intra-NAc infusions of Cre-inducible viral vectors containing stimulatory (hM3Dq) or inhibitory (hM4Di) designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) were delivered after 4-weeks of alcohol intake, and clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) was administered to selectively manipulate NAc MSNs. Our results show that activation of NAc D1-MSNs increased alcohol intake 1-, 4-, and 24-h after the start of drinking while inhibition decreased it 1-h after the start of drinking, with no sex differences observed at any time point. Activation of NAc D2-MSNs had no impact on alcohol intake while inhibition increased alcohol intake in Drd2-iCre rats for 1-h in males and 4-h in females. These findings suggest opposing roles for how NAc D1- and D2-MSNs modulate alcohol intake in rats of both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Strong
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Medical Science Research, Room 3300-H, 1115 W. Call St., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - D P Hagarty
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Medical Science Research, Room 3300-H, 1115 W. Call St., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - A Brea Guerrero
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Medical Science Research, Room 3300-H, 1115 W. Call St., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - K J Schoepfer
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Medical Science Research, Room 3300-H, 1115 W. Call St., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - S M Cajuste
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Medical Science Research, Room 3300-H, 1115 W. Call St., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - M Kabbaj
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Medical Science Research, Room 3300-H, 1115 W. Call St., Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
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21
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Sex-Specific Role for Egr3 in Nucleus Accumbens D2-Medium Spiny Neurons Following Long-Term Abstinence From Cocaine Self-administration. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:992-1000. [PMID: 31858986 PMCID: PMC7897443 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously showed that the transcription factor Egr3 (early growth response 3) is oppositely regulated in nucleus accumbens (NAc) cell subtypes 24 hours following cocaine exposure and bidirectionally mediates cocaine-related behaviors in male rodents. Overexpressing Egr3 in D2 receptor-containing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) before drug exposure reduces the rewarding and psychomotor sensitization effects of cocaine. However, it is unknown if Egr3 plays a role in long-term neuroadaptations in the NAc and relapse to cocaine seeking. METHODS We measured EGR3 protein levels in the NAc following 20 days of forced abstinence from intravenous cocaine self-administration in 10-week-old Sprague Dawley rats and C57BL/6 mice. In 8- to 10-week-old A2A-Cre mice, we used virally mediated Egr3 overexpression in NAc D2-MSNs to test the role of Egr3 on operant responding during seeking, extinction, and drug-induced reinstatement of cocaine self-administration. To evaluate if Egr3 contributed to sex differences to cocaine relapse, we conducted these procedures in both male and female rodents. RESULTS We found that EGR3 expression was reduced only in female rodents after 20 days of forced abstinence. Additionally, we showed that our self-administration paradigm in mice recapitulated the sex differences in cocaine intake and relapse demonstrated in humans and rats. Finally, whereas Egr3 overexpression in D2-MSNs during forced abstinence facilitated extinction and blunted drug-induced reinstatement in female mice, it had the opposite effect in male mice. CONCLUSIONS We showed that the immediate early gene Egr3 has long-term effects on drug-related behaviors. Our work suggests that changes in Egr3 expression in D2-MSNs contributes to sex differences in cocaine relapse.
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22
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Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Overexpression Regulates Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity and Decreases Alcohol Consumption and Preference in Mice. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:1902-1912. [PMID: 32415404 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-020-03053-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Brain matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been recently implicated in alcohol addiction; however, the molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), an extrasynaptic protease, is the best described MMP that is thought to regulate addictive behavior. In the present study, the effect of MMP-9 overexpression on hippocampal neuron plasticity and alcoholic behavior was assessed in spontaneous alcohol drinking mice. Two-bottle choice model showed that the overexpression of MMP-9 in the hippocampus developed by adeno-associated virus (AAV) could decrease alcohol consumption and preference, but did not affect taste preference, which was tested using saccharin or quinine solutions. Dendritic spines number of hippocampal neurons was observed by Golgi staining. Compared with the alcohol treatment group, the density of dendritic spines in the hippocampus of alcohol drinking mice was decreased in alcohol + MMP-9 group. Western blot analysis indicated that GluN1 expression in the hippocampus of alcohol drinking group was lower than that in the control group, while the expression of GluN1 was increased in MMP-9 overexpressing mice. MMP-9 also regulated the depolymerization of actin filaments, which induced behavioral changes in mice. Taken together, overexpression of MMP-9 in the hippocampal neurons of mice resulted in decreased dendritic spine density and F-actin/G-actin ratio, which might be the crucial reason for the significant decrease in alcohol consumption in alcohol drinking mice. MMP-9 might be considered as a novel target studying the molecular mechanism of alcohol drinking.
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