1
|
Jiang Z, He M, Young C, Cai J, Xu Y, Jiang Y, Li H, Yang M, Tong Q. Dopaminergic Neurons in Zona Incerta Drives Appetitive Self-Grooming. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2308974. [PMID: 39099402 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Dopaminergic (DA) neurons are known to play a key role in controlling behaviors. While DA neurons in other brain regions are extensively characterized, those in zona incerta (ZITH or A13) receive much less attention and their function remains to be defined. Here it is shown that optogenetic stimulation of these neurons elicited intensive self-grooming behaviors and promoted place preference, which can be enhanced by training but cannot be converted into contextual memory. Interestingly, the same stimulation increased DA release to periaqueductal grey (PAG) neurons and local PAG antagonism of DA action reduced the elicited self-grooming. In addition, A13 neurons increased their activity in response to various external stimuli and during natural self-grooming episodes. Finally, monosynaptic retrograde tracing showed that the paraventricular hypothalamus represents one of the major upstream brain regions to A13 neurons. Taken together, these results reveal that A13 neurons are one of the brain sites that promote appetitive self-grooming involving DA release to the PAG.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiying Jiang
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Michelle He
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Summer Undergraduate Research Program, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Claire Young
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jing Cai
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- MD Anderson Cancer Center & UTHealth Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yuanzhong Xu
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yanyan Jiang
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Hongli Li
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Maojie Yang
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Qingchun Tong
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- MD Anderson Cancer Center & UTHealth Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hagihara KM, Lüthi A. Bidirectional valence coding in amygdala intercalated clusters: A neural substrate for the opponent-process theory of motivation. Neurosci Res 2024:S0168-0102(24)00088-9. [PMID: 39033998 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2024.07.003] [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: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Processing emotionally meaningful stimuli and eliciting appropriate valence-specific behavior in response is a critical brain function for survival. Thus, how positive and negative valence are represented in neural circuits and how corresponding neural substrates interact to cooperatively select appropriate behavioral output are fundamental questions. In previous work, we identified that two amygdala intercalated clusters show opposite response selectivity to fear- and anxiety-inducing stimuli - negative valence (Hagihara et al., 2021). Here, we further show that the two clusters also exhibit distinctly different representations of stimuli with positive valence, demonstrating a broader role of the amygdala intercalated system beyond fear and anxiety. Together with the mutually inhibitory connectivity between the two clusters, our findings suggest that they serve as an ideal neural substrate for the integrated processing of valence for the selection of behavioral output.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenta M Hagihara
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Andreas Lüthi
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yu L, Zhu X, Peng K, Qin H, Yang K, Cai F, Hu J, Zhang Y. Propofol Alleviates Anxiety-Like Behaviors Associated with Pain by Inhibiting the Hyperactivity of PVN CRH Neurons via GABA A Receptor β3 Subunits. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2309059. [PMID: 38639389 PMCID: PMC11267288 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Pain, a comorbidity of anxiety disorders, causes substantial clinical, social, and economic burdens. Emerging evidence suggests that propofol, the most commonly used general anesthetic, may regulate psychological disorders; however, its role in pain-associated anxiety is not yet described. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of a single dose of propofol (100 mg kg-1) in alleviating pain-associated anxiety and examines the underlying neural mechanisms. In acute and chronic pain models, propofol decreased anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) tests. Propofol also reduced the serum levels of stress-related hormones including corticosterone, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and norepinephrine. Fiber photometry recordings indicated that the calcium signaling activity of CRH neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVNCRH) is reduced after propofol treatment. Interestingly, artificially activating PVNCRH neurons through chemogenetics interfered with the anxiety-reducing effects of propofol. Electrophysiological recordings indicated that propofol decreases the activity of PVNCRH neurons by increasing spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs). Further, reducing the levels of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor β3 (GABAAβ3) subunits in PVNCRH neurons diminished the anxiety-relieving effects of propofol. In conclusion, this study provides a mechanistic and preclinical rationale to treat pain-associated anxiety-like behaviors using a single dose of propofol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Le Yu
- Department of AnesthesiologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei230601China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Xiaona Zhu
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Kang Peng
- Department of AnesthesiologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei230601China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| | - Huimin Qin
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Kexin Yang
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Fang Cai
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Ji Hu
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of AnesthesiologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei230601China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education InstitutesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ingebretson AE, Alonso-Caraballo Y, Razidlo JA, Lemos JC. Corticotropin releasing factor alters the functional diversity of accumbal cholinergic interneurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.09.17.558116. [PMID: 37745598 PMCID: PMC10516029 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.17.558116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) provide the main source of acetylcholine in the striatum and have emerged as a critical modulator of behavioral flexibility, motivation, and associative learning. In the dorsal striatum, ChIs display heterogeneous firing patterns. Here, we investigated the spontaneous firing patterns of ChIs in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell, a region of the ventral striatum. We identified four distinct ChI firing signatures: regular single-spiking, irregular single-spiking, rhythmic bursting, and a mixed-mode pattern composed of bursting activity and regular single spiking. ChIs from females had lower firing rates compared to males and had both a higher proportion of mixed-mode firing patterns and a lower proportion of regular single-spiking neurons compared to males. We further observed that across the estrous cycle, the diestrus phase was characterized by higher proportions of irregular ChI firing patterns compared to other phases. Using pooled data from males and females, we examined how the stress-associated neuropeptide corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) impacts these firing patterns. ChI firing patterns showed differential sensitivity to CRF. This translated into differential ChI sensitivity to CRF across the estrous cycle. Furthermore, CRF shifted the proportion of ChI firing patterns toward more regular spiking activity over bursting patterns. Finally, we found that repeated stressor exposure altered ChI firing patterns and sensitivity to CRF in the NAc core, but not the NAc shell. These findings highlight the heterogeneous nature of ChI firing patterns, which may have implications for accumbal-dependent motivated behaviors.
Collapse
|
5
|
Granton E, Brown L, Defaye M, Moazen P, Almblad H, Randall TE, Rich JD, Geppert A, Abdullah NS, Hassanabad MF, Hiroki CH, Farias R, Nguyen AP, Schubert C, Lou Y, Andonegui G, Iftinca M, Raju D, Vargas MA, Howell PL, Füzesi T, Bains J, Kurrasch D, Harrison JJ, Altier C, Yipp BG. Biofilm exopolysaccharides alter sensory-neuron-mediated sickness during lung infection. Cell 2024; 187:1874-1888.e14. [PMID: 38518773 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.03.001] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Infections of the lung cause observable sickness thought to be secondary to inflammation. Signs of sickness are crucial to alert others via behavioral-immune responses to limit contact with contagious individuals. Gram-negative bacteria produce exopolysaccharide (EPS) that provides microbial protection; however, the impact of EPS on sickness remains uncertain. Using genome-engineered Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) strains, we compared EPS-producers versus non-producers and a virulent Escherichia coli (E. coli) lung infection model in male and female mice. EPS-negative P. aeruginosa and virulent E. coli infection caused severe sickness, behavioral alterations, inflammation, and hypothermia mediated by TLR4 detection of the exposed lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in lung TRPV1+ sensory neurons. However, inflammation did not account for sickness. Stimulation of lung nociceptors induced acute stress responses in the paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei by activating corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons responsible for sickness behavior and hypothermia. Thus, EPS-producing biofilm pathogens evade initiating a lung-brain sensory neuronal response that results in sickness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elise Granton
- Department of Critical Care, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Luke Brown
- Department of Critical Care, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Manon Defaye
- Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Inflammation Research Network, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Parisa Moazen
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Henrik Almblad
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Trevor E Randall
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jacquelyn D Rich
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Andrew Geppert
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Nasser S Abdullah
- Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Inflammation Research Network, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Mortaza F Hassanabad
- Department of Critical Care, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Carlos H Hiroki
- Department of Critical Care, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Raquel Farias
- Department of Critical Care, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Angela P Nguyen
- Department of Critical Care, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Courtney Schubert
- Department of Critical Care, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Yuefei Lou
- Department of Critical Care, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Graciela Andonegui
- Department of Critical Care, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Mircea Iftinca
- Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Inflammation Research Network, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Deepa Raju
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mario A Vargas
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - P Lynne Howell
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tamás Füzesi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Cumming School of Medicine Optogenetics Core Facility, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jaideep Bains
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Deborah Kurrasch
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Joe Jonathan Harrison
- Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Christophe Altier
- Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Inflammation Research Network, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Bryan G Yipp
- Department of Critical Care, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Asim M, Wang H, Chen X, He J. Potentiated GABAergic neuronal activities in the basolateral amygdala alleviate stress-induced depressive behaviors. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14422. [PMID: 37715582 PMCID: PMC10915993 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Major depressive disorder is a severe psychiatric disorder that afflicts ~17% of the world population. Neuroimaging investigations of depressed patients have consistently reported the dysfunction of the basolateral amygdala in the pathophysiology of depression. However, how the BLA and related circuits are implicated in the pathogenesis of depression is poorly understood. METHODS Here, we combined fiber photometry, immediate early gene expression (c-fos), optogenetics, chemogenetics, behavioral analysis, and viral tracing techniques to provide multiple lines of evidence of how the BLA neurons mediate depressive-like behavior. RESULTS We demonstrated that the aversive stimuli elevated the neuronal activity of the excitatory BLA neurons (BLACAMKII neurons). Optogenetic activation of CAMKII neurons facilitates the induction of depressive-like behavior while inhibition of these neurons alleviates the depressive-like behavior. Next, we found that the chemogenetic inhibition of GABAergic neurons in the BLA (BLAGABA ) increased the firing frequency of CAMKII neurons and mediates the depressive-like phenotypes. Finally, through fiber photometry recording and chemogenetic manipulation, we proved that the activation of BLAGABA neurons inhibits BLACAMKII neuronal activity and alleviates depressive-like behavior in the mice. CONCLUSION Thus, through evaluating BLAGABA and BLACAMKII neurons by distinct interaction, the BLA regulates depressive-like behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Asim
- Department of NeuroscienceCity University of Hong KongKowloon TongPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Biomedical ScienceCity University of Hong KongKowloon TongPeople's Republic of China
| | - Huajie Wang
- Department of NeuroscienceCity University of Hong KongKowloon TongPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Biomedical ScienceCity University of Hong KongKowloon TongPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of NeuroscienceCity University of Hong KongKowloon TongPeople's Republic of China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research InstituteShenzhenPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jufang He
- Department of NeuroscienceCity University of Hong KongKowloon TongPeople's Republic of China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research InstituteShenzhenPeople's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang L, Cheng M, Wang Y, Chen J, Xie F, Huang LH, Zhan C. Fasting-activated ventrolateral medulla neurons regulate T cell homing and suppress autoimmune disease in mice. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:462-470. [PMID: 38182836 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01543-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Dietary fasting markedly influences the distribution and function of immune cells and exerts potent immunosuppressive effects. However, the mechanisms through which fasting regulates immunity remain obscure. Here we report that catecholaminergic (CA) neurons in the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) are activated during fasting in mice, and we demonstrate that the activity of these CA neurons impacts the distribution of T cells and the development of autoimmune disease in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model. Ablation of VLM CA neurons largely reversed fasting-mediated T cell redistribution. Activation of these neurons drove T cell homing to bone marrow in a CXCR4/CXCL12 axis-dependent manner, which may be mediated by a neural circuit that stimulates corticosterone secretion. Similar to fasting, the continuous activation of VLM CA neurons suppressed T cell activation, proliferation, differentiation and cytokine production in autoimmune mouse models and substantially alleviated disease symptoms. Collectively, our study demonstrates neuronal control of inflammation and T cell distribution, suggesting a neural mechanism underlying fasting-mediated immune regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Wang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Mingxiu Cheng
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Famin Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Hao Huang
- Institute of Metabolism & Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Zhan
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rossi MA. Neuroscience of reward: Paradoxical roles for corticotrophin-releasing factor. Curr Biol 2024; 34:R64-R67. [PMID: 38262362 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
The brain has long been known to control stress and reward through complex and interconnected circuitry. A new study now reveals a group of hypothalamic neurons that paradoxically mediate both reward and aversion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Rossi
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Xu X, Zheng S, Ren J, Li Z, Li J, Xu Z, Yuan F, Yang Q, Margetts AV, Pollock TA, Vilca SJ, Yang C, Chen G, Shen P, Li S, Xia J, Chen C, Zhou T, Zhu Y, Tuesta LM, Wang L, Kenny PJ, Liu XA, Chen Z. Hypothalamic CRF neurons facilitate brain reward function. Curr Biol 2024; 34:389-402.e5. [PMID: 38215742 PMCID: PMC10842365 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Aversive stimuli activate corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-expressing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVNCRF neurons) and other brain stress systems to facilitate avoidance behaviors. Appetitive stimuli also engage the brain stress systems, but their contributions to reward-related behaviors are less well understood. Here, we show that mice work vigorously to optically activate PVNCRF neurons in an operant chamber, indicating a reinforcing nature of these neurons. The reinforcing property of these neurons is not mediated by activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. We found that PVNCRF neurons send direct projections to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and selective activation of these projections induced robust self-stimulation behaviors, without activation of the HPA axis. Similar to the PVNCRF cell bodies, self-stimulation of PVNCRF-VTA projection was dramatically attenuated by systemic pretreatment of CRF receptor 1 or dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) antagonist and augmented by corticosterone synthesis inhibitor metyrapone, but not altered by dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) antagonist. Furthermore, we found that activation of PVNCRF-VTA projections increased c-Fos expression in the VTA dopamine neurons and rapidly triggered dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and microinfusion of D1R or D2R antagonist into the NAc decreased the self-stimulation of these projections. Together, our findings reveal an unappreciated role of PVNCRF neurons and their VTA projections in driving reward-related behaviors, independent of their core neuroendocrine functions. As activation of PVNCRF neurons is the final common path for many stress systems, our study suggests a novel mechanism underlying the positive reinforcing effect of stressful stimuli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinli Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shuidiao Zheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510130, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiayan Ren
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zixuan Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinyan Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhibin Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Feng Yuan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qixing Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Alexander V Margetts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Tate A Pollock
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Samara J Vilca
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Canyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Gaowei Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Peilei Shen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shupeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianxun Xia
- Yunkang School of Medicine and Health, Nanfang College, Guangzhou 510970, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuyun Chen
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510130, Guangdong, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yingjie Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Luis M Tuesta
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Liping Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Xin-An Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Zuxin Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Savani R, Park E, Busannagari N, Lu Y, Kwon H, Wang L, Pang Z. Metabolic and behavioral alterations associated with viral vector-mediated toxicity in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20231846. [PMID: 38227343 PMCID: PMC10830444 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231846] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Combining adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression of Cre recombinase with genetically modified floxed animals is a powerful approach for assaying the functional role of genes in regulating behavior and metabolism. Extensive research in diverse cell types and tissues using AAV-Cre has shown it can save time and avoid developmental compensation as compared to using Cre driver mouse line crossings. We initially sought to study the impact of ablation of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) using intracranial AAV-Cre injection in adult animals. METHODS In this study, we stereotactically injected AAV8-hSyn-Cre or a control AAV8-hSyn-GFP both Crh-floxed and wild-type mouse PVN to assess behavioral and metabolic impacts. We then used immunohistochemical markers to systematically evaluate the density of hypothalamic peptidergic neurons and glial cells. RESULTS We found that delivery of one specific preparation of AAV8-hSyn-Cre in the PVN led to the development of obesity, hyperphagia, and anxiety-like behaviors. This effect occurred independent of sex and in both floxed and wild-type mice. We subsequently found that AAV8-hSyn-Cre led to neuronal cell death and gliosis at the site of viral vector injections. These behavioral and metabolic deficits were dependent on injection into the PVN. An alternatively sourced AAV-Cre did not reproduce the same results. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal that delivery of a specific batch of AAV-Cre could lead to cellular toxicity and lesions in the PVN that cause robust metabolic and behavioral impacts. These alterations can complicate the interpretation of Cre-mediated gene knockout and highlight the need for rigorous controls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Savani
- The Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Undergraduate Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A
| | - Erin Park
- The Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Undergraduate Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A
| | - Nidhi Busannagari
- The Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Undergraduate Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A
| | - Yi Lu
- The Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A
| | - Hyokjoon Kwon
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, U.S.A
| | - Le Wang
- The Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A
| | - Zhiping P. Pang
- The Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, U.S.A
- Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mitchell CS, Campbell EJ, Fisher SD, Stanton LM, Burton NJ, Pearl AJ, McNally GP, Bains JS, Füzesi T, Graham BA, Manning EE, Dayas CV. Optogenetic recruitment of hypothalamic corticotrophin-releasing-hormone (CRH) neurons reduces motivational drive. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:8. [PMID: 38191479 PMCID: PMC10774335 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02710-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Impaired motivational drive is a key feature of depression. Chronic stress is a known antecedent to the development of depression in humans and depressive-like states in animals. Whilst there is a clear relationship between stress and motivational drive, the mechanisms underpinning this association remain unclear. One hypothesis is that the endocrine system, via corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN; PVNCRH), initiates a hormonal cascade resulting in glucocorticoid release, and that excessive glucocorticoids change brain circuit function to produce depression-related symptoms. Another mostly unexplored hypothesis is that the direct activity of PVNCRH neurons and their input to other stress- and reward-related brain regions drives these behaviors. To further understand the direct involvement of PVNCRH neurons in motivation, we used optogenetic stimulation to activate these neurons 1 h/day for 5 consecutive days and showed increased acute stress-related behaviors and long-lasting deficits in the motivational drive for sucrose. This was associated with increased Fos-protein expression in the lateral hypothalamus (LH). Direct stimulation of the PVNCRH inputs in the LH produced a similar pattern of effects on sucrose motivation. Together, these data suggest that PVNCRH neuronal activity may be directly responsible for changes in motivational drive and that these behavioral changes may, in part, be driven by PVNCRH synaptic projections to the LH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin S Mitchell
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Sydney, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Erin J Campbell
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Sydney, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Simon D Fisher
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Sydney, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Laura M Stanton
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Sydney, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Nicholas J Burton
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Sydney, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Amy J Pearl
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Sydney, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Gavan P McNally
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jaideep S Bains
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Tamás Füzesi
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Brett A Graham
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Sydney, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Elizabeth E Manning
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
- Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Sydney, NSW, 2305, Australia.
| | - Christopher V Dayas
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
- Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Sydney, NSW, 2305, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Füzesi T, Rasiah NP, Rosenegger DG, Rojas-Carvajal M, Chomiak T, Daviu N, Molina LA, Simone K, Sterley TL, Nicola W, Bains JS. Hypothalamic CRH neurons represent physiological memory of positive and negative experience. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8522. [PMID: 38129411 PMCID: PMC10739955 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44163-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Recalling a salient experience provokes specific behaviors and changes in the physiology or internal state. Relatively little is known about how physiological memories are encoded. We examined the neural substrates of physiological memory by probing CRHPVN neurons of mice, which control the endocrine response to stress. Here we show these cells exhibit contextual memory following exposure to a stimulus with negative or positive valence. Specifically, a negative stimulus invokes a two-factor learning rule that favors an increase in the activity of weak cells during recall. In contrast, the contextual memory of positive valence relies on a one-factor rule to decrease activity of CRHPVN neurons. Finally, the aversive memory in CRHPVN neurons outlasts the behavioral response. These observations provide information about how specific physiological memories of aversive and appetitive experience are represented and demonstrate that behavioral readouts may not accurately reflect physiological changes invoked by the memory of salient experiences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Füzesi
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- CSM Optogenetics Core Facility, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Neilen P Rasiah
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - David G Rosenegger
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Mijail Rojas-Carvajal
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Taylor Chomiak
- CSM Optogenetics Core Facility, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Núria Daviu
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Leonardo A Molina
- CSM Optogenetics Core Facility, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Kathryn Simone
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Toni-Lee Sterley
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Wilten Nicola
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Jaideep S Bains
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
G Anversa R, Campbell EJ, Walker LC, S Ch'ng S, Muthmainah M, S Kremer F, M Guimarães A, O'Shea MJ, He S, Dayas CV, Andrews ZB, Lawrence AJ, Brown RM. A paraventricular thalamus to insular cortex glutamatergic projection gates "emotional" stress-induced binge eating in females. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1931-1940. [PMID: 37474763 PMCID: PMC10584903 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01665-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
It is well-established that stress and negative affect trigger eating disorder symptoms and that the brains of men and women respond to stress in different ways. Indeed, women suffer disproportionately from emotional or stress-related eating, as well as associated eating disorders such as binge eating disorder. Nevertheless, our understanding of the precise neural circuits driving this maladaptive eating behavior, particularly in women, remains limited. We recently established a clinically relevant model of 'emotional' stress-induced binge eating whereby only female mice display binge eating in response to an acute "emotional" stressor. Here, we combined neuroanatomic, transgenic, immunohistochemical and pathway-specific chemogenetic approaches to investigate whole brain functional architecture associated with stress-induced binge eating in females, focusing on the role of Vglut2 projections from the paraventricular thalamus (PVTVglut2+) to the medial insular cortex in this behavior. Whole brain activation mapping and hierarchical clustering of Euclidean distances revealed distinct patterns of coactivation unique to stress-induced binge eating. At a pathway-specific level, PVTVglut2+ cells projecting to the medial insular cortex were specifically activated in response to stress-induced binge eating. Subsequent chemogenetic inhibition of this pathway suppressed stress-induced binge eating. We have identified a distinct PVTVglut2+ to insular cortex projection as a key driver of "emotional" stress-induced binge eating in female mice, highlighting a novel circuit underpinning this sex-specific behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta G Anversa
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Erin J Campbell
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Biochemical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Leigh C Walker
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sarah S Ch'ng
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Muthmainah Muthmainah
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia
| | - Frederico S Kremer
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Amanda M Guimarães
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Mia J O'Shea
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Suheng He
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Christopher V Dayas
- School of Biochemical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Zane B Andrews
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robyn M Brown
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
- The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lai TT, Liou CW, Tsai YH, Lin YY, Wu WL. Butterflies in the gut: the interplay between intestinal microbiota and stress. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:92. [PMID: 38012609 PMCID: PMC10683179 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-023-00984-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychological stress is a global issue that affects at least one-third of the population worldwide and increases the risk of numerous psychiatric disorders. Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut and its inhabiting microbes may regulate stress and stress-associated behavioral abnormalities. Hence, the objective of this review is to explore the causal relationships between the gut microbiota, stress, and behavior. Dysbiosis of the microbiome after stress exposure indicated microbial adaption to stressors. Strikingly, the hyperactivated stress signaling found in microbiota-deficient rodents can be normalized by microbiota-based treatments, suggesting that gut microbiota can actively modify the stress response. Microbiota can regulate stress response via intestinal glucocorticoids or autonomic nervous system. Several studies suggest that gut bacteria are involved in the direct modulation of steroid synthesis and metabolism. This review provides recent discoveries on the pathways by which gut microbes affect stress signaling and brain circuits and ultimately impact the host's complex behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Ting Lai
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Liou
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsuan Tsai
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Yuan Lin
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Li Wu
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li SY, Cao JJ, Tan K, Fan L, Wang YQ, Shen ZX, Li SS, Wu C, Zhou H, Xu HT. CRH neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area regulate feeding behavior of mice. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4827-4843.e7. [PMID: 37848038 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Food cues serve as pivotal triggers for eliciting physiological responses that subsequently influence food consumption. The magnitude of response induced by these cues stands as a critical determinant in the context of obesity risk. Nonetheless, the underlying neural mechanism that underpins how cues associated with edible food potentiate feeding behaviors remains uncertain. In this study, we revealed that corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-expressing neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area played a crucial role in promoting consummatory behaviors in mice, shedding light on this intricate process. By employing an array of diverse assays, we initially established the activation of these neurons during feeding. Manipulations using optogenetic and chemogenetic assays revealed that their activation amplified appetite and promoted feeding behaviors, whereas inhibition decreased them. Additionally, our investigation identified downstream targets, including the ventral tegmental area, and underscored the pivotal involvement of the CRH neuropeptide itself in orchestrating this regulatory network. This research casts a clarifying light on the neural mechanism underlying the augmentation of appetite and the facilitation of feeding behaviors in response to food cues. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Song-Yun Li
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing-Juan Cao
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kang Tan
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liu Fan
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ya-Qian Wang
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zi-Xuan Shen
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuai-Shuai Li
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chao Wu
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hua-Tai Xu
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, 555 Qiangye Road, Shanghai 201210, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wang H, Qian T, Zhao Y, Zhuo Y, Wu C, Osakada T, Chen P, Chen Z, Ren H, Yan Y, Geng L, Fu S, Mei L, Li G, Wu L, Jiang Y, Qian W, Zhang L, Peng W, Xu M, Hu J, Jiang M, Chen L, Tang C, Zhu Y, Lin D, Zhou JN, Li Y. A tool kit of highly selective and sensitive genetically encoded neuropeptide sensors. Science 2023; 382:eabq8173. [PMID: 37972184 PMCID: PMC11205257 DOI: 10.1126/science.abq8173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptides are key signaling molecules in the endocrine and nervous systems that regulate many critical physiological processes. Understanding the functions of neuropeptides in vivo requires the ability to monitor their dynamics with high specificity, sensitivity, and spatiotemporal resolution. However, this has been hindered by the lack of direct, sensitive, and noninvasive tools. We developed a series of GRAB (G protein-coupled receptor activation‒based) sensors for detecting somatostatin (SST), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), cholecystokinin (CCK), neuropeptide Y (NPY), neurotensin (NTS), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). These fluorescent sensors, which enable detection of specific neuropeptide binding at nanomolar concentrations, establish a robust tool kit for studying the release, function, and regulation of neuropeptides under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Tongrui Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yulin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yizhou Zhuo
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Chunling Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Takuya Osakada
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Peng Chen
- Institute of Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Zijun Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Huixia Ren
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yuqi Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Lan Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shengwei Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Long Mei
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Guochuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ling Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yiwen Jiang
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Weiran Qian
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine and Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Wanling Peng
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Min Xu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ji Hu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Man Jiang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine and Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Liangyi Chen
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Chao Tang
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yingjie Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dayu Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jiang-Ning Zhou
- Institute of Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yulong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Neira S, Lee S, Hassanein LA, Sides T, D'Ambrosio SL, Boyt KM, Bains JS, Kash TL. Impact and Role of Hypothalamic Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Neurons in Withdrawal from Chronic Alcohol Consumption in Female and Male Mice. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7657-7667. [PMID: 37833068 PMCID: PMC10634552 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1153-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, alcohol use and abuse are a leading risk of mortality, causing 5.3% of all deaths (World Health Organization, 2022). The endocrine stress system, initiated by the peripheral release of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) from primarily glutamatergic neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), is profoundly linked with alcohol use, abuse, and relapse (Blaine and Sinha, 2017). These PVN CRH-releasing (PVNCRH) neurons are essential for peripheral and central stress responses (Rasiah et al., 2023), but little is known about how alcohol affects these neurons. Here, we show that two-bottle choice alcohol consumption blunts the endocrine-mediated corticosterone response to stress during acute withdrawal in female mice. Conversely, using slice electrophysiology, we demonstrate that acute withdrawal engenders a hyperexcitable phenotype of PVNCRH neurons in females that is accompanied by increased glutamatergic transmission in both male and female mice. GABAergic synaptic transmission was unaffected by alcohol history. We then tested whether chemogenetic inhibition of PVNCRH neurons would restore stress response in female mice with a history of alcohol drinking in the looming disk test, which mimics an approaching predator threat. Accordingly, inhibition of PVNCRH neurons reduced active escape in hM4Di alcohol history mice only. This study indicates that stress-responsive PVNCRH neurons in females are particularly affected by a history of alcohol consumption. Interestingly, women have indicated an increase in heavy alcohol use to cope with stress (Rodriguez et al., 2020), perhaps pointing to a potential underlying mechanism in alcohol-mediated changes to PVNCRH neurons that alter stress response.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus neurons that release corticotropin releasing hormone (PVNCRH) are vital for stress response. These neurons have been understudied in relation to alcohol and withdrawal despite profound relations between stress, alcohol use disorders (AUD), and relapse. In this study, we use a variety of techniques to show that acute withdrawal from a history of alcohol impacts peripheral stress response, PVNCRH neurons, and behavior. Specifically, PVNCRH are in a hyperactive state during withdrawal, which drives an increase in active stress coping behaviors in female mice only. Understanding how alcohol use and withdrawal affects stress responding PVNCRH neurons may contribute to finding new potential targets for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Neira
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Sophia Lee
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Leslie A Hassanein
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Tori Sides
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Shannon L D'Ambrosio
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Kristen M Boyt
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Jaideep S Bains
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Liu P, Gao C, Wu J, Wu T, Zhang Y, Liu C, Sun C, Li A. Negative valence encoding in the lateral entorhinal cortex during aversive olfactory learning. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113204. [PMID: 37804511 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113204] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Olfactory learning is widely regarded as a substrate for animal survival. The exact brain areas involved in olfactory learning and how they function at various stages during learning remain elusive. Here, we investigate the role of the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) and the posterior piriform cortex (PPC), two important olfactory areas, in aversive olfactory learning. We find that the LEC is involved in the acquisition of negative odor value during olfactory fear conditioning, whereas the PPC is involved in the memory-retrieval phase. Furthermore, inhibition of LEC CaMKIIα+ neurons affects fear encoding, fear memory recall, and PPC responses to a conditioned odor. These findings provide direct evidence for the involvement of LEC CaMKIIα+ neurons in negative valence encoding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Penglai Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Cheng Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Changyu Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Changcheng Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China.
| | - Anan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Piatkevich KD, Boyden ES. Optogenetic control of neural activity: The biophysics of microbial rhodopsins in neuroscience. Q Rev Biophys 2023; 57:e1. [PMID: 37831008 DOI: 10.1017/s0033583523000033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics, the use of microbial rhodopsins to make the electrical activity of targeted neurons controllable by light, has swept through neuroscience, enabling thousands of scientists to study how specific neuron types contribute to behaviors and pathologies, and how they might serve as novel therapeutic targets. By activating a set of neurons, one can probe what functions they can initiate or sustain, and by silencing a set of neurons, one can probe the functions they are necessary for. We here review the biophysics of these molecules, asking why they became so useful in neuroscience for the study of brain circuitry. We review the history of the field, including early thinking, early experiments, applications of optogenetics, pre-optogenetics targeted neural control tools, and the history of discovering and characterizing microbial rhodopsins. We then review the biophysical attributes of rhodopsins that make them so useful to neuroscience - their classes and structure, their photocycles, their photocurrent magnitudes and kinetics, their action spectra, and their ion selectivity. Our hope is to convey to the reader how specific biophysical properties of these molecules made them especially useful to neuroscientists for a difficult problem - the control of high-speed electrical activity, with great precision and ease, in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiryl D Piatkevich
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, China
| | - Edward S Boyden
- McGovern Institute and Koch Institute, Departments of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Media Arts and Sciences, and Biological Engineering, K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics and Center for Neurobiological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
dos-Santos RC, Sweeten BLW, Stelly CE, Tasker JG. The Neuroendocrine Impact of Acute Stress on Synaptic Plasticity. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad149. [PMID: 37788632 PMCID: PMC11046011 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad149] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Stress induces changes in nervous system function on different signaling levels, from molecular signaling to synaptic transmission to neural circuits to behavior-and on different time scales, from rapid onset and transient to delayed and long-lasting. The principal effectors of stress plasticity are glucocorticoids, steroid hormones that act with a broad range of signaling competency due to the expression of multiple nuclear and membrane receptor subtypes in virtually every tissue of the organism. Glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors are localized to each of the cellular compartments of the receptor-expressing cells-the membrane, cytosol, and nucleus. In this review, we cover the neuroendocrine effects of stress, focusing mainly on the rapid actions of acute stress-induced glucocorticoids that effect changes in synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability by modulating synaptic and intrinsic neuronal properties via activation of presumed membrane glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. We describe the synaptic plasticity that occurs in 4 stress-associated brain structures, the hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, in response to single or short-term stress exposure. The rapid transformative impact of glucocorticoids makes this stress signal a particularly potent effector of acute neuronal plasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raoni Conceição dos-Santos
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Brook L W Sweeten
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Claire E Stelly
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Jeffrey G Tasker
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Antonoudiou P, Stone B, Colmers PLW, Evans-Strong A, Walton N, Maguire J. Influence of chronic stress on network states governing valence processing: Potential relevance to the risk for psychiatric illnesses. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13274. [PMID: 37186481 PMCID: PMC11025365 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13274] [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: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Stress is a major risk factor for psychiatric illnesses and understanding the mechanisms through which stress disrupts behavioral states is imperative to understanding the underlying pathophysiology of mood disorders. Both chronic stress and early life stress alter valence processing, the process of assigning value to sensory inputs and experiences (positive or negative), which determines subsequent behavior and is essential for emotional processing and ultimately survival. Stress disrupts valence processing in both humans and preclinical models, favoring negative valence processing and impairing positive valence processing. Valence assignment involves neural computations performed in emotional processing hubs, including the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and ventral hippocampus, which can be influenced by neuroendocrine mediators. Oscillations within and between these regions are critical for the neural computations necessary to perform valence processing functions. Major advances in the field have demonstrated a role for oscillatory states in valence processing under physiological conditions and emerging studies are exploring how these network states are altered under pathophysiological conditions and impacted by neuroendocrine factors. The current review highlights what is currently known regarding the impact of stress and the role of neuroendocrine mediators on network states and valence processing. Further, we propose a model in which chronic stress alters information routing through emotional processing hubs, resulting in a facilitation of negative valence processing and a suppression of positive valence processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bradly Stone
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Najah Walton
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jamie Maguire
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Priest MF, Freda SN, Rieth IJ, Badong D, Dumrongprechachan V, Kozorovitskiy Y. Peptidergic and functional delineation of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112992. [PMID: 37594894 PMCID: PMC10512657 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112992] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Many neuronal populations that release fast-acting excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain also contain slower-acting neuropeptides. These facultative peptidergic cell types are common, but it remains uncertain whether neurons that solely release peptides exist. Our fluorescence in situ hybridization, genetically targeted electron microscopy, and electrophysiological characterization suggest that most neurons of the non-cholinergic, centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus in mice are obligately peptidergic. We further show, using anterograde projection mapping, monosynaptic retrograde tracing, angled-tip fiber photometry, and chemogenetic modulation and genetically targeted ablation in conjunction with canonical assays for anxiety, that this peptidergic population activates in response to loss of motor control and promotes anxiety responses. Together, these findings elucidate an integrative, ethologically relevant role for the Edinger-Westphal nucleus and functionally align the nucleus with the periaqueductal gray, where it resides. This work advances our understanding of peptidergic modulation of anxiety and provides a framework for future investigations of peptidergic systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Priest
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Sara N Freda
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Isabelle J Rieth
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Deanna Badong
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Vasin Dumrongprechachan
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Jovanovic P, Pool AH, Morones N, Wang Y, Novinbakht E, Keshishian N, Jang K, Oka Y, Riera CE. A sex-specific thermogenic neurocircuit induced by predator smell recruiting cholecystokinin neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4937. [PMID: 37582805 PMCID: PMC10427624 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40484-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Olfactory cues are vital for prey animals like rodents to perceive and evade predators. Stress-induced hyperthermia, via brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis, boosts physical performance and facilitates escape. However, many aspects of this response, including thermogenic control and sex-specific effects, remain enigmatic. Our study unveils that the predator odor trimethylthiazoline (TMT) elicits BAT thermogenesis, suppresses feeding, and drives glucocorticoid release in female mice. Chemogenetic stimulation of olfactory bulb (OB) mitral cells recapitulates the thermogenic output of this response and associated stress hormone corticosterone release in female mice. Neuronal projections from OB to medial amygdala (MeA) and dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) exhibit female-specific cFos activity toward odors. Cell sorting and single-cell RNA-sequencing of DMH identify cholecystokinin (CCK)-expressing neurons as recipients of predator odor cues. Chemogenetic manipulation and neuronal silencing of DMHCCK neurons further implicate these neurons in the propagation of predator odor-associated thermogenesis and food intake suppression, highlighting their role in female stress-induced hyperthermia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Predrag Jovanovic
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Allan-Hermann Pool
- Department of Neuroscience, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nancy Morones
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Yidan Wang
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Edward Novinbakht
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Nareg Keshishian
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Jang
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Yuki Oka
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Celine E Riera
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Shin MG, Bae Y, Afzal R, Kondoh K, Lee EJ. Olfactory modulation of stress-response neural circuits. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:1659-1671. [PMID: 37524867 PMCID: PMC10474124 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01048-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress responses, which are crucial for survival, are evolutionally conserved throughout the animal kingdom. The most common endocrine axis among stress responses is that triggered by corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons (CRHNs) in the hypothalamus. Signals of various stressors are detected by different sensory systems and relayed through individual neural circuits that converge on hypothalamic CRHNs to initiate common stress hormone responses. To investigate the neurocircuitry mechanisms underlying stress hormone responses induced by a variety of stressors, researchers have recently developed new approaches employing retrograde transsynaptic viral tracers, providing a wealth of information about various types of neural circuits that control the activity of CRHNs in response to stress stimuli. Here, we review earlier and more recent findings on the stress neurocircuits that converge on CRHNs, focusing particularly on olfactory systems that excite or suppress the activities of CRHNs and lead to the initiation of stress responses. Because smells are arguably the most important signals that enable animals to properly cope with environmental changes and survive, unveiling the regulatory mechanisms by which smells control stress responses would provide broad insight into how stress-related environmental cues are perceived in the animal brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min-Gi Shin
- Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16499, Korea
- AI-Superconvergence KIURI Translational Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16499, Korea
| | - Yiseul Bae
- Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16499, Korea
| | - Ramsha Afzal
- Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16499, Korea
| | - Kunio Kondoh
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Homeostatic Regulation, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.
- Japan Science and Technology Agency, PRESTO, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.
| | - Eun Jeong Lee
- Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16499, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Wu Q, Zhang Y. Neural Circuit Mechanisms Involved in Animals' Detection of and Response to Visual Threats. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:994-1008. [PMID: 36694085 PMCID: PMC10264346 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01021-0] [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: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Evading or escaping from predators is one of the most crucial issues for survival across the animal kingdom. The timely detection of predators and the initiation of appropriate fight-or-flight responses are innate capabilities of the nervous system. Here we review recent progress in our understanding of innate visually-triggered defensive behaviors and the underlying neural circuit mechanisms, and a comparison among vinegar flies, zebrafish, and mice is included. This overview covers the anatomical and functional aspects of the neural circuits involved in this process, including visual threat processing and identification, the selection of appropriate behavioral responses, and the initiation of these innate defensive behaviors. The emphasis of this review is on the early stages of this pathway, namely, threat identification from complex visual inputs and how behavioral choices are influenced by differences in visual threats. We also briefly cover how the innate defensive response is processed centrally. Based on these summaries, we discuss coding strategies for visual threats and propose a common prototypical pathway for rapid innate defensive responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiwen Wu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Munier J, Shen S, Rahal D, Hanna A, Marty V, O'Neill P, Fanselow M, Spigelman I. Chronic intermittent ethanol exposure disrupts stress-related tripartite communication to impact affect-related behavioral selection in male rats. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 24:100539. [PMID: 37131490 PMCID: PMC10149313 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by loss of intake control, increased anxiety, and susceptibility to relapse inducing stressors. Both astrocytes and neurons contribute to behavioral and hormonal consequences of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure in animal models. Details on how CIE disrupts hypothalamic neuro-glial communication, which mediates stress responses are lacking. We conducted a behavioral battery (grooming, open field, reactivity to a single, uncued foot-shock, intermittent-access two-bottle choice ethanol drinking) followed by Ca2+ imaging in ex-vivo slices of paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) from male rats exposed to CIE vapor or air-exposed controls. Ca2+ signals were evaluated in response to norepinephrine (NE) with or without selective α-adrenergic receptor (αAR) or GluN2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, followed by dexamethasone (DEX) to mock a pharmacological stress response. Expectedly, CIE rats had altered anxiety-like, rearing, grooming, and drinking behaviors. Importantly, NE-mediated reductions in Ca2+ event frequency were blunted in both CIE neurons and astrocytes. Administration of the selective α1AR antagonist, prazosin, reversed this CIE-induced dysfunction in both cell types. Additionally, the pharmacological stress protocol reversed the altered basal Ca2+ signaling profile of CIE astrocytes. Signaling changes in astrocytes in response to NE were correlated with anxiety-like behaviors, such as the grooming:rearing ratio, suggesting tripartite synaptic function plays a role in switching between exploratory and stress-coping behavior. These data show how CIE exposure causes persistent changes to PVN neuro-glial function and provides the groundwork for how these physiological changes manifest in behavioral selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J.J. Munier
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Section of Biosystems & Function, School of Dentistry, UCLA, United States
- Corresponding author.
| | - S. Shen
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Section of Biosystems & Function, School of Dentistry, UCLA, United States
| | - D. Rahal
- Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, United States
| | - A. Hanna
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Section of Biosystems & Function, School of Dentistry, UCLA, United States
| | - V.N. Marty
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Section of Biosystems & Function, School of Dentistry, UCLA, United States
| | - P.R. O'Neill
- Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, United States
| | - M.S. Fanselow
- Department of Psychology, College of Life Sciences, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, United States
| | - I. Spigelman
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Section of Biosystems & Function, School of Dentistry, UCLA, United States
- Corresponding author. Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Section of Biosystems & Function, School of Dentistry, UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, 63-078 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1668, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Rasiah NP, Loewen SP, Bains JS. Windows into stress: a glimpse at emerging roles for CRH PVN neurons. Physiol Rev 2023; 103:1667-1691. [PMID: 36395349 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00056.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The corticotropin-releasing hormone cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (CRHPVN) control the slow endocrine response to stress. The synapses on these cells are exquisitely sensitive to acute stress, leveraging local signals to leave a lasting imprint on this system. Additionally, recent work indicates that these cells also play key roles in the control of distinct stress and survival behaviors. Here we review these observations and provide a perspective on the role of CRHPVN neurons as integrative and malleable hubs for behavioral, physiological, and endocrine responses to stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neilen P Rasiah
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Spencer P Loewen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jaideep S Bains
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Wang F, Chen Y, Lin Y, Wang X, Li K, Han Y, Wu J, Shi X, Zhu Z, Long C, Hu X, Duan S, Gao Z. A parabrachial to hypothalamic pathway mediates defensive behavior. eLife 2023; 12:85450. [PMID: 36930206 PMCID: PMC10023160 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Defensive behaviors are critical for animal's survival. Both the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) have been shown to be involved in defensive behaviors. However, whether there are direct connections between them to mediate defensive behaviors remains unclear. Here, by retrograde and anterograde tracing, we uncover that cholecystokinin (CCK)-expressing neurons in the lateral PBN (LPBCCK) directly project to the PVN. By in vivo fiber photometry recording, we find that LPBCCK neurons actively respond to various threat stimuli. Selective photoactivation of LPBCCK neurons promotes aversion and defensive behaviors. Conversely, photoinhibition of LPBCCK neurons attenuates rat or looming stimuli-induced flight responses. Optogenetic activation of LPBCCK axon terminals within the PVN or PVN glutamatergic neurons promotes defensive behaviors. Whereas chemogenetic and pharmacological inhibition of local PVN neurons prevent LPBCCK-PVN pathway activation-driven flight responses. These data suggest that LPBCCK neurons recruit downstream PVN neurons to actively engage in flight responses. Our study identifies a previously unrecognized role for the LPBCCK-PVN pathway in controlling defensive behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fan Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Labotatory of Brain-machine intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yuge Chen
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Labotatory of Brain-machine intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yuxin Lin
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Labotatory of Brain-machine intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Xuze Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Labotatory of Brain-machine intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Kaiyuan Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Labotatory of Brain-machine intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yong Han
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Labotatory of Brain-machine intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jintao Wu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Labotatory of Brain-machine intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Xingyi Shi
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Labotatory of Brain-machine intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Zhenggang Zhu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Labotatory of Brain-machine intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Chaoying Long
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Labotatory of Brain-machine intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Xiaojun Hu
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Shumin Duan
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Labotatory of Brain-machine intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- The Institute of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Zhejiang University City CollegeHangzhouChina
- Chuanqi Research and Development Center of Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Zhihua Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, State Key Labotatory of Brain-machine intelligence, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Power EM, Ganeshan D, Iremonger KJ. Estradiol regulates voltage-gated potassium currents in corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:287072. [PMID: 36805713 PMCID: PMC10038157 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons are the primary neural population controlling the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the secretion of adrenal stress hormones. Previous work has demonstrated that stress hormone secretion can be regulated by circulating levels of estradiol. However, the effect of estradiol on CRH neuron excitability is less clear. Here, we show that chronic estradiol replacement following ovariectomy increases two types of potassium channel currents in CRH neurons: fast inactivating voltage-gated A-type K+ channel currents (IA) and non-inactivating M-type K+ channel currents (IM). Despite the increase in K+ currents following estradiol replacement, there was no overall change in CRH neuron spiking excitability assessed with either frequency-current curves or current ramps. Together, these data reveal a complex picture whereby ovariectomy and estradiol replacement differentially modulate distinct aspects of CRH neuron and HPA axis function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmet M Power
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin9016, New Zealand
| | - Dharshini Ganeshan
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin9016, New Zealand
| | - Karl J Iremonger
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin9016, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Swart JM, Grattan DR, Ladyman SR, Brown RSE. Pups and prolactin are rewarding to virgin female and pregnant mice. J Neuroendocrinol 2022:e13232. [PMID: 36691950 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Maternal interactions with offspring are highly rewarding, which reinforces expression of essential caregiving behaviours that promote offspring survival. In rats, the rewarding effect of pups depends on reproductive state, with lactating females specifically developing strong preferences for pup-associated contexts. Whether this also occurs in mice is unknown, hence we aimed to characterise pup-related preference across reproductive states in female mice. In a conditioned place preference (CPP) test, pups were a rewarding stimulus to female mice prior to lactation, with virgin and pregnant females developing a preference for a pup-associated context. We have previously shown that lactogenic hormones, acting through the prolactin receptor (Prlr), play an important role in maternal motivation. Here, we aimed to investigate whether Prlr action is important for pup-related reward behaviour in mice. We showed that prolactin itself had a reinforcing effect in a CPP test, and that exposure to pups increased blood prolactin levels in virgin female mice. Prlr expression in CamKIIα-expressing neurons and GABAergic neurons has previously been shown to be important for different aspects of parental behaviour. However, we found that conditional Prlr deletion from either of these neuronal populations did not disrupt the development of a preference for pup-associated contexts in pregnant female mice, indicating that lactogenic action on these populations is not necessary for the rewarding effect of pups. Together, these data show that while lactogenic hormones likely contribute to a rewarding effect of pups, their action on two key neuronal populations is not necessary for this effect in female mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judith M Swart
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - David R Grattan
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sharon R Ladyman
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Rosemary S E Brown
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Median raphe serotonergic neurons projecting to the interpeduncular nucleus control preference and aversion. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7708. [PMID: 36550097 PMCID: PMC9780347 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35346-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Appropriate processing of reward and aversive information is essential for survival. Although a critical role of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) in reward processing has been shown, the lack of rewarding effects with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) implies the presence of a discrete serotonergic system playing an opposite role to the DRN in the processing of reward and aversive stimuli. Here, we demonstrated that serotonergic neurons in the median raphe nucleus (MRN) of mice process reward and aversive information in opposite directions to DRN serotonergic neurons. We further identified MRN serotonergic neurons, including those projecting to the interpeduncular nucleus (5-HTMRN→IPN), as a key mediator of reward and aversive stimuli. Moreover, 5-HT receptors, including 5-HT2A receptors in the interpeduncular nucleus, are involved in the aversive properties of MRN serotonergic neural activity. Our findings revealed an essential function of MRN serotonergic neurons, including 5-HTMRN→IPN, in the processing of reward and aversive stimuli.
Collapse
|
32
|
Deng Y, Dickey JE, Saito K, Deng G, Singh U, Jiang J, Toth BA, Zhu Z, Zingman LV, Resch JM, Grobe JL, Cui H. Elucidating the role of Rgs2 expression in the PVN for metabolic homeostasis in mice. Mol Metab 2022; 66:101622. [PMID: 36307046 PMCID: PMC9638802 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE RGS2 is a GTPase activating protein that modulates GPCR-Gα signaling and mice lacking RGS2 globally exhibit metabolic alterations. While RGS2 is known to be broadly expressed throughout the body including the brain, the relative contribution of brain RGS2 to metabolic homeostasis remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to characterize RGS2 expression in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) and test its role in metabolic homeostasis. METHODS We used a combination of RNAscope in situ hybridization (ISH), immunohistochemistry, and bioinformatic analyses to characterize the pattern of Rgs2 expression in the PVN. We then created mice lacking Rgs2 either prenatally or postnatally in the PVN and evaluated their metabolic consequences. RESULTS RNAscope ISH analysis revealed a broad but regionally enriched Rgs2 mRNA expression throughout the mouse brain, with the highest expression being observed in the PVN along with several other brain regions, such as the arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus and the dorsal raphe nucleus. Within the PVN, we found that Rgs2 is specifically enriched in CRH+ endocrine neurons and is further increased by calorie restriction. Functionally, although Sim1-Cre-mediated prenatal deletion of Rgs2 in PVN neurons had no major effects on metabolic homeostasis, AAV-mediated adult deletion of Rgs2 in the PVN led to significantly increased food intake, body weight (both fat and fat-free masses), body length, and blood glucose levels in both male and female mice. Strikingly, we found that prolonged postnatal loss of Rgs2 leads to neuronal cell death in the PVN, while rapid body weight gain in the early phase of viral-mediated PVN Rgs2 deletion is independent of PVN neuronal loss. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide the first evidence to show that PVN Rgs2 expression is not only sensitive to metabolic challenge but also critically required for PVN endocrine neurons to function and maintain metabolic homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Deng
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Jacob E Dickey
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Kenji Saito
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Guorui Deng
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Uday Singh
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Jingwei Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Brandon A Toth
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Zhiyong Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Leonid V Zingman
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Jon M Resch
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States; F.O.E. Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Justin L Grobe
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Comprehensive Rodent Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Huxing Cui
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States; F.O.E. Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Duesman SJ, Shetty S, Patel S, Ogale N, Mohamed F, Sparman N, Rajbhandari P, Rajbhandari AK. Sexually dimorphic role of the locus coeruleus PAC1 receptors in regulating acute stress-associated energy metabolism. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:995573. [PMID: 36275856 PMCID: PMC9580361 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.995573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe stress leads to alterations in energy metabolism with sexually dimorphic onset or severity. The locus coeruleus (LC) in the brainstem that mediates fight-or-flight-or-freeze response to stress is sexually dimorphic in morphology, plays a key role in interactions between diet and severe stressors, and has neuronal input to the brown adipose tissue (BAT)-a thermogenic organ important for energy balance. Yet, little is known on how LC coordinates stress-related metabolic adaptations. LC expresses receptors for the neuropeptide PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide) and PACAP signaling through PAC1 (PACAP receptor) are critical regulators of various types of stressors and energy metabolism. We hypothesized that LC-PAC1 axis is a sex-specific central "gatekeeper" of severe acute stress-driven behavior and energy metabolism. Selective ablation of PAC1 receptors from the LC did not alter stress response in mice of either sex, but enhanced food intake in females and was associated with increased energy expenditure and BAT thermogenesis in male mice. These results show a sexually dimorphic role of the LC-PAC1 in regulating acute stress-related energy metabolism. Thus, by disrupting LC-PAC1 signaling, our studies show a unique and previously unexplored role of LC in adaptive energy metabolism in a sex-dependent manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J. Duesman
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sanutha Shetty
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sanil Patel
- Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Neha Ogale
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Farzanna Mohamed
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Njeri Sparman
- Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Prashant Rajbhandari
- Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Abha Karki Rajbhandari
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Abha Karki Rajbhandari,
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Wagle M, Zarei M, Lovett-Barron M, Poston KT, Xu J, Ramey V, Pollard KS, Prober DA, Schulkin J, Deisseroth K, Guo S. Brain-wide perception of the emotional valence of light is regulated by distinct hypothalamic neurons. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3777-3793. [PMID: 35484242 PMCID: PMC9613822 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01567-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Salient sensory stimuli are perceived by the brain, which guides both the timing and outcome of behaviors in a context-dependent manner. Light is such a stimulus, which is used in treating mood disorders often associated with a dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress axis. Relationships between the emotional valence of light and the hypothalamus, and how they interact to exert brain-wide impacts remain unclear. Employing larval zebrafish with analogous hypothalamic systems to mammals, we show in free-swimming animals that hypothalamic corticotropin releasing factor (CRFHy) neurons promote dark avoidance, and such role is not shared by other hypothalamic peptidergic neurons. Single-neuron projection analyses uncover processes extended by individual CRFHy neurons to multiple targets including sensorimotor and decision-making areas. In vivo calcium imaging uncovers a complex and heterogeneous response of individual CRFHy neurons to the light or dark stimulus, with a reduced overall sum of CRF neuronal activity in the presence of light. Brain-wide calcium imaging under alternating light/dark stimuli further identifies distinct and distributed photic response neuronal types. CRFHy neuronal ablation increases an overall representation of light in the brain and broadly enhances the functional connectivity associated with an exploratory brain state. These findings delineate brain-wide photic perception, uncover a previously unknown role of CRFHy neurons in regulating the perception and emotional valence of light, and suggest that light therapy may alleviate mood disorders through reducing an overall sum of CRF neuronal activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahendra Wagle
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143-2811, USA
| | - Mahdi Zarei
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143-2811, USA
| | - Matthew Lovett-Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kristina Tyler Poston
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143-2811, USA
| | - Jin Xu
- Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Vince Ramey
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Invitae Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Katherine S Pollard
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science & Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David A Prober
- Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Jay Schulkin
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Department of Bioengineering, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Su Guo
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143-2811, USA.
- Programs in Human Genetics and Biological Sciences, Kavli Institute of Fundamental Neuroscience, The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Bakar Aging Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143-2811, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Munier JJ, Marty VN, Spigelman I. Sex differences in α-adrenergic receptor function contribute to impaired hypothalamic metaplasticity following chronic intermittent ethanol exposure. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:1384-1396. [PMID: 35791038 PMCID: PMC9612407 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) exhibit maladaptive responses of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to stress, which has been linked to high rates of relapse to drinking among abstinent individuals. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) parvocellular neuroendocrine cells (PNCs) within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) are critical to stress-induced HPA axis activation. Here, we investigate sex differences in synaptic transmission and plasticity in PNCs following the application of the stress-associated neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) in a rat model of AUD. METHODS Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 40 days of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor and 30 to 108 days of protracted withdrawal. We measured changes in holding current, evoked synaptic currents, and short-term glutamatergic plasticity (STP) in putative PNCs following the application of NE (10 μM) with and without the selective α1 adrenergic receptor (AR) antagonist prazosin (10 μM) or the α2AR antagonist atipamezole (10 μM). The experiments were performed using whole-cell patch clamp recordings in slices from CIE rats and air-exposed controls. RESULTS NE application caused two distinct effects: a depolarizing, inward, postsynaptic current and a reduction in amplitude of an evoked glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic current (eEPSC). Both effects were sex- and CIE-specific. Prazosin blocked the postsynaptic inward current, while atipamezole blocked the NE-mediated suppression of eEPSCs. Additionally, STP formation was facilitated following NE application only in stress-naïve males and this response was lost in stressed animals exposed to a 30-min restraint stress following CIE exposure. Furthermore, NE + prazosin restored STP formation in stressed CIE males. CONCLUSIONS NE exerts excitatory and inhibitory effects on CRF PVN PNCs, and both effects are influenced by sex and CIE. Behavioral and hormonal responses to stress are influenced by STP formation within the PVN, which is lost following CIE and restored with the preapplication of prazosin. The selective blockade of α1AR may, therefore, ameliorate CIE-induced deficits in HPA responses to stress in a sex-specific manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J. Munier
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Section of Biosystems and Function, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vincent N. Marty
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Section of Biosystems and Function, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Igor Spigelman
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Section of Biosystems and Function, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Alcantara IC, Tapia APM, Aponte Y, Krashes MJ. Acts of appetite: neural circuits governing the appetitive, consummatory, and terminating phases of feeding. Nat Metab 2022; 4:836-847. [PMID: 35879462 PMCID: PMC10852214 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00611-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The overconsumption of highly caloric and palatable foods has caused a surge in obesity rates in the past half century, thereby posing a healthcare challenge due to the array of comorbidities linked to heightened body fat accrual. Developing treatments to manage body weight requires a grasp of the neurobiological basis of appetite. In this Review, we discuss advances in neuroscience that have identified brain regions and neural circuits that coordinate distinct phases of eating: food procurement, food consumption, and meal termination. While pioneering work identified several hypothalamic nuclei to be involved in feeding, more recent studies have explored how neuronal populations beyond the hypothalamus, such as the mesolimbic pathway and nodes in the hindbrain, interconnect to modulate appetite. We also examine how long-term exposure to a calorically dense diet rewires feeding circuits and alters the response of motivational systems to food. Understanding how the nervous system regulates eating behaviour will bolster the development of medical strategies that will help individuals to maintain a healthy body weight.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan C Alcantara
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | - Yeka Aponte
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Michael J Krashes
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Ichiyama A, Mestern S, Benigno GB, Scott KE, Allman BL, Muller L, Inoue W. State-dependent activity dynamics of hypothalamic stress effector neurons. eLife 2022; 11:76832. [PMID: 35770968 PMCID: PMC9278954 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The stress response necessitates an immediate boost in vital physiological functions from their homeostatic operation to an elevated emergency response. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this state-dependent change remain largely unknown. Using a combination of in vivo and ex vivo electrophysiology with computational modeling, we report that corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), the effector neurons of hormonal stress response, rapidly transition between distinct activity states through recurrent inhibition. Specifically, in vivo optrode recording shows that under non-stress conditions, CRHPVN neurons often fire with rhythmic brief bursts (RB), which, somewhat counterintuitively, constrains firing rate due to long (~2 s) interburst intervals. Stressful stimuli rapidly switch RB to continuous single spiking (SS), permitting a large increase in firing rate. A spiking network model shows that recurrent inhibition can control this activity-state switch, and more broadly the gain of spiking responses to excitatory inputs. In biological CRHPVN neurons ex vivo, the injection of whole-cell currents derived from our computational model recreates the in vivo-like switch between RB and SS, providing direct evidence that physiologically relevant network inputs enable state-dependent computation in single neurons. Together, we present a novel mechanism for state-dependent activity dynamics in CRHPVN neurons.
Collapse
|
38
|
Takeishi A. Environmental-temperature and internal-state dependent thermotaxis plasticity of nematodes. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 74:102541. [PMID: 35447377 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Thermotaxis behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans is robust and highly plastic. A pair of sensory neurons, AFD, memorize environmental/cultivation temperature and communicate with a downstream neural circuit to adjust the temperature preference of the animal. This results in a behavioral bias where worms will move toward their cultivation temperature on a thermal gradient. Thermotaxis of C. elegans is also affected by the internal state and is temporarily abolished when worms are starved. Here I will discuss how C. elegans is able to modulate its behavior based on temperature by integrating environmental and internal information. Recent studies show that some parasitic nematodes have a similar thermosensory mechanism to C. elegans and exhibit cultivation-temperature-dependent thermotaxis. I will also discuss the common neural mechanisms that regulate thermosensation and thermotaxis in C. elegans and Strongyloides stercoralis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asuka Takeishi
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, RIKEN Hakubi Research Team, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Shan QH, Qin XY, Zhou N, Huang C, Wang Y, Chen P, Zhou JN. A method for ultrafast tissue clearing that preserves fluorescence for multimodal and longitudinal brain imaging. BMC Biol 2022; 20:77. [PMID: 35351101 PMCID: PMC8966190 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01275-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tissue-clearing techniques have recently been developed to make tissues transparent for three-dimensional (3D) imaging at different scales, including single-cell resolution. However, current tissue-clearing workflows have several disadvantages, including complex protocols, time-consuming application, and fluorescence quenching. Additionally, they can be used mainly for clearing larger-volume samples, preventing wide and easy applicability in conventional experimental approaches. In this study, we aimed to develop a versatile, fast, and convenient method for clearing thin and semi-thick samples, which can be used for three-dimensional imaging of experimental or even clinical samples. Results We developed an alkaline solution (AKS) containing a combination of 2,2′-thiodiethanol (TDE), DMSO, D-sorbitol, and Tris for tissue clearing, as the alkaline environment is suitable for maintaining the fluorescence of most commonly used fluorescence protein GFP and its variants, and tested its clearing effect on samples from mice and human brains. We assessed the clearing speed, the preservation of fluorescence protein and dyes, and the imaging depth and quality. The results showed that AKS treatment rapidly cleared 300-μm-thick brain slices and 1-mm-thick slices from different organs within 5 min and 1 h, respectively. Moreover, AKS was compatible with a variety of fluorescence proteins and dyes. Most importantly, AKS enhanced the fluorescence of YFP, in contrast to the majority of existing tissue-clearing methods which reduce the fluorescence intensity of fluorescent proteins. Using AKS, we performed long-time high-resolution imaging of weak fluorescent protein-labelled tissues, long-distance fibre tracking, larger-scale 3D imaging and cell counting of the entire brain area, neural circuit tracing, 3D neuromorphic reconstruction, and 3D histopathology imaging. Conclusions AKS can be used for simple and rapid clearing of samples from mice and human brains and is widely compatible with a variety of fluorescent dyes. Therefore, AKS has great potential to be used as a broad tissue-clearing reagent for biological optical imaging, especially for time-sensitive experiments. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01275-6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Hong Shan
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Xin-Ya Qin
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Nan Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Middle Urumqi Road 12, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Chuan Huang
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Jiang-Ning Zhou
- Chinese Academy of Science Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China. .,Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Park S, Ryoo J, Kim D. Neural and Genetic Basis of Evasion, Approach and Predation. Mol Cells 2022; 45:93-97. [PMID: 35236784 PMCID: PMC8906999 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2022.2032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Evasion, approach and predation are examples of innate behaviour that are fundamental for the survival of animals. Uniting these behaviours is the assessment of threat, which is required to select between these options. Far from being comprehensive, we give a broad review over recent studies utilising optic techniques that have identified neural circuits and genetic identities underlying these behaviours.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seahyung Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Jia Ryoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Daesoo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
A distinct D1-MSN subpopulation down-regulates dopamine to promote negative emotional state. Cell Res 2022; 32:139-156. [PMID: 34848869 PMCID: PMC8807621 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-021-00588-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) level in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is critical for reward and aversion encoding. DA released from the ventral mesencephalon (VM) DAergic neurons increases the excitability of VM-projecting D1-dopamine receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) in the NAc to enhance DA release and augment rewards. However, how such a DA positive feedback loop is regulated to maintain DA homeostasis and reward-aversion balance remains elusive. Here we report that the ventral pallidum (VP) projection of NAc D1-MSNs (D1NAc-VP) is inhibited by rewarding stimuli and activated by aversive stimuli. In contrast to the VM projection of D1-MSN (D1NAc-VM), activation of D1NAc-VP projection induces aversion, but not reward. D1NAc-VP MSNs are distinct from the D1NAc-VM MSNs, which exhibit conventional functions of D1-MSNs. Activation of D1NAc-VP projection stimulates VM GABAergic transmission, inhibits VM DAergic neurons, and reduces DA release into the NAc. Thus, D1NAc-VP and D1NAc-VM MSNs cooperatively control NAc dopamine balance and reward-aversion states.
Collapse
|
42
|
Simmons S, Langlois LD, Oyola MG, Gouty S, Wu TJ, Nugent FS. Blast-Induced Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Alterations of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Neuronal Activity in the Mouse Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2022; 13:804898. [PMID: 35153711 PMCID: PMC8828487 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.804898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury (mbTBI) is the most common cause of TBI in US service members and veterans. Those exposed to TBI are at greater risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depressive disorders, and substance use disorders following TBI. Previously, we have demonstrated that mbTBI increases anxiety-like behaviors in mice and dysregulates stress at the level of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). To expand on how mTBI may dysregulate the stress axis centrally, here PVN CRF neuronal activity was evaluated using whole cell-patch clamp recordings in hypothalamic slices from sham and mbTBI adult male CRF:tdTomato mice 7 days post-injury. We found that mbTBI generally did not affect the neuronal excitability and intrinsic membrane properties of PVN CRF neurons; this injury selectively increased the frequency of spontaneous neuronal firing of PVN CRF neurons localized to the dorsal PVN (dPVN) but not ventral PVN (vPVN). Consistently, mbTBI-induced dPVN CRF hyperactivity was associated with pre- and post-synaptic depression of spontaneous GABAergic transmission onto dPVN CRF neurons suggesting that mbTBI-induced GABAergic synaptic dysfunction may underlie dPVN CRF neuronal hyperactivity and increases in dPVN CRF signaling. The present results provide the first evidence for mbTBI-induced alterations in PVN CRF neuronal activity and GABAergic synaptic function that could mediate hypothalamic CRF dysregulation following mbTBI contributing to stress psychopathology associated with blast injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Simmons
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Ludovic D. Langlois
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mario G. Oyola
- Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Shawn Gouty
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - T. John Wu
- Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Fereshteh S. Nugent T. John Wu
| | - Fereshteh S. Nugent
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Fereshteh S. Nugent T. John Wu
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Tseng YT, Zhao B, Chen S, Ye J, Liu J, Liang L, Ding H, Schaefke B, Yang Q, Wang L, Wang F, Wang L. The subthalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons mediate adaptive REM-sleep responses to threat. Neuron 2022; 110:1223-1239.e8. [PMID: 35065715 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
When an animal faces a threatening situation while asleep, rapid arousal is the essential prerequisite for an adequate response. Here, we find that predator stimuli induce immediate arousal from REM sleep compared with NREM sleep. Using in vivo neural activity recording and cell-type-specific manipulations, we identify neurons in the medial subthalamic nucleus (mSTN) expressing corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) that mediate arousal and defensive responses to acute predator threats received through multiple sensory modalities across REM sleep and wakefulness. We observe involvement of the same neurons in the normal regulation of REM sleep and the adaptive increase in REM sleep induced by sustained predator stress. Projections to the lateral globus pallidus (LGP) are the effector pathway for the threat-coping responses and REM-sleep expression. Together, our findings suggest adaptive REM-sleep responses could be protective against threats and uncover a critical component of the neural circuitry at their basis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Tseng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Binghao Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shanping Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jialin Ye
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lisha Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hui Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bernhard Schaefke
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qin Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lina Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Feng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Liping Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Neural signalling of gut mechanosensation in ingestive and digestive processes. Nat Rev Neurosci 2022; 23:135-156. [PMID: 34983992 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-021-00544-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Eating and drinking generate sequential mechanosensory signals along the digestive tract. These signals are communicated to the brain for the timely initiation and regulation of diverse ingestive and digestive processes - ranging from appetite control and tactile perception to gut motility, digestive fluid secretion and defecation - that are vital for the proper intake, breakdown and absorption of nutrients and water. Gut mechanosensation has been investigated for over a century as a common pillar of energy, fluid and gastrointestinal homeostasis, and recent discoveries of specific mechanoreceptors, contributing ion channels and the well-defined circuits underlying gut mechanosensation signalling and function have further expanded our understanding of ingestive and digestive processes at the molecular and cellular levels. In this Review, we discuss our current understanding of the generation of mechanosensory signals from the digestive periphery, the neural afferent pathways that relay these signals to the brain and the neural circuit mechanisms that control ingestive and digestive processes, focusing on the four major digestive tract parts: the oral and pharyngeal cavities, oesophagus, stomach and intestines. We also discuss the clinical implications of gut mechanosensation in ingestive and digestive disorders.
Collapse
|
45
|
Kaouane N, Ada S, Hausleitner M, Haubensak W. Dorsal Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis-Subcortical Output Circuits Encode Positive Bias in Pavlovian Fear and Reward. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 15:772512. [PMID: 34970123 PMCID: PMC8713515 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.772512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Opposite emotions like fear and reward states often utilize the same brain regions. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) comprises one hub for processing fear and reward processes. However, it remains unknown how dorsal BNST (dBNST) circuits process these antagonistic behaviors. Here, we exploited a combined Pavlovian fear and reward conditioning task that exposed mice to conditioned tone stimuli (CS)s, either paired with sucrose delivery or footshock unconditioned stimuli (US). Pharmacological inactivation identified the dorsal BNST as a crucial element for both fear and reward behavior. Deep brain calcium imaging revealed opposite roles of two distinct dBNST neuronal output pathways to the periaqueductal gray (PAG) or paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH). dBNST neural activity profiles differentially process valence and Pavlovian behavior components: dBNST-PAG neurons encode fear CS, whereas dBNST-PVH neurons encode reward responding. Optogenetic activation of BNST-PVH neurons increased reward seeking, whereas dBNST-PAG neurons attenuated freezing. Thus, dBNST-PVH or dBNST-PAG circuitry encodes oppositely valenced fear and reward states, while simultaneously triggering an overall positive affective response bias (increased reward seeking while reducing fear responses). We speculate that this mechanism amplifies reward responding and suppresses fear responses linked to BNST dysfunction in stress and addictive behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Kaouane
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Sibel Ada
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Marlene Hausleitner
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Wulf Haubensak
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.,Department of Neuronal Cell Biology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Georgescu T, Swart JM, Grattan DR, Brown RSE. The Prolactin Family of Hormones as Regulators of Maternal Mood and Behavior. Front Glob Womens Health 2021; 2:767467. [PMID: 34927138 PMCID: PMC8673487 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2021.767467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Transition into motherhood involves profound physiological and behavioral adaptations that ensure the healthy development of offspring while maintaining maternal health. Dynamic fluctuations in key hormones during pregnancy and lactation induce these maternal adaptations by acting on neural circuits in the brain. Amongst these hormonal changes, lactogenic hormones (e.g., prolactin and its pregnancy-specific homolog, placental lactogen) are important regulators of these processes, and their receptors are located in key brain regions controlling emotional behaviors and maternal responses. With pregnancy and lactation also being associated with a marked elevation in the risk of developing mood disorders, it is important to understand how hormones are normally regulating mood and behavior during this time. It seems likely that pathological changes in mood could result from aberrant expression of these hormone-induced behavioral responses. Maternal mental health problems during pregnancy and the postpartum period represent a major barrier in developing healthy mother-infant interactions which are crucial for the child's development. In this review, we will examine the role lactogenic hormones play in driving a range of specific maternal behaviors, including motivation, protectiveness, and mother-pup interactions. Understanding how these hormones collectively act in a mother's brain to promote nurturing behaviors toward offspring will ultimately assist in treatment development and contribute to safeguarding a successful pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teodora Georgescu
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Judith M. Swart
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - David R. Grattan
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rosemary S. E. Brown
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Imoto D, Yamamoto I, Matsunaga H, Yonekura T, Lee ML, Kato KX, Yamasaki T, Xu S, Ishimoto T, Yamagata S, Otsuguro KI, Horiuchi M, Iijima N, Kimura K, Toda C. Refeeding activates neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus to inhibit food intake and promote positive valence. Mol Metab 2021; 54:101366. [PMID: 34728342 PMCID: PMC8609163 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The regulation of food intake is a major research area in the study of obesity, which plays a key role in the development of metabolic syndrome. Gene targeting studies have clarified the roles of hypothalamic neurons in feeding behavior, but the deletion of a gene has a long-term effect on neurophysiology. Our understanding of short-term changes such as appetite under physiological conditions is therefore still limited. Methods Targeted recombination in active populations (TRAP) is a newly developed method for labeling active neurons by using tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombination controlled by the promoter of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc/Arg3.1), a member of immediate early genes. Transgenic mice for TRAP were fasted overnight, re-fed with normal diet, and injected with 4-hydroxytamoxifen 1 h after the refeeding to label the active neurons. The role of labeled neurons was examined by expressing excitatory or inhibitory designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs). The labeled neurons were extracted and RNA sequencing was performed to identify genes that are specifically expressed in these neurons. Results Fasting-refeeding activated and labeled neurons in the compact part of the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) that project to the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus. Chemogenetic activation of the labeled DMH neurons decreased food intake and developed place preference, an indicator of positive valence. Chemogenetic activation or inhibition of these neurons had no influence on the whole-body glucose metabolism. The labeled DMH neurons expressed prodynorphin (pdyn), gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), cholecystokinin (CCK), and thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor (Trhr) genes. Conclusions We identified a novel cell type of DMH neurons that can inhibit food intake and promote feeding-induced positive valence. Our study provides insight into the role of DMH and its molecular mechanism in the regulation of appetite and emotion. Fasting-refeeding activates a subset of neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH). Chemogenetic inhibition of the DMH neurons increases food intake. Chemogenetic activation of the DMH neurons inhibits food intake and promotes positive valence. The DMH neurons express pdyn, GRP, CCK and Trhr genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daigo Imoto
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Izumi Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Matsunaga
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Toya Yonekura
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ming-Liang Lee
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Kan X Kato
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yamasaki
- Laboratory of Animal Experiment, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0815, Japan
| | - Shucheng Xu
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Taiga Ishimoto
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yamagata
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Otsuguro
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Motohiro Horiuchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Norifumi Iijima
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan; Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kimura
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Chitoku Toda
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Fawley JA, Hegarty DM, Aicher SA, Beaumont E, Andresen MC. Dedicated C-fiber vagal sensory afferent pathways to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Brain Res 2021; 1769:147625. [PMID: 34416255 PMCID: PMC8438991 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) receives viscerosensory information from the vagus nerve to regulate diverse homeostatic reflex functions. The NTS projects to a wide network of other brain regions, including the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). Here we examined the synaptic characteristics of primary afferent pathways to PVN-projecting NTS neurons in rat brainstem slices.Expression of the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid receptor (TRPV1+ ) distinguishes C-fiber afferents within the solitary tract (ST) from A-fibers (TRPV1-). We used resiniferatoxin (RTX), a TRPV1 agonist, to differentiate the two. The variability in the latency (jitter) of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (ST-EPSCs) distinguished monosynaptic from polysynaptic ST-EPSCs. Rhodamine injected into PVN was retrogradely transported to identify PVN-projecting NTS neurons within brainstem slices. Graded shocks to the ST elicited all-or-none EPSCs in rhodamine-positive NTS neurons with latencies that had either low jitter (<200 µs - monosynaptic), high jitter (>200 µs - polysynaptic inputs) or both. RTX blocked ST-evoked TRPV1 + EPSCs whether mono- or polysynaptic. Most PVN-projecting NTS neurons (17/21 neurons) had at least one input polysynaptically connected to the ST. Compared to unlabeled NTS neurons, PVN-projecting NTS neurons were more likely to receive indirect inputs and be higher order. Surprisingly, sEPSC rates for PVN-projecting neurons were double that of unlabeled NTS neurons. The ST synaptic responses for PVN-projecting NTS neurons were either all TRPV1+ or all TRPV1-, including neurons that received both direct and indirect inputs. Overall, PVN-projecting NTS neurons received direct and indirect vagal afferent information with strict segregation regarding TRPV1 expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Fawley
- Department of Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States
| | - Deborah M Hegarty
- Department of Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States
| | - Sue A Aicher
- Department of Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States
| | - Eric Beaumont
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States
| | - Michael C Andresen
- Department of Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Plasticity of intrinsic excitability across the estrous cycle in hypothalamic CRH neurons. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16700. [PMID: 34404890 PMCID: PMC8371084 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96341-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress responses are highly plastic and vary across physiological states. The female estrous cycle is associated with a number of physiological changes including changes in stress responses, however, the mechanisms driving these changes are poorly understood. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons are the primary neural population controlling the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and stress-evoked corticosterone secretion. Here we show that CRH neuron intrinsic excitability is regulated over the estrous cycle with a peak in proestrus and a nadir in estrus. Fast inactivating voltage-gated potassium channel (IA) currents showed the opposite relationship, with current density being lowest in proestrus compared to other cycle stages. Blocking IA currents equalized excitability across cycle stages revealing a role for IA in mediating plasticity in stress circuit function over the female estrous cycle.
Collapse
|
50
|
Buurstede JC, van Weert LTCM, Colucci P, Gentenaar M, Viho EMG, Koorneef LL, Schoonderwoerd RA, Lanooij SD, Moustakas I, Balog J, Mei H, Kielbasa SM, Campolongo P, Roozendaal B, Meijer OC. Hippocampal glucocorticoid target genes associated with enhancement of memory consolidation. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:2666-2683. [PMID: 33840130 PMCID: PMC9292385 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids enhance memory consolidation of emotionally arousing events via largely unknown molecular mechanisms. This glucocorticoid effect on the consolidation process also requires central noradrenergic neurotransmission. The intracellular pathways of these two stress mediators converge on two transcription factors: the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and phosphorylated cAMP response element‐binding protein (pCREB). We therefore investigated, in male rats, whether glucocorticoid effects on memory are associated with genomic interactions between the GR and pCREB in the hippocampus. In a two‐by‐two design, object exploration training or no training was combined with post‐training administration of a memory‐enhancing dose of corticosterone or vehicle. Genomic effects were studied by chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP‐seq) of GR and pCREB 45 min after training and transcriptome analysis after 3 hr. Corticosterone administration induced differential GR DNA‐binding and regulation of target genes within the hippocampus, largely independent of training. Training alone did not result in long‐term memory nor did it affect GR or pCREB DNA‐binding and gene expression. No strong evidence was found for an interaction between GR and pCREB. Combination of the GR DNA‐binding and transcriptome data identified a set of novel, likely direct, GR target genes that are candidate mediators of corticosterone effects on memory consolidation. Cell‐specific expression of the identified target genes using single‐cell expression data suggests that the effects of corticosterone reflect in part non‐neuronal cells. Together, our data identified new GR targets associated with memory consolidation that reflect effects in both neuronal and non‐neuronal cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacobus C Buurstede
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa T C M van Weert
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paola Colucci
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Max Gentenaar
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eva M G Viho
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa L Koorneef
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robin A Schoonderwoerd
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne D Lanooij
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ioannis Moustakas
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Judit Balog
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hailiang Mei
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Szymon M Kielbasa
- Department of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics Center of Expertise, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Benno Roozendaal
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|