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Real CC, Binda KH, Thomsen MB, Lillethorup TP, Brooks DJ, Landau AM. Selecting the Best Animal Model of Parkinson's Disease for Your Research Purpose: Insight from in vivo PET Imaging Studies. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1241-1272. [PMID: 36797611 PMCID: PMC10286593 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230216101659] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative multisystem disorder leading to motor and non-motor symptoms in millions of individuals. Despite intense research, there is still no cure, and early disease biomarkers are lacking. Animal models of PD have been inspired by basic elements of its pathogenesis, such as dopamine dysfunction, alpha-synuclein accumulation, neuroinflammation and disruption of protein degradation, and these have been crucial for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of pathology, the identification of biomarkers, and evaluation of novel therapies. Imaging biomarkers are non-invasive tools to assess disease progression and response to therapies; their discovery and validation have been an active field of translational research. Here, we highlight different considerations of animal models of PD that can be applied to future research, in terms of their suitability to answer different research questions. We provide the reader with important considerations of the best choice of model to use based on the disease features of each model, including issues related to different species. In addition, positron emission tomography studies conducted in PD animal models in the last 5 years are presented. With a variety of different species, interventions and genetic information, the choice of the most appropriate model to answer research questions can be daunting, especially since no single model recapitulates all aspects of this complex disorder. Appropriate animal models in conjunction with in vivo molecular imaging tools, if selected properly, can be a powerful combination for the assessment of novel therapies and developing tools for early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Cristiano Real
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Karina Henrique Binda
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Majken Borup Thomsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thea Pinholt Lillethorup
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - David James Brooks
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Institute of Translational and Clinical Research, University of Newcastle, Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anne Marlene Landau
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Steinmüller JB, Binda KH, Lillethorup TP, Søgaard B, Orlowski D, Landau AM, Bjarkam CR, Sørensen JCH, Glud AN. Quantitative assessment of motor function in minipig models of neurological disorders using a pressure-sensitive gait mat. J Neurosci Methods 2022; 380:109678. [PMID: 35872152 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2022.109678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Bech Steinmüller
- CENSE, Department of Neurosurgery, Aarhus University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, Entrance J, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; Department of Neurosurgery, Aalborg University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Hobrovej 18-22, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Karina Henrique Binda
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET-Center, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, Entrance J, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 13, 2B, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thea Pinholt Lillethorup
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET-Center, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, Entrance J, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 13, 2B, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bjarke Søgaard
- CENSE, Department of Neurosurgery, Aarhus University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, Entrance J, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Dariusz Orlowski
- CENSE, Department of Neurosurgery, Aarhus University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, Entrance J, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Anne M Landau
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET-Center, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, Entrance J, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 13, 2B, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Carsten Reidies Bjarkam
- Department of Neurosurgery, Aalborg University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Hobrovej 18-22, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jens Christian Hedemann Sørensen
- CENSE, Department of Neurosurgery, Aarhus University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, Entrance J, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Andreas Nørgaard Glud
- CENSE, Department of Neurosurgery, Aarhus University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, Entrance J, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
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Lillethorup TP, Noer O, Alstrup AKO, Real CC, Stokholm K, Thomsen MB, Zaer H, Orlowski D, Mikkelsen TW, Glud AN, Nielsen EHT, Schacht AC, Winterdahl M, Brooks DJ, Sørensen JCH, Landau AM. Spontaneous Partial Recovery of Striatal Dopaminergic Uptake Despite Nigral Cell Loss in Asymptomatic MPTP-Lesioned Female Minipigs. Neurotoxicology 2022; 91:166-176. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Van Camp N, Lavisse S, Roost P, Gubinelli F, Hillmer A, Boutin H. TSPO imaging in animal models of brain diseases. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2021; 49:77-109. [PMID: 34245328 PMCID: PMC8712305 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-021-05379-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Over the last 30 years, the 18-kDa TSPO protein has been considered as the PET imaging biomarker of reference to measure increased neuroinflammation. Generally assumed to image activated microglia, TSPO has also been detected in endothelial cells and activated astrocytes. Here, we provide an exhaustive overview of the recent literature on the TSPO-PET imaging (i) in the search and development of new TSPO tracers and (ii) in the understanding of acute and chronic neuroinflammation in animal models of neurological disorders. Generally, studies testing new TSPO radiotracers against the prototypic [11C]-R-PK11195 or more recent competitors use models of acute focal neuroinflammation (e.g. stroke or lipopolysaccharide injection). These studies have led to the development of over 60 new tracers during the last 15 years. These studies highlighted that interpretation of TSPO-PET is easier in acute models of focal lesions, whereas in chronic models with lower or diffuse microglial activation, such as models of Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease, TSPO quantification for detection of neuroinflammation is more challenging, mirroring what is observed in clinic. Moreover, technical limitations of preclinical scanners provide a drawback when studying modest neuroinflammation in small brains (e.g. in mice). Overall, this review underlines the value of TSPO imaging to study the time course or response to treatment of neuroinflammation in acute or chronic models of diseases. As such, TSPO remains the gold standard biomarker reference for neuroinflammation, waiting for new radioligands for other, more specific targets for neuroinflammatory processes and/or immune cells to emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Van Camp
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, MIRCen, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, 92265, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Sonia Lavisse
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, MIRCen, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, 92265, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Pauline Roost
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, MIRCen, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, 92265, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Francesco Gubinelli
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, MIRCen, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, 92265, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Ansel Hillmer
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Hervé Boutin
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Brain and Mental Health, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, Manchester, UK.
- Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, University of Manchester, 27 Palatine Road, M20 3LJ, Manchester, UK.
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance & University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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Yang Y, Zhu X, Cui R, Wang R, Li H, Wang J, Chen H, Zhang D. Identification of soybean phosphorous efficiency QTLs and genes using chlorophyll fluorescence parameters through GWAS and RNA-seq. PLANTA 2021; 254:110. [PMID: 34716824 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-021-03760-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION Soybean phosphorous efficiency QTLs were identified and candidate genes were predicted using chlorophyll fluorescence parameters through GWAS and RNA-seq. Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient element for crop growth and development, lack of P uptake seriously affects yield in various crops. Photosynthesis is the basis of crop production, while it is very sensitive to P deficiency. It is of great importance to study the genetic relationship between photosynthesis and P efficiency to provide genetic insight for soybean improvement. In this study, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using 292,035 SNPs and the ratios of four main chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of 219 diverse soybean accessions under P deficiency and normal P across three experiments. In total, 52 SNPs in 12 genomic regions were detected in association with the four main chlorophyll fluorescence parameters under sufficient or deficient P levels. Combined it with RNA-seq analysis, we predicted three candidate genes for the significant genomic regions. For example, the expression level of the candidate gene (Glyma.18g092900) in P deficiency tolerant accession was three times higher than that of P deficiency sensitive one under phosphorous deficiency condition. This study provides insight into genetic links between photosynthetic and phosphorous efficiency and further functional analysis will provide valuable information for understanding the underlying genetic mechanism to facilitate marker-assisted breeding in soybean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuming Yang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiuhua Zhu
- Henan Xuke Seed Industry Co., Ltd, Xuchang, China
| | - Ruifan Cui
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruiyang Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jinshe Wang
- Zhengzhou National Subcenter for Soybean Improvement, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huatao Chen
- Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China.
| | - Dan Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
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del Rey NLG, Balzano T, Martin-Rodriguez L, Salinas-Rebolledo C, Trigo-Damas I, Rojas-Fernandez A, Alvarez-Erviti L, Blesa J. Lack of Parkinsonian Pathology and Neurodegeneration in Mice After Long-Term Injections of a Proteasome Inhibitor in Olfactory Bulb and Amygdala. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:698979. [PMID: 34744683 PMCID: PMC8570189 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.698979] [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: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteinaceous inclusions, called Lewy bodies (LBs), are used as a pathological hallmark for Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent studies suggested a prion-like spreading mechanism for α-synucleinopathy where early neuropathological deposits occur, among others, in the olfactory bulb (OB) and amygdala. LBs contain insoluble α-synuclein and many other ubiquitinated proteins, suggesting a role of protein degradation system failure in PD pathogenesis. Therefore, we wanted to study the effects of a proteasomal inhibitor, lactacystin, on the aggregability and transmissibility of α-synuclein in the OB and amygdala. We performed injections of lactacystin in the OB and amygdala of wild-type mice. Motor behavior, markers of neuroinflammation, α-synuclein, and dopaminergic integrity were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Overall, there were no differences in the number of neurons and α-synuclein expression in these regions following injection of lactacystin into either the OB or amygdala. Microglial and astroglial labeling appeared to be correlated with surgery-induced inflammation or local effects of lactacystin. Consistent with the behavior and pathological findings, there was no loss of dopaminergic cell bodies in the substantia nigra and terminals in the striatum. Our data showed that long-term lactacystin injections in extra nigrostriatal regions may not mimic spreading aspects of PD and reinforce the special vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc).
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Lopez-Gonzalez del Rey
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, Autonoma de Madrid University-Cajal Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tiziano Balzano
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucia Martin-Rodriguez
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ines Trigo-Damas
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Lydia Alvarez-Erviti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, Spain
| | - Javier Blesa
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
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Binda KH, Lillethorup TP, Real CC, Bærentzen SL, Nielsen MN, Orlowski D, Brooks DJ, Chacur M, Landau AM. Exercise protects synaptic density in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. Exp Neurol 2021; 342:113741. [PMID: 33965411 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by Lewy body and neurite pathology associated with dopamine terminal dysfunction. Clinically, it is associated with motor slowing, rigidity, and tremor. Postural instability and pain are also features. Physical exercise benefits PD patients - possibly by promoting neuroplasticity including synaptic regeneration. OBJECTIVES In a parkinsonian rat model, we test the hypotheses that exercise: (a) increases synaptic density and reduces neuroinflammation and (b) lowers the nociceptive threshold by increasing μ-opioid receptor expression. METHODS Brain autoradiography was performed on rats unilaterally injected with either 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) or saline and subjected to treadmill exercise over 5 weeks. [3H]UCB-J was used to measure synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) density. Dopamine D2/3 receptor and μ-opioid receptor availability were assessed with [3H]Raclopride and [3H]DAMGO, respectively, while neuroinflammation was detected with the 18kDA translocator protein (TSPO) marker [3H]PK11195. The nociceptive threshold was determined prior to and throughout the exercise protocol. RESULTS We confirmed a dopaminegic deficit with increased striatal [3H]Raclopride D2/3 receptor availability and reduced nigral tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the ipsilateral hemisphere of all 6-OHDA-injected rats. Sedentary rats lesioned with 6-OHDA showed significant reduction of ipsilateral striatal and substantia nigra [3H]UCB-J binding while [3H]PK11195 showed increased ipsilateral striatal neuroinflammation. Lesioned rats who exercised had higher levels of ipsilateral striatal [3H]UCB-J binding and lower levels of neuroinflammation compared to sedentary lesioned rats. Striatal 6-OHDA injections reduced thalamic μ-opioid receptor availability but subsequent exercise restored binding. Exercise also raised thalamic and hippocampal SV2A synaptic density in 6-OHDA lesioned rats, accompanied by a rise in nociceptive threshold. CONCLUSION These data suggest that treadmill exercise protects nigral and striatal synaptic integrity in a rat lesion model of PD - possibly by promoting compensatory mechanisms. Exercise was also associated with reduced neuroinflammation post lesioning and altered opioid transmission resulting in an increased nociceptive threshold.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Binda
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 13, Building 2b, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark; Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University and Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J109, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark; Laboratory of Functional Neuroanatomy of Pain, Departamento de Anatomia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - T P Lillethorup
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University and Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J109, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark.
| | - C C Real
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 13, Building 2b, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark; Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University and Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J109, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark; Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine (LIM 43), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - S L Bærentzen
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 13, Building 2b, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark; Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University and Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J109, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark.
| | - M N Nielsen
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 13, Building 2b, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark.
| | - D Orlowski
- Center for Experimental Neuroscience (CENSE), Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University and Department of Neurosurgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark.
| | - D J Brooks
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University and Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J109, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark; Institute for Translational and Clinical Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK.
| | - M Chacur
- Laboratory of Functional Neuroanatomy of Pain, Departamento de Anatomia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - A M Landau
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 13, Building 2b, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark; Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University and Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J109, Aarhus N 8200, Denmark.
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Thomsen MB, Schacht AC, Alstrup AKO, Jacobsen J, Lillethorup TP, Bærentzen SL, Noer O, Orlowski D, Elfving B, Müller HK, Brooks DJ, Landau AM. Preclinical PET Studies of [ 11C]UCB-J Binding in Minipig Brain. Mol Imaging Biol 2020; 22:1290-1300. [PMID: 32514885 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-020-01506-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Loss of neuronal synapse function is associated with a number of brain disorders. The [11C]UCB-J positron emission tomography (PET) tracer allows for in vivo examination of synaptic density, as it binds to synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) expressed in presynaptic terminals. Here, we characterise [11C]UCB-J imaging in Göttingen minipigs. PROCEDURES Using PET imaging, we examined tracer specificity and compared kinetic models. We explored the use of a standard blood curve and centrum semiovale white matter as a reference region. We compared in vivo [11C]UCB-J PET imaging to in vitro autoradiography, Western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The uptake kinetics of [11C]UCB-J could be described using a 1-tissue compartment model and blocking of SV2A availability with levetiracetam showed dose-dependent specific binding. Population-based blood curves resulted in reliable [11C]UCB-J binding estimates, while it was not possible to use centrum semiovale white matter as a non-specific reference region. Brain [11C]UCB-J PET signals correlated well with [3H]UCB-J autoradiography and SV2A protein levels. CONCLUSIONS [11C]UCB-J PET is a valid in vivo marker of synaptic density in the minipig brain, with binding values close to those reported for humans. Minipig models of disease could be valuable for investigating the efficacy of putative neuroprotective agents for preserving synaptic function in future non-invasive, longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majken Borup Thomsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Anna Christina Schacht
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Aage Kristian Olsen Alstrup
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jan Jacobsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Thea Pinholt Lillethorup
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Simone Larsen Bærentzen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.,Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ove Noer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Dariusz Orlowski
- Center for Experimental Neuroscience (CENSE), Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Betina Elfving
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Heidi Kaastrup Müller
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - David J Brooks
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.,Institute of Translational and Clinical Research, Faculty of Medical Science, Newcastle upon Tyne University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anne M Landau
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, J, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark. .,Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Winterdahl M, Noer O, Orlowski D, Schacht AC, Jakobsen S, Alstrup AKO, Gjedde A, Landau AM. Sucrose intake lowers μ-opioid and dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in porcine brain. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16918. [PMID: 31729425 PMCID: PMC6858372 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53430-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive sucrose consumption elicits addiction-like craving that may underpin the obesity epidemic. Opioids and dopamine mediate the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse, and of natural rewards from stimuli such as palatable food. We investigated the effects of sucrose using PET imaging with [11C]carfentanil (μ-opioid receptor agonist) and [11C]raclopride (dopamine D2/3 receptor antagonist) in seven female anesthetized Göttingen minipigs. We then gave minipigs access to sucrose solution for one hour on 12 consecutive days and performed imaging again 24 hours after the final sucrose access. In a smaller sample of five minipigs, we performed an additional [11C]carfentanil PET session after the first sucrose exposure. We calculated voxel-wise binding potentials (BPND) using the cerebellum as a region of non-displaceable binding, analyzed differences with statistical non-parametric mapping, and performed a regional analysis. After 12 days of sucrose access, BPND of both tracers had declined significantly in striatum, nucleus accumbens, thalamus, amygdala, cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex, consistent with down-regulation of receptor densities. After a single exposure to sucrose, we found decreased binding of [11C]carfentanil in nucleus accumbens and cingulate cortex, consistent with opioid release. The lower availability of opioid and dopamine receptors may explain the addictive potential associated with intake of sucrose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Winterdahl
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ove Noer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Dariusz Orlowski
- Department of Neurosurgery and CENSE, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anna C Schacht
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Steen Jakobsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Aage K O Alstrup
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Albert Gjedde
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Southern Denmark & Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Anne M Landau
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. .,Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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