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Radlicka-Borysewska A, Jabłońska J, Lenarczyk M, Szumiec Ł, Harda Z, Bagińska M, Barut J, Pera J, Kreiner G, Wójcik DK, Rodriguez Parkitna J. Non-motor symptoms associated with progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1375265. [PMID: 38745938 PMCID: PMC11091341 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1375265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by three main motor symptoms: bradykinesia, rigidity and tremor. PD is also associated with diverse non-motor symptoms that may develop in parallel or precede motor dysfunctions, ranging from autonomic system dysfunctions and impaired sensory perception to cognitive deficits and depression. Here, we examine the role of the progressive loss of dopaminergic transmission in behaviors related to the non-motor symptoms of PD in a mouse model of the disease (the TIF-IADATCreERT2 strain). We found that in the period from 5 to 12 weeks after the induction of a gradual loss of dopaminergic neurons, mild motor symptoms became detectable, including changes in the distance between paws while standing as well as the swing speed and step sequence. Male mutant mice showed no apparent changes in olfactory acuity, no anhedonia-like behaviors, and normal learning in an instrumental task; however, a pronounced increase in the number of operant responses performed was noted. Similarly, female mice with progressive dopaminergic neuron degeneration showed normal learning in the probabilistic reversal learning task and no loss of sweet-taste preference, but again, a robustly higher number of choices were performed in the task. In both males and females, the higher number of instrumental responses did not affect the accuracy or the fraction of rewarded responses. Taken together, these data reveal discrete, dopamine-dependent non-motor symptoms that emerge in the early stages of dopaminergic neuron degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Radlicka-Borysewska
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Judyta Jabłońska
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Michał Lenarczyk
- Faculty of Management and Social Communication, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Łukasz Szumiec
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Zofia Harda
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Monika Bagińska
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Justyna Barut
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna Pera
- Department of Neurology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Kreiner
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Daniel K. Wójcik
- Faculty of Management and Social Communication, Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Laboratory of Neuroinformatics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Rodriguez Parkitna
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
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Lipp HP, Krackow S, Turkes E, Benner S, Endo T, Russig H. IntelliCage: the development and perspectives of a mouse- and user-friendly automated behavioral test system. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 17:1270538. [PMID: 38235003 PMCID: PMC10793385 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1270538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
IntelliCage for mice is a rodent home-cage equipped with four corner structures harboring symmetrical double panels for operant conditioning at each of the two sides, either by reward (access to water) or by aversion (non-painful stimuli: air-puffs, LED lights). Corner visits, nose-pokes and actual licks at bottle-nipples are recorded individually using subcutaneously implanted transponders for RFID identification of up to 16 adult mice housed in the same home-cage. This allows for recording individual in-cage activity of mice and applying reward/punishment operant conditioning schemes in corners using workflows designed on a versatile graphic user interface. IntelliCage development had four roots: (i) dissatisfaction with standard approaches for analyzing mouse behavior, including standardization and reproducibility issues, (ii) response to handling and housing animal welfare issues, (iii) the increasing number of mouse models had produced a high work burden on classic manual behavioral phenotyping of single mice. and (iv), studies of transponder-chipped mice in outdoor settings revealed clear genetic behavioral differences in mouse models corresponding to those observed by classic testing in the laboratory. The latter observations were important for the development of home-cage testing in social groups, because they contradicted the traditional belief that animals must be tested under social isolation to prevent disturbance by other group members. The use of IntelliCages reduced indeed the amount of classic testing remarkably, while its flexibility was proved in a wide range of applications worldwide including transcontinental parallel testing. Essentially, two lines of testing emerged: sophisticated analysis of spontaneous behavior in the IntelliCage for screening of new genetic models, and hypothesis testing in many fields of behavioral neuroscience. Upcoming developments of the IntelliCage aim at improved stimulus presentation in the learning corners and videotracking of social interactions within the IntelliCage. Its main advantages are (i) that mice live in social context and are not stressfully handled for experiments, (ii) that studies are not restricted in time and can run in absence of humans, (iii) that it increases reproducibility of behavioral phenotyping worldwide, and (iv) that the industrial standardization of the cage permits retrospective data analysis with new statistical tools even after many years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Peter Lipp
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sven Krackow
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Emir Turkes
- Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Seico Benner
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki, Japan
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Hernandez G, Kouwenhoven WM, Poirier E, Lebied K, Lévesque D, Rompré PP. Dorsal raphe stimulation relays a reward signal to the ventral tegmental area via GluN2C NMDA receptors. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293564. [PMID: 37930965 PMCID: PMC10627466 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutamate relays a reward signal from the dorsal raphe (DR) to the ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, the role of the different subtypes of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors is complex and not clearly understood. Therefore, we measured NMDA receptors subunits expression in limbic brain areas. In addition, we studied the effects of VTA down-regulation of GluN2C NMDA receptor on the reward signal that arises from DR electrical stimulation. METHODS Using qPCR, we identified the relative composition of the different Grin2a-d subunits of the NMDA receptors in several brain areas. Then, we used fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to evaluate the colocalization of Grin2c and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA in VTA neurons. To assess the role of GluN2C in brain stimulation reward, we downregulated this receptor using small interfering RNA (siRNA) in rats self-stimulating for electrical pulses delivered to the DR. To delineate further the specific role of GluN2C in relaying the reward signal, we pharmacologically altered the function of VTA NMDA receptors by bilaterally microinjecting the NMDA receptor antagonist PPPA. RESULTS We identified GluN2C as the most abundant subunit of the NMDA receptor expressed in the VTA. FISH revealed that about 50% of TH-positive neurons colocalize with Grin2c transcript. siRNA manipulation produced a selective down-regulation of the GluN2C protein subunit and a significant reduction in brain stimulation reward. Interestingly, PPPA enhanced brain stimulation reward, but only in rats that received the nonactive RNA sequence. CONCLUSION The present results suggest that VTA glutamate neurotransmission relays a reward signal initiated by DR stimulation by acting on GluN2C NMDA receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Hernandez
- Département de Neurosciences (Faculté de Médecine), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Willemieke M. Kouwenhoven
- Département de Pharmacologie et Physiologie (Faculté de Médecine), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Emmanuelle Poirier
- Département de Neurosciences (Faculté de Médecine), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Karim Lebied
- Département de Neurosciences (Faculté de Médecine), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Daniel Lévesque
- Département de Pharmacie (Faculté de Pharmacie), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Pierre-Paul Rompré
- Département de Neurosciences (Faculté de Médecine), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Bouarab C, Wynalda M, Thompson BV, Khurana A, Cody CR, Kisner A, Polter AM. Sex-specific adaptations to VTA circuits following subchronic stress. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.02.551665. [PMID: 37577542 PMCID: PMC10418168 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.02.551665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the mesolimbic reward circuitry is implicated in the pathophysiology of stress-related illnesses such as depression and anxiety. These disorders are more frequently diagnosed in females, and sex differences in the response to stress are likely to be one factor that leads to enhanced vulnerability of females. In this study, we use subchronic variable stress (SCVS), a model in which females are uniquely vulnerable to behavioral disturbances, to investigate sexually divergent mechanisms of regulation of the ventral tegmental area by stress. Using slice electrophysiology, we find that female, but not male mice have a reduction in the ex vivo firing rate of VTA dopaminergic neurons following SCVS. Surprisingly, both male and female animals show an increase in inhibitory tone onto VTA dopaminergic neurons and an increase in the firing rate of VTA GABAergic neurons. In males, however, this is accompanied by a robust increase in excitatory synaptic tone onto VTA dopamine neurons. This supports a model by which SCVS recruits VTA GABA neurons to inhibit dopaminergic neurons in both male and female mice, but males are protected from diminished functioning of the dopaminergic system by a compensatory upregulation of excitatory synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Bouarab
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
- Current address: Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris
| | - Megan Wynalda
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
| | - Brittney V. Thompson
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
- Current address: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahasse, FL, 32306
| | - Ambika Khurana
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
| | - Caitlyn R. Cody
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
- Current address: Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115
| | - Alexandre Kisner
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
- Current address: Department of Neuroscience, American University, Washington DC 20016
| | - Abigail M. Polter
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
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Minocycline treatment improves cognitive and functional plasticity in a preclinical mouse model of major depressive disorder. Behav Brain Res 2023; 441:114295. [PMID: 36641083 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114295] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic, recurring, and potentially life-threatening illness, which affects over 300 million people worldwide. MDD affects not only the emotional and social domains but also cognition. However, the currently available treatments targeting cognitive deficits in MDD are limited. Minocycline, an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties recently identified as a potential antidepressant, has been shown to attenuate learning and memory deficits in animal models of cognitive impairment. Here, we explored whether minocycline recovers the deficits in cognition in a mouse model of depression. C57BL6/J adult male mice were exposed to two weeks of chronic unpredictable mild stress to induce a depressive-like phenotype. Immediately afterward, mice received either vehicle or minocycline for three weeks in standard housing conditions. We measured anhedonia as a depressive-like response, and place learning to assess cognitive abilities. We also recorded long-term potentiation (LTP) as an index of hippocampal functional plasticity and ran immunohistochemical assays to assess microglial proportion and morphology. After one week of treatment, cognitive performance in the place learning test was significantly improved by minocycline, as treated mice displayed a higher number of correct responses when learning novel spatial configurations. Accordingly, minocycline-treated mice displayed higher LTP compared to controls. However, after three weeks of treatment, no difference between treated and control animals was found for behavior, neural plasticity, and microglial properties, suggesting that minocycline has a fast but short effect on cognition, without lasting effects on microglia. These findings together support the usefulness of minocycline as a potential treatment for cognitive impairment associated with MDD.
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A Mini-Review Regarding the Modalities to Study Neurodevelopmental Disorders-Like Impairments in Zebrafish—Focussing on Neurobehavioural and Psychological Responses. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12091147. [PMID: 36138883 PMCID: PMC9496774 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12091147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are complex disorders which can be associated with many comorbidities and exhibit multifactorial-dependent phenotypes. An important characteristic is represented by the early onset of the symptoms, during childhood or young adulthood, with a great impact on the socio-cognitive functioning of the affected individuals. Thus, the aim of our review is to describe and to argue the necessity of early developmental stages zebrafish models, focusing on NDDs, especially autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and also on schizophrenia. The utility of the animal models in NDDs or schizophrenia research remains quite controversial. Relevant discussions can be opened regarding the specific characteristics of the animal models and the relationship with the etiologies, physiopathology, and development of these disorders. The zebrafish models behaviors displayed as early as during the pre-hatching embryo stage (locomotor activity prone to repetitive behavior), and post-hatching embryo stage, such as memory, perception, affective-like, and social behaviors can be relevant in ASD and schizophrenia research. The neurophysiological processes impaired in both ASD and schizophrenia are generally highly conserved across all vertebrates. However, the relatively late individual development and conscious social behavior exhibited later in the larval stage are some of the most important limitations of these model animal species.
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Pradel K, Drwięga G, Chrobok L, Błasiak T. Racing and Pacing in the Reward System: A Multi-Clock Circadian Control Over Dopaminergic Signalling. Front Physiol 2022; 13:932378. [PMID: 35812323 PMCID: PMC9259884 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.932378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Level of motivation, responsiveness to rewards and punishment, invigoration of exploratory behaviours, and motor performance are subject to daily fluctuations that emerge from circadian rhythms in neuronal activity of the midbrain’s dopaminergic system. While endogenous circadian rhythms are weak in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra pars compacta, daily changes in expression of core clock genes, ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors, dopamine-synthesising enzymes, and dopamine transporters, accompanied by changes in electrical activity, are readily observed in these nuclei. These processes cause dopamine levels released in structures innervated by midbrain dopaminergic neurons (e.g., the striatum) to oscillate in a circadian fashion. Additionally, growing evidence show that the master circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN) rhythmically influences the activity of the dopaminergic system through various intermediate targets. Thus, circadian changes in the activity of the dopaminergic system and concomitant dopamine release observed on a daily scale are likely to be generated both intrinsically and entrained by the master clock. Previous studies have shown that the information about the value and salience of stimuli perceived by the animal is encoded in the neuronal activity of brain structures innervating midbrain dopaminergic centres. Some of these structures themselves are relatively autonomous oscillators, while others exhibit a weak endogenous circadian rhythm synchronised by the SCN. Here, we place the dopaminergic system as a hub in the extensive network of extra-SCN circadian oscillators and discuss the possible consequences of its daily entrainment for animal physiology and behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Pradel
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Gniewosz Drwięga
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Lukasz Chrobok
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Lukasz Chrobok, ; Tomasz Błasiak,
| | - Tomasz Błasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- *Correspondence: Lukasz Chrobok, ; Tomasz Błasiak,
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Perdikaris P, Dermon CR. Behavioral and neurochemical profile of MK-801 adult zebrafish model: Forebrain β 2-adrenoceptors contribute to social withdrawal and anxiety-like behavior. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 115:110494. [PMID: 34896197 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Deficits in social communication and interaction are core clinical symptoms characterizing multiple neuropsychiatric conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. Interestingly, elevated anxiety levels are a common comorbid psychopathology characterizing individuals with aberrant social behavior. Despite recent progress, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms that link anxiety with social withdrawal remain poorly understood. The present study developed a zebrafish pharmacological model displaying social withdrawal behavior, following a 3-h exposure to 4 μΜ (+)-MK-801, a non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, for 7 days. Interestingly, MK-801-treated zebrafish displayed elevated anxiety levels along with higher frequency of stereotypical behaviors, rendering this zebrafish model appropriate to unravel a possible link of catecholaminergic and ASD-like phenotypes. MK-801-treated zebrafish showed increased telencephalic protein expression of metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor (mGluR5), dopamine transporter (DAT) and β2-adrenergic receptors (β2-ARs), supporting the presence of excitation/inhibition imbalance along with altered dopaminergic and noradrenergic activity. Interestingly, β2-ARs expression, was differentially regulated across the Social Decision-Making (SDM) network nodes, exhibiting increased levels in ventral telencephalic area (Vv), a key-area integrating reward and social circuits but decreased expression in dorso-medial telencephalic area (Dm) and anterior tuberal nucleus (ATN). Moreover, the co-localization of β2-ARs with elements of GABAergic and glutamatergic systems, as well as with GAP-43, a protein indicating increased brain plasticity potential, support the key-role of β2-ARs in the MK-801 zebrafish social dysfunctions. Our results highlight the importance of the catecholaminergic neurotransmission in the manifestation of ASD-like behavior, representing a site of potential interventions for amelioration of ASD-like symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Perdikaris
- Human and Animal Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Rio, 26500 Patras, Greece
| | - Catherine R Dermon
- Human and Animal Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Rio, 26500 Patras, Greece.
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Wu CT, Chaffin AT, Ryan KK. Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Facilitates the Homeostatic Control of Feeding Behavior. J Clin Med 2022; 11:580. [PMID: 35160033 PMCID: PMC8836936 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a stress hormone that is released from the liver in response to nutritional and metabolic challenges. In addition to its well-described effects on systemic metabolism, a growing body of literature now supports the notion that FGF21 also acts via the central nervous system to control feeding behavior. Here we review the current understanding of FGF21 as a hormone regulating feeding behavior in rodents, non-human primates, and humans. First, we examine the nutritional contexts that induce FGF21 secretion. Initial reports describing FGF21 as a 'starvation hormone' have now been further refined. FGF21 is now better understood as an endocrine mediator of the intracellular stress response to various nutritional manipulations, including excess sugars and alcohol, caloric deficits, a ketogenic diet, and amino acid restriction. We discuss FGF21's effects on energy intake and macronutrient choice, together with our current understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms. We argue that the behavioral effects of FGF21 function primarily to maintain systemic macronutrient homeostasis, and in particular to maintain an adequate supply of protein and amino acids for use by the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Karen K. Ryan
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (C.-T.W.); (A.T.C.)
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Varul J, Eskla KL, Piirsalu M, Innos J, Philips MA, Visnapuu T, Plaas M, Vasar E. Dopamine System, NMDA Receptor and EGF Family Expressions in Brain Structures of Bl6 and 129Sv Strains Displaying Different Behavioral Adaptation. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11060725. [PMID: 34072341 PMCID: PMC8227283 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060725] [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: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
C57BL/6NTac (Bl6) and 129S6/SvEvTac (129Sv) mice display different coping strategies in stressful conditions. Our aim was to evaluate biomarkers related to different adaptation strategies in the brain of male 129Sv and Bl6 mice. We focused on signaling pathways related to the dopamine (DA) system, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, shown as the key players in behavioral adaptation. Mice from Bl6 and 129Sv lines were divided into either home cage controls (HCC group) or exposed to repeated motility testing and treated with saline for 11 days (RMT group). Distinct stress responses were reflected in severe body weight loss in 129Sv and the increased exploratory behavior in Bl6 mice. Besides that, amphetamine caused significantly stronger motor stimulation in Bl6. Together with the results from gene expression (particularly Maob), this study supports higher baseline activity of DA system in Bl6. Interestingly, the adaptation is reflected with opposite changes of DA markers in dorsal and ventral striatum. In forebrain, stress increased the gene expressions of Egf-Erbb1 and Nrg1/Nrg2-Erbb4 pathways more clearly in 129Sv, whereas the corresponding proteins were significantly elevated in Bl6. We suggest that not only inhibited activity of the DA system, but also reduced activity of EGF family and NMDA receptor signaling underlies higher susceptibility to stress in 129Sv. Altogether, this study underlines the better suitability of 129Sv for modelling neuropsychiatric disorders than Bl6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Varul
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (K.-L.E.); (M.P.); (J.I.); (M.-A.P.); (T.V.); (M.P.); (E.V.)
- Center of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Correspondence:
| | - Kattri-Liis Eskla
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (K.-L.E.); (M.P.); (J.I.); (M.-A.P.); (T.V.); (M.P.); (E.V.)
- Center of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Maria Piirsalu
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (K.-L.E.); (M.P.); (J.I.); (M.-A.P.); (T.V.); (M.P.); (E.V.)
- Center of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jürgen Innos
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (K.-L.E.); (M.P.); (J.I.); (M.-A.P.); (T.V.); (M.P.); (E.V.)
- Center of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mari-Anne Philips
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (K.-L.E.); (M.P.); (J.I.); (M.-A.P.); (T.V.); (M.P.); (E.V.)
- Center of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tanel Visnapuu
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (K.-L.E.); (M.P.); (J.I.); (M.-A.P.); (T.V.); (M.P.); (E.V.)
- Center of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mario Plaas
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (K.-L.E.); (M.P.); (J.I.); (M.-A.P.); (T.V.); (M.P.); (E.V.)
- Center of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Laboratory Animal Center, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 14B Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Eero Vasar
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (K.-L.E.); (M.P.); (J.I.); (M.-A.P.); (T.V.); (M.P.); (E.V.)
- Center of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
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Harda Z, Spyrka J, Jastrzębska K, Szumiec Ł, Bryksa A, Klimczak M, Polaszek M, Gołda S, Zajdel J, Misiołek K, Błasiak A, Rodriguez Parkitna J. Loss of mu and delta opioid receptors on neurons expressing dopamine receptor D1 has no effect on reward sensitivity. Neuropharmacology 2020; 180:108307. [PMID: 32941853 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Opioid signaling controls the activity of the brain's reward system. It is involved in signaling the hedonic effects of rewards and has essential roles in reinforcement and motivational processes. Here, we focused on opioid signaling through mu and delta receptors on dopaminoceptive neurons and evaluated the role these receptors play in reward-driven behaviors. We generated a genetically modified mouse with selective double knockdown of mu and delta opioid receptors in neurons expressing dopamine receptor D1. Selective expression of the transgene was confirmed using immunostaining. Knockdown was validated by measuring the effects of selective opioid receptor agonists on neuronal membrane currents using whole-cell patch clamp recordings. We found that in the nucleus accumbens of control mice, the majority of dopamine receptor D1-expressing neurons were sensitive to a mu or delta opioid agonist. In mutant mice, the response to the delta receptor agonist was blocked, while the effects of the mu agonist were strongly attenuated. Behaviorally, the mice had no obvious impairments. The mutation did not affect the sensitivity to the rewarding effects of morphine injections or social contact and had no effect on preference for sweet taste. Knockdown had a moderate effect on motor activity in some of the tests performed, but this effect did not reach statistical significance. Thus, we found that knocking down mu and delta receptors on dopamine receptor D1-expressing cells does not appreciably affect some of the reward-driven behaviors previously attributed to opioid signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zofia Harda
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jadwiga Spyrka
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Kamila Jastrzębska
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Łukasz Szumiec
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Anna Bryksa
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marta Klimczak
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Maria Polaszek
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Sławomir Gołda
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna Zajdel
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Klaudia Misiołek
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Anna Błasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jan Rodriguez Parkitna
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
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12
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Meade JA, Alkhlaif Y, Contreras KM, Obeng S, Toma W, Sim-Selley LJ, Selley DE, Damaj MI. Kappa opioid receptors mediate an initial aversive component of paclitaxel-induced neuropathy. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:2777-2793. [PMID: 32529265 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05572-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cancer patients receiving the antineoplastic drug paclitaxel report higher incidences and longer duration of treatment-resistant depression than patients receiving other classes of chemotherapeutics. Rodents treated with paclitaxel exhibit a suite of changes in affect-like behaviors. Further, paclitaxel causes chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in humans and rodents. Kappa opioid receptors (KOR) have a well-established role in depression and neuropathy. The contributions of KOR signaling to paclitaxel-induced aversive-like state and CIPN in rodents remain to be explored. OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate whether dysregulation of the KOR/dynorphin system is associated with paclitaxel-mediated pain-like behavior and depression-like behavior. METHODS Cancer-free male C57BL/6J mice were treated with four injections of vehicle or paclitaxel (32 mg/kg cumulative). The effects of the selective KOR antagonist norbinaltorphimine (norBNI) on paclitaxel-induced sucrose preference deficits and mechanical hypersensitivity were measured. Prodynorphin mRNA and receptor-mediated G protein activation were measured at two time points following the last paclitaxel injection using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and agonist-stimulated [35S]guanosine-5'-O'-(γ-thio)-triphosphate ([35S]GTPγS) binding, respectively, in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), caudate-putamen, amygdala, and spinal cord. RESULTS Paclitaxel produced a norBNI-reversible sucrose preference deficit, whereas mechanical hypersensitivity was not reversed by norBNI. Paclitaxel treatment increased the levels of mRNA for prodynorphin, a precursor for endogenous KOR agonists, in the NAc. Paclitaxel also had time-dependent effects on KOR-mediated G protein activation in the NAc. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that KOR signaling mediates an initial aversive component of paclitaxel, but not necessarily paclitaxel-induced mechanical hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Meade
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA.
| | - Y Alkhlaif
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - K M Contreras
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - S Obeng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - W Toma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - L J Sim-Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - D E Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - M I Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA.,Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
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13
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Ma L, Tian MX, Sun QY, Liu NN, Dong JF, Feng K, Wu YK, Wang YX, Wang GY, Chen W, Xi JJ, Kang JH. Fetal growth restriction mice are more likely to exhibit depression-like behaviors due to stress-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons in the VTA. FASEB J 2020; 34:13257-13271. [PMID: 32860269 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000534r] [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: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a severe perinatal complication that can increase risk for mental illness. To investigate the mechanism by which FGR mice develop mental illness in adulthood, we established the FGR mouse model and the FGR mice did not display obvious depression-like behaviors, but after environmental stress exposure, FGR mice were more likely to exhibit depression-like behaviors than control mice. Moreover, FGR mice had significantly fewer dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area but no difference in serotoninergic neurons in the dorsal raphe. RNA-seq analysis showed that the downregulated genes in the midbrain of FGR mice were associated with many mental diseases and were especially involved in the regulation of NMDA-selective glutamate receptor (NMDAR) activity. Furthermore, the NMDAR antagonist memantine can relieve the stress-induced depression-like behaviors of FGR mice. In summary, our findings provide a theoretical basis for future research and treatment of FGR-related depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng-Xue Tian
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Translational Research, Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiao-Yi Sun
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Na-Na Liu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Feng Dong
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Feng
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Kang Wu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Xi Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gui-Ying Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Chen
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Jie Xi
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiu-Hong Kang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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14
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Kiryk A, Janusz A, Zglinicki B, Turkes E, Knapska E, Konopka W, Lipp HP, Kaczmarek L. IntelliCage as a tool for measuring mouse behavior - 20 years perspective. Behav Brain Res 2020; 388:112620. [PMID: 32302617 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Since the 1980s, we have witnessed the rapid development of genetically modified mouse models of human diseases. A large number of transgenic and knockout mice have been utilized in basic and applied research, including models of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. To assess the biological function of mutated genes, modern techniques are critical to detect changes in behavioral phenotypes. We review the IntelliCage, a high-throughput system that is used for behavioral screening and detailed analyses of complex behaviors in mice. The IntelliCage was introduced almost two decades ago and has been used in over 150 studies to assess both spontaneous and cognitive behaviors. We present a critical analysis of experimental data that have been generated using this device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kiryk
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Artur Janusz
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz Zglinicki
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Emir Turkes
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ewelina Knapska
- BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Witold Konopka
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hans-Peter Lipp
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Leszek Kaczmarek
- BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
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15
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Destreel G, Seutin V, Engel D. Subsaturation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor glycine site allows the regulation of bursting activity in juvenile rat nigral dopamine neurons. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 50:3454-3471. [PMID: 31206829 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopamine (DA) cells is central to generate the bursting activity, a phasic signal linked to DA-related behaviours via the change in postsynaptic DA release. NMDARs are recruited during excitatory synaptic transmission by glutamate release, but the glycine site level of occupancy of these receptors during basal action potential-dependent activity is not known for SNc DA neurons. We explored NMDAR-dependent signals during exogenous applications of co-agonists in midbrain slices from juvenile rats. We found that both glycine and D-serine strengthened the NMDAR-dependent component of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in a concentration-dependent manner. EPSCs were also increased by endogenous glycine via the blockade of the glycine transport. The glycine site of NMDARs contributing to synaptic transmission is therefore subsaturated. The behaviourally relevant burst firing was more sensitive to exogenous D-serine and endogenous glycine than to exogenous glycine. The mechanisms regulating the availability of the co-agonists exert consequently a critical influence on the excitability of DA neurons via NMDARs. The modulation of the phasic firing in DA neurons by ambient NMDAR co-agonists may be important for nigral information processing and downstream motor-related behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Destreel
- GIGA-Neurosciences, Neurophysiology Group, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Vincent Seutin
- GIGA-Neurosciences, Neurophysiology Group, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Dominique Engel
- GIGA-Neurosciences, Neurophysiology Group, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
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16
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Cieślak PE, Rodriguez Parkitna J. Ablation of NMDA receptors in dopamine neurons disrupts attribution of incentive salience to reward-paired stimuli. Behav Brain Res 2019; 363:77-82. [PMID: 30711444 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons play a crucial role in the formation of conditioned associations between environmental cues and appetitive events. Activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors is a key mechanism responsible for the generation of conditioned responses of DA neurons to reward cues. Here, we tested the effects of the cell type-specific inactivation of NMDA receptors in DA neurons in adult mice on stimulus-reward learning. Animals were trained in a Pavlovian learning paradigm in which they had to learn the predictive value of two conditioned stimuli, one of which (CS+) was paired with the delivery of a water reward. Over the course of conditioning, mutant mice learned that the CS+ predicted reward availability, and they approached the reward receptacle more frequently during CS+ trials than CS- trials. However, conditioned responses to the CS+ were weaker in the mutant mice, possibly indicating that they did not attribute incentive salience to the CS+. To further assess whether the attribution of incentive salience was impaired by the mutation, animals were tested in a conditioned reinforcement test. The test revealed that mutant mice made fewer instrumental responses paired with CS+ presentation, confirming that the CS+ had a weaker incentive value. Taken together, these results indicate that reward prediction learning does occur in the absence of NMDA receptors in DA neurons, but the ability of reward-paired cues to invigorate and reinforce behavior is attenuated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Eligiusz Cieślak
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jan Rodriguez Parkitna
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Krakow, Poland.
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17
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Cieślak PE, Ahn WY, Bogacz R, Rodriguez Parkitna J. Selective Effects of the Loss of NMDA or mGluR5 Receptors in the Reward System on Adaptive Decision-Making. eNeuro 2018; 5:ENEURO.0331-18.2018. [PMID: 30302389 PMCID: PMC6175304 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0331-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Selecting the most advantageous actions in a changing environment is a central feature of adaptive behavior. The midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons along with the major targets of their projections, including dopaminoceptive neurons in the frontal cortex and basal ganglia, play a key role in this process. Here, we investigate the consequences of a selective genetic disruption of NMDA receptor and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) in the DA system on adaptive choice behavior in mice. We tested the effects of the mutation on performance in the probabilistic reinforcement learning and probability-discounting tasks. In case of the probabilistic choice, both the loss of NMDA receptors in dopaminergic neurons or the loss mGluR5 receptors in D1 receptor-expressing dopaminoceptive neurons reduced the probability of selecting the more rewarded alternative and lowered the likelihood of returning to the previously rewarded alternative (win-stay). When observed behavior was fitted to reinforcement learning models, we found that these two mutations were associated with a reduced effect of the expected outcome on choice (i.e., more random choices). None of the mutations affected probability discounting, which indicates that all animals had a normal ability to assess probability. However, in both behavioral tasks animals with targeted loss of NMDA receptors in dopaminergic neurons or mGluR5 receptors in D1 neurons were significantly slower to perform choices. In conclusion, these results show that glutamate receptor-dependent signaling in the DA system is essential for the speed and accuracy of choices, but at the same time probably is not critical for correct estimation of probable outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Eligiusz Cieślak
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Woo-Young Ahn
- Department of Psychology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Rafał Bogacz
- MRC Brain Networks Dynamics Unit, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Rodriguez Parkitna
- Department of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
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18
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Several behavioral traits relevant for alcoholism are controlled by ɣ2 subunit containing GABA A receptors on dopamine neurons in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:1548-1556. [PMID: 29463910 PMCID: PMC5957272 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0022-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The risk factors for developing alcohol addiction include impulsivity, high sensitivity to the rewarding action of ethanol, and low sensitivity to its sedative and intoxicating effects. Genetic variation in GABAA receptor subunits, including the ɣ2 subunit (Gabrg2), affects the risk for developing alcoholism. Alcohol directly potentiates GABAA receptors and activates the mesolimbic dopamine system. Here, we deleted Gabrg2 selectively in dopamine cells of adult mice. The deletion resulted in elevated firing of dopamine neurons and made them less sensitive to drugs acting at GABAA receptors. At the behavioral level, the deletion increased exploratory behavior and augmented both correct and incorrect responding in the go/no-go task, a test often used to assay the response inhibition component of impulsivity. In addition, conditioned place preference to alcohol, but not to cocaine or morphine, was increased. Ethanol-induced locomotor activation was enhanced in the mice lacking Gabrg2 on dopaminergic cells, whereas the sedative effect of alcohol was reduced. Finally, the alcohol drinking, but not the alcohol preference, at a high concentration was increased in the mutant mice. In summary, deletion of Gabrg2 on dopamine cells induced several behavioral traits associated with high risk of developing alcoholism. The findings suggest that mice lacking Gabrg2 on dopaminergic cells could be used as models for individuals at high risk for developing alcoholism and that GABAA receptors on dopamine cells are protective against the development of excessive alcohol drinking.
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19
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Alkhlaif Y, Bagdas D, Jackson A, Park AJ, Damaj IM. Assessment of nicotine withdrawal-induced changes in sucrose preference in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2017; 161:47-52. [PMID: 28919072 PMCID: PMC6408212 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Anhedonia, induced by nicotine withdrawal, may serve as an important affective sign that reinforces tobacco use and smoking relapse rates in humans. Animal models provide a way to investigate the underlying neurobiological factors involved in the decrease in responding for positive affective stimuli during nicotine withdrawal and may aid in drug development for nicotine dependence. Thus, we explored the use of the sucrose preference test to measure nicotine withdrawal-induced reduction in response for positive affective stimuli in mice. C57BL/6J and knockout (KO) mice were chronically exposed to different doses of nicotine through surgically implanted subcutaneous osmotic minipumps for 14days and underwent spontaneous nicotine withdrawal on day 15. A sucrose preference time course was performed and the results were compared to another well-established affective sign of nicotine withdrawal, the reduction in time spent in light side, using the Light Dark Box test. Subsequently, our results demonstrated a time-dependent and dose-related reduction in sucrose preference in nicotine withdrawn male C57BL/6J mice, indicative of a decrease in responding for positive affective stimuli. Furthermore, the sucrose preference reduction during nicotine withdrawal was consistent with decrease in time spent in the light side of the Light Dark Box test. We also found the reduction for positive affective stimuli and time spent in the light side was not present in nicotine withdrawn β2 and α6 KO mice, suggesting that these nicotinic subunits are involved in the affective signs of nicotine withdrawal. Thus, this report highlights the potential utility of the sucrose preference test as a useful measure of the decrease in responding for positive affective stimuli during spontaneous nicotine withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Alkhlaif
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA.
| | - Deniz Bagdas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Asti Jackson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Abigail J Park
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Imad M Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
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