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Elberling F, Spulber S, Bose R, Keung HY, Ahola V, Zheng Z, Ceccatelli S. Sex Differences in Long-term Outcome of Prenatal Exposure to Excess Glucocorticoids-Implications for Development of Psychiatric Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:7346-7361. [PMID: 37561236 PMCID: PMC10657788 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03522-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to prenatal insults, such as excess glucocorticoids (GC), may lead to pathological outcomes, including neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of in utero exposure to the synthetic GC analog dexamethasone (Dex) in adult female offspring. We monitored spontaneous activity in the home cage under a constant 12 h/12 h light/dark cycle, as well as the changes following a 6-h advance of dark onset (phase shift). For comparison, we re-analysed data previously recorded in males. Dex-exposed females were spontaneously more active, and the activity onset re-entrained slower than in controls. In contrast, Dex-exposed males were less active, and the activity onset re-entrained faster than in controls. Following the phase shift, control females displayed a transient reorganisation of behaviour in light and virtually no change in dark, while Dex-exposed females showed limited variations from baseline in both light and dark, suggesting weaker photic entrainment. Next, we ran bulk RNA-sequencing in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of Dex and control females. SPIA pathway analysis of ~ 2300 differentially expressed genes identified significantly downregulated dopamine signalling, and upregulated glutamate and GABA signalling. We selected a set of candidate genes matching the behaviour alterations and found consistent differential regulation for ~ 73% of tested genes in SCN and hippocampus tissue samples. Taken together, our data highlight sex differences in the outcome of prenatal exposure to excess GC in adult mice: in contrast to depression-like behaviour in males, the phenotype in females, defined by behaviour and differential gene expression, is consistent with ADHD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Elberling
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan Spulber
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Raj Bose
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hoi Yee Keung
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 15W Science and Technology W Ave, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Virpi Ahola
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 15W Science and Technology W Ave, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongli Zheng
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 15W Science and Technology W Ave, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Sandra Ceccatelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
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Dósa Z, Nieto-Gonzalez JL, Elfving B, Hougaard KS, Holm MM, Wegener G, Jensen K. Reduction in hippocampal GABAergic transmission in a low birth weight rat model of depression. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2023; 35:315-327. [PMID: 36896595 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2023.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal stress is believed to increase the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depression. Adverse genetic and environmental impacts during early development, such as glucocorticoid hyper-exposure, can lead to changes in the foetal brain, linked to mental illnesses developed in later life. Dysfunction in the GABAergic inhibitory system is associated with depressive disorders. However, the pathophysiology of GABAergic signalling is poorly understood in mood disorders. Here, we investigated GABAergic neurotransmission in the low birth weight (LBW) rat model of depression. Pregnant rats, exposed to dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, during the last week of gestation, yielded LBW offspring showing anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour in adulthood. Patch-clamp recordings from dentate gyrus granule cells in brain slices were used to examine phasic and tonic GABAA receptor-mediated currents. The transcriptional levels of selected genes associated with synaptic vesicle proteins and GABAergic neurotransmission were investigated. The frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSC) was similar in control and LBW rats. Using a paired-pulse protocol to stimulate GABAergic fibres impinging onto granule cells, we found indications of decreased probability of GABA release in LBW rats. However, tonic GABAergic currents and miniature IPSCs, reflecting quantal vesicle release, appeared normal. Additionally, we found elevated expression levels of two presynaptic proteins, Snap-25 and Scamp2, components of the vesicle release machinery. The results suggest that altered GABA release may be an essential feature in the depressive-like phenotype of LBW rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zita Dósa
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Betina Elfving
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Karin Sørig Hougaard
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mai Marie Holm
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Pharmaceutical Research Center of Excellence, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Kimmo Jensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
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Bering T, Blancas-Velazquez AS, Rath MF. Circadian Clock Genes Are Regulated by Rhythmic Corticosterone at Physiological Levels in the Rat Hippocampus. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 113:1076-1090. [PMID: 37517388 PMCID: PMC10614510 DOI: 10.1159/000533151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the hippocampus, clock gene expression is important for memory and mood; however, the signaling mechanism controlling clock gene expression in the hippocampus is unknown. Recent findings suggest that circadian glucocorticoid rhythms driven by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) control rhythmic clock gene expression in neurons; in addition, dexamethasone modulates hippocampal clock gene expression. We therefore hypothesized that oscillations of clock genes in the hippocampus could be driven by SCN-controlled circadian rhythms in glucocorticoids. METHODS Temporal profiles of hippocampal clock gene expression were established by quantitative reverse-transcription real-time PCR on rat hippocampi, while cellular distribution was established by in situ hybridization. To determine the effect of rhythmic glucocorticoids on hippocampal clock gene expression, the SCN was lesioned, adrenal glands removed and a 24 h exogenous corticosterone rhythm at physiological levels was reestablished by use of a programmable infusion pump. RESULTS Daily rhythms were detected for Per1, Per2, Bmal1, Nr1d1, and Dbp, while clock gene products were confirmed in both the hippocampus proper and the dentate gyrus. In sham controls, differential hippocampal expression of Per1 and Dbp between ZT3 and ZT15 was detectable. This rhythm was abolished by SCN lesion; however, reestablishing the natural rhythm in corticosterone restored differential rhythmic expression of both Per1 and Dbp. Further, a 6 h phase delay in the corticosterone profile caused a predictable shift in expression of Nr1d1. CONCLUSION Our data show that rhythmic corticosterone can drive hippocampal clock gene rhythms suggesting that the SCN regulates the circadian oscillator of the hippocampus by controlling the circadian rhythm in circulating glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tenna Bering
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aurea Susana Blancas-Velazquez
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Fredensborg Rath
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Palm D, Uzoni A, Kronenberg G, Thome J, Faltraco F. Human Derived Dermal Fibroblasts as in Vitro Research Tool to Study Circadian Rhythmicity in Psychiatric Disorders. PHARMACOPSYCHIATRY 2023; 56:87-100. [PMID: 37187177 DOI: 10.1055/a-1147-1552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
A number of psychiatric disorders are defined by persistent or recurrent sleep-wake disturbances alongside disruptions in circadian rhythm and altered clock gene expression. Circadian rhythms are present not only in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus but also in peripheral tissues. In this respect, cultures of human derived dermal fibroblasts may serve as a promising new tool to investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of mental illness. In this article, we discuss the advantages of fibroblast cultures to study psychiatric disease. More specifically, we provide an update on recent advances in modeling circadian rhythm disorders using human fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Palm
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Adriana Uzoni
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Golo Kronenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Johannes Thome
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Frank Faltraco
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Zou H, Zhou H, Yan R, Yao Z, Lu Q. Chronotype, circadian rhythm, and psychiatric disorders: Recent evidence and potential mechanisms. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:811771. [PMID: 36033630 PMCID: PMC9399511 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.811771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The circadian rhythm is crucial for physiological and behavioral functions. Chronotype, which represents individual preferences for activity and performance, is associated with human health issues, particularly psychiatric disorders. This narrative review, which focuses on the relationship between chronotype and mental disorders, provides an insight into the potential mechanism. Recent evidence indicates that (1) the evening chronotype is a risk factor for depressive disorders and substance use disorders, whereas the morning chronotype is a protective factor. (2) Evening chronotype individuals with bipolar disorder tend to have more severe symptoms and comorbidities. (3) The evening chronotype is only related to anxiety symptoms. (4) The relationship between chronotype and schizophrenia remains unclear, despite increasing evidence on their link. (5) The evening chronotype is significantly associated with eating disorders, with the majority of studies have focused on binge eating disorders. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms or influence factors are described in detail, including clock genes, brain characteristics, neuroendocrinology, the light/dark cycle, social factors, psychological factors, and sleep disorders. These findings provide the latest evidence on chronotypes and psychiatric disorders and serve as a valuable reference for researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haowen Zou
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongliang Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Yan
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhijian Yao
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Zhijian Yao,
| | - Qing Lu
- School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Child Development and Learning Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
- Qing Lu,
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Patterns of activity correlate with symptom severity in major depressive disorder patients. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:226. [PMID: 35654778 PMCID: PMC9163191 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01989-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective measures, such as activity monitoring, can potentially complement clinical assessment for psychiatric patients. Alterations in rest-activity patterns are commonly encountered in patients with major depressive disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate whether features of activity patterns correlate with severity of depression symptoms (evaluated by Montgomery-Åsberg Rating Scale (MADRS) for depression). We used actigraphy recordings collected during ongoing major depressive episodes from patients not undergoing any antidepressant treatment. The recordings were acquired from two independent studies using different actigraphy systems. Data was quality-controlled and pre-processed for feature extraction following uniform procedures. We trained multiple regression models to predict MADRS score from features of activity patterns using brute-force and semi-supervised machine learning algorithms. The models were filtered based on the precision and the accuracy of fitting on training dataset before undergoing external validation on an independent dataset. The features enriched in the models surviving external validation point to high depressive symptom severity being associated with less complex activity patterns and stronger coupling to external circadian entrainers. Our results bring proof-of-concept evidence that activity patterns correlate with severity of depressive symptoms and suggest that actigraphy recordings may be a useful tool for individual evaluation of patients with major depressive disorder.
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Costa G, Spulber S, Paci E, Casu MA, Ceccatelli S, Simola N, Morelli M. In utero exposure to dexamethasone causes a persistent and age-dependent exacerbation of the neurotoxic effects and glia activation induced by MDMA in dopaminergic brain regions of C57BL/6J mice. Neurotoxicology 2021; 83:1-13. [PMID: 33338551 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and preclinical evidence indicates that prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids may induce detrimental effects in the offspring, including reduction in fetal growth and alterations in the CNS. On this basis, the present study investigated whether in utero exposure to high levels of glucocorticoids is a risk factor that may lead to an exacerbation of the central noxious effects induced by psychoactive drugs consumed later in life. To this end, pregnant C57BL6/J dams were treated with dexamethasone (DEX, 0.05 mg/kg per day) from gestational day 14 until delivery. Thereafter, the male offspring were evaluated to ascertain the magnitude of dopaminergic damage, astrogliosis and microgliosis elicited in the nigrostriatal tract by the amphetamine-related drug 3,4--methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 4 × 20 mg/kg, 2 h apart, sacrificed 48 h later) administered at either adolescence or adulthood. Immunohistochemistry was performed in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and striatum, to evaluate dopaminergic degeneration by measuring tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), as well as astrogliosis and microgliosis by measuring glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA-1), respectively. Moreover, immunohistochemistry was used to ascertain the co-localization of IBA-1 with either the pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL) IL-1β or the anti-inflammatory IL IL-10, in order to determine the microglial phenotype. In utero administration of DEX induced dopaminergic damage by decreasing the density of TH-positive fibers in the striatum, although only in adult mice. MDMA administration induced dopaminergic damage and glia activation in the nigrostriatal tract of adolescent and adult mice. Mice exposed to DEX in utero and treated with MDMA later in life showed a more pronounced loss of dopaminergic neurons (adolescent mice) and astrogliosis (adolescent and adult mice) in the SNc, compared with control mice. These results suggest that prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids may induce an age-dependent and persistent increase in the susceptibility to central toxicity of amphetamine-related drugs used later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Stefan Spulber
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elena Paci
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Antonietta Casu
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, UOS of Cagliari, Scientific and Technological Park of Sardinia POLARIS, Pula, Italy
| | - Sandra Ceccatelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Micaela Morelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; National Research Council of Italy, Neuroscience Institute, Cagliari, Italy
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Abstract
Until now, depression research has taken a surprisingly narrow approach to modelling the disease, mainly focusing on some form of psychomotor retardation within a mechanistic framework of depression etiology. However, depression has many symptoms and each is associated with a vast number of substrates. Thus, to deepen our insights, this SI ("Depression Symptoms") reviewed the behavioral and neurobiological sequelae of individual symptoms, specifically, psychomotor retardation, sadness, low motivation, fatigue, sleep/circadian disruption, weight/appetite changes, and cognitive affective biases. This manuscript aims to integrate the most central information provided by the individual reviews. As a result, a dynamic model of depression development is proposed, which views depression as a cumulative process, where different symptoms develop at different stages, referred to as early, intermediate, and advanced, that require treatment with different pharmaceutical agents, that is, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors early on and dopamine-based antidepressants at the advanced stage. Furthermore, the model views hypothalamic disruption as the source of early symptoms and site of early intervention. Longitudinal animal models that are capable of modelling the different stages of depression, including transitions between the stages, may be helpful to uncover novel biomarkers and treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Schulz
- Boğaziçi University, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Life Sciences and Technologies, Kandilli Campus, 34684 Istanbul, Turkey.
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9
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Light and Circadian Signaling Pathway in Pregnancy: Programming of Adult Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062232. [PMID: 32210175 PMCID: PMC7139376 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Light is a crucial environmental signal that affects elements of human health, including the entrainment of circadian rhythms. A suboptimal environment during pregnancy can increase the risk of offspring developing a wide range of chronic diseases in later life. Circadian rhythm disruption in pregnant women may have deleterious consequences for their progeny. In the modern world, maternal chronodisruption can be caused by shift work, jet travel across time zones, mistimed eating, and excessive artificial light exposure at night. However, the impact of maternal chronodisruption on the developmental programming of various chronic diseases remains largely unknown. In this review, we outline the impact of light, the circadian clock, and circadian signaling pathways in pregnancy and fetal development. Additionally, we show how to induce maternal chronodisruption in animal models, examine emerging research demonstrating long-term negative implications for offspring health following maternal chronodisruption, and summarize current evidence related to light and circadian signaling pathway targeted therapies in pregnancy to prevent the development of chronic diseases in offspring.
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Spulber S, Conti M, Elberling F, Raciti M, Borroto-Escuela DO, Fuxe K, Ceccatelli S. Desipramine restores the alterations in circadian entrainment induced by prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:263. [PMID: 31624238 PMCID: PMC6797805 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0594-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in circadian rhythms are closely linked to depression, and we have shown earlier that progressive alterations in circadian entrainment precede the onset of depression in mice exposed in utero to excess glucocorticoids. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with the noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor desipramine (DMI) could restore the alterations in circadian entrainment and prevent the onset of depression-like behavior. C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to dexamethasone (DEX-synthetic glucocorticoid analog, 0.05 mg/kg/day) between gestational day 14 and delivery. Male offspring aged 6 months (mo) were treated with DMI (10 mg/kg/day in drinking water) for at least 21 days before behavioral testing. We recorded spontaneous activity using the TraffiCage™ system and found that DEX mice re-entrained faster than controls after an abrupt advance in light-dark cycle by 6 h, while DMI treatment significantly delayed re-entrainment. Next we assessed the synchronization of peripheral oscillators with the central clock (located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus-SCN), as well as the mechanisms required for entrainment. We found that photic entrainment of the SCN was apparently preserved in DEX mice, but the expression of clock genes in the hippocampus was not synchronized with the light-dark cycle. This was associated with downregulated mRNA expression for arginine vasopressin (AVP; the main molecular output entraining peripheral clocks) in the SCN, and for glucocorticoid receptor (GR; required for the negative feedback loop regulating glucocorticoid secretion) in the hippocampus. DMI treatment restored the mRNA expression of AVP in the SCN and enhanced GR-mediated signaling by upregulating GR expression and nuclear translocation in the hippocampus. Furthermore, DMI treatment at 6 mo prevented the onset of depression-like behavior and the associated alterations in neurogenesis in 12-mo-old DEX mice. Taken together, our data indicate that DMI treatment enhances GR-mediated signaling and restores the synchronization of peripheral clocks with the SCN and support the hypothesis that altered circadian entrainment is a modifiable risk factor for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Spulber
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Mirko Conti
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Marilena Raciti
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Kjell Fuxe
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sandra Ceccatelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Circadian regulation of depression: A role for serotonin. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 54:100746. [PMID: 31002895 PMCID: PMC9826732 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Synchronizing circadian (24 h) rhythms in physiology and behavior with the environmental light-dark cycle is critical for maintaining optimal health. Dysregulation of the circadian system increases susceptibility to numerous pathological conditions including major depressive disorder. Stress is a common etiological factor in the development of depression and the circadian system is highly interconnected to stress-sensitive neurotransmitter systems such as the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system. Thus, here we propose that stress-induced perturbation of the 5-HT system disrupts circadian processes and increases susceptibility to depression. In this review, we first provide an overview of the basic components of the circadian system. Next, we discuss evidence that circadian dysfunction is associated with changes in mood in humans and rodent models. Finally, we provide evidence that 5-HT is a critical factor linking dysregulation of the circadian system and mood. Determining how these two systems interact may provide novel therapeutic targets for depression.
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12
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Wang XL, Yuan K, Zhang W, Li SX, Gao GF, Lu L. Regulation of Circadian Genes by the MAPK Pathway: Implications for Rapid Antidepressant Action. Neurosci Bull 2019; 36:66-76. [PMID: 30859414 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-019-00358-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that the circadian rhythm plays a critical role in mood regulation, and circadian disturbances are often found in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is involved in mediating entrainment of the circadian system. Furthermore, the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of MDD and the rapid onset of action of antidepressant therapies, both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical. This review provides an overview of the involvement of the MAPK/ERK pathway in modulating the circadian system in the rapid action of antidepressant therapies. This pathway holds much promise for the development of novel, rapid-onset-of-action therapeutics for MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Ling Wang
- Savaid Medical School, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Su-Xia Li
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - George Fu Gao
- Savaid Medical School, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China. .,Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China.
| | - Lin Lu
- Savaid Medical School, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China. .,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China. .,National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory on Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Institute of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
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13
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Ma HY, Liu ZF, Xu YF, Hu XD, Sun N, Li XR, Zhang KR. The association study of CLOCK gene polymorphisms with antidepressant effect in Chinese with major depressive disorder. Per Med 2018; 16:115-122. [PMID: 30569826 DOI: 10.2217/pme-2018-0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
AIM Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder with a complicated pathogenesis and genetic predisposition. The objective of this article is to explore the relationship between the four SNPs of circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) gene (rs11932595, rs12504300, rs3805148, rs534654) and the efficacy of antidepressants. Materials & methods: This study enrolled a total of 600 patients, who met the DSM-V diagnostic criteria for MDD. All subjects were treated with single selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The HAMD17 and adverse reaction scale (TESS/UKU) were used to assess the efficacy of antidepressants and adverse effects. The PCR and DNA sequencing analysis were used to genotype loci of CLOCK gene. RESULTS The antidepressants efficacy of subjects with rs11932595 AA genotype was significantly higher than those with GG+GA genotypes (p = 0.035). But this p-value was not significant after false discovery rate (FDR) adjustment. CONCLUSION The variant of CLOCK gene may be associated with the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in Chinese Han MDD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ying Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Fen Liu
- The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University in South Jiefang Road, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi-Fan Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Dong Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030000, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Rong Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030000, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke-Rang Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030000, People's Republic of China
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14
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Raciti M, Ceccatelli S. Epigenetic mechanisms in developmental neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2018; 66:94-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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15
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Cinque C, Zinni M, Zuena AR, Giuli C, Alemà SG, Catalani A, Casolini P, Cozzolino R. Faecal corticosterone metabolite assessment in socially housed male and female Wistar rats. Endocr Connect 2018; 7:250-257. [PMID: 29301863 PMCID: PMC5798133 DOI: 10.1530/ec-17-0338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge of animals' hormonal status is important for conservation studies in wild or semi-free-ranging conditions as well as for behavioural and clinical experiments conducted in laboratory research, mostly performed on rats and mice. Faecal sampling is a useful non-invasive method to obtain steroid hormone assessments. Nevertheless, in laboratory studies, unlike other contexts, faecal sampling is less utilised. One of the issues raised is the necessity to collect samples belonging to different animals, separately. Usually, researchers using faecal sampling solve this problem through the isolation of animals or taking the cage rather than single animal as unit of study. These solutions though, could lead to unreliable measurements, and cannot be applied in many studies. Our aim was to show the biological reliability of individual faecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) assessments in socially housed male and female Wistar rats. We analytically validated the enzyme immunoassay kit used for FCM assessments. Then, we exposed the animals to two different stress stimuli that are known to activate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and the following release of corticosterone to biologically validate the EIA kit: environmental enrichment and predator odour. Individual faecal sampling from social animals was collected through short-time handling. The results demonstrated that both the stimuli increased FCM levels in male and female rats showing the reliability of EIA kit assessment and the applicability of our sampling method. We also found a diurnal rhythm in FCM levels. These results could help to increase the use of faecal hormone metabolite determinations in studies conducted on rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Cinque
- Fondazione EthoikosRadicondoli, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology V. ErspamerSapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Zinni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology V. ErspamerSapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Zuena
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology V. ErspamerSapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Sebastiano G Alemà
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology V. ErspamerSapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Assia Catalani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology V. ErspamerSapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Casolini
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology V. ErspamerSapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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16
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Depressive-like phenotype induced by prenatal dexamethasone in mice is reversed by desipramine. Neuropharmacology 2017; 126:242-249. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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17
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Bielefeld P, Schouten M, Lucassen PJ, Fitzsimons CP. Transcription factor oscillations in neural stem cells: Implications for accurate control of gene expression. NEUROGENESIS 2017; 4:e1262934. [PMID: 28321433 PMCID: PMC5345753 DOI: 10.1080/23262133.2016.1262934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring oscillations in glucocorticoids induce a cyclic activation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a well-characterized ligand-activated transcription factor. These cycles of GR activation/deactivation result in rapid GR exchange at genomic response elements and GR recycling through the chaperone machinery, ultimately generating pulses of GR-mediated transcriptional activity of target genes. In a recent article we have discussed the implications of circadian and high-frequency (ultradian) glucocorticoid oscillations for the dynamic control of gene expression in hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) (Fitzsimons et al., Front. Neuroendocrinol., 2016). Interestingly, this oscillatory transcriptional activity is common to other transcription factors, many of which regulate key biological functions in NSPCs, such as NF-kB, p53, Wnt and Notch. Here, we discuss the oscillatory behavior of these transcription factors, their role in a biologically accurate target regulation and the potential importance for a dynamic control of transcription activity and gene expression in NSPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Bielefeld
- Neuroscience Program, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Amsterdam
| | - Marijn Schouten
- Neuroscience Program, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Amsterdam
| | - Paul J Lucassen
- Neuroscience Program, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Amsterdam
| | - Carlos P Fitzsimons
- Neuroscience Program, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Amsterdam
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Raciti
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sandra Ceccatelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Glucocorticoids alter neuronal differentiation of human neuroepithelial-like cells by inducing long-lasting changes in the reactive oxygen species balance. Neuropharmacology 2016; 107:422-431. [PMID: 26992751 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to excess glucocorticoid has been shown to have adverse effects on the developing nervous system that may lead to alterations of fetal and adult neurogenesis, resulting in behavioral changes. In addition, an imbalance of the redox state, with an increased susceptibility to oxidative stress, has been observed in rodent neural stem cells exposed to the synthetic glucocorticoid analog dexamethasone (Dex). In the present study, we used the induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC)-derived lt-NES AF22 cell line, representative of the neuroepithelial stage in central nervous system development, to investigate the heritable effects of Dex on reactive oxygen species (ROS) balance and its impact on neuronal differentiation. By analysing gene expression in daughter cells that were never directly exposed to Dex, we could observe a downregulation of four key antioxidant enzymes, namely Catalase, superoxide dismutase 1, superoxide dismutase 2 and glutathione peroxidase7, along with an increased intracellular ROS concentration. The imbalance in the intracellular REDOX state was associated to a significant downregulation of major neuronal markers and a concomitant increase of glial cells. Interestingly, upon treatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), the misexpression of both neuronal and glial markers analyzed was recovered. These novel findings point to the increased ROS concentration playing a direct role in the heritable alterations of the differentiation potential induced by Dex exposure. Moreover, the data support the hypothesis that early insults may have detrimental long-lasting consequences on neurogenesis. Based on the positive effects exerted by NAC, it is conceivable that therapeutic strategies including antioxidants may be effective in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders that have been associated to increased ROS and impaired neurogenesis.
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