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Wu H, Zhang Z, Ma Y, Chen F, Xiong P, Xie Z, Ding G, Yu J, Wang K. Dynamic immune and exosome transcriptomic responses in patients undergoing psychostimulant methamphetamine withdrawal. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:961131. [PMID: 36238831 PMCID: PMC9550894 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.961131] [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: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) addiction and withdrawal cause serious harm to both the immune system and nervous system. However, the pathogenesis remains largely unknown. Herein, we investigated the peripheral cytokines and exosomal transcriptome regulatory networks in the patients with METH use disorders (MUDs) undergoing withdrawal. Twenty-seven cytokines were simultaneously assessed in 51 subjects, including 22 at the acute withdrawal (AW) stage and 29 at the protracted withdrawal (PW) stage, and 31 age and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs). Compared to the HCs, significantly decreased levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-9, IL-15, Basic FGF, and MIP1a, increased levels of IL-1rα, IL-6, Eotaxin IP-10, VEGF, and RANTES were identified in AW. These disturbances were mostly or partly restored to the baseline in PW. However, the cytokines IL-6, IL-7, and IL-12p70 were consistently increased even after one year of withdrawal. Besides, a significant decrease in CD3+T and CD4+T cell numbers was observed in AW, and the diminishment was restored to baseline in PW. Comparatively, there were no statistically significant changes in CD8+T, NK, and B cells. Furthermore, the exosomal mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) were profiled, and the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks were constructed and associated with METH AW and PW stages. Notably, the chemokine signaling was remarkably upregulated during AW. By contrast, the differentially expressed mRNAs/lincRNAs were significantly enriched in neurodegeneration-related diseases. Taken together, a group of METH withdrawal-related cytokines and exosomal mRNA/lncRNA regulatory networks were obtained, which provides a useful experimental and theoretical basis for further understanding of the pathogenesis of the withdrawal symptoms in MUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjin Wu
- School of Medicine, Yunnan University, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- International Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, BOAO International Hospital, Qionghai, China
| | - Zunyue Zhang
- School of Medicine, Yunnan University, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yuru Ma
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Fengrong Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Pu Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Zhenrong Xie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Guo Ding
- High School Attached to Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juehua Yu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- International Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, BOAO International Hospital, Qionghai, China
- *Correspondence: Juehua Yu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1661-0503 Kunhua Wang
| | - Kunhua Wang
- School of Medicine, Yunnan University, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- *Correspondence: Juehua Yu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1661-0503 Kunhua Wang
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Zhang A, Liu Z, Liang M. A Scientometric Visualization Analysis for Molecular Mechanisms of Substance Abuse and Its Neurotoxicity From 1997 to 2021. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:885701. [PMID: 35845612 PMCID: PMC9283979 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.885701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance abuse has become a global problem due to drug-induced addiction and neurotoxicity, which causes a huge physical, social, and financial burden. Various kinds of drugs can hijack the users’/abusers’ behavior and associated neurocircuitry. To summarize recent scientific advances on drug abuse, we reviewed relevant publications to analyze research progress and such trends through bibliometric ways. Based on retrieval strategies, a total of 681 scientific records published from 1997 to 2021 were screened and included in the Web of Science (WoS) database. Further scientometric analysis revealed that annual publication output increased across this period, with the United States of America (USA) contributing a significant number of reasons. Research has focused on neurotransmitter, oxidative stress, mitochondrial system injury, and other neurotoxic mechanisms. Neuroimmune, neurotoxic targets, and new psychoactive substances have been hot topics in recent years, which deserve continued research in the future. Specific research on molecular mechanisms has progressed across this period, with an emphasis on the root cause of toxicity and molecular targets for therapy. Moreover, collaborations of international multi-disciplinary research teams have been efficient and need to be encouraged for addiction research and the development of appropriate therapeutic processes.
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Neurochemical Evidence of Preclinical and Clinical Reports on Target-Based Therapy in Alcohol Used Disorder. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:491-507. [PMID: 31898084 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-019-02944-9] [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: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic relapsing disorder, which enforces a person to compulsively seek alcohol, restricting control over alcohol intake leads to emergence of an undesired emotional state during abstinence. There are recent advances for better understanding of neurocircuitry involved in the pathophysiology of AUD. Alcohol interaction with neuronal membrane proteins results in changes in neuronal circuits. It is also linked with the potential medication and their clinical validation concerning their pharmacological targets for alcoholic abstinence. This review covers research work from the past few decades on the therapeutic advances on treatment of alcohol dependence; further detailing the fundamental neurochemical mechanisms after alcohol administration. It also covers interaction of alcohol with GABAergic, glutaminergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic and opioid systems. This review further elaborated the neurobiology of noradrenergic, cholinergic and cannabinoid systems and their interaction with AUD. Elaborative information of potential drug targets under current exploration for AUD treatment with their mechanisms are reported here along with clinical outcomes and the associated side effects.
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Abstract
Background::Human tumor cells lines and tumor samples overexpress the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R). Substance P (SP), after binding to NK-1Rs, induces tumor cell proliferation, an antiapoptotic effect and promotes angiogenesis and the migration of cancer cells for invasion and metastasis.Methods: :In contrast, NK-1R antagonists block the previous pathophysiological actions mediated by SP. These antagonists promote the death of tumor cells by apoptosis. Peptide and non-peptide NK-1R antagonists have been reported.Results: :Peptide NK-1R antagonists show chemical modifications of the SP molecule (L-amino acids being replaced by D-amino acids), whereas non-peptide NK-1R antagonists include numerous compounds with different chemical compositions while showing similar stereochemical features (affinity for the NK- 1R). Currently, there are more than 300 NK-1R antagonists.Conclusion::In combination therapy with classic cytostatics, NK-1R antagonists have additive or synergic effects and minimize the side-effects of cytostatics. The effect of NK-1R antagonists as broad-spectrum anticancer drugs is reviewed and the use of these antagonists for the treatment of cancer is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Muñoz
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital (IBIS), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León (INCYL) University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Yamaguchi H, Mano N. Analysis of membrane transport mechanisms of endogenous substrates using chromatographic techniques. Biomed Chromatogr 2019; 33:e4495. [PMID: 30661254 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.4495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Membrane transporters are expressed in various bodily tissues and play essential roles in the homeostasis of endogenous substances and the absortion, distribution and/or excretion of xenobiotics. For transporter assays, radioisotope-labeled compounds have been mainly used. However, commercially available radioisotope-labeled compounds are limited in number and relatively expensive. Chromatographic analyses such as high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet absorptiometry and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry have also been applied for transport assays. To elucidate the transport properties of endogenous substrates, although there is no difficulty in performing assays using radioisotope-labeled probes, the endogenous background and the metabolism of the compound after its translocation across cell membranes must be considered when the intact compound is assayed. In this review, the current state of knowledge about the transport of endogenous substrates via membrane transporters as determined by chromatographic techniques is summarized. Chromatographic techniques have contributed to our understanding of the transport of endogenous substances including amino acids, catecholamines, bile acids, prostanoids and uremic toxins via membrane transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Yamaguchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Nariyasu Mano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
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Dang DK, Shin EJ, Kim DJ, Tran HQ, Jeong JH, Jang CG, Nah SY, Jeong JH, Byun JK, Ko SK, Bing G, Hong JS, Kim HC. Ginsenoside Re protects methamphetamine-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in mice via upregulation of dynorphin-mediated κ-opioid receptor and downregulation of substance P-mediated neurokinin 1 receptor. J Neuroinflammation 2018; 15:52. [PMID: 29467000 PMCID: PMC5822489 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-018-1087-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously reported that ginsenoside Re (GRe) attenuated against methamphetamine (MA)-induced neurotoxicity via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials. We also demonstrated that dynorphin possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials against dopaminergic loss, and that balance between dynorphin and substance P is important for dopaminergic neuroprotection. Thus, we examined whether GRe positively affects interactive modulation between dynorphin and substance P against MA neurotoxicity in mice. METHODS We examined changes in dynorphin peptide level, prodynorphin mRNA, and substance P mRNA, substance P-immunoreactivity, homeostasis in enzymatic antioxidant system, oxidative parameter, microglial activation, and pro-apoptotic parameter after a neurotoxic dose of MA to clarify the effects of GRe, prodynorphin knockout, pharmacological inhibition of κ-opioid receptor (i.e., nor-binaltorphimine), or neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor (i.e., L-733,060) against MA insult in mice. RESULTS GRe attenuated MA-induced decreases in dynorphin level, prodynorphin mRNA expression in the striatum of wild-type (WT) mice. Prodynorphin knockout potentiated MA-induced dopaminergic toxicity in mice. The imbalance of enzymatic antioxidant system, oxidative burdens, microgliosis, and pro-apoptotic changes led to the dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Neuroprotective effects of GRe were more pronounced in prodynorphin knockout than in WT mice. Nor-binaltorphimine, a κ-opioid receptor antagonist, counteracted against protective effects of GRe. In addition, we found that GRe significantly attenuated MA-induced increases in substance P-immunoreactivity and substance P mRNA expression in the substantia nigra. These increases were more evident in prodynorphin knockout than in WT mice. Although, we observed that substance P-immunoreactivity was co-localized in NeuN-immunreactive neurons, GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes, and Iba-1-immunoreactive microglia. NK1 receptor antagonist L-733,060 or GRe selectively inhibited microgliosis induced by MA. Furthermore, L-733,060 did not show any additive effects against GRe-mediated protective activity (i.e., antioxidant, antimicroglial, and antiapoptotic effects), indicating that NK1 receptor is one of the molecular targets of GRe. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that GRe protects MA-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity via upregulatgion of dynorphin-mediated κ-opioid receptor and downregulation of substance P-mediated NK1 R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duy-Khanh Dang
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chunchon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Joo Shin
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chunchon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Joong Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School, Kangwon National University, Chunchon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Hai-Quyen Tran
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chunchon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hoon Jeong
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Gon Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Yeol Nah
- Ginsentology Research Laboratory and Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio/Molecular Informatics Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hwan Jeong
- Headquarters of Forestry Support, Korea Forestry Promotion Institute, Seoul, 07570, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Kyung Byun
- Korean Society of Forest Environment Research, Namyangju, 12014, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Kwon Ko
- Department of Oriental Medical Food and Nutrition, Semyung University, Jecheon, 27136, Republic of Korea.
| | - Guoying Bing
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Jau-Shyong Hong
- Neuropharmacology Section, Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Hyoung-Chun Kim
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chunchon, 24341, Republic of Korea.
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Role of dopamine D1 receptor in 3-fluoromethamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in mice. Neurochem Int 2018; 113:69-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Involvement of substance P and the NK-1 receptor in human pathology. Amino Acids 2014; 46:1727-50. [PMID: 24705689 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-014-1736-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 03/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The peptide substance P (SP) shows a widespread distribution in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, but it is also present in cells not belonging to the nervous system (immune cells, liver, lung, placenta, etc.). SP is located in all body fluids, such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, breast milk, etc. i.e. it is ubiquitous in human body. After binding to the neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor, SP regulates many pathophysiological functions in the central nervous system, such as emotional behavior, stress, depression, anxiety, emesis, vomiting, migraine, alcohol addiction, seizures and neurodegeneration. SP has been also implicated in pain, inflammation, hepatitis, hepatotoxicity, cholestasis, pruritus, myocarditis, bronchiolitis, abortus, bacteria and viral infection (e.g., HIV infection) and it plays an important role in cancer (e.g., tumor cell proliferation, antiapoptotic effects in tumor cells, angiogenesis, migration of tumor cells for invasion, infiltration and metastasis). This means that the SP/NK-1 receptor system is involved in the molecular bases of many human pathologies. Thus, knowledge of this system is the key for a better understanding and hence a better management of many human diseases. In this review, we update the involvement of the SP/NK-1 receptor system in the physiopathology of the above-mentioned pathologies and we suggest valuable future therapeutic interventions involving the use of NK-1 receptor antagonists, particularly in the treatment of emesis, depression, cancer, neural degeneration, inflammatory bowel disease, viral infection and pruritus, in which that system is upregulated.
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Joca L, Zuloaga DG, Raber J, Siegel JA. Long-term effects of early adolescent methamphetamine exposure on depression-like behavior and the hypothalamic vasopressin system in mice. Dev Neurosci 2014; 36:108-18. [PMID: 24686407 DOI: 10.1159/000360001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA) has neurotoxic effects on the adult human brain that can lead to deficits in behavior and cognition. However, relatively little research has examined the behavioral or neurotoxic effects of MA in adolescents. The rising rates of adolescent MA use make it imperative that we understand the long-term effects of MA exposure on the adolescent brain and how these effects may differ from those seen in adults. In this study, the long-term effects of MA exposure during early adolescence on behavior and the vasopressin system in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus in late adolescent and adult male and female C57BL/6J mice were examined. MA exposure increased depression-like behavior in the Porsolt forced swim test in both late adolescent and adult male and female mice. Late adolescent male mice exposed to MA also showed a decrease in the number of vasopressin-immunoreactive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus compared to sex-matched saline-treated controls. Thus, similar to humans exposed to MA during adolescence, mice exposed to MA during adolescence show increased depression-like behavior later in life. These changes in behavior may be related to MA-induced alterations in vasopressin and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, especially in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Joca
- Department of Psychology, The University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn., USA
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The substance P (SP)/neurokinin (NK)-1 receptor system is involved in many pathological processes. NK-1 receptor antagonists have many promising therapeutic indications. However, the only NK-1 receptor antagonist used in clinical practice is the drug aprepitant and its intravenously administered prodrug, fosaprepitant. In general, NK-1 receptor antagonists are safe and well tolerated. AREAS COVERED A search was carried out in Medline using the following terms: adverse events, aprepitant, casopitant, clinical trials, CP-122,721, ezlopitant, fosaprepitant, NK-1 receptor antagonists, randomized, safety, side effects, tolerability and vofopitant. EXPERT OPINION Most clinical trials have focused on the antiemetic action of aprepitant in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. However, the efficacy and safety of aprepitant have not been fully tested in other diseases in which the SP/NK-1 receptor system is involved (e.g., cancer, HIV, alcoholism); thus, clinical trials are required. The use of NK-1 receptor antagonists in oncology therapy is quite promising, but to date pharmacological therapy has not exploited the many possible therapies offered by such antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Muñoz
- Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides, Sevilla, Spain.
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Evaluating the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase-containing striatal interneurons in methamphetamine-induced dopamine neurotoxicity. Neurotox Res 2013; 24:288-97. [PMID: 23575992 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-013-9391-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Revised: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Production of nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in methamphetamine (METH)-induced dopamine (DA) neurotoxicity. The source of this NO has not been clearly delineated, but recent evidence suggests that it arises from activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), which is selectively expressed in a subpopulation of striatal interneurons. Our objective was to determine whether inhibiting activation of nNOS-containing interneurons in the striatum blocks METH-induced neurotoxicity. These interneurons selectively express the neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor, which is activated by substance P. One particular toxin, a conjugate of substance P to the ribosome-inactivating protein saporin (SSP-SAP), selectively destroys neurons expressing the NK-1 receptor. Thus, we examined the extent to which depletion of the nNOS-containing interneurons alters production of NO and attenuates METH-induced neurotoxicity. The SSP-SAP lesions resulted in significant loss of nNOS-containing interneurons throughout striatum. Surprisingly, this marked deletion did not confer resistance to METH-induced DA neurotoxicity, even in areas devoid of nNOS-positive cells. Furthermore, these lesions did not attenuate NO production, even in areas lacking nNOS. These data suggest that nNOS-containing interneurons either are not necessary for METH-induced DA neurotoxicity or produce NO that can diffuse extensively through striatal tissue and thereby still mediate neurotoxicity.
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López-Bellido R, Barreto-Valer K, Rodríguez RE. Expression of tachykinin receptors (tacr1a and tacr1b) in zebrafish: influence of cocaine and opioid receptors. J Mol Endocrinol 2013; 50:115-29. [PMID: 23256992 DOI: 10.1530/jme-12-0199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Opioid and tachykinin receptors (TACRs) are closely related in addiction and pain processes. In zebrafish, opioid receptors have been cloned and characterized both biochemically and pharmacologically. However, the tacr1 gene has not yet been described in zebrafish. The aim of this research was to identify the tacr1 gene, study the effects of cocaine on tacr1, and analyze the interaction between tacr1 and opioid receptors. We have identified a duplicate of tacr1 gene in zebrafish, designated as tacr1a and tacr1b. Phylogenetic analyses revealed an alignment of these receptors in the Tacr1 fish cluster, with a clear distinction from other TACR1s of amphibians, birds, and mammals. Our qPCR results showed that tacr1a and tacr1b mRNAs are expressed during embryonic development. Whole-mount in situ hybridization showed tacr1 expression in the CNS and in the peripheral tissues. Cocaine (1.5 μM) induced an upregulation of tacr1a and tacr1b at 24 and 48 h post-fertilization (hpf; except for tacr1a at 48 hpf, which was downregulated). By contrast, HEK-293 cells transfected with tacr1a and tacr1b and exposed to cocaine showed a downregulation of tacr1s. The knockdown of ZfDOR2 and ZfMOR, opioid receptors, induced a down- and upregulation of tacr1a and tacr1b respectively. In conclusion, tacr1a and tacr1b in zebrafish are widely expressed throughout the CNS and peripherally, suggesting a critical role of these tacr1s during embryogenesis. tacr1a and tacr1b mRNA expression is altered by cocaine exposure and by the knockdown of opioid receptors. Thus, zebrafish can provide clues for a better understanding of the relationship between tachykinin and opioid receptors in pain and addiction during embryonic development.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Base Sequence
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Carrier Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Line
- Cloning, Molecular
- Cocaine/pharmacology
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/drug effects
- Gene Knockdown Techniques
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phylogeny
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Drug/genetics
- Receptors, Drug/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid/genetics
- Receptors, Opioid/metabolism
- Receptors, Tachykinin/classification
- Receptors, Tachykinin/genetics
- Sequence Alignment
- Transfection
- Zebrafish/embryology
- Zebrafish/genetics
- Zebrafish/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger López-Bellido
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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13
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Li X, Ma G, Ma Q, Li W, Liu J, Han L, Duan W, Xu Q, Liu H, Wang Z, Sun Q, Wang F, Wu E. Neurotransmitter substance P mediates pancreatic cancer perineural invasion via NK-1R in cancer cells. Mol Cancer Res 2013; 11:294-302. [PMID: 23345604 PMCID: PMC3709020 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-12-0609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer significantly affects the quality of life due to the severe abdominal pain. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear. This study aimed to determine the relationship between Substance P (SP) and pancreatic cancer perineural invasion (PNI) as well as the mechanism of SP mediating pancreatic cancer PNI, which causes pain in patients with pancreatic cancer. Human pancreatic cancer cells and newborn dorsal root ganglions (DRG) were used to determine the expression of SP or NK-1R in pancreatic cancer cells and DRGs cells by QT-PCR and Western blotting. The effects of SP on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and invasion were analyzed using MTT assay and Transwell Matrigel invasion assay, respectively. Alterations in the neurotropism of pancreatic cancer cells were assessed by coculture system, which mimics the interaction of tumor/neuron in vivo. SP is not only widely distributed in the neurite outgrowth from newborn DRGs but also expressed in MIA PaCa-2 and BxPC-3 cells. NK-1R is found to be overexpressed in the pancreatic cancer cell lines examined. SP induces cancer cell proliferation and invasion as well as the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 in pancreatic cancer cells, and NK-1R antagonists inhibit these effects. Furthermore, SP promotes neurite outgrowth and the migration of pancreatic cancer cell cluster to the DRGs, which is blocked by NK-1R antagonists in the coculture model. Our results suggest that SP plays an important role in the development of pancreatic cancer metastasis and PNI, and blocking the SP/NK-1R signaling system is a novel strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuqi Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guodong Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qingyong Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
- To whom correspondence should be addressed:; Fax: +86-29-8532-3899 Or ; Fax: ++1-701-231-8333
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiangbo Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Liang Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wanxing Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qinhong Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Han Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qing Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fengfei Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA
| | - Erxi Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed:; Fax: +86-29-8532-3899 Or ; Fax: ++1-701-231-8333
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Muñoz M, Martinez-Armesto J, Coveñas R. NK-1 receptor antagonists as antitumor drugs: a survey of the literature from 2000 to 2011. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2012; 22:735-46. [PMID: 22697287 DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2012.697153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION After binding to the neurokinin (NK-1) receptor, substance P (SP) induces tumor cell proliferation, the migration of tumor cells (invasion and metastasis) and angiogenesis. By contrast, NK-1 receptor antagonists inhibit tumor cell proliferation (tumor cells die by apoptosis), block the migratory activity of tumor cells and exert antiangiogenic properties. AREAS COVERED This review offers a 12-year overview of the underlying mechanism of the action of the SP/NK-1 receptor system and NK-1 receptor antagonists in cancer, providing a new approach to the treatment of tumors. EXPERT OPINION Chemically diverse NK-1 receptor antagonists have been identified. The antitumor action of these compounds is independent of their chemical structures and such action is associated with their affinity for the NK-1 receptor and with the dose of the antagonist administered. The NK-1 receptor can be considered as a target in cancer treatment and NK-1 receptor antagonists could be considered as new antitumor drugs. The NK-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant is used in clinical practice and exerts an antitumor action against tumor cells in vitro. In the future, such antitumor action should be tested in human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Muñoz
- Hospital Infantil Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Av. Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013 - Sevilla, Spain.
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A single high dose of methamphetamine induces apoptotic and necrotic striatal cell loss lasting up to 3 months in mice. Neuroscience 2011; 193:162-9. [PMID: 21771641 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2011] [Revised: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is an addictive agent that poses a public health problem due to its toxic effects on neural tissue. We have shown that METH induces striatal lesions (cell loss) within 24 h of administration. Because cell proliferation has been found to follow excitotoxic and other types of lesions in adult brain, we tested the hypothesis that cell proliferation would follow METH-induced striatal cell death. To that end, METH (30 mg/kg i.p.) was injected into adult male mice followed by a single injection of the proliferation marker 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU, 100 mg/kg i.p.) at various times post-METH up to 12 weeks. Immunohistochemical analysis of striatal tissue showed that METH-treated animals incorporated BrdU between 24-48 h post-METH. To determine the survival of the newly generated cells, a subgroup of animals received BrdU 36 h after METH and were sacrificed at various times up to 12 weeks post-METH. Morphological analysis of striatal tissue from these animals showed that by 12 weeks post-METH, approximately 42% and 30% of the newly generated cells showed pyknotic or necrotic morphology, respectively. Thus, approximately 30% of the newly generated cells survive up to 12 weeks post-METH. Striatal volume was increased by METH and normalized to control levels by 12 weeks after METH. The data demonstrate that a single bolus injection of METH induces cellular changes and responses that persist for months after exposure to METH.
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Tulloch I, Ghazaryan N, Mexhitaj I, Ordonez D, Angulo JA. Role of neurokinin-1 and dopamine receptors on the striatal methamphetamine-induced proliferation of new cells in mice. Brain Res 2011; 1399:33-9. [PMID: 21652034 PMCID: PMC3117948 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2011.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2011] [Revised: 05/07/2011] [Accepted: 05/10/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A neurotoxic dose of methamphetamine (METH) induces the loss of some striatal neurons. Interestingly, the METH-induced apoptosis in the striatum is immediately followed by the generation of new cells (cytogenesis). In the present study, we investigated the role of the neurokinin-1, dopamine D1 and D2 receptors on the METH-induced cytogenesis. To that end, male mice were given a single injection (30 mg/kg, ip) or a binge of METH (10mg/kg, 4× at two-hour intervals, ip). BrdU (100mg/kg, ip) was given 36 h after the last injection of METH. Newly generated cells were detected by immunohistochemistry and cell counts were performed using unbiased computerized stereology. Either single or binge exposure to METH resulted in the generation of new cells. The single optimized dose was used for subsequent mechanistic studies. Pretreatment with the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 (0.1mg/kg, ip) 30 min prior to METH abrogated the METH-induced striatal cytogenesis. Pretreatment with the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist raclopride (1mg/kg, ip) failed to affect this phenomenon. Finally, pretreatment with the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist WIN 51,708 (5mg/kg, ip) 30 min prior to METH abrogated the METH-induced cytogenesis. In conclusion, neurokinin-1 and dopamine D1 receptors are required for the METH-induced striatal cytogenesis while the D2 receptor is without effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Tulloch
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York NY
- The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York NY
| | - Nane Ghazaryan
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York NY
| | - Ina Mexhitaj
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York NY
| | - Dalila Ordonez
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York NY
| | - Jesus A. Angulo
- Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York NY
- The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York NY
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Wang J, Angulo JA. Methamphetamine induces striatal neurokinin-1 receptor endocytosis primarily in somatostatin/NPY/NOS interneurons and the role of dopamine receptors in mice. Synapse 2011; 65:300-8. [PMID: 20730802 PMCID: PMC2998568 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2010] [Accepted: 07/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant that induces long-term deficits of dopamine terminal markers and apoptotic cell death in the striatum. Our laboratory demonstrated that pharmacological blockade of the neurokinin-1 receptor attenuated the METH-induced damage to the striatal dopamine terminals and the apoptotic cell death of some striatal neurons. Here, we used histological methods to assess the effect of METH on neurokinin-1 receptor trafficking in the striatum as an indirect index of signaling by the neuropeptide substance P (natural ligand for this receptor). Male mice received a single injection of METH (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and were sacrificed 30 min later. Immunohistofluorescence confocal microscopy confirmed that the neurokinin-1 receptor is located on cholinergic and somatostatin interneurons of the striatum. METH induced the trafficking of the neurokinin-1 receptor from the membrane into cytoplasmic endosomes primarily in the somatostatin/NPY/NOS interneurons, and this phenomenon was attenuated by antagonists of the dopamine D1 (SCH-23390), D2 (raclopride), or neurokinin-1 (WIN-51,708) receptors. These data demonstrate that METH induces the trafficking of the striatal neurokinin-1 receptors principally in the somatostatin/NPY/NOS interneurons and that this phenomenon is dependent on the activity of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, New York 10021, USA
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Muñoz M, Rosso M, Robles-Frias MJ, Salinas-Martín MV, Rosso R, González-Ortega A, Coveñas R. The NK-1 receptor is expressed in human melanoma and is involved in the antitumor action of the NK-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant on melanoma cell lines. J Transl Med 2010; 90:1259-69. [PMID: 20458280 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2010.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is aggressive and resistant to current therapies. It has been previously reported that the substance P and neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonists induce cell proliferation and cell inhibition, respectively, in human melanoma cell lines. Aprepitant is a selective high-affinity antagonist of the human NK-1 receptor. Until now, this drug has been used as an anxiolytic, antidepressant and antiemetic. Moreover, the antitumor action of aprepitant has been previously reported. However, the presence of NK-1 receptors in human melanomas and whether the antitumor action of the NK-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant is exerted on human malignant melanomas have not been previously described. The aims of this study are to show the presence of NK-1 receptors in human malignant melanomas and the antitumoral action of aprepitant against several human melanoma cell lines. Immunoblot analysis was used to determine the presence of NK-1 receptors in human melanoma cell lines, and immunohistochemistry was used to demonstrate NK-1 receptors in human melanoma samples. We performed an in vitro study of the cytotoxicity of the NK-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant on human melanoma cell lines. A coulter counter was used to determine viable cell numbers, followed by application of the tetrazolium compound MTS. The DAPI method was applied to demonstrate apoptosis. We observed that NK-1 receptors were present in all the melanoma samples studied as well as in human melanoma cell lines. We also showed that melanoma cell lines expressed mRNA for the NK-1 receptor. Moreover, after using a knockdown method, we showed that NK-1 receptors are involved in the viability of tumor cells. In this study, we also report that aprepitant, at 10-60 microM concentrations, elicits cell growth inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner in all melanoma cell lines studied, that the specific antitumor action of aprepitant occurs through the NK-1 receptor and that melanoma cell death is due to apoptosis. These findings show for the first time that the NK-1 receptor may be a promising new target and that the NK-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant could be a candidate as a new antitumor drug in the treatment of human melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Muñoz
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain.
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19
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Muñoz M, Rosso M, González-Ortega A, Coveñas R. The NK-1 Receptor Antagonist L-732,138 Induces Apoptosis and Counteracts Substance P-Related Mitogenesis in Human Melanoma Cell Lines. Cancers (Basel) 2010; 2:611-23. [PMID: 24281084 PMCID: PMC3835094 DOI: 10.3390/cancers2020611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2010] [Revised: 04/14/2010] [Accepted: 04/19/2010] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been recently demonstrated that substance P (SP) and neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonists induce cell proliferation and cell inhibition in human melanoma cells, respectively. However, the antitumor action of the NK-1 receptor antagonist L-732,138 on such cells is unknown. The aim of this study was to demonstrate an antitumor action of L-732,138 against three human melanoma cell lines (COLO 858, MEL HO, COLO 679). We found that L-732,138 elicits cell growth inhibition in a concentration dependent manner in the melanoma cells studied. Moreover, L-732,138 blocks SP mitogen stimulation. The specific antitumor action of L-732,138 occurred through the NK-1 receptor and melanoma cell death was by apoptosis. These findings indicate that the NK-1 receptor antagonist L-732,138 could be a new antitumor agent in the treatment of human melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Muñoz
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain; E-Mails: (M.R.); (A.G.-O.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +34-955012965; Fax: +34-955012921
| | - Marisa Rosso
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain; E-Mails: (M.R.); (A.G.-O.)
| | - Ana González-Ortega
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain; E-Mails: (M.R.); (A.G.-O.)
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León (INCYL), Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems (Laboratory 14), Salamanca, Spain; E-Mail: (R.C.)
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20
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Yamamoto BK, Moszczynska A, Gudelsky GA. Amphetamine toxicities: classical and emerging mechanisms. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2010; 1187:101-21. [PMID: 20201848 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05141.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The drugs of abuse, methamphetamine and MDMA, produce long-term decreases in markers of biogenic amine neurotransmission. These decreases have been traditionally linked to nerve terminals and are evident in a variety of species, including rodents, nonhuman primates, and humans. Recent studies indicate that the damage produced by these drugs may be more widespread than originally believed. Changes indicative of damage to cell bodies of biogenic and nonbiogenic amine-containing neurons in several brain areas and endothelial cells that make up the blood-brain barrier have been reported. The processes that mediate this damage involve not only oxidative stress but also include excitotoxic mechanisms, neuroinflammation, the ubiquitin proteasome system, as well as mitochondrial and neurotrophic factor dysfunction. These mechanisms also underlie the toxicity associated with chronic stress and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, both of which have been shown to augment the toxicity to methamphetamine. Overall, multiple mechanisms are involved and interact to promote neurotoxicity to methamphetamine and MDMA. Moreover, the high coincidence of substituted amphetamine abuse by humans with HIV and/or chronic stress exposure suggests a potential enhanced vulnerability of these individuals to the neurotoxic actions of the amphetamines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan K Yamamoto
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, Ohio 43614, USA.
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Yan TC, McQuillin A, Thapar A, Asherson P, Hunt SP, Stanford SC, Gurling H. NK1 (TACR1) receptor gene 'knockout' mouse phenotype predicts genetic association with ADHD. J Psychopharmacol 2010; 24:27-38. [PMID: 19204064 PMCID: PMC3943619 DOI: 10.1177/0269881108100255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Mice with functional genetic ablation of the Tacr1 (substance P-preferring receptor) gene (NK1R-/-) are hyperactive. Here, we investigated whether this is mimicked by NK1R antagonism and whether dopaminergic transmission is disrupted in brain regions that govern motor performance. The locomotor activity of NK1R-/- and wild-type mice was compared after treatment with an NK1R antagonist and/or psychostimulant (d-amphetamine or methylphenidate). The inactivation of NK1R (by gene mutation or receptor antagonism) induced hyperactivity in mice, which was prevented by both psychostimulants. Using in vivo microdialysis, we then compared the regulation of extracellular dopamine in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum in the two genotypes. A lack of functional NK1R reduced (>50%) spontaneous dopamine efflux in the prefrontal cortex and abolished the striatal dopamine response to d-amphetamine. These behavioural and neurochemical abnormalities in NK1R-/- mice, together with their atypical response to psychostimulants, echo attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in humans. These findings prompted genetic studies on the TACR1 gene (the human equivalent of NK1R) in ADHD patients in a case-control study of 450 ADHD patients and 600 screened supernormal controls. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs3771829, rs3771833, rs3771856, and rs1701137) at the TACR1 gene, previously known to be associated with bipolar disorder or alcoholism, were strongly associated with ADHD. In conclusion, our proposal that NK1R-/- mice offer a mouse model of ADHD was borne out by our human studies, which suggest that DNA sequence changes in and around the TACR1 gene increase susceptibility to this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- TC Yan
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
| | - A McQuillin
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Department of Mental Health Sciences, Royal Free & UCL School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - A Thapar
- Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - P Asherson
- ADHD genetics group, MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - SP Hunt
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - SC Stanford
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
| | - H Gurling
- Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Department of Mental Health Sciences, Royal Free & UCL School of Medicine, London, UK
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Zhu J, Xu W, Wang J, Ali SF, Angulo JA. The neurokinin-1 receptor modulates the methamphetamine-induced striatal apoptosis and nitric oxide formation in mice. J Neurochem 2009; 111:656-68. [PMID: 19682209 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.06330.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In a previous study we showed that pharmacological blockade of the neurokinin-1 receptors attenuated the methamphetamine (METH)-induced toxicity of the striatal dopamine terminals. In the present study we examined the role of the neurokinin-1 receptors on the METH-induced apoptosis of some striatal neurons. To that end, we administered a single injection of METH (30 mg/kg, i.p.) to male mice. METH induced the apoptosis (terminal deoxyncleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) of approximately 20% of striatal neurons. This percentage of METH-induced apoptosis was significantly attenuated by either a single injection of the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, 17-beta-hydroxy-17-a-ethynyl-5-a-androstano[3,2-beta]pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole (WIN-51,708) (5 mg/kg, i.p.), or the ablation of the striatal interneurons expressing the neurokinin-1 receptors (cholinergic and somatostatin) with the selective neurotoxin [Sar(9),Met(O(2))(11)] substance P-saporin. Next we assessed the levels of striatal 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) by HPLC and immunohistochemistry. METH increased the levels of striatal 3-NT and this increase was attenuated by pre-treatment with WIN-51,708. Our data support the hypothesis that METH-induced striatal apoptosis occurs via a mechanism involving the neurokinin-1 receptors and the activation of nitric oxide synthesis. Our findings are relevant for the treatment of METH abuse and may be relevant to certain neurological disorders involving the dopaminergic circuitry of the basal ganglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Zhu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
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Muñoz M, Rosso M. The NK-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant as a broad spectrum antitumor drug. Invest New Drugs 2009; 28:187-93. [PMID: 19148578 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-009-9218-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2008] [Accepted: 01/06/2009] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Aprepitant is a selective high-affinity antagonist of human substance P (SP)/Neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptors. Until now this drug has been used as anxiolytic, antidepressant and antiemetic. It has been demonstrated that SP induces cell proliferation and NK-1 receptor antagonists different to aprepitant inhibit growth in several human cancer cell lines, where NK-1 receptors are overexpressed. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the antitumor action of aprepitant. We performed an in vitro study of the growth inhibition capacity of the NK-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant against glioma, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma and pancreas, larynx, gastric and colon carcinomas cell lines. Coulter counter was used to determine viable cell numbers followed by application of the MTS colorimetric method. Furthermore, a DAPI method was applied to demonstrate apoptosis. We have demonstrated: aprepitant at (5-70 microM) concentration elicits growth cell inhibition in a concentration dependent manner in all tumor cell line studied. Maximum inhibition (100%) was observed when the aprepitant was administered at a concentration of > or = 70 microM in all tumor cell lines studied. The specific antitumor action of aprepitant occurs through the NK-1 receptor and tumor cells death was by apoptosis pathway. These findings reported here for the first time indicate that aprepitant is a new and promising broad spectrum antitumor drug in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Muñoz
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides, Virgen del Rocío University Children's Hospital, Sevilla, Spain.
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Wang J, Xu W, Ali SF, Angulo JA. Connection between the striatal neurokinin-1 receptor and nitric oxide formation during methamphetamine exposure. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2008; 1139:164-71. [PMID: 18991860 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1432.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a widely used "club drug" that produces neural damage in the brain, including the loss of some neurons. METH-induced striatal neuronal loss has been attenuated by pretreatment with the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist WIN-51,708 in mice. Using a histologic method, we have observed the internalization of the neurokinin-1 receptor into endosomes in the striatal somatostatin/NPY/nitric oxide synthase interneurons. To investigate the role of this interneuron in the striatal cell death induced by METH, we assessed by immunohistochemistry the number of striatal nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons in the presence of METH at 8 and 16 hours after systemic injection of a bolus of METH (30 mg/kg, i.p.). We found the number of striatal nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons unchanged at these time points after METH. In a separate experiment we measured the levels of striatal 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) by HPLC (high-pressure liquid chromatography) as an indirect index of nitric oxide synthesis. METH increased the levels of 3-nitrotyrosine in the striatum and this increase was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with a selective neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist. These observations suggest a causal relationship between the neurokinin-1 receptor and the activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase that warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
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Zhu JPQ, Xu W, Angulo JA. Distinct mechanisms mediating methamphetamine-induced neuronal apoptosis and dopamine terminal damage share the neuropeptide substance p in the striatum of mice. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2007; 1074:135-48. [PMID: 17105911 PMCID: PMC2892968 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1369.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is an addictive psychostimulant that induces damage to the dopamine terminals and the apoptosis of some neurons of the striatum. Our laboratory demonstrated using either a single bolus dose (30 mg/kg) or a binge (10 mg/kg 4x at 2-h intervals) of METH that pharmacological blockade of the substance P receptor (neurokinin-1) attenuates METH-induced damage to both the presynaptic dopamine terminals and the apoptosis of some neurons of the striatum. To determine the phenotype of striatal neuron ablated by METH, we combined TUNEL (Terminal Deoxyncleotidyl Transferase-Mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling) with immunofluorescence for selective markers of projection and interneurons. METH induces the loss of approximately 20% of the projection neurons. The cholinergic and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-parvalbumin interneurons sustain losses of 30% and 50%, respectively. The somatostatin/neuropeptide Y (NPY)/nitric oxide synthase (NOS) interneurons are not impacted by METH. To investigate the mechanism by which substance P mediates METH-induced damage in this part of the brain, we ablated the striatal interneurons that express the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) with the selective neurotoxin substance P-SAP. Ablation of the NK-1R-expressing interneurons prevented METH-induced apoptosis in the striatum but was without effect on depletion of dopamine terminal markers. We propose that substance P mediates the apoptosis of some striatal neurons via the intrastriatal activation of nitric oxide synthesis. In contrast, substance P may mediate damage of the dopamine terminals via an extrastriatal mechanism involving the substantia nigra and cortical glutamate release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy P Q Zhu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Wu PH, Shen YC, Wang YH, Chi CW, Yen JC. Baicalein attenuates methamphetamine-induced loss of dopamine transporter in mouse striatum. Toxicology 2006; 226:238-45. [PMID: 16887252 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2006.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2006] [Revised: 06/08/2006] [Accepted: 06/12/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) has been shown to cause dopaminergic neurotoxicity. By using the loss of dopamine transporter (DAT) as a marker of neurotoxicity, this study was aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of baicalein against METH-induced striatal damages in mice. Results from Western blotting showed that repeated METH administration (5 mg/kg, i.p., four injections at 2-h interval) caused 40% decrease of DAT level in mouse striatum measured at 72h after the last injection. Despite of the ineffectiveness at high dose (3.0 mg/kg, i.p.), pretreatment with lower doses of baicalein (0.3-1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly attenuated the METH-induced striatal DAT loss in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, baicalein diminished METH-induced increase in striatal malondialdehyde content and myeloperoxidase activity, markers for lipid peroxidation and neutrophil increase, respectively. In addition, the present study also revealed that baicalein effectively diminished the ROS production by leukocytes stimulated with METH or PMA, a phorbol ester used as a positive control of stimulant. Surprisingly, we found that METH-induced nNOS overexpression was further increased by the pretreatment with baicalein while the level of nNOS was not altered significantly by baicalein treatment alone. These results suggested that baicalein may attenuate methamphetamine-induced DAT loss by inhibiting the neutrophil increase and the lipid peroxidation caused by neutrophil-derived reactive oxygen species in striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Ho Wu
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan, ROC
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27
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ZHU JPQ, XU W, ANGULO JA. Methamphetamine-induced cell death: selective vulnerability in neuronal subpopulations of the striatum in mice. Neuroscience 2006; 140:607-22. [PMID: 16650608 PMCID: PMC2882192 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.02.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2005] [Revised: 02/02/2006] [Accepted: 02/08/2006] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is an illicit and potent psychostimulant, which acts as an indirect dopamine agonist. In the striatum, METH has been shown to cause long lasting neurotoxic damage to dopaminergic nerve terminals and recently, the degeneration and death of striatal cells. The present study was undertaken to identify the type of striatal neurons that undergo apoptosis after METH. Male mice received a single high dose of METH (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and were killed 24 h later. To demonstrate that METH induces apoptosis in neurons, we combined terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining with immunohistofluorescence for the neuronal marker neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN). Staining for TUNEL and NeuN was colocalized throughout the striatum. METH induces apoptosis in approximately 25% of striatal neurons. Cell counts of TUNEL-positive neurons in the dorsomedial, ventromedial, dorsolateral and ventrolateral quadrants of the striatum did not reveal anatomical preference. The type of striatal neuron undergoing cell death was determined by combining TUNEL with immunohistofluorescence for selective markers of striatal neurons: dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein, of apparent Mr 32,000, parvalbumin, choline acetyltransferase and somatostatin (SST). METH induces apoptosis in approximately 21% of dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein, of apparent Mr 32,000-positive neurons (projection neurons), 45% of GABA-parvalbumin-positive neurons in the dorsal striatum, and 29% of cholinergic neurons in the dorsal-medial striatum. In contrast, the SST-positive interneurons were refractory to METH-induced apoptosis. Finally, the amount of cell loss determined with Nissl staining correlated with the amount of TUNEL staining in the striatum of METH-treated animals. In conclusion, some of the striatal projection neurons and the GABA-parvalbumin and cholinergic interneurons were removed by apoptosis in the aftermath of METH. This imbalance in the populations of striatal neurons may lead to functional abnormalities in the output and processing of neural information in this part of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - J. A. ANGULO
- Corresponding author. Tel: +1-212-772-5232; fax: +1-212-772-5230. (J. A. Angulo)
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Xu W, Zhu JP, Angulo JA. Induction of striatal pre- and postsynaptic damage by methamphetamine requires the dopamine receptors. Synapse 2006; 58:110-21. [PMID: 16088948 PMCID: PMC2886203 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant that induces excessive release of dopamine (DA) in the striatum. In this study we have assessed the role of DA D1 and D2 receptors (D1R and D2R) on striatal METH-induced apoptosis and depletion of DA-terminal markers. Male mice were given one i.p. injection of METH (30 mg/kg). Apoptosis was assessed at 24 h, and DA-terminal marker depletion 3 days, after METH. A single toxic dose of METH induced apoptosis in approximately 10-13% of striatal neurons. This was completely prevented by pretreatment (30 min before METH) with either the D1R antagonist SCH-23390 (0.1 mg/kg) or the D2R antagonist raclopride (1 mg/kg). The same dose of METH induced depletion of DA transporter sites up to 61, 56, 71, and 69% in dorsal-medial, ventral-medial, dorsal-lateral, and ventral-lateral striatum, respectively, relative to vehicle-injected controls. Similarly, METH induced depletion of TH protein levels up to 80, 72, 87, and 90% in those respective quadrants. METH induced the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein throughout the striatum. All these neurochemical changes were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with SCH-23390 (0.1 mg/kg) or raclopride (1 mg/kg). However, pretreatment with either raclopride or SCH-23390 did not prevent METH-induced hyperthermia in mice. These data demonstrate that the induction by METH of both striatal apoptosis and DA-terminal damage requires the activity of the postsynaptic DA receptors in the mouse brain. Moreover, since blockade of either receptor subtype protected from METH, the activity of both DA receptor subtypes is required for the induction of toxicity by METH in the striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jesus A. Angulo
- Correspondence to: Dr. Jesus A. Angulo, Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of CUNY, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.,
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Liu B, Dluzen DE. Effect of estrogen upon methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity within the impaired nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. Synapse 2006; 60:354-61. [PMID: 16838362 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we investigated whether estrogen remains effective as a neuroprotectant within an impaired nigrostriatal dopaminergic (NSDA) system of gonadectomized female and male mice. In Experiment 1, mice were treated with four different regimens of methamphetamine (MA) to establish a protocol for an impaired NSDA system to be used in subsequent experiments. Based upon the results of Experiment 1, in Experiment 2 gonadectomized female mice received a treatment with either control (saline), low- or high-dose of MA to produce an initial NSDA impairment. At one week post-MA, mice received either estradiol benzoate (10 microg) or vehicle followed 24 h later with low-MA or saline. Estrogen altered the toxic effects of the second invasion of MA as indicated by a significant decrease in striatal dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) concentrations. In addition, DA and DOPAC depletion was greater in high- vs. low-dose MA. In gonadectomized male mice (Experiment 3), striatal DA and DOPAC concentrations showed greater decreases following high-, vs. low-doses of MA; however, estrogen did not alter these responses. These results demonstrate that the capacity for estrogen to protect or worsen MA-induced neurotoxicity of dopaminergic neurons is limited to female mice and depends on the condition of the NSDA system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, Ohio 44272-0095, USA
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Zhu JP, Xu W, Angulo JA. Disparity in the temporal appearance of methamphetamine-induced apoptosis and depletion of dopamine terminal markers in the striatum of mice. Brain Res 2005; 1049:171-81. [PMID: 16043139 PMCID: PMC2886204 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2005.04.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2004] [Revised: 04/21/2005] [Accepted: 04/25/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) causes damage in the striatum at pre- and post-synaptic sites. Exposure to METH induces long-term depletions of dopamine (DA) terminal markers such as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and DA transporters (DAT). METH also induces neuronal apoptosis in some striatal neurons. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate which occurs first, apoptosis of some striatal neurons or DA terminal toxicity in mice. This is important because the death of striatal neurons leaves the terminals in a state of deafferentation. A bolus injection (i.p.) of METH (30 mg/kg) induces apoptosis (TUNEL staining) in approximately 25% of neurons in the striatum at 24 h after METH. However, in contrast to apoptosis, depletion of TH (Western blotting) begins to appear at 24 h after METH in dorsal striatum while the ventral striatum is unaffected. The peak of TH depletion (approximately 80% decrease relative to control) occurs at 48 h after METH. Autoradiographic analysis of DAT sites showed that depletion begins to appear 24 h after METH and peaks at 2 days (approximately 60% depletion relative to control). Histological analysis of the induction of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) by METH in striatal astrocytes revealed an increase at 48 h after METH that peaked at 3 days. These data demonstrate that striatal apoptosis precedes the depletion (toxicity) of DA terminal markers in the striatum of mice, suggesting that the ensuing state of deafferentation of the DA terminals may contribute to their degeneration.
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Zhu JP, Xu W, Angulo N, Angulo JA. Methamphetamine-induced striatal apoptosis in the mouse brain: comparison of a binge to an acute bolus drug administration. Neurotoxicology 2005; 27:131-6. [PMID: 16165214 PMCID: PMC2896282 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2005.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2004] [Revised: 05/27/2005] [Accepted: 05/30/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant that induces neural damage in experimental animals and humans. A binge (usually in the 5-10 mg/kg dose range 4 x at 2 h intervals) and the acute bolus drug administration (20-40 mg/kg) of METH have been employed frequently to study neurotoxicity in the brain. In this study we have compared these drug delivery schedules to determine their efficacy to induce striatal apoptosis. Exposure of male mice to a binge of METH at 10mg/kg 4x at 2 h intervals (cumulative dose of 40 mg/kg) was approximately four times less effective in inducing apoptotic cell death (TUNEL staining) 24 h after METH treatment in the striatum than a single bolus administration of 30 mg/kg of METH. The residual TUNEL staining observed three days after METH treatment is proportionately equivalent between a binge and the acute bolus drug administration. Interestingly, a binge of METH induces a hyperthermic response of longer duration. This study demonstrates that an acute bolus drug administration of METH is more effective inducing striatal apoptosis in mice, and therefore, is more suitable for studies assessing the impact of METH on sites post-synaptic to the striatonigral dopamine terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jesus A. Angulo
- Corresponding author: Tel.: +1 212 772 5232; fax: +1 212 772 5230. (J.A. Angulo)
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Angulo JA, Angulo N, Yu J. Antagonists of the neurokinin-1 or dopamine D1 receptors confer protection from methamphetamine on dopamine terminals of the mouse striatum. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2005; 1025:171-80. [PMID: 15542715 PMCID: PMC2894623 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1316.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive compound that induces toxicity of the dopamine (DA) terminals of the neostriatum. Exposure to METH induces long-term deficits in dopamine transporter (DAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels as well as induction of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the caudate putamen (CPu) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The primary effect of exposure to METH is elevation of the level of extracellular DA; therefore, we assessed the role of the DA D1 receptor (D1R) and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) on the expression of toxicity. METH was injected intraperitoneally (10 mg/kg) four times at 2-h intervals (an acute toxic dose), and the mice were sacrificed three days after the treatment. Exposure to METH resulted in marked reduction of DAT sites (reduced to 30 and 21% relative to control in medial and lateral aspects of the CPu) assessed by binding of [125I]RTI-121 by autoradiography or Western blot analysis. Pretreatment with the nonpeptide NK-1R antagonist WIN-51,708 (10 mg/kg) 30 min prior to the first and fourth injections of METH prevented the loss of DAT sites of the CPu. Moreover, pretreatment with WIN-51,708 also prevented the reduction of TH levels induced by METH as well as the induction of GFAP in astrocytes. Pretreatment with the D1R antagonist SCH-23390 (0.25 mg/kg) 30 min before the first and fourth injections of METH conferred partial protection on DAT sites of the CPu. These results demonstrate that receptors postsynaptic to the DA terminals of the CPu are needed in order to express the neurotoxic effects of METH on integral components of the DA terminals of the nigrostriatal projection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus A Angulo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of City University of New York, New York, New York 10021, USA.
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Yu J, Wang J, Cadet JL, Angulo JA. Histological evidence supporting a role for the striatal neurokinin-1 receptor in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in the mouse brain. Brain Res 2004; 1007:124-31. [PMID: 15064143 PMCID: PMC2896267 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2004.01.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have documented the effect of methamphetamine (METH) on the toxicity of the dopamine (DA) terminals of the striatum but only a few studies have assessed the damaging effects of METH on striatal neurons postsynaptic to the nigrostriatal DA terminals. In the present study, we employed histological methods to study the effect of METH on DA terminals and striatal neurons. We also assessed the role of the striatal neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor on pre- and post-synaptic METH-induced damage. Male mice were treated with METH (10 mg/kg) four times at 2-h intervals and were sacrificed 3 days after the treatment. A number of animals received the non-peptide NK-1 receptor antagonist WIN-51,708 (10 mg/kg) 30 min before the first and fourth injections of METH. Immunocytochemical staining for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) showed significant deficits throughout all aspects of the caudate-putamen in animals exposed to METH. Pretreatment with WIN-51,708 prevented the METH-induced loss of TH immunostaining. Sections from a separate set of mice were stained with Fluoro-Jade B (FJB), a fluorochrome that binds specifically to degenerating fibers and cell bodies of neurons. Treatment with METH shows Fluoro-Jade B positive cell bodies in the striatum and pretreatment with WIN-51,708 abolished Fluoro-Jade B staining. Moreover, double labeling with Fluoro-Jade B and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) shows reactive astrocytosis in the area adjacent to the Fluoro-Jade B-positive cells but no Fluoro-Jade B staining of the astrocytes. This observation suggests that the degenerating cells must be striatal neurons and not astrocytes. The data demonstrate that METH induces pre- and post-synaptic damage in the striatum and the damage can be prevented with pharmacological blockade of the NK-1 receptor. These findings represent a new direction in the study of the mechanism of toxicity to METH and could be useful in the treatment of some neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 695 Park Ave., Rm. 927HN, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 695 Park Ave., Rm. 927HN, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Section, Division of Intramural Research, NIH/NIDA, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jesus A. Angulo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 695 Park Ave., Rm. 927HN, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-212-772-5232; fax: +1-212-772-5230. (J.A. Angulo)
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Loonam TM, Noailles PAH, Yu J, Zhu JPQ, Angulo JA. Substance P and cholecystokinin regulate neurochemical responses to cocaine and methamphetamine in the striatum. Life Sci 2003; 73:727-39. [PMID: 12801594 DOI: 10.1016/s0024-3205(03)00393-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism of action of drugs of abuse like cocaine and amphetamines has been studied extensively in the dopamine terminal field areas of the caudate-putamen (CPu) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of the rodent brain. These brain regions contain several neuropeptides that must play important roles in the normal physiological functions of these brain regions. The study of neuropeptide physiology in the context of the neurobiological responses to drugs of abuse may shed some light on the intrinsic mechanism of action of neuropeptides of the CPu and the NAc. The neuropeptides substance P (SP) and cholecystokinin (CCK) are present in the striatum where they could play an important role regulating the effects of psychostimulants like cocaine and amphetamines (methamphetamine [METH] is a long acting derivative of d-amphetamine). These highly addictive agents induce the release of dopamine (DA) (and other catecholamines) from dopaminergic terminals of the striatum. The excessive release of DA in the striatum and the NAc has been implicated in the habit-forming properties of these drugs. In order to study the contribution of SP and CCK in the striatum during psychostimulant treatment, we employed selective non-peptide neurokinin-1 (NK-1) and cholecystokinin-2 (CCK-2) receptor antagonists that readily cross the blood brain barrier. We infused the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonist, L-733,060, into the striatum of freely moving rats via a microdialysis probe in order to assess the effects of SP on cocaine-induced DA overflow in the striatum. Infusion of the NK-1R antagonist prior to a systemic injection of cocaine (10 mg/kg i.p.) significantly attenuated DA overflow in the striatum. Conversely, infusion of a CCK-2 receptor (CCK-2R) antagonist, L-369,293, through the microdialysis probe evoked DA overflow in the striatum in the absence of cocaine and potentiated DA overflow after a single injection of cocaine (10 mg/kg i.p.). Exposure to METH (10 mg/kg 4x at two-hour intervals) produced deficits of dopamine transporters (DAT) in mice striatum that are detectable three days after the treatment and are long lasting. Pre-treatment (i.p. injections) with the NK-1R antagonist, WIN-51,708 30 minutes before the 1st and 4th injections of METH prevented the loss of DAT in the striatum. Moreover, pre-treatment with the NK-1R antagonist prevents METH-induced cell death. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the NK-1R and the CCK-2R are important modulators of the actions of the psychostimulants cocaine and METH. Neuropeptide receptors represent an important control point mediating the effects of the neurotransmitter DA in the striatum of the rodent brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Loonam
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, New York 10021, USA
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