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Sarzi-Puttini P, Giorgi V, Sirotti S, Bazzichi L, Lucini D, Di Lascio S, Pellegrino G, Fornasari D. Pharmacotherapeutic advances in fibromyalgia: what's new on the horizon? Expert Opin Pharmacother 2024:1-19. [PMID: 38853631 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2024.2365326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This review delves into Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), a chronic pain condition demanding thorough understanding for precise diagnosis and treatment. Yet, a definitive pharmacological solution for FMS remains elusive. AREAS COVERED In this article, we systematically analyze various pharmacotherapeutic prospects for FMS treatment, organized into sections based on the stage of drug development and approval. We begin with an overview of FDA-approved drugs, discussing their efficacy in FMS treatment. Next, we delve into other medications currently used for FMS but still undergoing further study, including opioids and muscle relaxants. Further, we evaluate the evidence behind medications that are currently under study, such as cannabinoids and naltrexone. Lastly, we explore new drugs that are in phase II trials. Our research involved a thorough search on PUBMED, Google Scholar, and clinicaltrials.gov. We also discuss the action mechanisms of these drugs and their potential use in specific patient groups. EXPERT OPINION A focus on symptom-driven, combination therapy is crucial in managing FMS. There is also a need for ongoing research into drugs that target neuroinflammation, immunomodulation, and the endocannabinoid system. Bridging the gap between benchside research and clinical application is challenging, but it holds potential for more targeted and effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piercarlo Sarzi-Puttini
- Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Giorgi
- Unità di Ricerca Clinica, Gruppo Ospedaliero Moncucco, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Sirotti
- Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Bazzichi
- Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Lucini
- BIOMETRA Department, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Exercise Medicine Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Di Lascio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Greta Pellegrino
- Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Fornasari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Baddenhausen S, Lutz B, Hofmann C. Cannabinoid type-1 receptor signaling in dopaminergic Engrailed-1 expressing neurons modulates motivation and depressive-like behavior. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1379889. [PMID: 38660383 PMCID: PMC11042029 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1379889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system comprises highly versatile signaling functions within the nervous system. It is reported to modulate the release of several neurotransmitters, consequently affecting the activity of neuronal circuits. Investigations have highlighted its roles in numerous processes, including appetite-stimulating characteristics, particularly for palatable food. Moreover, endocannabinoids are shown to fine-tune dopamine-signaled processes governing motivated behavior. Specifically, it has been demonstrated that excitatory and inhibitory inputs controlled by the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1) regulate dopaminergic neurons in the mesocorticolimbic pathway. In the present study, we show that mesencephalic dopaminergic (mesDA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) express CB1, and we investigated the consequences of specific deletion of CB1 in cells expressing the transcription factor Engrailed-1 (En1). To this end, we validated a new genetic mouse line EN1-CB1-KO, which displays a CB1 knockout in mesDA neurons beginning from their differentiation, as a tool to elucidate the functional contribution of CB1 in mesDA neurons. We revealed that EN1-CB1-KO mice display a significantly increased immobility time and shortened latency to the first immobility in the forced swim test of adult mice. Moreover, the maximal effort exerted to obtain access to chocolate-flavored pellets was significantly reduced under a progressive ratio schedule. In contrast, these mice do not differ in motor skills, anhedonia- or anxiety-like behavior compared to wild-type littermates. Taken together, these findings suggest a depressive-like or despair behavior in an inevitable situation and a lack of motivation to seek palatable food in EN1-CB1-KO mice, leading us to propose that CB1 plays an important role in the physiological functions of mesDA neurons. In particular, our data suggest that CB1 directly modifies the mesocorticolimbic pathway implicated in depressive-like/despair behavior and motivation. In contrast, the nigrostriatal pathway controlling voluntary movement seems to be unaffected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Baddenhausen
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Beat Lutz
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), Mainz, Germany
| | - Clementine Hofmann
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Focus Program Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Tarasova E, Bogacheva P, Chernyshev K, Balezina O. Quantal size increase induced by the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol requires activation of CGRP receptors in mouse motor synapses. Synapse 2024; 78:e22281. [PMID: 37694983 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22281] [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: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
In mouse motor synapses, the exogenous application of the endocannabinoid (EC) 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) increases acetylcholine (ACh) quantal size due to the activation of CB1 receptors and the stimulation of ACh vesicular uptake. In the present study, microelectrode recordings of miniature endplate potentials (MEPP) revealed that this effect of 2-AG is independent of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling but involves the activation of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptors along with CB1 receptors. Potentiation of MEPP amplitude in the presence of 2-AG was prevented by blockers of CGRP receptors and ryanodine receptors (RyR) and by inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC) and Ca2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Therefore, we suggest a hypothetical chain of events, which starts from the activation of presynaptic CB1 receptors, involves PLC, RyR, and CaMKII, and results in CGRP release with the subsequent activation of presynaptic CGRP receptors. Activation of CGRP receptors is probably a part of a complex molecular cascade leading to the 2-AG-induced increase in ACh quantal size and MEPP amplitude. We propose that the same chain of events may also take place if 2-AG is endogenously produced in mouse motor synapses, because the increase in MEPP amplitude that follows after prolonged tetanic muscle contractions (30 Hz, 2 min) was prevented by the blocking of CB1 receptors. This work may help to unveil the previously unknown aspects of the functional interaction between ECs and peptide modulators aimed at the regulation of quantal size and synaptic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Tarasova
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Polina Bogacheva
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Kirill Chernyshev
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Olga Balezina
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
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Black T, Baccetto SL, Barnard IL, Finch E, McElroy DL, Austin-Scott FVL, Greba Q, Michel D, Zagzoog A, Howland JG, Laprairie RB. Characterization of cannabinoid plasma concentration, maternal health, and cytokine levels in a rat model of prenatal Cannabis smoke exposure. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21070. [PMID: 38030657 PMCID: PMC10687022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47861-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis sativa has gained popularity as a "natural substance", leading many to falsely assume that it is not harmful. This assumption has been documented amongst pregnant mothers, many of whom consider Cannabis use during pregnancy as benign. The purpose of this study was to validate a Cannabis smoke exposure model in pregnant rats by determining the plasma levels of cannabinoids and associated metabolites in the dams after exposure to either Cannabis smoke or injected cannabinoids. Maternal and fetal cytokine and chemokine profiles were also assessed after exposure. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were treated daily from gestational day 6-20 with either room air, i.p. vehicle, inhaled high-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (18% THC, 0.1% cannabidiol [CBD]) smoke, inhaled high-CBD (0.7% THC, 13% CBD) smoke, 3 mg/kg i.p. THC, or 10 mg/kg i.p. CBD. Our data reveal that THC and CBD, but not their metabolites, accumulate in maternal plasma after repeated exposures. Injection of THC or CBD was associated with fewer offspring and increased uterine reabsorption events. For cytokines and chemokines, injection of THC or CBD up-regulated several pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to control or high-THC smoke or high-CBD smoke in placental and fetal brain tissue, whereas smoke exposure was generally associated with reduced cytokine and chemokine concentrations in placental and fetal brain tissue compared to controls. These results support existing, but limited, knowledge on how different routes of administration contribute to inconsistent manifestations of cannabinoid-mediated effects on pregnancy. Smoked Cannabis is still the most common means of human consumption, and more preclinical investigation is needed to determine the effects of smoke inhalation on developmental and behavioural trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tallan Black
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, 3B36, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Sarah L Baccetto
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, 3B36, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Ilne L Barnard
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Emma Finch
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Dan L McElroy
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Faith V L Austin-Scott
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Quentin Greba
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Deborah Michel
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, 3B36, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Ayat Zagzoog
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, 3B36, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - John G Howland
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada.
| | - Robert B Laprairie
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, 3B36, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada.
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
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Cinquina V, Keimpema E, Pollak DD, Harkany T. Adverse effects of gestational ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid imbalance on the programming of fetal brain development. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13320. [PMID: 37497857 PMCID: PMC10909496 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a key medical challenge of our time. The increasing number of children born to overweight or obese women is alarming. During pregnancy, the circulation of the mother and her fetus interact to maintain the uninterrupted availability of essential nutrients for fetal organ development. In doing so, the mother's dietary preference determines the amount and composition of nutrients reaching the fetus. In particular, the availability of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), chiefly their ω-3 and ω-6 subclasses, can change when pregnant women choose a specific diet. Here, we provide a succinct overview of PUFA biochemistry, including exchange routes between ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs, the phenotypes, and probable neurodevelopmental disease associations of offspring born to mothers consuming specific PUFAs, and their mechanistic study in experimental models to typify signaling pathways, transcriptional, and epigenetic mechanisms by which PUFAs can imprint long-lasting modifications to brain structure and function. We emphasize that the ratio, rather than the amount of individual ω-3 or ω-6 PUFAs, might underpin physiologically correct cellular differentiation programs, be these for neurons or glia, during pregnancy. Thereupon, the PUFA-driven programming of the brain is contextualized for childhood obesity, metabolic, and endocrine illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cinquina
- Department of Molecular NeurosciencesCenter for Brain Research, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Erik Keimpema
- Department of Molecular NeurosciencesCenter for Brain Research, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Daniela D. Pollak
- Department of Neurophysiology and NeuropharmacologyCenter for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Tibor Harkany
- Department of Molecular NeurosciencesCenter for Brain Research, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Deaprtment of NeuroscienceBiomedicum 7D, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
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Winstone J, Shafique H, Clemmer ME, Mackie K, Wager-Miller J. Effects of Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase B Expression in the Adolescent Hippocampus. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023; 8:612-622. [PMID: 35639364 PMCID: PMC10442678 DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Adolescence is an important phase in brain maturation, specifically it is a time during which weak synapses are pruned and neural pathways are strengthened. Adolescence is also a time of experimentation with drugs, including cannabis, which may have detrimental effects on the developing nervous system. The cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1) is an important modulator of neurotransmitter release and plays a central role in neural development. Neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), are also critical during development for axon guidance and synapse specification. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of the phytocannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), on the expression of BDNF, its receptor TrkB, and other synaptic markers in the adolescent mouse hippocampus. Materials and Methods: Mice of both sexes were injected daily from P28 to P49 with 3 mg/kg THC, CBD, or a combination of THC/CBD. Brains were harvested on P50, and the dorsal and ventral hippocampi were analyzed for levels of BDNF, TrkB, and several synaptic markers using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and image analyses. Results: THC treatment statistically significantly reduced transcript levels of BDNF in adolescent female (BDNF I) and male (BDNF I, II, IV, VI, and IX) hippocampi. These changes were prevented when CBD was co-administered with THC. CBD by itself statistically significantly increased expression of some transcripts (BDNF II, VI, and IX for females, BDNF VI for males). No statistically significant changes were observed in protein expression for BDNF, TrkB, phospho-TrkB, phospho-CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein), and the synaptic markers, vesicular GABA transporter, vesicular glutamate transporter, synaptobrevin, and postsynaptic density protein 95. However, CB1 receptors were statistically significantly reduced in the ventral hippocampus with THC treatment. Conclusions: This study found changes in BDNF mRNA expression within the hippocampus of adolescent mice exposed to THC and CBD. THC represses transcript expression for some BDNF variants, and this effect is rescued when CBD is co-administered. These effects were seen in both males and females, but sex differences were observed in specific BDNF isoforms. While a statistically significant reduction in CB1 receptor protein in the ventral dentate gyrus was seen, no other changes in protein levels were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Winstone
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Hana Shafique
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Madeleine E. Clemmer
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Ken Mackie
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Jim Wager-Miller
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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Del Rio R, Serrano RG, Gomez E, Martinez JC, Edward MA, Santos RA, Diaz KS, Cohen-Cory S. Cell-autonomous and differential endocannabinoid signaling impacts the development of presynaptic retinal ganglion cell axon connectivity in vivo. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 15:1176864. [PMID: 37252636 PMCID: PMC10213524 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2023.1176864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis exposure during gestation evokes significant molecular modifications to neurodevelopmental programs leading to neurophysiological and behavioral abnormalities in humans. The main neuronal receptor for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the type-1 cannabinoid receptor CB1R, one of the most abundant G-protein-coupled receptors in the nervous system. While THC is the major psychoactive phytocannabinoid, endocannabinoids (eCBs) are the endogenous ligands of CB1R and are known to act as retrograde messengers to modulate synaptic plasticity at different time scales in the adult brain. Accumulating evidence indicates that eCB signaling through activation of CB1R plays a central role in neural development. During development, most CB1R localized to axons of projection neurons, and in mice eCB signaling impacts axon fasciculation. Understanding of eCB-mediated structural plasticity during development, however, requires the identification of the precise spatial and temporal dynamics of CB1R-mediated modifications at the level of individual neurons in the intact brain. Here, the cell-autonomous role of CB1R and the effects of CB1R-mediated eCB signaling were investigated using targeted single-cell knockdown and pharmacologic treatments in Xenopus. We imaged axonal arbors of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in real time following downregulation of CB1R via morpholino (MO) knockdown. We also analyzed RGC axons with altered eCB signaling following treatment with URB597, a selective inhibitor of the enzyme that degrades Anandamide (AEA), or JZL184, an inhibitor of the enzyme that blocks 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) hydrolysis, at two distinct stages of retinotectal development. Our results demonstrate that CB1R knockdown impacts RGC axon branching at their target and that differential 2-AG and AEA-mediated eCB signaling contributes to presynaptic structural connectivity at the time that axons terminate and when retinotectal synaptic connections are made. Altering CB1R levels through CB1R MO knockdown similarly impacted dendritic morphology of tectal neurons, thus supporting both pre- and postsynaptic cell-autonomous roles for CB1R-mediated eCB signaling.
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Dorsey SG, Mocci E, Lane MV, Krueger BK. Rapid effects of valproic acid on the fetal brain transcriptome: Implications for brain development and autism. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.01.538959. [PMID: 37205520 PMCID: PMC10187231 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.01.538959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
There is an increased incidence of autism among the children of women who take the anti-epileptic, mood stabilizing drug, valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy; moreover, exposure to VPA in utero causes autistic-like symptoms in rodents and non-human primates. Analysis of RNAseq data obtained from fetal mouse brains 3 hr after VPA administration revealed that VPA significantly [p(FDR) ≤ 0.025] increased or decreased the expression of approximately 7,300 genes. No significant sex differences in VPA-induced gene expression were observed. Expression of genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism as well as neurogenesis, axon growth and synaptogenesis, GABAergic, glutaminergic and dopaminergic synaptic transmission, perineuronal nets, and circadian rhythms was dysregulated by VPA. Moreover, expression of 400 autism risk genes was significantly altered by VPA as was expression of 247 genes that have been reported to play fundamental roles in the development of the nervous system, but are not linked to autism by GWAS. The goal of this study was to identify mouse genes that are: (a) significantly up- or down-regulated by VPA in the fetal brain and (b) known to be associated with autism and/or to play a role in embryonic neurodevelopmental processes, perturbation of which has the potential to alter brain connectivity in the postnatal and adult brain. The set of genes meeting these criteria provides potential targets for future hypothesis-driven approaches to elucidating the proximal underlying causes of defective brain connectivity in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
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Cáceres D, Ochoa M, González-Ortiz M, Bravo K, Eugenín J. Effects of Prenatal Cannabinoids Exposure upon Placenta and Development of Respiratory Neural Circuits. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1428:199-232. [PMID: 37466775 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-32554-0_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis use has risen dangerously during pregnancy in the face of incipient therapeutic use and a growing perception of safety. The main psychoactive compound of the Cannabis sativa plant is the phytocannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (A-9 THC), and its status as a teratogen is controversial. THC and its endogenous analogues, anandamide (AEA) and 2-AG, exert their actions through specific receptors (eCBr) that activate intracellular signaling pathways. CB1r and CB2r, also called classic cannabinoid receptors, together with their endogenous ligands and the enzymes that synthesize and degrade them, constitute the endocannabinoid system. This system is distributed ubiquitously in various central and peripheral tissues. Although the endocannabinoid system's most studied role is controlling the release of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, the study of long-term exposure to cannabinoids on fetal development is not well known and is vital for understanding environmental or pathological embryo-fetal or postnatal conditions. Prenatal exposure to cannabinoids in animal models has induced changes in placental and embryo-fetal organs. Particularly, cannabinoids could influence both neural and nonneural tissues and induce embryo-fetal pathological conditions in critical processes such as neural respiratory control. This review aims at the acute and chronic effects of prenatal exposure to cannabinoids on placental function and the embryo-fetal neurodevelopment of the respiratory pattern. The information provided here will serve as a theoretical framework to critically evaluate the teratogen effects of the consumption of cannabis during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Martín Ochoa
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcelo González-Ortiz
- Laboratorio de Investigación Materno-Fetal (LIMaF), Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Karina Bravo
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia, Chile
| | - Jaime Eugenín
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Watts JJ, Guma E, Chavez S, Tyndale RF, Ross RA, Houle S, Wilson AA, Chakravarty M, Rusjan PM, Mizrahi R. In vivo brain endocannabinoid metabolism is related to hippocampus glutamate and structure - a multimodal imaging study with PET, 1H-MRS, and MRI. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1984-1991. [PMID: 35906490 PMCID: PMC9485131 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01384-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of hippocampus glutamatergic neurotransmission and reductions in hippocampal volume have been associated with psychiatric disorders. The endocannabinoid system modulates glutamate neurotransmission and brain development, including hippocampal remodeling. In humans, elevated levels of anandamide and lower activity of its catabolic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) are associated with schizophrenia diagnosis and psychotic symptom severity, respectively (Neuropsychopharmacol, 29(11), 2108-2114; Biol. Psychiatry 88 (9), 727-735). Although preclinical studies provide strong evidence linking anandamide and FAAH to hippocampus neurotransmission and structure, these relationships remain poorly understood in humans. We recruited young adults with and without psychotic disorders and measured FAAH activity, hippocampal glutamate and glutamine (Glx), and hippocampal volume using [11C]CURB positron emission tomography (PET), proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and T1-weighted structural MRI, respectively. We hypothesized that higher FAAH activity would be associated with greater hippocampus Glx and lower hippocampus volume, and that these effects would differ in patients with psychotic disorders relative to healthy control participants. After attrition and quality control, a total of 37 participants (62% male) completed [11C]CURB PET and 1H-MRS of the left hippocampus, and 45 (69% male) completed [11C]CURB PET and hippocampal volumetry. Higher FAAH activity was associated with greater concentration of hippocampal Glx (F1,36.36 = 9.17, p = 0.0045; Cohen's f = 0.30, medium effect size) and smaller hippocampal volume (F1,44.70 = 5.94, p = 0.019, Cohen's f = 0.26, medium effect size). These effects did not differ between psychosis and healthy control groups (no group interaction). This multimodal imaging study provides the first in vivo evidence linking hippocampal Glx and hippocampus volume with endocannabinoid metabolism in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy J Watts
- Research Centre, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elisa Guma
- Computational Brain Anatomy (CoBrA) Laboratory, Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Developmental Neurogenomics Unit, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sofia Chavez
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rachel F Tyndale
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth A Ross
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sylvain Houle
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alan A Wilson
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mallar Chakravarty
- Computational Brain Anatomy (CoBrA) Laboratory, Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Pablo M Rusjan
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Romina Mizrahi
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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11
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Prenatal exposure to Cannabis smoke induces early and lasting damage to the brain. Neurochem Int 2022; 160:105406. [PMID: 35970295 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2022.105406] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug during pregnancy, however, the effects of gestational exposure to Cannabis smoke (CS) on the central nervous system development remain uncharacterised. This study investigates the effects of maternal CS inhalation on brain function in the offspring. Pregnant mice were exposed daily to 5 min of CS during gestational days (GD) 5.5-17.5. On GD 18.5 half of the dams were euthanized for foetus removal. The offspring from the remaining dams were euthanized on postnatal days (PND) 20 and 60 for evaluation. Brain volume, cortex cell number, SOX2, histone-H3, parvalbumin, NeuN, and BDNF immunoreactivity were assessed in all groups. In addition, levels of NeuN, CB1 receptor, and BDNF expression were assessed and cortical primary neurons from rats were treated with Cannabis smoke extract (CSE) for assessment of cell viability. We found that male foetuses from the CS exposed group had decreased brain volume, whereas mice at PND 60 from the exposed group presented with increased brain volume. Olfactory bulb and diencephalon volume were found lower in foetuses exposed to CS. Mice at PND 60 from the exposed group had a smaller volume in the thalamus and hypothalamus while the cerebellum presented with a greater volume. Also, there was an increase in cortical BDNF immunoreactivity in CS exposed mice at PND 60. Protein expression analysis showed an increase in pro-BDNF in foetus brains exposed to CS. Mice at PND 60 presented an increase in mature BDNF in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in the exposed group and a higher CB1 receptor expression in the PFC. Moreover, hippocampal NeuN expression was higher in adult animals from the exposed group. Lastly, treatment of cortical primary neurons with doses of CSE resulted in decreased cell viability. These findings highlight the potential negative neurodevelopmental outcomes induced by gestational CS exposure.
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12
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Schirò G, Iacono S, Ragonese P, Aridon P, Salemi G, Balistreri CR. A Brief Overview on BDNF-Trk Pathway in the Nervous System: A Potential Biomarker or Possible Target in Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis? Front Neurol 2022; 13:917527. [PMID: 35911894 PMCID: PMC9332890 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.917527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The growing incidence of neurodegenerative disorders in our populations is leading the research to identify potential biomarkers and targets for facilitating their early management and treatments. Biomarkers represent the crucial indicators of both physiological and pathological processes. Specific changes in molecular and cellular mechanisms of physiological processes result in biochemical alterations at systemic level, which can give us comprehensive information regarding the nature of any disease. In addition, any disease biomarker should be specific and reliable, able to consent of distinguishing the physiological condition of a tissue, organ, or system from disease, and be diverse among the various diseases, or subgroups or phenotypes of them. Accordingly, biomarkers can predict chances for diseases, facilitate their early diagnosis, and set guidelines for the development of new therapies for treating diseases and disease-making process. Here, we focus our attention on brain neurotrophic factor (BDNF)–tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) pathway, describing its multiple roles in the maintenance of central nervous system (CNS) health, as well as its implication in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition, we also evidence the features of such pathway, which make of it a potential MS biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Schirò
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Iacono
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Ragonese
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Paolo Ragonese
| | - Paolo Aridon
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Salemi
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Giuseppe Salemi
| | - Carmela Rita Balistreri
- Cellular and Molecular Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Carmela Rita Balistreri ; orcid.org/0000-0002-5393-1007
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13
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Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Beta-Caryophyllene Mediated by the Involvement of TRPV1, BDNF and trkB in the Rat Cerebral Cortex after Hypoperfusion/Reperfusion. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073633. [PMID: 35408995 PMCID: PMC8998979 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073633] [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: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that bilateral common carotid artery occlusion followed by reperfusion (BCCAO/R) is a model to study early hypoperfusion/reperfusion-induced changes in biomarkers of the tissue physiological response to oxidative stress and inflammation. Thus in this study, we investigate with immunochemical assays if a single dose of beta-caryophyllene (BCP), administered before the BCCAO/R, can modulate the TRPV1, BDNF, and trkB receptor in the brain cortex; the glial markers GFAP and Iba1 were also examined. Frontal and temporal-occipital cortical regions were analyzed in two groups of male rats, sham-operated and submitted to BCCAO/R. Six hours before surgery, one group was gavage fed a dose of BCP (40 mg/per rat in 300 μL of sunflower oil), the other was pre-treated with the vehicle alone. Western blot analysis showed that, in the frontal cortex of vehicle-treated rats, the BCCAO/R caused a TRPV1 decrease, an increment of trkB and GFAP, no change in BDNF and Iba1. The BCP treatment caused a decrease of BDNF and an increase of trkB levels in both sham and BCCAO/R conditions while inducing opposite changes in the case of TRPV1, whose levels became higher in BCCAO/R and lower in sham conditions. Present results highlight the role of BCP in modulating early events of the cerebral inflammation triggered by the BCCAO/R through the regulation of TRPV1 and the BDNF-trkB system.
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14
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Philippot G, Hosseini K, Yakub A, Mhajar Y, Hamid M, Buratovic S, Fredriksson R. Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) and its Effect on the Developing Mouse Brain. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:867748. [PMID: 35391823 PMCID: PMC8981466 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.867748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracetamol, or acetaminophen (AAP), is the most commonly used analgesic during pregnancy and early life. While therapeutic doses of AAP are considered harmless during these periods, recent findings in both humans and rodents suggest a link between developmental exposure to AAP and behavioral consequences later in life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of neonatal exposure to clinically relevant doses of AAP on adult spontaneous behavior, habituation, memory, learning, and cognitive flexibility later in life using a mouse model. Markers of oxidative stress, axon outgrowth, and glutamatergic transmission were also investigated in the hippocampus during the first 24 h after exposure. In addition, potential long-term effects on synaptic density in the hippocampus have been investigated. In a home cage setting, mice neonatally exposed to AAP (30 + 30 mg/kg, 4 h apart) on postnatal day 10 displayed altered spontaneous behavior and changed habituation patterns later in life compared to controls. These mice also displayed reduced memory, learning and cognitive flexibility compared to control animals in the Morris water maze. An increase of markers for oxidative stress was observed in the hippocampus 6 h after AAP exposure. As AAP is the first choice treatment for pain and/or fever during pregnancy and early life, these results may be of great importance for risk assessment. Here we show that AAP can have persistent negative effects on brain development and suggest that AAP, despite the relatively low doses, is capable to induce acute oxidative stress in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëtan Philippot
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Molecular Neuropharmacology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Gaëtan Philippot,
| | - Kimia Hosseini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Molecular Neuropharmacology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Armine Yakub
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Molecular Neuropharmacology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yasser Mhajar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Molecular Neuropharmacology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mariam Hamid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Molecular Neuropharmacology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sonja Buratovic
- Department of Organismal Biology, Environmental Toxicology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Robert Fredriksson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Molecular Neuropharmacology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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15
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Simone JJ, Green MR, McCormick CM. Endocannabinoid system contributions to sex-specific adolescent neurodevelopment. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 113:110438. [PMID: 34534603 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
With an increasing number of countries and states adopting legislation permitting the use of cannabis for medical purposes, there is a growing interest among health and research professionals into the system through which cannabinoids principally act, the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Much of the seminal research into the ECS dates back only 30 years and, although there has been tremendous development within the field during this time, many questions remain. More recently, investigations have emerged examining the contributions of the ECS to normative development and the effect of altering this system during important critical periods. One such period is adolescence, a unique period during which brain and behaviours are maturing and reorganizing in preparation for adulthood, including shifts in endocannabinoid biology. The purpose of this review is to discuss findings to date regarding the maturation of the ECS during adolescence and the consequences of manipulations of the ECS during this period to normative neurodevelopmental processes, as well as highlight sex differences in ECS function, important technical considerations, and future directions. Because most of what we know is derived from preclinical studies on rodents, we provide relevant background of this model and some commentary on the translational relevance of the research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Simone
- Department of Biological Sciences, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; Centre for Neuroscience, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; Huxley Health Inc., 8820 Jane St., Concord, ON, L4K 2M9, Canada; eCB Consulting Inc., PO Box 652, 3 Cameron St. W., Cannington, ON L0E 1E0, Canada; Medical Cannabis Canada, 601-3500 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville, ON L6L 0B4, Canada.
| | - Matthew R Green
- eCB Consulting Inc., PO Box 652, 3 Cameron St. W., Cannington, ON L0E 1E0, Canada; Medical Cannabis Canada, 601-3500 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville, ON L6L 0B4, Canada.
| | - Cheryl M McCormick
- Department of Biological Sciences, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; Centre for Neuroscience, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; Department of Psychology, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada.
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16
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Papa A, Pasquini S, Contri C, Gemma S, Campiani G, Butini S, Varani K, Vincenzi F. Polypharmacological Approaches for CNS Diseases: Focus on Endocannabinoid Degradation Inhibition. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030471. [PMID: 35159280 PMCID: PMC8834510 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Polypharmacology breaks up the classical paradigm of “one-drug, one target, one disease” electing multitarget compounds as potential therapeutic tools suitable for the treatment of complex diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, psychiatric or degenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorders, and cancer. These diseases often require a combination therapy which may result in positive but also negative synergistic effects. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is emerging as a particularly attractive therapeutic target in CNS disorders and neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Huntington’s disease (HD), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), pain, and epilepsy. ECS is an organized neuromodulatory network, composed by endogenous cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors type 1 and type 2 (CB1 and CB2), and the main catabolic enzymes involved in the endocannabinoid inactivation such as fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). The multiple connections of the ECS with other signaling pathways in the CNS allows the consideration of the ECS as an optimal source of inspiration in the development of innovative polypharmacological compounds. In this review, we focused our attention on the reported polypharmacological examples in which FAAH and MAGL inhibitors are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Papa
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.P.); (S.G.); (G.C.)
| | - Silvia Pasquini
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (C.C.); (K.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Chiara Contri
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (C.C.); (K.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Sandra Gemma
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.P.); (S.G.); (G.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.P.); (S.G.); (G.C.)
| | - Stefania Butini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.P.); (S.G.); (G.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0577-234161
| | - Katia Varani
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (C.C.); (K.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Fabrizio Vincenzi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (C.C.); (K.V.); (F.V.)
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17
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Molecular Findings Guiding the Modulation of the Endocannabinoid System as a Potential Target to Treat Schizophrenia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1400:89-103. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-97182-3_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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18
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Endocannabinoid markers in autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review of human studies. Psychiatry Res 2021; 306:114256. [PMID: 34775294 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication deficits and patterns of restrictive and repetitive behavior. Although the neurological underpinnings of ASD remain elusive, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may play a role in modulating social behavior in ASD. Preclinical studies have suggested that alterations in the ECS result in ASD-like phenotypes, but currently no reviews have examined ECS abnormalities in human studies. This scoping review investigated any evidence of ECS alterations in humans with ASD. A comprehensive literature search was conducted and five studies were eligible for review. Three studies reported a significant reduction of anandamide in ASD compared to controls. Other alterations included decreased 2-arachidonoylglycerol, oleoylethanolamide, and palmitoylethanolamide and elevated diacylglycerol lipase and monoacylglycerol lipase. Some discrepant findings were also noted, which included elevated or reduced CB2 receptor in three studies and elevated or reduced N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D and fatty acid amide hydrolase in two studies. We conclude from this preliminary investigation that the ECS may be altered in humans with ASD. Potential limitations of the reviewed studies include medication use and psychiatric comorbidities. Further research, such as positron emission tomography studies, are necessary to fully understand the relationship between ECS markers and ASD.
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19
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Bajaj S, Bagley JA, Sommer C, Vertesy A, Nagumo Wong S, Krenn V, Lévi-Strauss J, Knoblich JA. Neurotransmitter signaling regulates distinct phases of multimodal human interneuron migration. EMBO J 2021; 40:e108714. [PMID: 34661293 PMCID: PMC8634123 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory GABAergic interneurons migrate over long distances from their extracortical origin into the developing cortex. In humans, this process is uniquely slow and prolonged, and it is unclear whether guidance cues unique to humans govern the various phases of this complex developmental process. Here, we use fused cerebral organoids to identify key roles of neurotransmitter signaling pathways in guiding the migratory behavior of human cortical interneurons. We use scRNAseq to reveal expression of GABA, glutamate, glycine, and serotonin receptors along distinct maturation trajectories across interneuron migration. We develop an image analysis software package, TrackPal, to simultaneously assess 48 parameters for entire migration tracks of individual cells. By chemical screening, we show that different modes of interneuron migration depend on distinct neurotransmitter signaling pathways, linking transcriptional maturation of interneurons with their migratory behavior. Altogether, our study provides a comprehensive quantitative analysis of human interneuron migration and its functional modulation by neurotransmitter signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunanjay Bajaj
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria.,University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joshua A Bagley
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Sommer
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Abel Vertesy
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Sakurako Nagumo Wong
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronica Krenn
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Julie Lévi-Strauss
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Juergen A Knoblich
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria.,Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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20
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Harkany T, Cinquina V. Physiological Rules of Endocannabinoid Action During Fetal and Neonatal Brain Development. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2021; 6:381-388. [PMID: 34619043 DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is chiefly recognized as a homeostatic regulator of synaptic neurotransmission, primarily through the modulation of presynaptic CB1 cannabinoid neurons. Accordingly, the use of plant-derived cannabinoids received significant attention recently given the broad spectrum of physiological and pathobiological processes the endocannabinoid system is involved in. Nevertheless, a parallel line of research from a number of developmental biology groups has uncovered fundamental, evolutionarily conserved, and molecularly unique processes that endocannabinoids drive during development of the central nervous system. This lecture transcript is a concise summary of nearly 20 years of research on endocannabinoid-gated mechanisms of neurogenic specification events, which particularly define the numbers, placement, and connectivity of cortical neurons. A summary of both CB1 and alternative cannabinoid receptor contributions to neural differentiation is also discussed. Besides, insights are given into how phytocannabinoids can bypass physiologically timed and pivoted endocannabinoid action to inflict developmental errors that can significantly compromise the adaptive and computational ability of neurocircuits. By discussing specific subcellular targets of phytocannabinoid action and inferring errant glia versus neuron fate decisions and communication, a cellular basis is outlined for lifelong psychiatric phenotypes in offspring that associate with maternal cannabis seeking during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Harkany
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicum 7D, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Valentina Cinquina
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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21
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Thomason ME, Palopoli AC, Jariwala NN, Werchan DM, Chen A, Adhikari S, Espinoza-Heredia C, Brito NH, Trentacosta CJ. Miswiring the brain: Human prenatal Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol use associated with altered fetal hippocampal brain network connectivity. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2021; 51:101000. [PMID: 34388638 PMCID: PMC8363827 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2021.101000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence supports a link between maternal prenatal cannabis use and altered neural and physiological development of the child. However, whether cannabis use relates to altered human brain development prior to birth, and specifically, whether maternal prenatal cannabis use relates to connectivity of fetal functional brain systems, remains an open question. The major objective of this study was to identify whether maternal prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) is associated with variation in human brain hippocampal functional connectivity prior to birth. Prenatal drug toxicology and fetal fMRI data were available in a sample of 115 fetuses [43 % female; mean age 32.2 weeks (SD = 4.3)]. Voxelwise hippocampal connectivity analysis in a subset of age and sex-matched fetuses revealed that PCE was associated with alterations in fetal dorsolateral, medial and superior frontal, insula, anterior temporal, and posterior cingulate connectivity. Classification of group differences by age 5 outcomes suggest that compared to the non-PCE group, the PCE group is more likely to have increased connectivity to regions associated with less favorable outcomes and to have decreased connectivity to regions associated with more favorable outcomes. This is preliminary evidence that altered fetal neural connectome may contribute to neurobehavioral vulnerability observed in children exposed to cannabis in utero.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriah E Thomason
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Population Health, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Neuroscience Institute, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Ava C Palopoli
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nicki N Jariwala
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Denise M Werchan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alan Chen
- Department of Population Health, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samrachana Adhikari
- Department of Population Health, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Claudia Espinoza-Heredia
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natalie H Brito
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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22
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Genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19 and subcortical variability in the human adult brain. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:467. [PMID: 34497262 PMCID: PMC8426391 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01591-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacogenetic studies have shown involvement of cytochrome P450 enzymes in the metabolism of psychotropic drugs. However, expression and activity on endogenous substrates in the brain may underlie a constitutive role of these enzymes beyond drug metabolism. CYP2C19, which is expressed in the human fetal brain during neurodevelopment, shows affinity for endogenous compounds including monoaminergic neurotransmitters, steroid hormones, and endocannabinoids. In this study (N = 608), we looked at the genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19 and its potential associations with structural phenotypes of subcortical brain volume with structural imaging. Using two independent volume estimation techniques, we found converging evidence for a positive association between CYP2C19 activity scores, as inferred from the genotype, and basal ganglia and hippocampal volume. This association was present only in female individuals, raising the possibility that effects on brain morphology may arise through a mechanism involving the metabolism of estrogen steroids.
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23
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Sufian MS, Amin MR, Ali DW. Early suppression of the endocannabinoid degrading enzymes FAAH and MAGL alters locomotor development in zebrafish. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:271961. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) enzymes are the predominant catabolic regulators of the major endocannabinoids (eCBs) anadamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), respectively. The expression and roles of eCBs during early embryogenesis remain to be fully investigated. Here, we inhibited FAAH and MAGL in zebrafish embryos during the first 24 h of life and examined motor neuron and locomotor development at 2 and 5 days post fertilization (dpf). Application of the dual FAAH/MAGL inhibitor, JZL195 (2 µmol l−1), resulted in a reduction in primary and secondary motor neuron axonal branching. JZL195 also reduced nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) expression at neuromuscular junctions. Application of URB597 (5 µmol l−1), a specific inhibitor of the FAAH enzyme, also decreased primary motor neuron branching but did not affect secondary motor neuron branching and nAChR expression. Interestingly, JZL184 (5 µmol l−1), a specific inhibitor of MAGL, showed no effects on motor neuron branching or nAChR expression. Co-treatment of the enzyme inhibitors with the CB1R inhibitor AM251 confirmed the involvement of CB1R in motor neuron branching. Disruption of FAAH or MAGL reduced larval swimming activity, and AM251 attenuated the JZL195- and URB597-induced locomotor changes, but not the effects of JZL184. Together, these findings indicate that inhibition of FAAH, or augmentation of AEA acting through CB1R during early development, may be responsible for locomotor deficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Shah Sufian
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - M. Ruhul Amin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Declan W. Ali
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, 2-132 Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Research Innovation, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada
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Miller DS, Wright KM. Neuronal Dystroglycan regulates postnatal development of CCK/cannabinoid receptor-1 interneurons. Neural Dev 2021; 16:4. [PMID: 34362433 PMCID: PMC8349015 DOI: 10.1186/s13064-021-00153-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The development of functional neural circuits requires the precise formation of synaptic connections between diverse neuronal populations. The molecular pathways that allow GABAergic interneuron subtypes in the mammalian brain to initially recognize their postsynaptic partners remain largely unknown. The transmembrane glycoprotein Dystroglycan is localized to inhibitory synapses in pyramidal neurons, where it is required for the proper function of CCK+ interneurons. However, the precise temporal requirement for Dystroglycan during inhibitory synapse development has not been examined. Methods In this study, we use NEXCre or Camk2aCreERT2 to conditionally delete Dystroglycan from newly-born or adult pyramidal neurons, respectively. We then analyze forebrain development from postnatal day 3 through adulthood, with a particular focus on CCK+ interneurons. Results In the absence of postsynaptic Dystroglycan in developing pyramidal neurons, presynaptic CCK+ interneurons fail to elaborate their axons and largely disappear from the cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and olfactory bulb during the first two postnatal weeks. Other interneuron subtypes are unaffected, indicating that CCK+ interneurons are unique in their requirement for postsynaptic Dystroglycan. Dystroglycan does not appear to be required in adult pyramidal neurons to maintain CCK+ interneurons. Bax deletion did not rescue CCK+ interneurons in Dystroglycan mutants during development, suggesting that they are not eliminated by canonical apoptosis. Rather, we observed increased innervation of the striatum, suggesting that the few remaining CCK+ interneurons re-directed their axons to neighboring areas where Dystroglycan expression remained intact. Conclusion Together these findings show that Dystroglycan functions as part of a synaptic partner recognition complex that is required early for CCK+ interneuron development in the forebrain. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13064-021-00153-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Miller
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Kevin M Wright
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, VIB 3435A, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, L474, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA.
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25
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Facilitation of TRKB Activation by the Angiotensin II Receptor Type-2 (AT2R) Agonist C21. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080773. [PMID: 34451870 PMCID: PMC8400827 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Blockers of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) exert antidepressant-like effects by indirectly facilitating the activation of the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R), which leads to increased surface expression and transactivation of tropomyosin-related kinase B receptors (TRKB). Compound 21 (C21) is a non-peptide AT2R agonist that produces neuroprotective effects. However, the behavioral effects of C21 and its involvement with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-TRKB system still need further investigation. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of C21 on the activation of TRKB and its consequences on conditioned fear. The administration of C21 (0.1–10 μM/15 min) increased the surface levels of TRKB but was not sufficient to increase the levels of phosphorylated TRKB (pTRKB) in cultured cortical neurons from rat embryos. Consistent with increased TRKB surface expression, C21 (10 μM/15 min or 3 days) facilitated the effect of BDNF (0.1 ng/mL/15 min) on pTRKB in these cells. In contextual fear conditioning, the freezing time of C21-treated (administered intranasally) wild-type mice was decreased compared to the vehicle-treated group, but no effect of C21 was observed in BDNF.het animals. We observed no effect of C21 in the elevated plus-maze test for anxiety. Taken together, our results indicate that C21 facilitated BDNF effect by increasing the levels of TRKB on the cell surface and reduced the freezing time of mice in a BDNF-dependent manner, but not through a general anxiolytic-like effect.
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Molina-Holgado E, Paniagua-Torija B, Arevalo-Martin A, Moreno-Luna R, Esteban PF, Le MQU, Del Cerro MDM, Garcia-Ovejero D. Cannabinoid Receptor 1 associates to different molecular complexes during GABAergic neuron maturation. J Neurochem 2021; 158:640-656. [PMID: 33942314 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
CB1 cannabinoid receptor is widely expressed in the central nervous system of animals from late prenatal development to adulthood. Appropriate activation and signaling of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in cortical interneurons are crucial during perinatal/postnatal ages and adolescence, when long-lasting changes in brain activity may elicit subsequent appearance of disorders in the adult brain. Here we used an optimized immunoprecipitation protocol based on specific antibodies followed by shot-gun proteomics to find CB1 interacting partners in postnatal rat GABAergic cortical neurons in vitro at two different stages of maturation. Besides describing new proteins associated with CB1 like dihydrolipoyllysine-residue acetyltransferase component of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (DLAT), fatty acid synthase (FASN), tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta (YWHAZ), voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1), myosin phosphatase Rho-interacting protein (MPRIP) or usher syndrome type-1C protein-binding protein 1 (USHBP1), we show that the signaling complex of CB1 is different between maturational stages. Interestingly, the CB1 signaling complex is enriched at the more immature stage in mitochondrial associated proteins and metabolic molecular functions, whereas at more mature stage, CB1 complex is increased in maturation and synaptic-associated proteins. We describe also interacting partners specifically immunoprecipitated with either N-terminal or C-terminal CB1 directed antibodies. Our results highlight new players that may be affected by altered cannabinoid signaling at this critical window of postnatal cortical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Molina-Holgado
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain
| | | | - Angel Arevalo-Martin
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain
| | - Rafael Moreno-Luna
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain
| | - Pedro F Esteban
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain
| | - Minh Quynh Uyen Le
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain
| | | | - Daniel Garcia-Ovejero
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain
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27
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Isaac AR, de Velasco PC, Fraga KYD, Tavares-do-Carmo MDG, Campos RMP, Iannotti FA, Verde R, Martins DBG, Santos TA, Ferreira BK, de Mello FG, Di Marzo V, Andrade-da-Costa BLDS, de Melo Reis RA. Maternal omega-3 intake differentially affects the endocannabinoid system in the progeny`s neocortex and hippocampus: Impact on synaptic markers. J Nutr Biochem 2021; 96:108782. [PMID: 34038760 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) modulate several functions through neurodevelopment including synaptic plasticity mechanisms. The interplay between n-3PUFA and the ECS during the early stages of development, however, is not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of maternal n-3PUFA supplementation (n-3Sup) or deficiency (n-3Def) on ECS and synaptic markers in postnatal offspring. Female rats were fed with a control, n-3Def, or n-3Sup diet from 15 days before mating and during pregnancy. The cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mothers and postnatal 1-2 days offspring were analyzed. In the mothers, a n-3 deficiency reduced CB1 receptor (CB1R) protein levels in the cortex and increased CB2 receptor (CB2R) in both cortex and hippocampus. In neonates, a maternal n-3 deficiency reduced the hippocampal CB1R amount while it increased CB2R. Additionally, total GFAP isoform expression was increased in both cortex and hippocampus in neonates of the n-3Def group. Otherwise, maternal n-3 supplementation increased the levels of n-3-derived endocannabinoids, DHEA and EPEA, in the cortex and hippocampus and reduced 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG) concentrations in the cortex of the offspring. Furthermore, maternal n-3 supplementation also increased PKA phosphorylation in the cortex and ERK phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Synaptophysin immunocontent in both regions was also increased. In vitro assays showed that the increase of synaptophysin in the n-3Sup group was independent of CB1R activation. The findings show that variations in maternal dietary omega-3 PUFA levels may impact differently on the ECS and molecular markers in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alinny Rosendo Isaac
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho (IBCCF), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | | | - Karla Yasmin Dias Fraga
- Instituto de Nutrição Josué de Castro (INJC), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria das Graças Tavares-do-Carmo
- Instituto de Nutrição Josué de Castro (INJC), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Raquel Maria Pereira Campos
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho (IBCCF), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabio Arturo Iannotti
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Roberta Verde
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Danyelly Bruneska Gondim Martins
- Grupo de Bioinformática e prospecção molecular, Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Thaysa Aragão Santos
- Grupo de Bioinformática e prospecção molecular, Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Bruna Klippel Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando Garcia de Mello
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho (IBCCF), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; Canada Exellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, CRIUCPQ and NUTRISS-INAF Universitè Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | | | - Ricardo Augusto de Melo Reis
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho (IBCCF), Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Ghosh S, Stansak K, Walters BJ. Cannabinoid Signaling in Auditory Function and Development. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:678510. [PMID: 34079440 PMCID: PMC8165240 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.678510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants of the genus Cannabis have been used by humans for millennia for a variety of purposes. Perhaps most notable is the use of certain Cannabis strains for their psychoactive effects. More recently, several biologically active molecules within the plants of these Cannabis strains, called phytocannabinoids or simply cannabinoids, have been identified. Furthermore, within human cells, endogenous cannabinoids, or endocannabinoids, as well as the receptors and secondary messengers that give rise to their neuromodulatory effects, have also been characterized. This endocannabinoid system (ECS) is composed of two primary ligands-anandamide and 2-arachidonyl glycerol; two primary receptors-cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2; and several enzymes involved in biosynthesis and degradation of endocannabinoid ligands including diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). Here we briefly summarize cannabinoid signaling and review what has been discerned to date with regard to cannabinoid signaling in the auditory system and its roles in normal physiological function as well as pathological conditions. While much has been uncovered regarding cannabinoid signaling in the central nervous system, less attention has been paid to the auditory system specifically. Still, evidence is emerging to suggest that cannabinoid signaling is critical for the development, maturation, function, and survival of cochlear hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Furthermore, cannabinoid signaling can have profound effects on synaptic connectivity in CNS structures related to auditory processing. While clinical cases demonstrate that endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids impact auditory function, this review highlights several areas, such as SGN development, where more research is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumana Ghosh
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Kendra Stansak
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Bradley J Walters
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
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29
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Papariello A, Taylor D, Soderstrom K, Litwa K. CB 1 antagonism increases excitatory synaptogenesis in a cortical spheroid model of fetal brain development. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9356. [PMID: 33931678 PMCID: PMC8087674 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88750-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a complex role in the development of neural circuitry during fetal brain development. The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) controls synaptic strength at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses and thus contributes to the balance of excitatory and inhibitory signaling. Imbalances in the ratio of excitatory to inhibitory synapses have been implicated in various neuropsychiatric disorders associated with dysregulated central nervous system development including autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. The role of CB1 in human brain development has been difficult to study but advances in induced pluripotent stem cell technology have allowed us to model the fetal brain environment. Cortical spheroids resemble the cortex of the dorsal telencephalon during mid-fetal gestation and possess functional synapses, spontaneous activity, an astrocyte population, and pseudo-laminar organization. We first characterized the ECS using STORM microscopy and observed synaptic localization of components similar to that which is observed in the fetal brain. Next, using the CB1-selective antagonist SR141716A, we observed an increase in excitatory, and to a lesser extent, inhibitory synaptogenesis as measured by confocal image analysis. Further, CB1 antagonism increased the variability of spontaneous activity within developing neural networks, as measured by microelectrode array. Overall, we have established that cortical spheroids express ECS components and are thus a useful model for exploring endocannabinoid mediation of childhood neuropsychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Papariello
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA
| | - David Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA
| | - Ken Soderstrom
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.
| | - Karen Litwa
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.
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30
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Vasistha NA, Khodosevich K. The impact of (ab)normal maternal environment on cortical development. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 202:102054. [PMID: 33905709 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The cortex in the mammalian brain is the most complex brain region that integrates sensory information and coordinates motor and cognitive processes. To perform such functions, the cortex contains multiple subtypes of neurons that are generated during embryogenesis. Newly born neurons migrate to their proper location in the cortex, grow axons and dendrites, and form neuronal circuits. These developmental processes in the fetal brain are regulated to a large extent by a great variety of factors derived from the mother - starting from simple nutrients as building blocks and ending with hormones. Thus, when the normal maternal environment is disturbed due to maternal infection, stress, malnutrition, or toxic substances, it might have a profound impact on cortical development and the offspring can develop a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we first describe the major developmental processes which generate neuronal diversity in the cortex. We then review our knowledge of how most common maternal insults affect cortical development, perturb neuronal circuits, and lead to neurodevelopmental disorders. We further present a concept of selective vulnerability of cortical neuronal subtypes to maternal-derived insults, where the vulnerability of cortical neurons and their progenitors to an insult depends on the time (developmental period), place (location in the developing brain), and type (unique features of a cell type and an insult). Finally, we provide evidence for the existence of selective vulnerability during cortical development and identify the most vulnerable neuronal types, stages of differentiation, and developmental time for major maternal-derived insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navneet A Vasistha
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Konstantin Khodosevich
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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31
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Tortoriello G, Beiersdorf J, Romani S, Williams G, Cameron GA, Mackie K, Williams MJ, Di Marzo V, Keimpema E, Doherty P, Harkany T. Genetic Manipulation of sn-1-Diacylglycerol Lipase and CB 1 Cannabinoid Receptor Gain-of-Function Uncover Neuronal 2-Linoleoyl Glycerol Signaling in Drosophila melanogaster. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2021; 6:119-136. [PMID: 33912677 DOI: 10.1089/can.2020.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: In mammals, sn-1-diacylglycerol lipases (DAGL) generate 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) that, as the major endocannabinoid, modulates synaptic neurotransmission by acting on CB1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R). Even though the insect genome codes for inaE, which is a DAGL ortholog (dDAGL), its products and their functions remain unknown particularly because insects lack chordate-type cannabinoid receptors. Materials and Methods: Gain-of-function and loss-of-function genetic manipulations were carried out in Drosophila melanogaster, including the generation of both dDAGL-deficient and mammalian CB1R-overexpressing flies. Neuroanatomy, dietary manipulations coupled with targeted mass spectrometry determination of arachidonic acid and 2-linoleoyl glycerol (2-LG) production, behavioral assays, and signal transduction profiling for Akt and Erk kinases were employed. Findings from Drosophilae were validated by a CB1R-binding assay for 2-LG in mammalian cortical homogenates with functionality confirmed in neurons using high-throughput real-time imaging in vitro. Results: In this study, we show that dDAGL is primarily expressed in the brain and nerve cord of Drosophila during larval development and in adult with 2-LG being its chief product as defined by dietary precursor availability. Overexpression of the human CB1R in the ventral nerve cord compromised the mobility of adult Drosophilae. The causality of 2-LG signaling to CB1R-induced behavioral impairments was shown by inaE inactivation normalizing defunct motor coordination. The 2-LG-induced activation of transgenic CB1Rs affected both Akt and Erk kinase cascades by paradoxical signaling. Data from Drosophila models were substantiated by showing 2-LG-mediated displacement of [3H]CP 55,940 in mouse cortical homogenates and reduced neurite extension and growth cone collapsing responses in cultured mouse neurons. Conclusions: Overall, these results suggest that 2-LG is an endocannabinoid-like signal lipid produced by dDAGL in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Tortoriello
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johannes Beiersdorf
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susana Romani
- Wolfson Center for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth Williams
- Wolfson Center for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gary A Cameron
- School of Applied Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Ken Mackie
- Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Canada Excellence Research Chair, Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec and Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Erik Keimpema
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patrick Doherty
- Wolfson Center for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tibor Harkany
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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32
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Zainullina LF, Vakhitova YV, Lusta AY, Gudasheva TA, Seredenin SB. Dimeric mimetic of BDNF loop 4 promotes survival of serum-deprived cell through TrkB-dependent apoptosis suppression. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7781. [PMID: 33833366 PMCID: PMC8032782 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87435-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in the regulation of neuronal cell growth, differentiation, neuroprotection and synaptic plasticity. Although aberrant BDNF/TrkB signaling is implicated in several neurological, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, neurotrophin-based therapy is challenging and is limited by improper pharmacokinetic properties of BDNF. Dimeric dipeptide compound GSB-106 (bis-(N-monosuccinyl-L-seryl-L-lysine) hexamethylenediamide) has earlier been designed to mimic the TrkB-interaction 4 loop of BDNF. It displayed protective effect in various cell-damaging models in vitro. Animal studies uncovered antidepressive and neuroprotective properties upon GSB-106 per os administration. Current study shows that GSB-106 acts similarly to BDNF, promoting survival of serum-deprived neuronal-like SH-SY5Y cells. 100 nmol concentration of GSB-106 provided maximum neurotrophic effect, which corresponds to about 37% of the maximum effect provided by BDNF. Protective properties of GSB-106 arise from its ability to counteract cell apoptosis via activation of TrkB-dependent pro-survival mechanisms, including inactivation of pro-apoptotic BAD protein and suppression of caspases 9 and 3/7. Thus, our study has characterized neurotrophic activity of small dimeric compound GSB-106, which mimics certain biological functions of BDNF and neurotrophin-specific protective mechanisms. GSB-106 also displays similarities to some known low weight peptide and non-peptide TrkB ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- L F Zainullina
- Federal State Budgetary Institution "Research Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology", 125315, Baltiyskaya str. 8, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yu V Vakhitova
- Federal State Budgetary Institution "Research Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology", 125315, Baltiyskaya str. 8, Moscow, Russia.
| | - A Yu Lusta
- Federal State Budgetary Institution "Research Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology", 125315, Baltiyskaya str. 8, Moscow, Russia
| | - T A Gudasheva
- Federal State Budgetary Institution "Research Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology", 125315, Baltiyskaya str. 8, Moscow, Russia
| | - S B Seredenin
- Federal State Budgetary Institution "Research Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology", 125315, Baltiyskaya str. 8, Moscow, Russia
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33
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Song CG, Kang X, Yang F, Du WQ, Zhang JJ, Liu L, Kang JJ, Jia N, Yue H, Fan LY, Wu SX, Jiang W, Gao F. Endocannabinoid system in the neurodevelopment of GABAergic interneurons: implications for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Rev Neurosci 2021; 32:803-831. [PMID: 33781002 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In mature mammalian brains, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and the functioning of neural networks. Besides, the ECS also contributes to the neurodevelopment of the central nervous system. Due to the increase in the medical and recreational use of cannabis, it is inevitable and essential to elaborate the roles of the ECS on neurodevelopment. GABAergic interneurons represent a group of inhibitory neurons that are vital in controlling neural network activity. However, the role of the ECS in the neurodevelopment of GABAergic interneurons remains to be fully elucidated. In this review, we provide a brief introduction of the ECS and interneuron diversity. We focus on the process of interneuron development and the role of ECS in the modulation of interneuron development, from the expansion of the neural stem/progenitor cells to the migration, specification and maturation of interneurons. We further discuss the potential implications of the ECS and interneurons in the pathogenesis of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Geng Song
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xin Kang
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fang Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wan-Qing Du
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jia-Jia Zhang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Long Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jun-Jun Kang
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ning Jia
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Yue
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lu-Yu Fan
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sheng-Xi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fang Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Chang Le Xi Road, Xi'an710032, Shaanxi, China
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Clarke TL, Johnson RL, Simone JJ, Carlone RL. The Endocannabinoid System and Invertebrate Neurodevelopment and Regeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2103. [PMID: 33672634 PMCID: PMC7924210 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis has long been used for its medicinal and psychoactive properties. With the relatively new adoption of formal medicinal cannabis regulations worldwide, the study of cannabinoids, both endogenous and exogenous, has similarly flourished in more recent decades. In particular, research investigating the role of cannabinoids in regeneration and neurodevelopment has yielded promising results in vertebrate models. However, regeneration-competent vertebrates are few, whereas a myriad of invertebrate species have been established as superb models for regeneration. As such, this review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the endocannabinoid system, with a focus on current advances in the area of endocannabinoid system contributions to invertebrate neurodevelopment and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristyn L. Clarke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; (T.L.C.); (R.L.J.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Rachael L. Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; (T.L.C.); (R.L.J.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Jonathan J. Simone
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; (T.L.C.); (R.L.J.); (J.J.S.)
- Centre for Neuroscience, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
- eCB Consulting Inc., P.O. Box 652, 3 Cameron St. W., Cannington, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Robert L. Carlone
- Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; (T.L.C.); (R.L.J.); (J.J.S.)
- Centre for Neuroscience, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
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35
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Przybyła GW, Szychowski KA, Gmiński J. Paracetamol - An old drug with new mechanisms of action. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2021; 48:3-19. [PMID: 32767405 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the most commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) drug in the world. Despite its popularity and use for many years, the safety of its application and its mechanism of action are still unclear. Currently, it is believed that paracetamol is a multidirectional drug and at least several metabolic pathways are involved in its analgesic and antipyretic action. The mechanism of paracetamol action consists in inhibition of cyclooxygenases (COX-1, COX-2, and COX-3) and involvement in the endocannabinoid system and serotonergic pathways. Additionally, paracetamol influences transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and voltage-gated Kv7 potassium channels and inhibits T-type Cav3.2 calcium channels. It also exerts an impact on L-arginine in the nitric oxide (NO) synthesis pathway. However, not all of these effects have been clearly confirmed. Therefore, the aim of our paper was to summarize the current state of knowledge of the mechanism of paracetamol action with special attention to its safety concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Konrad A Szychowski
- Department of Lifestyle Disorders and Regenerative Medicine, University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Jan Gmiński
- Department of Lifestyle Disorders and Regenerative Medicine, University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
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36
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Ferrini F, Salio C, Boggio EM, Merighi A. Interplay of BDNF and GDNF in the Mature Spinal Somatosensory System and Its Potential Therapeutic Relevance. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:1225-1245. [PMID: 33200712 PMCID: PMC8719296 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666201116143422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The growth factors BDNF and GDNF are gaining more and more attention as modulators of synaptic transmission in the mature central nervous system (CNS). The two molecules undergo a regulated secretion in neurons and may be anterogradely transported to terminals where they can positively or negatively modulate fast synaptic transmission. There is today a wide consensus on the role of BDNF as a pro-nociceptive modulator, as the neurotrophin has an important part in the initiation and maintenance of inflammatory, chronic, and/or neuropathic pain at the peripheral and central level. At the spinal level, BDNF intervenes in the regulation of chloride equilibrium potential, decreases the excitatory synaptic drive to inhibitory neurons, with complex changes in GABAergic/glycinergic synaptic transmission, and increases excitatory transmission in the superficial dorsal horn. Differently from BDNF, the role of GDNF still remains to be unraveled in full. This review resumes the current literature on the interplay between BDNF and GDNF in the regulation of nociceptive neurotransmission in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord. We will first discuss the circuitries involved in such a regulation, as well as the reciprocal interactions between the two factors in nociceptive pathways. The development of small molecules specifically targeting BDNF, GDNF and/or downstream effectors is opening new perspectives for investigating these neurotrophic factors as modulators of nociceptive transmission and chronic pain. Therefore, we will finally consider the molecules of (potential) pharmacological relevance for tackling normal and pathological pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ferrini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Chiara Salio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Elena M. Boggio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Adalberto Merighi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
- National Institute of Neuroscience, Grugliasco, Italy
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37
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Paraíso-Luna J, Aguareles J, Martín R, Ayo-Martín AC, Simón-Sánchez S, García-Rincón D, Costas-Insua C, García-Taboada E, de Salas-Quiroga A, Díaz-Alonso J, Liste I, Sánchez-Prieto J, Cappello S, Guzmán M, Galve-Roperh I. Endocannabinoid signalling in stem cells and cerebral organoids drives differentiation to deep layer projection neurons via CB 1 receptors. Development 2020; 147:226034. [PMID: 33168583 DOI: 10.1242/dev.192161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system, via the cannabinoid CB1 receptor, regulates neurodevelopment by controlling neural progenitor proliferation and neurogenesis. CB1 receptor signalling in vivo drives corticofugal deep layer projection neuron development through the regulation of BCL11B and SATB2 transcription factors. Here, we investigated the role of eCB signalling in mouse pluripotent embryonic stem cell-derived neuronal differentiation. Characterization of the eCB system revealed increased expression of eCB-metabolizing enzymes, eCB ligands and CB1 receptors during neuronal differentiation. CB1 receptor knockdown inhibited neuronal differentiation of deep layer neurons and increased upper layer neuron generation, and this phenotype was rescued by CB1 re-expression. Pharmacological regulation with CB1 receptor agonists or elevation of eCB tone with a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor promoted neuronal differentiation of deep layer neurons at the expense of upper layer neurons. Patch-clamp analyses revealed that enhancing cannabinoid signalling facilitated neuronal differentiation and functionality. Noteworthy, incubation with CB1 receptor agonists during human iPSC-derived cerebral organoid formation also promoted the expansion of BCL11B+ neurons. These findings unveil a cell-autonomous role of eCB signalling that, via the CB1 receptor, promotes mouse and human deep layer cortical neuron development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Paraíso-Luna
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Aguareles
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Martín
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ane C Ayo-Martín
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany.,International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Samuel Simón-Sánchez
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel García-Rincón
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Costas-Insua
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena García-Taboada
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Adán de Salas-Quiroga
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Díaz-Alonso
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Liste
- Unidad de Regeneración Neural, Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas (UFIEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Sánchez-Prieto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Manuel Guzmán
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ismael Galve-Roperh
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Beiersdorf J, Hevesi Z, Calvigioni D, Pyszkowski J, Romanov R, Szodorai E, Lubec G, Shirran S, Botting CH, Kasper S, Guy GW, Gray R, Di Marzo V, Harkany T, Keimpema E. Adverse effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on neuronal bioenergetics during postnatal development. JCI Insight 2020; 5:135418. [PMID: 33141759 PMCID: PMC7714410 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.135418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ongoing societal changes in views on the medical and recreational roles of cannabis increased the use of concentrated plant extracts with a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of more than 90%. Even though prenatal THC exposure is widely considered adverse for neuronal development, equivalent experimental data for young age cohorts are largely lacking. Here, we administered plant-derived THC (1 or 5 mg/kg) to mice daily during P5–P16 and P5–P35 and monitored its effects on hippocampal neuronal survival and specification by high-resolution imaging and iTRAQ proteomics, respectively. We found that THC indiscriminately affects pyramidal cells and both cannabinoid receptor 1+ (CB1R)+ and CB1R– interneurons by P16. THC particularly disrupted the expression of mitochondrial proteins (complexes I–IV), a change that had persisted even 4 months after the end of drug exposure. This was reflected by a THC-induced loss of membrane integrity occluding mitochondrial respiration and could be partially or completely rescued by pH stabilization, antioxidants, bypassed glycolysis, and targeting either mitochondrial soluble adenylyl cyclase or the mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel. Overall, THC exposure during infancy induces significant and long-lasting reorganization of neuronal circuits through mechanisms that, in large part, render cellular bioenergetics insufficient to sustain key developmental processes in otherwise healthy neurons. Repeated THC exposure in juvenile mice compromises the limbic circuitry, with life-long impairment to the respiration of neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Beiersdorf
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsofia Hevesi
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Calvigioni
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Roman Romanov
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Edit Szodorai
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gert Lubec
- Paracelsus Private Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sally Shirran
- School of Chemistry, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, United Kingdom
| | | | - Siegfried Kasper
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Roy Gray
- GW Phamaceuticals, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Canada Excellence Research Chair, Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec and Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Tibor Harkany
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Neuroscience, Biomedikum D7, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Erik Keimpema
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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39
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Haspula D, Clark MA. Cannabinoid Receptors: An Update on Cell Signaling, Pathophysiological Roles and Therapeutic Opportunities in Neurological, Cardiovascular, and Inflammatory Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7693. [PMID: 33080916 PMCID: PMC7590033 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of the human cannabinoid receptors and their roles in health and disease, has been one of the most significant biochemical and pharmacological advancements to have occurred in the past few decades. In spite of the major strides made in furthering endocannabinoid research, therapeutic exploitation of the endocannabinoid system has often been a challenging task. An impaired endocannabinoid tone often manifests as changes in expression and/or functions of type 1 and/or type 2 cannabinoid receptors. It becomes important to understand how alterations in cannabinoid receptor cellular signaling can lead to disruptions in major physiological and biological functions, as they are often associated with the pathogenesis of several neurological, cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. This review focusses mostly on the pathophysiological roles of type 1 and type 2 cannabinoid receptors, and it attempts to integrate both cellular and physiological functions of the cannabinoid receptors. Apart from an updated review of pre-clinical and clinical studies, the adequacy/inadequacy of cannabinoid-based therapeutics in various pathological conditions is also highlighted. Finally, alternative strategies to modulate endocannabinoid tone, and future directions are also emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhanush Haspula
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Michelle A. Clark
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA
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40
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Gomes TM, Dias da Silva D, Carmo H, Carvalho F, Silva JP. Epigenetics and the endocannabinoid system signaling: An intricate interplay modulating neurodevelopment. Pharmacol Res 2020; 162:105237. [PMID: 33053442 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system is a complex system comprising endogenous cannabinoids (eCBs), their synthesis and degradation enzymes, and cannabinoid receptors. These elements crucially regulate several biological processes during neurodevelopment, such as proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Recently, eCBs were also reported to have an epigenetic action on genes that play key functions in the neurotransmitter signaling, consequently regulating their expression. In turn, epigenetic modifications (e.g. DNA methylation, histone modifications) may also modulate the function of eCB system's elements. For example, the expression of the cnr gene in the central nervous system may be epigenetically regulated (e.g. DNA methylation, histone modifications), thus altering the function of the cannabinoid receptor type-1 (CB1R). Considering the importance of the eCB system during neurodevelopment, it is thus reasonable to expect that alterations in this interaction between the eCB system and epigenetic modifications may give rise to neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we review key concepts related to the regulation of neuronal function by the eCB system and the different types of epigenetic modifications. In particular, we focus on the mechanisms involved in the intricate interplay between both signaling systems and how they control cell fate during neurodevelopment. Noteworthy, such mechanistic understanding assumes high relevance considering the implications of the dysregulation of key neurogenic processes towards the onset of neurodevelopment-related disorders. Moreover, considering the increasing popularity of cannabis and its synthetic derivatives among young adults, it becomes of utmost importance to understand how exogenous cannabinoids may epigenetically impact neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telma Marisa Gomes
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Diana Dias da Silva
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Helena Carmo
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Félix Carvalho
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
| | - João Pedro Silva
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
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41
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Lourenço DM, Ribeiro-Rodrigues L, Sebastião AM, Diógenes MJ, Xapelli S. Neural Stem Cells and Cannabinoids in the Spotlight as Potential Therapy for Epilepsy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7309. [PMID: 33022963 PMCID: PMC7582633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common brain diseases worldwide, having a huge burden in society. The main hallmark of epilepsy is the occurrence of spontaneous recurrent seizures, having a tremendous impact on the lives of the patients and of their relatives. Currently, the therapeutic strategies are mostly based on the use of antiepileptic drugs, and because several types of epilepsies are of unknown origin, a high percentage of patients are resistant to the available pharmacotherapy, continuing to experience seizures overtime. Therefore, the search for new drugs and therapeutic targets is highly important. One key aspect to be targeted is the aberrant adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) derived from Neural Stem Cells (NSCs). Indeed, targeting seizure-induced AHN may reduce recurrent seizures and shed some light on the mechanisms of disease. The endocannabinoid system is a known modulator of AHN, and due to the known endogenous antiepileptic properties, it is an interesting candidate for the generation of new antiepileptic drugs. However, further studies and clinical trials are required to investigate the putative mechanisms by which cannabinoids can be used to treat epilepsy. In this manuscript, we will review how cannabinoid-induced modulation of NSCs may promote neural plasticity and whether these drugs can be used as putative antiepileptic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo M. Lourenço
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (D.M.L.); (L.R.-R.); (A.M.S.); (M.J.D.)
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Leonor Ribeiro-Rodrigues
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (D.M.L.); (L.R.-R.); (A.M.S.); (M.J.D.)
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana M. Sebastião
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (D.M.L.); (L.R.-R.); (A.M.S.); (M.J.D.)
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria J. Diógenes
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (D.M.L.); (L.R.-R.); (A.M.S.); (M.J.D.)
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara Xapelli
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (D.M.L.); (L.R.-R.); (A.M.S.); (M.J.D.)
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
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42
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Zamberletti E, Rubino T. Impact of Endocannabinoid System Manipulation on Neurodevelopmental Processes Relevant to Schizophrenia. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2020; 6:616-626. [PMID: 32855107 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia has received much support from epidemiological and neuropathological studies and provides a framework to explain how early developmental abnormalities might manifest as psychosis in early adulthood. According to this theory, the onset of schizophrenia is likely the result of a complex interplay between a genetic predisposition and environmental factors whose respective influence might contribute to the etiology and progression of the disorder. The two most sensitive windows for neurodevelopment are the prenatal/perinatal and the adolescent windows, both of which are characterized by specific processes impinging upon brain structure and functionality, whose alterations may contribute to the onset of schizophrenia. An increasing number of articles suggest the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the modulation of at least some of these processes, especially in the prenatal/perinatal window. Thus, it is not surprising that disturbing the physiological role of endocannabinoid signaling in these sensitive windows might alter the correct formation of neuronal networks, eventually predisposing to neuropsychiatric diseases later in life. We review the most recent preclinical studies that evaluated the impact of endocannabinoid system modulation in the two sensitive developmental windows on neurodevelopmental processes that possess a specific relevance to schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Zamberletti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Neuroscience Center, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio, Varese, Italy
| | - Tiziana Rubino
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Neuroscience Center, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio, Varese, Italy.
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Reid HMO, Lysenko-Martin MR, Snowden TM, Thomas JD, Christie BR. A Systematic Review of the Effects of Perinatal Alcohol Exposure and Perinatal Marijuana Exposure on Adult Neurogenesis in the Dentate Gyrus. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:1164-1174. [PMID: 32246781 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marijuana and alcohol are both substances that, when used during pregnancy, may have profound effects on the developing fetus. There is evidence to suggest that both drugs have the capacity to affect working memory, one function of the hippocampal formation; however, there is a paucity of data on how perinatal exposure to alcohol or cannabis impacts the process of adult neurogenesis. METHODS This systematic review examines immunohistochemical data from adult rat and mouse models that assess perinatal alcohol or perinatal marijuana exposure. A comprehensive list of search terms was designed and used to search 3 separate databases. All results were imported to Mendeley and screened by 2 authors. Consensus was reached on a set of final papers that met the inclusion criteria, and their results were summarized. RESULTS Twelve papers were identified as relevant, 10 of which pertained to the effects of perinatal alcohol on the adult hippocampus, and 2 pertained to the effects of perinatal marijuana on the adult hippocampus. Cellular proliferation in the dentate gyrus was not affected in adult rats and mice exposed to alcohol perinatally. In general, perinatal alcohol exposure did not have a significant and reliable effect on the maturation and survival of adult born granule neurons in the dentate gyrus. In contrast, interneuron numbers appear to be reduced in the dentate gyrus of adult rats and mice exposed perinatally to alcohol. Perinatal marijuana exposure was also found to reduce inhibitory interneuron numbers in the dentate gyrus. CONCLUSIONS Perinatal alcohol exposure and perinatal marijuana exposure both act on inhibitory interneurons in the hippocampal formation of adult rats. These findings suggest simultaneous perinatal alcohol and marijuana exposure (SAM) may have a dramatic impact on inhibitory processes in the dentate gyrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M O Reid
- From the, Division of Medical Sciences, (HMOR, MRL, TMS, BRC), University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Melanie R Lysenko-Martin
- From the, Division of Medical Sciences, (HMOR, MRL, TMS, BRC), University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Taylor M Snowden
- From the, Division of Medical Sciences, (HMOR, MRL, TMS, BRC), University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jennifer D Thomas
- Center for Behavioral Teratology, (JDT), San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Brian R Christie
- From the, Division of Medical Sciences, (HMOR, MRL, TMS, BRC), University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.,Island Medical Program and Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, (BRC), University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia
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Winters ND, Patel S. Arrested Development: A Story of How Perinatal Cannabinoids Affect the Maturation of the Prefrontal Cortex. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:595-596. [PMID: 32164915 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Winters
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sachin Patel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee; The Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee; The Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, Tennessee.
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de Salas-Quiroga A, García-Rincón D, Gómez-Domínguez D, Valero M, Simón-Sánchez S, Paraíso-Luna J, Aguareles J, Pujadas M, Muguruza C, Callado LF, Lutz B, Guzmán M, de la Prida LM, Galve-Roperh I. Long-term hippocampal interneuronopathy drives sex-dimorphic spatial memory impairment induced by prenatal THC exposure. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:877-886. [PMID: 31982904 PMCID: PMC7075920 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0621-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most prominent active constituent of cannabis, alters neurodevelopmental plasticity with a long-term functional impact on adult offspring. Specifically, THC affects the development of pyramidal neurons and GABAergic interneurons via cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1R). However, the particular contribution of these two neuronal lineages to the behavioral alterations and functional deficits induced by THC is still unclear. Here, by using conditional CB1R knockout mice, we investigated the neurodevelopmental consequences of prenatal THC exposure in adulthood, as well as their potential sex differences. Adult mice that had been exposed to THC during embryonic development showed altered hippocampal oscillations, brain hyperexcitability, and spatial memory impairment. Remarkably, we found a clear sexual dimorphism in these effects, with males being selectively affected. At the neuronal level, we found a striking interneuronopathy of CCK-containing interneurons in the hippocampus, which was restricted to male progeny. This THC-induced CCK-interneuron reduction was not evident in mice lacking CB1R selectively in GABAergic interneurons, thus pointing to a cell-autonomous THC action. In vivo electrophysiological recordings of hippocampal LFPs revealed alterations in hippocampal oscillations confined to the stratum pyramidale of CA1 in male offspring. In addition, sharp-wave ripples, a major high-frequency oscillation crucial for learning and memory consolidation, were also altered, pointing to aberrant circuitries caused by persistent reduction of CCK+ basket cells. Taken together, these findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the long-term interneuronopathy responsible for the sex-dimorphic cognitive impairment induced by prenatal THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adán de Salas-Quiroga
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Daniel García-Rincón
- 0000 0001 2157 7667grid.4795.fDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain ,0000 0004 1762 4012grid.418264.dCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Gómez-Domínguez
- 0000 0001 2177 5516grid.419043.bInstituto Cajal, CSIC, Avda Dr Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Valero
- 0000 0001 2177 5516grid.419043.bInstituto Cajal, CSIC, Avda Dr Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Samuel Simón-Sánchez
- 0000 0001 2157 7667grid.4795.fDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain ,0000 0004 1762 4012grid.418264.dCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Paraíso-Luna
- 0000 0001 2157 7667grid.4795.fDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain ,0000 0004 1762 4012grid.418264.dCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Aguareles
- 0000 0001 2157 7667grid.4795.fDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain ,0000 0004 1762 4012grid.418264.dCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mitona Pujadas
- 0000 0004 1767 9005grid.20522.37Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina Muguruza
- 0000000121671098grid.11480.3cDepartment of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Leioa, Spain
| | - Luis F. Callado
- 0000000121671098grid.11480.3cDepartment of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Leioa, Spain
| | - Beat Lutz
- grid.410607.4Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Manuel Guzmán
- 0000 0001 2157 7667grid.4795.fDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain ,0000 0004 1762 4012grid.418264.dCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ismael Galve-Roperh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28049, Madrid, Spain.
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Scheyer AF, Borsoi M, Wager-Miller J, Pelissier-Alicot AL, Murphy MN, Mackie K, Manzoni OJJ. Cannabinoid Exposure via Lactation in Rats Disrupts Perinatal Programming of the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Trajectory and Select Early-Life Behaviors. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:666-677. [PMID: 31653479 PMCID: PMC7056509 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis usage is increasing with its widespread legalization. Cannabis use by mothers during lactation transfers active cannabinoids to the developing offspring during this critical period and alters postnatal neurodevelopment. A key neurodevelopmental landmark is the excitatory to inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) switch caused by reciprocal changes in expression ratios of the K+/Cl- transporters potassium-chloride cotransporter 2 (KCC2) and sodium-potassium-chloride transporter (NKCC1). METHODS Rat dams were treated with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol or a synthetic cannabinoid during the first 10 days of postnatal development, and experiments were then conducted in the offspring exposed to these drugs via lactation. The network influence of GABA transmission was analyzed using cell-attached recordings. KCC2 and NKCC1 levels were determined using Western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses. Ultrasonic vocalization and homing behavioral experiments were carried out at relevant time points. RESULTS Treating rat dams with cannabinoids during early lactation retards transcriptional upregulation and expression of KCC2, thereby delaying the GABA switch in pups of both sexes. This perturbed trajectory was corrected by the NKCC1 antagonist bumetanide and accompanied by alterations in ultrasonic vocalization without changes in homing behavior. Neurobehavioral deficits were prevented by CB1 receptor antagonism during maternal exposure, showing that the CB1 receptor underlies the cannabinoid-induced alterations. CONCLUSIONS These results reveal how perinatal cannabinoid exposure retards an early milestone of development, delaying the trajectory of GABA's polarity transition and altering early-life communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F Scheyer
- Institut de neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1249, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University
| | - Milene Borsoi
- Institut de neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1249, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University
| | - Jim Wager-Miller
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University; Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Anne-Laure Pelissier-Alicot
- Institut de neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1249, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University; Service de Psychiatrie, CHU Conception, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France; Service de Médecine Légale, CHU Timone-Adultes, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Michelle N Murphy
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University; Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Ken Mackie
- Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University; Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
| | - Olivier J J Manzoni
- Institut de neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1249, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Cannalab, Cannabinoids Neuroscience Research International Associated Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale-Aix-Marseille University/Indiana University.
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Zhou R, Han B, Xia C, Zhuang X. Membrane-associated periodic skeleton is a signaling platform for RTK transactivation in neurons. Science 2020; 365:929-934. [PMID: 31467223 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw5937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Actin, spectrin, and related molecules form a membrane-associated periodic skeleton (MPS) in neurons. The function of the MPS, however, remains poorly understood. Using super-resolution imaging, we observed that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), and related signaling molecules were recruited to the MPS in response to extracellular stimuli, resulting in colocalization of these molecules and RTK transactivation by GPCRs and CAMs, giving rise to extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. Disruption of the MPS prevented such molecular colocalizations and downstream ERK signaling. ERK signaling in turn caused calpain-dependent MPS degradation, providing a negative feedback that modulates signaling strength. These results reveal an important functional role of the MPS and establish it as a dynamically regulated platform for GPCR- and CAM-mediated RTK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruobo Zhou
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Boran Han
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Chenglong Xia
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Xiaowei Zhuang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. .,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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48
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Amin MR, Ahmed KT, Ali DW. Early Exposure to THC Alters M-Cell Development in Zebrafish Embryos. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8010005. [PMID: 31947970 PMCID: PMC7168183 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is one of the most commonly used illicit recreational drugs that is often taken for medicinal purposes. The psychoactive ingredient in cannabis is Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC, hereafter referred to as THC), which is an agonist at the endocannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R. Here, we exposed zebrafish embryos to THC during the gastrulation phase to determine the long-term effects during development. We specifically focused on reticulospinal neurons known as the Mauthner cells (M-cell) that are involved in escape response movements. The M- cells are born during gastrulation, thus allowing us to examine neuronal morphology of neurons born during the time of exposure. After the exposure, embryos were allowed to develop normally and were examined at two days post-fertilization for M-cell morphology and escape responses. THC treated embryos exhibited subtle alterations in M-cell axon diameter and small changes in escape response dynamics to touch. Because escape responses were altered, we also examined muscle fiber development. The fluorescent labelling of red and white muscle fibers showed that while muscles were largely intact, the fibers were slightly disorganized with subtle but significant changes in the pattern of expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. However, there were no overt changes in the expression of nicotinic receptor subunit mRNA ascertained by qPCR. Embryos were allowed to further develop until 5 dpf, when they were examined for overall levels of movement. Animals exposed to THC during gastrulation exhibited reduced activity compared with vehicle controls. Together, these findings indicate that zebrafish exposed to THC during the gastrula phase exhibit small changes in neuronal and muscle morphology that may impact behavior and locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Ruhul Amin
- Department of Biological Sciences, CW-405 Biological Sciences Bldg., University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada; (M.R.A.); (K.T.A.)
| | - Kazi T. Ahmed
- Department of Biological Sciences, CW-405 Biological Sciences Bldg., University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada; (M.R.A.); (K.T.A.)
| | - Declan W. Ali
- Department of Biological Sciences, CW-405 Biological Sciences Bldg., University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada; (M.R.A.); (K.T.A.)
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-780-492-6094
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49
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Abstract
Given the aging Baby Boomer generation, changes in cannabis legislation, and the growing acknowledgment of cannabis for its therapeutic potential, it is predicted that cannabis use in the older population will escalate. It is, therefore, important to determine the interaction between the effects of cannabis and aging. The aim of this report is to describe the link between cannabis use and the aging brain. Our review of the literature found few and inconsistent empirical studies that directly address the impact of cannabis use on the aging brain. However, research focused on long-term cannabis use points toward cumulative effects on multimodal systems in the brain that are similarly affected during aging. Specifically, the effects of cannabis and aging converge on overlapping networks in the endocannabinoid, opioid, and dopamine systems that may affect functional decline particularly in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which are critical areas for memory and executive functioning. To conclude, despite the limited current knowledge on the potential interactive effects between cannabis and aging, evidence from the literature suggests that cannabis and aging effects are concurrently present across several neurotransmitter systems. There is a great need for future research to directly test the interactions between cannabis and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Bin Yoo
- Center for BrainHealth, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer DiMuzio
- Center for BrainHealth, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Francesca M Filbey
- Center for BrainHealth, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
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50
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Dong B, Shilpa BM, Shah R, Goyal A, Xie S, Bakalian MJ, Suckow RF, Cooper TB, Mann JJ, Arango V, Vinod KY. Dual pharmacological inhibitor of endocannabinoid degrading enzymes reduces depressive-like behavior in female rats. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 120:103-112. [PMID: 31654971 PMCID: PMC6916267 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is common, often under-treated and a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. The causes of MDD remain unclear, including the role of the endocannabinoid system. Intriguingly, the prevalence of depression is significantly greater in women than men. In this study we examined the role of endocannabinoids in depressive behavior. The levels of endocannabinoids, N-arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) were measured along with brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in postmortem ventral striata of female patients with MDD and non-psychiatric controls, and in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat, a selectively inbred strain of rat widely used for testing the depressive behavior. The effect of pharmacological elevation of endocannabinoids through inhibition of their catabolizing enzymes (fatty acid amide hydrolase [FAAH] and monoacyl glycerol lipase [MAGL]) on depressive-like phenotype was also assessed in WKY rat. The findings showed lower levels of endocannabinoids and BDNF in the ventral striata of MDD patients and WKY rats. A dual inhibitor of FAAH and MAGL, JZL195, elevated the endocannabinoids and BDNF levels in ventral striatum, and reduced the depressive-like phenotype in female WKY rats. Collectively, our study suggests a blunted ventral striatal endocannabinoid and BDNF signaling in depressive behavior and concludes that endocannabinoid enhancing agents may have an antidepressant effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Dong
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY
| | - Borehalli M. Shilpa
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY.,School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Dayananda Sagar University, Bangalore, India
| | - Relish Shah
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY
| | - Arjun Goyal
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY
| | - Shan Xie
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY
| | | | - Raymond F. Suckow
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
| | - Thomas B. Cooper
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
| | - J. John Mann
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
| | - Victoria Arango
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
| | - K. Yaragudri Vinod
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY.,Emotional Brain Institute, Orangeburg, NY.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.,Address for correspondence: Vinod K. Yaragudri, Ph.D, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY 10962, Phone: 845-398-5449, Fax: 845-398-5451,
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