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Borland JM. The effects of different types of social interactions on the electrophysiology of neurons in the nucleus accumbens in rodents. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 164:105809. [PMID: 39004323 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
BORLAND, J.M., The effects of different types of social interactions on the electrophysiology of neurons in the nucleus accumbens in rodents, NEUROSCI BIOBEH REV 21(1) XXX-XXX, 2024.-Sociality shapes an organisms' life. The nucleus accumbens is a critical brain region for mental health. In the following review, the effects of different types of social interactions on the physiology of neurons in the nucleus accumbens is synthesized. More specifically, the effects of sex behavior, aggression, social defeat, pair-bonding, play behavior, affiliative interactions, parental behaviors, the isolation from social interactions and maternal separation on measures of excitatory synaptic transmission, intracellular signaling and factors of transcription and translation in neurons in the nucleus accumbens in rodent models are reviewed. Similarities and differences in effects depending on the type of social interaction is then discussed. This review improves the understanding of the molecular and synaptic mechanisms of sociality.
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Tavakoli NS, Malone SG, Anderson TL, Neeley RE, Asadipooya A, Bardo MT, Ortinski PI. Astrocyte Ca 2+ in the dorsal striatum suppresses neuronal activity to oppose cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1347491. [PMID: 39280793 PMCID: PMC11393831 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1347491] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent literature supports a prominent role for astrocytes in regulation of drug-seeking behaviors. The dorsal striatum, specifically, is known to play a role in reward processing with neuronal activity that can be influenced by astrocyte Ca2+. However, the manner in which Ca2+ in dorsal striatum astrocytes impacts neuronal signaling after exposure to self-administered cocaine remains unclear. We addressed this question following over-expression of the Ca2+ extrusion pump, hPMCA2w/b, in dorsal striatum astrocytes and the Ca2+ indicator, GCaMP6f, in dorsal striatum neurons of rats that were trained to self-administer cocaine. Following extinction of cocaine-seeking behavior, the rats over-expressing hMPCA2w/b showed a significant increase in cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. Suppression of astrocyte Ca2+ increased the amplitude of neuronal Ca2+ transients in brain slices, but only after cocaine self-administration. This was accompanied by decreased duration of neuronal Ca2+ events in the cocaine group and no changes in Ca2+ event frequency. Acute administration of cocaine to brain slices decreased amplitude of neuronal Ca2+ in both the control and cocaine self-administration groups regardless of hPMCA2w/b expression. These results indicated that astrocyte Ca2+ control over neuronal Ca2+ transients was enhanced by cocaine self-administration experience, although sensitivity to acutely applied cocaine remained comparable across all groups. To explore this further, we found that neither the hMPCA2w/b expression nor the cocaine self-administration experience altered regulation of neuronal Ca2+ events by NPS-2143, a Ca2+ sensing receptor (CaSR) antagonist, suggesting that plasticity of neuronal signaling after hPMCA2w/b over-expression was unlikely to result from elevated extracellular Ca2+. We conclude that astrocyte Ca2+ in the dorsal striatum impacts neurons via cell-intrinsic mechanisms (e.g., gliotransmission, metabolic coupling, etc.) and impacts long-term neuronal plasticity after cocaine self-administration differently from neuronal response to acute cocaine. Overall, astrocyte Ca2+ influences neuronal output in the dorsal striatum to promote resistance to cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid S Tavakoli
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Samantha G Malone
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Tanner L Anderson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Ryson E Neeley
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Artin Asadipooya
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Michael T Bardo
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Pavel I Ortinski
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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Xu Y, Lin Y, Yu M, Zhou K. The nucleus accumbens in reward and aversion processing: insights and implications. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1420028. [PMID: 39184934 PMCID: PMC11341389 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1420028] [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: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a central component of the brain's reward circuitry, has been implicated in a wide range of behaviors and emotional states. Emerging evidence, primarily drawing from recent rodent studies, suggests that the function of the NAc in reward and aversion processing is multifaceted. Prolonged stress or drug use induces maladaptive neuronal function in the NAc circuitry, which results in pathological conditions. This review aims to provide comprehensive and up-to-date insights on the role of the NAc in motivated behavior regulation and highlights areas that demand further in-depth analysis. It synthesizes the latest findings on how distinct NAc neuronal populations and pathways contribute to the processing of opposite valences. The review examines how a range of neuromodulators, especially monoamines, influence the NAc's control over various motivational states. Furthermore, it delves into the complex underlying mechanisms of psychiatric disorders such as addiction and depression and evaluates prospective interventions to restore NAc functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kuikui Zhou
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China
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Hughes BW, Huebschman JL, Tsvetkov E, Siemsen BM, Snyder KK, Akiki RM, Wood DJ, Penrod RD, Scofield MD, Berto S, Taniguchi M, Cowan CW. NPAS4 supports cocaine-conditioned cues in rodents by controlling the cell type-specific activation balance in the nucleus accumbens. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5971. [PMID: 39117647 PMCID: PMC11310321 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50099-1] [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: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Powerful associations that link drugs of abuse with cues in the drug-paired environment often serve as prepotent relapse triggers. Drug-associated contexts and cues activate ensembles of nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons, including D1-class medium spiny neurons (MSNs) that typically promote, and D2-class MSNs that typically oppose, drug seeking. We found that in mice, cocaine conditioning upregulated transiently the activity-regulated transcription factor, Neuronal PAS Domain Protein 4 (NPAS4), in a small subset of NAc neurons. The NPAS4+ NAc ensemble was required for cocaine conditioned place preference. We also observed that NPAS4 functions within NAc D2-, but not D1-, MSNs to support cocaine-context associations and cue-induced cocaine, but not sucrose, seeking. Together, our data show that the NPAS4+ ensemble of NAc neurons is essential for cocaine-context associations in mice, and that NPAS4 itself functions in NAc D2-MSNs to support cocaine-context associations by suppressing drug-induced counteradaptations that oppose relapse-related behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon W Hughes
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jessica L Huebschman
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Evgeny Tsvetkov
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Benjamin M Siemsen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kirsten K Snyder
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rose Marie Akiki
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Daniel J Wood
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rachel D Penrod
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Michael D Scofield
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Stefano Berto
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Makoto Taniguchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Christopher W Cowan
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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Chalhoub RM, Testen A, Hopkins J, Carthy C, Kalivas PW. Formation of an Enduring Ensemble of Accumbens Neurons Leads to Prepotent Seeking for Cocaine Over Natural Reward Cues. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.05.606522. [PMID: 39149274 PMCID: PMC11326163 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.05.606522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Neuronal activity in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore) is necessary for reward-seeking behaviors. We hypothesized that the differential encoding of natural and drug rewards in the NAcore contributes to substance use disorder. We leveraged single-cell calcium imaging of dopamine D1- and D2-receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the NAcore of mice to examine differences between sucrose and cocaine rewarded (self-administration) and unrewarded (abstinent and cue-induced) seeking. Activity was time-locked to nose-poking for reward, clustered, and compared between sucrose and cocaine. Only in cocaine-trained mice were excited D1-MSNs securely stable, capable of decoding nose-poking in all rewarded and unrewarded sessions and correlated with the intensity of nose-poking for unrewarded seeking. Furthermore, D1-MSNs formed a stable ensemble predictive of seeking behavior after extended cocaine, but not sucrose abstinence. The excited D1-MSN ensemble uniquely drives cue-induced cocaine seeking and may contribute to why drug seeking is prepotent over natural reward seeking in cocaine use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reda M Chalhoub
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Anze Testen
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jordan Hopkins
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Camille Carthy
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Peter W Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Ralph Johnson Veterans Administration, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Reiner BC, Chehimi SN, Merkel R, Toikumo S, Berrettini WH, Kranzler HR, Sanchez-Roige S, Kember RL, Schmidt HD, Crist RC. A single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of medium spiny neurons in the rat nucleus accumbens. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18258. [PMID: 39107568 PMCID: PMC11303397 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69255-0] [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: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Neural processing of rewarding stimuli involves several distinct regions, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The majority of NAc neurons are GABAergic projection neurons known as medium spiny neurons (MSNs). MSNs are broadly defined by dopamine receptor expression, but evidence suggests that a wider array of subtypes exist. To study MSN heterogeneity, we analyzed single-nucleus RNA sequencing data from the largest available rat NAc dataset. Analysis of 48,040 NAc MSN nuclei identified major populations belonging to the striosome and matrix compartments. Integration with mouse and human data indicated consistency across species and disease-relevance scoring using genome-wide association study results revealed potentially differential roles for MSN populations in substance use disorders. Additional high-resolution clustering identified 34 transcriptomically distinct subtypes of MSNs definable by a limited number of marker genes. Together, these data demonstrate the diversity of MSNs in the NAc and provide a basis for more targeted genetic manipulation of specific populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin C Reiner
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Samar N Chehimi
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Riley Merkel
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sylvanus Toikumo
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wade H Berrettini
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Henry R Kranzler
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sandra Sanchez-Roige
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Rachel L Kember
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Heath D Schmidt
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Richard C Crist
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 125 South 31st Street, Room 2207, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Wood DJ, Huebschman JL, Martinez D, Tsvetkov E, Snyder K, Tjhia R, Kumar J, Hughes BW, Taniguchi M, Smith LN, Cowan CW, Penrod RD. The activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) functions in a cell type- and sex-specific manner in the adult nucleus accumbens to regulate non-contingent cocaine behaviors. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2024; 23:e12910. [PMID: 39164860 PMCID: PMC11335578 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Repeated cocaine use produces adaptations in brain function that contribute to long-lasting behaviors associated with cocaine use disorder (CUD). In rodents, the activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) can regulate glutamatergic synaptic transmission, and cocaine regulates Arc expression and subcellular localization in multiple brain regions, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc)-a brain region linked to CUD-related behavior. We show here that repeated, non-contingent cocaine administration in global Arc KO male mice produced a dramatic hypersensitization of cocaine locomotor responses and drug experience-dependent sensitization of conditioned place preference (CPP). In contrast to the global Arc KO mice, viral-mediated reduction of Arc in the adult male, but not female, NAc (shArcNAc) reduced both CPP and cocaine-induced locomotor activity, but without altering basal miniature or evoked glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Interestingly, cell type-specific knockdown of Arc in D1 dopamine receptor-expressing NAc neurons reduced cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization, but not cocaine CPP; whereas, Arc knockdown in D2 dopamine receptor-expressing NAc neurons reduced cocaine CPP, but not cocaine-induced locomotion. Taken together, our findings reveal that global, developmental loss of Arc produces hypersensitized cocaine responses; however, these effects cannot be explained by Arc's function in the adult mouse NAc since Arc is required in a cell type- and sex-specific manner to support cocaine-context associations and locomotor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Wood
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jessica L Huebschman
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Dalia Martinez
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Evgeny Tsvetkov
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kirsten Snyder
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Raymond Tjhia
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Jaswinder Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Brandon W Hughes
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Makoto Taniguchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Laura N Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Christopher W Cowan
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Rachel D Penrod
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
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Gooding SW, Lewis E, Chau C, Sandhu S, Glienke J, Whistler JL. Nucleus accumbens sub-regions experience distinct dopamine release responses following acute and chronic morphine exposure. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.28.601282. [PMID: 39005415 PMCID: PMC11244850 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.28.601282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
It is well established that dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) play a critical role in reward and aversion as well as pathologies including drug dependence and addiction. The distinct effects of acute and chronic opioid exposure have been previously characterized at VTA synapses. Recent work suggests that distinct VTA projections that target the medial and lateral shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAc), may play opposing roles in modulating behavior. It is possible that these two anatomically and functionally distinct pathways also have disparate roles in opioid reward, tolerance, and withdrawal in the brain. In this study we monitored dopamine release in the medial or lateral shell of the NAc of male mice during a week-long morphine treatment paradigm. We measured dopamine release in response to an intravenous morphine injection both acutely and following a week of repeated morphine. We also measured dopamine in response to a naloxone injection both prior to and following repeated morphine treatment. Morphine induced a transient increase in dopamine in the medial NAc shell that was much larger than the slower rise observed in the lateral shell. Surprisingly, chronic morphine treatment induced a sensitization of the medial dopamine response to morphine that opposed a diminished response observed in the saline-treated control group. This study expands on our current understanding of the medial NAc shell as hub of opioid-induced dopamine fluctuation. It also highlights the need for future opioid studies to appreciate the heterogeneity of dopamine neurons. Significance Statement The social and economic consequences of the opioid epidemic are tragic and far-reaching. Yet, opioids are indisputably necessary in clinical settings where they remain the most useful treatment for severe pain. To combat this crisis, we must improve our understanding of opioid function in the brain, particularly the neural mechanisms that underlie opioid dependence and addictive behaviors. This study uses fiber photometry to examine dopamine changes that occur in response to repeated morphine, and morphine withdrawal, at multiple stages of a longitudinal opioid-dependence paradigm. We reveal key differences in how dopamine levels respond to opioid administration in distinct sub-regions of the ventral striatum and lay a foundation for future opioid research that appreciates our contemporary understanding of the dopamine system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elinor Lewis
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California–Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Christine Chau
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California–Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Suhail Sandhu
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California–Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Julianna Glienke
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California–Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Whistler
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California–Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
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Brida KL, Jorgensen ET, Phillips RA, Newman CE, Tuscher JJ, Morring EK, Zipperly ME, Ianov L, Montgomery KD, Tippani M, Hyde TM, Maynard KR, Martinowich K, Day JJ. Reelin marks cocaine-activated striatal ensembles, promotes neuronal excitability, and regulates cocaine reward. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.17.599348. [PMID: 38948801 PMCID: PMC11212904 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.17.599348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Drugs of abuse activate defined neuronal ensembles in brain reward structures such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which are thought to promote the enduring synaptic, circuit, and behavioral consequences of drug exposure. While the molecular and cellular effects arising from experience with drugs like cocaine are increasingly well understood, the mechanisms that sculpt NAc ensemble participation are largely unknown. Here, we leveraged unbiased single-nucleus transcriptional profiling to identify expression of the secreted glycoprotein Reelin (encoded by the Reln gene) as a marker of cocaine-activated neuronal ensembles within the rat NAc. Multiplexed in situ detection confirmed selective expression of the immediate early gene Fos in Reln+ neurons after cocaine experience, and also revealed enrichment of Reln mRNA in Drd1 + medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in both the rat and human brain. Using a novel CRISPR interference strategy enabling selective Reln knockdown in the adult NAc, we observed altered expression of genes linked to calcium signaling, emergence of a transcriptional trajectory consistent with loss of cocaine sensitivity, and a striking decrease in MSN intrinsic excitability. At the behavioral level, loss of Reln prevented cocaine locomotor sensitization, abolished cocaine place preference memory, and decreased cocaine self-administration behavior. Together, these results identify Reelin as a critical mechanistic link between ensemble participation and cocaine-induced behavioral adaptations.
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Thibeault KC, Leonard MZ, Kondev V, Emerson SD, Bethi R, Lopez AJ, Sens JP, Nabit BP, Elam HB, Winder DG, Patel S, Kiraly DD, Grueter BA, Calipari ES. A Cocaine-Activated Ensemble Exerts Increased Control Over Behavior While Decreasing in Size. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01388-X. [PMID: 38901723 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use disorder is characterized by long-lasting changes in reward-related brain regions, such as the nucleus accumbens. Previous work has shown that cocaine exposure induces plasticity in broad, genetically defined cell types in the nucleus accumbens; however, in response to a stimulus, only a small percentage of neurons are transcriptionally active-termed an ensemble. Here, we identify an Arc-expressing neuronal ensemble that has a unique trajectory of recruitment and causally controls drug self-administration after repeated, but not acute, cocaine exposure. METHODS Using Arc-CreERT2 transgenic mice, we expressed transgenes in Arc+ ensembles activated by cocaine exposure (either acute [1 × 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally] or repeated [10 × 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally]). Using genetic, optical, and physiological recording and manipulation strategies, we assessed the contribution of these ensembles to behaviors associated with substance use disorder. RESULTS Repeated cocaine exposure reduced the size of the ensemble while simultaneously increasing its control over behavior. Neurons within the repeated cocaine ensemble were hyperexcitable, and their optogenetic excitation was sufficient for reinforcement. Finally, lesioning the repeated cocaine, but not the acute cocaine, ensemble blunted cocaine self-administration. Thus, repeated cocaine exposure reduced the size of the ensemble while simultaneously increasing its contributions to drug reinforcement. CONCLUSIONS We showed that repeated, but not acute, cocaine exposure induced a physiologically distinct ensemble characterized by the expression of the immediate early gene Arc, which was uniquely capable of modulating reinforcement behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly C Thibeault
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Michael Z Leonard
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Veronika Kondev
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Soren D Emerson
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Rishik Bethi
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Alberto J Lopez
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jonathon P Sens
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Brett P Nabit
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Hannah B Elam
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Danny G Winder
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt JF Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sachin Patel
- Department of Psychiatry, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Drew D Kiraly
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Brad A Grueter
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt JF Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee.
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11
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Ament SA, Campbell RR, Lobo MK, Receveur JP, Agrawal K, Borjabad A, Byrareddy SN, Chang L, Clarke D, Emani P, Gabuzda D, Gaulton KJ, Giglio M, Giorgi FM, Gok B, Guda C, Hadas E, Herb BR, Hu W, Huttner A, Ishmam MR, Jacobs MM, Kelschenbach J, Kim DW, Lee C, Liu S, Liu X, Madras BK, Mahurkar AA, Mash DC, Mukamel EA, Niu M, O'Connor RM, Pagan CM, Pang APS, Pillai P, Repunte-Canonigo V, Ruzicka WB, Stanley J, Tickle T, Tsai SYA, Wang A, Wills L, Wilson AM, Wright SN, Xu S, Yang J, Zand M, Zhang L, Zhang J, Akbarian S, Buch S, Cheng CS, Corley MJ, Fox HS, Gerstein M, Gummuluru S, Heiman M, Ho YC, Kellis M, Kenny PJ, Kluger Y, Milner TA, Moore DJ, Morgello S, Ndhlovu LC, Rana TM, Sanna PP, Satterlee JS, Sestan N, Spector SA, Spudich S, Tilgner HU, Volsky DJ, White OR, Williams DW, Zeng H. The single-cell opioid responses in the context of HIV (SCORCH) consortium. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02620-7. [PMID: 38879719 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02620-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024]
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) and drug addiction are major threats to public health, impacting not only the millions of individuals struggling with SUD, but also surrounding families and communities. One of the seminal challenges in treating and studying addiction in human populations is the high prevalence of co-morbid conditions, including an increased risk of contracting a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Of the ~15 million people who inject drugs globally, 17% are persons with HIV. Conversely, HIV is a risk factor for SUD because chronic pain syndromes, often encountered in persons with HIV, can lead to an increased use of opioid pain medications that in turn can increase the risk for opioid addiction. We hypothesize that SUD and HIV exert shared effects on brain cell types, including adaptations related to neuroplasticity, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation. Basic research is needed to refine our understanding of these affected cell types and adaptations. Studying the effects of SUD in the context of HIV at the single-cell level represents a compelling strategy to understand the reciprocal interactions among both conditions, made feasible by the availability of large, extensively-phenotyped human brain tissue collections that have been amassed by the Neuro-HIV research community. In addition, sophisticated animal models that have been developed for both conditions provide a means to precisely evaluate specific exposures and stages of disease. We propose that single-cell genomics is a uniquely powerful technology to characterize the effects of SUD and HIV in the brain, integrating data from human cohorts and animal models. We have formed the Single-Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) consortium to carry out this strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth A Ament
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | - Mary Kay Lobo
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Linda Chang
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Dana Gabuzda
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Michelle Giglio
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Eran Hadas
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian R Herb
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wen Hu
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Cheyu Lee
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Shuhui Liu
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiaokun Liu
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Anup A Mahurkar
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Meng Niu
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | | | | | - Piya Pillai
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - W Brad Ruzicka
- McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Allen Wang
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Wills
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Siwei Xu
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Maryam Zand
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Le Zhang
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Shilpa Buch
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | | | - Howard S Fox
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | | | - Myriam Heiman
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ya-Chi Ho
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - David J Moore
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Susan Morgello
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Tariq M Rana
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - David J Volsky
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Owen R White
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Hongkui Zeng
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
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12
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Teague CD, Markovic T, Zhou X, Martinez-Rivera FJ, Minier-Toribio A, Zinsmaier A, Pulido NV, Schmidt KH, Lucerne KE, Godino A, van der Zee YY, Ramakrishnan A, Futamura R, Browne CJ, Holt LM, Yim YY, Azizian CH, Walker DM, Shen L, Dong Y, Zhang B, Nestler EJ. Circuit-Wide Gene Network Analysis Reveals Sex-Specific Roles for Phosphodiesterase 1b in Cocaine Addiction. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1327232024. [PMID: 38637154 PMCID: PMC11154853 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1327-23.2024] [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: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cocaine use disorder is a significant public health issue without an effective pharmacological treatment. Successful treatments are hindered in part by an incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie long-lasting maladaptive plasticity and addiction-like behaviors. Here, we leverage a large RNA sequencing dataset to generate gene coexpression networks across six interconnected regions of the brain's reward circuitry from mice that underwent saline or cocaine self-administration. We identify phosphodiesterase 1b (Pde1b), a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent enzyme that increases cAMP and cGMP hydrolysis, as a central hub gene within a nucleus accumbens (NAc) gene module that was bioinformatically associated with addiction-like behavior. Chronic cocaine exposure increases Pde1b expression in NAc D2 medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in male but not female mice. Viral-mediated Pde1b overexpression in NAc reduces cocaine self-administration in female rats but increases seeking in both sexes. In female mice, overexpressing Pde1b in D1 MSNs attenuates the locomotor response to cocaine, with the opposite effect in D2 MSNs. Overexpressing Pde1b in D1/D2 MSNs had no effect on the locomotor response to cocaine in male mice. At the electrophysiological level, Pde1b overexpression reduces sEPSC frequency in D1 MSNs and regulates the excitability of NAc MSNs. Lastly, Pde1b overexpression significantly reduced the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in NAc following chronic cocaine, with discordant effects on gene transcription between sexes. Together, we identify novel gene modules across the brain's reward circuitry associated with addiction-like behavior and explore the role of Pde1b in regulating the molecular, cellular, and behavioral responses to cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin D Teague
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Tamara Markovic
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Xianxiao Zhou
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Freddyson J Martinez-Rivera
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Angelica Minier-Toribio
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Alexander Zinsmaier
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Nathalia V Pulido
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Kyra H Schmidt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Kelsey E Lucerne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Arthur Godino
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Yentl Y van der Zee
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Rita Futamura
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Caleb J Browne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Leanne M Holt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Yun Young Yim
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Corrine H Azizian
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Deena M Walker
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Yan Dong
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
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Andraka E, Phillips RA, Brida KL, Day JJ. Chst9 marks a spatially and transcriptionally unique population of Oprm1-expressing neurons in the nucleus accumbens. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 11:100153. [PMID: 38957401 PMCID: PMC11218735 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2024.100153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Opioids produce addictive, analgesic, and euphoric effects via actions at mu opioid receptors (μORs). The μOR is encoded by the Oprm1 gene and is expressed in multiple brain regions that regulate reward and motivation, such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Oprm1 expression in NAc medium spiny neurons (MSNs) mediates opioid place preference, seeking, and consumption. However, recent single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) studies have revealed that multiple subpopulations of NAc neurons express Oprm1 mRNA, making it unclear which populations mediate diverse behaviors resulting from μOR activation. Using published snRNA-seq datasets from the rat NAc, we identified a novel population of MSNs that express the highest levels of Oprm1 of any NAc cell type. Here, we show that this population is selectively marked by expression of Chst9, a gene encoding a carbohydrate sulfotransferase. Notably, Chst9+ neurons exhibited more abundant expression of Oprm1 as compared to other cell types, and formed discrete cellular clusters along the medial and ventral borders of the NAc shell subregion. Moreover, CHST9 mRNA was also found to mark specific MSN populations in published human and primate snRNA-seq studies, indicating that this unique population may be conserved across species. Together, these results identify a spatially and transcriptionally distinct NAc neuron population characterized by the expression of Chst9. The abundant expression of Oprm1 in this population and the conservation of these cells across species suggests that they may play a key functional role in opioid response and identify this subpopulation as a target for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Andraka
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Robert A. Phillips
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Kasey L. Brida
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Jeremy J. Day
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
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14
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Kim YJ, Choi SJ, Hong SI, Park JC, Lee Y, Ma SX, Hur KH, Lee Y, Kim KM, Kim HK, Kim HY, Lee SY, Choi SY, Jang CG. The ion channel TRPA1 is a modulator of the cocaine reward circuit in the nucleus accumbens. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02623-4. [PMID: 38822069 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02623-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Drug addiction therapies commonly fail because continued drug use promotes the release of excessive and pleasurable dopamine levels. Because the connection between pleasure and drug use becomes hard-wired in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which interfaces motivation, effective therapies need to modulate this mesolimbic reward system. Here, we report that mice with knockdown of the cation channel TRPA1 (transient receptor potential ankyrin 1) were resistant to the drug-seeking behavior and reward effects of cocaine compared to their wildtype litter mates. In our study, we demonstrate that TRPA1 inhibition in the NAc reduces cocaine activity and dopamine release, and conversely, that TRPA1 is critical for cocaine-induced synaptic strength in dopamine receptor 1-expressing medium spiny neurons. Taken together, our data support that cocaine-induced reward-related behavior and synaptic release of dopamine in the NAc are controlled by TRPA1 and suggest that TRPA1 has therapeutic potential as a target for drug misuse therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Jung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Jeong Choi
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sa-Ik Hong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Cheol Park
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Youyoung Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Shi-Xun Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Hyun Hur
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Lee
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong-Man Kim
- Pharmacology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Kyu Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Young Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Yong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Young Choi
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Choon-Gon Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Reiner BC, Chehimi SN, Merkel R, Toikumo S, Berrettini WH, Kranzler HR, Sanchez-Roige S, Kember RL, Schmidt HD, Crist RC. A single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of medium spiny neurons in the rat nucleus accumbens. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.26.595949. [PMID: 38826289 PMCID: PMC11142250 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.26.595949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Neural processing of rewarding stimuli involves several distinct regions, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The majority of NAc neurons are GABAergic projection neurons known as medium spiny neurons (MSNs). MSNs are broadly defined by dopamine receptor expression, but evidence suggests that a wider array of subtypes exist. To study MSN heterogeneity, we analyzed single-nucleus RNA sequencing data from the largest available rat NAc dataset. Analysis of 48,040 NAc MSN nuclei identified major populations belonging to the striosome and matrix compartments. Integration with mouse and human data indicated consistency across species and disease-relevance scoring using genome-wide association study results revealed potentially differential roles for MSN populations in substance use disorders. Additional high-resolution clustering identified 34 transcriptomically distinct subtypes of MSNs definable by a limited number of marker genes. Together, these data demonstrate the diversity of MSNs in the NAc and provide a basis for more targeted genetic manipulation of specific populations.
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16
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Montgomery SE, Li L, Russo SJ, Calipari ES, Nestler EJ, Morel C, Han MH. Mesolimbic Neural Response Dynamics Predict Future Individual Alcohol Drinking in Mice. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:951-962. [PMID: 38061466 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individual variability in response to rewarding stimuli is a striking but understudied phenomenon. The mesolimbic dopamine system is critical in encoding the reinforcing properties of both natural reward and alcohol; however, how innate or baseline differences in the response dynamics of this circuit define individual behavior and shape future vulnerability to alcohol remain unknown. METHODS Using naturalistic behavioral assays, a voluntary alcohol drinking paradigm, in vivo fiber photometry, in vivo electrophysiology, and chemogenetics, we investigated how differences in mesolimbic neural circuit activity contribute to the individual variability seen in reward processing and, by proxy, alcohol drinking. RESULTS We first characterized heterogeneous behavioral and neural responses to natural reward and defined how these baseline responses predicted future individual alcohol-drinking phenotypes in male mice. We then determined spontaneous ventral tegmental area dopamine neuron firing profiles associated with responses to natural reward that predicted alcohol drinking. Using a dual chemogenetic approach, we mimicked specific mesolimbic dopamine neuron firing activity before or during voluntary alcohol drinking to link unique neurophysiological profiles to individual phenotype. We show that hyperdopaminergic individuals exhibit a lower neuronal response to both natural reward and alcohol that predicts lower levels of alcohol consumption in the future. CONCLUSIONS These findings reveal unique, circuit-specific neural signatures that predict future individual vulnerability or resistance to alcohol and expand the current knowledge base on how some individuals are able to titrate their alcohol consumption whereas others go on to engage in unhealthy alcohol-drinking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Montgomery
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Friedman Brain Institute and the Center for Affective Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Long Li
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Friedman Brain Institute and the Center for Affective Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Scott J Russo
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Friedman Brain Institute and the Center for Affective Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Friedman Brain Institute and the Center for Affective Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Departments of Pharmacology, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Friedman Brain Institute and the Center for Affective Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Carole Morel
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
| | - Ming-Hu Han
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Friedman Brain Institute and the Center for Affective Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Department of Mental Health and Public Health, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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17
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Chapp AD, Nwakama CA, Jagtap PP, Phan CMH, Thomas MJ, Mermelstein PG. Fundamental Sex Differences in Cocaine-Induced Plasticity of Dopamine D1 Receptor- and D2 Receptor-Expressing Medium Spiny Neurons in the Mouse Nucleus Accumbens Shell. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:100295. [PMID: 38533248 PMCID: PMC10963205 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cocaine-induced plasticity in the nucleus accumbens shell of males occurs primarily in dopamine D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1R-MSNs), with little if any impact on dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2R-MSNs). In females, the effect of cocaine on accumbens shell D1R- and D2R-MSN neurophysiology has yet to be reported, nor have estrous cycle effects been accounted for. Methods We used a 5-day locomotor sensitization paradigm followed by a 10- to 14-day drug-free abstinence period. We then obtained ex vivo whole-cell recordings from fluorescently labeled D1R-MSNs and D2R-MSNs in the nucleus accumbens shell of male and female mice during estrus and diestrus. We examined accumbens shell neuronal excitability as well as miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). Results In females, we observed alterations in D1R-MSN excitability across the estrous cycle similar in magnitude to the effects of cocaine in males. Furthermore, cocaine shifted estrous cycle-dependent plasticity from intrinsic excitability changes in D1R-MSNs to D2R-MSNs. In males, cocaine treatment produced the anticipated drop in D1R-MSN excitability with no effect on D2R-MSN excitability. Cocaine increased mEPSC frequencies and amplitudes in D2R-MSNs from females in estrus and mEPSC amplitudes of D2R-MSNs from females in diestrus. In males, cocaine increased both D1R- and D2R-MSN mEPSC amplitudes with no effect on mEPSC frequencies. Conclusions Overall, while there are similar cocaine-induced disparities regarding the relative excitability of D1R-MSNs versus D2R-MSNs between the sexes, this is mediated through reduced D1R-MSN excitability in males, whereas it is due to heightened D2R-MSN excitability in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Chapp
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Chinonso A. Nwakama
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Pramit P. Jagtap
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Chau-Mi H. Phan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Mark J. Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Center for Neural Circuits in Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Paul G. Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Center for Neural Circuits in Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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18
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Sortman BW, Rakela S, Paprotna S, Cerci B, Warren BL. Nucleus accumbens neuronal ensembles vary with cocaine reinforcement in male and female rats. Addict Biol 2024; 29:e13397. [PMID: 38711205 PMCID: PMC11074382 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13397] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Neuronal ensembles in the medial prefrontal cortex mediate cocaine self-administration via projections to the nucleus accumbens. We have recently shown that neuronal ensembles in the prelimbic cortex form rapidly to mediate cocaine self-administration. However, the role of neuronal ensembles within the nucleus accumbens in initial cocaine-seeking behaviour remains unknown. Here, we sought to expand the current literature by testing the necessity of the cocaine self-administration ensemble in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcCore) 1 day after male and female rats acquire cocaine self-administration by using the Daun02 inactivation procedure. We found that disrupting the NAcCore ensembles after a no-cocaine reward-seeking test increased subsequent cocaine seeking, while disrupting NAcCore ensembles following a cocaine self-administration session decreased subsequent cocaine seeking. We then characterized neuronal cell type in the NAcCore using RNAscope in situ hybridization. In the no-cocaine session, we saw reduced dopamine D1 type neuronal activation, while in the cocaine self-administration session, we found preferential dopamine D1 type neuronal activity in the NAcCore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo W. Sortman
- Department of PharmacodynamicsUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Samantha Rakela
- Department of PharmacodynamicsUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Sarah Paprotna
- Department of PharmacodynamicsUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Berk Cerci
- Department of PharmacodynamicsUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Brandon L. Warren
- Department of PharmacodynamicsUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
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19
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Tan B, Browne CJ, Nöbauer T, Vaziri A, Friedman JM, Nestler EJ. Drugs of abuse hijack a mesolimbic pathway that processes homeostatic need. Science 2024; 384:eadk6742. [PMID: 38669575 PMCID: PMC11077477 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk6742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Drugs of abuse are thought to promote addiction in part by "hijacking" brain reward systems, but the underlying mechanisms remain undefined. Using whole-brain FOS mapping and in vivo single-neuron calcium imaging, we found that drugs of abuse augment dopaminoceptive ensemble activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and disorganize overlapping ensemble responses to natural rewards in a cell type-specific manner. Combining FOS-Seq, CRISPR-perturbation, and single-nucleus RNA sequencing, we identified Rheb as a molecular substrate that regulates cell type-specific signal transduction in NAc while enabling drugs to suppress natural reward consumption. Mapping NAc-projecting regions activated by drugs of abuse revealed input-specific effects on natural reward consumption. These findings characterize the dynamic, molecular and circuit basis of a common reward pathway, wherein drugs of abuse interfere with the fulfillment of innate needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Tan
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Caleb J. Browne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York, NY 10029, USA
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Tobias Nöbauer
- Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alipasha Vaziri
- Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
- The Kavli Neural Systems Institute, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jeffrey M. Friedman
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Eric J. Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York, NY 10029, USA
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20
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Kim YJ, Kook WA, Ma SX, Lee BR, Ko YH, Kim SK, Lee Y, Lee JG, Lee S, Kim KM, Lee SY, Jang CG. The novel psychoactive substance 25E-NBOMe induces reward-related behaviors via dopamine D1 receptor signaling in male rodents. Arch Pharm Res 2024; 47:360-376. [PMID: 38551761 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-024-01491-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) are new psychotropic drugs designed to evade substance regulatory policies. 25E-NBOMe (2-(4-ethyl-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine) has recently been identified as an NPS, and its recreational misuse has been reported to be rapidly increasing. However, the psychopharmacological effects and mechanisms of 25E-NBOMe have not been studied. We examined the abuse potential of 25E-NBOMe using the conditioned place preference in male mice and self-administration paradigms in male rats. Additionally, immunoblot assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and microdialysis were used to determine the molecular effects of 25E-NBOMe in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Our data demonstrated that 25E-NBOMe induces conditioned place preference, and the dopaminergic signaling in the NAc mediates these. Following 25E-NBOMe administration, expression of dopamine transporter and dopamine D1 receptor (D1DR) were enhanced in the NAc of male mice, and NAc dopamine levels were reduced in both male mice and rats. Induction of intracellular dopaminergic pathways, DARPP32, and phosphorylation of CREB in the NAc of male mice was also observed. Significantly, pharmacological blockade of D1DR or chemogenetic inhibition of D1DR-expressing medium spiny neurons in the NAc attenuated 25E-NBOMe-induced conditioned place preference in male mice. We also examined the hallucinogenic properties of 25E-NBOMe using the head twitch response test in male mice and found that this behavior was mediated by serotonin 2A receptor activity. Our findings demonstrate that D1DR signaling may govern the addictive potential of 25E-NBOMe. Moreover, our study provides new insights into the potential mechanisms of substance use disorder and the improvement of controlled substance management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Jung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Wun-A Kook
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Shi-Xun Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Ram Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Hyun Ko
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Kyung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Youyoung Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Gyeong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Sooyeun Lee
- Analytical Toxicology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu, 42601, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong-Man Kim
- Pharmacology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 81186, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Yong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Gon Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
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21
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Zhuo Y, Luo B, Yi X, Dong H, Miao X, Wan J, Williams JT, Campbell MG, Cai R, Qian T, Li F, Weber SJ, Wang L, Li B, Wei Y, Li G, Wang H, Zheng Y, Zhao Y, Wolf ME, Zhu Y, Watabe-Uchida M, Li Y. Improved green and red GRAB sensors for monitoring dopaminergic activity in vivo. Nat Methods 2024; 21:680-691. [PMID: 38036855 PMCID: PMC11009088 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-02100-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) plays multiple roles in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes via a large network of dopaminergic projections. To dissect the spatiotemporal dynamics of DA release in both dense and sparsely innervated brain regions, we developed a series of green and red fluorescent G-protein-coupled receptor activation-based DA (GRABDA) sensors using a variety of DA receptor subtypes. These sensors have high sensitivity, selectivity and signal-to-noise ratio with subsecond response kinetics and the ability to detect a wide range of DA concentrations. We then used these sensors in mice to measure both optogenetically evoked and behaviorally relevant DA release while measuring neurochemical signaling in the nucleus accumbens, amygdala and cortex. Using these sensors, we also detected spatially resolved heterogeneous cortical DA release in mice performing various behaviors. These next-generation GRABDA sensors provide a robust set of tools for imaging dopaminergic activity under a variety of physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Zhuo
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyang Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolei Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxia Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Beijing, China
| | - John T Williams
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Malcolm G Campbell
- Center for Brain Science, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ruyi Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Tongrui Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Fengling Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sophia J Weber
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Peking University-Tsinghua University-National Institute of Biological Sciences Joint Graduate Program, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Bozhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Guochuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Yulin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Marina E Wolf
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Yingjie Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mitsuko Watabe-Uchida
- Center for Brain Science, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yulong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China.
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Beijing, China.
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China.
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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22
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Zachry JE, Kutlu MG, Yoon HJ, Leonard MZ, Chevée M, Patel DD, Gaidici A, Kondev V, Thibeault KC, Bethi R, Tat J, Melugin PR, Isiktas AU, Joffe ME, Cai DJ, Conn PJ, Grueter BA, Calipari ES. D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens core have distinct and valence-independent roles in learning. Neuron 2024; 112:835-849.e7. [PMID: 38134921 PMCID: PMC10939818 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.023] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
At the core of value-based learning is the nucleus accumbens (NAc). D1- and D2-receptor-containing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the NAc core are hypothesized to have opposing valence-based roles in behavior. Using optical imaging and manipulation approaches in mice, we show that neither D1 nor D2 MSNs signal valence. D1 MSN responses were evoked by stimuli regardless of valence or contingency. D2 MSNs were evoked by both cues and outcomes, were dynamically changed with learning, and tracked valence-free prediction error at the population and individual neuron level. Finally, D2 MSN responses to cues were necessary for associative learning. Thus, D1 and D2 MSNs work in tandem, rather than in opposition, by signaling specific properties of stimuli to control learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Zachry
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Munir Gunes Kutlu
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Hye Jean Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Michael Z Leonard
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Maxime Chevée
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Dev D Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Anthony Gaidici
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Veronika Kondev
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Kimberly C Thibeault
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rishik Bethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jennifer Tat
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Patrick R Melugin
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Atagun U Isiktas
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Max E Joffe
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Denise J Cai
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Brad A Grueter
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Erin S Calipari
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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23
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Nguyen R, Sivakumaran S, Lambe EK, Kim JC. Ventral hippocampal cholecystokinin interneurons gate contextual reward memory. iScience 2024; 27:108824. [PMID: 38303709 PMCID: PMC10831933 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Associating contexts with rewards depends on hippocampal circuits, with local inhibitory interneurons positioned to play an important role in shaping activity. Here, we demonstrate that the encoding of context-reward memory requires a ventral hippocampus (vHPC) to nucleus accumbens (NAc) circuit that is gated by cholecystokinin (CCK) interneurons. In a sucrose conditioned place preference (CPP) task, optogenetically inhibiting vHPC-NAc terminals impaired the acquisition of place preference. Transsynaptic rabies tracing revealed vHPC-NAc neurons were monosynaptically innervated by CCK interneurons. Using intersectional genetic targeting of CCK interneurons, ex vivo optogenetic activation of CCK interneurons increased GABAergic transmission onto vHPC-NAc neurons, while in vivo optogenetic inhibition of CCK interneurons increased cFos in these projection neurons. Notably, CCK interneuron inhibition during sucrose CPP learning increased time spent in the sucrose-associated location, suggesting enhanced place-reward memory. Our findings reveal a previously unknown hippocampal microcircuit crucial for modulating the strength of contextual reward learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Nguyen
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Evelyn K. Lambe
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of OBGYN, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jun Chul Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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24
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Ibrahim KM, Massaly N, Yoon HJ, Sandoval R, Widman AJ, Heuermann RJ, Williams S, Post W, Pathiranage S, Lintz T, Zec A, Park A, Yu W, Kash TL, Gereau RW, Morón JA. Dorsal hippocampus to nucleus accumbens projections drive reinforcement via activation of accumbal dynorphin neurons. Nat Commun 2024; 15:750. [PMID: 38286800 PMCID: PMC10825206 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44836-9] [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: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus is pivotal in integrating emotional processing, learning, memory, and reward-related behaviors. The dorsal hippocampus (dHPC) is particularly crucial for episodic, spatial, and associative memory, and has been shown to be necessary for context- and cue-associated reward behaviors. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a central structure in the mesolimbic reward pathway, integrates the salience of aversive and rewarding stimuli. Despite extensive research on dHPC→NAc direct projections, their sufficiency in driving reinforcement and reward-related behavior remains to be determined. Our study establishes that activating excitatory neurons in the dHPC is sufficient to induce reinforcing behaviors through its direct projections to the dorso-medial subregion of the NAc shell (dmNAcSh). Notably, dynorphin-containing neurons specifically contribute to dHPC-driven reinforcing behavior, even though both dmNAcSh dynorphin- and enkephalin-containing neurons are activated with dHPC stimulation. Our findings unveil a pathway governing reinforcement, advancing our understanding of the hippocampal circuity's role in reward-seeking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khairunisa Mohamad Ibrahim
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Nicolas Massaly
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Hye-Jean Yoon
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Rossana Sandoval
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Allie J Widman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Robert J Heuermann
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sidney Williams
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - William Post
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sulan Pathiranage
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Tania Lintz
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Azra Zec
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ashley Park
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Waylin Yu
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Thomas L Kash
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Robert W Gereau
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jose A Morón
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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25
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Belilos A, Gray C, Sanders C, Black D, Mays E, Richie C, Sengupta A, Hake H, Francis TC. Nucleus accumbens local circuit for cue-dependent aversive learning. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113488. [PMID: 37995189 PMCID: PMC10795009 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113488] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Response to threatening environmental stimuli requires detection and encoding of important environmental features that dictate threat. Aversive events are highly salient, which promotes associative learning about stimuli that signal this threat. The nucleus accumbens is uniquely positioned to process this salient, aversive information and promote motivated output, through plasticity on the major projection neurons in the brain area. We describe a nucleus accumbens core local circuit whereby excitatory plasticity facilitates learning and recall of discrete aversive cues. We demonstrate that putative nucleus accumbens substance P release and long-term excitatory plasticity on dopamine 2 receptor-expressing projection neurons are required for cue-dependent fear learning. Additionally, we find that fear learning and recall is dependent on distinct projection neuron subtypes. Our work demonstrates a critical role for nucleus accumbens substance P in cue-dependent aversive learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Belilos
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Cortez Gray
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Christie Sanders
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Destiny Black
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Elizabeth Mays
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Christopher Richie
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Ayesha Sengupta
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Holly Hake
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - T Chase Francis
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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26
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Reumann D, Krauditsch C, Novatchkova M, Sozzi E, Wong SN, Zabolocki M, Priouret M, Doleschall B, Ritzau-Reid KI, Piber M, Morassut I, Fieseler C, Fiorenzano A, Stevens MM, Zimmer M, Bardy C, Parmar M, Knoblich JA. In vitro modeling of the human dopaminergic system using spatially arranged ventral midbrain-striatum-cortex assembloids. Nat Methods 2023; 20:2034-2047. [PMID: 38052989 PMCID: PMC10703680 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-02080-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons project to the striatum as well as the cortex and are involved in movement control and reward-related cognition. In Parkinson's disease, nigrostriatal midbrain dopaminergic neurons degenerate and cause typical Parkinson's disease motor-related impairments, while the dysfunction of mesocorticolimbic midbrain dopaminergic neurons is implicated in addiction and neuropsychiatric disorders. Study of the development and selective neurodegeneration of the human dopaminergic system, however, has been limited due to the lack of an appropriate model and access to human material. Here, we have developed a human in vitro model that recapitulates key aspects of dopaminergic innervation of the striatum and cortex. These spatially arranged ventral midbrain-striatum-cortical organoids (MISCOs) can be used to study dopaminergic neuron maturation, innervation and function with implications for cell therapy and addiction research. We detail protocols for growing ventral midbrain, striatal and cortical organoids and describe how they fuse in a linear manner when placed in custom embedding molds. We report the formation of functional long-range dopaminergic connections to striatal and cortical tissues in MISCOs, and show that injected, ventral midbrain-patterned progenitors can mature and innervate the tissue. Using these assembloids, we examine dopaminergic circuit perturbations and show that chronic cocaine treatment causes long-lasting morphological, functional and transcriptional changes that persist upon drug withdrawal. Thus, our method opens new avenues to investigate human dopaminergic cell transplantation and circuitry reconstruction as well as the effect of drugs on the human dopaminergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Reumann
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna BioCenter, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Krauditsch
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Novatchkova
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Edoardo Sozzi
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sakurako Nagumo Wong
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna BioCenter, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Zabolocki
- Laboratory for Human Neurophysiology and Genetics, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Marthe Priouret
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Balint Doleschall
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna BioCenter, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kaja I Ritzau-Reid
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Marielle Piber
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- Zebrafish Neurogenetics Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Ilaria Morassut
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Charles Fieseler
- Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alessandro Fiorenzano
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Stem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'Adriano Buzzati Traverso' (IGB), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Molly M Stevens
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Manuel Zimmer
- Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cedric Bardy
- Laboratory for Human Neurophysiology and Genetics, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Malin Parmar
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jürgen A Knoblich
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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You IJ, Bae Y, Beck AR, Shin S. Lateral hypothalamic proenkephalin neurons drive threat-induced overeating associated with a negative emotional state. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6875. [PMID: 37898655 PMCID: PMC10613253 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42623-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychological stressors, like the nearby presence of a predator, can be strong enough to induce physiological/hormonal alterations, leading to appetite changes. However, little is known about how threats can alter feeding-related hypothalamic circuit functions. Here, we found that proenkephalin (Penk)-expressing lateral hypothalamic (LHPenk) neurons of mice exposed to predator scent stimulus (PSS) show sensitized responses to high-fat diet (HFD) eating, whereas silencing of the same neurons normalizes PSS-induced HFD overconsumption associated with a negative emotional state. Downregulation of endogenous enkephalin peptides in the LH is crucial for inhibiting the neuronal and behavioral changes developed after PSS exposure. Furthermore, elevated corticosterone after PSS contributes to enhance the reactivity of glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-containing LHPenk neurons to HFD, whereas pharmacological inhibition of GR in the LH suppresses PSS-induced maladaptive behavioral responses. We have thus identified the LHPenk neurons as a critical component in the threat-induced neuronal adaptation that leads to emotional overconsumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Jee You
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, USA
- FBRI Center for Neurobiology Research, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Yeeun Bae
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, USA
- FBRI Center for Neurobiology Research, Roanoke, VA, USA
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Alec R Beck
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, USA
- FBRI Center for Neurobiology Research, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Sora Shin
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, USA.
- FBRI Center for Neurobiology Research, Roanoke, VA, USA.
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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28
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Gayden J, Puig S, Srinivasan C, Phan BN, Abdelhady G, Buck SA, Gamble MC, Tejeda HA, Dong Y, Pfenning AR, Logan RW, Freyberg Z. Integrative multi-dimensional characterization of striatal projection neuron heterogeneity in adult brain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.04.539488. [PMID: 37205475 PMCID: PMC10187292 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.04.539488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Striatal projection neurons (SPNs) are traditionally segregated into two subpopulations expressing dopamine (DA) D1-like or D2-like receptors. However, this dichotomy is challenged by recent evidence. Functional and expression studies raise important questions: do SPNs co-express different DA receptors, and do these differences reflect unique striatal spatial distributions and expression profiles? Using RNAscope in mouse striatum, we report heterogenous SPN subpopulations distributed across dorsal-ventral and rostral-caudal axes. SPN subpopulations co-express multiple DA receptors, including D1 and D2 (D1/2R) and D1 and D3. Our integrative approach using single-nuclei multi-omics analyses provides a simple consensus to describe SPNs across diverse datasets, connecting it to complementary spatial mapping. Combining RNAscope and multi-omics shows D1/2R SPNs further separate into distinct subtypes according to spatial organization and conserved marker genes. Each SPN cell type contributes uniquely to genetic risk for neuropsychiatric diseases. Our results bridge anatomy and transcriptomics to offer new understandings of striatal neuron heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenesis Gayden
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Stephanie Puig
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Chaitanya Srinivasan
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - BaDoi N. Phan
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Medical-Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Ghada Abdelhady
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Silas A. Buck
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Mackenzie C. Gamble
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Molecular and Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hugo A. Tejeda
- Unit on Neuromodulation and Synaptic Integration, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Yan Dong
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Andreas R. Pfenning
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Ryan W. Logan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Zachary Freyberg
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Andraka E, Phillips RA, Brida KL, Day JJ. Chst9 Marks a Spatially and Transcriptionally Unique Population of Oprm1 -Expressing Neurons in the Nucleus Accumbens. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.16.562623. [PMID: 37904940 PMCID: PMC10614864 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.16.562623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Opioids produce addictive, analgesic, and euphoric effects via actions at mu opioid receptors (μORs). The μOR is encoded by the Oprm1 gene and is expressed in multiple brain regions that regulate reward and motivation, such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Oprm1 expression in NAc medium spiny neurons (MSNs) mediates opioid place preference, seeking, and consumption. However, recent single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) studies in rodent, primate, and human NAc have revealed that multiple subpopulations of NAc neurons express Oprm1 mRNA, making it unclear which populations mediate diverse behaviors resulting from μOR activation. Using published snRNA-seq datasets from the rat NAc, we identified a novel population of MSNs that express the highest levels of Oprm1 of any NAc cell type. Here, we show that this population is selectively marked by expression of Chst9 , a gene encoding a carbohydrate sulfotransferase. To validate this observation and characterize spatial localization of this population in the rat NAc, we performed multiplexed RNAscope fluorescence in situ hybridization studies to detect expression of Oprm1 and Chst9 mRNA along with well-validated markers of MSNs. Notably, Chst9 + neurons exhibited more abundant expression of Oprm1 as compared to other cell types, and formed discrete cellular clusters along the medial and ventral borders of the NAc shell subregion. Moreover, CHST9 mRNA was also found to mark specific MSN populations in published human and primate snRNA-seq studies, indicating that this unique population may be conserved across species. Together, these results identify a spatially and transcriptionally distinct NAc neuron population characterized by the expression of Chst9 . The abundant expression of Oprm1 in this population and the conservation of these cells across species suggests that they may play a key functional role in opioid response and identify this subpopulation as a target for further investigation.
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30
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Belilos A, Gray C, Sanders C, Black D, Mays E, Richie CT, Sengupta A, Hake HS, Francis TC. Nucleus Accumbens Local Circuit for Cue-Dependent Aversive Learning. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.06.527338. [PMID: 36798245 PMCID: PMC9934565 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.06.527338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Response to threatening environmental stimuli requires detection and encoding of important environmental features that dictate threat. Aversive events are highly salient which promotes associative learning about stimuli that signal this threat. The nucleus accumbens is uniquely positioned to process this salient, aversive information and promote motivated output, through plasticity on the major projection neurons in the brain area. We uncovered a nucleus accumbens core local circuit whereby excitatory plasticity facilitates learning and recall of discrete aversive cues. We demonstrate that putative nucleus accumbens substance P release and long-term excitatory plasticity on dopamine 2 receptor expressing projection neurons is required for cue-dependent fear learning. Additionally, we found fear learning and recall were dependent on distinct projection-neuron subtypes. Our work demonstrates a critical role for Nucleus Accumbens substance P in cue-dependent aversive learning.
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31
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Conlisk D, Ceau M, Fiancette JF, Winke N, Darmagnac E, Herry C, Deroche-Gamonet V. Integrating operant behavior and fiber photometry with the open-source python library Pyfiber. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16562. [PMID: 37783729 PMCID: PMC10545777 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43565-1] [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: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the popularity of fiber photometry (FP), its integration with operant behavior paradigms is progressing slowly. This can be attributed to the complex protocols in operant behavior - resulting in a combination of diverse non-predictable behavioral responses and scheduled events, thereby complicating data analysis. To overcome this, we developed Pyfiber, an open-source python library which facilitates the merge of FP with operant behavior by relating changes in fluorescent signals within a neuronal population to behavioral responses and events. Pyfiber helps to 1. Extract events and responses that occur in operant behavior, 2. Extract and process the FP signals, 3. Select events of interest and align them to the corresponding FP signals, 4. Apply appropriate signal normalization and analysis according to the type of events, 5. Run analysis on multiple individuals and sessions, 6. Collect results in an easily readable format. Pyfiber is suitable for use with many different fluorescent sensors and operant behavior protocols. It was developed using Doric lenses FP systems and Imetronic behavioral systems, but it possesses the capability to process data from alternative systems. This work sets a solid foundation for analyzing the relationship between different dimensions of complex behavioral paradigms with fluorescent signals from brain regions of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Conlisk
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Matias Ceau
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Nanci Winke
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
- UCL, Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, London, UK
| | - Elise Darmagnac
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Cyril Herry
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
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32
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Chen Y, Yan P, Wei S, Zhu Y, Lai J, Zhou Q. Ketamine metabolite alleviates morphine withdrawal-induced anxiety via modulating nucleus accumbens parvalbumin neurons in male mice. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 186:106279. [PMID: 37661023 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid withdrawal generates extremely unpleasant physical symptoms and negative affective states. A rapid relief of opioid withdrawal-induced anxiety has obvious clinical relevance but has been rarely reported. We have shown that injection of ketamine metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) leads to a rapid alleviation of anxiety-like behaviors in male mice undergoing chronic morphine withdrawal. Here we investigated the contribution of nucleus accumbens shell (sNAc) parvalbumin (PV)-neurons to this process. Chronic morphine withdrawal was associated with higher intrinsic excitability of sNAc PV-neurons via reduced voltage-dependent potassium currents. Chemogenetic inhibition of sNAc PV-neurons reversed the enhanced excitability of PV-neurons and anxiety-like behaviors in these morphine withdrawal male mice, while activation of sNAc PV-neurons induced anxiety-like behaviors in naive male mice. (2R,6R)-HNK reversed the altered potassium currents and intrinsic excitability of sNAc PV-neurons. Our findings demonstrate an important contribution of sNAc PV-neurons to modulating morphine withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behaviors and rapid relief of anxiety-like behaviors by (2R,6R)-HNK, this newly identified target may have therapeutic potentials in treating opioid addiction and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Chen
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Yan
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shuguang Wei
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yongsheng Zhu
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianghua Lai
- College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Qiang Zhou
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China.
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Browne CJ, Mews P, Zhou X, Holt LM, Estill M, Futamura R, Schaefer A, Kenny PJ, Hurd YL, Shen L, Zhang B, Nestler EJ. Shared and divergent transcriptomic regulation in nucleus accumbens D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons by cocaine and morphine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.19.558477. [PMID: 37781621 PMCID: PMC10541108 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.19.558477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs) induce widespread molecular dysregulation in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region pivotal for coordinating motivation and reward. These molecular changes are thought to support lasting neural and behavioral disturbances that promote drug-seeking in addiction. However, different drug classes exert unique influences on neural circuits, cell types, physiology, and gene expression despite the overlapping symptomatology of SUDs. To better understand common and divergent molecular mechanisms governing SUD pathology, our goal was to survey cell-type-specific restructuring of the NAc transcriptional landscape in after psychostimulant or opioid exposure. We combined fluorescence-activated nuclei sorting and RNA sequencing to profile NAc D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons (MSNs) across cocaine and morphine exposure paradigms, including initial exposure, prolonged withdrawal after repeated exposure, and re-exposure post-withdrawal. Our analyses reveal that D1 MSNs display many convergent transcriptional responses across drug classes during exposure, whereas D2 MSNs manifest mostly divergent responses between cocaine and morphine, with morphine causing more adaptations in this cell type. Utilizing multiscale embedded gene co-expression network analysis (MEGENA), we discerned transcriptional regulatory networks subserving biological functions shared between cocaine and morphine. We observed largely integrative engagement of overlapping gene networks across drug classes in D1 MSNs, but opposite regulation of key D2 networks, highlighting potential therapeutic gene network targets within MSNs. These studies establish a landmark, cell-type-specific atlas of transcriptional regulation induced by cocaine and by morphine that can serve as a foundation for future studies towards mechanistic understanding of SUDs. Our findings, and future work leveraging this dataset, will pave the way for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions, addressing the urgent need for more effective treatments for cocaine use disorder and enhancing the existing strategies for opioid use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb J Browne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Philipp Mews
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Xianxiao Zhou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Dept. of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Leanne M Holt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Molly Estill
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Rita Futamura
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Anne Schaefer
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Yasmin L Hurd
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Bin Zhang
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Dept. of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Dept. of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
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34
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Tan B, Browne CJ, Nöbauer T, Vaziri A, Friedman JM, Nestler EJ. Drugs of abuse hijack a mesolimbic pathway that processes homeostatic need. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.03.556059. [PMID: 37732251 PMCID: PMC10508763 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.03.556059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Addiction prioritizes drug use over innate needs by "hijacking" brain circuits that direct motivation, but how this develops remains unclear. Using whole-brain FOS mapping and in vivo single-neuron calcium imaging, we find that drugs of abuse augment ensemble activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and disorganize overlapping ensemble responses to natural rewards in a cell-type-specific manner. Combining "FOS-Seq", CRISPR-perturbations, and snRNA-seq, we identify Rheb as a shared molecular substrate that regulates cell-type-specific signal transductions in NAc while enabling drugs to suppress natural reward responses. Retrograde circuit mapping pinpoints orbitofrontal cortex which, upon activation, mirrors drug effects on innate needs. These findings deconstruct the dynamic, molecular, and circuit basis of a common reward circuit, wherein drug value is scaled to promote drug-seeking over other, normative goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Tan
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Caleb J. Browne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Tobias Nöbauer
- Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alipasha Vaziri
- Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
- The Kavli Neural Systems Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jeffrey M. Friedman
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Eric J. Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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35
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Yeh SY, Estill M, Lardner CK, Browne CJ, Minier-Toribio A, Futamura R, Beach K, McManus CA, Xu SJ, Zhang S, Heller EA, Shen L, Nestler EJ. Cell Type-Specific Whole-Genome Landscape of ΔFOSB Binding in the Nucleus Accumbens After Chronic Cocaine Exposure. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:367-377. [PMID: 36906500 PMCID: PMC10314970 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability of neurons to respond to external stimuli involves adaptations of gene expression. Induction of the transcription factor ΔFOSB in the nucleus accumbens, a key brain reward region, is important for the development of drug addiction. However, a comprehensive map of ΔFOSB's gene targets has not yet been generated. METHODS We used CUT&RUN (cleavage under targets and release using nuclease) to map the genome-wide changes in ΔFOSB binding in the 2 main types of nucleus accumbens neurons-D1 or D2 medium spiny neurons-after chronic cocaine exposure. To annotate genomic regions of ΔFOSB binding sites, we also examined the distributions of several histone modifications. Resulting datasets were leveraged for multiple bioinformatic analyses. RESULTS The majority of ΔFOSB peaks occur outside promoter regions, including intergenic regions, and are surrounded by epigenetic marks indicative of active enhancers. BRG1, the core subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, overlaps with ΔFOSB peaks, a finding consistent with earlier studies of ΔFOSB's interacting proteins. Chronic cocaine use induces broad changes in ΔFOSB binding in both D1 and D2 nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons of male and female mice. In addition, in silico analyses predict that ΔFOSB cooperatively regulates gene expression with homeobox and T-box transcription factors. CONCLUSIONS These novel findings uncover key elements of ΔFOSB's molecular mechanisms in transcriptional regulation at baseline and in response to chronic cocaine exposure. Further characterization of ΔFOSB's collaborative transcriptional and chromatin partners specifically in D1 and D2 medium spiny neurons will reveal a broader picture of the function of ΔFOSB and the molecular basis of drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Ying Yeh
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Molly Estill
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Casey K Lardner
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Caleb J Browne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Angelica Minier-Toribio
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Rita Futamura
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Katherine Beach
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Catherine A McManus
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Song-Jun Xu
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Elizabeth A Heller
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
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36
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Bhatia P, Yang L, Luo JXJ, Xu M, Renthal W. Epigenomic profiling of mouse nucleus accumbens at single-cell resolution. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 126:103857. [PMID: 37137383 PMCID: PMC10525004 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2023.103857] [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: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a key brain region involved in reward processing and is linked to multiple neuropsychiatric conditions such as substance use disorder, depression, and chronic pain. Recent studies have begun to investigate NAc gene expression at a single-cell resolution, however, our understanding of the cellular heterogeneity of the NAc epigenomic landscape remains limited. In this study, we utilize single-nucleus assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (snATAC-seq) to map cell-type-specific differences in chromatin accessibility in the NAc. Our findings not only reveal the transcription factors and putative gene regulatory elements that may contribute to these cell-type-specific epigenomic differences but also provide a valuable resource for future studies investigating epigenomic changes that occur in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parth Bhatia
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Lite Yang
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Jay X J Luo
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Mengyi Xu
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - William Renthal
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA.
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Garcia-Keller C, Hohmeister M, Seidling K, Beloate L, Chioma V, Spencer S, Kalivas P, Neuhofer D. Δ 9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol self-administration induces cell type-specific adaptations in the nucleus accumbens core. Addict Biol 2023; 28:e13286. [PMID: 37500492 PMCID: PMC10924663 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Drugs of abuse induce cell type-specific adaptations in D1- and D2-medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore) that can bias signalling towards D1-MSNs and enhance relapse vulnerability. Whether Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use initiates similar neuroadaptations is unknown. D1- and D2-Cre transgenic rats were transfected with Cre-dependent reporters and trained to self-administer THC + cannabidiol (THC + CBD). After extinction training spine morphology, glutamate transmission, CB1R function and cFOS expression were quantified. We found that extinction from THC + CBD induced a loss of large spine heads in D1- but not D2-MSNs and commensurate reductions in glutamate synaptic transmission. Also, presynaptic CB1R function was impaired selectively at glutamatergic synapses on D1-MSNs, which augmented the capacity to potentiate glutamate transmission. Using cFOS expression as an activity marker, we found no change after extinction but increased cFOS expression in D1-MSNs after cue-induced drug seeking. Contrasting D1-MSNs, CB1R function and glutamate synaptic transmission on D2-MSN synapses were unaffected by THC + CBD use. However, cFOS expression was decreased in D2-MSNs of THC + CBD-extinguished rats and was restored after drug seeking. Thus, CB1R adaptations in D1-MSNs partially predicted neuronal activity changes, posing pathway specific modulation of eCB signalling in D1-MSNs as a potential treatment avenue for cannabis use disorder (CUD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza Garcia-Keller
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, BSB 403-MSC 510, Charleston, SC 29425
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 W Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226
| | - Madeline Hohmeister
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, BSB 403-MSC 510, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Kailyn Seidling
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, BSB 403-MSC 510, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Lauren Beloate
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, BSB 403-MSC 510, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Vivian Chioma
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, BSB 403-MSC 510, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Sade Spencer
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, MN 55455
| | - Peter Kalivas
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, BSB 403-MSC 510, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Daniela Neuhofer
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, BSB 403-MSC 510, Charleston, SC 29425
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38
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Guillaumin MCC, Viskaitis P, Bracey E, Burdakov D, Peleg-Raibstein D. Disentangling the role of NAc D1 and D2 cells in hedonic eating. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3531-3547. [PMID: 37402855 PMCID: PMC10618099 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02131-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Overeating is driven by both the hedonic component ('liking') of food, and the motivation ('wanting') to eat it. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a key brain center implicated in these processes, but how distinct NAc cell populations encode 'liking' and 'wanting' to shape overconsumption remains unclear. Here, we probed the roles of NAc D1 and D2 cells in these processes using cell-specific recording and optogenetic manipulation in diverse behavioral paradigms that disentangle reward traits of 'liking' and 'wanting' related to food choice and overeating in healthy mice. Medial NAc shell D2 cells encoded experience-dependent development of 'liking', while D1 cells encoded innate 'liking' during the first food taste. Optogenetic control confirmed causal links of D1 and D2 cells to these aspects of 'liking'. In relation to 'wanting', D1 and D2 cells encoded and promoted distinct aspects of food approach: D1 cells interpreted food cues while D2 cells also sustained food-visit-length that facilitates consumption. Finally, at the level of food choice, D1, but not D2, cell activity was sufficient to switch food preference, programming subsequent long-lasting overconsumption. By revealing complementary roles of D1 and D2 cells in consumption, these findings assign neural bases to 'liking' and 'wanting' in a unifying framework of D1 and D2 cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde C C Guillaumin
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Paulius Viskaitis
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Eva Bracey
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Denis Burdakov
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Daria Peleg-Raibstein
- Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
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Godino A, Salery M, Minier-Toribio AM, Patel V, Fullard JF, Parise EM, Martinez-Rivera FJ, Morel C, Roussos P, Blitzer RD, Nestler EJ. Dopaminoceptive D1 and D2 neurons in ventral hippocampus arbitrate approach and avoidance in anxiety. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.25.550554. [PMID: 37546856 PMCID: PMC10402022 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.25.550554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The hippocampus 1-7, as well as dopamine circuits 8-11, coordinate decision-making in anxiety-eliciting situations. Yet, little is known about how dopamine modulates hippocampal representations of emotionally-salient stimuli to inform appropriate resolution of approach versus avoidance conflicts. We here study dopaminoceptive neurons in mouse ventral hippocampus (vHipp), molecularly distinguished by their expression of dopamine D1 or D2 receptors. We show that these neurons are transcriptionally distinct and topographically organized across vHipp subfields and cell types. In the ventral subiculum where they are enriched, both D1 and D2 neurons are recruited during anxiogenic exploration, yet with distinct profiles related to investigation and behavioral selection. In turn, they mediate opposite approach/avoidance responses, and are differentially modulated by dopaminergic transmission in that region. Together, these results suggest that vHipp dopamine dynamics gate exploratory behaviors under contextual uncertainty, implicating dopaminoception in the complex computation engaged in vHipp to govern emotional states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Godino
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Marine Salery
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Angelica M. Minier-Toribio
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Vishwendra Patel
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - John F. Fullard
- Department of Psychiatry & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences & Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Center for Disease Neurogenomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Eric M. Parise
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Freddyson J. Martinez-Rivera
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Carole Morel
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Panos Roussos
- Department of Psychiatry & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences & Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Center for Disease Neurogenomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Robert D. Blitzer
- Department of Psychiatry & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Eric J. Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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40
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Liu HM, Liao ML, Liu GX, Wang LJ, Lian D, Ren J, Chi XT, Lv ZR, Liu M, Wu Y, Xu T, Wei JY, Feng X, Jiang B, Zhang XQ, Xin WJ. IPAC integrates rewarding and environmental memory during the acquisition of morphine CPP. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg5849. [PMID: 37352353 PMCID: PMC10289658 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg5849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
The association between rewarding and drug-related memory is a leading factor for the formation of addiction, yet the neural circuits underlying the association remain unclear. Here, we showed that the interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure (IPAC) integrated rewarding and environmental memory information by two different receiving projections from ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens shell region (NAcSh) to mediate the acquisition of morphine conditioned place preference (CPP). A projection from the VTA GABAergic neurons (VTAGABA) to the IPAC lateral region GABAergic neurons (IPACLGABA) mediated the effect of morphine rewarding, whereas the pathway from NAcSh dopamine receptor 1-expressing neurons (NAcShD1) to the IPAC medial region GABAergic neurons (IPACMGABA) was involved in the acquisition of environmental memory. These findings demonstrated that the distinct IPAC circuits VTAGABA→IPACLGABA and NAcShD1R→IPACMGABA were attributable to the rewarding and environmental memory during the acquisition of morphine CPP, respectively, and provided the circuit-based potential targets for preventing and treating opioid addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Min Liu
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Ming-Lu Liao
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Guan-Xi Liu
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Lai-Jian Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Dian Lian
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Jie Ren
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Xin-Tian Chi
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Zhuo-Ran Lv
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jia-You Wei
- Neuroscience Program, Zhongshan School of Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Xia Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xue-Qin Zhang
- The Institute of Mental Psychology, School of Health Management, The Affiliated Brain Hospital (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510370, China
| | - Wen-Jun Xin
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Neuroscience Program, Zhongshan School of Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
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41
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Yim YY, Nestler EJ. Cell-Type-Specific Neuroproteomics of Synapses. Biomolecules 2023; 13:998. [PMID: 37371578 PMCID: PMC10296650 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060998] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades, our knowledge of synaptic proteomes and their relationship to normal brain function and neuropsychiatric disorders has been expanding rapidly through the use of more powerful neuroproteomic approaches. However, mass spectrometry (MS)-based neuroproteomic studies of synapses still require cell-type, spatial, and temporal proteome information. With the advancement of sample preparation and MS techniques, we have just begun to identify and understand proteomes within a given cell type, subcellular compartment, and cell-type-specific synapse. Here, we review the progress and limitations of MS-based neuroproteomics of synapses in the mammalian CNS and highlight the recent applications of these approaches in studying neuropsychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder and substance use disorders. Combining neuroproteomic findings with other omics studies can generate an in-depth, comprehensive map of synaptic proteomes and possibly identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers for several central nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Young Yim
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
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42
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Corbett CM, Miller EN, Wannen EE, Rood BD, Chandler DJ, Loweth JA. Cocaine Exposure Increases Excitatory Synaptic Transmission and Intrinsic Excitability in the Basolateral Amygdala in Male and Female Rats and across the Estrous Cycle. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 113:1127-1139. [PMID: 37271140 PMCID: PMC10623393 DOI: 10.1159/000531351] [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: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sex and ovarian hormones influence cocaine seeking and relapse vulnerability, but less is known regarding the cellular and synaptic mechanisms contributing to these behavioral sex differences. One factor thought to influence cue-induced seeking behavior following withdrawal is cocaine-induced changes in the spontaneous activity of pyramidal neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). However, the mechanisms underlying these changes, including potential sex or estrous cycle effects, are unknown. METHODS Ex vivo whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology was conducted to investigate the effects of cocaine exposure, sex, and estrous cycle fluctuations on two properties that can influence spontaneous activity of BLA pyramidal neurons: (1) frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and (2) intrinsic excitability. Recordings of BLA pyramidal neurons were conducted in adult male and female rats and across the estrous cycle following 2-4 weeks of withdrawal from extended-access cocaine self-administration (6 h/day for 10 days) or drug-naïve conditions. RESULTS In both sexes, cocaine exposure increased the frequency, but not amplitude, of sEPSCs and neuronal intrinsic excitability. Across the estrous cycle, sEPSC frequency and intrinsic excitability were significantly elevated only in cocaine-exposed females in the estrus stage of the cycle, a stage when cocaine-seeking behavior is known to be enhanced. CONCLUSIONS Here, we identify potential mechanisms underlying cocaine-induced alterations in the spontaneous activity of BLA pyramidal neurons in both sexes along with changes in these properties across the estrous cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M. Corbett
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Emily N.D. Miller
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Erin E. Wannen
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Benjamin D Rood
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Daniel J. Chandler
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jessica A. Loweth
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
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43
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Godino A, Salery M, Durand-de Cuttoli R, Estill MS, Holt LM, Futamura R, Browne CJ, Mews P, Hamilton PJ, Neve RL, Shen L, Russo SJ, Nestler EJ. Transcriptional control of nucleus accumbens neuronal excitability by retinoid X receptor alpha tunes sensitivity to drug rewards. Neuron 2023; 111:1453-1467.e7. [PMID: 36889314 PMCID: PMC10164098 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
The complex nature of the transcriptional networks underlying addictive behaviors suggests intricate cooperation between diverse gene regulation mechanisms that go beyond canonical activity-dependent pathways. Here, we implicate in this process a nuclear receptor transcription factor, retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRα), which we initially identified bioinformatically as associated with addiction-like behaviors. In the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of male and female mice, we show that although its own expression remains unaltered after cocaine exposure, RXRα controls plasticity- and addiction-relevant transcriptional programs in both dopamine receptor D1- and D2-expressing medium spiny neurons, which in turn modulate intrinsic excitability and synaptic activity of these NAc cell types. Behaviorally, bidirectional viral and pharmacological manipulation of RXRα regulates drug reward sensitivity in both non-operant and operant paradigms. Together, this study demonstrates a key role for NAc RXRα in promoting drug addiction and paves the way for future studies of rexinoid signaling in psychiatric disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Godino
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Marine Salery
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Romain Durand-de Cuttoli
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Molly S Estill
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Leanne M Holt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Rita Futamura
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Caleb J Browne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Philipp Mews
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Peter J Hamilton
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Rachael L Neve
- Gene Delivery Technology Core, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Scott J Russo
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Pierce RC, Rich MT, Swinford-Jackson SE. Addiction neuroscience goes nuclear: A role for the transcription factor RXRα. Neuron 2023; 111:1351-1353. [PMID: 37141859 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Building on work defining the cocaine-modulated transcriptional landscape in mice, Godino and colleagues focus in this issue of Neuron1 on the role of a specific nuclear receptor, RXRα. Results demonstrate that modifying accumbens RXRα expression profoundly alters gene transcription, neuronal activity, and cocaine-induced behavioral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Christopher Pierce
- Brain Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | - Matthew T Rich
- Brain Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Sarah E Swinford-Jackson
- Brain Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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45
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Beeson ALS, Meitzen J. Estrous cycle impacts on dendritic spine plasticity in rat nucleus accumbens core and shell and caudate-putamen. J Comp Neurol 2023; 531:759-774. [PMID: 36756791 PMCID: PMC10994586 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
An important factor that can modulate neuron properties is sex-specific hormone fluctuations, including the human menstrual cycle and rat estrous cycle in adult females. Considering the striatal brain regions, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core, NAc shell, and caudate-putamen (CPu), the estrous cycle has previously been shown to impact relevant behaviors and disorders, neuromodulator action, and medium spiny neuron (MSN) electrophysiology. Whether the estrous cycle impacts MSN dendritic spine attributes has not yet been examined, even though MSN spines and glutamatergic synapse properties are sensitive to exogenously applied estradiol. Thus, we hypothesized that MSN dendritic spine attributes would differ by estrous cycle phase. To test this hypothesis, brains from adult male rats and female rats in diestrus, proestrus AM, proestrus PM, and estrus were processed for Rapid Golgi-Cox staining. MSN dendritic spine density, size, and type were analyzed in the NAc core, NAc shell, and CPu. Overall spine size differed across estrous cycle phases in female NAc core and NAc shell, and spine length differed across estrous cycle phase in NAc shell and CPu. Consistent with previous work, dendritic spine density was increased in the NAc core compared to the NAc shell and CPu, independent of sex and estrous cycle. Spine attributes in all striatal regions did not differ by sex when estrous cycle was disregarded. These results indicate, for the first time, that estrous cycle phase impacts dendritic spine plasticity in striatal regions, providing a neuroanatomical avenue by which sex-specific hormone fluctuations can impact striatal function and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna LS Beeson
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, USA
- Graduate Program in Biology, NC State University, Raleigh, USA
| | - John Meitzen
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State University, Raleigh, USA
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State University, Raleigh, USA
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46
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Cao DN, Li F, Wu N, Li J. Insights into the mechanisms underlying opioid use disorder and potential treatment strategies. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:862-878. [PMID: 34128238 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid use disorder is a worldwide societal problem and public health burden. Strategies for treating opioid use disorder can be divided into those that target the opioid receptor system and those that target non-opioid receptor systems, including the dopamine and glutamate receptor systems. Currently, the clinical drugs used to treat opioid use disorder include the opioid receptor agonists methadone and buprenorphine, which are limited by their abuse liability, and the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone, which is limited by poor compliance. Therefore, the development of effective medications with lower abuse liability and better potential for compliance is urgently needed. Based on recent advances in the understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying opioid use disorder, potential treatment strategies and targets have emerged. This review focuses on the progress made in identifying potential targets and developing medications to treat opioid use disorder, including progress made by our laboratory, and provides insights for future medication development. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Advances in Opioid Pharmacology at the Time of the Opioid Epidemic. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v180.7/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Ni Cao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
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47
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Fox ME, Wulff AB, Franco D, Choi EY, Calarco CA, Engeln M, Turner MD, Chandra R, Rhodes VM, Thompson SM, Ament SA, Lobo MK. Adaptations in Nucleus Accumbens Neuron Subtypes Mediate Negative Affective Behaviors in Fentanyl Abstinence. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:489-501. [PMID: 36435669 PMCID: PMC9931633 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid discontinuation generates a withdrawal syndrome marked by increased negative affect. Increased symptoms of anxiety and dysphoria during opioid discontinuation are significant barriers to achieving long-term abstinence in opioid-dependent individuals. While adaptations in the nucleus accumbens are implicated in opioid abstinence syndrome, the precise neural mechanisms are poorly understood. Additionally, our current knowledge is limited to changes following natural and semisynthetic opioids, despite recent increases in synthetic opioid use and overdose. METHODS We used a combination of cell subtype-specific viral labeling and electrophysiology in male and female mice to investigate structural and functional plasticity in nucleus accumbens medium spiny neuron (MSN) subtypes after fentanyl abstinence. We characterized molecular adaptations after fentanyl abstinence with subtype-specific RNA sequencing and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. We used viral-mediated gene transfer to manipulate the molecular signature of fentanyl abstinence in D1-MSNs. RESULTS Here, we show that fentanyl abstinence increases anxiety-like behavior, decreases social interaction, and engenders MSN subtype-specific plasticity in both sexes. D1-MSNs, but not D2-MSNs, exhibit dendritic atrophy and an increase in excitatory drive. We identified a cluster of coexpressed dendritic morphology genes downregulated selectively in D1-MSNs that are transcriptionally coregulated by E2F1. E2f1 expression in D1-MSNs protects against loss of dendritic complexity, altered physiology, and negative affect-like behaviors caused by fentanyl abstinence. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that fentanyl abstinence causes unique structural, functional, and molecular changes in nucleus accumbens D1-MSNs that can be targeted to alleviate negative affective symptoms during abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Fox
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Andreas B Wulff
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniela Franco
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eric Y Choi
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Cali A Calarco
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michel Engeln
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Makeda D Turner
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Victoria M Rhodes
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Scott M Thompson
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Seth A Ament
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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48
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Teague CD, Picone JA, Wright WJ, Browne CJ, Silva GM, Futamura R, Minier-Toribio A, Estill ME, Ramakrishnan A, Martinez-Rivera FJ, Godino A, Parise EM, Schmidt KH, Pulido NV, Lorsch ZS, Kim JH, Shen L, Neve RL, Dong Y, Nestler EJ, Hamilton PJ. CREB Binding at the Zfp189 Promoter Within Medium Spiny Neuron Subtypes Differentially Regulates Behavioral and Physiological Adaptations Over the Course of Cocaine Use. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:502-511. [PMID: 36253194 PMCID: PMC9899288 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the course of chronic drug use, brain transcriptional neuroadaptation is thought to contribute to a change in drug use behavior over time. The function of the transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been well documented in opposing the rewarding properties of many classes of drugs, yet the gene targets through which CREB causally manifests these lasting neuroadaptations remain unknown. Here, we identify zinc finger protein 189 (Zfp189) as a CREB target gene that is transcriptionally responsive to acute and chronic cocaine use within the NAc of mice. METHODS To investigate the role of the CREB-Zfp189 interaction in cocaine use, we virally delivered modified clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/dCas9 constructs capable of selectively localizing CREB to the Zfp189 gene promoter in the NAc of mice. RESULTS We observed that CREB binding to the Zfp189 promoter increased Zfp189 expression and diminished the reinforcing responses to cocaine. Furthermore, we showed that NAc Zfp189 expression increased within D1 medium spiny neurons in response to acute cocaine but increased in both D1- and D2-expressing medium spiny neurons in response to chronic cocaine. CREB-mediated induction of Zfp189 potentiated electrophysiological activity of D1- and D2-expressing medium spiny neurons, recapitulating the known effect of CREB on these neurons. Finally, targeting CREB to the Zfp189 promoter within NAc Drd2-expressing neurons, but not Drd1-expressing neurons, was sufficient to diminish cocaine-conditioned behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings point to the CREB-Zfp189 interaction within the NAc Drd2+ neurons as a molecular signature of chronic cocaine use that is causal in counteracting the reinforcing effects of cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin D Teague
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Joseph A Picone
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - William J Wright
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Caleb J Browne
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Gabriella M Silva
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Rita Futamura
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Angélica Minier-Toribio
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Molly E Estill
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Freddyson J Martinez-Rivera
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Arthur Godino
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Eric M Parise
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Kyra H Schmidt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Nathalia V Pulido
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Zachary S Lorsch
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Jee Hyun Kim
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Rachael L Neve
- Gene Delivery Technology Core, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Yan Dong
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Peter J Hamilton
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.
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Jiang Y, Zou M, Wang Y, Wang Y. Nucleus accumbens in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder: A brief review. Brain Res Bull 2023; 196:68-75. [PMID: 36889362 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.03.004] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most prevalent mental disorder characterized by anhedonia, loss of motivation, avolition, behavioral despair and cognitive abnormalities. Despite substantial advancements in the pathophysiology of MDD in recent years, the pathogenesis of this disorder is not fully understood. Meanwhile,the treatment of MDD with currently available antidepressants is inadequate, highlighting the urgent need for clarifying the pathophysiology of MDD and developing novel therapeutics. Extensive studies have demonstrated the involvement of nuclei such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HIP), nucleus accumbens (NAc), hypothalamus, etc., in MDD. NAc,a region critical for reward and motivation,dysregulation of its activity seems to be a hallmark of this mood disorder. In this paper, we present a review of NAc related circuits, cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying MDD and share an analysis of the gaps in current research and possible future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Jiang
- Institute of Innovation and Applied Research in Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, China
| | - Manshu Zou
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, China
| | - Yeqing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Human Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Yuhong Wang
- Institute of Innovation and Applied Research in Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases, Changsha, China.
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50
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Wu XB, Zhu Q, Gao MH, Yan SX, Gu PY, Zhang PF, Xu ML, Gao YJ. Excitatory Projections from the Prefrontal Cortex to Nucleus Accumbens Core D1-MSNs and κ Opioid Receptor Modulate Itch-Related Scratching Behaviors. J Neurosci 2023; 43:1334-1347. [PMID: 36653189 PMCID: PMC9987576 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1359-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Itch is an uncomfortable and complex sensation that elicits the desire to scratch. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) activity is important in driving sensation, motivation, and emotion. Excitatory afferents from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), amygdala, and hippocampus are crucial in tuning the activity of dopamine receptor D1-expressing and D2-expressing medium spiny neurons (Drd1-MSN and Drd2-MSN) in the NAc. However, a cell-type and neural circuity-based mechanism of the NAc underlying acute itch remains unclear. We found that acute itch induced by compound 48/80 (C48/80) decreased the intrinsic membrane excitability in Drd1-MSNs, but not in Drd2-MSNs, in the NAc core of male mice. Chemogenetic activation of Drd1-MSNs alleviated C48/80-induced scratching behaviors but not itch-related anxiety-like behaviors. In addition, C48/80 enhanced the frequency of spontaneous EPSCs (sEPSCs) and reduced the paired-pulse ratio (PPR) of electrical stimulation-evoked EPSCs in Drd1-MSNs. Furthermore, C48/80 increased excitatory synaptic afferents to Drd1-MSNs from the mPFC, not from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) or ventral hippocampus (vHipp). Consistently, the intrinsic excitability of mPFC-NAc projecting pyramidal neurons was increased after C48/80 treatment. Chemogenetic inhibition of mPFC-NAc excitatory synaptic afferents relieved the scratching behaviors. Moreover, pharmacological activation of κ opioid receptor (KOR) in the NAc core suppressed C48/80-induced scratching behaviors, and the modulation of KOR activity in the NAc resulted in the changes of presynaptic excitatory inputs to Drd1-MSNs in C48/80-treated mice. Together, these results reveal the neural plasticity in synapses of NAc Drd1-MSNs from the mPFC underlying acute itch and indicate the modulatory role of the KOR in itch-related scratching behaviors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Itch stimuli cause strongly scratching desire and anxiety in patients. However, the related neural mechanisms remain largely unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that the pruritogen compound 48/80 (C48/80) shapes the excitability of dopamine receptor D1-expressing medium spiny neurons (Drd1-MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core and the glutamatergic synaptic afferents from medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to these neurons. Chemogenetic activation of Drd1-MSNs or inhibition of mPFC-NAc excitatory synaptic afferents relieves the scratching behaviors. In addition, pharmacological activation of κ opioid receptor (KOR) in the NAc core alleviates C48/80-induced itch. Thus, targeting mPFC-NAc Drd1-MSNs or KOR may provide effective treatments for itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Bo Wu
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Qian Zhu
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Ming-Hui Gao
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Sheng-Xiang Yan
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Pan-Yang Gu
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Peng-Fei Zhang
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Meng-Lin Xu
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Yong-Jing Gao
- Institute of Pain Medicine and Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu 226019, China
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