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Takahashi A. Associations of the immune system in aggression traits and the role of microglia as mediators. Neuropharmacology 2024; 256:110021. [PMID: 38825308 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110021] [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: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
There is an important relationship between the immune system and aggressive behavior. Aggressive encounters acutely increase the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and there are positive correlations between aggressive traits and peripheral proinflammatory cytokines. Endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, which results in peripheral immune activation, decreases aggressive behavior as one of the sickness behavioral symptoms. In contrast, certain brain infections and chronic interferon treatment are associated with increased aggression. Indeed, the effects of proinflammatory cytokines on the brain in aggressive behavior are bidirectional, depending on the type and dose of cytokine, target brain region, and type of aggression. Some studies have suggested that microglial activation and neuroinflammation influence intermale aggression in rodent models. In addition, pathological conditions as well as physiological levels of cytokines produced by microglia play an important role in social and aggressive behavior in adult animals. Furthermore, microglial function in early development is necessary for the establishment of the social brain and the expression of juvenile social behaviors, including play fighting. Overall, this review discusses the important link between the immune system and aggressive traits and the role of microglia as mediators of this link.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Takahashi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, Institute of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan.
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2
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Zhang M, Liang C, Chen X, Cai Y, Cui L. Interplay between microglia and environmental risk factors in Alzheimer's disease. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1718-1727. [PMID: 38103237 PMCID: PMC10960290 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.389745] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease, among the most common neurodegenerative disorders, is characterized by progressive cognitive impairment. At present, the Alzheimer's disease main risk remains genetic risks, but major environmental factors are increasingly shown to impact Alzheimer's disease development and progression. Microglia, the most important brain immune cells, play a central role in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis and are considered environmental and lifestyle "sensors." Factors like environmental pollution and modern lifestyles (e.g., chronic stress, poor dietary habits, sleep, and circadian rhythm disorders) can cause neuroinflammatory responses that lead to cognitive impairment via microglial functioning and phenotypic regulation. However, the specific mechanisms underlying interactions among these factors and microglia in Alzheimer's disease are unclear. Herein, we: discuss the biological effects of air pollution, chronic stress, gut microbiota, sleep patterns, physical exercise, cigarette smoking, and caffeine consumption on microglia; consider how unhealthy lifestyle factors influence individual susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease; and present the neuroprotective effects of a healthy lifestyle. Toward intervening and controlling these environmental risk factors at an early Alzheimer's disease stage, understanding the role of microglia in Alzheimer's disease development, and targeting strategies to target microglia, could be essential to future Alzheimer's disease treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoping Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chunmei Liang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiongjin Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yujie Cai
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lili Cui
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China
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Ashraf AA, Aljuhani M, Hubens CJ, Jeandriens J, Parkes HG, Geraki K, Mahmood A, Herlihy AH, So PW. Inflammation subsequent to mild iron excess differentially alters regional brain iron metabolism, oxidation and neuroinflammation status in mice. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1393351. [PMID: 38836051 PMCID: PMC11148467 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1393351] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Iron dyshomeostasis and neuroinflammation, characteristic features of the aged brain, and exacerbated in neurodegenerative disease, may induce oxidative stress-mediated neurodegeneration. In this study, the effects of potential priming with mild systemic iron injections on subsequent lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in adult C57Bl/6J mice were examined. After cognitive testing, regional brain tissues were dissected for iron (metal) measurements by total reflection X-ray fluorescence and synchrotron radiation X-Ray fluorescence-based elemental mapping; and iron regulatory, ferroptosis-related, and glia-specific protein analysis, and lipid peroxidation by western blotting. Microglial morphology and astrogliosis were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Iron only treatment enhanced cognitive performance on the novel object location task compared with iron priming and subsequent LPS-induced inflammation. LPS-induced inflammation, with or without iron treatment, attenuated hippocampal heme oxygenase-1 and augmented 4-hydroxynonenal levels. Conversely, in the cortex, elevated ferritin light chain and xCT (light chain of System Xc-) were observed in response to LPS-induced inflammation, without and with iron-priming. Increased microglial branch/process lengths and astrocyte immunoreactivity were also increased by combined iron and LPS in both the hippocampus and cortex. Here, we demonstrate iron priming and subsequent LPS-induced inflammation led to iron dyshomeostasis, compromised antioxidant function, increased lipid peroxidation and altered neuroinflammatory state in a brain region-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azhaar Ahmad Ashraf
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Manal Aljuhani
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chantal J Hubens
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jérôme Jeandriens
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Human Biology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Harold G Parkes
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kalotina Geraki
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Ayesha Mahmood
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Po-Wah So
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Varghese SM, Patel S, Nandan A, Jose A, Ghosh S, Sah RK, Menon B, K V A, Chakravarty S. Unraveling the Role of the Blood-Brain Barrier in the Pathophysiology of Depression: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04205-5. [PMID: 38730081 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04205-5] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Depression is a highly prevalent psychological disorder characterized by persistent dysphoria, psychomotor retardation, insomnia, anhedonia, suicidal ideation, and a remarkable decrease in overall well-being. Despite the prevalence of accessible antidepressant therapies, many individuals do not achieve substantial improvement. Understanding the multifactorial pathophysiology and the heterogeneous nature of the disorder could lead the way toward better outcomes. Recent findings have elucidated the substantial impact of compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity on the manifestation of depression. BBB functions as an indispensable defense mechanism, tightly overseeing the transport of molecules from the periphery to preserve the integrity of the brain parenchyma. The dysfunction of the BBB has been implicated in a multitude of neurological disorders, and its disruption and consequent brain alterations could potentially serve as important factors in the pathogenesis and progression of depression. In this review, we extensively examine the pathophysiological relevance of the BBB and delve into the specific modifications of its components that underlie the complexities of depression. A particular focus has been placed on examining the effects of peripheral inflammation on the BBB in depression and elucidating the intricate interactions between the gut, BBB, and brain. Furthermore, this review encompasses significant updates on the assessment of BBB integrity and permeability, providing a comprehensive overview of the topic. Finally, we outline the therapeutic relevance and strategies based on BBB in depression, including COVID-19-associated BBB disruption and neuropsychiatric implications. Understanding the comprehensive pathogenic cascade of depression is crucial for shaping the trajectory of future research endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamili Mariya Varghese
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Sciences Campus, Kochi, Kerala, 682 041, India
| | - Shashikant Patel
- Applied Biology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Tarnaka, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Amritasree Nandan
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Sciences Campus, Kochi, Kerala, 682 041, India
| | - Anju Jose
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Sciences Campus, Kochi, Kerala, 682 041, India
| | - Soumya Ghosh
- Applied Biology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Tarnaka, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Ranjay Kumar Sah
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Sciences Campus, Kochi, Kerala, 682 041, India
| | - Bindu Menon
- Department of Psychiatry, Amrita School of Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Sciences Campus, Kochi, Kerala, 682 041, India
| | - Athira K V
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Sciences Campus, Kochi, Kerala, 682 041, India.
| | - Sumana Chakravarty
- Applied Biology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Tarnaka, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500007, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India.
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Carrier M, Hui CW, Watters V, Šimončičová E, Picard K, González Ibáñez F, Vernoux N, Droit A, Desjardins M, Tremblay MÈ. Behavioral as well as hippocampal transcriptomic and microglial responses differ across sexes in adult mouse offspring exposed to a dual genetic and environmental challenge. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 116:126-139. [PMID: 38016491 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.025] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A wide range of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms compose the clinical presentation of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a multifactorial disorder in which genetic and environmental risk factors interact for a full emergence of the disorder. Infectious challenges during pregnancy are a well-known environmental risk factor for schizophrenia. Also, genetic variants affecting the function of fractalkine signaling between neurons and microglia were linked to schizophrenia. Translational animal models recapitulating these complex gene-environment associations have a great potential to untangle schizophrenia neurobiology and propose new therapeutic strategies. METHODS Given that genetic variants affecting the function of fractalkine signaling between neurons and microglia were linked to schizophrenia, we compared the outcomes of a well-characterized model of maternal immune activation induced using the viral mimetic polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) in wild-type versus fractalkine receptor knockout mice. Possible behavioral and immune alterations were assessed in male and female offspring during adulthood. Considering the role of the hippocampus in schizophrenia, microglial analyses and bulk RNA sequencing were performed within this region to assess the neuroimmune dynamics at play. Males and females were examined separately. RESULTS Offspring exposed to the dual challenge paradigm exhibited symptoms relevant to schizophrenia and unpredictably to mood disorders. Males displayed social and cognitive deficits related to schizophrenia, while females mainly presented anxiety-like behaviors related to mood disorders. Hippocampal microglia in females exposed to the dual challenge were hypertrophic, indicative of an increased surveillance, whereas those in males showed on the other end of the spectrum blunted morphologies with a reduced phagocytosis. Hippocampal bulk-RNA sequencing further revealed a downregulation in females of genes related to GABAergic transmission, which represents one of the main proposed causes of mood disorders. CONCLUSIONS Building on previous results, we identified in the current study distinctive behavioral phenotypes in female mice exposed to a dual genetic and environmental challenge, thus proposing a new model of neurodevelopmentally-associated mood and affective symptoms. This paves the way to future sex-specific investigations into the susceptibility to developmental challenges using animal models based on genetic and immune vulnerability as presented here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaël Carrier
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Chin W Hui
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Valérie Watters
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Eva Šimončičová
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Katherine Picard
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Département de médecine moléculaire, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Fernando González Ibáñez
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Département de médecine moléculaire, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Nathalie Vernoux
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Arnaud Droit
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Département de médecine moléculaire, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Michèle Desjardins
- Department of Physics, Physical Engineering and Optics, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Oncology Axis, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
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Chen K, Qi X, Zhu LL, Li ML, Cong B, Li YM. Quantitative analysis of microglia morphological changes in the hypothalamus of chronically stressed rats. Brain Res Bull 2024; 206:110861. [PMID: 38141789 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110861] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Based on the successful establishment of a rat model of chronic restraint stress, we used multiple algorithms to quantify the morphological changes of rat hypothalamic microglia from various perspectives, providing a pathomorphological basis for the subsequent study of molecular mechanisms of hypothalamic stress injury, such as neuroinflammation. To verify the successful establishment of the chronic stress model, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect serum glucocorticoid levels. Microglia labeled with Iba1 in frozen sections of rat hypothalamus were scanned and photographed at multiple levels using confocal microscopy. Subsequently, images were processed for external contouring and skeletonization, and morphological indices of microglia were calculated and analyzed using fractal, skeleton, and Sholl analysis. In addition, the co-expression of CD68 (a marker that can reflect phagocytic activity) and Iba1 was observed by immunofluorescence technique. Compared with the control group, microglia in the chronic stress group displayed reduced fractal dimension and lacunarity, increased density and circularity, enlarged soma areas, and shortened and reduced branches. Sholl analysis confirmed the reduced complexity of microglia following chronic stress. Meanwhile, microglia CD68 increased significantly, indicating that the microglia in the chronic stress group have greater phagocytosis activity. In summary, chronic restraint stress promoted the conversion of microglia in the rat hypothalamus to a less complex form, manifested as larger soma, shorter and fewer branches, more uniform and dense texture, and increased circularity; indeed, the shape of these microglia resembled that of amoeba and they displayed strong phagocytosis activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Chen
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, No.361 Zhongshan Dong Road, 050017 Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xin Qi
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, No.361 Zhongshan Dong Road, 050017 Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Lin-Lin Zhu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, No.361 Zhongshan Dong Road, 050017 Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Mei-Li Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, No.361 Zhongshan Dong Road, 050017 Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bin Cong
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, No.361 Zhongshan Dong Road, 050017 Shijiazhuang, China.
| | - Ying-Min Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, No.361 Zhongshan Dong Road, 050017 Shijiazhuang, China.
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Gore IR, Gould E. Developmental and adult stress: effects of steroids and neurosteroids. Stress 2024; 27:2317856. [PMID: 38563163 PMCID: PMC11046567 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2024.2317856] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
In humans, exposure to early life adversity has profound implications for susceptibility to developing neuropsychiatric disorders later in life. Studies in rodents have shown that stress experienced during early postnatal life can have lasting effects on brain development. Glucocorticoids and sex steroids are produced in endocrine glands and the brain from cholesterol; these molecules bind to nuclear and membrane-associated steroid receptors. Unlike other steroids that can also be made in the brain, neurosteroids bind specifically to neurotransmitter receptors, not steroid receptors. The relationships among steroids, neurosteroids, and stress are multifaceted and not yet fully understood. However, studies demonstrating altered levels of progestogens, androgens, estrogens, glucocorticoids, and their neuroactive metabolites in both developmental and adult stress paradigms strongly suggest that these molecules may be important players in stress effects on brain circuits and behavior. In this review, we discuss the influence of developmental and adult stress on various components of the brain, including neurons, glia, and perineuronal nets, with a focus on sex steroids and neurosteroids. Gaining an enhanced understanding of how early adversity impacts the intricate systems of brain steroid and neurosteroid regulation could prove instrumental in identifying novel therapeutic targets for stress-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha R Gore
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Elizabeth Gould
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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8
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Karperien AL, Jelinek HF. Morphology and Fractal-Based Classifications of Neurons and Microglia in Two and Three Dimensions. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 36:149-172. [PMID: 38468031 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-47606-8_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Microglia and neurons live physically intertwined, intimately related structurally and functionally in a dynamic relationship in which microglia change continuously over a much shorter timescale than do neurons. Although microglia may unwind and depart from the neurons they attend under certain circumstances, in general, together both contribute to the fractal topology of the brain that defines its computational capabilities. Both neuronal and microglial morphologies are well-described using fractal analysis complementary to more traditional measures. For neurons, the fractal dimension has proved valuable for classifying dendritic branching and other neuronal features relevant to pathology and development. For microglia, fractal geometry has substantially contributed to classifying functional categories, where, in general, the more pathological the biological status, the lower the fractal dimension for individual cells, with some exceptions, including hyper-ramification. This chapter provides a review of the intimate relationships between neurons and microglia, by introducing 2D and 3D fractal analysis methodology and its applications in neuron-microglia function in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey L Karperien
- School of Community Health, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
| | - Herbert F Jelinek
- Department of Medical Sciences and Biotechnology Center, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
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Karperien AL, Jelinek HF. Box-Counting Fractal Analysis: A Primer for the Clinician. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 36:15-55. [PMID: 38468026 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-47606-8_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
This chapter lays out the elementary principles of fractal geometry underpinning much of the rest of this book. It assumes a minimal mathematical background, defines the key principles and terms in context, and outlines the basics of a fractal analysis method known as box counting and how it is used to perform fractal, lacunarity, and multifractal analyses. As a standalone reference, this chapter grounds the reader to be able to understand, evaluate, and apply essential methods to appreciate and heal the exquisitely detailed fractal geometry of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Herbert F Jelinek
- Department of Medical Sciences and Biotechnology Center, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
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10
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Lana D, Magni G, Landucci E, Wenk GL, Pellegrini-Giampietro DE, Giovannini MG. Phenomic Microglia Diversity as a Druggable Target in the Hippocampus in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13668. [PMID: 37761971 PMCID: PMC10531074 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813668] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenomics, the complexity of microglia phenotypes and their related functions compels the continuous study of microglia in disease animal models to find druggable targets for neurodegenerative disorders. Activation of microglia was long considered detrimental for neuron survival, but more recently it has become apparent that the real scenario of microglia morphofunctional diversity is far more complex. In this review, we discuss the recent literature on the alterations in microglia phenomics in the hippocampus of animal models of normal brain aging, acute neuroinflammation, ischemia, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD. Microglia undergo phenomic changes consisting of transcriptional, functional, and morphological changes that transform them into cells with different properties and functions. The classical subdivision of microglia into M1 and M2, two different, all-or-nothing states is too simplistic, and does not correspond to the variety of phenotypes recently discovered in the brain. We will discuss the phenomic modifications of microglia focusing not only on the differences in microglia reactivity in the diverse models of neurodegenerative disorders, but also among different areas of the brain. For instance, in contiguous and highly interconnected regions of the rat hippocampus, microglia show a differential, finely regulated, and region-specific reactivity, demonstrating that microglia responses are not uniform, but vary significantly from area to area in response to insults. It is of great interest to verify whether the differences in microglia reactivity may explain the differential susceptibility of different brain areas to insults, and particularly the higher sensitivity of CA1 pyramidal neurons to inflammatory stimuli. Understanding the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of microglia phenomics in health and disease is of paramount importance to find new druggable targets for the development of novel microglia-targeted therapies in different CNS disorders. This will allow interventions in three different ways: (i) by suppressing the pro-inflammatory properties of microglia to limit the deleterious effect of their activation; (ii) by modulating microglia phenotypic change to favor anti-inflammatory properties; (iii) by influencing microglia priming early in the disease process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Lana
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (D.E.P.-G.); (M.G.G.)
| | - Giada Magni
- Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara”, National Research Council (IFAC-CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Florence, Italy;
| | - Elisa Landucci
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (D.E.P.-G.); (M.G.G.)
| | - Gary L. Wenk
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Domenico Edoardo Pellegrini-Giampietro
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (D.E.P.-G.); (M.G.G.)
| | - Maria Grazia Giovannini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.L.); (D.E.P.-G.); (M.G.G.)
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11
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Deng S, Xie R, Kong A, Luo Y, Li J, Chen M, Wang X, Gong H, Wang L, Fan X, Pan Q, Li D. Early-life stress contributes to depression-like behaviors in a two-hit mouse model. Behav Brain Res 2023; 452:114563. [PMID: 37406776 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114563] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is a common psychological disorder with pathogenesis involving genetic and environmental interactions. Early life stress can adversely affect physical and emotional development and dramatically increase the risk for the development of depression and anxiety disorders. METHODS To examine potential early life stress driving risk for anxiety and depression, we used a two-hit developmental stress model,injecting poly(I: C) into neonatal mice on P2-P6 followed by peripubertal unpredictable stress in adolescence. RESULTS Our study shows that early-life and adolescent stress leads to anxiety and depression-related behavioral phenotypes in male mice. Early-life stress exacerbated depression-like behavior in mice following peripubertal unpredictable stress. We confirmed that early life stress might be involved in the decreased neuronal activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and might be involved in shaping behavioral phenotypes of animals. We found that increased microglia and neuroinflammation in the mPFC of two-hit mice and early life stress further boost microglia activation and inflammatory factors in the mPFC region of mice following adolescent stress. LIMITATIONS The specific neural circuits and mechanisms by which microglia regulate depression-like behaviors require further investigation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide a novel insight into developmental risk factors and biological mechanisms in depression and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilong Deng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ruxin Xie
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Anqi Kong
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jianghui Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Mei Chen
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xiaqing Wang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Hong Gong
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lian Wang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
| | - Qiangwen Pan
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
| | - Dabing Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
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12
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Grovola MR, Jinich A, Paleologos N, Arroyo EJ, Browne KD, Swanson RL, Duda JE, Cullen DK. Persistence of Hyper-Ramified Microglia in Porcine Cortical Gray Matter after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1960. [PMID: 37509599 PMCID: PMC10377269 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States as several million people visit the emergency department every year due to TBI exposures. Unfortunately, there is still no consensus on the pathology underlying mild TBI, the most common severity sub-type of TBI. Previous preclinical and post-mortem human studies have detailed the presence of diffuse axonal injury following TBI, suggesting that white matter pathology is the predominant pathology of diffuse brain injury. However, the inertial loading produced by TBI results in strain fields in both gray and white matter. In order to further characterize gray matter pathology in mild TBI, our lab used a pig model (n = 25) of closed-head rotational acceleration-induced TBI to evaluate blood-brain barrier disruptions, neurodegeneration, astrogliosis, and microglial reactivity in the cerebral cortex out to 1 year post-injury. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the presence of a hyper-ramified microglial phenotype-more branches, junctions, endpoints, and longer summed process length-at 30 days post injury (DPI) out to 1 year post injury in the cingulate gyrus (p < 0.05), and at acute and subacute timepoints in the inferior temporal gyrus (p < 0.05). Interestingly, we did not find neuronal loss or astroglial reactivity paired with these chronic microglia changes. However, we observed an increase in fibrinogen reactivity-a measure of blood-brain barrier disruption-predominately in the gray matter at 3 DPI (p = 0.0003) which resolved to sham levels by 7 DPI out to chronic timepoints. Future studies should employ gene expression assays, neuroimaging, and behavioral assays to elucidate the effects of these hyper-ramified microglia, particularly related to neuroplasticity and responses to potential subsequent insults. Further understanding of the brain's inflammatory activity after mild TBI will hopefully provide understanding of pathophysiology that translates to clinical treatment for TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Grovola
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alan Jinich
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nicholas Paleologos
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Edgardo J Arroyo
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kevin D Browne
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Randel L Swanson
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John E Duda
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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13
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Mawson ER, Morris BJ. A consideration of the increased risk of schizophrenia due to prenatal maternal stress, and the possible role of microglia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 125:110773. [PMID: 37116354 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110773] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is caused by interaction of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Of the latter, prenatal exposure to maternal stress is reportedly associated with elevated disease risk. The main orchestrators of inflammatory processes within the brain are microglia, and aberrant microglial activation/function has been proposed to contribute to the aetiology of schizophrenia. Here, we evaluate the epidemiological and preclinical evidence connecting prenatal stress to schizophrenia risk, and consider the possible mediating role of microglia in the prenatal stress-schizophrenia relationship. Epidemiological findings are rather consistent in supporting the association, albeit they are mitigated by effects of sex and gestational timing, while the evidence for microglial activation is more variable. Rodent models of prenatal stress generally report lasting effects on offspring neurobiology. However, many uncertainties remain as to the mechanisms underlying the influence of maternal stress on the developing foetal brain. Future studies should aim to characterise the exact processes mediating this aspect of schizophrenia risk, as well as focussing on how prenatal stress may interact with other risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor R Mawson
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Brian J Morris
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
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14
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Hyer MM, Wegener AJ, Targett I, Dyer SK, Neigh GN. Chronic stress beginning in adolescence decreases spatial memory following an acute inflammatory challenge in adulthood. Behav Brain Res 2023; 442:114323. [PMID: 36731657 PMCID: PMC10870254 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114323] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Prolonged stress beginning in adolescence can contribute to the dysregulation of the neuroendocrine system in adulthood. As the neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems participate in bi-directional regulatory control, adolescent stress can prime the neuroimmune system to future inflammatory insults. Previous work from our group demonstrates that stress exaggerates the hippocampal response to inflammation, which can lead to deficits in learning and memory. In the current study, we sought to interrogate the interaction between an acute peripheral challenge of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in male and female Wistar rats with a history of stress beginning in adolescence (CAS). Males from the CAS group were more vulnerable to the peripheral effects of LPS compared to non-stressed males including porphyrin staining and ruffled fur. In contrast, LPS generated similar peripheral effects in females regardless of adolescent stress history. Learning and memory were differentially impacted by LPS as a function of stress history and effects manifested differently when stratified by sex. Males with a history of adolescent stress exhibited deficits in initial learning. Females from the CAS group performed similar to controls during acquisition but exhibited a slight impairment during reversal learning. Males and females with a history of stress displayed memory impairment during the probe assessments as compared to their same-sex control group. We conclude that while stress beginning in adolescence enhanced the vulnerability of learning and memory to an inflammatory challenge, the phenotype of this effect manifested differently in males and females. These data demonstrate a sustained impact of adolescent stress on the neuroimmune system which is sufficient to influence cognitive performance in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Hyer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - A J Wegener
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - I Targett
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - S K Dyer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - G N Neigh
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
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15
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Minocycline treatment improves cognitive and functional plasticity in a preclinical mouse model of major depressive disorder. Behav Brain Res 2023; 441:114295. [PMID: 36641083 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic, recurring, and potentially life-threatening illness, which affects over 300 million people worldwide. MDD affects not only the emotional and social domains but also cognition. However, the currently available treatments targeting cognitive deficits in MDD are limited. Minocycline, an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties recently identified as a potential antidepressant, has been shown to attenuate learning and memory deficits in animal models of cognitive impairment. Here, we explored whether minocycline recovers the deficits in cognition in a mouse model of depression. C57BL6/J adult male mice were exposed to two weeks of chronic unpredictable mild stress to induce a depressive-like phenotype. Immediately afterward, mice received either vehicle or minocycline for three weeks in standard housing conditions. We measured anhedonia as a depressive-like response, and place learning to assess cognitive abilities. We also recorded long-term potentiation (LTP) as an index of hippocampal functional plasticity and ran immunohistochemical assays to assess microglial proportion and morphology. After one week of treatment, cognitive performance in the place learning test was significantly improved by minocycline, as treated mice displayed a higher number of correct responses when learning novel spatial configurations. Accordingly, minocycline-treated mice displayed higher LTP compared to controls. However, after three weeks of treatment, no difference between treated and control animals was found for behavior, neural plasticity, and microglial properties, suggesting that minocycline has a fast but short effect on cognition, without lasting effects on microglia. These findings together support the usefulness of minocycline as a potential treatment for cognitive impairment associated with MDD.
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16
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De Luca SN, Chan SMH, Dobric A, Wang H, Seow HJ, Brassington K, Mou K, Alateeq R, Akhtar A, Bozinovski S, Vlahos R. Cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary impairment is associated with social recognition memory impairments and alterations in microglial profiles within the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 109:292-307. [PMID: 36775074 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.02.005] [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: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major, incurable respiratory condition that is primarily caused by cigarette smoking (CS). Neurocognitive disorders including cognitive dysfunction, anxiety and depression are highly prevalent in people with COPD. It is understood that increased lung inflammation and oxidative stress from CS exposure may 'spill over' into the systemic circulation to promote the onset of these extra-pulmonary comorbidities, and thus impacts the quality of life of people with COPD. The precise role of the 'spill-over' of inflammation and oxidative stress in the onset of COPD-related neurocognitive disorders are unclear. The present study investigated the impact of chronic CS exposure on anxiety-like behaviors and social recognition memory, with a particular focus on the role of the 'spill-over' of inflammation and oxidative stress from the lungs. Adult male BALB/c mice were exposed to either room air (sham) or CS (9 cigarettes per day, 5 days a week) for 24 weeks and were either daily co-administered with the NOX2 inhibitor, apocynin (5 mg/kg, in 0.01 % DMSO diluted in saline, i.p.) or vehicle (0.01 % DMSO in saline) one hour before the initial CS exposure of the day. After 23 weeks, mice underwent behavioral testing and physiological diurnal rhythms were assessed by monitoring diurnal regulation profiles. Lungs were collected and assessed for hallmark features of COPD. Consistent with its anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress properties, apocynin treatment partially lessened lung inflammation and lung function decline in CS mice. CS-exposed mice displayed marked anxiety-like behavior and impairments in social recognition memory compared to sham mice, which was prevented by apocynin treatment. Apocynin was unable to restore the decreased Bmal1-positive cells, key in cells in diurnal regulation, in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus to that of sham levels. CS-exposed mice treated with apocynin was associated with a restoration of microglial area per cell and basal serum corticosterone. This data suggests that we were able to model the CS-induced social recognition memory impairments seen in humans with COPD. The preventative effects of apocynin on memory impairments may be via a microglial dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone N De Luca
- Centre for Respiratory Science and Health, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stanley M H Chan
- Centre for Respiratory Science and Health, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aleksandar Dobric
- Centre for Respiratory Science and Health, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hao Wang
- Centre for Respiratory Science and Health, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Huei Jiunn Seow
- Centre for Respiratory Science and Health, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kurt Brassington
- Centre for Respiratory Science and Health, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kevin Mou
- Centre for Respiratory Science and Health, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rana Alateeq
- Centre for Respiratory Science and Health, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alina Akhtar
- Centre for Respiratory Science and Health, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steven Bozinovski
- Centre for Respiratory Science and Health, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ross Vlahos
- Centre for Respiratory Science and Health, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
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17
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Alexander SN, Jeong HS, Szabo-Pardi TA, Burton MD. Sex-specific differences in alcohol-induced pain sensitization. Neuropharmacology 2023; 225:109354. [PMID: 36460082 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Pain sensitization is a phenomenon that occurs to protect tissues from damage and recent studies have shown how a variety of non-noxious stimuli included in our everyday lives can lead to pain sensitization. Consumption of large amounts of alcohol over a long period of time invokes alcohol use disorder (AUD), a complex pathological state that has many manifestations, including alcohol peripheral neuropathy (neuropathic pain). We asked if 'non-pathological' alcohol consumption can cause pain sensitization in the absence of other pathology? Studies have pointed to glia and other immune cells and their role in pain sensitization that results in cell and sex-specific responses. Using a low-dose and short-term ethanol exposure model, we investigated whether this exposure would sensitize mice to a subthreshold dose of an inflammatory mediator that normally does not induce pain. We observed female mice exhibited specific mechanical and higher thermal sensitivity than males. We also observed an increase in CD68+ macrophages in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and Iba1+ microglia in the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn of animals that were exposed to ethanol and injected with subthreshold inflammatory prostaglandin E2. Our findings suggest that short-term ethanol exposure stimulates peripheral and central, immune and glial activation, respectively to induce pain sensitization. This work begins to reveal a possible mechanism behind the development of alcoholic peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shevon N Alexander
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Lab (NIB), Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Science, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
| | - Han S Jeong
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Lab (NIB), Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Science, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
| | - Thomas A Szabo-Pardi
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Lab (NIB), Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Science, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
| | - Michael D Burton
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Lab (NIB), Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Science, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA.
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18
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Wang YC, Chen CH, Yang CY, Ling P, Hsu KS. High-Fat Diet Exacerbates Autistic-Like Restricted Repetitive Behaviors and Social Abnormalities in CC2D1A Conditional Knockout Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:1331-1352. [PMID: 36445635 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03146-1] [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: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social communication, social interaction, and the presence of restricted repetitive behaviors. The cause of ASD involves complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Haploinsufficiency of the Coiled-coil and C2 domain containing 1A (Cc2d1a) gene is causally linked to ASD, and obesity has been associated with worse outcomes for ASD. High-fat diet (HFD) feeding leads to the development of obesity and metabolic dysfunction; however, the effect of HFD on pre-existing autistic-like phenotypes remains to be clarified. Here, we report that male Cc2d1a conditional knockout (cKO) mice fed with HFD, from weaning onwards and throughout the experimental period, show a marked aggravation in autistic-like phenotypes, manifested in increased restricted repetitive behaviors and impaired performance in the preference for social novelty, but not in sociability and cognitive impairments assessed using the object location memory, novel object recognition, and Morris water maze tests. HFD feeding also results in increased numbers of reactive microglia and astrocytes, and exacerbates reductions in dendritic complexity and spine density of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Furthermore, we demonstrate that chronic treatment with minocycline, a semisynthetic tetracycline-derived antibiotic, rescues the observed behavioral and morphological deficits in Cc2d1a cKO mice fed with HFD. Collectively, these findings highlight an aggravating role of HFD in pre-existing autistic-like phenotypes and suggest that minocycline treatment can alleviate abnormal neuronal morphology and behavioral symptoms associated with ASD resulted from the interplay between genetic and environmental risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chiao Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, University Rd, No. 1, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Hao Chen
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yi Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, University Rd, No. 1, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Pin Ling
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Kuei-Sen Hsu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, University Rd, No. 1, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan. .,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
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19
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Sleep Deprivation Induces Dopamine System Maladaptation and Escalated Corticotrophin-Releasing Factor Signaling in Adolescent Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3190-3209. [PMID: 36813955 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03258-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Sleep disruption is highly associated with the pathogenesis and progression of a wild range of psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, appreciable evidence shows that experimental sleep deprivation (SD) on humans and rodents evokes anomalies in the dopaminergic (DA) signaling, which are also implicated in the development of psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia or substance abuse. Since adolescence is a vital period for the maturation of the DA system as well as the occurrence of mental disorders, the present studies aimed to investigate the impacts of SD on the DA system of adolescent mice. We found that 72 h SD elicited a hyperdopaminergic status, with increased sensitivity to the novel environment and amphetamine (Amph) challenge. Also, altered neuronal activity and expression of striatal DA receptors were noticed in the SD mice. Moreover, 72 h SD influenced the immune status in the striatum, with reduced microglial phagocytic capacity, primed microglial activation, and neuroinflammation. The abnormal neuronal and microglial activity were putatively provoked by the enhanced corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling and sensitivity during the SD period. Together, our findings demonstrated the consequences of SD in adolescents including aberrant neuroendocrine, DA system, and inflammatory status. Sleep insufficiency is a risk factor for the aberration and neuropathology of psychiatric disorders.
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20
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Barnes CC, Yee KT, Vetter DE. Conditional Ablation of Glucocorticoid and Mineralocorticoid Receptors from Cochlear Supporting Cells Reveals Their Differential Roles for Hearing Sensitivity and Dynamics of Recovery from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:3320. [PMID: 36834731 PMCID: PMC9961551 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous glucocorticoids (GC) are known to modulate basic elements of cochlear physiology. These include both noise-induced injury and circadian rhythms. While GC signaling in the cochlea can directly influence auditory transduction via actions on hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons, evidence also indicates that GC signaling exerts effects via tissue homeostatic processes that can include effects on cochlear immunomodulation. GCs act at both the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Most cell types in the cochlea express both receptors sensitive to GCs. The GR is associated with acquired sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) through its effects on both gene expression and immunomodulatory programs. The MR has been associated with age-related hearing loss through dysfunction of ionic homeostatic balance. Cochlear supporting cells maintain local homeostatic requirements, are sensitive to perturbation, and participate in inflammatory signaling. Here, we have used conditional gene manipulation techniques to target Nr3c1 (GR) or Nr3c2 (MR) for tamoxifen-induced gene ablation in Sox9-expressing cochlear supporting cells of adult mice to investigate whether either of the receptors sensitive to GCs plays a role in protecting against (or exacerbating) noise-induced cochlear damage. We have selected mild intensity noise exposure to examine the role of these receptors related to more commonly experienced noise levels. Our results reveal distinct roles of these GC receptors for both basal auditory thresholds prior to noise exposure and during recovery from mild noise exposure. Prior to noise exposure, auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were measured in mice carrying the floxed allele of interest and the Cre recombinase transgene, but not receiving tamoxifen injections (defined as control (no tamoxifen treatment), versus conditional knockout (cKO) mice, defined as mice having received tamoxifen injections. Results revealed hypersensitive thresholds to mid- to low-frequencies after tamoxifen-induced GR ablation from Sox9-expressing cochlear supporting cells compared to control (no tamoxifen) mice. GR ablation from Sox9-expressing cochlear supporting cells resulted in a permanent threshold shift in mid-basal cochlear frequency regions after mild noise exposure that produced only a temporary threshold shift in both control (no tamoxifen) f/fGR:Sox9iCre+ and heterozygous f/+GR:Sox9iCre+ tamoxifen-treated mice. A similar comparison of basal ABRs measured in control (no tamoxifen) and tamoxifen-treated, floxed MR mice prior to noise exposure indicated no difference in baseline thresholds. After mild noise exposure, MR ablation was initially associated with a complete threshold recovery at 22.6 kHz by 3 days post-noise. Threshold continued to shift to higher sensitivity over time such that by 30 days post-noise exposure the 22.6 kHz ABR threshold was 10 dB more sensitive than baseline. Further, MR ablation produced a temporary reduction in peak 1 neural amplitude one day post-noise. While supporting cell GR ablation trended towards reducing numbers of ribbon synapses, MR ablation reduced ribbon synapse counts but did not exacerbate noise-induced damage including synapse loss at the experimental endpoint. GR ablation from the targeted supporting cells increased the basal resting number of Iba1-positive (innate) immune cells (no noise exposure) and decreased the number of Iba1-positive cells seven days following noise exposure. MR ablation did not alter innate immune cell numbers at seven days post-noise exposure. Taken together, these findings support differential roles of cochlear supporting cell MR and GR expression at basal, resting conditions and especially during recovery from noise exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles C. Barnes
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Kathleen T. Yee
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Douglas E. Vetter
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
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21
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Cheng D, Qin ZS, Zheng Y, Xie JY, Liang SS, Zhang JL, Feng YB, Zhang ZJ. Minocycline, a classic antibiotic, exerts psychotropic effects by normalizing microglial neuroinflammation-evoked tryptophan-kynurenine pathway dysregulation in chronically stressed male mice. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 107:305-318. [PMID: 36332817 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The dysregulation of tryptophan-kynurenine pathway (TKP) is extensively involved in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, depression, and neurodegenerative disorders. Minocycline, a classic antibiotic, may exert psychotropic effects associated with the modulation of TKP. In this study, we examined the effects of minocycline in improving behaviour and modulating TKP components in chronically stressed male mice. Following repeated treatment with 22.5 mg/kg and 45 mg/kg minocycline for 27 days, the stressed mice particularly with higher dose displayed significant improvement on cognitive impairment, depression- and anxiety-like behaviour. Minocycline suppressed stress-induced overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and restored anti-inflammatory cytokines. Chronic stress dramatically suppressed blood and prefrontal cortical levels of the primary substrate tryptophan (TRP), the neuroprotective metabolite kynurenic acid (KYNA), and KYNA/KYN ratio, but increased the intermediate kynurenine (KYN), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), KYN/TRP ratio, and the neurotoxic metabolite quinolinic acid (QUIN). Minocycline partially or completely reversed changes in these components. Minocycline also inhibited stress-induced overexpression of QUIN-related enzymes, indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1(iDO-1), kynureninase (KYNU), kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), 3-hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-dioxygenase (3-HAO), but rescued the decreased expression of kynurenine aminotransferase (KAT) in brain regions. Behavioral improvements were correlated with multiple TKP metabolites and enzymes. These results suggest that the psychotropic effects of minocycline are mainly associated with the restoration of biodistribution of the primary substrate in the brain and normalization of neuroinflammation-evoked TKP dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Cheng
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zong-Shi Qin
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Zheng
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jun-Ya Xie
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sui-Sha Liang
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jia-Ling Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yi-Bin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhang-Jin Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), Shenzhen, China.
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22
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Safari H, Mashayekhan S. Inflammation and Mental Health Disorders: Immunomodulation as a Potential Therapy for Psychiatric Conditions. Curr Pharm Des 2023; 29:2841-2852. [PMID: 37946352 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128251883231031054700] [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: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Mood disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide and their incidence has significantly increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the continuous surge in the number of people diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, the treatment methods for these conditions remain limited. A significant number of people either do not respond to therapy or discontinue the drugs due to their severe side effects. Therefore, alternative therapeutic interventions are needed. Previous studies have shown a correlation between immunological alterations and the occurrence of mental health disorders, yet immunomodulatory therapies have been barely investigated for combating psychiatric conditions. In this article, we have reviewed the immunological alterations that occur during the onset of mental health disorders, including microglial activation, an increased number of circulating innate immune cells, reduced activity of natural killer cells, altered T cell morphology and functionality, and an increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This article also examines key studies that demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of anti-inflammatory medications in mental health disorders. These studies suggest that immunomodulation can potentially be used as a complementary therapy for controlling psychiatric conditions after careful screening of candidate drugs and consideration of their efficacy and side effects in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanieh Safari
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shohreh Mashayekhan
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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23
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White MR, VandeVord PJ. Regional variances depict a unique glial-specific inflammatory response following closed-head injury. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1076851. [PMID: 36909284 PMCID: PMC9996631 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1076851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) constitute a significant health concern with clinical symptoms ranging from headaches to cognitive deficits. Despite the myriad of symptoms commonly reported following this injury, there is still a lack of knowledge on the various pathophysiological changes that occur. Preclinical studies are at the forefront of discovery delineating the changes that occur within this heterogeneous injury, with the emergence of translational models such as closed-head impact models allowing for further exploration of this injury mechanism. In the current study, male rats were subjected to a closed-head controlled cortical impact (cCCI), producing a concussion (mTBI). The pathological effects of this injury were then evaluated using immunoflourescence seven days following. The results exhibited a unique glial-specific inflammatory response, with both the ipsilateral and contralateral sides of the cortex and hippocampus showing pathological changes following impact. Overall these findings are consistent with glial changes reported following concussions and may contribute to subsequent symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R White
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Pamela J VandeVord
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.,Salem VA Medical Center, Salem, VA, United States
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24
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Met/HGFR triggers detrimental reactive microglia in TBI. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111867. [PMID: 36577378 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexity of signaling events and cellular responses unfolding in neuronal, glial, and immune cells upon traumatic brain injury (TBI) constitutes an obstacle in elucidating pathophysiological links and targets for intervention. We use array phosphoproteomics in a murine mild blunt TBI to reconstruct the temporal dynamics of tyrosine-kinase signaling in TBI and then scrutinize the large-scale effects of perturbation of Met/HGFR, VEGFR1, and Btk signaling by small molecules. We show Met/HGFR as a selective modifier of early microglial response and that Met/HGFR blockade prevents the induction of microglial inflammatory mediators, of reactive microglia morphology, and TBI-associated responses in neurons and vasculature. Both acute and prolonged Met/HGFR inhibition ameliorate neuronal survival and motor recovery. Early elevation of HGF itself in the cerebrospinal fluid of TBI patients suggests that this mechanism has translational value in human subjects. Our findings identify Met/HGFR as a modulator of early neuroinflammation in TBI with promising translational potential.
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25
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Mishra I, Pullum KB, Eads KN, Strunjas AR, Ashley NT. Peripheral Sympathectomy Alters Neuroinflammatory and Microglial Responses to Sleep Fragmentation in Female Mice. Neuroscience 2022; 505:111-124. [PMID: 36240943 PMCID: PMC9671838 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Sleep loss, either induced by obstructive sleep apnea or other forms of sleep dysfunction, induces an inflammatory response, as commonly measured by increased circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Increased catecholamines from sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation regulates this peripheral inflammation. However, the role that catecholamines play in mediating neuroinflammation from sleep perturbations is undescribed. The aims of this study were to determine (i) the effect of peripheral SNS inhibition upon neuroinflammatory responses to sleep fragmentation (SF) and (ii) whether homeostasis can be restored after 1 week of recovery sleep. We measured gene expression levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and microglial activity in brain (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus) of female mice that were subjected to acute SF for 24 hours, chronic SF for 8 weeks, or 7 days of recovery after chronic SF. In each experiment, SF and control mice were peripherally sympathectomized with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) or injected with vehicle. SF elevated cytokine mRNA expression in brain and increased microglial density and cell area in some regions. In addition, chronic SF promoted hyper-ramification in resting microglia upon exposure to chronic, but not acute, SF. Effects of chronic SF were more pronounced than acute SF, and 1 week of recovery was not sufficient to alleviate neuroinflammation. Importantly, 6-OHDA treatment significantly alleviated SF-induced inflammation and microglial responses. This study provides evidence of SNS regulation of neural inflammation from SF, suggesting a potential role for therapeutics that could mitigate neuroinflammatory responses to sleep dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ila Mishra
- Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA; Harrington Discovery Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Keelee B Pullum
- Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA; Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kristen N Eads
- Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
| | - Anna R Strunjas
- Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
| | - Noah T Ashley
- Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA.
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26
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Smiley CE, Wood SK. Stress- and drug-induced neuroimmune signaling as a therapeutic target for comorbid anxiety and substance use disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 239:108212. [PMID: 35580690 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Stress and substance use disorders remain two of the most highly prevalent psychiatric conditions and are often comorbid. While individually these conditions have a debilitating impact on the patient and a high cost to society, the symptomology and treatment outcomes are further exacerbated when they occur together. As such, there are few effective treatment options for these patients, and recent investigation has sought to determine the neural processes underlying the co-occurrence of these disorders to identify novel treatment targets. One such mechanism that has been linked to stress- and addiction-related conditions is neuroimmune signaling. Increases in inflammatory factors across the brain have been heavily implicated in the etiology of these disorders, and this review seeks to determine the nature of this relationship. According to the "dual-hit" hypothesis, also referred to as neuroimmune priming, prior exposure to either stress or drugs of abuse can sensitize the neuroimmune system to be hyperresponsive when exposed to these insults in the future. This review completes an examination of the literature surrounding stress-induced increases in inflammation across clinical and preclinical studies along with a summarization of the evidence regarding drug-induced alterations in inflammatory factors. These changes in neuroimmune profiles are also discussed within the context of their impact on the neural circuitry responsible for stress responsiveness and addictive behaviors. Further, this review explores the connection between neuroimmune signaling and susceptibility to these conditions and highlights the anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapies that may be used for the treatment of stress and substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora E Smiley
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience; University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, United States of America; WJB Dorn Veterans Administration Medical Center, Columbia, SC 29209, United States of America.
| | - Susan K Wood
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience; University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29209, United States of America; WJB Dorn Veterans Administration Medical Center, Columbia, SC 29209, United States of America.
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27
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Vidal-Itriago A, Radford RAW, Aramideh JA, Maurel C, Scherer NM, Don EK, Lee A, Chung RS, Graeber MB, Morsch M. Microglia morphophysiological diversity and its implications for the CNS. Front Immunol 2022; 13:997786. [PMID: 36341385 PMCID: PMC9627549 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.997786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia are mononuclear phagocytes of mesodermal origin that migrate to the central nervous system (CNS) during the early stages of embryonic development. After colonizing the CNS, they proliferate and remain able to self-renew throughout life, maintaining the number of microglia around 5-12% of the cells in the CNS parenchyma. They are considered to play key roles in development, homeostasis and innate immunity of the CNS. Microglia are exceptionally diverse in their morphological characteristics, actively modifying the shape of their processes and soma in response to different stimuli. This broad morphological spectrum of microglia responses is considered to be closely correlated to their diverse range of functions in health and disease. However, the morphophysiological attributes of microglia, and the structural and functional features of microglia-neuron interactions, remain largely unknown. Here, we assess the current knowledge of the diverse microglial morphologies, with a focus on the correlation between microglial shape and function. We also outline some of the current challenges, opportunities, and future directions that will help us to tackle unanswered questions about microglia, and to continue unravelling the mysteries of microglia, in all its shapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Vidal-Itriago
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rowan A. W. Radford
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jason A. Aramideh
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cindy Maurel
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Natalie M. Scherer
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Emily K. Don
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Albert Lee
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Roger S. Chung
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Manuel B. Graeber
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marco Morsch
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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28
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Fujikawa R, Jinno S. Identification of hyper-ramified microglia in the CA1 region of the mouse hippocampus potentially associated with stress resilience. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:5137-5153. [PMID: 36017697 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15812] [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: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have indicated that some individuals are less affected by stress, and such individuals are called resilient. This study aimed to determine whether the specific phenotype of microglia might be involved in resilience using the social defeat stress paradigm. Male C57BL/6J (B6) mice were attacked by aggressive male ICR mice for five consecutive days. After stress exposure, the social behaviour was reduced in about half of the B6 mice (vulnerable), whereas no such change was observed in the remaining half of the B6 mice (resilient). Anxiety-like behaviour was increased in vulnerable mice compared with resilient mice and non-stressed controls. However, depression-related behaviour was comparable between the three groups. The morphological characteristics of microglia in the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus in non-stressed controls and resilient mice differed from those in vulnerable mice. Interestingly, the voxel densities of GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic puncta colocalized with microglia were higher in resilient mice than in non-stressed controls and vulnerable mice. Microglia were then objectively classified into three morphological types by hierarchical cluster analysis. The appearance of type I microglia resembled the so-called resting ramified microglia and represented the major population of microglia in non-stressed controls. Type II microglia exhibited a de-ramified morphology and accounted for 60% of the microglia in vulnerable mice. Type III microglia showed a hyper-ramified morphology and represented more than half of the microglia in resilient mice. These results suggest that hyper-ramified microglia in the hippocampus may be associated with stress resilience via the modulation of synaptic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risako Fujikawa
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shozo Jinno
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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29
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Brisch R, Wojtylak S, Saniotis A, Steiner J, Gos T, Kumaratilake J, Henneberg M, Wolf R. The role of microglia in neuropsychiatric disorders and suicide. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 272:929-945. [PMID: 34595576 PMCID: PMC9388452 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-021-01334-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
This narrative review examines the possible role of microglial cells, first, in neuroinflammation and, second, in schizophrenia, depression, and suicide. Recent research on the interactions between microglia, astrocytes and neurons and their involvement in pathophysiological processes of neuropsychiatric disorders is presented. This review focuses on results from postmortem, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies, and animal models of schizophrenia and depression. Third, the effects of antipsychotic and antidepressant drug therapy, and of electroconvulsive therapy on microglial cells are explored and the upcoming development of therapeutic drugs targeting microglia is described. Finally, there is a discussion on the role of microglia in the evolutionary progression of human lineage. This view may contribute to a new understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Brisch
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Szymon Wojtylak
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Arthur Saniotis
- Department of Anthropology, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Pharmacy, Knowledge University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Johann Steiner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tomasz Gos
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Jaliya Kumaratilake
- Biological Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Research Unit, Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Maciej Henneberg
- Biological Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Research Unit, Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rainer Wolf
- Department of Nursing and Health, Hochschule Fulda, University of Applied Sciences, Fulda, Germany.
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30
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Zhang Y, Dong Y, Zhu Y, Sun D, Wang S, Weng J, Zhu Y, Peng W, Yu B, Jiang Y. Microglia-specific transcriptional repression of interferon-regulated genes after prolonged stress in mice. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 21:100495. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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31
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Xiao X, Zhang H, Ning W, Yang Z, Wang Y, Zhang T. Knockdown of FSTL1 inhibits microglia activation and alleviates depressive-like symptoms through modulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway in CUMS mice. Exp Neurol 2022; 353:114060. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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32
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Nahum K, Todder D, Zohar J, Cohen H. The Role of Microglia in the (Mal)adaptive Response to Traumatic Experience in an Animal Model of PTSD. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137185. [PMID: 35806185 PMCID: PMC9266429 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study investigates whether predator scent-stress (PSS) shifts the microglia from a quiescent to a chronically activated state and whether morphological alterations in microglial activation differ between individuals displaying resilient vs. vulnerable phenotypes. In addition, we examined the role that GC receptors play during PSS exposure in the impairment of microglial activation and thus in behavioral response. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to PSS or sham-PSS for 15 min. Behaviors were assessed with the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and acoustic startle response (ASR) paradigms 7 days later. Localized brain expression of Iba-1 was assessed, visualized, and classified based on their morphology and stereological counted. Hydrocortisone and RU486 were administered systemically 10 min post PSS exposure and behavioral responses were measured on day 7 and hippocampal expression of Ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) was subsequently evaluated. Animals whose behavior was extremely disrupted (PTSD-phenotype) selectively displayed excessive expression of Iba-1 with concomitant downregulation in the expression of CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) in hippocampal structures as compared with rats whose behavior was minimally or partially disrupted. Changes in microglial morphology have also been related only to the PTSD-phenotype group. These data indicate that PSS-induced microglia activation in the hippocampus serves as a critical mechanistic link between the HPA-axis and PSS-induced impairment in behavioral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kesem Nahum
- Department of Psychology Experimental Psychology, Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
| | - Doron Todder
- Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8461144, Israel;
| | - Joseph Zohar
- Post-Trauma Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 52621, Israel;
| | - Hagit Cohen
- Department of Psychology Experimental Psychology, Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
- Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8461144, Israel;
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-8-6401742
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33
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Wang H, He Y, Sun Z, Ren S, Liu M, Wang G, Yang J. Microglia in depression: an overview of microglia in the pathogenesis and treatment of depression. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:132. [PMID: 35668399 PMCID: PMC9168645 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02492-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a highly debilitating psychiatric disorder involving the dysfunction of different cell types in the brain. Microglia are the predominant resident immune cells in the brain and exhibit a critical role in depression. Recent studies have suggested that depression can be regarded as a microglial disease. Microglia regulate inflammation, synaptic plasticity, and the formation of neural networks, all of which affect depression. In this review, we highlighted the role of microglia in the pathology of depression. First, we described microglial activation in animal models and clinically depressed patients. Second, we emphasized the possible mechanisms by which microglia recognize depression-associated stress and regulate conditions. Third, we described how antidepressants (clinical medicines and natural products) affect microglial activation. Thus, this review aimed to objectively analyze the role of microglia in depression and focus on potential antidepressants. These data suggested that regulation of microglial actions might be a novel therapeutic strategy to counteract the adverse effects of devastating mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Wang
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Lane, Dewai Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 10 Xi tou tiao, You An Men Wai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yi He
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Lane, Dewai Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 10 Xi tou tiao, You An Men Wai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Zuoli Sun
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Lane, Dewai Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 10 Xi tou tiao, You An Men Wai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Siyu Ren
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Lane, Dewai Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 10 Xi tou tiao, You An Men Wai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Mingxia Liu
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Lane, Dewai Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 10 Xi tou tiao, You An Men Wai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Gang Wang
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Lane, Dewai Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088, China. .,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 10 Xi tou tiao, You An Men Wai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Jian Yang
- The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, 5 Ankang Lane, Dewai Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100088, China. .,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 10 Xi tou tiao, You An Men Wai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China.
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34
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Ortinski PI, Reissner KJ, Turner J, Anderson TA, Scimemi A. Control of complex behavior by astrocytes and microglia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 137:104651. [PMID: 35367512 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Evidence that glial cells influence behavior has been gaining a steady foothold in scientific literature. Out of the five main subtypes of glial cells in the brain, astrocytes and microglia have received an outsized share of attention with regard to shaping a wide spectrum of behavioral phenomena and there is growing appreciation that the signals intrinsic to these cells as well as their interactions with surrounding neurons reflect behavioral history in a brain region-specific manner. Considerable regional diversity of glial cell phenotypes is beginning to be recognized and may contribute to behavioral outcomes arising from circuit-specific computations within and across discrete brain nuclei. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the impact of astrocyte and microglia activity on behavioral outcomes, with a specific focus on brain areas relevant to higher cognitive control, reward-seeking, and circadian regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P I Ortinski
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, USA
| | - K J Reissner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, USA
| | - J Turner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, USA
| | - T A Anderson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, USA
| | - A Scimemi
- Department of Biology, State University of New York at Albany, USA
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35
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Wittekindt M, Kaddatz H, Joost S, Staffeld A, Bitar Y, Kipp M, Frintrop L. Different Methods for Evaluating Microglial Activation Using Anti-Ionized Calcium-Binding Adaptor Protein-1 Immunohistochemistry in the Cuprizone Model. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111723. [PMID: 35681418 PMCID: PMC9179561 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia play an important role in the pathology of various central nervous system disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). While different methods exist to evaluate the extent of microglia activation, comparative studies investigating the sensitivity of these methods are missing for most models. In this study, we systematically evaluated which of the three commonly used histological methods (id est, quantification of microglia density, densitometrically evaluated staining intensity, or cellular morphology based on the determination of a ramification index, all measured in anti-ionized calcium-binding adaptor protein-1 (IBA1) immunohistochemical stains) is the most sensitive method to detect subtle changes in the microglia activation status in the context of MS. To this end, we used the toxin-induced cuprizone model which allows the experimental induction of a highly reproducible demyelination in several central nervous system regions, paralleled by early microglia activation. In this study, we showed that after 3 weeks of cuprizone intoxication, all methods reveal a significant microglia activation in the white matter corpus callosum. In contrast, in the affected neocortical grey matter, the evaluation of anti-IBA1 cell morphologies was the most sensitive method to detect subtle changes of microglial activation. The results of this study provide a useful guide for future immunohistochemical evaluations in the cuprizone and other neurodegenerative models.
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The effect of perceived stress on cognition is mediated by personality and the underlying neural mechanism. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:199. [PMID: 35550503 PMCID: PMC9098451 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01929-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Perceived stress impairs cognitive function across the adult lifespan, but the extent to which cognition decline is variable across individuals. Individual differences in the stress response are described as personality traits. Substantial individual differences in the magnitude of cognitive impairment that is induced by short-term perceived stress are poorly understood. The present study tested the hypothesis that the relationship between short-term perceived stress and different aspects of cognition is mediated by personality traits. The study included 1066 participants with behavior and neuroimaging data from the Human Connectome Project after excluding individuals with missing variables. In the result, the parallel multiple mediation model demonstrated that the influence of perceived stress on the total and crystalized cognition is mainly mediated by neuroticism (indirect effect = -0.04, p < 0.05) and conscientiousness (indirect effect = 0.05, p < 0.05) in adults. Cortical thickness value (n = 1066) of the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG) showed not only positive correlations with short-term perceived stress and neuroticism, but negative associations with cognition. The chain mediation model found that the right SFG and neuroticism play a small but significant chain mediating effect between stress and total cognition. The strength of the resting-state functional connectivity (n = 968) between the left orbitofrontal cortex versus the left superior medial frontal cortex was positively correlated with crystallized cognition and negatively associated with conscientiousness. These results extend previous findings by the impacts of short-term perceived stress on cognitive function is mediated by neuroticism and the right SFG was the underlying neural mechanism.
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The cytokines interleukin-6 and interferon-α induce distinct microglia phenotypes. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:96. [PMID: 35429976 PMCID: PMC9013466 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02441-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Elevated production of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 or interferon (IFN)-α in the central nervous system (CNS) is implicated in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders or cerebral interferonopathies, respectively. Transgenic mice with CNS-targeted chronic production of IL-6 (GFAP-IL6) or IFN-α (GFAP-IFN) recapitulate important clinical and pathological features of these human diseases. The activation of microglia is a prominent manifestation found both in the human diseases and in the transgenic mice, yet little is known about how this contributes to disease pathology. Methods Here, we used a combination of ex vivo and in situ techniques to characterize the molecular, cellular and transcriptomic phenotypes of microglia in GFAP-IL6 versus GFAP-IFN mice. In addition, a transcriptomic meta-analysis was performed to compare the microglia response from GFAP-IL6 and GFAP-IFN mice to the response of microglia in a range of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders. Results We demonstrated that microglia show stimulus-specific responses to IL-6 versus IFN-α in the brain resulting in unique and extensive molecular and cellular adaptations. In GFAP-IL6 mice, microglia proliferated, had shortened, less branched processes and elicited transcriptomic and molecular changes associated with phagocytosis and lipid processing. In comparison, microglia in the brain of GFAP-IFN mice exhibited increased proliferation and apoptosis, had larger, hyper-ramified processes and showed transcriptomic and surface marker changes associated with antigen presentation and antiviral response. Further, a transcriptomic meta-analysis revealed that IL-6 and IFN-α both contribute to the formation of a core microglia response in animal models of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, tauopathy, multiple sclerosis and lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that microglia responses to IL-6 and IFN-α are highly stimulus-specific, wide-ranging and give rise to divergent phenotypes that modulate microglia responses in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-022-02441-x.
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Maras PM, Hebda-Bauer EK, Hagenauer MH, Hilde KL, Blandino P, Watson SJ, Akil H. Differences in microglia morphological profiles reflect divergent emotional temperaments: insights from a selective breeding model. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:105. [PMID: 35292624 PMCID: PMC8924221 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01821-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia play critical roles in healthy brain development and function, as well as the neuropathology underlying a range of brain diseases. Despite evidence for a role of microglia in affective regulation and mood disorders, little is known regarding how variation in microglia status relates to individual differences in emotionality. Using a selective breeding model, we have generated rat lines with unique temperamental phenotypes that reflect broad emotional traits: bred low responder rats (bLRs) are novelty-averse and model a passive coping style, whereas bred high responder rats (bHRs) are highly exploratory and model an active coping style. To identify a functional role of microglia in these phenotypes, we administered minocycline, an antibiotic with potent microglia inhibiting properties and observed shifts in forced swim, sucrose preference, and social interaction behaviors in bLRs. Using detailed anatomical analyses, we compared hippocampal microglia profiles of bHRs and bLRs and found that although the lines had similar numbers of microglia, selective breeding was associated with a shift in the morphological features of these cells. Specifically, microglia from bLRs were characterized by a hyper-ramified morphology, with longer processes and more complicated branching patterns than microglia from bHRs. This morphology is thought to reflect an early stage of microglia activation and suggests that bLR microglia are in a reactive state even when animals are not overtly challenged. Taken together, our results provide novel evidence linking variation in inborn temperament with differences in the baseline status of microglia and implicate a role for microglia in shaping enduring emotional characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela M Maras
- The Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Elaine K Hebda-Bauer
- The Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Megan H Hagenauer
- The Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Kathryn L Hilde
- The Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Peter Blandino
- The Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Stanley J Watson
- The Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Huda Akil
- The Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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Gaspar R, Soares-Cunha C, Domingues AV, Coimbra B, Baptista FI, Pinto L, Ambrósio AF, Rodrigues AJ, Gomes CA. The Duration of Stress Determines Sex Specificities in the Vulnerability to Depression and in the Morphologic Remodeling of Neurons and Microglia. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:834821. [PMID: 35330844 PMCID: PMC8940280 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.834821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress exposure has been shown to induce a variety of molecular and functional alterations associated with anxiety and depression. Some studies suggest that microglia, the immune cells of the brain, play a significant role in determining neuronal and behavioral responses to chronic stress and also contribute to the development of stress-related psychopathologies. However, little is known about the impact of the duration of stress exposure upon microglia and neurons morphology, particularly considering sex differences. This issue deserves particular investigation, considering that the process of morphologic remodeling of neurons and microglia is usually accompanied by functional changes with behavioral expression. Here, we examine the effects of short and long unpredictable chronic mild stress (uCMS) protocols on behavior, evaluating in parallel microglia and neurons morphology in the dorsal hippocampus (dHIP) and in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), two brain regions involved in the etiology of depression. We report that long-term uCMS induced more behavioral alterations in males, which present anxiety and depression-like phenotypes (anhedonia and helplessness behavior), while females only display anxiety-like behavior. After short-term uCMS, both sexes presented anxiety-like behavior. Microglia cells undergo a process of morphologic adaptation to short-term uCMS, dependent on sex, in the NAc: we observed a hypertrophy in males and an atrophy in females, transient effects that do not persist after long-term uCMS. In the dHIP, the morphologic adaptation of microglia is only observed in females (hypertrophy) and after the protocol of long uCMS. Interestingly, males are more vulnerable to neuronal morphological alterations in a region-specific manner: dendritic atrophy in granule neurons of the dHIP and hypertrophy in the medium spiny neurons of the NAc, both after short- or long-term uCMS. The morphology of neurons in these brain regions were not affected in females. These findings raise the possibility that, by differentially affecting neurons and microglia in dHIP and NAc, chronic stress may contribute for differences in the clinical presentation of stress-related disorders under the control of sex-specific mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Gaspar
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carina Soares-Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s –PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Verónica Domingues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s –PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Coimbra
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s –PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Filipa I. Baptista
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luísa Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s –PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António F. Ambrósio
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana João Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s –PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Ana João Rodrigues,
| | - Catarina A. Gomes
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Catarina A. Gomes,
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Avalos MP, Guzman AS, Rigoni D, Gorostiza EA, Sanchez MA, Mongi-Bragato B, Garcia-Keller C, Perassi EM, Virgolini MB, Peralta Ramos JM, Iribarren P, Calfa GD, Bollati FA, Cancela LM. Minocycline prevents chronic restraint stress-induced vulnerability to developing cocaine self-administration and associated glutamatergic mechanisms: a potential role of microglia. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 101:359-376. [PMID: 35065197 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Stressful experience-induced cocaine-related behaviors are associated with a significant impairment of glutamatergic mechanisms in the Nucleus Accumbens core (NAcore). The hallmarks of disrupted glutamate homeostasis following restraint stress are the enduring imbalance of glutamate efflux after a cocaine stimulus and increased basal concentrations of extracellular glutamate attributed to GLT-1 downregulation in the NAcore. Glutamate transmission is tightly linked to microglia functioning. However, the role of microglia in the biological basis of stress-induced addictive behaviors is still unknown. By using minocycline, a potent inhibitor of microglia activation with anti-inflammatory properties, we determined whether microglia could aid chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced glutamate homeostasis disruption in the NAcore, underpinning stress-induced cocaine self-administration. In this study, adult male rats were restrained for 2 h/day for seven days (day 1-7). From day 16 until completing the experimental protocol, animals received a vehicle or minocycline treatment (30 mg/Kg/12h i.p.). On day 21, animals were assigned to microscopic, biochemical, neurochemical or behavioral studies. We confirm that the CRS-induced facilitation of cocaine self-administration is associated with enduring GLT-1 downregulation, an increase of basal extracellular glutamate and postsynaptic structural plasticity in the NAcore. These alterations were strongly related to the CRS-induced reactive microglia and increased TNF-α mRNA and protein expression, since by administering minocycline, the impaired glutamate homeostasis and the facilitation of cocaine self-administration were prevented. Our findings are the first to demonstrate that minocycline suppresses the CRS-induced facilitation of cocaine self-administration and glutamate homeostasis disruption in the NAcore. A role of microglia is proposed for the development of glutamatergic mechanisms underpinning stress-induced vulnerability to cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Paula Avalos
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Andrea Susana Guzman
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Daiana Rigoni
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ezequiel Axel Gorostiza
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Marianela Adela Sanchez
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Bethania Mongi-Bragato
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Constanza Garcia-Keller
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Eduardo Marcelo Perassi
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Fisicoquímica de Córdoba (INFIQC-CONICET), Departamento de Química Teórica y Computacional, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Miriam Beatriz Virgolini
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Javier María Peralta Ramos
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Pablo Iribarren
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Gastón Diego Calfa
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Flavia Andrea Bollati
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Liliana Marina Cancela
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina.
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Activación de la microglía en el hipocampo asociada con lesión del nervio facial. BIOMÉDICA 2022; 42:109-206. [PMID: 35471181 PMCID: PMC9048578 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.6216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introducción. Las lesiones del nervio facial afectan la plasticidad a largo plazo en el hipocampo, así como la memoria de reconocimiento de objetos y la memoria espacial, dos procesos dependientes de esta estructura. Objetivo. Caracterizar en ratas el efecto de la lesión unilateral del nervio facial sobre la activación de células de la microglía en el hipocampo contralateral.Materiales y métodos. Se hicieron experimentos de inmunohistoquímica para detectar células de la microglía en el hipocampo de ratas sometidas a lesión irreversible del nervio facial. Los animales se sacrificaron en distintos momentos después de la lesión, para evaluar la evolución de la proliferación (densidad de células) y la activación (área celular) de la microglía en el tejido del hipocampo. Los tejidos cerebrales de los animales de control se compararon con los de animales lesionados sacrificados en los días 1, 3, 7, 21 y 35 después de la lesión.Resultados. Las células de la microglía en el hipocampo de animales con lesión del nervio facial mostraron signos de proliferación y activación a los 3, 7 y 21 días después de la lesión. Sin embargo, al cabo de cinco semanas, estas modificaciones se revirtieron, a pesar de que no hubo recuperación funcional de la parálisis facial.Conclusiones. La lesión irreversible del nervio facial produce proliferación y activación temprana y transitoria de las células de la microglía en el hipocampo. Estos cambios podrían estar asociados con las modificaciones electrofisiológicas y las alteraciones comportamentales dependientes del hipocampo descritas recientemente.
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Rimmerman N, Verdiger H, Goldenberg H, Naggan L, Robinson E, Kozela E, Gelb S, Reshef R, Ryan KM, Ayoun L, Refaeli R, Ashkenazi E, Schottlender N, Ben Hemo-Cohen L, Pienica C, Aharonian M, Dinur E, Lazar K, McLoughlin DM, Zvi AB, Yirmiya R. Microglia and their LAG3 checkpoint underlie the antidepressant and neurogenesis-enhancing effects of electroconvulsive stimulation. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1120-1135. [PMID: 34650207 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01338-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite evidence implicating microglia in the etiology and pathophysiology of major depression, there is paucity of information regarding the contribution of microglia-dependent molecular pathways to antidepressant procedures. In this study, we investigated the role of microglia in a mouse model of depression (chronic unpredictable stress-CUS) and its reversal by electroconvulsive stimulation (ECS), by examining the effects of microglia depletion with the colony stimulating factor-1 antagonist PLX5622. Microglia depletion did not change basal behavioral measures or the responsiveness to CUS, but it completely abrogated the therapeutic effects of ECS on depressive-like behavior and neurogenesis impairment. Treatment with the microglia inhibitor minocycline concurrently with ECS also diminished the antidepressant and pro-neurogenesis effects of ECS. Hippocampal RNA-Seq analysis revealed that ECS significantly increased the expression of genes related to neurogenesis and dopamine signaling, while reducing the expression of several immune checkpoint genes, particularly lymphocyte-activating gene-3 (Lag3), which was the only microglial transcript significantly altered by ECS. None of these molecular changes occurred in microglia-depleted mice. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that ECS reversed the CUS-induced changes in microglial morphology and elevation in microglial LAG3 receptor expression. Consistently, either acute or chronic systemic administration of a LAG3 monoclonal antibody, which readily penetrated into the brain parenchyma and was found to serve as a direct checkpoint blocker in BV2 microglia cultures, rapidly rescued the CUS-induced microglial alterations, depressive-like symptoms, and neurogenesis impairment. These findings suggest that brain microglial LAG3 represents a promising target for novel antidepressant therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neta Rimmerman
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hodaya Verdiger
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hagar Goldenberg
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Lior Naggan
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Elad Robinson
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ewa Kozela
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sivan Gelb
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ronen Reshef
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Karen M Ryan
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, St. Patrick's University Hospital, James Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lily Ayoun
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ron Refaeli
- Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Einat Ashkenazi
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nofar Schottlender
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Claudia Pienica
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Maayan Aharonian
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eyal Dinur
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Koby Lazar
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Declan M McLoughlin
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, St. Patrick's University Hospital, James Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ayal Ben Zvi
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Raz Yirmiya
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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The Effects of Modified Curcumin Preparations on Glial Morphology in Aging and Neuroinflammation. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:813-824. [PMID: 34988899 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03499-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is characterized by reactive microglia and astrocytes (collectively called gliosis) in the central nervous system and is considered as one of the main pathological hallmarks in different neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, age-related dementia, and multiple sclerosis. Upon activation, glia undergoes structural and morphological changes such as the microglial cells swell in size and astrocytes become bushy, which play both beneficial and detrimental roles. Hence, they are unable to perform the normal physiological role in brain immunity. Curcumin, a cytokine suppressive anti-inflammatory drug, has a high proven pre-clinical potency and efficacy to reverse chronic neuroinflammation by attenuating the activation and morphological changes that occur in the microglia and astrocytes. This review will highlight the recent findings on the tree structure changes of microglia and astrocytes in neuroinflammation and the effects of curcumin against the activation and morphology of glial cells.
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Al Omran AJ, Shao AS, Watanabe S, Zhang Z, Zhang J, Xue C, Watanabe J, Davies DL, Shao XM, Liang J. Social isolation induces neuroinflammation and microglia overactivation, while dihydromyricetin prevents and improves them. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:2. [PMID: 34983568 PMCID: PMC8724741 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02368-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental illnesses in the U.S. and are estimated to consume one-third of the country's mental health treatment cost. Although anxiolytic therapies are available, many patients still exhibit treatment resistance, relapse, or substantial side effects. Further, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home order, social isolation, fear of the pandemic, and unprecedented times, the incidence of anxiety has dramatically increased. Previously, we have demonstrated dihydromyricetin (DHM), the major bioactive flavonoid extracted from Ampelopsis grossedentata, exhibits anxiolytic properties in a mouse model of social isolation-induced anxiety. Because GABAergic transmission modulates the immune system in addition to the inhibitory signal transmission, we investigated the effects of short-term social isolation on the neuroimmune system. METHODS Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were housed under absolute social isolation for 4 weeks. The anxiety-like behaviors after DHM treatment were examined using elevated plus-maze and open field behavioral tests. Gephyrin protein expression, microglial profile changes, NF-κB pathway activation, cytokine level, and serum corticosterone were measured. RESULTS Socially isolated mice showed increased anxiety levels, reduced exploratory behaviors, and reduced gephyrin levels. Also, a dynamic alteration in hippocampal microglia were detected illustrated as a decline in microglia number and overactivation as determined by significant morphological changes including decreases in lacunarity, perimeter, and cell size and increase in cell density. Moreover, social isolation induced an increase in serum corticosterone level and activation in NF-κB pathway. Notably, DHM treatment counteracted these changes. CONCLUSION The results suggest that social isolation contributes to neuroinflammation, while DHM has the ability to improve neuroinflammation induced by anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alzahra J Al Omran
- Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Amy S Shao
- Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA
| | - Saki Watanabe
- Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Zeyu Zhang
- Translational Research Lab, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Chen Xue
- Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Junji Watanabe
- Translational Research Lab, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Daryl L Davies
- Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Xuesi M Shao
- Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jing Liang
- Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
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Manohar S, Ding D, Jiang H, Li L, Chen GD, Kador P, Salvi R. Combined antioxidants and anti-inflammatory therapies fail to attenuate the early and late phases of cyclodextrin-induced cochlear damage and hearing loss. Hear Res 2021; 414:108409. [PMID: 34953289 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2021.108409] [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: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by aberrant cholesterol metabolism. The progression of the disease can be slowed by removing excess cholesterol with high-doses of 2-hyroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). Unfortunately, HPβCD causes hearing loss; the initial first phase involves a rapid destruction of outer hair cells (OHCs) while the second phase, occurring 4-6 weeks later, involves the destruction of inner hair cells (IHCs), pillar cells, collapse of the organ of Corti and spiral ganglion neuron degeneration. To determine whether the first and/or second phase of HPβCD-induced cochlear damage is linked, in part, to excess oxidative stress or neuroinflammation, rats were treated with a single-dose of 3000 mg/kg HPβCD alone or together with one of two combination therapies. Each combination therapy was administered from 2-days before to 6-weeks after the HPβCD treatment. Combination 1 consisted of minocycline, an antibiotic that suppresses neuroinflammation, and HK-2, a multifunctional redox modulator that suppresses oxidative stress. Combination 2 was comprised of minocycline plus N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), which upregulates glutathione, a potent antioxidant. To determine if either combination therapy could prevent HPβCD-induced hearing impairment and cochlear damage, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) were measured to assess OHC function and the cochlear compound action potential (CAP) was measured to assess the function of IHCs and auditory nerve fibers. Cochleograms were prepared to quantify the amount of OHC, IHC and pillar cell (PC) loss. HPβCD significantly reduced DPOAE and CAP amplitudes and caused significant OHC, IHC and OPC losses with losses greater in the high-frequency base of the cochlea than the apex. Neither minocycline + HK-2 (MIN+ HK-2) nor minocycline + NAC (MIN+NAC) prevented the loss of DPOAEs, CAPs, OHCs, IHCs or IPCs caused by HPβCD. These results suggest that oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are unlikely to play major roles in mediating the first or second phase of HPβCD-induced cochlear damage. Thus, HPβCD-induced ototoxicity must be mediated by some other unknown cell-death pathway possibly involving loss of trophic support from damaged support cells or disrupted cholesterol metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthilvelan Manohar
- Center for Hearing and Deafness, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Therapeutic Vision, Inc., Elkhorn, NE, 68022, USA
| | - Dalian Ding
- Center for Hearing and Deafness, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Therapeutic Vision, Inc., Elkhorn, NE, 68022, USA
| | - Haiyan Jiang
- Center for Hearing and Deafness, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Therapeutic Vision, Inc., Elkhorn, NE, 68022, USA
| | - Li Li
- Center for Hearing and Deafness, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Therapeutic Vision, Inc., Elkhorn, NE, 68022, USA
| | - Guang-Di Chen
- Center for Hearing and Deafness, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Therapeutic Vision, Inc., Elkhorn, NE, 68022, USA
| | - Peter Kador
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Therapeutic Vision, Inc., Elkhorn, NE, 68022, USA
| | - Richard Salvi
- Center for Hearing and Deafness, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Therapeutic Vision, Inc., Elkhorn, NE, 68022, USA.
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Gallego-Landin I, García-Baos A, Castro-Zavala A, Valverde O. Reviewing the Role of the Endocannabinoid System in the Pathophysiology of Depression. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:762738. [PMID: 34938182 PMCID: PMC8685322 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.762738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a high-impact, debilitating disease and it is currently considered the most prevalent mental illness. It is associated with disability, as well as increased morbidity and mortality. Despite its significant repercussions in our society, its exact pathophysiology remains unclear and therefore, available antidepressant treatment options are limited and, in some cases, ineffective. In the past years, research has focused on the development of a multifactorial theory of depression. Simultaneously, evidence supporting the role of the endocannabinoid system in the neurobiology of neuropsychiatric diseases has emerged. Studies have shown that the endocannabinoid system strongly impacts neurotransmission, and the neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems, which are known to be dysfunctional in depressive patients. Accordingly, common antidepressants were shown to have a direct impact on the expression of cannabinoid receptors throughout the brain. Therefore, the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and major depressive disorder is worth consideration. Nevertheless, most studies focus on smaller pieces of what is undoubtedly a larger mosaic of interdependent processes. Therefore, the present review summarizes the existing literature regarding the role of the endocannabinoid system in depression aiming to integrate this information into a holistic picture for a better understanding of the relationship between the two.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Gallego-Landin
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC—NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba García-Baos
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC—NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adriana Castro-Zavala
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC—NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Valverde
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC—NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Neuroscience Research Programme, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
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Miao Y, Chen X, You F, Jia M, Li T, Tang P, Shi R, Hu S, Zhang L, Chen JF, Gao Y. Adenosine A 2A receptor modulates microglia-mediated synaptic pruning of the retinogeniculate pathway during postnatal development. Neuropharmacology 2021; 200:108806. [PMID: 34562441 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Synapse pruning is essential not only for the developmental establishment of synaptic connections in the brain but also for the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. However, there are no effective pharmacological means to regulate synaptic pruning during early development. Using the eye-specific segregation of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) as a model of synaptic pruning coupled with adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) antagonism and knockout, we demonstrated while genetic deletion of the A2AR throughout the development attenuated eye-specific segregation with the attenuated microglial phagocytosis at postnatal day 5 (P5), selective treatment with the A2AR antagonist KW6002 at P2-P4 facilitated synaptic pruning of visual pathway with microglial activation, increased lysosomal activity in microglia and increased microglial engulfment of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) inputs in the dLGN at P5 (but not P10). Furthermore, KW6002-mediated facilitation of synaptic pruning was activity-dependent since tetrodotoxin (TTX) treatment abolished the KW6002 facilitation. Moreover, the A2AR antagonist also modulated postsynaptic proteins and synaptic density at early postnatal stages as revealed by the reduced immunoreactivity of postsynaptic proteins (Homer1 and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5) and colocalization of presynaptic VGlut2 and postsynaptic Homer1 puncta in the dLGN. These findings suggest that A2AR can control pruning by multiple actions involving the retinal wave, microglia engulfment, and postsynaptic stability. Thus, A2AR antagonists may represent a novel pharmacological strategy to modulate microglia-mediated synaptic pruning and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with dysfunctional pruning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxin Miao
- The Molecular Neuropharmacology Laboratory and the Eye-Brain Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China
| | - Xuhao Chen
- The Molecular Neuropharmacology Laboratory and the Eye-Brain Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China
| | - Feng You
- The Molecular Neuropharmacology Laboratory and the Eye-Brain Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China
| | - Manli Jia
- The Molecular Neuropharmacology Laboratory and the Eye-Brain Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China
| | - Ting Li
- The Molecular Neuropharmacology Laboratory and the Eye-Brain Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China
| | - Ping Tang
- The Molecular Neuropharmacology Laboratory and the Eye-Brain Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China
| | - Ruyi Shi
- The Molecular Neuropharmacology Laboratory and the Eye-Brain Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China
| | - Shisi Hu
- The Molecular Neuropharmacology Laboratory and the Eye-Brain Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China
| | - Liping Zhang
- The Molecular Neuropharmacology Laboratory and the Eye-Brain Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China
| | - Jiang-Fan Chen
- The Molecular Neuropharmacology Laboratory and the Eye-Brain Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China.
| | - Ying Gao
- The Molecular Neuropharmacology Laboratory and the Eye-Brain Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China.
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Tsyglakova M, Huskey AM, Hurst EH, Telep NM, Wilding MC, Babington ME, Rainville JR, Hodes GE. Sex and region-specific effects of variable stress on microglia morphology. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 18:100378. [PMID: 34820640 PMCID: PMC8600001 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a common and debilitating mood disorder that is more prevalent in women than men. In humans, PET imaging of microglia activation is currently being explored as a potential biomarker of MDD and suicidal ideation. Stress is a trigger for many mood disorders, including MDD. Microglial changes in morphology and activation state in response to stress has been reported in various brain regions, but most studies only examined male subjects. Here we report changes in microglia morphology in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and subregions of the hippocampus (HPC) in both male and female mice following variable stress of 6 or 28 days in duration. Our data demonstrate that after 6 days of stress, microglia in the female NAc and dentate gyrus have a reduction in homeostatic associated morphology and an increase in primed microglia. After 28 days some of these sex specific stress effects were still present in microglia within the NAc but not the dentate gyrus. There were no effects of stress in either sex at either timepoint in CA1. In female mice, anti-inflammatory activation of microglia using rosiglitazone promoted sociability behavior after 6 days of stress. Furthermore, both drug and stress have impact on microglia morphology and activation state in the NAc. These data suggest that microglia morphology and activation state are altered by 6 days of variable stress in a region-specific manner and may contribute to, or potentially compensate for, the onset of stress susceptibility rather than impacting long term exposure to stress. There are region and sex specific effects of stress on microglia. Female microglia respond more strongly to shorter periods of stress. Rosiglitazone increases social interaction in stressed female mice. Rosiglitazone does not block stress induced microglia activation in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya Tsyglakova
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Alisa M Huskey
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Emily H Hurst
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Natalie M Telep
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Mary C Wilding
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Meghan E Babington
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Jennifer R Rainville
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Georgia E Hodes
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Picard K, Bisht K, Poggini S, Garofalo S, Golia MT, Basilico B, Abdallah F, Ciano Albanese N, Amrein I, Vernoux N, Sharma K, Hui CW, C Savage J, Limatola C, Ragozzino D, Maggi L, Branchi I, Tremblay MÈ. Microglial-glucocorticoid receptor depletion alters the response of hippocampal microglia and neurons in a chronic unpredictable mild stress paradigm in female mice. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 97:423-439. [PMID: 34343616 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic psychological stress is one of the most important triggers and environmental risk factors for neuropsychiatric disorders. Chronic stress can influence all organs via the secretion of stress hormones, including glucocorticoids by the adrenal glands, which coordinate the stress response across the body. In the brain, glucocorticoid receptors (GR) are expressed by various cell types including microglia, which are its resident immune cells regulating stress-induced inflammatory processes. To study the roles of microglial GR under normal homeostatic conditions and following chronic stress, we generated a mouse model in which the GR gene is depleted in microglia specifically at adulthood to prevent developmental confounds. We first confirmed that microglia were depleted in GR in our model in males and females among the cingulate cortex and the hippocampus, both stress-sensitive brain regions. Then, cohorts of microglial-GR depleted and wild-type (WT) adult female mice were housed for 3 weeks in a standard or stressful condition, using a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) paradigm. CUMS induced stress-related behavior in both microglial-GR depleted and WT animals as demonstrated by a decrease of both saccharine preference and progressive ratio breakpoint. Nevertheless, the hippocampal microglial and neural mechanisms underlying the adaptation to stress occurred differently between the two genotypes. Upon CUMS exposure, microglial morphology was altered in the WT controls, without any apparent effect in microglial-GR depleted mice. Furthermore, in the standard environment condition, GR depleted-microglia showed increased expression of pro-inflammatory genes, and genes involved in microglial homeostatic functions (such as Trem2, Cx3cr1 and Mertk). On the contrary, in CUMS condition, GR depleted-microglia showed reduced expression levels of pro-inflammatory genes and increased neuroprotective as well as anti-inflammatory genes compared to WT-microglia. Moreover, in microglial-GR depleted mice, but not in WT mice, CUMS led to a significant reduction of CA1 long-term potentiation and paired-pulse ratio. Lastly, differences in adult hippocampal neurogenesis were observed between the genotypes during normal homeostatic conditions, with microglial-GR deficiency increasing the formation of newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus subgranular zone independently from stress exposure. Together, these findings indicate that, although the deletion of microglial GR did not prevent the animal's ability to respond to stress, it contributed to modulating hippocampal functions in both standard and stressful conditions, notably by shaping the microglial response to chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Picard
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; Molecular Medicine Department, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Kanchan Bisht
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Silvia Poggini
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Garofalo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Golia
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Bernadette Basilico
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Fatima Abdallah
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Naomi Ciano Albanese
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Irmgard Amrein
- Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Vernoux
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Kaushik Sharma
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Chin Wai Hui
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Julie C Savage
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Davide Ragozzino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Maggi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Igor Branchi
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; Molecular Medicine Department, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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50
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Omran AJA, Shao AS, Watanabe S, Zhang Z, Zhang J, Xue C, Watanabe J, Davies DL, Shao XM, Liang J. Social Isolation Induces Neuroinflammation And Microglia Overactivation, While Dihydromyricetin Prevents And Improves Them. RESEARCH SQUARE 2021. [PMID: 34611661 PMCID: PMC8491854 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-923871/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Background: Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental illnesses in the U.S. and are estimated to consume one-third of the country’s mental health treatment cost. Although anxiolytic therapies are available, many patients still exhibit treatment-resistance, relapse, or substantial side effects. Further, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home order, social isolation, fear of the pandemic, and unprecedented times, the incidence of anxiety has dramatically increased. Previously, we have demonstrated dihydromyricetin (DHM), the major bioactive flavonoid extracted from Ampelopsis grossedentata, exhibits anxiolytic properties in a mouse model of social isolation-induced anxiety. Because GABAergic transmission modulates the immune system in addition to the inhibitory signal transmission, we investigated the effects of short-term social isolation on the neuroimmune system. Methods: Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were housed under absolute social isolation for 4 weeks. The anxiety like behaviors after DHM treatment were examined using elevated plus maze and open field behavioral tests. Gephyrin protein expression, microglial profile changes, NF-κB pathway activation, cytokine level, and serum corticosterone were measured. Results: Socially isolated mice showed increased anxiety levels, reduced exploratory behaviors, and reduced gephyrin levels. Also, a dynamic alteration in hippocampal microglia were detected illustrated as a decline in microglia number and overactivation as determined by significant morphological changes including decreases in lacunarity, perimeter, and cell size and increase in cell density. Moreover, social isolation also induced an increase in serum corticosterone level and activation in NF-κB pathway. Notably, DHM treatment counteracted these changes. Conclusion: The results suggest that social isolation contributes to neuroinflammation, while DHM has the ability to restore neuroinflammatory changes induced by anxiety.
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