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Jones SM, Sleiman SJ, McCann KE, Jarmusch AK, Alexander GM, Dudek SM. Prenatal exposure to the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone disrupts hippocampal area CA2 connectivity and alters behavior in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01971-7. [PMID: 39237618 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01971-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
In the brain, the hippocampus is enriched with mineralocorticoid receptors (MR; Nr3c2), a ligand-dependent transcription factor stimulated by the stress hormone corticosterone in rodents. Recently, we discovered that MR is required for the acquisition and maintenance of many features of mouse area CA2 neurons. Notably, we observed that immunofluorescence for the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (vGluT2), likely representing afferents from the supramammillary nucleus (SuM), was disrupted in the embryonic, but not postnatal, MR knockout mouse CA2. To test whether pharmacological perturbation of MR activity in utero similarly disrupts CA2 connectivity, we implanted slow-release pellets containing the MR antagonist spironolactone in mouse dams during mid-gestation. After confirming that at least one likely active metabolite crossed from the dams' serum into the embryonic brains, we found that spironolactone treatment caused a significant reduction of CA2 axon fluorescence intensity in the CA1 stratum oriens, where CA2 axons preferentially project, and that vGluT2 staining was significantly decreased in both CA2 and dentate gyrus in spironolactone-treated animals. We also found that spironolactone-treated animals exhibited increased reactivity to novel objects, an effect similar to what is seen with embryonic or postnatal CA2-targeted MR knockout. However, we found no difference in preference for social novelty between the treatment groups. We infer these results to suggest that persistent or more severe disruptions in MR function may be required to interfere with this type of social behavior. These findings do indicate, though, that developmental disruption in MR signaling can have persistent effects on hippocampal circuitry and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Jones
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Sarah Jo Sleiman
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
- Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Katharine E McCann
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
- School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Alan K Jarmusch
- Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Georgia M Alexander
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Serena M Dudek
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
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2
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Chen CW, Yeh WL, Charoensaensuk V, Lin C, Yang LY, Xie SY, Lane HY, Lin CH, Wang YW, Tsai CF, Lu DY. Ramelteon protects against social defeat stress-associated abnormal behaviors. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 241:173794. [PMID: 38834160 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173794] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Psychological stress affects the neuroendocrine regulation, which modulates mental status and behaviors. Melatonin, a hormone synthesized primarily by the pineal gland, regulates many brain functions, including circadian rhythms, pain, sleep, and mood. Selective pharmacological melatonin agonist ramelteon has been clinically used to treat mood and sleep disorders. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition associated with severe trauma; it is generally triggered by traumatic events, which lead to severe anxiety and uncontrollable trauma recall. We recently reported that repeated social defeat stress (RSDS) may induce robust anxiety-like behaviors and social avoidance in mice. In the present study, we investigated whether melatonin receptor activation by melatonin and ramelteon regulates RSDS-induced behavioral changes. Melatonin treatment improved social avoidance and anxiety-like behaviors in RSDS mice. Moreover, treatment of the non-selective MT1/MT2 receptor agonist, ramelteon, markedly ameliorated RSDS-induced social avoidance and anxiety-like behaviors. Moreover, activating melatonin receptors also balanced the expression of monoamine oxidases, glucocorticoid receptors, and endogenous antioxidants in the hippocampus. Taken together, our findings indicate that the activation of both melatonin and ramelteon regulates RSDS-induced anxiety-like behaviors and PTSD symptoms. The current study also showed that the regulatory effects of neuroendocrine mechanisms and cognitive behaviors on melatonin receptor activation in repeated social defeat stress.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Indenes/pharmacology
- Mice
- Male
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/drug therapy
- Social Defeat
- Melatonin/pharmacology
- Anxiety/drug therapy
- Anxiety/psychology
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Hippocampus/drug effects
- Hippocampus/metabolism
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/agonists
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/agonists
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/metabolism
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/agonists
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Monoamine Oxidase/metabolism
- Receptors, Melatonin/agonists
- Receptors, Melatonin/metabolism
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/drug therapy
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Wei Chen
- Institute of Translational Medicine and New Drug Development, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Lan Yeh
- Institute of Translational Medicine and New Drug Development, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Vichuda Charoensaensuk
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chingju Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Yo Yang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Yun Xie
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wen Wang
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Technology, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Fang Tsai
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Dah-Yuu Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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3
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Lehr AB, Hitti FL, Deibel SH, Stöber TM. Silencing hippocampal CA2 reduces behavioral flexibility in spatial learning. Hippocampus 2023; 33:759-768. [PMID: 36938702 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
The hippocampus is a key structure involved in learning and remembering spatial information. However, the extent to which hippocampal region CA2 is involved in these processes remains unclear. Here, we show that chronically silencing dorsal CA2 impairs reversal learning in the Morris water maze. After platform relocation, CA2-silenced mice spent more time in the vicinity of the old platform location and less time in the new target quadrant. Accordingly, behavioral strategy analysis revealed increased perseverance in navigating to the old location during the first day and an increased use of non-spatial strategies during the second day of reversal learning. Confirming previous indirect indications, these results demonstrate that CA2 is recruited when mice must flexibly adapt their behavior as task contingencies change. We discuss how these findings can be explained by recent theories of CA2 function and outline testable predictions to understand the underlying neural mechanisms. Demonstrating a direct involvement of CA2 in spatial learning, this work lends further support to the notion that CA2 plays a fundamental role in hippocampal information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B Lehr
- Department of Computational Synaptic Physiology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frederick L Hitti
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Scott H Deibel
- Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Tristan M Stöber
- Institute for Neuroinformatics, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Frankfurt, Germany
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4
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Viho EMG, Buurstede JC, Berkhout JB, Mahfouz A, Meijer OC. Cell type specificity of glucocorticoid signaling in the adult mouse hippocampus. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13072. [PMID: 34939259 PMCID: PMC9286676 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid stress hormones are powerful modulators of brain function and can affect mood and cognitive processes. The hippocampus is a prominent glucocorticoid target and expresses both the glucocorticoid receptor (GR: Nr3c1) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR: Nr3c2). These nuclear steroid receptors act as ligand-dependent transcription factors. Transcriptional effects of glucocorticoids have often been deduced from bulk mRNA measurements or spatially informed individual gene expression. However, only sparse data exists allowing insights on glucocorticoid-driven gene transcription at the cell type level. Here, we used publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing data to assess the cell-type specificity of GR and MR signaling in the adult mouse hippocampus. The data confirmed that Nr3c1 and Nr3c2 expression differs across neuronal and non-neuronal cell populations. We analyzed co-expression with sex hormones receptors, transcriptional coregulators, and receptors for neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Our results provide insights in the cellular basis of previous bulk mRNA results and allow the formulation of more defined hypotheses on the effects of glucocorticoids on hippocampal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M. G. Viho
- Division of EndocrinologyDepartment of MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Jacobus C. Buurstede
- Division of EndocrinologyDepartment of MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Jari B. Berkhout
- Division of EndocrinologyDepartment of MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Ahmed Mahfouz
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Delft Bioinformatics LaboratoryDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
- Leiden Computational Biology CenterLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Onno C. Meijer
- Division of EndocrinologyDepartment of MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
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5
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Bruns B, Daub R, Schmitz T, Hamze-Sinno M, Spaich S, Dewenter M, Schwale C, Gass P, Vogt M, Katus H, Herzog W, Friederich HC, Frey N, Schultz JH, Backs J. Forebrain corticosteroid receptors promote post-myocardial infarction depression and mortality. Basic Res Cardiol 2022; 117:44. [PMID: 36068417 PMCID: PMC9448693 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-022-00951-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Myocardial infarction (MI) with subsequent depression is associated with increased cardiac mortality. Impaired central mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) equilibrium has been suggested as a key mechanism in the pathogenesis of human depression. Here, we investigate if deficient central MR/GR signaling is causative for a poor outcome after MI in mice. Mice with an inducible forebrain-specific MR/GR knockout (MR/GR-KO) underwent baseline and follow-up echocardiography every 2 weeks after MI or sham operation. Behavioral testing at 4 weeks confirmed significant depressive-like behavior and, strikingly, a higher mortality after MI, while cardiac function and myocardial damage remained unaffected. Telemetry revealed cardiac autonomic imbalance with marked bradycardia and ventricular tachycardia (VT) upon MI in MR/GR-KO. Mechanistically, we found a higher responsiveness to atropine, pointing to impaired parasympathetic tone of 'depressive' mice after MI. Serum corticosterone levels were increased but-in line with the higher vagal tone-plasma and cardiac catecholamines were decreased. MR/GR deficiency in the forebrain led to significant depressive-like behavior and a higher mortality after MI. This was accompanied by increased vagal tone, depleted catecholaminergic compensatory capacity and VTs. Thus, limbic MR/GR disequilibrium may contribute to the impaired outcome of depressive patients after MI and possibly explain the lack of anti-depressive treatment benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Bruns
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Im Neuenheimer Feld 669, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany ,Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ricarda Daub
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Im Neuenheimer Feld 669, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmitz
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Im Neuenheimer Feld 669, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maria Hamze-Sinno
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Spaich
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Im Neuenheimer Feld 669, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany ,Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Matthias Dewenter
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Im Neuenheimer Feld 669, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Chrysovalandis Schwale
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany ,Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Gass
- Central Institute of Mental Health, RG Animal Models in Psychiatry, Medical Faculty of Mannheim/University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Miriam Vogt
- Central Institute of Mental Health, RG Animal Models in Psychiatry, Medical Faculty of Mannheim/University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hugo Katus
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany ,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site, Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Herzog
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans-Christoph Friederich
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Frey
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany ,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site, Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jobst-Hendrik Schultz
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Backs
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Im Neuenheimer Feld 669, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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6
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Hodges TE, Puri TA, Blankers SA, Qiu W, Galea LAM. Steroid hormones and hippocampal neurogenesis in the adult mammalian brain. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2021; 118:129-170. [PMID: 35180925 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Hippocampal neurogenesis persists across the lifespan in many species, including rodents and humans, and is associated with cognitive performance and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease and psychiatric disorders. Neurogenesis is modulated by steroid hormones that change across development and differ between the sexes in rodents and humans. Here, we discuss the effects of stress and glucocorticoid exposure from gestation to adulthood as well as the effects of androgens and estrogens in adulthood on neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Throughout the review we highlight sex differences in the effects of steroid hormones on neurogenesis and how they may relate to hippocampal function and disease. These data highlight the importance of examining age and sex when evaluating the effects of steroid hormones on hippocampal neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis E Hodges
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tanvi A Puri
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Samantha A Blankers
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Wansu Qiu
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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7
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McCann KE, Lustberg DJ, Shaughnessy EK, Carstens KE, Farris S, Alexander GM, Radzicki D, Zhao M, Dudek SM. Novel role for mineralocorticoid receptors in control of a neuronal phenotype. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:350-364. [PMID: 31745235 PMCID: PMC7234915 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0598-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [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: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) in the brain play a role in learning and memory, neuronal differentiation, and regulation of the stress response. Within the hippocampus, the highest expression of MRs is in area CA2. CA2 pyramidal neurons have a distinct molecular makeup resulting in a plasticity-resistant phenotype, distinguishing them from neurons in CA1 and CA3. Thus, we asked whether MRs regulate CA2 neuron properties and CA2-related behaviors. Using three conditional knockout methods at different stages of development, we found a striking decrease in multiple molecular markers for CA2, an effect mimicked by chronic antagonism of MRs. Furthermore, embryonic deletion of MRs disrupted afferent inputs to CA2 and enabled synaptic potentiation of the normally LTP-resistant synaptic currents in CA2. We also found that CA2-targeted MR knockout was sufficient to disrupt social behavior and alter behavioral responses to novelty. Altogether, these results demonstrate an unappreciated role for MRs in controlling CA2 pyramidal cell identity and in facilitating CA2-dependent behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine E McCann
- Synaptic and Developmental Plasticity Group, Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Daniel J Lustberg
- Synaptic and Developmental Plasticity Group, Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Graduate Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Emma K Shaughnessy
- Synaptic and Developmental Plasticity Group, Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kelly E Carstens
- Synaptic and Developmental Plasticity Group, Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Shannon Farris
- Synaptic and Developmental Plasticity Group, Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Georgia M Alexander
- Synaptic and Developmental Plasticity Group, Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Daniel Radzicki
- Synaptic and Developmental Plasticity Group, Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Meilan Zhao
- Synaptic and Developmental Plasticity Group, Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Serena M Dudek
- Synaptic and Developmental Plasticity Group, Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
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8
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Bonapersona V, Damsteegt R, Adams ML, van Weert LTCM, Meijer OC, Joëls M, Sarabdjitsingh RA. Sex-Dependent Modulation of Acute Stress Reactivity After Early Life Stress in Mice: Relevance of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Expression. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:181. [PMID: 31440147 PMCID: PMC6693524 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) is considered a major risk factor for developing psychopathology. Increasing evidence points towards sex-dependent dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as a contributing mechanism. Additionally, clinical studies suggest that the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) may further confer genetic vulnerability/resilience on a background of ELS. The link between ELS, sex and the HPA axis and how this interacts with MR genotype is understudied, yet important to understand vulnerability/resilience to stress. We used the early life-limited nesting and bedding model to test the effect of ELS on HPA properties in adult female and male mice carrying a forebrain-specific heterozygous knockout for MR. Basal HPA axis activity was measured by circadian peak and nadir corticosterone levels, in addition to body weight and weight of stress-sensitive tissues. HPA axis reactivity was assessed by mapping corticosterone levels after 10 min immobilization. Additionally, we measured the effects of ELS on steroid receptor [MR and glucocorticoid receptor (GR)] levels in the dorsal hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) with western blot. Finally, behavioral reactivity towards a novel environment was measured as a proxy for anxiety-like behavior. Results show that HPA axis activity under rest conditions was not affected by ELS. HPA axis reactivity after immobilization was decreased by ELS in females and increased, at trend-level in males. This effect in females was further exacerbated by low expression of the MR. We also observed a sex*ELS interaction regarding MR and GR expression in the dorsal hippocampus, with a significant upregulation of MR in males only. The sex-dependent interaction with ELS was not reflected in the behavioral response to novel environment and time spent in a sheltered compartment. We did find increased locomotor activity in all groups after a history of ELS, which attenuated after 4 h in males but not females regardless of condition. Our findings support that ELS alters HPA axis functioning sex-dependently. Genetic predisposition to low MR function may render females more susceptible to the harmful effect of ELS whereas in males low MR function promotes resilience. We propose that this model may be a useful tool to investigate the underlying mechanisms of sex-dependent and genetic vulnerability/resilience to stress-related psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Bonapersona
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ruth Damsteegt
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mirjam L Adams
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Lisa T C M van Weert
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Ratna Angela Sarabdjitsingh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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9
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Upregulation of Mineralocorticoid Receptor in the Hypothalamus Associated with a High Anxiety-like Level in Apolipoprotein E4 Transgenic Mice. Behav Genet 2017; 47:416-424. [DOI: 10.1007/s10519-017-9843-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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10
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Le Menuet D, Lombès M. The neuronal mineralocorticoid receptor: from cell survival to neurogenesis. Steroids 2014; 91:11-9. [PMID: 24928721 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2014.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Revised: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), a hormone-activated transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily, exerts widespread actions in many tissues such as tight epithelia, the cardiovascular system, adipose tissues and macrophages. In the mammalian brain, MR is present in the limbic areas where it is highly expressed in neurons of the hippocampus and mostly absent in other regions while the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression is ubiquitous. MR binds both aldosterone and glucocorticoids, the latter having a ten-fold higher affinity for MR than for the closely related GR. However, owing to the minimal aldosterone transfer across the blood brain barrier and the absence of neuronal 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 as an intracellular gate-keeper, neuronal MR appears to be fully occupied even at low physiological glucocorticoid levels while GR activation only occurs at high glucocorticoid concentrations, i.e. at the peak of the circadian rhythm or under stress. This defined a one hormone/two receptors system that works in balance, modulating a large spectrum of actions in the central nervous system. MR and GR are involved in the stress responses, the regulation of neuron excitability, long term potentiation, neuroprotection and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. MR thus constitutes a key factor in the arising of higher cognitive functions such as memorization, learning and mood. This review presents an overview of various roles of MR in the central nervous system which are somewhat less studied than that of GR, in the light of recent data obtained using cellular models, animal models and clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Le Menuet
- Inserm U693, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre F-94276, France; Univ Paris-Sud, Faculté de Médecine Paris-Sud, UMR-S693, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre F-94276, France.
| | - Marc Lombès
- Inserm U693, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre F-94276, France; Univ Paris-Sud, Faculté de Médecine Paris-Sud, UMR-S693, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre F-94276, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital de Bicêtre, Service d'Endocrinologie et des Maladies de la Reproduction, Le Kremlin Bicêtre F-94275, France
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11
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Cao-Lei L, Suwansirikul S, Jutavijittum P, Mériaux SB, Turner JD, Muller CP. Glucocorticoid receptor gene expression and promoter CpG modifications throughout the human brain. J Psychiatr Res 2013; 47:1597-607. [PMID: 23948638 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Revised: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids and the glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid (MR) receptors have been implicated in many processes, particularly in negative feedback regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Epigenetically programmed GR alternative promoter usage underlies transcriptional control of GR levels, generation of GR 3' splice variants, and the overall GC response in the brain. No detailed analysis of GR first exons or GR transcript variants throughout the human brain has been reported. Therefore we investigated post mortem tissues from 28 brain regions of 5 individuals. GR first exons were expressed throughout the healthy human brain with no region-specific usage patterns. First exon levels were highly inter-correlated suggesting that they are co-regulated. GR 3' splice variants (GRα and GR-P) were equally distributed in all regions, and GRβ expression was always low. GR/MR ratios showed significant differences between the 28 tissues with the highest ratio in the pituitary gland. Modification levels of individual CpG dinucleotides, including 5-mC and 5-hmC, in promoters 1D, 1E, 1F, and 1H were low, and diffusely clustered; despite significant heterogeneity between the donors. In agreement with this clustering, sum modification levels rather than individual CpG modifications correlated with GR expression. Two-way ANOVA showed that this sum modification was both promoter and brain region specific, but that there was however no promoter*tissue interaction. The heterogeneity between donors may however hide such an interaction. In both promoters 1F and 1H modification levels correlated with GRα expression suggesting that 5-mC and 5-hmC play an important role in fine tuning GR expression levels throughout the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cao-Lei
- Institute of Immunology, Centre de Recherche Public de la Santé, Laboratoire National de Santé, 20A rue Auguste Lumière, L-1950 Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Psychobiology, University of Trier, D-54290 Trier, Germany
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12
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Mannironi C, Camon J, De Vito F, Biundo A, De Stefano ME, Persiconi I, Bozzoni I, Fragapane P, Mele A, Presutti C. Acute stress alters amygdala microRNA miR-135a and miR-124 expression: inferences for corticosteroid dependent stress response. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73385. [PMID: 24023867 PMCID: PMC3762773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The amygdala is a brain structure considered a key node for the regulation of neuroendocrine stress response. Stress-induced response in amygdala is accomplished through neurotransmitter activation and an alteration of gene expression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression in the nervous system and are very well suited effectors of stress response for their ability to reversibly silence specific mRNAs. In order to study how acute stress affects miRNAs expression in amygdala we analyzed the miRNA profile after two hours of mouse restraint, by microarray analysis and reverse transcription real time PCR. We found that miR-135a and miR-124 were negatively regulated. Among in silico predicted targets we identified the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) as a target of both miR-135a and miR-124. Luciferase experiments and endogenous protein expression analysis upon miRNA upregulation and inhibition allowed us to demonstrate that mir-135a and mir-124 are able to negatively affect the expression of the MR. The increased levels of the amygdala MR protein after two hours of restraint, that we analyzed by western blot, negatively correlate with miR-135a and miR-124 expression. These findings point to a role of miR-135a and miR-124 in acute stress as regulators of the MR, an important effector of early stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Mannironi
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, A. Buzzati-Traverso Campus, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Jeremy Camon
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Research in Neurobiology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca De Vito
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Biundo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Egle De Stefano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Research in Neurobiology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Institute Pasteur Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Persiconi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Institute Pasteur Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Fragapane
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Mele
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, A. Buzzati-Traverso Campus, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Research in Neurobiology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Presutti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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13
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Martinerie L, Munier M, Le Menuet D, Meduri G, Viengchareun S, Lombès M. The mineralocorticoid signaling pathway throughout development: expression, regulation and pathophysiological implications. Biochimie 2012; 95:148-57. [PMID: 23026756 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2012.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2011] [Accepted: 09/23/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The mineralocorticoid signaling pathway has gained interest over the past few years, considering not only its implication in numerous pathologies but also its emerging role in physiological processes during kidney, brain, heart and lung development. This review aims at describing the setting and regulation of aldosterone biosynthesis and the expression of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), a nuclear receptor mediating aldosterone action in target tissues, during the perinatal period. Specificities concerning MR expression and regulation during the development of several major organs are highlighted. We provide evidence that MR expression is tightly controlled in a tissue-specific manner during development, which could have major pathophysiological implications in the neonatal period.
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14
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Wynne O, Horvat JC, Kim RY, Ong LK, Smith R, Hansbro PM, Clifton VL, Hodgson DM. Neonatal respiratory infection and adult re-infection: effect on glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus in BALB/c mice. Brain Behav Immun 2011; 25:1214-22. [PMID: 21440617 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2011.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2010] [Revised: 03/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Stressful events during the perinatal period in both humans and animals have long-term consequences for the development and function of physiological systems and susceptibility to disease in adulthood. One form of stress commonly experienced in the neonatal period is exposure to bacterial and viral infections. The current study investigated the effects of live Chlamydia muridarum bacterial infection at birth followed by re-infection in adulthood on hippocampal glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and stress response outcomes. Within 24 h of birth, neonatal mice were infected intranasally with C. muridarum (400 inclusion-forming units [ifu]) or vehicle. At 42 days, mice were re-infected (100 ifu) and euthanized 10 days later. In males, infection in adulthood alone had the most impact on the parameters measured with significant increases in GR protein compared to adult infection alone; and significant increases MR protein and circulating corticosterone compared to other treatment groups. Neonatal infection alone induced the largest alterations in the females with results showing reciprocal patterns for GR protein and TH protein. Perinatal infection resulted in a blunted response following adult infection for both males and females across all parameters. The present study demonstrates for the first time that males and females respond differently to infection based on the timing of the initial insult and that there is considerable sex differences in the hippocampal phenotypes that emerge in adulthood after neonatal infection.
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MESH Headings
- Adrenal Glands/enzymology
- Adrenal Glands/metabolism
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Chlamydia Infections/genetics
- Chlamydia Infections/immunology
- Chlamydia Infections/metabolism
- Chlamydia Infections/physiopathology
- Chlamydia muridarum
- Corticosterone/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Hippocampus/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/biosynthesis
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Pneumonia, Bacterial/genetics
- Pneumonia, Bacterial/immunology
- Pneumonia, Bacterial/metabolism
- Pneumonia, Bacterial/physiopathology
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/genetics
- Recurrence
- Sex Characteristics
- Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
- Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- O Wynne
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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15
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Munier M, Meduri G, Viengchareun S, Leclerc P, Le Menuet D, Lombès M. Regulation of mineralocorticoid receptor expression during neuronal differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells. Endocrinology 2010; 151:2244-54. [PMID: 20207834 PMCID: PMC3107824 DOI: 10.1210/en.2009-0753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) plays a critical role in brain function. However, the regulatory mechanisms controlling neuronal MR expression that constitutes a key element of the hormonal response are currently unknown. Two alternative P1 and P2 promoters drive human MR gene transcription. To examine promoter activities and their regulation during neuronal differentiation and in mature neurons, we generated stably transfected recombinant murine embryonic stem cell (ES) lines, namely P1-GFP and P2-GFP, in which each promoter drove the expression of the reporter gene green fluorescent protein (GFP). An optimized protocol, using embryoid bodies and retinoic acid, permitted us to obtain a reproducible neuronal differentiation as revealed by the decrease in phosphatase alkaline activity, the concomitant appearance of morphological changes (neurites), and the increase in the expression of neuronal markers (nestin, beta-tubulin III, and microtubule-associated protein-2) as demonstrated by immunocytochemistry and quantitative PCR. Using these cell-based models, we showed that MR expression increased by 5-fold during neuronal differentiation, MR being preferentially if not exclusively expressed in mature neurons. Although the P2 promoter was always weaker than the P1 promoter during neuronal differentiation, their activities increased by 7- and 5-fold, respectively, and correlated with MR expression. Finally, although progesterone and dexamethasone were ineffective, aldosterone stimulated both P1 and P2 activity and MR expression, an effect that was abrogated by knockdown of MR by small interfering RNA. In conclusion, we provide evidence for a tight transcriptional control of MR expression during neuronal differentiation. Given the neuroprotective and antiapoptotic role proposed for MR, the neuronal differentiation of ES cell lines opens potential therapeutic perspectives in neurological and psychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Munier
- Récepteurs stéroïdiens : physiopathologie endocrinienne et métabolique
INSERM : U693IFR93Université Paris Sud - Paris XIFaculté de médecine 63, Rue Gabriel Peri 94276 Le Kremlin Bicêtre,FR
| | - Geri Meduri
- Récepteurs stéroïdiens : physiopathologie endocrinienne et métabolique
INSERM : U693IFR93Université Paris Sud - Paris XIFaculté de médecine 63, Rue Gabriel Peri 94276 Le Kremlin Bicêtre,FR
- Service de génétique moléculaire, pharmacogénétique et hormonologie
Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)Hôpital BicêtreUniversité Paris Sud - Paris XI78, rue du Général Leclerc 94275 Le Kremlin Bicêtre,FR
| | - Say Viengchareun
- Récepteurs stéroïdiens : physiopathologie endocrinienne et métabolique
INSERM : U693IFR93Université Paris Sud - Paris XIFaculté de médecine 63, Rue Gabriel Peri 94276 Le Kremlin Bicêtre,FR
| | - Phillipe Leclerc
- IFR de Bicêtre
INSERM : IFR93Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)Université Paris Sud - Paris XIBatiment Inserm Gregory Pincus PARIS XI 80, Rue du General Leclerc 94276 Le Kremlin Bicêtre CEDEX,FR
| | - Damien Le Menuet
- Récepteurs stéroïdiens : physiopathologie endocrinienne et métabolique
INSERM : U693IFR93Université Paris Sud - Paris XIFaculté de médecine 63, Rue Gabriel Peri 94276 Le Kremlin Bicêtre,FR
| | - Marc Lombès
- Récepteurs stéroïdiens : physiopathologie endocrinienne et métabolique
INSERM : U693IFR93Université Paris Sud - Paris XIFaculté de médecine 63, Rue Gabriel Peri 94276 Le Kremlin Bicêtre,FR
- Service d'Endocrinologie et Maladies de la reproduction
Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)Hôpital BicêtreLe Kremlin Bicêtre 94275,FR
- * Correspondence should be adressed to: Marc Lombès
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16
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Kolber BJ, Muglia LJ. Defining brain region-specific glucocorticoid action during stress by conditional gene disruption in mice. Brain Res 2009; 1293:85-90. [PMID: 19361487 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2009.03.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2008] [Revised: 03/18/2009] [Accepted: 03/30/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The ability of an organism to adapt during stress has a significant impact on long-term survival and health. Maladaptive responses to stress have been associated with susceptibility to the development of mood disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder. Importantly, dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the endocrine stress response, has been linked to these diseases. Here, we review recent data on the region-specific role of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling in the behavioral, molecular and endocrine response to stress. Using a conditional deletion approach, we have shown that disruption of GR function in the forebrain of mice induces alterations in despair-like behavior and HPA axis function, reminiscent of MDD. Furthermore, in an effort to explore the sub-regional specificity of GR activity, we have developed a model to disrupt GR in the central nucleus of the amygdala. In our initial efforts to characterize these mice, we have demonstrated a critical role for GR in the formation of fear memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedict J Kolber
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology at Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
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17
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Chang YT, Chen YC, Wu CW, Yu L, Chen HI, Jen CJ, Kuo YM. Glucocorticoid signaling and exercise-induced downregulation of the mineralocorticoid receptor in the induction of adult mouse dentate neurogenesis by treadmill running. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2008; 33:1173-82. [PMID: 18760539 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2008] [Revised: 05/06/2008] [Accepted: 05/25/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Physical exercise is known to promote adult neurogenesis, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Glucocorticoid (corticosterone in rodents) is a factor that is known to affect neurogenesis. As physical exercise modulates corticosterone secretion, we hypothesized that corticosterone signaling is involved in exercise-induced adult neurogenesis. We chose treadmill running (TR) to accurately define the intensity and duration of exercise. Our results showed that 5 weeks of TR increased the doublecortin (DCX)-positive neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) in adult hippocampus and transiently increased the serum corticosterone level at the end of the TR protocol. This protocol reduced the levels of hippocampal mineralocorticoid receptor (MR); however, glucocorticoid receptor levels were unaltered. We then investigated whether reducing corticosterone levels by bilateral adrenalectomy (ADX) attenuated the TR-enhanced adult neurogenesis. Our results showed that ADX not only blocked the TR-induced downregulation of MR, but also reduced the number of TR-enhanced NPCs. In order to examine the role of MR downregulation in TR-induced adult neurogenesis, animals were treated repeatedly with a selective MR antagonist, spironolactone, for 3 weeks. The results revealed that spironolactone increased the number of spontaneously occurring and TR-induced NPC in the dentate area. Further analysis revealed that spironolactone treatment did not alter precursor cell proliferation, but increased the number of DCX-positive NPCs, suggesting that blockage of MR signaling either facilitates the differentiation of progenitor cells towards neurons and/or enhances the survival of NPCs. Taken together, the data indicated that induction of NPCs in the dentate area of adult hippocampus by TR is partly due to the downregulation of glucocorticoid/MR signaling, which subsequently enhances differentiation along a neuronal lineage and/or NPC survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ting Chang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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18
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Kolber BJ, Wieczorek L, Muglia LJ. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation and behavioral analysis of mouse mutants with altered glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid receptor function. Stress 2008; 11:321-38. [PMID: 18609295 PMCID: PMC2744095 DOI: 10.1080/10253890701821081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticosteroid receptors are critical for the maintenance of homeostasis after both psychological and physiological stress. To understand the different roles and interactions of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) during stress, it is necessary to dissect the role of corticosteroid signaling at both the system and sub-system level. A variety of GR transgenic mouse lines have recently been used to characterize the role of GR in the CNS as a whole and particularly in the forebrain. We will describe both the behavioral and cellular/molecular implications of disrupting GR function in these animal models and describe the implications of this data for our understanding of normal endocrine function and stress adaptation. MRs in tight epithelia have a long established role in sodium homeostasis. Recently however, evidence has suggested that MRs in the limbic brain also play an important role in psychological stress. Just as with GR, targeted mutations in MR induce a variety of behavioral changes associated with stress adaptation. In this review, we will discuss the implications of this work on MR. Finally, we will discuss the possible interaction between MR and GR and how future work using double mutants (through conventional means or virus based gene alteration) will be needed to more fully understand how signaling through these two steroid receptors provides the adaptive mechanisms to deal with a variety of stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedict J. Kolber
- Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Biology and Pharmacology and Program in Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Lindsay Wieczorek
- Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Biology and Pharmacology and Program in Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Louis J. Muglia
- Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Biology and Pharmacology and Program in Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Corresponding Author: Louis J. Muglia, , Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid, Box 8208, St. Louis, MO 63110
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19
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Kumar NN, Goodchild AK, Li Q, Pilowsky PM. An aldosterone-related system in the ventrolateral medulla oblongata of spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2006; 33:71-5. [PMID: 16445702 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2006.04326.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
1. The actions of aldosterone include mediation of vasoconstriction, vascular fibrosis, endothelial dysfunction and sodium retention. These actions can contribute to hypertension. Recent studies implicate an abnormal aldosterone hormonal system in the brain in hypertension. However, the study of central aldosterone actions is still in its infancy, as the exact location and abundance of its components in the brain are uncertain. 2. We aimed to detect components of the aldosterone cascade in the regions of the ventrolateral medulla oblongata (VLM)-containing neurons that regulate blood pressure and to see whether there are quantitative differences in these components between the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat models. Tissues from four regions of the brainstem, namely, the rostral and caudal ventrolateral medulla (RVLM and CVLM, respectively), rostral pressor area and caudal pressor area, were examined. We measured mRNA expression of aldosterone synthase, mineralocorticoid receptor (MR1), 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO), serum- and glucocorticoid- inducible kinase and K-ras in male rats. Gene expression levels were measured using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. 3. We detected all aldosterone components in all regions of the VLM. The K-ras levels were not significantly different in any of the regions. Expression of MR1 mRNA was lower in the RVLM of SHR (n = 5) compared with WKY rats (n = 5; t = 4.590; P = 0.002) and 12-LO mRNA levels were lower in the CVLM in SHR (n = 6) compared with WKY rats (n = 7; P = 0.04). Thus, we have shown for the first time that components of the aldosterone cascade are present in the VLM. Our results suggest that there may be a differential gene expression profile in the brainstem for genetic hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha N Kumar
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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20
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Guijarro C, Rutz S, Rothmaier K, Turiault M, Zhi Q, Naumann T, Frotscher M, Tronche F, Jackisch R, Kretz O. Maturation and maintenance of cholinergic medial septum neurons require glucocorticoid receptor signaling. J Neurochem 2006; 97:747-58. [PMID: 16573657 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03728.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids have been shown to influence trophic processes in the nervous system. In particular, they seem to be important for the development of cholinergic neurons in various brain regions. Here, we applied a genetic approach to investigate the role of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) on the maturation and maintenance of cholinergic medial septal neurons between P15 and one year of age by using a mouse model carrying a CNS-specific conditional inactivation of the GR gene (GRNesCre). The number of choline acetyltransferase and p75NTR immuno-positive neurons in the medial septum (MS) was analyzed by stereology in controls versus mutants. In addition, cholinergic fiber density, acetylcholine release and cholinergic key enzyme activity of these neurons were determined in the hippocampus. We found that in GRNesCre animals the number of medial septal cholinergic neurons was significantly reduced during development. In addition, cholinergic cell number further decreased with aging in these mutants. The functional GR gene is therefore required for the proper maturation and maintenance of medial septal cholinergic neurons. However, the loss of cholinergic neurons in the medial septum is not accompanied by a loss of functional cholinergic parameters of these neurons in their target region, the hippocampus. This pinpoints to plasticity of the septo-hippocampal system, that seems to compensate for the septal cell loss by sprouting of the remaining neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Guijarro
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
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21
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Kapoor A, Dunn E, Kostaki A, Andrews MH, Matthews SG. Fetal programming of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function: prenatal stress and glucocorticoids. J Physiol 2006; 572:31-44. [PMID: 16469780 PMCID: PMC1779638 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2006.105254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 411] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal stress (PS) and maternal exposure to exogenous glucocorticoids can lead to permanent modification of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function and stress-related behaviour. Both of these manipulations lead to increased fetal exposure to glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids are essential for many aspects of normal brain development, but exposure of the fetal brain to an excess of glucocorticoids can have life-long effects on neuroendocrine function. Both endogenous glucocorticoid and synthetic glucocorticoid exposure have a number of rapid effects in the fetal brain, including modification of neurotransmitter systems and transcriptional machinery. Such fetal exposure permanently alters HPA function in prepubertal, postpubertal and ageing offspring, in a sex-dependent manner. Prenatal stress and exogenous glucocorticoid manipulation also lead to the modification of behaviour, brain and organ morphology, as well as altered regulation of other endocrine systems. It is also becoming increasingly apparent that the timing of exposure to PS or synthetic glucocorticoids has tremendous effects on the nature of the phenotypic outcome. Permanent changes in endocrine function will ultimately impact on health in both human and animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amita Kapoor
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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22
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Berger S, Wolfer DP, Selbach O, Alter H, Erdmann G, Reichardt HM, Chepkova AN, Welzl H, Haas HL, Lipp HP, Schütz G. Loss of the limbic mineralocorticoid receptor impairs behavioral plasticity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 103:195-200. [PMID: 16368758 PMCID: PMC1324975 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0503878102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticosteroid action in the brain is mediated by the mineralocorticoid (MR) and the glucocorticoid (GR) receptor. Disturbances in MR- and GR-mediated effects are thought to impair cognition, behavior, and endocrine control. To assess the function of the limbic MR in these processes, we inactivated the MR gene in the forebrain of the mouse using the Cre/loxP-recombination system. We screened the mice with a limbic MR deficiency in various learning and exploration tests. The mutant mice show impaired learning of the water-maze task and deficits in measures of working memory on the radial maze due to behavioral perseverance and stereotypy. They exhibit a hyperreactivity toward a novel object but normal anxiety-like behavior. The behavioral changes are associated with abnormalities of the mossy fiber projection and an up-regulation of GR expression in the hippocampus. Adult mutant mice show normal corticosterone levels at circadian trough and peak. This genetic model provides important information about the consequences of a permanently altered balance between limbic MR and GR, with implications for stress-related neuroendocrine and neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Berger
- German Cancer Research Center, Division Molecular Biology of the Cell I, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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23
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Tamura G, Olson D, Miron J, Clark TG. Tolloid-like 1 is negatively regulated by stress and glucocorticoids. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 142:81-90. [PMID: 16274839 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2005.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2005] [Revised: 08/09/2005] [Accepted: 09/08/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids affect a variety of tissues to enable the organism to adapt to the stress. Hippocampal neurons contain glucocorticoid receptors and respond to elevated glucocorticoid levels by down-regulating the HPA axis. Chronically, however, stress is deleterious to hippocampal neurons. Chronically elevated levels of glucocorticoids result in a decrease in the number of dendritic spines, reduced axonal growth and synaptogenesis, and decreased neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Tolloid-like 1 (Tll-1) is a metalloprotease that potentiates the activity of the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Neurogenesis in the hippocampus of both developing and adult mammals requires BMPs. In this study, we demonstrate that Tll-1 expression is increased in mice that have increased neurogenesis. The Tll-1 promoter contains glucocorticoid response elements which are capable of binding to purified glucocorticoid receptor. Glucocorticoids decrease Tll-1 expression in vitro. Finally, prenatal stress leads to a decrease in Tll-1 mRNA expression in the hippocampus of adult female mice that is not observed in adult male mice indicating that Tll-1 expression is differentially regulated in males and females. The results of this study indicate that Tll-1 is responsive to glucocorticoids and this mechanism might influence neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
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MESH Headings
- Age Factors
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Blotting, Northern/methods
- Cell Count/methods
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cloning, Molecular/methods
- Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay/methods
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation/physiology
- Glucocorticoids/pharmacology
- Glucocorticoids/physiology
- Hippocampus/cytology
- Humans
- In Situ Hybridization/methods
- Male
- Metalloproteases/genetics
- Metalloproteases/metabolism
- Mice
- Neuroblastoma
- Neurons/drug effects
- Neurons/metabolism
- Physical Conditioning, Animal/methods
- Pregnancy
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/drug effects
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/physiology
- Protein Binding/physiology
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism
- Restraint, Physical/methods
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods
- Sex Factors
- Stress, Physiological/metabolism
- Time Factors
- Tolloid-Like Metalloproteinases
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Affiliation(s)
- Goichiro Tamura
- University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
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24
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Owen D, Andrews MH, Matthews SG. RETRACTED: Maternal adversity, glucocorticoids and programming of neuroendocrine function and behaviour. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2005; 29:209-26. [PMID: 15811494 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The fetus may be exposed to increased endogenous glucocorticoid or synthetic glucocorticoid in late gestation. Approximately 7% of pregnant women in Europe and North America are treated with synthetic glucocorticoid to promote lung maturation in fetuses at risk of preterm delivery. Very little is known about the mechanisms by which synthetic glucocorticoid or prenatal stress influence neurodevelopment in the human, or whether specific time windows of increased sensitivity exist. Glucocorticoids are essential for many aspects of normal brain development, but exposure of the fetal brain to excess glucocorticoid can have life-long effects on neuroendocrine function and behaviour. Both endogenous glucocorticoid and synthetic glucocorticoid exposure have a number of rapid effects in the fetal brain, including modification of neurotransmitter systems and transcriptional machinery. Such fetal exposure permanently alters hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function in prepubertal, postpubertal and aging offspring, in a sex-dependent manner. Prenatal glucocorticoid manipulation also leads to modification of behaviour, brain and organ morphology, as well as altered regulation of other endocrine systems. Permanent changes in endocrine function will impact on health, since elevated cumulative exposure to endogenous glucocorticoid is linked to the premature onset of pathologies associated with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Owen
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ont., Canada M5S 1A8
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25
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Matthews SG, Owen D, Kalabis G, Banjanin S, Setiawan EB, Dunn EA, Andrews MH. Fetal glucocorticoid exposure and hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function after birth. Endocr Res 2004; 30:827-36. [PMID: 15666833 DOI: 10.1081/erc-200044091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The fetus may be exposed to increased endogenous glucocorticoid or synthetic glucocorticoid in late gestation. Indeed, 7-10% of pregnant women in Europe and North America are treated with synthetic glucocorticoid to promote lung maturation in fetuses at risk of preterm delivery. Such therapy is effective in reducing respiratory complications. However, very little is known about the mechanisms by which synthetic glucocorticoid or prenatal stress influence neurodevelopment in the human, or whether specific time windows of increased sensitivity exist. Glucocorticoids are essential for many aspects of normal brain development. However, there is growing evidence that exposure of the fetal brain to excess glucocorticoid can have lifelong effects on neuroendocrine function and behavior. We have shown that both endogenous glucocorticoid and synthetic glucocorticoid exposure has a number of rapid effects in the fetal brain in late gestation, including modification of neurotransmitter systems and transcriptional machinery. Such fetal exposure permanently alters hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function in prepubertal, postpubertal, and aging offspring, in a sex-dependent manner. These effects are linked to changes in central glucocorticoid feedback machinery after birth. Prenatal glucocorticoid manipulation also leads to modification of HPA-associated behaviors, brain and organ morphology, as well as altered regulation of other endocrine systems. Permanent changes in endocrine function will have a long-term impact on health, since elevated cumulative exposure to endogenous glucocorticoid is linked to the premature onset of pathologies associated with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Matthews
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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26
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Abstract
The ability of the early environment to programme the developing hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been reported in several animal species. There is considerable evidence that a similar process can occur in the human, and that long-term alterations in HPA function are associated with altered susceptibility to disease in later life. The phenotype of HPA function following early manipulation depends on the timing and intensity of the manipulation as well as the gender of the fetus/neonate. There is considerable interplay between the developing HPA and the reproductive axes and emerging evidence indicates that this interaction is modified by early environmental manipulation. Studies are rapidly unravelling the mechanisms that underlie developmental programming of the HPA axis. In this context, the serotonergic system has been identified as a primary system involved in this process. Understanding the mechanisms involved in neuroendocrine programming will facilitate the development of interventions aimed at reversing or ameliorating the impact of an adverse intrauterine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus H Andrews
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Toronto, Ont., Cananda.
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27
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Matthews SG, Owen D, Banjanin S, Andrews MH. Glucocorticoids, hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) development, and life after birth. Endocr Res 2002; 28:709-18. [PMID: 12530687 DOI: 10.1081/erc-120016991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 10% of women in North America are treated with synthetic glucocorticoid (sGC) between 24 and 32 weeks of pregnancy (term approximately 40 weeks), to promote lung maturation in fetuses at risk of preterm delivery. Such therapy is highly effective in reducing the frequency of respiratory complications, and as a result, repeated course treatment has become widespread. Nothing is known about the impact of repeated sGC treatment on neuroendocrine development in the human, or if specific time windows of increased sensitivity exist. Glucocorticoids are essential for many aspects of normal brain development. However, there is growing evidence from a number of species, that exposure of the fetal brain to excess glucocorticoid can have life-long effects on behaviour and neuroendocrine function. We have shown that exposure of fetuses to sGC in late gestation permanently alters HPA function in pre-pubertal, post-pubertal, and aging offspring, in a sex-dependent manner. These effects are linked to changes in central glucocorticoid feedback. Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure also leads to modification of HPA-associated behaviours and organ morphology, as well as altered regulation of other neuroendocrine systems. Permanent changes in HPA function will have a long-term impact on health, since elevated cumulative exposure to endogenous glucocorticoid has been linked to the premature onset of pathologies associated with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Matthews
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8 Canada.
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28
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Kellendonk C, Gass P, Kretz O, Schütz G, Tronche F. Corticosteroid receptors in the brain: gene targeting studies. Brain Res Bull 2002; 57:73-83. [PMID: 11827739 DOI: 10.1016/s0361-9230(01)00638-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Corticosteroids are released by the adrenal cortex with a diurnal rhythm and in response to stressful environmental changes. They not only act on peripheral organs, but also regulate brain physiology, thereby affecting mental processes like emotion and cognition. Here, we discuss the role of the two known corticosteroid receptors--glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)--in the brain by summarizing the results obtained with various genetically modified mouse lines. In these lines, either the GR or the MR gene has been targeted or GR protein levels have been upregulated or downregulated. Analysis of the different lines confirms the importance of GR in the regulation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis because interference with GR activity activates the HPA axis, whereas increased GR protein levels inhibit HPA axis activity. Genetic downregulation of GR protein levels and inactivation of the GR gene in the brain reduce anxiety-related behavior, which reveals a central role of GR in emotional behavior. Both HPA axis activity and anxiety are modulated by corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH); therefore, we include in the discussion results obtained with genetically modified CRH or CRH receptor mice. We further address the important role of corticosteroid receptors for hippocampal function and integrity. Cellular properties of CA1 neurons are changed, and hippocampal-dependent explicit memory is affected in GR mutant animals. Comparing MR and GR mutant animals suggests the requirement of MR but not GR for dentate gyrus granule cell maintenance. Because an imbalance in glucocorticoid levels is associated with cognitive impairments and mental disorders, the described mouse lines will aid in understanding the mechanisms involved in the pathology of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Kellendonk
- Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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