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Mahran YF, Badr AM, Al-Kharashi LA, Alajami HN, Aldamry NT, Bayoumy NM, Elmongy EI, Soliman S. Thymol Protects against 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Hepatotoxicity via the Regulation of the Akt/GSK-3β Pathway in In Vivo and In Silico Experimental Models. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:1094. [PMID: 39204199 DOI: 10.3390/ph17081094] [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: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used, highly effective chemotherapeutic agent. However, its therapeutic efficacy is often limited by associated adverse effects, with hepatotoxicity being frequently reported with 5-FU therapy. Thymol is a monoterpene found in thyme (Thymus vulgaris L., Lamiaceae) and is known for its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anticancer activities. This study aimed to explore the hepatoprotective activity of thymol against 5-FU-induced liver injury. METHODS Rats received two intraperitoneal doses of 5-FU (150 mg/kg) either alone or in combination with thymol at doses of 60 mg/kg or 120 mg/kg. Liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and apoptotic markers, in addition to histopathological changes, were assessed. RESULTS 5-FU induced marked liver injuries as evidenced by elevated liver enzymes and histopathological changes, in addition to abnormalities of oxidative and apoptotic markers. The administration of thymol ameliorated the 5-FU-induced oxidative damage through increasing hepatic antioxidants and lowering lipid peroxidation. Apoptotic response markers such as Bax, Bcl-2, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and PARP were also improved. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis showed that thymol modulated the 5-FU-induced changes in the expression of Akt/GSK-3β and p44/42 MAPK (ERK1/2) signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS Our research is the first to shed light on thymol's potential protective effect against 5-FU- induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative and apoptotic pathways and modulating the Akt/ GSK-3β as well as p44/42 MAPK (ERK1/2) signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmen F Mahran
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Amira M Badr
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Layla A Al-Kharashi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanaa N Alajami
- College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nouf T Aldamry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Elshaymaa I Elmongy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ain Helwan, Cairo 11795, Egypt
| | - Sahar Soliman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Sam Houston State University, Conroe, TX 77304, USA
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2
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Rahamim N, Liran M, Aronovici C, Flumin H, Gordon T, Urshansky N, Barak S. Inhibition of ERK1/2 or CRMP2 Disrupts Alcohol Memory Reconsolidation and Prevents Relapse in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5478. [PMID: 38791516 PMCID: PMC11122309 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105478] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Relapse to alcohol abuse, often caused by cue-induced alcohol craving, is a major challenge in alcohol addiction treatment. Therefore, disrupting the cue-alcohol memories can suppress relapse. Upon retrieval, memories transiently destabilize before they reconsolidate in a process that requires protein synthesis. Evidence suggests that the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), governing the translation of a subset of dendritic proteins, is crucial for memory reconsolidation. Here, we explored the involvement of two regulatory pathways of mTORC1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT and extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), in the reconsolidation process in a rat (Wistar) model of alcohol self-administration. We found that retrieval of alcohol memories using an odor-taste cue increased ERK1/2 activation in the amygdala, while the PI3K-AKT pathway remained unaffected. Importantly, ERK1/2 inhibition after alcohol memory retrieval impaired alcohol-memory reconsolidation and led to long-lasting relapse suppression. Attenuation of relapse was also induced by post-retrieval administration of lacosamide, an inhibitor of collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP2)-a translational product of mTORC1. Together, our findings indicate the crucial role of ERK1/2 and CRMP2 in the reconsolidation of alcohol memories, with their inhibition as potential treatment targets for relapse prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nofar Rahamim
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; (N.R.)
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel (N.U.)
| | - Mirit Liran
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel (N.U.)
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Coral Aronovici
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; (N.R.)
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel (N.U.)
| | - Hila Flumin
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; (N.R.)
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel (N.U.)
| | - Tamar Gordon
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; (N.R.)
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel (N.U.)
| | - Nataly Urshansky
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel (N.U.)
| | - Segev Barak
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; (N.R.)
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel (N.U.)
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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Hanim A, Mohamed IN, Mohamed RMP, Mokhtar MH, Makpol S, Naomi R, Bahari H, Kamal H, Kumar J. Alcohol Dependence Modulates Amygdalar mTORC2 and PKCε Expression in a Rodent Model. Nutrients 2023; 15:3036. [PMID: 37447362 PMCID: PMC10346598 DOI: 10.3390/nu15133036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple alcohol use disorder (AUD)-related behavioral alterations are governed by protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε), particularly in the amygdala. Protein kinase C (PKC) is readily phosphorylated at Ser729 before activation by the mTORC2 protein complex. In keeping with this, the current study was conducted to assess the variations in mTORC2 and PKCε during different ethanol exposure stages. The following groups of rats were employed: control, acute, chronic, ethanol withdrawal (EW), and EW + ethanol (EtOH). Ethanol-containing and non-ethanol-containing modified liquid diets (MLDs) were administered for 27 days. On day 28, either saline or ethanol (2.5 g/kg, 20% v/v) was intraperitoneally administered, followed by bilateral amygdala extraction. PKCε mRNA levels were noticeably increased in the amygdala of the EW + EtOH and EW groups. Following chronic ethanol consumption, the stress-activated map kinase-interacting protein 1 (Sin1) gene expression was markedly decreased. In the EW, EW + EtOH, and chronic ethanol groups, there was a profound increase in the protein expression of mTOR, Sin1, PKCε, and phosphorylated PKCε (Ser729). The PKCε gene and protein expressions showed a statistically significant moderate association, according to a correlation analysis. Our results suggest that an elevated PKCε protein expression in the amygdala during EW and EW + EtOH occurred at the transcriptional level. However, an elevation in the PKCε protein expression, but not its mRNA, after chronic ethanol intake warrants further investigation to fully understand the signaling pathways during different episodes of AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athirah Hanim
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (A.H.); (M.H.M.); (H.K.)
| | - Isa N. Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia;
| | - Rashidi M. P. Mohamed
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia;
| | - Mohd Helmy Mokhtar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (A.H.); (M.H.M.); (H.K.)
| | - Suzana Makpol
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia;
| | - Ruth Naomi
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (R.N.); (H.B.)
| | - Hasnah Bahari
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (R.N.); (H.B.)
| | - Haziq Kamal
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (A.H.); (M.H.M.); (H.K.)
| | - Jaya Kumar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (A.H.); (M.H.M.); (H.K.)
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Cucinello-Ragland JA, Alrashed NH, Lee S, Davis EC, Edwards KN, Edwards S. Sex-specific biobehavioral regulation of persistent inflammatory pain by alcohol. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:1283-1296. [PMID: 37208939 PMCID: PMC10422981 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although a large percentage of chronic pain patients consume alcohol to manage their pain, there is a significant gap in knowledge regarding the mechanisms underlying the antinociceptive effects of alcohol. METHODS To determine the longitudinal analgesic effects of alcohol, we utilized the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) model of inflammatory pain in adult female and male Wistar rats. Both somatic and negative motivational aspects of pain were measured using the electronic von Frey (mechanical nociception) system, thermal probe test (thermal nociception), and mechanical conflict avoidance task (pain avoidance-like behavior). Tests were conducted at baseline and 1 and 3 weeks following intraplantar CFA or saline administration. At both time points post-CFA, animals were treated with each of three doses of alcohol (intraperitoneal; 0, 0.5, and 1.0 g/kg) over separate days in a Latin square design. RESULTS Alcohol produced dose-dependent mechanical analgesia and antihyperalgesia in females but only antihyperalgesia in males. Although alcohol continued to attenuate CFA-induced decreases in both thermal and mechanical nociceptive thresholds between 1 and 3 weeks post-CFA, it appeared less effective at increasing thresholds 3 weeks after CFA induction. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that individuals may develop tolerance to alcohol's ability to alleviate both somatic and negative motivational symptoms of chronic pain over time. We also discovered sex-specific neuroadaptations in protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of GluR1 subunits and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) phosphorylation in nociceptive brain centers of animals receiving an alcohol challenge 1 week post-CFA. Together, these findings illustrate a sex-specific regulation of behavioral and neurobiological indices of persistent pain by alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Cucinello-Ragland
- Department of Physiology, LSU Health-New Orleans
- Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, LSU Health-New Orleans
| | | | - Sumin Lee
- Department of Physiology, LSU Health-New Orleans
| | | | | | - Scott Edwards
- Department of Physiology, LSU Health-New Orleans
- Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence, LSU Health-New Orleans
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, LSU Health-New Orleans
- Comprehensive Alcohol-HIV/AIDS Research Center, LSU Health-New Orleans
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5
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Hoffman JL, Faccidomo SP, Taylor SM, DeMiceli KG, May AM, Smith EN, Whindleton CM, Hodge CW. Negative modulation of AMPA receptors bound to transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory protein γ-8 blunts the positive reinforcing properties of alcohol and sucrose in a brain region-dependent manner in male mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:1261-1273. [PMID: 37055596 PMCID: PMC10698495 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06365-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The development and progression of alcohol use disorder (AUD) are widely viewed as maladaptive neuroplasticity. The transmembrane alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) regulatory protein γ8 (TARP γ-8) is a molecular mechanism of neuroplasticity that has not been evaluated in AUD or other addictions. OBJECTIVE To address this gap in knowledge, we evaluated the mechanistic role of TARP γ-8 bound AMPAR activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and ventral hippocampus (vHPC) in the positive reinforcing effects of alcohol, which drive repetitive alcohol use throughout the course of AUD, in male C57BL/6 J mice. These brain regions were selected because they exhibit high levels of TARP γ-8 expression and send glutamate projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which is a key nucleus in the brain reward pathway. METHODS AND RESULTS Site-specific pharmacological inhibition of AMPARs bound to TARP γ-8 in the BLA via bilateral infusion of the selective negative modulator JNJ-55511118 (0-2 µg/µl/side) significantly decreased operant alcohol self-administration with no effect on sucrose self-administration in behavior-matched controls. Temporal analysis showed that reductions in alcohol-reinforced response rate occurred > 25 min after the onset of responding, consistent with a blunting of the positive reinforcing effects of alcohol in the absence of nonspecific behavioral effects. In contrast, inhibition of TARP γ-8 bound AMPARs in the vHPC selectively decreased sucrose self-administration with no effect on alcohol. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals a novel brain region-specific role of TARP γ-8 bound AMPARs as a molecular mechanism of the positive reinforcing effects of alcohol and non-drug rewards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Hoffman
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building, CB#7178, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Sara P Faccidomo
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building, CB#7178, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Seth M Taylor
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building, CB#7178, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Kristina G DeMiceli
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building, CB#7178, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ashley M May
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building, CB#7178, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Evan N Smith
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building, CB#7178, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ciarra M Whindleton
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building, CB#7178, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Clyde W Hodge
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building, CB#7178, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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6
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Gimenez-Gomez P, Le T, Martin GE. Modulation of neuronal excitability by binge alcohol drinking. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1098211. [PMID: 36866357 PMCID: PMC9971943 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1098211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug use poses a serious threat to health systems throughout the world. The number of consumers rises every year being alcohol the drug of abuse most consumed causing 3 million deaths (5.3% of all deaths) worldwide and 132.6 million disability-adjusted life years. In this review, we present an up-to-date summary about what is known regarding the global impact of binge alcohol drinking on brains and how it affects the development of cognitive functions, as well as the various preclinical models used to probe its effects on the neurobiology of the brain. This will be followed by a detailed report on the state of our current knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of binge drinking on neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity, with an emphasis on brain regions of the meso-cortico limbic neurocircuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Gimenez-Gomez
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- The Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Timmy Le
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- The Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Worcester, MA, United States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Gilles E. Martin
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- The Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Worcester, MA, United States
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7
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Yan X, Gong Z, Pan R, Wang H, Tang H, He H, Wen S, Fu Y, Dong J. Synergistic Effect and Mechanism of Apoptosis Induction by Morphine and the HIV-1gp120V3 Loop in Hippocampal Neurons. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2022; 17:165-180. [PMID: 33791922 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-021-09989-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are a collective name for neurological disorders associated with HIV-1 infection. The incidence and severity of HAND are increased by concomitant opioid use disorder, such as heroin and morphine abuse. Our previous study showed that the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 and morphine synergistically induce apoptosis in rat hippocampal neurons. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We hypothesized that morphine and gp120 activated the neuronal apoptosis signaling pathway via their typical membrane receptors. If they shared key signaling molecules, their induction of neuronal apoptosis could be inhibited by blocking these targets. We found that morphine and gp120V3 loop synergistically induced hippocampal neuron apoptosis, mediated by activating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, increasing the intracellular Ca2 + concentration and expression of caspase-, and reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential. The ERK inhibitor PD98509 and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activator IGF-1 blocked this effect. These results indicate that ERK plays a crucial role in the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in HAND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqin Yan
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, school of Basic medical science and Public health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zheng Gong
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, school of Basic medical science and Public health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Rui Pan
- Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Huili Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, school of Basic medical science and Public health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Haijie Tang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, school of Basic medical science and Public health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hanyang He
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, school of Basic medical science and Public health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Saixian Wen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, school of Basic medical science and Public health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yongmei Fu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, school of Basic medical science and Public health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jun Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, school of Basic medical science and Public health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, China.
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong Province, China.
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8
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Morella I, Pohořalá V, Calpe-López C, Brambilla R, Spanagel R, Bernardi RE. Nicotine self-administration and ERK signaling are altered in RasGRF2 knockout mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:986566. [PMID: 36120353 PMCID: PMC9479000 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.986566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK (Ras-ERK) signaling has been demonstrated to play a role in the effects of drugs of abuse such as cocaine and alcohol, but has not been extensively examined in nicotine-related reward behaviors. We examined the role of Ras Guanine Nucleotide Releasing Factor 2 (RasGRF2), an upstream mediator of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway, on nicotine self-administration (SA) in RasGRF2 KO and WT mice. We first demonstrated that acute nicotine exposure (0.4 mg/kg) resulted in an increase in phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) in the striatum, consistent with previous reports. We also demonstrated that increases in pERK1/2 resulting from acute (0.4 mg/kg) and repeated (0.4 mg/kg, 10 daily injections) exposure to nicotine in WT mice were not present in RasGRF2 KO mice, confirming that RasGRF2 at least partly regulates the activity of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway following nicotine exposure. We then performed intravenous nicotine SA (0.03 mg/kg/infusion for 10 days) in RasGRF2 KO and WT mice. Consistent with a previous report using cocaine SA, RasGRF2 KO mice demonstrated an increase in nicotine SA relative to WT controls. These findings suggest a role for RasGRF2 in the reinforcing effects of nicotine, and implicate the Ras-ERK signaling pathway as a common mediator of the response to drugs of abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Morella
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,Division of Neuroscience, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Veronika Pohořalá
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Claudia Calpe-López
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Riccardo Brambilla
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,Division of Neuroscience, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Rainer Spanagel
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rick E Bernardi
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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9
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McElhinny CJ, Lewin AH, Brieaddy L, Fix S, Imler GH, Deschamps J, Mascarella SW, Seltzman HH, Anantha Reddy P, Carroll FI. α-[Amino(4-aminophenyl)thio]methylene-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzeneacetonitrile; Configurational equilibria in solution. Bioorg Chem 2021; 113:104955. [PMID: 34034134 PMCID: PMC8217309 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104955] [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: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Inconsistent results have been reported for the effects of the mitogen-activating extracellular kinase (MEK) inhibitor α-[amino(4-aminophenyl)thio]methylene-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzeneacetonitrile (SL 327) on ethanol-induced conditioned place preference (EtOH-CPP). Since such inconsistencies may be due to the configurational composition of administered SL 327, the interconvertibility of the geometric isomers of this class of compounds has been investigated. This study provides conditions for determination of configurational composition of this class of compounds by HPLC and by 1H NMR and reports details of configurational equilibria as a function of medium and time in solution along with solubility data for SL 327 in aqueous DMSO. The results suggest that the apparently inconsistent results reported for CPP-EtOH may be due to the administration of suspension vs. solutions, as well as to different configurational compositions of SL 327.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles J McElhinny
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Anita H Lewin
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Larry Brieaddy
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Scott Fix
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Gregory H Imler
- United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Laboratory for Biosensors and Biomaterials, Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Washington, DC 20375, United States
| | - Jeffrey Deschamps
- United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Laboratory for Biosensors and Biomaterials, Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Washington, DC 20375, United States
| | - S Wayne Mascarella
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Herbert H Seltzman
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - P Anantha Reddy
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - F Ivy Carroll
- Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
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10
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Beecher K, Wang J, Jacques A, Chaaya N, Chehrehasa F, Belmer A, Bartlett SE. Sucrose Consumption Alters Serotonin/Glutamate Co-localisation Within the Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus of Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:678267. [PMID: 34262435 PMCID: PMC8273284 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.678267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The overconsumption of sugar-sweetened food and beverages underpins the current rise in obesity rates. Sugar overconsumption induces maladaptive neuroplasticity to decrease dietary control. Although serotonin and glutamate co-localisation has been implicated in reward processing, it is still unknown how chronic sucrose consumption changes this transmission in regions associated with executive control over feeding—such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. To address this, a total of 16 C57Bl6 mice received either 5% w/v sucrose or water as a control for 12 weeks using the Drinking-In-The-Dark paradigm (n = 8 mice per group). We then examined the effects of chronic sucrose consumption on the immunological distribution of serotonin (5-HT), vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3) and 5-HT+/VGLUT3+ co-localised axonal varicosities. Sucrose consumption over 12 weeks decreased the number of 5-HT–/VGLUT3+ and 5-HT+/VGLUT3+ varicosities within the PFC and DG. The number of 5-HT+/VGLUT3– varicosities remained unchanged within the PFC but decreased in the DG following sucrose consumption. Given that serotonin mediates DG neurogenesis through microglial migration, the number of microglia within the DG was also assessed in both experimental groups. Sucrose consumption decreased the number of DG microglia. Although the DG and PFC are associated with executive control over rewarding activities and emotional memory formation, we did not detect a subsequent change in DG neurogenesis or anxiety-like behaviour or depressive-like behaviour. Overall, these findings suggest that the chronic consumption of sugar alters serotonergic neuroplasticity within neural circuits responsible for feeding control. Although these alterations alone were not sufficient to induce changes in neurogenesis or behaviour, it is proposed that the sucrose consumption may predispose individuals to these cognitive deficits which ultimately promote further sugar intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Beecher
- Addiction Neuroscience and Obesity Laboratory, Faculty of Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Joshua Wang
- Addiction Neuroscience and Obesity Laboratory, Faculty of Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Angela Jacques
- Addiction Neuroscience and Obesity Laboratory, Faculty of Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicholas Chaaya
- Addiction Neuroscience and Obesity Laboratory, Faculty of Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Fatemeh Chehrehasa
- Addiction Neuroscience and Obesity Laboratory, Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Arnauld Belmer
- Addiction Neuroscience and Obesity Laboratory, Faculty of Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Selena E Bartlett
- Addiction Neuroscience and Obesity Laboratory, Faculty of Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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11
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Huang G, Thompson SL, Taylor JR. MPEP Lowers Binge Drinking in Male and Female C57BL/6 Mice: Relationship with mGlu5/Homer2/Erk2 Signaling. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:732-742. [PMID: 33587295 PMCID: PMC8076072 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) plays an important role in excessive alcohol use and the mGlu5/Homer2/Erk2 signaling pathway has been implicated in binge drinking. The mGlu5 negative allosteric modulator (NAM) 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride (MPEP) has been shown to reduce binge drinking in male mice, but less is known about its effect on female mice. Here, we sought to determine whether sex differences exists in the effects of MPEP on binge drinking and whether they relate to changes in the MPEP mGlu5/Homer2/Erk2 signaling. METHODS We measured the dose-response effect of MPEP on alcohol consumption in male and female mice using the Drinking in the Dark (DID) paradigm to assess potential sex differences. To rule out possible confounds of MPEP on locomotion, we measured the effects of MPEP on locomotor activity and drinking simultaneously during DID. Lastly, to test whether MPEP-induced changes in alcohol consumption were related to changes in Homer2 or Erk2 expression, we performed qPCR using brain tissue acquired from mice that had undergone 7 days of DID. RESULTS 30 mg/kg MPEP reduced binge alcohol consumption across female and male mice, with no sex differences in the dose-response relationship. Locomotor activity did not mediate the effects of MPEP on alcohol intake, but activity correlated with alcohol intake independent of MPEP. MPEP did not change the expression of Homer2 and Erk2 mRNA in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) or nucleus accumbens in mice whose drinking was reduced by MPEP, relative to saline. There was a positive relationship between alcohol intake and Homer2 expression in the BNST. CONCLUSIONS MPEP reduced alcohol consumption during DID in male and female C57BL/6 mice but did not change Homer2/Erk2 expression. Locomotor activity did not mediate the effects of MPEP on alcohol intake, though it correlated with alcohol intake. Alcohol intake during DID predicted BNST Homer2 expression. These data provide support for the regulation of alcohol consumption by mGlu5 across sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gan Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Summer L. Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jane R. Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychology, Yale University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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12
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Pharmacological inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 increases operant alcohol self-administration in a manner associated with altered pGSK-3β, protein interacting with C kinase and GluA2 protein expression in the reward pathway of male C57BL/6J mice. Behav Pharmacol 2020; 31:15-26. [PMID: 31503067 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) is a constitutively active serine-threonine kinase that regulates numerous signaling pathways and has been implicated in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Alcohol exposure increases GSK-3β (ser9) phosphorylation (pGSK-3β); however, few studies have investigated whether GSK-3 regulates the positive reinforcing effects of alcohol, which drive repetitive drug use. To address this goal, male C57BL/6J mice were trained to lever press on a fixed-ratio 4 schedule of sweetened alcohol or sucrose-only reinforcement in operant conditioning chambers. The GSK-3 inhibitor CHIR 99021 (0-10 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected 45 minutes prior to self-administration sessions. After completion of the self-administration dose-effect curve, potential locomotor effects of the GSK-3 inhibitor were assessed. To determine molecular efficacy, CHIR 99021 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was evaluated on pGSK-3β, GSK-3β, protein interacting with C kinase (PICK1), and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor GluA2 subunit protein expression in amygdala, nucleus accumbens (NAcb), and frontal cortex. Results showed that CHIR 99021 (10 mg/kg) dose-dependently increased alcohol reinforced responding with no effect on sucrose self-administration or locomotor activity. CHIR 99021 (10 mg/kg) significantly decreased pGSK-3β expression in all brain regions tested, reduced PICK1 and increased GluA2 total expression only in the NAcb. We conclude that GSK-3 inhibition increased the reinforcing effects of alcohol in mice. This was associated with reduced pGSK-3β and PICK1, and increased GluA2 expression. Given prior results showing that AMPA receptor activity regulates alcohol self-administration, we propose that signaling through the GSK-3/PICK1/GluA2 molecular pathway drives the positive reinforcing effects of the drug, which are required for abuse liability.
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13
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Gruol DL, Hernandez RV, Roberts A. Alcohol Enhances Responses to High Frequency Stimulation in Hippocampus from Transgenic Mice with Increased Astrocyte Expression of IL-6. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 41:1299-1310. [PMID: 32562098 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00902-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies show that alcohol exposure can induce glial production of neuroimmune factors in the CNS. Of these, IL-6 has gained attention because it is involved in a number of important physiological and pathophysiological processes that could be affected by alcohol-induced CNS production of IL-6, particularly under conditions of excessive alcohol use. For example, IL-6 has been shown to play a role in hippocampal behaviors and synaptic plasticity (long-term potentiation; LTP) associated with memory and learning. Surprisingly, in our in vitro studies of LTP at the Schaffer collateral to CA1 pyramidal neuron synapse in hippocampus from transgenic mice that express elevated levels of astrocyte produced IL-6 (TG), LTP was not altered by the increased levels of IL-6. However, exposure to acute alcohol revealed neuroadaptive changes that served to protect LTP against the alcohol-induced reduction of LTP observed in hippocampus from non-transgenic control mice (WT). Here we examined the induction phase of LTP to assess if presynaptic neuroadaptive changes occurred in the hippocampus of TG mice that contributed to the resistance of LTP to alcohol. Results are consistent with a role for IL-6-induced neuroadaptive effects on presynaptic mechanisms involved in transmitter release in the resistance of LTP to alcohol in hippocampus from the TG mice. These actions are important with respect to a role for IL-6 in physiological and pathophysiological processes in the CNS and in CNS actions of alcohol, especially when excessive alcohol used is comorbid with conditions associated with elevated levels of IL-6 in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna L Gruol
- Neuroscience Department, SR301, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| | - Ruben V Hernandez
- Neuroscience Department, SR301, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Amanda Roberts
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
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14
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Hoffman JL, Faccidomo S, Kim M, Taylor SM, Agoglia AE, May AM, Smith EN, Wong LC, Hodge CW. Alcohol drinking exacerbates neural and behavioral pathology in the 3xTg-AD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2019; 148:169-230. [PMID: 31733664 PMCID: PMC6939615 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2019.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that represents the most common cause of dementia in the United States. Although the link between alcohol use and AD has been studied, preclinical research has potential to elucidate neurobiological mechanisms that underlie this interaction. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that nondependent alcohol drinking exacerbates the onset and magnitude of AD-like neural and behavioral pathology. We first evaluated the impact of voluntary 24-h, two-bottle choice home-cage alcohol drinking on the prefrontal cortex and amygdala neuroproteome in C57BL/6J mice and found a striking association between alcohol drinking and AD-like pathology. Bioinformatics identified the AD-associated proteins MAPT (Tau), amyloid beta precursor protein (APP), and presenilin-1 (PSEN-1) as the main modulators of alcohol-sensitive protein networks that included AD-related proteins that regulate energy metabolism (ATP5D, HK1, AK1, PGAM1, CKB), cytoskeletal development (BASP1, CAP1, DPYSL2 [CRMP2], ALDOA, TUBA1A, CFL2, ACTG1), cellular/oxidative stress (HSPA5, HSPA8, ENO1, ENO2), and DNA regulation (PURA, YWHAZ). To address the impact of alcohol drinking on AD, studies were conducted using 3xTg-AD mice that express human MAPT, APP, and PSEN-1 transgenes and develop AD-like brain and behavioral pathology. 3xTg-AD and wild-type mice consumed alcohol or saccharin for 4 months. Behavioral tests were administered during a 1-month alcohol-free period. Alcohol intake induced AD-like behavioral pathologies in 3xTg-AD mice including impaired spatial memory in the Morris Water Maze, diminished sensorimotor gating as measured by prepulse inhibition, and exacerbated conditioned fear. Multiplex immunoassay conducted on brain lysates showed that alcohol drinking upregulated primary markers of AD pathology in 3xTg-AD mice: Aβ 42/40 ratio in the lateral entorhinal and prefrontal cortex and total Tau expression in the lateral entorhinal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and amygdala at 1-month post alcohol exposure. Immunocytochemistry showed that alcohol use upregulated expression of pTau (Ser199/Ser202) in the hippocampus, which is consistent with late-stage AD. According to the NIA-AA Research Framework, these results suggest that alcohol use is associated with Alzheimer's pathology. Results also showed that alcohol use was associated with a general reduction in Akt/mTOR signaling via several phosphoproteins (IR, IRS1, IGF1R, PTEN, ERK, mTOR, p70S6K, RPS6) in multiple brain regions including hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. Dysregulation of Akt/mTOR phosphoproteins suggests alcohol may target this pathway in AD progression. These results suggest that nondependent alcohol drinking increases the onset and magnitude of AD-like neural and behavioral pathology in 3xTg-AD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Sara Faccidomo
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Michelle Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Seth M Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Abigail E Agoglia
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ashley M May
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Evan N Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - L C Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Clyde W Hodge
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
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15
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Funk D, Coen K, Tamadon S, Lê AD. Effect of chronic alcohol vapor exposure on reinstatement of alcohol seeking induced by U50,488. Neuropharmacology 2019; 148:210-219. [PMID: 30659838 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol dependence and stress are associated with relapse to alcohol during abstinence, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Kappa opioid receptors (KOR) are involved in alcohol reward and in the effects of stress. Previously, in non-dependent rats, we showed that KOR in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) mediate reinstatement of alcohol seeking induced by the selective KOR agonist U50,488. Here, we determine the effects of chronic, intermittent exposure to alcohol vapor on U50,488-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. We also study brain mechanisms involved using the neuronal activity marker Fos and phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38), an intracellular messenger implicated in the effects of KOR stimulation. We trained male Long-Evans rats to self-administer alcohol (12% w/v) and exposed them to alcohol vapor (14 h vapor/10 h air) daily for 24 d or to the control condition, extinguished alcohol-reinforced responding and determined the dose response for U50,488-induced reinstatement. We then determined the effects of vapor exposure on U50,488-induced Fos and p-p38 expression. Vapor-exposed rats were more sensitive to U50,488-induced reinstatement. U50,488 increased Fos expression in brain areas involved in stress-induced relapse, and Fos activation in the ventral BNST was greater in vapor exposed rats. Vapor exposed rats had increased basal p-p38 expression in the dorsal BNST, LC and NTS. Our findings suggest that changes in the neuronal responses to KOR stimulation in the ventral BNST may be involved in the increased sensitivity to U50,488 accompanying dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Funk
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Kathleen Coen
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sahar Tamadon
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - A D Lê
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
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16
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Elibol B, Beker M, Sahbaz CD, Kilic U, Jakubowska-Doğru E. Prenatal ethanol intoxication and maternal intubation stress alter cell survival and apoptosis in the postnatal development of rat hippocampus. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2019. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2019-012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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17
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Clark SL, Costin BN, Chan RF, Johnson AW, Xie L, Jurmain JL, Kumar G, Shabalin AA, Pandey AK, Aberg KA, Miles MF, van den Oord E. A Whole Methylome Study of Ethanol Exposure in Brain and Blood: An Exploration of the Utility of Peripheral Blood as Proxy Tissue for Brain in Alcohol Methylation Studies. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 42:2360-2368. [PMID: 30320886 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent reviews have highlighted the potential use of blood-based methylation biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic tools of current and future alcohol use and addiction. Due to the substantial overlap that often exists between methylation patterns across different tissues, including blood and brain, blood-based methylation may track methylation changes in brain; however, little work has explored the overlap in alcohol-related methylation in these tissues. METHODS To study the effects of alcohol on the brain methylome and identify possible biomarkers of these changes in blood, we performed a methylome-wide association study in brain and blood from 40 male DBA/2J mice that received either an acute ethanol (EtOH) or saline intraperitoneal injection. To investigate all 22 million CpGs in the mouse genome, we enriched for the methylated genomic fraction using methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) protein capture followed by next-generation sequencing (MBD-seq). We performed association tests in blood and brain separately followed by enrichment testing to determine whether there was overlapping alcohol-related methylation in the 2 tissues. RESULTS The top result for brain was a CpG located in an intron of Ttc39b (p = 5.65 × 10-08 ), and for blood, the top result was located in Espnl (p = 5.11 × 10-08 ). Analyses implicated pathways involved in inflammation and neuronal differentiation, such as CXCR4, IL-7, and Wnt signaling. Enrichment tests indicated significant overlap among the top results in brain and blood. Pathway analyses of the overlapping genes converge on MAPKinase signaling (p = 5.6 × 10-05 ) which plays a central role in acute and chronic responses to alcohol and glutamate receptor pathways, which can regulate neuroplastic changes underlying addictive behavior. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we have shown some methylation changes in brain and blood after acute EtOH administration and that the changes in blood partly mirror the changes in brain suggesting the potential for DNA methylation in blood to be biomarkers of alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaunna L Clark
- Department of Psychology , Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine , Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Blair N Costin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Robin F Chan
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine , Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Alexander W Johnson
- Department of Psychology , Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Linying Xie
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine , Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Jessica L Jurmain
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Gaurav Kumar
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine , Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Andrey A Shabalin
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine , Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Ashutosh K Pandey
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology , Center for Integrative and Translational Genomics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Karolina A Aberg
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine , Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Michael F Miles
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Edwin van den Oord
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine , Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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18
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Salling MC, Hodge CJ, Psilos KE, Eastman VR, Faccidomo SP, Hodge CW. Cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behavior is associated with increased CaMKII T286 phosphorylation in the reward pathway of mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2017; 163:20-29. [PMID: 29100991 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking is a hallmark behavioral pathology of addiction. Evidence suggests that reinstatement (e.g., relapse), may be regulated by cell signaling systems that underlie neuroplasticity. A variety of plasticity events require activation of calcium calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in components of the reward pathway, such as the nucleus accumbens and amygdala. We sought to determine if cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behavior is associated with changes in the activation state (e.g., phosphorylation) of CaMKII-T286. Male C57BL/6J mice (n=14) were trained to lever press on a fixed-ratio-4 schedule of sweetened alcohol (2% sucrose+9% EtOH) reinforcement. After 14-d of extinction (no cues or reinforcers), mice underwent a response-contingent reinstatement (n=7) vs. an additional day of extinction (n=7). Brains were removed immediately after the test and processed for evaluation of pCaMKII-T286 immunoreactivity (IR). Number of pCaMKII-T286 positive cells/mm2 was quantified from coronal brain sections using Bioquant Image Analysis software. Mice emitted significantly more responses on the alcohol vs. the inactive lever throughout the baseline phase with average alcohol intake of 1.1±0.03g/kg/1-h. During extinction, responses on the alcohol lever decreased to inactive lever levels by day 7. Significant cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking was observed during a single test with no effects on the inactive lever. Reinstatement was associated with increased pCaMKII-T286 IR specifically in amygdala (LA and BLA), nucleus accumbens (AcbSh), lateral septum, mediodorsal thalamus, and piriform cortex as compared to extinction control. Brain regions showing no change included the dorsal striatum, medial septum, cingulate cortex, habenula, paraventricular thalamus, and ventral hypothalamus. These results show response contingent cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behavior is associated with selective increases in pCaMKII-T286 in specific reward- and memory-related brain regions of male C57BL/6J mice. Primary molecular mechanisms of associative learning and memory may regulate relapse in alcohol addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Salling
- Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building; CB #7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Christopher J Hodge
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building; CB #7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Kelly E Psilos
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building; CB #7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Vallari R Eastman
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building; CB #7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Sara P Faccidomo
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building; CB #7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Clyde W Hodge
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building; CB #7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building; CB #7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building; CB #7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Thurston-Bowles Building; CB #7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
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19
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Rubio-Araiz A, Porcu F, Pérez-Hernández M, García-Gutiérrez MS, Aracil-Fernández MA, Gutierrez-López MD, Guerri C, Manzanares J, O'Shea E, Colado MI. Disruption of blood-brain barrier integrity in postmortem alcoholic brain: preclinical evidence of TLR4 involvement from a binge-like drinking model. Addict Biol 2017; 22:1103-1116. [PMID: 26949123 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species are reported to be involved in blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Because there is evidence that ethanol (EtOH) induces release of free radicals, cytokines and inflammatory mediators we examined BBB integrity and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in postmortem human alcoholic brain and investigated the role of TLR4 signaling in BBB permeability in TLR4-knockout mice under a binge-like EtOH drinking protocol. Immunohistochemical studies showed reduced immunoreactivity of the basal lamina protein, collagen-IV and of the tight junction protein, claudin-5 in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of alcoholics. There was also increased MMP-9 activity and expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and p-38. Greater number of CD45+ IR cells were observed associated with an enhanced neuroinflammatory response reflected by increased GFAP and Iba-1 immunostaining. To further explore effects of high EtOH consumption on BBB integrity we studied TLR4-knockout mice exposed to the drinking in the dark paradigm. Repetitive EtOH exposure in wild-type mice decreased hippocampal expression of laminin and collagen-IV and increased IgG immunoreactivity, indicating IgG extravasation. Western blot analysis also revealed increased MyD88 and p-ERK1/2 levels. None of these changes was observed in TLR4-knockout mice. Collectively, these findings indicate that chronic EtOH increases degradation of tight junctions and extracellular matrix in postmortem human brain and induces a neuroinflammatory response associated with activation of ERK1/2 and p-38 and greater MMP-9 activity. The EtOH-induced effects on BBB impairment are not evident in the hippocampus of TLR4-knockout mice, suggesting the involvement of TLR4 signaling in the underlying mechanism leading to BBB disruption in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rubio-Araiz
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre; Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos del Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
| | - Francesca Porcu
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre; Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos del Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
| | - Mercedes Pérez-Hernández
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre; Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos del Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
| | - Mª Salud García-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Campus de San Juan; Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC; Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos del Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
| | - María Auxiliadora Aracil-Fernández
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Campus de San Juan; Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC; Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos del Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
| | - María Dolores Gutierrez-López
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre; Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos del Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
| | - Consuelo Guerri
- Departamento de Patología Celular; Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe; Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos del Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
| | - Jorge Manzanares
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Campus de San Juan; Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC; Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos del Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
| | - Esther O'Shea
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre; Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos del Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
| | - María Isabel Colado
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre; Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos del Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Spain
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20
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Sun J, Nan G. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathway in neurological diseases: A potential therapeutic target (Review). Int J Mol Med 2017; 39:1338-1346. [PMID: 28440493 PMCID: PMC5428947 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.2962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Signaling pathways are critical modulators of a variety of physiological and pathological processes, and the abnormal activation of some signaling pathways can contribute to disease progression in various conditions. As a result, signaling pathways have emerged as an important tool through which the occurrence and development of diseases can be studied, which may then lead to the development of novel drugs. Accumulating evidence supports a key role for extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling in the embryonic development of the central nervous system (CNS) and in the regulation of adult brain function. ERK1/2, one of the most well characterized members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family, regulates a range of processes, from metabolism, motility and inflammation, to cell death and survival. In the nervous system, ERK1/2 regulates synaptic plasticity, brain development and repair as well as memory formation. ERK1/2 is also a potent effector of neuronal death and neuroinflammation in many CNS diseases. This review summarizes recent findings in neurobiological ERK1/2 research, with a special emphasis on findings that clarify our understanding of the processes that regulate the plethora of isoform-specific ERK functions under physiological and pathological conditions. Finally, we suggest some potential therapeutic strategies associated with agents acting on the ERK1/2 signaling to prevent or treat neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Sun
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, P.R. China
| | - Guangxian Nan
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, P.R. China
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21
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Chen D, Zhang F, Ren H, Luo J, Wang S. Role of cytokines and chemokines in alcohol-induced tumor promotion. Onco Targets Ther 2017; 10:1665-1671. [PMID: 28360527 PMCID: PMC5364014 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s129781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive chronic alcohol consumption has become a worldwide health problem. The oncogenic effect of chronic alcohol consumption is one of the leading concerns. The mechanisms of alcohol-induced tumorigenesis and tumor progression are largely unknown, although many factors have been implicated in the process. This review discusses the recent progress in this research area with concentration on alcohol-induced dysregulation of cytokines and chemokines. Based on the available evidence, we propose that alcohol promotes tumor progression by the dysregulation of the cytokine/chemokine system. In addition, we discuss specific transcription factors and signaling pathways that are involved in the action of these cytokines/chemokines and the oncogenic effect of alcohol. This review provides novel insight into the mechanisms of alcohol-induced tumor promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danlei Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengyun Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Haifeng Ren
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Luo
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Siying Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
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22
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Rosas M, Porru S, Longoni R, Spina L, Peana AT, Collu M, Acquas E. Differential effects of the MEK inhibitor SL327 on the acquisition and expression of ethanol-elicited conditioned place preference and aversion in mice. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:105-114. [PMID: 28072036 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116675514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The involvement of mitogen-activating extracellular kinase (MEK) in place conditioning may vary depending on the motivational sign (positive or negative) and nature (pharmacological or nociceptive) of the unconditioned stimulus (US) and on the phase (acquisition or expression) of the learning process. This study investigated the role of MEK on the acquisition and expression of ethanol-elicited (given 2 g/kg) backward (preference, CPP) and forward (aversion, CPA) place conditioning. The MEK inhibitor SL327 (50 mg/kg for CPP, and 50 and 100 mg/kg for CPA) was administered to CD-1 mice 60 minutes before an ethanol dose (acquisition) or 60 minutes before the post-conditioning tests (expression). Ethanol significantly elicited CPP and CPA; SL327 (50 mg/kg) significantly blocked the acquisition of ethanol-elicited CPP, but not that of CPA. Moreover, SL327 (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the expression of ethanol-elicited CPP, but not that of CPA. Finally, SL327 also prevented ethanol-elicited (given 2 g/kg) increases of phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (pERK)-positive neurons in the nucleus accumbens and other nuclei of the extended amygdala. Overall, these results confirmed the differential involvement of MEK in the acquisition and expression of drug-elicited place conditioning and suggested its differential involvement in distinct behavioral outcomes, depending on the motivational sign of the (same) US and on the significance of the experimental phase of the learning process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Rosas
- 1 Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Simona Porru
- 1 Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rosanna Longoni
- 1 Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Liliana Spina
- 1 Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandra T Peana
- 2 Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Collu
- 3 Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,4 Centre of Excellence in the Neurobiology of Addiction, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Elio Acquas
- 1 Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,4 Centre of Excellence in the Neurobiology of Addiction, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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23
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Teppen TL, Krishnan HR, Zhang H, Sakharkar AJ, Pandey SC. The Potential Role of Amygdaloid MicroRNA-494 in Alcohol-Induced Anxiolysis. Biol Psychiatry 2016; 80:711-719. [PMID: 26786313 PMCID: PMC4882267 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The antianxiety effects of ethanol appear to be a crucial factor in promoting alcohol intake. Regulation of gene expression by microRNA (miRNA) is an important epigenetic mechanism that affects neuronal pathways and behaviors. We investigated the role of miRNAs underlying the mechanisms of ethanol-induced anxiolysis. METHODS Acute ethanol-induced anxiolysis was measured in adult rats, and amygdaloid tissues were used for miRNA profiling by microarray analysis. The expression of miR-494 and its target genes in the amygdala was measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The direct role of miR-494 in the anxiety phenotype was also investigated via infusion of a miR-494 antagomir into the central nucleus of amygdala. RESULTS Microarray profiling of miRNAs in the amygdala showed significant alteration of several miRNA expression levels by acute ethanol exposure. Expression of miR-494 was significantly decreased, whereas expression of the binding protein of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CBP), p300, and Cbp/p300-interacting transactivator 2 (Cited2) was increased in the amygdala during ethanol-induced anxiolysis. Inhibition of miR-494 in the central nucleus of amygdala, through infusion of a specific antagomir, provoked anxiolysis, mimicking the action of ethanol. Also, expression of Cited2, CBP, and p300 as well as histone H3-lysine 9 acetylation was significantly increased by miR-494 antagomir infusion, indicating their regulation by miR-494 in the amygdala. CONCLUSIONS These novel results suggest that acute ethanol-induced reduction in miR-494 expression in the amygdala can serve as a key regulatory mechanism for chromatin remodeling possibly leading to anxiolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara L. Teppen
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL 60612,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Harish R. Krishnan
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL 60612,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Huaibo Zhang
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL 60612,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Amul J. Sakharkar
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL 60612,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Subhash C. Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL 60612,Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL 60612,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center Chicago, IL 60612
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24
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Abstract
The main characteristic of alcohol use disorder is the consumption of large quantities of alcohol despite the negative consequences. The transition from the moderate use of alcohol to excessive, uncontrolled alcohol consumption results from neuroadaptations that cause aberrant motivational learning and memory processes. Here, we examine studies that have combined molecular and behavioural approaches in rodents to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that keep the social intake of alcohol in check, which we term 'stop pathways', and the neuroadaptations that underlie the transition from moderate to uncontrolled, excessive alcohol intake, which we term 'go pathways'. We also discuss post-transcriptional, genetic and epigenetic alterations that underlie both types of pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Ron
- Corresponding author: Dorit Ron, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, BOX 0663, San Francisco, CA 94143-0663,
| | - Segev Barak
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- School of Psychological Sciences and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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25
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Stiuso P, Bagarolo ML, Ilisso CP, Vanacore D, Martino E, Caraglia M, Porcelli M, Cacciapuoti G. Protective Effect of Tyrosol and S-Adenosylmethionine against Ethanol-Induced Oxidative Stress of Hepg2 Cells Involves Sirtuin 1, P53 and Erk1/2 Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17050622. [PMID: 27128904 PMCID: PMC4881448 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17050622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress plays a major role in ethanol-induced liver damage, and agents with antioxidant properties are promising as therapeutic opportunities in alcoholic liver disease. In the present work, we investigated the effect of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), Tyrosol (Tyr), and their combination on HepG2 cells exposed to ethanol exploring the potential molecular mechanisms. We exposed HepG2 cells to 1 M ethanol for 4 and 48 h; thereafter, we recorded a decreased cell viability, increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid accumulation, and the release into culture medium of markers of liver disease such as triacylglycerol, cholesterol, transaminases, albumin, ferritin, and homocysteine. On the other hand, AdoMet and Tyrosol were able to attenuate or antagonize these adverse changes induced by acute exposure to ethanol. The protective effects were paralleled by increased Sirtuin 1 protein expression and nuclear translocation and increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation that were both responsible for the protection of cells from apoptosis. Moreover, AdoMet increased p53 and p21 expression, while Tyrosol reduced p21 expression and enhanced the expression of uncleaved caspase 3 and 9, suggesting that its protective effect may be related to the inhibition of the apoptotic machinery. Altogether, our data show that AdoMet and Tyrosol exert beneficial effects in ethanol-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells and provide a rationale for their potential use in combination in the prevention of ethanol-induced liver damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Stiuso
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Maria Libera Bagarolo
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Concetta Paola Ilisso
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Daniela Vanacore
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Elisa Martino
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Marina Porcelli
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Cacciapuoti
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
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26
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Renteria R, Jeanes ZM, Mangieri RA, Maier EY, Kircher DM, Buske TR, Morrisett RA. Using In Vitro Electrophysiology to Screen Medications: Accumbal Plasticity as an Engram of Alcohol Dependence. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2016; 126:441-65. [PMID: 27055622 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2016.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a central component of the mesocorticolimbic reward system. Increasing evidence strongly implicates long-term synaptic neuroadaptations in glutamatergic excitatory activity of the NAc shell and/or core medium spiny neurons in response to chronic drug and alcohol exposure. Such neuroadaptations likely play a critical role in the development and expression of drug-seeking behaviors. We have observed unique cell-type-specific bidirectional changes in NAc synaptic plasticity (metaplasticity) following acute and chronic intermittent ethanol exposure. Other investigators have also previously observed similar metaplasticity in the NAc following exposure to psychostimulants, opiates, and amazingly, even following an anhedonia-inducing experience. Considering that the proteome of the postsynaptic density likely contains hundreds of biochemicals, proteins and other components and regulators, we believe that there is a large number of potential molecular sites through which accumbal metaplasticity may be involved in chronic alcohol abuse. Many of our companion laboratories are now engaged in identifying and screening medications targeting candidate genes and its products previously linked to maladaptive alcohol phenotypes. We hypothesize that if manipulation of such target genes and their products change NAc plasticity, then that observation constitutes an important validation step for the development of novel therapeutics to treat alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Renteria
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Z M Jeanes
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - R A Mangieri
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - E Y Maier
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - D M Kircher
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - T R Buske
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - R A Morrisett
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
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27
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Schweitzer P, Cates-Gatto C, Varodayan FP, Nadav T, Roberto M, Lasek AW, Roberts AJ. Dependence-induced ethanol drinking and GABA neurotransmission are altered in Alk deficient mice. Neuropharmacology 2016; 107:1-8. [PMID: 26946429 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is expressed in the brain and implicated in alcohol abuse in humans and behavioral responses to ethanol in mice. Previous studies have shown an association of human ALK with acute responses to alcohol and alcohol dependence. In addition, Alk knockout (Alk -/-) mice consume more ethanol in a binge-drinking test and show increased sensitivity to ethanol sedation. However, the function of ALK in excessive drinking following the establishment of ethanol dependence has not been examined. In this study, we tested Alk -/- mice for dependence-induced drinking using the chronic intermittent ethanol-two bottle choice drinking (CIE-2BC) protocol. We found that Alk -/- mice initially consume more ethanol prior to CIE exposure, but do not escalate ethanol consumption after exposure, suggesting that ALK may promote the escalation of drinking after ethanol dependence. To determine the mechanism(s) responsible for this behavioral phenotype we used an electrophysiological approach to examine GABA neurotransmission in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), a brain region that regulates alcohol consumption and shows increased GABA signaling after chronic ethanol exposure. GABA transmission in ethanol-naïve Alk -/- mice was enhanced at baseline and potentiated in response to acute ethanol application when compared to wild-type (Alk +/+) mice. Moreover, basal GABA transmission was not elevated by CIE exposure in Alk -/- mice as it was in Alk +/+ mice. These data suggest that ALK plays a role in dependence-induced drinking and the regulation of presynaptic GABA release in the CeA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Schweitzer
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, SP30-2400, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Chelsea Cates-Gatto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, MB-18, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Florence P Varodayan
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, SP30-2400, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tali Nadav
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, MB-18, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, SP30-2400, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Amy W Lasek
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 West Taylor Street, M/C 912, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Amanda J Roberts
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, MB-18, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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28
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RACK1 promotes maintenance of morphine-associated memory via activation of an ERK-CREB dependent pathway in hippocampus. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20183. [PMID: 26830449 PMCID: PMC4735742 DOI: 10.1038/srep20183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Existence of long-term drug-associated memories may be a crucial factor in drug cravings and relapse. RACK1 plays a critical role in morphine-induced reward. In the present study, we used conditioned place preference (CPP) to assess the acquisition and maintenance of morphine conditioned place preference memory. The hippocampal protein level of RACK1 and synaptic quantitation were evaluated by Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, respectively. Additionally, shRACK1 (shGnb2l1) was used to silence RACK1 in vivo to evaluate the role and the underlying mechanism of RACK1 in maintenance of morphine CPP memory. We found that morphine induced CPP was maintained for at least 7 days after the last morphine treatment, which indicated a positive correlation with hippocampal RACK1 level, and was accompanied simultaneously by increases in the synapse density and hippocampal expression of synaptophysin (SYP), phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (pERK1/2) and the phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding (pCREB). ShGnb2l1 icv injection significantly suppressed the expression of all above proteins, decreased the synapse density in the hippocampus and attenuated the acquisition and maintenance of morphine CPP. Our present study highlights that RACK1 plays an important role in the maintenance of morphine CPP, likely via activation of ERK-CREB pathway in hippocampus.
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29
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Faccidomo S, Salling MC, Galunas C, Hodge CW. Operant ethanol self-administration increases extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in reward-related brain regions: selective regulation of positive reinforcement in the prefrontal cortex of C57BL/6J mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:3417-30. [PMID: 26123321 PMCID: PMC4537834 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3993-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) is activated by ethanol in reward-related brain regions. Accordingly, systemic inhibition of ERK1/2 potentiates ethanol reinforcement. However, the brain region(s) that mediate this effect are unknown. OBJECTIVE This study aims to pharmacologically inhibit ERK1/2 in the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAC), and amygdala (AMY) prior to ethanol or sucrose self-administration, and evaluate effects of operant ethanol self-administration on ERK1/2 phosphorylation (pERK1/2). METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice were trained to lever press on a fixed-ratio-4 schedule of 9% ethanol + 2% sucrose (ethanol) or 2% sucrose (sucrose) reinforcement. Mice were sacrificed immediately after the 30th self-administration session and pERK1/2 immunoreactivity was quantified in targeted brain regions. Additional groups of mice were injected with SL 327 (0-1.7 μg/side) in PFC, NAC, or AMY prior to self-administration. RESULTS pERK1/2 immunoreactivity was significantly increased by operant ethanol (g/kg = 1.21 g/kg; BAC = 54.9 mg/dl) in the PFC, NAC (core and shell), and AMY (central nucleus) as compared to sucrose. Microinjection of SL 327 (1.7 μg) into the PFC selectively increased ethanol self-administration. Intra-NAC injection of SL 327 had no effect on ethanol- but suppressed sucrose-reinforced responding. Intra-AMY microinjection of SL 327 had no effect on either ethanol- or sucrose-reinforced responding. Locomotor activity was unaffected under all conditions. CONCLUSIONS Operant ethanol self-administration increases pERK1/2 activation in the PFC, NAC, and AMY. However, ERK1/2 activity only in the PFC mechanistically regulates ethanol self-administration. These data suggest that ethanol-induced activation of ERK1/2 in the PFC is a critical pharmacological effect that mediates the reinforcing properties of the drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Faccidomo
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Michael C Salling
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Christina Galunas
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Clyde W Hodge
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
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30
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He D, Chen H, Muramatsu H, Lasek AW. Ethanol activates midkine and anaplastic lymphoma kinase signaling in neuroblastoma cells and in the brain. J Neurochem 2015. [PMID: 26206265 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol engages signaling pathways in the brain. Midkine (MDK) is a neurotrophic factor that is over-expressed in the prefrontal cortex of alcoholics. MDK and one of its receptors, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), also regulate behavioral responses to ethanol in mice. The goal of this study was to determine whether MDK and ALK expression and signaling are activated by ethanol. We found that ethanol treatment of neuroblastoma cells increased MDK and ALK expression. We also assessed activation of ALK by ethanol in cells and found that ALK and ALK-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation increased rapidly with ethanol exposure. Similarly, treatment of cells with recombinant MDK protein increased ALK, ERK and STAT3 phosphorylation, suggesting that ethanol may utilize MDK to activate ALK signaling. In support of this, transfection of cells with MDK siRNAs attenuated ALK signaling in response to ethanol. Ethanol also activates ERK signaling in the brain. We found that inhibition of ALK or knockout of MDK attenuated ethanol-induced ERK phosphorylation in mouse amygdala. These results demonstrate that ethanol engages MDK and ALK signaling, which has important consequences for alcohol-induced neurotoxicity and the regulation of behaviors related to alcohol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghong He
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Hu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Hisako Muramatsu
- Faculty of Psychological and Physical Sciences, Aichi Gakuin University, Nisshin, Aichi, Japan
| | - Amy W Lasek
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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31
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Early Life Stress, Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors and Alcohol Use Disorders. Brain Sci 2015; 5:258-74. [PMID: 26136145 PMCID: PMC4588139 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci5030258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is a major driving force in alcohol use disorders (AUDs). It influences how much one consumes, craving intensity and whether an abstinent individual will return to harmful alcohol consumption. We are most vulnerable to the effects of stress during early development, and exposure to multiple traumatic early life events dramatically increases the risk for AUDs. However, not everyone exposed to early life stress will develop an AUD. The mechanisms determining whether an individual’s brain adapts and becomes resilient to the effects of stress or succumbs and is unable to cope with stress remain elusive. Emerging evidence suggests that neuroplastic changes in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) following early life stress underlie the development of AUDs. This review discusses the impact of early life stress on NAc structure and function, how these changes affect cholinergic signaling within the mesolimbic reward pathway and the role nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play in this process. Understanding the neural pathways and mechanism determining stress resilience or susceptibility will improve our ability to identify individuals susceptible to developing AUDs, formulate cognitive interventions to prevent AUDs in susceptible individuals and to elucidate and enhance potential therapeutic targets, such as the nAChRs, for those struggling to overcome an AUD.
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Αlpha 2a-Adrenoceptor Gene Expression and Early Life Stress-Mediated Propensity to Alcohol Drinking in Outbred Rats. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:7154-71. [PMID: 26121187 PMCID: PMC4515647 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120707154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Stressful events early in life, later high alcohol consumption and vulnerability to alcohol use disorder (AUD) are tightly linked. Norepinephrine is highly involved in the stress response and the α2A-adrenoceptor, which is an important regulator of norepinephrine signalling, is a putative target in pharmacotherapy of AUD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of early-life stress and adult voluntary alcohol drinking on the α2A-adrenoceptor. The relative expression and promoter DNA methylation of the Adra2a gene were measured in the hypothalamus, a key brain region in stress regulation. A well-characterized animal model of early-life stress was used in combination with an episodic voluntary drinking in adulthood. Alcohol drinking rats with a history of early-life stress had lower Adra2a expression than drinking rats not exposed to stress. Alcohol intake and Adra2a gene expression were negatively correlated in high-drinking animals, which were predominantly rats subjected to early-life stress. The results provide support for a link between early-life stress, susceptibility for high alcohol consumption, and low Adra2a expression in the hypothalamus. These findings can increase our understanding of the neurobiological basis for vulnerability to initiate risk alcohol consumption and individual differences in the response to α2A-adrenoceptor agonists.
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