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Loftis JM, Ramani S, Firsick EJ, Hudson R, Le-Cook A, Murnane KS, Vandenbark A, Shirley RL. Immunotherapeutic treatment of inflammation in mice exposed to methamphetamine. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1259041. [PMID: 38025429 PMCID: PMC10666795 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1259041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications to treat methamphetamine addiction, including the inflammatory, neurotoxic, and adverse neuropsychiatric effects. We have shown that partial (p)MHC class II constructs (i.e., Recombinant T-cell receptor Ligand - RTL1000), comprised of the extracellular α1 and β1 domains of MHC class II molecules linked covalently to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-35-55 peptide, can address the neuroimmune effects of methamphetamine addiction through its ability to bind to and down-regulate CD74 expression, block macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) signaling, and reduce levels of pro-inflammatory chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). The present study evaluated the effects of our third-generation pMHC II construct, DRmQ, on cognitive function and concentration of inflammatory cytokines in the frontal cortex, a region critical for cognitive functions such as memory, impulse control, and problem solving. Methods Female and male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to methamphetamine (or saline) via subcutaneous (s.c.) injections administered four times per day every other day for 14 days. Following methamphetamine exposure, mice received immunotherapy (DRmQ or ibudilast) or vehicle s.c. injections daily for five days. Cognitive function was assessed using the novel object recognition test (NORT). To evaluate the effects of immunotherapy on inflammation in the frontal cortex, multiplex immunoassays were conducted. ANOVA was used to compare exploration times on the NORT and immune factor concentrations. Results Post hoc analysis revealed increased novel object exploration time in MA-DRmQ treated mice, as compared to MA-VEH treated mice (non-significant trend). One-way ANOVA detected a significant difference across the groups in the concentration of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) (p = 0.03). Post hoc tests indicated that mice treated with methamphetamine and DRmQ or ibudilast had significantly lower levels of MIP-2 in frontal cortex, as compared to mice treated with methamphetamine and vehicle (p > 0.05). Discussion By specifically targeting CD74, our DRQ constructs can block the signaling of MIF, inhibiting the downstream signaling and pro-inflammatory effects that contribute to and perpetuate methamphetamine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M. Loftis
- Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Methamphetamine Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Sankrith Ramani
- Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Evan J. Firsick
- Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Rebekah Hudson
- Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Anh Le-Cook
- Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Kevin S. Murnane
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Arthur Vandenbark
- Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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Huckans M, Fuller BE, Chalker ALN, Adams M, Loftis JM. Plasma Inflammatory Factors Are Associated with Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Problems in Adults with and without Methamphetamine Dependence: An Exploratory Protein Array Study. Front Psychiatry 2015; 6:178. [PMID: 26732994 PMCID: PMC4683192 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES It is hypothesized that immune factors influence addictive behaviors and contribute to relapse. The primary study objectives were to (1) compare neuropsychiatric symptoms across adults with active methamphetamine (MA) dependence, in early remission from MA dependence, and with no history of substance dependence, (2) determine whether active or recent MA dependence affects the expression of immune factors, and (3) evaluate the association between immune factor levels and neuropsychiatric symptoms. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted using between group comparisons and regression analyses to investigate associations among variables. Eighty-four adults were recruited into control (CTL) (n = 31), MA-active (n = 17), or MA-remission (n = 36) groups. Participants completed self-report measures of anxiety, depression, and memory complaints and objective tests of attention and executive function. Blood samples were collected, and a panel of immune factors was measured using multiplex technology. RESULTS Relative to CTLs, MA-dependent adults evidenced greater anxiety and depression during active use (p < 0.001) and remission (p < 0.007), and more attention, memory, and executive problems during remission (p < 0.01) but not active dependence. Regression analyses identified 10 immune factors (putatively associated with cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions) associated with anxiety, depression, and memory problems. CONCLUSION While psychiatric symptoms are present during active MA dependence and remission, at least some cognitive difficulties emerge only during remission. Altered expression of a network of immune factors contributes to neuropsychiatric symptom severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn Huckans
- Research and Development Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences Division, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Bret E Fuller
- Research and Development Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences Division, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Alison L N Chalker
- Research and Development Service, VA Portland Health Care System , Portland, OR , USA
| | - Madeleine Adams
- Research and Development Service, VA Portland Health Care System , Portland, OR , USA
| | - Jennifer M Loftis
- Research and Development Service, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Loftis JM, Huckans M. Substance use disorders: psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms and new targets for therapy. Pharmacol Ther 2013; 139:289-300. [PMID: 23631821 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
An estimated 76.4 million people worldwide meet criteria for alcohol use disorders, and 15.3 million meet criteria for drug use disorders. Given the high rates of addiction and the associated health, economic, and social costs, it is essential to develop a thorough understanding of the impact of substance abuse on mental and physical health outcomes and to identify new treatment approaches for substance use disorders (SUDs). Psychoneuroimmunology is a rapidly expanding, multidisciplinary area of research that may be of particular importance to addiction medicine, as its focus is on the dynamic and complex interactions among behavioral factors, the central nervous system, and the endocrine and immune systems (Ader, 2001). This review, therefore, focuses on: 1) the psychoneuroimmunologic effects of SUDs by substance type and use pattern, and 2) the current and future treatment strategies, including barriers that can impede successful recovery outcomes. Evidence-based psychosocial and pharmacotherapeutic treatments are reviewed. Psychological factors and central nervous system correlates that impact treatment adherence and response are discussed. Several novel therapeutic approaches that are currently under investigation are introduced; translational data from animal and human studies is presented, highlighting immunotherapy as a promising new direction for addiction medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Loftis
- Research and Development Service, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA.
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Loftis JM, Wilhelm CJ, Vandenbark AA, Huckans M. Partial MHC/neuroantigen peptide constructs: a potential neuroimmune-based treatment for methamphetamine addiction. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56306. [PMID: 23460798 PMCID: PMC3584080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2012] [Accepted: 01/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapse rates following current methamphetamine abuse treatments are very high (∼40-60%), and the neuropsychiatric impairments (e.g., cognitive deficits, mood disorders) that arise and persist during remission from methamphetamine addiction likely contribute to these high relapse rates. Pharmacotherapeutic development of medications to treat addiction has focused on neurotransmitter systems with only limited success, and there are no Food and Drug Administration approved pharmacotherapies for methamphetamine addiction. A growing literature shows that methamphetamine alters peripheral and central immune functions and that immune factors such as cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules play a role in the development and persistence of methamphetamine induced neuronal injury and neuropsychiatric impairments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new immunotherapy, partial MHC/neuroantigen peptide construct (RTL551; pI-A(b)/mMOG-35-55), in treating learning and memory impairments induced by repeated methamphetamine exposure. C57BL/6J mice were exposed to two different methamphetamine treatment regimens (using repeated doses of 4 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, s.c.). Cognitive performance was assessed using the Morris water maze and CNS cytokine levels were measured by multiplex assay. Immunotherapy with RTL551 improved the memory impairments induced by repeated methamphetamine exposure in both mouse models of chronic methamphetamine addiction. Treatment with RTL551 also attenuated the methamphetamine induced increases in hypothalamic interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels. Collectively, these initial results indicate that neuroimmune targeted therapies, and specifically RTL551, may have potential as treatments for methamphetamine-induced neuropsychiatric impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Loftis
- Research and Development, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, United States of America.
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