1
|
Zhu C, Li S. Role of CRH in colitis and colitis-associated cancer: a combinative result of central and peripheral effects? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1363748. [PMID: 38616821 PMCID: PMC11010637 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1363748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor family peptides (CRF peptides) comprise corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), urocortin (UCN1), UCN2 and UCN3. CRH is first isolated in the brain and later with UCNs found in many peripheral cells/tissues including the colon. CRH and UCNs function via the two types of receptors, CRF1 and CRF2, with CRH mainly acting on CRF1, UCN1 on both CRF1 &CRF2 and UCN2-3 on CRF2. Compiling evidence shows that CRH participates in inflammation and cancers via both indirect central effects related to stress response and direct peripheral influence. CRH, as a stress-response mediator, plays a significant central role in promoting the development of colitis involving colon motility, immunity and gut flora, while a few anti-colitis results of central CRH are also reported. Moreover, CRH is found to directly influence the motility and immune/inflammatory cells in the colon. Likewise, CRH is believed to be greatly related to tumorigenesis of many kinds of cancers including colon cancer via the central action during chronic stress while the peripheral effects on colitis-associated-colon cancer (CAC) are also proved. We and others observe that CRH/CRF1 plays a significant peripheral role in the development of colitis and CAC in that CRF1 deficiency dramatically suppresses the colon inflammation and CAC. However, up to date, there still exist not many relevant experimental data on this topic, and there seems to be no absolute clearcut between the central and direct peripheral effects of CRH in colitis and colon cancer. Taken together, CRH, as a critical factor in stress and immunity, may participate in colitis and CAC as a centrally active molecule; meanwhile, CRH has direct peripheral effects regulating the development of colitis and CAC, both of which will be summarized in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Shengnan Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhu C, Li S. The peripheral corticotropin releasing factor family's role in vasculitis. Vascul Pharmacol 2024; 154:107275. [PMID: 38184094 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Corticotropin releasing factor family peptides (CRF peptides) include 4 members, corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), Urocortin (UCN1), UCN2 and UCN3. CRF peptides function via the two distinct receptors, CRF1 and CRF2. Among them, CRH/CRF1 has been recognized to influence immunity/inflammation peripherally. Both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of CRH are reported. Likewise, UCNs, peripherally in cardiovascular system have been documented to have both potent protective and harmful effects, with UCN1 acting on both CRF1 & CRF2 and UCN2 & UCN3 on CRF2. We and others also observe protective and detrimental effects of CRF peptides/receptors on vasculature, with the latter of predominantly higher incidence, i.e., they play an important role in the development of vasculitis while in some cases they are found to counteract vascular inflammation. The pro-vasculitis effects of CRH & UCNs include increasing vascular endothelial permeability, interrupting endothelial adherens & tight junctions leading to hyperpermeability, stimulating immune/inflammatory cells to release inflammatory factors, and promoting angiogenesis by VEGF release while the anti-vasculitis effects may be just the opposite, depending on many factors such as different CRF receptor types, species and systemic conditions. Furthermore, CRF peptides' pro-vasculitis effects are found to be likely related to cPLA2 and S1P receptor signal pathway. This minireview will focus on summarizing the peripheral effects of CRF peptides on vasculature participating in the processes of vasculitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Avenue, 101, Nanjing, China
| | - Shengnan Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Avenue, 101, Nanjing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yamawaki H, Futagami S, Sakasegawa N, Murakami M, Agawa S, Ikeda G, Noda H, Kirita K, Gudis K, Higuchi K, Kodaka Y, Ueki N, Iwakiri K. Acotiamide attenuates central urocortin 2-induced intestinal inflammatory responses, and urocortin 2 treatment reduces TNF-α productions in LPS-stimulated macrophage cell lines. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2020; 32:e13813. [PMID: 32030855 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To determine whether central and in vitro administration of urocortin 2 (Ucn 2) affected intestinal inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated rat models and macrophage cell lines and acotiamide modified mucosal inflammation in this model. METHODS Rats were divided into four groups. LPS-stimulated group (n = 4); LPS- and urocortin 2-treated group (n = 4); LPS- and acotiamide-treated group (n = 4); and LPS-, urocortin 2-, and acotiamide-treated group (n = 4). CD68-, CCR2-, and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type 2 (CRHR2)-positive cells were assessed by immunostaining. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured. TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-4 levels were measured by ELISA method. Gastric emptying and small intestinal transit time were determined using Evans blue. KEY RESULTS Central administration of Ucn 2 significantly aggravated infiltrations of CD68- and CCR2-positive cells in the intestinal mucosa of LPS-stimulated rat models compared to those in LPS treatment alone. Interestingly, acotiamide treatment significantly reduced the migrations of both CD68- and CCR2-positive cells in the jejunum of central Ucn 2-treated LPS-stimulated rat models. Acotiamide significantly reduced the expression levels of IkB-α phosphorylation in LPS- and MCP-1-stimulated NR8383 cells. Central administration of Ucn 2 significantly delayed gastric emptying. In contrast, Ucn 2 stimulation significantly reduced TNF-α and IL-6 productions in LPS-stimulated NR8383 cells and astressin B reversed the inhibition of TNF-α production in stimulated NR8383 cells. Acotiamide (30 μmol/L) significantly reduced TNF-α and IL-6 productions in LPS- and MCP-1-stimulated NR8383 cells. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES Central and in vitro treatments of Ucn 2 affected intestinal inflammatory responses, respectively, and acotiamide improved them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Yamawaki
- Division of Gastroenterology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiji Futagami
- Division of Gastroenterology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Makoto Murakami
- Division of Gastroenterology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuhei Agawa
- Division of Gastroenterology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Go Ikeda
- Division of Gastroenterology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroto Noda
- Division of Gastroenterology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kumiko Kirita
- Division of Gastroenterology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katya Gudis
- Division of Gastroenterology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yasuhiro Kodaka
- Division of Gastroenterology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobue Ueki
- Division of Gastroenterology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Contribution of Urocortin to the Development of Excessive Drinking. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 136:275-291. [PMID: 29056154 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system plays a role in alcohol consumption, and its dysregulation can contribute to alcohol use disorder. This system includes four peptide ligands: CRF, urocortin (Ucn)1, Ucn2, and Ucn3. Historically, attention focused on CRF, however, Ucn1 also plays a critical role in excessive alcohol use. This review covers evidence for this contribution and contrasts the role of Ucn1 with CRF. While CRF can promote binge consumption, this regulation occurs through generalized mechanisms that are not specific for alcohol. In contrast, inhibition of Ucn1 action specifically blunts escalation of alcohol drinking. Lesions, genetic knockout, and RNA interference experiments indicate that the centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus is the neuroanatomical source of Ucn1 critical for alcohol drinking. We propose that the contributions of Ucn1 to excessive drinking likely occur through enhancing rewarding properties of alcohol and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, whereas CRF drives dependence-induced drinking at later stages of alcohol use. The transition from occasional binge drinking to dependence intricately depends on CRF system plasticity and coordination of CRF and Ucn1.
Collapse
|
5
|
Futch HS, Croft CL, Truong VQ, Krause EG, Golde TE. Targeting psychologic stress signaling pathways in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2017; 12:49. [PMID: 28633663 PMCID: PMC5479037 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-017-0190-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most prevalent progressive neurodegenerative disease; to date, no AD therapy has proven effective in delaying or preventing the disease course. In the search for novel therapeutic targets in AD, it has been shown that increased chronic psychologic stress is associated with AD risk. Subsequently, biologic pathways underlying psychologic stress have been identified and shown to be able to exacerbate AD relevant pathologies. In this review, we summarize the literature relevant to the association between psychologic stress and AD, focusing on studies investigating the effects of stress paradigms on transgenic mouse models of Amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau pathologies. In recent years, a substantial amount of research has been done investigating a key stress-response mediator, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and its interactions with AD relevant processes. We highlight attempts to target the CRH signaling pathway as a therapeutic intervention in these transgenic mouse models and discuss how targeting this pathway is a promising avenue for further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hunter S. Futch
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, 1149 Newell Drive, PO Box 1000015, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
| | - Cara L. Croft
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, 1149 Newell Drive, PO Box 1000015, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
| | - Van Q. Truong
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, 1149 Newell Drive, PO Box 1000015, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
| | - Eric G. Krause
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, 1149 Newell Drive, PO Box 1000015, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
| | - Todd E. Golde
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, 1149 Newell Drive, PO Box 1000015, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Alon T, Zhou L, Pérez CA, Garfield AS, Friedman JM, Heisler LK. Transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein under the control of the corticotropin-releasing hormone promoter. Endocrinology 2009; 150:5626-32. [PMID: 19854866 PMCID: PMC2795705 DOI: 10.1210/en.2009-0881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CRH is widely expressed in the brain and is of broad functional relevance to a number of physiological processes, including stress response, parturition, immune response, and ingestive behavior. To delineate further the organization of the central CRH network, we generated mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the CRH promoter, using bacterial artificial chromosome technology. Here we validate CRH-GFP transgene expression within specific brain regions and confirm the distribution of central GFP-producing cells to faithfully recapitulate that of CRH-expressing cells. Furthermore, we confirm the functional integrity of a population of GFP-producing cells by demonstrating their opposite responsiveness to nutritional status. We anticipate that this transgenic model will lend itself as a highly tractable tool for the investigation of CRH expression and function in discrete brain regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Alon
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bamberger CM, Minas V, Bamberger AM, Charalampopoulos I, Fragouli Y, Schulte HM, Makrigiannakis A. Expression of urocortin in the extravillous human trophoblast at the implantation site. Placenta 2006; 28:127-32. [PMID: 16698078 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2006.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2005] [Revised: 03/22/2006] [Accepted: 03/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Urocortin (UCN) is a 40 amino acid peptide which is closely related to corticotropin-releasing hormone and binds with high affinity to both CRH type 1 and type 2 receptors. UCN is expressed in human reproductive tissues including endometrium, ovary, and placenta. This study was designed to investigate the cellular localization of UCN at the implantation site of the human blastocyst, as well as the regulation of the UCN promoter by two major intracellular signaling pathways, the cAMP/PKA and diacylglycerol/PKC pathways, in cells of placental origin. For this reason, immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue sections from paraffin-embedded human first trimester placentas and freshly isolated human invasive extravillous trophoblast cells (EVT) were analyzed for UCN expression using RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. Finally, UCN promoter activity was analyzed in the JEG3 human choriocarcinoma cell line. Immunohistochemistry revealed expression of UCN in the cytotrophoblast, the EVT and decidual cells. Both UCN mRNA and peptide were detectable in freshly isolated EVT. Finally, a human UCN promoter luciferase reporter construct transfected into JEG3 cells was significantly inducible by phorbol ester plus ionomycin, but not by phorbol ester alone or by forskolin. Collectively, the present study reports the expression of UCN in EVT and the activation of the UCN gene promoter by the diacylglycerol/PKC pathway. The functional significance of urocortin for the physiology of EVT requires further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C M Bamberger
- Center of Internal Medicine, Department of Gynecopathology, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg 22767, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Charalampopoulos I, Androulidaki A, Minas V, Chatzaki E, Tsatsanis C, Notas G, Xidakis C, Kolios G, Kouroumalis E, Margioris AN, Gravanis A. Neuropeptide urocortin and its receptors are expressed in rat Kupffer cells. Neuroendocrinology 2006; 84:49-57. [PMID: 17090973 DOI: 10.1159/000096827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2006] [Accepted: 09/01/2006] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The stress neuropeptides, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and urocortin (UCN), modulate the inflammatory response via the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and locally, in a paracrine manner, act on mast and macrophage cells. Kupffer cells (KCs) are the resident macrophages of the liver. They represent the bulk of tissue macrophages in the body and they are the first to face invading noxious agents reaching the body via the portal circulation. The aim of the present report was to study the expression of the CRH system in rat KC and test its functionality. Our findings are as follows: (1) In highly purified KCs the transcripts of UCN, of its receptors CRHR1, CRHR2 and that of the pseudoreceptor CRH-binding protein (CRHBP) were present while that of CRH was not detectable. (2) Similarly, immunoreactive UCN, CRHR1, CRHR2 and CRHBP were easily detectable by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence in sections of whole rat liver (localized in KC) as well as in purified KC while CRH was again not detectable. (3) Exposure of purified KC to CRH or UCN suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha production, an effect completely prevented by the CRHR1 and CRHR2 receptor antagonist astressin. Our data demonstrate the presence of UCN and its receptors in rat KC, the absence of CRH, and the functionality of these receptors. We propose that a UCN-based system may affect local inflammatory phenomena in the liver acting in a paracrine manner.
Collapse
|
9
|
Choy MY, Leung TN, Leung PS, Lau TK. Effect of hypoxia on urocortin production in human gestational trophoblasts in vitro. Am J Reprod Immunol 2005; 52:118-23. [PMID: 15274651 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2004.00200.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Urocortin is produced by the placenta throughout pregnancy but its regulation remains unknown. The effect of hypoxia on placental urocortin production is not known. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of in vitro hypoxia on human trophoblastic urocortin production. METHOD OF STUDY Placental explants and primary cultures were incubated in anaerobe hypoxic bags for 24 h in a humidified incubator. Urocortin peptide secretion and mRNA (messenger RNA) production was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Morphological and functional integrity was verified by immunohistochemical analysis of urocortin expression. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression was used to verify the generation of cellular hypoxia in our in vitro system. RESULTS Hypoxia did not affect urocortin secretion or mRNA expression in explant and single-cell cultures. Production was greater from first trimester than term explants and from single-cell primary cultures more than from explant cultures. CONCLUSIONS Hypoxia does not influence human placental urocortin secretion or mRNA expression in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei Y Choy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cepeda MS, Bonney I, Weiss JM, Moyano J, Carr DB. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) produces analgesia in a thermal injury model independent of its effect on systemic beta-endorphin and corticosterone. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 118:39-43. [PMID: 14759555 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2003.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2003] [Revised: 10/07/2003] [Accepted: 10/14/2003] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
To determine separately the effect of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) on analgesia and on inflammation, rats were assigned to receive CRH 60 microg/kg, CRH 300 microg/kg, morphine 4 mg/kg, or normal saline intravenously 15 min before a burn injury. Two mesh chambers that allowed collection of fluid had been previously implanted subdermally in each rat. The skin overlying the right chamber was subject to thermal injury. The left chamber served as a control. We assessed systemic analgesia, and levels of beta-endorphin and corticosterone in plasma and in chamber fluid before, 1, 4 and 24 h after drug administration. The CRH groups exhibited longer tail flick latencies than the control group (P=0.0001) although the increase in latency was of smaller magnitude than in the morphine group. We did not observe a CRH dose response for analgesia. Plasma corticosterone levels were higher in the CRH 300 microg/kg group than in the normal saline group at 4 h (P=0.03). Levels of beta-endorphin in plasma as well as the levels of corticosterone and beta-endorphin in chambers were similar in the CRH 300 microg/kg group and in the normal saline group (all P values>0.1). Thus, systemically administered CRH produces analgesia in thermal injury independent of its effect on these two markers of local or systemic inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Soledad Cepeda
- Department of Anesthesia, San Ignacio Hospital, Javeriana University School of Medicine, Bogota, Colombia
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Energy balance is maintained via a homeostatic system involving both the brain and the periphery. A key component of this system is the hypothalamus. Over the past two decades, major advances have been made in identifying an increasing number of peptides within the hypothalamus that contribute to the process of energy homeostasis. Under stable conditions, equilibrium exists between anabolic peptides that stimulate feeding behavior, as well as decrease energy expenditure and lipid utilization in favor of fat storage, and catabolic peptides that attenuate food intake, while stimulating sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity and restricting fat deposition by increasing lipid metabolism. The equilibrium between these neuropeptides is dynamic in nature. It shifts across the day-night cycle and from day to day and also in response to dietary challenges as well as peripheral energy stores. These shifts occur in close relation to circulating levels of the hormones, leptin, insulin, ghrelin and corticosterone, and also the nutrients, glucose and lipids. These circulating factors together with neural processes are primary signals relaying information regarding the availability of fuels needed for current cellular demand, in addition to the level of stored fuels needed for long-term use. Together, these signals have profound impact on the expression and production of neuropeptides that, in turn, initiate the appropriate anabolic or catabolic responses for restoring equilibrium. In this review, we summarize the evidence obtained on nine peptides in the hypothalamus that have emerged as key players in this process. Data from behavioral, physiological, pharmacological and genetic studies are described and consolidated in an attempt to formulate a clear statement on the underlying function of each of these peptides and also on how they work together to create and maintain energy homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah F Leibowitz
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Elenkov IJ. Systemic stress-induced Th2 shift and its clinical implications. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2003; 52:163-86. [PMID: 12498104 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7742(02)52009-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ilia J Elenkov
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bachtell RK, Tsivkovskaia NO, Ryabinin AE. Strain differences in urocortin expression in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus and its relation to alcohol-induced hypothermia. Neuroscience 2002; 113:421-34. [PMID: 12127099 DOI: 10.1016/s0306-4522(02)00174-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The Edinger-Westphal nucleus is the primary source of urocortin in rodent brain. Mapping of inducible transcription factors has shown that the Edinger-Westphal nucleus is preferentially sensitive to ethanol self-administration. In the present study we have immunohistochemically compared expression of urocortin and c-Fos in naive and ethanol-treated C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mouse inbred strains. We found that C57BL/6J mice possess significantly higher numbers of urocortin-expressing cells in the Edinger-Westphal compared to DBA/2J mice. Subsequent histological analysis confirmed a lower number of large neurons in the DBA/2J Edinger-Westphal nucleus. Surprisingly, despite the differences in structure, no strain differences were observed in the number of c-Fos-containing cells after acute (0.6-4.8 g/kg, i.p.) and repeated (2.4 g/kg, 14 days, one injection/day) administration of ethanol. Double-label immunohistochemistry showed that ethanol-induced c-Fos expression is present in different sets of Edinger-Westphal cells between the strains. Specifically, expression of c-Fos in C57BL/6J mice is preferentially induced in urocortin cells, while c-Fos in DBA/2J mice occurs in a mixed population of cells. Behavioral analysis of the B6D2 F2 intercross, a heterogeneous mouse strain, showed that the number of urocortin cells is positively correlated with basal temperatures and ethanol-induced hypothermia. Involvement of the Edinger-Westphal in alcohol-induced hypothermia is further confirmed by analysis of urocortin cells in the HOT/COLD selected lines. These results provide evidence that C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice have structural differences in the Edinger-Westphal that can result in activation of different populations of neurons upon alcohol intoxication contributing to differential thermoregulation between these inbred strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R K Bachtell
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, L470, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Mattson MP. Brain evolution and lifespan regulation: conservation of signal transduction pathways that regulate energy metabolism. Mech Ageing Dev 2002; 123:947-53. [PMID: 12044943 DOI: 10.1016/s0047-6374(02)00032-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms for sensing, acquiring, storing and using energy are fundamental to the survival of organisms at all levels of the phylogenetic scale. Single-cell organisms evolved surface receptors that sense an energy source and, via signal transduction pathways that couple the receptors to the cell cytoskeleton move towards the energy source. Mutlicellular organisms evolved under conditions that favored species that developed complex mechanisms for obtaining food, with nervous systems being critical mediators of energy acquisition and regulators of energy metabolism. A conserved signaling system involved in regulating cellular and organismal energy metabolism, and in sensing and responding to energy/food-related environmental signals, involves receptors coupled to the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-Akt signaling pathway. Prominent activators of this pathway are insulin, insulin-like growth factors and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Recent studies in diverse organisms including nematodes, flies and rodents have provided evidence that insulin-like signaling in the nervous system can control lifespan, perhaps by modulating stress responses and energy metabolism. Interestingly, the lifespan-extending effect of dietary restriction in rodents is associated with increased BDNF signaling in the brain, and a related increase of peripheral insulin sensitivity, suggesting a mechanism whereby the brain can control lifespan. Thus a prominent evolutionarily conserved function of the nervous system is to regulate food acquisition and energy metabolism, thereby controlling lifespan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Mattson
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Gerontology Research Center 4F01, 5600 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| |
Collapse
|