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Jankovic T, Bogicevic M, Knezevic NN. The role of nitric oxide and hormone signaling in chronic stress, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 590:112266. [PMID: 38718853 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
This paper provides a summary of the role of nitric oxide (NO) and hormones in the development of chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These mental health conditions are prevalent globally and involve complex molecular interactions. Although there is a significant amount of research and therapeutic options available, the underlying mechanisms of these disorders are still not fully understood. The primary pathophysiologic processes involved in chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD include dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the intracellular influence of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) on transcription factors, an inflammatory response with the formation of nitrergic oxidative species, and reduced serotonergic transmission in the dorsal raphe nucleus. Despite the extensive literature on this topic, there is a great need for further research to clarify the complexities inherent in these pathways, with the primary aim of improving psychiatric care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Jankovic
- Department of Anesthesiology, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Marko Bogicevic
- Department of Anesthesiology, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Nebojsa Nick Knezevic
- Department of Anesthesiology, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA.
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2
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Fronza MG, Ferreira BF, Pavan-Silva I, Guimarães FS, Lisboa SF. "NO" Time in Fear Response: Possible Implication of Nitric-Oxide-Related Mechanisms in PTSD. Molecules 2023; 29:89. [PMID: 38202672 PMCID: PMC10779493 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010089] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by persistent fear responses and altered neurotransmitter functioning due to traumatic experiences. Stress predominantly affects glutamate, a neurotransmitter crucial for synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Activation of the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate glutamate receptors (NMDAR) can trigger the formation of a complex comprising postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD95), the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and its adaptor protein (NOS1AP). This complex is pivotal in activating nNOS and nitric oxide (NO) production, which, in turn, activates downstream pathways that modulate neuronal signaling, including synaptic plasticity/transmission, inflammation, and cell death. The involvement of nNOS and NOS1AP in the susceptibility of PTSD and its comorbidities has been widely shown. Therefore, understanding the interplay between stress, fear, and NO is essential for comprehending the maintenance and progression of PTSD, since NO is involved in fear acquisition and extinction processes. Moreover, NO induces post-translational modifications (PTMs), including S-nitrosylation and nitration, which alter protein function and structure for intracellular signaling. Although evidence suggests that NO influences synaptic plasticity and memory processing, the specific role of PTMs in the pathophysiology of PTSD remains unclear. This review highlights pathways modulated by NO that could be relevant to stress and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana G. Fronza
- Pharmacology Departament, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil; (M.G.F.); (B.F.F.); (I.P.-S.)
| | - Bruna F. Ferreira
- Pharmacology Departament, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil; (M.G.F.); (B.F.F.); (I.P.-S.)
| | - Isabela Pavan-Silva
- Pharmacology Departament, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil; (M.G.F.); (B.F.F.); (I.P.-S.)
| | - Francisco S. Guimarães
- Pharmacology Departament, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil; (M.G.F.); (B.F.F.); (I.P.-S.)
| | - Sabrina F. Lisboa
- Pharmacology Departament, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil; (M.G.F.); (B.F.F.); (I.P.-S.)
- Biomolecular Sciences Department, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14040-903, Brazil
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3
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Zhu LJ, Li F, Zhu DY. nNOS and Neurological, Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A 20-Year Story. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1439-1453. [PMID: 37074530 PMCID: PMC10113738 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01060-7] [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: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In the central nervous system, nitric oxide (NO), a free gas with multitudinous bioactivities, is mainly produced from the oxidation of L-arginine by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). In the past 20 years, the studies in our group and other laboratories have suggested a significant involvement of nNOS in a variety of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In particular, the interactions between the PDZ domain of nNOS and its adaptor proteins, including post-synaptic density 95, the carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand of nNOS, and the serotonin transporter, significantly influence the subcellular localization and functions of nNOS in the brain. The nNOS-mediated protein-protein interactions provide new attractive targets and guide the discovery of therapeutic drugs for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we summarize the work on the roles of nNOS and its association with multiple adaptor proteins on neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Dong-Ya Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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Bassil K, Krontira AC, Leroy T, Escoto AIH, Snijders C, Pernia CD, Pasterkamp RJ, de Nijs L, van den Hove D, Kenis G, Boks MP, Vadodaria K, Daskalakis NP, Binder EB, Rutten BPF. In vitro modeling of the neurobiological effects of glucocorticoids: A review. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 23:100530. [PMID: 36891528 PMCID: PMC9986648 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA)axis dysregulation has long been implicated in stress-related disorders such as major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are released from the adrenal glands as a result of HPA-axis activation. The release of GCs is implicated with several neurobiological changes that are associated with negative consequences of chronic stress and the onset and course of psychiatric disorders. Investigating the underlying neurobiological effects of GCs may help to better understand the pathophysiology of stress-related psychiatric disorders. GCs impact a plethora of neuronal processes at the genetic, epigenetic, cellular, and molecular levels. Given the scarcity and difficulty in accessing human brain samples, 2D and 3D in vitro neuronal cultures are becoming increasingly useful in studying GC effects. In this review, we provide an overview of in vitro studies investigating the effects of GCs on key neuronal processes such as proliferation and survival of progenitor cells, neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, neuronal activity, inflammation, genetic vulnerability, and epigenetic alterations. Finally, we discuss the challenges in the field and offer suggestions for improving the use of in vitro models to investigate GC effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Bassil
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Anthi C Krontira
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Leroy
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alana I H Escoto
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Clara Snijders
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Cameron D Pernia
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Laurence de Nijs
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel van den Hove
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Gunter Kenis
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Marco P Boks
- Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Krishna Vadodaria
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, San Diego, United States
| | | | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Bart P F Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Candemir E, Fattakhov N, Leary AO, Slattery DA, Courtney MJ, Reif A, Freudenberg F. Disrupting the nNOS/NOS1AP interaction in the medial prefrontal cortex impairs social recognition and spatial working memory in mice. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 67:66-79. [PMID: 36513018 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and its interacting protein NOS1AP have been linked to several mental disorders including schizophrenia and depression. An increase in the interaction between nNOS and NOS1AP in the frontal cortex has been suggested to contribute to the emergence of these disorders. Here we aimed to uncover whether disruption of their interactions in the frontal cortex leads to mental disorder endophenotypes. Targeting the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), we stereotaxically injected wild-type C57BL/6J mice with recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) expressing either full-length NOS1AP, the nNOS binding region of NOS1AP (i.e. NOS1AP396-503), or the nNOS amino-terminus (i.e. nNOS1-133), which was shown to disrupt the interaction of endogenous nNOS with PSD-95. We tested these mice in a comprehensive behavioural battery, assessing different endophenotypes related to mental disorders. We found no differences in anxiety-related and exploratory behaviours. Likewise, social interaction was comparable in all groups. However, social recognition was impaired in NOS1AP and NOS1AP396-503 mice. These mice, as well as mice overexpressing nNOS1-133 also displayed impaired spatial working memory (SWM) capacity, while spatial reference memory (SRM) remained intact. Finally, mice overexpressing NOS1AP and nNOS1-133, but not NOS1AP396-503, failed to habituate to the startling pulses in an acoustic startle response (ASR) paradigm, though we found no difference in overall startle intensity or prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the ASR. Our findings indicate a distinct role of NOS1AP/nNOS/PSD-95 interactions in the mPFC to contribute to specific endophenotypic changes observed in different mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esin Candemir
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Graduate School of Life Sciences, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nikolai Fattakhov
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Aet O Leary
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - David A Slattery
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michael J Courtney
- Neuronal Signalling Laboratory, Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Andreas Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Florian Freudenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Matsuura S, Nishimoto Y, Endo A, Shiraki H, Suzuki K, Segi-Nishida E. Hippocampal Inflammation and Gene Expression Changes in Peripheral Lipopolysaccharide Challenged Mice Showing Sickness and Anxiety-Like Behaviors. Biol Pharm Bull 2023; 46:1176-1183. [PMID: 37661396 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b22-00729] [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] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is often associated with the development of depressive and anxiety disorders. The hippocampus is one of the brain regions affected by inflammation that is associated with these symptoms. However, the mechanism of hippocampal inflammation-induced emotional behavior remains unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify temporal changes in the neuroinflammatory responses in the hippocampus and the response of dentate gyrus (DG) neurons using peripheral lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged mice. LPS administration induced anxiety-like activity in the elevated plus maze test and social interaction test after 24 h, at which time the mice had recovered from sickness behavior. We examined the hippocampal inflammation-related gene expression changes over time. The expression of interleukin-1β (Il1b) and tumor necrosis factor α (Tnfa) was rapidly enhanced and sustained until 24 h after LPS administration, whereas the expression of Il6 was transiently induced at approx. 6 h. IL-6-dependent downstream signaling of transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was also activated approx. 3-6 h after LPS treatment. The expression of innate immune genes including interferon-induced transmembrane proteins such as interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (Ifitm1) and Ifitm3 and complement factors such as C1qa and C1qb started to increase approx. 6 h and showed sustained or further increase at 24 h. We also examined changes in the expression of several maturation markers in the DG and found that LPS enhanced the expression of calbindin 1 (Calb1), tryptophan-2,3-dioxigenase 2 (Tdo2), Il1rl, and neurotrophin-3 (Ntf3) at 24 h after LPS treatment. Collectively, these results demonstrate temporal changes of inflammation and gene expression in the hippocampus in LPS-induced sickness and anxiety-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumire Matsuura
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Yuki Nishimoto
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Akane Endo
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Hirono Shiraki
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Kanzo Suzuki
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science
| | - Eri Segi-Nishida
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science
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Bassil K, De Nijs L, Rutten BPF, Van Den Hove DLA, Kenis G. In vitro modeling of glucocorticoid mechanisms in stress-related mental disorders: Current challenges and future perspectives. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1046357. [DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1046357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, in vitro models has been attracting a great deal of attention for the investigation of a number of mechanisms underlying neurological and mental disorders, including stress-related disorders, for which human brain material has rarely been available. Neuronal cultures have been extensively used to investigate the neurobiological effects of stress hormones, in particular glucocorticoids. Despite great advancements in this area, several challenges and limitations of studies attempting to model and investigate stress-related mechanisms in vitro exist. Such experiments often come along with non-standardized definitions stress paradigms in vitro, variations in cell models and cell types investigated, protocols with differing glucocorticoid concentrations and exposure times, and variability in the assessment of glucocorticoid-induced phenotypes, among others. Hence, drawing consensus conclusions from in-vitro stress studies is challenging. Addressing these limitations and aligning methodological aspects will be the first step towards an improved and standardized way of conducting in vitro studies into stress-related disorders, and is indispensable to reach the full potential of in vitro neuronal models. Here, we consider the most important challenges that need to be overcome and provide initial guidelines to achieve improved use of in vitro neuronal models for investigating mechanisms underlying the development of stress-related mental disorders.
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Role of the glycoprotein thorns in anxious effects of rabies virus: Evidence from an animal study. Brain Res Bull 2022; 185:107-116. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Ham HJ, Lee YS, Lee HP, Ham YW, Yun J, Han SB, Hong JT. G721-0282 Exerts Anxiolytic-Like Effects on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Mice Through Inhibition of Chitinase-3-Like 1-Mediated Neuroinflammation. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:793835. [PMID: 35345530 PMCID: PMC8957088 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.793835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress is thought to be a major contributor to the onset of mental disorders such as anxiety disorders. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between anxiety state and neuroinflammation, but the detailed mechanism is unclear. Chitinase-3-like 1 (CHI3L1) is expressed in several chronic inflammatorily damaged tissues and is well known to play a major role in mediating inflammatory responses. In the present study, we investigated the anxiolytic-like effect of N-Allyl-2-[(6-butyl-1,3-dimethyl-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)sulfanyl]acetamide (G721-0282), an inhibitor of CHI3L1, on mice treated with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), as well as the mechanism of its action. We examined the anxiolytic-like effect of G721-0282 by conducting several behavioral tests with oral administration of G721-0282 to CUMS-treated BALB/c male mice. We found that administration of G721-0282 relieves CUMS-induced anxiety. Anxiolytic-like effects of G721-0282 have been shown to be associated with decreased expressions of CUMS-induced inflammatory proteins and cytokines in the hippocampus. The CUMS-elevated levels of CHI3L1 and IGFBP3 were inhibited by treatment with G721-0282 in vivo and in vitro. However, CHI3L1 deficiency abolished the anti-inflammatory effects of G721-0282 in microglial BV-2 cells. These results suggest that G721-0282 could lower CUMS-induced anxiety like behaviors by regulating IGFBP3-mediated neuroinflammation via inhibition of CHI3L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeon Joo Ham
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Yong Sun Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Hee Pom Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Young Wan Ham
- Department of Chemistry, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT, United States
| | - Jaesuk Yun
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Sang Bae Han
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Jin Tae Hong
- College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Jin Tae Hong,
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Pan S, Ma Y, Yang R, Lu X, You Q, Ye T, Huang C. Indole-3-Carbinol Selectively Prevents Chronic Stress-Induced Depression-but not Anxiety-Like Behaviors via Suppressing Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production and Oxido-Nitrosative Stress in the Brain. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:829966. [PMID: 35242039 PMCID: PMC8886242 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.829966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a phytochemical enriched in most cruciferous vegetables, has been shown to display various biological activities such as anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, and anti-carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effect of I3C on chronic stress-induced behavioral abnormalities in mice. Results showed that repeated I3C treatment at the dose of 10, 30, and 60 mg/kg prevented chronic social defeat stress (CSDS)-induced behavioral abnormalities in the tail suspension test, forced swimming test, sucrose preference test, and social interaction test in mice, and did not affect CSDS-induced behavioral abnormalities in the elevated plus maze, light-dark test, and open-field test, suggesting that the I3C treatment selectively prevents the onset of depression- but not anxiety-like behaviors in chronically stressed mice. Further analysis demonstrated that repeated I3C treatment (60 mg/kg, 10 days) prevented CSDS-induced increases in levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA and protein, but did not affect CSDS-induced decreases in levels of IL-4, IL-10, and Ym-1 mRNA and/or protein in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, suggesting that I3C can selectively prevent chronic stress-induced pro-inflammatory but not anti-inflammatory responses in the brain. Further analysis showed that repeated I3C treatment (60 mg/kg, 10 days) prevented CSDS-induced increases in levels of nitrite and malondialdehyde (MDA), decreases in contents of glutathione (GSH), and decreases in levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These results demonstrated that I3C selectively prevents chronic stress-induced depression-like behaviors in mice likely through suppressing neuroinflammation and oxido-nitrosative stress in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengying Pan
- Department of Neurology, The People's Hospital of Danyang, Affiliated Danyang Hospital of Nantong University, Danyang, China
| | - Yaoying Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Rongrong Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xu Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Qingsheng You
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ting Ye
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Chao Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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Hippocampal overexpression of NOS1AP promotes endophenotypes related to mental disorders. EBioMedicine 2021; 71:103565. [PMID: 34455393 PMCID: PMC8403735 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP; previously named CAPON) is linked to the glutamatergic postsynaptic density through interaction with neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). NOS1AP and its interaction with nNOS have been associated with several mental disorders. Despite the high levels of NOS1AP expression in the hippocampus and the relevance of this brain region in glutamatergic signalling as well as mental disorders, a potential role of hippocampal NOS1AP in the pathophysiology of these disorders has not been investigated yet. METHODS To uncover the function of NOS1AP in hippocampus, we made use of recombinant adeno-associated viruses to overexpress murine full-length NOS1AP or the NOS1AP carboxyterminus in the hippocampus of mice. We investigated these mice for changes in gene expression, neuronal morphology, and relevant behavioural phenotypes. FINDINGS We found that hippocampal overexpression of NOS1AP markedly increased the interaction of nNOS with PSD-95, reduced dendritic spine density, and changed dendritic spine morphology at CA1 synapses. At the behavioural level, we observed an impairment in social memory and decreased spatial working memory capacity. INTERPRETATION Our data provide a mechanistic explanation for a highly selective and specific contribution of hippocampal NOS1AP and its interaction with the glutamatergic postsynaptic density to cross-disorder pathophysiology. Our findings allude to therapeutic relevance due to the druggability of this molecule. FUNDING This study was funded in part by the DFG, the BMBF, the Academy of Finland, the NIH, the Japanese Society of Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology, the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, and the European Community.
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12
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Sefiani A, Geoffroy CG. The Potential Role of Inflammation in Modulating Endogenous Hippocampal Neurogenesis After Spinal Cord Injury. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:682259. [PMID: 34220440 PMCID: PMC8249862 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.682259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently there are approximately 291,000 people suffering from a spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States. SCI is associated with traumatic changes in mobility and neuralgia, as well as many other long-term chronic health complications, including metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, osteoporosis, and elevated inflammatory markers. Due to medical advances, patients with SCI survive much longer than previously. This increase in life expectancy exposes them to novel neurological complications such as memory loss, cognitive decline, depression, and Alzheimer's disease. In fact, these usually age-associated disorders are more prevalent in people living with SCI. A common factor of these disorders is the reduction in hippocampal neurogenesis. Inflammation, which is elevated after SCI, plays a major role in modulating hippocampal neurogenesis. While there is no clear consensus on the mechanism of the decline in hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition after SCI, we will examine in this review how SCI-induced inflammation could modulate hippocampal neurogenesis and provoke age-associated neurological disorders. Thereafter, we will discuss possible therapeutic options which may mitigate the influence of SCI associated complications on hippocampal neurogenesis.
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Ferrer-Pérez C, Reguilón MD, Miñarro J, Rodríguez-Arias M. Oxytocin Signaling as a Target to Block Social Defeat-Induced Increases in Drug Abuse Reward. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052372. [PMID: 33673448 PMCID: PMC7956822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is huge scientific interest in the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) due to its putative capacity to modulate a wide spectrum of physiological and cognitive processes including motivation, learning, emotion, and the stress response. The present review seeks to increase the understanding of the role of OXT in an individual’s vulnerability or resilience with regard to developing a substance use disorder. It places specific attention on the role of social stress as a risk factor of addiction, and explores the hypothesis that OXT constitutes a homeostatic response to stress that buffers against its negative impact. For this purpose, the review summarizes preclinical and clinical literature regarding the effects of OXT in different stages of the addiction cycle. The current literature affirms that a well-functioning oxytocinergic system has protective effects such as the modulation of the initial response to drugs of abuse, the attenuation of the development of dependence, the blunting of drug reinstatement and a general anti-stress effect. However, this system is dysregulated if there is continuous drug use or chronic exposure to stress. In this context, OXT is emerging as a promising pharmacotherapy to restore its natural beneficial effects in the organism and to help rebalance the functions of the addicted brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Ferrer-Pérez
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, C/Ciudad Escolar s/n, 44003 Teruel, Spain;
| | - Marina D. Reguilón
- Unit of Research Psychobiology of Drug Dependence, Department of Psychobiology, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.D.R.); (J.M.)
| | - José Miñarro
- Unit of Research Psychobiology of Drug Dependence, Department of Psychobiology, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.D.R.); (J.M.)
| | - Marta Rodríguez-Arias
- Unit of Research Psychobiology of Drug Dependence, Department of Psychobiology, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.D.R.); (J.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Ishola IO, Katola FO, Adeyemi OO. Involvement of GABAergic and nitrergic systems in the anxiolytic and hypnotic effects of Curcuma longa: its interaction with anxiolytic-hypnotics. Drug Metab Pers Ther 2020; 0:dmdi-2020-0147. [PMID: 33780193 DOI: 10.1515/dmdi-2020-0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Concurrent use of herbs with drugs have become a major healthcare problem. Herb-drug interactions could lead to therapeutic failure or toxicity. Hence, this study seeks to evaluate the impact of combining Curcuma longa rhizome (CL) with selected anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs. METHODS CL (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered to mice 1 h before subjecting the animals to elevated plus maze (EPM), hole board test (HBT), open field test (OFT) and rotarod test for anxiolytic-like effect as well as hexobarbitone-induced sleeping time (HIST) for hypnotic activity. The involvement of GABAergic and nitrergic systems in CL-induced anxiolytic and hypnotic actions were also evaluated. The effect of concurrent use of CL with midazolam, imipramine, nifedipine, propranolol and carbamazepine were evaluated in anxiolytic-hypnosis models. RESULTS The peak anxiolytic-like effect of CL was obtained at 400 mg/kg in the EPM and hole-board test without affecting muscle coordination in the rotarod test while the peak hypnosis-potentiation was observed at 100 mg/kg. CL-induced anxiolytic-hypnotic-like effects were reversed by the pretreatment of mice with flumazenil or NG-nitro-l-arginine. CONCLUSIONS Curcuma longa possesses anxiolytic and hypnotic effects through its interaction with GABAergic and nitrergic systems. Conversely, co-administration of C. longa with midazolam potentiate barbiturate-induced hypnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail O Ishola
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - Folashade O Katola
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Olufunmilayo O Adeyemi
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
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Jiang Y, Gong H, Jiang S, She C, Cao Y. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes decrease neuronal NO synthase in 3D brain organoids. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 748:141384. [PMID: 32823226 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) might induce the dysfunction of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) and impair the function of brains. But to the best of our knowledge, this conclusion was made by using laboratory animals or conventional nerve cell cultures; however, these models might not reflect the complex conditions of human brains. Recently, the development of 3D brain organoids (also known as organotypic cultures) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provides a platform to investigate the behaviors of human brains in vitro. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of MWCNTs to 3D brain organoids which expressed the cortical layer markers. It was shown that MWCNTs induced cytotoxicity to 3D brain organoids but not in dose-dependent manner. Exposure to high level of MWCNTs (64 μg/mL) reduced the levels of intracellular NO but increased superoxide. As the mechanism, 64 μg/mL MWCNTs significantly reduced the protein level of nNOS. The nNOS regulators nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) proteins were significantly induced by MWCNTs, whereas Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) proteins were reduced particularly after exposure to low level of MWCNTs (16 μg/mL). The results from fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography (MOST) confirmed the decrease of nNOS proteins, not only at the out-layers that directly contacted MWCNTs, but also at the inner-layers. Combined, our results suggested that MWCNTs could decrease nNOS activity by inducing oxidative stress and modulating NF-κB-KLF4 pathway. This study also showed the potential of 3D brain organoids in mechanism-based toxicology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Research and Utilization of Ethnomedicinal Plant Resources of Hunan Province and Key Laboratory of Hunan Higher Education for Western Hunan Medicinal Plant and Ethnobotany, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China; Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Lab of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
| | - Housheng Gong
- Key Laboratory of Research and Utilization of Ethnomedicinal Plant Resources of Hunan Province and Key Laboratory of Hunan Higher Education for Western Hunan Medicinal Plant and Ethnobotany, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China; Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Lab of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
| | - Shaohua Jiang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Chaowen She
- Key Laboratory of Research and Utilization of Ethnomedicinal Plant Resources of Hunan Province and Key Laboratory of Hunan Higher Education for Western Hunan Medicinal Plant and Ethnobotany, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418008, China.
| | - Yi Cao
- Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, Lab of Biochemistry, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China.
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Gu Y, Zhu D. nNOS-mediated protein-protein interactions: promising targets for treating neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. J Biomed Res 2020; 35:1-10. [PMID: 33402546 PMCID: PMC7874267 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.34.20200108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and affect the health of billions of people. Nitric oxide (NO), a free gas with multitudinous bioactivities, is mainly produced from the oxidation of L-arginine by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the brain. Inhibiting nNOS benefits a variety of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including stroke, depression and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, chronic pain, and drug addiction. Due to critical roles of nNOS in learning and memory and synaptic plasticity, direct inhibition of nNOS may cause severe side effects. Importantly, interactions of several proteins, including post-synaptic density 95 (PSD-95), carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand of nNOS (CAPON) and serotonin transporter (SERT), with the PSD/Disc-large/ZO-1 homologous (PDZ) domain of nNOS have been demonstrated to influence the subcellular distribution and activity of the enzyme in the brain. Therefore, it will be a preferable means to interfere with nNOS-mediated protein-protein interactions (PPIs), which do not lead to undesirable effects. Herein, we summarize the current literatures on nNOS-mediated PPIs involved in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, and the discovery of drugs targeting the PPIs, which is expected to provide potential targets for developing novel drugs and new strategy for the treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Gu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Dongya Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.,Institution of Stem Cell and Neuroregeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
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Shi X, Gao Y, Song L, Zhao P, Zhang Y, Ding Y, Sun R, Du Y, Gong M, Gao Q, Shi Y, Guo Q, Shi H. Sulfur dioxide derivatives produce antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects in mice. Neuropharmacology 2020; 176:108252. [PMID: 32712276 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) can be endogenously generated from sulfur-containing amino acids in animals and humans. Increasing evidence shows that endogenous SO2 may act as a gaseous molecule to participate in many physiological and pathological processes. However, the role of SO2 and its derivatives in the central nervous system remains poorly understood. The present study explored the protective effects of exogenous SO2 derivatives (Na2SO3:NaHSO3, 3:1 M/M) on cellular injury in vitro by using the cell proliferation assay (MTS), cell counting kit 8 assay (CCK-8), and cyto-flow assay in the corticosterone (CORT)-induced PC12 cell injury model. We also examined the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of SO2 derivatives on the chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced depression mouse model by using the open field test, novelty suppressed feeding test, forced swimming test, tail suspension test, and sucrose preference test. In the MTS and CCK-8 assays, we found that preexposure of SO2 derivatives significantly blocked CORT-induced decrease of cellular survival without causing any negative effects. Results from the cyto-flow assay indicated that treatment with SO2 derivatives could reverse CORT-induced early and late apoptosis of PC12 cells. Systemic treatment with SO2 derivatives produced markedly antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activities in mice under normal condition and rapidly reversed CMS-induced depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors. In conclusion, these findings indicate that exogenous SO2 derivatives show protective properties against the detrimental effects of stress and exert antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like actions. The present study suggests that exogenous SO2 derivatives are potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and other stress-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorui Shi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Li Song
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Penghui Zhao
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Yipu Zhang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Yuanjian Ding
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Ruoxuan Sun
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Yuru Du
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Miao Gong
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Yun Shi
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Qingjun Guo
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China.
| | - Haishui Shi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Medical and Health Science of HeBMU, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medicinal University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China.
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Carvalho FR, Nóbrega CDR, Martins AT. Mapping gene expression in social anxiety reveals the main brain structures involved in this disorder. Behav Brain Res 2020; 394:112808. [PMID: 32707139 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is characterized by emotional and attentional biases as well as distorted negative self-beliefs. According this, we proposed to identify the brain structures and hub genes involved in SAD. An analysis in Pubmed and TRANSFAC was conducted and 72 genes were identified. Using Microarray data, from Allen Human Brain Atlas, it was possible to identify three modules of co-expressed genes from our gene set (R package WGCNA). Higher mean gene expression was found in cortico-medial group, basomedial nucleus, ATZ in amygdala and in head and tail of the caudate nucleus, nucleus accumbens and putamen in striatum. Our enrichment analysis identified the followed hub genes: DRD2, HTR1A, JUN, SP1 and HDAC4. We suggest that SAD is explained by delayed extinction of circuitry for conditioned fear. Caused by reduced activation of the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems,due diminished expectation of reward during social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Ricardo Carvalho
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Portugal; University of Algarve Campus De Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
| | - Clévio David Rodrigues Nóbrega
- Center for Biomedicine Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Portugal; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC); University of Algarve Campus De Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Ana Teresa Martins
- Center for Biomedicine Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Portugal; Department of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Algarve, Portugal; University of Algarve Campus De Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
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Prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide induces changes in the circadian clock in the SCN and AA-NAT activity in the pineal gland. Brain Res 2020; 1743:146952. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Zhu LJ, Shi HJ, Chang L, Zhang CC, Si M, Li N, Zhu DY. nNOS-CAPON blockers produce anxiolytic effects by promoting synaptogenesis in chronic stress-induced animal models of anxiety. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:3674-3690. [PMID: 32343840 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Anxiety disorder is a common mental health disorder. However, there are few safe and fast-acting anxiolytic drugs available that can treat anxiety disorder. We previously demonstrated that the interaction of neuronal NOS (nNOS) with its carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand (CAPON) is involved in regulating anxiety-related behaviours. Here, we further investigated the anxiolytic effects of nNOS-CAPON disruptors in chronic stress-induced anxiety in animals. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Mice were intravenously treated with nNOS-CAPON disruptors, ZLc-002 or Tat-CAPON12C, at the last week of chronic mild stress (CMS) exposure. We also infused corticosterone (CORT) into the hippocampus of mice to model anxiety behaviours and also delivered ZLc-002 or Tat-CAPON12C on the last week of chronic CORT treatment via pre-implanted cannula. Anxiety-related behaviours were examined using elevated plus maze, open field, novelty-suppressed feeding and light-dark (LD) tests. The level of nNOS-CAPON interaction was determined by co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) and proximity ligation assay (PLA). The neural mechanisms underlying the behavioural effects of nNOS-CAPON uncoupling in anxiety animal models were assessed by western blot, immunofluorescence and Golgi-Cox staining. KEY RESULTS ZLc-002 and Tat-CAPON12C reversed CMS- or CORT-induced anxiety-related behaviours. ZLc-002 and Tat-CAPON12C increased synaptogenesis along with improved dendritic remodelling in CMS mice or CORT-treated cultured neurons. Meanwhile, blocking nNOS-CAPON interaction significantly activated the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway, which is associated with synaptic plasticity. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Collectively, these results provide evidence for the anxiolytic effects of nNOS-CAPON uncouplers and their underlying mechanisms in anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hu-Jiang Shi
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cheng Cheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meng Si
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Na Li
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dong-Ya Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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García-Pardo M, LLansola M, Felipo V, De la Rubia Ortí J, Aguilar M. Blockade of nitric oxide signalling promotes resilience to the effects of social defeat stress on the conditioned rewarding properties of MDMA in mice. Nitric Oxide 2020; 98:29-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2020.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Zhu LJ, Chang L, Shi HJ, Li N. Systemic administration of ZLc-002 exerts anxiolytic-like effects by dissociation of nNOS from CAPON in adult mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 523:299-306. [PMID: 31864709 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety is recognized as primary clinical phenotype of psychiatric disorders. However, many patients with anxiety have not yet received effective treatment. Our previous study demonstrated that hippocampal nNOS-CAPON interaction is implicated in anxiety-related behaviors, and blocking nNOS-CAPON interaction in the hippocampus produces anxiolytic-like effects. Here, ZLc-002, a small molecule inhibitor of nNOS-CAPON coupling, was evaluated for anxiolytic-like properties after systemic administered using anxiety behavioral tests, including open-field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM), novelty-suppressed feeding (NSF) and light-dark (LD) tests. We reported that ZLc-002 when administered intraperitoneally at the dose of 40 or 80 mg/kg/d for 14 days produces anxiolytic-like effects. Furthermore, the similar effects of ZLc-002 were observed when administered intravenously at the dose of 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg/d for 7 days. More importantly, the mice dosing with 80 mg/kg/d ZLc-002 intraperitoneally or 40 mg/kg/d ZLc-002 intravenously for 3 days exerted significant behavioral effects. However, intragastric administration with ZLc-002 was devoid of effect on anxiety behaviors, even at high doses. Furthermore, intraperitoneal or intravenous treatment of ZLc-002 significantly disrupted the interaction between nNOS and CAPON in the hippocampus of adult mice, and there was a significant anxiolytic-like effect of ZLc-002 at day 3 after intrahippocampal microinjection. Our results verified that systemic administration of putative small molecule inhibitor of nNOS-CAPON can be used for the treatment of anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, PR China.
| | - Lei Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, PR China
| | - Hu-Jiang Shi
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, PR China
| | - Na Li
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, PR China
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Spiers JG, Chen HJC, Bourgognon JM, Steinert JR. Dysregulation of stress systems and nitric oxide signaling underlies neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 134:468-483. [PMID: 30716433 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Stress is a multimodal response involving the coordination of numerous body systems in order to maximize the chance of survival. However, long term activation of the stress response results in neuronal oxidative stress via reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generation, contributing to the development of depression. Stress-induced depression shares a high comorbidity with other neurological conditions including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia, often appearing as one of the earliest observable symptoms in these diseases. Furthermore, stress and/or depression appear to exacerbate cognitive impairment in the context of AD associated with dysfunctional catecholaminergic signaling. Given there are a number of homologous pathways involved in the pathophysiology of depression and AD, this article will highlight the mechanisms by which stress-induced perturbations in oxidative stress, and particularly NO signaling, contribute to neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jereme G Spiers
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia.
| | - Hsiao-Jou Cortina Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | | | - Joern R Steinert
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behavior, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 9HN, United Kingdom.
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Chen HJC, Lee JK, Yip T, Sernia C, Lavidis NA, Spiers JG. Sub-acute restraint stress progressively increases oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammatory markers while transiently upregulating antioxidant gene expression in the rat hippocampus. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 130:446-457. [PMID: 30445125 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that acute stress decreases neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression in the hippocampus despite increased concentrations of nitric oxide which may indicate feedback inhibition of neuronal NOS expression via inducible NOS-derived nitric oxide. Moreover, the hippocampus undergoes an initial oxidative/nitrosative insult that is rapidly followed by upregulation of protective antioxidants, including the zinc-binding metallothioneins, in order to counter this and restore redox balance following acute stress exposure. In the present study, we have utilized indicators of oxidative/nitrosative stress, members of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway, antioxidant metallothioneins, and neuroinflammatory markers to observe the changes occurring in the hippocampus following short term repeated stress exposure. Male Wistar rats were subjected to control conditions or 6 h of restraint stress applied for 1, 2, or 3 days (n = 8 per group) after which the hippocampus was isolated for redox assays and relative gene expression. The hippocampus showed increased oxidative stress, transient dys-homeostasis of total zinc, and increased expression of the Nrf2 pathway members. Moreover, repeated stress increased nitrosative status, nitric oxide metabolites, and 3-nitrotyrosine, indicative of nitrosative stress in the hippocampus. However, levels of neuronal NOS decreased over all stress treatment groups, while increases were observed in inducible NOS and xanthine dehydrogenase. In addition to inducible NOS, mRNA expression of other inflammatory markers including interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β also increased even in the presence of increased anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids. Together, these results demonstrate that despite increases in antioxidant expression, sub-acute stress causes an inflammatory phenotype in the hippocampus by inducing oxidative/nitrosative stress, zinc dys-homeostasis, and the accumulation of nitrotyrosinated proteins which is likely driven by increased inducible NOS signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Jou Cortina Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Johnny K Lee
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Tsz Yip
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Conrad Sernia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Nickolas A Lavidis
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jereme G Spiers
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.
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Zhou QG, Zhu XH, Nemes AD, Zhu DY. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase and affective disorders. IBRO Rep 2018; 5:116-132. [PMID: 30591953 PMCID: PMC6303682 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibror.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Affective disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BPD), and general anxiety affect more than 10% of population in the world. Notably, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), a downstream signal molecule of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) activation, is abundant in many regions of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus, amygdala, dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), locus coeruleus (LC), and hypothalamus, which are closely associated with the pathophysiology of affective disorders. Decreased levels of the neurotransmitters including 5-hydroxytryptamine or serotonin (5-HT), noradrenalin (NA), and dopamine (DA) as well as hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are common pathological changes of MDD, BPD, and anxiety. Increasing data suggests that nNOS in the hippocampus play a crucial role in the etiology of MDD whereas nNOS-related dysregulation of the nitrergic system in the LC is closely associated with the pathogenesis of BPD. Moreover, hippocampal nNOS is implicated in the role of serotonin receptor 1 A (5-HTR1 A) in modulating anxiety behaviors. Augment of nNOS and its carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand (CAPON) complex mediate stress-induced anxiety and disrupting the nNOS-CAPON interaction by small molecular drug generates anxiolytic effect. To date, however, the function of nNOS in affective disorders is not well reviewed. Here, we summarize works about nNOS and its signal mechanisms implicated in the pathophysiology of affective disorders. On the basis of this review, it is suggested that future research should more fully focus on the role of nNOS in the pathomechanism and treatment of affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Gang Zhou
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, PR China
| | - Xian-Hui Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, PR China
| | - Ashley D Nemes
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, USA
| | - Dong-Ya Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, PR China
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