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Zhang Y, Li J, Li Y, Wang W, Wang D, Ding J, Wang L, Cheng J. Dexmedetomidine Promotes NREM Sleep by Depressing Oxytocin Neurons in the Paraventricular Nucleus in Mice. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:2926-2939. [PMID: 39078522 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04221-w] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a highly selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist with sedative effects on sleep homeostasis. Oxytocin-expressing (OXT) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus (PVNOXT) regulate sexual reproduction, drinking, sleep-wakefulness, and other instinctive behaviors. To investigate the effect of DEX on the activity and signal transmission of PVNOXT in regulating the sleep-wakefulness cycle. Here, we employed OXT-cre mice to selectively target and express the designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD)-based chemogenetic tool hM3D(Gq) in PVNOXT neurons. Combining chemogenetic methods with electroencephalogram (EEG) /electromyogram (EMG) recordings, we found that cannula injection of DEX in PVN significantly increased the duration of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in mice. Furthermore, the chemogenetic activation of PVNOXT neurons using i.p. injection of clozapine N-oxide (CNO) after cannula injection of DEX to PVN led to a substantial increase in wakefulness. Electrophysiological results showed that DEX decreased the frequency of action potential (AP) and the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC) of PVNOXT neurons through α2-adrenoceptors. Therefore, these results identify that DEX promotes sleep and maintains sleep homeostasis by inhibiting PVNOXT neurons through the α2-adrenoceptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Linquan People's Hospital, Linquan, 236400, Anhui, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Daming Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Junli Ding
- Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Licheng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
- College of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
| | - Juan Cheng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
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2
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Atila C, Refardt J, Christ-Crain M. Arginine vasopressin deficiency: diagnosis, management and the relevance of oxytocin deficiency. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2024; 20:487-500. [PMID: 38693275 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-024-00985-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Polyuria-polydipsia syndrome can be caused by central diabetes insipidus, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus or primary polydipsia. To avoid confusion with diabetes mellitus, the name 'central diabetes insipidus' was changed in 2022 to arginine vasopressin (AVP) deficiency and 'nephrogenic diabetes insipidus' was renamed as AVP resistance. To differentiate the three entities, various osmotic and non-osmotic copeptin-based stimulation tests have been introduced in the past decade. The hypertonic saline test plus plasma copeptin measurement emerged as the test with highest diagnostic accuracy, replacing the water deprivation test as the gold standard in differential diagnosis of the polyuria-polydipsia syndrome. The mainstay of treatment for AVP deficiency is AVP replacement with desmopressin, a synthetic analogue of AVP specific for AVP receptor 2 (AVPR2), which usually leads to rapid improvements in polyuria and polydipsia. The main adverse effect of desmopressin is dilutional hyponatraemia, which can be reduced by regularly performing the so-called desmopressin escape method. Evidence from the past few years suggests an additional oxytocin deficiency in patients with AVP deficiency. This potential deficiency should be further evaluated in future studies, including feasible provocation tests for clinical practice and interventional trials with oxytocin substitution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cihan Atila
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research University of Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julie Refardt
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research University of Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam Christ-Crain
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Department of Clinical Research University of Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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3
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Johnson MC, Zweig JA, Zhang Y, Nunez L, Ryabinina OP, Hibert M, Ryabinin AE. Effects of oxytocin receptor agonism on acquisition and expression of pair bonding in male prairie voles. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:286. [PMID: 39009600 PMCID: PMC11251033 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02993-x] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
There is much interest in targeting the activity in the oxytocin system to regulate social bonding. However, studies with exogenous administration of oxytocin face the caveats of its low stability, poor brain permeability and insufficient receptor specificity. The use of a small-molecule oxytocin receptor-specific agonist could overcome these caveats. Prior to testing the potential effects of a brain-penetrant oxytocin receptor agonist in clinical settings, it is important to assess how such an agonist would affect social bonds in animal models. The facultatively monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), capable of forming long-term social attachments between adult individuals, are an ideal rodent model for such testing. Therefore, in a series of experiments we investigated the effects of the recently developed oxytocin receptor-specific agonist LIT-001 on the acquisition and expression of partner preference, a well-established model of pair bonding, in prairie voles. LIT-001 (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), as expected, facilitated the acquisition of partner preference when administered prior to a 4hr cohabitation. In contrast, while animals injected with vehicle after the 4hr cohabitation exhibited significant partner preference, animals that were injected with LIT-001 did not show such partner preference. This result suggests that OXTR activation during expression of pair bonding can inhibit partner preference. The difference in effects of LIT-001 on acquisition versus expression was not due to basal differences in partner preference between the experiments, as LIT-001 had no significant effects on expression of partner preference if administered following a shorter (2hr-long) cohabitation. Instead, this difference agrees with the hypothesis that the activation of oxytocin receptors acts as a signal of presence of a social partner. Our results indicate that the effects of pharmacological activation of oxytocin receptors crucially depend on the phase of social attachments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Johnson
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jonathan A Zweig
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Yangmiao Zhang
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Louis Nunez
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Olga P Ryabinina
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Marcel Hibert
- Laboratoire d'Innovation Thérapeutique, Faculté de Pharmacie, UMR7200 CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, IL, France
| | - Andrey E Ryabinin
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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4
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Mun J, Navarro N, Jeong S, Ouassil N, Leem E, Beyene AG, Landry MP. Near-infrared nanosensors enable optical imaging of oxytocin with selectivity over vasopressin in acute mouse brain slices. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2314795121. [PMID: 38905241 PMCID: PMC11214003 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314795121] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin plays a critical role in regulating social behaviors, yet our understanding of its function in both neurological health and disease remains incomplete. Real-time oxytocin imaging probes with spatiotemporal resolution relevant to its endogenous signaling are required to fully elucidate oxytocin's role in the brain. Herein, we describe a near-infrared oxytocin nanosensor (nIROXT), a synthetic probe capable of imaging oxytocin in the brain without interference from its structural analogue, vasopressin. nIROXT leverages the inherent tissue-transparent fluorescence of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and the molecular recognition capacity of an oxytocin receptor peptide fragment to selectively and reversibly image oxytocin. We employ these nanosensors to monitor electrically stimulated oxytocin release in brain tissue, revealing oxytocin release sites with a median size of 3 µm in the paraventricular nucleus of C57BL/6 mice, which putatively represents the spatial diffusion of oxytocin from its point of release. These data demonstrate that covalent SWCNT constructs, such as nIROXT, are powerful optical tools that can be leveraged to measure neuropeptide release in brain tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewan Mun
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Nicole Navarro
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Sanghwa Jeong
- School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering, Pusan National University, Yangsan50612, South Korea
| | - Nicholas Ouassil
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Esther Leem
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | | | - Markita P. Landry
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA94158
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5
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Ryabinin A, Johnson M, Zweig J, Zhang Y, Nunez L, Ryabinina O, Hibert M. Effects of Oxytocin Receptor Agonism on Acquisition and Expression of Pair Bonding in Male Prairie Voles. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4351761. [PMID: 38798348 PMCID: PMC11118693 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4351761/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
There is much interest in targeting the activity in the oxytocin system to regulate social bonding. However, studies with exogenous administration of oxytocin face the caveats of its low stability, poor brain permeability and insufficient receptor specificity. The use of a small-molecule oxytocin receptor-specific agonist could overcome these caveats. Prior to testing the potential effects of a brain-penetrant oxytocin receptor agonist in clinical settings, it is important to assess how such an agonist would affect social bonds in animal models. The facultatively monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), capable of forming long-term social attachments between adult individuals, are an ideal rodent model for such testing. Therefore, in a series of experiments we investigated the effects of the recently developed oxytocin receptor-specific agonist LIT-001 on the acquisition and expression of partner preference, a well-established model of pair bonding, in prairie voles. LIT-001 (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), as expected, facilitated the acquisition of partner preference when administered prior to a 4-hour cohabitation. In contrast, while animals injected with vehicle after the 4-hour cohabitation exhibited significant partner preference, animals that were injected with LIT-001 did not show such partner preference. This result suggests that OXTR activation during expression of pair bonding can inhibit partner preference. The difference in effects of LIT-001 on acquisition versus expression was not due to basal differences in partner preference between the experiments, as LIT-001 had no significant effects on expression of partner preference if administered following a shorter (2 hour-long) cohabitation. Instead, this difference agrees with the hypothesis that the activation of oxytocin receptors acts as a signal of presence of a social partner. Our results indicate that the effects of pharmacological activation of oxytocin receptors crucially depend on the phase of social attachments.
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6
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Buemann B. Does activation of oxytocinergic reward circuits postpone the decline of the aging brain? Front Psychol 2023; 14:1250745. [PMID: 38222845 PMCID: PMC10786160 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1250745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin supports reproduction by promoting sexual- and nursing behavior. Moreover, it stimulates reproductive organs by different avenues. Oxytocin is released to the blood from terminals of oxytocinergic neurons which project from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. Concomitantly, the dendrites of these neurons discharge oxytocin into neighboring areas of the hypothalamus. At this location it affects other neuroendocrine systems by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Moreover, sensory processing, affective functions, and reward circuits are influenced by oxytocinergic neurons that reach different sites in the brain. In addition to its facilitating impact on various aspects of reproduction, oxytocin is revealed to possess significant anti-inflammatory, restoring, and tranquilizing properties. This has been demonstrated both in many in-vivo and in-vitro studies. The oxytocin system may therefore have the capacity to alleviate detrimental physiological- and mental stress reactions. Thus, high levels of endogenous oxytocin may counteract inadequate inflammation and malfunctioning of neurons and supportive cells in the brain. A persistent low-grade inflammation increasing with age-referred to as inflammaging-may lead to a cognitive decline but may also predispose to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson. Interestingly, animal studies indicate that age-related destructive processes in the body can be postponed by techniques that preserve immune- and stem cell functions in the hypothalamus. It is argued in this article that sexual activity-by its stimulating impact on the oxytocinergic activity in many regions of the brain-has the capacity to delay the onset of age-related cerebral decay. This may also postpone frailty and age-associated diseases in the body. Finally, oxytocin possesses neuroplastic properties that may be applied to expand sexual reward. The release of oxytocin may therefore be further potentiated by learning processes that involves oxytocin itself. It may therefore be profitable to raise the consciousness about the potential health benefits of sexual activity particularly among the seniors.
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7
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Menon R, Neumann ID. Detection, processing and reinforcement of social cues: regulation by the oxytocin system. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:761-777. [PMID: 37891399 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00759-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Many social behaviours are evolutionarily conserved and are essential for the healthy development of an individual. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) is crucial for the fine-tuned regulation of social interactions in mammals. The advent and application of state-of-the-art methodological approaches that allow the activity of neuronal circuits involving OXT to be monitored and functionally manipulated in laboratory mammals have deepened our understanding of the roles of OXT in these behaviours. In this Review, we discuss how OXT promotes the sensory detection and evaluation of social cues, the subsequent approach and display of social behaviour, and the rewarding consequences of social interactions in selected reproductive and non-reproductive social behaviours. Social stressors - such as social isolation, exposure to social defeat or social trauma, and partner loss - are often paralleled by maladaptations of the OXT system, and restoring OXT system functioning can reinstate socio-emotional allostasis. Thus, the OXT system acts as a dynamic mediator of appropriate behavioural adaptations to environmental challenges by enhancing and reinforcing social salience and buffering social stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Menon
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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8
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Althammer F, Roy RK, Kirchner MK, Lira EC, Schimmer S, Charlet A, Grinevich V, Stern JE. Impaired oxytocin signaling in the central amygdala in rats with chronic heart failure. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.22.568271. [PMID: 38045233 PMCID: PMC10690294 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.22.568271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Aims Heart failure (HF) patients often suffer from cognitive decline, depression, and mood impairments, but the molecular signals and brain circuits underlying these effects remain elusive. The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is critically involved in the regulation of mood, and OTergic signaling in the central amygdala (CeA) is a key mechanism controlling emotional responses including anxiety-like behaviors. Based on this, we used in this study a well-established ischemic rat HF model and aimed to study alterations in the hypothalamus-to-CeA OTergic circuit. Methods and Results To study potential HF-induced changes in the hypothalamus-to-CeA OTertic circuit, we combined patch-clamp electrophysiology, immunohistochemical analysis, RNAScope assessment of OTR mRNA, brain region-specific stereotaxic injections of viral vectors and retrograde tracing, optogenetic stimulation and OT biosensors in the ischemic HF model. We found that most of OTergic innervation of the central amygdala (CeA) originated from the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON). While no differences in the numbers of SON→CeA OTertic neurons (or their OT content) was observed between sham and HF rats, we did observe a blunted content and release of OT from axonal terminals within the CeA. Moreover, we report downregulation of neuronal and astrocytic OT receptors, and impaired OTR-driven GABAergic synaptic activity within the CeA microcircuit of rats with HF. Conclusions Our study provides first evidence that HF rats display various perturbations in the hypothalamus-to-amygdala OTergic circuit, and lays the foundation for future translational studies targeting either the OT system or GABAergic amygdala GABA microcircuit to ameliorate depression or mood impairments in rats or patients with chronic HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Althammer
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg
| | - Ranjan K. Roy
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Matthew K. Kirchner
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elba Campos Lira
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stephanie Schimmer
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Alexandre Charlet
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, Strasbourg, France
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Javier E. Stern
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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9
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Schimmer J, Patwell R, Küppers S, Grinevich V. The Relationship Between Oxytocin and Alcohol Dependence. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 37697074 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2023_444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is well known for its prosocial, anxiolytic, and ameliorating effects on various psychiatric conditions, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). In this chapter, we will first introduce the basic neurophysiology of the OT system and its interaction with other neuromodulatory and neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Next, we provide an overview over the current state of research examining the effects of acute and chronic alcohol exposure on the OT system as well as the effects of OT system manipulation on alcohol-related behaviors in rodents and humans. In rodent models of AUD, OT has been repeatedly shown to reduce ethanol consumption, particularly in models of acute alcohol exposure. In humans however, the results of OT administration on alcohol-related behaviors are promising but not yet conclusive. Therefore, we further discuss several physiological and methodological limitations to the effective application of OT in the clinic and how they may be mitigated by the application of synthetic OT receptor (OTR) agonists. Finally, we discuss the potential efficacy of cutting-edge pharmacology and gene therapies designed to specifically enhance endogenous OT release and thereby rescue deficient expression of OT in the brains of patients with severe forms of AUD and other incurable mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Schimmer
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ryan Patwell
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stephanie Küppers
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
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10
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Valtcheva S, Issa HA, Bair-Marshall CJ, Martin KA, Jung K, Zhang Y, Kwon HB, Froemke RC. Neural circuitry for maternal oxytocin release induced by infant cries. Nature 2023; 621:788-795. [PMID: 37730989 PMCID: PMC10639004 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06540-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that is important for maternal physiology and childcare, including parturition and milk ejection during nursing1-6. Suckling triggers the release of oxytocin, but other sensory cues-specifically, infant cries-can increase the levels of oxytocin in new human mothers7, which indicates that cries can activate hypothalamic oxytocin neurons. Here we describe a neural circuit that routes auditory information about infant vocalizations to mouse oxytocin neurons. We performed in vivo electrophysiological recordings and photometry from identified oxytocin neurons in awake maternal mice that were presented with pup calls. We found that oxytocin neurons responded to pup vocalizations, but not to pure tones, through input from the posterior intralaminar thalamus, and that repetitive thalamic stimulation induced lasting disinhibition of oxytocin neurons. This circuit gates central oxytocin release and maternal behaviour in response to calls, providing a mechanism for the integration of sensory cues from the offspring in maternal endocrine networks to ensure modulation of brain state for efficient parenting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Valtcheva
- Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Habon A Issa
- Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chloe J Bair-Marshall
- Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kathleen A Martin
- Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kanghoon Jung
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yiyao Zhang
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hyung-Bae Kwon
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert C Froemke
- Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
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11
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Qian T, Wang H, Wang P, Geng L, Mei L, Osakada T, Wang L, Tang Y, Kania A, Grinevich V, Stoop R, Lin D, Luo M, Li Y. A genetically encoded sensor measures temporal oxytocin release from different neuronal compartments. Nat Biotechnol 2023; 41:944-957. [PMID: 36593404 PMCID: PMC11182738 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01561-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT), a peptide hormone and neuromodulator, is involved in diverse physiological and pathophysiological processes in the central nervous system and the periphery. However, the regulation and functional sequences of spatial OT release in the brain remain poorly understood. We describe a genetically encoded G-protein-coupled receptor activation-based (GRAB) OT sensor called GRABOT1.0. In contrast to previous methods, GRABOT1.0 enables imaging of OT release ex vivo and in vivo with suitable sensitivity, specificity and spatiotemporal resolution. Using this sensor, we visualize stimulation-induced OT release from specific neuronal compartments in mouse brain slices and discover that N-type calcium channels predominantly mediate axonal OT release, whereas L-type calcium channels mediate somatodendritic OT release. We identify differences in the fusion machinery of OT release for axon terminals versus somata and dendrites. Finally, we measure OT dynamics in various brain regions in mice during male courtship behavior. Thus, GRABOT1.0 provides insights into the role of compartmental OT release in physiological and behavioral functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongrui Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Medical Center for Human Reproduction, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lan Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Long Mei
- Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Takuya Osakada
- Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Peking University-Tsinghua University-National Institute of Biological Sciences Joint Graduate Program, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Tang
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital Center (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alan Kania
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ron Stoop
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital Center (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dayu Lin
- Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Minmin Luo
- National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research (TIMBR), Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yulong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China.
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China.
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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12
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Jin Y, Song D, Yan Y, Quan Z, Qing H. The Role of Oxytocin in Early-Life-Stress-Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10430. [PMID: 37445607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress during critical periods of brain development can have long-term effects on physical and mental health. Oxytocin is a critical social regulator and anti-inflammatory hormone that modulates stress-related functions and social behaviors and alleviates diseases. Oxytocin-related neural systems show high plasticity in early postpartum and adolescent periods. Early-life stress can influence the oxytocin system long term by altering the expression and signaling of oxytocin receptors. Deficits in social behavior, emotional control, and stress responses may result, thus increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and other stress-related neuropsychiatric diseases. Oxytocin is regarded as an important target for the treatment of stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we describe the history of oxytocin and its role in neural circuits and related behaviors. We then review abnormalities in the oxytocin system in early-life stress and the functions of oxytocin in treating stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Da Song
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhenzhen Quan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hong Qing
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
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13
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Iwasaki M, Lefevre A, Althammer F, Clauss Creusot E, Łąpieś O, Petitjean H, Hilfiger L, Kerspern D, Melchior M, Küppers S, Krabichler Q, Patwell R, Kania A, Gruber T, Kirchner MK, Wimmer M, Fröhlich H, Dötsch L, Schimmer J, Herpertz SC, Ditzen B, Schaaf CP, Schönig K, Bartsch D, Gugula A, Trenk A, Blasiak A, Stern JE, Darbon P, Grinevich V, Charlet A. An analgesic pathway from parvocellular oxytocin neurons to the periaqueductal gray in rats. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1066. [PMID: 36828816 PMCID: PMC9958129 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36641-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) exerts prominent analgesic effects via central and peripheral action. However, the precise analgesic pathways recruited by OT are largely elusive. Here we discovered a subset of OT neurons whose projections preferentially terminate on OT receptor (OTR)-expressing neurons in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG). Using a newly generated line of transgenic rats (OTR-IRES-Cre), we determined that most of the vlPAG OTR expressing cells targeted by OT projections are GABAergic. Ex vivo stimulation of parvocellular OT axons in the vlPAG induced local OT release, as measured with OT sensor GRAB. In vivo, optogenetically-evoked axonal OT release in the vlPAG of as well as chemogenetic activation of OTR vlPAG neurons resulted in a long-lasting increase of vlPAG neuronal activity. This lead to an indirect suppression of sensory neuron activity in the spinal cord and strong analgesia in both female and male rats. Altogether, we describe an OT-vlPAG-spinal cord circuit that is critical for analgesia in both inflammatory and neuropathic pain models.
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Grants
- R01 HL090948 NHLBI NIH HHS
- R01 NS094640 NINDS NIH HHS
- This work was supported by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique contract UPR3212, the Université de Strasbourg contract UPR3212; the University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Study (USIAS) fellowship 2014-15, Fyssen Foundation research grant 2015, NARSAD Young Investigator Grant 24821, Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR, French Research Foundation) grants n° 19-CE16-0011-0 and n° 20-CE18-0031 (to AC); the Graduate School of Pain EURIDOL, ANR-17-EURE-0022 (to AC and ECC); ANR-DFG grant GR 3619/701, PHC PROCOPE and PICS07882 grants (to AC and VG); Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) grants GR 3619/15-1, GR 3619/16-1(to VG); SFB Consortium 1158-2 (to VG, SH and BD); French Japanese governments fellowship B-16012 JM/NH and Subsidy from Nukada Institute for Medical and Biological Research (to MI); Fyssen Foundation fellowship (to AL); Région Grand Est fellowship (to DK); DFG Postdoc Fellowship AL 2466/1-1 (to FA); the Foundation of Prader-Willi Research post-doctoral fellowship (to CPS and FA); DAAD Postdoc Short term research grant 57552337 (to RP); DFG Walter Benjamin Position – Projektnummer 459051339 (to QK). National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grant NIH HL090948, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Grant NIH NS094640, and funding provided by the Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases (CNCD) at Georgia State University (to JES). The authors thank Prof. Yulong Li for providing the GRABOTR plasmid, Drs. Romain Goutagny and Vincent Douchamps for in vivo electrophysiology advices, the Chronobiotron UMS 3415 for all animal care and the technical plateau ComptOpt UPR 3212 for behavior technical assistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Iwasaki
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Arthur Lefevre
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68159, Germany
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Laboratory, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ferdinand Althammer
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68159, Germany
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Etienne Clauss Creusot
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Olga Łąpieś
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Hugues Petitjean
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Louis Hilfiger
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Damien Kerspern
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Meggane Melchior
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Stephanie Küppers
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68159, Germany
| | - Quirin Krabichler
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68159, Germany
| | - Ryan Patwell
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68159, Germany
| | - Alan Kania
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68159, Germany
| | - Tim Gruber
- Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Matthew K Kirchner
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Moritz Wimmer
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Henning Fröhlich
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura Dötsch
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Schimmer
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68159, Germany
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beate Ditzen
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
- Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian P Schaaf
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kai Schönig
- Department of Molecular Biology, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68159, Germany
| | - Dusan Bartsch
- Department of Molecular Biology, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68159, Germany
| | - Anna Gugula
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Trenk
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | - Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | - Javier E Stern
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Pascal Darbon
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, 68159, Germany.
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA.
| | - Alexandre Charlet
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
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14
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Muscatelli F. [As early as birth, oxytocin plays a key role in both food and social behavior]. Biol Aujourdhui 2023; 216:131-143. [PMID: 36744979 DOI: 10.1051/jbio/2022017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a neurohormone that regulates the so-called "social brain" and is mainly studied in adulthood. During postnatal development, the mechanisms by which the OT system structures various behaviors are little studied. Here we present the dynamic process of postnatal development of the OT system as well as the OT functions in the perinatal period that are essential for shaping social behaviors. Specifically, we discuss the role of OT, in the newborn, in integrating and adapting responses to early sensory stimuli and in stimulating suckling activity. Sensory dialogue and suckling are involved in mother-infant bonds and structure future social interactions. In rodents and humans, neurodevelopmental diseases with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), such as Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang syndromes, are associated with sensory, feeding and behavioral deficits in infancy. We propose that in early postnatal life, OT plays a key role in stimulating the maturation of neural networks controlling feeding behavior and early social interactions from birth. Administration of OT at birth improves sensory integration of environmental factors and the relationship with the mother as well as sucking activity as we have shown in mouse models and in babies with Prader-Willi syndrome. Long-term effects have also been observed on social and cognitive behavior. Therefore, early feeding difficulties might be an early predictive marker of ASD, and OT treatment a promising option to improve feeding behavior and, in the longer term, social behavioral problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Françoise Muscatelli
- INMED (Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée), INSERM, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
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15
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Muscatelli F, Matarazzo V, Chini B. Neonatal oxytocin gives the tempo of social and feeding behaviors. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1071719. [PMID: 36583080 PMCID: PMC9792990 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1071719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The nonapeptide oxytocin (OT) is a master regulator of the social brain in early infancy, adolescence, and adult life. Here, we review the postnatal dynamic development of OT-system as well as early-life OT functions that are essential for shaping social behaviors. We specifically address the role of OT in neonates, focusing on its role in modulating/adapting sensory input and feeding behavior; both processes are involved in the establishing mother-infant bond, a crucial event for structuring all future social interactions. In patients and rodent models of Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang syndromes, two neurodevelopmental diseases characterized by autism-related features, sensory impairments, and feeding difficulties in early infancy are linked to an alteration of OT-system. Successful preclinical studies in mice and a phase I/II clinical trial in Prader-Willi babies constitute a proof of concept that OT-treatment in early life not only improves suckling deficit but has also a positive long-term effect on learning and social behavior. We propose that in early postnatal life, OT plays a pivotal role in stimulating and coordinating the maturation of neuronal networks controlling feeding behavior and the first social interactions. Consequently, OT therapy might be considered to improve feeding behavior and, all over the life, social cognition, and learning capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Françoise Muscatelli
- Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), INSERM, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France,*Correspondence: Françoise Muscatelli,
| | - Valery Matarazzo
- Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), INSERM, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Bice Chini
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), Vedano al Lambro, Italy and NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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16
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Inoue K, Ford CL, Horie K, Young LJ. Oxytocin receptors are widely distributed in the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) brain: Relation to social behavior, genetic polymorphisms, and the dopamine system. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2881-2900. [PMID: 35763609 PMCID: PMC9474670 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin regulates social behavior via direct modulation of neurons, regulation of neural network activity, and interaction with other neurotransmitter systems. The behavioral effects of oxytocin signaling are determined by the species-specific distribution of brain oxytocin receptors. The socially monogamous prairie vole has been a useful model organism for elucidating the role of oxytocin in social behaviors, including pair bonding, response to social loss, and consoling. However, there has been no comprehensive mapping of oxytocin receptor-expressing cells throughout the prairie vole brain. Here, we employed a highly sensitive in situ hybridization, RNAscope, to construct an exhaustive, brain-wide map of oxytocin receptor mRNA-expressing cells. We found that oxytocin receptor mRNA expression was widespread and diffused throughout the brain, with specific areas displaying a particularly robust expression. Comparing receptor binding with mRNA revealed that regions of the hippocampus and substantia nigra contained oxytocin receptor protein but lacked mRNA, indicating that oxytocin receptors can be transported to distal neuronal processes, consistent with presynaptic oxytocin receptor functions. In the nucleus accumbens, a region involved in oxytocin-dependent social bonding, oxytocin receptor mRNA expression was detected in both the D1 and D2 dopamine receptor-expressing subtypes of cells. Furthermore, natural genetic polymorphisms robustly influenced oxytocin receptor expression in both D1 and D2 receptor cell types in the nucleus accumbens. Collectively, our findings further elucidate the extent to which oxytocin signaling is capable of influencing brain-wide neural activity, responses to social stimuli, and social behavior. KEY POINTS: Oxytocin receptor mRNA is diffusely expressed throughout the brain, with strong expression concentrated in certain areas involved in social behavior. Oxytocin receptor mRNA expression and protein localization are misaligned in some areas, indicating that the receptor protein may be transported to distal processes. In the nucleus accumbens, oxytocin receptors are expressed on cells expressing both D1 and D2 dopamine receptor subtypes, and the majority of variation in oxytocin receptor expression between animals is attributable to polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoshi Inoue
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30329, USA
| | - Charles L. Ford
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30329, USA
| | - Kengo Horie
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30329, USA
| | - Larry J. Young
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30329, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA 30322, USA
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17
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Quintana GR, Mac Cionnaith CE, Pfaus JG. Behavioral, Neural, and Molecular Mechanisms of Conditioned Mate Preference: The Role of Opioids and First Experiences of Sexual Reward. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8928. [PMID: 36012194 PMCID: PMC9409009 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although mechanisms of mate preference are thought to be relatively hard-wired, experience with appetitive and consummatory sexual reward has been shown to condition preferences for partner related cues and even objects that predict sexual reward. Here, we reviewed evidence from laboratory species and humans on sexually conditioned place, partner, and ejaculatory preferences in males and females, as well as the neurochemical, molecular, and epigenetic mechanisms putatively responsible. From a comprehensive review of the available data, we concluded that opioid transmission at μ opioid receptors forms the basis of sexual pleasure and reward, which then sensitizes dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin systems responsible for attention, arousal, and bonding, leading to cortical activation that creates awareness of attraction and desire. First experiences with sexual reward states follow a pattern of sexual imprinting, during which partner- and/or object-related cues become crystallized by conditioning into idiosyncratic "types" that are found sexually attractive and arousing. These mechanisms tie reward and reproduction together, blending proximate and ultimate causality in the maintenance of variability within a species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo R. Quintana
- Departamento de Psicología y Filosofía, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Jurídicas, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica 1000007, Chile
| | - Conall E. Mac Cionnaith
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B1R6, Canada
| | - James G. Pfaus
- Department of Psychology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, 182 00 Prague, Czech Republic
- Division of Sexual Neuroscience, Center for Sexual Health and Intervention, Czech National Institute of Mental Health, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
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18
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Oxytocin-based therapies for treatment of Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang syndromes: evidence, disappointments, and future research strategies. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:318. [PMID: 35941105 PMCID: PMC9360032 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02054-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The prosocial neuropeptide oxytocin is being developed as a potential treatment for various neuropsychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Early studies using intranasal oxytocin in patients with ASD yielded encouraging results and for some time, scientists and affected families placed high hopes on the use of intranasal oxytocin for behavioral therapy in ASD. However, a recent Phase III trial obtained negative results using intranasal oxytocin for the treatment of behavioral symptoms in children with ASD. Given the frequently observed autism-like behavioral phenotypes in Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang syndromes, it is unclear whether oxytocin treatment represents a viable option to treat behavioral symptoms in these diseases. Here we review the latest findings on intranasal OT treatment, Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang syndromes, and propose novel research strategies for tailored oxytocin-based therapies for affected individuals. Finally, we propose the critical period theory, which could explain why oxytocin-based treatment seems to be most efficient in infants, but not adolescents.
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19
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Wee CL, Song E, Nikitchenko M, Herrera KJ, Wong S, Engert F, Kunes S. Social isolation modulates appetite and avoidance behavior via a common oxytocinergic circuit in larval zebrafish. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2573. [PMID: 35545618 PMCID: PMC9095721 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29765-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal brains have evolved to encode social stimuli and transform these representations into advantageous behavioral responses. The commonalities and differences of these representations across species are not well-understood. Here, we show that social isolation activates an oxytocinergic (OXT), nociceptive circuit in the larval zebrafish hypothalamus and that chemical cues released from conspecific animals are potent modulators of this circuit's activity. We delineate an olfactory to subpallial pathway that transmits chemical social cues to OXT circuitry, where they are transformed into diverse outputs simultaneously regulating avoidance and feeding behaviors. Our data allow us to propose a model through which social stimuli are integrated within a fundamental neural circuit to mediate diverse adaptive behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline L Wee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore
| | - Erin Song
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maxim Nikitchenko
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kristian J Herrera
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sandy Wong
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Florian Engert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Samuel Kunes
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
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20
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Royo M, Escolano BA, Madrigal MP, Jurado S. AMPA Receptor Function in Hypothalamic Synapses. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2022; 14:833449. [PMID: 35173598 PMCID: PMC8842481 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.833449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AMPA receptors (AMPARs) are critical for mediating glutamatergic synaptic transmission and plasticity, thus playing a major role in the molecular machinery underlying cellular substrates of memory and learning. Their expression pattern, transport and regulatory mechanisms have been extensively studied in the hippocampus, but their functional properties in other brain regions remain poorly understood. Interestingly, electrophysiological and molecular evidence has confirmed a prominent role of AMPARs in the regulation of hypothalamic function. This review summarizes the existing evidence on AMPAR-mediated transmission in the hypothalamus, where they are believed to orchestrate the role of glutamatergic transmission in autonomous, neuroendocrine function, body homeostasis, and social behavior.
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21
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Wang P, Wang SC, Liu X, Jia S, Wang X, Li T, Yu J, Parpura V, Wang YF. Neural Functions of Hypothalamic Oxytocin and its Regulation. ASN Neuro 2022; 14:17590914221100706. [PMID: 35593066 PMCID: PMC9125079 DOI: 10.1177/17590914221100706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT), a nonapeptide, has a variety of functions. Despite extensive studies on OT over past decades, our understanding of its neural functions and their regulation remains incomplete. OT is mainly produced in OT neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and accessory nuclei between the SON and PVN. OT exerts neuromodulatory effects in the brain and spinal cord. While magnocellular OT neurons in the SON and PVN mainly innervate the pituitary and forebrain regions, and parvocellular OT neurons in the PVN innervate brainstem and spinal cord, the two sets of OT neurons have close interactions histologically and functionally. OT expression occurs at early life to promote mental and physical development, while its subsequent decrease in expression in later life stage accompanies aging and diseases. Adaptive changes in this OT system, however, take place under different conditions and upon the maturation of OT release machinery. OT can modulate social recognition and behaviors, learning and memory, emotion, reward, and other higher brain functions. OT also regulates eating and drinking, sleep and wakefulness, nociception and analgesia, sexual behavior, parturition, lactation and other instinctive behaviors. OT regulates the autonomic nervous system, and somatic and specialized senses. Notably, OT can have different modulatory effects on the same function under different conditions. Such divergence may derive from different neural connections, OT receptor gene dimorphism and methylation, and complex interactions with other hormones. In this review, brain functions of OT and their underlying neural mechanisms as well as the perspectives of their clinical usage are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Stephani C. Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuwei Jia
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaoran Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Neuroscience Laboratory for Translational Medicine, School of Mental Health, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Jiawei Yu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Kerqin District Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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22
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Yang X, An X, Wang C, Gao F, Lin Y, Chen W, Deng Q, Xu D, Li S, Zhang P, Sun B, Hou Y, Wu J. Protective Effect of Oxytocin on Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury Through NLRP3-Mediated Pathways. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:722907. [PMID: 34733156 PMCID: PMC8558354 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.722907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical ventilation is an indispensable life-support treatment for acute respiratory failure in critically ill patients, which is generally believed to involve uncontrolled inflammatory responses. Oxytocin (OT) has been reported to be effective in animal models of acute lung injury. However, it is not clear whether Oxytocin has a protective effect on ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine whether OT can attenuate VILI and explore the possible mechanism of this protection. To this end, a mouse VILI model was employed. Mice were pretreated with OT 30 min before the intraperitoneal injection of saline or nigericin and ventilation for 4 h, after which they were euthanized. Pathological changes, lung wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the levels of inflammatory cytokines [i.e., interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-18] in lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and expression of NLRP3, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), caspase-1, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and GSDMD in lung tissues were measured. OT treatment could reduce pathological injury, the W/D ratio, and MPO activity in VILI mice. Our data also indicated that OT administration alleviated the expression of TLR4/My-D88 and the activation of NF-κB, NLRP3, and caspase-1 in lung tissues from the VILI mice model. Furthermore, OT also decreased the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Moreover, the OT administration may alleviate the activation of GSDMD partially through its effects on the NLRP3-mediated pathway. Collectively, OT exerted a beneficial effect on VILI by downregulating TLR4-and NLRP3-mediated inflammatory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,School of Medicine, Cheeloo College of medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Cardiology, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaona An
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zibo Central Hospital, Shandong University, Zibo, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,School of Medicine, Cheeloo College of medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Feng Gao
- School of Medicine, Cheeloo College of medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yicheng Lin
- Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenjing Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Qiming Deng
- Department of Cardiology, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dongsheng Xu
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The Second Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shengqiang Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Baozhu Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuedong Hou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jianbo Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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23
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Raymond JS, Rehn S, Hoyos CM, Bowen MT. The influence of oxytocin-based interventions on sleep-wake and sleep-related behaviour and neurobiology: A systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:1005-1026. [PMID: 34673110 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The oxytocin (OXT) system has garnered considerable interest due to its influence on diverse behaviours. However, scant research has considered the influence of oxytocin on sleep-wake and sleep-related behaviour and neurobiology. Consequently, the objective of this systematic review was to assess the extant preclinical and clinical evidence for the influence of oxytocin-based interventions on sleep-wake outcomes. The primary search was conducted on 22/7/2020 using six electronic databases; 30 studies (19 preclinical, 11 clinical) were included based on inclusion criteria. Studies were evaluated for risk of bias using the SYRCLE tool and the Cochrane risk of bias tools for preclinical and clinical studies, respectively. Results indicated manipulation of the OXT system can influence sleep-wake outcomes. Preclinical evidence suggests a wake-promoting influence of OXT system activation whereas the clinical evidence suggests little or no sleep-promoting influence of OXT. OXT dose was identified as a likely modulatory factor of OXT-induced effects on sleep-wake behaviour. Future studies are necessary to validate and strengthen these tentative conclusions about the influence of OXT on sleep-wake behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel S Raymond
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Simone Rehn
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Camilla M Hoyos
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; The University of Sydney, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Centre for Sleep and Chronobiology, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael T Bowen
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
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24
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Activation of hypothalamic oxytocin neurons reduces binge-like alcohol drinking through signaling at central oxytocin receptors. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:1950-1957. [PMID: 34127796 PMCID: PMC8429589 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01046-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that exogenous administration of oxytocin (OT) may hold promise as a therapeutic strategy for reducing heavy alcohol drinking. However, it remains unknown whether these effects are mediated by stimulation of endogenous sources of OT and signaling at oxytocin receptors (OTR) in brain or in the periphery. To address this question, we employed a targeted chemogenetic approach to examine whether selective activation of OT-containing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) alters alcohol consumption in a binge-like drinking ("Drinking-in-the-Dark"; DID) model. Adult male Oxt-IRES-Cre mice received bilateral infusion of a Cre-dependent virus containing an excitatory DREADD (AAV8-hSyn-DIO-hM3Dq-mCherry) or control virus (AAV8-hSyn-DIO-mCherry) into the PVN. Chemogenetic activation of PVNOT+ neurons following clozapine-N-oxide injection reduced binge-like alcohol drinking in a similar manner as systemic administration of the neuropeptide. Pretreatment with a brain-penetrant OTR antagonist (L-368,899) reversed this effect while systemic administration of a peripherally restricted OTR antagonist (Atosiban) did not alter reduced alcohol drinking following chemogenetic activation of PVNOT+ neurons. Altogether, these data are the first to demonstrate that targeted activation of hypothalamic (endogenous) OT reduces alcohol consumption, providing further evidence that this neuropeptide plays a role in regulation of alcohol self-administration behavior. Further, results indicate that the ability OT to reduce alcohol drinking is mediated by signaling at OTR in the brain.
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25
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Friuli M, Eramo B, Valenza M, Scuderi C, Provensi G, Romano A. Targeting the Oxytocinergic System: A Possible Pharmacological Strategy for the Treatment of Inflammation Occurring in Different Chronic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10250. [PMID: 34638587 PMCID: PMC8508899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Unresolved inflammation represents a central feature of different human pathologies including neuropsychiatric, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. The epidemiologic relevance of such disorders justifies the increasing interest in further understanding the mechanisms underpinning the inflammatory process occurring in such chronic diseases to provide potential novel pharmacological approaches. The most common and effective therapies for controlling inflammation are glucocorticoids; however, a variety of other molecules have been demonstrated to have an anti-inflammatory potential, including neuropeptides. In recent years, the oxytocinergic system has seen an explosion of scientific studies, demonstrating its potential to contribute to a variety of physiological processes including inflammation. Therefore, the aim of the present review was to understand the role of oxytocin in the modulation of inflammation occurring in different chronic diseases. The criterion we used to select the diseases was based on the emerging literature showing a putative involvement of the oxytocinergic system in inflammatory processes in a variety of pathologies including neurological, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and obesity. The evidence reviewed here supports a beneficial role of oxytocin in the control of both peripheral and central inflammatory response happening in the aforementioned pathologies. Although future studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanistic details underlying such regulation, this review supports the idea that the modulation of the endogenous oxytocinergic system might represent a new potential pharmacological approach for the treatment of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Friuli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (B.E.); (M.V.); (C.S.)
| | - Barbara Eramo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (B.E.); (M.V.); (C.S.)
| | - Marta Valenza
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (B.E.); (M.V.); (C.S.)
| | - Caterina Scuderi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (B.E.); (M.V.); (C.S.)
| | - Gustavo Provensi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology of Toxicology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Adele Romano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (B.E.); (M.V.); (C.S.)
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26
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Wang X, Escobar JB, Mendelowitz D. Sex Differences in the Hypothalamic Oxytocin Pathway to Locus Coeruleus and Augmented Attention with Chemogenetic Activation of Hypothalamic Oxytocin Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168510. [PMID: 34445224 PMCID: PMC8395169 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The tightly localized noradrenergic neurons (NA) in the locus coeruleus (LC) are well recognized as essential for focused arousal and novelty-oriented responses, while many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit diminished attention, engagement and orienting to exogenous stimuli. This has led to the hypothesis that atypical LC activity may be involved in ASD. Oxytocin (OXT) neurons and receptors are known to play an important role in social behavior, pair bonding and cognitive processes and are under investigation as a potential treatment for ASD. However, little is known about the neurotransmission from hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) OXT neurons to LC NA neurons. In this study, we test, in male and female rats, whether PVN OXT neurons excite LC neurons, whether oxytocin is released and involved in this neurotransmission, and whether activation of PVN OXT neurons alters novel object recognition. Using "oxytocin sniffer cells" (CHO cells that express the human oxytocin receptor and a Ca indicator) we show that there is release of OXT from hypothalamic PVN OXT fibers in the LC. Optogenetic excitation of PVN OXT fibers excites LC NA neurons by co-release of OXT and glutamate, and this neurotransmission is greater in males than females. In male, but not in female animals, chemogenetic activation of PVN OXT neurons increases attention to novel objects.
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27
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Sheng W, Harden SW, Tan Y, Krause EG, Frazier CJ. Dendritic osmosensors modulate activity-induced calcium influx in oxytocinergic magnocellular neurons of the mouse PVN. eLife 2021; 10:e63486. [PMID: 34250900 PMCID: PMC8457833 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypothalamic oxytocinergic magnocellular neurons have a fascinating ability to release peptide from both their axon terminals and from their dendrites. Existing data indicates that the relationship between somatic activity and dendritic release is not constant, but the mechanisms through which this relationship can be modulated are not completely understood. Here, we use a combination of electrical and optical recording techniques to quantify activity-induced calcium influx in proximal vs. distal dendrites of oxytocinergic magnocellular neurons located in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (OT-MCNs). Results reveal that the dendrites of OT-MCNs are weak conductors of somatic voltage changes; however, activity-induced dendritic calcium influx can be robustly regulated by both osmosensitive and non-osmosensitive ion channels located along the dendritic membrane. Overall, this study reveals that dendritic conductivity is a dynamic and endogenously regulated feature of OT-MCNs that is likely to have substantial functional impact on central oxytocin release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanhui Sheng
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of FloridaGainesvilleUnited States
| | - Scott W Harden
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of FloridaGainesvilleUnited States
| | - Yalun Tan
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of FloridaGainesvilleUnited States
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Eric G Krause
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of FloridaGainesvilleUnited States
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, University of FloridaGainesvilleUnited States
- Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, University of FloridaGainesvilleUnited States
| | - Charles J Frazier
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of FloridaGainesvilleUnited States
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, University of FloridaGainesvilleUnited States
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28
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Núñez-Murrieta MA, Noguez P, Coria-Avila GA, García-García F, Santiago-García J, Bolado-García VE, Corona-Morales AA. Maternal behavior, novelty confrontation, and subcortical c-Fos expression during lactation period are shaped by gestational environment. Behav Brain Res 2021; 412:113432. [PMID: 34186145 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The environmental context during gestation may modulate the postpartum variations in maternal behaviors observed within different animal species. Most of our experimental knowledge on this phenomenon and its physiological effects have been gained by confronting the pregnant mother with stressful situations, with the consensual results indicating a reduced maternal behavior and a hyper reactivity of stress-related neural paths. Here, in contrast, by exposing nulliparous rats strictly during pregnancy to a standard laboratory environment (STD) or a highly stimulating sensory and social environment (EE), we investigated the hypothesis that subjects frequently exposed to social stimuli and novel situations during pregnancy will show postpartum changes in subcortical brain areas' activity related to the processing of social stimuli and novelty, such that there will be modifications in maternal behavior. We found that EE mothers doubled the levels of licking and grooming, and active hovering over pups during the first postpartum week than STD dams, without a difference in the time of contact with the pups. Associated with these behaviors, EE dams showed increased c-Fos immunoreaction in hypothalamic nuclei and distinct responses in amygdalar nuclei, than STD dams. In the maternal defensive test, EE dams tripled the levels of aggressive behaviors of the STD rats. Additionally, in two different tests, EE mothers showed lower levels of postpartum anxiety-like behaviors when confronted with novel situations. Our results demonstrate that the activity of brain areas related to social behavior is adaptable by environmental circumstances experienced during gestation, presumably to prepare the progeny for these particular conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula Noguez
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM, Mexico.
| | - Genaro A Coria-Avila
- Centro de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Ver., Mexico.
| | - Fabio García-García
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Ver., Mexico.
| | - Juan Santiago-García
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Ver., Mexico.
| | - Victoria E Bolado-García
- Laboratorio de Investigación Genómica y Fisiológica, Facultad de Nutrición, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Ver., Mexico.
| | - Aleph A Corona-Morales
- Laboratorio de Investigación Genómica y Fisiológica, Facultad de Nutrición, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Ver., Mexico.
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29
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Lefevre A, Benusiglio D, Tang Y, Krabichler Q, Charlet A, Grinevich V. Oxytocinergic Feedback Circuitries: An Anatomical Basis for Neuromodulation of Social Behaviors. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:688234. [PMID: 34194303 PMCID: PMC8236528 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.688234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide produced by hypothalamic neurons and is known to modulate social behavior among other functions. Several experiments have shown that OT modulates neuronal activity in many brain areas, including sensory cortices. OT neurons thus project axons to various cortical and subcortical structures and activate neuronal subpopulations to increase the signal-to-noise ratio, and in turn, increases the saliency of social stimuli. Less is known about the origin of inputs to OT neurons, but recent studies show that cells projecting to OT neurons are often located in regions where the OT receptor (OTR) is expressed. Thus, we propose the existence of reciprocal connectivity between OT neurons and extrahypothalamic OTR neurons to tune OT neuron activity depending on the behavioral context. Furthermore, the latest studies have shown that OTR-expressing neurons located in social brain regions also project to other social brain regions containing OTR-expressing neurons. We hypothesize that OTR-expressing neurons across the brain constitute a common network coordinated by OT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Lefevre
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Diego Benusiglio
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, Monterotondo, Italy
- Neuroscience and Behaviour Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Yan Tang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Quirin Krabichler
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Alexandre Charlet
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences, Strasbourg, France
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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30
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Che X, Cai J, Liu Y, Xu T, Yang J, Wu C. Oxytocin signaling in the treatment of drug addiction: Therapeutic opportunities and challenges. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 223:107820. [PMID: 33600854 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Despite great advances were achieved in understanding the neurobiology of drug addiction, the therapeutic options are severely limited, with poor effectiveness and serious side effects. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) is well known for its effects on uterine contraction, sexual/maternal behaviors, social affiliation, stress and learning/memory by interacting with the OXT receptor and other neuromodulators. Emerging evidence suggests that the acute or chronic exposure to drugs can affect the OXT system. Additionally, OXT administration can ameliorate a wide range of abused drug-induced neurobehavioral changes. Overall, OXT not only suppresses drug reward in the binge stage of drug addiction, but also reduces stress responses and social impairments during the withdrawal stage and, finally, prevents drug/cue/stress-induced reinstatement. More importantly, clinical studies have also shown that OXT can exert beneficial effects on reducing substance use disorders of a series of drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, alcohol, cannabis and nicotine. Thus, the present review focuses on the role of OXT in treating drug addiction, including the preclinical and clinical therapeutic potential of OXT and its analogs on the neurobiological perspectives of drugs, to provide a better insight of the efficacy of OXT as a clinical addiction therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohang Che
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Jialing Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Yueyang Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Tianyu Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China.
| | - Chunfu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China; Key Laboratory of New Drug Pharmacodynamics Evaluation of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China.
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31
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The Same Magnocellular Neurons Send Axon Collaterals to the Posterior Pituitary and Retina or to the Posterior Pituitary and Autonomic Preganglionic Centers of the Eye in Rats. NEUROSCI 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/neurosci2010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In rats, some parvocellular paraventricular neurons project to spinal autonomic centers. Using the virus tracing technique, we have demonstrated that some magnocellular paraventricular neurons, but not supraoptic neurons, also project to autonomic preganglionic centers of the mammary gland, gingiva, or lip. A part of these neurons has shown oxytocin immunoreactivity. In the present experiment, we have examined whether the same magnocellular neuron that sends fibers to the retina or autonomic preganglionic centers of the eye also projects to the posterior pituitary. Double neurotropic viral labeling and oxytocin immunohistochemistry were used. After inoculation of the posterior pituitary and the eye with viruses, spreading in a retrograde direction and expressing different fluorescence proteins, we looked for double-labeled neurons in paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. Double-labeled neurons were observed in non-sympathectomized and cervical-sympathectomized animals. Some double-labeled neurons contained oxytocin. After the optic nerve was cut, the labeling did not appear in the supraoptic nucleus; however, it could still be observed in the paraventricular nucleus. In the paraventricular nucleus, the double-labeled cells may be the origin of centrifugal visual fibers or autonomic premotor neurons. In the supraoptic nucleus, all double-labeled neurons are cells of origin of centrifugal visual fibers.
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32
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MacGregor DJ, Leng G. Network and Population Function in Neuroendocrine Systems. SYSTEMS MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.11371-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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33
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Brain oxytocin: how puzzle stones from animal studies translate into psychiatry. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:265-279. [PMID: 32514104 PMCID: PMC7278240 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0802-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin has attracted great attention of the general public, basic neuroscience researchers, psychologists, and psychiatrists due to its profound pro-social, anxiolytic, and "anti-stress" behavioral and physiological effects, and its potential application for treatment of mental diseases associated with altered socio-emotional competence. During the last decade, substantial progress has been achieved in understanding the complex neurobiology of the oxytocin system, including oxytocinergic pathways, local release patterns, and oxytocin receptor distribution in the brain, as well as intraneuronal oxytocin receptor signaling. However, the picture of oxytocin actions remains far from being complete, and the central question remains: "How does a single neuropeptide exert such pleotropic actions?" Although this phenomenon, typical for many of about 100 identified neuropeptides, may emerge from the anatomical divergence of oxytocin neurons, their multiple central projections, distinct oxytocin-sensitive cell types in different brain regions, and multiple intraneuronal signaling pathways determining the specific cellular response, further basic studies are required. In conjunction, numerous reports on positive effects of intranasal application of oxytocin on human brain networks controlling socio-emotional behavior in health and disease require harmonic tandems of basic researchers and clinicians. During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, oxytocin research seems central as question of social isolation-induced inactivation of the oxytocin system, and buffering effects of either activation of the endogenous system or intranasal application of synthetic oxytocin need to be thoroughly investigated.
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Horta M, Pehlivanoglu D, Ebner NC. The Role of Intranasal Oxytocin on Social Cognition: An Integrative Human Lifespan Approach. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 2020; 7:175-192. [PMID: 33717829 PMCID: PMC7951958 DOI: 10.1007/s40473-020-00214-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This narrative review synthesizes research from the last two decades on the modulatory role of intranasal OT administration (IN-OT) on social cognition in early life, young/middle adulthood, and older adulthood. Advances and knowledge gaps are identified, and future research directions are discussed within an integrative human lifespan framework to guide novel research on IN-OT and social cognition. RECENT FINDINGS Current evidence regarding IN-OT modulation of social-cognitive processes, behavior, and related neurocircuitry is mixed, with some studies suggesting benefits (e.g., improved social perception/interactions, emotion processing) depending on contextual (e.g., social stimuli) and interindividual factors (e.g., age, sex, clinical status). Current research, however, is limited by a focus on isolated life phases, males, and select clinical populations as well as a lack of standardized protocols. SUMMARY This literature-based reflection proposes that greater generalizability of findings and scientific advancement on social-cognitive modulation via IN-OT require standardized, multi-method, longitudinal, and cross-sequential assessments in well-powered, well-controlled, and representative samples in line with an integrative lifespan approach, which considers development as a lifelong dynamic process involving both change and stability characterized by the interplay between genetic, neurobiological, and socio-behavioral factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn Horta
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Natalie C. Ebner
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Institute on Aging, Department of Aging & Geriatric Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Lewis EM, Stein-O'Brien GL, Patino AV, Nardou R, Grossman CD, Brown M, Bangamwabo B, Ndiaye N, Giovinazzo D, Dardani I, Jiang C, Goff LA, Dölen G. Parallel Social Information Processing Circuits Are Differentially Impacted in Autism. Neuron 2020; 108:659-675.e6. [PMID: 33113347 PMCID: PMC8033501 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Parallel processing circuits are thought to dramatically expand the network capabilities of the nervous system. Magnocellular and parvocellular oxytocin neurons have been proposed to subserve two parallel streams of social information processing, which allow a single molecule to encode a diverse array of ethologically distinct behaviors. Here we provide the first comprehensive characterization of magnocellular and parvocellular oxytocin neurons in male mice, validated across anatomical, projection target, electrophysiological, and transcriptional criteria. We next use novel multiple feature selection tools in Fmr1-KO mice to provide direct evidence that normal functioning of the parvocellular but not magnocellular oxytocin pathway is required for autism-relevant social reward behavior. Finally, we demonstrate that autism risk genes are enriched in parvocellular compared with magnocellular oxytocin neurons. Taken together, these results provide the first evidence that oxytocin-pathway-specific pathogenic mechanisms account for social impairments across a broad range of autism etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eastman M Lewis
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Wendy Klag Institute for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Genevieve L Stein-O'Brien
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205; McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Alejandra V Patino
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Wendy Klag Institute for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Romain Nardou
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Wendy Klag Institute for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Cooper D Grossman
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Matthew Brown
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Bidii Bangamwabo
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ndeye Ndiaye
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Daniel Giovinazzo
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ian Dardani
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Connie Jiang
- Cell and Molecular Biology Group, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Loyal A Goff
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Gül Dölen
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Wendy Klag Institute for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Social touch promotes interfemale communication via activation of parvocellular oxytocin neurons. Nat Neurosci 2020; 23:1125-1137. [PMID: 32719563 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-0674-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a great facilitator of social life but, although its effects on socially relevant brain regions have been extensively studied, OT neuron activity during actual social interactions remains unexplored. Most OT neurons are magnocellular neurons, which simultaneously project to the pituitary and forebrain regions involved in social behaviors. In the present study, we show that a much smaller population of OT neurons, parvocellular neurons that do not project to the pituitary but synapse onto magnocellular neurons, is preferentially activated by somatosensory stimuli. This activation is transmitted to the larger population of magnocellular neurons, which consequently show coordinated increases in their activity during social interactions between virgin female rats. Selectively activating these parvocellular neurons promotes social motivation, whereas inhibiting them reduces social interactions. Thus, parvocellular OT neurons receive particular inputs to control social behavior by coordinating the responses of the much larger population of magnocellular OT neurons.
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Althammer F, Ferreira-Neto HC, Rubaharan M, Roy RK, Patel AA, Murphy A, Cox DN, Stern JE. Three-dimensional morphometric analysis reveals time-dependent structural changes in microglia and astrocytes in the central amygdala and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of heart failure rats. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:221. [PMID: 32703230 PMCID: PMC7379770 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01892-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, are the most common cause of death globally. Recent studies support a high degree of comorbidity between heart failure and cognitive and mood disorders resulting in memory loss, depression, and anxiety. While neuroinflammation in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus contributes to autonomic and cardiovascular dysregulation in heart failure, mechanisms underlying cognitive and mood disorders in this disease remain elusive. The goal of this study was to quantitatively assess markers of neuroinflammation (glial morphology, cytokines, and A1 astrocyte markers) in the central amygdala, a critical forebrain region involved in emotion and cognition, and to determine its time course and correlation to disease severity during the progression of heart failure. METHODS We developed and implemented a comprehensive microglial/astrocyte profiler for precise three-dimensional morphometric analysis of individual microglia and astrocytes in specific brain nuclei at different time points during the progression of heart failure. To this end, we used a well-established ischemic heart failure rat model. Morphometric studies were complemented with quantification of various pro-inflammatory cytokines and A1/A2 astrocyte markers via qPCR. RESULTS We report structural remodeling of central amygdala microglia and astrocytes during heart failure that affected cell volume, surface area, filament length, and glial branches, resulting overall in somatic swelling and deramification, indicative of a change in glial state. These changes occurred in a time-dependent manner, correlated with the severity of heart failure, and were delayed compared to changes in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Morphometric changes correlated with elevated mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and markers of reactive A1-type astrocytes in the paraventricular nucleus and central amygdala during heart failure. CONCLUSION We provide evidence that in addition to the previously described hypothalamic neuroinflammation implicated in sympathohumoral activation during heart failure, microglia, and astrocytes within the central amygdala also undergo structural remodeling indicative of glial shifts towards pro-inflammatory phenotypes. Thus, our studies suggest that neuroinflammation in the amygdala stands as a novel pathophysiological mechanism and potential therapeutic target that could be associated with emotional and cognitive deficits commonly observed at later stages during the course of heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Althammer
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | | | | | - Ranjan K Roy
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Atit A Patel
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Anne Murphy
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Daniel N Cox
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Javier E Stern
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA.
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Dyavanapalli J, Rodriguez J, Rocha Dos Santos C, Escobar JB, Dwyer MK, Schloen J, Lee KM, Wolaver W, Wang X, Dergacheva O, Michelini LC, Schunke KJ, Spurney CF, Kay MW, Mendelowitz D. Activation of Oxytocin Neurons Improves Cardiac Function in a Pressure-Overload Model of Heart Failure. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 5:484-497. [PMID: 32478209 PMCID: PMC7251188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Hypothalamic OXT neurons were chronically activated using a chemogenetic approach in an animal model of HF. Synaptic release of OXT onto parasympathetic autonomic targets was reduced in animals with HF but restored with daily treatment consisting of activation of OXT neurons. Long-term daily OXT neuron activation increased parasympathetic activity to the heart and reduced mortality, cardiac inflammation, and fibrosis and improved critical longitudinal in vivo indices of cardiac function. The benefits in cardiac function and autonomic balance in HF closely tracked the study-designed differences in initiation of OXT neuron activation in different groups.
This work shows long-term restoration of the hypothalamic oxytocin (OXT) network preserves OXT release, reduces mortality, cardiac inflammation, fibrosis, and improves autonomic tone and cardiac function in a model of heart failure. Intranasal administration of OXT in patients mimics the short-term changes seen in animals by increasing parasympathetic—and decreasing sympathetic—cardiac activity. This work provides the essential translational foundation to determine if approaches that mimic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) OXT neuron activation, such as safe, noninvasive, and well-tolerated intranasal administration of OXT, can be beneficial in patients with heart failure.
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Key Words
- ANOVA, analysis of variance
- CHO, Chinese hamster ovary
- CNO, clozapine-N-oxide
- CVN, cardiac vagal neuron
- ChR2, channelrhodopsin
- DMNX, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus
- DREADD, designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drug
- HF, heart failure
- IL, interleukin
- LV, left ventricle
- LVDP, left ventricle- developed pressure
- OXT, oxytocin
- PVN, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
- SD, standard deviation
- TAC, transascending aortic constriction
- heart failure
- oxytocin
- parasympathetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhansi Dyavanapalli
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Jeannette Rodriguez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | | | - Joan B Escobar
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Mary Kate Dwyer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - John Schloen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Kyung-Min Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Whitney Wolaver
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Olga Dergacheva
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Lisete C Michelini
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo/SP, Brazil
| | - Kathryn J Schunke
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Christopher F Spurney
- Children's National Heart Institute, Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Matthew W Kay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - David Mendelowitz
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
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Romano A, Friuli M, Cifani C, Gaetani S. Oxytocin in the neural control of eating: At the crossroad between homeostatic and non-homeostatic signals. Neuropharmacology 2020; 171:108082. [PMID: 32259527 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The understanding of the biological substrates regulating feeding behavior is relevant to address the health problems related to food overconsumption. Several studies have expanded the conventional view of the homeostatic regulation of body weight mainly orchestrated by the hypothalamus, to include also the non-homeostatic control of appetite. Such processes include food reward and are mainly coordinated by the activation of the central mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. The identification of endogenous systems acting as a bridge between homoeostatic and non-homeostatic pathways might represent a significant step toward the development of drugs for the treatment of aberrant eating patterns. Oxytocin is a hypothalamic hormone that is directly secreted into the brain and reaches the blood circulation through the neurohypophysis. Oxytocin regulates a variety of physiologic functions, including eating and metabolism. In the last years both preclinical and clinical studies well characterized oxytocin for its effects in reducing food intake and body weight. In the present review we summarize the role played by oxytocin in the control of both homeostatic and non-homeostatic eating, within cognitive, metabolic and reward mechanisms, to mostly highlight its potential therapeutic effects as a new pharmacological approach for the development of drugs for eating disorders. We conclude that the central oxytocinergic system is possibly one of the mechanisms that coordinate energy balance at the crossroads between homeostatic and non-homeostatic mechanisms. This concept should foster studies aimed at exploring the possible exploitation of oxytocin in the treatment of aberrant eating patterns. This article is part of the special issue on Neuropeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele Romano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Friuli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri, 9, 62032, Camerino, MC, Italy
| | - Silvana Gaetani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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Paiva L, Leng G. Peripheral insulin administration enhances the electrical activity of oxytocin and vasopressin neurones in vivo. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12841. [PMID: 32180284 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin neurones are involved in the regulation of energy balance through diverse central and peripheral actions and, in rats, they are potently activated by gavage of sweet substances. Here, we test the hypothesis that this activation is mediated by the central actions of insulin. We show that, in urethane-anaesthetised rats, oxytocin cells in the supraoptic nucleus show prolonged activation after i.v. injections of insulin, and that this response is greater in fasted rats than in non-fasted rats. Vasopressin cells are also activated, although less consistently. We also show that this activation of oxytocin cells is independent of changes in plasma glucose concentration, and is completely blocked by central (i.c.v.) administration of an insulin receptor antagonist. Finally, we replicate the previously published finding that oxytocin cells are activated by gavage of sweetened condensed milk, and show that this response too is completely blocked by central administration of an insulin receptor antagonist. We conclude that the response of oxytocin cells to gavage of sweetened condensed milk is mediated by the central actions of insulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Paiva
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gareth Leng
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Warfvinge K, Krause D, Edvinsson L. The distribution of oxytocin and the oxytocin receptor in rat brain: relation to regions active in migraine. J Headache Pain 2020; 21:10. [PMID: 32028899 PMCID: PMC7006173 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-020-1079-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent work, both clinical and experimental, suggests that the hypothalamic hormone oxytocin (OT) and its receptor (OTR) may be involved in migraine pathophysiology. In order to better understand possible central actions of OT in migraine/headache pathogenesis, we mapped the distribution of OT and OTR in nerve cells and fibers in rat brain with a focus on areas related to migraine attacks and/or shown previously to contain calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), another neuropeptide involved in migraine. METHODS Distribution of OT and OTR in the adult, rat brain was qualitatively examined with immunohistochemistry using a series of well characterized specific antibodies. RESULTS As expected, OT was extensively localized in the cell somas of two hypothalamic nuclei, the supraoptic (SO or SON) and paraventricular nuclei (Pa or PVN). OT also was found in many other regions of the brain where it was localized mainly in nerve fibers. In contrast, OTR staining in the brain was mainly observed in cell somas with very little expression in fibers. The most distinct OTR expression was found in the hippocampus, the pons and the substantia nigra. In some regions of the brain (e.g. the amygdala and the hypothalamus), both OT and OTR were expressed (match). Mismatch between the peptide and its receptor was primarily observed in the cerebral and cerebellar cortex (OT expression) and hippocampus (OTR expression). CONCLUSIONS We compared OT/OTR distribution in the CNS with that of CGRP and identified regions related to migraine. In particular, regions suggested as "migraine generators", showed correspondence among the three mappings. These findings suggest central OT pathways may contribute to the role of the hypothalamus in migraine attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Warfvinge
- Department of Clinical Experimental Research, Glostrup Research Institute, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark.
- Division of Experimental Vascular Research, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Diana Krause
- Division of Experimental Vascular Research, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Lars Edvinsson
- Department of Clinical Experimental Research, Glostrup Research Institute, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
- Division of Experimental Vascular Research, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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Vaidyanathan R, Hammock EA. Oxytocin receptor gene loss influences expression of the oxytocin gene in C57BL/6J mice in a sex- and age-dependent manner. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12821. [PMID: 31845417 PMCID: PMC7023993 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Parental care and sensory stimulation are critical environmental factors that influence oxytocin (OXT) and its receptor (OXTR). Because developmental Oxt mRNA expression is enhanced by sensory-rich early life experience and reduced by sensory deprivation, we predicted that compared to wild-type (WT) littermates, mice with congenital loss of OXTR (OXTR KO), as a genetically induced deprivation, would show impaired Oxt mRNA expression in the offspring hypothalamus during development. Oxt mRNA levels of male and female OXTR KO mice were not different from WT littermates from postnatal day (P)0 to P6, although, by P8, OXTR KO showed significantly decreased Oxt mRNA expression in the hypothalamus compared to WT littermates. At P14, male and female OXTR KO mice had significantly decreased Oxt mRNA expression specifically in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), but not the supraoptic nucleus (SON), compared to WT littermates. We investigated whether this effect persisted in adulthood (P90) and found a significant genotype by sex interaction where male OXTR KO mice displayed a reduction in Oxt expression specific to the PVN compared to male WT littermates. By contrast, male and female OXTR KO adults had increased Oxt mRNA levels in the SON. These findings suggest that OXTR plays a role in developmental Oxt mRNA expression with sex by genotype interactions apparent at adulthood. We then measured OXT and neural activation in the PVN and SON at P14. We observed more OXT-immunoreactive cells in the PVN of OXTR KO mice but significantly fewer c-Fos immunoreactive cells. There were no genotype differences in immunoreactivity for OXT and no c-Fos activity in the SON at P14. Combined, these data suggest that OXTR WT P14 mice have more PVN activity and are more likely to release OXT than OXTR KO mice. Future experiments are warranted to understand which OXTR-expressing neural circuits modulate the development of the PVN oxytocin system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhika Vaidyanathan
- Program in Neuroscience, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL USA
- Department of Psychology, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL USA
| | - Elizabeth A.D. Hammock
- Program in Neuroscience, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL USA
- Department of Psychology, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL USA
- Corresponding author: , Phone: 850-645-9943
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Frare C, Jenkins ME, McClure KM, Drew KL. Seasonal decrease in thermogenesis and increase in vasoconstriction explain seasonal response to N 6 -cyclohexyladenosine-induced hibernation in the Arctic ground squirrel (Urocitellus parryii). J Neurochem 2019; 151:316-335. [PMID: 31273780 PMCID: PMC6819227 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Hibernation is a seasonal phenomenon characterized by a drop in metabolic rate and body temperature. Adenosine A1 receptor agonists promote hibernation in different mammalian species, and the understanding of the mechanism inducing hibernation will inform clinical strategies to manipulate metabolic demand that are fundamental to conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and therapeutic hypothermia. Adenosine A1 receptor agonist-induced hibernation in Arctic ground squirrels is regulated by an endogenous circannual (seasonal) rhythm. This study aims to identify the neuronal mechanism underlying the seasonal difference in response to the adenosine A1 receptor agonist. Arctic ground squirrels were implanted with body temperature transmitters and housed at constant ambient temperature (2°C) and light cycle (4L:20D). We administered CHA (N6 -cyclohexyladenosine), an adenosine A1 receptor agonist in euthermic-summer phenotype and euthermic-winter phenotype and used cFos and phenotypic immunoreactivity to identify cell groups affected by season and treatment. We observed lower core and subcutaneous temperature in winter animals and CHA produced a hibernation-like response in winter, but not in summer. cFos-ir was greater in the median preoptic nucleus and the raphe pallidus in summer after CHA. CHA administration also resulted in enhanced cFos-ir in the nucleus tractus solitarius and decreased cFos-ir in the tuberomammillary nucleus in both seasons. In winter, cFos-ir was greater in the supraoptic nucleus and lower in the raphe pallidus than in summer. The seasonal decrease in the thermogenic response to CHA and the seasonal increase in vasoconstriction, assessed by subcutaneous temperature, reflect the endogenous seasonal modulation of the thermoregulatory systems necessary for CHA-induced hibernation. Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14528.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Frare
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| | - Mackenzie E Jenkins
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| | - Kelsey M McClure
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Kelly L Drew
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
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44
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Romanov RA, Alpár A, Hökfelt T, Harkany T. Unified Classification of Molecular, Network, and Endocrine Features of Hypothalamic Neurons. Annu Rev Neurosci 2019; 42:1-26. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-070918-050414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral endocrine output relies on either direct or feed-forward multi-order command from the hypothalamus. Efficient coding of endocrine responses is made possible by the many neuronal cell types that coexist in intercalated hypothalamic nuclei and communicate through extensive synaptic connectivity. Although general anatomical and neurochemical features of hypothalamic neurons were described during the past decades, they have yet to be reconciled with recently discovered molecular classifiers and neurogenetic function determination. By interrogating magnocellular as well as parvocellular dopamine, GABA, glutamate, and phenotypically mixed neurons, we integrate available information at the molecular, cellular, network, and endocrine output levels to propose a framework for the comprehensive classification of hypothalamic neurons. Simultaneously, we single out putative neuronal subclasses for which future research can fill in existing gaps of knowledge to rationalize cellular diversity through function-determinant molecular marks in the hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman A. Romanov
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alán Alpár
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, and SE NAP Research Group of Experimental Neuroanatomy and Developmental Biology, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tomas Hökfelt
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tibor Harkany
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17165 Stockholm, Sweden
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45
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Maícas Royo J, Leng G, MacGregor DJ. The spiking and secretory activity of oxytocin neurones in response to osmotic stimulation: a computational model. J Physiol 2019; 597:3657-3671. [PMID: 31111496 DOI: 10.1113/jp278045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS A quantitative model of oxytocin neurones that combines a spiking model, a model of stimulus-secretion coupling and a model of plasma clearance of oxytocin was tested. To test the model, a variety of sources of published data were used that relate either the electrical activity of oxytocin cells or the secretion of oxytocin to experimentally induced changes in plasma osmotic pressure. To use these data to test the model, the experimental challenges involved were computationally simulated. The model predictions closely matched the reported outcomes of the different experiments. ABSTRACT Magnocellular vasopressin and oxytocin neurones in the rat hypothalamus project to the posterior pituitary, where they secrete their products into the bloodstream. In rodents, both vasopressin and oxytocin magnocellular neurones are osmoresponsive, and their increased spiking activity is mainly a consequence of an increased synaptic input from osmoresponsive neurons in regions adjacent to the anterior wall of the third ventricle. Osmotically stimulated vasopressin secretion promotes antidiuresis while oxytocin secretion promotes natriuresis. In this work we tested a previously published computational model of the spiking and secretion activity of oxytocin cells against published evidence of changes in spiking activity and plasma oxytocin concentration in response to different osmotic challenges. We show that integrating this oxytocin model with a simple model of the osmoresponsive inputs to oxytocin cells achieves a strikingly close match to diverse sources of data. Comparing model predictions with published data using bicuculline to block inhibitory GABA inputs supports the conclusion that inhibitory inputs and excitatory inputs are co-activated by osmotic stimuli. Finally, we studied how the gain of osmotically stimulated oxytocin release changes in the presence of a hypovolaemic stimulus, showing that this is best explained by an inhibition of an osmotically regulated inhibitory drive to the magnocellular neurones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Maícas Royo
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gareth Leng
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Duncan J MacGregor
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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46
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Onaka T, Takayanagi Y. Role of oxytocin in the control of stress and food intake. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12700. [PMID: 30786104 PMCID: PMC7217012 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin neurones in the hypothalamus are activated by stressful stimuli and food intake. The oxytocin receptor is located in various brain regions, including the sensory information-processing cerebral cortex; the cognitive information-processing prefrontal cortex; reward-related regions such as the ventral tegmental areas, nucleus accumbens and raphe nucleus; stress-related areas such as the amygdala, hippocampus, ventrolateral part of the ventromedial hypothalamus and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray; homeostasis-controlling hypothalamus; and the dorsal motor complex controlling intestinal functions. Oxytocin affects behavioural and neuroendocrine stress responses and terminates food intake by acting on the metabolic or nutritional homeostasis system, modulating emotional processing, reducing reward values of food intake, and facilitating sensory and cognitive processing via multiple brain regions. Oxytocin also plays a role in interactive actions between stress and food intake and contributes to adaptive active coping behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsushi Onaka
- Division of Brain and NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyJichi Medical UniversityShimotsuke‐shiJapan
| | - Yuki Takayanagi
- Division of Brain and NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyJichi Medical UniversityShimotsuke‐shiJapan
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47
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Mak SOK, Zhang L, Chow BKC. In vivo
actions of SCTR/AT1aR heteromer in controlling Vp expression and release
via
cFos/cAMP/CREB pathway in magnocellular neurons of PVN. FASEB J 2019; 33:5389-5398. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801732rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah O. K. Mak
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Hong Kong Hong Kong China
| | - Li Zhang
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macau (GHM) Institute of Central Nervous System (CNS) RegenerationJinan University Guangzhou China
| | - Billy K. C. Chow
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Hong Kong Hong Kong China
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48
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Valtcheva S, Froemke RC. Neuromodulation of maternal circuits by oxytocin. Cell Tissue Res 2019; 375:57-68. [PMID: 30062614 PMCID: PMC6336509 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2883-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Motherhood in mammals involves tremendous changes throughout the body and central nervous system, which support attention and nurturing of infants. Maternal care consists of complex behaviors, such as nursing and protection of the offspring, requiring new mothers to become highly sensitive to infant needs. Long-lasting neural plasticity in various regions of the cerebral cortex may enable the perception and recognition of infant cues, important for appropriate caregiving responses. Recent findings have demonstrated that the neuropeptide oxytocin is involved in a number of physiological processes, including parturition and lactation and dynamically shaping neuronal responses to infant stimuli as well. Here, we review experience-dependent changes within the cortex occurring throughout motherhood, focusing on plasticity of the somatosensory and auditory cortex. We outline the role of oxytocin in gating cortical plasticity and discuss potential mechanisms regulating oxytocin release in response to different sensory stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Valtcheva
- Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Robert C Froemke
- Skirball Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Faculty Scholar, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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49
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Penetration of the blood-brain barrier by peripheral neuropeptides: new approaches to enhancing transport and endogenous expression. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 375:287-293. [PMID: 30535799 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2959-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a structural and functional barrier between the interstitial fluid of the brain and the blood; the barrier maintains the precisely controlled biochemical environment that is necessary for neural function. This constellation of endothelial cells, macrophages, pericytes, and astrocytes forms the neurovascular unit which is the structural and functional unit of the blood-brain barrier. Peptides enter and exit the CNS by transport systems expressed by the capillary endothelial cells of the neurovascular unit. Limiting the transport of peptides and proteins into the brain are efflux transporters like P-gp are transmembrane proteins present on the luminal side of the cerebral capillary endothelium and their function is to promote transit and excretion of drugs from the brain to the blood. Nanocarrier systems have been developed to exploit transport systems for enhanced BBB transport. Recent approaches for enhancing endogenous peptide expression are discussed.
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50
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Diversity of central oxytocinergic projections. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 375:41-48. [PMID: 30498946 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2960-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Localization and distribution of hypothalamic neurons expressing the nonapeptide oxytocin has been extensively studied. Their projections to the neurohypophyseal system release oxytocin into the systemic circulation thus controlling endocrine events associated with reproduction in males and females. Oxytocinergic neurons seem to be confined to the ventral hypothalamus in all mammals. Groups of such cells located outside the supraoptic and the paraventricular nuclei are summarized as "accessory neurons." Although evolutionary probably associated with the classical magocellular nuclei, accessory oxytocin neurons seem to consist of rather heterogenous groups: Periventricular oxytocin neurons may gain contact to the third ventricle to secrete the peptide into the cerebrospinal fluid. Perivascular neurons may be involved in control of cerebral blood flow. They may also gain access to the portal circulation of the anterior pituitary lobe. Central projections of oxytocinergic neurons extend to portions of the limbic system, to the mesencephalon and to the brain stem. Such projections have been associated with control of behaviors, central stress response as well as motor and vegetative functions. Activity of the different oxytocinergic systems seems to be malleable to functional status, strongly influenced by systemic levels of steroid hormones.
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