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Yáñez-Gómez F, Ramos-Miguel A, García-Sevilla JA, Manzanares J, Femenía T. Regulation of Cortico-Thalamic JNK1/2 and ERK1/2 MAPKs and Apoptosis-Related Signaling Pathways in PDYN Gene-Deficient Mice Following Acute and Chronic Mild Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032303. [PMID: 36768626 PMCID: PMC9916432 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The crosstalk between the opioidergic system and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) has a critical role in mediating stress-induced behaviors related to the pathophysiology of anxiety. The present study evaluated the basal status and stress-induced alterations of cortico-thalamic MAPKs and other cell fate-related signaling pathways potentially underlying the anxiogenic endophenotype of PDYN gene-deficient mice. Compared to littermates, PDYN knockout (KO) mice had lower cortical and or thalamic amounts of the phospho-activated MAPKs c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK1/2) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2). Similarly, PDYN-KO animals displayed reduced cortico-thalamic densities of total and phosphorylated (at Ser191) species of the cell fate regulator Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) without alterations in the Fas receptor. Exposure to acute restraint and chronic mild stress stimuli induced the robust stimulation of JNK1/2 and ERK1/2 MAPKs, FADD, and Akt-mTOR pathways, without apparent increases in apoptotic rates. Interestingly, PDYN deficiency prevented stress-induced JNK1/2 and FADD but not ERK1/2 or Akt-mTOR hyperactivations. These findings suggest that cortico-thalamic MAPK- and FADD-dependent neuroplasticity might be altered in PDYN-KO mice. In addition, the results also indicate that the PDYN gene (and hence dynorphin release) may be required to stimulate JNK1/2 and FADD (but not ERK1/2 or Akt/mTOR) pathways under environmental stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Yáñez-Gómez
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología, IUNICS, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Crta. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Alfredo Ramos-Miguel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barrio Sarriena S/N, 48940 Leioa, Spain
- BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Plaza de Cruces 12, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Jesús A. García-Sevilla
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología, IUNICS, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Crta. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Jorge Manzanares
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Teresa Femenía
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Jackson M, Foret BL, Fontenot J, Hasselschwert D, Smith J, Romero E, Smith KM. Molecular examination of the endogenous opioid system in rhesus macaque monkeys with self-injurious behavior. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:70-85. [PMID: 36131680 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Self-injurious behavior (SIB) can lead to serious injury and occurs in approximately 1%-4% of the adult population, with higher incidences in adolescent and institutionalized populations, as well as in children with developmental disorders such as Autism. SIB also spontaneously occurs in a low percentage of captive monkeys. Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) monkeys are evolutionarily and physiologically similar to humans, share 93% genetic sequence similarity to humans, and have long been used as testing subjects for vaccine and clinical trials. Previous studies hypothesized that altered endogenous opioid expression occurs in the brains of individuals and animals that self-injure. We examined the regional mRNA expression of opioid signaling genes in sixteen rhesus macaques that exhibited SIB and eight sex- and age- matched controls. The brain regions examined are linked to reward reinforcement and stress adaptation including the hypothalamus, orbital frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, caudate, and the amygdala. We found decreased μ-opioid receptor (OPRM1) in the amygdala of monkeys with SIB, and reduced prodynorphin (PDYN) in the hypothalamus. Our data suggest dysfunction in the regulation of opioid peptide precursors and calls for further investigation of the endogenous opioid system in SIB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marques Jackson
- Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
| | - Brittany L Foret
- Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
| | - Jane Fontenot
- New Iberia Research Center, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Dana Hasselschwert
- New Iberia Research Center, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Josh Smith
- New Iberia Research Center, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Emily Romero
- New Iberia Research Center, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Karen Müller Smith
- Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
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Kaya-Akyüzlü D, Özkan-Kotiloğlu S, Yalçın-Şahiner Ş, Ağtaş-Ertan E, Özgür-İlhan İ. Association of PDYN 68-bp VNTR polymorphism with sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone treatment and with opioid or alcohol use disorder: Effect on craving, depression, anxiety and age onset of first use. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 921:174862. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Fundamentals of the Dynorphins/Kappa Opioid Receptor System: From Distribution to Signaling and Function. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2022; 271:3-21. [PMID: 33754230 PMCID: PMC9013522 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
This chapter provides a general introduction to the dynorphins (DYNs)/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system, including DYN peptides, neuroanatomy of the DYNs/KOR system, cellular signaling, and in vivo behavioral effects of KOR activation and inhibition. It is intended to serve as a primer for the book and to provide a basic background for the chapters in the book.
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Hong L, Wen L, Niculescu M, Zhou F, Zou Y, Shen G, Wang W, Liu Y, Chen YH, Wang F, Chen L. The Interaction Between POMC rs2071345 Polymorphism and Alcohol Dependence in Anxiety Symptoms Among Chinese Male Problem Drinkers. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:878960. [PMID: 35592377 PMCID: PMC9110641 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.878960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alcohol dependence can increase the level of anxiety. A growing body of research has identified a link between anxiety symptoms of problem drinkers and their genetic or environment factors, respectively. However, to date few studies have directly examined gene-environment (G × E) interaction on their anxiety symptoms during the acute alcohol withdrawal. The present study aims to examine the interaction between the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) rs2071345 polymorphism and alcohol dependence on anxiety symptoms of male problem drinkers, and further test the exact form of interaction on two competing models: the diathesis-stress model vs. the differential susceptibility model. METHODS A total of 440 male problem drinkers (M age = 44.5 years, SD = 9.45) were recruited from nine main psychiatric hospitals of northern China during acute alcohol withdrawal. Blood samples were collected for genotyping, self-reported anxiety symptoms, and levels of alcohol dependence were assessed. RESULTS Results indicated that the POMC rs2071345 polymorphism significantly moderated anxiety symptoms associated with alcohol dependence. A region of significance (RoS) test showed that male problem drinkers with T allele were more likely to experience more anxiety symptoms than those with CC homozygote when the standardized score of concurrent alcohol dependence was above 0.31. Confirmatory model evaluation indicated that the interaction effect involving POMC gene polymorphism conformed to the diathesis-stress model rather than differential-susceptibility model of person × environment interaction. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that the SNP in POMC rs2071345 was associated with alcohol dependence in anxiety symptoms of male problem drinkers and further provided evidence in support of the diathesis-stress hypothesis of alcohol dependence in terms of anxiety symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuzhi Hong
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lutong Wen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
| | - Michelle Niculescu
- Department of Social Sciences, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Fan Zhou
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yang Zou
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Guanghui Shen
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yanlong Liu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yu-Hsin Chen
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fan Wang
- Beijing Hui-Long-Guan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Neurological Disorder Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Li Chen
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Park ES, Freeborn J, Venna VR, Roos S, Rhoads JM, Liu Y. Lactobacillus reuteri effects on maternal separation stress in newborn mice. Pediatr Res 2021; 90:980-988. [PMID: 33531679 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-021-01374-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (LR 17938) is beneficial to infants with colic. To understand its mechanism of action, we assessed ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) and brain pain/stress genes in newborn mice exposed to maternal separation stress. METHODS Pups were exposed to unpredictable maternal separation (MSU or SEP) or MSU combined with unpredictable maternal stress (MSU + MSUS or S + S), from postnatal days 5 to 14. USV calls and pain/stress/neuroinflammation-related genes in the brain were analyzed. RESULTS We defined 10 different neonatal call patterns, none of which increased after MSU. Stress reduced overall USV calls. Orally feeding LR 17938 also did not change USV calls after MSU. However, LR 17938 markedly increased vocalizations in mice allowed to stay with their dams. Even though LR 17938 did not change MSU-related calls, LR 17938 modulated brain genes related to stress and pain. Up-regulated genes following LR 17938 treatment were opioid peptides, kappa-opioid receptor 1 genes, and CD200, important in anti-inflammatory signaling. LR 17938 down-regulated CCR2 transcripts, a chemokine receptor, in the stressed neonatal brain. CONCLUSIONS USV calls in newborn mice are interpreted as "physiological calls" instead of "cries." Feeding LR 17938 after MSU did not change USV calls but modulated cerebral genes favoring pain and stress reduction and anti-inflammatory signaling. IMPACT We defined mouse ultrasonic vocalization (USV) call patterns in this study, which will be important in guiding future studies in other mouse strains. Newborn mice with maternal separation stress have reduced USVs, compared to newborn mice without stress, indicating USV calls may represent "physiological calling" instead of "crying." Oral feeding of probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 raised the number of calls when newborn mice continued to suckle on their dams, but not when mice were under stress. The probiotic bacteria had a dampening effect on monocyte activation and on epinephrine and glutamate-related stress gene expression in the mouse brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn S Park
- Departments of Pediatrics at McGovern Medical School, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jasmin Freeborn
- Departments of Pediatrics at McGovern Medical School, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Venugopal Reddy Venna
- Departments of Neurology at McGovern Medical School, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stefan Roos
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- BioGaia AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Marc Rhoads
- Departments of Pediatrics at McGovern Medical School, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yuying Liu
- Departments of Pediatrics at McGovern Medical School, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
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Reported Benefits of Low-Dose Naltrexone Appear to Be Independent of the Endogenous Opioid System Involving Proopiomelanocortin Neurons and β-Endorphin. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0087-21.2021. [PMID: 34031099 PMCID: PMC8211470 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0087-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of alcohol and opioid use disorders at doses of 50–150 mg/d. Naltrexone has also been prescribed at much lower doses (3–6 mg/d) for the off-label treatment of inflammation and pain. Currently, a compelling mechanistic explanation for the reported efficacy of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is lacking and none of the proposed mechanisms can explain patient reports of improved mood and sense of well-being. Here, we examined the possibility that LDN might alter the activity of the endogenous opioid system involving proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH) in male and female mice. Known actions of POMC neurons could account for changes in pain perception and mood. However, using electrophysiologic, imaging and peptide measurement approaches, we found no evidence for such a mechanism. LDN did not change the sensitivity of opioid receptors regulating POMC neurons, the production of the β-endorphin precursor Pomc mRNA, nor the release of β-endorphin into plasma. Spontaneous postsynaptic currents (sPSCs) onto POMC neurons were slightly decreased after LDN treatment and GCaMP fluorescent signal, a proxy for intracellular calcium levels, was slightly increased. However, LDN treatment did not appear to change POMC neuron firing rate, resting membrane potential, nor action potential threshold. Therefore, LDN appears to have only slight effects on POMC neurons that do not translate to changes in intrinsic excitability or baseline electrical activity and mechanisms beyond POMC neurons and altered opioid receptor sensitivity should continue to be explored.
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Chrissobolis S, Luu AN, Waldschmidt RA, Yoakum ME, D'Souza MS. Targeting the renin angiotensin system for the treatment of anxiety and depression. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 199:173063. [PMID: 33115635 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.173063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Emotional disorders like anxiety and depression are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality all over the world. Several antidepressant and anxiolytic medications are available for the treatment of anxiety and depression. However, a significant number of patients either do not respond to these medications or respond inadequately. Hence, there is a need to identify novel targets for the treatment of anxiety and depression. In this review we focus on the renin angiotensin system (RAS) as a potential target for the treatment of these disorders. We review work that has evaluated the effects of various compounds targeting the RAS on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Further, we suggest future work that must be carried out to fully exploit the RAS for the treatment of anxiety and depression. The RAS provides an attractive target for both the identification of novel anxiolytic and antidepressant medications and/or for enhancing the efficacy of currently available medications used for the treatment of anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophocles Chrissobolis
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, 525 S Main Street, Ada, OH 45810, United States of America
| | - Anh N Luu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, 525 S Main Street, Ada, OH 45810, United States of America
| | - Ryan A Waldschmidt
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, 525 S Main Street, Ada, OH 45810, United States of America
| | - Madison E Yoakum
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, 525 S Main Street, Ada, OH 45810, United States of America
| | - Manoranjan S D'Souza
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, 525 S Main Street, Ada, OH 45810, United States of America.
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Martínez-Navarro M, Lara-Mayorga I, Negrete R, Bilecki W, Wawrzczak-Bargieła A, Gonçalves L, Dickenson A, Przewłocki R, Baños J, Maldonado R. Influence of behavioral traits in the inter-individual variability of nociceptive, emotional and cognitive manifestations of neuropathic pain. Neuropharmacology 2019; 148:291-304. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Tian J, Tian Z, Qin SL, Zhao PY, Jiang X, Tian Z. Anxiolytic-like effects of α-asarone in a mouse model of chronic pain. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:2119-2129. [PMID: 28913780 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-0108-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
α-asarone (ASR) is a major bioactive compound isolated from the rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii Schott and it has extensive biological effects. Clinically, anxiety disorder is a common comorbidity of chronic pain. However, limited information is available regarding the effects of ASR on chronic pain-related anxiety. This study aims to evaluate the anxiolytic effects of ASR in chronic pain mice. Chronic inflammatory pain was induced by hind-paw injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Behavioral tests, western-blot analysis and whole-cell patch recordings were performed to evaluate the subsequent events. We found that ASR induced anxiolytic activities in CFA-injected mice but did not affect the nociceptive threshold. ASR administration reversed the up-regulation of GluR1-containing α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, NR2A-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and down-regulation of γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) of CFA-injected mice. Electrophysiological data revealed that ASR treatment restored the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmissions, which was disturbed in the BLA of CFA-injected mice. Moreover, ASR prevented the hyper-excitability of pyramidal neurons in the BLA of chronic pain mice. Our results suggested that the anxiolytic effects of ASR were partially due to maintaining the balance between excitatory/inhibitory transmissions and attenuating neuronal hyper-excitability of excitatory neurons in the BLA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Tian
- Department of Pediatrics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Zhen Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The 154th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Xinyang, 464000, China
| | - Shu-Li Qin
- Department of Pharmacy, The 154th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Xinyang, 464000, China
| | - Pu-Yu Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, The 154th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Xinyang, 464000, China
| | - Xun Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China.
| | - Zhen Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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Wang Q, Long Y, Hang A, Zan GY, Shu XH, Wang YJ, Liu JG. The anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of ATPM-ET, a novel κ agonist and μ partial agonist, in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:2411-8. [PMID: 27113225 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4292-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Opioid receptors are implicated in the regulation of motivation and emotion. However, animal studies show that activation of κ opioid receptor produces contrasting mood-altering effects in models of anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors, and consequently, the role of κ receptor in mood control remains unsettled. The effect of κ/μ opioid combination in emotion regulation was unexplored. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of (-)-3-N-ethylaminothiazolo [5,4-b]-N-cyclopropylmethylmorphinan hydrochloride (ATPM-ET), a novel κ agonist and μ partial agonist, in regulating emotional responses. METHODS The emotional responses of ATPM-ET were detected in the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field test (OFT), forced swim test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST). Selective κ antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI) and μ antagonist β-funaltrexamine (β-FNA) were applied to determine the type of receptor involved. The conditioned place aversion model was used to evaluate the effects on aversive emotion. RESULTS In the EPM and OFT, ATPM-ET (1 and 2 mg/kg, s.c.) significantly increased the time spent in the open arm and in the central area, respectively. In the FST and TST, ATPM-ET (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, s.c.) significantly reduced the duration of immobility. These effects were prevented by nor-BNI (10 mg/kg, i.p., -24 h), but not by β-FNA (10 and20 mg/kg, i.p., -24 h) pretreatment. At the dose of 2 mg/kg, ATPM-ET did not induce conditioned place aversion. CONCLUSIONS ATPM-ET, at doses from 0.5 to 2 mg/kg, produced anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects without inducing aversive emotion. These effects were more closely mediated by activation of κ receptor than μ receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Yu Long
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Ai Hang
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Gui-Ying Zan
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Shu
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China.
| | - Yu-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Jing-Gen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
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12
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Wang YJ, Hang A, Lu YC, Long Y, Zan GY, Li XP, Wang Q, Zhao ZX, He L, Chi ZQ, Liu JG. κ Opioid receptor activation in different brain regions differentially modulates anxiety-related behaviors in mice. Neuropharmacology 2016; 110:92-101. [PMID: 27106167 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
κ Opioid receptor system is widely implicated in the regulation of emotion. However, the findings about the role on anxiety in rodents are highly controversial, since both anxiogenic- and anxiolytic-like effects have been reported with κ opioid receptor activation. The mechanism and the underlying neuroanatomical substrates are unexplored. In the present study, we first investigated the effects of κ agonist U50,488H on anxiety-related behaviors over a wide range of doses, and we found that U50,488H produced dual effects in anxiety, with low dose being anxiogenic and high dose being anxiolytic. To assess the potential neuroanatomical substrates, we used phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase1/2 (pERK1/2) to map the underlying neural circuits. We found that the anxiogenic effect of U50,488H was paralleled by an increase of pERK1/2 in the nucleus accumbens, whereas the anxiolytic effect was paralleled by an increase of pERK1/2 in the lateral septal nucleus. We then examined the behavioral consequences with locally microinjection of U50,488H, and we found that microinjection of U50,488H into the nucleus accumbens exerted anxiogenic-like effects, whereas microinjection of U50,488H into the lateral septal nucleus. Both effects can be abolished by κ antagonist nor-BNI pretreatment. To the best of our knowledge, the present work firstly provides the neuroanatomical sites that mediating the dual anxiogenic- and anxiolytic-like effects of U50,488H in mice. This study may help to explain current controversial role of κ receptor activation in anxiety-related behaviors in rodents, and may open new perspectives in the areas of anxiety disorders and κ receptor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ai Hang
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai 201203, China; Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yu-Chen Lu
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yu Long
- Department of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Gui-Ying Zan
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xue-Ping Li
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Zeng-Xiang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ling He
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Chi
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jing-Gen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China.
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The role of the dynorphin/κ opioid receptor system in anxiety. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2015; 36:783-90. [PMID: 25982631 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2015.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are the most common and prevalent forms of psychiatric disease, although the biological basis of anxiety is not well understood. The dynorphin/κ opioid receptor system is widely distributed in the central nervous system and has been shown to play a critical role in modulating mood and emotional behaviors. In the present review, we summarize current literature relating to the role played by the dynorphin/κ opioid receptor system in anxiety and κ opioid receptor antagonists as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of anxiety disorders.
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Femenía T, Magara S, DuPont CM, Lindskog M. Hippocampal-Dependent Antidepressant Action of the H3 Receptor Antagonist Clobenpropit in a Rat Model of Depression. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 18:pyv032. [PMID: 25762718 PMCID: PMC4576519 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyv032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Histamine is a modulatory neurotransmitter regulating neuronal activity. Antidepressant drugs target modulatory neurotransmitters, thus ultimately regulating glutamatergic transmission and plasticity. Histamine H3 receptor (H3R) antagonists have both pro-cognitive and antidepressant effects; however, the mechanism by which they modulate glutamate transmission is not clear. We measured the effects of the H3R antagonist clobenpropit in the Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL), a rat model of depression with impaired memory and altered glutamatergic transmission. METHODS Behavioral tests included the forced swim test, memory tasks (passive avoidance, novel object recognition tests), and anxiety-related paradigms (novelty suppressed feeding, social interaction, light/dark box tests). Hippocampal protein levels were detected by Western blot. Hippocampal plasticity was studied by in slice field recording of CA3-CA1 long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP), and glutamatergic transmission by whole-cell patch clamp recording of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in CA1 pyramidal neurons. RESULTS Clobenpropit, administered systemically or directly into the hippocampus, decreased immobility during the forced swim test; systemic injections reversed memory deficits and increased hippocampal GluN2A protein levels. FSL rats displayed anxiety-related behaviors not affected by clobenpropit treatment. Clobenpropit enhanced hippocampal plasticity, but did not affect EPSCs. H1R and H2R antagonists prevented the clobenpropit-induced increase in LTP and, injected locally into the hippocampus, blocked clobenpropit's effect in the forced swim test. CONCLUSIONS Clobenpropit's antidepressant effects and the enhanced synaptic plasticity require hippocampal H1R and H2R activation, suggesting that clobenpropit acts through disinhibition of histamine release. Clobenpropit reverses memory deficits and increases hippocampal GluN2A expression without modifying anxiety-related phenotypes or EPSCs in CA1 pyramidal neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maria Lindskog
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Drs Femenía, Magara, and Lindskog, and Ms DuPont).
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Cohen A, Whitfield TW, Kreifeldt M, Koebel P, Kieffer BL, Contet C, George O, Koob GF. Virus-mediated shRNA knockdown of prodynorphin in the rat nucleus accumbens attenuates depression-like behavior and cocaine locomotor sensitization. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97216. [PMID: 24816773 PMCID: PMC4016270 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynorphins, endogenous opioid peptides that arise from the precursor protein prodynorphin (Pdyn), are hypothesized to be involved in the regulation of mood states and the neuroplasticity associated with addiction. The current study tested the hypothesis that dynorphin in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) mediates such effects. More specifically, we examined whether knockdown of Pdyn within the NAcc in rats would alter the expression of depressive-like and anxiety-like behavior, as well as cocaine locomotor sensitization. Wistar rats were injected with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors encoding either a Pdyn-specific short hairpin RNA (AAV-shPdyn) or a scrambled shRNA (AAV-shScr) as control. Four weeks later, rats were tested for anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze test and depressive-like behavior in the forced swim test (FST). Finally, rats received one daily injection of saline or cocaine (20 mg/kg, i.p.), followed by assessment of locomotion for 4 consecutive days. Following 3 days of abstinence, the rats completed 2 additional daily cocaine/saline locomotor trials. Pdyn knockdown in the NAcc led to a significant reduction in depressive-like behavior in the FST, but had no effect on anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze. Pdyn knockdown did not alter baseline locomotor behavior, the locomotor response to acute cocaine, or the initial sensitization of the locomotor response to cocaine over the first 4 cocaine treatment days. However, following 3 days abstinence the locomotor response to the cocaine challenge returned to their original levels in the AAV-shPdyn rats while remaining heightened in the AAV-shScr rats. These results suggest that dynorphin in a very specific area of the nucleus accumbens contributes to depressive-like states and may be involved in neuroadaptations in the NAcc that contribute to the development of cocaine addiction as a persistent and lasting condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ami Cohen
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Timothy W. Whitfield
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Max Kreifeldt
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Pascale Koebel
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Translational Medicine and Neurogenetic Programme, UdS Université de Strasbourg, INSERM U964, CNRS UMR7104, Illkirch, France
| | - Brigitte L. Kieffer
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Translational Medicine and Neurogenetic Programme, UdS Université de Strasbourg, INSERM U964, CNRS UMR7104, Illkirch, France
| | - Candice Contet
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Olivier George
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - George F. Koob
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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Anderson SAR, Michaelides M, Zarnegar P, Ren Y, Fagergren P, Thanos PK, Wang GJ, Bannon M, Neumaier JF, Keller E, Volkow ND, Hurd YL. Impaired periamygdaloid-cortex prodynorphin is characteristic of opiate addiction and depression. J Clin Invest 2013; 123:5334-41. [PMID: 24231353 DOI: 10.1172/jci70395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Negative affect is critical for conferring vulnerability to opiate addiction as reflected by the high comorbidity of opiate abuse with major depressive disorder (MDD). Rodent models implicate amygdala prodynorphin (Pdyn) as a mediator of negative affect; however, evidence of PDYN involvement in human negative affect is limited. Here, we found reduced PDYN mRNA expression in the postmortem human amygdala nucleus of the periamygdaloid cortex (PAC) in both heroin abusers and MDD subjects. Similar to humans, rats that chronically self-administered heroin had reduced Pdyn mRNA expression in the PAC at a time point associated with a negative affective state. Using the in vivo functional imaging technology DREAMM (DREADD-assisted metabolic mapping, where DREADD indicates designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs), we found that selective inhibition of Pdyn-expressing neurons in the rat PAC increased metabolic activity in the extended amygdala, which is a key substrate of the extrahypothalamic brain stress system. In parallel, PAC-specific Pdyn inhibition provoked negative affect-related physiological and behavioral changes. Altogether, our translational study supports a functional role for impaired Pdyn in the PAC in opiate abuse through activation of the stress and negative affect neurocircuitry implicated in addiction vulnerability.
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17
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Tian Z, Wang Y, Zhang N, Guo YY, Feng B, Liu SB, Zhao MG. Estrogen receptor GPR30 exerts anxiolytic effects by maintaining the balance between GABAergic and glutamatergic transmission in the basolateral amygdala of ovariectomized mice after stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2013; 38:2218-33. [PMID: 23669322 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2012] [Revised: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30)/G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor is a novel estrogen membrane receptor that localizes to the cell membrane and endoplasmic reticulum. GPR30 is widely distributed and has numerous physiological functions in the central nervous system. We found that GPR30 is highly expressed in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Additionally, GPR30 expression in the amygdala of ovariectomized (OVX) mice significantly increased after acute stress and was accompanied by anxiety-like behaviors. These effects, however, were reversed by local infusion of the GPR30 agonist (G1) in the BLA. Protein assessments revealed that G1 attenuated the up-regulation of the GluR1 subunit of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor and NR2A-containing N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in the BLA of OVX mice using an acute stress paradigm. In the same model, we found that the agonist also blocked the down-regulation of γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors and NR2B-containing NMDARs. Electrophysiological recording showed that the activation of GPR30 increased the inhibitory synaptic transmission in the BLA. Overall, our results indicate that estradiol reduces anxiety-like behaviors induced by acute stress at least partially through GPR30 signaling, maintaining the balance between GABAergic and glutamatergic transmission in the BLA of OVX-stressed mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-fourth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2011 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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Angiotensin II AT1 receptor blocker candesartan prevents the fast up-regulation of cerebrocortical benzodiazepine-1 receptors induced by acute inflammatory and restraint stress. Behav Brain Res 2012; 232:84-92. [PMID: 22503782 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2012] [Revised: 03/23/2012] [Accepted: 03/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Centrally acting Angiotensin II AT(1) receptor blockers (ARBs) protect from stress-induced disorders and decrease anxiety in a model of inflammatory stress, the systemic injection of bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In order to better understand the anxiolytic effect of ARBs, we treated rats with LPS (50 μg/kg) with or without 3 days of pretreatment with the ARB candesartan (1mg/kg/day), and studied cortical benzodiazepine (BZ) and corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors. We compared the cortical BZ and CRF receptors expression pattern induced by LPS with that produced in restraint stress. Inflammation stress produced a generalized increase in cortical BZ(1) receptors and reduced mRNA expression of the GABA(A) receptor γ(2) subunit in cingulate cortex; changes were prevented by candesartan pretreatment. Moreover, restraint stress produced similar increases in cortical BZ(1) receptor binding, and candesartan prevented these changes. Treatment with candesartan alone increased cortical BZ(1) binding, and decreased γ(2) subunit mRNA expression in the cingulate cortex. Conversely, we did not find changes in CRF(1) receptor expression in any of the cortical areas studied, either after inflammation or restraint stress. Cortical CRF(2) receptor binding was undetectable, but CRF(2) mRNA expression was decreased by inflammation stress, a change prevented by candesartan. We conclude that stress promotes rapid and widespread changes in cortical BZ(1) receptor expression; and that the stress-induced BZ(1) receptor expression is under the control of AT(1) receptor activity. The results suggest that the anti-anxiety effect of ARBs may be associated with their capacity to regulate stress-induced alterations in cortical BZ(1) receptors.
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Kastenberger I, Lutsch C, Herzog H, Schwarzer C. Influence of sex and genetic background on anxiety-related and stress-induced behaviour of prodynorphin-deficient mice. PLoS One 2012; 7:e34251. [PMID: 22479578 PMCID: PMC3315500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2011] [Accepted: 02/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of dynorphin/kappa opioid receptors in epilepsy and addiction are well accepted, but their function in emotional control is not yet fully understood. Data obtained from different strains of prodynorphin (Pdyn)- and kappa opioid receptor (KOP)-deficient mice do not provide a consistent picture of the functions of Dyn/KOP in anxiety, suggesting the influence of testing conditions and/or genetic background. Therefore, we investigated the behaviour and neurochemistry of male and female Pdyn KO mice on the balb/c and C57Bl/6N background. Consistent with our results obtained from male mice on the C57bl/6N background, we observed a less anxious phenotype in the elevated plus maze, open-field and light-dark test in male mice on the balb/c background. Female mice on the balb/c background also displayed less anxiety like behaviour; however these data reflect high trait anxiety and inter-individual differences. In contrast, female mice on the C57Bl/6N background displayed low trait anxiety and a paradigm-dependent reduction of anxiety. No differences were observed in the forced swim test, while balb/c Pdyn KO mice displayed prolonged immobility in the tail suspension test. In line with our previous results, we observed reduced CRH mRNA in the central amygdala in all groups of mice. In contrast, the recently observed CRH mRNA reduction in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus appears restricted to male, but not female mice. Our data support previous data suggesting a pronounced impact of endogenous prodynorphin-derived peptides on anxiety. Moreover, our data support the idea that the less anxious phenotype manifests only at elevated stress levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Kastenberger
- Department of Pharmacology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Lutsch
- Department of Pharmacology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Herbert Herzog
- Neuroscience Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Australia
| | - Christoph Schwarzer
- Department of Pharmacology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
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Stewart A, Gaikwad S, Hart P, Kyzar E, Roth A, Kalueff AV. Experimental models for anxiolytic drug discovery in the era of omes and omics. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2011; 6:755-69. [PMID: 22650981 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2011.586028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Animal behavioral models have become an indispensable tool for studying anxiety disorders and testing anxiety-modulating drugs. However, significant methodological and conceptual challenges affect the translational validity and accurate behavioral dissection in such models. They are also often limited to individual behavioral domains and fail to target the disorder's real clinical picture (its spectrum or overlap with other disorders), which hinder screening and development of novel anxiolytic drugs. AREAS COVERED In this article, the authors discuss and emphasize the importance of high-throughput multi-domain neurophenotyping based on the latest developments in video-tracking and bioinformatics. Additionally, the authors also explain how bioinformatics can provide new insight into the neural substrates of brain disorders and its benefit for drug discovery. EXPERT OPINION The throughput and utility of animal models of anxiety and other brain disorders can be markedly increased by a number of ways: i) analyzing systems of several domains and their interplay in a wider spectrum of model species; ii) using a larger number of end points generated by video-tracking tools; iii) correlating behavioral data with genomic, proteomic and other physiologically relevant markers using online databases and iv) creating molecular network-based models of anxiety to identify new targets for drug design and discovery. Experimental models utilizing bioinformatics tools and online databases will not only improve our understanding of both gene-behavior interactions and complex trait interconnectivity but also highlight new targets for novel anxiolytic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Stewart
- Tulane University Medical School, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience Program , Tulane Neurophenotyping Platform, SL-83, 1430 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112 , USA +1 504 988 3354 ;
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