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Hou G, Hao M, Duan J, Han MH. The Formation and Function of the VTA Dopamine System. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3875. [PMID: 38612683 PMCID: PMC11011984 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The midbrain dopamine system is a sophisticated hub that integrates diverse inputs to control multiple physiological functions, including locomotion, motivation, cognition, reward, as well as maternal and reproductive behaviors. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that binds to G-protein-coupled receptors. Dopamine also works together with other neurotransmitters and various neuropeptides to maintain the balance of synaptic functions. The dysfunction of the dopamine system leads to several conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, major depression, schizophrenia, and drug addiction. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) has been identified as an important relay nucleus that modulates homeostatic plasticity in the midbrain dopamine system. Due to the complexity of synaptic transmissions and input-output connections in the VTA, the structure and function of this crucial brain region are still not fully understood. In this review article, we mainly focus on the cell types, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, ion channels, receptors, and neural circuits of the VTA dopamine system, with the hope of obtaining new insight into the formation and function of this vital brain region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqiang Hou
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China (M.H.); (J.D.)
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Mei Hao
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China (M.H.); (J.D.)
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiawen Duan
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China (M.H.); (J.D.)
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ming-Hu Han
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China (M.H.); (J.D.)
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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Liu W, Wang W, Wang Z, Xing Y. Ventral tegmental area dopaminergic circuits participates in stress-induced chronic postsurgical pain in male mice. BMC Neurosci 2024; 25:3. [PMID: 38195391 PMCID: PMC10775611 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-023-00842-z] [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: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic postsurgical pain (CPP) markedly impairs patients' quality of life. Research has shown that chronic stress may extend incisional nociception in male mice. Dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are integral to stress-related mental disorders (including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and PTSD) and pain. However, the impact of chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) on mesolimbic dopamine (DA) transmission in the development of CPP is yet to be established. It remains uncertain whether the dopamine signals in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC), which regulate pain, derive from the VTA. This study aims to explore the role of VTA-rACC dopaminergic circuits in a mouse model of CPP induced by CSDS. METHODS We conducted CSDS on C57BL/6 J wild-type male mice (n = 12-16 mice/group) and DAT-cre male mice (n = 10-12 mice/group). After 10 days of CSDS, a left posterior plantar incision was made to establish a mouse model of CPP. Paw withdrawal thresholds (PWTs) were evaluated using Von-Frey fibre stimulation. The open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze test (EPM) were used to assess pain-related negative emotions. We used immunofluorescence staining and Western Blot to analyse D1, D2, c-Fos, and TH expression. DAergic fibre projections in the VTA-rACC neural pathway were traced using retrograde tracing and immunofluorescence staining. Optogenetics and Chemogenetics were employed to manipulate DAergic neurons in the VTA and their axons in the rACC. RESULTS The ipsilateral PWTs in male C57BL/6 J mice significantly decreased after surgery, returning to baseline after seven days. Conversely, in CSDS mice, ipsilateral PWTs remained reduced for at least 30 days post-incision. A significant reduction in TH-positive neurons expressing c-Fos in the VTA of CPP mice was observed 15 days post-incision. Activating DAergic neurons significantly improved ipsilateral PWTs and locomotor performance in the OFT and EPM in CPP mice post-incision. Additionally, D1 expression in the rACC was found to decrease in CPP mice, and this reduction counteracted the increase in PWTs caused by activating DAergic neuron axon terminals in the rACC. CONCLUSION CSDS results in chronicity of postsurgical nociception and anxiety-like negative emotions, with alterations in DA transmission playing a role in CPP. Specific activation of DAergic neurons mitigates nociceptive responses and anxiety-like bahaviors, possibly mediated by D1 receptors in the rACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhen Liu
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
- The Academy of Medical Sciences of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Wang Wang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
- The Academy of Medical Sciences of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Ziliang Wang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
- The Academy of Medical Sciences of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Ying Xing
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
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Li C, Li Y, Zhang W, Ma Z, Xiao S, Xie W, Miao S, Li B, Lu G, Liu Y, Bai W, Yu S. Dopaminergic Projections from the Hypothalamic A11 Nucleus to the Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus Are Involved in Bidirectional Migraine Modulation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16876. [PMID: 38069205 PMCID: PMC10706593 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical imaging studies have revealed that the hypothalamus is activated in migraine patients prior to the onset of and during headache and have also shown that the hypothalamus has increased functional connectivity with the spinal trigeminal nucleus. The dopaminergic system of the hypothalamus plays an important role, and the dopamine-rich A11 nucleus may play an important role in migraine pathogenesis. We used intraperitoneal injections of glyceryl trinitrate to establish a model of acute migraine attack and chronicity in mice, which was verified by photophobia experiments and von Frey experiments. We explored the A11 nucleus and its downstream pathway using immunohistochemical staining and neuronal tracing techniques. During acute migraine attack and chronification, c-fos expression in GABAergic neurons in the A11 nucleus was significantly increased, and inhibition of DA neurons was achieved by binding to GABA A-type receptors on the surface of dopaminergic neurons in the A11 nucleus. However, the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and glutamic acid decarboxylase proteins in the A11 nucleus of the hypothalamus did not change significantly. Specific destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the A11 nucleus of mice resulted in severe nociceptive sensitization and photophobic behavior. The expression levels of the D1 dopamine receptor and D2 dopamine receptor in the caudal part of the spinal trigeminal nucleus candalis of the chronic migraine model were increased. Skin nociceptive sensitization of mice was slowed by activation of the D2 dopamine receptor in SP5C, and activation of the D1 dopamine receptor reversed this behavioral change. GABAergic neurons in the A11 nucleus were activated and exerted postsynaptic inhibitory effects, which led to a decrease in the amount of DA secreted by the A11 nucleus in the spinal trigeminal nucleus candalis. The reduced DA bound preferentially to the D2 dopamine receptor, thus exerting a defensive effect against headache.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhao Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Wenwen Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhenjie Ma
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Shaobo Xiao
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Wei Xie
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
| | - Shuai Miao
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
| | - Bozhi Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
| | - Guangshuang Lu
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Yingyuan Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Wenhao Bai
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
| | - Shengyuan Yu
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
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Flores-García M, Rizzo A, Garçon-Poca MZ, Fernández-Dueñas V, Bonaventura J. Converging circuits between pain and depression: the ventral tegmental area as a therapeutic hub. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1278023. [PMID: 37849731 PMCID: PMC10577189 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1278023] [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: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain and depression are highly prevalent pathologies and cause a major socioeconomic burden to society. Chronic pain affects the emotional state of the individuals suffering from it, while depression worsens the prognosis of chronic pain patients and may diminish the effectiveness of pain treatments. There is a high comorbidity rate between both pathologies, which might share overlapping mechanisms. This review explores the evidence pinpointing a role for the ventral tegmental area (VTA) as a hub where both pain and emotional processing might converge. In addition, the feasibility of using the VTA as a possible therapeutic target is discussed. The role of the VTA, and the dopaminergic system in general, is highly studied in mood disorders, especially in deficits in reward-processing and motivation. Conversely, the VTA is less regarded where it concerns the study of central mechanisms of pain and its mood-associated consequences. Here, we first outline the brain circuits involving central processing of pain and mood disorders, focusing on the often-understudied role of the dopaminergic system and the VTA. Next, we highlight the state-of-the-art findings supporting the emergence of the VTA as a link where both pathways converge. Thus, we envision a promising part for the VTA as a putative target for innovative therapeutic approaches to treat chronic pain and its effects on mood. Finally, we emphasize the urge to develop and use animal models where both pain and depression-like symptoms are considered in conjunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montse Flores-García
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
- Neuropharmacology and Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, IDIBELL-Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Arianna Rizzo
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
- Neuropharmacology and Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, IDIBELL-Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Maria Zelai Garçon-Poca
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
- Neuropharmacology and Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, IDIBELL-Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Víctor Fernández-Dueñas
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
- Neuropharmacology and Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, IDIBELL-Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jordi Bonaventura
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
- Neuropharmacology and Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, IDIBELL-Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
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