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Balraj M, Sarvepalli A, Chatterjee B, Ekambaram G, Rajapandian N, Nisha K, Mani V. Linking stress with urocortin in rats. Bioinformation 2023; 19:1057-1062. [PMID: 38046515 PMCID: PMC10692987 DOI: 10.6026/973206300191057] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The corticotropin-releasing factor neuropeptides (CRH and UCN-1,2,3), as well as spexin, contribute to the control of energy balance and limit food intake in mammals. However, the role of these neuropeptides in chronic variable stress remains unknown. The effect of chronic varied stress on circulating corticosterone levels and urocortin expression levels in the brains of experimental rats was studied in this study. Rats were subjected with 28 days long term stress protocol, end of stress protocol experimental and control animal organs isolated, brain urocorcortin-1,2,3 expression by RT-PCR and serum corticosterone by ELISA method. UCN levels in the brain were altered in rats subjected to prolonged varied stress. Furthermore, corticosterone levels were elevated as a result of the same urocortin expression pattern, indicating that urocortin expression is controlled by glucocorticoids via a glucocorticoid-responsive element (GRE). Thus, data shows that hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, also known as the LHPA axis, and limbic system are both stimulated by stress, which is reflected in the form of elevated corticosterone levels, according to the genes UCN1, 2, and 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manikandan Balraj
- Department of Physiology, Konaseema Institute Medical Science and Research Foundation, Amalapuram, East Gothawri - 533201, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Ankamma Sarvepalli
- Department of Anatomy, Konaseema Institute Medical Science and Research Foundation, Amalapuram, East Gothawri - 533201, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Bijoya Chatterjee
- Department of Biochemistry, M. P Shah Government Medical College , Jamnagar - 361008 Gujarat, India
| | - Gnanadesigan Ekambaram
- Department of Physiology, Nootan Medical College and Research Center, Sankalchand Patel University, Visnagar - 384315, Gujarat, India
| | - Nithya Rajapandian
- Medical physiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry - 607402, India
| | - K Nisha
- Department of Community Health Nursing, KIMS Nursing College, KIMS&RF Amalapuram, East Gothwari - 533201, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Vadivel Mani
- Department of Biochemistry, Konaseema Institute Medical Science and Research Foundation, Amalapuram, East Gothawri - 533201, Andhra Pradesh, India
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Alghamdi NJ, Burns CT, Valdes R. The urocortin peptides: biological relevance and laboratory aspects of UCN3 and its receptor. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2022; 59:573-585. [PMID: 35738909 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2022.2080175] [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: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The urocortins are polypeptides belonging to the corticotropin-releasing hormone family, known to modulate stress responses in mammals. Stress, whether induced physically or psychologically, is an underlying cause or consequence of numerous clinical syndromes. Identifying biological markers associated with the homeostatic regulation of stress could provide a clinical laboratory approach for the management of stress-related disorders. The neuropeptide, urocortin 3 (UCN3), and the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2) constitute a regulatory axis known to mediate stress homeostasis. Dysregulation of this peptide/receptor axis is believed to play a role in several clinical conditions including post-traumatic stress, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems related to stress. Understanding the physiology and measurement of the UCN3/CRHR2 axis is important for establishing a viable clinical laboratory diagnostic. In this article, we focus on evidence supporting the role of UCN3 and its receptor in stress-related clinical syndromes. We also provide insight into the measurements of UCN3 in blood and urine. These potential biomarkers provide new opportunities for clinical research and applications of laboratory medicine diagnostics in stress management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norah J Alghamdi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | | | - Roland Valdes
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
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Benevento M, Hökfelt T, Harkany T. Ontogenetic rules for the molecular diversification of hypothalamic neurons. Nat Rev Neurosci 2022; 23:611-627. [PMID: 35906427 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00615-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamus is an evolutionarily conserved endocrine interface that, among other roles, links central homeostatic control to adaptive bodily responses by releasing hormones and neuropeptides from its many neuronal subtypes. In its preoptic, anterior, tuberal and mammillary subdivisions, a kaleidoscope of magnocellular and parvocellular neuroendocrine command neurons, local-circuit neurons, and neurons that project to extrahypothalamic areas are intermingled in partially overlapping patches of nuclei. Molecular fingerprinting has produced data of unprecedented mass and depth to distinguish and even to predict the synaptic and endocrine competences, connectivity and stimulus selectivity of many neuronal modalities. These new insights support eminent studies from the past century but challenge others on the molecular rules that shape the developmental segregation of hypothalamic neuronal subtypes and their use of morphogenic cues for terminal differentiation. Here, we integrate single-cell RNA sequencing studies with those of mouse genetics and endocrinology to describe key stages of hypothalamus development, including local neurogenesis, the direct terminal differentiation of glutamatergic neurons, transition cascades for GABAergic and GABAergic cell-derived dopamine cells, waves of local neuronal migration, and sequential enrichment in neuropeptides and hormones. We particularly emphasize how transcription factors determine neuronal identity and, consequently, circuit architecture, and whether their deviations triggered by environmental factors and hormones provoke neuroendocrine illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Benevento
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tomas Hökfelt
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicum 7D, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Tibor Harkany
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. .,Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicum 7D, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.
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Heuer JG, Meyer CM, Baker HE, Geiser A, Lucchesi J, Xu D, Hamang M, Martin JA, Hu C, Roth KD, Thirunavukkarasu K, Alsina-Fernandez J, Ma YL. Pharmacological Evaluation of a Pegylated Urocortin-1 Peptide in Experimental Autoimmune Disease Models. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2022; 382:287-298. [PMID: 35688476 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001151] [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: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Urocortin-1 (UCN1) is a member of the corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) family of peptides that acts through CRH-receptor 1 (CRHR1) and CRH-receptor 2 (CRHR2). UCN1 can induce adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) and downstream glucocorticoids through CRHR1 and promote beneficial metabolic effects through CRHR2. UCN1 has a short half-life and has been shown to improve experimental autoimmune disease. A pegylated UCN1 peptide (PEG-hUCN1) was generated to extend half-life and was tested in multiple experimental autoimmune disease models and in healthy mice to determine effects on corticosterone induction, autoimmune disease, and glucocorticoid induced adverse effects. Cardiovascular effects were also assessed by telemetry. PEG-hUCN1 demonstrated a dose dependent 4-to-6-fold elevation of serum corticosterone and significantly improved autoimmune disease comparable to prednisolone in several experimental models. In healthy mice, PEG-hUCN1 showed less adverse effects compared to corticosterone treatment. PEG-hUCN1 peptide induced an initial 30% reduction in blood pressure that was followed by a gradual and sustained 30% increase in blood pressure at the highest dose. Additionally, an adeno-associated viral 8 (AAV8) UCN1 was used to assess adverse effects of chronic elevation of UCN1 in wild type and CRHR2 knockout mice. Chronic UCN1 expression by an AAV8 approach in wild type and CRHR2 knockout mice demonstrated an important role of CRHR2 in countering the adverse metabolic effects of elevated corticosterone from UCN1. Our findings demonstrate that PEG-hUCN1 shows profound effects in treating autoimmune disease with an improved safety profile relative to corticosterone and that CRHR2 activity is important in metabolic regulation. Significance Statement This study reports the generation and characterization of a pegylated UCN1 peptide and the role of CRHR2 in UCN1-induced metabolic effects. The potency/selectivity, pharmacokinetic properties, pharmacodynamic effects and efficacy in four autoimmune models and safety profiles are presented. This pegylated UCN1 shows potential for treating autoimmune diseases with reduced adverse effects compared to corticosterone treatment. Continuous exposure to UCN1 through an AAV8 approach demonstrates some glucocorticoid mediated adverse metabolic effects that are exacerbated in the absence of the CRHR2 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef G Heuer
- Biotherapeutic Discovery Research, Eli Lilly and Company, United States
| | - Catalina M Meyer
- Biotherapeutic Discovery Research, Eli Lilly and Company, United States
| | - Hana E Baker
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, United States
| | - Andrea Geiser
- New Therapeutic Modalities, Eli Lilly and Company, United States
| | - Jonathan Lucchesi
- Biotechnology & Immunology Res, Eli Lilly and Company, United States
| | - Daniel Xu
- Biotechnology & Immunology Res, Eli Lilly and Company, United States
| | - Matthew Hamang
- Biotechnology & Immunology Res, Eli Lilly and Company, United States
| | | | - Charlie Hu
- Biotherapeutic Discovery Research, Eli Lilly and Company, United States
| | - Kenneth D Roth
- Molecular Pharmacology, Eli Lilly and Company, United States
| | | | | | - Yanfei L Ma
- Biotechnology & Immunology Res, Eli Lilly and Company, United States
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Kovac M, Vladimirovna Ippolitova T, Pozyabin S, Aliev R, Lobanova V, Drakul N, S. Rutland C. Equine Stress: Neuroendocrine Physiology and Pathophysiology. Vet Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.105045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
This review presents new aspects to understanding the neuroendocrine regulation of equine stress responses, and their influences on the physiological, pathophysiological, and behavioral processes. Horse management, in essence, is more frequently confirmed by external and internal stress factors, than in other domestic animals. Regardless of the nature of the stimulus, the equine stress response is an effective and highly conservative set of interconnected relationships designed to maintain physiological integrity even in the most challenging circumstances (e.g., orthopedic injuries, abdominal pain, transport, competitions, weaning, surgery, and inflammation). The equine stress response is commonly a complementary homeostatic mechanism that provides protection (not an adaptation) when the body is disturbed or threatened. It activates numerous neural and hormonal networks to optimize metabolic, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and immunological functions. This review looks into the various mechanisms involved in stress responses, stress-related diseases, and assessment, prevention or control, and management of these diseases and stress. Stress-related diseases can not only be identified and assessed better, given the latest research and techniques but also prevented or controlled.
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Ujvári B, Pytel B, Márton Z, Bognár M, Kovács LÁ, Farkas J, Gaszner T, Berta G, Kecskés A, Kormos V, Farkas B, Füredi N, Gaszner B. Neurodegeneration in the centrally-projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus contributes to the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease in the rat. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:31. [PMID: 35109869 PMCID: PMC8809039 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02399-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neuropathological background of major depression and anxiety as non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease is much less understood than classical motor symptoms. Although, neurodegeneration of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus in human Parkinson's disease is a known phenomenon, its possible significance in mood status has never been elucidated. In this work we aimed at investigating whether neuron loss and alpha-synuclein accumulation in the urocortin 1 containing (UCN1) cells of the centrally-projecting Edinger-Westphal (EWcp) nucleus is associated with anxiety and depression-like state in the rat. METHODS Systemic chronic rotenone administration as well as targeted leptin-saporin-induced lesions of EWcp/UCN1 neurons were conducted. Rotarod, open field and sucrose preference tests were performed to assess motor performance and mood status. Multiple immunofluorescence combined with RNAscope were used to reveal the functional-morphological changes. Two-sample Student's t test, Spearman's rank correlation analysis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistics. RESULTS In the rotenone model, besides motor deficit, an anxious and depression-like phenotype was detected. Well-comparable neuron loss, cytoplasmic alpha-synuclein accumulation as well as astro- and microglial activation were observed both in the substantia nigra pars compacta and EWcp. Occasionally, UCN1-immunoreactive neuronal debris was observed in phagocytotic microglia. UCN1 peptide content of viable EWcp cells correlated with dopaminergic substantia nigra cell count. Importantly, other mood status-related dopaminergic (ventral tegmental area), serotonergic (dorsal and median raphe) and noradrenergic (locus ceruleus and A5 area) brainstem centers did not show remarkable morphological changes. Targeted partial selective EWcp/UCN1 neuron ablation induced similar mood status without motor symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Our findings collectively suggest that neurodegeneration of urocortinergic EWcp contributes to the mood-related non-motor symptoms in toxic models of Parkinson's disease in the rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Ujvári
- Department of Anatomy, Research Group for Mood Disorders, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pecs, Hungary.,Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Bence Pytel
- Department of Anatomy, Research Group for Mood Disorders, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Zsombor Márton
- Department of Anatomy, Research Group for Mood Disorders, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Máté Bognár
- Department of Anatomy, Research Group for Mood Disorders, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - László Ákos Kovács
- Department of Anatomy, Research Group for Mood Disorders, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pecs, Hungary.,Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - József Farkas
- Department of Anatomy, Research Group for Mood Disorders, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pecs, Hungary.,Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Tamás Gaszner
- Department of Anatomy, Research Group for Mood Disorders, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pecs, Hungary.,Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Gergely Berta
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Angéla Kecskés
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School & Szentágothai Research Centre, Molecular Pharmacology Research Group, University of Pécs, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Viktória Kormos
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School & Szentágothai Research Centre, Molecular Pharmacology Research Group, University of Pécs, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Boglárka Farkas
- Department of Anatomy, Research Group for Mood Disorders, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Nóra Füredi
- Department of Anatomy, Research Group for Mood Disorders, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pecs, Hungary.,Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Balázs Gaszner
- Department of Anatomy, Research Group for Mood Disorders, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pecs, Hungary. .,Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624, Pecs, Hungary.
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Latrotoxin-Induced Neuromuscular Junction Degeneration Reveals Urocortin 2 as a Critical Contributor to Motor Axon Terminal Regeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031186. [PMID: 35163106 PMCID: PMC8835473 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We used α-Latrotoxin (α-LTx), the main neurotoxic component of the black widow spider venom, which causes degeneration of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) followed by a rapid and complete regeneration, as a molecular tool to identify by RNA transcriptomics factors contributing to the structural and functional recovery of the NMJ. We found that Urocortin 2 (UCN2), a neuropeptide involved in the stress response, is rapidly expressed at the NMJ after acute damage and that inhibition of CRHR2, the specific receptor of UCN2, delays neuromuscular transmission rescue. Experiments in neuronal cultures show that CRHR2 localises at the axonal tips of growing spinal motor neurons and that its expression inversely correlates with synaptic maturation. Moreover, exogenous UCN2 enhances the growth of axonal sprouts in cultured neurons in a CRHR2-dependent manner, pointing to a role of the UCN2-CRHR2 axis in the regulation of axonal growth and synaptogenesis. Consistently, exogenous administration of UCN2 strongly accelerates the regrowth of motor axon terminals degenerated by α-LTx, thereby contributing to the functional recovery of neuromuscular transmission after damage. Taken together, our results posit a novel role for UCN2 and CRHR2 as a signalling axis involved in NMJ regeneration.
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Urocortins as biomarkers in cardiovascular disease. Clin Sci (Lond) 2022; 136:1-14. [PMID: 34939089 DOI: 10.1042/cs20210732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The urocortins (Ucns) belong to the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family of peptides and have multiple effects within the central nervous and the cardiovascular systems. With growing evidence indicating significant cardioprotective properties and cardiovascular actions of these peptides, the question arises as to whether the plasma profiles of the Ucns are altered in pathologic settings. While reports have shown conflicting results and findings have not been corroborated in multiple independent cohorts, it seems likely that plasma Ucn concentrations are elevated in multiple cardiovascular conditions. The degree of increase and accurate determination of circulating values of the Ucns requires further validation.
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Ramírez-Guerrero AA, González-Villaseñor CO, Leal-Ugarte E, Gutiérrez-Angulo M, Ramírez-Flores M, Delgado-Enciso I, Macías-Gómez NM. Association between genetic variant rs2267716 of CRHR2 gene with colorectal cancer. J Investig Med 2021; 70:947-952. [PMID: 34969780 DOI: 10.1136/jim-2021-002047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and one of the main causes of death around the world. Multiple lines of evidence have suggested the role of the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) family in CRC induction, including the low expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2), which is an angiogenesis inhibitor and inflammatory modulator. Previous research suggests that CRHR2 expression in colonic intestinal cells can regulate migration, proliferation and apoptosis through the modulation of several pathways. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of the rs10250835, rs2267716 and rs2267717 variants of CRHR2 gene with CRC in the Mexican population in order to consider its predictive value in CRC. This cross-sectional study included a group of 187 unrelated patients with sporadic CRC and a control group of 191 healthy blood donors. DNA extraction from peripheral blood was carried out using the Miller method. Identification of the rs10250835 variant was performed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and the rs2267716 and rs2267717 variants using TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. The minor allele homozygous CC of the rs2267716 variant of CRHR2 showed significant difference between CRC and control group (p=0.025), as well as the GCA haplotype (p=0.007), corresponding to the rs10250835, rs2267716 and rs2267717 variants, respectively. Our results suggest that the rs2267716 variant and GCA haplotype of CRHR2 represent a risk factor for CRC development in Mexican patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Evelia Leal-Ugarte
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico
| | - Melva Gutiérrez-Angulo
- Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara-Centro Universitario Los Altos, Tepatitlan de Morelos, Mexico
| | | | | | - Nelly Margarita Macías-Gómez
- Laboratorio de Genética Humana, Universidad de Guadalajara Campus Centro Universitario del Sur, Ciudad Guzmán, Mexico
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In vivo metabolic effects after acute activation of skeletal muscle G s signaling. Mol Metab 2021; 55:101415. [PMID: 34883278 PMCID: PMC8728399 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101415] [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: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The goal of this study was to determine the glucometabolic effects of acute activation of Gs signaling in skeletal muscle (SKM) in vivo and its contribution to whole-body glucose homeostasis. Methods To address this question, we studied mice that express a Gs-coupled designer G protein-coupled receptor (Gs-DREADD or GsD) selectively in skeletal muscle. We also identified two Gs-coupled GPCRs that are endogenously expressed by SKM at relatively high levels (β2-adrenergic receptor and CRF2 receptor) and studied the acute metabolic effects of activating these receptors in vivo by highly selective agonists (clenbuterol and urocortin 2 (UCN2), respectively). Results Acute stimulation of GsD signaling in SKM impaired glucose tolerance in lean and obese mice by decreasing glucose uptake selectively into SKM. The acute metabolic effects following agonist activation of β2-adrenergic and, potentially, CRF2 receptors appear primarily mediated by altered insulin release. Clenbuterol injection improved glucose tolerance by increasing insulin secretion in lean mice. In SKM, clenbuterol stimulated glycogen breakdown. UCN2 injection resulted in decreased glucose tolerance associated with lower plasma insulin levels. The acute metabolic effects of UCN2 were not mediated by SKM Gs signaling. Conclusions Selective activation of Gs signaling in SKM causes an acute increase in blood glucose levels. However, acute in vivo stimulation of endogenous Gs-coupled receptors enriched in SKM has only a limited impact on whole-body glucose homeostasis, most likely due to the fact that these receptors are also expressed by pancreatic islets where they modulate insulin release. A novel mouse model allowed us to study the in vivo metabolic effects of acute activation of Gs signaling in skeletal muscle (SKM). Acute stimulation of this pathway resulted in impaired glucose tolerance in lean and obese mice due to decreased glucose uptake by SKM. Acute treatment of mice with selective β2-adrenergic and CRF2 receptor agonists (both receptors couple to Gs and are enriched in SKM) resulted in complex in vivo metabolic outcomes, primarily due to altered insulin release. Our study provides an excellent example of how different tissue expression patterns of receptors can affect the acute effects of GPCR agonists on whole-body glucose homeostasis Our findings also highlight the importance of studying both acute and chronic effects of GPCR agonist treatment to properly assess translationally relevant metabolic outcomes.
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Urocortin Role in Ischemia Cardioprotection and the Adverse Cardiac Remodeling. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212115. [PMID: 34829997 PMCID: PMC8622004 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the considerable progress in strategies of myocardial protection, ischemic heart diseases (IHD) and consequent heart failure (HF) remain the main cause of mortality worldwide. Several procedures are used routinely to guarantee the prompt and successful reestablishment of blood flow to preserve the myocardial viability of infarcted hearts from ischemia injuries. However, ischemic heart reperfusion/revascularization triggers additional damages that occur when oxygen-rich blood re-enters the vulnerable myocardial tissue, which is a phenomenon known as ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) syndrome. Complications of I/R injuries provoke the adverse cardiac remodeling, involving inflammation, mishandling of Ca2+ homeostasis, apoptotic genes activation, cardiac myocytes loss, etc., which often progress toward HF. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new cardioprotective therapies for IHD and HF. Compelling evidence from animal studies and pilot clinical trials in HF patients suggest that urocortin (Ucn) isoforms, which are peptides associated with stress and belonging to the corticotropin releasing factor family, have promising potential to improve cardiovascular functions by targeting many signaling pathways at different molecular levels. This review highlights the current knowledge on the role of urocortin isoforms in cardioprotection, focusing on its acute and long-term effects.
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Popov SV, Prokudina ES, Mukhomedzyanov AV, Naryzhnaya NV, Ma H, Zurmanova JM, der Ven PFMV, Maslov LN. Cardioprotective and Vasoprotective Effects of Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone and Urocortins: Receptors and Signaling. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2021; 26:575-584. [PMID: 34351805 DOI: 10.1177/1074248420985301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Despite the recent progress in research and therapy, cardiovascular diseases are still the most common cause of death worldwide, thus new approaches are still needed. The aim of this review is to highlight the cardioprotective potential of urocortins and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and their signaling. It has been documented that urocortins and CRH reduce ischemic and reperfusion (I/R) injury, prevent reperfusion ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, and improve cardiac contractility during reperfusion. Urocortin-induced increase in cardiac tolerance to I/R depends mainly on the activation of corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor-2 (CRHR2) and its downstream pathways including tyrosine kinase Src, protein kinase A and C (PKA, PKCε) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2). It was discussed the possibility of the involvement of interleukin-6, Janus kinase-2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and microRNAs in the cardioprotective effect of urocortins. Additionally, phospholipase-A2 inhibition, mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPT-pore) blockade and suppression of apoptosis are involved in urocortin-elicited cardioprotection. Chronic administration of urocortin-2 prevents the development of postinfarction cardiac remodeling. Urocortin possesses vasoprotective and vasodilator effect; the former is mediated by PKC activation and prevents an impairment of endothelium-dependent coronary vasodilation after I/R in the isolated heart, while the latter includes both cAMP and cGMP signaling and its downstream targets. As CRHR2 is expressed by both cardiomyocytes and vascular endothelial cells. Urocortins mediate both endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxation of coronary arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey V Popov
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, 164253Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the RAS, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Ekaterina S Prokudina
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, 164253Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the RAS, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Alexander V Mukhomedzyanov
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, 164253Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the RAS, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Natalia V Naryzhnaya
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, 164253Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the RAS, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Huijie Ma
- Department of Physiology, 12553Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jitka M Zurmanova
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, 37740Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Peter F M van der Ven
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cell Biology, 9374University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Leonid N Maslov
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, 164253Cardiology Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the RAS, Tomsk, Russia
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Wen S, Nguyen T, Gong M, Yuan X, Wang C, Jin J, Zhou L. An Overview of Similarities and Differences in Metabolic Actions and Effects of Central Nervous System Between Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs) and Sodium Glucose Co-Transporter-2 Inhibitors (SGLT-2is). Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2021; 14:2955-2972. [PMID: 34234493 PMCID: PMC8254548 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s312527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) are novel antidiabetic medications associated with considerable cardiovascular benefits therapying treatment of diabetic patients. GLP-1 exhibits atherosclerosis resistance, whereas SGLT-2i acts to ameliorate the neuroendocrine state in the patients with chronic heart failure. Despite their distinct modes of action, both factors share pathways by regulating the central nervous system (CNS). While numerous preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that GLP-1 can access various nuclei associated with energy homeostasis and hedonic eating in the CNS via blood-brain barrier (BBB), research on the activity of SGLT-2is remains limited. In our previous studies, we demonstrated that both GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) liraglutide and exenatide, as well as an SGLT-2i, dapagliflozin, could activate various nuclei and pathways in the CNS of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and C57BL/6 mice, respectively. Moreover, our results revealed similarities and differences in neural pathways, which possibly regulated different metabolic effects of GLP-1RA and SGLT-2i via sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in the CNS, such as feeding, blood glucose regulation and cardiovascular activities (arterial blood pressure and heart rate control). In the present article, we extensively discuss recent preclinical studies on the effects of GLP-1RAs and SGLT-2is on the CNS actions, with the aim of providing a theoretical explanation on their mechanism of action in improvement of the macro-cardiovascular risk and reducing incidence of diabetic complications. Overall, these findings are expected to guide future drug design approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Wen
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of China
| | - Thiquynhnga Nguyen
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Gong
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinlu Yuan
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chaoxun Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianlan Jin
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ligang Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Vascular Lesions Regulation and Remodeling, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Ligang Zhou Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8613611927616 Email
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Simpson S, Shankar K, Kimbrough A, George O. Role of corticotropin-releasing factor in alcohol and nicotine addiction. Brain Res 2020; 1740:146850. [PMID: 32330519 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The two most prevalent substance use disorders involve alcohol and nicotine, which are often co-abused. Robust preclinical and translational evidence indicates that individuals initiate drug use for the acute rewarding effects of the substance. The development of negative emotional states is key for the transition from recreational use to substance use disorders as subjects seek the substance to obtain relief from the negative emotional states of acute withdrawal and protracted abstinence. The neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a major regulator of the brain stress system and key in the development of negative affective states. The present review examines the role of CRF in preclinical models of alcohol and nicotine abuse and explores links between CRF and anxiety-like, dysphoria-like, and other negative affective states. Finally, the present review discusses preclinical models of nicotine and alcohol use with regard to the CRF system, advances in molecular and genetic manipulations of CRF, and the importance of examining both males and females in this field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra Simpson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Kokila Shankar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Adam Kimbrough
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Olivier George
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States.
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