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Lombardi AM, Wong H, Bower ME, Milstead R, Borski C, Schmitt E, Griffioen M, LaPlante L, Ehringer MA, Stitzel J, Hoeffer CA. AKT2 modulates astrocytic nicotine responses in vivo. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.31.596856. [PMID: 38854016 PMCID: PMC11160815 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.31.596856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
A better understanding of nicotine neurobiology is needed to reduce or prevent chronic addiction, ameliorate the detrimental effects of nicotine withdrawal, and increase successful cessation of use. Nicotine binds and activates two astrocyte-expressed nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), α4β2 and α7. We recently found that Protein kinase B-β (Pkb-β or Akt2) expression is restricted to astrocytes in mice and humans. To determine if AKT2 plays a role in astrocytic nicotinic responses, we generated astrocyte-specific Akt2 conditional knockout (cKO) and full Akt2 KO mice for in vivo and in vitro experiments. For in vivo studies, we examined mice exposed to chronic nicotine for two weeks in drinking water (200 μg/mL) and following acute nicotine challenge (0.09, 0.2 mg/kg) after 24 hrs. Our in vitro studies used cultured mouse astrocytes to measure nicotine-dependent astrocytic responses. We validated our approaches using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure inducing astrogliosis. Sholl analysis was used to measure glial fibrillary acidic protein responses in astrocytes. Our data show that wild-type (WT) mice exhibit increased astrocyte morphological complexity during acute nicotine exposure, with decreasing complexity during chronic nicotine use, whereas Akt2 cKO mice showed increased astrocyte morphology complexity. In culture, we found that 100μM nicotine was sufficient for morphological changes and blocking α7 or α4β2 nAChRs prevented observed morphologic changes. Finally, we performed conditioned place preference (CPP) in Akt2 cKO mice and found that astrocytic AKT2 deficiency reduced nicotine preference compared to controls. These findings show the importance of nAChRs and Akt2 signaling in the astrocytic response to nicotine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Lombardi
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303
| | - Helen Wong
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Myra E. Bower
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Ryan Milstead
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Curtis Borski
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Emily Schmitt
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303
| | - Mina Griffioen
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Lauren LaPlante
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Marissa A. Ehringer
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Jerry Stitzel
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Charles A. Hoeffer
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
- Linda Crnic Institute, Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO 80045
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Slika H, Mansour H, Nasser SA, Shaito A, Kobeissy F, Orekhov AN, Pintus G, Eid AH. Epac as a tractable therapeutic target. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 945:175645. [PMID: 36894048 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175645] [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: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
In 1957, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was identified as the first secondary messenger, and the first signaling cascade discovered was the cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Since then, cAMP has received increasing attention given its multitude of actions. Not long ago, a new cAMP effector named exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) emerged as a critical mediator of cAMP's actions. Epac mediates a plethora of pathophysiologic processes and contributes to the pathogenesis of several diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung fibrosis, neurological disorders, and others. These findings strongly underscore the potential of Epac as a tractable therapeutic target. In this context, Epac modulators seem to possess unique characteristics and advantages and hold the promise of providing more efficacious treatments for a wide array of diseases. This paper provides an in-depth dissection and analysis of Epac structure, distribution, subcellular compartmentalization, and signaling mechanisms. We elaborate on how these characteristics can be utilized to design specific, efficient, and safe Epac agonists and antagonists that can be incorporated into future pharmacotherapeutics. In addition, we provide a detailed portfolio for specific Epac modulators highlighting their discovery, advantages, potential concerns, and utilization in the context of clinical disease entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Slika
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon.
| | - Hadi Mansour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon.
| | | | - Abdullah Shaito
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, P.O. Box: 2713, Qatar.
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Neurobiology and Neuroscience, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
| | - Alexander N Orekhov
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology of Cardiovascular System, Institute of Human Morphology, 3 Tsyurupa Street, Moscow, 117418, Russia; Laboratory of Angiopathology, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 8 Baltiiskaya Street, Moscow, 125315, Russia; Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovative Center, Osennyaya Street 4-1-207, Moscow, 121609, Russia.
| | - Gianfranco Pintus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Ali H Eid
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar.
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Chen H, Tao X, Cao H, Li B, Sun Q, Wang W, Zou Y, Mu M, Tao H, Zhao Y, Ge D. Nicotine exposure exacerbates silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis via STAT3-BDNF-TrkB-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in alveolar type II cells. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 175:113694. [PMID: 36868510 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113694] [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: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
The addictive substance nicotine, found in cigarettes and some e-cigarettes, plays a vital role in pro-inflammatory and fibrotic processes. However, the part played by nicotine in the progression of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis is poorly understood. We used mice exposed to both silica and nicotine to investigate whether nicotine synergizes with silica particles to worsen lung fibrosis. The results revealed that nicotine accelerated the development of pulmonary fibrosis in silica-injured mice by activating STAT3-BDNF-TrkB signalling. Mice with a history of exposure to nicotine showed an increase in Fgf7 expression and alveolar type II cell proliferation if they were also exposed to silica. However, newborn AT2 cells could not regenerate the alveolar structure and release pro-fibrotic factor IL-33. Moreover, activated TrkB induced the expression of p-AKT, which promotes the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transcription factor Twist, but no Snail. In vitro assessment confirmed activation of the STAT3-BDNF-TrkB pathway in AT2 cells, exposed to nicotine plus silica. In addition, TrkB inhibitor K252a downregulated p-TrkB and the downstream p-AKT and restricted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition caused by nicotine plus silica. In conclusion, nicotine activates the STAT3-BDNF-TrkB pathway, which promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and exacerbates pulmonary fibrosis in mice with combined exposure to silica particles and nicotine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoming Chen
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Huainan, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Xinrong Tao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Huainan, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.
| | - Hangbing Cao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Huainan, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Bing Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Huainan, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Qixian Sun
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Huainan, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Wenyang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Huainan, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Yuanjie Zou
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Huainan, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Min Mu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Huainan, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Huihui Tao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Huainan, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Yehong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Huainan, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Deyong Ge
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health of the Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China; Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Health and Safety, Huainan, China; School of Medicine, Department of Medical Frontier Experimental Center, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
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Pelgrim CE, Wang L, Peralta Marzal LN, Korver S, van Ark I, Leusink-Muis T, Braber S, Folkerts G, Garssen J, van Helvoort A, Kraneveld AD. Increased exploration and hyperlocomotion in a cigarette smoke and LPS-induced murine model of COPD: linking pulmonary and systemic inflammation with the brain. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2022; 323:L251-L265. [PMID: 35699308 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00485.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-related comorbidities are frequently observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are related to increased disease progression and mortality. To date, it is unclear which mechanisms are involved in the development of brain-related problems in COPD. In this study, a cigarette smoke and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure murine model was used to induce COPD-like features and assess the impact on brain and behavior. Mice were daily exposed to cigarette smoke for 72 days, except for days 42, 52, and 62, on which mice were intratracheally exposed to the bacterial trigger LPS. Emphysema and pulmonary inflammation as well as behavior and brain pathology were assessed. Cigarette smoke-exposed mice showed increased alveolar enlargement and numbers of macrophages and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage. Cigarette smoke exposure resulted in lower body weight, which was accompanied by lower serum leptin levels, more time spent in the inner zone of the open field, and decreased claudin-5 and occludin protein expression levels in brain microvessels. Combined cigarette smoke and LPS exposure resulted in increased locomotion and elevated microglial activation in the hippocampus of the brain. These novel findings show that systemic inflammation observed after combined cigarette smoke and LPS exposure in this COPD model is associated with increased exploratory behavior. Findings suggest that neuroinflammation is present in the brain area involved in cognitive functioning and that blood-brain barrier integrity is compromised. These findings can contribute to our knowledge about possible processes involved in brain-related comorbidities in COPD, which is valuable for optimizing and developing therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte E Pelgrim
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lei Wang
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lucía N Peralta Marzal
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stephanie Korver
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid van Ark
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Thea Leusink-Muis
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia Braber
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Folkerts
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Garssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Platform Immunology, Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ardy van Helvoort
- Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Aletta D Kraneveld
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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