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Li H, Jiang T, An S, Xu M, Gou L, Ren B, Shi X, Wang X, Yan J, Yuan J, Xu X, Wu QF, Luo Q, Gong H, Bian WJ, Li A, Yu X. Single-neuron projectomes of mouse paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus oxytocin neurons reveal mutually exclusive projection patterns. Neuron 2024; 112:1081-1099.e7. [PMID: 38290516 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.12.022] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) plays important roles in autonomic control and behavioral modulation. However, it is unknown how the projection patterns of OXT neurons align with underlying physiological functions. Here, we present the reconstructed single-neuron, whole-brain projectomes of 264 OXT neurons of the mouse paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH) at submicron resolution. These neurons hierarchically clustered into two groups, with distinct morphological and transcriptional characteristics and mutually exclusive projection patterns. Cluster 1 (177 neurons) axons terminated exclusively in the median eminence (ME) and have few collaterals terminating within hypothalamic regions. By contrast, cluster 2 (87 neurons) sent wide-spread axons to multiple brain regions, but excluding ME. Dendritic arbors of OXT neurons also extended outside of the PVH, suggesting capability to sense signals and modulate target regions. These single-neuron resolution observations reveal distinct OXT subpopulations, provide comprehensive analysis of their morphology, and lay the structural foundation for better understanding the functional heterogeneity of OXT neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humingzhu Li
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and Peking University McGovern Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Sile An
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Mingrui Xu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lingfeng Gou
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Biyu Ren
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xiaoxue Shi
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jun Yan
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215123, China; Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xiaohong Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qing-Feng Wu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qingming Luo
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215123, China; Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Hui Gong
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215123, China; Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Wen-Jie Bian
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China.
| | - Anan Li
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215123, China; Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Xiang Yu
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and Peking University McGovern Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China.
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2
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Shaw K, Lu C, Liu X, Trudeau VL. Arginine vasopressin injection rescues delayed oviposition in cyp19a1b-/- mutant female zebrafish. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1308675. [PMID: 38144569 PMCID: PMC10739748 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1308675] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In zebrafish, estrogens produced in the ovaries via Cyp19a1a activity are required for both sexual differentiation of the ovary during early development as well as maintenance of the ovarian state during adulthood. The importance of Cyp19a1b that is highly expressed in the brain for female reproduction is still under study. We previously reported that female cyp19a1b -/- mutant zebrafish have significantly lower brain estradiol levels and impaired spawning behavior characterized by an increased latency to oviposition during dyadic sexual behavior encounters. In the current study, we provide evidence that the delayed oviposition in female cyp19a1b -/- mutants is linked to impaired arginine vasopressin (Avp) signaling. Droplet digital PCR experiments revealed that levels of the estrogen receptors, avp, and oxytocin (oxt) are lower in the hypothalamus of mutant females compared to wildtype fish. We then used acute intraperitoneal injections of Avp and Oxt, along with mixtures of their respective receptor antagonists, to determine that Avp can uniquely rescue the delayed oviposition in female cyp19a1b -/- mutants. Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated that Cyp19a1b-expressing radial glial cell (RGC) fibers surround and are in contact with Avp-immunopositive neurons in the preoptic areas of the brain. This could provide the neuroanatomical proximity for RGC-derived estrogens to diffuse to and activate estrogen receptors and regulate avp expression levels. Together these findings identify a positive link between Cyp19a1b and Avp for female zebrafish sexual behavior. They also suggest that the female cyp19a1b -/- mutant behavioral phenotype is likely a consequence of impaired processing of Avp-dependent social cues important for mate identification and assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Shaw
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Chunyu Lu
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Xiaochun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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3
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Chodkowski M, Zielezinski A, Anbalagan S. A ligand-receptor interactome atlas of the zebrafish. iScience 2023; 26:107309. [PMID: 37539027 PMCID: PMC10393773 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107309] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies in zebrafish can unravel the functions of cellular communication and thus identify novel bench-to-bedside drugs targeting cellular communication signaling molecules. Due to the incomplete annotation of zebrafish proteome, the knowledge of zebrafish receptors, ligands, and tools to explore their interactome is limited. To address this gap, we de novo predicted the cellular localization of zebrafish reference proteome using deep learning algorithm. We combined the predicted and existing annotations on cellular localization of zebrafish proteins and created repositories of zebrafish ligands, membrane receptome, and interactome as well as associated diseases and targeting drugs. Unlike other tools, our interactome atlas is based on both the physical interaction data of zebrafish proteome and existing human ligand-receptor pair databases. The resources are available as R and Python scripts. DanioTalk provides a novel resource for researchers interested in targeting cellular communication in zebrafish, as we demonstrate in applications studying synapse and axo-glial interactome. DanioTalk methodology can be applied to build and explore the ligand-receptor atlas of other non-mammalian model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milosz Chodkowski
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Andrzej Zielezinski
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Savani Anbalagan
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
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4
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Yasmin N, Collier AD, Karatayev O, Abdulai AR, Yu B, Fam M, Khalizova N, Leibowitz SF. Subpopulations of hypocretin/orexin neurons differ in measures of their cell proliferation, dynorphin co-expression, projections, and response to embryonic ethanol exposure. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8448. [PMID: 37231149 PMCID: PMC10213024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35432-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies in animals demonstrate that embryonic exposure to ethanol (EtOH) at low-moderate doses stimulates neurogenesis and increases the number of hypothalamic neurons expressing the peptide, hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt). A recent study in zebrafish showed that this effect on the Hcrt neurons in the anterior hypothalamus (AH) is area specific, evident in the anterior (aAH) but not posterior (pAH) part of this region. To understand specific factors that may determine the differential sensitivity to EtOH of these Hcrt subpopulations, we performed additional measures in zebrafish of their cell proliferation, co-expression of the opioid dynorphin (Dyn), and neuronal projections. In association with the increase in Hcrt neurons in the aAH but not pAH, EtOH significantly increased only in the aAH the proliferation of Hcrt neurons and their number lacking Dyn co-expression. The projections of these subpopulations differed markedly in their directionality, with those from the pAH primarily descending to the locus coeruleus and those from the aAH ascending to the subpallium, and they were both stimulated by EtOH, which induced specifically the most anterior subpallium-projecting Hcrt neurons to become ectopically expressed beyond the aAH. These differences between the Hcrt subpopulations suggest they are functionally distinct in their regulation of behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nushrat Yasmin
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Adam D Collier
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Olga Karatayev
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Abdul R Abdulai
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Boyi Yu
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Milisia Fam
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Nailya Khalizova
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Sarah F Leibowitz
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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5
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Procyk CA, Rodgers J, Zindy E, Lucas RJ, Milosavljevic N. Quantitative characterisation of ipRGCs in retinal degeneration using a computation platform for extracting and reconstructing single neurons in 3D from a multi-colour labeled population. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1009321. [PMID: 36385954 PMCID: PMC9664085 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1009321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Light has a profound impact on mammalian physiology and behavior. Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) express the photopigment melanopsin, rendering them sensitive to light, and are involved in both image-forming vision and non-image forming responses to light such as circadian photo-entrainment and the pupillary light reflex. Following outer photoreceptor degeneration, the death of rod and cone photoreceptors results in global re-modeling of the remnant neural retina. Although ipRGCs can continue signaling light information to the brain even in advanced stages of degeneration, it is unknown if all six morphologically distinct subtypes survive, or how their dendritic architecture may be affected. To answer these questions, we generated a computational platform-BRIAN (Brainbow Analysis of individual Neurons) to analyze Brainbow labeled tissues by allowing objective identification of voxels clusters in Principal Component Space, and their subsequent extraction to produce 3D images of single neurons suitable for analysis with existing tracing technology. We show that BRIAN can efficiently recreate single neurons or individual axonal projections from densely labeled tissue with sufficient anatomical resolution for subtype quantitative classification. We apply this tool to generate quantitative morphological information about ipRGCs in the degenerate retina including soma size, dendritic field size, dendritic complexity, and stratification. Using this information, we were able to identify cells whose characteristics match those reported for all six defined subtypes of ipRGC in the wildtype mouse retina (M1-M6), including the rare and complex M3 and M6 subtypes. This indicates that ipRGCs survive outer retinal degeneration with broadly normal morphology. We additionally describe one cell in the degenerate retina which matches the description of the Gigantic M1 cell in Humans which has not been previously identified in rodent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Procyk
- Ocular Cell and Gene Therapy Group, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Rodgers
- Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Centre for Biological Timing and Division of Neuroscience, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Egor Zindy
- Centre for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robert J. Lucas
- Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Centre for Biological Timing and Division of Neuroscience, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nina Milosavljevic
- Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Centre for Biological Timing and Division of Neuroscience, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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6
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Mennigen JA, Ramachandran D, Shaw K, Chaube R, Joy KP, Trudeau VL. Reproductive roles of the vasopressin/oxytocin neuropeptide family in teleost fishes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1005863. [PMID: 36313759 PMCID: PMC9606234 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1005863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate nonapeptide families arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) are considered to have evolved from a single vasopressin-like peptide present in invertebrates and termed arginine vasotocin in early vertebrate evolution. Unprecedented genome sequence availability has more recently allowed new insight into the evolution of nonapeptides and especially their receptor families in the context of whole genome duplications. In bony fish, nonapeptide homologues of AVP termed arginine vasotocin (Avp) and an OXT family peptide (Oxt) originally termed isotocin have been characterized. While reproductive roles of both nonapeptide families have historically been studied in several vertebrates, their roles in teleost reproduction remain much less understood. Taking advantage of novel genome resources and associated technological advances such as genetic modifications in fish models, we here critically review the current state of knowledge regarding the roles of nonapeptide systems in teleost reproduction. We further discuss sources of plasticity of the conserved nonapeptide systems in the context of diverse reproductive phenotypes observed in teleost fishes. Given the dual roles of preoptic area (POA) synthesized Avp and Oxt as neuromodulators and endocrine/paracrine factors, we focus on known roles of both peptides on reproductive behaviour and the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Emphasis is placed on the identification of a gonadal nonapeptide system that plays critical roles in both steroidogenesis and gamete maturation. We conclude by highlighting key research gaps including a call for translational studies linking new mechanistic understanding of nonapeptide regulated physiology in the context of aquaculture, conservation biology and ecotoxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan A. Mennigen
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Divya Ramachandran
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Katherine Shaw
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Radha Chaube
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Keerikkattil P. Joy
- Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, India
| | - Vance L. Trudeau
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
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7
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Gilmour KM, Bard B. Social buffering of the stress response: insights from fishes. Biol Lett 2022; 18:20220332. [PMID: 36285460 PMCID: PMC9597401 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0332] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Social buffering of stress refers to the effect of a social partner in reducing the cortisol or corticosterone response to a stressor. It has been well studied in mammals, particularly those that form pair bonds. Recent studies on fishes suggest that social buffering of stress also occurs in solitary species, gregarious species that form loose aggregations and species with well-defined social structures and bonds. The diversity of social contexts in which stress buffering has been observed in fishes holds promise to shed light on the evolution of this phenomenon among vertebrates. Equally, the relative simplicity of the fish brain is advantageous for identifying the neural mechanisms responsible for social buffering. In particular, fishes have a relatively small and simple forebrain but the brain regions that are key to social buffering, including the social behaviour network, the amygdala and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal axis, are functionally conserved across vertebrates. Thus, we suggest that insight into the mechanistic and evolutionary underpinnings of stress buffering in vertebrates can be gained from the study of social buffering of stress in fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen M. Gilmour
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 6N5
| | - Brittany Bard
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 6N5
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8
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Flavell SW, Gogolla N, Lovett-Barron M, Zelikowsky M. The emergence and influence of internal states. Neuron 2022; 110:2545-2570. [PMID: 35643077 PMCID: PMC9391310 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Animal behavior is shaped by a variety of "internal states"-partially hidden variables that profoundly shape perception, cognition, and action. The neural basis of internal states, such as fear, arousal, hunger, motivation, aggression, and many others, is a prominent focus of research efforts across animal phyla. Internal states can be inferred from changes in behavior, physiology, and neural dynamics and are characterized by properties such as pleiotropy, persistence, scalability, generalizability, and valence. To date, it remains unclear how internal states and their properties are generated by nervous systems. Here, we review recent progress, which has been driven by advances in behavioral quantification, cellular manipulations, and neural population recordings. We synthesize research implicating defined subsets of state-inducing cell types, widespread changes in neural activity, and neuromodulation in the formation and updating of internal states. In addition to highlighting the significance of these findings, our review advocates for new approaches to clarify the underpinnings of internal brain states across the animal kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven W Flavell
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Nadine Gogolla
- Emotion Research Department, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany; Circuits for Emotion Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Matthew Lovett-Barron
- Division of Biological Sciences-Neurobiology Section, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Moriel Zelikowsky
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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9
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Wee CL, Song E, Nikitchenko M, Herrera KJ, Wong S, Engert F, Kunes S. Social isolation modulates appetite and avoidance behavior via a common oxytocinergic circuit in larval zebrafish. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2573. [PMID: 35545618 PMCID: PMC9095721 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29765-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal brains have evolved to encode social stimuli and transform these representations into advantageous behavioral responses. The commonalities and differences of these representations across species are not well-understood. Here, we show that social isolation activates an oxytocinergic (OXT), nociceptive circuit in the larval zebrafish hypothalamus and that chemical cues released from conspecific animals are potent modulators of this circuit's activity. We delineate an olfactory to subpallial pathway that transmits chemical social cues to OXT circuitry, where they are transformed into diverse outputs simultaneously regulating avoidance and feeding behaviors. Our data allow us to propose a model through which social stimuli are integrated within a fundamental neural circuit to mediate diverse adaptive behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline L Wee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore
| | - Erin Song
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maxim Nikitchenko
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kristian J Herrera
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sandy Wong
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Florian Engert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Samuel Kunes
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
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10
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McDougal RA, Conte C, Eggleston L, Newton AJH, Galijasevic H. Efficient Simulation of 3D Reaction-Diffusion in Models of Neurons and Networks. Front Neuroinform 2022; 16:847108. [PMID: 35655652 PMCID: PMC9152282 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2022.847108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal activity is the result of both the electrophysiology and chemophysiology. A neuron can be well-represented for the purposes of electrophysiological simulation as a tree composed of connected cylinders. This representation is also apt for 1D simulations of their chemophysiology, provided the spatial scale is larger than the diameter of the cylinders and there is radial symmetry. Higher dimensional simulation is necessary to accurately capture the dynamics when these criteria are not met, such as with wave curvature, spines, or diffusion near the soma. We have developed a solution to enable efficient finite volume method simulation of reaction-diffusion kinetics in intracellular 3D regions in neuron and network models and provide an implementation within the NEURON simulator. An accelerated version of the CTNG 3D reconstruction algorithm transforms morphologies suitable for ion-channel based simulations into consistent 3D voxelized regions. Kinetics are then solved using a parallel algorithm based on Douglas-Gunn that handles the irregular 3D geometry of a neuron; these kinetics are coupled to NEURON's 1D mechanisms for ion channels, synapses, pumps, and so forth. The 3D domain may cover the entire cell or selected regions of interest. Simulations with dendritic spines and of the soma reveal details of dynamics that would be missed in a pure 1D simulation. We describe and validate the methods and discuss their performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A McDougal
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States.,Center for Medical Informatics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.,Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Cameron Conte
- Center for Medical Informatics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.,Department of Statistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Lia Eggleston
- Yale College, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Adam J H Newton
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States.,Center for Medical Informatics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, New York, NY, United States
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11
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Abstract
With a strong tendency to socialise, the zebrafish is a useful model to study social behaviour, with implications for better treatments of social impairments, for instance in autism spectrum disorders. Although oxytocin is crucial for social behaviour in mammals, the importance of the fish orthologue – isotocin or zebrafish oxytocin (zOT) – for social behaviour in zebrafish is unclear. The aims of this study were firstly, to elucidate the receptor specificity of zOT and the related vasotocin or zebrafish vasopressin (zVP; the orthologue of mammalian vasopressin) and the nonpeptidergic oxytocin receptor antagonist L-368,899, and secondly to investigate if L-368,899 inhibits social preference in zebrafish. The potencies of ligands were evaluated for zOT/zVP family receptors in HEK293 cells. Adult and larval zebrafish were treated with L-368,899 or vehicle and subsequently assessed for social behaviour and anxiety (adults only). The antagonist L-368,899 specifically inhibited the two zOT receptors, but not the two zVP-1 receptors. The antagonist decreased social preference in adult and larval zebrafish. It did not affect anxiety in adults. These results indicate that endogenous zOT, and possibly zVP, is involved in social behaviour in zebrafish via either or both of the two zOT receptors, and show promise for future explorations of the anatomy and evolution of networks underlying social behaviour.
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12
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Unsupervised machine learning using an imaging mass spectrometry dataset automatically reassembles grey and white matter. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13213. [PMID: 31519997 PMCID: PMC6744563 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49819-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Current histological and anatomical analysis techniques, including fluorescence in situ hybridisation, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, immunoelectron microscopy and fluorescent fusion protein, have revealed great distribution diversity of mRNA and proteins in the brain. However, the distributional pattern of small biomolecules, such as lipids, remains unclear. To this end, we have developed and optimised imaging mass spectrometry (IMS), a combined technique incorporating mass spectrometry and microscopy, which is capable of comprehensively visualising biomolecule distribution. We demonstrated the differential distribution of phospholipids throughout the cell body and axon of neuronal cells using IMS analysis. In this study, we used solarix XR, a high mass resolution and highly sensitive MALDI-FT-ICR-MS capable of detecting higher number of molecules than conventional MALDI-TOF-MS instruments, to create a molecular distribution dataset. We examined the diversity of biomolecule distribution in rat brains using IMS and hypothesised that unsupervised machine learning reconstructs brain structures such as the grey and white matters. We have demonstrated that principal component analysis (PCA) can reassemble the grey and white matters without assigning brain anatomical regions. Hierarchical clustering allowed us to classify the 10 groups of observed molecules according to their distributions. Furthermore, the group of molecules specifically localised in the cerebellar cortex was estimated to be composed of phospholipids.
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Altmieme Z, Jubouri M, Touma K, Coté G, Fonseca M, Julian T, Mennigen JA. A reproductive role for the nonapeptides vasotocin and isotocin in male zebrafish (Danio rerio). Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 238:110333. [PMID: 31499217 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2019.110333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Two distinct nonapeptide systems, vasotocin- and oxytocin-related peptides, evolved in vertebrates. Their role in male zebrafish reproduction has not been formally investigated. We hypothesized that the teleost nonapeptides vasotocin and isotocin stimulate male zebrafish reproductive physiology and success by affecting central neuronal and/or peripheral endocrine pathways. Pharmacological inhibition experiments revealed that both vasotocin and isotocin contribute significantly to male reproductive success, which in the case of vasotocin correlated significantly with indices of male courtship behavior. Interestingly, co-administration of vasotocin and isotocin antagonists completely abolished male reproductive success without affecting male courtship behavior and endocrine indices, possibly linked to a synergistic action of nonapeptides on male pheromone release. To further probe the nonapeptides' role in male zebrafish reproduction, we subsequently tested whether male zebrafish nonapeptide systems were acutely activated by the female releaser pheromone PGF2α, a strong chemoattractant and important reproductive cue in males which stimulates courtship behavior. Male zebrafish attracted to PGF2α in a choice assay exhibited acute increases in neuronal activation marker p-ERK immunoreactivity in the ventral glomerulus of the olfactory bulb and the preoptic area, however no co-localization with isotocin was observed. Conversely, PGF2α time-dependently stimulated whole brain isotocin mRNA abundance, suggesting secondary longer-term effects of PGF2α exposure on the central isotocinergic system. While the current lack of vasotocin-specific antibodies for zebrafish does not allow to probe acute activation of vasotocinergic neurons, whole brain vasotocin mRNA was not significantly affected by PGF2α exposure. Together, our results identify a role for nonapeptides in male zebrafish reproductive physiology and success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Altmieme
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 20 Marie-Curie, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - M Jubouri
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 20 Marie-Curie, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - K Touma
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 20 Marie-Curie, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - G Coté
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 20 Marie-Curie, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - M Fonseca
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 20 Marie-Curie, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - T Julian
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 20 Marie-Curie, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - J A Mennigen
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 20 Marie-Curie, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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14
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Wee CL, Nikitchenko M, Wang WC, Luks-Morgan SJ, Song E, Gagnon JA, Randlett O, Bianco IH, Lacoste AMB, Glushenkova E, Barrios JP, Schier AF, Kunes S, Engert F, Douglass AD. Zebrafish oxytocin neurons drive nocifensive behavior via brainstem premotor targets. Nat Neurosci 2019; 22:1477-1492. [PMID: 31358991 PMCID: PMC6820349 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0452-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Animals have evolved specialized neural circuits to defend themselves from pain- and injury-causing stimuli. Using a combination of optical, behavioral and genetic approaches in the larval zebrafish, we describe a novel role for hypothalamic oxytocin (OXT) neurons in the processing of noxious stimuli. In vivo imaging revealed that a large and distributed fraction of zebrafish OXT neurons respond strongly to noxious inputs, including the activation of damage-sensing TRPA1 receptors. OXT population activity reflects the sensorimotor transformation of the noxious stimulus, with some neurons encoding sensory information and others correlating more strongly with large-angle swims. Notably, OXT neuron activation is sufficient to generate this defensive behavior via the recruitment of brainstem premotor targets, whereas ablation of OXT neurons or loss of the peptide attenuates behavioral responses to TRPA1 activation. These data highlight a crucial role for OXT neurons in the generation of appropriate defensive responses to noxious input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline L Wee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maxim Nikitchenko
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Sasha J Luks-Morgan
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Erin Song
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - James A Gagnon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Owen Randlett
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Isaac H Bianco
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alix M B Lacoste
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elena Glushenkova
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Joshua P Barrios
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Alexander F Schier
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- FAS Center for Systems Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Samuel Kunes
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Florian Engert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Adam D Douglass
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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15
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Popescu IR, Buraei Z, Haam J, Weng F, Tasker JG. Lactation induces increased IPSC bursting in oxytocinergic neurons. Physiol Rep 2019; 7:e14047. [PMID: 31008554 PMCID: PMC6475881 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) undergo dramatic structural reorganization during lactation in female rats that is thought to contribute to the pulsatile secretion of oxytocin critical for milk ejection. MNCs from male rats generate robust bursts of GABAergic synaptic currents, a subset of which are onset-synchronized between MNC pairs, but the functional role of the IPSC bursts is not known. To determine the physiological relevance of IPSC bursts, we compared MNCs from lactating and non-lactating female rats using whole-cell recordings in brain slices. We recorded a sixfold increase in the incidence of IPSC bursts in oxytocin (OT)-MNCs from lactating rats compared to non-lactating rats, whereas there was no change in IPSC bursts in vasopressin (VP)-MNCs. Synchronized bursts of IPSCs were observed in pairs of MNCs in slices from lactating rats. Our data indicate, therefore, that IPSC bursts are upregulated specifically in OT-MNCs during lactation, and may, therefore, contribute via rebound depolarization to the spike trains in OT neurons that lead to reflex milk ejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ion R. Popescu
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansLouisiana
| | - Zafir Buraei
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansLouisiana
- Present address:
Department of BiologyPace UniversityNew York CityNew York
| | - Juhee Haam
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansLouisiana
- Present address:
Neurobiology LaboratoryNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesDepartment of Health and Human ServicesNational Institutes of HealthResearch Triangle ParkNorth Carolina
| | - Feng‐Ju Weng
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansLouisiana
- Present address:
Department of Brain and Cognitive ScienceMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyBostonMassachusetts
| | - Jeffrey G. Tasker
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansLouisiana
- Tulane Brain InstituteTulane UniversityNew OrleansLouisiana
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16
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Cook ZT, Brockway NL, Tobias ZJC, Pajarla J, Boardman IS, Ippolito H, Nkombo Nkoula S, Weissman TA. Combining near-infrared fluorescence with Brainbow to visualize expression of specific genes within a multicolor context. Mol Biol Cell 2019; 30:491-505. [PMID: 30586321 PMCID: PMC6594444 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e18-06-0340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent proteins are a powerful experimental tool, allowing the visualization of gene expression and cellular behaviors in a variety of systems. Multicolor combinations of fluorescent proteins, such as Brainbow, have expanded the range of possible research questions and are useful for distinguishing and tracking cells. The addition of a separately driven color, however, would allow researchers to report expression of a manipulated gene within the multicolor context to investigate mechanistic effects. A far-red or near-infrared protein could be particularly suitable in this context, as these can be distinguished spectrally from Brainbow. We investigated five far-red/near-infrared proteins in zebrafish: TagRFP657, mCardinal, miRFP670, iRFP670, and mIFP. Our results show that both mCardinal and iRFP670 are useful fluorescent proteins for zebrafish expression. We also introduce a new transgenic zebrafish line that expresses Brainbow under the control of the neuroD promoter. We demonstrate that mCardinal can be used to track the expression of a manipulated bone morphogenetic protein receptor within the Brainbow context. The overlay of near-infrared fluorescence onto a Brainbow background defines a clear strategy for future research questions that aim to manipulate or track the effects of specific genes within a population of cells that are delineated using multicolor approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe T. Cook
- Biology Department, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR 97219
| | | | | | - Joy Pajarla
- Biology Department, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR 97219
| | | | - Helen Ippolito
- Biology Department, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR 97219
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Prenatal Neuropathologies in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability: The Gestation of a Comprehensive Zebrafish Model. J Dev Biol 2018; 6:jdb6040029. [PMID: 30513623 PMCID: PMC6316217 DOI: 10.3390/jdb6040029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) are neurodevelopmental disorders with overlapping diagnostic behaviors and risk factors. These include embryonic exposure to teratogens and mutations in genes that have important functions prenatally. Animal models, including rodents and zebrafish, have been essential in delineating mechanisms of neuropathology and identifying developmental critical periods, when those mechanisms are most sensitive to disruption. This review focuses on how the developmentally accessible zebrafish is contributing to our understanding of prenatal pathologies that set the stage for later ASD-ID behavioral deficits. We discuss the known factors that contribute prenatally to ASD-ID and the recent use of zebrafish to model deficits in brain morphogenesis and circuit development. We conclude by suggesting that a future challenge in zebrafish ASD-ID modeling will be to bridge prenatal anatomical and physiological pathologies to behavioral deficits later in life.
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18
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Nagpal J, Herget U, Choi MK, Ryu S. Anatomy, development, and plasticity of the neurosecretory hypothalamus in zebrafish. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 375:5-22. [PMID: 30109407 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2900-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus harbors diverse neurosecretory cells with critical physiological roles for the homeostasis. Decades of research in rodents have provided a large amount of information on the anatomy, development, and function of this important hypothalamic nucleus. However, since the hypothalamus lies deep within the brain in mammals and is difficult to access, many questions regarding development and plasticity of this nucleus still remain. In particular, how different environmental conditions, including stress exposure, shape the development of this important nucleus has been difficult to address in animals that develop in utero. To address these open questions, the transparent larval zebrafish with its rapid external development and excellent genetic toolbox offers exciting opportunities. In this review, we summarize recent information on the anatomy and development of the neurosecretory preoptic area (NPO), which represents a similar structure to the mammalian PVN in zebrafish. We will then review recent studies on the development of different cell types in the neurosecretory hypothalamus both in mouse and in fish. Lastly, we discuss stress-induced plasticity of the PVN mainly discussing the data obtained in rodents, but pointing out tools and approaches available in zebrafish for future studies. This review serves as a primer for the currently available information relevant for studying the development and plasticity of this important brain region using zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatin Nagpal
- German Resilience Center, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ulrich Herget
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Blvd. Mail Code 156-29, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Min K Choi
- German Resilience Center, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Soojin Ryu
- German Resilience Center, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
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19
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Torres N, Martins D, Santos AJ, Prata D, Veríssimo M. How do hypothalamic nonapeptides shape youth's sociality? A systematic review on oxytocin, vasopressin and human socio-emotional development. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 90:309-331. [PMID: 29738796 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic nonapeptides oxytocin and vasopressin are important modulators of socio-affective behaviours in a wide variety of animal species, including humans. Nevertheless, there is little research addressing their possible roles on socio-affective dimensions of human behaviour across development, during which considerable behavioural and physiological change occurs. Questions still remain about the extent to which findings from adults may directly apply to earlier phases of human development. In this article, we systematically summarize and discuss all existing studies investigating the developmental association of endogenous levels of hypothalamic neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin with human social behaviour or on its disruption in paediatric populations. Evidence is sparse insofar as there are still relatively few developmental studies and limited due to correlational research designs and unreliability of methods currently used for neuropeptide measurements in biological fluids. The findings to date generally converge with adult evidence, but also suggest that important differences between age stages may exist. Further studies focusing these differences may prove critical for informing drug development for socio-affective deficits in paediatric populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Torres
- William James Center for Research, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Daniel Martins
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - António J Santos
- William James Center for Research, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diana Prata
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK; Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; ISCTE - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Manuela Veríssimo
- William James Center for Research, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Lisboa, Portugal.
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20
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Abstract
Transcriptional control of oxytocinergic cell development influences social, sexual, and appetite related behaviors and is implicated in disorders such as autism and Prader-Willi syndrome. Mediator 12 (Med12) is a transcriptional coactivator required for multiple facets of brain development including subsets of serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons. We surveyed hormone gene expression within the hypothalamo-pituitary axis of med12 mutant zebrafish embryos with a focus on oxytocin (oxt) expression. Some transcripts, such as oxt, vasopressin (avp) and corticotrophin releasing hormone (crh) are undetectable in the med12 mutant, while others are upregulated or downregulated to varying degrees. In med12 mutants, the expression patterns of upstream transcriptional regulators of oxytocinergic cell development remain largely intact in the pre-optic area, suggesting a more direct influence of Med12 on oxt expression. We show that Med12 is required for Wnt signaling in zebrafish. However, oxt expression is unaffected in Wnt-inhibited embryos indicating independence of Wnt signaling. In fact, overactive Wnt signaling inhibits oxt expression, and we identify a Wnt-sensitive period starting at 24 h post fertilization (hpf). Thus, Med12 and repression of Wnt signaling display critical but unrelated roles in regulating oxt expression. Summary: Mediator 12, a transcriptional coactivator, greatly enhances Wnt signaling in the developing embryo. Separate from its role in Wnt signaling, Mediator 12 is required for oxytocin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma D Spikol
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, 4000 Reservoir Rd., Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Eric Glasgow
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, 4000 Reservoir Rd., Washington, DC 20057, USA
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21
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Maícas-Royo J, Leng G, MacGregor DJ. A Predictive, Quantitative Model of Spiking Activity and Stimulus-Secretion Coupling in Oxytocin Neurons. Endocrinology 2018; 159:1433-1452. [PMID: 29342276 PMCID: PMC5934744 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-03068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin neurons of the rat hypothalamus project to the posterior pituitary, where they secrete their products into the bloodstream. The pattern and quantity of that release depends on the afferent inputs to the neurons, on their intrinsic membrane properties, and on nonlinear interactions between spiking activity and exocytosis: A given number of spikes will trigger more secretion when they arrive close together. Here we present a quantitative computational model of oxytocin neurons that can replicate the results of a wide variety of published experiments. The spiking model mimics electrophysiological data of oxytocin cells responding to cholecystokinin (CCK), a peptide produced in the gut after food intake. The secretion model matches results from in vitro experiments on stimulus-secretion coupling in the posterior pituitary. We mimic the plasma clearance of oxytocin with a two-compartment model, replicating the dynamics observed experimentally after infusion and injection of oxytocin. Combining these models allows us to infer, from measurements of oxytocin in plasma, the spiking activity of the oxytocin neurons that produced that secretion. We have tested these inferences with experimental data on oxytocin secretion and spiking activity in response to intravenous injections of CCK. We show how intrinsic mechanisms of the oxytocin neurons determine this relationship: In particular, we show that the presence of an afterhyperpolarization (AHP) in oxytocin neurons dramatically reduces the variability of their spiking activity and even more markedly reduces the variability of oxytocin secretion. The AHP thus acts as a filter, protecting the final product of oxytocin cells from noisy fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Maícas-Royo
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth Leng
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan J MacGregor
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Correspondence: Duncan J. MacGregor, PhD, Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, United Kingdom. E-mail:
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