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Zhang J, Lu Y, Jia M, Bai Y, Sun L, Dong Z, Tian W, Yin F, Wei S, Wang Y. Kappa opioid receptor in nucleus accumbens regulates depressive-like behaviors following prolonged morphine withdrawal in mice. iScience 2023; 26:107536. [PMID: 37636073 PMCID: PMC10448166 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107536] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolonged withdrawal from opioids leads to negative emotions. Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) plays an important role in opioid addiction and affective disorders. However, the underlying mechanism of KOR in withdrawal-related depression is still lacking. We found that escitalopram treatment had a limited effect in improving depression symptoms in heroin-dependent patients. In mice, we demonstrated prolonged (4 weeks) but not acute (24 h) withdrawal from morphine induced depressive-like behaviors. The number of c-Fos positive cells and the expression of KOR in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), were significantly increased in the prolonged morphine withdrawal mice. Conditional KOR knockdown in NAc significantly improved depressive-like behaviors. Repeated but not acute treatment with the KOR antagonist norBNI improved depressive-like behaviors and reversed PSD95, synaptophysin, p-ERK, p-CREB, and BDNF in NAc. This study demonstrated the important role of striatal KOR in morphine withdrawal-related depressive-like behaviors and offered therapeutic potential for the treatment of withdrawal-related depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061, China
- College of Forensic Science, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Ye Lu
- College of Forensic Science, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Min Jia
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061, China
- Shaanxi Belt and Road Joint Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Yuying Bai
- College of Forensic Science, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Lulu Sun
- College of Forensic Science, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Ziqing Dong
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061, China
- Shaanxi Belt and Road Joint Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Wenrong Tian
- College of Forensic Science, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Fangyuan Yin
- College of Forensic Science, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Shuguang Wei
- College of Forensic Science, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Yunpeng Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Brain Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710061, China
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Shahbazi Nia S, Hossain MA, Ji G, Jonnalagadda SK, Obeng S, Rahman MA, Sifat AE, Nozohouri S, Blackwell C, Patel D, Thompson J, Runyon S, Hiranita T, McCurdy CR, McMahon L, Abbruscato TJ, Trippier PC, Neugebauer V, German NA. Studies on diketopiperazine and dipeptide analogs as opioid receptor ligands. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 254:115309. [PMID: 37054561 PMCID: PMC10634475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Using the structure of gliotoxin as a starting point, we have prepared two different chemotypes with selective affinity to the kappa opioid receptor (KOR). Using medicinal chemistry approaches and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies, structural features required for the observed affinity were identified, and advanced molecules with favorable Multiparameter Optimization (MPO) and Ligand Lipophilicity (LLE) profiles were prepared. Using the Thermal Place Preference Test (TPPT), we have shown that compound2 blocks the antinociceptive effect of U50488, a known KOR agonist. Multiple reports suggest that modulation of KOR signaling is a promising therapeutic strategy in treating neuropathic pain (NP). As a proof-of-concept study, we tested compound 2 in a rat model of NP and recorded its ability to modulate sensory and emotional pain-related behaviors. Observed in vitro and in vivo results suggest that these ligands can be used to develop compounds with potential application as pain therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siavash Shahbazi Nia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Mohammad Anwar Hossain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Guangchen Ji
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Sravan K Jonnalagadda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Samuel Obeng
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Social and Administrative Sciences, McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Samford University, Birmingham, AL, 35229, USA
| | - Md Ashrafur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Ali Ehsan Sifat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Saeideh Nozohouri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Collin Blackwell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Dhavalkumar Patel
- Office of Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Jon Thompson
- Veterinary School of Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Scott Runyon
- Reserach Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Takato Hiranita
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Christopher R McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Lance McMahon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Thomas J Abbruscato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | - Paul C Trippier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; UNMC Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA; Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Nadezhda A German
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA.
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3
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Hughes AC, Pollard BG, Xu B, Gammons JW, Chapman P, Bikoff JB, Schwarz LA. A Novel Single Vector Intersectional AAV Strategy for Interrogating Cellular Diversity and Brain Function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.07.527312. [PMID: 36798174 PMCID: PMC9934562 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.07.527312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
As the discovery of cellular diversity in the brain accelerates, so does the need for functional tools that target cells based on multiple features, such as gene expression and projection target. By selectively driving recombinase expression in a feature-specific manner, one can utilize intersectional strategies to conditionally promote payload expression only where multiple features overlap. We developed Conditional Viral Expression by Ribozyme Guided Degradation (ConVERGD), a single-construct intersectional targeting strategy that combines a self-cleaving ribozyme with traditional FLEx switches. ConVERGD offers benefits over existing platforms, such as expanded intersectionality, the ability to accommodate larger and more complex payloads, and a vector design that is easily modified to better facilitate rapid toolkit expansion. To demonstrate its utility for interrogating neural circuitry, we employed ConVERGD to target an unexplored subpopulation of norepinephrine (NE)-producing neurons within the rodent locus coeruleus (LC) identified via single-cell transcriptomic profiling to co-express the stress-related endogenous opioid gene prodynorphin (Pdyn). These studies showcase ConVERGD as a versatile tool for targeting diverse cell types and reveal Pdyn-expressing NE+ LC neurons as a small neuronal subpopulation capable of driving anxiogenic behavioral responses in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex C. Hughes
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105
| | - Brittany G. Pollard
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105
| | - Beisi Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105
| | - Jesse W. Gammons
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105
- Present address: Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305
| | - Phillip Chapman
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105
| | - Jay B. Bikoff
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105
| | - Lindsay A. Schwarz
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105
- Lead contact
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Limoges A, Yarur HE, Tejeda HA. Dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor system regulation on amygdaloid circuitry: Implications for neuropsychiatric disorders. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:963691. [PMID: 36276608 PMCID: PMC9579273 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.963691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amygdaloid circuits are involved in a variety of emotional and motivation-related behaviors and are impacted by stress. The amygdala expresses several neuromodulatory systems, including opioid peptides and their receptors. The Dynorphin (Dyn)/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system has been implicated in the processing of emotional and stress-related information and is expressed in brain areas involved in stress and motivation. Dysregulation of the Dyn/KOR system has also been implicated in various neuropsychiatric disorders. However, there is limited information about the role of the Dyn/KOR system in regulating amygdala circuitry. Here, we review the literature on the (1) basic anatomy of the amygdala, (2) functional regulation of synaptic transmission by the Dyn/KOR system, (3) anatomical architecture and function of the Dyn/KOR system in the amygdala, (4) regulation of amygdala-dependent behaviors by the Dyn/KOR system, and (5) future directions for the field. Future work investigating how the Dyn/KOR system shapes a wide range of amygdala-related behaviors will be required to increase our understanding of underlying circuitry modulation by the Dyn/KOR system. We anticipate that continued focus on the amygdala Dyn/KOR system will also elucidate novel ways to target the Dyn/KOR system to treat neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Limoges
- Unit on Neuromodulation and Synaptic Integration, Bethesda, MD, United States
- NIH-Columbia University Individual Graduate Partnership Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hector E. Yarur
- Unit on Neuromodulation and Synaptic Integration, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Hugo A. Tejeda
- Unit on Neuromodulation and Synaptic Integration, Bethesda, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Hugo A. Tejeda,
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5
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Reeves KC, Shah N, Muñoz B, Atwood BK. Opioid Receptor-Mediated Regulation of Neurotransmission in the Brain. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:919773. [PMID: 35782382 PMCID: PMC9242007 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.919773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioids mediate their effects via opioid receptors: mu, delta, and kappa. At the neuronal level, opioid receptors are generally inhibitory, presynaptically reducing neurotransmitter release and postsynaptically hyperpolarizing neurons. However, opioid receptor-mediated regulation of neuronal function and synaptic transmission is not uniform in expression pattern and mechanism across the brain. The localization of receptors within specific cell types and neurocircuits determine the effects that endogenous and exogenous opioids have on brain function. In this review we will explore the similarities and differences in opioid receptor-mediated regulation of neurotransmission across different brain regions. We discuss how future studies can consider potential cell-type, regional, and neural pathway-specific effects of opioid receptors in order to better understand how opioid receptors modulate brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin C. Reeves
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Nikhil Shah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Braulio Muñoz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Brady K. Atwood
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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6
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Gowrishankar R, Gomez A, Waliki M, Bruchas MR. Kappa-opioid receptor activation reinstates nicotine self-administration in mice. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2:100017. [PMID: 36118179 PMCID: PMC9481185 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Raajaram Gowrishankar
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle WA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle WA
| | - Adrian Gomez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis MO
| | - Marie Waliki
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis MO
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle WA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis MO
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle WA
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7
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Yakhnitsa V, Ji G, Hein M, Presto P, Griffin Z, Ponomareva O, Navratilova E, Porreca F, Neugebauer V. Kappa Opioid Receptor Blockade in the Amygdala Mitigates Pain Like-Behaviors by Inhibiting Corticotropin Releasing Factor Neurons in a Rat Model of Functional Pain. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:903978. [PMID: 35694266 PMCID: PMC9177060 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.903978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional pain syndromes (FPS) occur in the absence of identifiable tissue injury or noxious events and include conditions such as migraine, fibromyalgia, and others. Stressors are very common triggers of pain attacks in various FPS conditions. It has been recently demonstrated that kappa opioid receptors (KOR) in the central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) contribute to FPS conditions, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The CeA is rich in KOR and encompasses major output pathways involving extra-amygdalar projections of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) expressing neurons. Here we tested the hypothesis that KOR blockade in the CeA in a rat model of FPS reduces pain-like and nocifensive behaviors by restoring inhibition of CeA-CRF neurons. Intra-CeA administration of a KOR antagonist (nor-BNI) decreased mechanical hypersensitivity and affective and anxiety-like behaviors in a stress-induced FPS model. In systems electrophysiology experiments in anesthetized rats, intra-CeA application of nor-BNI reduced spontaneous firing and responsiveness of CeA neurons to peripheral stimulation. In brain slice whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, nor-BNI increased feedforward inhibitory transmission evoked by optogenetic and electrical stimulation of parabrachial afferents, but had no effect on monosynaptic excitatory transmission. Nor-BNI decreased frequency, but not amplitude, of spontaneous inhibitory synaptic currents, suggesting a presynaptic action. Blocking KOR receptors in stress-induced FPS conditions may therefore represent a novel therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Yakhnitsa
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Guangchen Ji
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Matthew Hein
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Peyton Presto
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Zack Griffin
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Olga Ponomareva
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Edita Navratilova
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
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8
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Leconte C, Mongeau R, Noble F. Traumatic Stress-Induced Vulnerability to Addiction: Critical Role of the Dynorphin/Kappa Opioid Receptor System. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:856672. [PMID: 35571111 PMCID: PMC9091501 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.856672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) may emerge from an individual’s attempt to limit negative affective states and symptoms linked to stress. Indeed, SUD is highly comorbid with chronic stress, traumatic stress, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and treatments approved for each pathology individually often failed to have a therapeutic efficiency in such comorbid patients. The kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) and its endogenous ligand dynorphin (DYN), seem to play a key role in the occurrence of this comorbidity. The DYN/KOR function is increased either in traumatic stress or during drug use, dependence acquisition and DYN is released during stress. The behavioural effects of stress related to the DYN/KOR system include anxiety, dissociative and depressive symptoms, as well as increased conditioned fear response. Furthermore, the DYN/KOR system is implicated in negative reinforcement after the euphoric effects of a drug of abuse ends. During chronic drug consumption DYN/KOR functions increase and facilitate tolerance and dependence. The drug-seeking behaviour induced by KOR activation can be retrieved either during the development of an addictive behaviour, or during relapse after withdrawal. DYN is known to be one of the most powerful negative modulators of dopamine signalling, notably in brain structures implicated in both reward and fear circuitries. KOR are also acting as inhibitory heteroreceptors on serotonin neurons. Moreover, the DYN/KOR system cross-regulate with corticotropin-releasing factor in the brain. The sexual dimorphism of the DYN/KOR system could be the cause of the gender differences observed in patients with SUD or/and traumatic stress-related pathologies. This review underlies experimental and clinical results emphasizing the DYN/KOR system as common mechanisms shared by SUD or/and traumatic stress-related pathologies, and suggests KOR antagonist as a new pharmacological strategy to treat this comorbidity.
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Custodio L, Malone S, Bardo MT, Turner JR. Nicotine and opioid co-dependence: Findings from bench research to clinical trials. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 134:104507. [PMID: 34968525 PMCID: PMC10986295 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Concomitant use of tobacco and opioids represents a growing public health concern. In fact, the mortality rate due to smoking-related illness approaches 50% among SUD patients. Cumulative evidence demonstrates that the vulnerability to drugs of abuse is influenced by behavioral, environmental, and genetic factors. This review explores the contribution of genetics and neural mechanisms influencing nicotine and opioid reward, respiration, and antinociception, emphasizing the interaction of cholinergic and opioid receptor systems. Despite the substantial evidence demonstrating nicotine-opioid interactions within the brain and on behavior, the currently available pharmacotherapies targeting these systems have shown limited efficacy for smoking cessation on opioid-maintained smokers. Thus, further studies designed to identify novel targets modulating both nicotinic and opioid receptor systems may lead to more efficacious approaches for co-morbid nicotine dependence and opioid use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Custodio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Samantha Malone
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Michael T Bardo
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Jill R Turner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
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Abraham AD, Casello SM, Land BB, Chavkin C. Optogenetic stimulation of dynorphinergic neurons within the dorsal raphe activate kappa opioid receptors in the ventral tegmental area and ablation of dorsal raphe prodynorphin or kappa receptors in dopamine neurons blocks stress potentiation of cocaine reward. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 1. [PMID: 36176476 PMCID: PMC9518814 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral stress exposure increases the risk of drug-taking in individuals with substance use disorders by mechanisms involving the dynorphins, which are the endogenous neuropeptides for the kappa opioid receptor (KOR). KOR agonists have been shown to encode dysphoria, aversion, and changes in reward valuation, and kappa opioid antagonists are in clinical development for treating substance use disorders. In this study, we confirmed that KORs were expressed in dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of male C57BL6/J mice. Genetic ablation of KORs from dopamine neurons blocked the potentiating effects of repeated forced swim stress on cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP). KOR activation inhibited dopamine neuron GCaMP6m calcium activity in VTA during swim stress and caused a rebound enhancement during the period after stress exposure. Transient optogenetic inhibition of VTA dopamine neurons with AAV5-DIO-SwiChR was acutely aversive in a real time place preference assay and blunted cocaine CPP when inhibition was administered concurrently with cocaine conditioning. However, when inhibition preceded cocaine conditioning by 30 min, cocaine CPP was enhanced. Retrograde tracing with CAV2-DIO-ZsGreen identified a population of prodynorphinCre neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) projecting to the VTA. Optogenetic stimulation of dynorphinergic neurons within the DRN by Channelrhodopsin2 activated KOR in VTA and ablation of prodynorphin blocked stress potentiation of cocaine CPP. Together, these studies demonstrate the presence of a dynorphin/KOR midbrain circuit that projects from the DRN to VTA and is involved in altering the dynamic response of dopamine neuron activity to enhance drug reward learning.
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11
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Askari N, Mousavi A, Vaez-Mahdavi MR. Maternal deprivation effect on morphine-induced CPP is related to changes in Opioid receptors in selected rat brain regions (hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens). Behav Processes 2022; 197:104607. [PMID: 35218881 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104607] [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: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Early-life environmental conditions affect offspring's development. Maternal deprivation (MD) can induce persistent changes that give rise to neuropsychiatric diseases including substance abuse disorders. However, long-lasting mechanisms that determine vulnerability to drug addiction remain unknown. We hypothesized that MD could induce changes in Opioid system, HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), so may be involved in the drug abuse in later life. Male offspring of Wistar rats (n=8 per group) were subjected to 3h of daily MD during postnatal days 1-14. In adulthood, morphine-induced CPP (conditioned place preference) was investigated using two doses of morphine (3 and 5mg/kg). Serum corticosterone level was measured by ELISA method. The expression level of genes in selected brain regions (hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens) was determined by qPCR (quantitative PCR). A greater morphine-induced CPP was observed in MD rats with 3 and 5mg/kg morphine compared to controls. MD group had a higher corticosterone level. A significant decrease was observed in the expression of BDNF gene (in all of the selected brain regions) and GR (glucocorticoid receptor) gene (in the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens) in MD rats. Also, a significant increase in the expression of μ Opioid receptor (in all of the selected brain regions) and κ Opioid receptor (in the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens) was observed in MD rats. Our results suggest that MD induces alterations in the HPA axis function, BDNF level, and Opioid receptors system that enhance vulnerability to morphine at adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayere Askari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, I.R. Iran; Immunoregulation Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, I.R. Iran.
| | - Ali Mousavi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, I.R. Iran
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Mooney-Leber SM, Caruso MJ, Gould TJ, Cavigelli SA, Kamens HM. The impact of adolescent stress on nicotine use and affective disorders in rodent models. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:2196-2215. [PMID: 34402112 PMCID: PMC9730548 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Recent findings indicate that stress exposure during adolescence contributes to the development of both nicotine use and affective disorders, suggesting a potential shared biological pathway. One key system that may mediate the association between adolescent stress and nicotine or affective outcomes is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Here we reviewed evidence regarding the effects of adolescent stress on nicotine responses and affective phenotypes and the role of the HPA-axis in these relationships. Literature indicates that stress, possibly via HPA-axis dysfunction, is a risk factor for both nicotine use and affective disorders. In rodent models, adolescent stress modulates behavioural responses to nicotine and increases the likelihood of affective disorders. The exact role that the HPA-axis plays in altering nicotine sensitivity and affective disorder development after adolescent stress remains unclear. However, it appears likely that adolescent stress-induced nicotine use and affective disorders are precipitated by repetitive activation of a hyperactive HPA-axis. Together, these preclinical studies indicate that adolescent stress is a risk factor for nicotine use and anxiety/depression phenotypes. The findings summarized here suggest that the HPA-axis mediates this relationship. Future studies that pharmacologically manipulate the HPA-axis during and after adolescent stress are critical to elucidate the exact role that the HPA-axis plays in the development of nicotine use and affective disorders following adolescent stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M Mooney-Leber
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI, USA
| | - Michael J Caruso
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Thomas J Gould
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Sonia A Cavigelli
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.,Center for Brain, Behavior, and Cognition, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Helen M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.,Center for Brain, Behavior, and Cognition, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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13
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Kappa opioid receptor modulation of endometriosis pain in mice. Neuropharmacology 2021; 195:108677. [PMID: 34153313 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The kappa opioid receptor is a constituent of the endogenous opioid analgesia system widely expressed in somatosensory nervous pathways and also in endometrial tissues. This work investigates the possible involvement of kappa opioid receptor on the nociceptive, behavioral and histopathological manifestations of endometriosis in a murine model. Female mice receiving endometrial implants develop a persistent mechanical hypersensitivity in the pelvic area that is stronger during the estrus phase of the estrous cycle. The kappa opioid receptor agonist U50,488H produces a dose-dependent relief of this mechanical hypersensitivity, regardless of the cycle phase. Repeated exposure to a low dose of U50,488H (1 mg/kg/day s.c. for one month) provides sustained relief of mechanical hypersensitivity, without tolerance development or sedative side effects. Interestingly, this treatment also inhibits a decreased rearing behavior associated with spontaneous pain or discomfort in endometriosis mice. This KOR-mediated pain relief does not prevent the anxiety-like behavior or the cognitive impairment exhibited by endometriosis mice, and the growth of endometriotic cysts is also unaltered. These data provide evidence of strong pain-relieving properties of kappa opioid receptor stimulation in female mice with endometriosis pain. The persistence of affective and cognitive manifestations suggests that these comorbidities are independent of pelvic pain and simultaneous treatment of these comorbidities may be necessary for successful management of endometriosis.
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14
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Hein M, Ji G, Tidwell D, D'Souza P, Kiritoshi T, Yakhnitsa V, Navratilova E, Porreca F, Neugebauer V. Kappa opioid receptor activation in the amygdala disinhibits CRF neurons to generate pain-like behaviors. Neuropharmacology 2021; 185:108456. [PMID: 33444637 PMCID: PMC7887082 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that kappa opioid receptors (KOR) in limbic brain regions such as the amygdala contribute to pain conditions, but underlying mechanisms remain to be determined. The amygdala is an important player in averse-affective aspects of pain and pain modulation. The central nucleus (CeA) serves output functions through projection neurons that include corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) expressing neurons. The CeA is also rich in KOR. Here we tested the novel hypothesis that KOR activation in the CeA generates pain-like behaviors through a mechanism that involves inhibition of synaptic inhibition (disinhibition) of CRF neurons. Intra-CeA administration of a KOR agonist (U-69,593) increased vocalizations of naïve rats to noxious stimuli, and induced anxiety-like behaviors in the open field test (OFT) and avoidance in the conditioned place preference test, without affecting mechanosensory thresholds. Optogenetic silencing of CeA-CRF neurons blocked the facilitatory effects of systemically applied U-69,593 in naïve rats. Patch-clamp recordings of CRF neurons in rat brain slices found that U-69,593 decreased feedforward inhibitory transmission evoked by optogenetic stimulation of parabrachial afferents, but had no effect on monosynaptic excitatory transmission. U-69,593 decreased frequency, but not amplitude, of inhibitory synaptic currents, suggesting a presynaptic action. Multiphoton imaging of CeA-CRF neurons in rat brain slices showed that U-69,593 increased calcium signals evoked by electrical stimulation of presumed parabrachial input. This study shows for the first time that KOR activation increases activity of amygdala CRF neurons through synaptic disinhibition, resulting in averse-affective pain-like behaviors. Blocking KOR receptors may therefore represent a novel therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Hein
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Guangchen Ji
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Dalton Tidwell
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Preston D'Souza
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Takaki Kiritoshi
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Vadim Yakhnitsa
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Edita Navratilova
- Department of Pharmacology, Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
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15
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Vulnerability factors for mephedrone-induced conditioned place preference in rats-the impact of sex differences, social-conditioning and stress. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:2947-2961. [PMID: 34268586 PMCID: PMC8455394 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05910-y] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Mephedrone is a frequently overused drug of abuse that belongs to the group of novel psychoactive substances. Although its mechanism of action, as well as toxic and psychoactive effects, has been widely studied, the role of different factors that could contribute to the increased vulnerability to mephedrone abuse is still poorly understood. OBJECTIVES The aim of the presented study was to assess the impact of several factors (sex differences, social-conditioning, and chronic mild unpredictable stress - CMUS) on the liability to mephedrone-induced reward in Wistar rats. METHODS The rewarding effects of mephedrone in male and female rats were assessed using the conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure. Furthermore, the impact of social factor and stress was evaluated in male rats using social-CPP and CMUS-dependent CPP, respectively. RESULTS Mephedrone induced classic-CPP in female (10 mg/kg), as well as in male (10 and 20 mg/kg) rats. However, the impact of mephedrone treatment during social-CPP was highly dose-dependent as the rewarding effects of low dose of mephedrone (5 mg/kg; non-active in classic-CPP) were potentiated when administered during social-conditioning. Interestingly, social-conditioning with a higher dose of 20 mg/kg (that induced classic-CPP) was able to reverse these effects. Finally, CMUS potentiated rewarding effects of a low dose of mephedrone (5 mg/kg) and increased the level of corticosterone in rats' prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, the presented results give new insight into possible factors underlying the vulnerability to mephedrone abuse and can serve as a basis for further studies assessing mechanisms underlying observed effects.
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16
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Borsoi M, Nunes LED, Barbosa AR, Lima MS, Medeiros I, Pranke MA, Antonio CB, Rates SMK, Neves GA. Intermittent repeated stress but not ketamine changes mice response to antidepressants. Neurosci Lett 2020; 741:135452. [PMID: 33166638 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Discovery of the rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine has been considered one of the most important advances in major depressive disorder treatment. Several studies report a significant benefit to patients that lasts up to 19 days after treatment. However, concerns arise from the long-term use of ketamine, thus a safe and effective strategy for maintaining its antidepressant effect is still necessary. To this end, our work assessed the effects of imipramine and fluoxetine after repeated ketamine treatment in male mice. Ketamine (30 mg/kg/day for 14 days) induced an anti-immobility effect in the forced swimming (FS) paradigm, detected 1 and 3 days after treatment. Seven days after the last ketamine injection, mice received imipramine (20 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (30 mg/kg). Imipramine and fluoxetine did not change mice's immobility time, regardless of the pre-treatment (saline or ketamine). Since both drugs' anti-immobility effect was demonstrated in the classical FS test, we can assume that repeated exposure to intermittent stress inhibited the antidepressant drugs' anti-immobility effects. Moreover, pre-exposure to ketamine did not counteract stress-induced changes in mice response to antidepressants. Since exposure to forced swim and i.p. injections are stressful to rodents, each stressor's contribution to the blunted response to antidepressants was investigated. Our data demonstrated that both stressors (FS and i.p. injections) influenced the reported effect. In summary, our results showed that exposure to intermittent repeated stress inhibited the anti-immobility effect of imipramine and fluoxetine in mice and corroborated findings demonstrating that exposure to stress can blunt patients' response to antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milene Borsoi
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychopharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 2752, sala 503-B, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90610-000, Brazil
| | - Luis Eduardo D Nunes
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, bloco J, sala J1-029, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Amanda R Barbosa
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, bloco J, sala J1-029, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Mariana S Lima
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, bloco J, sala J1-029, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Isabelle Medeiros
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, bloco J, sala J1-029, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Mariana A Pranke
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychopharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 2752, sala 503-B, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90610-000, Brazil
| | - Camila B Antonio
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychopharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 2752, sala 503-B, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90610-000, Brazil
| | - Stela M K Rates
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychopharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 2752, sala 503-B, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90610-000, Brazil
| | - Gilda A Neves
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychopharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 2752, sala 503-B, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90610-000, Brazil; Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, bloco J, sala J1-029, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-902, Brazil.
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17
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Ji G, Neugebauer V. Kappa opioid receptors in the central amygdala modulate spinal nociceptive processing through an action on amygdala CRF neurons. Mol Brain 2020; 13:128. [PMID: 32948219 PMCID: PMC7501648 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00669-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The amygdala plays an important role in the emotional-affective aspects of behaviors and pain, but can also modulate sensory aspect of pain ("nociception"), likely through coupling to descending modulatory systems. Here we explored the functional coupling of the amygdala to spinal nociception. We found that pharmacological activation of neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) increased the activity of spinal dorsal horn neurons; and this effect was blocked by optogenetic silencing of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) positive CeA neurons. A kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonist (U-69,593) was administered into the CeA by microdialysis. KOR was targeted because of their role in averse-affective behaviors through actions in limbic brain regions. Extracellular single-unit recordings were made of CeA neurons or spinal dorsal horn neurons in anesthetized transgenic Crh-Cre rats. Neurons responded more strongly to noxious than innocuous stimuli. U-69,593 increased the responses of CeA and spinal neurons to innocuous and noxious mechanical stimulation of peripheral tissues. The facilitatory effect of the agonist was blocked by optical silencing of CRF-CeA neurons though light activation of halorhodopsin expressed in these neurons by viral-vector. The CRF system in the amygdala has been implicated in aversiveness and pain modulation. The results suggest that the amygdala can modulate spinal nociceptive processing in a positive direction through CRF-CeA neurons and that KOR activation in the amygdala (CeA) has pro-nociceptive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangchen Ji
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, 3601 4th St, Lubbock, TX, 79430-6592, USA
- Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, 3601 4th St, Lubbock, TX, 79430-6592, USA.
- Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
- Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
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18
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Phelps CE, Navratilova E, Dickenson AH, Porreca F, Bannister K. Kappa opioid signaling in the right central amygdala causes hind paw specific loss of diffuse noxious inhibitory controls in experimental neuropathic pain. Pain 2020; 160:1614-1621. [PMID: 30870321 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNICs) is a pain-inhibits-pain phenomenon demonstrated in humans and animals. Diffuse noxious inhibitory control is diminished in many chronic pain states, including neuropathic pain. The efficiency of DNIC has been suggested to prospectively predict both the likelihood of pain chronification and treatment response. Little is known as to why DNIC is dysfunctional in neuropathic pain. Here, we evaluated DNIC in the rat L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model of chronic pain using both behavioral and electrophysiological outcomes. For behavior, nociceptive thresholds were determined using response to noxious paw pressure on both hind paws as the test stimulus before, and after, injection of a conditioning stimulus of capsaicin into the left forepaw. Functionally, the spike firing of spinal wide-dynamic-range neuronal activity was evaluated before and during noxious ear pinch, while stimulating the ipsilateral paw with von Frey hairs of increased bending force. In both assays, the DNIC response was significantly diminished in the ipsilateral (ie, injured) paw of SNL animals. However, behavioral loss of DNIC was not observed on the contralateral (ie, uninjured) paw. Systemic application of nor-binaltorphimine, a kappa opioid antagonist, did not ameliorate SNL-induced hyperalgesia but reversed loss of the behavioral DNIC response. Microinjection of nor-binaltorphimine into the right central amygdala (RCeA) of SNL rats did not affect baseline thresholds but restored DNIC both behaviorally and electrophysiologically. Cumulatively, these data suggest that net enhanced descending facilitations may be mediated by kappa opioid receptor signaling from the right central amygdala to promote diminished DNIC after neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E Phelps
- Department of Pharmacology, Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Edita Navratilova
- Department of Pharmacology, Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Anthony H Dickenson
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Kirsty Bannister
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Neugebauer V, Mazzitelli M, Cragg B, Ji G, Navratilova E, Porreca F. Amygdala, neuropeptides, and chronic pain-related affective behaviors. Neuropharmacology 2020; 170:108052. [PMID: 32188569 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides play important modulatory roles throughout the nervous system, functioning as direct effectors or as interacting partners with other neuropeptide and neurotransmitter systems. Limbic brain areas involved in learning, memory and emotions are particularly rich in neuropeptides. This review will focus on the amygdala, a limbic region that plays a key role in emotional-affective behaviors and pain modulation. The amygdala is comprised of different nuclei; the basolateral (BLA) and central (CeA) nuclei and in between, the intercalated cells (ITC), have been linked to pain-related functions. A wide range of neuropeptides are found in the amygdala, particularly in the CeA, but this review will discuss those neuropeptides that have been explored for their role in pain modulation. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a key peptide in the afferent nociceptive pathway from the parabrachial area and mediates excitatory drive of CeA neurons. CeA neurons containing corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and/or somatostatin (SOM) are a source of long-range projections and serve major output functions, but CRF also acts locally to excite neurons in the CeA and BLA. Neuropeptide S (NPS) is associated with inhibitory ITC neurons that gate amygdala output. Oxytocin and vasopressin exert opposite (inhibitory and excitatory, respectively) effects on amygdala output. The opioid system of mu, delta and kappa receptors (MOR, DOR, KOR) and their peptide ligands (β-endorphin, enkephalin, dynorphin) have complex and partially opposing effects on amygdala function. Neuropeptides therefore serve as valuable targets to regulate amygdala function in pain conditions. This article is part of the special issue on Neuropeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
| | - Mariacristina Mazzitelli
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Bryce Cragg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Guangchen Ji
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Edita Navratilova
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Frank Porreca
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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20
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Genders SG, Scheller KJ, Djouma E. Neuropeptide modulation of addiction: Focus on galanin. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 110:133-149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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21
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Escobar ADP, Casanova JP, Andrés ME, Fuentealba JA. Crosstalk Between Kappa Opioid and Dopamine Systems in Compulsive Behaviors. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:57. [PMID: 32132923 PMCID: PMC7040183 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The strength of goal-oriented behaviors is regulated by midbrain dopamine neurons. Dysfunctions of dopaminergic circuits are observed in drug addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Compulsive behavior is a feature that both disorders share, which is associated to a heightened dopamine neurotransmission. The activity of midbrain dopamine neurons is principally regulated by the homeostatic action of dopamine through D2 receptors (D2R) that decrease the firing of neurons as well as dopamine synthesis and release. Dopamine transmission is also regulated by heterologous neurotransmitter systems such as the kappa opioid system, among others. Much of our current knowledge of the kappa opioid system and its influence on dopamine transmission comes from preclinical animal models of brain diseases. In 1988, using cerebral microdialysis, it was shown that the acute activation of the Kappa Opioid Receptors (KOR) decreases synaptic levels of dopamine in the striatum. This inhibitory effect of KOR opposes to the facilitating influence of drugs of abuse on dopamine release, leading to the proposition of the use of KOR agonists as pharmacological therapy for compulsive drug intake. Surprisingly, 30 years later, KOR antagonists are instead proposed to treat drug addiction. What may have happened during these years that generated this drastic change of paradigm? The collected evidence suggested that the effect of KOR on synaptic dopamine levels is complex, depending on the frequency of KOR activation and timing with other incoming stimuli to dopamine neurons, as well as sex and species differences. Conversely to its acute effect, chronic KOR activation seems to facilitate dopamine neurotransmission and dopamine-mediated behaviors. The opposing actions exerted by acute versus chronic KOR activation have been associated with an initial aversive and a delayed rewarding effect, during the exposure to drugs of abuse. Compulsive behaviors induced by repeated activation of D2R are also potentiated by the sustained co-activation of KOR, which correlates with decreased synaptic levels of dopamine and sensitized D2R. Thus, the time-dependent activation of KOR impacts directly on dopamine levels affecting the tuning of motivated behaviors. This review analyzes the contribution of the kappa opioid system to the dopaminergic correlates of compulsive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélica Del Pilar Escobar
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias de Valparaíso, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - José Patricio Casanova
- Departamento de Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Núcleo Milenio NUMIND Biology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - María Estela Andrés
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - José Antonio Fuentealba
- Department of Pharmacy and Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroscience, Faculty of Chemistry, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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22
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Jacobson ML, Browne CA, Lucki I. Kappa Opioid Receptor Antagonists as Potential Therapeutics for Stress-Related Disorders. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2020; 60:615-636. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010919-023317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to stressful stimuli activates kappa opioid receptor (KOR) signaling, a process known to produce aversion and dysphoria in humans and other species. This endogenous opioid system is dysregulated in stress-related disorders, specifically in major depressive disorder (MDD). These findings serve as the foundation for a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of KOR antagonists as novel antidepressants. In this review, data supporting the hypothesis of dysregulated KOR function in MDD are considered. The clinical data demonstrating the therapeutic efficacy and safety of selective and mixed opioid antagonists are then presented. Finally, the preclinical evidence illustrating the induction of behaviors relevant to the endophenotypes of MDD and KOR antagonist activity in stress-naïve and stress-exposed animals is evaluated. Overall, this review highlights the emergent literature supporting the pursuit of KOR antagonists as novel therapeutics for MDD and other stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriah L. Jacobson
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
| | - Caroline A. Browne
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
| | - Irwin Lucki
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
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23
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Tovar-Díaz J, Pomrenze MB, Kan R, Pahlavan B, Morikawa H. Cooperative CRF and α1 Adrenergic Signaling in the VTA Promotes NMDA Plasticity and Drives Social Stress Enhancement of Cocaine Conditioning. Cell Rep 2019. [PMID: 29514102 PMCID: PMC5877815 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.02.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Stressful events rapidly trigger activity-dependent synaptic plasticity, driving the formation of aversive memories. However, it remains unclear how stressful experience affects plasticity mechanisms to regulate appetitive learning, such as intake of addictive drugs. Using rats, we show that corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and α1 adrenergic receptor (α1AR) signaling enhance the plasticity of NMDA-receptor-mediated glutamatergic transmission in ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons through distinct effects on inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3)-dependent Ca2+ signaling. We find that CRF amplifies IP3-Ca2+ signaling induced by stimulation of α1ARs, revealing a cooperative mechanism that promotes glutamatergic plasticity. In line with this, acute social defeat stress engages similar cooperative CRF and α1AR signaling in the VTA to enhance learning of cocaine-paired cues. These data provide evidence that CRF and α1ARs act in concert to regulate IP3-Ca2+ signaling in the VTA and promote learning of drug-associated cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Tovar-Díaz
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Matthew B Pomrenze
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Russell Kan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Bahram Pahlavan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Hitoshi Morikawa
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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Azocar VH, Sepúlveda G, Ruiz C, Aguilera C, Andrés ME, Fuentealba JA. The blocking of kappa‐opioid receptor reverses the changes in dorsolateral striatum dopamine dynamics during the amphetamine sensitization. J Neurochem 2018; 148:348-358. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Hugo Azocar
- Department of Pharmacy and Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroscience Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Gladys Sepúlveda
- Department of Pharmacy and Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroscience Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Catalina Ruiz
- Department of Pharmacy and Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroscience Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Consuelo Aguilera
- Department of Pharmacy and Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroscience Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Maria Estela Andrés
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Faculty of Biological Science Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - José Antonio Fuentealba
- Department of Pharmacy and Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroscience Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Santiago Chile
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Takahashi K, Nakagawasai O, Sugawara M, Sato A, Nemoto W, Tadano T, Tan-No K. Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonist Administration in Olfactory Bulbectomized Mice Restores Cognitive Impairment through Cholinergic Neuron Activation. Biol Pharm Bull 2018; 41:957-960. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b18-00115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Takahashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University
| | - Osamu Nakagawasai
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University
| | - Masae Sugawara
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University
| | - Atsushi Sato
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University
| | - Wataru Nemoto
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University
| | - Takeshi Tadano
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine Clinical Research and Development, Graduate School of Medicine Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | - Koichi Tan-No
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University
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26
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Rosa SG, Pesarico AP, Nogueira CW. m-Trifluoromethyl-diphenyl diselenide promotes resilience to social avoidance induced by social defeat stress in mice: Contribution of opioid receptors and MAPKs. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 82:123-135. [PMID: 29174974 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 11/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Depressive symptoms precipitated by stress are prevalent in population. In experimental models of social stress, endogenous opioids mediate different aspects of defensive and submissive behaviors. The present study investigated the opioid receptors, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) and protein kinase B (Akt) contribution to m-trifluoromethyl-diphenyl diselenide [(m-CF3-PhSe)2] effects on social avoidance induced by social defeat stress (SDS). Adult Swiss mice were subjected to SDS and treated with (m-CF3-PhSe)2 (5 to 25mg/kg) for 7days. After that, the mice performed locomotor and social avoidance tests. The opioid receptors, MAPKs and Akt protein contents were determined in the prefrontal cortical samples of mice. Firstly, the mice were segregated in susceptible or resilient subpopulation based on their social avoidance induced by stress. (m-CF3-PhSe)2 (25mg/kg) was effective against the stress-induced social avoidance and improved social interaction behavior in mice. SDS increased the μ and κ protein contents but reduced those of δ opioid receptors in susceptible mice. Resilient and (m-CF3-PhSe)2-treated mice had no alteration in the levels of opioid receptors. Moreover, (m-CF3-PhSe)2 was effective against the increase of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and the decrease of Akt phosphorylation protein contents induced by SDS in susceptible mice. The protein content of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation was reduced in both susceptible and resilient mice, whereas p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) phosphorylation was increased only in resilient mice. (m-CF3-PhSe)2 was partially effective against the pERK decrease and ineffective against the increase in p38 MAPK phosphorylation in mice subjected to SDS. These results suggest that the modulation of protein contents of opioid receptors, JNK and Akt phosphorylation is associated with resilience to SDS promoted by (m-CF3-PhSe)2 in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzan Gonçalves Rosa
- Laboratório de Síntese, Reatividade e Avaliação Farmacológica e Toxicológica de Organocalcogênios, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul CEP 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Pesarico
- Laboratório de Síntese, Reatividade e Avaliação Farmacológica e Toxicológica de Organocalcogênios, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul CEP 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Cristina Wayne Nogueira
- Laboratório de Síntese, Reatividade e Avaliação Farmacológica e Toxicológica de Organocalcogênios, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul CEP 97105-900, Brazil.
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Lê AD, Funk D, Coen K, Tamadon S, Shaham Y. Role of κ-Opioid Receptors in the Bed Nucleus of Stria Terminalis in Reinstatement of Alcohol Seeking. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:838-850. [PMID: 28589966 PMCID: PMC5809779 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
κ-Opioid receptors (KORs) and their endogenous ligand dynorphin are involved in stress-induced alcohol seeking but the mechanisms involved are largely unknown. We previously showed that systemic injections of the KOR agonist U50,488, which induce stress-like aversive states, reinstate alcohol seeking after extinction of the alcohol-reinforced responding. Here, we used the neuronal activity marker Fos and site-specific injections of the KOR antagonist nor-BNI and U50,488 to study brain mechanisms of U50,488-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. We trained male Long-Evans rats to self-administer alcohol (12% w/v) for 23-30 days. After extinction of the alcohol-reinforced responding, we tested the effect of U50,488 (0, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg) on reinstatement of alcohol seeking. Next, we correlated regional Fos expression with reinstatement induced by the most effective U50,488 dose (5 mg/kg). Based on the correlational Fos results, we determined the effect of bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) injections of nor-BNI (4 μg/side) on U50,488-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking, and reinstatement induced by injections of U50,488 (0, 0.3, 1, and 3 μg/side) into the BNST. U50,488-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking was associated with increased Fos expression in multiple brain areas, including the BNST, where it was significantly correlated with lever pressing. U50,488-induced reinstatement was blocked by BNST nor-BNI injections, and BNST U50,488 injections partially mimicked the drug's systemic effect on reinstatement. Our data indicate that the BNST is a critical site for U50,488-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking and suggest that KOR/dynorphin mechanisms in this brain area play a key role in stress-induced alcohol seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Lê
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Douglas Funk
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kathleen Coen
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sahar Tamadon
- Neurobiology of Alcohol Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yavin Shaham
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, Intramural Research Program, NIDA-NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Effects of pharmacological manipulation of the kappa opioid receptors on the aversive effects of nicotine. Behav Brain Res 2017; 338:56-65. [PMID: 29037662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine, an addictive component of tobacco smoke, produces both rewarding and aversive effects. Increasing the aversive effects of nicotine may help in promoting smoking cessation. However, neural targets mediating the aversive effects of nicotine have not been fully identified. In this study, we evaluated the role of kappa opioid receptors (KORs) in the aversive effects of nicotine (0.4 mg/kg, base; s.c.) using the nicotine-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) model in Wistar rats. The KORs were activated using the selective KOR agonist (±)U-50,488H (0, 0.03, 0.15 & 0.3mg/kg; s.c.) and inhibited using the KOR antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI; 0, 15 & 30mg/kg; s.c.) in separate groups of rats using a between-subjects design. Pretreatment with the KOR agonist (±)U-50,488H (0.3mg/kg) significantly increased aversion for the nicotine-associated solution. Additionally, (±)U-50,488H (0.3mg/kg) on its own induced aversion to the flavored solution associated with it even in the absence of nicotine, suggesting that the KOR agonist induced increase in nicotine-induced aversion was an additive effect. Interestingly, administration of the KOR antagonist nor-BNI (30mg/kg) prior to conditioning with nicotine/saline, but not after conditioning with nicotine/saline, attenuated nicotine-induced aversive effects compared to saline controls. Taken together, these data suggest a role for KORs in the aversive effects of nicotine.
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Stress-Induced Reinstatement of Nicotine Preference Requires Dynorphin/Kappa Opioid Activity in the Basolateral Amygdala. J Neurosci 2017; 36:9937-48. [PMID: 27656031 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0953-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The dynorphin (DYN)/kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) system plays a conserved role in stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking for prototypical substances of abuse. Due to nicotine's high propensity for stress-induced relapse, we hypothesized that stress would induce reinstatement of nicotine seeking-like behavior in a KOR-dependent manner. Using a conditioned place preference (CPP) reinstatement procedure in mice, we show that both foot-shock stress and the pharmacological stressor yohimbine (2 mg/kg, i.p.) induce reinstatement of nicotine CPP in a norbinaltorphimine (norBNI, a KOR antagonist)-sensitive manner, indicating that KOR activity is necessary for stress-induced nicotine CPP reinstatement. After reinstatement testing, we visualized robust c-fos expression in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), which was reduced in mice pretreated with norBNI. We then used several distinct but complementary approaches of locally disrupting BLA KOR activity to assess the role of KORs and KOR-coupled intracellular signaling cascades on reinstatement of nicotine CPP. norBNI injected locally into the BLA prevented yohimbine-induced nicotine CPP reinstatement without affecting CPP acquisition. Similarly, selective deletion of BLA KORs in KOR conditional knock-out mice prevented foot-shock-induced CPP reinstatement. Together, these findings strongly implicate BLA KORs in stress-induced nicotine seeking-like behavior. In addition, we found that chemogenetic activation of Gαi signaling within CaMKIIα BLA neurons was sufficient to induce nicotine CPP reinstatement, identifying an anatomically specific intracellular mechanism by which stress leads to reinstatement. Considered together, our findings suggest that activation of the DYN/KOR system and Gαi signaling within the BLA is both necessary and sufficient to produce reinstatement of nicotine preference. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Considering the major impact of nicotine use on human health, understanding the mechanisms by which stress triggers reinstatement of drug-seeking behaviors is particularly pertinent to nicotine. The dynorphin (DYN)/kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) system has been implicated in stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking for other commonly abused drugs. However, the specific role, brain region, and mechanisms that this system plays in reinstatement of nicotine seeking has not been characterized. Here, we report region-specific engagement of the DYN/KOR system and subsequent activation of inhibitory (Gi-linked) intracellular signaling pathways within the basolateral amygdala during stress-induced reinstatement of nicotine preference. We show that the DYN/KOR system is necessary to produce this behavioral state. This work may provide novel insight for the development of therapeutic approaches to prevent stress-related nicotine relapse.
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Shi QX, Yang LK, Shi WL, Wang L, Zhou SM, Guan SY, Zhao MG, Yang Q. The novel cannabinoid receptor GPR55 mediates anxiolytic-like effects in the medial orbital cortex of mice with acute stress. Mol Brain 2017; 10:38. [PMID: 28800762 PMCID: PMC5553743 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-017-0318-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) is a novel cannabinoid receptor, whose exact role in anxiety remains unknown. The present study was conducted to explore the possible mechanisms by which GPR55 regulates anxiety and to evaluate the effectiveness of O-1602 in the treatment of anxiety-like symptoms. Mice were exposed to two types of acute stressors: restraint and forced swimming. Anxiety behavior was evaluated using the elevated plus maze and the open field test. We found that O-1602 alleviated anxiety-like behavior in acutely stressed mice. We used lentiviral shRNA to selective ly knockdown GPR55 in the medial orbital cortex and found that knockdown of GPR55 abolished the anxiolytic effect of O-1602. We also used Y-27632, a specific inhibitor of ROCK, and U73122, an inhibitor of PLC, and found that both inhibitors attenuated the effectiveness of O-1602. Western blot analysis revealed that O-1602 downregulated the expression of GluA1 and GluN2A in mice. Taken together, these results suggest that GPR55 plays an important role in anxiety and O-1602 may have therapeutic potential in treating anxiety-like symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-xin Shi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Liu-kun Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wen-long Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, The 155th Central Hospital of PLA, Kaifeng, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shi-meng Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shao-yu Guan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ming-gao Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Qi Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
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Javadi P, Rezayof A, Sardari M, Ghasemzadeh Z. Brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are involved in stress-induced potentiation of nicotine reward in rats. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:945-955. [PMID: 28541827 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117707745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the possible role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of the dorsal hippocampus (CA1 regions), the medial prefrontal cortex or the basolateral amygdala in the effect of acute or sub-chronic stress on nicotine-induced conditioned place preference. Our results indicated that subcutaneous administration of nicotine (0.2 mg/kg) induced significant conditioned place preference. Exposure to acute or sub-chronic elevated platform stress potentiated the response of an ineffective dose of nicotine. Pre-conditioning intra-CA1 (0.5-4 µg/rat) or intra-medial prefrontal cortex (0.2-0.3 µg/rat) microinjection of mecamylamine (a non-selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist) reversed acute stress-induced potentiation of nicotine reward as measured in the conditioned place preference paradigm. By contrast, pre-conditioning intra-basolateral amygdala microinjection of mecamylamine (4 µg/rat) potentiated the effects of acute stress on nicotine reward. Our findings also showed that intra-CA1 or intra-medial prefrontal cortex, but not intra-basolateral amygdala, microinjection of mecamylamine (4 µg/rat) prevented the effect of sub-chronic stress on nicotine reward. These findings suggest that exposure to elevated platform stress potentiates the rewarding effect of nicotine which may be associated with the involvement of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. It seems that there is a different contribution of the basolateral amygdala, the medial prefrontal cortex or the CA1 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in stress-induced potentiation of nicotine-induced conditioned place preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parastoo Javadi
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Sardari
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Ghasemzadeh
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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32
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Biala G, Pekala K, Boguszewska-Czubara A, Michalak A, Kruk-Slomka M, Grot K, Budzynska B. Behavioral and Biochemical Impact of Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress on the Acquisition of Nicotine Conditioned Place Preference in Rats. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:3270-3289. [PMID: 28484990 PMCID: PMC5842504 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0585-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Addiction is a chronic psychiatric disease which represents a global problem, and stress can increase drug addiction and relapse. Taking into account frequent concomitance of nicotine dependence and stress, the purpose of the present study was to assess behavioral and biochemical effects of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) exposure on nicotine reward in rats measured in the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Rats were submitted to the CUMS for 3 weeks and conditioned with nicotine (0.175 mg/kg) for 2 or 3 days. Our results revealed that only CUMS-exposed animals exhibited the CPP after 2 days of conditioning indicating that stressed rats were more sensitive to the rewarding properties of nicotine and that chronic stress exacerbates nicotine preference. Administration of metyrapone (50 mg/kg), a glucocorticosteroid antagonist, and imipramine (15 mg/kg), an antidepressant, abolished nicotine CPP in stressed rats after 2 days of conditioning. The biochemical experiments showed increased markers of oxidative stress after nicotine conditioning for 2 and 3 days, while the CUMS further potentiated pro-oxidative effects of nicotine. Moreover, metyrapone reversed oxidative changes caused by stress and nicotine, while imipramine was not able to overwhelm nicotine- and stress-induced oxidative damages; however, it could exert antioxidant effect if administered repeatedly. The results suggest that recent exposure to a stressor may augment the rewarding effects of nicotine through anhedonia- and stress-related mechanisms. Our study contributes to the understanding of behavioral and biochemical stress-induced modification of the rewarding effects of nicotine on the basis of the development of nicotine dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Biala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A Street, 20-093, Lublin, Poland.
| | - K Pekala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A Street, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - A Boguszewska-Czubara
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A Street, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - A Michalak
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A Street, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - M Kruk-Slomka
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A Street, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - K Grot
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A Street, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - B Budzynska
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A Street, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
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Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been demonstrated that κ-opioid receptor agonists can reduce hypoxia-ischemia brain injury in animal models. However, it is unclear how the κ-opioid receptor responds to hypoxia-ischemia. In the current study, the authors used an in vitro model of oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation to explore how κ-opioid receptors respond to hypoxia and reoxygenation. METHODS Mouse neuroblastoma Neuro2A cells were stably transfected with mouse κ-opioid receptor-tdTomato fusion protein or Flag-tagged mouse κ-opioid receptor, divided into several groups (n = 6 to 12), and used to investigate the κ-opioid receptor movement. Observations were performed under normal oxygen, at 30 min to 1 h after oxygen-glucose deprivation and at 1 h after reoxygenation using high-resolution imaging techniques including immunoelectronmicroscopy in the presence and absence of κ-opioid receptor antagonist, dynamin inhibitors, potassium channel blockers, and dopamine receptor inhibitor. RESULTS Hypoxic conditions caused the κ-opioid receptor to be internalized into the cells. Inhibition of dynamin by Dyngo-4a prevented the receptor internalization. Interestingly, a specific κ-opioid receptor antagonist norbinaltorphimine blocked internalization, suggesting the involvement of activation of a specific κ-opioid receptor. κ-Opioid receptor internalization appears to be reversed by reoxygenation. Quantities of intracellular κ-opioid receptor-associated gold particles as demonstrated by immunoelectron microscopy were increased from 37 to 85% (P < 0.01) after oxygen-glucose deprivation. Potassium channel blockers and dopamine receptor inhibitor failed to block hypoxia-induced κ-opioid receptor internalization. CONCLUSIONS Hypoxia induces reversible κ-opioid receptor internalization, which was inhibited by selective κ-opioid receptor antagonists or dynamin inhibitor, and can be reversed by reoxygenation in neuroblastoma cells, indicating the modulating effects between κ-opioid receptor and hypoxia via κ-opioid receptor activation and the dynamin-dependent mechanism.
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Norman H, D'Souza MS. Endogenous opioid system: a promising target for future smoking cessation medications. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:1371-1394. [PMID: 28285326 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4582-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotine addiction continues to be a health challenge across the world. Despite several approved medications, smokers continue to relapse. Several human and animal studies have evaluated the role of the endogenous opioid system as a potential target for smoking cessation medications. METHODS In this review, studies that have elucidated the role of the mu (MORs), delta (DORs), and kappa (KORs) opioid receptors in nicotine reward, nicotine withdrawal, and reinstatement of nicotine seeking will be discussed. Additionally, the review will discuss discrepancies in the literature and therapeutic potential of the endogenous opioid system, and suggest studies to address gaps in knowledge with respect to the role of the opioid receptors in nicotine dependence. RESULTS Data available till date suggest that blockade of the MORs and DORs decreased the rewarding effects of nicotine, while activation of the MORs and DORs decreased nicotine withdrawal-induced aversive effects. In contrast, activation of the KORs decreased the rewarding effects of nicotine, while blockade of the KORs decreased nicotine withdrawal-induced aversive effects. Interestingly, blockade of the MORs and KORs attenuated reinstatement of nicotine seeking. In humans, MOR antagonists have shown benefits in select subpopulations of smokers and further investigation is required to realize their full therapeutic potential. CONCLUSION Future work must assess the influence of polymorphisms in opioid receptor-linked genes in nicotine dependence, which will help in both identifying individuals vulnerable to nicotine addiction and the development of opioid-based smoking cessation medications. Overall, the endogenous opioid system continues to be a promising target for future smoking cessation medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haval Norman
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, 525 S Main Street, Ada, OH, 45810, USA
| | - Manoranjan S D'Souza
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, 525 S Main Street, Ada, OH, 45810, USA.
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35
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Lárraga A, Belluzzi JD, Leslie FM. Nicotine Increases Alcohol Intake in Adolescent Male Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:25. [PMID: 28275339 PMCID: PMC5319966 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Use of alcohol and tobacco, the two most concurrently abused drugs, typically first occurs during adolescence. Yet, there have been no systematic analyses of ethanol (EtOH) and nicotine (Nic) interactions during adolescence. Recent animal studies report that kappa-opioid (KOR) receptor activation mediates age differences in drug reinforcement. Our hypothesis is that concurrent self-administration of EtOH and Nic will be greater in adolescent rats because of age differences in KOR function. Furthermore, exposure to alcohol and nicotine during adolescence has been reported to increase EtOH intake in adulthood. We performed a longitudinal animal study and hypothesized adolescent rats allowed to self-administer nicotine would drink more alcohol as adults. Methods: Adolescent, postnatal day (P)32, and adult (P90) male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were allowed to self-administer EtOH, Nic, or a combination of both, EtOH+Nic, in an intravenous self-administration paradigm. The role of KOR was pharmacologically evaluated with the KOR antagonist, norbinaltorphamine (norBNI) and with the KOR agonist, U50,488H. Alcohol drinking was subsequently evaluated with male rats in a drinking in the dark (DID), 2-bottle choice test. Results: Concurrent Nic increased EtOH intake in adolescent males, but not in adults or females. Pharmacological blockade of KOR with norBNI robustly increased EtOH+Nic self-administration in adult male rats, but had no effect with female rats. Lastly, in our longitudinal study with male rats, we found prior self-administration of Nic or EtOH+Nic during adolescence increased subsequent oral EtOH intake, whereas prior self-administration of EtOH alone in adults increased subsequent EtOH drinking. Conclusions: There are major age- and sex-differences in the reinforcing effects of EtOH+Nic. Adolescent males are sensitive to the reinforcing interactions of the two drugs, whereas this effect is inhibited by KOR activation in male adults. Nicotine self-administration in adolescent males also increased subsequent oral EtOH intake. These findings suggest that brain mechanisms underlying the reinforcing effects of EtOH and nicotine are both age- and sex-dependent, and that tobacco or e-cigarette use may increase the vulnerability of teenage boys to alcohol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando Lárraga
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Irvine, CA, USA
| | - James D Belluzzi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Frances M Leslie
- Department of Pharmacology, University of CaliforniaIrvine, CA, USA; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of CaliforniaIrvine, CA, USA
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Carboni L, Romoli B, Romualdi P, Zoli M. Repeated nicotine exposure modulates prodynorphin and pronociceptin levels in the reward pathway. Drug Alcohol Depend 2016; 166:150-8. [PMID: 27430399 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotine dependence is maintained by neurobiological adaptations in the dopaminergic brain reward pathway with the contribution of opioidergic circuits. This study assessed the role of opioid peptides and receptors on the molecular changes associated with nicotine dependence. To this aim we analysed nicotine effects on opioid gene and receptor expression in the reward pathway in a nicotine sensitization model. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats received nicotine administrations for five days and locomotor activity assessment showed the development of sensitization. The mRNA expression of prodynorphin (pdyn), pronociceptin (pnoc) and the respective receptors was measured by quantitative PCR in the ventral midbrain (VM), the nucleus accumbens (NAc), the caudate-putamen (CPu), the pre-frontal cortex (PFCx), and the hippocampus. RESULTS A significant positive effect of sensitization on pdyn mRNA levels was detected in the CPu. This effect was supported by a significant and selective correlation between the two parameters in this region. Moreover, chronic but not acute nicotine treatment significantly decreased pdyn mRNA levels in the NAc and increased expression in the PFCx. Pnoc mRNA was significantly increased in the VM and the PFCx after sub-chronic administration of nicotine, whereas no alterations were observed after acute treatment. No treatment associated changes were detected in κ-opioid receptor or nociceptin receptor mRNAs. CONCLUSIONS This experiment revealed an effect of nicotine administration that was distinguishable from the effect of nicotine sensitization. While several pnoc and pdyn changes were associated to nicotine administration, the only significant effect of sensitization was a significant increase in pdyn in the CPu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Carboni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Benedetto Romoli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Patrizia Romualdi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Zoli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Liu H, Tian Y, Ji B, Lu H, Xin Q, Jiang Y, Ding L, Zhang J, Chen J, Bai B. Heterodimerization of the kappa opioid receptor and neurotensin receptor 1 contributes to a novel β-arrestin-2-biased pathway. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2016; 1863:2719-2738. [PMID: 27523794 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2016.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Together with its endogenous ligands (dynorphin), the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) plays an important role in modulating various physiological and pharmacological responses, with a classical G protein-coupled pathway mediating analgesia and non-G protein-dependent pathway, especially the β-arrestin-dependent pathway, eliciting side effects of dysphoria, aversion, drug-seeking in addicts, or even relapse to addiction. Although mounting evidence has verified a functional overlap between dynorphin/KOR and neurotensin/neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) systems, little is known about direct interaction between the two receptors. Here, we showed that KOR and NTSR1 form a heterodimer that functions as a novel pharmacological entity, and this heterodimer, in turn, brings about a switch in KOR-mediated signal transduction, from G protein-dependent to β-arrestin-2-dependent. This was simultaneously verified by analyzing a KOR mutant (196th residue) that lost the ability to dimerize with NTSR1. We also found that dual occupancy of the heterodimer forced the β-arrestin-2-dependent pathway back into Gi protein-dependent signaling, according to KOR activation. These data provide new insights into the interaction between KOR and NTSR1, and the newly discovered role of NTSR1 acting as a switch between G protein- and β-arrestin-dependent pathways of KOR also suggests a new approach for utilizing pathologically elevated dynorphin/KOR system into full play for its analgesic effect with limited side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiqing Liu
- School of Life Science, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China; Department of Physiology, Taishan Medical College, Taian, Shandong 271000, PR China.
| | - Yanjun Tian
- Neurobiology Institute, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China.
| | - Bingyuan Ji
- Neurobiology Institute, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China.
| | - Hai Lu
- Neurobiology Institute, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China.
| | - Qing Xin
- Neurobiology Institute, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China.
| | - Yunlu Jiang
- Neurobiology Institute, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China.
| | - Liangcai Ding
- Neurobiology Institute, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China.
| | - Jingmei Zhang
- Neurobiology Institute, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China.
| | - Jing Chen
- Neurobiology Institute, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China; Division of Translational and Systems, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
| | - Bo Bai
- Neurobiology Institute, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China.
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Wang Q, Long Y, Hang A, Zan GY, Shu XH, Wang YJ, Liu JG. The anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of ATPM-ET, a novel κ agonist and μ partial agonist, in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:2411-8. [PMID: 27113225 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4292-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Opioid receptors are implicated in the regulation of motivation and emotion. However, animal studies show that activation of κ opioid receptor produces contrasting mood-altering effects in models of anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors, and consequently, the role of κ receptor in mood control remains unsettled. The effect of κ/μ opioid combination in emotion regulation was unexplored. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of (-)-3-N-ethylaminothiazolo [5,4-b]-N-cyclopropylmethylmorphinan hydrochloride (ATPM-ET), a novel κ agonist and μ partial agonist, in regulating emotional responses. METHODS The emotional responses of ATPM-ET were detected in the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field test (OFT), forced swim test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST). Selective κ antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI) and μ antagonist β-funaltrexamine (β-FNA) were applied to determine the type of receptor involved. The conditioned place aversion model was used to evaluate the effects on aversive emotion. RESULTS In the EPM and OFT, ATPM-ET (1 and 2 mg/kg, s.c.) significantly increased the time spent in the open arm and in the central area, respectively. In the FST and TST, ATPM-ET (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, s.c.) significantly reduced the duration of immobility. These effects were prevented by nor-BNI (10 mg/kg, i.p., -24 h), but not by β-FNA (10 and20 mg/kg, i.p., -24 h) pretreatment. At the dose of 2 mg/kg, ATPM-ET did not induce conditioned place aversion. CONCLUSIONS ATPM-ET, at doses from 0.5 to 2 mg/kg, produced anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects without inducing aversive emotion. These effects were more closely mediated by activation of κ receptor than μ receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Yu Long
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Ai Hang
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Gui-Ying Zan
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Shu
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China.
| | - Yu-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Jing-Gen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
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Wang YJ, Hang A, Lu YC, Long Y, Zan GY, Li XP, Wang Q, Zhao ZX, He L, Chi ZQ, Liu JG. κ Opioid receptor activation in different brain regions differentially modulates anxiety-related behaviors in mice. Neuropharmacology 2016; 110:92-101. [PMID: 27106167 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
κ Opioid receptor system is widely implicated in the regulation of emotion. However, the findings about the role on anxiety in rodents are highly controversial, since both anxiogenic- and anxiolytic-like effects have been reported with κ opioid receptor activation. The mechanism and the underlying neuroanatomical substrates are unexplored. In the present study, we first investigated the effects of κ agonist U50,488H on anxiety-related behaviors over a wide range of doses, and we found that U50,488H produced dual effects in anxiety, with low dose being anxiogenic and high dose being anxiolytic. To assess the potential neuroanatomical substrates, we used phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase1/2 (pERK1/2) to map the underlying neural circuits. We found that the anxiogenic effect of U50,488H was paralleled by an increase of pERK1/2 in the nucleus accumbens, whereas the anxiolytic effect was paralleled by an increase of pERK1/2 in the lateral septal nucleus. We then examined the behavioral consequences with locally microinjection of U50,488H, and we found that microinjection of U50,488H into the nucleus accumbens exerted anxiogenic-like effects, whereas microinjection of U50,488H into the lateral septal nucleus. Both effects can be abolished by κ antagonist nor-BNI pretreatment. To the best of our knowledge, the present work firstly provides the neuroanatomical sites that mediating the dual anxiogenic- and anxiolytic-like effects of U50,488H in mice. This study may help to explain current controversial role of κ receptor activation in anxiety-related behaviors in rodents, and may open new perspectives in the areas of anxiety disorders and κ receptor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ai Hang
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai 201203, China; Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yu-Chen Lu
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yu Long
- Department of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Gui-Ying Zan
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xue-Ping Li
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Zeng-Xiang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ling He
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Chi
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jing-Gen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 201203, China.
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p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in amygdala mediates κ opioid receptor agonist U50,488H-induced conditioned place aversion. Neuroscience 2016; 320:122-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.01.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 01/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Jüngling K, Blaesse P, Goedecke L, Pape HC. Dynorphin-Dependent Reduction of Excitability and Attenuation of Inhibitory Afferents of NPS Neurons in the Pericoerulear Region of Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:61. [PMID: 27013974 PMCID: PMC4786570 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Neuropeptide S system, consisting of the 20-amino acid peptide neuropeptide S (NPS) and its G-protein coupled receptor (NPSR), modulates arousal, wakefulness, anxiety, and fear-extinction in mice. In addition, recent evidence indicates that the NPS system attenuates stress-dependent impairment of fear extinction, and that NPS-expressing neurons in close proximity to the locus coeruleus region (LC; pericoerulear, periLC) are activated by stress. Furthermore, periLC NPS neurons receive afferents from neurons of the centrolateral nucleus of the amygdala (CeL), of which a substantial population expresses the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) ligand precursor prodynorphin. This study aims to identify the effect of the dynorphinergic system on NPS neurons in the periLC via pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms. Using electrophysiological recordings in mouse brain slices, we provide evidence that NPS neurons in the periLC region are directly inhibited by dynorphin A (DynA) via activation of κ-opioid receptor 1 (KOR1) and a subsequent increase of potassium conductances. Thus, the dynorphinergic system is suited to inactivate NPS neurons in the periLC. In addition to this direct, somatic effect, DynA reduces the efficacy of GABAergic synapses on NPS neurons via KOR1 and KOR2. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence for the interaction of the NPS and the kappa opioid system in the periLC. Therefore, the endogenous opioid dynorphin is suited to inhibit NPS neurons with a subsequent decrease in NPS release in putative target regions leading to a variety of physiological consequences such as increased anxiety or vulnerability to stress exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Jüngling
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster Münster, Germany
| | - Peter Blaesse
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster Münster, Germany
| | - Lena Goedecke
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster Münster, Germany
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Anderson RI, Lopez MF, Becker HC. Stress-Induced Enhancement of Ethanol Intake in C57BL/6J Mice with a History of Chronic Ethanol Exposure: Involvement of Kappa Opioid Receptors. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:45. [PMID: 26941607 PMCID: PMC4763044 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that daily forced swim stress (FSS) prior to ethanol drinking sessions facilitates enhanced ethanol consumption in mice with a history of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor exposure without altering ethanol intake in air-exposed controls. Because both stress and chronic ethanol exposure have been shown to activate the dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system, the present study was designed to explore a potential role for KORs in modulating stress effects on ethanol consumption in the CIE model of dependence and relapse drinking. After stable baseline ethanol intake was established in adult male C57BL/6J mice, subjects received chronic intermittent exposure (16 h/day × 4 days/week) to ethanol vapor (CIE group) or air (CTL group). Weekly cycles of inhalation exposure were alternated with 5-day limited access drinking tests (1 h access to 15% ethanol). Experiment 1 compared effects of daily FSS and KOR activation on ethanol consumption. CIE and CTL mice were either exposed to FSS (10 min), the KOR agonist U50,488 (5 mg/kg), or a vehicle injection (non-stressed condition) prior to each daily drinking session during test weeks. FSS selectively increased drinking in CIE mice. U50,488 mimicked this effect in CIE mice, but also increased drinking in CTL mice. Experiment 2 assessed effects of KOR blockade on stress-induced drinking in CIE and CTL mice. Stressed and non-stressed mice were administered the short-acting KOR antagonist LY2444296 (0 or 5 mg/kg) 30 min prior to each drinking session during test weeks. FSS selectively increased ethanol consumption in CIE mice, an effect that was abolished by LY2444296 pretreatment. In Experiment 3, CIE and CTL mice were administered one of four doses of U50,488 (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 mg/kg) 1 h prior to each daily drinking test (in lieu of FSS). All doses of U50,488 increased ethanol consumption in both CIE and CTL mice. The U50,488-induced increase in drinking was blocked by LY2444296. Our results demonstrate that the KOR system contributes to the stress enhancement of ethanol intake in mice with a history of chronic ethanol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel I Anderson
- Medical University of South CarolinaCharleston, SC, USA; Charleston Alcohol Research CenterCharleston, SC, USA
| | - Marcelo F Lopez
- Medical University of South CarolinaCharleston, SC, USA; Charleston Alcohol Research CenterCharleston, SC, USA
| | - Howard C Becker
- Medical University of South CarolinaCharleston, SC, USA; Charleston Alcohol Research CenterCharleston, SC, USA; Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical CenterCharleston, SC, USA
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Scholpa NE, Briggs SB, Wagner JJ, Cummings BS. Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1a (p21) Modulates Response to Cocaine and Motivated Behaviors. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2016; 357:56-65. [PMID: 26791604 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.115.230888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the functional role of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1a (Cdkn1a or p21) in cocaine-induced responses using a knockout mouse model. Acute locomotor activity after cocaine administration (15 mg/kg, i.p.) was decreased in p21(-/-) mice, whereas cocaine-induced place preference was enhanced. Interestingly, κ-opioid-induced place aversion was also significantly enhanced. Concentration-dependent analysis of locomotor activity in response to cocaine demonstrated a rightward shift in the p21(-/-) mice. Pretreatment with a 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist did not alter the enhancement of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference in p21(-/-) mice, indicating a lack of involvement of serotonergic signaling in this response. Cocaine exposure increased p21 expression exclusively in the ventral sector of the hippocampus of rodents after either contingent or noncontingent drug administration. Increased p21 expression was accompanied by increased histone acetylation of the p21 promoter region in rats. Finally, increased neurogenesis in the dorsal hippocampus of p21(-/-) mice was also observed. These results show that functional loss of p21 altered the acute locomotor response to cocaine and the conditioned responses to either rewarding or aversive stimuli. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a previously unreported involvement of p21 in modulating responses to cocaine and in motivated behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie E Scholpa
- Departments of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (N.E.S., B.S.C.) and Physiology and Pharmacology (S.B.B., J.J.W.), University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Sherri B Briggs
- Departments of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (N.E.S., B.S.C.) and Physiology and Pharmacology (S.B.B., J.J.W.), University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - John J Wagner
- Departments of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (N.E.S., B.S.C.) and Physiology and Pharmacology (S.B.B., J.J.W.), University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Brian S Cummings
- Departments of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (N.E.S., B.S.C.) and Physiology and Pharmacology (S.B.B., J.J.W.), University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
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Lutfy K, Zaveri NT. The Nociceptin Receptor as an Emerging Molecular Target for Cocaine Addiction. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2015; 137:149-81. [PMID: 26810001 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine addiction is a global public health and socioeconomic issue that requires pharmacological and cognitive therapies. Currently there are no FDA-approved medications to treat cocaine addiction. However, in preclinical studies, interventions ranging from herbal medicine to deep-brain stimulation have shown promise for the therapy of cocaine addiction. Recent developments in molecular biology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry have enabled scientists to identify novel molecular targets along the pathways involved in drug addiction. In 1994, a receptor that showed a great deal of homology to the traditional opioid receptors was characterized. However, endogenous and exogenous opioids failed to bind to this receptor, which led scientists to name it opioid receptor-like receptor, now referred to as the nociceptin receptor. The endogenous ligand of NOPr was identified a year later and named orphanin FQ/nociceptin. Nociceptin and NOPr are widely distributed throughout the CNS and are involved in many physiological responses, such as food intake, nociceptive processing, neurotransmitter release, etc. Furthermore, exogenous nociceptin has been shown to regulate the activity of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons, glutamate, and opioid systems, and the stress circuit. Importantly, exogenous nociceptin has been shown to reduce the rewarding and addictive actions of a number of drugs of abuse, such as psychostimulants, alcohol, and opioids. This paper reviews the existing literature on the role of endogenous nociceptin in the rewarding and addictive actions of cocaine. The effect of exogenous nociceptin on these processes is also reviewed. Furthermore, the effects of novel small-molecule NOPr ligands on these actions of cocaine are discussed. Overall, a review of the literature suggests that NOPr could be an emerging target for cocaine addiction pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabirullah Lutfy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA.
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García-Pardo MP, Blanco-Gandía MC, Valiente-Lluch M, Rodríguez-Arias M, Miñarro J, Aguilar MA. Long-term effects of repeated social stress on the conditioned place preference induced by MDMA in mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2015; 63:98-109. [PMID: 26093344 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that social defeat stress increases the rewarding effects of psychostimulant drugs such as cocaine and amphetamine. In the present study we evaluated the long-term effects of repeated social defeat (RSD) on the rewarding effects of ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) hydrochloride in the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Adolescent and young adult mice were exposed to four episodes of social defeat (on PND 29-40 and PND 47-56, respectively) and were conditioned three weeks later with 1.25 or 10mg/kg i.p. of MDMA (experiment 1). The long-term effects of RSD on anxiety, social behavior and cognitive processes were also evaluated in adult mice (experiment 2). RSD during adolescence enhanced vulnerability to priming-induced reinstatement in animals conditioned with 1.25mg/kg of MDMA and increased the duration of the CPP induced by the 10mg/kg of MDMA. The latter effect was also observed after RSD in young adult mice, as well as an increase in anxiety-like behavior, an alteration in social interaction (reduction in attack and increase in avoidance/flee and defensive/submissive behaviors) and an impairment of maze learning. These results support the idea that RSD stress increases the rewarding effects of MDMA and induces long-term alterations in anxiety, learning and social behavior in adult mice. Thus, exposure to stress may increase the vulnerability of individuals to developing MDMA dependence, which is a factor to be taken into account in relation to the prevention and treatment of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P García-Pardo
- Unidad de Investigación Psicobiología de las Drogodependencias, Departamento de Psicobiologia, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Valencia, Spain
| | - M C Blanco-Gandía
- Unidad de Investigación Psicobiología de las Drogodependencias, Departamento de Psicobiologia, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Valencia, Spain
| | - M Valiente-Lluch
- Unidad de Investigación Psicobiología de las Drogodependencias, Departamento de Psicobiologia, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Valencia, Spain
| | - M Rodríguez-Arias
- Unidad de Investigación Psicobiología de las Drogodependencias, Departamento de Psicobiologia, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Valencia, Spain
| | - J Miñarro
- Unidad de Investigación Psicobiología de las Drogodependencias, Departamento de Psicobiologia, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Valencia, Spain
| | - M A Aguilar
- Unidad de Investigación Psicobiología de las Drogodependencias, Departamento de Psicobiologia, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Valencia, Spain.
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Yan T, Rizak JD, Wang J, Yang S, Ma Y, Hu X. Severe dopaminergic neuron loss in rhesus monkey brain impairs morphine-induced conditioned place preference. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:273. [PMID: 26528155 PMCID: PMC4600774 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that dopamine (DA) is critical for reward, but the precise role of DA in reward remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine what percentage of dopaminergic neurons in the primate brain is required for the expression of conditioned reward by measuring the performance of DA-deficient rhesus monkeys in a morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Animals with mild Parkinsonian symptoms successfully developed and retained a morphine preference that was equivalent to control monkeys. However, these monkeys could not maintain the preference as well as controls when they retained severe Parkinsonian symptoms. On the other hand, monkeys initially in a severe Parkinsonian state developed a preference for morphine, but this preference was weaker than that of the controls. Histological results showed that the loss of dopaminergic neurons in monkeys that had severe Parkinsonian symptoms was about 80% in comparison to the control monkeys. All these data suggest that a severely impaired DA system alters rewarding-seeking behavior in non-human primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming, Yunnan, China ; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Joshua Dominic Rizak
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming, Yunnan, China ; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, China
| | - Jianhong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Shangchuan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yuanye Ma
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming, Yunnan, China ; Kunming Primate Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming, Yunnan, China ; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xintian Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming, Yunnan, China ; Kunming Primate Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming, Yunnan, China ; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research Kunming, Yunnan, China
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47
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Functional Upregulation of α4* Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in VTA GABAergic Neurons Increases Sensitivity to Nicotine Reward. J Neurosci 2015; 35:8570-8. [PMID: 26041923 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4453-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic nicotine exposure increases sensitivity to nicotine reward during a withdrawal period, which may facilitate relapse in abstinent smokers, yet the molecular neuroadaptation(s) that contribute to this phenomenon are unknown. Interestingly, chronic nicotine use induces functional upregulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway potentially linking upregulation to increased drug sensitivity. In the ventral tegmental area (VTA), functional upregulation of nAChRs containing the α4 subunit (α4* nAChRs) is restricted to GABAergic neurons. To test the hypothesis that increased functional expression of α4* nAChRs in these neurons modulates nicotine reward behaviors, we engineered a Cre recombinase-dependent gene expression system to selectively express α4 nAChR subunits harboring a "gain-of-function" mutation [a leucine mutated to a serine residue at the 9' position (Leu9'Ser)] in VTA GABAergic neurons of adult mice. In mice expressing Leu9'Ser α4 nAChR subunits in VTA GABAergic neurons (Gad2(VTA):Leu9'Ser mice), subreward threshold doses of nicotine were sufficient to selectively activate VTA GABAergic neurons and elicit acute hypolocomotion, with subsequent nicotine exposures eliciting tolerance to this effect, compared to control animals. In the conditioned place preference procedure, nicotine was sufficient to condition a significant place preference in Gad2(VTA):Leu9'Ser mice at low nicotine doses that failed to condition control animals. Together, these data indicate that functional upregulation of α4* nAChRs in VTA GABAergic neurons confers increased sensitivity to nicotine reward and points to nAChR subtypes specifically expressed in GABAergic VTA neurons as molecular targets for smoking cessation therapeutics.
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48
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The role of the dynorphin/κ opioid receptor system in anxiety. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2015; 36:783-90. [PMID: 25982631 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2015.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are the most common and prevalent forms of psychiatric disease, although the biological basis of anxiety is not well understood. The dynorphin/κ opioid receptor system is widely distributed in the central nervous system and has been shown to play a critical role in modulating mood and emotional behaviors. In the present review, we summarize current literature relating to the role played by the dynorphin/κ opioid receptor system in anxiety and κ opioid receptor antagonists as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of anxiety disorders.
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Mannangatti P, NarasimhaNaidu K, Damaj MI, Ramamoorthy S, Jayanthi LD. A Role for p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase-mediated Threonine 30-dependent Norepinephrine Transporter Regulation in Cocaine Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:10814-27. [PMID: 25724654 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.612192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The noradrenergic and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) systems are implicated in cocaine-elicited behaviors. Previously, we demonstrated a role for p38 MAPK-mediated norepinephrine transporter (NET) Thr(30) phosphorylation in cocaine-induced NET up-regulation (Mannangatti, P., Arapulisamy, O., Shippenberg, T. S., Ramamoorthy, S., and Jayanthi, L. D. (2011) J. Biol. Chem. 286, 20239-20250). The present study explored the functional interaction between p38 MAPK-mediated NET regulation and cocaine-induced behaviors. In vitro cocaine treatment of mouse prefrontal cortex synaptosomes resulted in enhanced NET function, surface expression, and phosphorylation. Pretreatment with PD169316, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, completely blocked cocaine-mediated NET up-regulation and phosphorylation. In mice, in vivo administration of p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 completely blocked cocaine-induced NET up-regulation and p38 MAPK activation in the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. When tested for cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference (CPP), mice receiving SB203580 on cocaine challenge day or on postconditioning test day exhibited significantly reduced cocaine sensitization and CPP. A transactivator of transcription (TAT) peptide strategy was utilized to test the involvement of the NET-Thr(30) motif. In vitro treatment of synaptosomes with TAT-NET-Thr(30) (wild-type peptide) completely blocked cocaine-mediated NET up-regulation and phosphorylation. In vivo administration of TAT-NET-Thr(30) peptide but not TAT-NET-T30A (mutant peptide) completely blocked cocaine-mediated NET up-regulation and phosphorylation. In the cocaine CPP paradigm, mice receiving TAT-NET-Thr(30) but not TAT-NET-T30A on postconditioning test day exhibited significantly reduced cocaine CPP. Following extinction, TAT-NET-Thr(30) when given prior to cocaine challenge significantly reduced reinstatement of cocaine CPP. These results demonstrate that the direct inhibition of p38 MAPK or the manipulation of NET-Thr(30) motif/phosphorylation via a TAT peptide strategy prevents cocaine-induced NET up-regulation, locomotor sensitization, and CPP, suggesting a role for Thr(30)-linked NET regulation in cocaine-elicited behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padmanabhan Mannangatti
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298
| | | | - Mohamad Imad Damaj
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298
| | - Sammanda Ramamoorthy
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298
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50
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Stress and opioids: role of opioids in modulating stress-related behavior and effect of stress on morphine conditioned place preference. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 51:138-50. [PMID: 25636946 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Revised: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Research studies have defined the important role of endogenous opioids in modulating stress-associated behavior. The release of β-endorphins in the amygdala in response to stress helps to cope with a stressor by inhibiting the over-activation of HPA axis. Administration of mu opioid agonists reduces the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a traumatic event by inhibiting fear-related memory consolidation. Similarly, the release of endogenous enkephalin and nociceptin in the basolateral amygdala and the nucleus accumbens tends to produce the anti-stress effects. An increase in dynorphin levels during prolonged exposure to stress may produce learned helplessness, dysphoria and depression. Stress also influences morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) depending upon the intensity and duration of the stressor. Acute stress inhibits morphine CPP, while chronic stress potentiates CPP. The development of dysphoria due to increased dynorphin levels may contribute to chronic stress-induced potentiation of morphine CPP. The activation of ERK/cyclic AMP responsive element-binding (CREB) signaling in the mesocorticolimbic area, glucocorticoid receptors in the basolateral amygdala, and norepinephrine and galanin system in the nucleus accumbens may decrease the acute stress-induced inhibition of morphine CPP. The increase in dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens and augmentation of GABAergic transmission in the median prefrontal cortex may contribute in potentiating morphine CPP. Stress exposure reinstates the extinct morphine CPP by activating the orexin receptors in the nucleus accumbens, decreasing the oxytocin levels in the lateral septum and amygdala, and altering the GABAergic transmission (activation of GABAA and inactivation of GABAB receptors). The present review describes these varied interactions between opioids and stress along with the possible mechanism.
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