1
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Ford MM, George BE, Van Laar VS, Holleran KM, Naidoo J, Hadaczek P, Vanderhooft LE, Peck EG, Dawes MH, Ohno K, Bringas J, McBride JL, Samaranch L, Forsayeth JR, Jones SR, Grant KA, Bankiewicz KS. GDNF gene therapy for alcohol use disorder in male non-human primates. Nat Med 2023; 29:2030-2040. [PMID: 37580533 PMCID: PMC10602124 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02463-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) exacts enormous personal, social and economic costs globally. Return to alcohol use in treatment-seeking patients with AUD is common, engendered by a cycle of repeated abstinence-relapse episodes even with use of currently available pharmacotherapies. Repeated ethanol use induces dopaminergic signaling neuroadaptations in ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons of the mesolimbic reward pathway, and sustained dysfunction of reward circuitry is associated with return to drinking behavior. We tested this hypothesis by infusing adeno-associated virus serotype 2 vector encoding human glial-derived neurotrophic factor (AAV2-hGDNF), a growth factor that enhances dopaminergic neuron function, into the VTA of four male rhesus monkeys, with another four receiving vehicle, following induction of chronic alcohol drinking. GDNF expression ablated the return to alcohol drinking behavior over a 12-month period of repeated abstinence-alcohol reintroduction challenges. This behavioral change was accompanied by neurophysiological modulations to dopamine signaling in the nucleus accumbens that countered the hypodopaminergic signaling state associated with chronic alcohol use, indicative of a therapeutic modulation of limbic circuits countering the effects of alcohol. These preclinical findings suggest gene therapy targeting relapse prevention may be a potential therapeutic strategy for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Ford
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Psychology, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Brianna E George
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
| | - Victor S Van Laar
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Katherine M Holleran
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jerusha Naidoo
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Piotr Hadaczek
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lauren E Vanderhooft
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Emily G Peck
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
| | - Monica H Dawes
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kousaku Ohno
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John Bringas
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jodi L McBride
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Lluis Samaranch
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John R Forsayeth
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sara R Jones
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kathleen A Grant
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Krystof S Bankiewicz
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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2
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Garton DR, Turconi G, Iivanainen V, Andressoo JO. Opposing Spatially Segregated Function of Endogenous GDNF-RET Signaling in Cocaine Addiction. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050761. [PMID: 37238631 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cocaine addiction is a serious condition with potentially lethal complications and no current pharmacological approaches towards treatment. Perturbations of the mesolimbic dopamine system are crucial to the establishment of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and reward. As a potent neurotrophic factor modulating the function of dopamine neurons, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) acting through its receptor RET on dopamine neurons may provide a novel therapeutic avenue towards psychostimulant addiction. However, current knowledge on endogenous GDNF and RET function after the onset of addiction is scarce. Here, we utilized a conditional knockout approach to reduce the expression of the GDNF receptor tyrosine kinase RET from dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) after the onset of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference. Similarly, after establishing cocaine-induced conditioned place preference, we studied the effect of conditionally reducing GDNF in the ventral striatum nucleus accumbens (NAc), the target of mesolimbic dopaminergic innervation. We find that the reduction of RET within the VTA hastens cocaine-induced conditioned place preference extinction and reduces reinstatement, while the reduction of GDNF within the NAc does the opposite: prolongs cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and increases preference during reinstatement. In addition, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was increased and key dopamine-related genes were reduced in the GDNF cKO mutant animals after cocaine administration. Thus, RET antagonism in the VTA coupled with intact or enhanced accumbal GDNF function may provide a new approach towards cocaine addiction treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Garton
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giorgio Turconi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vilma Iivanainen
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaan-Olle Andressoo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Science and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
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3
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Tang CX, Chen J, Shao KQ, Liu YH, Zhou XY, Ma CC, Liu MT, Shi MY, Kambey PA, Wang W, Ayanlaja AA, Liu YF, Xu W, Chen G, Wu J, Li X, Gao DS. Blunt dopamine transmission due to decreased GDNF in the PFC evokes cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease. Neural Regen Res 2022; 18:1107-1117. [PMID: 36255000 PMCID: PMC9827775 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.355816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies have found that the absence of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor may be the primary risk factor for Parkinson's disease. However, there have not been any studies conducted on the potential relationship between glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and cognitive performance in Parkinson's disease. We first performed a retrospective case-control study at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between September 2018 and January 2020 and found that a decreased serum level of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor was a risk factor for cognitive disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease. We then established a mouse model of Parkinson's disease induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and analyzed the potential relationships among glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the prefrontal cortex, dopamine transmission, and cognitive function. Our results showed that decreased glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the prefrontal cortex weakened dopamine release and transmission by upregulating the presynaptic membrane expression of the dopamine transporter, which led to the loss and primitivization of dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons and cognitive impairment. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging data showed that the long-term lack of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor reduced the connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and other brain regions, and exogenous glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor significantly improved this connectivity. These findings suggested that decreased glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the prefrontal cortex leads to neuroplastic degeneration at the level of synaptic connections and circuits, which results in cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-Xi Tang
- Department of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Experinental Teaching Center of Morphology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kai-Quan Shao
- Department of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ye-Hao Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Zhou
- Department of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Suqian Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Suqian, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Cheng-Cheng Ma
- Department of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Meng-Ting Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ming-Yu Shi
- Department of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Piniel Alphayo Kambey
- Department of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Abiola Abdulrahman Ayanlaja
- Department of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yi-Fang Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiao Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Nursing Care, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Dian-Shuai Gao
- Department of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China,Correspondence to: Dian-Shuai Gao, .
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Vereczkei A, Barta C, Magi A, Farkas J, Eisinger A, Király O, Belik A, Griffiths MD, Szekely A, Sasvári-Székely M, Urbán R, Potenza MN, Badgaiyan RD, Blum K, Demetrovics Z, Kotyuk E. FOXN3 and GDNF Polymorphisms as Common Genetic Factors of Substance Use and Addictive Behaviors. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12050690. [PMID: 35629112 PMCID: PMC9144496 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12050690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological and phenomenological studies suggest shared underpinnings between multiple addictive behaviors. The present genetic association study was conducted as part of the Psychological and Genetic Factors of Addictions study (n = 3003) and aimed to investigate genetic overlaps between different substance use, addictive, and other compulsive behaviors. Association analyses targeted 32 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, potentially addictive substances (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other drugs), and potentially addictive or compulsive behaviors (internet use, gaming, social networking site use, gambling, exercise, hair-pulling, and eating). Analyses revealed 29 nominally significant associations, from which, nine survived an FDRbl correction. Four associations were observed between FOXN3 rs759364 and potentially addictive behaviors: rs759364 showed an association with the frequency of alcohol consumption and mean scores of scales assessing internet addiction, gaming disorder, and exercise addiction. Significant associations were found between GDNF rs1549250, rs2973033, CNR1 rs806380, DRD2/ANKK1 rs1800497 variants, and the “lifetime other drugs” variable. These suggested that genetic factors may contribute similarly to specific substance use and addictive behaviors. Specifically, FOXN3 rs759364 and GDNF rs1549250 and rs2973033 may constitute genetic risk factors for multiple addictive behaviors. Due to limitations (e.g., convenience sampling, lack of structured scales for substance use), further studies are needed. Functional correlates and mechanisms underlying these relationships should also be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Vereczkei
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary; (A.V.); (A.B.); (M.S.-S.)
| | - Csaba Barta
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary; (A.V.); (A.B.); (M.S.-S.)
- Correspondence: (C.B.); (Z.D.)
| | - Anna Magi
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1075 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (J.F.); (A.E.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (R.U.); (E.K.)
- Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1075 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Farkas
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1075 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (J.F.); (A.E.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (R.U.); (E.K.)
- Nyírő Gyula National Institute of Psychiatry and Addictions, 1135 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea Eisinger
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1075 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (J.F.); (A.E.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (R.U.); (E.K.)
- Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1075 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Király
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1075 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (J.F.); (A.E.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (R.U.); (E.K.)
| | - Andrea Belik
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary; (A.V.); (A.B.); (M.S.-S.)
| | - Mark D. Griffiths
- International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK;
| | - Anna Szekely
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1075 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (J.F.); (A.E.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (R.U.); (E.K.)
| | - Mária Sasvári-Székely
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary; (A.V.); (A.B.); (M.S.-S.)
| | - Róbert Urbán
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1075 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (J.F.); (A.E.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (R.U.); (E.K.)
| | - Marc N. Potenza
- Departments of Psychiatry, Child Study and Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA;
- Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT 06109, USA
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Rajendra D. Badgaiyan
- Department of Psychiatry, Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Kenneth Blum
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Psychiatry, Medicine, & Primary Care (Office of the Provost), Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
| | - Zsolt Demetrovics
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1075 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (J.F.); (A.E.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (R.U.); (E.K.)
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Psychiatry, Medicine, & Primary Care (Office of the Provost), Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
- Correspondence: (C.B.); (Z.D.)
| | - Eszter Kotyuk
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1075 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (J.F.); (A.E.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (R.U.); (E.K.)
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5
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Alipour M, Jafarian M, Rastgoo R, Mokri A, Gorji A, Zarrindast MR, Lorestani F, Razaghi EM. Cabergoline in Treatment of Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients and Its Effect on Serum Level of Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Eur Addict Res 2021; 27:457-468. [PMID: 33857946 DOI: 10.1159/000515398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methamphetamine use disorder is an important public health problem, especially in the younger generation, and associated with various psychiatric, cognitive, social, economic, and legal issues. Cabergoline, a drug with dopaminergic properties and long half-life, has been considered for the treatment of stimulant dependence. The systemic use of cabergoline has been shown to increase glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression. OBJECTIVE In this study, we investigated the effects of cabergoline on the serum level of GDNF and its effect on abstaining from methamphetamine in individuals treated for methamphetamine use disorder. METHOD Sixty male subjects with methamphetamine use disorder were randomly assigned to 2 groups receiving cabergoline and placebo, respectively. During a 12-week follow-up, we compared the serum level of GDNF, urine test results for methamphetamine use, and depression scale between the 2 groups. RESULTS We found that serum GDNF was lower in subjects who used methamphetamine than healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). However, the serum level of GDNF was not associated with cabergoline use. The rising number of cases testing positive in the placebo group showed a trend resulting in no significant difference between cases testing positive and negative (p = 0.585) at the end of week 12. In the verum group, however, the significantly high number of cases who tested negative - sober - for substances observed in early stages (weeks 7-8) continued to remain significantly higher till the end of the study (p = 0.043), resembling an association between treatment with cabergoline and remaining sober. Although reduced during treatment, recovery from depression was not associated with cabergoline treatment. CONCLUSION The findings of this study confirmed the effect of cabergoline in reducing methamphetamine use. However, a serum level of the GDNF increase, as seen in animal studies, was not associated with cabergoline treatment of human subjects. This study was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (TRN:IRCT2015050422077N1, October 06, 2015, https://en.irct.ir/trial/19134).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadesmaeil Alipour
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, MD, PhD Candidate in Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Janbazan Medical and Engineering Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Jafarian
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Rastgoo
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, MD, PhD Candidate in Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azarakhsh Mokri
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Gorji
- Epilepsy Research Center, Westfalische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mohammad R Zarrindast
- Department of Neurosciences and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Lorestani
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humaities, Saveh Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran
| | - Emran M Razaghi
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Neurosciences and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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6
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Liran M, Rahamim N, Ron D, Barak S. Growth Factors and Alcohol Use Disorder. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2020; 10:cshperspect.a039271. [PMID: 31964648 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a039271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neurotrophic growth factors were originally characterized for their support in neuronal differentiation, outgrowth, and survival during development. However, it has been acknowledged that they also play a vital role in the adult brain. Abnormalities in growth factors have been implicated in a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). This work focuses on the interaction between alcohol and growth factors. We review literature suggesting that several growth factors play a unique role in the regulation of alcohol consumption, and that breakdown in these growth factor systems is linked to the development of AUD. Specifically, we focus on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), and insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1). We also review the literature on the potential role of midkine (MDK) and pleiotrophin (PTN) and their receptor, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), in AUD. We show that alcohol alters the expression of these growth factors or their receptors in brain regions previously implicated in addiction, and that manipulations on these growth factors and their downstream signaling can affect alcohol-drinking behaviors in animal models. We conclude that there is a need for translational and clinical research to assess the therapeutic potential of new pharmacotherapies targeting these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirit Liran
- Department of Neurobiology, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nofar Rahamim
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dorit Ron
- Department of Neurology, University of California, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, California 94143-0663, USA
| | - Segev Barak
- Department of Neurobiology, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel.,School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
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7
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Maier HB, Neyazi M, Neyazi A, Hillemacher T, Pathak H, Rhein M, Bleich S, Goltseker K, Sadot-Sogrin Y, Even-Chen O, Frieling H, Barak S. Alcohol consumption alters Gdnf promoter methylation and expression in rats. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 121:1-9. [PMID: 31710958 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder is one of the most disabling diseases worldwide. Glial-cell derived neurotrophic factor (Gdnf) shows promising results concerning the inhibition of alcohol consumption in rodent models. We investigated the epigenetic regulation of Gdnf following ethanol consumption and withdrawal in a rat model. 32 Wistar rats underwent 7 weeks of intermittent access to alcohol in a 2-bottle choice (IA2BC). Whole blood, Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) and Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) were collected immediately after the last 24 h of an alcohol-drinking session (alcohol group, AG) or 24 h after withdrawal (withdrawal group, WG). MRNA levels were measured using real-time quantitative PCR. Bisulfite-conversion of DNA and capillary sequencing was used to determine methylation levels of the core promoter (CP) and the negative regulatory element (NRE). The CP of the AG in the NAc was significantly less methylated compared to controls (p < 0.05). In the NAc, mRNA expression was significantly higher in the WG (p < 0.05). In the WG, mRNA expression levels in the VTA were significantly lower (p < 0.05) and showed significantly less methylation in the NRE in the VTA (p < 0.001) and the NAc (p < 0.01) compared to controls. Changes in the cerebral mRNA expression correspond to alterations in DNA methylation of the Gdnf promoter in a rodent model. Our results hold clinical relevance since differences in Gdnf mRNA expression and DNA methylation could be a target for pharmacological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Benedictine Maier
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Meraj Neyazi
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexandra Neyazi
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Hillemacher
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Hansi Pathak
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mathias Rhein
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Bleich
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Koral Goltseker
- School of Psychological Sciences, The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yossi Sadot-Sogrin
- School of Psychological Sciences, The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Oren Even-Chen
- School of Psychological Sciences, The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Helge Frieling
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Segev Barak
- School of Psychological Sciences, The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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8
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Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are a large family of proteins that transduce extracellular signals to the inside of the cell to ultimately affect important cellular functions such as cell proliferation, survival, apoptosis, differentiation, and migration. They are expressed in the nervous system and can regulate behavior through modulation of neuronal and glial function. As a result, RTKs are implicated in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders such as depression and addiction. Evidence has emerged that 5 RTKs (tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), RET proto-oncogene (RET), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)) modulate alcohol drinking and other behaviors related to alcohol addiction. RTKs are considered highly "druggable" targets and small-molecule inhibitors of RTKs have been developed for the treatment of various conditions, particularly cancer. These kinases are therefore attractive targets for the development of new pharmacotherapies to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD). This review will examine the preclinical evidence describing TrkB, RET, ALK, FGFR, and EGFR modulation of alcohol drinking and other behaviors relevant to alcohol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kana Hamada
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 West Taylor Street, MC 912, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, USA
| | - Amy W Lasek
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 West Taylor Street, MC 912, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, USA.
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9
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Barak S, Ahmadiantehrani S, Logrip ML, Ron D. GDNF and alcohol use disorder. Addict Biol 2019; 24:335-343. [PMID: 29726054 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been extensively studied for its role in the development and maintenance of the midbrain dopaminergic system, although evidence suggests that GDNF also plays a role in drug and alcohol addiction. This review focuses on the unique actions of GDNF in the mechanisms that prevent the transition from recreational alcohol use to abuse. Specifically, we describe studies in rodents suggesting that alcohol acutely increases GDNF expression in the ventral tegmental area, which enables the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway and the gating of alcohol intake. We further provide evidence to suggest that GDNF acts in the ventral tegmental area via both nongenomic and genomic mechanisms to suppress alcohol consumption. In addition, we describe findings indicating that when this endogenous protective pathway becomes dysregulated, alcohol intake levels escalate. Finally, we describe the potential use of GDNF inducers as a novel therapeutic approach to treat alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Segev Barak
- School of Psychological Sciences and the Sagol School of NeuroscienceTel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
| | | | - Marian L. Logrip
- Department of PsychologyIndiana University‐Purdue University Indianapolis Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Dorit Ron
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California San Francisco San Francisco CA USA
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Targeting the intracellular signaling "STOP" and "GO" pathways for the treatment of alcohol use disorders. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:1727-1743. [PMID: 29654346 PMCID: PMC5949137 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4882-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, research has identified the molecular and neural substrates underlying the transition of moderate "social" consumption of alcohol to the characteristic alcohol use disorder (AUD) phenotypes including excessive and compulsive alcohol use which we define in the review as the GO signaling pathways. In addition, growing evidence points to the existence of molecular mechanisms that keep alcohol consumption in check and that confer resilience for the development of AUD which we define herein as the STOP signaling pathways. In this review, we focus on examples of the GO and the STOP intracellular signaling pathways and discuss our current knowledge of how manipulations of these pathways may be used for the treatment of AUD.
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11
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Buhusi M, Brown CK, Buhusi CV. Impaired Latent Inhibition in GDNF-Deficient Mice Exposed to Chronic Stress. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:177. [PMID: 29066960 PMCID: PMC5641315 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased reactivity to stress is maladaptive and linked to abnormal behaviors and psychopathology. Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) alters catecholaminergic neurotransmission and remodels neuronal circuits involved in learning, attention and decision making. Glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is essential for the physiology and survival of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra and of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus. Up-regulation of GDNF expression during stress is linked to resilience; on the other hand, the inability to up-regulate GDNF in response to stress, as a result of either genetic or epigenetic modifications, induces behavioral alterations. For example, GDNF-deficient mice exposed to chronic stress exhibit alterations of executive function, such as increased temporal discounting. Here we investigated the effects of CUS on latent inhibition (LI), a measure of selective attention and learning, in GDNF-heterozygous (HET) mice and their wild-type (WT) littermate controls. No differences in LI were found between GDNF HET and WT mice under baseline experimental conditions. However, following CUS, GDNF-deficient mice failed to express LI. Moreover, stressed GDNF-HET mice, but not their WT controls, showed decreased neuronal activation (number of c-Fos positive neurons) in the nucleus accumbens shell and increased activation in the nucleus accumbens core, both key regions in the expression of LI. Our results add LI to the list of behaviors affected by chronic stress and support a role for GDNF deficits in stress-induced pathological behaviors relevant to schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Buhusi
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Colten K Brown
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Catalin V Buhusi
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
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12
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Sotoyama H, Iwakura Y, Oda K, Sasaoka T, Takei N, Kakita A, Enomoto H, Nawa H. Striatal hypodopamine phenotypes found in transgenic mice that overexpress glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. Neurosci Lett 2017. [PMID: 28645787 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) positively regulates the development and maintenance of in vitro dopaminergic neurons. However, the in vivo influences of GDNF signals on the brain dopamine system are controversial and not fully defined. To address this question, we analyzed dopaminergic phenotypes of the transgenic mice that overexpress GDNF under the control of the glial Gfap promoter. Compared with wild-type, the GDNF transgenic mice contained higher levels of GDNF protein and phosphorylated RET receptors in the brain. However, there were reductions in the levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine, and its metabolite homovanillic acid in the striatum of transgenic mice. The TH reduction appeared to occur during postnatal development. Immunohistochemistry revealed that striatal TH density was reduced in transgenic mice with no apparent signs of neurodegeneration. In agreement with these neurochemical traits, basal levels of extracellular dopamine and high K+-induced dopamine efflux were decreased in the striatum of transgenic mice. We also explored the influences of GDNF overexpression on lomomotor behavior. GDNF transgenic mice exhibited lower stereotypy and rearing in a novel environment compared with wild-type mice. These results suggest that chronic overexpression of GDNF in brain astrocytes exerts an opposing influence on nigrostriatal dopamine metabolism and neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidekazu Sotoyama
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Japan
| | - Yuriko Iwakura
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Japan
| | - Kanako Oda
- Department of Comparative and Experimental Medicine, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Japan
| | - Toshikuni Sasaoka
- Department of Comparative and Experimental Medicine, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Takei
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Kakita
- Department of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Japan
| | - Hideki Enomoto
- Laboratory for Neural Differentiation and Regeneration, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nawa
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Japan.
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13
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Huang CCY, Ma T, Roltsch Hellard EA, Wang X, Selvamani A, Lu J, Sohrabji F, Wang J. Stroke triggers nigrostriatal plasticity and increases alcohol consumption in rats. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2501. [PMID: 28566754 PMCID: PMC5451385 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02714-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for stroke, but the effect of stroke on alcohol intake is unknown. The dorsomedial striatum (DMS) and midbrain areas of the nigrostriatal circuit are critically associated to stroke and alcohol addiction. Here we sought to explore the influence of stroke on alcohol consumption and to uncover the underlying nigrostriatal mechanism. Rats were trained to consume alcohol using a two-bottle choice or operant self-administration procedure. Retrograde beads were infused into the DMS or midbrain to label specific neuronal types, and ischemic stroke was induced in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS). Slice electrophysiology was employed to measure excitability and synaptic transmission in DMS and midbrain neurons. We found that ischemic stroke-induced DLS infarction produced significant increases in alcohol preference, operant self-administration, and relapse. These increases were accompanied by enhanced excitability of DMS and midbrain neurons. In addition, glutamatergic inputs onto DMS D1-neurons was potentiated, whereas GABAergic inputs onto DMS-projecting midbrain dopaminergic neurons was suppressed. Importantly, systemic inhibition of dopamine D1 receptors attenuated the stroke-induced increase in operant alcohol self-administration. Our results suggest that the stroke-induced DLS infarction evoked abnormal plasticity in nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and DMS D1-neurons, contributing to increased post-stroke alcohol-seeking and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy C Y Huang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Tengfei Ma
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Emily A Roltsch Hellard
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | | | - Amutha Selvamani
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Jiayi Lu
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Farida Sohrabji
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA.
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14
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Sidorova YA, Saarma M. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family ligands and their therapeutic potential. Mol Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893316040105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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15
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Buhusi M, Olsen K, Yang BZ, Buhusi CV. Stress-Induced Executive Dysfunction in GDNF-Deficient Mice, A Mouse Model of Parkinsonism. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:114. [PMID: 27445722 PMCID: PMC4914592 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Maladaptive reactivity to stress is linked to improper decision making, impulsivity, and discounting of delayed rewards. Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) alters dopaminergic function, re-shapes dopaminergic circuits in key areas involved in decision making, and impairs prefrontal-cortex dependent response inhibition and working memory. Glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is essential for regulating dopamine (DA) release in the basal ganglia and for the survival of dopaminergic neurons; GDNF-deficient mice are considered an animal model for aging-related Parkinsonism. Recently, GDNF expression in the striatum has been linked to resilience to stress. Here we investigated the effects of CUS on decision making in GDNF-heterozygous (HET) mice and their wild-type littermate controls (WT). Before CUS no differences in temporal discounting (TD) were found between genotypes. However, following CUS GDNF HET mice, having a partial reduction of GDNF levels, showed increased impulsive choice indexed by a reduction in percent Larger-Later (LL) choices in the TD paradigm, and a reduction in area under the TD curve. Moreover, stressed GDNF HET mice, but not their WT controls, showed decreased neuronal activation (number of cFos positive neurons) in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), nucleus accumbens (NA) core, and NA shell, suggestive of a maladaptive response to stress. Interestingly, area under the TD curve positively correlated with cFos activation in the NA core, and NA shell, but not with orbitofrontal activity. These results provide further evidence of the differential involvement of the OFC, NA core, and NA shell in impulsive choice, and identify GDNF-deficient mice as a double-hit (gene × environment) model of stress-related executive dysfunction, particularly relevant to substance abuse and Parkinson’s disease (PD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Buhusi
- Department of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Utah State University Logan, UT, USA
| | - Kaitlin Olsen
- Department of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Utah State University Logan, UT, USA
| | - Benjamin Z Yang
- Department of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Utah State University Logan, UT, USA
| | - Catalin V Buhusi
- Department of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Utah State University Logan, UT, USA
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16
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Ito K, Enomoto H. Retrograde transport of neurotrophic factor signaling: implications in neuronal development and pathogenesis. J Biochem 2016; 160:77-85. [DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvw037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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17
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Namba H, Okubo T, Nawa H. Perinatal Exposure to Neuregulin-1 Results in Disinhibition of Adult Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons: Implication in Schizophrenia Modeling. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22606. [PMID: 26935991 PMCID: PMC4776181 DOI: 10.1038/srep22606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant neuregulin-1 (NRG1) signals are suggested to associate with the neuropathophysiology of schizophrenia. Employing a mouse schizophrenia model established by neonatal neuregulin-1 challenge, we analysed postpubertal consequence of the NRG1 pretreatment for the electrophysiological property of nigral dopamine neurons. In vivo single unit recordings from anaesthetized NRG1-pretreated mice revealed increased spike bursting of nigral dopamine neurons. In slice preparations from NRG1-pretreated mice, spontaneous firing was elevated relative to controls. The relative increase in firing rates was abolished by a GABAA receptor antagonist. Whole-cell recording showed that perinatal NRG1 pretreatment diminished inhibitory miniature synaptic currents as well as GABAA receptor sensitivity. These results collectively suggest that perinatal exposure to neuregulin-1 results in the disinhibition of nigral dopamine neurons to influence their firing properties at the adult stage when the behavioral deficits are evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisaaki Namba
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, 951-8585
| | - Takeshi Okubo
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, 951-8585
| | - Hiroyuki Nawa
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, 951-8585
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18
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Wang J, Cheng Y, Wang X, Roltsch Hellard E, Ma T, Gil H, Ben Hamida S, Ron D. Alcohol Elicits Functional and Structural Plasticity Selectively in Dopamine D1 Receptor-Expressing Neurons of the Dorsomedial Striatum. J Neurosci 2015; 35:11634-43. [PMID: 26290240 PMCID: PMC4540799 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0003-15.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2015] [Revised: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Addiction is thought to be a maladaptive form of learning and memory caused by drug-evoked aberrant synaptic plasticity. We previously showed that alcohol facilitates synaptic plasticity in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS), a brain region that drives goal-directed behaviors. The majority of DMS cells are medium spiny neurons (MSNs) that express dopamine D1 receptors (D1Rs) or D2 receptors (D2Rs), which drive "Go" or "No-Go" behaviors, respectively. Here, we report that alcohol induces cell type-specific synaptic and structural plasticity in the DMS. Using mice that express a fluorescence marker to visualize D1R or D2R MSNs, we show that repeated cycles of systemic administration of alcohol or alcohol consumption induces a long-lasting increase in AMPAR activity specifically in DMS D1R but not in D2R MSNs. Importantly, we report that alcohol consumption increases the complexity of dendritic branching and the density of mature mushroom-shaped spines selectively in DMS D1R MSNs. Finally, we found that blockade of D1R but not D2R activity in the DMS attenuates alcohol consumption. Together, these data suggest that alcohol intake produces profound functional and structural plasticity events in a subpopulation of neurons in the DMS that control reinforcement-related learning. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Alcohol addiction is considered maladaptive learning and memory processes. Here we unraveled a long-lasting cellular mechanism that may contribute to the memory of alcohol-seeking behaviors. Specifically, we found that alcohol consumption produces a long-lasting enhancement of channel activity and persistent alterations of neuronal morphology in a part of the brain (DMS) that controls alcohol-drinking behaviors. Furthermore, we show that these alterations occur only in a subpopulation of neurons that positively control reward and reinforcement of drugs of abuse. Finally, we report that blocking the activity of this neuronal population reduces alcohol intake. As such synaptic and structural changes are the cellular hallmarks of learning and memory, and these neuroadaptations may drive the development of pathological heavy alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas 77807, and Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Yifeng Cheng
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas 77807, and
| | - Xuehua Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas 77807, and
| | - Emily Roltsch Hellard
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas 77807, and
| | - Tengfei Ma
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas 77807, and
| | - Hannah Gil
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Sami Ben Hamida
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Dorit Ron
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
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Barak S, Wang J, Ahmadiantehrani S, Ben Hamida S, Kells AP, Forsayeth J, Bankiewicz KS, Ron D. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is an endogenous protector in the mesolimbic system against excessive alcohol consumption and relapse. Addict Biol 2015; 20:629-42. [PMID: 24801661 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Moderate social consumption of alcohol is common; however, only a small percentage of individuals transit from social to excessive, uncontrolled alcohol drinking. This suggests the existence of protective mechanisms that prevent the development of alcohol addiction. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the mesolimbic system [e.g. the nucleus accumbens (Acb) and ventral tegmental area (VTA)] is part of such a mechanism. We found that GDNF knockdown, by infecting rat Acb neurons with a small hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting the GDNF gene, produced a rapid escalation to excessive alcohol consumption and enhanced relapse to alcohol drinking. Conversely, viral-mediated overexpression of the growth factor in the mesolimbic system blocked the escalation from moderate to excessive alcohol drinking. To access the mechanism underlying GDNF's actions, we measured the firing rate of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the VTA after a history of excessive alcohol intake with or without elevating GDNF levels. We found that the spontaneous firing rate of DAergic neurons in the VTA was reduced during alcohol withdrawal and that GDNF reversed this alcohol-induced DA deficiency. Together, our results suggest that endogenous GDNF in the mesolimbic system controls the transition from moderate to excessive alcohol drinking and relapse via reversal of alcohol-dependent neuro-adaptations in DAergic VTA neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Segev Barak
- The Gallo Research Center; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
- Department of Neurology; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
| | - Jun Wang
- The Gallo Research Center; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
- Department of Neurology; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
| | - Somayeh Ahmadiantehrani
- The Gallo Research Center; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
- Department of Neurology; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
| | - Sami Ben Hamida
- The Gallo Research Center; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
- Department of Neurology; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
| | - Adrian P. Kells
- Department of Neurological Surgery; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
| | - John Forsayeth
- Department of Neurological Surgery; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
| | | | - Dorit Ron
- The Gallo Research Center; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
- Department of Neurology; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
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20
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Understanding opioid reward. Trends Neurosci 2015; 38:217-25. [PMID: 25637939 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Opioids are the most potent analgesics in clinical use; however, their powerful rewarding properties can lead to addiction. The scientific challenge is to retain analgesic potency while limiting the development of tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Both rewarding and analgesic actions of opioids depend upon actions at the mu opioid (MOP) receptor. Systemic opioid reward requires MOP receptor function in the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) which contains dopaminergic neurons. VTA dopaminergic neurons are implicated in various aspects of reward including reward prediction error, working memory, and incentive salience. It is now clear that subsets of VTA neurons have different pharmacological properties and participate in separate circuits. The degree to which MOP receptor agonists act on different VTA circuits depends upon the behavioral state of the animal, which can be altered by manipulations such as food deprivation or prior exposure to MOP receptor agonists.
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21
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Ahmadiantehrani S, Barak S, Ron D. GDNF is a novel ethanol-responsive gene in the VTA: implications for the development and persistence of excessive drinking. Addict Biol 2014; 19:623-33. [PMID: 23298382 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a potent inhibitor of ethanol consumption and relapse, and GDNF heterozygous knockout mice display increased reward sensitivity to ethanol and consume more ethanol after a period of abstinence than their wild-type littermates. Here, we tested whether ethanol alters GDNF expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA; GDNF's site of action) and/or the nucleus accumbens (NAc; the main source of GDNF), and if so, determine the role of the endogenous growth factor in the regulation of ethanol consumption. Systemic administration of ethanol increased GDNF expression and protein levels in the VTA, but not the NAc. Additionally, GDNF levels were elevated after an ethanol-drinking session in rats that consumed ethanol in the intermittent-access two-bottle choice procedure for 1 week, but not 7 weeks. Deprivation following 7 weeks of excessive ethanol intake reduced GDNF levels, while a short ethanol binge drinking period following deprivation upregulated GDNF expression. Importantly, knockdown of GDNF within the VTA using adenovirus expressing short hairpin RNA facilitated the escalation of ethanol drinking by ethanol-naïve rats, but not by rats with a history of excessive ethanol consumption. These results suggest that during initial ethanol-drinking experiences, GDNF in the VTA is increased and protects against the development of excessive ethanol intake. However, the growth factor's protective response to ethanol breaks down after protracted excessive ethanol intake and withdrawal, resulting in persistent, excessive ethanol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Ahmadiantehrani
- Gallo Research Center; Emeryville CA USA
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
| | | | - Dorit Ron
- Gallo Research Center; Emeryville CA USA
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
- Department of Neurology; University of California; San Francisco CA USA
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22
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Carnicella S, Ron D, Barak S. Intermittent ethanol access schedule in rats as a preclinical model of alcohol abuse. Alcohol 2014; 48:243-52. [PMID: 24721195 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2014.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Revised: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
One of the major challenges in preclinical studies of alcohol abuse and dependence remains the development of paradigms that will elicit high ethanol intake and mimic the progressive transition from low or moderate social drinking to excessive alcohol consumption. Exposure of outbred rats to repeated cycles of free-choice ethanol intake and withdrawal with the use of intermittent access to 20% ethanol in a 2-bottle choice procedure (IA2BC) has been shown to induce a gradual escalation of voluntary ethanol intake and preference, eventually reaching ethanol consumption levels of 5-6 g/kg/24 h, and inducing pharmacologically relevant blood ethanol concentrations (BECs). This procedure has recently been gaining popularity due to its simplicity, high validity, and reliable outcomes. Here we review experimental and methodological data related to IA2BC, and discuss the usefulness and advantages of this procedure as a valuable pre-training method for initiating operant ethanol self-administration of high ethanol intake, as well as conditioned place preference (CPP). Despite some limitations, we provide evidence that IA2BC and related operant procedures provide the possibility to operationalize multiple aspects of alcohol abuse and addiction in a rat model, including transition from social-like drinking to excessive alcohol consumption, binge drinking, alcohol seeking, relapse, and neuroadaptations related to excessive alcohol intake. Hence, IA2BC appears to be a useful and relevant procedure for preclinical evaluation of potential therapeutic approaches against alcohol abuse disorders.
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23
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Abstract
Complex interactions between the brain and peripheral tissues mediate the effective control of energy balance and body weight. Hypothalamic and hindbrain neural circuits integrate peripheral signals informing the nutritional status of the animal and in response regulate nutrient intake and energy utilization. Obesity and its many medical complications emerge from the dysregulation of energy homeostasis. Excessive weight gain might also arise from alterations in reward systems of the brain that drive consumption of calorie dense, palatable foods in the absence of an energy requirement. Several neurotrophins, most notably brain-derived neurotrophic factor, have been implicated in the molecular and cellular processes underlying body weight regulation. Here, we review investigations interrogating their roles in energy balance and reward centers of the brain impacting feeding behavior and energy expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rios
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA,
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24
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Midbrain dopaminergic neurons: a review of the molecular circuitry that regulates their development. Dev Biol 2013; 379:123-38. [PMID: 23603197 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2013.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the ventral midbrain (VM) play vital roles in the regulation of voluntary movement, emotion and reward. They are divided into the A8, A9 and A10 subgroups. The development of the A9 group of DA neurons is an area of intense investigation to aid the generation of these neurons from stem cell sources for cell transplantation approaches to Parkinson's disease (PD). This review discusses the molecular processes that are involved in the identity, specification, maturation, target innervation and survival of VM DA neurons during development. The complex molecular interactions of a number of genetic pathways are outlined, as well as recent advances in the mechanisms that regulate subset identity within the VM DA neuronal pool. A thorough understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of VM DA neurons will greatly facilitate the use of cell replacement therapy for the treatment of PD.
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Ahmadiantehrani S, Ron D. Dopamine D2 receptor activation leads to an up-regulation of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor via Gβγ-Erk1/2-dependent induction of Zif268. J Neurochem 2013; 125:193-204. [PMID: 23373701 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a potent growth factor essential to the development, survival, and function of dopaminergic neurons (Airaksinen and Saarma 2002). The molecular mechanisms underlying GDNF expression remain elusive; thus, we set out to identify a signaling pathway that governs GDNF levels. We found that treatment of both differentiated dopaminergic-like SH-SY5Y cells and rat midbrain slices with the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) agonist, quinpirole, triggered an increase in the expression of GDNF that was temporally preceded by an increase in the levels of zinc-finger protein 268 (Zif268), a DNA-binding transcription factor encoded by an immediate-early gene. Moreover, the D2R inhibitor raclopride blocked the increase of both GDNF and Zif268 expression following potassium-evoked dopamine release in SH-SY5Y cells. We used adenoviral delivery of small hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting Zif268 to down-regulate its expression and found that Zif268 is specifically required for the D2R-mediated up-regulation of GDNF. Furthermore, the D2R-mediated induction of GDNF and Zif268 expression was dependent on Gβγ-mediated signaling and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. Importantly, using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we identified a direct association of Zif268 with the GDNF promoter. These results suggest that D2R activation induces a Gβγ- and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2-dependent increase in the level of Zif268, which functions to directly up-regulate the expression of GDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Ahmadiantehrani
- Gallo Research Center, Emeryville, California, USA.,Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Dorit Ron
- Gallo Research Center, Emeryville, California, USA.,Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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26
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Abstract
Ethanol's effects on intracellular signaling pathways contribute to acute effects of ethanol as well as to neuroadaptive responses to repeated ethanol exposure. In this chapter we review recent discoveries that demonstrate how ethanol alters signaling pathways involving several receptor tyrosine kinases and intracellular tyrosine and serine-threonine kinases, with consequences for regulation of cell surface receptor function, gene expression, protein translation, neuronal excitability and animal behavior. We also describe recent work that demonstrates a key role for ethanol in regulating the function of scaffolding proteins that organize signaling complexes into functional units. Finally, we review recent exciting studies demonstrating ethanol modulation of DNA and histone modification and the expression of microRNAs, indicating epigenetic mechanisms by which ethanol regulates neuronal gene expression and addictive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Ron
- Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 5858 Horton Street, Suite 200, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| | - Robert O. Messing
- Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, University of California San Francisco, 5858 Horton Street, Suite 200, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
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27
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Wang J, Hamida SB, Darcq E, Zhu W, Gibb SL, Lanfranco MF, Carnicella S, Ron D. Ethanol-mediated facilitation of AMPA receptor function in the dorsomedial striatum: implications for alcohol drinking behavior. J Neurosci 2012; 32:15124-32. [PMID: 23100433 PMCID: PMC3498079 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2783-12.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2012] [Revised: 08/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We found previously that acute ex vivo as well as repeated cycles of in vivo ethanol exposure and withdrawal, including excessive voluntary consumption of ethanol, produces a long-lasting increase in the activity of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors (NR2B-NMDARs) in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) of rats (Wang et al., 2010a). Activation of NMDARs is required for the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) of AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated synaptic response. We therefore examined whether the ethanol-mediated upregulation of NMDAR activity alters the induction of LTP in the DMS. We found that ex vivo acute exposure of striatal slices to, and withdrawal from, ethanol facilitates the induction of LTP in DMS neurons, which is abolished by the inhibition of NR2B-NMDARs. We also report that repeated systemic administration of ethanol causes an NR2B-NMDAR-dependent facilitation of LTP in the DMS. LTP is mediated by the insertion of AMPAR subunits into the synaptic membrane, and we found that repeated systemic administration of ethanol, as well as cycles of excessive ethanol consumption and withdrawal, produced a long-lasting increase in synaptic localization of the GluR1 and GluR2 subunits of AMPARs in the DMS. Importantly, we report that inhibition of AMPARs in the DMS attenuates operant self-administration of ethanol, but not of sucrose. Together, our data suggest that aberrant synaptic plasticity in the DMS induced by repeated cycles of ethanol exposure and withdrawal contributes to the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and/or maintenance of excessive ethanol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Ernest Gallo Research Center and
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, Emeryville, California 94608
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sebastien Carnicella
- Ernest Gallo Research Center and
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, Emeryville, California 94608
| | - Dorit Ron
- Ernest Gallo Research Center and
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, Emeryville, California 94608
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28
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Davies DL, Bortolato M, Finn DA, Ramaker MJ, Barak S, Ron D, Liang J, Olsen RW. Recent advances in the discovery and preclinical testing of novel compounds for the prevention and/or treatment of alcohol use disorders. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2012; 37:8-15. [PMID: 22671690 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2012.01846.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol abuse and dependence have a staggering socioeconomic impact, yet current therapeutic strategies are largely inadequate to treat these disorders. Thus, the development of new strategies that can effectively prevent alcohol use disorders (AUDs) is of paramount importance. Currently approved medications attempt to deter alcohol intake by blocking ethanol metabolism or by targeting the neurochemical systems downstream of the cascades leading to craving and dependence. Unfortunately, these medications have provided only limited success as indicated by the continued high rates of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. The lack of currently available effective treatment strategies is highlighted by the urgent call by the NIAAA to find new and paradigm-changing therapeutics to either prevent or treat alcohol-related problems. This mini-review highlights recent findings from 4 laboratories with a focus on compounds that have the potential to be novel therapeutic agents that can be developed for the prevention and/or treatment of AUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl L Davies
- School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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29
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Salvatore MF, Pruett BS. Dichotomy of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine regulation between somatodendritic and terminal field areas of nigrostriatal and mesoaccumbens pathways. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29867. [PMID: 22242182 PMCID: PMC3252325 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Measures of dopamine-regulating proteins in somatodendritic regions are often used only as static indicators of neuron viability, overlooking the possible impact of somatodendritic dopamine (DA) signaling on behavior and the potential autonomy of DA regulation between somatodendritic and terminal field compartments. DA reuptake capacity is less in somatodendritic regions, possibly placing a greater burden on de novo DA biosynthesis within this compartment to maintain DA signaling. Therefore, regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity may be particularly critical for somatodendritic DA signaling. Phosphorylation of TH at ser31 or ser40 can increase activity, but their impact on L-DOPA biosynthesis in vivo is unknown. Thus, determining their relationship with L-DOPA tissue content could reveal a mechanism by which DA signaling is normally maintained. In Brown-Norway Fischer 344 F1 hybrid rats, we quantified TH phosphorylation versus L-DOPA accumulation. After inhibition of aromatic acid decarboxylase, L-DOPA tissue content per recovered TH protein was greatest in NAc, matched by differences in ser31, but not ser40, phosphorylation. The L-DOPA per catecholamine and DA turnover ratios were significantly greater in SN and VTA, suggesting greater reliance on de novo DA biosynthesis therein. These compartmental differences reflected an overall autonomy of DA regulation, as seen by decreased DA content in SN and VTA, but not in striatum or NAc, following short-term DA biosynthesis inhibition from local infusion of the TH inhibitor α-methyl-p-tyrosine, as well as in the long-term process of aging. Such data suggest ser31 phosphorylation plays a significant role in regulating TH activity in vivo, particularly in somatodendritic regions, which may have a greater reliance on de novo DA biosynthesis. Thus, to the extent that somatodendritic DA release affects behavior, TH regulation in the midbrain may be critical for DA bioavailability to influence behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Salvatore
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, United States of America.
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30
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Barak S, Ahmadiantehrani S, Kharazia V, Ron D. Positive autoregulation of GDNF levels in the ventral tegmental area mediates long-lasting inhibition of excessive alcohol consumption. Transl Psychiatry 2011; 1. [PMID: 22238721 PMCID: PMC3253655 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2011.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is an essential growth factor for the survival and maintenance of the midbrain dopaminergic (DA-ergic) neurons. Activation of the GDNF pathway in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), where the GDNF receptors are expressed, produces a long-lasting suppression of excessive alcohol consumption in rats. Previous studies conducted in the DA-ergic-like cells, SHSY5Y, revealed that GDNF positively regulates its own expression, leading to a long-lasting activation of the GDNF signaling pathway. Here we determined whether GDNF activates a positive autoregulatory feedback loop in vivo within the VTA, and if so, whether this mechanism underlies the long-lasting suppressive effects of the growth factor on excessive alcohol consumption. We found that a single infusion of recombinant GDNF (rGDNF; 10 μg) into the VTA induces a long-lasting local increase in GDNF mRNA and protein levels, which depends upon de novo transcription and translation of the polypeptide. Importantly, we report that the GDNF-mediated positive autoregulatory feedback loop accounts for the long-lasting inhibitory actions of GDNF in the VTA on excessive alcohol consumption. Specifically, the long-lasting suppressive effects of a single rGDNF infusion into the VTA on excessive alcohol consumption were prevented when protein synthesis was inhibited, as well as when the upregulation of GDNF expression was prevented using short hairpin RNA to focally knock down GDNF mRNA in the VTA. Our results could have implications for the development of long-lasting treatments for disorders in which GDNF has a beneficial role, including drug addiction, chronic stress and Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Barak
- The Ernest Gallo Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, Emeryville, CA, USA,Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - S Ahmadiantehrani
- The Ernest Gallo Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, Emeryville, CA, USA,The Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - V Kharazia
- The Ernest Gallo Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | - D Ron
- The Ernest Gallo Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, Emeryville, CA, USA,Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,The Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Department of Neurology, The Ernest Gallo Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, 5858 Horton St., Suite 200, Emeryville, San Francisco, CA 94608, USA. E-mail:
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31
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Airavaara M, Pletnikova O, Doyle ME, Zhang YE, Troncoso JC, Liu QR. Identification of novel GDNF isoforms and cis-antisense GDNFOS gene and their regulation in human middle temporal gyrus of Alzheimer disease. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:45093-102. [PMID: 22081608 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.310250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Primate-specific genes and isoforms could provide insight into human brain diseases. Our bioinformatic analysis revealed that there are possibly five isoforms of human GDNF gene with different pre- and pro-regions by inter- and intra-exon splicing. By using TaqMan primer probe sets, designed between exons, we verified the expression of all isoforms. Furthermore, a novel GDNFOS gene was found to be transcribed from the opposite strand of GDNF gene. GDNFOS gene has four exons that are spliced into different isoforms. GDNFOS1 and GDNFOS2 are long noncoding RNAs, and GDNFOS3 encodes a protein of 105 amino acids. To study human GDNF and GDNFOS regulation in neurodegenerative diseases, the protein and mRNA levels were measured by Western blot and RT-quantitative PCR, respectively, in postmortem middle temporal gyrus (MTG) of Alzheimer disease (AD) and Huntington disease (HD) patients in comparison with those of normal controls. In the MTG of AD patients, the mature GDNF peptide was down-regulated; however, the transcript of GDNF isoform from human exon 2 was up-regulated, whereas that of the conserved isoform from exon 1 remained unchanged in comparison with those of normal controls. In contrast, the mature GDNF peptide and the isoform mRNA levels were not changed in the MTG of HD. The findings of novel GDNF and GDNFOS isoforms and differences in tissue expression patterns dysregulated in AD brains may further reveal the role of endogenous GDNF in human brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikko Airavaara
- Neural Protection and Regeneration Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Social Services, Baltimore, Maryland21224, USA
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32
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Barak S, Carnicella S, Yowell QV, Ron D. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor reverses alcohol-induced allostasis of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system: implications for alcohol reward and seeking. J Neurosci 2011; 31:9885-94. [PMID: 21734280 PMCID: PMC3144766 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1750-11.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2011] [Revised: 05/16/2011] [Accepted: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously showed that infusion of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) rapidly reduces alcohol intake and relapse (Carnicella et al., 2008, 2009a), and increases dopamine (DA) levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of alcohol-naive rats (Wang et al., 2010). Withdrawal from excessive alcohol intake is associated with a reduction in NAc DA levels, whereas drug-induced increases in NAc DA levels are associated with reward. We therefore tested whether GDNF in the VTA reverses alcohol withdrawal-associated DA deficiency and/or possesses rewarding properties. Rats were trained for 7 weeks to consume high levels of alcohol (5.47 ± 0.37 g/kg/24 h) in intermittent access to 20% alcohol in a two-bottle choice procedure. Using in vivo microdialysis, we show that 24 h withdrawal from alcohol causes a substantial reduction in NAc DA overflow, which was reversed by intra-VTA GDNF infusion. Using conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm, we observed that GDNF on its own does not induce CPP, suggesting that the growth factor is not rewarding. However, GDNF blocked acquisition and expression of alcohol-CPP. In addition, GDNF induced a downward shift in the dose-response curve for operant self-administration of alcohol, further suggesting that GDNF suppresses, rather than substitutes for, the reinforcing effects of alcohol. Our findings suggest that GDNF reduces alcohol-drinking behaviors by reversing an alcohol-induced allostatic DA deficiency in the mesolimbic system. In addition, as it lacks abuse liability, the study further highlights GDNF as a promising target for treatment of alcohol use/abuse disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Segev Barak
- The Ernest Gallo Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, Emeryville, California 94608
| | - Sebastien Carnicella
- The Ernest Gallo Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, Emeryville, California 94608
| | - Quinn V. Yowell
- The Ernest Gallo Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, Emeryville, California 94608
| | - Dorit Ron
- The Ernest Gallo Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, Emeryville, California 94608
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33
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Biphasic dopamine regulation in mesoaccumbens pathway in response to non-contingent binge and escalating methamphetamine regimens in the Wistar rat. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2011; 215:513-26. [PMID: 21523347 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-011-2301-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2010] [Accepted: 04/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Methamphetamine (MA) increases extracellular dopamine (DA) and at chronic high doses induces toxicity as indicated by decreased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT). Notably, rats will self-administer MA in escalating quantities producing such toxicity. However, the impact of MA at sub-toxic doses on DA regulation is not well established. OBJECTIVE The temporal dynamics of DA regulation following cessation of sub-toxic escalating and binge doses of non-contingent MA were investigated as changes therein may be associated with escalation of MA intake. MATERIALS AND METHODS MA was administered 3×/day using an established 14-day escalating-dose regimen (0.1-4.0 mg/kg) or a single-day binge-style administration (3 × 4 mg/kg). DA tissue content, DA turnover, TH protein, TH phosphorylation, DAT, and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 were measured in nigrostriatal and mesoaccumbens pathways 48 h and 2 weeks after MA cessation. RESULTS Changes in striatal DA regulation were limited to increased DA turnover. However, in the mesoaccumbens pathway, escalating MA had biphasic effects. DA was increased in ventral tegmental area (VTA) and decreased in nucleus accumbens at 48 h post-MA while the reverse was seen at 2 weeks. These changes were matched by similar changes in TH protein and, in the VTA, by changes in DAT. CONCLUSION Escalation of MA intake produces both transient and long-lasting effects upon DA, TH, and DAT in the mesoaccumbens pathway. The eventual decrease of DA in the VTA is speculated to contribute to craving for MA and, thus, may be associated with MA escalation and resulting dopaminergic toxicity.
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Airavaara M, Pickens CL, Stern AL, Wihbey KA, Harvey BK, Bossert JM, Liu QR, Hoffer BJ, Shaham Y. Endogenous GDNF in ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens does not play a role in the incubation of heroin craving. Addict Biol 2011; 16:261-72. [PMID: 21182575 DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2010.00281.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) activity in ventral tegmental area (VTA) mediates the time-dependent increases in cue-induced cocaine-seeking after withdrawal (incubation of cocaine craving). Here, we studied the generality of these findings to incubation of heroin craving. Rats were trained to self-administer heroin for 10 days (6 hours/day; 0.075 mg/kg/infusion; infusions were paired with a tone-light cue) and tested for cue-induced heroin-seeking in extinction tests after 1, 11 or 30 withdrawal days. Cue-induced heroin seeking was higher after 11 or 30 days than after 1 day (incubation of heroin craving), and the time-dependent increases in extinction responding were associated with time-dependent changes in GDNF mRNA expression in VTA and nucleus accumbens. Additionally, acute accumbens (but not VTA) GDNF injections (12.5 µg/side) administered 1-3 hours after the last heroin self-administration training session enhanced the time-dependent increases in extinction responding after withdrawal. However, the time-dependent increases in extinction responding after withdrawal were not associated with changes in GDNF protein expression in VTA and accumbens. Additionally, interfering with endogenous GDNF function by chronic delivery of anti-GDNF monoclonal neutralizing antibodies (600 ng/side/day) into VTA or accumbens had no effect on the time-dependent increases in extinction responding. In summary, heroin self-administration and withdrawal regulate VTA and accumbens GDNF mRNA expression in a time-dependent manner, and exogenous GDNF administration into accumbens but not VTA potentiates cue-induced heroin seeking. However, based on the GDNF protein expression and the anti-GDNF monoclonal neutralizing antibodies manipulation data, we conclude that neither accumbens nor VTA endogenous GDNF mediates the incubation of heroin craving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikko Airavaara
- Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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