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Scholl JL, Solanki RR, Watt MJ, Renner KJ, Forster GL. Chronic administration of glucocorticoid receptor ligands increases anxiety-like behavior and selectively increase serotonin transporters in the ventral hippocampus. Brain Res 2023; 1800:148189. [PMID: 36462646 PMCID: PMC9837808 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.148189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Organic cation transporter-3 (OCT3) is widely distributed in the brain with high expression in portions of the stress axis. These high capacity, polyspecific transporters function in monoamine clearance and are sensitive to the stress hormone corticosterone. In rats, withdrawal from chronic amphetamine increases OCT3 expression in specific limbic brain regions involved anxiety and stress responses, including the ventral hippocampus, central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) and dorsomedial hypothalamus. (DMH). Previous studies show that glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonists increase OCT1 mRNA and OCT2 mRNA expression in non-neural tissues. Thus, we hypothesized that corticosterone increases OCT3 expression in the brain by activating GRs. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pre-treated daily with the GR antagonist mifepristone (20 mg/kg; sc.) or vehicle followed 45 min later by injections of corticosterone or vehicle for 2 weeks. Corticosterone treatment significantly increased OCT3 expression in the ventral hippocampus and increased anxiety-like behavior. However, these effects were not blocked by mifepristone. Interestingly, treatment with mifepristone alone reduced plasma corticosterone levels and increased serotonin transporter and GR expression in the ventral hippocampus but did not significantly affect OCT3 expression or behavior. No treatment effects on OCT3, serotonin transporter or GR expression were observed in the DMH, CeA or dorsal hippocampus. Our findings suggest that corticosterone increases OCT3 expression in the ventral hippocampus by a mechanism independent of GRs, and that mifepristone and corticosterone can act in an independent manner to affect HPA axis-related physiological and behavioral parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L Scholl
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota, USA.
| | - Rajeshwari R Solanki
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota, USA.
| | - Michael J Watt
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota, USA; Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
| | - Kenneth J Renner
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, 414 East Clark St, Vermillion, SD, USA.
| | - Gina L Forster
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota, USA; Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
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2
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Rivet-Noor CR, Merchak AR, Li S, Beiter RM, Lee S, Thomas JA, Fernández-Castañeda A, Shin JB, Gaultier A. Stress-induced despair behavior develops independently of the Ahr-RORγt axis in CD4 + cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8594. [PMID: 35597802 PMCID: PMC9124178 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12464-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Current treatments for major depressive disorder are limited to neuropharmacological approaches and are ineffective for large numbers of patients. Recently, alternative means have been explored to understand the etiology of depression. Specifically, changes in the microbiome and immune system have been observed in both clinical settings and in mouse models. As such, microbial supplements and probiotics have become a target for potential therapeutics. A current hypothesis for the mechanism of action of these supplements is via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor's (Ahr) modulation of the T helper 17 cell (Th17) and T regulatory cell axis. As inflammatory RORγt + CD4 + Th17 T cells and their primary cytokine IL-17 have been implicated in the development of stress-induced depression, the connection between stress, the Ahr, Th17s and depression remains critical to understanding mood disorders. Here, we utilize genetic knockouts to examine the role of the microbial sensor Ahr in the development of stressinduced despair behavior. We observe an Ahr-independent increase in gut-associated Th17s in stressed mice, indicating that the Ahr is not responsible for this communication. Further, we utilized a CD4-specific RAR Related Orphan Receptor C (Rorc) knockout line to disrupt the production of Th17s. Mice lacking Rorc-produced IL-17 did not show any differences in behavior before or after stress when compared to controls. Finally, we utilize an unsupervised machine learning system to examine minute differences in behavior that could not be observed by traditional behavioral assays. Our data demonstrate that neither CD4 specific Ahr nor Rorc are necessary for the development of stress-induced anxiety- or depressive-like behaviors. These data suggest that research approaches should focus on other sources or sites of IL-17 production in stress-induced depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney R. Rivet-Noor
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XCenter for Brain Immunology and Glia, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA ,grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA ,grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XGraduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Andrea R. Merchak
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XCenter for Brain Immunology and Glia, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA ,grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA ,grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XGraduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Sihan Li
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA ,grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XGraduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Rebecca M. Beiter
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XCenter for Brain Immunology and Glia, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA ,grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA ,grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XGraduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Sangwoo Lee
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XUndergraduate Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science, Charlottesville, VA 22904 USA
| | - Jalon Aaron Thomas
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XUndergraduate Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science, Charlottesville, VA 22904 USA
| | - Anthony Fernández-Castañeda
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XCenter for Brain Immunology and Glia, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA ,grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA ,grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XGraduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Jung-Bum Shin
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA ,grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XGraduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Alban Gaultier
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XCenter for Brain Immunology and Glia, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA ,grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA ,grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XGraduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
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Lawrence MJ, Godin JGJ, Zolderdo AJ, Cooke SJ. Chronic Plasma Cortisol Elevation Does Not Promote Riskier Behavior in a Teleost Fish: A Test of the Behavioral Resiliency Hypothesis. Integr Org Biol 2019; 1:obz009. [PMID: 33791525 PMCID: PMC7671160 DOI: 10.1093/iob/obz009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Stressed fish have been shown to have higher predator-induced mortality than unstressed conspecifics, suggesting a role for the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis in modifying risk-taking behaviors. Yet, there is also evidence of behavioral resiliency in the face of chronic stressors. Here, we tested the behavioral resiliency hypothesis, which posits that animals can maintain consistent behavioral phenotypes in the face of significant physiological challenges. We determined whether chronic plasma cortisol elevation promotes risk-taking behaviors in a model teleost fish, the pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus). Experimental fish were implanted with cocoa butter either as a sham or with cortisol. At 48 h post-implantation, the behavior of individual focal fish was tested in an experimental arena comprising of a simulated physical refuge, an open zone containing a constrained conspecific shoal, and a compartment containing either a model of a northern pike (Esox lucius) paired with corresponding pike olfactory cues in lake water or no pike model (control) paired with sham lake water cues only. The fish were assayed individually for their refuge utilization, shoaling tendency, and general activity. Neither cortisol treatment nor predation-risk treatment influenced any of these behaviors. This suggests that sunfish, in the context of our experiment, were behaviorally resilient to the physiological effects of chronic plasma cortisol elevation and in the face of an apparent threat of predation. Our results thus provide support for the behavioral resiliency hypothesis in fish under both physiological and ecological stressors. We posit that behavioral resiliency is an evolutionary adaptation ensuring appropriate responses to environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Lawrence
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6.,Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Jean-Guy J Godin
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Aaron J Zolderdo
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6.,Queen's University Biological Station, Queen's University, Elgin, Ontario, Canada K0G 1E0
| | - Steven J Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
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Chronic corticosterone increases ΔFOSB and CRFR1 immunoreactivity in brain regions that modulate aversive conditioning. Behav Brain Res 2019; 356:107-119. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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5
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Lalonde R, Strazielle C. Neuroanatomical pathways underlying the effects of hypothalamo-hypophysial-adrenal hormones on exploratory activity. Rev Neurosci 2018; 28:617-648. [PMID: 28609296 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2016-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
When injected via the intracerebroventricular route, corticosterone-releasing hormone (CRH) reduced exploration in the elevated plus-maze, the center region of the open-field, and the large chamber in the defensive withdrawal test. The anxiogenic action of CRH in the elevated plus-maze also occurred when infused in the basolateral amygdala, ventral hippocampus, lateral septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, nucleus accumbens, periaqueductal grey, and medial frontal cortex. The anxiogenic action of CRH in the defensive withdrawal test was reproduced when injected in the locus coeruleus, while the amygdala, hippocampus, lateral septum, nucleus accumbens, and lateral globus pallidus contribute to center zone exploration in the open-field. In addition to elevated plus-maze and open-field tests, the amygdala appears as a target region for CRH-mediated anxiety in the elevated T-maze. Thus, the amygdala is the principal brain region identified with these three tests, and further research must identify the neural circuits underlying this form of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Catherine Strazielle
- , Laboratoire 'Stress, Immunité, Pathogènes' EA 7300 and Service de Microscopie Electronique, Faculté de Médecine
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6
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The α2C-adrenoceptor antagonist, ORM-10921, exerts antidepressant-like effects in the Flinders Sensitive Line rat. Behav Pharmacol 2018; 28:9-18. [PMID: 27749317 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Depression involves deficits in monoaminergic neurotransmission. Differential roles for α2A, B and C subtypes of the α2-adrenoceptor (AR) are evident, with selective α2C-AR antagonists purported to have antidepressant and procognitive properties. However, this has not been demonstrated in a genetic animal model of depression. The role of the α2C-AR in modulating two key depression-related behaviours in the Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rat was studied using a dose-response analysis following subcutaneous administration with the selective α2C-AR antagonist ORM-10921 (0.03; 0.3 mg/kg), the nonselective α2-AR antagonist idazoxan (3 mg/kg), or vehicle once daily for 14 days. Behaviour in the novel object recognition test, forced swim test (FST) and locomotor activity test was assessed. To ratify the validity of the FSL model, the reference tricyclic antidepressant imipramine (15 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was used as a comparator drug in the FST. FSL rats demonstrated significantly increased immobility and recognition memory deficits versus Flinders Resistant Line controls, with imipramine significantly reversing said immobility. Similarly, ORM-10921 at both doses but not idazoxan significantly reversed immobility in the FST as well as attenuated cognitive deficits in FSL animals. We conclude that selective α2C-AR antagonism has potential as a novel therapeutic strategy in the treatment of depression and cognitive dysfunction.
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Nadeem RI, Ahmed HI, El-Denshary EEDS. Effect of Imipramine, Paroxetine, and Lithium Carbonate on Neurobehavioral Changes of Streptozotocin in Rats: Impact on Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 and Blood Glucose Level. Neurochem Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-015-1670-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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8
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Lezak KR, Roman CW, Braas KM, Schutz KC, Falls WA, Schulkin J, May V, Hammack SE. Regulation of bed nucleus of the stria terminalis PACAP expression by stress and corticosterone. J Mol Neurosci 2014; 54:477-84. [PMID: 24614974 PMCID: PMC4162870 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-014-0269-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes for pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) and the PAC1 receptor have been associated with stress-related psychiatric disorders. Although, from recent work, we have argued that stress-induced PACAP expression in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) may mediate stress-related psychopathology, it is unclear whether stress-induced increases in BNST PACAP expression require acute or repeated stressor exposure and whether increased BNST PACAP expression is related to stress-induced increases in circulating glucocorticoids. In the current work, we have used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to assess transcript expression in brain punches from rats after stressor exposure paradigms or corticosterone injection. BNST PACAP and PAC1 receptor transcript expression was increased only after 7 days of repeated stressor exposure; no changes in transcript levels were observed 2 or 24 hours after a single-restraint session. Moreover, repeated corticosterone treatment for 7 days was not sufficient to reliably increase BNST PACAP transcript levels, suggesting that stress-induced elevations in corticosterone may not be the primary drivers of BNST PACAP expression. These results may help clarify the mechanisms and temporal processes that underlie BNST PACAP induction for intervention in stress-related anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly R Lezak
- Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, 2 Colchester Avenue, John Dewey Hall, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA,
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9
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Sotnikov S, Wittmann A, Bunck M, Bauer S, Deussing J, Schmidt M, Touma C, Landgraf R, Czibere L. Blunted HPA axis reactivity reveals glucocorticoid system dysbalance in a mouse model of high anxiety-related behavior. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 48:41-51. [PMID: 24995583 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Depression and anxiety disorders are often characterized by altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis re-/activity. However, the presence of a molecular link between dysbalanced neuroendocrine regulation and psychopathologies is not yet fully established. Earlier, we reported that high (HAB), normal (NAB) and low (LAB) anxiety-related behavior mice express divergent anxiety-related and passive/active coping phenotypes. Here, we studied mechanisms that might contribute to the different HPA axis reactivity observed in HAB, NAB and LAB mice and their involvement in the regulation of anxiety-related behavior and passive/active coping style. We found that HAB mice respond with significantly reduced corticosterone (CORT) secretion to an acute stressful stimulus and a blunted response in the Dex/CRH test compared to NAB and LAB mice. At the molecular level, higher expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR/Nr3c1) and decreased corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) expression were observed in the pituitary of HAB mice. We further analyzed whether these stress mediators differed between the HAB, NAB and LAB lines in limbic system-associated brain regions and whether their interplay contributes to the phenotype. Interestingly, not only in the pituitary but also in almost all brain regions investigated, GR expression was significantly higher in HAB mice. In contrast, the amount of CORT in the brain structures analyzed was significantly lower in these animals. The expression of CRHR1 varied in the prefrontal cortex only. Since glucocorticoids regulate both GR and CRHR1, we treated HAB and NAB mice chronically with CORT. After 6 weeks of administration, reduced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors were observed in HAB mice, whereas increased anxiety was found in NABs. In both groups, GR, but not CRHR1, were significantly reduced. Taken together, our study proposes HAB mice as an animal model of simultaneous features of increased anxiety-related and depression-like behaviors with blunted HPA axis reactivity suggesting a dysregulated GR/CORT system as one key mechanism behind their phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Sotnikov
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany; Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Anke Wittmann
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Mirjam Bunck
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Sabrina Bauer
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Deussing
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Group Molecular Neurogenetics, Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | - Chadi Touma
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Ludwig Czibere
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
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10
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Chronic corticosterone administration facilitates aversive memory retrieval and increases GR/NOS immunoreactivity. Behav Brain Res 2014; 267:46-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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11
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Silva MSCF, Pereira BA, Céspedes IC, Nascimento JOG, Bittencourt JC, Viana MB. Dorsomedial hypothalamus CRF type 1 receptors selectively modulate inhibitory avoidance responses in the elevated T-maze. Behav Brain Res 2014; 271:249-57. [PMID: 24937051 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Revised: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 06/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a critical role in the mediation of physiological and behavioral responses to stressors. In the present study, we investigated the role played by the CRF system within the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) in the modulation of anxiety- and panic-related responses. Male Wistar rats were administered into the DMH with CRF (125 and 250 ng/0.2 μl, experiment 1) or with the CRFR1 antagonist antalarmin (25 ng/0.2 μl, experiment 2) and 10 min later tested in the elevated T-maze (ETM) for inhibitory avoidance and escape measurements. In clinical terms, these responses have been respectively related to generalized anxiety and panic disorder. To further verify if the anxiogenic effects of CRF were mediated by CRFR1 activation, we also investigated the effects of the combined treatment with CRF (250 ng/0.2 μl) and antalarmin (25 ng/0.2 μl) (experiment 3). All animals were tested in an open field, immediately after the ETM, for locomotor activity assessment. Results showed that 250 ng/0.2μl of CRF facilitated ETM avoidance, an anxiogenic response. Antalarmin significantly decreased avoidance latencies, an anxiolytic effect, and was able to counteract the anxiogenic effects of CRF. None of the compounds administered altered escape responses or locomotor activity measurements. These results suggest that CRF in the DMH exerts anxiogenic effects by activating type 1 receptors, which might be of relevance to the physiopathology of generalized anxiety disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana S C F Silva
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 11060-001 Santos, SP Brazil
| | - Bruno A Pereira
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 11060-001 Santos, SP Brazil
| | - Isabel C Céspedes
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 11060-001 Santos, SP Brazil
| | - Juliana O G Nascimento
- Departamento de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 04038-020 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jackson C Bittencourt
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Milena B Viana
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 11060-001 Santos, SP Brazil.
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de Andrade JS, Céspedes IC, Abrão RO, Dos Santos TB, Diniz L, Britto LRG, Spadari-Bratfisch RC, Ortolani D, Melo-Thomas L, da Silva RCB, Viana MB. Chronic unpredictable mild stress alters an anxiety-related defensive response, Fos immunoreactivity and hippocampal adult neurogenesis. Behav Brain Res 2013; 250:81-90. [PMID: 23644183 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Revised: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 04/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Previous results show that elevated T-maze (ETM) avoidance responses are facilitated by acute restraint. Escape, on the other hand, was unaltered. To examine if the magnitude of the stressor is an important factor influencing these results, we investigated the effects of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) on ETM avoidance and escape measurements. Analysis of Fos protein immunoreactivity (Fos-ir) was used to map areas activated by stress exposure in response to ETM avoidance and escape performance. Additionally, the effects of the UCMS protocol on the number of cells expressing the marker of migrating neuroblasts doublecortin (DCX) in the hippocampus were investigated. Corticosterone serum levels were also measured. Results showed that UCMS facilitates ETM avoidance, not altering escape. In unstressed animals, avoidance performance increases Fos-ir in the cingulate cortex, hippocampus (dentate gyrus) and basomedial amygdala, and escape increases Fos-ir in the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray and locus ceruleus. In stressed animals submitted to ETM avoidance, increases in Fos-ir were observed in the cingulate cortex, ventrolateral septum, hippocampus, hypothalamus, amygdala, dorsal and median raphe nuclei. In stressed animals submitted to ETM escape, increases in Fos-ir were observed in the cingulate cortex, periaqueductal gray and locus ceruleus. Also, UCMS exposure decreased the number of DCX-positive cells in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus and increased corticosterone serum levels. These data suggest that the anxiogenic effects of UCMS are related to the activation of specific neurobiological circuits that modulate anxiety and confirm that this stress protocol activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and decreases hippocampal adult neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S de Andrade
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, SP, Brazil
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13
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Diniz L, dos Santos TB, Britto LRG, Céspedes IC, Garcia MC, Spadari-Bratfisch RC, Medalha CC, de Castro GM, Montesano FT, Viana MB. Effects of chronic treatment with corticosterone and imipramine on fos immunoreactivity and adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Behav Brain Res 2012; 238:170-7. [PMID: 23098799 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2012] [Revised: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In a previous study we showed that rats chronically treated with corticosterone (CORT) display anxiogenic behavior, evidenced by facilitation of avoidance responses in the elevated T-maze (ETM) model of anxiety. Treatment with the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine significantly reversed the anxiogenic effects of CORT, while inhibiting ETM escape, a response related to panic disorder. To better understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these behavioral effects, analysis of c-fos protein immunoreactivity (fos-ir) was used here to map areas activated by chronic CORT (200 mg pellets, 21-day release) and imipramine (15 mg/kg, IP) administration. We also evaluated the number of cells expressing the neurogenesis marker doublecortin (DCX) in the hippocampus and measured plasma CORT levels on the 21st day of treatment. Results showed that CORT increased fos-ir in the ventrolateral septum, medial amygdala and paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus and decreased fos-ir in the lateral periaqueductal gray. Imipramine, on the other hand, increased fos-ir in the medial amygdala and decreased fos-ir in the anterior hypothalamus. CORT also decreased the number of DCX-positive cells in the ventral and dorsal hippocampus, an effect antagonized by imipramine. CORT levels were significantly higher after treatment. These data suggest that the behavioral effects of CORT and imipramine are mediated through specific, at times overlapping, neuronal circuits, which might be of relevance to a better understanding of the physiopathology of generalized anxiety and panic disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Diniz
- Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Suri D, Vaidya VA. Glucocorticoid regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor: relevance to hippocampal structural and functional plasticity. Neuroscience 2012; 239:196-213. [PMID: 22967840 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.08.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2012] [Revised: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 08/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids serve as key stress response hormones that facilitate stress coping. However, sustained glucocorticoid exposure is associated with adverse consequences on the brain, in particular within the hippocampus. Chronic glucocorticoid exposure evokes neuronal cell damage and dendritic atrophy, reduces hippocampal neurogenesis and impairs synaptic plasticity. Glucocorticoids also alter expression and signaling of the neurotrophin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Since BDNF is known to promote neuroplasticity, enhance cell survival, increase hippocampal neurogenesis and cellular excitability, it has been hypothesized that specific adverse effects of glucocorticoids may be mediated by attenuating BDNF expression and signaling. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current state of literature examining the influence of glucocorticoids on BDNF, and to address whether specific effects of glucocorticoids arise through perturbation of BDNF signaling. We integrate evidence of glucocorticoid regulation of BDNF at multiple levels, spanning from the well-documented glucocorticoid-induced changes in BDNF mRNA to studies examining alterations in BDNF receptor-mediated signaling. Further, we delineate potential lines of future investigation to address hitherto unexplored aspects of the influence of glucocorticoids on BDNF. Finally, we discuss the current understanding of the contribution of BDNF to the modulation of structural and functional plasticity by glucocorticoids, in particular in the context of the hippocampus. Understanding the mechanistic crosstalk between glucocorticoids and BDNF holds promise for the identification of potential therapeutic targets for disorders associated with the dysfunction of stress hormone pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Suri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400005, India
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Tokita K, Fujita Y, Yamaji T, Hashimoto K. Depressive-like behavior in adrenocorticotropic hormone-treated rats blocked by memantine. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2012; 102:329-34. [PMID: 22609796 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2012.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2011] [Revised: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a role in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Recent studies suggest the role of the glutamatergic system in the pathophysiology of MDD, and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists have shown antidepressant effects in both preclinical and clinical studies. However, little is known about the role of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) specifically in the glutamatergic response to HPA axis activation. Glutamate is an NMDA receptor agonist, and glycine and D-serine act as co-agonists. Here, we measured brain concentrations of these amino acids in rats given repeated administration of ACTH (100 μg/rat/day, sc, for 14 days). Further, we also evaluated behavioral effects of memantine, a non-competitive NMDA antagonist, on immobility time in the forced swimming test and on locomotor activity in ACTH-treated rats. Compared with control rats, glutamine, glycine, L-serine, and D-serine levels were increased in the hippocampus of ACTH-treated rats; glutamate, glutamine, glycine, L-serine, and D-serine were increased in the cerebellum; and glutamine and glycine were increased in the frontal cortex and striatum, all with statistical significance. Remarkably, these increases in agonists and co-agonists might have led to the augmentation of NMDA receptor activity. ACTH treatment increased immobility time in the forced swimming test and decreased locomotor activity in rats. On the contrary, memantine (10 mg/kg, ip) significantly decreased immobility time in the forced swimming test and increased locomotor activity in ACTH-treated rats. Furthermore, imipramine (15 mg/kg, ip) did not alter immobility time in the forced swimming test whereas this drug significantly decreased locomotor activity in ACTH-treated rats. These results suggest that depressive-like behaviors by chronic ACTH treatment could be blocked by memantine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Tokita
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
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de Andrade JS, Abrão RO, Céspedes IC, Garcia MC, Nascimento JOG, Spadari-Bratfisch RC, Melo LL, da Silva RCB, Viana MB. Acute restraint differently alters defensive responses and fos immunoreactivity in the rat brain. Behav Brain Res 2012; 232:20-9. [PMID: 22487246 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2012] [Revised: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Results from a previous study show that rats exposed to acute restraint display anxiogenic-like behavior, evidenced by facilitation of avoidance responses in the elevated T-maze (ETM) model of anxiety. In contrast, escape responses were unaltered by stress exposure. Since ETM avoidance and escape tasks seem to activate distinct sets of brain structures, it is possible that the differences observed with acute restraint are due to particularities in the neurobiological mechanisms which modulate these responses. In the present study, analysis of fos protein immunoreactivity (fos-ir) was used to map areas activated by exposure of male Wistar rats to restraint stress (30 min) previously (30 min) to the ETM. Corticosterone levels were also measured in stressed and non-stressed animals. Confirming previous observations restraint facilitated avoidance performance, an anxiogenic result, while leaving escape unaltered. Performance of the avoidance task increased fos-ir in the frontal cortex, intermediate lateral septum, basolateral amygdala, basomedial amygdala, lateral amygdala, anterior hypothalamus and dorsal raphe nucleus. In contrast, performance of escape increased fos-ir in the ventromedial hypothalamus, dorsolateral periaqueductal gray and locus ceruleus. Both behavioral tasks also increased fos-ir in the dorsomedial hypothalamus. Restraint significantly raised corticosterone levels. Additionally after restraint, fos-ir was predominantly seen in the basolateral amygdala and dorsal raphe of animals submitted to the avoidance task. This data confirms that different sets of brain structures are activated by ETM avoidance and escape tasks and suggests that acute restraint differently alters ETM behavior and the pattern of fos activation in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S de Andrade
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, SP, Brazil
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