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Vivi E, Di Benedetto B. Brain stars take the lead during critical periods of early postnatal brain development: relevance of astrocytes in health and mental disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:2821-2833. [PMID: 38553540 PMCID: PMC11420093 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02534-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
In the brain, astrocytes regulate shape and functions of the synaptic and vascular compartments through a variety of released factors and membrane-bound proteins. An imbalanced astrocyte activity can therefore have drastic negative impacts on brain development, leading to the onset of severe pathologies. Clinical and pre-clinical studies show alterations in astrocyte cell number, morphology, molecular makeup and astrocyte-dependent processes in different affected brain regions in neurodevelopmental (ND) and neuropsychiatric (NP) disorders. Astrocytes proliferate, differentiate and mature during the critical period of early postnatal brain development, a time window of elevated glia-dependent regulation of a proper balance between synapse formation/elimination, which is pivotal in refining synaptic connectivity. Therefore, any intrinsic and/or extrinsic factors altering these processes during the critical period may result in an aberrant synaptic remodeling and onset of mental disorders. The peculiar bridging position of astrocytes between synaptic and vascular compartments further allows them to "compute" the brain state and consequently secrete factors in the bloodstream, which may serve as diagnostic biomarkers of distinct healthy or disease conditions. Here, we collect recent advancements regarding astrogenesis and astrocyte-mediated regulation of neuronal network remodeling during early postnatal critical periods of brain development, focusing on synapse elimination. We then propose alternative hypotheses for an involvement of aberrancies in these processes in the onset of ND and NP disorders. In light of the well-known differential prevalence of certain brain disorders between males and females, we also discuss putative sex-dependent influences on these neurodevelopmental events. From a translational perspective, understanding age- and sex-dependent astrocyte-specific molecular and functional changes may help to identify biomarkers of distinct cellular (dys)functions in health and disease, favouring the development of diagnostic tools or the selection of tailored treatment options for male/female patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Vivi
- Laboratory of Neuro-Glia Pharmacology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Di Benedetto
- Laboratory of Neuro-Glia Pharmacology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
- Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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2
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Amato S, Averna M, Farsetti E, Guidolin D, Pedrazzi M, Gatta E, Candiani S, Maura G, Agnati LF, Cervetto C, Marcoli M. Control of Dopamine Signal in High-Order Receptor Complex on Striatal Astrocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8610. [PMID: 39201299 PMCID: PMC11354247 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The receptor-receptor interaction (RRI) of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) leads to new functional entities that are conceptually distinct from the simple addition of signals mediated by the activation of the receptors that form the heteromers. Focusing on astrocytes, there is evidence for the existence of inhibitory and facilitatory RRIs, including the heteromers formed by the adenosine A2A and the dopamine D2 receptors, by A2A and the oxytocin receptor (OTR), and the D2-OTR heteromers. The possible involvement of these receptors in mosaicism has never been investigated in striatal astrocytes. By biophysical and functional approaches, we focused our attention on the existence of an A2A-D2-OTR high-order receptor complex and its role in modulating cytosolic calcium levels and endogenous glutamate release, when striatal astrocyte processes were stimulated with 4-aminopyridine. Functional data indicate a permissive role of OTR on dopamine signaling in the regulation of the glutamatergic transmission, and an inhibitory control mediated by A2A on both the D2-mediated signaling and on the OTR-facilitating effect on D2. Imaging biochemical and bioinformatic evidence confirmed the existence of the A2A-D2-OTR complex and its ternary structure in the membrane. In conclusion, the D2 receptor appears to be a hotspot in the control of the glutamate release from the astrocytic processes and may contribute to the regulation and integration of different neurotransmitter-mediated signaling in the striatum by the A2A-D2-OTR heterotrimers. Considering the possible selectivity of allosteric interventions on GPCRs organized as receptor mosaics, A2A-D2-OTR heterotrimers may offer selective pharmacological targets in neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Monica Averna
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Elisa Farsetti
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Diego Guidolin
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Pedrazzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Elena Gatta
- DIFILAB, Department of Physics, University of Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy
| | - Simona Candiani
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 5, 16132 Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Via Largo Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Guido Maura
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 5, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Luigi Francesco Agnati
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Chiara Cervetto
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Via Largo Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Manuela Marcoli
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 5, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
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3
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Liao X, Chen M, Li Y. The glial perspective of autism spectrum disorder convergent evidence from postmortem brain and PET studies. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 70:101064. [PMID: 36889545 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to systematically and quantitatively review evidence derived from both postmortem brain and PET studies to explore the pathological role of glia induced neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of ASD, and discuss the implications of these findings in relation to disease pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies. METHOD An online databases search was performed to collate postmortem studies and PET studies regarding glia induced neuroinflammation in ASD as compared to controls. Two authors independently conducted the literature search, study selection and data extraction. The discrepancies generated in these processes was resolved through robust discussions among all authors. RESULT The literature search yielded the identification of 619 records, from which 22 postmortem studies and 3 PET studies were identified as eligible for the qualitative synthesis. Meta-analysis of postmortem studies reported increased microglial number and microglia density as well as increased GFAP protein expression and GFAP mRNA expression in ASD subjects as compared to controls. Three PET studies produced different outcomes and emphasized different details, with one reported increased and two reported decreased TSPO expression in ASD subjects as compared to controls. CONCLUSION Both postmortem evidences and PET studies converged to support the involvement of glia induced neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of ASD. The limited number of included studies along with the considerable heterogeneity of these studies prevented the development of firm conclusions and challenged the explanation of variability. Future research should prioritize the replication of current studies and the validation of current observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Liao
- Xiangya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Nursing Teaching and Research Section, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Miao Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yamin Li
- Clinical Nursing Teaching and Research Section, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Prabhakar P, Pielot R, Landgraf P, Wissing J, Bayrhammer A, van Ham M, Gundelfinger ED, Jänsch L, Dieterich DC, Müller A. Monitoring regional astrocyte diversity by cell type-specific proteomic labeling in vivo. Glia 2023; 71:682-703. [PMID: 36401581 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes exhibit regional heterogeneity in morphology, function and molecular composition to support and modulate neuronal function and signaling in a region-specific manner. To characterize regional heterogeneity of astrocytic proteomes of different brain regions we established an inducible Aldh1l1-methionyl-tRNA-synthetaseL274G (MetRSL274G ) mouse line that allows astrocyte-specific metabolic labeling of newly synthesized proteins by azidonorleucine (ANL) in vivo and subsequent isolation of tagged proteins by click chemistry. We analyzed astrocytic proteins from four different brain regions by mass spectrometry. The induced expression of MetRSL274G is restricted to astrocytes and identified proteins show a high overlap with proteins compiled in "AstroProt," a newly established database for astrocytic proteins. Gene enrichment analysis reveals a high similarity among brain regions with subtle differences in enriched biological processes and in abundances of key astrocytic proteins for hippocampus, cortex and striatum. However, the cerebellar proteome stands out with proteins being highly associated with the calcium signaling pathway or with bipolar disorder. Subregional analysis of single astrocyte TAMRA intensities in hippocampal layers indicates distinct subregional heterogeneity of astrocytes and highlights the applicability of our toolbox to study differences of astrocytic proteomes in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyadharshini Prabhakar
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Pielot
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Peter Landgraf
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Josef Wissing
- Cellular Proteome Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Anne Bayrhammer
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marco van Ham
- Cellular Proteome Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Eckart D Gundelfinger
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, RG Neuroplasticity, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Lothar Jänsch
- Cellular Proteome Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Daniela C Dieterich
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Anke Müller
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany
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5
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Price KM, Wigg KG, Nigam A, Feng Y, Blokland K, Wilkinson M, Kerr EN, Guger SL, Lovett MW, Strug LJ, Tripathy SJ, Barr CL. Identification of brain cell types underlying genetic association with word reading and correlated traits. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1719-1730. [PMID: 36750735 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-01970-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies implicate multiple cortical regions in reading ability/disability. However, the neural cell types integral to the reading process are unknown. To contribute to this gap in knowledge, we integrated genetic results from genome-wide association studies for word reading (n = 5054) with gene expression datasets from adult/fetal human brain. Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) suggested that variants associated with word reading were enriched in genes expressed in adult excitatory neurons, specifically layer 5 and 6 FEZF2 expressing neurons and intratelencephalic (IT) neurons, which express the marker genes LINC00507, THEMIS, or RORB. Inhibitory neurons (VIP, SST, and PVALB) were also found. This finding was interesting as neurometabolite studies previously implicated excitatory-inhibitory imbalances in the etiology of reading disabilities (RD). We also tested traits that shared genetic etiology with word reading (previously determined by polygenic risk scores): attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), educational attainment, and cognitive ability. For ADHD, we identified enrichment in L4 IT adult excitatory neurons. For educational attainment and cognitive ability, we confirmed previous studies identifying multiple subclasses of adult cortical excitatory and inhibitory neurons, as well as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. For educational attainment and cognitive ability, we also identified enrichment in multiple fetal cortical excitatory and inhibitory neurons, intermediate progenitor cells, and radial glial cells. In summary, this study supports a role of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in reading and excitatory neurons in ADHD and contributes new information on fetal cell types enriched in educational attainment and cognitive ability, thereby improving our understanding of the neurobiological basis of reading/correlated traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn M Price
- Division of Experimental and Translational Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karen G Wigg
- Division of Experimental and Translational Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anukrati Nigam
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yu Feng
- Division of Experimental and Translational Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kirsten Blokland
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Margaret Wilkinson
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth N Kerr
- Department of Psychology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sharon L Guger
- Department of Psychology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maureen W Lovett
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa J Strug
- Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Departments of Statistical Sciences and Computer Science, Faculty of Arts and Science and Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shreejoy J Tripathy
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cathy L Barr
- Division of Experimental and Translational Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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6
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Kruyer A, Kalivas PW, Scofield MD. Astrocyte regulation of synaptic signaling in psychiatric disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:21-36. [PMID: 35577914 PMCID: PMC9700696 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01338-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the last 15 years, the field of neuroscience has evolved toward recognizing the critical role of astroglia in shaping neuronal synaptic activity and along with the pre- and postsynapse is now considered an equal partner in tripartite synaptic transmission and plasticity. The relative youth of this recognition and a corresponding deficit in reagents and technologies for quantifying and manipulating astroglia relative to neurons continues to hamper advances in understanding tripartite synaptic physiology. Nonetheless, substantial advances have been made and are reviewed herein. We review the role of astroglia in synaptic function and regulation of behavior with an eye on how tripartite synapses figure into brain pathologies underlying behavioral impairments in psychiatric disorders, both from the perspective of measures in postmortem human brains and more subtle influences on tripartite synaptic regulation of behavior in animal models of psychiatric symptoms. Our goal is to provide the reader a well-referenced state-of-the-art understanding of current knowledge and predict what we may discover with deeper investigation of tripartite synapses using reagents and technologies not yet available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kruyer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Peter W Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Michael D Scofield
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Department of Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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7
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Unnisa A, Greig NH, Kamal MA. Modelling the Interplay Between Neuron-Glia Cell Dysfunction and Glial Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:547-559. [PMID: 36545725 PMCID: PMC10207919 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666221221142743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complicated, interpersonally defined, static condition of the underdeveloped brain. Although the aetiology of autism remains unclear, disturbance of neuronglia interactions has lately been proposed as a significant event in the pathophysiology of ASD. In recent years, the contribution of glial cells to autism has been overlooked. In addition to neurons, glial cells play an essential role in mental activities, and a new strategy that emphasises neuron-glia interactions should be applied. Disturbance of neuron-glia connections has lately been proposed as a significant event in the pathophysiology of ASD because aberrant neuronal network formation and dysfunctional neurotransmission are fundamental to the pathology of the condition. In ASD, neuron and glial cell number changes cause brain circuits to malfunction and impact behaviour. A study revealed that reactive glial cells result in the loss of synaptic functioning and induce autism under inflammatory conditions. Recent discoveries also suggest that dysfunction or changes in the ability of microglia to carry out physiological and defensive functions (such as failure in synaptic elimination or aberrant microglial activation) may be crucial for developing brain diseases, especially autism. The cerebellum, white matter, and cortical regions of autistic patients showed significant microglial activation. Reactive glial cells result in the loss of synaptic functioning and induce autism under inflammatory conditions. Replacement of defective glial cells (Cell-replacement treatment), glial progenitor cell-based therapy, and medication therapy (inhibition of microglia activation) are all utilised to treat glial dysfunction. This review discusses the role of glial cells in ASD and the various potential approaches to treating glial cell dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziz Unnisa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail, KSA;
| | - Nigel H. Greig
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, MD 21224, USA
| | - Mohammad Amjad Kamal
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh
- Enzymoics, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Peterlee place, Hebersham, NSW 2770, Australia
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8
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Cuscuta epithymum Murr. crude extract pre-conditioning protects C6 cells from L-glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. BMC Complement Med Ther 2022; 22:335. [PMID: 36550546 PMCID: PMC9773566 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-022-03816-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cuscuta epithymum Murr. (C. epithymum), as an herbal medicine, has played an anti-cancerous role in various studies; however, its possible neuroprotective effects have been neglected. Here, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of C. epithymum seeds crude extract and different fractions on rat glioblastoma cells (C6) in L-glutamate oxidative condition. METHODS Initially, the total phenolic content of C. epithymum crude extract and the fractions (all produced by maceration method) was determined. Subsequently, C6 cells were pre-treated with the various concentrations of crude extract and fractions 24 h before L-glutamate exposure. Likewise, C6 cells were treated with the same concentrations of crude extract and fractions 24 h after exposure to L-glutamate. The cell viability and morphology were compared in crude extract and fractions groups, then superoxide dismutase (SODs) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. The flow cytometry test was used to study C. epithymum crude extract's effects on the cell cycle and also to quantify the apoptosis, necrosis, and live cells population in different groups. RESULTS C. epithymum crude extract and fractions (hexanoic, dichloromethanolic, and methanolic) had concentration-dependent cytotoxicity (IC50:126.47, 2101.96, 140.97, and 218.96 µg/ml, respectively). The crude extract and methanolic fraction contained phenolic compounds (55.99 ± 2.795 and 50.80 ± 2.969 mg gallic acid/g extract), while in hexanoic and dichloromethanolic fractions, the phenolic content was undetectable. In the cell viability assay, in comparison to fractions, the crude extract showed a more protective effect against glutamate-induced oxidative condition (P < 0.0001). The crude extract increased the SODs activity (P < 0.001) and decreased MDA and ROS levels (P < 0.0001) in comparison to the glutamate group. The crude extract significantly increased the population of cells in G1 (from 63.04 to 76.29) and decreased the percentage of cells in G2 (from 11.56 to 6.7) and S phase (from 25.4 to 17.01). In addition, it decreased the apoptotic and necrotic cell populations (from 34 to 17.1) and also increased the percentage of live cells (from 66.8 to 83.4 percent) in the flow cytometry test. CONCLUSION C. epithymum crude extract plays a neuroprotective role by activating the defense mechanisms in cell against the oxidative condition.
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9
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Whitehead SN, Bruno A, Burns JM, Carmichael ST, Csiszar A, Edwards JD, Elahi FM, Faraco G, Gould DB, Gustafson DR, Hachinski V, Rosenberg G, Sorond FA, Shih AY, Tse KH, Ungvari Z, Wilcock DM, Zuloaga KL, Barone FC. Expanding the horizon of research into the pathogenesis of the white matter diseases: Proceedings of the 2021 Annual Workshop of the Albert Research Institute for White Matter and Cognition. GeroScience 2022; 44:25-37. [PMID: 34606040 PMCID: PMC8488071 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-021-00461-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
White matter pathologies are critically involved in the etiology of vascular cognitive impairment-dementia (VCID), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Alzheimer's disease and related diseases (ADRD), and therefore need to be considered a treatable target ( Roseborough A, Hachinski V, Whitehead S. White matter degeneration - a treatable target? Roseborough et al. JAMA Neurol [Internet]. 2020 Apr 27;77(7):793-4, [1] . To help address this often-missed area of research, several workshops have been sponsored by the Leo and Anne Albert Charitable Trust since 2015, resulting in the incorporation of "The Albert Research Institute for White Matter and Cognition" in 2020. The first annual "Institute" meeting was held virtually on March 3-4, 2021. The Institute provides a forum and workspace for communication and support of the advancement of white matter science and research to better understand the evolution and prevention of dementia. It serves as a platform for young investigator development, to introduce new data and debate biology mechanisms and new ideas, and to encourage and support new research collaborations and directions to clarify how white matter changes, with other genetic and health risk factors, contribute to cognitive impairment. Similar to previous Albert Trust-sponsored workshops (Barone et al. in J Transl Med 14:1-14, [2]; Sorond et al. in GeroScience 42:81-96, [3]), established expert investigators were identified and invited to present. Opportunities to attend and present were also extended by invitation to talented research fellows and younger scientists. Also, updates on institute-funded research collaborations were provided and discussed. The summary that follows is a synopsis of topics and discussion covered in the workshop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn N Whitehead
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada.
| | - Askiel Bruno
- Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Burns
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - S Thomas Carmichael
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Anna Csiszar
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jodi D Edwards
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Fanny M Elahi
- Memory and Aging Center, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Suite 190, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Giuseppe Faraco
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Douglas B Gould
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Anatomy, and Institute for Human Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 94143, USA
| | - Deborah R Gustafson
- Department of Neurology, Section for NeuroEpidemiology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, New York, Brooklyn, 11203, USA
| | - Vladimir Hachinski
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Gary Rosenberg
- UNM Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, USA
| | | | - Andy Y Shih
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute; Department of Pediatrics; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kai Hei Tse
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Zoltan Ungvari
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Donna M Wilcock
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging; Department of Neurology, Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Kristen L Zuloaga
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Frank C Barone
- Department of Neurology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
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10
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Roman C, Vivi E, Di Benedetto B. Morphological Features of Astrocytes in Health and Neuropsychiatric Disorders. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 26:75-92. [PMID: 34888831 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77375-5_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Astroglial cells actively partner with several cell types to regulate the arrangement of neuronal circuits both in the developing and adult brain. Morphological features of astroglial cells strongly impact their functional interactions, thereby supporting the hypothesis that aberrancies in glial morphology may trigger the onset of neuropsychiatric disorders. Thus, understanding the factors which modulate astroglial shapes and the development of tools to examine them may help to gain valuable insights about the role of astroglia in physiological and pathological brain states.Here, we present a collection of representative review and original articles describing the major morphological features which define different subtypes of glial cells and emphasize a high degree of heterogeneity typical of these cell types, besides neurons. Furthermore, we offer an overview about first in vitro and in vivo evidences, which highlight an altered morphology of glial cells in brains of psychiatric patients and animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Roman
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Eugenia Vivi
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Di Benedetto
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. .,Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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11
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Prowse N, Hayley S. Microglia and BDNF at the crossroads of stressor related disorders: Towards a unique trophic phenotype. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:135-163. [PMID: 34537262 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Stressors ranging from psychogenic/social to neurogenic/injury to systemic/microbial can impact microglial inflammatory processes, but less is known regarding their effects on trophic properties of microglia. Recent studies do suggest that microglia can modulate neuronal plasticity, possibly through brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This is particularly important given the link between BDNF and neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative pathology. We posit that certain activated states of microglia play a role in maintaining the delicate balance of BDNF release onto neuronal synapses. This focused review will address how different "activators" influence the expression and release of microglial BDNF and address the question of tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) expression on microglia. We will then assess sex-based differences in microglial function and BDNF expression, and how microglia are involved in the stress response and related disorders such as depression. Drawing on research from a variety of other disorders, we will highlight challenges and opportunities for modulators that can shift microglia to a "trophic" phenotype with a view to potential therapeutics relevant for stressor-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Prowse
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.
| | - Shawn Hayley
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.
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12
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Alternative Targets to Fight Alzheimer's Disease: Focus on Astrocytes. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11040600. [PMID: 33921556 PMCID: PMC8073475 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The available treatments for patients affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are not curative. Numerous clinical trials have failed during the past decades. Therefore, scientists need to explore new avenues to tackle this disease. In the present review, we briefly summarize the pathological mechanisms of AD known so far, based on which different therapeutic tools have been designed. Then, we focus on a specific approach that is targeting astrocytes. Indeed, these non-neuronal brain cells respond to any insult, injury, or disease of the brain, including AD. The study of astrocytes is complicated by the fact that they exert a plethora of homeostatic functions, and their disease-induced changes could be context-, time-, and disease specific. However, this complex but fervent area of research has produced a large amount of data targeting different astrocytic functions using pharmacological approaches. Here, we review the most recent literature findings that have been published in the last five years to stimulate new hypotheses and ideas to work on, highlighting the peculiar ability of palmitoylethanolamide to modulate astrocytes according to their morpho-functional state, which ultimately suggests a possible potential disease-modifying therapeutic approach for AD.
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13
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Fabbri R, Saracino E, Treossi E, Zamboni R, Palermo V, Benfenati V. Graphene glial-interfaces: challenges and perspectives. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:4390-4407. [PMID: 33599662 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr07824g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Graphene nanosheets are mechanically strong but flexible, electrically conductive and bio-compatible. Thus, due to these unique properties, they are being intensively studied as materials for the next generation of neural interfaces. Most of the literature focused on optimizing the interface between these materials and neurons. However, one of the most common causes of implant failure is the adverse inflammatory reaction of glial cells. These cells are not, as previously considered, just passive and supportive cells, but play a crucial role in the physiology and pathology of the nervous system, and in the interaction with implanted electrodes. Besides providing structural support to neurons, glia are responsible for the modulation of synaptic transmission and control of central and peripheral homeostasis. Accordingly, knowledge on the interaction between glia and biomaterials is essential to develop new implant-based therapies for the treatment of neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, brain tumours, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. This work provides an overview of the emerging literature on the interaction of graphene-based materials with glial cells, together with a complete description of the different types of glial cells and problems associated with them. We believe that this description will be important for researchers working in materials science and nanotechnology to develop new active materials to interface, measure and stimulate these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Fabbri
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività (CNR-ISOF), via Piero Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy.
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14
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Gaspar R, Soares-Cunha C, Domingues AV, Coimbra B, Baptista FI, Pinto L, Ambrósio AF, Rodrigues AJ, Gomes CA. Resilience to stress and sex-specific remodeling of microglia and neuronal morphology in a rat model of anxiety and anhedonia. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 14:100302. [PMID: 33614864 PMCID: PMC7879043 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to stress or glucocorticoids (GC) is associated with the appearance of psychiatric diseases later in life. Microglia, the immune cells of the brain, are altered in stress-related disorders. Synthetic GC such as dexamethasone (DEX) are commonly prescribed in case of preterm risk labour in order to promote fetal lung maturation. Recently, we reported long-lasting differences in microglia morphology in a model of in utero exposure to DEX (iuDEX), that presents an anxious phenotype. However, it is still unclear if stress differentially affects iuDEX males and females. In this work, we evaluated how iuDEX animals of both sexes cope with chronic mild stress for 2 weeks. We evaluated emotional behavior and microglia and neuronal morphology in the dorsal hippocampus (dHIP) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), two brain regions involved in emotion-related disorders. We report that males and females prenatally exposed to DEX have better performance in anxiety- and depression-related behavioral tests after chronic stress exposure in adulthood than non-exposed animals. Interestingly, iuDEX animals present sex-dependent changes in microglia morphology in the dHIP (hypertrophy in females) and in the NAc (atrophy in females and hypertrophy in males). After chronic stress, these cells undergo sex-specific morphological remodeling. Paralleled to these alterations in cytoarchitecture of microglia, we report inter-regional differences in dendritic morphology in a sex-specific manner. iuDEX females present fewer complex neurons in the NAc, whereas iuDEX males presented less complex neuronal morphology in the dHIP. Interestingly, these alterations were modified by stress exposure. Our work shows that stressful events during pregnancy can exert a preserved sex-specific effect in adulthood. Although the role of the observed cellular remodeling is still unknown, sex-specific differences in microglia plasticity induced by long-term stress exposure may anticipate differences in drug efficacy in the context of stress-induced anxiety- or depression-related behaviors. iuDEX induces anxiety- and depression-related behavioral in both sexes. iuDEX induces sex dependent fine structural alterations in neurons and microglia morphology in the dHIP and in the NAc. uCMS in combination to iuDEX normalize the behavior as well the morphology of neurons in the NAc. Stressful events during pregnancy can exert a preserved sex-specific effect in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Gaspar
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal.,University of Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carina Soares-Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Verónica Domingues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Coimbra
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Filipa I Baptista
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal.,University of Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luísa Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António F Ambrósio
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal.,University of Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana João Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's -PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Catarina A Gomes
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal.,University of Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,University of Coimbra, Faculty of Pharmacy, Coimbra, Portugal
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15
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Maiolo L, Guarino V, Saracino E, Convertino A, Melucci M, Muccini M, Ambrosio L, Zamboni R, Benfenati V. Glial Interfaces: Advanced Materials and Devices to Uncover the Role of Astroglial Cells in Brain Function and Dysfunction. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001268. [PMID: 33103375 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Research over the past four decades has highlighted the importance of certain brain cells, called glial cells, and has moved the neurocentric vision of structure, function, and pathology of the nervous system toward a more holistic perspective. In this view, the demand for technologies that are able to target and both selectively monitor and control glial cells is emerging as a challenge across neuroscience, engineering, chemistry, and material science. Frequently neglected or marginally considered as a barrier to be overcome between neural implants and neuronal targets, glial cells, and in particular astrocytes, are increasingly considered as active players in determining the outcomes of device implantation. This review provides a concise overview not only of the previously established but also of the emerging physiological and pathological roles of astrocytes. It also critically discusses the most recent advances in biomaterial interfaces and devices that interact with glial cells and thus have enabled scientists to reach unprecedented insights into the role of astroglial cells in brain function and dysfunction. This work proposes glial interfaces and glial engineering as multidisciplinary fields that have the potential to enable significant advancement of knowledge surrounding cognitive function and acute and chronic neuropathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Maiolo
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Microelettronica e i Microsistemi Via del Fosso del Cavaliere n.100 Roma 00133 Italy
| | - Vincenzo Guarino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per i Polimeri Compositi e Biomateriali Viale J.F. Kennedy 54, Mostra d'Oltremare, Pad 20 Napoli 80125 Italy
| | - Emanuela Saracino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività via P. Gobetti 101 Bologna 40129 Italy
| | - Annalisa Convertino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Microelettronica e i Microsistemi Via del Fosso del Cavaliere n.100 Roma 00133 Italy
| | - Manuela Melucci
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività via P. Gobetti 101 Bologna 40129 Italy
| | - Michele Muccini
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati via P. Gobetti 101 Bologna 40129 Italy
| | - Luigi Ambrosio
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per i Polimeri Compositi e Biomateriali Viale J.F. Kennedy 54, Mostra d'Oltremare, Pad 20 Napoli 80125 Italy
| | - Roberto Zamboni
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività via P. Gobetti 101 Bologna 40129 Italy
| | - Valentina Benfenati
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività via P. Gobetti 101 Bologna 40129 Italy
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16
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de Leão ERLP, de Souza DNC, de Moura LVB, da Silveira Júnior AM, Dos Santos ALG, Diniz DG, Diniz CWP, Sosthenes MCK. Lateral septum microglial changes and behavioral abnormalities of mice exposed to valproic acid during the prenatal period. J Chem Neuroanat 2020; 111:101875. [PMID: 33127448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2020.101875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Most animal model studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been performed in males, which may be a reflex of the 3-times higher prevalence in boys than in girls. For this reason, little is known about the mechanisms underlying disease progression in females, and nothing is known about potential associations between microglial changes in the lateral septum (LS) and adult female cognition. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) in mice has been widely used as an experimental model of autism-like behaviors associated with cellular changes. However, no study has reported the influence of VPA exposure in utero and its consequences on limbic system-dependent tasks or the microglial response in the LS in adult female mice. We compared the exploratory activity and risk assessment in novel environments of BALB/c control mice to mice exposed in utero to VPA and estimated the total number of microglia in the LS using an optical fractionator. On day 12.5 of pregnancy, females received diluted VPA or saline by gavage. After weaning, VPA exposed or control pups were separately housed in standard laboratory cages. At 5 months of age, all mice underwent behavioral testing and their brain sections were immunolabelled using IBA-1 antibody. In the open field test, VPA group showed a greater distance traveled, which was accompanied by less immobility, less time spent on the periphery and a greater number, crossed lines. Similar findings were found in the elevated plus maze test, where VPA mice traveled greater distances, immobility was significantly higher than that of control and VPA group spent less time on the closed arms of apparatus. Stereological analysis demonstrated higher microglial total number and density in the LS of VPA mice, as the cell count was greater, but the volume was similar. Therefore, we suggest that an increase in microglia in the LS may be part of the cellular changes associated with behavioral dysfunction in the VPA model of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Rose Leandro Ponce de Leão
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Hospital Universitário "João de Barros Barreto", Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Dilza Nazaré Colares de Souza
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Hospital Universitário "João de Barros Barreto", Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Larissa Victória Barra de Moura
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Hospital Universitário "João de Barros Barreto", Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Antonio Morais da Silveira Júnior
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Hospital Universitário "João de Barros Barreto", Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Alinne Lorrany Gomes Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Hospital Universitário "João de Barros Barreto", Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Daniel Guerreiro Diniz
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Hospital Universitário "João de Barros Barreto", Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil; Laboratório de Microscopia Eletrônica, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Cristovam Wanderley Picanço Diniz
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Hospital Universitário "João de Barros Barreto", Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Marcia Consentino Kronka Sosthenes
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Hospital Universitário "João de Barros Barreto", Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
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17
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Zhao F, Zhang T, Shen Q, Yin K, Wang Y, Zhang G. Tak1 in the astrocytes of mediobasal hypothalamus regulates anxiety-like behavior in mice. Glia 2020; 69:609-618. [PMID: 32979244 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive fear, anxiety, and avoidance of perceived threats in internal to oneself or the environment, however, the underlying mechanisms are less well understood. Here, we show that transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (Tak1) expressed in the astrocytes of mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) plays a crucial role in anxiety-like behavior in mice. Our data demonstrate that deficiency of Tak1 in astrocytes increased anxiety level, but did not impact locomotor activity in mice. Astrocytic activation of Tak1 in the MBH mitigated the anxiety-like behavior, whereas suppression of Tak1 in MBH astrocytes promoted the anxiety-like behavior in mice. Collectively, these data suggest that Tak1 expressed in the MBH astrocytes could modulate the anxiety-like behavior in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faming Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, Ministry of Education, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, Ministry of Education, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qing Shen
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, Ministry of Education, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Kaili Yin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, Ministry of Education, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, Ministry of Education, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Guo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, Ministry of Education, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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18
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Roman C, Egert L, Di Benedetto B. Astrocytic-neuronal crosstalk gets jammed: Alternative perspectives on the onset of neuropsychiatric disorders. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 54:5717-5729. [PMID: 32644273 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Investigating interactions of glia cells and synapses during development and in adulthood is the focus of several research programmes which aim at understanding the neurobiology of brain physiological and pathological processes. Both glia-specific released and membrane-bound proteins play essential roles in the development, maintenance and functionality of synaptic connections. Alterations in synaptic contacts in specific brain areas are hallmarks of several brain diseases, such as major depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Thus, a deeper knowledge about putative astrocyte dysfunctions which might affect the synaptic compartment is warranted to improve treatment options. Here, we present the latest advances about the role of glia cells in orchestrating the arrangement of synapses and neuronal networks in physiological and pathological states. We specifically focus on the role of astrocytes in the phagocytosis of neuronal synapses as a novel mechanism which drives the refinement of neuronal circuits and might be affected in pathological conditions. Finally, we propose this astrocyte-dependent mechanism as a putative alternative target of pharmacological interventions for the treatment of brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Roman
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Luisa Egert
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Di Benedetto
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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19
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Malik VA, Zajicek F, Mittmann LA, Klaus J, Unterseer S, Rajkumar S, Pütz B, Deussing JM, Neumann ID, Rupprecht R, Di Benedetto B. GDF15 promotes simultaneous astrocyte remodeling and tight junction strengthening at the blood-brain barrier. J Neurosci Res 2020; 98:1433-1456. [PMID: 32170776 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Perivascular astrocyte processes (PAP) surround cerebral endothelial cells (ECs) and modulate the strengthening of tight junctions to influence blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Morphologically altered astrocytes may affect barrier properties and trigger the onset of brain pathologies. However, astrocyte-dependent mediators of these events remain poorly studied. Here, we show a pharmacologically driven elevated expression and release of growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) in rat primary astrocytes and cerebral PAP. GDF15 has been shown to possess trophic properties for motor neurons, prompting us to hypothesize similar effects on astrocytes. Indeed, its increased expression and release occurred simultaneously to morphological changes of astrocytes in vitro and PAP, suggesting modulatory effects of GDF15 on these cells, but also neighboring EC. Administration of recombinant GDF15 was sufficient to promote astrocyte remodeling and enhance barrier properties between ECs in vitro, whereas its pharmacogenetic abrogation prevented these effects. We validated our findings in male high anxiety-related behavior rats, an animal model of depressive-like behavior, with shrunk PAP associated with reduced expression of the junctional protein claudin-5, which were both restored by a pharmacologically induced increase in GDF15 expression. Thus, we identified GDF15 as an astrocyte-derived trigger of astrocyte process remodeling linked to enhanced tight junction strengthening at the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Malik
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Franziska Zajicek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Laura A Mittmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Sandeep Rajkumar
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Benno Pütz
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Neurobiology and Animal Physiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Rupprecht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Di Benedetto
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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20
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Neurovascular unit dysregulation, white matter disease, and executive dysfunction: the shared triad of vascular cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease. GeroScience 2020; 42:445-465. [PMID: 32002785 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-020-00164-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Executive dysfunction is the most important predictor for loss of independence in dementia. As executive function involves the coordination of distributed cerebral functions, executive function requires healthy white matter. However, white matter is highly vulnerable to cerebrovascular insults, with executive dysfunction being a core feature of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). At the same time, cerebrovascular pathology, white matter disease, and executive dysfunction are all increasingly recognized as features of Alzheimer disease (AD). Recent studies have characterized the crucial role of glial cells in the pathological changes observed in both VCI and AD. In comorbid VCI and AD, the glial cells of the neurovascular unit (NVU) emerge as important therapeutic targets for the preservation of white matter integrity and executive function. Our synthesis from current research identifies dysregulation of the NVU, white matter disease, and executive dysfunction as a fundamental triad that is common to both VCI and AD. Further study of this triad will be critical for advancing the prevention and management of dementia.
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21
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Puris E, Gynther M, de Lange EC, Auriola S, Hammarlund-Udenaes M, Huttunen KM, Loryan I. Mechanistic Study on the Use of the l-Type Amino Acid Transporter 1 for Brain Intracellular Delivery of Ketoprofen via Prodrug: A Novel Approach Supporting the Development of Prodrugs for Intracellular Targets. Mol Pharm 2019; 16:3261-3274. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Puris
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mikko Gynther
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Elizabeth C.M. de Lange
- Predictive Pharmacology Group, Division of Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Seppo Auriola
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Margareta Hammarlund-Udenaes
- Translational PKPD Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, SE-75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kristiina M. Huttunen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Irena Loryan
- Translational PKPD Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 591, SE-75124 Uppsala, Sweden
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22
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Uhlmann A, Bandelow B, Stein DJ, Bloch S, Engel KR, Havemann-Reinecke U, Wedekind D. Grey matter structural differences in alcohol-dependent individuals with and without comorbid depression/anxiety-an MRI study. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2019; 269:285-294. [PMID: 29372325 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-018-0870-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Although depression and anxiety disorders are common comorbid conditions in alcohol dependence, few structural brain imaging studies have compared alcohol-dependent subjects with and without such comorbidity. In the current study, brain scans of 35 alcohol-dependent with and 40 individuals without diagnosis of a comorbid ICD-10 depressive or anxiety disorder receiving detoxification inpatient treatment were evaluated. Thickness and volumes of automatically segmented neuroanatomical structures were measured in FreeSurfer. Furthermore, associations of brain structure with biological markers and clinical severity markers of alcohol dependence were assessed. Despite comparable addiction severity, the non-comorbid group had evidence of higher cytotoxic effects of alcohol use on hepatic and haematological markers, and showed significantly smaller volumes of total cerebral, and cerebellar grey matter. Similarly, they showed unexpected smaller hippocampal and nucleus accumbens volumes, and thinner frontal, temporal and occipital cortices. Smaller brain volumes correlated with increased markers of hepatic and haematological dysfunction, and with longer duration of alcohol dependence in the non-comorbid group. Evidence of higher biomarkers of alcohol use may be indicative of more severe alcohol dependence or higher vulnerability to ethanol toxicity in this group. Furthermore, psychopathology-related drug treatment, which occurred in 53% of the comorbid group over the recent years, or tissue inflammation may have a moderate effect on the grade of cerebral atrophy in alcohol-dependent patients. Longitudinal studies are needed to investigate this issue more fully.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Uhlmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - B Bandelow
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, University of Goettingen, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - D J Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - S Bloch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, University of Goettingen, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - K R Engel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, University of Goettingen, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - U Havemann-Reinecke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, University of Goettingen, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.,Centre of Nanomicroscopy and Molecular Biology of the Brain, CNMPB, Goettingen University Medical Centre, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Wedekind
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, University of Goettingen, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
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23
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Sild M, Ruthazer ES, Booij L. Major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders from the glial perspective: Etiological mechanisms, intervention and monitoring. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 83:474-488. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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24
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Kang S, Li J, Bekker A, Ye JH. Rescue of glutamate transport in the lateral habenula alleviates depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in ethanol-withdrawn rats. Neuropharmacology 2017; 129:47-56. [PMID: 29128307 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alcoholism and psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety are often comorbid. Although the mechanisms underlying this comorbidity are unclear, emerging evidence suggests that maladaptation of the glial glutamate transporter GLT-1 may play a role. Findings from animal and human studies have linked aversive states, including those related to drugs of abuse and depression, to aberrant activity in the lateral habenula (LHb). The relationship between GLT-1 maladaptation, LHb activity, and abnormal behaviors related to alcohol withdrawal, however, remains unknown. Here we show that dihydrokainic acid (DHK), a GLT-1 blocker, potentiated glutamatergic transmission to LHb neurons in slices from ethanol naïve rats; this potentiation, though, was not observed in slices from rats withdrawn from repeated in vivo ethanol administration, suggesting reduced GLT-1 function. Furthermore, GLT-1 protein expression was reduced in the LHb of withdrawn rats. This reduction was restored by systemic administration of ceftriaxone, a β-lactam antibiotic known to increase GLT-1 expression. Systemic ceftriaxone treatment also normalized the hyperactivity of LHb neurons in slices from withdrawn rats, which was reversed by bath-applied DHK. Finally, systemic administration of ceftriaxone alleviated depression- and anxiety-like behaviors, which was fully blocked by intra-LHb administrations of DHK, suggesting that GLT-1's function in the LHb is critical. These findings highlight the significant role of LHb astrocytic GLT-1 in the hyperactivity of LHb neurons, and in depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors during ethanol withdrawal. Thus, GLT-1 in the LHb could serve as a therapeutic target for psychiatric disorders comorbid with ethanol withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungwoo Kang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Alex Bekker
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Jiang-Hong Ye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
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25
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cCMP and cUMP Across the Tree of Life: From cCMP and cUMP Generators to cCMP- and cUMP-Regulated Cell Functions. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2017; 238:3-23. [PMID: 28181008 DOI: 10.1007/164_2016_5005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The cyclic purine nucleotides cAMP and cGMP are well-established second messenger molecules that are generated by distinct nucleotidyl cyclases (NCs) and regulate numerous cell functions via specific effector molecules. In contrast, the existence of the cyclic pyrimidine nucleotides cCMP and cUMP has been controversial for many years. The development of highly specific and sensitive mass spectrometry methods has enabled the unequivocal detection and quantitation of cCMP and cUMP in biological systems. These cNMPs occur broadly in numerous mammalian cell lines and primary cells. cCMP has also been detected in mouse organs, and both cCMP and cUMP occur in various developmental stages of the zebrafish Danio rerio. So far, the soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) have been identified as cCMP and cUMP generators. Dissociations in the expression patterns of sAC and sGC relative to cCMP and cUMP abundance may point to the existence of hitherto unidentified cCMP- and cUMP-generating NCs. The broad occurrence of cCMP and cUMP in vertebrates and the distinct cNMP patterns suggest specific roles of these cNMPs in the regulation of numerous cell functions.
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26
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Canitano R, Pallagrosi M. Autism Spectrum Disorders and Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Excitation/Inhibition Imbalance and Developmental Trajectories. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:69. [PMID: 28507523 PMCID: PMC5410649 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) share clinical and genetic components that have long been recognized. The two disorders co-occur more frequently than would be predicted by their respective prevalence, suggesting that a complex, multifactor association is involved. However, DSM-5 maintains the distinction between ASD, with core social and communication impairments, and SSD, including schizophrenia (SCZ), with hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorder as essential features. ASD and SSD have common biological underpinnings that may emerge early in development and unfold over time. One of the hypotheses supporting the similarities in the social and cognitive disturbances of ASD and SSD relates to abnormalities in the ratio of excitatory to inhibitory cortical activity (E/I imbalance). E/I imbalance in neurodevelopmental disorders could be the consequence of abnormalities in genes coding for glutamatergic and GABAergic receptors or synaptic proteins followed by system derangements. SSD and ASD have been characterized as polygenic disorders in which to the onset and progression of disease is triggered by interactions among multiple genes. Mammalian target of rapamycin signaling is under intense investigation as a convergent altered pathway in the two spectrum disorders. Current understanding of shared and divergent patterns between ASD and SSD from molecular to clinical aspects is still incomplete and may be implemented by the research domain criteria approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Canitano
- Division of Child Neuropsychiatry, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Mauro Pallagrosi
- Department of Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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27
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Cervetto C, Venturini A, Passalacqua M, Guidolin D, Genedani S, Fuxe K, Borroto-Esquela DO, Cortelli P, Woods A, Maura G, Marcoli M, Agnati LF. A2A-D2 receptor-receptor interaction modulates gliotransmitter release from striatal astrocyte processes. J Neurochem 2016; 140:268-279. [PMID: 27896809 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Evidence for striatal A2A-D2 heterodimers has led to a new perspective on molecular mechanisms involved in schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. Despite the increasing recognition of astrocytes' participation in neuropsychiatric disease vulnerability, involvement of striatal astrocytes in A2A and D2 receptor signal transmission has never been explored. Here, we investigated the presence of D2 and A2A receptors in isolated astrocyte processes prepared from adult rat striatum by confocal imaging; the effects of receptor activation were measured on the 4-aminopyridine-evoked release of glutamate from the processes. Confocal analysis showed that A2A and D2 receptors were co-expressed on the same astrocyte processes. Evidence for A2A-D2 receptor-receptor interactions was obtained by measuring the release of the gliotransmitter glutamate: D2 receptors inhibited the glutamate release, while activation of A2A receptors, per se ineffective, abolished the effect of D2 receptor activation. The synthetic D2 peptide VLRRRRKRVN corresponding to the receptor region involved in electrostatic interaction underlying A2A-D2 heteromerization abolished the ability of the A2A receptor to antagonize the D2 receptor-mediated effect. Together, the findings are consistent with heteromerization of native striatal astrocytic A2A-D2 receptors that via allosteric receptor-receptor interactions could play a role in the control of striatal glutamatergic transmission. These new findings suggest possible new pathogenic mechanisms and/or therapeutic approaches to neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cervetto
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research CEBR, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto, Genova, Italy
| | - Arianna Venturini
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Mario Passalacqua
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Experimental Medicine, and Italian Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Diego Guidolin
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Susanna Genedani
- Department of Diagnostic, Clinical Medicine and Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Kjell Fuxe
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Pietro Cortelli
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences DIBINEM, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Amina Woods
- Structural Biology Unit, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Drug Abuse-Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Guido Maura
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research CEBR, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto, Genova, Italy
| | - Manuela Marcoli
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research CEBR, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto, Genova, Italy
| | - Luigi F Agnati
- Department of Diagnostic, Clinical Medicine and Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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28
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Mlyniec K. Zinc in the Glutamatergic Theory of Depression. Curr Neuropharmacol 2016; 13:505-13. [PMID: 26412070 PMCID: PMC4790399 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x13666150115220617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a serious psychiatric illness that affects millions of people worldwide. Weeks of antidepressant therapy are required to relieve depressive symptoms, and new drugs are still being extensively researched. The latest studies have shown that in depression, there is an imbalance between the main excitatory (glutamatergic) and inhibitory (GABAergic) systems. Administration of antagonists of the glutamatergic system, including zinc, has shown an antidepressant effect in preclinical as well as clinical studies. Zinc inhibits the NMDA receptor via its binding site located on one of its subunits. This is thought to be the main mechanism explaining the antidepressant properties of zinc. In the present review, a link between zinc and the glutamatergic system is discussed in the context of depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Mlyniec
- Department of Biochemical Toxicology, Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688 Krakow, Poland
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29
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Tanasic S, Mattusch C, Wagner EM, Eder M, Rupprecht R, Rammes G, Di Benedetto B. Desipramine targets astrocytes to attenuate synaptic plasticity via modulation of the ephrinA3/EphA4 signalling. Neuropharmacology 2016; 105:154-163. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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30
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Di Benedetto B, Malik VA, Begum S, Jablonowski L, Gómez-González GB, Neumann ID, Rupprecht R. Fluoxetine Requires the Endfeet Protein Aquaporin-4 to Enhance Plasticity of Astrocyte Processes. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:8. [PMID: 26869881 PMCID: PMC4735422 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Morphological alterations in astrocytes are characteristic for post mortem brains of patients affected by major depressive disorder (MDD). Recently, a significant reduction in the coverage of blood vessels (BVs) by aquaporin-4 (AQP-4)-positive astrocyte endfeet has been shown in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of MDD patients, suggesting that either alterations in the morphology of endfeet or in AQP-4 distribution might be responsible for the disease phenotype or constitute a consequence of its progress. Antidepressant drugs (ADs) regulate the expression of several proteins, including astrocyte-specific ones. Thus, they may target AQP-4 to induce morphological changes in astrocytes and restore their proper shape or relocate AQP-4 to endfeet. Using an animal model of depression, rats selectively bred for high anxiety-like behavior (HAB), we confirmed a reduced coverage of BVs in the adult PFC by AQP-4-immunoreactive (AQP-4-IR) astrocyte processes with respect to non-selected Wistar rats (NAB), thereby validating it for our study. A further evaluation of the morphology of astrocyte in brain slices (ex vivo) and in vitro using an antibody against the astrocyte-specific cytoskeletal protein glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) revealed that HAB astrocytes extended less processes than NAB cells. Furthermore, short-term drug treatment in vitro with the AD fluoxetine (FLX) was sufficient to increase the plasticity of astrocyte processes, enhancing their number in NAB-derived cells and recovering their basal number in HAB-derived cells. This enhanced FLX-dependent plasticity occurred, however, only in the presence of intact AQP-4, as demonstrated by the lack of effect after the downregulation of AQP-4 with RNAi in both NAB and HAB cells. Nonetheless, a similar short-term treatment did neither modulate the coverage of BVs with AQP-4-positive astrocyte endfeet in NAB nor in HAB rats, although dosage and time of treatment were sufficient to fully recover GFAP expression in HAB brains. Thus, we suggest that longer treatment regimes may be needed to properly restore the coverage of BVs or to relocate AQP-4 to astrocyte endfeet. In conclusion, FLX requires AQP-4 to modulate the plasticity of astrocyte processes and this effect might be essential to re-establish a functional glia-vasculature interface necessary for a physiological communication between bloodstream and brain parenchyma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Di Benedetto
- Laboratory of Neuro-Glia Pharmacology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
| | - Victoria A Malik
- Laboratory of Neuro-Glia Pharmacology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
| | - Salina Begum
- Laboratory of Neuro-Glia Pharmacology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
| | - Lena Jablonowski
- Laboratory of Neuro-Glia Pharmacology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gabriela B Gómez-González
- Laboratory of Neuro-Glia Pharmacology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Rupprecht
- Laboratory of Neuro-Glia Pharmacology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
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31
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Elsayed M, Magistretti PJ. A New Outlook on Mental Illnesses: Glial Involvement Beyond the Glue. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:468. [PMID: 26733803 PMCID: PMC4679853 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental illnesses have long been perceived as the exclusive consequence of abnormalities in neuronal functioning. Until recently, the role of glial cells in the pathophysiology of mental diseases has largely been overlooked. However recently, multiple lines of evidence suggest more diverse and significant functions of glia with behavior-altering effects. The newly ascribed roles of astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia have led to their examination in brain pathology and mental illnesses. Indeed, abnormalities in glial function, structure and density have been observed in postmortem brain studies of subjects diagnosed with mental illnesses. In this review, we discuss the newly identified functions of glia and highlight the findings of glial abnormalities in psychiatric disorders. We discuss these preclinical and clinical findings implicating the involvement of glial cells in mental illnesses with the perspective that these cells may represent a new target for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Elsayed
- Laboratory of Neuroenergetics and Cellular Dynamics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pierre J Magistretti
- Laboratory of Neuroenergetics and Cellular Dynamics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneLausanne, Switzerland; Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwal, Saudi Arabia; Department of Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatric Neurosciences, University of LausanneLausanne, Switzerland
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32
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Durieux AMS, Fernandes C, Murphy D, Labouesse MA, Giovanoli S, Meyer U, Li Q, So PW, McAlonan G. Targeting Glia with N-Acetylcysteine Modulates Brain Glutamate and Behaviors Relevant to Neurodevelopmental Disorders in C57BL/6J Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:343. [PMID: 26696857 PMCID: PMC4677305 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
An imbalance between excitatory (E) glutamate and inhibitory (I) GABA transmission may underlie neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. This may be direct, through alterations in synaptic genes, but there is increasing evidence for the importance of indirect modulation of E/I balance through glial mechanisms. Here, we used C57BL/6J mice to test the hypothesis that striatal glutamate levels can be shifted by N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which acts at the cystine-glutamate antiporter of glial cells. Striatal glutamate was quantified in vivo using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The effect of NAC on behaviors relevant to ASD was examined in a separate cohort. NAC induced a time-dependent decrease in striatal glutamate, which recapitulated findings of lower striatal glutamate reported in ASD. NAC-treated animals were significantly less active and more anxious in the open field test; and NAC-treated females had significantly impaired prepulse inhibition of startle response. This at least partly mimics greater anxiety and impaired sensorimotor gating reported in neurodevelopmental disorders. Thus glial mechanisms regulate glutamate acutely and have functional consequences even in adulthood. Glial cells may be a potential drug target for the development of new therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders across the life-span.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice M S Durieux
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London London, UK
| | - Cathy Fernandes
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London London, UK
| | - Declan Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London London, UK
| | - Marie Anais Labouesse
- Physiology and Behaviour Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Giovanoli
- Physiology and Behaviour Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Schwerzenbach, Switzerland ; Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Urs Meyer
- Physiology and Behaviour Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Schwerzenbach, Switzerland ; Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, China
| | - Po-Wah So
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London London, UK
| | - Grainne McAlonan
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London London, UK
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33
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Jakovcevski M, Akbarian S, Di Benedetto B. Pharmacological modulation of astrocytes and the role of cell type-specific histone modifications for the treatment of mood disorders. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2015; 26:61-6. [PMID: 26515273 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2015.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes orchestrate arrangement and functions of neuronal circuits and of the blood-brain barrier. Dysfunctional astrocytes characterize mood disorders, here showcased by deregulation of the astrocyte end-feet protein Aquaporin-4 around blood vessels and, hypothetically, of the astrocyte-specific phagocytic protein MEGF10 to shape synapses. Development of mood disorders is often a result of 'gene × environment' interactions, regulated among others by histone modifications and related modulator enzymes, which rapidly promote adaptive responses. Thus, they represent ideal targets of drugs aimed at inducing stable effects with quick onsets. One of the prevalent features of histone modifications and their modulators is their cell-type specificity. Investigating cell type-specific epigenetic modulations upon drug administration might therefore help to implement therapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Department of Psychiatry and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Barbara Di Benedetto
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Regensburg, Regensbrug, Germany.
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34
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Larson VA, Zhang Y, Bergles DE. Electrophysiological properties of NG2(+) cells: Matching physiological studies with gene expression profiles. Brain Res 2015; 1638:138-160. [PMID: 26385417 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
NG2(+) glial cells are a dynamic population of non-neuronal cells that give rise to myelinating oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system. These cells express numerous ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors, which endow them with a complex electrophysiological profile that is unique among glial cells. Despite extensive analysis of the electrophysiological properties of these cells, relatively little was known about the molecular identity of the channels and receptors that they express. The generation of new RNA-Seq datasets for NG2(+) cells has provided the means to explore how distinct genes contribute to the physiological properties of these progenitors. In this review, we systematically compare the results obtained through RNA-Seq transcriptional analysis of purified NG2(+) cells to previous physiological and molecular studies of these cells to define the complement of ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors expressed by NG2(+) cells in the mammalian brain and discuss the potential significance of the unique physiological properties of these cells. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:NG2-glia(Invited only).
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie A Larson
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Dwight E Bergles
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Réus GZ, Fries GR, Stertz L, Badawy M, Passos IC, Barichello T, Kapczinski F, Quevedo J. The role of inflammation and microglial activation in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Neuroscience 2015; 300:141-54. [PMID: 25981208 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 438] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Revised: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia, affect a significant percentage of the world population. These disorders are associated with educational difficulties, decreased productivity and reduced quality of life, but their underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Recently, studies have suggested that psychiatric disorders could be considered as inflammatory disorders, even though the exact mechanisms underlying this association are not known. An increase in inflammatory response and oxidative stress may lead to inflammation, which in turn can stimulate microglia in the brain. Microglial activation is roused by the M1 phenotype, which is associated with an increase in interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). On the contrary, M2 phenotype is associated with a release of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, it is possible that the inflammatory response from microglial activation can contribute to brain pathology, as well as influence treatment responses. This review will highlight the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, such as MDD, BD, schizophrenia, and autism. More specifically, the role of microglial activation and associated molecular cascades will also be discussed as a means by which these neuroinflammatory mechanisms take place, when appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Z Réus
- Center for Translational Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Laboratório de Neurociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Unidade Acadêmica de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
| | - G R Fries
- Center for Translational Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Molecular Psychiatry Unit and National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - L Stertz
- Center for Translational Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Molecular Psychiatry Unit and National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - M Badawy
- Center for Translational Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - I C Passos
- Center for Translational Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Molecular Psychiatry Unit and National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - T Barichello
- Center for Translational Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Laboratório de Microbiologia Experimental, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Unidade Acadêmica de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - F Kapczinski
- Center for Translational Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Molecular Psychiatry Unit and National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - J Quevedo
- Center for Translational Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Laboratório de Neurociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Unidade Acadêmica de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
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Zhang Y, Han Y, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Li L, Jin E, Deng L, Watts B, Golden T, Wu N. A MRS study of metabolic alterations in the frontal white matter of major depressive disorder patients with the treatment of SSRIs. BMC Psychiatry 2015; 15:99. [PMID: 25934495 PMCID: PMC4458012 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-015-0489-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [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] [Received: 09/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy provides a non-invasive technology to study brain metabolite levels in vivo, which can be used to measure biochemical compounds or metabolite concentrations in circumscribed brain regions. Previous research has highlighted the role of glial cells in brain white matter. It has been assumed that antidepressant treatment with SSRIs not only affects neurons, but also activates glial cells. This study focused on the observation of any potential changes in the metabolite levels of the ventral prefrontal white matter in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients who have received antidepressant treatment. METHODS 17 female patients diagnosed as MDD according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria with the scores of 18 and above on the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were recruited. MRS studies were performed on a 3.0 T MR system, single voxel PRESS spectroscopy with chemical-shift selective saturation water suppression. The volume of interest was localized at the bilateral ventral prefrontal white matter regions (voxel size: 2 × 2 × 2 mm(3)). The spectral data analysis was performed by using the instrument manufacturer supplied software. RESULTS The bilateral ventral prefrontal white matter of MDD patients showed significantly lower Cho/Cr (p < 0.05) before receiving treatment. The HDRS, as the indicator of treatment response, showed a significant decrease in patients who had gone through 12 weeks treatment (p < 0.01). The bilateral Cho/Cr values of post-treatment patients were increased significantly compared to that of pre-treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The alteration of ventral prefrontal white matter metabolite levels are likely involved in MDD pathophysiology and imply a crucial role of white matter in MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-An Road, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Yu Han
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-An Road, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Yongzhi Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-An Road, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Yinfeng Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-An Road, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Li Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-An Road, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Erhu Jin
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Ligang Deng
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Brandi Watts
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK, 74701, USA.
| | - Teresa Golden
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK, 74701, USA.
| | - Ning Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK, 74701, USA.
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Abstract
Many patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) only partially respond, and some have no clinically meaningful response, to current widely used antidepressant drugs. Due to the purported role of dopamine in the pathophysiology of depression, triple-reuptake inhibitors (TRIs) that simultaneously inhibit serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine reuptake could be a useful addition to the armamentarium of treatments for MDD. A TRI should more effectively activate mesolimbic dopamine-related reward-networks, restore positive mood and reduce potent 5-HT reuptake blockade associated "hypodopaminergic" adverse effects of decreased libido, weight gain and "blunting" of emotions. On the other hand, dopaminergic effects raise concern over abuse liability and TRIs may have many of the cardiovascular effects associated with NET inhibition. Several clinical development programs for potential TRI antidepressants have failed to demonstrate significantly greater efficacy than placebo or standard of care. Successful late-stage clinical development of a TRI is more likely if experimental research studies in the target population of depressed patients have demonstrated target engagement that differentially and dose-dependently improves assessments of reward-network dysfunction relative to existing antidepressants. TRI treatment could be individualized on the basis of predictive markers such as the burden of decreased positive mood symptoms and/or neuroimaging evidence of reward network dysfunction. This review focuses on how the next generation of monoamine-based treatments could be efficiently developed to address unmet medical need in MDD.
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Peng L, Parpura V, Verkhratsky A. EDITORIAL Neuroglia as a Central Element of Neurological Diseases: An Underappreciated Target for Therapeutic Intervention. Curr Neuropharmacol 2014; 12:303-7. [PMID: 25342938 PMCID: PMC4207070 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x12999140829152550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroglia of the central nervous system (CNS), represented by cells of neural (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and NG2 glial cells) and myeloid (microglia) origins are fundamental for homeostasis of the nervous tissue. Astrocytes are critical for the development of the CNS, they are indispensable for synaptogenesis, and they define structural organisation of the nervous tissue, as well as the generation and maintenance of CNS-blood and cerebrospinal fluid-blood barriers. Astroglial cells control homeostasis of ions and neurotransmitters and provide neurones with metabolic support. Oligodendrocytes, through the process of myelination, as well as by homoeostatic support of axons provide for interneuronal connectivity. The NG2 cells receive direct synaptic inputs, and might be important elements of adult remyelination. Microglial cells, which originate from foetal macrophages invading the brain early in embryogenesis, shape the synaptic connections through removing of redundant synapses and phagocyting apoptotic neurones. Neuroglia also form the defensive system of the CNS through complex and context-specific programmes of activation, known as reactive gliosis. Many neurological diseases are associated with neurogliopathologies represented by asthenic and atrophic changes in glial cells that, through the loss or diminution of their homeostatic and defensive functions, assist evolution of pathology. Conceptually, neurological and psychiatric disorders can be regarded as failures of neuroglial homeostatic/
defensive responses, and, hence, glia represent a (much underappreciated) target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Peng
- Laboratory of Metabolic Brain Diseases, Institute of Metabolic Disease Research and Drug Development, China Medical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Atomic Force Microscopy & Nanotechnology Laboratories, Civitan International Research Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA ; Department of Biotechnology, University or Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- Faculty of Life Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK ; Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011 Bilbao, Spain ; University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia
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Wang J, Zhu S, Wang H, He J, Zhang Y, Adilijiang A, Zhang H, Hartle K, Guo H, Kong J, Huang Q, Li XM. Astrocyte-dependent protective effect of quetiapine on GABAergic neuron is associated with the prevention of anxiety-like behaviors in aging mice after long-term treatment. J Neurochem 2014; 130:780-9. [PMID: 24862291 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Revised: 04/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that quetiapine (QTP) may have neuroprotective properties; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we identified a novel mechanism by which QTP increased the synthesis of ATP in astrocytes and protected GABAergic neurons from aging-induced death. In 12-month-old mice, QTP significantly improved cell number of GABAegic neurons in the cortex and ameliorated anxiety-like behaviors compared to control group. Complimentary in vitro studies showed that QTP had no direct effect on the survival of aging GABAergic neurons in culture. Astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) pretreated with QTP (ACMQTP) for 24 h effectively protected GABAergic neurons against aging-induced spontaneous cell death. It was also found that QTP boosted the synthesis of ATP from cultured astrocytes after 24 h of treatment, which might be responsible for the protective effects on neurons. Consistent with the above findings, a Rhodamine 123 test showed that ACMQTP, not QTP itself, was able to prevent the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential in the aging neurons. For the first time, our study has provided evidence that astrocytes may be the conduit through which QTP is able to exert its neuroprotective effects on GABAergic neurons. The neuroprotective properties of quetiapine (QTP) have not been fully understood. Here, we identify a novel mechanism by which QTP increases the synthesis of ATP in astrocytes and protects GABAergic neurons from aging-induced death in a primary cell culture model. In 12-month-old mice, QTP significantly improves cell number of GABAegic neurons and ameliorates anxiety-like behaviors. Our study indicates that astrocytes may be the conduit through which QTP exerts its neuroprotective effects on GABAergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Wang
- Mental Health Center, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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