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Wu Y, Deng J, Ma J, Chen Y, Hu N, Hao S, Wang B. Unraveling the Pathogenesis of Post-Stroke Depression in a Hemorrhagic Mouse Model through Frontal Lobe Circuitry and JAK-STAT Signaling. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2402152. [PMID: 38946585 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202402152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Post-stroke depression is a common complication that imposes significant burdens and challenges on patients. The occurrence of depression is often associated with frontal lobe hemorrhage, however, current understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains limited. Here, the pathogenic mechanisms associated with the circuitry connectivity, electrophysiological alterations, and molecular characteristics are investigated related to the frontal lobe in adult male mice following unilateral injection of blood in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). It is demonstrated that depression is a specific neurological complication in the unilateral hematoma model of the mPFC, and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) shows a higher percentage of connectivity disruption compared to the lateral habenula (LHb) and striatum (STR). Additionally, long-range projections originating from the frontal lobe demonstrate higher damage percentages within the connections between each region and the mPFC. mPFC neurons reveal reduced neuronal excitability and altered synaptic communication. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis identifies the involvement of the Janus Kinase-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway, and targeting the JAK-STAT pathway significantly alleviates the severity of depressive symptoms. These findings improve the understanding of post-hemorrhagic depression and may guide the development of efficient treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Jia Deng
- College of Environment and Resources, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Jinsong Ma
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Yujie Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Ning Hu
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Shilei Hao
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Bochu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China
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Coppola T, Daziano G, Legroux I, Béraud-Dufour S, Blondeau N, Lebrun P. Unlocking Therapeutic Synergy: Tailoring Drugs for Comorbidities such as Depression and Diabetes through Identical Molecular Targets in Different Cell Types. Cells 2023; 12:2768. [PMID: 38067196 PMCID: PMC10706795 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Research in the field of pharmacology aims to generate new treatments for pathologies. Nowadays, there are an increased number of chronic disorders that severely and durably handicap many patients. Among the most widespread pathologies, obesity, which is often associated with diabetes, is constantly increasing in incidence, and in parallel, neurodegenerative and mood disorders are increasingly affecting many people. For years, these pathologies have been so frequently observed in the population in a concomitant way that they are considered as comorbidities. In fact, common mechanisms are certainly at work in the etiology of these pathologies. The main purpose of this review is to show the value of anticipating the effect of baseline treatment of a condition on its comorbidity in order to obtain concomitant positive actions. One of the implications would be that by understanding and targeting shared molecular mechanisms underlying these conditions, it may be possible to tailor drugs that address both simultaneously. To this end, we firstly remind readers of the close link existing between depression and diabetes and secondly address the potential benefit of the pleiotropic actions of two major active molecules used to treat central and peripheral disorders, first a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (Prozac ®) and then GLP-1R agonists. In the second part, by discussing the therapeutic potential of new experimental antidepressant molecules, we will support the concept that a better understanding of the intracellular signaling pathways targeted by pharmacological agents could lead to future synergistic treatments targeting solely positive effects for comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Coppola
- CNRS, IPMC, Université Côte d’Azur, Sophia Antipolis, F-06560 Valbonne, France; (G.D.); (I.L.); (S.B.-D.); (N.B.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Patricia Lebrun
- CNRS, IPMC, Université Côte d’Azur, Sophia Antipolis, F-06560 Valbonne, France; (G.D.); (I.L.); (S.B.-D.); (N.B.)
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Zhang K, Zhai W, Ge X, Zhang X, Tian W, Zhai X. Targeting BDNF with acupuncture: A novel integrated strategy for diabetes and depression comorbidity. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22798. [PMID: 38125513 PMCID: PMC10731078 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes and depression are common comorbid conditions that impose a substantial health burden. Acupuncture may effectively improve symptoms in patients with diabetes and depression, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may play a vital role in the effects of acupuncture on diabetes and depression comorbidity. This review summarizes the potential role of BDNF in acupuncture for diabetes and depression comorbidity. BDNF appears to exert its effects via the BDNF-TrkB-ERK-CREB signaling pathway. BDNF levels are reduced in diabetes and depression, and acupuncture may increase BDNF expression, improving symptoms and glycemic control. High-quality research is needed to validate the efficacy of acupuncture for diabetes and depression comorbidity. Randomized controlled trials and mechanistic studies should investigate the BDNF pathway and other potential mechanisms. Improved understanding of the links between diabetes, depression and acupuncture may enable targeted and individualized patient care. Earlier diagnosis and management of diabetes and depression comorbidity should also be a priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiqi Zhang
- Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100102, China
| | - Weihang Zhai
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiaolei Ge
- Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100102, China
| | - Xiaoqian Zhang
- Beijing Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing, 100038, China
| | - Wei Tian
- Gaoyang County Hospital, Hebei Province, Baoding 071599, China
| | - Xu Zhai
- Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100102, China
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Yao C, Zhang Y, Sun X, Pei H, Wei S, Wang M, Chang Q, Liu X, Jiang N. Areca catechu L. ameliorates chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression behavior in rats by the promotion of the BDNF signaling pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114459. [PMID: 37245336 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114459] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In this study, we have investigated the anti-depressant effects of the fruit Areca catechu L. (ACL) and elucidated its potential underlying mechanism using a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). METHODS CUMS was induced in rats to establish a depression animal model for 28 days. According to the baseline sucrose preference, the male rats were divided into 6 different groups. They were treated with paroxetine hydrochloride, ACL, and water once a day until the behavioral tests were performed. The levels of corticosterone (CORT), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in serum were detected using a commercial kit, and the concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain tissues were detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. doublecortin (DCX) expression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) was determined by immunofluorescence, and the relative abundance of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), TrkB, PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, PSD-95, and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β of brain tissues were assayed by western blot. RESULTS ACL markedly increased sucrose preference, decreased the immobility time, and shortened the feeding latency of CUMS-induced rats. CUMS induction resulted in marked changes in the contents of the monoamine neurotransmitters (5-HT and DA) in the hippocampus and cortex of brain tissues and the levels of CORT, MDA, CAT, and T-SOD in serum, whereas ACL administration alleviated these considerable changes. ACL promoted DCX expression in DG and increased the protein levels of BDNF, TrkB, PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, PSD-95, and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β in the brains of CUMS-induced rats. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that ACL may improve depression-like behaviors in CUMS-induced rats by decreasing the hyperfunction and oxidative stress of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, stimulating hippocampal neurogenesis, and activating the BDNF signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caihong Yao
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xinran Sun
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haiyue Pei
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shanshan Wei
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Mengdi Wang
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Chang
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xinmin Liu
- Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
| | - Ning Jiang
- Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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Schneeberger M, Brice NL, Pellegrino K, Parolari L, Shaked JT, Page KJ, Marchildon F, Barrows DW, Carroll TS, Topilko T, Mulligan VM, Newman R, Doyle K, Bürli R, Barker DF, Glen A, Ortuño MJ, Nectow AR, Renier N, Cohen P, Carlton M, Heintz N, Friedman JM. Pharmacological targeting of glutamatergic neurons within the brainstem for weight reduction. Nat Metab 2022; 4:1495-1513. [PMID: 36411386 PMCID: PMC9684079 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00677-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Food intake and body weight are tightly regulated by neurons within specific brain regions, including the brainstem, where acute activation of dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) glutamatergic neurons expressing the glutamate transporter Vglut3 (DRNVglut3) drive a robust suppression of food intake and enhance locomotion. Activating Vglut3 neurons in DRN suppresses food intake and increases locomotion, suggesting that modulating the activity of these neurons might alter body weight. Here, we show that DRNVglut3 neurons project to the lateral hypothalamus (LHA), a canonical feeding center that also reduces food intake. Moreover, chronic DRNVglut3 activation reduces weight in both leptin-deficient (ob/ob) and leptin-resistant diet-induced obese (DIO) male mice. Molecular profiling revealed that the orexin 1 receptor (Hcrtr1) is highly enriched in DRN Vglut3 neurons, with limited expression elsewhere in the brain. Finally, an orally bioavailable, highly selective Hcrtr1 antagonist (CVN45502) significantly reduces feeding and body weight in DIO. Hcrtr1 is also co-expressed with Vglut3 in the human DRN, suggesting that there might be a similar effect in human. These results identify a potential therapy for obesity by targeting DRNVglut3 neurons while also establishing a general strategy for developing drugs for central nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Schneeberger
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
- Laboratory of Neurovascular Control of Homeostasis, Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Wu Tsai Institute for Brain and Cognition, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | | | - Kyle Pellegrino
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Luca Parolari
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jordan T Shaked
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - François Marchildon
- Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Douglas W Barrows
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas S Carroll
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Topilko
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute, INSERM, CNRS, Hopital de la Pitié Salpétière, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alexander R Nectow
- College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicolas Renier
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute, INSERM, CNRS, Hopital de la Pitié Salpétière, Paris, France
| | - Paul Cohen
- Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Nathaniel Heintz
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Friedman
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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Hu H, Yang X, He Y, Duan C, Sun N. Psychological stress induces depressive-like behavior associated with bone marrow-derived monocyte infiltration into the hippocampus independent of blood-brain barrier disruption. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:208. [PMID: 36002834 PMCID: PMC9400267 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02569-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Psychological stress is one of the most important factors that trigger emotional disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Emerging evidence suggests that neuroinflammation exacerbated by bidirectional communication between the peripheral immune system and the central nervous system facilitates abnormal psychiatric symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the hippocampal migration of bone marrow (BM)-derived monocytes and its role in regulating depressive-like behaviors using the chronic psychological stress (CPS) mouse model. More importantly, whether the central migration of these peripheral BM-derived cells depend on the disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) was also investigated. Methods and findings Green fluorescent protein-positive (GFP+) BM chimeric mice were used to distinguish BM-derived monocytes within the brain. A CPS mouse model was established to explore the effect of CPS on hippocampal migration of BM-derived monocytes and its role in the regulation of depressive-like behaviors. The results revealed that BM-derived GFP+ cells accumulated in the hippocampus and differentiated into microglia-like cells after exposure to CPS. Interestingly, this migration was not associated with BBB disruption. Furthermore, treatment with C–C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) antagonist (RS102895) suppressed the recruitment of BM-derived monocytes to the hippocampus and alleviated depressive-like symptoms. Conclusion These findings indicate that monocyte recruitment to the hippocampus in response to psychological stress may represent a novel cellular mechanism that contributes to the development of depression. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-022-02569-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiling Hu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuqing He
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chaohui Duan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Nannan Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Claes M, Geeraerts E, Plaisance S, Mentens S, Van den Haute C, De Groef L, Arckens L, Moons L. Chronic Chemogenetic Activation of the Superior Colliculus in Glaucomatous Mice: Local and Retrograde Molecular Signature. Cells 2022; 11:1784. [PMID: 35681479 PMCID: PMC9179903 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One important facet of glaucoma pathophysiology is axonal damage, which ultimately disrupts the connection between the retina and its postsynaptic brain targets. The concurrent loss of retrograde support interferes with the functionality and survival of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Previous research has shown that stimulation of neuronal activity in a primary retinal target area-i.e., the superior colliculus-promotes RGC survival in an acute mouse model of glaucoma. To build further on this observation, we applied repeated chemogenetics in the superior colliculus of a more chronic murine glaucoma model-i.e., the microbead occlusion model-and performed bulk RNA sequencing on collicular lysates and isolated RGCs. Our study revealed that chronic target stimulation upon glaucomatous injury phenocopies the a priori expected molecular response: growth factors were pinpointed as essential transcriptional regulators both in the locally stimulated tissue and in distant, unstimulated RGCs. Strikingly, and although the RGC transcriptome revealed a partial reversal of the glaucomatous signature and an enrichment of pro-survival signaling pathways, functional rescue of injured RGCs was not achieved. By postulating various explanations for the lack of RGC neuroprotection, we aim to warrant researchers and drug developers for the complexity of chronic neuromodulation and growth factor signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Claes
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.C.); (E.G.); (S.M.)
| | - Emiel Geeraerts
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.C.); (E.G.); (S.M.)
| | | | - Stephanie Mentens
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.C.); (E.G.); (S.M.)
- Cellular Communication and Neurodegeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics Research Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Chris Van den Haute
- Neurobiology and Gene Therapy Research Group, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- KU Leuven Viral Vector Core, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lies De Groef
- Cellular Communication and Neurodegeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Lut Arckens
- Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics Research Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Lieve Moons
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.C.); (E.G.); (S.M.)
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Claes M, De Groef L, Moons L. The DREADDful Hurdles and Opportunities of the Chronic Chemogenetic Toolbox. Cells 2022; 11:1110. [PMID: 35406674 PMCID: PMC8998042 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The chronic character of chemogenetics has been put forward as one of the assets of the technique, particularly in comparison to optogenetics. Yet, the vast majority of chemogenetic studies have focused on acute applications, while repeated, long-term neuromodulation has only been booming in the past few years. Unfortunately, together with the rising number of studies, various hurdles have also been uncovered, especially in relation to its chronic application. It becomes increasingly clear that chronic neuromodulation warrants caution and that the effects of acute neuromodulation cannot be extrapolated towards chronic experiments. Deciphering the underlying cellular and molecular causes of these discrepancies could truly unlock the chronic chemogenetic toolbox and possibly even pave the way for chemogenetics towards clinical application. Indeed, we are only scratching the surface of what is possible with chemogenetic research. For example, most investigations are concentrated on behavioral read-outs, whereas dissecting the underlying molecular signature after (chronic) neuromodulation could reveal novel insights in terms of basic neuroscience and deregulated neural circuits. In this review, we highlight the hurdles associated with the use of chemogenetic experiments, as well as the unexplored research questions for which chemogenetics offers the ideal research platform, with a particular focus on its long-term application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Claes
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Lies De Groef
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Laboratory of Cellular Communication and Neurodegeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieve Moons
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
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