1
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Jiang SZ, Zhang HY, Eiden LE. PACAP Controls Endocrine and Behavioral Stress Responses via Separate Brain Circuits. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:673-685. [PMID: 37881538 PMCID: PMC10593940 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The neuropeptide PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide) is a master regulator of central and peripheral stress responses, yet it is not clear how PACAP projections throughout the brain execute endocrine and behavioral stress responses. Methods We used AAV (adeno-associated virus) neuronal tracing, an acute restraint stress (ARS) paradigm, and intersectional genetics, in C57BL/6 mice, to identify PACAP-containing circuits controlling stress-induced behavior and endocrine activation. Results PACAP deletion from forebrain excitatory neurons, including a projection directly from medial prefrontal cortex to hypothalamus, impairs c-fos activation and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) messenger RNA elevation in the paraventricular nucleus after 2 hours of restraint, without affecting ARS-induced hypophagia, or c-fos elevation in nonhypothalamic brain. Elimination of PACAP within projections from lateral parabrachial nucleus to extended amygdala, on the other hand, attenuates ARS-induced hypophagia, along with extended amygdala fos induction, without affecting ARS-induced CRH messenger RNA elevation in the paraventricular nucleus. PACAP projections to extended amygdala terminate at protein kinase C delta type (PKCδ) neurons in both the central amygdala and the oval bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Silencing of PKCδ neurons in the central amygdala, but not in the oval bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, attenuates ARS-induced hypophagia. Experiments were carried out in mice of both sexes with n ≥ 3 per group. Conclusions A frontocortical descending PACAP projection controls paraventricular nucleus CRH messenger RNA production to maintain hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation and regulate the endocrine response to stress. An ascending PACAPergic projection from the external lateral parabrachial nucleus to PKCδ neurons in the central amygdala regulates behavioral responses to stress. Defining two separate limbs of the acute stress response provides broader insight into the specific brain circuitry engaged by the psychogenic stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunny Zhihong Jiang
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hai-Ying Zhang
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lee E. Eiden
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland
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2
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Rajbhandari AK, Barson JR, Gilmartin MR, Hammack SE, Chen BK. The functional heterogeneity of PACAP: Stress, learning, and pathology. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 203:107792. [PMID: 37369343 PMCID: PMC10527199 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) is a highly conserved and widely expressed neuropeptide that has emerged as a key regulator of multiple neural and behavioral processes. PACAP systems, including the various PACAP receptor subtypes, have been implicated in neural circuits of learning and memory, stress, emotion, feeding, and pain. Dysregulation within these PACAP systems may play key roles in the etiology of pathological states associated with these circuits, and PACAP function has been implicated in stress-related psychopathology, feeding and metabolic disorders, and migraine. Accordingly, central PACAP systems may represent important therapeutic targets; however, substantial heterogeneity in PACAP systems related to the distribution of multiple PACAP isoforms across multiple brain regions, as well as multiple receptor subtypes with several isoforms, signaling pathways, and brain distributions, provides both challenges and opportunities for the development of new clinically-relevant strategies to target the PACAP system in health and disease. Here we review the heterogeneity of central PACAP systems, as well as the data implicating PACAP systems in clinically-relevant behavioral processes, with a particular focus on the considerable evidence implicating a role of PACAP in stress responding and learning and memory. We also review data suggesting that there are sex differences in PACAP function and its interactions with sex hormones. Finally, we discuss both the challenges and promise of harnessing the PACAP system in the development of new therapeutic avenues and highlight PACAP systems for their critical role in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica R Barson
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Marieke R Gilmartin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Sayamwong E Hammack
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, 2 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Briana K Chen
- Division of Systems Neuroscience, Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH) / New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), New York, NY, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), New York, NY, United States.
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3
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Effect of PACAP on Heat Exposure. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043992. [PMID: 36835411 PMCID: PMC9963701 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043992] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat stroke is a life-threatening illness caused by exposure to high ambient temperatures and relative humidity. The incidence of heat stroke is expected to increase due to climate change. Although pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been implicated in thermoregulation, the role of PACAP on heat stress remains unclear. PACAP knockout (KO) and wild-type ICR mice were subjected to heat exposure at an ambient temperature of 36 °C and relative humidity of 99% for 30-150 min. After heat exposure, the PACAP KO mice had a greater survival rate and maintained a lower body temperature than the wild-type mice. Moreover, the gene expression and immunoreaction of c-Fos in the ventromedially preoptic area of the hypothalamus, which is known to harbor temperature-sensitive neurons, were significantly lower in PACAP KO mice than those in wild-type mice. In addition, differences were observed in the brown adipose tissue, the primary site of heat production, between PACAP KO and wild-type mice. These results suggest that PACAP KO mice are resistant to heat exposure. The heat production mechanism differs between PACAP KO and wild-type mice.
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4
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Gaszner T, Farkas J, Kun D, Ujvári B, Füredi N, Kovács LÁ, Hashimoto H, Reglődi D, Kormos V, Gaszner B. Epigenetic and Neuronal Activity Markers Suggest the Recruitment of the Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus in the Three-Hit Model of Depression in Male PACAP Heterozygous Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911739. [PMID: 36233039 PMCID: PMC9570135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression and its increasing prevalence challenge patients, the healthcare system, and the economy. We recently created a mouse model based on the three-hit concept of depression. As genetic predisposition (first hit), we applied pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide heterozygous mice on CD1 background. Maternal deprivation modeled the epigenetic factor (second hit), and the chronic variable mild stress was the environmental factor (third hit). Fluoxetine treatment was applied to test the predictive validity of our model. We aimed to examine the dynamics of the epigenetic marker acetyl-lysine 9 H3 histone (H3K9ac) and the neuronal activity marker FOSB in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus. Fluoxetine decreased H3K9ac in PFC in non-deprived animals, but a history of maternal deprivation abolished the effect of stress and SSRI treatment on H3K9ac immunoreactivity. In the hippocampus, stress decreased, while SSRI increased H3K9ac immunosignal, unlike in the deprived mice, where the opposite effect was detected. FOSB in stress was stimulated by fluoxetine in the PFC, while it was inhibited in the hippocampus. The FOSB immunoreactivity was almost completely abolished in the hippocampus of the deprived mice. This study showed that FOSB and H3K9ac were modulated in a territory-specific manner by early life adversities and later life stress interacting with the effect of fluoxetine therapy supporting the reliability of our model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Gaszner
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - József Farkas
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Dániel Kun
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Balázs Ujvári
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Nóra Füredi
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - László Ákos Kovács
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Hitoshi Hashimoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
- Molecular Research Center for Children’s Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
- Division of Bioscience, Institute for Datability Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
- Transdimensional Life Imaging Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Molecular Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
| | - Dóra Reglődi
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- ELKH-PTE PACAP Research Group Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Viktória Kormos
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Balázs Gaszner
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Correspondence:
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The Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) System of the Central Amygdala Mediates the Detrimental Effects of Chronic Social Defeat Stress in Rats. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0260-22.2022. [PMID: 36566434 PMCID: PMC9506682 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0260-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Many psychiatric diseases stem from an inability to cope with stressful events, as chronic stressors can precipitate or exacerbate psychopathologies. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying the response to chronic stress and the resulting anxiety states remain poorly understood. Stress neuropeptides in the extended amygdala circuitry mediate the behavioral response to stress, and hyperactivity of these systems has been hypothesized to be responsible for the emergence of persistent negative outcomes and for the pathogenesis of anxiety-related and trauma-related disorders. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and its receptor PAC1R are highly expressed within the central amygdala (CeA) and play a key role in stress regulation. Here, we used chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), a clinically relevant model of psychosocial stress that produces robust maladaptive behaviors in rodents. We found that 10 days of CSDS cause a significant increase in PACAP levels selectively in the CeA of rats, as well as an increase in PAC1R mRNA. Using a viral vector strategy, we found that PAC1R knock-down in the CeA attenuates the CSDS-induced body weight loss and prevents the CSDS-induced increase in anxiety-like behavior. Notably, CSDS animals display reduced basal corticosterone (CORT) levels and PAC1R knock-down in CeA further reduce them. Finally, the CeA PAC1R knock-down blocks the increase in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) immunoreactivity induced by CSDS in CeA. Our findings support the notion that the persistent activation of the PACAP-PAC1R system in the CeA mediates the behavioral outcomes of chronic psychosocial stress independently of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, perhaps via the recruitment of the CRF system.
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6
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Shintani Y, Hayata-Takano A, Yamano Y, Ikuta M, Takeshita R, Takuma K, Okada T, Toyooka N, Takasaki I, Miyata A, Kurihara T, Hashimoto H. Small-molecule non-peptide antagonists of the PACAP receptor attenuate acute restraint stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 631:146-151. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.09.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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7
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Eiden LE, Hernández VS, Jiang SZ, Zhang L. Neuropeptides and small-molecule amine transmitters: cooperative signaling in the nervous system. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:492. [PMID: 35997826 PMCID: PMC11072502 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04451-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides are expressed in cell-specific patterns throughout mammalian brain. Neuropeptide gene expression has been useful for clustering neurons by phenotype, based on single-cell transcriptomics, and for defining specific functional circuits throughout the brain. How neuropeptides function as first messengers in inter-neuronal communication, in cooperation with classical small-molecule amine transmitters (SMATs) is a current topic of systems neurobiology. Questions include how neuropeptides and SMATs cooperate in neurotransmission at the molecular, cellular and circuit levels; whether neuropeptides and SMATs always co-exist in neurons; where neuropeptides and SMATs are stored in the neuron, released from the neuron and acting, and at which receptors, after release; and how neuropeptides affect 'classical' transmitter function, both directly upon co-release, and indirectly, via long-term regulation of gene transcription and neuronal plasticity. Here, we review an extensive body of data about the distribution of neuropeptides and their receptors, their actions after neuronal release, and their function based on pharmacological and genetic loss- and gain-of-function experiments, that addresses these questions, fundamental to understanding brain function, and development of neuropeptide-based, and potentially combinatorial peptide/SMAT-based, neurotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee E Eiden
- Section On Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 49 Convent Drive, Room 5A38, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Vito S Hernández
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sunny Z Jiang
- Section On Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 49 Convent Drive, Room 5A38, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Limei Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
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8
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Velasco ER, Florido A, Flores Á, Senabre E, Gomez-Gomez A, Torres A, Roca A, Norrholm S, Newman EL, Das P, Ross RA, Lori A, Pozo OJ, Ressler KJ, Garcia-Esteve LL, Jovanovic T, Andero R. PACAP-PAC1R modulates fear extinction via the ventromedial hypothalamus. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4374. [PMID: 35902577 PMCID: PMC9334354 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31442-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to traumatic stress can lead to fear dysregulation, which has been associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous work showed that a polymorphism in the PACAP-PAC1R (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide) system is associated with PTSD risk in women, and PACAP (ADCYAP1)-PAC1R (ADCYAP1R1) are highly expressed in the hypothalamus. Here, we show that female mice subjected to acute stress immobilization (IMO) have fear extinction impairments related to Adcyap1 and Adcyap1r1 mRNA upregulation in the hypothalamus, PACAP-c-Fos downregulation in the Medial Amygdala (MeA), and PACAP-FosB/ΔFosB upregulation in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus dorsomedial part (VMHdm). DREADD-mediated inhibition of MeA neurons projecting to the VMHdm during IMO rescues both PACAP upregulation in VMHdm and the fear extinction impairment. We also found that women with the risk genotype of ADCYAP1R1 rs2267735 polymorphism have impaired fear extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- E R Velasco
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Florido
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Á Flores
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Senabre
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-NeuroPhar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Gomez-Gomez
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Torres
- Perinatal Mental health Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Programme for the Prevention and Treatment of Psychic Effects in Sexually Assaulted Women. Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Roca
- Perinatal Mental health Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Norrholm
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - E L Newman
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - P Das
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Psychiatry Research Institute of Montefiore and Einstein, New York, NY, USA
| | - R A Ross
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Psychiatry Research Institute of Montefiore and Einstein, New York, NY, USA
| | - A Lori
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- American Cancer Society, Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - O J Pozo
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - K J Ressler
- McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - L L Garcia-Esteve
- Perinatal Mental health Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Programme for the Prevention and Treatment of Psychic Effects in Sexually Assaulted Women. Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - T Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - R Andero
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain.
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9
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Riser M, Norrholm SD. Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Peptide and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: From Bench to Bedside. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:861606. [PMID: 35865299 PMCID: PMC9295898 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.861606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide with isoforms consisting of either 27 or 38 amino acids. PACAP is encoded by the adenylate cyclase activating peptide gene, ADCYAP1, in humans and the highly conserved corresponding rodent gene, Adcyap1. PACAP is known to regulate cellular stress responses in mammals. PACAP is robustly expressed in both central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral tissues. The activity of PACAP and its selective receptor, PAC1-R, has been characterized within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic division of the peripheral nervous system, two critical neurobiological systems mediating responses to stressors and threats. Findings from previous translational, empirical studies imply PACAP regulation in autonomic functions and high expressions of PACAP and PAC1 receptor in hypothalamic and limbic structures, underlying its critical role in learning and memory, as well as emotion and fear processing. The current review summarizes recent findings supporting a role of PACAP/PAC1-R regulation in key brain areas that mediate adaptive behavioral and neurobiological responses to environmental stressors and maladaptive reactions to stress including the development of fear and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seth Davin Norrholm
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Neuroscience Center for Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
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10
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Gaszner T, Farkas J, Kun D, Ujvári B, Berta G, Csernus V, Füredi N, Kovács LÁ, Hashimoto H, Reglődi D, Kormos V, Gaszner B. Fluoxetine treatment supports predictive validity of the three hit model of depression in male PACAP heterozygous mice and underpins the impact of early life adversity on therapeutic efficacy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:995900. [PMID: 36213293 PMCID: PMC9537566 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.995900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the three hit concept of depression, interaction of genetic predisposition altered epigenetic programming and environmental stress factors contribute to the disease. Earlier we demonstrated the construct and face validity of our three hit concept-based mouse model. In the present work, we aimed to examine the predictive validity of our model, the third willnerian criterion. Fluoxetine treatment was applied in chronic variable mild stress (CVMS)-exposed (environmental hit) CD1 mice carrying one mutated allele of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide gene (genetic hit) that were previously exposed to maternal deprivation (epigenetic hit) vs. controls. Fluoxetine reduced the anxiety level in CVMS-exposed mice in marble burying test, and decreased the depression level in tail suspension test if mice were not deprived maternally. History of maternal deprivation caused fundamental functional-morphological changes in response to CVMS and fluoxetine treatment in the corticotropin-releasing hormone-producing cells of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and central amygdala, in tyrosine-hydroxylase content of ventral tegmental area, in urocortin 1-expressing cells of the centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus, and serotonergic cells of the dorsal raphe nucleus. The epigenetic background of alterations was approved by altered acetylation of histone H3. Our findings further support the validity of both the three hit concept and that of our animal model. Reversal of behavioral and functional-morphological anomalies by fluoxetine treatment supports the predictive validity of the model. This study highlights that early life stress does not only interact with the genetic and environmental factors, but has strong influence also on therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Gaszner
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience & Szentágothai Research Centre, University Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - József Farkas
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience & Szentágothai Research Centre, University Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Dániel Kun
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience & Szentágothai Research Centre, University Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Balázs Ujvári
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience & Szentágothai Research Centre, University Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gergely Berta
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Valér Csernus
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Nóra Füredi
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience & Szentágothai Research Centre, University Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - László Ákos Kovács
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience & Szentágothai Research Centre, University Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Hitoshi Hashimoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Molecular Research Center for Children’s Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Division of Bioscience, Institute for Datability Science, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Transdimensional Life Imaging Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Molecular Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Dóra Reglődi
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- ELKH-PTE PACAP Research Group Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Viktória Kormos
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School & Szentágothai Research Centre, Molecular Pharmacology Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Balázs Gaszner
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Research Group for Mood Disorders, Centre for Neuroscience & Szentágothai Research Centre, University Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Balázs Gaszner,
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11
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Bakalar D, Sweat S, Drossel G, Jiang SZ, Samal BS, Stroth N, Xu W, Zhang L, Zhang H, Eiden LE. Relationships between constitutive and acute gene regulation, and physiological and behavioral responses, mediated by the neuropeptide PACAP. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 135:105447. [PMID: 34741979 PMCID: PMC8900973 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Since the advent of gene knock-out technology in 1987, insight into the role(s) of neuropeptides in centrally- and peripherally-mediated physiological regulation has been gleaned by examining altered physiological functioning in mammals, predominantly mice, after genetic editing to produce animals deficient in neuropeptides or their cognate G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). These results have complemented experiments involving infusion of neuropeptide agonists or antagonists systemically or into specific brain regions. Effects of gene loss are often interpreted as indicating that the peptide and its receptor(s) are required for the physiological or behavioral responses elicited in wild-type mice at the time of experimental examination. These interpretations presume that peptide/peptide receptor gene deletion affects only the expression of the peptide/receptor itself, and therefore impacts physiological events only at the time at which the experiment is conducted. A way to support 'real-time' interpretations of neuropeptide gene knock-out is to demonstrate that the wild-type transcriptome, except for the deliberately deleted gene(s), in tissues of interest, is preserved in the knock-out mouse. Here, we show that there is a cohort of genes (constitutively PACAP-Regulated Genes, or cPRGs) whose basal expression is affected by constitutive knock-out of the Adcyap1 gene in C57Bl6/N mice, and additional genes whose expression in response to physiological challenge, in adults, is altered or impaired in the absence of PACAP expression (acutely PACAP-Regulated Genes, or aPRGs). Distinguishing constitutive and acute transcriptomic effects of neuropeptide deficiency on physiological function and behavior in mice reveals alternative mechanisms of action, and changing functions of neuropeptides, throughout the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Bakalar
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Heath - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD. NIH, USA
| | - Sean Sweat
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Heath - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD. NIH, USA
| | - Gunner Drossel
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Heath - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD. NIH, USA
| | - Sunny Z. Jiang
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Heath - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD. NIH, USA
| | - Babru S. Samal
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Heath - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD. NIH, USA
| | - Nikolas Stroth
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Heath - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD. NIH, USA
| | - Wenqin Xu
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Heath - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD. NIH, USA
| | - Limei Zhang
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Heath - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD. NIH, USA,Department of Physiology, Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM) Medical School, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Heath - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD. NIH, USA
| | - Lee E. Eiden
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Heath - Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD. NIH, USA,Correspondence Lee E. Eiden, Ph.D., Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Heath – Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD. NIH, USA, Phone: +13014964110,
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12
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Sureshkumar K, Saenz A, Ahmad SM, Lutfy K. The PACAP/PAC1 Receptor System and Feeding. Brain Sci 2021; 12:brainsci12010013. [PMID: 35053757 PMCID: PMC8773599 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) belongs to the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)/secretin/glucagon superfamily. PACAP is present in two forms (PACAP-38 and PACAP-27) and binds to three guanine-regulatory (G) protein-coupled receptors (PAC1, VPAC1, and VPAC2). PACAP is expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, with high PACAP levels found in the hypothalamus, a brain region involved in feeding and energy homeostasis. PAC1 receptors are high-affinity and PACAP-selective receptors, while VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors show a comparable affinity to PACAP and VIP. PACAP and its receptors are expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems with moderate to high expression in the hypothalamus, amygdala, and other limbic structures. Consistent with their expression, PACAP is involved in several physiological responses and pathological states. A growing body of literature suggests that PACAP regulates food intake in laboratory animals. However, there is no comprehensive review of the literature on this topic. Thus, the purpose of this article is to review the literature regarding the role of PACAP and its receptors in food intake regulation and to synthesize how PACAP exerts its anorexic effects in different brain regions. To achieve this goal, we searched PubMed and reviewed 68 articles regarding the regulatory action of PACAP on food intake. Here, we present the literature regarding the effect of exogenous PACAP on feeding and the role of endogenous PACAP in this process. We also provide evidence regarding the effect of PACAP on the homeostatic and hedonic aspects of food intake, the neuroanatomical sites where PACAP exerts its regulatory action, which PACAP receptors may be involved, and the role of various signaling pathways and neurotransmitters in hypophagic effects of PACAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keerthana Sureshkumar
- UCLA College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, 612 Charles E Young Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Andrea Saenz
- College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766, USA; (A.S.); (S.M.A.)
| | - Syed M. Ahmad
- College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766, USA; (A.S.); (S.M.A.)
| | - Kabirullah Lutfy
- College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766, USA; (A.S.); (S.M.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(909)-469-5481
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13
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Snyder AE, Silberman Y. Corticotropin releasing factor and norepinephrine related circuitry changes in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in stress and alcohol and substance use disorders. Neuropharmacology 2021; 201:108814. [PMID: 34624301 PMCID: PMC8578398 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) affects around 14.5 million individuals in the United States, with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) affecting an additional 8.3 million individuals. Relapse is a major barrier to effective long-term treatment of this illness with stress often described as a key trigger for a person with AUD or SUD to relapse during a period of abstinence. Two signaling molecules, norepinephrine (NE) and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), are released during the stress response, and also play important roles in reward behaviors and the addiction process. Within the addiction literature, one brain region in which there has been increasing research focus in recent years is the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). The BNST is a limbic structure with numerous cytoarchitecturally and functionally different subregions that has been implicated in drug-seeking behaviors and stress responses. This review focuses on drug and stress-related neurocircuitry changes in the BNST, particularly within the CRF and NE systems, with an emphasis on differences and similarities between the major dorsal and ventral BNST subregions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela E Snyder
- Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, USA
| | - Yuval Silberman
- Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, USA.
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14
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Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) modulates dependence-induced alcohol drinking and anxiety-like behavior in male rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:509-518. [PMID: 33191400 PMCID: PMC8027820 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-00904-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a devastating illness defined by periods of heavy drinking and withdrawal, often leading to a chronic relapsing course. Initially, alcohol is consumed for its positive reinforcing effects, but later stages of AUD are characterized by drinking to alleviate withdrawal-induced negative emotional states. Brain stress response systems in the extended amygdala are recruited by excessive alcohol intake, sensitized by repeated withdrawal, and contribute to the development of addiction. In this study, we investigated one such brain stress response system, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), and its cognate receptor, PAC1R, in alcohol withdrawal-induced behaviors. During acute withdrawal, rats exposed to chronic intermittent ethanol vapor (ethanol-dependent) displayed a significant increase in PACAP levels in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a brain area within the extended amygdala critically involved in both stress and withdrawal. No changes in PACAP levels were observed in the central nucleus of the amygdala. Site-specific microinfusion of the PAC1R antagonist PACAP(6-38) into the BNST dose-dependently blocked excessive alcohol intake in ethanol-dependent rats without affecting water intake overall or basal ethanol intake in control, nondependent rats. Intra-BNST PACAP(6-38) also reversed ethanol withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behavior in ethanol-dependent rats, but did not affect this measure in control rats. Our findings show that chronic intermittent exposure to ethanol recruits the PACAP/PAC1R system of the BNST and that these neuroadaptations mediate the heightened alcohol drinking and anxiety-like behavior observed during withdrawal, suggesting that this system represents a major brain stress element responsible for the negative reinforcement associated with the "dark side" of alcohol addiction.
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15
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Zhang L, Hernandez VS, Gerfen CR, Jiang SZ, Zavala L, Barrio RA, Eiden LE. Behavioral role of PACAP signaling reflects its selective distribution in glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal subpopulations. eLife 2021; 10:61718. [PMID: 33463524 PMCID: PMC7875564 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide PACAP, acting as a co-transmitter, increases neuronal excitability, which may enhance anxiety and arousal associated with threat conveyed by multiple sensory modalities. The distribution of neurons expressing PACAP and its receptor, PAC1, throughout the mouse nervous system was determined, in register with expression of glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal markers, to develop a coherent chemoanatomical picture of PACAP role in brain motor responses to sensory input. A circuit role for PACAP was tested by observing Fos activation of brain neurons after olfactory threat cue in wild-type and PACAP knockout mice. Neuronal activation and behavioral response, were blunted in PACAP knock-out mice, accompanied by sharply downregulated vesicular transporter expression in both GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons expressing PACAP and its receptor. This report signals a new perspective on the role of neuropeptide signaling in supporting excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in the nervous system within functionally coherent polysynaptic circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limei Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.,Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, United States
| | - Vito S Hernandez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Charles R Gerfen
- Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, United States
| | - Sunny Z Jiang
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, United States
| | - Lilian Zavala
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rafael A Barrio
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, United States.,Department of Complex Systems, Institute of Physics, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico, Mexico
| | - Lee E Eiden
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, United States
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16
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Lu Z, Zhang T, Yang J, Wang J, Shen J, Wang X, Xiao Z, Niu Y, Liu G, Zhang X. Effect of mesoporous silica nanoparticles-based nano-fragrance on the central nervous system. Eng Life Sci 2020; 20:535-540. [PMID: 33204240 PMCID: PMC7645641 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.202000015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragrances are widely used in our daily lives and can make us feel happy. However, traditional aromatic products release fragrance quickly and have a strong aroma. This not only worsens our scenting experience, but also severely shortens the useful life of fragrance products. In this study, nano-fragrances based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles with great encapsulation efficiency and slow-release function were designed and prepared. In addition, this nano-fragrances are applied to wallpapers. Open field tests showed that this nano-fragrance had significant stress relief and anti-depressant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguo Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Tianlu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Jun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Jianze Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Jie Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Zuobing Xiao
- Shanghai Research Institute of Fragrance and Flavor IndustryShanghaiP. R. China
- School of Perfume and Aroma TechnologyShanghai Institute of TechnologyShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Yunwei Niu
- Shanghai Research Institute of Fragrance and Flavor IndustryShanghaiP. R. China
- School of Perfume and Aroma TechnologyShanghai Institute of TechnologyShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Guiying Liu
- Department of PediatricsCapital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Anzhen HospitalBeijingP. R. China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
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17
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Circulating PACAP peptide and PAC1R genotype as possible transdiagnostic biomarkers for anxiety disorders in women: a preliminary study. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1125-1133. [PMID: 31910434 PMCID: PMC7235237 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0604-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP, gene Adcyap1) is a neuropeptide and hormone thought to play a critical role in stress response (Stroth et al., Ann NY Acad Sci 1220:49-59, 2011; Hashimoto et al., Curr Pharm Des 17:985-989, 2011). Research in humans implicates PACAP as a useful biomarker for the severity of psychiatric symptoms in response to psychological stressors, and work in rodent models suggests that PACAP manipulation exerts downstream effects on peripheral hormones and behaviors linked to the stress response, providing a potential therapeutic target. Prior work has also suggested a potential sex difference in PACAP effects due to differential estrogen regulation of this pathway. Therefore, we examined serum PACAP and associated PAC1R genotype in a cohort of males and females with a primary diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and nonpsychiatric controls. We found that, while circulating hormone levels were not associated with a GAD diagnosis overall (p = 0.19, g = 0.25), PACAP may be associated with GAD in females (p = 0.04, g = 0.33). Additionally, among patients with GAD, the risk genotype identified in the PTSD literature (rs2267735, CC genotype) was associated with higher somatic anxiety symptom severity in females but lower somatic anxiety symptom severity in males (-3.27, 95%CI [-5.76, -0.77], adjusted p = 0.03). Taken together, the associations between the risk genotype, circulating PACAP, and somatic anxiety severity were stronger among females than males. These results indicate a potential underlying biological etiology for sex differences in stress-related anxiety disorders that warrants further study.
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18
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Avila JA, Kiprowska M, Jean-Louis T, Rockwell P, Figueiredo-Pereira ME, Serrano PA. PACAP27 mitigates an age-dependent hippocampal vulnerability to PGJ2-induced spatial learning deficits and neuroinflammation in mice. Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01465. [PMID: 31769222 PMCID: PMC6955932 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammation in the brain is mediated by the cyclooxygenase pathway, which leads to the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandin (PG) D2, the most abundant PG in the brain, increases under pathological conditions and is spontaneously metabolized to PGJ2. PGJ2 is highly neurotoxic, with the potential to transition neuroinflammation into a chronic state and contribute to neurodegeneration as seen in many neurological diseases. Conversely, PACAP27 is a lipophilic peptide that raises intracellular cAMP and is an anti-inflammatory agent. The aim of our study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of PACAP27 to counter the behavioral and neurotoxic effects of PGJ2 observed in aged subjects. METHODS PGJ2 was injected bilaterally into the hippocampal CA1 region of 53-week-old and 12-week-old C57BL/6N male mice, once per week over 3 weeks (three total infusions) and included co-infusions of PACAP27 within respective treatment groups. Our behavioral assessments looked at spatial learning and memory performance on the 8-arm radial maze, followed by histological analyses of fixed hippocampal tissue using Fluoro-Jade C and fluorescent immunohistochemistry focused on IBA-1 microglia. RESULTS Aged mice treated with PGJ2 exhibited spatial learning and long-term memory deficits, as well as neurodegeneration in CA3 pyramidal neurons. Aged mice that received co-infusions of PACAP27 exhibited remediated learning and memory performance and decreased neurodegeneration in CA3 pyramidal neurons. Moreover, microglial activation in the CA3 region was also reduced in aged mice cotreated with PACAP27. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that PGJ2 can produce a retrograde spread of damage not observed in PGJ2-treated young mice, leading to age-dependent neurodegeneration of hippocampal neurons producing learning and memory deficits. PACAP27 can remediate the behavioral and neurodegenerative effects that PGJ2 produces in aged subjects. Targeting specific neurotoxic prostaglandins, such as PGJ2, offers great promise as a new therapeutic strategy downstream of cyclooxygenases, to combat the neuronal deficits induced by chronic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A Avila
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.,The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, NY, USA
| | - Magdalena Kiprowska
- The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Teneka Jean-Louis
- The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patricia Rockwell
- The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria E Figueiredo-Pereira
- The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter A Serrano
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.,The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, NY, USA
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19
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Liao C, de Molliens MP, Schneebeli ST, Brewer M, Song G, Chatenet D, Braas KM, May V, Li J. Targeting the PAC1 Receptor for Neurological and Metabolic Disorders. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:1399-1417. [PMID: 31284862 PMCID: PMC6761004 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190709092647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-selective PAC1 receptor (PAC1R, ADCYAP1R1) is a member of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)/secretin/glucagon family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). PAC1R has been shown to play crucial roles in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The activation of PAC1R initiates diverse downstream signal transduction pathways, including adenylyl cyclase, phospholipase C, MEK/ERK, and Akt pathways that regulate a number of physiological systems to maintain functional homeostasis. Accordingly, at times of tissue injury or insult, PACAP/PAC1R activation of these pathways can be trophic to blunt or delay apoptotic events and enhance cell survival. Enhancing PAC1R signaling under these conditions has the potential to mitigate cellular damages associated with cerebrovascular trauma (including stroke), neurodegeneration (such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease), or peripheral organ insults. Conversely, maladaptive PACAP/PAC1R signaling has been implicated in a number of disorders, including stressrelated psychopathologies (i.e., depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and related abnormalities), chronic pain and migraine, and metabolic diseases; abrogating PAC1R signaling under these pathological conditions represent opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Given the diverse PAC1R-mediated biological activities, the receptor has emerged as a relevant pharmaceutical target. In this review, we first describe the current knowledge regarding the molecular structure, dynamics, and function of PAC1R. Then, we discuss the roles of PACAP and PAC1R in the activation of a variety of signaling cascades related to the physiology and diseases of the nervous system. Lastly, we examine current drug design and development of peptides and small molecules targeting PAC1R based on a number of structure- activity relationship studies and key pharmacophore elements. At present, the rational design of PAC1R-selective peptide or small-molecule therapeutics is largely hindered by the lack of structural information regarding PAC1R activation mechanisms, the PACAP-PAC1R interface, and the core segments involved in receptor activation. Understanding the molecular basis governing the PACAP interactions with its different cognate receptors will undoubtedly provide a basis for the development and/or refinement of receptor-selective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyi Liao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
| | | | - Severin T Schneebeli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
| | - Matthias Brewer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
| | - Gaojie Song
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - David Chatenet
- INRS - Institut Armand-Frappier, 531 boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Karen M Braas
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, 149 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
| | - Victor May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, 149 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
| | - Jianing Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
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20
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Miles OW, Maren S. Role of the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis in PTSD: Insights From Preclinical Models. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:68. [PMID: 31024271 PMCID: PMC6461014 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) afflicts approximately 8% of the United States population and represents a significant public health burden, but the underlying neural mechanisms of this and other anxiety- and stressor-related disorders are largely unknown. Within the last few decades, several preclinical models of PSTD have been developed to help elucidate the mechanisms underlying dysregulated fear states. One brain area that has emerged as a critical mediator of stress-related behavioral processing in both clinical and laboratory settings is the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). The BNST is interconnected with essential emotional processing regions, including prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. It is activated by stressor exposure and undergoes neurochemical and morphological alterations as a result of stressor exposure. Stress-related neuro-peptides including corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) are also abundant in the BNST, further implicating an involvement of BNST in stress responses. Behaviorally, the BNST is critical for acquisition and expression of fear and is well positioned to regulate fear relapse after periods of extinction. Here, we consider the role of the BNST in stress and memory processes in the context of preclinical models of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia W. Miles
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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21
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Castorina A, Vogiatzis M, Kang JWM, Keay KA. PACAP and VIP expression in the periaqueductal grey of the rat following sciatic nerve constriction injury. Neuropeptides 2019; 74:60-69. [PMID: 30579677 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Nerve injuries often result in neuropathic pain with co-morbid changes in social behaviours, motivation, sleep-wake cycles and neuroendocrine function. In an animal model of neuropathic injury (CCI) similar co-morbid changes are evoked in a subpopulation (~30%) of injured rats. In addition to anatomical evidence of altered neuronal and glial function, the periaqueductal grey (PAG) of these rats shows evidence of cell death. These changes in the PAG may play a role in the disruption of the normal emotional coping responses triggered by nerve injury. Cell death can occur via a number of mechanisms, including the disruption of neuroprotective mechanisms. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are two endogenous neuropeptides whose activities are tightly regulated by two receptors subtypes, namely the PAC1 and VPAC receptors. These peptides and their receptors exert robust neuroprotective roles. In these studies, we hypothesized that rats expressing disabilities following CCI showed altered expression of PACAP and VIP in the PAG. Rats were categorized as having either Pain alone, Transient or Persistent disability, based on changes in social behaviours pre- and post-CCI. Social interaction behavioural tested (BT), sham-injured and naïve untested rats were also included. For measurements of mRNA and protein expression we utilised micro-dissected PAGs blocks taken from each group. At the mRNA level, VIP was downregulated and PAC1 was upregulated in BT animals, whilst VPAC1 mRNA was specifically increased in the Pain alone group. Interestingly, protein levels of both PACAP and VIP were remarkably increased in the Persistent Disability group. Taken together, sciatic nerve CCI that triggers neuropathic pain and persistent disability results in abnormally increased VIP and PACAP expression in the PAG. Our data also suggest that these effects are likely to be governed by post-transcriptional mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Castorina
- School of Medical Sciences (Anatomy and Histology), The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Monica Vogiatzis
- School of Medical Sciences (Anatomy and Histology), The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - James W M Kang
- School of Medical Sciences (Anatomy and Histology), The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Kevin A Keay
- School of Medical Sciences (Anatomy and Histology), The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Emerging evidence for the role of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide in neuropsychiatric disorders. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2019; 167:143-157. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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23
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Two ancient neuropeptides, PACAP and AVP, modulate motivated behavior at synapses in the extrahypothalamic brain: a study in contrast. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 375:103-122. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2958-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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24
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Meloni EG, Kaye KT, Venkataraman A, Carlezon WA. PACAP increases Arc/Arg 3.1 expression within the extended amygdala after fear conditioning in rats. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 157:24-34. [PMID: 30458282 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The stress-related neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is implicated in neuromodulation of learning and memory. PACAP can alter synaptic plasticity and has direct actions on neurons in the amygdala and hippocampus that could contribute to its acute and persistent effects on the consolidation and expression of conditioned fear. We recently demonstrated that intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of PACAP prior to fear conditioning (FC) results in initial amnestic-like effects followed by hyper-expression of conditioned freezing with repeated testing, and analyses of immediate-early gene c-Fos expression suggested that the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), but not the lateral/basolateral amygdala (LA/BLA) or hippocampus, are involved in these PACAP effects. Here, we extend that work by examining the expression of the synaptic plasticity marker activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc/Arg 3.1) after PACAP administration and FC. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with cannula for ICV infusion of PACAP-38 (1.5 µg) or vehicle followed by FC and tests for conditioned freezing. One hour after FC, Arc protein expression was significantly elevated in the CeA and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), interconnected structures that are key elements of the extended amygdala, in rats that received the combination of PACAP + FC. In contrast, Arc expression within the subdivisions of the hippocampus, or the LA/BLA, were unchanged. A subpopulation of Arc-positive cells in both the CeA and BNST also express PKCdelta, an intracellular marker that has been used to identify microcircuits that gate conditioned fear in the CeA. Consistent with our previous findings, on the following day conditioned freezing behavior was reduced in rats that had been given the combination of PACAP + FC-an amnestic-like effect-and Arc expression levels had returned to baseline. Given the established role of Arc in modifying synaptic plasticity and memory formation, our findings suggest that PACAP-induced overexpression of Arc following fear conditioning may disrupt neuroplastic changes within populations of CeA and BNST neurons normally responsible for encoding fear-related cues that, in this case, results in altered fear memory consolidation. Hence, PACAP systems may represent an axis on which stress and experience-driven neurotransmission converge to alter emotional memory, and mediate pathologies that are characteristic of psychiatric illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward G Meloni
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, United States.
| | - Karen T Kaye
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, United States
| | - Archana Venkataraman
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, United States
| | - William A Carlezon
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, United States
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25
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Ojala J, Tooke K, Hsiang H, Girard BM, May V, Vizzard MA. PACAP/PAC1 Expression and Function in Micturition Pathways. J Mol Neurosci 2018; 68:357-367. [PMID: 30259317 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1170-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Neural injury, inflammation, or diseases commonly and adversely affect micturition reflex function that is organized by neural circuits in the CNS and PNS. One neuropeptide receptor system, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP; Adcyap1), and its cognate receptor, PAC1 (Adcyap1r1), have tissue-specific distributions in the lower urinary tract. PACAP and associated receptors are expressed in the LUT and exhibit changes in expression, distribution, and function in preclinical animal models of bladder pain syndrome (BPS)/interstitial cystitis (IC), a chronic, visceral pain syndrome characterized by pain, and LUT dysfunction. Blockade of the PACAP/PAC1 receptor system reduces voiding frequency and somatic (e.g., hindpaw, pelvic) sensitivity in preclinical animal models and a transgenic mouse model that mirrors some clinical symptoms of BPS/IC. The PACAP/receptor system in micturition pathways may represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention to reduce LUT dysfunction following urinary bladder inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Ojala
- Department of Neurological Sciences, The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Given Building, D405A, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Katharine Tooke
- Department of Neurological Sciences, The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Given Building, D405A, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Harrison Hsiang
- Department of Neurological Sciences, The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Given Building, D405A, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Beatrice M Girard
- Department of Neurological Sciences, The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Given Building, D405A, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Victor May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Given Building, D405A, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Margaret A Vizzard
- Department of Neurological Sciences, The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Given Building, D405A, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
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26
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Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Peptide (PACAP) Signaling and the Dark Side of Addiction. J Mol Neurosci 2018; 68:453-464. [PMID: 30074172 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1147-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
While addiction to drugs of abuse represents a significant health problem worldwide, the behavioral and neural mechanisms that underlie addiction and relapse are largely unclear. The concept of the dark side of addiction, developed and explored by George Koob and colleagues, describes a systematic decrease in reward-related processing following drug self-administration and subsequent recruitment of anti-reward (i.e., stress) systems. Indeed, the activation of central nervous system (CNS) stress-response systems by drugs of abuse is contributory not only to mood and anxiety-related disorders but critical to both the maintenance of addiction and relapse following abstinence. In both human and animal studies, compounds that activate the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) have roles in stress-related behaviors and addiction processes. The activation of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) systems in the BNST mediates many consequences of chronic stressor exposure that may engage in part downstream corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) signaling. Similar to footshock stress, the BNST administration of PACAP or the PAC1 receptor-specific agonist maxadilan can facilitate relapse following extinction of cocaine-seeking behavior. Further, in the same paradigm, the footshock-induced relapse could be attenuated following BNST pretreatment with PAC1 receptor antagonist PACAP6-38, implicating PACAP systems as critical components underlying stress-induced reinstatement. In congruence with previous work, the PAC1 receptor internalization and endosomal MEK/ERK signaling appear contributory mechanisms to the addiction processes. The studies offer new insights and approaches to addiction and relapse therapeutics.
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27
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Wulsin AC, Franco-Villanueva A, Romancheck C, Morano RL, Smith BL, Packard BA, Danzer SC, Herman JP. Functional disruption of stress modulatory circuits in a model of temporal lobe epilepsy. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197955. [PMID: 29795651 PMCID: PMC5993058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical data suggest that the neuroendocrine stress response is chronically dysregulated in a subset of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), potentially contributing to both disease progression and the development of psychiatric comorbidities such as anxiety and depression. Whether neuroendocrine dysregulation and psychiatric comorbidities reflect direct effects of epilepsy-related pathologies, or secondary effects of disease burden particular to humans with epilepsy (i.e. social estrangement, employment changes) is not clear. Animal models provide an opportunity to dissociate these factors. Therefore, we queried whether epileptic mice would reproduce neuroendocrine and behavioral changes associated with human epilepsy. Male FVB mice were exposed to pilocarpine to induce status epilepticus (SE) and the subsequent development of spontaneous recurrent seizures. Morning baseline corticosterone levels were elevated in pilocarpine treated mice at 1, 7 and 10 weeks post-SE relative to controls. Similarly, epileptic mice had increased adrenal weight when compared to control mice. Exposure to acute restraint stress resulted in hypersecretion of corticosterone 30 min after the onset of the challenge. Anatomical analyses revealed reduced Fos expression in infralimbic and prelimbic prefrontal cortex, ventral subiculum and basal amygdala following restraint. No differences in Fos immunoreactivity were found in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, hippocampal subfields or central amygdala. In order to assess emotional behavior, a second cohort of mice underwent a battery of behavioral tests, including sucrose preference, open field, elevated plus maze, 24h home-cage monitoring and forced swim. Epileptic mice showed increased anhedonic behavior, hyperactivity and anxiety-like behaviors. Together these data demonstrate that epileptic mice develop HPA axis hyperactivity and exhibit behavioral dysfunction. Endocrine and behavioral changes are associated with impaired recruitment of forebrain circuits regulating stress inhibition and emotional reactivity. Loss of forebrain control may underlie pronounced endocrine dysfunction and comorbid psychopathologies seen in temporal lobe epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aynara C. Wulsin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Anesthesia, Cincinnati Children Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Ana Franco-Villanueva
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Christian Romancheck
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Rachel L. Morano
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Brittany L. Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Benjamin A. Packard
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Steve C. Danzer
- Department of Anesthesia, Cincinnati Children Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - James P. Herman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Lalonde R, Strazielle C. Neuroanatomical pathways underlying the effects of hypothalamo-hypophysial-adrenal hormones on exploratory activity. Rev Neurosci 2018; 28:617-648. [PMID: 28609296 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2016-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
When injected via the intracerebroventricular route, corticosterone-releasing hormone (CRH) reduced exploration in the elevated plus-maze, the center region of the open-field, and the large chamber in the defensive withdrawal test. The anxiogenic action of CRH in the elevated plus-maze also occurred when infused in the basolateral amygdala, ventral hippocampus, lateral septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, nucleus accumbens, periaqueductal grey, and medial frontal cortex. The anxiogenic action of CRH in the defensive withdrawal test was reproduced when injected in the locus coeruleus, while the amygdala, hippocampus, lateral septum, nucleus accumbens, and lateral globus pallidus contribute to center zone exploration in the open-field. In addition to elevated plus-maze and open-field tests, the amygdala appears as a target region for CRH-mediated anxiety in the elevated T-maze. Thus, the amygdala is the principal brain region identified with these three tests, and further research must identify the neural circuits underlying this form of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Catherine Strazielle
- , Laboratoire 'Stress, Immunité, Pathogènes' EA 7300 and Service de Microscopie Electronique, Faculté de Médecine
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29
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PACAP signaling in stress: insights from the chromaffin cell. Pflugers Arch 2017; 470:79-88. [PMID: 28965274 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-017-2062-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) was first identified in hypothalamus, based on its ability to elevate cyclic AMP in the anterior pituitary. PACAP has been identified as the adrenomedullary neurotransmitter in stress through a combination of ex vivo, in vivo, and in cellula experiments over the past two decades. PACAP causes catecholamine secretion, and activation of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes, during episodes of stress in mammals. Features of PACAP signaling allowing stress transduction at the splanchnicoadrenomedullary synapse have yielded insights into the contrasting roles of acetylcholine's and PACAP's actions as first messengers at the chromaffin cell, via differential release at low and high rates of splanchnic nerve firing, and differential signaling pathway engagement leading to catecholamine secretion and chromaffin cell gene transcription. Secretion stimulated by PACAP, via calcium influx independent of action potential generation, is under active investigation in several laboratories both at the chromaffin cell and within autonomic ganglia of both the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. PACAP is a neurotransmitter important in stress transduction in the central nervous system as well, and is found at stress-transduction nuclei in brain including the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus, the amygdala and extended amygdalar nuclei, and the prefrontal cortex. The current status of PACAP as a master regulator of stress signaling in the nervous system derives fundamentally from the establishment of its role as the splanchnicoadrenomedullary transmitter in stress. Experimental elucidation of PACAP action at this synapse remains at the forefront of understanding PACAP's role in stress signaling throughout the nervous system.
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30
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Ramikie TS, Ressler KJ. Stress-related disorders, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP)ergic system, and sex differences. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2017. [PMID: 28179812 PMCID: PMC5286726 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2016.18.4/kressler] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Trauma-related disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are remarkably common and debilitating, and are often characterized by dysregulated threat responses. Across numerous epidemiological studies, females have been found to have an approximately twofold increased risk for PTSD and other stress-related disorders. Understanding the biological mechanisms of this differential risk is of critical importance. Recent data suggest that the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) pathway is a critical regulator of the stress response across species. Moreover, increasing evidence suggests that this pathway is regulated by both stress and estrogen modulation and may provide an important window into understanding mechanisms of sex differences in the stress response. We have recently shown that PACAP and its receptor (PAC1R) are critical mediators of abnormal processes after psychological trauma. Notably, in heavily traumatized human subjects, there appears to be a robust sex-specific association of PACAP blood levels and PAC1R gene variants with fear physiology, PTSD diagnosis, and symptoms, specifically in females. The sex-specific association occurs within a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs2267735) that resides in a putative estrogen response element involved in PAC1R gene regulation. Complementing these human data, the PAC1R messenger RNA is induced with fear conditioning or estrogen replacement in rodent models. These data suggest that perturbations in the PACAP-PAC1R pathway are regulated by estrogen and are involved in abnormal fear responses underlying PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teniel S Ramikie
- Department of Psychiatry, McClean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, McClean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
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31
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Construct and face validity of a new model for the three-hit theory of depression using PACAP mutant mice on CD1 background. Neuroscience 2017; 354:11-29. [PMID: 28450265 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Major depression is a common cause of chronic disability. Despite decades of efforts, no equivocally accepted animal model is available for studying depression. We tested the validity of a new model based on the three-hit concept of vulnerability and resilience. Genetic predisposition (hit 1, mutation of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, PACAP gene), early-life adversity (hit 2, 180-min maternal deprivation, MD180) and chronic variable mild stress (hit 3, CVMS) were combined. Physical, endocrinological, behavioral and functional morphological tools were used to validate the model. Body- and adrenal weight changes as well as corticosterone titers proved that CVMS was effective. Forced swim test indicated increased depression in CVMS PACAP heterozygous (Hz) mice with MD180 history, accompanied by elevated anxiety level in marble burying test. Corticotropin-releasing factor neurons in the oval division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis showed increased FosB expression, which was refractive to CVMS exposure in wild-type and Hz mice. Urocortin1 neurons became over-active in CMVS-exposed PACAP knock out (KO) mice with MD180 history, suggesting the contribution of centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus to the reduced depression and anxiety level of stressed KO mice. Serotoninergic neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus lost their adaptation ability to CVMS in MD180 mice. In conclusion, the construct and face validity criteria suggest that MD180 PACAP HZ mice on CD1 background upon CVMS may be used as a reliable model for the three-hit theory.
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Missig G, Mei L, Vizzard MA, Braas KM, Waschek JA, Ressler KJ, Hammack SE, May V. Parabrachial Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Activation of Amygdala Endosomal Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling Regulates the Emotional Component of Pain. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 81:671-682. [PMID: 28057459 PMCID: PMC5332340 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pain and stress-related psychopathologies, such as depression and anxiety-associated abnormalities, are mutually reinforcing; however, the neuronal circuits and mechanisms that underlie this reinforcement are still not well understood. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP; Adcyap1) and its cognate PAC1 receptor (Adcyap1r1) are expressed in peripheral nociceptive pathways, participate in anxiety-related responses and have been have been linked to posttraumatic stress disorder and other mental health afflictions. METHODS Using immunocytochemistry, pharmacological treatments and behavioral testing techniques, we have used a rodent partial sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury model (n = 5-8 per group per experiment) to evaluate PACAP plasticity and signaling in nociceptive and stress-related behaviors. RESULTS We show that chronic neuropathic pain increases PACAP expression at multiple tiers along the spinoparabrachioamygdaloid tract. Furthermore, chronic constriction injury bilaterally augments nociceptive amygdala (in the central nucleus of the amygdala [CeA]) PACAP immunoreactivity, extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation, and c-Fos activation, in parallel with heightened anxiety-like behavior and nociceptive hypersensitivity. Acute CeA infusions with the PACAP receptor antagonist PACAP(6-38) blocked chronic constriction injury-induced behavioral responses. Additionally, pretreatments with inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase enzymes or endocytosis to block endosomal PACAP receptor extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling attenuated PACAP-induced CeA neuronal activation and nociceptive responses. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that chronic pain-induced PACAP neuroplasticity and signaling in spinoparabrachioamygdaloid projections have an impact on CeA stress- and nociception-associated maladaptive responses, which can be ameliorated upon receptor antagonism even during injury progression. Thus, the PACAP pathway provides for an important mechanism underlying the intersection of stress and chronic pain pathways via the amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galen Missig
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Linda Mei
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Burlington, Vermont
| | | | - Karen M Braas
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Burlington, Vermont
| | - James A Waschek
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital-Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Sayamwong E Hammack
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Victor May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Burlington, Vermont.
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33
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Donahue RJ, Venkataraman A, Carroll FI, Meloni EG, Carlezon WA. Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Disrupts Motivation, Social Interaction, and Attention in Male Sprague Dawley Rats. Biol Psychiatry 2016; 80:955-964. [PMID: 26229039 PMCID: PMC4684793 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe or prolonged stress can trigger psychiatric illnesses including mood and anxiety disorders. Recent work indicates that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) plays an important role in regulating stress effects. In rodents, exogenous PACAP administration can produce persistent elevations in the acoustic startle response, which may reflect anxiety-like signs including hypervigilance. We investigated whether PACAP causes acute or persistent alterations in behaviors that reflect other core features of mood and anxiety disorders (motivation, social interaction, and attention). METHODS Using male Sprague Dawley rats, we examined if PACAP (.25-1.0 µg, intracerebroventricular infusion) affects motivation as measured in the intracranial self-stimulation test. We also examined if PACAP alters interactions with a conspecific in the social interaction test. Finally, we examined if PACAP affects performance in the 5-choice serial reaction time task, which quantifies attention and error processing. RESULTS Dose-dependent disruptions in motivation, social interaction, and attention were produced by PACAP, as reflected by increases in reward thresholds, decreases in social behaviors, and decreases in correct responses and alterations in posterror accuracy. Behavior normalized quickly in the intracranial self-stimulation and 5-choice serial reaction time task tests but remained dysregulated in the social interaction test. Effects on attention were attenuated by the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor-1 antagonist antalarmin but not the κ opioid receptor antagonist JDTic. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that PACAP affects numerous domains often dysregulated in mood and anxiety disorders, but that individual signs depend on brain substrates that are at least partially independent. This work may help to devise therapeutics that mitigate specific signs of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel J Donahue
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Archana Venkataraman
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - F Ivy Carroll
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Edward G Meloni
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - William A Carlezon
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts.
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34
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Ramikie TS, Ressler KJ. Stress-related disorders, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP)ergic system, and sex differences. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2016; 18:403-413. [PMID: 28179812 PMCID: PMC5286726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Trauma-related disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are remarkably common and debilitating, and are often characterized by dysregulated threat responses. Across numerous epidemiological studies, females have been found to have an approximately twofold increased risk for PTSD and other stress-related disorders. Understanding the biological mechanisms of this differential risk is of critical importance. Recent data suggest that the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) pathway is a critical regulator of the stress response across species. Moreover, increasing evidence suggests that this pathway is regulated by both stress and estrogen modulation and may provide an important window into understanding mechanisms of sex differences in the stress response. We have recently shown that PACAP and its receptor (PAC1R) are critical mediators of abnormal processes after psychological trauma. Notably, in heavily traumatized human subjects, there appears to be a robust sex-specific association of PACAP blood levels and PAC1R gene variants with fear physiology, PTSD diagnosis, and symptoms, specifically in females. The sex-specific association occurs within a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs2267735) that resides in a putative estrogen response element involved in PAC1R gene regulation. Complementing these human data, the PAC1R messenger RNA is induced with fear conditioning or estrogen replacement in rodent models. These data suggest that perturbations in the PACAP-PAC1R pathway are regulated by estrogen and are involved in abnormal fear responses underlying PTSD.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptation, Psychological/physiology
- Animals
- Biomarkers/blood
- Estrogens/physiology
- Fear/physiology
- Female
- Gene-Environment Interaction
- Humans
- Male
- Memory/physiology
- Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide/blood
- Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide/genetics
- Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide/physiology
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I/genetics
- Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I/physiology
- Risk Factors
- Sex Characteristics
- Sex Factors
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/blood
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/genetics
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/physiopathology
- Stress, Physiological/genetics
- Stress, Physiological/physiology
- Stress, Psychological/genetics
- Stress, Psychological/physiopathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Teniel S Ramikie
- Department of Psychiatry, McClean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, McClean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
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35
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Functional evaluation of a PTSD-associated genetic variant: estradiol regulation and ADCYAP1R1. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e978. [PMID: 27959335 PMCID: PMC5290337 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 08/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 5-10% percent of the US adult population with a higher prevalence among women compared with men. Although it remains unclear how biological sex associates with susceptibility to PTSD, one mechanism may involve a role for estrogen in a gene by environment interaction. We previously demonstrated a sex-dependent association between the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide type 1 receptor (PAC1) and PTSD, where carriers of a C allele at single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2267735 within the PAC1 receptor gene (ADCYAP1R1) have increased symptoms of PTSD. This SNP is located within a predicted estrogen response element (ERE), which regulates gene transcription when bound to estradiol (E2) activated estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). In the current study, we examined E2 regulation of ADCYAP1R1 in vitro, in cell culture, and in vivo in mice and humans. We find in mice that fear conditioning and E2 additively increase ADCYAP1R1 expression. In vitro, we show that E2/ERα binds to the ADCYAP1R1 ERE, with less efficient binding to an ERE containing the C allele of rs2267735. In women with low serum E2, the CC genotype associates with lower ADCYAP1R1 expression, which further associates with higher PTSD symptoms. These findings lead to a model in which E2 induces the expression of ADCYAP1R1 through binding of ERα at the ERE as an adaptive response to stress. Inhibition of E2/ERα binding to the ERE containing the rs2267735 risk allele results in reduced expression of ADCYAP1R1, diminishing estrogen regulation as an adaptive stress response and increasing risk for PTSD.
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May V, Parsons RL. G Protein-Coupled Receptor Endosomal Signaling and Regulation of Neuronal Excitability and Stress Responses: Signaling Options and Lessons From the PAC1 Receptor. J Cell Physiol 2016; 232:698-706. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Victor May
- Department of Neurological Sciences; University of Vermont College of Medicine; Burlington Vermont
| | - Rodney L. Parsons
- Department of Neurological Sciences; University of Vermont College of Medicine; Burlington Vermont
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Maduna T, Lelievre V. Neuropeptides shaping the central nervous system development: Spatiotemporal actions of VIP and PACAP through complementary signaling pathways. J Neurosci Res 2016; 94:1472-1487. [PMID: 27717098 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are neuropeptides with wide, complementary, and overlapping distributions in the central and peripheral nervous systems, where they exert important regulatory roles in many physiological processes. VIP and PACAP display a large range of biological cellular targets and functions in the adult nervous system including regulation of neurotransmission and neuroendocrine secretion and neuroprotective and neuroimmune responses. As the main focus of the present review, VIP and PACAP also have been long implicated in nervous system development and maturation through their interaction with the seven transmembrane domain G protein-coupled receptors, PAC1, VPAC1, and VPAC2, initiating multiple signaling pathways. Compared with PAC1, which solely binds PACAP with very high affinity, VPACs exhibit high affinities for both VIP and PACAP but differ from each other because of their pharmacological profile for both natural accessory peptides and synthetic or chimeric molecules, with agonistic and antagonistic properties. Complementary to initial pharmacological studies, transgenic animals lacking these neuropeptides or their receptors have been used to further characterize the neuroanatomical, electrophysiological, and behavioral roles of PACAP and VIP in the developing central nervous system. In this review, we recapitulate the critical steps and processes guiding/driving neurodevelopment in vertebrates and superimposing the potential contribution of PACAP and VIP receptors on the given timeline. We also describe how alterations in VIP/PACAP signaling may contribute to both (neuro)developmental and adult pathologies and suggest that tuning of VIP/PACAP signaling in a spatiotemporal manner may represent a novel avenue for preventive therapies of neurological and psychiatric disorders. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tando Maduna
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UPR3212, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Vincent Lelievre
- Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UPR3212, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
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Reduced response to chronic mild stress in PACAP mutant mice is associated with blunted FosB expression in limbic forebrain and brainstem centers. Neuroscience 2016; 330:335-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Jiang SZ, Eiden LE. Activation of the HPA axis and depression of feeding behavior induced by restraint stress are separately regulated by PACAPergic neurotransmission in the mouse. Stress 2016; 19:374-82. [PMID: 27228140 PMCID: PMC5564370 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2016.1174851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We measured serum CORT elevation in wild-type and PACAP-deficient C57BL/6N male mice after acute (1 h) or prolonged (2-3 h) daily restraint stress for 7 d. The PACAP dependence of CORT elevation was compared to that of stress-induced hypophagia. Daily restraint induced unhabituated peak CORT elevation, and hypophagia/weight loss, of similar magnitude for 1, 2, and 3 h of daily restraint, in wild-type mice. Peak CORT elevation, and hypophagia, were both attenuated in PACAP-deficient mice for 2 and 3 h daily restraint. Hypophagia induced by 1-h daily restraint was also greatly reduced in PACAP-deficient mice, however CORT elevation, both peak and during recovery from stress, was unaffected. Thus, hypothalamic PACAPergic neurotransmission appears to affect CRH gene transcription and peptide production, but not CRH release, in response to psychogenic stress. A single exposure to restraint sufficed to trigger hypophagia over the following 24 h. PACAP deficiency attenuated HPA axis response (CORT elevation) to prolonged (3 h) but not acute (1 h) single-exposure restraint stress, while hypophagia induced by either a single 1 h or a single 3 h restraint were both abolished in PACAP-deficient mice. These results suggest that PACAP's actions to promote suppression of food intake following an episode of psychogenic stress is unrelated to the release of CRH into the portal circulation to activate the pituitary-adrenal axis. Furthermore, demonstration of suppressed food intake after a single 1-h restraint stress provides a convenient assay for investigating the location of the synapses and circuits mediating the effects of PACAP on the behavioral sequelae of psychogenic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunny Zhihong Jiang
- a Section on Molecular Neuroscience , National Institute of Mental Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Lee E Eiden
- a Section on Molecular Neuroscience , National Institute of Mental Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
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Jiang SZ, Eiden LE. PACAPergic Synaptic Signaling and Circuitry Mediating Mammalian Responses to Psychogenic and Systemic Stressors. CURRENT TOPICS IN NEUROTOXICITY 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-35135-3_41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Using PACAP Heterozygous Mice as Models of the Three Hit Theory of Depression. CURRENT TOPICS IN NEUROTOXICITY 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-35135-3_42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Hammack SE, May V. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide in stress-related disorders: data convergence from animal and human studies. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 78:167-77. [PMID: 25636177 PMCID: PMC4461555 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The maladaptive expression and function of several stress-associated hormones have been implicated in pathological stress and anxiety-related disorders. Among these, recent evidence has suggested that pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) has critical roles in central neurocircuits mediating stress-related emotional behaviors. We describe the PACAPergic systems, the data implicating PACAP in stress biology, and how altered PACAP expression and signaling may result in psychopathologies. We include our work implicating PACAP signaling within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in mediating the consequences of stressor exposure and relatedly, describe more recent studies suggesting that PACAP in the central nucleus of the amygdala may impact the emotional aspects of chronic pain states. In aggregate, these results are consistent with data suggesting that PACAP dysregulation is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayamwong E. Hammack
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, John Dewey Hall, 2 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, Vermont 05405-0134, Phone: 802.656.1041, Fax: 802.656.8783
| | - Victor May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, 149 Beaumont Avenue, HSRF 428, Burlington, VT 05405, Phone: 802.656.4579
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Ota Y, Ago Y, Tanaka T, Hasebe S, Toratani Y, Onaka Y, Hashimoto H, Takuma K, Matsuda T. Anxiolytic-like effects of restraint during the dark cycle in adolescent mice. Behav Brain Res 2015; 284:103-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 02/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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PACAP enhances axon outgrowth in cultured hippocampal neurons to a comparable extent as BDNF. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120526. [PMID: 25807538 PMCID: PMC4373823 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) exerts neurotrophic activities including modulation of synaptic plasticity and memory, hippocampal neurogenesis, and neuroprotection, most of which are shared with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare morphological effects of PACAP and BDNF on primary cultured hippocampal neurons. At days in vitro (DIV) 3, PACAP increased neurite length and number to similar levels by BDNF, but vasoactive intestinal polypeptide showed much lower effects. In addition, PACAP increased axon, but not dendrite, length, and soma size at DIV 3 similarly to BDNF. The PACAP antagonist PACAP6–38 completely blocked the PACAP-induced increase in axon, but not dendrite, length. Interestingly, the BDNF-induced increase in axon length was also inhibited by PACAP6–38, suggesting a mechanism involving PACAP signaling. K252a, a TrkB receptor inhibitor, inhibited axon outgrowth induced by PACAP and BDNF without affecting dendrite length. These results indicate that in primary cultured hippocampal neurons, PACAP shows morphological actions via its cognate receptor PAC1, stimulating neurite length and number, and soma size to a comparable extent as BDNF, and that the increase in total neurite length is ascribed to axon outgrowth.
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Gray JM, Chaouloff F, Hill MN. To stress or not to stress: a question of models. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 70:8.33.1-8.33.22. [PMID: 25559007 DOI: 10.1002/0471142301.ns0833s70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Stress research is a rapidly evolving field that encompasses numerous disciplines ranging from neuroscience to metabolism. With many new researchers migrating into the field, navigating the hows and whys of specific research questions can sometimes be enigmatic given the availability of so many models in the stress field. Additionally, as with every field, there are many seemingly minor experimental details that can have dramatic influences on data interpretation, although many of these are unknown to those not familiar with the field. The aim of this overview is to provide some suggestions and points to guide researchers moving into the stress field and highlight relevant methodological points that they should consider when choosing a model for stress and deciding how to structure a study. We briefly provide a primer on the basics of endpoint measurements in the stress field, factors to consider when choosing a model for acute stress, the difference between repeated and chronic stress, and importantly, influencing variables that modulate endpoints of analysis in stress work.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Megan Gray
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Francis Chaouloff
- Endocannabinoids and NeuroAdaptation, Neurocentre INSERM U862, University Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France
| | - Matthew N Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Mustafa T, Jiang SZ, Eiden AM, Weihe E, Thistlethwaite I, Eiden LE. Impact of PACAP and PAC1 receptor deficiency on the neurochemical and behavioral effects of acute and chronic restraint stress in male C57BL/6 mice. Stress 2015; 18:408-18. [PMID: 25853791 PMCID: PMC4834918 DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2015.1025044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute restraint stress (ARS) for 3 h causes corticosterone (CORT) elevation in venous blood, which is accompanied by Fos up-regulation in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of male C57BL/6 mice. CORT elevation by ARS is attenuated in PACAP-deficient mice, but unaffected in PAC1-deficient mice. Correspondingly, Fos up-regulation by ARS is greatly attenuated in PACAP-deficient mice, but much less so in PAC1-deficient animals. We noted that both PACAP- and PAC1-deficiency greatly attenuate CORT elevation after ARS when CORT measurements are performed on trunk blood following euthanasia by abrupt cervical separation: this latter observation is of critical importance in assessing the role of PACAP neurotransmission in ARS, based on previous reports in which serum CORT was sampled from trunk blood. Seven days of chronic restraint stress (CRS) induces non-habituating CORT elevation, and weight loss consequent to hypophagia, in wild-type male C57BL/6 mice. Both CORT elevation and weight loss following 7-day CRS are severely blunted in PACAP-deficient mice, but only slightly in PAC1-deficient mice. However, longer periods of daily restraint (14-21 days) resulted in sustained weight loss and elevated CORT in wild-type mice, and these effects of long-term chronic stress were attenuated or abolished in both PACAP- and PAC1-deficient mice. We conclude that while a PACAP receptor in addition to PAC1 may mediate some of the PACAP-dependent central effects of ARS and short-term (<7 days) CRS on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the PAC1 receptor plays a prominent role in mediating PACAP-dependent HPA axis activation, and hypophagia, during long-term (>7 days) CRS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adrian M Eiden
- b Section on Functional Neuroanatomy, National Institute of Mental Health , Bethesda , MD USA , and
| | - Eberhard Weihe
- c Institute of Anatomy, Philipps University , Marburg , Germany
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Roman CW, Lezak KR, Hartsock MJ, Falls WA, Braas KM, Howard AB, Hammack SE, May V. PAC1 receptor antagonism in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) attenuates the endocrine and behavioral consequences of chronic stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 47:151-65. [PMID: 25001965 PMCID: PMC4342758 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chronic or repeated stressor exposure can induce a number of maladaptive behavioral and physiological consequences and among limbic structures, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has been implicated in the integration and interpretation of stress responses. Previous work has demonstrated that chronic variate stress (CVS) exposure in rodents increases BNST pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP, Adcyap1) and PAC1 receptor (Adcyap1r1) transcript expression, and that acute BNST PACAP injections can stimulate anxiety-like behavior. Here we show that chronic stress increases PACAP expression selectively in the oval nucleus of the dorsolateral BNST in patterns distinct from those for corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). Among receptor subtypes, BNST PACAP signaling through PAC1 receptors not only heightened anxiety responses as measured by different behavioral parameters but also induced anorexic-like behavior to mimic the consequences of stress. Conversely, chronic inhibition of BNST PACAP signaling by continuous infusion with the PAC1 receptor antagonist PACAP(6-38) during the week of CVS attenuated these stress-induced behavioral responses and changes in weight gain. BNST PACAP signaling stimulated the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and heightened corticosterone release; further, BNST PACAP(6-38) administration blocked corticosterone release in a sensitized stress model. In aggregate with recent associations of PACAP/PAC1 receptor dysregulation with altered stress responses including post-traumatic stress disorder, these data suggest that BNST PACAP/PAC1 receptor signaling mechanisms may coordinate the behavioral and endocrine consequences of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn W. Roman
- Department of Neurological Sciences University of Vermont College of Medicine Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA
| | - Kim R. Lezak
- Department of Psychological Science University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA
| | - Matthew J. Hartsock
- Department of Psychological Science University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA
| | - William A. Falls
- Department of Psychological Science University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA
| | - Karen M. Braas
- Department of Neurological Sciences University of Vermont College of Medicine Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA
| | - Alan B. Howard
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA
| | - Sayamwong E. Hammack
- Department of Psychological Science University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA,Corresponding Authors: Victor May, Ph.D., Department of Neurological Sciences University of Vermont College of Medicine 149 Beaumont Avenue, HSRF 428 Burlington, Vermont 05405, Telephone: 802.656.4579,
| | - Victor May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
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Hazama K, Hayata-Takano A, Uetsuki K, Kasai A, Encho N, Shintani N, Nagayasu K, Hashimoto R, Reglodi D, Miyakawa T, Nakazawa T, Baba A, Hashimoto H. Increased behavioral and neuronal responses to a hallucinogenic drug in PACAP heterozygous mutant mice. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89153. [PMID: 24586556 PMCID: PMC3930680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence from human genetic studies implicates the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) gene as a risk factor for psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and stress-related diseases. Mice with homozygous disruption of the PACAP gene display profound behavioral and neurological abnormalities that are ameliorated with the atypical antipsychotic and dopamine D2 and serotonin (5-HT)2 antagonist risperidone and the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ritanserin; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we investigated if PACAP heterozygous mutant (PACAP+/−) mice, which appear behaviorally normal, are vulnerable to aversive stimuli. PACAP+/− mice were administered a 5-HT2 receptor agonist, (±)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI), a hallucinogenic drug, and their responses were compared with the littermate wild-type mice. After DOI injection, PACAP+/− mice showed increased head-twitch responses, while their behavior was normal after saline. DOI induced deficits in sensorimotor gating, as determined by prepulse inhibition, specifically in PACAP+/− mice. However, other 5-HT2 receptor-dependent responses, such as corticosterone release and hypothermia, were similarly observed in PACAP+/− and wild-type mice. c-Fos expression analysis, performed in various brain regions, revealed that the DOI-induced increase in the number of c-Fos-positive cells was more pronounced in 5-HT2A receptor-negative cells in the somatosensory cortex in PACAP+/− mice compared with wild-type mice. These results indicate that PACAP+/− mice exhibit specific vulnerability to DOI-induced deficits in cortical sensory function, such as exaggerated head-twitch responses and sensorimotor gating deficits. Our findings provide insight into the neural mechanisms underlying impaired behavioral responses in which 5-HT2 receptors are implicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Hazama
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsuko Hayata-Takano
- Molecular Research Center for Children’s Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuki Uetsuki
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kasai
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Interdisciplinary Program for Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Academic Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naoki Encho
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Norihito Shintani
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuki Nagayasu
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- iPS Cell-based Research Project on Brain Neuropharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryota Hashimoto
- Molecular Research Center for Children’s Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Dora Reglodi
- Department of Anatomy, PTE-MTA “Lendület” PACAP Research Team, University of Pécs, Faculty of Medicine, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takanobu Nakazawa
- iPS Cell-based Research Project on Brain Neuropharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akemichi Baba
- School of Pharmacy, Hyogo University of Health Sciences, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Hashimoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Molecular Research Center for Children’s Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- iPS Cell-based Research Project on Brain Neuropharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Nerve-derived transmitters including peptides influence cutaneous immunology. Brain Behav Immun 2013; 34:1-10. [PMID: 23517710 PMCID: PMC3750093 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2013.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical observations suggest that the nervous and immune systems are closely related. For example, inflammatory skin disorders; such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, rosacea and acne; are widely believed to be exacerbated by stress. A growing body of research now suggests that neuropeptides and neurotransmitters serve as a link between these two systems. Neuropeptides and neurotransmitters are released by nerves innervating the skin to influence important actors of the immune system, such as Langerhans cells and mast cells, which are located within close anatomic proximity. Catecholamines and other sympathetic transmitters that are released in response to activation of the sympathetic nervous system are also able to reach the skin and affect immune cells. Neuropeptides appear to direct the outcome of Langerhans cell antigen presentation with regard to the subtypes of Th cells generated and neuropeptides induce the degranulation of mast cells, among other effects. Additionally, endothelial cells, which release many inflammatory mediators and express cell surface molecules that allow leukocytes to exit the bloodstream, appear to be regulated by certain neuropeptides and transmitters. This review focuses on the evidence that products of nerves have important regulatory activities on antigen presentation, mast cell function and endothelial cell biology. These activities are highly likely to have clinical and therapeutic relevance.
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Lehmann ML, Mustafa T, Eiden AM, Herkenham M, Eiden LE. PACAP-deficient mice show attenuated corticosterone secretion and fail to develop depressive behavior during chronic social defeat stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2013; 38:702-15. [PMID: 23062748 PMCID: PMC3652373 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Revised: 08/29/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) regulates activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the adrenal gland in response to various stressors. We previously found that in response to acute psychological stress (restraint), elevated corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA levels in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) as well as elevated plasma corticosterone (CORT) were profoundly attenuated in PACAP-deficient mice. To determine whether HPA axis responses and stress-induced depressive-like behaviors in a chronic stress paradigm are affected by PACAP deficiency, we subjected mice to 14 days of social defeat stress. Defeat-exposed PACAP-/- mice showed a marked attenuation of stress-induced increases in serum CORT levels, cellular PVN ΔFosB immunostaining, and depressive-like behaviors (social interaction and forced swim tests) compared to wild-type control mice. The PACAP-/- mice showed reduced PVN FosB-positive cell numbers, but relatively elevated cell counts in several forebrain areas including the medial prefrontal cortex, after social stress. PACAP appears to be specific for mediating HPA activation only in psychological stress because marked elevations in plasma CORT after a systemic stressor (lipopolysaccharide administration) occurred regardless of genotype. We conclude that chronically elevated CORT is a key component of depressive effects of social defeat, and that attenuation of the CORT response at the level of the PVN, as well as extrahypothalamic forebrain regions, in PACAP-deficient mice protects from development of depressive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L. Lehmann
- Section on Functional Neuroanatomy, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Regulation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tomris Mustafa
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Regulation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Adrian M. Eiden
- Section on Functional Neuroanatomy, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Regulation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Miles Herkenham
- Section on Functional Neuroanatomy, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Regulation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lee E. Eiden
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Regulation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA,Corresponding author at: Section on Molecular Neuroscience, Building 49, Room 5A-38, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Tel.: +1 301 496 4110; fax: +1 301 402 1748. (L.E. Eiden)
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