1
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Ramos EN, Jiron GM, Danoff JS, Anderson Z, Carter CS, Perkeybile AM, Connelly JJ, Erisir A. The central oxytocinergic system of the prairie vole. Brain Struct Funct 2024:10.1007/s00429-024-02832-1. [PMID: 39042140 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-024-02832-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is a peptide hormone and a neuropeptide that regulates various peripheral physiological processes and modulates behavioral responses in the central nervous system. While the humoral release occurs from the axons arriving at the median eminence, the neuropeptide is also released from oxytocinergic cell axons in various brain structures that contain its receptor, and from their dendrites in hypothalamic nuclei and potentially into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Understanding oxytocin's complex functions requires the knowledge on patterns of oxytocinergic projections in relationship to its receptor (OXTR). This study provides the first comprehensive examination of the oxytocinergic system in the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), an animal exhibiting social behaviors that mirror human social behaviors linked to oxytocinergic functioning. Using light and electron microscopy, we characterized the neuroanatomy of the oxytocinergic system in this species. OXT+ cell bodies were found primarily in the hypothalamus, and axons were densest in subcortical regions. Examination of the OXT+ fibers and their relationship to oxytocin receptor transcripts (Oxtr) revealed that except for some subcortical structures, the presence of axons was not correlated with the amount of Oxtr across the brain. Of particular interest, the cerebral cortex that had high expression of Oxtr transcripts contained little to no fibers. Electron microscopy is used to quantify dense cored vesicles (DCV) in OXT+ axons and to identify potential axonal release sites. The ependymal cells that line the ventricles were frequently permissive of DCV-containing OXT+ dendrites reaching the third ventricle. Our results highlight a mechanism in which oxytocin is released directly into the ventricles and circulates throughout the ventricular system, may serve as the primary source for oxytocin that binds to OXTR in the cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- E N Ramos
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - G M Jiron
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - J S Danoff
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Z Anderson
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - C S Carter
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - A M Perkeybile
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - J J Connelly
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - A Erisir
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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2
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Lefevre A, Meza J, Miller CT. Long-range projections of oxytocin neurons in the marmoset brain. J Neuroendocrinol 2024; 36:e13397. [PMID: 38659185 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The neurohormone oxytocin (OT) has become a major target for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat psychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorder because of its integral role in governing many facets of mammalian social behavior. Whereas extensive work in rodents has produced much of our knowledge of OT, we lack basic information about its neurobiology in primates making it difficult to interpret the limited effects that OT manipulations have had in human patients. In fact, previous studies have revealed only limited OT fibers in primate brains. Here, we investigated the OT connectome in marmoset using immunohistochemistry, and mapped OT fibers throughout the brains of adult male and female marmoset monkeys. We found extensive OT projections reaching limbic and cortical areas that are involved in the regulation of social behaviors, such as the amygdala, the medial prefrontal cortex, and the basal ganglia. The pattern of OT fibers observed in marmosets is notably similar to the OT connectomes described in rodents. Our findings here contrast with previous results by demonstrating a broad distribution of OT throughout the marmoset brain. Given the prevalence of this neurohormone in the primate brain, methods developed in rodents to manipulate endogenous OT are likely to be applicable in marmosets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Lefevre
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Laboratory, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences Marc Jeannerod, CNRS and University of Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Jazlynn Meza
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Laboratory, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Cory T Miller
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Laboratory, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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3
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Bao S, Romero JM, Belfort BD, Arenkiel BR. Signaling mechanisms underlying activity-dependent integration of adult-born neurons in the mouse olfactory bulb. Genesis 2024; 62:e23595. [PMID: 38553878 PMCID: PMC10987073 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis has fascinated the field of neuroscience for decades given the prospects of harnessing mechanisms that facilitate the rewiring and/or replacement of adult brain tissue. The subgranular zone of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle are the two main areas in the brain that exhibit ongoing neurogenesis. Of these, adult-born neurons within the olfactory bulb have proven to be a powerful model for studying circuit plasticity, providing a broad and accessible avenue into neuron development, migration, and continued circuit integration within adult brain tissue. This review focuses on some of the recognized molecular and signaling mechanisms underlying activity-dependent adult-born neuron development. Notably, olfactory activity and behavioral states contribute to adult-born neuron plasticity through sensory and centrifugal inputs, in which calcium-dependent transcriptional programs, local translation, and neuropeptide signaling play important roles. This review also highlights areas of needed continued investigation to better understand the remarkable phenomenon of adult-born neuron integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suyang Bao
- Development, Disease Models, and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Juan M. Romero
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Benjamin D.W. Belfort
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Benjamin R. Arenkiel
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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4
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Mahoney HL, Schmidt TM. The cognitive impact of light: illuminating ipRGC circuit mechanisms. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:159-175. [PMID: 38279030 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00788-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Ever-present in our environments, light entrains circadian rhythms over long timescales, influencing daily activity patterns, health and performance. Increasing evidence indicates that light also acts independently of the circadian system to directly impact physiology and behaviour, including cognition. Exposure to light stimulates brain areas involved in cognition and appears to improve a broad range of cognitive functions. However, the extent of these effects and their mechanisms are unknown. Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) have emerged as the primary conduit through which light impacts non-image-forming behaviours and are a prime candidate for mediating the direct effects of light on cognition. Here, we review the current state of understanding of these effects in humans and mice, and the tools available to uncover circuit-level and photoreceptor-specific mechanisms. We also address current barriers to progress in this area. Current and future efforts to unravel the circuits through which light influences cognitive functions may inform the tailoring of lighting landscapes to optimize health and cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Mahoney
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
| | - Tiffany M Schmidt
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
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5
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Osakada T, Yan R, Jiang Y, Wei D, Tabuchi R, Dai B, Wang X, Zhao G, Wang CX, Liu JJ, Tsien RW, Mar AC, Lin D. A dedicated hypothalamic oxytocin circuit controls aversive social learning. Nature 2024; 626:347-356. [PMID: 38267576 PMCID: PMC11102773 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06958-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
To survive in a complex social group, one needs to know who to approach and, more importantly, who to avoid. In mice, a single defeat causes the losing mouse to stay away from the winner for weeks1. Here through a series of functional manipulation and recording experiments, we identify oxytocin neurons in the retrochiasmatic supraoptic nucleus (SOROXT) and oxytocin-receptor-expressing cells in the anterior subdivision of the ventromedial hypothalamus, ventrolateral part (aVMHvlOXTR) as a key circuit motif for defeat-induced social avoidance. Before defeat, aVMHvlOXTR cells minimally respond to aggressor cues. During defeat, aVMHvlOXTR cells are highly activated and, with the help of an exclusive oxytocin supply from the SOR, potentiate their responses to aggressor cues. After defeat, strong aggressor-induced aVMHvlOXTR cell activation drives the animal to avoid the aggressor and minimizes future defeat. Our study uncovers a neural process that supports rapid social learning caused by defeat and highlights the importance of the brain oxytocin system in social plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Osakada
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Rongzhen Yan
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yiwen Jiang
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dongyu Wei
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rina Tabuchi
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bing Dai
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiaohan Wang
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gavin Zhao
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Clara Xi Wang
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jing-Jing Liu
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard W Tsien
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adam C Mar
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dayu Lin
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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6
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Lefevre A, Meza J, Miller CT. Long range projections of oxytocin neurons in the marmoset brain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.02.573953. [PMID: 38260560 PMCID: PMC10802265 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.02.573953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The neurohormone oxytocin (OT) has become a major target for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat psychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorder because of its integral role in governing many facets of mammalian social behavior. Whereas extensive work in rodents has produced much of our knowledge of OT, we lack basic information about its neurobiology in primates making it difficult to interpret the limited effects that OT manipulations have had in human patients. In fact, previous studies have revealed only limited OT fibers in primate brains. Here, we investigated the OT connectome in marmoset using immunohistochemistry, and mapped OT fibers throughout the brains of adult male and female marmoset monkeys. We found extensive OT projections reaching limbic and cortical areas that are involved in the regulation of social behaviors, such as the amygdala, the medial prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia. The pattern of OT fibers observed in marmosets is notably similar to the OT connectomes described in rodents. Our findings here contrast with previous results by demonstrating a broad distribution of OT throughout the marmoset brain. Given the prevalence of this neurohormone in the primate brain, methods developed in rodents to manipulate endogenous OT are likely to be applicable in marmosets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Lefevre
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Laboratory, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Institute of cognitive sciences Marc Jeannerod, CNRS and University of Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Jazlynn Meza
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Laboratory, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Cory T. Miller
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Laboratory, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Neuroscience graduate program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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7
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Tsai SF, Kuo YM. The Role of Central Oxytocin in Autonomic Regulation. CHINESE J PHYSIOL 2024; 67:3-14. [PMID: 38780268 DOI: 10.4103/ejpi.ejpi-d-23-00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT), a neuropeptide originating from the hypothalamus and traditionally associated with peripheral functions in parturition and lactation, has emerged as a pivotal player in the central regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). This comprehensive ANS, comprising sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric components, intricately combines sympathetic and parasympathetic influences to provide unified control. The central oversight of sympathetic and parasympathetic outputs involves a network of interconnected regions spanning the neuroaxis, playing a pivotal role in the real-time regulation of visceral function, homeostasis, and adaptation to challenges. This review unveils the significant involvement of the central OXT system in modulating autonomic functions, shedding light on diverse subpopulations of OXT neurons within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and their intricate projections. The narrative progresses from the basics of central ANS regulation to a detailed discussion of the central controls of sympathetic and parasympathetic outflows. The subsequent segment focuses specifically on the central OXT system, providing a foundation for exploring the central role of OXT in ANS regulation. This review synthesizes current knowledge, paving the way for future research endeavors to unravel the full scope of autonomic control and understand multifaceted impact of OXT on physiological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Feng Tsai
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Min Kuo
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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8
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Chen CM, Wu CC, Kim Y, Hsu WY, Tsai YC, Chiu SL. Enhancing social behavior in an autism spectrum disorder mouse model: investigating the underlying mechanisms of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum intervention. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2359501. [PMID: 38841895 PMCID: PMC11164232 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2359501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting over 1% of the global population. Individuals with ASD often exhibit complex behavioral conditions, including significant social difficulties and repetitive behaviors. Moreover, ASD often co-occurs with several other conditions, including intellectual disabilities and anxiety disorders. The etiology of ASD remains largely unknown owing to its complex genetic variations and associated environmental risks. Ultimately, this poses a fundamental challenge for the development of effective ASD treatment strategies. Previously, we demonstrated that daily supplementation with the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) alleviates ASD symptoms in children. However, the mechanism underlying this improvement in ASD-associated behaviors remains unclear. Here, we used a well-established ASD mouse model, induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA), to study the physiological roles of PS128 in vivo. Overall, we showed that PS128 selectively ameliorates behavioral abnormalities in social and spatial memory in VPA-induced ASD mice. Morphological examination of dendritic architecture further revealed that PS128 facilitated the restoration of dendritic arborization and spine density in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of ASD mice. Notably, PS128 was crucial for restoring oxytocin levels in the paraventricular nucleus and oxytocin receptor signaling in the hippocampus. Moreover, PS128 alters the gut microbiota composition and increases the abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. and PS128-induced changes in Bifidobacterium abundance positively correlated with PS128-induced behavioral improvements. Together, our results show that PS128 treatment can effectively ameliorate ASD-associated behaviors and reinstate oxytocin levels in VPA-induced mice, thereby providing a promising strategy for the future development of ASD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Ming Chen
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research and Development Department, Bened Biomedical Co. Ltd, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chen Wu
- Research and Development Department, Bened Biomedical Co. Ltd, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yebeen Kim
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology and Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Yu Hsu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology and Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chieh Tsai
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Ling Chiu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology and Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Takahashi J, Yamada D, Nagano W, Sano Y, Furuichi T, Saitoh A. Oxytocinergic projection from the hypothalamus to supramammillary nucleus drives recognition memory in mice. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294113. [PMID: 37971993 PMCID: PMC10653413 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) neurons project to various brain regions and its receptor expression is widely distributed. Although it has been reported that OXT administration affects cognitive function, it is unclear how endogenous OXT plays roles in cognitive function. The present study examined the role of endogenous OXT in mice cognitive function. OXT neurons were specifically activated by OXT neuron-specific excitatory Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drug expression system and following administration of clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). Object recognition memory was assessed with the novel object recognition task (NORT). Moreover, we observed the expression of c-Fos via immunohistochemical staining to confirm neuronal activity. In NORT, the novel object exploration time percentage significantly increased in CNO-treated mice. CNO-treated mice showed a significant increase in the number of c-Fos-positive cells in the supramammillary nucleus (SuM). In addition, we found that the OXT-positive fibers from paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) were identified in the SuM. Furthermore, mice injected locally with CNO into the SuM to activate OXTergic axons projecting from the PVN to the SuM showed significantly increased percentage time of novel object exploration. Taken together, we proposed that object recognition memory in mice could be modulated by OXT neurons in the PVN projecting to the SuM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpei Takahashi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yamada
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Wakana Nagano
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshitake Sano
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Teiichi Furuichi
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Saitoh
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
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Huang Y, Liao P, Yu J, Chen S. Light disrupts social memory via a retina-to-supraoptic nucleus circuit. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56839. [PMID: 37531065 PMCID: PMC10561173 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202356839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation of social memory between individuals of the opposite sex is crucial for expanding mating options or establishing monogamous pair bonding. A specialized neuronal circuit that regulates social memory could enhance an individual's mating opportunities and provide a parallel pathway for computing social behaviors. While the influence of light exposure on various forms of memory, such as fear and object memory, has been studied, its modulation of social recognition memory remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that acute exposure to light impairs social recognition memory (SRM) in mice. Unlike sound and touch stimuli, light inhibits oxytocin neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) via M1 SON-projecting intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) and GABAergic neurons in the perinuclear zone of the SON (pSON). We further show that optogenetic activation of SON oxytocin neurons using channelrhodopsin is sufficient to enhance SRM performance, even under light conditions. Our findings unveil a dedicated neuronal circuit through which luminance affects SRM, utilizing a non-image-forming visual pathway, distinct from the canonical modulatory role of the oxytocin system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu‐Fan Huang
- Department of Life ScienceNational Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Po‐Yu Liao
- Department of Life ScienceNational Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Jo‐Hsien Yu
- Department of Life ScienceNational Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Shih‐Kuo Chen
- Department of Life ScienceNational Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
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11
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Althammer F. Heralding a new era of oxytocinergic research: New tools, new problems? J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13333. [PMID: 37621199 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
According to classic neuroendocrinology, hypothalamic oxytocin cells can be categorized into parvo- and magnocellular neurons. However, research in the last decade provided ample evidence that this black-and-white model of oxytocin neurons is most likely oversimplified. Novel genetic, functional and morphological studies indicate that oxytocin neurons might be organized in functional modules and suggest the existence of five or more distinct oxytocinergic subpopulations. However, many of these novel, automated high-throughput techniques might be inherently biased and interpretation of acquired data needs to be approached with caution to enable drawing sound and reliable conclusions. In addition, the recent finding that astrocytes in various brain regions express functional oxytocin receptors represents a paradigm shift and challenges the view that oxytocin primarily acts as a direct peptidergic neurotransmitter. This review highlights the latest technical advances in oxytocinergic research, puts recent studies on the oxytocin system into context and formulates various provocative ideas based on novel findings that challenges various prevailing hypotheses and dogmas about oxytocinergic modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Althammer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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12
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Arakawa H, Higuchi Y, Ozawa A. Oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus circuit-dependently regulates social behavior, which malfunctions in BTBR mouse model of autism. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2621359. [PMID: 36909537 PMCID: PMC10002846 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2621359/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) a neuropeptide synthesized in the hypothalamic nuclei has a variety of function including socio-emotional processes in mammals. While the neural circuits and signaling pathways in central OXT converge in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), we illuminate specific function of discrete PVN OXT circuits, which connect to the medial amygdala (MeA) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BnST) in mouse models. The OXTPVN→BnST projections are innervated from entire portions of the PVN, while those OXTPVN→MeA projections are asymmetrically innervated from the posterior portion of the PVN. Compared with OXT neurons in B6 wild type mice, BTBR mice that are recognized as a behavior-based autism model exhibited defect in the OXTPVN→BnST projection. We demonstrate that chemogenetic activation of OXTPVN→MeA circuit enhances anxiety-like behavior and facilitates social approach behavior, while activation of OXTPVN→BnST circuit suppresses anxiety-like behavior along with inhibiting social approach. This chemogenetic manipulation on the OXTPVN→BnST circuit proves ineffective in BTBR mice. Accordingly, chemogenetic activation of OXTPVN neurons that stimulate both OXT circuits induces OXT receptor expressions in both MeA and BnST as with those by social encounter in B6 mice. The induction of OXT receptor genes in the BnST was not observed in BTBR mice. These data support the hypothesis that OXT circuits serve as a regulator for OXT signaling in PVN to control socio-emotional approach/avoidance behavior, and a defect of OXTPVN→BnST circuit contributes to autism-like social phenotypes in BTBR mice.
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Higuchi Y, Tachigori SI, Arakawa H. Faded neural projection from the posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis to the lateral habenula contributes to social signaling deficit in male BTBR mice as a mouse model of autism. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 149:106004. [PMID: 36543023 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.106004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice display several behavioral characteristics, including social deficits resembling the core symptoms of human autism. Atypical social behaviors include sequential processes of assembled cognitive-behavior components, such as recognition, investigatory assessment, and signaling response. This study aimed to elucidate the neural circuits responsible for the regulation of the social signaling response, as shown by scent marking behavior in male mice. We first assessed the recognition and investigatory patterns of male BTBR mice compared to those of C57BL/6 J (B6) mice. Next, we examined their scent-marking behavior as innate social signaling responses adjusted to a confronted feature of social stimuli and situations, along with the expression of c-Fos as a marker of neuronal activity in selected brain areas involved in the regulation of social behavior. The function of the targeted brain area was confirmed by chemogenetic manipulation. We also examined the social peptides, oxytocin and vasopressin neurons of the major brain regions that are associated with the regulation of social behavior. Our data indicate that male BTBR mice are less responsive to the presentation of social stimuli and the expression of social signaling responses, which is paralleled by blunted c-Fos responsivity and vasopressin neurons morphological changes in selected brain areas, including the posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (pBnST) and lateral habenula (LHb) in BTBR mice. Further investigation of LHb function revealed that chemogenetic inhibition and activation of LHb activity can induce a change in scent marking responses in both B6 and BTBR mice. Our elucidation of the downstream LHb circuits controlling scent marking behavior indicates intact function in BTBR mice. The altered morphological characteristics of oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and vasopressin-positive neurons and axonal projections in the pBnST and LHb appear to underlie the dysfunction of scent marking responses in BTBR mice. (300/300 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Higuchi
- Department of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus Graduate School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Tachigori
- Department of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus, Faculty of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Arakawa
- Department of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus Graduate School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan.
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14
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Burger CA, Lang RA. Illuminating brain development. Cell Res 2023; 33:89-90. [PMID: 36195752 PMCID: PMC9892499 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-022-00732-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Burger
- Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Richard A Lang
- Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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15
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Carter JS, Wood SK, Kearns AM, Hopkins JL, Reichel CM. Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus Oxytocin and Incubation of Heroin Seeking. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 113:1112-1126. [PMID: 36709749 PMCID: PMC10372195 DOI: 10.1159/000529358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There are numerous pharmacologic treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD), but none that directly target the underlying addictive effects of opioids. Oxytocin, a peptide hormone produced in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, has been investigated as a potential therapeutic for OUD. Promising preclinical and clinical results have been reported, but the brain region(s) and mechanism(s) by which oxytocin impacts reward processes remain undetermined. METHODS Here, we assess peripherally administered oxytocin's impacts on cued reinstatement of heroin seeking following forced abstinence and its effects on neuronal activation in the PVN and key projection regions. We also examine how designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drug (DREADD)-mediated activation or inhibition of oxytocinergic PVN neurons alters cued heroin seeking and social interaction. RESULTS As predicted, peripheral oxytocin administration successfully decreased cued heroin seeking on days 1 and 30 of abstinence. Oxytocin administration also led to increased neuronal activity within the PVN and the central amygdala (CeA). Activation of oxytocinergic PVN neurons with an excitatory (Gq) DREADD did not impact cued reinstatement or social interaction. In contrast, suppression with an inhibitory (Gi) DREADD reduced heroin seeking on abstinence day 30 and decreased time spent interacting with a novel conspecific. DISCUSSION These findings reinforce oxytocin's therapeutic potential for OUD, the basis for which may be driven in part by increased PVN-CeA circuit activity. Our results also suggest that oxytocin has distinct signaling and/or other mechanisms of action to produce these effects, as inhibition, but not activation, of oxytocinergic PVN neurons did not recapitulate the suppression in heroin seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan S Carter
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA,
| | - Samuel K Wood
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Angela M Kearns
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jordan L Hopkins
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Carmela M Reichel
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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16
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Cox SS, Reichel CM. The intersection of empathy and addiction. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 222:173509. [PMID: 36565789 PMCID: PMC10518853 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Empathy, the ability to perceive the affective state of another, is a complex process that is integral to many of the prosocial behaviors expressed in humans and across the animal kingdom. Research into the behavioral and neurobiological underpinnings of empathic behaviors has increased in recent years. Growing evidence suggests changes in empathy may contribute to a myriad of psychiatric illnesses, including substance use disorder (SUD). Indeed, both clinical and preclinical research in SUD demonstrates a strong relationship between drug taking or relapse events and changes to empathic behavior. Further, there is significant overlap in the underlying neural substrates of these complex behaviors, including the insula, paraventricular nucleus of thalamus (PVT), and the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). In this review, we will discuss our current understanding of the interplay between empathic behaviors and SUD. We will also examine the underlying neurobiology that may regulate this interaction, focusing specifically on the insula, PVT, and PVN. Finally, we discuss the biologic and therapeutic importance of taking empathic processes into consideration when discussing SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart S Cox
- Medical University of South Carolina, Dept. of Neurosciences, United States of America.
| | - Carmela M Reichel
- Medical University of South Carolina, Dept. of Neurosciences, United States of America.
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17
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Bárez-López S, Scanlon L, Murphy D, Greenwood MP. Imaging the Hypothalamo-Neurohypophysial System. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 113:168-178. [PMID: 34438401 DOI: 10.1159/000519233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system (HNS) is a brain peptidergic neurosecretory apparatus which is composed of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) magnocellular neurones and their neuronal processes in the posterior pituitary (PP). In response to specific stimuli, AVP and OXT are secreted into the systemic circulation at the neurovascular interface of the PP, where they act as hormones, but they can also behave as neurotransmitters when released at the somatodendritic compartment or by axon collaterals to other brain regions. Because these peptides are crucial for several physiological processes, including fluid homoeostasis and reproduction, it is of great importance to map the HNS connectome in its entirety in order to understand its functions. In recent years, advances in imaging technologies have provided considerable new information about the HNS. These approaches include the use of reporter proteins under the control of specific promoters, viral tracers, brain-clearing methods, genetically encoded indicators, sniffer cells, mass spectrometry imaging, and spatially resolved transcriptomics. In this review, we illustrate how these latest approaches have enhanced our understanding of the structure and function of the HNS and how they might contribute further in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Bárez-López
- Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Liam Scanlon
- Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - David Murphy
- Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Michael Paul Greenwood
- Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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18
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Borroto-Escuela DO, Cuesta-Marti C, Lopez-Salas A, Chruścicka-Smaga B, Crespo-Ramírez M, Tesoro-Cruz E, Palacios-Lagunas DA, Perez de la Mora M, Schellekens H, Fuxe K. The oxytocin receptor represents a key hub in the GPCR heteroreceptor network: potential relevance for brain and behavior. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1055344. [PMID: 36618821 PMCID: PMC9812438 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1055344] [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: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last 10 years, it has become increasingly clear that large numbers of axon collaterals extend from the oxytocin (OXT) hypothalamic axons, especially the parvocellular components, to other brain regions. Consequently, the OXT signaling system forms, like other monoamine axons, a rich functional network across several brain regions. In this manuscript, we review the recently indicated higher order G-protein coupled heteroreceptor complexes of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR), and how these, via allosteric receptor-receptor interactions modulate the recognition, signaling, and trafficking of the participating receptor protomers and their potential impact for brain and behavior. The major focus will be on complexes of the OXTR protomer with the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) protomer and the serotonin 2A (5-HT2AR) and 2C (5-HT2CR) receptor protomers. Specifically, the existence of D2R-OXTR heterocomplexes in the nucleus accumbens and the caudate putamen of rats has led to a postulated function for this heteromer in social behavior. Next, a physical interaction between OXTRs and the growth hormone secretagogue or ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) was demonstrated, which consequently was able to attenuate OXTR-mediated Gαq signaling. This highlights the potential of ghrelin-targeted therapies to modulate oxytocinergic signaling with relevance for appetite regulation, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. Similarly, evidence for 5-HT2AR-OXTR heteromerization in the pyramidal cell layer of CA2 and CA3 in the dorsal hippocampus and in the nucleus accumbens shell was demonstrated. This complex may offer new strategies for the treatment of both mental disease and social behavior. Finally, the 5-HT2CR-OXTR heterocomplexes were demonstrated in the CA1, CA2, and CA3 regions of the dorsal hippocampus. Future work should be done to investigate the precise functional consequence of region-specific OXTR heteromerization in the brain, as well across the periphery, and whether the integration of neuronal signals in the brain may also involve higher order OXTR-GHS-R1a heteroreceptor complexes including the dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) or serotonin (5-HT) receptor protomers or other types of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasiel O. Borroto-Escuela
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain,Department of Biomolecular Science, Section of Morphology, Physiology and Environmental Biology, University of Urbino, Urbino, Italy,*Correspondence: Dasiel O. Borroto-Escuela Harriët Schellekens
| | - Cristina Cuesta-Marti
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College CorkCork, Ireland,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Alexander Lopez-Salas
- Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
| | | | - Minerva Crespo-Ramírez
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Emiliano Tesoro-Cruz
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Inmunología e Infectología, Hospital de Infectología, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, IMSS, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Miguel Perez de la Mora
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Harriët Schellekens
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College CorkCork, Ireland,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland,*Correspondence: Dasiel O. Borroto-Escuela Harriët Schellekens
| | - Kjell Fuxe
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Li Q, Zhao W, Kendrick KM. Affective touch in the context of development, oxytocin signaling, and autism. Front Psychol 2022; 13:967791. [PMID: 36506943 PMCID: PMC9728590 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.967791] [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: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Touch represents one of our most important senses throughout life and particularly in the context of our social and emotional experiences. In this review, we draw on research on touch processing from both animal models and humans. Firstly, we briefly describe the cutaneous touch receptors and neural processing of both affective and discriminative touch. We then outline how our sense of touch develops and summarize increasing evidence demonstrating how essential early tactile stimulation is for the development of brain and behavior, with a particular focus on effects of tactile stimulation in infant animals and pediatric massage and Kangaroo care in human infants. Next, the potential mechanisms whereby early tactile stimulation influences both brain and behavioral development are discussed, focusing on its ability to promote neural plasticity changes and brain interhemispheric communication, development of social behavior and bonding, and reward sensitivity through modulation of growth factor, oxytocin, and opioid signaling. Finally, we consider the implications of evidence for atypical responses to touch in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and discuss existing evidence and future priorities for establishing potential beneficial effects of interventions using massage or pharmacological treatments targeting oxytocin or other neurochemical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Li
- School of Foreign Language, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China,Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Weihua Zhao
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Keith M. Kendrick
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Keith M. Kendrick,
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20
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Pekarek BT, Kochukov M, Lozzi B, Wu T, Hunt PJ, Tepe B, Hanson Moss E, Tantry EK, Swanson JL, Dooling SW, Patel M, Belfort BDW, Romero JM, Bao S, Hill MC, Arenkiel BR. Oxytocin signaling is necessary for synaptic maturation of adult-born neurons. Genes Dev 2022; 36:1100-1118. [PMID: 36617877 PMCID: PMC9851403 DOI: 10.1101/gad.349930.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neural circuit plasticity and sensory response dynamics depend on forming new synaptic connections. Despite recent advances toward understanding the consequences of circuit plasticity, the mechanisms driving circuit plasticity are unknown. Adult-born neurons within the olfactory bulb have proven to be a powerful model for studying circuit plasticity, providing a broad and accessible avenue into neuron development, migration, and circuit integration. We and others have shown that efficient adult-born neuron circuit integration hinges on presynaptic activity in the form of diverse signaling peptides. Here, we demonstrate a novel oxytocin-dependent mechanism of adult-born neuron synaptic maturation and circuit integration. We reveal spatial and temporal enrichment of oxytocin receptor expression within adult-born neurons in the murine olfactory bulb, with oxytocin receptor expression peaking during activity-dependent integration. Using viral labeling, confocal microscopy, and cell type-specific RNA-seq, we demonstrate that oxytocin receptor signaling promotes synaptic maturation of newly integrating adult-born neurons by regulating their morphological development and expression of mature synaptic AMPARs and other structural proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon T Pekarek
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Mikhail Kochukov
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Brittney Lozzi
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Timothy Wu
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Patrick J Hunt
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Burak Tepe
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Elizabeth Hanson Moss
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Evelyne K Tantry
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jessica L Swanson
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Sean W Dooling
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Mayuri Patel
- Development, Disease Models, and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Benjamin D W Belfort
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Juan M Romero
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Suyang Bao
- Development, Disease Models, and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Matthew C Hill
- Development, Disease Models, and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Benjamin R Arenkiel
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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21
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Wronski ML, Plessow F, Kerem L, Asanza E, O'Donoghue ML, Stanford FC, Bredella MA, Torriani M, Soukas AA, Kheterpal A, Eddy KT, Holmes TM, Deckersbach T, Vangel M, Holsen LM, Lawson EA. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 8-week intranasal oxytocin administration in adults with obesity: Rationale, study design, and methods. Contemp Clin Trials 2022; 122:106909. [PMID: 36087842 PMCID: PMC10329413 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2022.106909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity affects more than one-third of adults in the U.S., and effective treatment options are urgently needed. Oxytocin administration induces weight loss in animal models of obesity via effects on caloric intake, energy expenditure, and fat metabolism. We study intranasal oxytocin, an investigational drug shown to reduce caloric intake in humans, as a potential novel treatment for obesity. METHODS We report the rationale, design, methods, and biostatistical analysis plan of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of intranasal oxytocin for weight loss (primary endpoint) in adults with obesity. Participants (aged 18-45 years) were randomly allocated (1:1) to oxytocin (four times daily over eight weeks) versus placebo. Randomization was stratified by biological sex and BMI (30 to <35, 35 to <40, ≥40 kg/m2). We investigate the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of oxytocin administration in reducing body weight. Secondary endpoints include changes in resting energy expenditure, body composition, caloric intake, metabolic profile, and brain activation via functional magnetic resonance imaging in response to food images and during an impulse control task. Safety and tolerability (e.g., review of adverse events, vital signs, electrocardiogram, comprehensive metabolic panel) are assessed throughout the study and six weeks after treatment completion. RESULTS Sixty-one male and female participants aged 18-45 years were randomized (mean age 34 years, mean BMI 37 kg/m2). The study sample is diverse with 38% identifying as non-White and 20% Hispanic. CONCLUSION Investigating intranasal oxytocin's efficacy, safety, and mechanisms as an anti-obesity medication will advance the search for optimal treatment strategies for obesity and its associated severe sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Louis Wronski
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Franziska Plessow
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liya Kerem
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Elisa Asanza
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michelle L O'Donoghue
- TIMI Study Group, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fatima C Stanford
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Miriam A Bredella
- Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Martin Torriani
- Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander A Soukas
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arvin Kheterpal
- Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kamryn T Eddy
- Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tara M Holmes
- Translational and Clinical Research Centers, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thilo Deckersbach
- Diploma Hochschule/University of Applied Sciences, Bad Sooden-Allendorf, Germany
| | - Mark Vangel
- Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura M Holsen
- Division of Women's Health, Department of Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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22
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Fathabadipour S, Mohammadi Z, Roshani F, Goharbakhsh N, Alizadeh H, Palizgar F, Cumming P, Michel TM, Vafaee MS. The neural effects of oxytocin administration in autism spectrum disorders studied by fMRI: A systematic review. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 154:80-90. [PMID: 35933858 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Oxytocin (OXT) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that is released from the posterior pituitary gland and at specific targets in the central nervous system (CNS). The prosocial effects of OXT acting in the CNS present it as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of aspects of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this article, we systematically review the functional MRI (fMRI) literature that reports task-state and resting-state fMRI (rsfMRI) studies of the neural effects of single or multiple dose intranasal OXT (IN-OXT) administration in individuals with ASD. METHOD We searched four databases for relevant documents (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) using the keywords "autism spectrum disorder", "Asperger Syndrome", "oxytocin", and "fMRI". Moreover, we made a manual search to assess the quality of our automatic search. The search was confined to English language articles published in the interval February 2013 until March 2021. RESULTS The search yielded 12 fMRI studies with OXT intervention, including 288 individuals with ASD (age 8-55 years) enrolled in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel designs, within-subject-crossover experimental OXT trials. Studies reporting activation task and rsfMRI were summarized with region of interest (ROI) or whole-brain voxel wise analysis. The systematic review of the 12 studies supported the proposition that IN-OXT administration alters brain activation in individuals with ASD. The effects of IN-OXT interacted with the type of the task and the overall results did not indicate restoration of normal brain activation in ASD signature regions albeit the lack of statistical evidence. CONCLUSION A large body of evidence consistently indicates that OXT alters activation to fMRI in brain networks of individuals with ASD, but with uncertain implications for alleviation of their social deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Fathabadipour
- Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran
| | - Zohreh Mohammadi
- Neurosciences Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Niloofar Goharbakhsh
- Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hadi Alizadeh
- Neurosciences Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Palizgar
- School of Psychology, Keele University, Newcastle Under Lyme, UK
| | - Paul Cumming
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland; School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Tanja Maria Michel
- Department of Clinical Research, BRIDGE, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Research Unit for Psychiatry, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Manouchehr Seyedi Vafaee
- Department of Clinical Research, BRIDGE, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Research Unit for Psychiatry, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
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23
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Zhao F, Zhang H, Wang P, Cui W, Xu K, Chen D, Hu M, Li Z, Geng X, Wei S. Oxytocin and serotonin in the modulation of neural function: Neurobiological underpinnings of autism-related behavior. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:919890. [PMID: 35937893 PMCID: PMC9354980 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.919890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a group of generalized neurodevelopmental disorders. Its main clinical features are social communication disorder and repetitive stereotyped behavioral interest. The abnormal structure and function of brain network is the basis of social dysfunction and stereotyped performance in patients with autism spectrum disorder. The number of patients diagnosed with ASD has increased year by year, but there is a lack of effective intervention and treatment. Oxytocin has been revealed to effectively improve social cognitive function and significantly improve the social information processing ability, empathy ability and social communication ability of ASD patients. The change of serotonin level also been reported affecting the development of brain and causes ASD-like behavioral abnormalities, such as anxiety, depression like behavior, stereotyped behavior. Present review will focus on the research progress of serotonin and oxytocin in the pathogenesis, brain circuit changes and treatment of autism. Revealing the regulatory effect and neural mechanism of serotonin and oxytocin on patients with ASD is not only conducive to a deeper comprehension of the pathogenesis of ASD, but also has vital clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhao
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classical Theory, Ministry of Education, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- TAIYUE Postdoctoral Innovation and Practice Base, Jinan, China
- Chinese Medicine and Brain Science Core Facility, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classical Theory, Ministry of Education, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- TAIYUE Postdoctoral Innovation and Practice Base, Jinan, China
- Chinese Medicine and Brain Science Core Facility, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Peng Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjie Cui
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kaiyong Xu
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- Chinese Medicine and Brain Science Core Facility, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- Chinese Medicine and Brain Science Core Facility, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Minghui Hu
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- TAIYUE Postdoctoral Innovation and Practice Base, Jinan, China
- Chinese Medicine and Brain Science Core Facility, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Zifa Li
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classical Theory, Ministry of Education, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- TAIYUE Postdoctoral Innovation and Practice Base, Jinan, China
- Chinese Medicine and Brain Science Core Facility, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- Zifa Li,
| | - Xiwen Geng
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classical Theory, Ministry of Education, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- TAIYUE Postdoctoral Innovation and Practice Base, Jinan, China
- Chinese Medicine and Brain Science Core Facility, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- Xiwen Geng,
| | - Sheng Wei
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classical Theory, Ministry of Education, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- TAIYUE Postdoctoral Innovation and Practice Base, Jinan, China
- Chinese Medicine and Brain Science Core Facility, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Sheng Wei,
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Althammer F, Roy RK, Lefevre A, Najjar RS, Schoenig K, Bartsch D, Eliava M, Feresin RG, Hammock EA, Murphy AZ, Charlet A, Grinevich V, Stern JE. Altered PVN-to-CA2 hippocampal oxytocin pathway and reduced number of oxytocin-receptor expressing astrocytes in heart failure rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13166. [PMID: 35657290 PMCID: PMC9495289 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocinergic actions within the hippocampal CA2 are important for neuromodulation, memory processing and social recognition. However, the source of the OTergic innervation, the cellular targets expressing the OT receptors (OTRs) and whether the PVN-to-CA2 OTergic system is altered during heart failure (HF), a condition recently associated with cognitive and mood decline, remains unknown. Using immunohistochemistry along with retrograde monosynaptic tracing, RNAscope and a novel OTR-Cre rat line, we show that the PVN (but not the supraoptic nucleus) is an important source of OTergic innervation to the CA2. These OTergic fibers were found in many instances in close apposition to OTR expressing cells within the CA2. Interestingly, while only a small proportion of neurons were found to express OTRs (~15%), this expression was much more abundant in CA2 astrocytes (~40%), an even higher proportion that was recently reported for astrocytes in the central amygdala. Using an established ischemic rat heart failure (HF) model, we found that HF resulted in robust changes in the PVN-to-CA2 OTergic system, both at the source and target levels. Within the PVN, we found an increased OT immunoreactivity, along with a diminished OTR expression in PVN neurons. Within the CA2 of HF rats, we observed a blunted OTergic innervation, along with a diminished OTR expression, which appeared to be restricted to CA2 astrocytes. Taken together, our studies highlight astrocytes as key cellular targets mediating OTergic PVN inputs to the CA2 hippocampal region. Moreover, they provide the first evidence for an altered PVN-to-CA2 OTergic system in HF rats, which could potentially contribute to previously reported cognitive and mood impairments in this animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Althammer
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ranjan K. Roy
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Arthur Lefevre
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim 68159, Germany
| | - Rami S. Najjar
- Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
| | - Kai Schoenig
- Department of Molecular Biology Central Institute of Mental Health J5 68159 Mannheim Germany
| | - Dusan Bartsch
- Department of Molecular Biology Central Institute of Mental Health J5 68159 Mannheim Germany
| | - Marina Eliava
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim 68159, Germany
| | - Rafaela G. Feresin
- Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
| | - Elizabeth A.D. Hammock
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Anne Z. Murphy
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Alexandre Charlet
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim 68159, Germany
| | - Javier E. Stern
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Corresponding author: Javier E. Stern, M.D. Ph.D., Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302-5030 United States, Tel: (1) 404-413-6678,
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25
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Whole-Brain Wiring Diagram of Oxytocin System in Adult Mice. J Neurosci 2022; 42:5021-5033. [PMID: 35606144 PMCID: PMC9233446 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0307-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (Oxt) neurons regulate diverse physiological responses via direct connections with different neural circuits. However, the lack of comprehensive input-output wiring diagrams of Oxt neurons and their quantitative relationship with Oxt receptor (Oxtr) expression presents challenges to understanding circuit-specific Oxt functions. Here, we establish a whole-brain distribution and anatomic connectivity map of Oxt neurons, and their relationship with Oxtr expression using high-resolution 3D mapping methods in adult male and female mice. We use a flatmap to describe Oxt neuronal expression in four hypothalamic domains including under-characterized Oxt neurons in the tuberal nucleus (TU). Oxt neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH) broadly project to nine functional circuits that control cognition, brain state, and somatic visceral response. In contrast, Oxt neurons in the supraoptic (SO) and accessory (AN) nuclei have limited central projection to a small subset of the nine circuits. Surprisingly, quantitative comparison between Oxt output and Oxtr expression showed no significant correlation across the whole brain, suggesting abundant indirect Oxt signaling in Oxtr-expressing areas. Unlike output, Oxt neurons in both the PVH and SO receive similar monosynaptic inputs from a subset of the nine circuits mainly in the thalamic, hypothalamic, and cerebral nuclei areas. Our results suggest that PVH-Oxt neurons serve as a central modulator to integrate external and internal information via largely reciprocal connection with the nine circuits while the SO-Oxt neurons act mainly as unidirectional Oxt hormonal output. In summary, our Oxt wiring diagram provides anatomic insights about distinct behavioral functions of Oxt signaling in the brain.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Oxytocin (Oxt) neurons regulate diverse physiological functions from prosocial behavior to pain sensation via central projection in the brain. Thus, understanding detailed anatomic connectivity of Oxt neurons can provide insight on circuit-specific roles of Oxt signaling in regulating different physiological functions. Here, we use high-resolution mapping methods to describe the 3D distribution, monosynaptic input and long-range output of Oxt neurons, and their relationship with Oxt receptor (Oxtr) expression across the entire mouse brain. We found Oxt connections with nine functional circuits controlling cognition, brain state, and somatic visceral response. Furthermore, we identified a quantitatively unmatched Oxt-Oxtr relationship, suggesting broad indirect Oxt signaling. Together, our comprehensive Oxt wiring diagram advances our understanding of circuit-specific roles of Oxt neurons.
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26
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Species-typical group size differentially influences social reward neural circuitry during nonreproductive social interactions. iScience 2022; 25:104230. [PMID: 35521530 PMCID: PMC9062245 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated whether nonreproductive social interactions may be rewarding for colonial but not non-colonial species. We found that the colonial spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) is significantly more gregarious, more prosocial, and less aggressive than its non-colonial relative, the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). In an immediate-early gene study, we examined oxytocin (OT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) neural responses to interactions with a novel, same-sex conspecific or a novel object. The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) OT cell group was more responsive to interactions with a conspecific compared to a novel object in both species. However, the ventral tegmental area (VTA) TH cell group showed differential responses only in spiny mice. Further, PVN OT and VTA TH neural responses positively correlated in spiny mice, suggesting functional connectivity. These results suggest that colonial species may have evolved neural mechanisms associated with reward in novel, nonreproductive social contexts to promote large group-living.
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Choe KY, Bethlehem RAI, Safrin M, Dong H, Salman E, Li Y, Grinevich V, Golshani P, DeNardo LA, Peñagarikano O, Harris NG, Geschwind DH. Oxytocin normalizes altered circuit connectivity for social rescue of the Cntnap2 knockout mouse. Neuron 2022; 110:795-808.e6. [PMID: 34932941 PMCID: PMC8944915 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The neural basis of abnormal social behavior in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) remains incompletely understood. Here we used two complementary but independent brain-wide mapping approaches, mouse resting-state fMRI and c-Fos-iDISCO+ imaging, to construct brain-wide activity and connectivity maps of the Cntnap2 knockout (KO) mouse model of ASD. At the macroscale level, we detected reduced functional coupling across social brain regions despite general patterns of hyperconnectivity across major brain structures. Oxytocin administration, which rescues social deficits in KO mice, strongly stimulated many brain areas and normalized connectivity patterns. Notably, chemogenetically triggered release of endogenous oxytocin strongly stimulated the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a forebrain nucleus implicated in social reward. Furthermore, NAc-targeted approaches to activate local oxytocin receptors sufficiently rescued their social deficits. Our findings establish circuit- and systems-level mechanisms of social deficits in Cntnap2 KO mice and reveal the NAc as a region that can be modulated by oxytocin to promote social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Y Choe
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
| | - Richard A I Bethlehem
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - Martin Safrin
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Hongmei Dong
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Elena Salman
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research for Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim 68159, Germany
| | - Peyman Golshani
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Laura A DeNardo
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Olga Peñagarikano
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vizcaya 48940, Spain
| | - Neil G Harris
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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28
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Colleluori G, Galli C, Severi I, Perugini J, Giordano A. Early Life Stress, Brain Development, and Obesity Risk: Is Oxytocin the Missing Link? Cells 2022; 11:cells11040623. [PMID: 35203274 PMCID: PMC8870435 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity disease results from a dysfunctional modulation of the energy balance whose master regulator is the central nervous system. The neural circuitries involved in such function complete their maturation during early postnatal periods, when the brain is highly plastic and profoundly influenced by the environment. This phenomenon is considered as an evolutionary strategy, whereby metabolic functions are adjusted to environmental cues, such as food availability and maternal care. In this timeframe, adverse stimuli may program the body metabolism to maximize energy storage abilities to cope with hostile conditions. Consistently, the prevalence of obesity is higher among individuals who experienced early life stress (ELS). Oxytocin, a hypothalamic neurohormone, regulates the energy balance and modulates social, emotional, and eating behaviors, exerting both central and peripheral actions. Oxytocin closely cooperates with leptin in regulating energy homeostasis. Both oxytocin and leptin impact the neurodevelopment during critical periods and are affected by ELS and obesity. In this review article, we report evidence from the literature describing the effect of postnatal ELS (specifically, disorganized/inconstant maternal care) on the vulnerability to obesity with a focus on the role of oxytocin. We emphasize the existing research gaps and highlight promising directions worthy of exploration. Based on the available data, alterations in the oxytocin system may in part mediate the ELS-induced susceptibility to obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Colleluori
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Tronto 10/A, 60020 Ancona, Italy; (G.C.); (C.G.); (I.S.); (J.P.)
| | - Chiara Galli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Tronto 10/A, 60020 Ancona, Italy; (G.C.); (C.G.); (I.S.); (J.P.)
| | - Ilenia Severi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Tronto 10/A, 60020 Ancona, Italy; (G.C.); (C.G.); (I.S.); (J.P.)
| | - Jessica Perugini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Tronto 10/A, 60020 Ancona, Italy; (G.C.); (C.G.); (I.S.); (J.P.)
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Tronto 10/A, 60020 Ancona, Italy; (G.C.); (C.G.); (I.S.); (J.P.)
- Center of Obesity, Marche Polytechnic University-United Hospitals, 60020 Ancona, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-071-220-6086; Fax: +39-071-220-6087
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29
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Papazoglou I, Lee JH, Cui Z, Li C, Fulgenzi G, Bahn YJ, Staniszewska-Goraczniak HM, Piñol RA, Hogue IB, Enquist LW, Krashes MJ, Rane SG. A distinct hypothalamus-to-β cell circuit modulates insulin secretion. Cell Metab 2022; 34:285-298.e7. [PMID: 35108515 PMCID: PMC8935365 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The central nervous system has long been thought to regulate insulin secretion, an essential process in the maintenance of blood glucose levels. However, the anatomical and functional connections between the brain and insulin-producing pancreatic β cells remain undefined. Here, we describe a functional transneuronal circuit connecting the hypothalamus to β cells in mice. This circuit originates from a subpopulation of oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVNOXT), and it reaches the islets of the endocrine pancreas via the sympathetic autonomic branch to innervate β cells. Stimulation of PVNOXT neurons rapidly suppresses insulin secretion and causes hyperglycemia. Conversely, silencing of these neurons elevates insulin levels by dysregulating neuronal signaling and secretory pathways in β cells and induces hypoglycemia. PVNOXT neuronal activity is triggered by glucoprivation. Our findings reveal that a subset of PVNOXT neurons form functional multisynaptic circuits with β cells in mice to regulate insulin secretion, and their function is necessary for the β cell response to hypoglycemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Papazoglou
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Ji-Hyeon Lee
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zhenzhong Cui
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Chia Li
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gianluca Fulgenzi
- Neural Development Section, MCGP, CCR, NCI, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA; Department of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Young Jae Bahn
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Ramón A Piñol
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ian B Hogue
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy, Biodesign Institute, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Lynn W Enquist
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Michael J Krashes
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sushil G Rane
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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30
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Soumier A, Habart M, Lio G, Demily C, Sirigu A. Differential fate between oxytocin and vasopressin cells in the developing mouse brain. iScience 2022; 25:103655. [PMID: 35028535 PMCID: PMC8741612 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), two neuropeptides involved in socio-emotional behaviors have been anatomically defined in the adult brain. Yet their spatial organization during postnatal development is not clearly defined. We built a developmental atlas using 3D imaging of cleared immunolabeled tissue over four early postnatal (P) stages, from birth (P0, P3, P7, P14) to young adulthood (≥P56). Our atlas-based mapping revealed that the number of OXT neurons doubles according to unique temporal dynamics in selective hypothalamic regions, namely, the periventricular and paraventricular nuclei, and in a novel location we named the antero-lateral preoptic. In the paraventricular nucleus, single-cell densities and fluorescence analysis demonstrated selective expansion of OXT cells in the antero-ventral division, whereas the postero-dorsal division contained cells present at birth. No changes were observed for AVP neurons. Our findings show the coexisting of innate and plastic OXT/AVP brain circuits probably triggered by environmental adaptation of the social brain. The OXT system continues to mature during early development but not the AVP system OXT hypothalamic nuclei emerge at different rates after birth PVN cells gradually acquire an oxytocinergic phenotype OXT cells are organized into innate and adaptive neural networks
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelie Soumier
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, le Vinatier Hospital, Bron, France.,Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, Bron, France
| | - Marie Habart
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, le Vinatier Hospital, Bron, France.,Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, Bron, France
| | - Guillaume Lio
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, le Vinatier Hospital, Bron, France.,Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, Bron, France
| | - Caroline Demily
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, le Vinatier Hospital, Bron, France.,Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, Bron, France
| | - Angela Sirigu
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, le Vinatier Hospital, Bron, France.,Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, Bron, France
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31
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Wang P, Wang SC, Liu X, Jia S, Wang X, Li T, Yu J, Parpura V, Wang YF. Neural Functions of Hypothalamic Oxytocin and its Regulation. ASN Neuro 2022; 14:17590914221100706. [PMID: 35593066 PMCID: PMC9125079 DOI: 10.1177/17590914221100706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT), a nonapeptide, has a variety of functions. Despite extensive studies on OT over past decades, our understanding of its neural functions and their regulation remains incomplete. OT is mainly produced in OT neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and accessory nuclei between the SON and PVN. OT exerts neuromodulatory effects in the brain and spinal cord. While magnocellular OT neurons in the SON and PVN mainly innervate the pituitary and forebrain regions, and parvocellular OT neurons in the PVN innervate brainstem and spinal cord, the two sets of OT neurons have close interactions histologically and functionally. OT expression occurs at early life to promote mental and physical development, while its subsequent decrease in expression in later life stage accompanies aging and diseases. Adaptive changes in this OT system, however, take place under different conditions and upon the maturation of OT release machinery. OT can modulate social recognition and behaviors, learning and memory, emotion, reward, and other higher brain functions. OT also regulates eating and drinking, sleep and wakefulness, nociception and analgesia, sexual behavior, parturition, lactation and other instinctive behaviors. OT regulates the autonomic nervous system, and somatic and specialized senses. Notably, OT can have different modulatory effects on the same function under different conditions. Such divergence may derive from different neural connections, OT receptor gene dimorphism and methylation, and complex interactions with other hormones. In this review, brain functions of OT and their underlying neural mechanisms as well as the perspectives of their clinical usage are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Stephani C. Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuwei Jia
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaoran Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Neuroscience Laboratory for Translational Medicine, School of Mental Health, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Jiawei Yu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Kerqin District Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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32
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Leithead AB, Tasker JG, Harony‐Nicolas H. The interplay between glutamatergic circuits and oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamus and its relevance to neurodevelopmental disorders. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e13061. [PMID: 34786775 PMCID: PMC8951898 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) neurons of the hypothalamus are at the center of several physiological functions, including milk ejection, uterus contraction, and maternal and social behavior. In lactating females, OXT neurons show a pattern of burst firing and inter-neuron synchronization during suckling that leads to pulsatile release of surges of OXT into the bloodstream to stimulate milk ejection. This pattern of firing and population synchronization may be facilitated in part by hypothalamic glutamatergic circuits, as has been observed in vitro using brain slices obtained from male rats and neonates. However, it remains unknown how hypothalamic glutamatergic circuits influence OXT cell activity outside the context of lactation. In this review, we summarize the in vivo and in vitro studies that describe the synchronized burst firing pattern of OXT neurons and the implication of hypothalamic glutamate in this pattern of firing. We also make note of the few studies that have traced glutamatergic afferents to the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. Finally, we discuss the genetic findings implicating several glutamatergic genes in neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, thus underscoring the need for future studies to investigate the impact of these mutations on hypothalamic glutamatergic circuits and the OXT system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda B. Leithead
- Department of PsychiatryIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and TreatmentNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of NeuroscienceIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Friedman Brain Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Jeffrey G. Tasker
- Neurobiology DivisionDepartment of Cell and Molecular BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansLAUSA
| | - Hala Harony‐Nicolas
- Department of PsychiatryIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and TreatmentNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of NeuroscienceIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Friedman Brain Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
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Niu J, Tong J, Blevins JE. Oxytocin as an Anti-obesity Treatment. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:743546. [PMID: 34720864 PMCID: PMC8549820 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.743546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a growing health concern, as it increases risk for heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cancer, COVID-19 related hospitalizations and mortality. However, current weight loss therapies are often associated with psychiatric or cardiovascular side effects or poor tolerability that limit their long-term use. The hypothalamic neuropeptide, oxytocin (OT), mediates a wide range of physiologic actions, which include reproductive behavior, formation of prosocial behaviors and control of body weight. We and others have shown that OT circumvents leptin resistance and elicits weight loss in diet-induced obese rodents and non-human primates by reducing both food intake and increasing energy expenditure (EE). Chronic intranasal OT also elicits promising effects on weight loss in obese humans. This review evaluates the potential use of OT as a therapeutic strategy to treat obesity in rodents, non-human primates, and humans, and identifies potential mechanisms that mediate this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- JingJing Niu
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Office of Research and Development, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jenny Tong
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Office of Research and Development, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - James E Blevins
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Office of Research and Development, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
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Oxytocin and Food Intake Control: Neural, Behavioral, and Signaling Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910859. [PMID: 34639199 PMCID: PMC8509519 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin is produced in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus and the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus. In addition to its extensively studied influence on social behavior and reproductive function, central oxytocin signaling potently reduces food intake in both humans and animal models and has potential therapeutic use for obesity treatment. In this review, we highlight rodent model research that illuminates various neural, behavioral, and signaling mechanisms through which oxytocin’s anorexigenic effects occur. The research supports a framework through which oxytocin reduces food intake via amplification of within-meal physiological satiation signals rather than by altering between-meal interoceptive hunger and satiety states. We also emphasize the distributed neural sites of action for oxytocin’s effects on food intake and review evidence supporting the notion that central oxytocin is communicated throughout the brain, at least in part, through humoral-like volume transmission. Finally, we highlight mechanisms through which oxytocin interacts with various energy balance-associated neuropeptide and endocrine systems (e.g., agouti-related peptide, melanin-concentrating hormone, leptin), as well as the behavioral mechanisms through which oxytocin inhibits food intake, including effects on nutrient-specific ingestion, meal size control, food reward-motivated responses, and competing motivations.
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Chuang HJ, Chang CY, Ho HP, Chou MY. Oxytocin Signaling Acts as a Marker for Environmental Stressors in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7459. [PMID: 34299078 PMCID: PMC8303627 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The oxytocin system plays a role in stress responses and behavior modulation. However, the effects of oxytocin signaling on stress adaptation remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated the roles of oxytocin signaling as a biomarker under stress conditions in the peripheral tissues (the gills) and central nervous system (the brain). All the environmental stressors downregulated the expression of oxytocin receptors in the gills, and the alteration of the expression of oxytocin receptors was also found in the brain after the acidic (AC) and high-ammonia (HA) treatments. The number of oxytocin neurons was increased after double-deionized (DI) treatment. By transgenic line, Tg(oxtl:EGFP), we also investigated the projections of oxytocin neurons and found oxytocin axon innervations in various nuclei that might regulate the anxiety levels and aggressiveness of adult zebrafish under different environmental stresses. The oxytocin system integrates physiological responses and behavioral outcomes to ensure environmental adaptation in adult zebrafish. Our study provides insight into oxytocin signaling as a stress indicator upon environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ming-Yi Chou
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (H.-J.C.); (C.-Y.C.); (H.-P.H.)
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