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Bassil K, Krontira AC, Leroy T, Escoto AIH, Snijders C, Pernia CD, Pasterkamp RJ, de Nijs L, van den Hove D, Kenis G, Boks MP, Vadodaria K, Daskalakis NP, Binder EB, Rutten BPF. In vitro modeling of the neurobiological effects of glucocorticoids: A review. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 23:100530. [PMID: 36891528 PMCID: PMC9986648 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA)axis dysregulation has long been implicated in stress-related disorders such as major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are released from the adrenal glands as a result of HPA-axis activation. The release of GCs is implicated with several neurobiological changes that are associated with negative consequences of chronic stress and the onset and course of psychiatric disorders. Investigating the underlying neurobiological effects of GCs may help to better understand the pathophysiology of stress-related psychiatric disorders. GCs impact a plethora of neuronal processes at the genetic, epigenetic, cellular, and molecular levels. Given the scarcity and difficulty in accessing human brain samples, 2D and 3D in vitro neuronal cultures are becoming increasingly useful in studying GC effects. In this review, we provide an overview of in vitro studies investigating the effects of GCs on key neuronal processes such as proliferation and survival of progenitor cells, neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, neuronal activity, inflammation, genetic vulnerability, and epigenetic alterations. Finally, we discuss the challenges in the field and offer suggestions for improving the use of in vitro models to investigate GC effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Bassil
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Anthi C Krontira
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Leroy
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alana I H Escoto
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Clara Snijders
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Cameron D Pernia
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Laurence de Nijs
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel van den Hove
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Gunter Kenis
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Marco P Boks
- Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Krishna Vadodaria
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, San Diego, United States
| | | | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Bart P F Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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2
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Bartlett EA, Yttredahl AA, Boldrini M, Tyrer AE, Hill KR, Ananth MR, Milak MS, Oquendo MA, Mann JJ, DeLorenzo C, Parsey RV. In vivo serotonin 1A receptor hippocampal binding potential in depression and reported childhood adversity. Eur Psychiatry 2023; 66:e17. [PMID: 36691786 PMCID: PMC9970152 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reported childhood adversity (CA) is associated with development of depression in adulthood and predicts a more severe course of illness. Although elevated serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) binding potential, especially in the raphe nuclei, has been shown to be a trait associated with major depression, we did not replicate this finding in an independent sample using the partial agonist positron emission tomography tracer [11C]CUMI-101. Evidence suggests that CA can induce long-lasting changes in expression of 5-HT1AR, and thus, a history of CA may explain the disparate findings. METHODS Following up on our initial report, 28 unmedicated participants in a current depressive episode (bipolar n = 16, unipolar n = 12) and 19 non-depressed healthy volunteers (HVs) underwent [11C]CUMI-101 imaging to quantify 5-HT1AR binding potential. Participants in a depressive episode were stratified into mild/moderate and severe CA groups via the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. We hypothesized higher hippocampal and raphe nuclei 5-HT1AR with severe CA compared with mild/moderate CA and HVs. RESULTS There was a group-by-region effect (p = 0.011) when considering HV, depressive episode mild/moderate CA, and depressive episode severe CA groups, driven by significantly higher hippocampal 5-HT1AR binding potential in participants in a depressive episode with severe CA relative to HVs (p = 0.019). Contrary to our hypothesis, no significant binding potential differences were detected in the raphe nuclei (p-values > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS With replication in larger samples, elevated hippocampal 5-HT1AR binding potential may serve as a promising biomarker through which to investigate the neurobiological link between CA and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bartlett
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York10032, USA.,Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York10032, USA
| | - Ashley A Yttredahl
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York10032, USA.,Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York10032, USA
| | - Maura Boldrini
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York10032, USA
| | - Andrea E Tyrer
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook, NY11794, USA.,Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, OntarioM5S, Canada
| | - Kathryn R Hill
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook, NY11794, USA
| | - Mala R Ananth
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland20892, USA
| | - Matthew S Milak
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York10032, USA.,Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York10032, USA
| | - Maria A Oquendo
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania19104, USA
| | - J John Mann
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York10032, USA.,Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York10032, USA.,Department of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, New York10027, USA
| | - Christine DeLorenzo
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook, NY11794, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York11794, USA
| | - Ramin V Parsey
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook, NY11794, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York11794, USA.,Department of Radiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York11794, USA
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3
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Bassil K, De Nijs L, Rutten BPF, Van Den Hove DLA, Kenis G. In vitro modeling of glucocorticoid mechanisms in stress-related mental disorders: Current challenges and future perspectives. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1046357. [DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1046357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, in vitro models has been attracting a great deal of attention for the investigation of a number of mechanisms underlying neurological and mental disorders, including stress-related disorders, for which human brain material has rarely been available. Neuronal cultures have been extensively used to investigate the neurobiological effects of stress hormones, in particular glucocorticoids. Despite great advancements in this area, several challenges and limitations of studies attempting to model and investigate stress-related mechanisms in vitro exist. Such experiments often come along with non-standardized definitions stress paradigms in vitro, variations in cell models and cell types investigated, protocols with differing glucocorticoid concentrations and exposure times, and variability in the assessment of glucocorticoid-induced phenotypes, among others. Hence, drawing consensus conclusions from in-vitro stress studies is challenging. Addressing these limitations and aligning methodological aspects will be the first step towards an improved and standardized way of conducting in vitro studies into stress-related disorders, and is indispensable to reach the full potential of in vitro neuronal models. Here, we consider the most important challenges that need to be overcome and provide initial guidelines to achieve improved use of in vitro neuronal models for investigating mechanisms underlying the development of stress-related mental disorders.
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Zhang Q, Liu F, Yan W, Wu Y, Wang M, Wei J, Wang S, Zhu X, Chai X, Zhao S. Prolonged maternal separation alters neurogenesis and synaptogenesis in postnatal dentate gyrus of mice. Bipolar Disord 2021; 23:376-390. [PMID: 32805776 DOI: 10.1111/bdi.12986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As a common model for adverse early experience and depression, maternal separation (MS) is always used to investigate the psychological disease. Despite extensive and strong evidence verified the depression-like state induced by MS, little is known about the specific mechanism of MS. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the neurobiology mechanism of the MS-induced depression-like state. METHODS To verify the depression-like behaviors of offspring induced by MS, a series of behavioral tests were performed. Then, in vivo electroporation and three-dimensional reconstruction, combining with immunohistochemistry and BrdU labeling, were mainly used to explore the neurogenesis and synaptogenesis in postnatal dentate gyrus. RESULTS Prolonged MS indeed induced the depression-like behaviors of offspring in adulthood. Surprisingly, learning and memory were enhanced by prolonged MS. Further investigation indicated that prolonged MS inhibited the proliferation of neural stem cells, impaired the survival, and altered the fate decision of newborn cells, whereas the total length and terminal tips of dendrite, and the spine density, especially thin spine, were significantly increased in prolonged MS mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results elucidated that prolonged MS induced the depression-like state by impairing postnatal neurogenesis of dentate gyrus. Importantly, our results emphasized that prolonged MS increased the spine density, especially thin spine, by increasing the total length and number of terminal tips of dendrite, thereby enhancing learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianru Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Feng Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Wenyong Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yongji Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Mengli Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Jingjing Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Shuzhong Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xuejun Chai
- College of Basic Medicine, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shanting Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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Vilela FC, Vieira JS, Vitor-Vieira F, Kalil-Cutti B, da Silva JRT, Giusti-Paiva A, da Silva ML. Maternal separation increases pain sensitivity by reducing the activity of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus and noradrenergic neurons in locus coeruleus. Neurosci Lett 2021; 748:135734. [PMID: 33596470 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Animals subjected to early life maternal separation exhibit increased sensitivity to chemical, thermal, and mechanical stimuli during adulthood. However, the mechanism by which maternal separation can alter pain sensitivity in adulthood has not yet been investigated. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the activity of serotonergic and noradrenergic neurons and the effect of serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) reuptake inhibitors in male and female Wistar rats subjected to maternal separation. This study consisted of two experiments: 1) to confirm whether maternal separation increased pain sensitivity (n = 8 per group) and to evaluate the activity of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus and noradrenergic neurons in locus coeruleus in animals subjected to maternal separation in comparison to controls (n = 6 per group); and 2) to evaluate the effect of fluoxetine (a selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor) and desipramine (a NA reuptake inhibitor) on sensitivity to chemical stimulation using formalin in animals subjected to maternal separation (n = 8 per group). Our findings indicated that maternal separation increases an animal's sensitivity to painful chemical stimulation and reduces the activity of 5-HT and NA neurons. In addition, acute pretreatment with a 5-HT or NA reuptake inhibitor prevented the increased response to painful stimulation induced by maternal separation. In conclusion, maternal separation increases pain sensitivity by reducing the activity of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus and noradrenergic neurons in locus coeruleus. This study contributes to possible treatments for pain in individuals exposed to early life stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana C Vilela
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Brazil.
| | - Jádina S Vieira
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Fernando Vitor-Vieira
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Bruna Kalil-Cutti
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Josie R T da Silva
- Instituto de Ciências da Motricidade, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Giusti-Paiva
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Marcelo L da Silva
- Instituto de Ciências da Motricidade, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Brazil
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Serotonin deficiency induced after brain maturation rescues consequences of early life adversity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5368. [PMID: 33686115 PMCID: PMC7940624 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83592-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain serotonin (5-HT) system dysfunction is implicated in depressive disorders and acute depletion of 5-HT precursor tryptophan has frequently been used to model the influence of 5-HT deficiency on emotion regulation. Tamoxifen (TAM)-induced Cre/loxP-mediated inactivation of the tryptophan hydroxylase-2 gene (Tph2) was used to investigate the effects of provoked 5-HT deficiency in adult mice (Tph2 icKO) previously subjected to maternal separation (MS). The efficiency of Tph2 inactivation was validated by immunohistochemistry and HPLC. The impact of Tph2 icKO in interaction with MS stress (Tph2 icKO × MS) on physiological parameters, emotional behavior and expression of 5-HT system-related marker genes were assessed. Tph2 icKO mice displayed a significant reduction in 5-HT immunoreactive cells and 5-HT concentrations in the rostral raphe region within four weeks following TAM treatment. Tph2 icKO and MS differentially affected food and water intake, locomotor activity as well as panic-like escape behavior. Tph2 icKO prevented the adverse effects of MS stress and altered the expression of the genes previously linked to stress and emotionality. In conclusion, an experimental model was established to study the behavioral and neurobiological consequences of 5-HT deficiency in adulthood in interaction with early-life adversity potentially affecting brain development and the pathogenesis of depressive disorders.
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7
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Kestering-Ferreira E, Tractenberg SG, Lumertz FS, Orso R, Creutzberg KC, Wearick-Silva LE, Viola TW, Grassi-Oliveira R. Long-term Effects of Maternal Separation on Anxiety-Like Behavior and Neuroendocrine Parameters in Adult Balb/c Mice. CHRONIC STRESS (THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.) 2021; 5:24705470211067181. [PMID: 34993376 PMCID: PMC8725222 DOI: 10.1177/24705470211067181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Disruption of maternal care using maternal separation (MS) models has provided significant evidence of the deleterious long-term effects of early life stress. Several preclinical studies investigating MS showed multiple behavioral and biomolecular alterations. However, there is still conflicting results from MS studies, which represents a challenge for reliability and replicability of those findings. Objective: To address that, this study was conducted to investigate whether MS would affect anxiety-like behaviors using a battery of classical tasks, as well as central and peripheral stress-related biomarkers. Methods: Male Balb/c mice were exposed to MS from postnatal day (PND) 2 to 14 for 180-min per day. Two independent cohorts were performed to evaluate both baseline and anxiety-like behavior responses to MS at PND60. We performed composite scores to evaluate MS effects on anxiety and risk assessment phenotypes. Also, we assessed mRNA gene expression in the medial pre-frontal cortex (mPFC) of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors (GR and MR) using real-time PCR and peripheral corticosterone levels (CORT) to investigate possible neurobiological correlates to anxiety behaviors. Results: We found increased anxiety-like behavior and decreased risk assessment and exploratory behaviors in MS mice. The animals exposed to MS also presented a decrease in MR mRNA expression and higher levels of CORT compared to controls. Conclusions: Our findings reinforce the body of evidence suggesting that long-term MS induces effects on anxiety and risk assessment phenotypes following the exposure to a standardized MS protocol. Moreover, MS affected the expression of MR mRNA and induced significant changes on CORT response. This data highlights that the reprograming MS effects on HPA axis could be mediate by MR gene expression in mPFC and chronic overactivity of peripheral CORT levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Kestering-Ferreira
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
(DCNL), Pontifical University Catholic of Rio Grande do Sul
| | - Saulo Gantes Tractenberg
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
(DCNL), Pontifical University Catholic of Rio Grande do Sul
| | | | - Rodrigo Orso
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
(DCNL), Pontifical University Catholic of Rio Grande do Sul
| | | | | | - Thiago Wendt Viola
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
(DCNL), Pontifical University Catholic of Rio Grande do Sul
| | - Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
(DCNL), Pontifical University Catholic of Rio Grande do Sul
- Aarhus University, Denmark
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8
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Predisposition of Neonatal Maternal Separation to Visceral Hypersensitivity via Downregulation of Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel Subtype 2 (SK2) in Mice. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8876230. [PMID: 33029124 PMCID: PMC7528131 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8876230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral hypersensitivity is a common occurrence of gastrointestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), wherein early-life stress (ELS) may have a high predisposition to the development of visceral hypersensitivity in adulthood, with the specific underlying mechanism still elusive. Herein, we assessed the potential effect of small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel subtype 2 (SK2) in the spinal dorsal horn (DH) on the pathogenesis of visceral hypersensitivity induced by maternal separation (MS) in mice. Methods Neonatal mice were subjected to the MS paradigm, an established ELS model. In adulthood, the visceral pain threshold and the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) were measured with an inflatable balloon. The elevated plus maze, open field test, sucrose preference test, and forced swim test were employed to evaluate the anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. The expression levels of SK2 in the spinal DH were determined by immunofluorescence and western blotting. The mRNA of SK2 and membrane palmitoylated protein 2 (MPP2) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Electrophysiology was applied to evaluate the neuronal firing rates and SK2 channel-mediated afterhyperpolarization current (I AHP). The interaction between MPP2 and SK2 was validated by coimmunoprecipitation. Results In contrast to the naïve mice, ethological findings in MS mice revealed lowered visceral pain threshold, more evident anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, and downregulated expression of membrane SK2 protein and MPP2 protein. Moreover, electrophysiological results indicated increased neuronal firing rates and decreased I AHP in the spinal DH neurons. Nonetheless, intrathecal injection of the SK2 channel activator 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (1-EBIO) in MS mice could reverse the electrophysiological alterations and elevate the visceral pain threshold. In the naïve mice, administration of the SK2 channel blocker apamin abated I AHP and elevated spontaneous neuronal firing rates in the spinal DH neurons, reducing the visceral pain threshold. Finally, disruption of the MPP2 expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) could amplify visceral hypersensitivity in naïve mice. Conclusions ELS-induced visceral pain and visceral hypersensitivity are associated with the underfunction of SK2 channels in the spinal DH.
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9
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Lieb MW, Weidner M, Arnold MR, Loupy KM, Nguyen KT, Hassell JE, Schnabel KS, Kern R, Day HEW, Lesch KP, Waider J, Lowry CA. Effects of maternal separation on serotonergic systems in the dorsal and median raphe nuclei of adult male Tph2-deficient mice. Behav Brain Res 2019; 373:112086. [PMID: 31319134 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have highlighted interactions between serotonergic systems and adverse early life experience as important gene x environment determinants of risk of stress-related psychiatric disorders. Evidence suggests that mice deficient in Tph2, the rate-limiting enzyme for brain serotonin synthesis, display disruptions in behavioral phenotypes relevant to stress-related psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to determine how maternal separation in wild-type, heterozygous, and Tph2 knockout mice affects mRNA expression of serotonin-related genes. Serotonergic genes studied included Tph2, the high-affinity, low-capacity, sodium-dependent serotonin transporter (Slc6a4), the serotonin type 1a receptor (Htr1a), and the corticosterone-sensitive, low-affinity, high-capacity sodium-independent serotonin transporter, organic cation transporter 3 (Slc22a3). Furthermore, we studied corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors 1 (Crhr1) and 2 (Crhr2), which play important roles in controlling serotonergic neuronal activity. For this study, offspring of Tph2 heterozygous dams were exposed to daily maternal separation for the first two weeks of life. Adult, male wild-type, heterozygous, and homozygous offspring were subsequently used for molecular analysis. Maternal separation differentially altered serotonergic gene expression in a genotype- and topographically-specific manner. For example, maternal separation increased Slc6a4 mRNA expression in the dorsal part of the dorsal raphe nucleus in Tph2 heterozygous mice, but not in wild-type or knockout mice. Overall, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that gene x environment interactions, including serotonergic genes and adverse early life experience, play an important role in vulnerability to stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret W Lieb
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Magdalena Weidner
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Mathew R Arnold
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Kelsey M Loupy
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Kadi T Nguyen
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - James E Hassell
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - K'Loni S Schnabel
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Raphael Kern
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - Heidi E W Day
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Jonas Waider
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - Christopher A Lowry
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Veterans Health Administration, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Military and Veteran Microbiome Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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10
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Bondar NP, Reshetnikov VV, Burdeeva KV, Merkulova TI. Effect of neonatal dexamethasone treatment on cognitive abilities of adult male mice and gene expression in the hypothalamus. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2019. [DOI: 10.18699/vj19.514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The early postnatal period is critical for the development of the nervous system. Stress during this period causes negative long-term effects, which are manifested at both behavioral and molecular levels. To simulate the elevated glucocorticoid levels characteristic of early-life stress, in our study we used the administration of dexamethasone, an agonist of glucocorticoid receptors, at decreasing doses at the first three days of life (0.5, 0.3, 0.1 mg/kg, s.c.). In adult male mice with neonatal dexamethasone treatment, an increase in the relative weight of the adrenal glands and a decrease in body weight were observed, while the basal level of corticosterone remained unchanged. Dexamethasone treatment in early life had a negative impact on the learning and spatial memory of adult mice in the Morris water maze. We analyzed the effect of elevated glucocorticoid levels in early life on the expression of the Crh, Avp, Gr, and Mr genes involved in the regulation of the HPA axis in the hypothalami of adult mice. The expression level of the mineralocorticoid receptor gene (Mr) was significantly downregulated, and the glucocorticoid receptor gene (Gr) showed a tendency towards decreased expression (p = 0.058) in male mice neonatally treated with dexamethasone, as compared with saline administration. The expression level of the Crh gene encoding corticotropin-releasing hormone was unchanged, while the expression of the vasopressin gene (Avp) was increased in response to neonatal administration of dexamethasone. The obtained results demonstrate a disruption of negative feedback regulation of the HPA axis, which involves glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors, at the level of the hypothalamus. Malfunction of the HPA axis as a result of activation of the glucocorticoid system in early life may cause the development of cognitive impairment in the adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. P. Bondar
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, SB RAS;
Novosibirsk State University
| | | | | | - T. I. Merkulova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, SB RAS;
Novosibirsk State University
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11
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Weidner MT, Lardenoije R, Eijssen L, Mogavero F, De Groodt LPMT, Popp S, Palme R, Förstner KU, Strekalova T, Steinbusch HWM, Schmitt-Böhrer AG, Glennon JC, Waider J, van den Hove DLA, Lesch KP. Identification of Cholecystokinin by Genome-Wide Profiling as Potential Mediator of Serotonin-Dependent Behavioral Effects of Maternal Separation in the Amygdala. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:460. [PMID: 31133792 PMCID: PMC6524554 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Converging evidence suggests a role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), the rate-limiting enzyme of 5-HT synthesis in the brain, in modulating long-term, neurobiological effects of early-life adversity. Here, we aimed at further elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying this interaction, and its consequences for socio-emotional behaviors, with a focus on anxiety and social interaction. In this study, adult, male Tph2 null mutant (Tph2 -/-) and heterozygous (Tph2 +/-) mice, and their wildtype littermates (Tph2 +/+) were exposed to neonatal, maternal separation (MS) and screened for behavioral changes, followed by genome-wide RNA expression and DNA methylation profiling. In Tph2 -/- mice, brain 5-HT deficiency profoundly affected socio-emotional behaviors, i.e., decreased avoidance of the aversive open arms in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) as well as decreased prosocial and increased rule breaking behavior in the resident-intruder test when compared to their wildtype littermates. Tph2 +/- mice showed an ambiguous profile with context-dependent, behavioral responses. In the EPM they showed similar avoidance of the open arm but decreased prosocial and increased rule breaking behavior in the resident-intruder test when compared to their wildtype littermates. Notably, MS effects on behavior were subtle and depended on the Tph2 genotype, in particular increasing the observed avoidance of EPM open arms in wildtype and Tph2 +/- mice when compared to their Tph2 -/- littermates. On the genomic level, the interaction of Tph2 genotype with MS differentially affected the expression of numerous genes, of which a subset showed an overlap with DNA methylation profiles at corresponding loci. Remarkably, changes in methylation nearby and expression of the gene encoding cholecystokinin, which were inversely correlated to each other, were associated with variations in anxiety-related phenotypes. In conclusion, next to various behavioral alterations, we identified gene expression and DNA methylation profiles to be associated with TPH2 inactivation and its interaction with MS, suggesting a gene-by-environment interaction-dependent, modulatory function of brain 5-HT availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena T. Weidner
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Roy Lardenoije
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States
| | - Lars Eijssen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Departments of Bioinformatics, Psychiatry & Neuro Psychology, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Floriana Mogavero
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Sandy Popp
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Konrad U. Förstner
- Core Unit Systems Medicine, Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- ZB MED – Information Centre for Life Sciences, Cologne, Germany
- TH Köln, Faculty of Information Science and Communication Studies, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tatyana Strekalova
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University and Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Harry W. M. Steinbusch
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Angelika G. Schmitt-Böhrer
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jeffrey C. Glennon
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jonas Waider
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel L. A. van den Hove
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University and Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia
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12
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Kiser DP, Popp S, Schmitt-Böhrer AG, Strekalova T, van den Hove DL, Lesch KP, Rivero O. Early-life stress impairs developmental programming in Cadherin 13 (CDH13)-deficient mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 89:158-168. [PMID: 30165120 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cadherin-13 (CDH13), a member of the calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule family, has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD) disorders, but also to depression. In the adult brain, CDH13 expression is restricted e.g. to the presynaptic compartment of inhibitory GABAergic synapses in the hippocampus and Cdh13 knockout mice show an increased inhibitory drive onto hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, leading to a shift in excitatory/inhibitory balance. CDH13 is also moderating migration of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus, establishing projections preferentially to the thalamus and cerebellum during brain development. Furthermore, CDH13 is upregulated by chronic stress as well as in depression, suggesting a role in early-life adaptation to stressful experience. Here, we therefore investigated the interaction between Cdh13 variation and neonatal maternal separation (MS) in mice. METHODS Male and female wild-type (Cdh13+/+), heterozygous (Cdh13+/-) and homozygous (Cdh13-/-) knockout mice exposed to MS, or daily handling as control, were subjected to a battery of behavioural tests to assess motor activity, learning and memory as well as anxiety-like behaviour. A transcriptome analysis of the hippocampus was performed in an independent cohort of mice which was exposed to MS or handling, but remained naïve for behavioural testing. RESULTS MS lead to increased anxiety-like behaviour in Cdh13-/- mice compared to the other two MS groups. Cdh13-/- mice showed a context-dependent effect on stress- and anxiety-related behaviour, impaired extinction learning following contextual fear conditioning and decreased impulsivity, as well as a mild decrease in errors in the Barnes maze and reduced risk-taking in the light-dark transition test after MS. We also show sex differences, with increased locomotor activity in female Cdh13-/- mice, but unaltered impulsivity and activity in male Cdh13-/- mice. Transcriptome analysis revealed several pathways associated with cell surface/adhesion molecules to be altered following Cdh13 deficiency, together with an influence on endoplasmic reticulum function. CONCLUSION MS resulted in increased stress resilience, increased exploration and an overall anxiolytic behavioural phenotype in male Cdh13+/+ and Cdh13+/- mice. Cdh13 deficiency, however, obliterated most of the effects caused by early-life stress, with Cdh13-/- mice exhibiting delayed habituation, no reduction of anxiety-like behaviour and decreased fear extinction. Our behavioural findings indicate a role of CDH13 in the programming of and adaptation to early-life stress. Finally, our transcriptomic data support the view of CDH13 as a neuroprotective factor as well as a mediator in cell-cell interactions, with an impact on synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik P Kiser
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sandy Popp
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Angelika G Schmitt-Böhrer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tatyana Strekalova
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Germany; Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; Department of Translational Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel L van den Hove
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Germany; Department of Translational Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Germany; Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; Department of Translational Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Olga Rivero
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Germany.
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13
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Reisinger SN, Kong E, Molz B, Humberg T, Sideromenos S, Cicvaric A, Steinkellner T, Yang J, Cabatic M, Monje FJ, Sitte HH, Nichols BJ, Pollak DD. Flotillin-1 interacts with the serotonin transporter and modulates chronic corticosterone response. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 18:e12482. [PMID: 29667320 PMCID: PMC6392109 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant serotonergic neurotransmission in the brain is considered at the core of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in neuropsychiatric disorders. Gene by environment interactions contribute to the development of depression and involve modulation of the availability and functional activity of the serotonin transporter (SERT). Using behavioral and in vivo electrophysiological approaches together with biochemical, molecular-biological and molecular imaging tools we establish Flotillin-1 (Flot1) as a novel protein interacting with SERT and demonstrate its involvement in the response to chronic corticosterone (CORT) treatment. We show that genetic Flot1 depletion augments chronic CORT-induced behavioral despair and describe concomitant alterations in the expression of SERT, activity of serotonergic neurons and alterations of the glucocorticoid receptor transport machinery. Hence, we propose a role for Flot1 as modulatory factor for the depressogenic consequences of chronic CORT exposure and suggest Flotillin-1-dependent regulation of SERT expression and activity of serotonergic neurotransmission at the core of the molecular mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. N. Reisinger
- Department of Neurophysiology and NeuropharmacologyCenter for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - E. Kong
- Department of Neurophysiology and NeuropharmacologyCenter for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - B. Molz
- Department of Neurophysiology and NeuropharmacologyCenter for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - T. Humberg
- Department of Neurophysiology and NeuropharmacologyCenter for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - S. Sideromenos
- Department of Neurophysiology and NeuropharmacologyCenter for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - A. Cicvaric
- Department of Neurophysiology and NeuropharmacologyCenter for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - T. Steinkellner
- Department of PharmacologyCenter for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - J.‐W. Yang
- Department of PharmacologyCenter for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - M. Cabatic
- Department of Neurophysiology and NeuropharmacologyCenter for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - F. J. Monje
- Department of Neurophysiology and NeuropharmacologyCenter for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - H. H. Sitte
- Department of PharmacologyCenter for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | - D. D. Pollak
- Department of Neurophysiology and NeuropharmacologyCenter for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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14
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Auth CS, Weidner MT, Popp S, Strekalova T, Schmitt-Böhrer AG, van den Hove DLA, Lesch KP, Waider J. Differential anxiety-related behaviours and brain activation in Tph2-deficient female mice exposed to adverse early environment. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 28:1270-1283. [PMID: 30146458 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.07.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders represent one of the most prevalent mental disorders in today's society and early adversity has been identified as major contributor to anxiety-related pathologies. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is implicated in mediating the effects of early-life events on anxiety-like behaviours. In order to further elucidate the interaction of genetic predisposition and adversity in early, developmental stages on anxiety-related behaviours, the current study employed tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2)-deficient female mice, as a model for lifelong brain 5-HT synthesis deficiency. Offspring of this line were exposed to maternal separation (MS) and tested, in the open-field (OF) or the dark-light box (DLB). Subsequently, neural activity was assessed, using c-Fos immunohistochemistry. In the DLB, MS rescued the observed decrease in activity in the light compartment of homozygous Tph2-deficient mice and furthermore increased the incidence of escape-related jumps in animals of the same genotype. In the OF, MS increased escape-related behaviours in homo- and heterozygous Tph2-deficient offspring. On the neural level, both behavioural tests evoked a distinct activation pattern, as shown by c-Fos immunohistochemistry. Exposure to the DLB resulted in Tph2-dependent activation of paraventricular nucleus and basolateral amygdala, while OF exposure led to a specific activation in lateral amygdala of maternally separated animals and a Tph2 genotype- and MS-dependent activation of the ventrolateral and dorsolateral periaqueductal grey. Taken together, our findings suggest that MS promotes active responses to aversive stimuli, dependent on the availability of brain 5-HT. These effects might be mediated by the distinct activation of anxiety-relevant brain regions, due to the behavioural testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte S Auth
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Magdalena T Weidner
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Sandy Popp
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tatyana Strekalova
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Angelika G Schmitt-Böhrer
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel LA van den Hove
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Jonas Waider
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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15
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Pollano A, Trujillo V, Suárez MM. How does early maternal separation and chronic stress in adult rats affect the immunoreactivity of serotonergic neurons within the dorsal raphe nucleus? Stress 2018; 21:59-68. [PMID: 29157077 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2017.1401062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Vulnerability to emotional disorders like depression derives from interactions between early and late environments, including stressful conditions. The serotonin (5HT) system is strongly affected by stress and chronic unpredictable stress can alter the 5HT system. We evaluated the distribution of active serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) through immunohistochemistry in maternally separated and chronically stressed rats treated with an antidepressant, tianeptine, whose mechanism of action is still under review. Male Wistar rats were subjected to daily maternal separation (MS) for 4.5 h between postnatal days (PND) 1-21, or to animal facility rearing (AFR). Between (PND) days 50-74, rats were exposed to chronic unpredictable stress and were treated daily with tianeptine (10 mg/kg) or vehicle. We found an interaction between the effects of MS and chronic unpredictable stress on Fos-5HT immunoreactive cells at mid-caudal level of the DR. MS-chronically stressed rats showed an increase of Fos-5HT immunoreactive cells compared with AFR-chronically stressed rats. The ventrolateral (DRL/VLPAG) and dorsal (DRD) subdivisions of the DR were significantly more active than the ventral part (DRV). At the rostral level of the DR, tianeptine decreased the number of Fos-5HT cells in DR in the AFR groups, both unstressed and stressed. Overall, our results support the idea of a match in phenotype exhibited when the early and the adult environment correspond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Pollano
- a Laboratorio de Fisiología Animal , Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba , Córdoba , Argentina
| | - Verónica Trujillo
- a Laboratorio de Fisiología Animal , Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba , Córdoba , Argentina
| | - Marta M Suárez
- a Laboratorio de Fisiología Animal , Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba , Córdoba , Argentina
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16
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Shanmugan S, Loughead J, Cao W, Sammel MD, Satterthwaite TD, Ruparel K, Gur RC, Epperson CN. Impact of Tryptophan Depletion on Executive System Function during Menopause is Moderated by Childhood Adversity. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:2398-2406. [PMID: 28322235 PMCID: PMC5645747 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Many healthy women with no history of cognitive dysfunction experience subjective executive difficulties during menopause. Preclinical literature suggests latent effects of early life adversity on serotonin function may play a role in this phenomenon. However, evidence in human participants regarding the mechanisms by which loss of estradiol contributes to this vulnerability is lacking. Here we examined the impact of tryptophan depletion (TD) and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) on brain activation during a working memory task in menopausal women. We hypothesized that an interactive effect between ACE and TD would be observed when women were hypogonadal, and that treatment with estradiol would attenuate this effect. Thirty-three women underwent functional imaging at four time points (123 total scans) in this double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over study. The effects of TD, ACE, and TD × ACE were evaluated using a voxel-wise, mixed-effects, 2 × 2 ANOVA. In the absence of exogenous estradiol, a TD by ACE interaction was observed on BOLD signal in the right DLPFC such that TD increased activation in high ACE subjects but decreased activation in low ACE subjects. While a similar interaction was observed with placebo treatment, treatment with estradiol attenuated the effects of ACE and TD such that no between or within group differences were observed. Together, these results suggest that early life adversity may have a lasting impact on serotonergic circuits underlying executive function that are unmasked by loss of estradiol during menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Shanmugan
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Penn PROMOTES Research on Sex and Gender in Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - James Loughead
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wen Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mary D Sammel
- Penn PROMOTES Research on Sex and Gender in Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Theodore D Satterthwaite
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kosha Ruparel
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ruben C Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - C Neill Epperson
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Penn PROMOTES Research on Sex and Gender in Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Psychiatry or Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Center for Women’s Behavioral Wellness, 3535 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA, Tel: +(215) 573-8871, Fax: +(215) 573-8881, E-mail:
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17
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Vilela FC, Vieira JS, Giusti‐Paiva A, Silva ML. Experiencing early life maternal separation increases pain sensitivity in adult offspring. Int J Dev Neurosci 2017; 62:8-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Cardoso Vilela
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à SaúdeBrazil
- Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal‐MG)AlfenasMinas GeraisBrazil
| | - Jádina Santos Vieira
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à SaúdeBrazil
- Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal‐MG)AlfenasMinas GeraisBrazil
| | - Alexandre Giusti‐Paiva
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à SaúdeBrazil
- Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal‐MG)AlfenasMinas GeraisBrazil
| | - Marcelo Lourenço Silva
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à SaúdeBrazil
- Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal‐MG)AlfenasMinas GeraisBrazil
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18
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Raitsin S, Tong J, Kish S, Xu X, Magomedova L, Cummins C, Andreazza AC, Scola G, Baker G, Meyer JH. Subchronic glucocorticoids, glutathione depletion and a postpartum model elevate monoamine oxidase a activity in the prefrontal cortex of rats. Brain Res 2017; 1666:1-10. [PMID: 28435083 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Recent human brain imaging studies implicate dysregulation of monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A), in particular in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), in the development of major depressive disorder (MDD). This study investigates the influence of four alterations underlying important pathologies of MDD, namely, chronic elevation of glucocorticoid levels, glutathione depletion, changes in female gonadal sex hormones and serotonin concentration fluctuation, on MAO-A and MAO-B activities in rats. Young adult rats exposed chronically to the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone at 0, 0.05, 0.5, and 2.0mg/kg/day (osmotic minipumps) for eight days showed significant dose-dependent increases in activities of MAO-A in PFC (+17%, p<0.001) and ACC (+9%, p<0.01) and MAO-B in PFC (+14%, p<0.001) and increased serotonin turnover in the PFC (+31%, p<0.01), not accounted for by dexamethasone-induced changes in serotonin levels, since neither serotonin depletion nor supplementation affected MAO-A activity. Sub-acute depletion of the major antioxidant glutathione by diethyl maleate (5mmol/kg, i.p.) for three days, which resulted in a 36% loss of glutathione in PFC (p=0.0005), modestly, but significantly, elevated activities of MAO-A in PFC and MAO-B in PFC, ACC and hippocampus (+6-9%, p<0.05). Changes in estrogen and progesterone representing pseudopregnancy were associated with significantly elevated MAO-A activity in the ACC day 4-7 postpartum (10-18%, p<0.05 to p<0.0001) but not the PFC or hippocampus. Hence, our study provides data in support of strategies targeting glucocorticoid and glutathione systems, as well as changes in female sex hormones for normalization of MAO-A activities and thus treatment of mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Raitsin
- Research Imaging Centre and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Junchao Tong
- Human Brain Laboratory, Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Stephen Kish
- Human Brain Laboratory, Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Xin Xu
- Research Imaging Centre and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Lilia Magomedova
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Carolyn Cummins
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Ana C Andreazza
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gustavo Scola
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Glen Baker
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry (NRU), University of Alberta, 8440 112 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Jeffrey H Meyer
- Research Imaging Centre and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Long-lasting monoaminergic and behavioral dysfunctions in a mice model of socio-environmental stress during adolescence. Behav Brain Res 2016; 317:132-140. [PMID: 27641324 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is one of the critical periods of development and has great importance to health for an individual as an adult. Stressors or traumatic events during this period are associated with several psychiatric disorders as related to anxiety or depression and cognitive impairments, but whether negative experiences continue to hinder individuals as they age is not as well understood. We determined how stress during adolescence affects behavior and neurochemistry in adulthood. Using an unpredictable paradigm (2 stressors per day for 10days) in Balb/c mice, behavioral, hormonal, and neurochemical changes were identified 20days after the cessation of treatment. Adolescent stress increased motor activity, emotional arousal and vigilance, together with a reduction in anxiety, and also affected recognition memory. Furthermore, decreased serotonergic activity on hippocampus, hypothalamus and cortex, decreased noradrenergic activity on hippocampus and hypothalamus, and increased the turnover of dopamine in cortex. These data suggest behavioral phenotypes associated with emotional arousal, but not depression, emerge after cessation of stress and remain in adulthood. Social-environmental stress can induce marked and long-lasting changes in HPA resulting from monoaminergic neurotransmission, mainly 5-HT activity.
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