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Floris G, Dabrowski KR, Zanda MT, Daws SE. Psilocybin reduces heroin seeking behavior and modulates inflammatory gene expression in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex of male rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.28.596205. [PMID: 38854027 PMCID: PMC11160682 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.28.596205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Preclinical and human studies indicate psilocybin may reduce perseverant maladaptive behaviors, including nicotine and alcohol seeking. Such studies in the opioid field are lacking, though opioids are involved in more >50% of overdose deaths. Psilocybin is an agonist at the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR), a well-documented target for modulation of drug seeking, and evidence suggests 5-HT2AR agonists may dampen motivation for opioids. We sought to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of psilocybin in mediating cessation of opioid use and maintenance of long-lasting abstinence from opioid seeking behavior in a rat model of heroin self-administration (SA). Psilocybin or 5-HT2AR antagonists ketanserin and volinanserin were administered systemically to rats prior to SA of 0.075 mg/kg/infusion of heroin, or relapse following forced abstinence. Psilocybin did not alter heroin taking, but a single exposure to 3.0 mg/kg psilocybin 4-24 hours prior to a relapse test blunted cue-induced heroin seeking. Conversely, 5-HT2AR antagonists exacerbated heroin relapse. To begin to elucidate mechanisms of psilocybin, drug-naïve rats received psilocybin and/or ketanserin, and tissue was collected from the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a region critical for drug seeking and responsive to psilocybin, 24 hours later for RNA-sequencing. 3.0 mg/kg psilocybin regulated ~2-fold more genes in the PFC than 1.0 mg/kg, including genes involved in the cytoskeleton and cytokine signaling. Ketanserin blocked >90% of psilocybin-regulated genes, including the IL-17a cytokine receptor, Il17ra. Psychedelic compounds have reported anti-inflammatory properties, and therefore we performed a gene expression array to measure chemokine/cytokine molecules in the PFC of animals that displayed psilocybin-mediated inhibition of heroin seeking. Psilocybin regulated 4 genes, including Il17a, and a subset of genes correlated with relapse behavior. Selective inhibition of PFC IL-17a was sufficient to reduce heroin relapse. We conclude that psilocybin reduces heroin relapse and highlight IL-17a signaling as a potential downstream pathway of psilocybin that also reduces heroin seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Floris
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Neural Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Konrad R Dabrowski
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Mary Tresa Zanda
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Neural Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Stephanie E Daws
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Neural Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA USA
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King'uyu DN, Nti-Kyemereh L, Bonin JL, Feustel PJ, Tram M, MacNamara KC, Kopec AM. The effect of morphine on rat microglial phagocytic activity: An in vitro study of brain region-, plating density-, sex-, morphine concentration-, and receptor-dependency. J Neuroimmunol 2023; 384:578204. [PMID: 37774553 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578204] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Opioids have long been used for clinical pain management, but also have addictive properties that have contributed to the ongoing opioid epidemic. While opioid activation of opioid receptors is well known to contribute to reward and reinforcement, data now also suggest that opioid activation of immune signaling via toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) may also play a role in addiction-like processes. TLR4 expression is enriched in immune cells, and in the nervous system is primarily expressed in microglia. Microglial phagocytosis is important for developmental, homeostatic, and pathological processes. To examine how morphine impacts microglial phagocytosis, we isolated microglia from adult male and female rat cortex and striatum and plated them in vitro at 10,000 (10K) or 50,000 cells/well densities. Microglia were incubated with neutral fluorescent microbeads to stimulate phagocytosis in the presence of one of four morphine concentrations. We found that the brain region from which microglia are isolated and plating density, but not morphine concentration, impacts cell survival in vitro. We found that 10-12 M morphine, but not higher concentrations, increases phagocytosis in striatal microglia in vitro independent of sex and plating density, while 10-12 M morphine increased phagocytosis in cortical microglia in vitro independent of sex, but contingent on a plating density. Finally, we demonstrate that the effect of 10-12 M morphine in striatal microglia plated at 10 K density is mediated via TLR4, and not μORs. Overall, our data suggest that in rats, a morphine-TLR4 signaling pathway increases phagocytic activity in microglia independent of sex. This may is useful information for better understanding the possible neural outcomes associated with morphine exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- David N King'uyu
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, United States of America.
| | - Lily Nti-Kyemereh
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, United States of America; Siena College, Loudonville, NY 12211, United States of America
| | - Jesse L Bonin
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, United States of America
| | - Paul J Feustel
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, United States of America
| | - Michelle Tram
- Siena College, Loudonville, NY 12211, United States of America
| | - Katherine C MacNamara
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, United States of America
| | - Ashley M Kopec
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, United States of America
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Loftis JM, Ramani S, Firsick EJ, Hudson R, Le-Cook A, Murnane KS, Vandenbark A, Shirley RL. Immunotherapeutic treatment of inflammation in mice exposed to methamphetamine. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1259041. [PMID: 38025429 PMCID: PMC10666795 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1259041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications to treat methamphetamine addiction, including the inflammatory, neurotoxic, and adverse neuropsychiatric effects. We have shown that partial (p)MHC class II constructs (i.e., Recombinant T-cell receptor Ligand - RTL1000), comprised of the extracellular α1 and β1 domains of MHC class II molecules linked covalently to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-35-55 peptide, can address the neuroimmune effects of methamphetamine addiction through its ability to bind to and down-regulate CD74 expression, block macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) signaling, and reduce levels of pro-inflammatory chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). The present study evaluated the effects of our third-generation pMHC II construct, DRmQ, on cognitive function and concentration of inflammatory cytokines in the frontal cortex, a region critical for cognitive functions such as memory, impulse control, and problem solving. Methods Female and male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to methamphetamine (or saline) via subcutaneous (s.c.) injections administered four times per day every other day for 14 days. Following methamphetamine exposure, mice received immunotherapy (DRmQ or ibudilast) or vehicle s.c. injections daily for five days. Cognitive function was assessed using the novel object recognition test (NORT). To evaluate the effects of immunotherapy on inflammation in the frontal cortex, multiplex immunoassays were conducted. ANOVA was used to compare exploration times on the NORT and immune factor concentrations. Results Post hoc analysis revealed increased novel object exploration time in MA-DRmQ treated mice, as compared to MA-VEH treated mice (non-significant trend). One-way ANOVA detected a significant difference across the groups in the concentration of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) (p = 0.03). Post hoc tests indicated that mice treated with methamphetamine and DRmQ or ibudilast had significantly lower levels of MIP-2 in frontal cortex, as compared to mice treated with methamphetamine and vehicle (p > 0.05). Discussion By specifically targeting CD74, our DRQ constructs can block the signaling of MIF, inhibiting the downstream signaling and pro-inflammatory effects that contribute to and perpetuate methamphetamine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M. Loftis
- Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Methamphetamine Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Sankrith Ramani
- Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Evan J. Firsick
- Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Rebekah Hudson
- Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Anh Le-Cook
- Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Kevin S. Murnane
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Louisiana Addiction Research Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Arthur Vandenbark
- Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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Butelman ER, Goldstein RZ, Nwaneshiudu CA, Girdhar K, Roussos P, Russo SJ, Alia-Klein N. Neuroimmune Mechanisms of Opioid Use Disorder and Recovery: Translatability to Human Studies, and Future Research Directions. Neuroscience 2023; 528:102-116. [PMID: 37562536 PMCID: PMC10720374 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.07.031] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a major current cause of morbidity and mortality. Long-term exposure to short-acting opioids (MOP-r agonists such as heroin or fentanyl) results in complex pathophysiological changes to neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory functions, affected in part by peripheral mechanisms (e.g., cytokines in blood), and by neuroendocrine systems such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress axis. There are important findings from preclinical models, but their role in the trajectory and outcomes of OUD in humans is not well understood. The goal of this narrative review is to examine available data on immune and inflammatory functions in persons with OUD, and to identify major areas for future research. Peripheral blood biomarker studies revealed a pro-inflammatory state in persons with OUD in withdrawal or early abstinence, consistent with available postmortem brain studies (which show glial activation) and diffusion tensor imaging studies (indicating white matter disruptions), with gradual abstinence-associated recovery. The mechanistic roles of these neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory changes in the trajectory of OUD (including recovery and medication management) cannot be examined practically with postmortem data. Collection of longitudinal data in larger-scale human cohorts would allow examination of these mechanisms associated with OUD stage and progression. Given the heterogeneity in presentation of OUD, a precision medicine approach integrating multi-omic peripheral biomarkers and comprehensive phenotyping, including neuroimaging, can be beneficial in risk stratification, and individually optimized selection of interventions for individuals who will benefit, and assessments under refractory therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo R Butelman
- Neuropsychoimaging of Addictions and Related Conditions Research Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Depts. of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Rita Z Goldstein
- Neuropsychoimaging of Addictions and Related Conditions Research Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Depts. of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chinwe A Nwaneshiudu
- Center for Disease Neurogenomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kiran Girdhar
- Center for Disease Neurogenomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Panos Roussos
- Center for Disease Neurogenomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (VISN 2 South), James J. Peters VA, Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Scott J Russo
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Brain and Body Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nelly Alia-Klein
- Neuropsychoimaging of Addictions and Related Conditions Research Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Depts. of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Brown KT, Levis SC, O'Neill CE, Levy C, Rice KC, Watkins LR, Bachtell RK. Toll-like receptor 4 antagonists reduce cocaine-primed reinstatement of drug seeking. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:1587-1600. [PMID: 37286899 PMCID: PMC10732226 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06392-w] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cocaine can increase inflammatory neuroimmune markers, including chemokines and cytokines characteristic of innate inflammatory responding. Prior work indicates that the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) initiates this response, and administration of TLR4 antagonists provides mixed evidence that TLR4 contributes to cocaine reward and reinforcement. OBJECTIVE These studies utilize (+)-naltrexone, the TLR4 antagonist, and mu-opioid inactive enantiomer to examine the role of TLR4 on cocaine self-administration and cocaine seeking in rats. METHODS (+)-Naltrexone was continuously administered via an osmotic mini-pump during the acquisition or maintenance of cocaine self-administration. The motivation to acquire cocaine was assessed using a progressive ratio schedule following either continuous and acute (+)-naltrexone administration. The effects of (+)-naltrexone on cocaine seeking were assessed using both a cue craving model and a drug-primed reinstatement model. The highly selective TLR4 antagonist, lipopolysaccharide from Rhodobacter sphaeroides (LPS-Rs), was administered into the nucleus accumbens to determine the effectiveness of TLR4 blockade on cocaine-primed reinstatement. RESULTS (+)-Naltrexone administration did not alter the acquisition or maintenance of cocaine self-administration. Similarly, (+)-naltrexone was ineffective at altering the progressive ratio responding. Continuous administration of (+)-naltrexone during forced abstinence did not impact cued cocaine seeking. Acute systemic administration of (+)-naltrexone dose-dependently decreased cocaine-primed reinstatement of previously extinguished cocaine seeking, and administration of LPS-Rs into the nucleus accumbens shell also reduced cocaine-primed reinstatement of cocaine seeking. DISCUSSION These results complement previous studies suggesting that the TLR4 plays a role in cocaine-primed reinstatement of cocaine seeking, but may have a more limited role in cocaine reinforcement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle T Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and Center for Neuroscience, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Sophia C Levis
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and Center for Neuroscience, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Casey E O'Neill
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and Center for Neuroscience, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Catherine Levy
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and Center for Neuroscience, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Linda R Watkins
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and Center for Neuroscience, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Ryan K Bachtell
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and Center for Neuroscience, Boulder, CO, USA.
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
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Mahintamani T, Basu D, Ghosh A, Luthra-Guptasarma M. The toll of opioid dependence: A research report on the possible role of Toll-like receptor-4 and related immune markers in opioid dependence. Indian J Psychiatry 2023; 65:626-634. [PMID: 37485408 PMCID: PMC10358820 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_314_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The opioid receptors in the central nervous system and immune system contribute to its reinforcing effect. Xenobiotics-associated molecular pattern of opioids interacts with Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) on the glial cell surface and increases dopaminergic activity in the nucleus accumbens in preclinical studies. We wanted to examine whether treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone (BNX) might be associated with changes in immunological markers in individuals with opioid dependence (OD). Methods We recruited 30 individuals with OD on buprenorphine and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). We measured the neutrophil (N), lymphocyte (L), CD-4, and CD-8 T-cell count and estimated plasma TLR-4 level in the HC group once. We measured the immunological markers, craving, pain, and perceived stress in the OD group at the treatment initiation (baseline) and after 4 weeks (±2 weeks) of treatment with BNX. Results The mean severity score on the OD questionnaire was 72.8 (SD 5.4). At baseline, OD had a higher N: L ratio and lower lymphocyte percentage than HC. Plasma TLR-4 concentration increased significantly after 1 month of treatment (t = -3.09, P = 0.004). Craving, pain, and perceived stress correlated with absolute neutrophil count, N: L ratio, and CD-8 T-cell count, although lost significance after corrections for multiple comparisons. Conclusion The increase in TLR-4 after treatment with BNX may indicate the rescue from nonprescription opioid-induced immunosuppression or the introduction of a novel xenobiotics-associated molecular pattern of BNX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tathagata Mahintamani
- Department of Psychiatry, Drug Deaddiction and Treatment Centre, Chandigarh, India
- Department of Addiction Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Debasish Basu
- Department of Psychiatry, Drug Deaddiction and Treatment Centre, Chandigarh, India
| | - Abhishek Ghosh
- Department of Psychiatry, Drug Deaddiction and Treatment Centre, Chandigarh, India
| | - Manni Luthra-Guptasarma
- Department of Immunopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Nwachukwu KN, Mohammed HE, Mebane DR, Barber AW, Swartzwelder HS, Marshall SA. Acute and Chronic Ethanol Effects during Adolescence on Neuroimmune Responses: Consequences and Potential Pharmacologic Interventions. Cells 2023; 12:1423. [PMID: 37408257 PMCID: PMC10217092 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Heavy ethanol consumption during adolescence has been linked to neuroimmune response dysregulation and cognitive deficits in the developing adolescent brain. During adolescence, the brain is particularly susceptible to the pharmacological effects of ethanol that are induced by acute and chronic bouts of exposure. Numerous preclinical rodent model studies have used different ethanol administration techniques, such as intragastric gavage, self-administration, vapor, intraperitoneal, and free access, and while most models indicated proinflammatory neuroimmune responses in the adolescent brain, there are various factors that appear to influence this observation. This review synthesizes the most recent findings of the effects of adolescent alcohol use on toll-like receptors, cytokines, and chemokines, as well as the activation of astrocytes and microglia with an emphasis on differences associated with the duration of ethanol exposure (acute vs. chronic), the amount of exposure (e.g., dose or blood ethanol concentrations), sex differences, and the timing of the neuroimmune observation (immediate vs. persistent). Finally, this review discusses new therapeutics and interventions that may ameliorate the dysregulation of neuroimmune maladaptations after ethanol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kala N. Nwachukwu
- Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
- Integrated Biosciences PhD Program, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Hassan E. Mohammed
- Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - DaQuan R. Mebane
- Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Andrew W. Barber
- Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - H. Scott Swartzwelder
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - S. Alex Marshall
- Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
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Ahmadi S, Mohammadi Talvar S, Masoudi K, Zobeiri M. Repeated Use of Morphine Induces Anxiety by Affecting a Proinflammatory Cytokine Signaling Pathway in the Prefrontal Cortex in Rats. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:1425-1439. [PMID: 36450935 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03144-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
We examined the role of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and proinflammatory cytokine signaling pathways in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in anxiety-like behaviors after repeated use of morphine. Morphine (10 mg/kg) was used twice daily for 8 days to induce morphine dependence in male Wistar rats. On day 8, opioid dependence was confirmed by measuring naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs. On days 1 and 8, anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated using a light/dark box test. Expression of TLR1 and 4, proinflammatory cytokines, and some of the downstream signaling molecules was also evaluated in the bilateral PFC at mRNA and protein levels following morphine dependence. The results revealed that morphine caused anxiolytic-like effects on day 1 while induced anxiety following 8 days of repeated injection. On day 8, a significant decrease in TLR1 expression was detected in the PFC in morphine-dependent rats, but TLR4 remained unaffected. Repeated morphine injection significantly increased IL1-β, TNFα, and IL6 expression, but decreased IL1R and TNFR at mRNA and protein levels except for IL6R at the protein level in the PFC. The p38α mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase expression significantly increased but the JNK3 expression decreased in the PFC in morphine-dependent rats. Repeated injection of morphine also significantly increased the NF-κB expression in the PFC. Further, significant increases in Let-7c, mir-133b, and mir-365 were detected in the PFC in morphine-dependent rats. We conclude that TLR1 and proinflammatory cytokines signaling pathways in the PFC are associated with the anxiogenic-like effects of morphine following its chronic use in rats via a MAP kinase/NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamseddin Ahmadi
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | - Shiva Mohammadi Talvar
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Kayvan Masoudi
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Mohammad Zobeiri
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj, Iran
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Kim OH, Jeon KO, Jang EY. Alpha-pyrrolidinopentiothiophenone (α-PVT) activates the TLR-NF-κB-MAPK signaling pathway and proinflammatory cytokine production and induces behavioral sensitization in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 221:173484. [PMID: 36272636 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones are chemical derivatives of cathinone, a structural analog to amphetamine. It has been shown that synthetic cathinones have abuse potentials similar to psychomotor stimulants such as amphetamine and induce neuroinflammation. Among the novel synthetic cathinones, α-pyrrolidinopentiothiophenone (α-PVT) has been known to produce rewarding and reinforcing effects in rodent models. However, it has not yet been determined whether α-PVT induces neuroinflammation in vivo. In the present study, mice were exposed to repeated saline or α-PVT (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) for 7 days to test changes in locomotor activity and neuroinflammation-related factors in the striatum of mice. Repeated administration of α-PVT significantly induced locomotor sensitization. In addition, repeated α-PVT administration significantly increased the number of microglial cells, accompanied by marked increases in TLR1, TLR4, TLR6, and TLR7 mRNA levels in the striatum of mice. Furthermore, acute or repeated α-PVT administration increased the levels of phosphorylated NF-κB, ERK, p38, and JNK MAPK activation and repeated α-PVT, but not acute, increased the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA in the striatum of mice. Finally, systemic administration of TAK-242 (5 mg/kg, i.p.) or MPLA (50 μg/kg, i.p.), each an inhibitor or activator of TLR4, did not change α-PVT-induced behavioral sensitization in mice. These results suggest that the activation of TLR4 by repeated α-PVT administration may lead to neuroinflammation via TLR-mediated NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways and the production of TNF-α and IL-6 in the striatum of mice, at least without the regulation of behavioral sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oc-Hee Kim
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Oh Jeon
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Young Jang
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
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Duttke SH, Montilla-Perez P, Chang MW, Li H, Chen H, Carrette LLG, de Guglielmo G, George O, Palmer AA, Benner C, Telese F. Glucocorticoid Receptor-Regulated Enhancers Play a Central Role in the Gene Regulatory Networks Underlying Drug Addiction. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:858427. [PMID: 35651629 PMCID: PMC9149415 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.858427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance abuse and addiction represent a significant public health problem that impacts multiple dimensions of society, including healthcare, the economy, and the workforce. In 2021, over 100,000 drug overdose deaths were reported in the US, with an alarming increase in fatalities related to opioids and psychostimulants. Understanding the fundamental gene regulatory mechanisms underlying addiction and related behaviors could facilitate more effective treatments. To explore how repeated drug exposure alters gene regulatory networks in the brain, we combined capped small (cs)RNA-seq, which accurately captures nascent-like initiating transcripts from total RNA, with Hi-C and single nuclei (sn)ATAC-seq. We profiled initiating transcripts in two addiction-related brain regions, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc), from rats that were never exposed to drugs or were subjected to prolonged abstinence after oxycodone or cocaine intravenous self-administration (IVSA). Interrogating over 100,000 active transcription start regions (TSRs) revealed that most TSRs had hallmarks of bonafide enhancers and highlighted the KLF/SP1, RFX, and AP1 transcription factors families as central to establishing brain-specific gene regulatory programs. Analysis of rats with addiction-like behaviors versus controls identified addiction-associated repression of transcription at regulatory enhancers recognized by nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C (NR3C) factors, including glucocorticoid receptors. Cell-type deconvolution analysis using snATAC-seq uncovered a potential role of glial cells in driving the gene regulatory programs associated with addiction-related phenotypes. These findings highlight the power of advanced transcriptomics methods to provide insight into how addiction perturbs gene regulatory programs in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha H. Duttke
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | | | - Max W. Chang
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Hairi Li
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science and Toxicology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | | | - Giordano de Guglielmo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Olivier George
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Abraham A. Palmer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Christopher Benner
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Francesca Telese
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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11
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Zhang Y, Liang X, Bao X, Xiao W, Chen G. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibitors: Current research and prospective. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 235:114291. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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12
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Acioglu C, Heary RF, Elkabes S. Roles of neuronal toll-like receptors in neuropathic pain and central nervous system injuries and diseases. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 102:163-178. [PMID: 35176442 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are innate immune receptors that are expressed in immune cells as well as glia and neurons of the central and peripheral nervous systems. They are best known for their role in the host defense in response to pathogens and for the induction of inflammation in infectious and non-infectious diseases. In the central nervous system (CNS), TLRs modulate glial and neuronal functions as well as innate immunity and neuroinflammation under physiological or pathophysiological conditions. The majority of the studies on TLRs in CNS pathologies investigated their overall contribution without focusing on a particular cell type, or they analyzed TLRs in glia and infiltrating immune cells in the context of neuroinflammation and cellular activation. The role of neuronal TLRs in CNS diseases and injuries has received little attention and remains underappreciated. The primary goal of this review is to summarize findings demonstrating the pivotal and unique roles of neuronal TLRs in neuropathic pain, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and CNS injuries. We discuss how the current findings warrant future investigations to better define the specific contributions of neuronal TLRs to these pathologies. We underline the paucity of information regarding the role of neuronal TLRs in other neurodegenerative, demyelinating, and psychiatric diseases. We draw attention to the importance of broadening research on neuronal TLRs in view of emerging evidence demonstrating their distinctive functional properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cigdem Acioglu
- The Reynolds Family Spine Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
| | - Robert F Heary
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Mountainside Medical Center, Montclair, NJ 07042, United States
| | - Stella Elkabes
- The Reynolds Family Spine Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, United States.
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13
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Wu R, Liu J, Vu J, Huang Y, Dietz DM, Li JX. Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) in the nucleus accumbens regulates opioid-seeking behavior in male rats. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 101:37-48. [PMID: 34958862 PMCID: PMC8885906 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid addiction remains a severe health problem. While substantial insights underlying opioid addiction have been yielded from neuron-centric studies, the contribution of non-neuronal mechanisms to opioid-related behavioral adaptations has begun to be recognized. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a pattern recognition receptor, has been widely suggested in opioid-related behaviors. Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is a kinase essential for TLR4 responses, However, the potential role of IRAK4 in opioid-related responses has not been examined. Here, we explored the role of IRAK4 in cue-induced opioid-seeking behavior in male rats. We found that morphine self-administration increased the phosphorylation level of IRAK4 in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in rats; the IRAK4 signaling remained activated after morphine extinction and cue-induced reinstatement test. Both systemic and local inhibition of IRAK4 in the NAc core attenuated cue-induced morphine-seeking behavior without affecting the locomotor activity and cue-induced sucrose-seeking. In addition, inhibition of IRAK4 also reduced the cue-induced reinstatement of fentanyl-seeking. Our findings suggest an important role of IRAK4 in opioid relapse-like behaviors and provide novel evidence in the association between innate immunity and drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyan Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY,Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
| | - Jimmy Vu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
| | - Yufei Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
| | - David M. Dietz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States.
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14
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Liu J, Li JX, Wu R. Toll-Like Receptor 4: A Novel Target to Tackle Drug Addiction? Handb Exp Pharmacol 2022; 276:275-290. [PMID: 35434747 PMCID: PMC9829382 DOI: 10.1007/164_2022_586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behaviors despite the major negative consequences. Current well-established neuronal underpinnings of drug addiction have promoted the substantial progress in understanding this disorder. However, non-neuronal mechanisms of drug addiction have long been underestimated. Fortunately, increased evidence indicates that neuroimmune system, especially Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling, plays an important role in the different stages of drug addiction. Drugs like opioids, psychostimulants, and alcohol activate TLR4 signaling and enhance the proinflammatory response, which is associated with drug reward-related behaviors. While extensive studies have shown that inhibition of TLR4 attenuated drug-related responses, there are conflicting findings implicating that TLR4 signaling may not be essential to drug addiction. In this chapter, preclinical and clinical studies will be discussed to further evaluate whether TLR4-based neuroimmune pharmacotherapy can be used to treat drug addiction. Furthermore, the possible mechanisms underlying the effects of TLR4 inhibition in modulating drug-related behaviors will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Liu
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA,Corresponding authors: Dr. Jun-Xu Li, , Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214. Tel: +1 716 829 2482; Fax: +1 716 829 2801 And Dr. Ruyan Wu, , School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Ruyan Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA,School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China,Corresponding authors: Dr. Jun-Xu Li, , Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214. Tel: +1 716 829 2482; Fax: +1 716 829 2801 And Dr. Ruyan Wu, , School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
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15
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Jiménez-González A, Gómez-Acevedo C, Ochoa-Aguilar A, Chavarría A. The Role of Glia in Addiction: Dopamine as a Modulator of Glial Responses in Addiction. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 42:2109-2120. [PMID: 34057683 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01105-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Addiction is a chronic and potentially deadly disease considered a global health problem. Nevertheless, there is still no ideal treatment for its management. The alterations in the reward system are the most known pathophysiological mechanisms. Dopamine is the pivotal neurotransmitter involved in neuronal drug reward mechanisms and its neuronal mechanisms have been intensely investigated in recent years. However, neuroglial interactions and their relation to drug addiction development and maintenance of drug addiction have been understudied. Many reports have found that most neuroglial cells express dopamine receptors and that dopamine activity may induce neuroimmunomodulatory effects. Furthermore, current research has also shown that pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules modulate dopaminergic neuron activity. Thus, studying the immune mechanisms of dopamine associated with drug abuse is vital in researching new pathophysiological mechanisms and new therapeutic targets for addiction management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Jiménez-González
- Laboratorio de Biomembranas, Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Claudia Gómez-Acevedo
- Laboratorio de Biomembranas, Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Abraham Ochoa-Aguilar
- Plan de Estudios Combinados en Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Anahí Chavarría
- Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
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16
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Acute MDPV Binge Paradigm on Mice Emotional Behavior and Glial Signature. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14030271. [PMID: 33809599 PMCID: PMC8002122 DOI: 10.3390/ph14030271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a widely available synthetic cathinone, is a popular substitute for classical controlled drugs of abuse, such as methamphetamine (METH). Although MDPV poses public health risks, its neuropharmacological profile remains poorly explored. This study aimed to provide evidence on that direction. Accordingly, C57BL/6J mice were exposed to a binge MDPV or METH regimen (four intraperitoneal injections every 2 h, 10 mg/kg). Locomotor, exploratory, and emotional behavior, in addition to striatal neurotoxicity and glial signature, were assessed within 18–24 h, a known time-window encompassing classical amphetamine dopaminergic neurotoxicity. MDPV resulted in unchanged locomotor activity (open field test) and emotional behavior (elevated plus maze, splash test, tail suspension test). Additionally, striatal TH (METH neurotoxicity hallmark), Iba-1 (microglia), GFAP (astrocyte), RAGE, and TLR2/4/7 (immune modulators) protein densities remained unchanged after MDPV-exposure. Expectedly, and in sheer contrast with MDPV, METH resulted in decrease general locomotor activity paralleled by a significant striatal TH depletion, astrogliosis, and microglia arborization alterations (Sholl analysis). This comparative study newly highlights that binge MDPV-exposure comes without evident behavioral, neurochemical, and glial changes at a time-point where METH-induced striatal neurotoxicity is clearly evident. Nevertheless, neuropharmacological MDPV signature needs further profiling at different time-points, regimens, and brain regions.
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