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Han M, Zeng D, Tan W, Chen X, Bai S, Wu Q, Chen Y, Wei Z, Mei Y, Zeng Y. Brain region-specific roles of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in social stress-induced depressive-like behavior. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:159-173. [PMID: 38767484 PMCID: PMC11246125 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a key factor in stress adaptation and avoidance of a social stress behavioral response. Recent studies have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in stressed mice is brain region-specific, particularly involving the corticolimbic system, including the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus. Determining how brain-derived neurotrophic factor participates in stress processing in different brain regions will deepen our understanding of social stress psychopathology. In this review, we discuss the expression and regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in stress-sensitive brain regions closely related to the pathophysiology of depression. We focused on associated molecular pathways and neural circuits, with special attention to the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling pathway and the ventral tegmental area-nucleus accumbens dopamine circuit. We determined that stress-induced alterations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are likely related to the nature, severity, and duration of stress, especially in the above-mentioned brain regions of the corticolimbic system. Therefore, BDNF might be a biological indicator regulating stress-related processes in various brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Han
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Deyang Zeng
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wei Tan
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xingxing Chen
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Shuyuan Bai
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yushan Chen
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhen Wei
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yufei Mei
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yan Zeng
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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Serra MP, Sanna F, Boi M, Trucas M, Fernández-Teruel A, Corda MG, Giorgi O, Quartu M. Effects of Tail Pinch on BDNF and trkB Expression in the Hippocampus of Roman Low- (RLA) and High-Avoidance (RHA) Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119498. [PMID: 37298449 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In this article, we describe the effects of tail pinch (TP), a mild acute stressor, on the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its tyrosine kinase receptor B (trkB) proteins in the hippocampus (HC) of the outbred Roman High- (RHA) and Low-Avoidance (RLA) rats, one of the most validated genetic models for the study of fear/anxiety- and stress-related behaviors. Using Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry assays, we show for the first time that TP induces distinct changes in the levels of BDNF and trkB proteins in the dorsal (dHC) and ventral (vHC) HC of RHA and RLA rats. The WB assays showed that TP increases BDNF and trkB levels in the dHC of both lines but induces opposite changes in the vHC, decreasing BDNF levels in RHA rats and trkB levels in RLA rats. These results suggest that TP may enhance plastic events in the dHC and hinder them in the vHC. Immunohistochemical assays, carried out in parallel to assess the location of changes revealed by the WB, showed that, in the dHC, TP increases BDNF-like immunoreactivity (LI) in the CA2 sector of the Ammon's horn of both Roman lines and in the CA3 sector of the Ammon's horn of RLA rats while, in the dentate gyrus (DG), TP increases trkB-LI in RHA rats. In contrast, in the vHC, TP elicits only a few changes, represented by decreases of BDNF- and trkB-LI in the CA1 sector of the Ammon's horn of RHA rats. These results support the view that the genotypic/phenotypic features of the experimental subjects influence the effects of an acute stressor, even as mild as TP, on the basal BDNF/trkB signaling, leading to different changes in the dorsal and ventral subdivisions of the HC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Francesco Sanna
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Marianna Boi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marcello Trucas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Alberto Fernández-Teruel
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Giuseppa Corda
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Osvaldo Giorgi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Marina Quartu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
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Zahodne LB, Sharifian N, Kraal AZ, Morris EP, Sol K, Zaheed AB, Meister L, Mayeux R, Schupf N, Manly JJ, Brickman AM. Longitudinal associations between racial discrimination and hippocampal and white matter hyperintensity volumes among older Black adults. Soc Sci Med 2023; 316:114789. [PMID: 35164975 PMCID: PMC9579996 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Non-Hispanic Black older adults are at higher risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) than non-Hispanic Whites, which reflects racial disparities in both brain and cognitive health. Discrimination may contribute to these disparities, but much of the research on discrimination and ADRD outcomes is cross-sectional and/or does not disaggregate experiences of discrimination by attribution. Focusing specifically on racial discrimination and considering longitudinal brain outcomes may advance our understanding of the role of discrimination in explaining disproportionate rates of ADRD among non-Hispanic Black older adults. METHODS In total, 221 non-Hispanic Black participants in the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project completed multiple measures of discrimination at one time point and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at two time points. Everyday discrimination and lifetime discrimination were operationalized first as aggregate experiences of discrimination (regardless of identity attributions) and then as racial discrimination per se. MRI outcomes included hippocampal and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes. Latent difference score models estimated associations between the discrimination measures and each MRI outcome over four years. RESULTS Aggregate discrimination (regardless of attributions) was not associated with either outcome. Lifetime racial discrimination was associated with lower initial hippocampal volume. Everyday racial discrimination was associated with faster accumulation of WMH over time. CONCLUSIONS Racial discrimination may be detrimental for brain aging among non-Hispanic Black older adults, which may contribute to their disproportionate dementia burden. Disaggregating discrimination by attribution may clarify research on racial inequalities in brain and cognitive aging, as racial discrimination appears to be particularly toxic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura B Zahodne
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, United States.
| | - Neika Sharifian
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, United States
| | - A Zarina Kraal
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, United States
| | - Emily P Morris
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, United States
| | - Ketlyne Sol
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, United States
| | - Afsara B Zaheed
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, United States
| | - Lindsey Meister
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, United States
| | - Richard Mayeux
- Department of Neurology, Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, United States
| | - Nicole Schupf
- Department of Neurology, Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, United States
| | - Jennifer J Manly
- Department of Neurology, Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, United States
| | - Adam M Brickman
- Department of Neurology, Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, United States
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Serra MP, Sanna F, Boi M, Poddighe L, Secci L, Trucas M, Fernández-Teruel A, Corda MG, Giorgi O, Quartu M. Acute Stress Induces Different Changes on the Expression of BDNF and trkB in the Mesocorticolimbic System of Two Lines of Rats Differing in Their Response to Stressors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314995. [PMID: 36499323 PMCID: PMC9737305 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The present work was undertaken to investigate the effects of acute forced swimming (FS) on the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine kinase receptor B (trkB) proteins in: the ventral tegmental area (VTA); the nucleus accumbens (Acb) shell and core compartments; and the anterior cingulate (ACg), prelimbic (PL) and infralimbic (IL) territories of the prefrontal cortex of genetic models of vulnerability (RLA, Roman low-avoidance rats) and resistance (RHA, Roman high-avoidance rats) to stress-induced depression. We report for the first time that FS induced very rapid and distinct changes in the levels of BDNF and trkB proteins in different areas of the mesocorticolimbic system of RHA and RLA rats. Thus, (1) in the VTA and Acb core, FS elicited a significant increase of both BDNF- and trkB-LI in RHA but not RLA rats, whereas in the Acb shell no significant changes in BDNF- and trkB-LI across the line and treatment were observed; (2) in RLA rats, the basal levels of BDNF-LI in the IL/PL cortex and of trkB-LI in the ACg cortex were markedly lower than those of RHA rats; moreover, BDNF- and trkB-LI in the IL/PL and ACg cortex were increased by FS in RLA rats but decreased in their RHA counterparts. These results provide compelling evidence that the genetic background influences the effects of stress on BDNF/trkB signaling and support the view that the same stressor may impact differently on the expression of BDNF in discrete brain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Francesco Sanna
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marianna Boi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Laura Poddighe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Secci
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marcello Trucas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Alberto Fernández-Teruel
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine & Institute of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Giuseppa Corda
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Osvaldo Giorgi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marina Quartu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-070-675-4084
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Sanna F, Serra MP, Boi M, Bratzu J, Poddighe L, Sanna F, Carta A, Corda MG, Giorgi O, Melis MR, Argiolas A, Quartu M. Neuroplastic changes in c-Fos, ΔFosB, BDNF, trkB, and Arc expression in the hippocampus of male Roman rats: differential effects of sexual activity. Hippocampus 2022; 32:529-551. [PMID: 35716117 PMCID: PMC9327517 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23448] [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: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sexual activity causes differential changes in the expression of markers of neural activation (c‐Fos and ΔFosB) and neural plasticity (Arc and BDNF/trkB), as determined either by Western Blot (BDNF, trkB, Arc, and ΔFosB) or immunohistochemistry (BDNF, trkB, Arc, and c‐Fos), in the hippocampus of male Roman high (RHA) and low avoidance (RLA) rats, two psychogenetically selected rat lines that display marked differences in sexual behavior (RHA rats exhibit higher sexual motivation and better copulatory performance than RLA rats). Both methods showed (with some differences) that sexual activity modifies the expression levels of these markers in the hippocampus of Roman rats depending on: (i) the level of sexual experience, that is, changes were usually more evident in sexually naïve than in experienced rats; (ii) the hippocampal partition, that is, BDNF and Arc increased in the dorsal but tended to decrease in the ventral hippocampus; (iii) the marker considered, that is, in sexually experienced animals BDNF, c‐Fos, and Arc levels were similar to those of controls, while ΔFosB levels increased; and (iv) the rat line, that is, changes were usually larger in RHA than RLA rats. These findings resemble those of early studies in RHA and RLA rats showing that sexual activity influences the expression of these markers in the nucleus accumbens, medial prefrontal cortex, and ventral tegmental area, and show for the first time that also in the hippocampus sexual activity induces neural activation and plasticity, events that occur mainly during the first phase of the acquisition of sexual experience and depend on the genotypic/phenotypic characteristics of the animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Pina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marianna Boi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Jessica Bratzu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Laura Poddighe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesco Sanna
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonella Carta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Giuseppa Corda
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Osvaldo Giorgi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Argiolas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marina Quartu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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Ventura R, Cabib S, Babicola L, Andolina D, Di Segni M, Orsini C. Interactions Between Experience, Genotype and Sex in the Development of Individual Coping Strategies. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:785739. [PMID: 34987364 PMCID: PMC8721137 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.785739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Coping strategies, the first line of defense against adversities, develop through experience. There is consistent evidence that both genotype and sex contribute to the development of dysfunctional coping, leading to maladaptive outcomes of adverse experiences or to adaptive coping that fosters rapid recovery even from severe stress. However, how these factors interact to influence the development of individual coping strategies is just starting to be investigated. In the following review, we will consider evidence that experience, sex, and genotype influence the brain circuits and neurobiological processes involved in coping with adversities and discuss recent results pointing to the specific effects of the interaction between early experiences, genotype, and stress in the development of functional and dysfunctional coping styles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Ventura
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Research in Neurobiology D. Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Cabib
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Research in Neurobiology D. Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucy Babicola
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Research in Neurobiology D. Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Andolina
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Research in Neurobiology D. Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Di Segni
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Orsini
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Research in Neurobiology D. Bovet, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Jiang Z, Zhu Z, Zhao M, Wang W, Li H, Liu D, Pan F. H3K9me2 regulation of BDNF expression in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex is involved in the depressive-like phenotype induced by maternal separation in male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:2801-2813. [PMID: 34328517 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05896-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life stress (ELS) induces a depressive-like phenotype and increases the risk of depression. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been confirmed to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. However, the mechanism by which ELS alters the epigenetic regulation of BDNF and changes susceptibility to depression has not been fully clarified. METHODS The present study used maternal separation (MS) and chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) to establish an MS animal model and a depressive animal model. We assessed depressive-like behaviours, including anhedonia, locomotor activity, anxiety-like behaviour, and spatial memory, using the sucrose preference test, the open field test, the elevated plus maze test, and the Morris water maze test. We also investigated BDNF and H3K9me2 expression in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) by immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and qPCR analysis. Additionally, we used Unc0642, a small molecule inhibitor of histone methyltransferase (G9a), as an intervention. RESULTS The results showed that CUMS induced depressive-like behaviours in rats and resulted in increased H3K9me2 expression and decreased BDNF expression in the hippocampus and mPFC. More importantly, adult MS rats experiencing CUMS had more severe depressive behaviours, had higher expression of H3K9me2 in the hippocampus and mPFC, and had lower expression of BDNF in the hippocampus and mPFC. In addition, administration of the G9a inhibitor reversed most of the changes. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that ELS changed BDNF and H3K9me2 expression in the rat brain, resulting in a depressive-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Jiang
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zemeng Zhu
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyue Zhao
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Haonan Li
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Dexiang Liu
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Pan
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Fernández-Teruel A, Oliveras I, Cañete T, Rio-Álamos C, Tapias-Espinosa C, Sampedro-Viana D, Sánchez-González A, Sanna F, Torrubia R, González-Maeso J, Driscoll P, Morón I, Torres C, Aznar S, Tobeña A, Corda MG, Giorgi O. Neurobehavioral and neurodevelopmental profiles of a heuristic genetic model of differential schizophrenia- and addiction-relevant features: The RHA vs. RLA rats. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:597-617. [PMID: 34571119 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The Roman High- (RHA) and Low-(RLA) avoidance rat lines/strains were generated through bidirectional selective breeding for rapid (RHA) vs. extremely poor (RLA) two-way active avoidance acquisition. Compared with RLAs and other rat strains/stocks, RHAs are characterized by increased impulsivity, deficits in social behavior, novelty-induced hyper-locomotion, impaired attentional/cognitive abilities, vulnerability to psychostimulant sensitization and drug addiction. RHA rats also exhibit decreased function of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus, increased functional activity of the mesolimbic dopamine system and a dramatic deficit of central metabotropic glutamate-2 (mGlu2) receptors (due to a stop codon mutation at cysteine 407 in Grm2 -cys407*-), along with increased density of 5-HT2A receptors in the PFC, alterations of several synaptic markers and increased density of pyramidal "thin" (immature) dendrític spines in the PFC. These characteristics suggest an immature brain of RHA rats, and are reminiscent of schizophrenia features like hypofrontality and disruption of the excitation/inhibition cortical balance. RHA rats represent a promising heuristic model of neurodevelopmental schizophrenia-relevant features and comorbidity with drug addiction vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Fernández-Teruel
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychiatry & Forensic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Ignasi Oliveras
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychiatry & Forensic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toni Cañete
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychiatry & Forensic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Carles Tapias-Espinosa
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychiatry & Forensic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Sampedro-Viana
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychiatry & Forensic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Sánchez-González
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychiatry & Forensic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesco Sanna
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (DiSVA), University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rafael Torrubia
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychiatry & Forensic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier González-Maeso
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Ignacio Morón
- Department of Psychobiology and Centre of Investigation of Mind, Brain, and Behaviour (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Spain
| | - Carmen Torres
- Department of Psychology, University of Jaén, 23071, Jaén, Spain.
| | - Susana Aznar
- Research Laboratory for Stereology and Neuroscience, Bispebjerg Copenhagen University Hospital, 2400, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Adolf Tobeña
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychiatry & Forensic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Maria G Corda
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (DiSVA), University of Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Osvaldo Giorgi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (DiSVA), University of Cagliari, Italy.
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9
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Sochal M, Małecka-Panas E, Gabryelska A, Fichna J, Talar-Wojnarowska R, Szmyd B, Białasiewicz P. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is elevated in the blood serum of Crohn's disease patients, but is not influenced by anti-TNF-α treatment-A pilot study. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021; 33:e13978. [PMID: 32869433 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with depression, pain, or sleep disorders, factors that are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis and clinical course of Crohn's disease (CD). Therefore, the study aimed at assessing the BDNF serum level in patients with CD and evaluates the effect of anti-TNF-α therapy on the BDNF level and its impact on sleep, mood, and pain parameters. METHODS Fifty-eight CD patients and 26 healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. The severity of insomnia symptoms was assessed by the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). Subjective pain intensity was estimated by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Laitinen Pain Scale. Mood level was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Seventeen patients were treated with anti-TNF-α therapy for 14 weeks and were re-examined after treatment. KEY RESULTS CD patients had a higher serum BDNF level than HC (P = .010). No correlation between clinical severity and BDNF was found. There were positive correlations between the BDNF level and the results of AIS (r = 0.253, P = .020), the severity of pain measured using the VAS (r = 0.251, P = .021) and the Laitinen Pain Scale (r = 0.218, P = .047), but not BDI. No differences were observed in the BDNF level before and after 14 weeks of anti-TNF-α therapy. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES Increased BDNF level in CD patients suggests that it may be involved in the pathogenesis and clinical course of the disease. Further research into BDNF might contribute to a better understanding of the effects of sleep and pain on the course of CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Sochal
- Department of Sleep Medicine and Metabolic Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Ewa Małecka-Panas
- Department of Digestive Tract Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Agata Gabryelska
- Department of Sleep Medicine and Metabolic Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Jakub Fichna
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Bartosz Szmyd
- Department of Sleep Medicine and Metabolic Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Piotr Białasiewicz
- Department of Sleep Medicine and Metabolic Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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10
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Jodeiri Farshbaf M, Alviña K. Multiple Roles in Neuroprotection for the Exercise Derived Myokine Irisin. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:649929. [PMID: 33935687 PMCID: PMC8086837 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.649929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Exercise has multiple beneficial effects on health including decreasing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Such effects are thought to be mediated (at least in part) by myokines, a collection of cytokines and other small proteins released from skeletal muscles. As an endocrine organ, skeletal muscle synthesizes and secretes a wide range of myokines which contribute to different functions in different organs, including the brain. One such myokine is the recently discovered protein Irisin, which is secreted into circulation from skeletal muscle during exercise from its membrane bound precursor Fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5). Irisin contributes to metabolic processes such as glucose homeostasis and browning of white adipose tissue. Irisin also crosses the blood brain barrier and initiates a neuroprotective genetic program in the hippocampus that culminates with increased expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Furthermore, exercise and FNDC5/Irisin have been shown to have several neuroprotective effects against injuries in ischemia and neurodegenerative disease models, including Alzheimer's disease. In addition, Irisin has anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. In this review we present and summarize recent findings on the multiple effects of Irisin on neural function, including signaling pathways and mechanisms involved. We also discuss how exercise can positively influence brain function and mental health via the "skeletal muscle-brain axis." While there are still many unanswered questions, we put forward the idea that Irisin is a potentially essential mediator of the skeletal muscle-brain crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karina Alviña
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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11
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Thorpe HHA, Talhat MA, Khokhar JY. High genes: Genetic underpinnings of cannabis use phenotypes. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 106:110164. [PMID: 33152387 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is one of the most widely used substances across the globe and its use has a substantial heritable component. However, the heritability of cannabis use varies according to substance use phenotype, suggesting that a unique profile of gene variants may contribute to the different stages of use, such as age of use onset, lifetime use, cannabis use disorder, and withdrawal and craving during abstinence. Herein, we review a subset of genes identified by candidate gene, family-based linkage, and genome-wide association studies related to these cannabis use phenotypes. We also describe their relationships with other substances, and their functions at the neurobiological, cognitive, and behavioral levels to hypothesize the role of these genes in cannabis use risk. Delineating genetic risk factors in the various stages of cannabis use will provide insight into the biological mechanisms related to cannabis use and highlight points of intervention prior to and following the development of dependence, as well as identify targets to aid drug development for treating problematic cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley H A Thorpe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jibran Y Khokhar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
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12
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Saini V, Kaur T, Kalotra S, Kaur G. The neuroplasticity marker PSA-NCAM: Insights into new therapeutic avenues for promoting neuroregeneration. Pharmacol Res 2020; 160:105186. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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13
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Hagar M, Roman G, Eitan O, Noam BY, Abrham Z, Benjamin S. A Tellurium-Based Small Immunomodulatory Molecule Ameliorates Depression-Like Behavior in Two Distinct Rat Models. Neuromolecular Med 2020; 22:437-446. [PMID: 32638207 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-020-08603-5] [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: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of morbidity, and the fourth leading cause of disease burden worldwide. While MDD is a treatable condition for many individuals, others suffer from treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Here, we suggest the immunomodulatory compound AS101 as novel therapeutic alternative. We previously showed in animal models that AS101 reduces anxiety-like behavior and elevates levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that has a key role in the pathophysiology of depression. To explore the potential antidepressant properties of AS101, we used the extensively characterized chronic mild stress (CMS) model, and the depressive rat line (DRL Finally, in Exp. 3 to attain insight into the mechanism we knocked down BDNF in the hippocampus, and demonstrated that the beneficial effect of AS101 was abrogated. Together with the previously established safety profile of AS101 in humans, these results may represent the first step towards the development of a novel treatment option for MDD and TRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Hagar
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, The Safdiè AIDS and Immunology Research Center, C.A.I.R. Institute, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Department of Life Sciences and the Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Gersner Roman
- Department of Life Sciences and the Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Okun Eitan
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Barnea-Ygael Noam
- Department of Life Sciences and the Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Zangen Abrham
- Department of Life Sciences and the Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Sredni Benjamin
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, The Safdiè AIDS and Immunology Research Center, C.A.I.R. Institute, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
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14
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Sanna F, Bratzu J, Serra MP, Leo D, Quartu M, Boi M, Espinoza S, Gainetdinov RR, Melis MR, Argiolas A. Altered Sexual Behavior in Dopamine Transporter (DAT) Knockout Male Rats: A Behavioral, Neurochemical and Intracerebral Microdialysis Study. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:58. [PMID: 32372926 PMCID: PMC7185326 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Central dopamine plays a key role in sexual behavior. Recently, a Dopamine Transporter knockout (DAT KO) rat has been developed, which displays several behavioral dysfunctions that have been related to increased extracellular dopamine levels and altered dopamine turnover secondary to DAT gene silencing. This prompted us to characterize the sexual behavior of these DAT KO rats and their heterozygote (HET) and wild type (WT) counterparts in classical copulatory tests with a sexually receptive female rat and to verify if and how the acquisition of sexual experience changes along five copulatory tests in these rat lines. Extracellular dopamine and glutamic acid concentrations were also measured in the dialysate obtained by intracerebral microdialysis from the nucleus accumbens (Acb) shell of DAT KO, HET and WT rats, which underwent five copulatory tests, when put in the presence of an inaccessible sexually receptive female rat and when copulation was allowed. Markers of neurotropism (BDNF, trkB), neural activation (Δ-FosB), functional (Arc and PSA-NCAM) and structural synaptic plasticity (synaptophysin, syntaxin-3, PSD-95) were also measured in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), Acb (shell and core) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) by Western Blot assays. The results indicate that the sexual behavior of DAT KO vs. HET and WT rats shows peculiar differences, mainly due to a more rapid acquisition of stable sexual activity levels and to higher levels of sexual motivation and activity. These differences occurred with differential changes in dopamine and glutamic acid concentrations in Acb dialysates during sexual behavior, with lower increases of dopamine and glutamic acid in DAT KO vs. WT and HET rats, and a lower expression of the markers investigated, mainly in the mPFC, in DAT KO vs. WT rats. Together these findings confirm a key role of dopamine in sexual behavior and provide evidence that the permanently high levels of dopamine triggered by DAT gene silencing cause alterations in both the frontocortical glutamatergic neurons projecting to the Acb and VTA and in the mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons, leading to specific brain regional changes in trophic support and neuroplastic processes, which may have a role in the sexual behavior differences found among the three rat genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addictions, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Jessica Bratzu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addictions, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Pina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Citomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Damiana Leo
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Marina Quartu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Citomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marianna Boi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Citomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Stefano Espinoza
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Raul R Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Maria Rosaria Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addictions, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Argiolas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Addictions, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Cagliari Section, Cagliari, Italy
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15
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Functional and Dysfunctional Neuroplasticity in Learning to Cope with Stress. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10020127. [PMID: 32102272 PMCID: PMC7071431 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10020127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this brief review, we present evidence of the primary role of learning-associated plasticity in the development of either adaptive or maladaptive coping strategies. Successful interactions with novel stressors foster plasticity within the neural circuits supporting acquisition, consolidation, retrieval, and extinction of instrumental learning leading to development of a rich repertoire of flexible and context-specific adaptive coping responses, whereas prolonged or repeated exposure to inescapable/uncontrollable stressors fosters dysfunctional plasticity within the learning circuits leading to perseverant and inflexible maladaptive coping strategies. Finally, the results collected using an animal model of genotype-specific coping styles indicate the engagement of different molecular networks and the opposite direction of stress effects (reduced vs. enhanced gene expression) in stressed animals, as well as different behavioral alterations, in line with differences in the symptoms profile associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.
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16
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Molecular Psychiatry: Trends and Study Examples. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21020459. [PMID: 31936889 PMCID: PMC7013872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to about 20–30 years ago, the concept that psychiatric diseases have a molecular basis is now widely accepted [...]
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17
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Levchuk LA, Meeder EMG, Roschina OV, Loonen AJM, Boiko AS, Michalitskaya EV, Epimakhova EV, Losenkov IS, Simutkin GG, Bokhan NA, Schellekens AFA, Ivanova SA. Exploring Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Cell Adhesion Molecules as Biomarkers for the Transdiagnostic Symptom Anhedonia in Alcohol Use Disorder and Comorbid Depression. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:296. [PMID: 32372985 PMCID: PMC7184244 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and depressive disorder often co-exist and have a shared heritability. This study aimed to investigate Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and three Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs) as transdiagnostic biomarkers in AUD and depression co-morbidity. METHODS In a cross-sectional study, patients with AUD (n=22), AUD and depression (n=19), and healthy controls (n=20) were examined. Depression and anxiety severity were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Anhedonia, alcohol use and dependence, craving, and social adaptation were assessed through self-report questionnaires. BDNF and CAM concentrations in peripheral serum were measured after overnight fasting using a Luminex assay. After controlling for age and gender, biomarker levels were compared across groups. The association between biomarker concentrations and symptom severity scales were explored using correlation and multiple regression analyses. RESULTS BDNF and Neuronal CAM were lower in patients with AUD with and without depression compared to healthy controls. No differences were observed for Vascular CAM-1 and Interstitial CAM-1. BDNF correlated negatively with anhedonia levels. BDNF, age and gender together explained 21% of variability in anhedonia levels. CONCLUSION This pilot study suggests that peripheral levels of BDNF and NCAM might be reduced in AUD with and without comorbid mood disorder. Since low BDNF levels were associated with self- reported anhedonia across these conditions, BDNF and anhedonia might reflect transdiagnostic aspects involved in AUD and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyudmila A Levchuk
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Elise M G Meeder
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Olga V Roschina
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Anton J M Loonen
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology, & Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Anastasiia S Boiko
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Ekaterina V Michalitskaya
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Elena V Epimakhova
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Innokentiy S Losenkov
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - German G Simutkin
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Nikolay A Bokhan
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Arnt F A Schellekens
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction (NISPA), Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Svetlana A Ivanova
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
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18
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Yang CR, Zhang XY, Liu Y, Du JY, Liang R, Yu M, Zhang FQ, Mu XF, Li F, Zhou L, Zhou FH, Meng FJ, Wang S, Ming D, Zhou XF. Antidepressant Drugs Correct the Imbalance Between proBDNF/p75NTR/Sortilin and Mature BDNF/TrkB in the Brain of Mice with Chronic Stress. Neurotox Res 2020; 37:171-182. [PMID: 31493120 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-019-00101-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Depression is a worldwide problem with a great social and economic burden in many countries. In our previous research, we found that the expression of proBDNF/p75NTR/sortilin is upregulated in patients with major depressive disorder. In addition, the treatment of proBDNF antibodies reversed both the depressive behaviors and the reduced BDNF mRNA detected in our rodent chronic stress models. Antidepressant drugs are usually only effective in a subpopulation of patients with major depression with a delayed time window of 2-4 weeks to exert their efficacy. The mechanism underlying such delayed response is not known. In this study, we hypothesize that antidepressant drugs exert their therapeutic effect by modulating proBDNF/p75NTR and mature BDNF/TrkB signaling pathways. To test the hypothesis, C57 mice were randomly divided into normal control, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), vehicle (VEH), fluoxetine (FLU), and clozapine (CLO) groups. Behavioral tests (sucrose preference, open field, and tail suspension tests) were performed before and after 4 weeks of CUMS. The gene and protein expression of proBDNF, the neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), sortilin, and TrkB in the cortex and hippocampus were examined. At the protein level, CUMS induced a significant increase in proBDNF, p75NTR, and sortilin production while the TrkB protein level was found to be lower in the cortex and hippocampus compared with the control group. Consistently, at the mRNA level, p75NTR expression increased with reduced BDNF/TrkB mRNA in both cortex and hippocampus, while sortilin increased only in the hippocampus after CUMS. FLU and CLO treatments of CUMS mice reversed all protein and mRNA expression of the biomarkers in both cortex and hippocampus, except for sortilin mRNA in the cortex and proBDNF in the hippocampus, respectively. This study further confirms that the imbalance between proBDNF/p75NTR/sortilin and mBDNF/TrkB production is important in the pathogenesis of depression. It is likely that antidepressant FLU and antipsychotic CLO exert their antidepressant-like effect correcting the imbalance between proBDNF/p75NTR/sortilin and mBDNF/TrkB.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R Yang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - X Y Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Y Liu
- Tianjin Mental Health Center, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - J Y Du
- Tianjin Mental Health Center, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - R Liang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - M Yu
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - F Q Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - X F Mu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qingdao Central Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - F Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - L Zhou
- The Mental Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - F H Zhou
- School of Pharmacology and Medical Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
| | - F J Meng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - S Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - D Ming
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
| | - X F Zhou
- School of Pharmacology and Medical Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, 5000, Australia.
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19
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Tsukahara T, Kawase T, Yoshida H, Bukawa W, Kan T, Toyoda A. Preliminary investigation of the effect of oral supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum strain SNK12 on mRNA levels of neurotrophic factors and GABA receptors in the hippocampus of mice under stress-free and sub-chronic mild social defeat-stressing conditions. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2019; 83:2345-2354. [PMID: 31524073 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2019.1659717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The effect of Lactobacillus plantarum SNK12 (CPLP) supplementation on mRNA levels of hippocampal neurotrophic factors and gamma aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAR) was tested. In Experiment 1, stress-free, unsupplemented and CPLP (4 × 108 cells/head)-supplemented male C57BL/6J (B6) mice were the experimental animals. In Experiment 2, intruder (male, B6) mice [negative control; unsupplemented, sub-chronic mild social defeat stress (sCSDS)-induced; and CPLP-supplemented, sCSDS-induced] were exposed to aggressor mice (adult male Slc:ICR). mRNA levels of neurotrophic factors and GABAR in hippocampal samples of these mice were analyzed. In CPLP-supplemented mice of both experiments, mRNA levels of bdnf, nt-3, and GABAR were upregulated. Moreover, a tendency toward the improvement of habituation ability (Experiment 1) and behavior (Experiment 2) was observed in mice, which may be associated with upregulated neurotrophic factors and GABAR. We demonstrated that oral supplementation of CPLP to stress-free and stress-induced mice upregulated mRNA levels of hippocampal neurotrophic factors and GABAR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Wakoto Bukawa
- Non-Profit Organization, The Japanese Association of Clinical Research on Supplements, Saitama, Japan
| | | | - Atsushi Toyoda
- College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Ibaraki, Japan.,United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Zhang E, Liao P. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and post‐stroke depression. J Neurosci Res 2019; 98:537-548. [DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Zhang
- Western University of Health Sciences Pomona CA
| | - Ping Liao
- Calcium Signalling Laboratory National Neuroscience Institute Singapore
- Duke‐NUS Medical School Singapore
- Health and Social Sciences Singapore Institute of Technology Singapore
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Resveratrol Regulates BDNF, trkB, PSA-NCAM, and Arc Expression in the Rat Cerebral Cortex after Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Occlusion and Reperfusion. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11051000. [PMID: 31052460 PMCID: PMC6567029 DOI: 10.3390/nu11051000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The polyphenol resveratrol (RVT) may drive protective mechanisms of cerebral homeostasis during the hypoperfusion/reperfusion triggered by the transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion followed by reperfusion (BCCAO/R). This immunochemical study investigates if a single dose of RVT modulates the plasticity-related markers brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the tyrosine kinase trkB receptor, Polysialylated-Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (PSA-NCAM), and Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) protein in the brain cortex after BCCAO/R. Frontal and temporal-occipital cortical regions were examined in male Wistar rats randomly subdivided in two groups, sham-operated and submitted to BCCAO/R. Six hours prior to surgery, half the rats were gavage fed a dose of RVT (180 mg·kg−1 in 300 µL of sunflower oil as the vehicle), while the second half was given the vehicle alone. In the frontal cortex of BCCAO/R vehicle-treated rats, BDNF and PSA-NCAM decreased, while trkB increased. RVT pre-treatment elicited an increment of all examined markers in both sham- and BCCAO/R rats. No variations occurred in the temporal-occipital cortex. The results highlight a role for RVT in modulating neuronal plasticity through the BDNF-trkB system and upregulation of PSA-NCAM and Arc, which may provide both trophic and structural local support in the dynamic changes occurring during the BCCAO/R, and further suggest that dietary supplements such as RVT are effective in preserving the tissue potential to engage plasticity-related events and control the functional response to the hypoperfusion/reperfusion challenge.
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