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Portal B, Södergren M, Parés I Borrell T, Giraud R, Metzendorf NG, Hultqvist G, Nilsson P, Lindskog M. Early Astrocytic Dysfunction Is Associated with Mistuned Synapses as well as Anxiety and Depressive-Like Behavior in the AppNL-F Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2024:JAD231461. [PMID: 38995780 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231461] [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: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Unfortunately, efficient and affordable treatments are still lacking for this neurodegenerative disorder, it is therefore urgent to identify new pharmacological targets. Astrocytes are playing a crucial role in the tuning of synaptic transmission and several studies have pointed out severe astrocyte reactivity in AD. Reactive astrocytes show altered physiology and function, suggesting they could have a role in the early pathophysiology of AD. Objective We aimed to characterize early synaptic impairments in the AppNL-F knock-in mouse model of AD, especially to understand the contribution of astrocytes to early brain dysfunctions. Methods The AppNL-F mouse model carries two disease-causing mutations inserted in the amyloid precursor protein gene. This strain does not start to develop amyloid-β plaques until 9 months of age. Thanks to electrophysiology, we investigated synaptic function, at both neuronal and astrocytic levels, in 6-month-old animals and correlate the synaptic activity with emotional behavior. Results Electrophysiological recordings in the hippocampus revealed an overall synaptic mistuning at a pre-plaque stage of the pathology, associated to an intact social memory but a stronger depressive-like behavior. Astrocytes displayed a reactive-like morphology and a higher tonic GABA current compared to control mice. Interestingly, we here show that the synaptic impairments in hippocampal slices are partially corrected by a pre-treatment with the monoamine oxidase B blocker deprenyl or the fast-acting antidepressant ketamine (5 mg/kg). Conclusions We propose that reactive astrocytes can induce synaptic mistuning early in AD, before plaques deposition, and that these changes are associated with emotional symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Portal
- Department for Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Moa Södergren
- Department for Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Romain Giraud
- Department for Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nicole G Metzendorf
- Department of Pharmacy, Division of Protein Drug Design, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Greta Hultqvist
- Department of Pharmacy, Division of Protein Drug Design, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Nilsson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Lindskog
- Department for Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Liu Y, Chen L, Lin L, Xu C, Xiong Y, Qiu H, Li X, Li S, Cao H. Unveiling the hidden pathways: Exploring astrocytes as a key target for depression therapy. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 174:101-113. [PMID: 38626560 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Depressive disorders are widely debilitating psychiatric disease. Despite the considerable progress in the field of depression therapy, extensive research spanning many decades has failed to uncover pathogenic pathways that might aid in the creation of long-acting and rapid-acting antidepressants. Consequently, it is imperative to reconsider existing approaches and explore other targets to improve this area of study. In contemporary times, several scholarly investigations have unveiled that persons who have received a diagnosis of depression, as well as animal models employed to study depression, demonstrate a decrease in both the quantity as well as density of astrocytes, accompanied by alterations in gene expression and morphological attributes. Astrocytes rely on a diverse array of channels and receptors to facilitate their neurotransmitter transmission inside tripartite synapses. This study aimed to investigate the potential processes behind the development of depression, specifically focusing on astrocyte-associated neuroinflammation and the involvement of several molecular components such as connexin 43, potassium channel Kir4.1, aquaporin 4, glutamatergic aspartic acid transporter protein, SLC1A2 or GLT-1, glucocorticoid receptors, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2B, and autophagy, that localized on the surface of astrocytes. The study also explores novel approaches in the treatment of depression, with a focus on astrocytes, offering innovative perspectives on potential antidepressant medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Lin Lin
- Scientific Research Management Department, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Caijuan Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Yifan Xiong
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Huiwen Qiu
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Sixin Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Hui Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
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Xiao Y, Zhao L, Zang X, Xue S. Compressed primary-to-transmodal gradient is accompanied with subcortical alterations and linked to neurotransmitters and cellular signatures in major depressive disorder. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:5919-5935. [PMID: 37688552 PMCID: PMC10619397 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26485] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been shown to involve widespread changes in low-level sensorimotor and higher-level cognitive functions. Recent research found that a primary-to-transmodal gradient could capture a cortical hierarchical organization ranging from perception and action to cognition in healthy subjects, but a prominent gradient dysfunction in MDD patients. However, whether and how this cortical gradient is linked to subcortical impairments and whether it is reflected in the microscale neurotransmitter systems and cell type-specific transcriptional signatures remain largely unknown. Data were acquired from 323 MDD patients and 328 sex- and age-matched healthy controls derived from the REST-meta-MDD project, and the human brain neurotransmitter systems density maps and gene expression data were drawn from two publicly available datasets. We investigated alterations of the primary-to-transmodal gradient in MDD patients and their correlations with clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as their paralleled subcortical impairments. The correlations between MDD-related gradient alterations and densities of the neurotransmitter systems and gene expression information were assessed, respectively. The results demonstrated that MDD patients had a compressed primary-to-transmodal gradient accompanied by paralleled alterations in subcortical regions including the caudate, amygdala, and thalamus. The case-control gradient differences were spatially correlated with the densities of the neurotransmitter systems including the serotonin and dopamine receptors, and meanwhile with gene expression enriched in astrocytes, excitatory and inhibitory neuronal cells. These findings mapped the paralleled subcortical impairments in cortical hierarchical organization and also helped us understand the possible molecular and cellular substrates of the co-occurrence of high-level cognitive impairments with low-level sensorimotor abnormalities in MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xiao
- Center for Cognition and Brain DisordersThe Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiang ProvincePR China
- Institute of Psychological ScienceHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiang ProvincePR China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive ImpairmentsHangzhouZhejiang ProvincePR China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Center for Cognition and Brain DisordersThe Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiang ProvincePR China
- Institute of Psychological ScienceHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiang ProvincePR China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive ImpairmentsHangzhouZhejiang ProvincePR China
| | - Xuelian Zang
- Center for Cognition and Brain DisordersThe Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiang ProvincePR China
- Institute of Psychological ScienceHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiang ProvincePR China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive ImpairmentsHangzhouZhejiang ProvincePR China
| | - Shao‐Wei Xue
- Center for Cognition and Brain DisordersThe Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiang ProvincePR China
- Institute of Psychological ScienceHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouZhejiang ProvincePR China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive ImpairmentsHangzhouZhejiang ProvincePR China
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Luarte A, Nardocci G, Chakraborty A, Batiz LF, Pino-Lagos K, Wyneken Ú. Astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles in stress-associated mood disorders. Does the immune system get astrocytic? Pharmacol Res 2023; 194:106833. [PMID: 37348692 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Life stressors can wreak havoc on our health, contributing to mood disorders like major depressive disorder (MDD), a widespread and debilitating condition. Unfortunately, current treatments and diagnostic strategies fall short of addressing these disorders, highlighting the need for new approaches. In this regard, the relationship between MDD, brain inflammation (neuroinflammation), and systemic inflammation in the body may offer novel insights. Recent research has uncovered the crucial role of astrocytes in coordinating the inflammatory response through the release of extracellular vesicles (ADEVs) during different neuroinflammatory conditions. While the contribution of ADEVs to stress and MDD remains largely unexplored, their potential to modulate immune cells and contribute to MDD pathogenesis is significant. In this article, we delve into the immunomodulatory role of ADEVs, their potential impact on peripheral immune cells, and how their microRNA (miRNA) landscape may hold the key to controlling immune cell activity. Together, these mechanisms may constitute an opportunity to develop novel therapeutic pharmacological approaches to tackle mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Luarte
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; Program in Neuroscience, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile.
| | - Gino Nardocci
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Lab, Program in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; IMPACT, Center of Interventional Medicine for Precision and Advanced Cellular Therapy, Santiago 7620001, Chile
| | - Ankush Chakraborty
- Program in Neuroscience, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile
| | - Luis Federico Batiz
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; Program in Neuroscience, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; IMPACT, Center of Interventional Medicine for Precision and Advanced Cellular Therapy, Santiago 7620001, Chile
| | - Karina Pino-Lagos
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; Program in Immunology, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile
| | - Úrsula Wyneken
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; Program in Neuroscience, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; IMPACT, Center of Interventional Medicine for Precision and Advanced Cellular Therapy, Santiago 7620001, Chile.
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Anderson G. Depression Pathophysiology: Astrocyte Mitochondrial Melatonergic Pathway as Crucial Hub. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010350. [PMID: 36613794 PMCID: PMC9820523 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is widely accepted as having a heterogenous pathophysiology involving a complex mixture of systemic and CNS processes. A developmental etiology coupled to genetic and epigenetic risk factors as well as lifestyle and social process influences add further to the complexity. Consequently, antidepressant treatment is generally regarded as open to improvement, undoubtedly as a consequence of inappropriately targeted pathophysiological processes. This article reviews the diverse array of pathophysiological processes linked to MDD, and integrates these within a perspective that emphasizes alterations in mitochondrial function, both centrally and systemically. It is proposed that the long-standing association of MDD with suppressed serotonin availability is reflective of the role of serotonin as a precursor for the mitochondrial melatonergic pathway. Astrocytes, and the astrocyte mitochondrial melatonergic pathway, are highlighted as crucial hubs in the integration of the wide array of biological underpinnings of MDD, including gut dysbiosis and permeability, as well as developmental and social stressors, which can act to suppress the capacity of mitochondria to upregulate the melatonergic pathway, with consequences for oxidant-induced changes in patterned microRNAs and subsequent patterned gene responses. This is placed within a development context, including how social processes, such as discrimination, can physiologically regulate a susceptibility to MDD. Future research directions and treatment implications are derived from this.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Anderson
- CRC Scotland & London, Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PX, UK
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