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Gasalla P, Manahan-Vaughan D, Dwyer DM, Hall J, Méndez-Couz M. Characterisation of the neural basis underlying appetitive extinction & renewal in Cacna1c rats. Neuropharmacology 2023; 227:109444. [PMID: 36724867 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed impairments in Cacna1c ± heterozygous animals (a gene that encodes the Cav 1.2 L-type voltage-gated calcium channels and is implicated in risk for multiple neuropsychiatric disorders) in aversive forms of learning, such as latent inhibition, reversal learning or context discrimination. However, the role of Cav 1.2 L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in extinction of appetitive associations remains under-investigated. Here, we used an appetitive Pavlovian conditioning task and evaluated extinction learning (EL) with a change of context from that of training and test (ABA) and without such a change (AAA) in Cacna1c ± male rats versus their wild-type (WT) littermates. In addition, we used fluorescence in situ hybridization of somatic immediate early genes (IEGs) Arc and Homer1a expression to scrutinize associated changes in the medial prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. Cacna1c ± animals successfully adapt their responses by engaging in appetitive EL and renewal. However, the regional IEG expression profile changed. For the EL occurring in the same context, Cacna1c ± animals presented higher IEG expression in the infralimbic cortex and the central amygdala than controls. The prelimbic region presented a larger neural ensemble in Cacna1c ± than WT animals, co-labelled for the time window of EL in the original context and prolonged exposure to the unrewarded context. With a context change, the Cacna1c ± infralimbic region displayed higher IEG expression during renewal than controls. Taken together, our findings provide novel evidence of distinct brain activation patterns occurring in Cacna1c ± rats after appetitive extinction and renewal despite preserved behavioral responses. This article is part of the Special Issue on "L-type calcium channel mechanisms in neuropsychiatric disorders".
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Gasalla
- Neuroscience & Mental Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK; School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Denise Manahan-Vaughan
- Dept. Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, Building MA 4/158, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Dominic Michael Dwyer
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience & Mental Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Marta Méndez-Couz
- Dept. Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, Building MA 4/158, 44780, Bochum, Germany.
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2
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Ritzer A, Roeschl T, Nay S, Rudakova E, Volk T. Rapid Pacing Decreases L-type Ca 2+ Current and Alters Cacna1c Isogene Expression in Primary Cultured Rat Left Ventricular Myocytes. J Membr Biol 2023; 256:257-269. [PMID: 36995425 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-023-00284-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
The L-type calcium current (ICaL) is the first step in cardiac excitation-contraction-coupling and plays an important role in regulating contractility, but also in electrical and mechanical remodeling. Primary culture of cardiomyocytes, a widely used tool in cardiac ion channel research, is associated with substantial morphological, functional and electrical changes some of which may be prevented by electrical pacing. We therefore investigated ICaL directly after cell isolation and after 24 h of primary culture with and without regular pacing at 1 and 3 Hz in rat left ventricular myocytes. Moreover, we analyzed total mRNA expression of the pore forming subunit of the L-type Ca2+ channel (cacna1c) as well as the expression of splice variants of its exon 1 that contribute to specificity of ICaL in different tissue such as cardiac myocytes or smooth muscle. 24 h incubation without pacing decreased ICaL density by ~ 10% only. Consistent with this decrease we observed a decrease in the expression of total cacna1c and of exon 1a, the dominant variant of cardiomyocytes, while expression of exon 1b and 1c increased. Pacing for 24 h at 1 and 3 Hz led to a substantial decrease in ICaL density by 30%, mildly slowed ICaL inactivation and shifted steady-state inactivation to more negative potentials. Total cacna1c mRNA expression was substantially decreased by pacing, as was the expression of exon 1b and 1c. Taken together, electrical silence introduces fewer alterations in ICaL density and cacna1c mRNA expression than pacing for 24 h and should therefore be the preferred approach for primary culture of cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Ritzer
- Institut für Zelluläre und Molekulare Physiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstraße 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Roeschl
- Institut für Zelluläre und Molekulare Physiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstraße 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sandra Nay
- Institut für Zelluläre und Molekulare Physiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstraße 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elena Rudakova
- Institut für Zelluläre und Molekulare Physiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstraße 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tilmann Volk
- Institut für Zelluläre und Molekulare Physiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstraße 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
- Muscle Research Center Erlangen (MURCE), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
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3
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Cho Y, Jeon HJ, Kim K, Kim C, Lee SE. Developmental toxicity of a pymetrozine photo-metabolite, 3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos: Abnormal cardiac development and occurrence of heart dysfunction via differential expression of heart formation-related genes. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2023; 253:114654. [PMID: 36801540 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Pymetrozine (PYM) is worldwide used to control sucking insect pests in rice-cultivated fields and it is degraded into various metabolites including 3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde (3-PCA). These two pyridine compounds were used to determine their impacts on aquatic environments, particularly on the aquatic animal model zebrafish (Danio rerio). PYM did not show acute toxicities in terms of lethality, hatching rate, and phenotypic changes in zebrafish embryos in the tested ranges up to a concentration of 20 mg/L. 3-PCA exhibited acute toxicity with LC50 and EC50 values of 10.7 and 2.07 mg/L, respectively. 3-PCA treatment caused phenotypic changes including pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, hyperemia, and curved spine, at a concentration of 10 mg/L after 48 h of exposure. Abnormal cardiac development was observed in 3-PCA-treated zebrafish embryos at a concentration of 5 mg/L with reduced heart function. In a molecular analysis, cacna1c, encoding a voltage-dependent calcium channel, was significantly down-regulated in the 3-PCA-treated embryos, indicating synaptic and behavioral defects. Hyperemia and incomplete intersegmental vessels were observed in 3-PCA-treated embryos. Based on these results, it is necessary to generate scientific information on the acute and chronic toxicity of PYM and its metabolites with regular monitoring of their residues in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yerin Cho
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwang-Ju Jeon
- Red River Research Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Bossier City, LA, USA
| | - Kyeongnam Kim
- Institute of Quality and Safety Evaluation of Agricultural Products, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaeeun Kim
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Eun Lee
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; Institute of Quality and Safety Evaluation of Agricultural Products, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; Department of Integrative Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.
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4
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Smedler E, Louhivuori L, Romanov RA, Masini D, Dehnisch Ellström I, Wang C, Caramia M, West Z, Zhang S, Rebellato P, Malmersjö S, Brusini I, Kanatani S, Fisone G, Harkany T, Uhlén P. Disrupted Cacna1c gene expression perturbs spontaneous Ca 2+ activity causing abnormal brain development and increased anxiety. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2108768119. [PMID: 35135875 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2108768119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene CACNA1C encodes for a calcium channel that has been linked to various psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, through hitherto unknown cellular mechanisms. Here, we report that deletion of Cacna1c in neurons of the developing brain disrupts spontaneous calcium activity and causes abnormal brain development and anxiety. Our results indicate that marginally alterations in the expression level of Cacna1c have major effects on the intrinsic spontaneous calcium activity of neural progenitors that play a crucial role in brain development. Thus, Cacna1c acts as a molecular switch that can increase susceptibility to psychiatric disease. The L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel gene CACNA1C is a risk gene for various psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, the cellular mechanism by which CACNA1C contributes to psychiatric disorders has not been elucidated. Here, we report that the embryonic deletion of Cacna1c in neurons destined for the cerebral cortex using an Emx1-Cre strategy disturbs spontaneous Ca2+ activity and causes abnormal brain development and anxiety. By combining computational modeling with electrophysiological membrane potential manipulation, we found that neural network activity was driven by intrinsic spontaneous Ca2+ activity in distinct progenitor cells expressing marginally increased levels of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. MRI examination of the Cacna1c knockout mouse brains revealed volumetric differences in the neocortex, hippocampus, and periaqueductal gray. These results suggest that Cacna1c acts as a molecular switch and that its disruption during embryogenesis can perturb Ca2+ handling and neural development, which may increase susceptibility to psychiatric disease.
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5
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Kabitzke P, Morales D, He D, Cox K, Sutphen J, Thiede L, Sabath E, Hanania T, Biemans B, Brunner D. Mouse model systems of autism spectrum disorder: Replicability and informatics signature. Genes Brain Behav 2020; 19:e12676. [PMID: 32445272 PMCID: PMC7540461 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Phenotyping mouse model systems of human disease has proven to be a difficult task, with frequent poor inter- and intra-laboratory replicability, particularly in behavioral domains such as social and cognitive function. However, establishing robust animal model systems with strong construct validity is of fundamental importance as they are central tools for understanding disease pathophysiology and developing therapeutics. To complete our studies of mouse model systems relevant to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we present a replication of the main findings from our two published studies of five genetic mouse model systems of ASD. To assess the intra-laboratory robustness of previous results, we chose the two model systems that showed the greatest phenotypic differences, the Shank3/F and Cntnap2, and repeated assessments of general health, activity and social behavior. We additionally explored all five model systems in the same framework, comparing all results obtained in this three-yearlong effort using informatics techniques to assess commonalities and differences. Our results showed high intra-laboratory replicability of results, even for those with effect sizes that were not particularly large, suggesting that discrepancies in the literature may be dependent on subtle but pivotal differences in testing conditions, housing enrichment, or background strains and less so on the variability of the behavioral phenotypes. The overall informatics analysis suggests that in our behavioral assays we can separate the set of tested mouse model system into two main classes that in some aspects lie on opposite ends of the behavioral spectrum, supporting the view that autism is not a unitary concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Kabitzke
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA.,The Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Diana Morales
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA.,Pfizer, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - Dansha He
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Jane Sutphen
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA.,Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Lucinda Thiede
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA.,Boehringer Ingelheim, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | - Emily Sabath
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA.,JRS Pharma, Patterson, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Daniela Brunner
- PsychoGenics, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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6
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Horigane SI, Hamada S, Kamijo S, Yamada H, Yamasaki M, Watanabe M, Bito H, Ohtsuka T, Takemoto-Kimura S. Development of an L-type Ca 2+ channel-dependent Ca 2+ transient during the radial migration of cortical excitatory neurons. Neurosci Res 2020; 169:17-26. [PMID: 32598973 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence has shown that voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs) are crucial for neurodevelopmental events, including neuronal differentiation/migration and neurite morphogenesis/extension. However, the time course of their functional maturation during the development of excitatory neurons remains unknown. Using a combination of fluorescence in situ hybridization and in utero electroporation-based labeling, we found that the transcripts of Cacna1c and Cacna1d, which encode the LTCC pore-forming subunits, were upregulated in the intermediate zone (IZ) during radial migration. Ca2+ imaging using GCaMP6s in acute brain slices showed spontaneous Ca2+ transients in migrating neurons throughout the IZ. Neurons in the IZ upper layer, especially in the multipolar-to-bipolar transition layer (TL), exhibited more frequent Ca2+ transients than adjacent layers and responded to FPL64176, a potent activator of LTCC. Consistently, nimodipine, an LTCC blocker, inhibited spontaneous Ca2+ transients in neurons in the TL. Collectively, we showed a hitherto unknown increased prevalence of LTCC-dependent Ca2+ transients in the TL of the IZ upper layer during the radial migration of excitatory neurons, which could be essential for the regulation of Ca2+-dependent neurodevelopmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ichiro Horigane
- Department of Neuroscience I, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan; Molecular/cellular Neuroscience, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan; Department of Neurochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Shun Hamada
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kamijo
- Department of Neurochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Yamada
- Department of Neuroscience I, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan; Molecular/cellular Neuroscience, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Miwako Yamasaki
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Bito
- Department of Neurochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Toshihisa Ohtsuka
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
| | - Sayaka Takemoto-Kimura
- Department of Neuroscience I, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan; Molecular/cellular Neuroscience, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan; PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0076, Japan.
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7
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Zhao D, Zheng H, Greasley A, Ling F, Zhou Q, Wang B, Ni T, Topiwala I, Zhu C, Mele T, Liu K, Zheng X. The role of miR-711 in cardiac cells in response to oxidative stress and its biogenesis: a study on H9C2 cells. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2020; 25:26. [PMID: 32308692 PMCID: PMC7146913 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-020-00206-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Oxidative stress results in cell apoptosis/death and plays a detrimental role in disease development and progression. Stressors alter the miRNA expression profile and miRNAs play a role in the cell response to stress. We previously showed that miR-711 is significantly over-expressed in extended cold ischemia reperfusion injured hearts in heart transplant. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of miR-711 in cardiac cell damage in response to oxidative stress and how miR-711 is regulated. Methods Rat cardiac cell line H9c2 cells were cultured and exposed to oxidative conditions (Antimycin A (AA), H2O2, CoCl2, or cold hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)) in vitro. H9c2 cells were transfected with miR-711 mimics, miR-711 inhibitors, or small interference RNA, using transfection reagents. The expression of miR-711 was measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell apoptosis/death was detected by flow cytometry and an IncuCyte system. Mitochondrial damage was detected by measuring the mitochondria membrane potential by flow cytometry. Gene expression was detected by qRT-PCR at the mRNA level and Western blotting and immunocytochemistry staining at the protein level. Results We found that miR-711 was significantly up-regulated in cells treated with H2O2, AA, CoCl2, and cold H/R. Over-expression of miR-711 increased cell apoptosis/death induced by AA and H/R whereas cell death was reduced by miR-711 inhibitors. MiR-711 induced cell death through negative regulation of angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1), fibroblast growth factor 14 (FGF14) and calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1C (Cacna1c) genes. Both knockdown of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and inactivation of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFКB) pathway inhibited over-expression of miR-711. Conclusion Oxidative stress increases the expression of miR-711. Over-expression of miR-711 induces cell apoptosis/death. HIF-1α and NFКB regulate miR-711 in H9c2 cells during oxidative stress. miR-711 is a new target for preventing oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Zhao
- 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041 China.,2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario Canada.,3Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, Guangdong China
| | - Hao Zheng
- 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario Canada
| | - Adam Greasley
- 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario Canada
| | - Fengjun Ling
- 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario Canada
| | - Qinfeng Zhou
- 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanking University of Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu China
| | - Bowen Wang
- 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario Canada
| | - Tiffany Ni
- 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario Canada
| | - Ishita Topiwala
- 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario Canada
| | - Cuilin Zhu
- 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041 China.,2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario Canada
| | - Tina Mele
- 5Department of Surgery, Western University, Ontario, London Canada
| | - Kexiang Liu
- 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041 China
| | - Xiufen Zheng
- 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario Canada.,5Department of Surgery, Western University, Ontario, London Canada.,6London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario Canada.,7Department of Oncology, Western University, Ontario, London Canada.,8Lawson Health Research Institute, Ontario, London Canada
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8
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Ehlinger DG, Commons KG. Cav1.2 L-type calcium channels regulate stress coping behavior via serotonin neurons. Neuropharmacology 2018; 144:282-290. [PMID: 30176250 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Human genetic variation in the gene CACNA1C, which codes for the alpha-1c subunit of Cav1.2 L-type calcium channels (LTCCs), has been broadly associated with enhanced risk for neuropsychiatric disorders including major depression, bipolar and schizophrenia. Little is known about the specific neural circuits through which CACNA1C and Cav1.2 LTCCs impact disease etiology. However, serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission has been consistently implicated in these neuropsychiatric disorders and Cav1.2 LTCCs may influence 5-HT neuron activity during relevant behavioral states such as stress. We utilized a temporally controlled and 5-HT neuron specific Cacna1c knockout mouse model to assess stress-coping behavior using the forced swim test and dorsal raphe (DR) 5-HT neuron Fos activation. Furthermore, we assessed 5-HT1A receptor function and feedback inhibition of the DR following administration of the 5-HT1A antagonist WAY-100635. We find that 5-HT neuron Cacna1c knockout disrupts active-coping behavior in the forced swim test and that this behavioral effect is rescued by blocking 5-HT1A receptors. Moreover, Cacna1c knockout mice display enhanced Fos expression in caudal DR 5-HT neurons and an enhanced response to a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist in rostral DR 5-HT neurons, indicating that loss of Cacna1c disrupts both 5-HT neuron activation and 5-HT1A dependent feedback inhibition across the caudal to rostral DR. Collectively, these results reveal an important role for 5-HT neuron Cav1.2 LTCCs in stress-coping behavior and 5-HT1A receptor function. This suggests that alterations in CACNA1C function or expression could influence the development or treatment of neuropsychiatric disorder through serotonergic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Ehlinger
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Kathryn G Commons
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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9
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Kabitzke PA, Brunner D, He D, Fazio PA, Cox K, Sutphen J, Thiede L, Sabath E, Hanania T, Alexandrov V, Rasmusson R, Spooren W, Ghosh A, Feliciano P, Biemans B, Benedetti M, Clayton AL. Comprehensive analysis of two Shank3 and the Cacna1c mouse models of autism spectrum disorder. Genes Brain Behav 2017; 17:4-22. [PMID: 28753255 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
To expand, analyze and extend published behavioral phenotypes relevant to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we present a study of three ASD genetic mouse models: Feng's Shank3tm2Gfng model, hereafter Shank3/F, Jiang's Shank3tm1Yhj model, hereafter Shank3/J and the Cacna1c deletion model. The Shank3 models mimick gene mutations associated with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome and the Cacna1c model recapitulates the deletion underlying Timothy syndrome. This study utilizes both standard and novel behavioral tests with the same methodology used in our previously published companion report on the Cntnap2 null and 16p11.2 deletion models. We found that some but not all behaviors replicated published findings and those that did replicate, such as social behavior and overgrooming in Shank3 models, tended to be milder than reported elsewhere. The Shank3/F model, and to a much lesser extent, the Shank3/J and Cacna1c models, showed hypoactivity and a general anxiety-like behavior triggered by external stimuli which pervaded social interactions. We did not detect deficits in a cognitive procedural learning test nor did we observe perseverative behavior in these models. We did, however, find differences in exploratory patterns of Cacna1c mutant mice suggestive of a behavioral effect in a social setting. In addition, only Shank3/F showed differences in sensory-gating. Both positive and negative results from this study will be useful in identifying the most robust and replicable behavioral signatures within and across mouse models of autism. Understanding these phenotypes may shed light of which features to study when screening compounds for potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - D Brunner
- PsychoGenics, Inc, Tarrytown, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - D He
- PsychoGenics, Inc, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - P A Fazio
- PsychoGenics, Inc, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - K Cox
- PsychoGenics, Inc, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - J Sutphen
- PsychoGenics, Inc, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - L Thiede
- PsychoGenics, Inc, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - E Sabath
- PsychoGenics, Inc, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - T Hanania
- PsychoGenics, Inc, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | | | - R Rasmusson
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | | | - P Feliciano
- Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - M Benedetti
- Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative, New York, NY, USA
| | - A L Clayton
- Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Kumar D, Dedic N, Flachskamm C, Voulé S, Deussing JM, Kimura M. Cacna1c (Cav1.2) Modulates Electroencephalographic Rhythm and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Recovery. Sleep 2015; 38:1371-80. [PMID: 25845695 DOI: 10.5665/sleep.4972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES The CACNA1C gene encodes the alpha 1C (α1C) subunit of the Cav1.2 voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel (LTCC). Some of the other voltage-dependent calcium channels, e.g., P-/Q-type, Cav2.1; N-type, Cav2.2; E-/R-type, Cav2.3; and T-type, Cav3.3 have been implicated in sleep modulation. However, the contribution of LTCCs to sleep remains largely unknown. Based on recent genome-wide association studies, CACNA1C emerged as one of potential candidate genes associated with both sleep and psychiatric disorders. Indeed, most patients with mental illnesses have sleep problems and vice versa. DESIGN To investigate an impact of Cav1.2 on sleep-wake behavior and electroencephalogram (EEG) activity, polysomnography was performed in heterozygous Cacna1c (HET) knockout mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates under baseline and challenging conditions (acute sleep deprivation and restraint stress). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS HET mice displayed significantly lower EEG spectral power than WT mice across high frequency ranges (beta to gamma) during wake and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Although HET mice spent slightly more time asleep in the dark period, daily amounts of sleep did not differ between the two genotypes. However, recovery sleep after exposure to both types of challenging stress conditions differed markedly; HET mice exhibited reduced REM sleep recovery responses compared to WT mice. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest the involvement of Cacna1c (Cav1.2) in fast electroencephalogram oscillations and REM sleep regulatory processes. Lower spectral gamma activity, slightly increased sleep demands, and altered REM sleep responses found in heterozygous Cacna1c knockout mice may rather resemble a sleep phenotype observed in schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nina Dedic
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
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