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Vasilescu AN, Pfeiffer N, Terraneo F, Riva MA, Lang UE, Inta D, Gass P. Region-Specific Enhancement of c-fos Expression by Combined Treatment With NMDA Receptor Agonists and Antagonists With Antidepressant Potential. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 25:946-950. [PMID: 35974297 PMCID: PMC9670745 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyac051] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapastinel, formerly Glyx-13, is a novel positive allosteric modulator of the N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor (NMDAR) that counteracts psychotomimetic actions of NMDAR antagonists. We set out to evaluate the effect of rapastinel alone or in combination with the global and GluN2B subunit-specific NMDAR antagonists MK-801 and Ro25-6981, respectively, on neuronal activation in relevant regions using c-fos brain mapping. Whereas rapastinel alone did not trigger significant c-fos expression beyond the prelimbic cortex, it strongly increased the c-fos expression induced by MK-801 in hippocampal, cingulate, and retrosplenial areas. Similar results were obtained when rapastinel was replaced by D-cycloserine. Our results reveal new interactions at network level between NMDAR modulators with possible implications regarding their therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei-Nicolae Vasilescu
- Correspondence: Andrei-Nicolae Vasilescu, MD, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany ()
| | - Natascha Pfeiffer
- RG Animal Models in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim Faculty, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Federica Terraneo
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Andrea Riva
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy,Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
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Bertocchi I, Eltokhi A, Rozov A, Chi VN, Jensen V, Bus T, Pawlak V, Serafino M, Sonntag H, Yang B, Burnashev N, Li SB, Obenhaus HA, Both M, Niewoehner B, Single FN, Briese M, Boerner T, Gass P, Rawlins JNP, Köhr G, Bannerman DM, Sprengel R. Voltage-independent GluN2A-type NMDA receptor Ca 2+ signaling promotes audiogenic seizures, attentional and cognitive deficits in mice. Commun Biol 2021; 4:59. [PMID: 33420383 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01538-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The NMDA receptor-mediated Ca2+ signaling during simultaneous pre- and postsynaptic activity is critically involved in synaptic plasticity and thus has a key role in the nervous system. In GRIN2-variant patients alterations of this coincidence detection provoked complex clinical phenotypes, ranging from reduced muscle strength to epileptic seizures and intellectual disability. By using our gene-targeted mouse line (Grin2aN615S), we show that voltage-independent glutamate-gated signaling of GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors is associated with NMDAR-dependent audiogenic seizures due to hyperexcitable midbrain circuits. In contrast, the NMDAR antagonist MK-801-induced c-Fos expression is reduced in the hippocampus. Likewise, the synchronization of theta- and gamma oscillatory activity is lowered during exploration, demonstrating reduced hippocampal activity. This is associated with exploratory hyperactivity and aberrantly increased and dysregulated levels of attention that can interfere with associative learning, in particular when relevant cues and reward outcomes are disconnected in space and time. Together, our findings provide (i) experimental evidence that the inherent voltage-dependent Ca2+ signaling of NMDA receptors is essential for maintaining appropriate responses to sensory stimuli and (ii) a mechanistic explanation for the neurological manifestations seen in the NMDAR-related human disorders with GRIN2 variant-meidiated intellectual disability and focal epilepsy. Ilaria Bertocchi et al. use a mouse model of Grin2a dysfunction to show that activity-independent NMDA receptors are involved in audiogenic seizure generation. Their results suggest a role for NMDA receptors in maintaining an appropriate response to sensory stimuli and a potential mechanism for disease phenotypes in epilepsy patients with GRIN2A mutations.
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Lang E, Mallien AS, Vasilescu AN, Hefter D, Luoni A, Riva MA, Borgwardt S, Sprengel R, Lang UE, Gass P, Inta D. Molecular and cellular dissection of NMDA receptor subtypes as antidepressant targets. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 84:352-358. [PMID: 28843752 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [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: 04/29/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence supports the idea that drugs targeting the glutamate system may represent a valuable therapeutic alternative in major depressive disorders (MDD). The rapid and prolonged mood elevating effect of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonist ketamine has been studied intensely. However, its clinical use is hampered by deleterious side-effects, such as psychosis. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms of the psychotropic effects after NMDAR blockade is necessary to develop glutamatergic antidepressants with improved therapeutic profile. Here we review recent experimental data that addressed molecular/cellular determinants of the antidepressant effect mediated by inactivating NMDAR subtypes. We refer to results obtained both in pharmacological and genetic animal models, ranging from global to conditional NMDAR manipulation. Our main focus is on the contribution of different NMDAR subtypes to the psychoactive effects induced by NMDAR ablation/blockade. We review data analyzing the effect of NMDAR subtype deletions limited to specific neuronal populations/brain areas in the regulation of mood. Altogether, these studies suggest effective and putative specific NMDAR drug targets for MDD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Lang
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne S Mallien
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrei-Nicolae Vasilescu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dimitri Hefter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alessia Luoni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Marco A Riva
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefan Borgwardt
- Department of Psychiatry (UPK), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Sprengel
- Max-Planck Research Group at the Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Undine E Lang
- Department of Psychiatry (UPK), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Gass
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dragos Inta
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry (UPK), University of Basel, Switzerland.
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Inta I, Domonkos E, Pfeiffer N, Sprengel R, Bettendorf M, Lang UE, Inta D, Gass P. Puberty marks major changes in the hippocampal and cortical c-Fos activation pattern induced by NMDA receptor antagonists. Neuropharmacology 2016; 112:181-187. [PMID: 26995729 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Non-selective and subunit (GluN2B)-specific N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists represent promising alternative antidepressant drugs with fast onset of the therapeutic action. The neuronal activation pattern induced by NMDAR antagonists is well characterized by c-Fos expression analysis only in the adult rodent brain. In contrast, there is little information available regarding their effects during postnatal development. Here we performed a systematic c-Fos brain mapping of the non-selective NMDAR antagonist MK-801 and the GluN2B-specific antagonist Ro 25-6981 from postnatal day 16 (P16) to P40. We found significant regional differences with gender-specificity in the activation pattern compared to the adult. Surprisingly, in the hippocampus, MK-801 triggered at pre-pubertal stages (especially at P24) very strong c-Fos expression, followed by low levels after P30, the approximate time point of puberty onset in mice. The cortical distribution of MK-801-triggered c-Fos expression before puberty differed also substantially from the adult brain, showing high levels only in deep cortical layers at pre-pubertal stages. In comparison, the cortical activation induced by Ro 25-6981 diminished from high pre-pubertal levels and was in comparison with that triggered by MK-801 low in the hippocampus. These results reveal highly dynamic changes in the c-Fos activation pattern induced by NMDAR antagonists during puberty. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Ionotropic glutamate receptors'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Inta
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, University Children's Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Emese Domonkos
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Natascha Pfeiffer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rolf Sprengel
- Max-Planck Research Group at the Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Bettendorf
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, University Children's Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Undine E Lang
- Department of Psychiatry (UPK), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dragos Inta
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry (UPK), University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Peter Gass
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany
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Yang B, Dormann C, Vogt MA, Sprengel R, Gass P, Inta D. Facilitated c-Fos Induction in Mice Deficient for the AMPA Receptor-Associated Protein Ckamp44. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2016; 36:1215-8. [PMID: 26645823 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-015-0307-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The recently identified Cystine-knot containing AMPAR-associated protein (Ckamp44) represents a novel AMPAR-related protein that critically controls AMPAR-mediated currents and short-term plasticity. However, the effects of the lack of this protein at network level are not entirely understood. Here we used c-Fos brain mapping to analyse whether the excitatory/inhibitory balance is altered in the absence of the Ckamp44. We found that Ckamp44(-/-) mice treated with an NMDAR antagonist exhibited a very robust c-Fos expression pattern, similar with that seen in mice lacking the GluN2A subunit of NMDAR treated with the same compound. This finding is unexpected, in particular, since Ckamp44 expression is strongest in dentate gyrus granule cells and less abundant in the rest of the brain.
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Lima-Ojeda JM, Vogt MA, Pfeiffer N, Dormann C, Köhr G, Sprengel R, Gass P, Inta D. Pharmacological blockade of GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors induces antidepressant-like effects lacking psychotomimetic action and neurotoxicity in the perinatal and adult rodent brain. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2013; 45:28-33. [PMID: 23643674 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2012] [Revised: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonists like ketamine and MK-801 possess remarkable antidepressant effects with fast onset. However, they over-stimulate the retrosplenial cortex, evoking psychosis-like effects and neuronal injury, revealed by de novo induction of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70). Moreover, early in the development MK-801 triggers widespread cortical apoptosis, inducing extensive caspase-3 expression. Altogether these data raise strong concerns on the clinical applicability of NMDAR antagonist therapies. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutics targeting more specifically NMDAR to avoid psychotomimetic effects is necessary. Here we investigated a GluN2B (NR2B) antagonist in behavioral and neurotoxicity paradigms in rats to assess its potential as possible alternative to unspecific NMDA receptor antagonists. We found that treatment with the GluN2B specific antagonist Ro 25-6981 evoked robust antidepressant-like effects. Moreover, Ro 25-6981 did not cause hyperactivity as displayed after treatment with unspecific NMDAR antagonists, a correlate of psychosis-like effects in rodents. Additionally, Ro 25-6981, unlike MK-801, did not induce caspase-3 and HSP70 expression, markers of neurotoxicity in the perinatal and adult brain, respectively. Moreover, unexpectedly, in the adult retrosplenial cortex Ro 25-6981 pretreatment significantly reduced MK-801-triggered neurotoxicity. Our results suggest that GluN2B antagonists may represent valuable alternatives to unspecific NMDAR antagonists with robust antidepressant efficacy and a more favorable side-effect profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Lima-Ojeda
- RG Animal Models in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany
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Inta D, Vogt MA, Pfeiffer N, Köhr G, Gass P. Dichotomy in the anxiolytic versus antidepressant effect of C-terminal truncation of the GluN2A subunit of NMDA receptors. Behav Brain Res 2013; 247:227-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Revised: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 03/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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