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Deng S, Guo A, Huang Z, Guan K, Zhu Y, Chan C, Gui J, Song C, Li X. The exploration of neuroinflammatory mechanism by which CRHR2 deficiency induced anxiety disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 128:110844. [PMID: 37640149 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and triggers glial neuroinflammatory phenotypes, which reduces monoamine neurotransmitters by activating indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase enzyme. These changes can induce psychiatric diseases, including anxiety. Corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2) in the HPA axis is involved in the etiology of anxiety. Omega(n)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can attenuate anxiety through anti-inflammation and HPA axis modulation. However, the underlying molecular mechanism by CRHR2 modulates anxiety and its correlation with neuroinflammation remain unclear. Here, we first constructed a crhr2 zebrafish mutant line, and evaluated anxiety-like behaviors, gene expression associated with the HPA axis, neuroinflammatory response, neurotransmitters, and PUFAs profile in crhr2+/+ and crhr2-/- zebrafish. The crhr2 deficiency decreased cortisol levels and up-regulated crhr1 and down-regulated crhb, crhbp, ucn3l and proopiomelanocortin a (pomc a) in zebrafish. Interestingly, a significant increase in the neuroinflammatory markers, translocator protein (TSPO) and the activation of microglia M1 phenotype (CD11b) were found in crhr2-/- zebrafish. As a consequence, the expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, pro-inflammatory cytokines vascular endothelial growth factor, and astrocyte A1 phenotype c3 were up-regulated. While microglia anti-inflammatory phenotype (CD206), central anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-4, arginase-1, and transforming growth factor-β were downregulated. In parallel, crhr2-deficient zebrafish showed an upregulation of vdac1 protein, a TSPO ligand, and its downstream caspase-3. Furthermore, 5-HT/5-HIAA ratio was decreased and n-3 PUFAs deficiency was identified in crhr2-/- zebrafish. In conclusion, anxiety-like behavior displayed by crhr2-deficient zebrafish may be caused by the HPA axis dysfunction and enhanced neuroinflammation, which resulted in n-3 PUFAs and monoamine neurotransmitter reductions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyi Deng
- Research Institute for Marine Drugs and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
| | - Anqi Guo
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Zhengwei Huang
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Kaiyu Guan
- Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Ya Zhu
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Cheekai Chan
- College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Jianfang Gui
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, The Innovation Academy of Seed Design, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Cai Song
- Research Institute for Marine Drugs and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China.
| | - Xi Li
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China.
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Horii-Hayashi N, Nomoto K, Endo N, Yamanaka A, Kikusui T, Nishi M. Hypothalamic perifornical Urocortin-3 neurons modulate defensive responses to a potential threat stimulus. iScience 2021; 24:101908. [PMID: 33385113 PMCID: PMC7770982 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Defensive behaviors are evolved responses to threat stimuli, and a potential threat elicits risk assessment (RA) behavior. However, neural mechanisms underlying RA behavior are hardly understood. Urocortin-3 (Ucn3) is a member of corticotropin-releasing factor peptide family and here, we report that Ucn3 neurons in the hypothalamic perifornical area (PeFA) are involved in RA of a novel object, a potential threat stimulus, in mice. Histological and in vivo fiber photometry studies revealed that the activity of PeFA Ucn3 neurons was associated with novel object investigation involving the stretch-attend posture, a behavioral marker for RA. Chemogenetic activation of these neurons increased RA and burying behaviors toward a novel object without affecting anxiety and corticosterone levels. Ablation of these neurons caused the abnormal behaviors of gnawing and direct contacts with novel objects, especially in a home-cage. These results suggest that PeFA Ucn3 neurons modulate defensive responses to a potential threat stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Horii-Hayashi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 643-8521, Japan
| | - Kensaku Nomoto
- Companion Animal Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252–5201, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Tochigi, 321-0293, Japan
| | - Nozomi Endo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 643-8521, Japan
| | - Akihiro Yamanaka
- Department of Neuroscience II, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Takefumi Kikusui
- Companion Animal Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252–5201, Japan
| | - Mayumi Nishi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 643-8521, Japan
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Anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like actions of Urocortin 2 and its fragments in mice. Brain Res 2017; 1680:62-68. [PMID: 29247629 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like actions of Urocortin 2 (Ucn2) and its two fragments, Ucn2 (1-21) and Ucn2 (22-38), in mice, in an attempt to identify the biologically active sequence of this 38 amino acid neuropeptide. In this purpose, male C57BL/6 mice were treated intracerebroventricularly (icv) with 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 µg/2 µl of Ucn2, Ucn2 (1-21) or Ucn2 (22-38). After 30 min, the mice were evaluated in an elevated plus-maze test and a forced swim test for anxiety- and depression-like behavior, respectively. Each test lasted 5 min. Ucn2 at dose of 0.25 µg/2 µl and Ucn2 (1-21) at dose of 0.125 µg/2 µl, but not Ucn2 (22-38), increased significantly the number of entries into and the time spent in the open-arms, without influencing the total number of entries. In parallel, the same doses of Ucn2 and Ucn2 (1-21), but not Ucn2 (22-38), increased significantly the climbing and the swimming activity, while decreasing significantly the time of immobility. In addition, Ucn2 at doses of 0.125 µg/2 µl and 0.5 µg/2 µl decreased significantly the time of immobility, but they did not change the other parameters. The present study demonstrates that Ucn2 exerts anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in C57BL/6 mice, which are mediated by the N-terminal, but not the C-terminal fragment of the peptide. The establishment of the smallest active sequence by further fragmentation of Ucn2 (1-21) may allow the synthesis of new anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs.
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Telegdy G, Kovács AK, Rákosi K, Zarándi M, Tóth GK. Antiamnesic properties of analogs and mimetics of the tripeptide human urocortin 3. Amino Acids 2016; 48:2261-6. [PMID: 27262310 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-016-2268-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Amnesia is a deficit in memory caused by brain damage, disease, or trauma. Until now, there are no successful medications on the drug market available to treat amnesia. Short analogs and mimetics of human urocortin 3 (Ucn 3) tripeptide were synthetized and tested for their action against amnesia induced by eletroconvulsion in mice. Among the 16 investigated derivatives of Ucn 3 tripeptide, eight compounds displayed antiamnesic effect. Our results proved that the configuration of chiral center of glutamine does not affect the antiamnesic properties. Alkyl amide or isoleucyl amide at the C-terminus may lead to antiamnesic compounds. As concerned the N-terminus, acetyl, Boc, and alkyl ureido moieties were found among the active analogs, but the free amino function at the N-terminus usually led to an inactive derivatives. These observations may lead to the design and synthesis of small peptidomimetics and amino acid derivatives as antiamnesic drug candidates, although the elucidation of the mechanism of the action requires further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyula Telegdy
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 1, Szeged, 6725, Hungary
- MTA-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 1, Szeged, 6725, Hungary
| | - Anita Kármen Kovács
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - Kinga Rákosi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - Márta Zarándi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - Gábor K Tóth
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, Szeged, 6720, Hungary.
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Rákosi K, Masaru T, Zarándia M, Telegdy G, Tóth GK. Short analogs and mimetics of human urocortin 3 display antidepressant effects in vivo. Peptides 2014; 62:59-66. [PMID: 25304878 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Revised: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Peptide analogs of urocortin 3[36–38] (Ucn 3[36–38]), obtained with deletion or replacement of amino acids of the original human urocortin 3 sequence, were designed, synthesized, and tested in vivo for treatment of depression. Based on the results of the biological tests of the peptide analogs, several new peptidomimetics of the above short analogs of urocortin 3, including urea- and azapeptides, were also designed and synthesized and found to preserve the antidepressant-like effect of the 38 amino acid long original neuropeptide. The molecular modifications of urocortin 3[36–38] led to an improved understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and biological activity of this peptide, and the novel peptidomimetics could be further tested for possible clinical treatment of depression.
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Urocortin 3 administration impairs fear motivated learning in mice is mediated by transmitters. Behav Brain Res 2014; 270:326-9. [PMID: 24814612 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Urocortin 3 (Ucn 3) was found to impair passive avoidance learning in male and female mice. The possible involvement of transmitters in the action, the animals were pretreated with the following receptor antagonists in doses which alone could not influence the measurement. Haloperidol (a D2, dopamine receptor antagonist), phenoxybenzamine (a nonselective α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist), atropine (a nonselective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist), bicuculline (a γ-aminobutyric acid subunit A receptor antagonist), nitro-L-arginine (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), antalarmin (a CRF1 receptor antagonist) and astressin 2B (a CRF2 receptor antagonist). Haloperidol, phenoxybenzamine, bicuculline, atropine, nitro-L-arginine and astressin 2B prevented the action of Ucn 3, in both sexes, whereas antalarmin exerted no action in either male or female animals.
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Zorrilla EP, Roberts AJ, Rivier JE, Koob GF. Anxiolytic-like effects of antisauvagine-30 in mice are not mediated by CRF2 receptors. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63942. [PMID: 24015170 PMCID: PMC3756045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of brain corticotropin-releasing factor type 2 (CRF2) receptors in behavioral stress responses remains controversial. Conflicting findings suggest pro-stress, anti-stress or no effects of impeding CRF2 signaling. Previous studies have used antisauvagine-30 as a selective CRF2 antagonist. The present study tested the hypotheses that 1) potential anxiolytic-like actions of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of antisauvagine-30 also are present in mice lacking CRF2 receptors and 2) potential anxiolytic-like effects of antisauvagine-30 are not shared by the more selective CRF2 antagonist astressin2-B. Cannulated, male CRF2 receptor knockout (n = 22) and wildtype littermate mice (n = 21) backcrossed onto a C57BL/6J genetic background were tested in the marble burying, elevated plus-maze, and shock-induced freezing tests following pretreatment (i.c.v.) with vehicle, antisauvagine-30 or astressin2-B. Antisauvagine-30 reduced shock-induced freezing equally in wildtype and CRF2 knockout mice. In contrast, neither astressin2-B nor CRF2 genotype influenced shock-induced freezing. Neither CRF antagonist nor CRF2 genotype influenced anxiety-like behavior in the plus-maze or marble burying tests. A literature review showed that the typical antisauvagine-30 concentration infused in previous intracranial studies (∼1 mM) was 3 orders greater than its IC50 to block CRF1-mediated cAMP responses and 4 orders greater than its binding constants (Kd, Ki) for CRF1 receptors. Thus, increasing, previously used doses of antisauvagine-30 also exert non-CRF2-mediated effects, perhaps via CRF1. The results do not support the hypothesis that brain CRF2 receptors tonically promote anxiogenic-like behavior. Utilization of CRF2 antagonists, such as astressin2-B, at doses that are more subtype-selective, can better clarify the significance of brain CRF2 systems in stress-related behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P. Zorrilla
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (EPZ); (GFK)
| | - Amanda J. Roberts
- Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jean E. Rivier
- The Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology and Structural Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - George F. Koob
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (EPZ); (GFK)
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Involvement of transmitters in the anxiolytic action of urocortin 3 in mice. Behav Brain Res 2013; 252:88-91. [PMID: 23742798 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.05.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Revised: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Urocortin 3 (Ucn 3) was tested for anxiolytic action in mice an elevated plus maze. For detection of the possible involvement of neurotransmitters, the mice were pretreated with receptor blockers: haloperidol, phenoxybenzamine, propranolol, atropine, methysergide, bicuculline or naloxone. The peptide was administered into the lateral brain ventricle; the receptor blockers were applied intra- peritoneally. Ucn 3 alone elicited dose-dependent bell-shaped anxiolytic action. The most effective dose was 0.5 μg. In the combined testing a 0.5 μg dose was used. Haloperidol, propranolol, atropine, methysergide, and naloxone, blocked the Ucn 3-induced anxiolytic action, while phenoxybenzamine and bicuculline were ineffective. The results suggest that dopaminergic, beta-adrenergic, cholinergic, serotonergic and opiate transmissions are involved in the anxiolytic action of Ucn 3.
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