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Mai HN, Nguyen LTT, Shin EJ, Kim DJ, Jeong JH, Chung YH, Lei XG, Sharma N, Jang CG, Nabeshima T, Kim HC. Astrocytic mobilization of glutathione peroxidase-1 contributes to the protective potential against cocaine kindling behaviors in mice via activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 131:408-431. [PMID: 30592974 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Compelling evidence indicates that oxidative stress contributes to cocaine neurotoxicity. The present study was performed to elucidate the role of the glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) in cocaine-induced kindling (convulsive) behaviors in mice. Cocaine-induced convulsive behaviors significantly increased GPx-1, p-IkB, and p-JAK2/STAT3 expression, and oxidative burdens in the hippocampus of mice. There was no significant difference in cocaine-induced p-IkB expression between non-transgenic (non-TG) and GPx-1 overexpressing transgenic (GPx-1 TG) mice, but significant differences were observed in cocaine-induced p-JAK2/STAT3 expression and oxidative stress between non-TG and GPx-1 TG mice. Cocaine-induced glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-labeled astrocytic level was significantly higher in the hippocampus of GPx-1 TG mice. Triple-labeling immunocytochemistry indicated that GPx-1-, p-STAT3-, and GFAP-immunoreactivities were co-localized in the same cells. AG490, a JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor, but not pyrrolidone dithiocarbamate, an NFκB inhibitor, significantly counteracted GPx-1-mediated protective potentials (i.e., anticonvulsant-, antioxidant-, antiapoptotic-effects). Genetic overexpression of GPx-1 significantly attenuated proliferation of Iba-1-labeled microglia induced by cocaine in mice. However, AG490 or astrocytic inhibition (by GFAP antisense oligonucleotide and α-aminoadipate) significantly increased Iba-1-labeled microglial activity and M1 phenotype microglial mRNA levels, reflecting that proinflammatory potentials were mediated by AG490 or astrocytic inhibition. This microglial activation was less pronounced in GPx-1 TG than in non-TG mice. Furthermore, either AG490 or astrocytic inhibition significantly counteracted GPx-1-mediated protective potentials. Therefore, our results suggest that astrocytic modulation between GPx-1 and JAK2/STAT3 might be one of the underlying mechanisms for protecting against convulsive neurotoxicity induced by cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huynh Nhu Mai
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chunchon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Lan Thuy Ty Nguyen
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chunchon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Joo Shin
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chunchon 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dae-Joong Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School, Kangwon National University, Chunchon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hoon Jeong
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Hee Chung
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Xin Gen Lei
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Naveen Sharma
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chunchon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Gon Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Toshitaka Nabeshima
- Advanced Diagnostic System Research Laboratory, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Science, Aichi 470-1192, Japan; Aino University, Ibaraki 576-0012, Japan; Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate and Research, Nagoya 468-0069, Japan
| | - Hyoung-Chun Kim
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology Program, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chunchon 24341, Republic of Korea.
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Investigation of Neuregulin-1 and Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Rodent Astrocytes and Microglia. J Mol Neurosci 2019; 67:484-493. [PMID: 30680593 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-1258-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Growth factors play a crucial role during de- and remyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) due to their neurotrophic functions. We have previously shown that the growth factors neuregulin-1 (Nrg-1) and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (Gdnf) are upregulated during the first 2 weeks after induction of toxic demyelination in the CNS. Nevertheless, the factors responsible for Nrg-1/Gdnf upregulation and their effects on glia cells are unknown. We investigated the effect on Nrg-1 and Gdnf expressions after stimulation of primary mouse microglia or astrocytes with various pro- and anti-inflammatory factors. Additionally, primary cells were incubated with NRG-1 and/or GDNF followed by determining the gene expression level of their receptors, chemokines, and other growth factors. We demonstrate that inflammatory stimuli have a distinct impact on the expression of Gdnf, Nrg-1, and their receptors in astrocytes and microglia. In microglia, LPS or simultaneous treatment with IFNγ plus TNFα led to downregulation of Nrg-1, whereas LPS treatment slightly increased Nrg-1 expression in astrocytes. Furthermore, Gdnf was slightly upregulated after TFG-β treatment in microglia, while Gdnf was significantly upregulated after LPS treatment in astrocytes. In contrast, treatment with GDNF or/and NRG-1 did not alter any measured gene expression in microglia or astrocytes. Taken together, our in vitro studies show that Nrg-1, Gdnf, and their receptors are differently regulated in astrocytes and microglia upon inflammatory stimuli. The lack of response of astrocytes and microglia to NRG-1 and GDNF suggests that both factors exert their effects directly on neurons.
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Lin DS, Hsiao CD, Lee AYL, Ho CS, Liu HL, Wang TJ, Jian YR, Hsu JC, Huang ZD, Lee TH, Chiang MF. Mitigation of cerebellar neuropathy in globoid cell leukodystrophy mice by AAV-mediated gene therapy. Gene 2015; 571:81-90. [PMID: 26115766 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.06.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) is an autosomal recessive, lysosomal storage disease caused by deficiency of the enzyme galactocerebrosidase (GALC). The absence of GALC activity leads to the accumulation of the toxic substance psychosine and the preferential loss of myelinating cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Profound demyelination, astrogliosis and axonopathy are the hallmarks of the pathogenesis of GLD, and cerebellar ataxia is one of the dominant manifestations in adolescents and adults affected with GLD. To date, studies regarding cerebellar degeneration in GLD are limited. In this study, the efficacy of cerebellum-targeted gene therapy on the cerebellar neuropathology in twitcher mice (a murine model of GLD) has been validated. We observed degeneration of Purkinje cells, Bergmann glia, and granule cells in addition to astrocytosis and demyelination in the cerebellum of the twitcher mice. Ultrastructural analysis revealed dark cell degeneration and disintegration of the cellular composition of Purkinje cells in untreated twitcher mice. In addition, the expressions of neurotrophic factors CNTF, GDNF and IGF-I were up-regulated and the expression of BDNF was down-regulated. Intracerebellar-mediated gene therapy efficiently corrected enzymatic deficiency by direct transduction to Purkinje cells and cross-correction in other cell types in the cerebellum, leading to the amelioration of both neuroinflammation and demyelination. The population, dendritic territory, and axonal processes of Purkinje cells remained normal in the cerebellum of treated twitcher mice, where radial fibers of Bergmann glia spanned the molecular layer and collateral branches ensheathed the dendritic processes of Purkinje cells. Moreover, the aberrant expressions of neurotrophic factors were mitigated in the cerebellum of treated twitcher mice, indicating the preservation of cellular function in addition to maintaining the neuronal architecture. The life span of the treated twitcher mice was significantly prolonged and their neurobehavioral performance was improved. Taken together, our findings underscore the complexity of cerebellar neurodegeneration in GLD and highlight the potential effectiveness of gene therapy in mitigating neuropathological deficits in GLD and other neurodegenerative disorders in which Purkinje cells are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dar-Shong Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Chung-Der Hsiao
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, Taiwan
| | - Allan Yueh-Luen Lee
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Che-Sheng Ho
- Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Liang Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tuen-Jen Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Ren Jian
- Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Cheng Hsu
- Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Zon-Darr Huang
- Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Han Lee
- Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Fu Chiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Motoyoshi-Yamashiro A, Takano K, Kawabe K, Izawa T, Nakajima H, Moriyama M, Nakamura Y. Amphotericin B induces glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the rat brain. J Vet Med Sci 2014; 76:1353-8. [PMID: 25283947 PMCID: PMC4221168 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.14-0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphotericin B (AmB) is a
polyene antifungal drug and is reported to be one of a few reagents having therapeutic
effects on prion diseases, that is, a delay in the appearance of clinical signs and
prolongation of the survival time in an animal model. In prion diseases, glial cells have
been suggested to play important roles; however, the therapeutic mechanism of AmB on prion
diseases remains elusive. We have previously reported that AmB changed the expression of
neurotrophic factors in microglia and astrocytes (Motoyoshi et al., 2008,
Neurochem. Int. 52, 1290–1296; Motoyoshi-Yamashiro et
al., 2013, ibid. 63, 93–100). These results suggested that
neurotrophic factors derived from glial cells might be involved in the therapeutic
mechanism of AmB. In the present study, we examined immunohistochemically the effects of
AmB on the expression of neurotrophic factors in the rat brain. We found that direct
injection of AmB into the striatum significantly enhanced the expression of glial cell
line-derived neurotrophic factor protein. Amphotericin B also increased the expressions of
CD11b and glial fibrillary acidic protein, markers of microglia and astrocytes,
respectively. Moreover, expressions of the two neurotrophic factors by AmB were
co-localized with the expression of CD11b or glial fibrillary acidic protein. These
results suggest that AmB in vivo might also activate glial cells and
induce the production of neurotrophic factors protecting neurons in prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Motoyoshi-Yamashiro
- Laboratory of Integrative Physiology in Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka 598-8531, Japan
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Niciu MJ, Henter ID, Sanacora G, Zarate CA. Glial abnormalities in substance use disorders and depression: does shared glutamatergic dysfunction contribute to comorbidity? World J Biol Psychiatry 2014; 15:2-16. [PMID: 24024876 PMCID: PMC4180366 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2013.829585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Preclinical and clinical research in neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly mood and substance use disorders, have historically focused on neurons; however, glial cells-astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes - also play key roles in these disorders. METHODS Peer-reviewed PubMed/Medline articles published through December 2012 were identified using the following keyword combinations: glia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes/glia, microglia, substance use, substance abuse, substance dependence, alcohol, opiate, opioid, cocaine, psychostimulants, stimulants, and glutamate. RESULTS Depressive and substance use disorders are highly comorbid, suggesting a common or overlapping aetiology and pathophysiology. Reduced astrocyte cell number occurs in both disorders. Altered glutamate neurotransmission and metabolism - specifically changes in the levels/activity of transporters, receptors, and synaptic proteins potentially related to synaptic physiology - appear to be salient features of both disorders. Glial cell pathology may also underlie the pathophysiology of both disorders via impaired astrocytic production of neurotrophic factors. Microglial/neuroinflammatory pathology is also evident in both depressive and substance use disorders. Finally, oligodendrocyte impairment decreases myelination and impairs expression of myelin-related genes in both substance use and depressive disorders. CONCLUSIONS Glial-mediated glutamatergic dysfunction is a common neuropathological pathway in both substance use and depression. Therefore, glutamatergic neuromodulation is a rational drug target in this comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J. Niciu
- Yale University Department of Psychiatry/Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC), Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU), New Haven, CT, USA,Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ioline D. Henter
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Gerard Sanacora
- Yale University Department of Psychiatry/Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC), Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU), New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Carlos A. Zarate
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Motoyoshi-Yamashiro A, Tamura M, Moriyama M, Takano K, Kawabe K, Nakajima H, Katoh-Semba R, Furuichi T, Nakamura Y. Activation of cultured astrocytes by amphotericin B: stimulation of NO and cytokines production and changes in neurotrophic factors production. Neurochem Int 2013; 63:93-100. [PMID: 23727061 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2013.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2012] [Revised: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 05/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Amphotericin B (AmB) is a polyene antibiotic and reported to be one of a few reagents having therapeutic effects on prion diseases, such as the delay in the appearing of the clinical signs and the prolongation of the survival time. In prion diseases, glial cells have been suggested to play important roles by proliferating and producing various factors such as nitric oxide, proinflammatory cytokines, and neurotrophic factors. However, the therapeutic mechanism of AmB on prion diseases remains elusive. We have previously reported that AmB changed the expression of neurotoxic and neurotrophic factors in microglia (Motoyoshi et al., 2008, Neurochem. Int. 52, 1290-1296). In the present study, we examined the effects of AmB on cellular functions of rat cultured astrocytes. We found that AmB could activate astrocytes to produce nitric oxide via inducible nitric oxide synthase induction. AmB also induced mRNA expression of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, and productions of their proteins in astrocytes. Moreover, AmB changed levels of neurotrophic factor mRNAs and proteins. Among three neurotrophic factors examined here, neurotrophin-3 mRNA expression and its protein production in the cells were down-regulated by AmB stimulation. On the other hand, AmB significantly enhanced the amounts of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor proteins in the cells and the medium. These results suggest that AmB might show therapeutic effects on prion diseases by controlling the expression and production of such mediators in astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Motoyoshi-Yamashiro
- Laboratory of Integrative Physiology in Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan
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Poli G, Corda E, Lucchini B, Puricelli M, Martino PA, Dall'ara P, Villetti G, Bareggi SR, Corona C, Vallino Costassa E, Gazzuola P, Iulini B, Mazza M, Acutis P, Mantegazza P, Casalone C, Imbimbo BP. Therapeutic effect of CHF5074, a new γ-secretase modulator, in a mouse model of scrapie. Prion 2012; 6:62-72. [PMID: 22453180 DOI: 10.4161/pri.6.1.18317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) and Alzheimer disease (AD) both misfolding and aggregation of specific proteins represent key features. Recently, it was observed that PrP (c) is a mediator of a synaptic dysfunction induced by Aβ oligomers. We tested a novel γ secretase modulator (CHF5074) in a murine model of prion disease. Groups of female mice were intracerebrally or intraperitoneally infected with the mouse-adapted Rocky Mountain Laboratory prions. Two weeks prior infection, the animals were provided with a CHF5074-medicated diet (375 ppm) or a standard diet (vehicle) until they showed neurological signs and eventually died. In intracerebrally infected mice, oral administration of CHF5074 did not prolong survival of the animals. In intraperitoneally-infected mice, CHF5074-treated animals showed a median survival time of 21 days longer than vehicle-treated mice (p < 0.001). In these animals, immunohistochemistry analyses showed that deposition of PrP (Sc) in the cerebellum, hippocampus and parietal cortex in CHF5074-treated mice was significantly lower than in vehicle-treated animals. Immunostaining of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in parietal cortex revealed a significantly higher reactive gliosis in CHF5074-treated mice compared to the control group of infected animals. Although the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of CHF5074 in this murine model of human prion disease is unclear, it could be hypothesized that the drug counteracts PrP (Sc ) toxicity through astrocyte-mediated neuroprotection. CHF5074 shows a pharmacological potential in murine models of both AD and TSEs thus suggesting a link between these degenerative pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Poli
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Gudi V, Škuljec J, Yildiz Ö, Frichert K, Skripuletz T, Moharregh-Khiabani D, Voß E, Wissel K, Wolter S, Stangel M. Spatial and temporal profiles of growth factor expression during CNS demyelination reveal the dynamics of repair priming. PLoS One 2011; 6:e22623. [PMID: 21818353 PMCID: PMC3144923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2011] [Accepted: 06/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Demyelination is the cause of disability in various neurological disorders. It is therefore crucial to understand the molecular regulation of oligodendrocytes, the myelin forming cells in the CNS. Growth factors are known to be essential for the development and maintenance of oligodendrocytes and are involved in the regulation of glial responses in various pathological conditions. We employed the well established murine cuprizone model of toxic demyelination to analyze the expression of 13 growth factors in the CNS during de- and remyelination. The temporal mRNA expression profile during demyelination and the subsequent remyelination were analyzed separately in the corpus callosum and cerebral cortex using laser microdissection and real-time PCR techniques. During demyelination a similar pattern of growth factor mRNA expression was observed in both areas with a strong up-regulation of NRG1 and GDNF and a slight increase of CNTF in the first week of cuprizone treatment. HGF, FGF-2, LIF, IGF-I, and TGF-ß1 were up-regulated mainly during peak demyelination. In contrast, during remyelination there were regional differences in growth factor mRNA expression levels. GDNF, CNTF, HGF, FGF-2, and BDNF were elevated in the corpus callosum but not in the cortex, suggesting tissue differences in the molecular regulation of remyelination in the white and grey matter. To clarify the cellular source we isolated microglia from the cuprizone lesions. GDNF, IGF-1, and FGF mRNA were detected in the microglial fraction with a temporal pattern corresponding to that from whole tissue PCR. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis revealed IGF-1 protein expression also in the reactive astrocytes. CNTF was located in astrocytes. This study identified seven different temporal expression patterns for growth factors in white and grey matter and demonstrated the importance of early tissue priming and exact orchestration of different steps during callosal and cortical de- and remyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Gudi
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jelena Škuljec
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Özlem Yildiz
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Elke Voß
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kirsten Wissel
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sabine Wolter
- Department of Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Stangel
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
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Abstract
Neuronal dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex, limbic structures, nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area is considered to underlie the general physiopathological mechanisms for substance use disorders. Glutamatergic, dopaminergic and opioidoergic neuronal mechanisms in those brain areas have been targeted in the development of pharmacotherapies for drug abuse and dependence. However, despite the pivotal role of neurons in the mechanisms of addiction, these cells are not the only cell type in charge of sustaining and regulating neurotransmission. Glial cells, particularly astrocytes, play essential roles in the regulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission, neurotransmitter metabolism, and supply of energy substrates for synaptic transmission. In addition, astrocytes are markedly affected by exposure to ethanol and other substances of abuse. These features of astrocytes suggest that alterations in the function of astrocytes and other glial cells in reward circuits may contribute to drug addiction. Recent research has shown that the control of glutamate uptake and the release of neurotrophic factors by astrocytes influences behaviors of addiction and may play modulatory roles in psychostimulant, opiate, and alcohol abuse. Less is known about the contributions of microglia and oligodendrocytes to drug abuse, although, given the ability of these cells to produce growth factors and cytokines in response to alterations in synaptic transmission, further research should better define their role in drug addiction. The available knowledge on the involvement of glial cells in addictive behaviors suggests that regulation of glutamate transport and neurotrophins may constitute new avenues for the treatment of drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Javier Miguel-Hidalgo
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
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