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Wu Y, Lu Y, Kong L, Xie Y, Liu W, Yang A, Xin K, Yan X, Wu L, Liu Y, Zhu Q, Cao Y, Zhou Y, Jiang X, Tang Y, Wu F. Gender differences in plasma S100B levels of patients with major depressive disorder. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:387. [PMID: 38783266 PMCID: PMC11112965 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05852-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low concentrations of S100B have neurotrophic effects and can promote nerve growth and repair, which plays an essential role in the pathophysiological and histopathological alterations of major depressive disorder (MDD) during disease development. Studies have shown that plasma S100B levels are altered in patients with MDD. In this study, we investigated whether the plasma S100B levels in MDD differ between genders. METHODS We studied 235 healthy controls (HCs) (90 males and 145 females) and 185 MDD patients (65 males and 120 females). Plasma S100B levels were detected via multifactor assay. The Mahalanobis distance method was used to detect the outliers of plasma S100B levels in the HC and MDD groups. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test the normality of six groups of S100B samples. The Mann-Whitney test and Scheirer-Ray-Hare test were used for the comparison of S100B between diagnoses and genders, and the presence of a relationship between plasma S100B levels and demographic details or clinical traits was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS All individuals in the HC group had plasma S100B levels that were significantly greater than those in the MDD group. In the MDD group, males presented significantly higher plasma S100B levels than females. In the male group, the plasma S100B levels in the HC group were significantly higher than those in the MDD group, while in the female group, no significant difference was found between the HC and MDD groups. In the male MDD subgroup, there was a positive correlation between plasma S100B levels and years of education. In the female MDD subgroup, there were negative correlations between plasma S100B levels and age and suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS In summary, plasma S100B levels vary with gender and are decreased in MDD patients, which may be related to pathological alterations in glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Yihui Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Lingtao Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Yu Xie
- Faculty of Public Health, China Medical University, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Wen Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Anqi Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Kaiqi Xin
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Xintong Yan
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Longhai Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Yilin Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Qianying Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Yang Cao
- Shenyang Mental Health Center, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Yifang Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Xiaowei Jiang
- Brain Function Research Section, Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Yanqing Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China.
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2
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Jenkins AK, Ketchesin KD, Becker-Krail DD, McClung CA. Molecular Rhythmicity in Glia: Importance for Brain Health and Relevance to Psychiatric Disease. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01298-8. [PMID: 38735357 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.05.007] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are approximate 24-hour rhythms present in nearly all aspects of human physiology, including proper brain function. These rhythms are produced at the cellular level through a transcriptional-translational feedback loop known as the molecular clock. Diurnal variation in gene expression has been demonstrated in brain tissue from multiple species, including humans, in both cortical and subcortical regions. Interestingly, these rhythms in gene expression have been shown to be disrupted across psychiatric disorders and may be implicated in their underlying pathophysiology. However, little is known regarding molecular rhythms in specific cell types in the brain and how they might be involved in psychiatric disease. Although glial cells (e.g., astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes) have been historically understudied compared to neurons, evidence of the molecular clock is found within each of these cell subtypes. Here, we review the current literature, which suggests that molecular rhythmicity is essential to functional physiologic outputs from each glial subtype. Furthermore, disrupted molecular rhythms within these cells and the resultant functional deficits may be relevant to specific phenotypes across psychiatric illnesses. Given that circadian rhythm disruptions have been so integrally tied to psychiatric disease, the molecular mechanisms governing these associations could represent exciting new avenues for future research and potential novel pharmacologic targets for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron K Jenkins
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219
| | - Kyle D Ketchesin
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219
| | - Darius D Becker-Krail
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219
| | - Colleen A McClung
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219.
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3
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da Cunha Nones DC, Novais CO, Rojas VCT, de Paula Franco P, da Silva Estevam E, Silva MS, Giusti-Paiva A, Dos Anjos-Garcia T, Vilela FC. Litter reduction-induced obesity promotes early depressive-like behavior and elevated prefrontal cortex GFAP expression in male offspring. Behav Brain Res 2024; 461:114839. [PMID: 38154508 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114839] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The present study was developed to investigate how litter reduction-induced obesity promotes early depressive-related behaviors in rodent offspring. MAIN METHODS We employed a standardized litter size reduction protocol, dividing litters into groups: normal litters (NL), consisting of six males and six females pups and small litters (SL), comprising two males and two females pups. Maternal behavior was monitored during the initial week of lactation. Subsequently, we assessed the pups for weight gain, locomotor activity, social play behavior, and performance in forced swimming test. We further evaluated the weights of retroperitoneal and perigonadal fat tissues, along with the expression of glial fibrillary acidic pprotein (GFAP) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of the offspring. KEY FINDINGS Our results indicated that litter size reduction led to an increased the maternal behavior. In contrast, offspring from the SL group displayed greater weight gain and increased, retroperitoneal and perigonadal fat. Both male and female rodents in the SL group exhibited decreased social play behavior, and male offspring spent more time immobile during the forced swimming test, suggesting a depressive-like phenotype. Notably, we observed an increase in the GFAP expression in the prefrontal cortex of male rodents, with a trend toward increased expression in the hippocampus. SIGNIFICANCE Obesity may facilitate the development of early depressive-like behaviors, potentially associated with elevated GFAP expression in the prefrontal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Cristina da Cunha Nones
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde (PPGB), Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Cíntia Onofra Novais
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas (PPGMCF), Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Viviana Carolina Trujillo Rojas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas (PPGMCF), Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Priscila de Paula Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas (PPGMCF), Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elisa da Silva Estevam
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariana Santos Silva
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Giusti-Paiva
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Tayllon Dos Anjos-Garcia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas (PPGMCF), Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Fabiana Cardoso Vilela
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde (PPGB), Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Centro de Inovação e Ensaios Pré-Clínicos (CIEnP), Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Amin SN, Shaltout SA, El Gazzar WB, Abdel Latif NS, Al-Jussani GN, Alabdallat YJ, Albakri KA, Elberry DA. Impact of NMDA receptors block versus GABA-A receptors modulation on synaptic plasticity and brain electrical activity in metabolic syndrome. Adv Med Sci 2024; 69:176-189. [PMID: 38561071 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2024.03.008] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common disorder associated with disturbed neurotransmitter homeostasis. Memantine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, was first used in Alzheimer's disease. Allopregnanolone (Allo), a potent positive allosteric modulator of the Gamma-Amino-Butyric Acid (GABA)-A receptors, decreases in neurodegenerative diseases. The study investigated the impact of Memantine versus Allo administration on the animal model of MetS to clarify whether the mechanism of abnormalities is related more to excitatory or inhibitory neurotransmitter dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-six male rats were allocated into 7 groups: 4 control groups, 1 MetS group, and 2 treated MetS groups. They underwent assessment of cognition-related behavior by open field and forced swimming tests, electroencephalogram (EEG) recording, serum markers confirming the establishment of MetS model and hippocampal Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). RESULTS Allo improved anxiety-like behavior and decreased grooming frequency compared to Memantine. Both drugs increased GFAP and BDNF expression, improving synaptic plasticity and cognition-related behaviors. The therapeutic effect of Allo was more beneficial regarding lipid profile and anxiety. We reported progressive slowing of EEG waves in the MetS group with Memantine and Allo treatment with increased relative theta and decreased relative delta rhythms. CONCLUSIONS Both Allo and Memantine boosted the outcome parameters in the animal model of MetS. Allo markedly improved the anxiety-like behavior in the form of significantly decreased grooming frequency compared to the Memantine-treated groups. Both drugs were associated with increased hippocampal GFAP and BDNF expression, indicating an improvement in synaptic plasticity and so, cognition-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa Nasr Amin
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Sherif Ahmed Shaltout
- Department of Pharmacology, Public Health, and Clinical Skills, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - Walaa Bayoumie El Gazzar
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan; Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - Noha Samir Abdel Latif
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University Cairo, Egypt; Department of Medical Pharmacology, Armed Forces College of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ghadah Nazar Al-Jussani
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | | | | | - Dalia Azmy Elberry
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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5
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Deckers C, Karbalaei R, Miles NA, Harder EV, Witt E, Harris EP, Reissner K, Wimmer ME, Bangasser DA. Early resource scarcity causes cortical astrocyte enlargement and sex-specific changes in the orbitofrontal cortex transcriptome in adult rats. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 29:100607. [PMID: 38304302 PMCID: PMC10831308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocyte morphology affects function, including the regulation of glutamatergic signaling. This morphology changes dynamically in response to the environment. However, how early life manipulations alter adult cortical astrocyte morphology is underexplored. Our lab uses brief postnatal resource scarcity, the limited bedding and nesting (LBN) manipulation, in rats. We previously found that LBN augments maternal behaviors and promotes later resilience to adult addiction-related behaviors, reducing impulsivity, risky decision-making, and morphine self-administration. These behaviors rely on glutamatergic transmission in the medial orbitofrontal (mOFC) and medial prefrontal (mPFC) cortex. Here we tested whether LBN changed astrocyte morphology in the mOFC and mPFC of adult rats using a novel viral approach that, unlike traditional markers, fully labels astrocytes. Prior exposure to LBN causes an increase in the surface area and volume of astrocytes in the mOFC and mPFC of adult males and females relative to control-raised rats. We next used bulk RNA sequencing of OFC tissue to assess transcriptional changes that could increase astrocyte size in LBN rats. LBN caused mainly sex-specific changes in differentially expressed genes. Pathway analysis revealed that OFC glutamatergic signaling is altered by LBN in males and females, but the gene changes in that pathway differed across sex. This may represent a convergent sex difference where glutamatergic signaling, which affects astrocyte morphology, is altered by LBN via sex-specific mechanisms. Collectively, these studies highlight that astrocytes may be an important cell type that mediates the effect of early resource scarcity on adult brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Deckers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Reza Karbalaei
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Nylah A. Miles
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Eden V. Harder
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Emily Witt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Erin P. Harris
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Kathryn Reissner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mathieu E. Wimmer
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Debra A. Bangasser
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
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6
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Xu Z, Wen C, Wang W. Role of MAPK and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways in cuprizone-induced demyelination and cognitive impairment in mice. Behav Brain Res 2024; 458:114755. [PMID: 37949321 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114755] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to find the genes and signaling pathways underlying cuprizone-induced demyelination and cognitive impairments in mice. We used the cuprizone-exposed mice as an animal model of schizophrenia and assessed cognitive function in mice. Total RNA was extracted from mouse brain tissues for RNA sequencing. The DESeq2 R package was utilized to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed simultaneously. We also constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network to screen potential hub genes, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed to validate the screened genes. After 6 weeks of cuprizone treatment, the cognitive function of mice was impaired. Compared to the controls, the cuprizone-exposed mice contained 351 DEGs, including 167 upregulated and 184 downregulated genes. Enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were enriched in some biological processes involved in demyelination, including the MAPK pathway. Functional pathway analysis revealed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, which may be associated with cognitive impairments. MBP, IGF1, GFAP, PTPRC, CD14, CD68, ITGB2, LYN, TLR2, TLR4, VAV1, and PLEK were considered as potential hub genes. Except for MBP, all genes were upregulated in the cuprizone models, as verified by qRT-PCR. We suggest that the MAPK and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways may be associated with demyelination and cognitive impairments, respectively. GFAP and IGF-1 expression levels increased in cuprizone-exposed mice, suggesting that astrocytes may play a role in protecting the myelin sheath following treatment with cuprizone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhizhong Xu
- Xiamen Xianyue Hospital, Xianyue Hospital Affiliated with Xiamen Medical College, Fujian Psychiatric Center, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Xiamen, Fujian 361012, China.
| | - Chunyan Wen
- Xiamen Xianyue Hospital, Xianyue Hospital Affiliated with Xiamen Medical College, Fujian Psychiatric Center, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Xiamen, Fujian 361012, China
| | - Wenqiang Wang
- Xiamen Xianyue Hospital, Xianyue Hospital Affiliated with Xiamen Medical College, Fujian Psychiatric Center, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Xiamen, Fujian 361012, China
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Ferrucci L, Cantando I, Cordella F, Di Angelantonio S, Ragozzino D, Bezzi P. Microglia at the Tripartite Synapse during Postnatal Development: Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorders and Schizophrenia. Cells 2023; 12:2827. [PMID: 38132147 PMCID: PMC10742295 DOI: 10.3390/cells12242827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Synapses are the fundamental structures of neural circuits that control brain functions and behavioral and cognitive processes. Synapses undergo formation, maturation, and elimination mainly during postnatal development via a complex interplay with neighboring astrocytes and microglia that, by shaping neural connectivity, may have a crucial role in the strengthening and weakening of synaptic functions, that is, the functional plasticity of synapses. Indeed, an increasing number of studies have unveiled the roles of microglia and astrocytes in synapse formation, maturation, and elimination as well as in regulating synaptic function. Over the past 15 years, the mechanisms underlying the microglia- and astrocytes-dependent regulation of synaptic plasticity have been thoroughly studied, and researchers have reported that the disruption of these glial cells in early postnatal development may underlie the cause of synaptic dysfunction that leads to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ferrucci
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.D.A.); (D.R.)
| | - Iva Cantando
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Federica Cordella
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.D.A.); (D.R.)
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, IIT, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.D.A.); (D.R.)
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, IIT, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Ragozzino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.D.A.); (D.R.)
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.D.A.); (D.R.)
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland;
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Ju S, Shin Y, Han S, Kwon J, Choi TG, Kang I, Kim SS. The Gut-Brain Axis in Schizophrenia: The Implications of the Gut Microbiome and SCFA Production. Nutrients 2023; 15:4391. [PMID: 37892465 PMCID: PMC10610543 DOI: 10.3390/nu15204391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia, a severe mental illness affecting about 1% of the population, manifests during young adulthood, leading to abnormal mental function and behavior. Its multifactorial etiology involves genetic factors, experiences of adversity, infection, and gene-environment interactions. Emerging research indicates that maternal infection or stress during pregnancy may also increase schizophrenia risk in offspring. Recent research on the gut-brain axis highlights the gut microbiome's potential influence on central nervous system (CNS) function and mental health, including schizophrenia. The gut microbiota, located in the digestive system, has a significant role to play in human physiology, affecting immune system development, vitamin synthesis, and protection against pathogenic bacteria. Disruptions to the gut microbiota, caused by diet, medication use, environmental pollutants, and stress, may lead to imbalances with far-reaching effects on CNS function and mental health. Of interest are short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), metabolic byproducts produced by gut microbes during fermentation. SCFAs can cross the blood-brain barrier, influencing CNS activity, including microglia and cytokine modulation. The dysregulation of neurotransmitters produced by gut microbes may contribute to CNS disorders, including schizophrenia. This review explores the potential relationship between SCFAs, the gut microbiome, and schizophrenia. Our aim is to deepen the understanding of the gut-brain axis in schizophrenia and to elucidate its implications for future research and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songhyun Ju
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (S.J.); (Y.S.); (S.H.); (J.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea;
- Biomedical Science Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonhwa Shin
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (S.J.); (Y.S.); (S.H.); (J.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea;
- Biomedical Science Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunhee Han
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (S.J.); (Y.S.); (S.H.); (J.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea;
- Biomedical Science Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhui Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (S.J.); (Y.S.); (S.H.); (J.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea;
- Biomedical Science Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Gyu Choi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea;
| | - Insug Kang
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (S.J.); (Y.S.); (S.H.); (J.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea;
- Biomedical Science Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Soo Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (S.J.); (Y.S.); (S.H.); (J.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea;
- Biomedical Science Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
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9
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Hviid CVB, Benros ME, Krogh J, Nordentoft M, Christensen SH. Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilament light chain in treatment-naïve patients with unipolar depression. J Affect Disord 2023; 338:341-348. [PMID: 37336248 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unipolar depression has been associated with increased levels of glial dysfunction and neurodegeneration biomarkers, such as Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Neurofilament light chain (NfL). However, previous studies were conducted on patients taking psychotropic medication and did not monitor longitudinal associations between disease status and GFAP/NfL. METHODS Treatment-naïve patients with unipolar depression (n = 110) and healthy controls (n = 33) were included. GFAP/NfL serum levels were analyzed by Single Molecule Array at baseline and 3-month follow-up. The primary endpoint was GFAP/NfL levels in patients with depression compared with healthy controls. The secondary endpoint was the associations between GFAP/NfL with depression severity and cognitive function. RESULTS The patients' mean HAM-D17 score was 18.9 (SD 3.9) at baseline and improved by 7.9 (SD 6.8) points during follow-up. GFAP/NfL was quantified in all individuals. At baseline, the adjusted GFAP levels were -16.8 % (95 % CI: -28.8 to -1.9, p = 0.03) lower among patients with depression compared to healthy controls, while NfL levels were comparable between the groups (p = 0.57). In patients with depression, mean NfL levels increased from baseline to follow-up (0.68 pg/ml, p = 0.03), while GFAP levels were unchanged (p = 0.24). We did not find consistent associations between NfL/GFAP with depression scores or cognitive function. CONCLUSION This largest study of serum NfL/GFAP levels in patients with depression did not support previous findings of elevated GFAP/NfL in patients with depression or positive associations with depression severity. Although limited by a small control group, our study may support the presence of glial dysfunction but not damage to neurons in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claus V B Hviid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Michael E Benros
- Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Krogh
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Merete Nordentoft
- Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Silje H Christensen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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10
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Levchuk LA, Roschina OV, Mikhalitskaya EV, Epimakhova EV, Simutkin GG, Bokhan NA, Ivanova SA. Serum Levels of S100B Protein and Myelin Basic Protein as a Potential Biomarkers of Recurrent Depressive Disorders. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1423. [PMID: 37763190 PMCID: PMC10532562 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13091423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, nervous tissue damage proteins in serum are considered promising drug targets and biomarkers of Mood Disorders. In a cross-sectional naturalistic study, the S100B, MBP and GFAP levels in the blood serum were compared between two diagnostic groups (patients with Depressive Episode (DE, n = 28) and patients with Recurrent Depressive Disorder (RDD, n = 21)), and healthy controls (n = 25). The diagnostic value of serum markers was assessed by ROC analysis. In the DE group, we did not find changed levels of S100B, MBP and GFAP compared with controls. In the RDD group, we found decreased S100B level (p = 0.011) and increased MBP level (p = 0.015) in comparison to those in healthy controls. Provided ROC analysis indicates that MBP contributes to the development of a DE (AUC = 0.676; 95%Cl 0.525-0.826; p = 0.028), and S100B and MBP have a significant effect on the development of RDD (AUC = 0.732; 95%Cl 0.560-0.903; p = 0.013 and AUC = 0.712; 95%Cl 0.557-0.867; p = 0.015, correspondingly). The study of serum markers of nervous tissue damage in patients with a current DE indicates signs of disintegration of structural and functional relationships, dysfunction of gliotransmission, and impaired secretion of neurospecific proteins. Modified functions of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are implicated in the pathophysiology of RDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyudmila A. Levchuk
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk 634014, Russia; (O.V.R.); (E.V.M.); (E.V.E.); (G.G.S.); (N.A.B.)
| | - Olga V. Roschina
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk 634014, Russia; (O.V.R.); (E.V.M.); (E.V.E.); (G.G.S.); (N.A.B.)
| | - Ekaterina V. Mikhalitskaya
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk 634014, Russia; (O.V.R.); (E.V.M.); (E.V.E.); (G.G.S.); (N.A.B.)
| | - Elena V. Epimakhova
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk 634014, Russia; (O.V.R.); (E.V.M.); (E.V.E.); (G.G.S.); (N.A.B.)
| | - German G. Simutkin
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk 634014, Russia; (O.V.R.); (E.V.M.); (E.V.E.); (G.G.S.); (N.A.B.)
| | - Nikolay A. Bokhan
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk 634014, Russia; (O.V.R.); (E.V.M.); (E.V.E.); (G.G.S.); (N.A.B.)
- Psychiatry, Addictology and Psychotherapy Department, Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk 634050, Russia
| | - Svetlana A. Ivanova
- Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk 634014, Russia; (O.V.R.); (E.V.M.); (E.V.E.); (G.G.S.); (N.A.B.)
- Psychiatry, Addictology and Psychotherapy Department, Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk 634050, Russia
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11
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Deckers C, Karbalaei R, Miles NA, Harder EV, Witt E, Harris EP, Reissner K, Wimmer ME, Bangasser DA. Early resource scarcity causes cortical astrocyte enlargement and sex-specific changes in the orbitofrontal cortex transcriptome in adult rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.01.547315. [PMID: 37425737 PMCID: PMC10327175 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.01.547315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Astrocyte morphology affects function, including the regulation of glutamatergic signaling. This morphology changes dynamically in response to the environment. However, how early life manipulations alter adult cortical astrocyte morphology is underexplored. Our lab uses brief postnatal resource scarcity, the limited bedding and nesting (LBN) manipulation, in rats. We previously found that LBN promotes later resilience to adult addiction-related behaviors, reducing impulsivity, risky decision-making, and morphine self-administration. These behaviors rely on glutamatergic transmission in the medial orbitofrontal (mOFC) and medial prefrontal (mPFC) cortex. Here we tested whether LBN changed astrocyte morphology in the mOFC and mPFC of adult rats using a novel viral approach that, unlike traditional markers, fully labels astrocytes. Prior exposure to LBN causes an increase in the surface area and volume of astrocytes in the mOFC and mPFC of adult males and females relative to control-raised rats. We next used bulk RNA sequencing of OFC tissue to assess transcriptional changes that could increase astrocyte size in LBN rats. LBN caused mainly sex-specific changes in differentially expressed genes. However, Park7, which encodes for the protein DJ-1 that alters astrocyte morphology, was increased by LBN across sex. Pathway analysis revealed that OFC glutamatergic signaling is altered by LBN in males and females, but the gene changes in that pathway differed across sex. This may represent a convergent sex difference where glutamatergic signaling, which affects astrocyte morphology, is altered by LBN via sex-specific mechanisms. Collectively, these studies highlight that astrocytes may be an important cell type that mediates the effect of early resource scarcity on adult brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Deckers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia
| | - Reza Karbalaei
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia
| | - Nylah A Miles
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia
| | - Eden V Harder
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Emily Witt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Erin P Harris
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta
| | - Kathryn Reissner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Mathieu E Wimmer
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia
| | - Debra A Bangasser
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta
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12
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Francis TC, Porcu A. Emotionally clocked out: cell-type specific regulation of mood and anxiety by the circadian clock system in the brain. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1188184. [PMID: 37441675 PMCID: PMC10333695 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1188184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are self-sustained oscillations of biological systems that allow an organism to anticipate periodic changes in the environment and optimally align feeding, sleep, wakefulness, and the physiological and biochemical processes that support them within the 24 h cycle. These rhythms are generated at a cellular level by a set of genes, known as clock genes, which code for proteins that inhibit their own transcription in a negative feedback loop and can be perturbed by stress, a risk factor for the development of mood and anxiety disorders. A role for circadian clocks in mood and anxiety has been suggested for decades on the basis of clinical observations, and the dysregulation of circadian rhythms is a prominent clinical feature of stress-related disorders. Despite our understanding of central clock structure and function, the effect of circadian dysregulation in different neuronal subtypes in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the master pacemaker region, as well as other brain systems regulating mood, including mesolimbic and limbic circuits, is just beginning to be elucidated. In the brain, circadian clocks regulate neuronal physiological functions, including neuronal activity, synaptic plasticity, protein expression, and neurotransmitter release which in turn affect mood-related behaviors via cell-type specific mechanisms. Both animal and human studies have revealed an association between circadian misalignment and mood disorders and suggest that internal temporal desynchrony might be part of the etiology of psychiatric disorders. To date, little work has been conducted associating mood-related phenotypes to cell-specific effects of the circadian clock disruptions. In this review, we discuss existing literature on how clock-driven changes in specific neuronal cell types might disrupt phase relationships among cellular communication, leading to neuronal circuit dysfunction and changes in mood-related behavior. In addition, we examine cell-type specific circuitry underlying mood dysfunction and discuss how this circuitry could affect circadian clock. We provide a focus for future research in this area and a perspective on chronotherapies for mood and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Chase Francis
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Alessandra Porcu
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
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13
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Grodin EN, Burnette EM, O’Neill J, Alger J, Ray LA. Alcohol Craving and Severity are Associated with Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Choline Levels in Individuals with an Alcohol Use Disorder. Alcohol Alcohol 2023; 58:289-297. [PMID: 36939375 PMCID: PMC10168708 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agad014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has been used to probe inflammation in the brain. While altered MRS metabolite levels have previously been found in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), the relationship between potential metabolite markers of inflammation and the clinical correlates of AUD remains understudied. Therefore, this exploratory study sought to elucidate the clinical significance of inflammation in AUD by examining relationships between metabolites, AUD severity, alcohol consumption, and craving in individuals with AUD. METHODS Data for this secondary analysis are derived from a two-week clinical trial of ibudilast to treat AUD. Forty-three non-treatment-seeking individuals with an AUD (26M/17F) completed an MRS scan and alcohol-related questionnaires. MRS was performed using a multi-voxel array placed above the corpus callosum, extending from the pregnenual anterior cingulate to premotor cortex. The dorsal anterior cingulate was selected as the volume of interest. Metabolite levels of choline-compounds (Cho), myo-inositol (mI), and creatine+phosphocreatine (Cr) were quantified. Separate hierarchical regression models were used to evaluate the independent effects of metabolite levels on alcohol craving, alcohol problem severity, and alcohol consumption. RESULTS Dorsal anterior cingulate Cho predicted alcohol craving and alcohol problem severity over and above demographics, medication, and alcohol consumption measures. mI and Cr did not predict alcohol craving or alcohol problem severity. Metabolite markers were not predictive of alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS This preliminary study indicates that dACC Cho is sensitive to clinical characteristics of AUD. This is a further step in advancing neurometabolites, particularly Cho, as potential biomarkers and treatment targets for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica N Grodin
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Elizabeth M Burnette
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Joseph O’Neill
- Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jeffry Alger
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, MC 708522, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Lara A Ray
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
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14
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Nascimento GC, Lucas G, Leite-Panissi CRA. Emerging role of microglia and astrocyte in the affective-motivational response induced by a rat model of persistent orofacial pain. Brain Res Bull 2023; 195:86-98. [PMID: 36781112 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.02.005] [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: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Few studies are approaching the neural basis underlying the aggregation of emotional disorders in orofacial pain despite the stress, depression, and anxiety are some of the most commonly reported risk factors. Using a persistent orofacial pain rat model induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection into the temporomandibular joint, we have investigated the plasticity astrocytes and microglia key brain regions for the affective-emotional component of pain. We measured the expression and morphologic pattern of reactivation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, astrocyte marker) and Iba-1 (microglial marker) by western blotting and immunohistochemistry analysis. The results showed no alterations on motor activity during inflammatory pain, indicating an exclusive effect of nociceptive behavior on the plasticity of limbic regions. CFA-induced temporomandibular inflammation changed GFAP and Iba-1 expression in distinct regions related to emotional behavior in a time-dependent manner. A significant increase in GFAP and Iba-1 expression was observed in the central nucleus of the amygdala, hippocampus and periaqueductal grey matter from day 3 to day 10 post-CFA injection. Moreover, a positive correlation between GFAP and Iba-1 upregulation and an increased mechanical hypersensitivity was observed. Conversely, no change on GFAP and Iba-1 expression was observed in the hypothalamus and colliculus during orofacial inflammatory pain. Our data suggest an important role for glial cells in the affective-motivational dimension of orofacial pain beyond their well-explored role in the traditional nociceptive transmission circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glauce Crivelaro Nascimento
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14040-900 SP, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Lucas
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14040-900 SP, Brazil
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15
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Oroszi T, Geerts E, Rajadhyaksha R, Nyakas C, van Heuvelen MJG, van der Zee EA. Whole-body vibration ameliorates glial pathological changes in the hippocampus of hAPP transgenic mice, but does not affect plaque load. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2023; 19:5. [PMID: 36941713 PMCID: PMC10026461 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-023-00208-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the core cause of dementia in elderly populations. One of the main hallmarks of AD is extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation (APP-pathology) associated with glial-mediated neuroinflammation. Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) is a passive form of exercise, but its effects on AD pathology are still unknown. METHODS Five months old male J20 mice (n = 26) and their wild type (WT) littermates (n = 24) were used to investigate the effect of WBV on amyloid pathology and the healthy brain. Both J20 and WT mice underwent WBV on a vibration platform or pseudo vibration treatment. The vibration intervention consisted of 2 WBV sessions of 10 min per day, five days per week for five consecutive weeks. After five weeks of WBV, the balance beam test was used to assess motor performance. Brain tissue was collected to quantify Aβ deposition and immunomarkers of astrocytes and microglia. RESULTS J20 mice have a limited number of plaques at this relatively young age. Amyloid plaque load was not affected by WBV. Microglia activation based on IBA1-immunostaining was significantly increased in the J20 animals compared to the WT littermates, whereas CD68 expression was not significantly altered. WBV treatment was effective to ameliorate microglia activation based on morphology in both J20 and WT animals in the Dentate Gyrus, but not so in the other subregions. Furthermore, GFAP expression based on coverage was reduced in J20 pseudo-treated mice compared to the WT littermates and it was significantly reserved in the J20 WBV vs. pseudo-treated animals. Further, only for the WT animals a tendency of improved motor performance was observed in the WBV group compared to the pseudo vibration group. CONCLUSION In accordance with the literature, we detected an early plaque load, reduced GFAP expression and increased microglia activity in J20 mice at the age of ~ 6 months. Our findings indicate that WBV has beneficial effects on the early progression of brain pathology. WBV restored, above all, the morphology of GFAP positive astrocytes to the WT level that could be considered the non-pathological and hence "healthy" level. Next experiments need to be performed to determine whether WBV is also affective in J20 mice of older age or other AD mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamas Oroszi
- Department of Neurobiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Research Center for Molecular Exercise Science, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Eva Geerts
- Department of Neurobiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Reuben Rajadhyaksha
- Department of Neurobiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Csaba Nyakas
- Research Center for Molecular Exercise Science, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Morphology and Physiology, Health Science Faculty, Semmelweis Univesity, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marieke J G van Heuvelen
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eddy A van der Zee
- Department of Neurobiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
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16
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Battistella I, Cutarelli A, Zasso J, Clerici M, Sala C, Marcatili M, Conti L. Cortical Astrocyte Progenitors and Astrocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13030538. [PMID: 36983719 PMCID: PMC10051695 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13030538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes coordinate several homeostatic processes of the central nervous system and play essential roles for normal brain development and response to disease conditions. Protocols for the conversion of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into mature astrocytes have opened to the generation of in vitro systems to explore astrocytes’ functions in living human cell contexts and patient-specific settings. In this study, we present an optimized monolayer procedure to commit hiPSC-derived cortical progenitors into enriched populations of cortical astrocyte progenitor cells (CX APCs) that can be further amplified and efficiently differentiated into mature astrocytes. Our optimized system provides a valid tool to explore the role of these cells in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric diseases, opening it up to applications in drug development and biomarkers discovery/validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Battistella
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology-CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cutarelli
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology-CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Jacopo Zasso
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology-CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Massimo Clerici
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
- Department of Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Carlo Sala
- National Research Council Neuroscience Institute, 20100 Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Marcatili
- Department of Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Luciano Conti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology-CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0461-285216
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17
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Abdelfattah AM, Abuelezz SA, Hendawy N, Negm EA, Nawishy SAEK, Khalil AMM. Sonic hedgehog pathway as a new target of atypical antipsychotics: Revisiting of amisulpride and aripiprazole effects in a rat model of schizophrenia. Life Sci 2023; 316:121366. [PMID: 36649751 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness presented by cognitive deficits that precede its positive and negative symptoms. Sonic hedgehog (Shh)-pathway contributes to its pathophysiology. Shh has a role in neurogenesis as it regulates proliferation and survival of neural cells. In this study, effects of the anti-psychotics Amisulpride and/or Aripiprazole on the Shh-pathway and its relation to cognitive functions and neurogenesis in a rat model of schizophrenia were tested. METHODS 60 male Wistar rats were allocated into the following groups: control, socially isolated, amisulpride and/or aripiprazole-treated groups. Rats were then subjected to behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological tests to assess the impact of these drugs on Shh-pathway. KEY FINDINGS Cognitive-dysfunction was evidenced in socially isolated group in novel object, three-chamber, and Morris water maze tests, associated by disorganised Shh-pathway proteins levels concentrations, increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-stained astrocytes. Treated groups favorably reversed these changes evidenced by increased Shh, transmembrane patched-1 and smoothened, glioma-associated-oncogene (GLI)-1 levels, dopamine-1 receptors and brain derived neurotrophic factor, and decreased GLI-3 protein, GFAP immune reaction in astrocytes and inflammatory markers compared to socially isolated group. CONCLUSION Amisulpride and/or aripiprazole have a favorable role in turning on Shh-pathway with subsequent beneficial cognitive and neurogenesis effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M Abdelfattah
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Port Said University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Sally A Abuelezz
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nevien Hendawy
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eman A Negm
- Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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18
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Lahna D, Roese N, Woltjer R, Boespflug EL, Schwartz D, Grinstead J, Dodge HH, Wall R, Kaye JA, Rooney WD, Silbert LC. Postmortem 7T MRI for guided histopathology and evaluation of cerebrovascular disease. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2022; 82:57-70. [PMID: 36343095 PMCID: PMC9764082 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlac103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Postmortem (PM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can serve as a bridge between in vivo imaging and histology by connecting MRI observed macrostructural findings to histological staining and microstructural changes. Data were acquired from 20 formalin-fixed brains including T2, T1, PD, and T2*-weighted images of left hemispheres and 6-mm-thick coronal slices. Tissue slices were bisected, aligned to MR images and used to guide histological sampling. Markers of myelin and oligodendroglia alterations were semiquantitatively rated and compared within white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and normal-appearing white matter. Tissue priors were created from 3T in vivo data and used to guide segmentation of WMH. PM WMH and hemisphere volumes were compared to volumes derived from in vivo data. PM T2 WMH and T1 hemisphere volumes were correlated with in vivo 3T FLAIR WMH and T1 hemisphere volumes. WMH showed significant myelin loss, decreased GFAP expression and increased vimentin expression. MR-visible perivascular spaces and cortical microvascular lesions were successfully captured on histopathological sections. PM MRI can quantify cerebrovascular disease burden and guide tissue sampling, allowing for more comprehensive characterization of cerebrovascular disease that may be used to study etiologies of age-related cognitive change.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lahna
- NIA-Layton Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Natalie Roese
- NIA-Layton Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Randy Woltjer
- NIA-Layton Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Erin L Boespflug
- NIA-Layton Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Daniel Schwartz
- NIA-Layton Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Hiroko H Dodge
- NIA-Layton Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachel Wall
- NIA-Layton Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Kaye
- NIA-Layton Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - William D Rooney
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Lisa C Silbert
- NIA-Layton Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA
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19
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Healey KL, Bell A, Scofield MD, Swartzwelder H. Adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure reduces astrocyte-synaptic proximity in the adult medial prefrontal cortex in rats: Reversal by gabapentin. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 4:100047. [PMID: 36643603 PMCID: PMC9836051 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol consumption in adolescence causes multiple acute negative changes in neural and behavioral function that persist well into adulthood and possibly throughout life. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and dorsal hippocampus are critical for executive function and memory and are especially vulnerable to adolescent ethanol exposure. We have reported that astrocytes, particularly in the mPFC, change both in morphology and synaptic proximity during adolescence. Moreover, adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) exposure produces enduring effects on both astrocyte function and synaptic proximity in the adult hippocampal formation, and the latter effect was reversed by the clinically used agent gabapentin (Neurontin), an anticonvulsant and analgesic that is an inhibitor of the VGCC α2δ1 subunit. These findings underscore the importance of investigating AIE effects on astrocytes in the mPFC, a region that undergoes marked changes in structure and connectivity during adolescence. Using astrocyte-specific viral labeling and immunohistochemistry, mPFC astrocytic morphology and colocalization with AMPA-(α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) glutamate receptor 1 (GluA1), an AMPA receptor subunit and established neuronal marker of excitatory synapses, were assessed to quantify the proximity of astrocyte processes with glutamatergic synaptic puncta. AIE exposure significantly reduced astrocyte-synaptic proximity in adulthood, an effect that was reversed by sub-chronic gabapentin treatment in adulthood. There was no effect of AIE on astrocytic glutamate homeostasis machinery or neuronal synaptic proteins in the mPFC. These findings indicate a possible glial-neuronal mechanism underlying the effects of AIE on frontal lobe-mediated behaviors and suggest a specific therapeutic approach for the amelioration of those effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kati L. Healey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, N.C. 27710, United States of America,Corresponding author. (K.L. Healey)
| | - Amelia Bell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, N.C. 27710, United States of America
| | - Michael D. Scofield
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C. 29425, United States of America
| | - H.S. Swartzwelder
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, N.C. 27710, United States of America
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20
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Margiani G, Castelli MP, Pintori N, Frau R, Ennas MG, Pagano Zottola AC, Orrù V, Serra V, Fiorillo E, Fadda P, Marsicano G, De Luca MA. Adolescent self-administration of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist JWH-018 induces neurobiological and behavioral alterations in adult male mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:3083-3102. [PMID: 35943523 PMCID: PMC9481487 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06191-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The use of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) is growing among adolescents, posing major medical and psychiatric risks. JWH-018 represents the reference compound of SCRA-containing products. OBJECTIVES This study was performed to evaluate the enduring consequences of adolescent voluntary consumption of JWH-018. METHODS The reinforcing properties of JWH-018 were characterized in male CD1 adolescent mice by intravenous self-administration (IVSA). Afterwards, behavioral, neurochemical, and molecular evaluations were performed at adulthood. RESULTS Adolescent mice acquired operant behavior (lever pressing, Fixed Ratio 1-3; 7.5 µg/kg/inf); this behavior was specifically directed at obtaining JWH-018 since it increased under Progressive Ratio schedule of reinforcement, and was absent in vehicle mice. JWH-018 IVSA was reduced by pretreatment of the CB1-antagonist/inverse agonist AM251. Adolescent exposure to JWH-018 by IVSA increased, at adulthood, both nestlet shredding and marble burying phenotypes, suggesting long-lasting repetitive/compulsive-like behavioral effects. JWH-018 did not affect risk proclivity in the wire-beam bridge task. In adult brains, there was an increase of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA-1) positive cells in the caudate-putamen (CPu) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), along with a decrease of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity in the CPu. These glial alterations in adult brains were coupled with an increase of the chemokine RANTES and a decrease of the cytokines IL2 and IL13 in the cortex, and an increase of the chemokine MPC1 in the striatum. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests for the first time that male mice self-administer the prototypical SCRA JWH-018 during adolescence. The adolescent voluntary consumption of JWH-018 leads to long-lasting behavioral and neurochemical aberrations along with glia-mediated inflammatory responses in adult brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Margiani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Nicholas Pintori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberto Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,"Guy Everett" Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Ennas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio C Pagano Zottola
- INSERM, U1215 NeuroCentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France.,University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Institut de Biochimie et Génétique Cellulaires, UMR 5095, Bordeaux, France
| | - Valeria Orrù
- Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research, National Research Council (CNR), Lanusei, Italy
| | - Valentina Serra
- Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research, National Research Council (CNR), Lanusei, Italy
| | - Edoardo Fiorillo
- Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research, National Research Council (CNR), Lanusei, Italy
| | - Paola Fadda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience-Cagliari, National Research Council (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marsicano
- INSERM, U1215 NeuroCentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France.,University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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21
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An Integrative Analysis of Identified Schizophrenia-Associated Brain Cell Types and Gene Expression Changes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911581. [PMID: 36232882 PMCID: PMC9569514 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe mental disorder that may result in hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking. How each cell type in the brain contributes to SCZ occurrence is still unclear. Here, we leveraged the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex bulk RNA-seq data, then used the RNA-seq deconvolution algorithm CIBERSORTx to generate SCZ brain single-cell RNA-seq data for a comprehensive analysis to understand SCZ-associated brain cell types and gene expression changes. Firstly, we observed that the proportions of brain cell types in SCZ differed from normal samples. Among these cell types, astrocyte, pericyte, and PAX6 cells were found to have a higher proportion in SCZ patients (astrocyte: SCZ = 0.163, control = 0.145, P.adj = 4.9 × 10-4, effect size = 0.478; pericyte: SCZ = 0.057, control = 0.066, P.adj = 1.1 × 10-4, effect size = 0.519; PAX6: SCZ = 0.014, control = 0.011, P.adj = 0.014, effect size = 0.377), while the L5/6_IT_CAR3 cells and LAMP5 cells are the exact opposite (L5/6_IT_Car3: SCZ = 0.102, control = 0.108, P.adj = 0.016, effect size = 0.369; LAMP5: SCZ = 0.057, control = 0.066, P.adj = 2.2 × 10-6, effect size = 0.617). Next, we investigated gene expression in cell types and functional pathways in SCZ. We observed chemical synaptic transmission dysregulation in two types of GABAergic neurons (PVALB and LAMP5), and immune reaction involvement in GABAergic neurons (SST) and non-neuronal cell types (endothelial and oligodendrocyte). Furthermore, we observed that some differential expression genes from bulk RNA-seq displayed cell-type-specific abnormalities in the expression of molecules in SCZ. Finally, the cell types with the SCZ-related transcriptomic changes could be considered to belong to the same module since we observed two major similar coordinated transcriptomic changes across these cell types. Together, our results offer novel insights into cellular heterogeneity and the molecular mechanisms underlying SCZ.
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22
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Crunfli F, Carregari VC, Veras FP, Silva LS, Nogueira MH, Antunes ASLM, Vendramini PH, Valença AGF, Brandão-Teles C, Zuccoli GDS, Reis-de-Oliveira G, Silva-Costa LC, Saia-Cereda VM, Smith BJ, Codo AC, de Souza GF, Muraro SP, Parise PL, Toledo-Teixeira DA, Santos de Castro ÍM, Melo BM, Almeida GM, Firmino EMS, Paiva IM, Silva BMS, Guimarães RM, Mendes ND, Ludwig RL, Ruiz GP, Knittel TL, Davanzo GG, Gerhardt JA, Rodrigues PB, Forato J, Amorim MR, Brunetti NS, Martini MC, Benatti MN, Batah SS, Siyuan L, João RB, Aventurato ÍK, Rabelo de Brito M, Mendes MJ, da Costa BA, Alvim MKM, da Silva Júnior JR, Damião LL, de Sousa IMP, da Rocha ED, Gonçalves SM, Lopes da Silva LH, Bettini V, Campos BM, Ludwig G, Tavares LA, Pontelli MC, Viana RMM, Martins RB, Vieira AS, Alves-Filho JC, Arruda E, Podolsky-Gondim GG, Santos MV, Neder L, Damasio A, Rehen S, Vinolo MAR, Munhoz CD, Louzada-Junior P, Oliveira RD, Cunha FQ, Nakaya HI, Mauad T, Duarte-Neto AN, Ferraz da Silva LF, Dolhnikoff M, Saldiva PHN, Farias AS, Cendes F, Moraes-Vieira PMM, Fabro AT, Sebollela A, Proença-Modena JL, Yasuda CL, Mori MA, Cunha TM, Martins-de-Souza D. Morphological, cellular, and molecular basis of brain infection in COVID-19 patients. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022. [DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200960119 1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although increasing evidence confirms neuropsychiatric manifestations associated mainly with severe COVID-19 infection, long-term neuropsychiatric dysfunction (recently characterized as part of “long COVID-19” syndrome) has been frequently observed after mild infection. We show the spectrum of cerebral impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, ranging from long-term alterations in mildly infected individuals (orbitofrontal cortical atrophy, neurocognitive impairment, excessive fatigue and anxiety symptoms) to severe acute damage confirmed in brain tissue samples extracted from the orbitofrontal region (via endonasal transethmoidal access) from individuals who died of COVID-19. In an independent cohort of 26 individuals who died of COVID-19, we used histopathological signs of brain damage as a guide for possible SARS-CoV-2 brain infection and found that among the 5 individuals who exhibited those signs, all of them had genetic material of the virus in the brain. Brain tissue samples from these five patients also exhibited foci of SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication, particularly in astrocytes. Supporting the hypothesis of astrocyte infection, neural stem cell–derived human astrocytes in vitro are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection through a noncanonical mechanism that involves spike–NRP1 interaction. SARS-CoV-2–infected astrocytes manifested changes in energy metabolism and in key proteins and metabolites used to fuel neurons, as well as in the biogenesis of neurotransmitters. Moreover, human astrocyte infection elicits a secretory phenotype that reduces neuronal viability. Our data support the model in which SARS-CoV-2 reaches the brain, infects astrocytes, and consequently, leads to neuronal death or dysfunction. These deregulated processes could contribute to the structural and functional alterations seen in the brains of COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Crunfli
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Victor C. Carregari
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Flavio P. Veras
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - Lucas S. Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Mateus Henrique Nogueira
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | | | - Pedro Henrique Vendramini
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | | | - Caroline Brandão-Teles
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Giuliana da Silva Zuccoli
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Reis-de-Oliveira
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Lícia C. Silva-Costa
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Verônica Monteiro Saia-Cereda
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Bradley J. Smith
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Ana Campos Codo
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Gabriela F de Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Stéfanie P. Muraro
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Pierina Lorencini Parise
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Daniel A. Toledo-Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno Marcel Melo
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - Glaucia M. Almeida
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | | | - Isadora Marques Paiva
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | | | - Rafaela Mano Guimarães
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - Niele D. Mendes
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - Raíssa L. Ludwig
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Gabriel P. Ruiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Thiago L. Knittel
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Gustavo G. Davanzo
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Aline Gerhardt
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Brito Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Julia Forato
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Mariene Ribeiro Amorim
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Natália S. Brunetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Matheus Cavalheiro Martini
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Maíra Nilson Benatti
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - Sabrina S. Batah
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - Li Siyuan
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - Rafael B. João
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Ítalo K. Aventurato
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Mariana Rabelo de Brito
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Maria J. Mendes
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Beatriz A. da Costa
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Marina K. M. Alvim
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - José Roberto da Silva Júnior
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Lívia L. Damião
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Iêda Maria P. de Sousa
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Elessandra D. da Rocha
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Solange M. Gonçalves
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Luiz H. Lopes da Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Bettini
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Brunno M. Campos
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Ludwig
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Lucas Alves Tavares
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ronaldo B. Martins
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - Andre Schwambach Vieira
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | | | - Eurico Arruda
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Volpon Santos
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - Luciano Neder
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - André Damasio
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Stevens Rehen
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education, 04502001, Brazil
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941590, Brazil
| | - Marco Aurélio Ramirez Vinolo
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Louzada-Junior
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - Renê Donizeti Oliveira
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - Fernando Q. Cunha
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | | | - Thais Mauad
- University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-220, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Alessandro S. Farias
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Fernando Cendes
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Pedro Manoel M. Moraes-Vieira
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Alexandre T. Fabro
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - Adriano Sebollela
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - José L. Proença-Modena
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Clarissa L. Yasuda
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Marcelo A. Mori
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
| | - Thiago M. Cunha
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049900, Brazil
| | - Daniel Martins-de-Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, 13083862, Brazil
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education, 04502001, Brazil
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23
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Morphological, cellular, and molecular basis of brain infection in COVID-19 patients. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2200960119. [PMID: 35951647 PMCID: PMC9436354 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200960119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although increasing evidence confirms neuropsychiatric manifestations associated mainly with severe COVID-19 infection, long-term neuropsychiatric dysfunction (recently characterized as part of "long COVID-19" syndrome) has been frequently observed after mild infection. We show the spectrum of cerebral impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, ranging from long-term alterations in mildly infected individuals (orbitofrontal cortical atrophy, neurocognitive impairment, excessive fatigue and anxiety symptoms) to severe acute damage confirmed in brain tissue samples extracted from the orbitofrontal region (via endonasal transethmoidal access) from individuals who died of COVID-19. In an independent cohort of 26 individuals who died of COVID-19, we used histopathological signs of brain damage as a guide for possible SARS-CoV-2 brain infection and found that among the 5 individuals who exhibited those signs, all of them had genetic material of the virus in the brain. Brain tissue samples from these five patients also exhibited foci of SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication, particularly in astrocytes. Supporting the hypothesis of astrocyte infection, neural stem cell-derived human astrocytes in vitro are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection through a noncanonical mechanism that involves spike-NRP1 interaction. SARS-CoV-2-infected astrocytes manifested changes in energy metabolism and in key proteins and metabolites used to fuel neurons, as well as in the biogenesis of neurotransmitters. Moreover, human astrocyte infection elicits a secretory phenotype that reduces neuronal viability. Our data support the model in which SARS-CoV-2 reaches the brain, infects astrocytes, and consequently, leads to neuronal death or dysfunction. These deregulated processes could contribute to the structural and functional alterations seen in the brains of COVID-19 patients.
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24
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Christensen SH, Hviid CVB, Madsen AT, Parkner T, Winther-Larsen A. Short-term biological variation of serum glial fibrillary acidic protein. Clin Chem Lab Med 2022; 60:1813-1819. [PMID: 35962632 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is an emerging biomarker for intracerebral diseases and is approved for clinical use in traumatic brain injury. GFAP is also being investigated for several other applications, where the GFAP changes are not always outstanding. It is thus essential for the interpretation of GFAP to distinguish clinical relevant changes from natural occurring biological variation. This study aimed at estimating the biological variation of serum GFAP. METHODS Apparently healthy subjects (n=33) had blood sampled for three consecutive days. On the second day, blood was also drawn every third hour from 9 AM to 9 PM. Serum GFAP was measured by Single Molecule Array (Simoa™). Components of biological variation were estimated in a linear mixed-effects model. RESULTS The overall median GFAP value was 92.5 pg/mL (range 34.4-260.3 pg/mL). The overall within- (CVI) and between-subject variations (CVG) were 9.7 and 39.5%. The reference change value was 36.9% for an increase. No day-to-day variation was observed, however semidiurnal variation was observed with increasing GFAP values between 9 AM and 12 PM (p<0.00001) and decreasing from 12 to 9 PM (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Serum GFAP exhibits a relatively low CVI but a considerable CVG and a marked semidiurnal variation. This implies caution on the timing of blood sampling and when interpreting GFAP in relation to reference intervals, especially in conditions where only small GFAP differences are observed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claus Vinter Bødker Hviid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne Tranberg Madsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tina Parkner
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne Winther-Larsen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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25
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Chen W, Meng S, Han Y, Shi J. Astrocytes: the neglected stars in the central nervous system and drug addiction. MEDICAL REVIEW (BERLIN, GERMANY) 2022; 2:417-426. [PMID: 37724324 PMCID: PMC10388769 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2022-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
With the advent of improved tools to examine the astrocytes, which have been believed to play a supportive role in the central nervous system (CNS) for years, their participation in the operation of the CNS and drug addiction was unveiled. Assisting the formation and function of the CNS, astrocytes are involved in physiological and pathological brain activities. Drug addiction is a pervasive psychiatric disorder, characterized by compulsive drug-taking behavior and high rate of relapse, impacting individual health and society stability and safety. When exposed to drugs of abuse, astrocytes go through a series of alterations, contributing to the development of addiction. Here we review how astrocytes contribute to the CNS and drug addiction. We hope that understanding the interaction between addictive drugs and astrocytes may help discover new mechanisms underlying the addiction and produce novel therapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Chen
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shiqiu Meng
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Han
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Shi
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
- The State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
- The Key Laboratory for Neuroscience of the Ministry of Education and Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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Liu L, Dai L, Xu D, Wang Y, Bai L, Chen X, Li M, Yang S, Tang Y. Astrocyte secretes IL-6 to modulate PSD-95 palmitoylation in basolateral amygdala and depression-like behaviors induced by peripheral nerve injury. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 104:139-154. [PMID: 35636613 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of glutamatergic synaptic plasticity in basolateral amygdala (BLA) constitutes a critical pathogenic mechanism underlying the depression-like behaviors induced by chronic pain. Astrocytes serve as an important supporting cell modulating glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Here, we found that peripheral spared nerve injury (SNI) induced astrocyte activation to release IL-6 in BLA. Inhibition of astrocyte activity attenuated SNI-induced IL-6 overexpression and depression-like behaviors. Moreover, SNI enhanced the abundance of DHHC2 in synaptosome and DHHC3 in Golgi apparatus, promoted PSD-95 palmitoylation, and increased the recruitment of GluR1 and NR2B at synapses. Suppression of IL-6 or PSD-95 palmitoylation attenuated the synaptic accumulation of GluR1 and NR2B in BLA and improved depression-like behaviors induced by SNI. Furthermore, IL-6 downstream PI3K increased the expression of DHHC3 in Golgi apparatus and facilitated the interaction of palmitoylated PSD-95 with GluR1 and NR2B at synapses. These findings collectively suggested that SNI activated astrocyte to release IL-6 in BLA, which promoted PSD-95 palmitoylation and enhanced the synaptic trafficking of GluR1 and NR2B, and subsequently mediated the depression-like behaviors induced by nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610041, China; Division of Pulmonary Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and Department of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Luqi Dai
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and Department of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and Department of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Yinchan Wang
- Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Lin Bai
- Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Xiaoting Chen
- Animal Experimental Center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Mengzhou Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610041, China; West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shuai Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610041, China; West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yuying Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610041, China; Division of Pulmonary Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and Department of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China.
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Tykhonenko T, Guzyk M, Tykhomyrov A, Korsa V, Yanitska L, Kuchmerovska T. Modulatory effects of vitamin B3 and its derivative on the levels of apoptotic and vascular regulators and cytoskeletal proteins in diabetic rat brain as signs of neuroprotection. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2022; 1866:130207. [PMID: 35882257 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Beneficial effects of nicotinamide (NAm) and its derivates have been earlier shown in animal models of diabetes mellitus (DM), but the mechanisms of their neuroprotective activities are still largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate if NAm and conjugate of nicotinic acid with gamma-aminobutyric acid (N-GABA) are able to modulate expression levels of apoptosis regulators, angiogenesis-related molecules, and specific cytoskeletal proteins in diabetic rat brain. METHODS After six weeks of streptozotocin induced type 1 DM, rats were daily administered either by NAm (100 mg/kg) or N-GABA (55 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for two weeks. Protein levels were assessed by western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Both NAm and N-GABA down-regulated NF-κB and Bax levels in diabetic rat brain, suggesting their anti-apoptotic activities. Tested compounds normalized VEGF and nNOS contents improving pro-angiogenic signaling reduced by hyperglycemia. Western blot showed marked up-regulation of astroglial marker GFAP and lowering neurofilament protein levels in DM group, confirmed immunohistochemically, indicating the development of reactive astrogliosis as a major response to diabetes-induced neurodegeneration. NAm had no effects on GFAP and Nf-L levels in the diabetic brain, while N-GABA increased their expression. Inversely, NAm and N-GABA dramatically reduced enhanced levels of GFAP and Nf-L found in the blood serum of diabetic rats, providing for the first time strong evidence for preserving blood-brain barrier integrity by studied compounds. CONCLUSION Thus, NAm and N-GABA may exert neuroprotective effects by decreasing pro-apoptotic regulators levels and improving expression of angiogenic and cytoskeletal proteins impaired by hyperglycemia in rat brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetiana Tykhonenko
- Department of Vitamin and Coenzyme Biochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ukraine
| | - Mykhailo Guzyk
- Department of Vitamin and Coenzyme Biochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ukraine
| | - Artem Tykhomyrov
- Department of Enzyme Chemistry and Biochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ukraine
| | - Victoria Korsa
- Department of Enzyme Chemistry and Biochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ukraine
| | - Lesya Yanitska
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Tamara Kuchmerovska
- Department of Vitamin and Coenzyme Biochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ukraine.
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Lopes-Rocha A, Bezerra TO, Zanotto R, Lages Nascimento I, Rodrigues A, Salum C. The Antioxidant N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine Restores the Behavioral Deficits in a Neurodevelopmental Model of Schizophrenia Through a Mechanism That Involves Nitric Oxide. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:924955. [PMID: 35903343 PMCID: PMC9315304 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.924955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The disruption of neurodevelopment is a hypothesis for the emergence of schizophrenia. Some evidence supports the hypothesis that a redox imbalance could account for the developmental impairments associated with schizophrenia. Additionally, there is a deficit in glutathione (GSH), a main antioxidant, in this disorder. The injection of metilazoximetanol acetate (MAM) on the 17th day of gestation in Wistar rats recapitulates the neurodevelopmental and oxidative stress hypothesis of schizophrenia. The offspring of rats exposed to MAM treatment present in early adulthood behavioral and neurochemical deficits consistent with those seen in schizophrenia. The present study investigated if the acute and chronic (250 mg/kg) treatment during adulthood with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a GSH precursor, can revert the behavioral deficits [hyperlocomotion, prepulse inhibition (PPI), and social interaction (SI)] in MAM rats and if the NAC-chronic-effects could be canceled by L-arginine (250 mg/kg, i.p, for 5 days), nitric oxide precursor. Analyses of markers involved in the inflammatory response, such as astrocytes (glial fibrillary acid protein, GFAP) and microglia (binding adapter molecule 1, Iba1), and parvalbumin (PV) positive GABAergic, were conducted in the prefrontal cortex [PFC, medial orbital cortex (MO) and prelimbic cortex (PrL)] and dorsal and ventral hippocampus [CA1, CA2, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG)] in rats under chronic treatment with NAC. MAM rats showed decreased time of SI and increased locomotion, and both acute and chronic NAC treatments were able to recover these behavioral deficits. L-arginine blocked NAC behavioral effects. MAM rats presented increases in GFAP density at PFC and Iba1 at PFC and CA1. NAC increased the density of Iba1 cells at PFC and of PV cells at MO and CA1 of the ventral hippocampus. The results indicate that NAC recovered the behavioral deficits observed in MAM rats through a mechanism involving nitric oxide. Our data suggest an ongoing inflammatory process in MAM rats and support a potential antipsychotic effect of NAC.
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Wei Y, Xiao L, Fan W, Zou J, Yang H, Liu B, Ye Y, Wen D, Liao L. Astrocyte Activation, but not Microglia, Is Associated with the Experimental Mouse Model of Schizophrenia Induced by Chronic Ketamine. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1902-1915. [PMID: 35802289 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02046-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Ketamine is a noncompetitive antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Many experimental studies have shown that ketamine can induce cognitive impairments and schizophrenia-like symptoms. While much data have demonstrated that glial cells are associated with the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, the response of glial cells to ketamine and its significance to schizophrenia are not clear. The present study was intended to explore whether chronic ketamine treatment would induce behavioral and glial changes in mice. First, ketamine was used to stimulate behavioral abnormalities similar to schizophrenia evaluated by the open field test, elevated plus-maze test, Y maze test, novel object recognition test, and tail suspension test. Secondly, histopathology and Nissl staining were performed. Meanwhile, immunofluorescence was used to evaluate the expression levels of IBA-1 (a microglial marker) and GFAP (an astrocyte marker) in the mouse hippocampus for any change. Then, ELISA was used to analyze proinflammatory cytokine levels for any change. Our results showed that ketamine (25 mg/kg, i.p., qid, 12 days) induced anxiety, recognition deficits, and neuronal injury in the hippocampus. Moreover, chronic ketamine treatment enhanced GFAP expression in CA1 and DG regions of the hippocampus but did not influence the expression of IBA-1. Ketamine also increased the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the mouse hippocampus. Our study created a new procedure for ketamine administration, which successfully induce negative symptoms and cognitive-behavioral defects in schizophrenia by chronic ketamine. This study further revealed that an increase in astrocytosis, but not microglia, is associated with the mouse model of schizophrenia caused by ketamine. In summary, hippocampal astrocytes may be involved in the pathophysiology of ketamine-induced schizophrenia-like phenotypes through reactive transformation and regulation of neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wei
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- College of Pharmacy, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Li Xiao
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weihao Fan
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Zou
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Yang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Liu
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Ye
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Di Wen
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Linchuan Liao
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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30
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Becker-Krail DD, Ketchesin KD, Burns JN, Zong W, Hildebrand MA, DePoy LM, Vadnie CA, Tseng GC, Logan RW, Huang YH, McClung CA. Astrocyte Molecular Clock Function in the Nucleus Accumbens Is Important for Reward-Related Behavior. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:68-80. [PMID: 35461698 PMCID: PMC9232937 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use disorders are associated with disruptions in circadian rhythms. Both human and animal work have shown the integral role for circadian clocks in the modulation of reward behaviors. Astrocytes have emerged as key regulators of circadian rhythmicity. However, no studies to date have identified the role of circadian astrocyte function in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a hub for reward regulation, or determined the importance of these rhythms for reward-related behavior. METHODS Using astrocyte-specific RNA sequencing across time of day, we first characterized diurnal variation of the NAc astrocyte transcriptome. We then investigated the functional significance of this circadian regulation through viral-mediated disruption of molecular clock function in NAc astrocytes, followed by assessment of reward-related behaviors, metabolic-related molecular assays, and whole-cell electrophysiology in the NAc. RESULTS Strikingly, approximately 43% of the astrocyte transcriptome has a diurnal rhythm, and key metabolic pathways were enriched among the top rhythmic genes. Moreover, mice with a viral-mediated loss of molecular clock function in NAc astrocytes show a significant increase in locomotor response to novelty, exploratory drive, operant food self-administration, and motivation. At the molecular level, these animals also show disrupted metabolic gene expression, along with significant downregulation of both lactate and glutathione levels in the NAc. Loss of NAc astrocyte clock function also significantly altered glutamatergic signaling onto neighboring medium spiny neurons, alongside upregulated glutamate-related gene expression. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these findings demonstrate a novel role for astrocyte circadian molecular clock function in the regulation of the NAc and reward-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darius D Becker-Krail
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kyle D Ketchesin
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jennifer N Burns
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Wei Zong
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mariah A Hildebrand
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Lauren M DePoy
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Chelsea A Vadnie
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - George C Tseng
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ryan W Logan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yanhua H Huang
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Colleen A McClung
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Mata-Martínez E, Díaz-Muñoz M, Vázquez-Cuevas FG. Glial Cells and Brain Diseases: Inflammasomes as Relevant Pathological Entities. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:929529. [PMID: 35783102 PMCID: PMC9243488 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.929529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation mediated by the innate immune system is a physiopathological response to diverse detrimental circumstances such as microbe infections or tissular damage. The molecular events that underlie this response involve the assembly of multiprotein complexes known as inflammasomes. These assemblages are essentially formed by a stressor-sensing protein, an adapter protein and a non-apoptotic caspase (1 or 11). The coordinated aggregation of these components mediates the processing and release of pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL-β and IL-18) and cellular death by pyroptosis induction. The inflammatory response is essential for the defense of the organism; for example, it triggers tissue repair and the destruction of pathogen microbe infections. However, when inflammation is activated chronically, it promotes diverse pathologies in the lung, liver, brain and other organs. The nervous system is one of the main tissues where the inflammatory process has been characterized, and its implications in health and disease are starting to be understood. Thus, the regulation of inflammasomes in specific cellular types of the central nervous system needs to be thoroughly understood to innovate treatments for diverse pathologies. In this review, the presence and participation of inflammasomes in pathological conditions in different types of glial cells will be discussed.
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Ortinski PI, Reissner KJ, Turner J, Anderson TA, Scimemi A. Control of complex behavior by astrocytes and microglia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 137:104651. [PMID: 35367512 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Evidence that glial cells influence behavior has been gaining a steady foothold in scientific literature. Out of the five main subtypes of glial cells in the brain, astrocytes and microglia have received an outsized share of attention with regard to shaping a wide spectrum of behavioral phenomena and there is growing appreciation that the signals intrinsic to these cells as well as their interactions with surrounding neurons reflect behavioral history in a brain region-specific manner. Considerable regional diversity of glial cell phenotypes is beginning to be recognized and may contribute to behavioral outcomes arising from circuit-specific computations within and across discrete brain nuclei. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the impact of astrocyte and microglia activity on behavioral outcomes, with a specific focus on brain areas relevant to higher cognitive control, reward-seeking, and circadian regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P I Ortinski
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, USA
| | - K J Reissner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, USA
| | - J Turner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, USA
| | - T A Anderson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, USA
| | - A Scimemi
- Department of Biology, State University of New York at Albany, USA
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de Oliveira Figueiredo EC, Calì C, Petrelli F, Bezzi P. Emerging evidence for astrocyte dysfunction in schizophrenia. Glia 2022; 70:1585-1604. [PMID: 35634946 PMCID: PMC9544982 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex, chronic mental health disorder whose heterogeneous genetic and neurobiological background influences early brain development, and whose precise etiology is still poorly understood. Schizophrenia is not characterized by gross brain pathology, but involves subtle pathological changes in neuronal populations and glial cells. Among the latter, astrocytes critically contribute to the regulation of early neurodevelopmental processes, and any dysfunctions in their morphological and functional maturation may lead to aberrant neurodevelopmental processes involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, such as mitochondrial biogenesis, synaptogenesis, and glutamatergic and dopaminergic transmission. Studies of the mechanisms regulating astrocyte maturation may therefore improve our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Corrado Calì
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Francesco Petrelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Structural and Functional Deviations of the Hippocampus in Schizophrenia and Schizophrenia Animal Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105482. [PMID: 35628292 PMCID: PMC9143100 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a grave neuropsychiatric disease which frequently onsets between the end of adolescence and the beginning of adulthood. It is characterized by a variety of neuropsychiatric abnormalities which are categorized into positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. Most therapeutical strategies address the positive symptoms by antagonizing D2-dopamine-receptors (DR). However, negative and cognitive symptoms persist and highly impair the life quality of patients due to their disabling effects. Interestingly, hippocampal deviations are a hallmark of schizophrenia and can be observed in early as well as advanced phases of the disease progression. These alterations are commonly accompanied by a rise in neuronal activity. Therefore, hippocampal formation plays an important role in the manifestation of schizophrenia. Furthermore, studies with animal models revealed a link between environmental risk factors and morphological as well as electrophysiological abnormalities in the hippocampus. Here, we review recent findings on structural and functional hippocampal abnormalities in schizophrenic patients and in schizophrenia animal models, and we give an overview on current experimental approaches that especially target the hippocampus. A better understanding of hippocampal aberrations in schizophrenia might clarify their impact on the manifestation and on the outcome of this severe disease.
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Hanson BA, Visvabharathy L, Ali ST, Kang AK, Patel TR, Clark JR, Lim PH, Orban ZS, Hwang SS, Mattoon D, Batra A, Liotta EM, Koralnik IJ. Plasma Biomarkers of Neuropathogenesis in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 and Those With Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. NEUROLOGY(R) NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2022; 9:9/3/e1151. [PMID: 35256481 PMCID: PMC8901169 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000001151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Although patients hospitalized with COVID-19 frequently present with encephalopathy, those with mild initial COVID-19 disease who never required hospitalization also often develop neurologic symptoms as part of postacute sequelae of severe acute respiratory coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (neuro-PASC). The pathogenic mechanisms of COVID-19 encephalopathy and neuro-PASC are unknown. We sought to establish biochemical evidence of CNS injury in those patients and their association with neuropsychiatric manifestations and SARS-CoV-2 antigenemia. METHODS We recruited hospitalized, posthospitalized, and nonhospitalized patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 with neurologic symptoms in addition to healthy control (HC) subjects. Plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL), plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (pGFAP), and plasma SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid antigen (pN Ag) were measured by HD-X Simoa analyzer (Quanterix) and compared with neuropsychiatric symptoms, patient-reported quality-of-life measures, and standardized cognitive assessments. Neuroglial scores (pGFAP/pNfL) were calculated to estimate the relative contribution of astroglial and neuronal involvement. RESULTS We enrolled a total of 64 study participants, including 9 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 encephalopathy (CE), 9 posthospitalization neuro-PASC (PNP) patients, 38 nonhospitalized neuro-PASC (NNP) patients, and 8 HC subjects. Patients with CE were older, had higher pNfL and pGFAP concentrations, and more frequent pN Ag detection than all neuro-PASC groups. PNP and NNP patients exhibited similar PASC symptoms, decreased quality-of-life measures, and cognitive dysfunction, and 1 of the 38 (2.6%) NNP patients had pN Ag detectable 3 weeks postsymptoms onset. Patients with neuro-PASC presenting with anxiety/depression had higher neuroglial scores, which were correlated with increased anxiety on quality-of-life measures. DISCUSSION pNfL, pGFAP, and pN Ag measurements indicate neuronal dysfunction and systemic involvement in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with encephalopathy. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 N Ag in blood 3 weeks after symptoms onset in a nonhospitalized patient suggests that prolonged antigenic stimulation, or possibly latent infection, may occur. Anxiety was associated with evidence of astroglial activation in patients with neuro-PASC. These data shed new light on SARS-Cov-2 neuropathogenesis and demonstrate the value of plasma biomarkers across the COVID-19 disease spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara A Hanson
- From the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology (B.A.H., L.V., S.T.A., A.K.K., T.R.P., J.R.C., P.H.L., Z.S.O., A.B., E.M.L., I.J.K.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Rush Medical College (B.A.H.), Chicago IL; and Quanterix Corporation (S.S.H., D.M.), Billerica, MA
| | - Lavanya Visvabharathy
- From the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology (B.A.H., L.V., S.T.A., A.K.K., T.R.P., J.R.C., P.H.L., Z.S.O., A.B., E.M.L., I.J.K.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Rush Medical College (B.A.H.), Chicago IL; and Quanterix Corporation (S.S.H., D.M.), Billerica, MA
| | - Sareen T Ali
- From the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology (B.A.H., L.V., S.T.A., A.K.K., T.R.P., J.R.C., P.H.L., Z.S.O., A.B., E.M.L., I.J.K.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Rush Medical College (B.A.H.), Chicago IL; and Quanterix Corporation (S.S.H., D.M.), Billerica, MA
| | - Anthony K Kang
- From the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology (B.A.H., L.V., S.T.A., A.K.K., T.R.P., J.R.C., P.H.L., Z.S.O., A.B., E.M.L., I.J.K.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Rush Medical College (B.A.H.), Chicago IL; and Quanterix Corporation (S.S.H., D.M.), Billerica, MA
| | - Tulsi R Patel
- From the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology (B.A.H., L.V., S.T.A., A.K.K., T.R.P., J.R.C., P.H.L., Z.S.O., A.B., E.M.L., I.J.K.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Rush Medical College (B.A.H.), Chicago IL; and Quanterix Corporation (S.S.H., D.M.), Billerica, MA
| | - Jeffrey R Clark
- From the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology (B.A.H., L.V., S.T.A., A.K.K., T.R.P., J.R.C., P.H.L., Z.S.O., A.B., E.M.L., I.J.K.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Rush Medical College (B.A.H.), Chicago IL; and Quanterix Corporation (S.S.H., D.M.), Billerica, MA
| | - Patrick H Lim
- From the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology (B.A.H., L.V., S.T.A., A.K.K., T.R.P., J.R.C., P.H.L., Z.S.O., A.B., E.M.L., I.J.K.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Rush Medical College (B.A.H.), Chicago IL; and Quanterix Corporation (S.S.H., D.M.), Billerica, MA
| | - Zachary S Orban
- From the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology (B.A.H., L.V., S.T.A., A.K.K., T.R.P., J.R.C., P.H.L., Z.S.O., A.B., E.M.L., I.J.K.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Rush Medical College (B.A.H.), Chicago IL; and Quanterix Corporation (S.S.H., D.M.), Billerica, MA
| | - Soyoon S Hwang
- From the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology (B.A.H., L.V., S.T.A., A.K.K., T.R.P., J.R.C., P.H.L., Z.S.O., A.B., E.M.L., I.J.K.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Rush Medical College (B.A.H.), Chicago IL; and Quanterix Corporation (S.S.H., D.M.), Billerica, MA
| | - Dawn Mattoon
- From the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology (B.A.H., L.V., S.T.A., A.K.K., T.R.P., J.R.C., P.H.L., Z.S.O., A.B., E.M.L., I.J.K.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Rush Medical College (B.A.H.), Chicago IL; and Quanterix Corporation (S.S.H., D.M.), Billerica, MA
| | - Ayush Batra
- From the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology (B.A.H., L.V., S.T.A., A.K.K., T.R.P., J.R.C., P.H.L., Z.S.O., A.B., E.M.L., I.J.K.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Rush Medical College (B.A.H.), Chicago IL; and Quanterix Corporation (S.S.H., D.M.), Billerica, MA
| | - Eric M Liotta
- From the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology (B.A.H., L.V., S.T.A., A.K.K., T.R.P., J.R.C., P.H.L., Z.S.O., A.B., E.M.L., I.J.K.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Rush Medical College (B.A.H.), Chicago IL; and Quanterix Corporation (S.S.H., D.M.), Billerica, MA
| | - Igor J Koralnik
- From the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology (B.A.H., L.V., S.T.A., A.K.K., T.R.P., J.R.C., P.H.L., Z.S.O., A.B., E.M.L., I.J.K.), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Rush Medical College (B.A.H.), Chicago IL; and Quanterix Corporation (S.S.H., D.M.), Billerica, MA.
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Beyond the neuron: Role of non-neuronal cells in stress disorders. Neuron 2022; 110:1116-1138. [PMID: 35182484 PMCID: PMC8989648 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Stress disorders are leading causes of disease burden in the U.S. and worldwide, yet available therapies are fully effective in less than half of all individuals with these disorders. Although to date, much of the focus has been on neuron-intrinsic mechanisms, emerging evidence suggests that chronic stress can affect a wide range of cell types in the brain and periphery, which are linked to maladaptive behavioral outcomes. Here, we synthesize emerging literature and discuss mechanisms of how non-neuronal cells in limbic regions of brain interface at synapses, the neurovascular unit, and other sites of intercellular communication to mediate the deleterious, or adaptive (i.e., pro-resilient), effects of chronic stress in rodent models and in human stress-related disorders. We believe that such an approach may one day allow us to adopt a holistic "whole body" approach to stress disorder research, which could lead to more precise diagnostic tests and personalized treatment strategies. Stress is a major risk factor for many psychiatric disorders. Cathomas et al. review new insight into how non-neuronal cells mediate the deleterious effects, as well as the adaptive, protective effects, of stress in rodent models and human stress-related disorders.
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Machado-Santos AR, Loureiro-Campos E, Patrício P, Araújo B, Alves ND, Mateus-Pinheiro A, Correia JS, Morais M, Bessa JM, Sousa N, Rodrigues AJ, Oliveira JF, Pinto L. Beyond New Neurons in the Adult Hippocampus: Imipramine Acts as a Pro-Astrogliogenic Factor and Rescues Cognitive Impairments Induced by Stress Exposure. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030390. [PMID: 35159199 PMCID: PMC8834148 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is a prevalent, socially burdensome disease. Different studies have demonstrated the important role of astrocytes in the pathophysiology of depression as modulators of neurotransmission and neurovascular coupling. This is evidenced by astrocyte impairments observed in brains of depressed patients and the appearance of depressive-like behaviors upon astrocytic dysfunctions in animal models. However, little is known about the importance of de novo generated astrocytes in the mammalian brain and in particular its possible involvement in the precipitation of depression and in the therapeutic actions of current antidepressants (ADs). Therefore, we studied the modulation of astrocytes and adult astrogliogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of rats exposed to an unpredictable chronic mild stress (uCMS) protocol, untreated and treated for two weeks with antidepressants—fluoxetine and imipramine. Our results show that adult astrogliogenesis in the DG is modulated by stress and imipramine. This study reveals that distinct classes of ADs impact differently in the astrogliogenic process, showing different cellular mechanisms relevant to the recovery from behavioral deficits induced by chronic stress exposure. As such, in addition to those resident, the newborn astrocytes in the hippocampal DG might also be promising therapeutic targets for future therapies in the neuropsychiatric field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana R Machado-Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Eduardo Loureiro-Campos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Patrício
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Bruna Araújo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Dinis Alves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António Mateus-Pinheiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana Sofia Correia
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Mónica Morais
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João M Bessa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana J Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João Filipe Oliveira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- IPCA-EST-2Ai, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, Applied Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Campus of IPCA, 4750-810 Barcelos, Portugal
| | - Luísa Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Ranganathan M, Rahman M, Ganesh S, D'Souza DC, Skosnik PD, Radhakrishnan R, Pathania S, Mohanakumar T. Analysis of circulating exosomes reveals a peripheral signature of astrocytic pathology in schizophrenia. World J Biol Psychiatry 2022; 23:33-45. [PMID: 33821753 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2021.1907720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, cross the blood brain barrier with their contents intact and can be assayed peripherally. Circulating exosomes have been studied in other neurodegenerative disorders, but there is scarce data in schizophrenia. This study aimed to examine neuropathology-relevant protein biomarkers in circulating plasma-derived exosomes from patients with schizophrenia and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. METHODS Nanoparticle tracking analysis was used to determine the size and concentration of exosomes. Exosomal membrane marker (CD9) and specific target cargo protein (glial fibrillary acid protein[GFAP], synaptophysin, and α-II-Spectrin) immunopositivity was examined using Western blot analyses with band intensity quantified. Methods were consistent with the 'Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018' (MISEV2018) guidelines. RESULTS Exosomal GFAP concentration was significantly higher and α-II-Spectrin expression significantly lower in plasma obtained from schizophrenia patients. No group differences were observed between in plasma exosomal concentration and size or in CD9, calnexin, or synaptophysin levels. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate a differential pattern of exosomal protein expression in schizophrenia compared to matched healthy controls, consistent with the hypothesised astroglial pathology in this disorder. These results warrant further examination of circulating exosomes as vehicles of novel peripheral biomarkers of disease in schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohini Ranganathan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mohamed Rahman
- St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Norton Thoracic Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Suhas Ganesh
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Deepak C D'Souza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rajiv Radhakrishnan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Surbhi Pathania
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Hastings N, Kuan WL, Osborne A, Kotter MRN. Therapeutic Potential of Astrocyte Transplantation. Cell Transplant 2022; 31:9636897221105499. [PMID: 35770772 PMCID: PMC9251977 DOI: 10.1177/09636897221105499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell transplantation is an attractive treatment strategy for a variety of brain disorders, as it promises to replenish lost functions and rejuvenate the brain. In particular, transplantation of astrocytes has come into light recently as a therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); moreover, grafting of astrocytes also showed positive results in models of other conditions ranging from neurodegenerative diseases of older age to traumatic injury and stroke. Despite clear differences in etiology, disorders such as ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases, as well as traumatic injury and stroke, converge on a number of underlying astrocytic abnormalities, which include inflammatory changes, mitochondrial damage, calcium signaling disturbance, hemichannel opening, and loss of glutamate transporters. In this review, we examine these convergent pathways leading to astrocyte dysfunction, and explore the existing evidence for a therapeutic potential of transplantation of healthy astrocytes in various models. Existing literature presents a wide variety of methods to generate astrocytes, or relevant precursor cells, for subsequent transplantation, while described outcomes of this type of treatment also differ between studies. We take technical differences between methodologies into account to understand the variability of therapeutic benefits, or lack thereof, at a deeper level. We conclude by discussing some key requirements of an astrocyte graft that would be most suitable for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataly Hastings
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Wei-Li Kuan
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew Osborne
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mark R N Kotter
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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40
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Abstract
Drug addiction remains a key biomedical challenge facing current neuroscience research. In addition to neural mechanisms, the focus of the vast majority of studies to date, astrocytes have been increasingly recognized as an "accomplice." According to the tripartite synapse model, astrocytes critically regulate nearby pre- and postsynaptic neuronal substrates to craft experience-dependent synaptic plasticity, including synapse formation and elimination. Astrocytes within brain regions that are implicated in drug addiction exhibit dynamic changes in activity upon exposure to cocaine and subsequently undergo adaptive changes themselves during chronic drug exposure. Recent results have identified several key astrocytic signaling pathways that are involved in cocaine-induced synaptic and circuit adaptations. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the role of astrocytes in regulating synaptic transmission and neuronal function, and discuss how cocaine influences these astrocyte-mediated mechanisms to induce persistent synaptic and circuit alterations that promote cocaine seeking and relapse. We also consider the therapeutic potential of targeting astrocytic substrates to ameliorate drug-induced neuroplasticity for behavioral benefits. While primarily focusing on cocaine-induced astrocytic responses, we also include brief discussion of other drugs of abuse where data are available.
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41
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Maly IV, Morales MJ, Pletnikov MV. Astrocyte Bioenergetics and Major Psychiatric Disorders. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 26:173-227. [PMID: 34888836 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77375-5_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Ongoing research continues to add new elements to the emerging picture of involvement of astrocyte energy metabolism in the pathophysiology of major psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, mood disorders, and addictions. This review outlines what is known about the energy metabolism in astrocytes, the most numerous cell type in the brain, and summarizes the recent work on how specific perturbations of astrocyte bioenergetics may contribute to the neuropsychiatric conditions. The role of astrocyte energy metabolism in mental health and disease is reviewed on the organism, organ, and cell level. Data arising from genomic, metabolomic, in vitro, and neurobehavioral studies is critically analyzed to suggest future directions in research and possible metabolism-focused therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan V Maly
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Michael J Morales
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Mikhail V Pletnikov
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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42
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Astrocyte-neuron signaling in the mesolimbic dopamine system: the hidden stars of dopamine signaling. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:1864-1872. [PMID: 34253855 PMCID: PMC8429665 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01090-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are fundamental components of brain information processing and possess the ability to respond to synaptic signaling with increases in cytoplasmic calcium and modulate neuronal activity with the subsequent release of neuroactive transmitters. Dopamine signaling is essential for brain physiology and pathology, participating in learning and memory, motor control, neurological diseases, and psychiatric diseases, and astrocytes are emerging as a key cellular target of dopamine signaling. The present review will examine evidence revealing that astrocytes respond to dopamine and modulate information processing in the primary brain regions implicated in the mesolimbic dopamine system. Astrocytes exhibit circuit-specific modulation of neuronal networks and have the potential to serve as a therapeutic target for interventions designed for dopamine pathologies.
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43
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Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1): Potential application in mood disorders: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:192-210. [PMID: 34537265 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
There is a need for innovation with respect to therapeutics in psychiatry. Available evidence indicates that the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonist SEP-363856 is promising, as it improves measures of cognitive and reward function in schizophrenia. Hedonic and cognitive impairments are transdiagnostic and constitute major burdens in mood disorders. Herein, we systematically review the behavioural and genetic literature documenting the role of TAAR1 in reward and cognitive function, and propose a mechanistic model of TAAR1's functions in the brain. Notably, TAAR1 activity confers antidepressant-like effects, enhances attention and response inhibition, and reduces compulsive reward seeking without impairing normal function. Further characterization of the responsible mechanisms suggests ion-homeostatic, metabolic, neurotrophic, and anti-inflammatory enhancements in the limbic system. Multiple lines of evidence establish the viability of TAAR1 as a biological target for the treatment of mood disorders. Furthermore, the evidence suggests a role for TAAR1 in reward and cognitive function, which is attributed to a cascade of events that are relevant to the cellular integrity and function of the central nervous system.
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44
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Morris G, Gamage E, Travica N, Berk M, Jacka FN, O'Neil A, Puri BK, Carvalho AF, Bortolasci CC, Walder K, Marx W. Polyphenols as adjunctive treatments in psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders: Efficacy, mechanisms of action, and factors influencing inter-individual response. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 172:101-122. [PMID: 34062263 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The pathophysiology of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders is complex and multifactorial. Polyphenols possess a range of potentially beneficial mechanisms of action that relate to the implicated pathways in psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of this review is to highlight the emerging clinical trial and preclinical efficacy data regarding the role of polyphenols in mental and brain health, elucidate novel mechanisms of action including the gut microbiome and gene expression, and discuss the factors that may be responsible for the mixed clinical results; namely, the role of interindividual differences in treatment response and the potentially pro-oxidant effects of some polyphenols. Further clarification as part of larger, well conducted randomized controlled trials that incorporate precision medicine methods are required to inform clinical efficacy and optimal dosing regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerwyn Morris
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Gamage
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Nikolaj Travica
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Felice N Jacka
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Adrienne O'Neil
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | | | - Andre F Carvalho
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Chiara C Bortolasci
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Ken Walder
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Marx
- Deakin University, IMPACT - the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia.
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Pirnat S, Božić M, Dolanc D, Horvat A, Tavčar P, Vardjan N, Verkhratsky A, Zorec R, Stenovec M. Astrocyte arborization enhances Ca 2+ but not cAMP signaling plasticity. Glia 2021; 69:2899-2916. [PMID: 34406698 PMCID: PMC9290837 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24076] [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: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The plasticity of astrocytes is fundamental for their principal function, maintaining homeostasis of the central nervous system throughout life, and is associated with diverse exposomal challenges. Here, we used cultured astrocytes to investigate at subcellular level basic cell processes under controlled environmental conditions. We compared astroglial functional and signaling plasticity in standard serum‐containing growth medium, a condition mimicking pathologic conditions, and in medium without serum, favoring the acquisition of arborized morphology. Using opto−/electrophysiologic techniques, we examined cell viability, expression of astroglial markers, vesicle dynamics, and cytosolic Ca2+ and cAMP signaling. The results revealed altered vesicle dynamics in arborized astrocytes that was associated with increased resting [Ca2+]i and increased subcellular heterogeneity in [Ca2+]i, whereas [cAMP]i subcellular dynamics remained stable in both cultures, indicating that cAMP signaling is less prone to plastic remodeling than Ca2+ signaling, possibly also in in vivo contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samo Pirnat
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Celica BIOMEDICAL, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mićo Božić
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Dorian Dolanc
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anemari Horvat
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Celica BIOMEDICAL, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Petra Tavčar
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Vardjan
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Celica BIOMEDICAL, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Celica BIOMEDICAL, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Robert Zorec
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Celica BIOMEDICAL, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matjaž Stenovec
- Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Celica BIOMEDICAL, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Akkouh IA, Hribkova H, Grabiec M, Budinska E, Szabo A, Kasparek T, Andreassen OA, Sun YM, Djurovic S. Derivation and Molecular Characterization of a Morphological Subpopulation of Human iPSC Astrocytes Reveal a Potential Role in Schizophrenia and Clozapine Response. Schizophr Bull 2021; 48:190-198. [PMID: 34357384 PMCID: PMC8781347 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbab092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the human brain and are important regulators of several critical cellular functions, including synaptic transmission. Although astrocytes are known to play a central role in the etiology and pathophysiology of schizophrenia, little is known about their potential involvement in clinical response to the antipsychotic clozapine. Moreover, astrocytes display a remarkable degree of morphological diversity, but the potential contribution of astrocytic subtypes to disease biology and drug response has received little attention. Here, we used state-of-the-art human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology to derive a morphological subtype of astrocytes from healthy individuals and individuals with schizophrenia, including responders and nonresponders to clozapine. Using functional assays and transcriptional profiling, we identified a distinct gene expression signature highly specific to schizophrenia as shown by disease association analysis of more than 10 000 diseases. We further found reduced levels of both glutamate and the NMDA receptor coagonist d-serine in subtype astrocytes derived from schizophrenia patients, and that exposure to clozapine only rescued this deficiency in cells from clozapine responders, providing further evidence that d-serine in particular, and NMDA receptor-mediated glutamatergic neurotransmission in general, could play an important role in disease pathophysiology and clozapine action. Our study represents a first attempt to explore the potential contribution of astrocyte diversity to schizophrenia pathophysiology using a human cellular model. Our findings suggest that specialized subtypes of astrocytes could be important modulators of disease pathophysiology and clinical drug response, and warrant further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim A Akkouh
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Postbox 4956, Nydalen, Building 49, 0424 Oslo, Norway; tel: 4798470640, e-mail:
| | - Hana Hribkova
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marta Grabiec
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Budinska
- Bioinformatics in Translational Research, RECETOX & IBA, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Attila Szabo
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tomas Kasparek
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Yuh-Man Sun
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Srdjan Djurovic
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway,NORMENT, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Exposure to hypertonic solutions during pregnancy induces autism-like behaviors via the NFAT-5 pathway in offspring in a rat model. Physiol Behav 2021; 240:113545. [PMID: 34363817 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES to investigate the effects of hyperosmolar state (HS) on immune response and inflammation via the NFAT5 pathway and examine whether immune-mediated conditions trigger autism-like behavior in offspring. METHODS a pregnant rat model was performed by administering hyperosmotic solutions. Pregnant rats were divided into 2 main groups; control (group I) and hyperosmolar groups (group II). Control group rats were given % 0.25 NaCI (tap water) (n = 6), the Hyperosmolar (HO) group was further subdivided into 3 groups as; Group II a rats which were given % 3 hypertonic NaCl (n = 6), Group II b rats were given mineral water (% 3 NaHCO3+magnesium+calcium content) (n = 6), and Group II c rats were given Ayran (% 0.8 NaCl content) (n = 6). Their offspring were examined for behaviors, biochemical and histological abnormality. RESULTS in offspring, TNF- α, IL-17, NFAT-5, and NGF levels in the brain were significantly higher in hyperosmotic solution groups than in control rats. Exposure of pregnant rats to hyperosmotic solution resulted in autism-like behaviors in their offspring. Through immunohistochemical methods, we found that CA1 and CA2 of the hippocampus indicated decreased number of neurons in hyperosmotic solution groups compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS our findings once again emphasized that the immune-mediated conditions involved in the pathophysiology of autism. NFAT5 pathway may be a key factor in the development of neuroinflammation by hyperosmotic solutions.
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48
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Bonvento G, Bolaños JP. Astrocyte-neuron metabolic cooperation shapes brain activity. Cell Metab 2021; 33:1546-1564. [PMID: 34348099 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The brain has almost no energy reserve, but its activity coordinates organismal function, a burden that requires precise coupling between neurotransmission and energy metabolism. Deciphering how the brain accomplishes this complex task is crucial to understand central facets of human physiology and disease mechanisms. Each type of neural cell displays a peculiar metabolic signature, forcing the intercellular exchange of metabolites that serve as both energy precursors and paracrine signals. The paradigm of this biological feature is the astrocyte-neuron couple, in which the glycolytic metabolism of astrocytes contrasts with the mitochondrial oxidative activity of neurons. Astrocytes generate abundant mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and shuttle to neurons glycolytically derived metabolites, such as L-lactate and L-serine, which sustain energy needs, conserve redox status, and modulate neurotransmitter-receptor activity. Conversely, early disruption of this metabolic cooperation may contribute to the initiation or progression of several neurological diseases, thus requiring innovative therapies to preserve brain energetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Bonvento
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, MIRCen, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Juan P Bolaños
- Institute of Functional Biology and Genomics (IBFG), Universidad de Salamanca, CSIC, Salamanca, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Pintori N, Castelli MP, Miliano C, Simola N, Fadda P, Fattore L, Scherma M, Ennas MG, Mostallino R, Flore G, De Felice M, Sagheddu C, Pistis M, Di Chiara G, De Luca MA. Repeated exposure to JWH-018 induces adaptive changes in the mesolimbic and mesocortical dopaminergic pathways, glial cells alterations, and behavioural correlates. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:3476-3497. [PMID: 33837969 PMCID: PMC8457172 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15494] [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: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Spice/K2 herbal mixtures, containing synthetic cannabinoids such as JWH‐018, have been marketed as marijuana surrogates since 2004. JWH‐018 has cannabinoid CB1 receptor‐dependent reinforcing properties and acutely increases dopaminergic transmission selectively in the NAc shell. Here, we tested the hypothesis that repeated administration of JWH‐018 (i) modulates behaviour, (ii) affects dopaminergic transmission and its responsiveness to motivational stimuli, and (iii) is associated with a neuroinflammatory phenotype. Experimental Approach Rats were administered with JWH‐018 once a day for 14 consecutive days. We then performed behavioural, electrophysiological, and neurochemical evaluation at multiple time points after drug discontinuation. Key Results Repeated JWH‐018 exposure (i) induced anxious and aversive behaviours, transitory attentional deficits, and withdrawal signs; (ii) decreased spontaneous activity and number of dopamine neurons in the VTA; and (iii) reduced stimulation of dopaminergic transmission in the NAc shell while potentiating that in the NAc core, in response to acute JWH‐018 challenge. Moreover, (iv) we observed a decreased dopamine sensitivity in the NAc shell and core, but not in the mPFC, to a first chocolate exposure; conversely, after a second exposure, dialysate dopamine fully increased in the NAc shell and core but not in the mPFC. Finally, selected dopamine brain areas showed (v) astrogliosis (mPFC, NAc shell and core, VTA), microgliosis (NAc shell and core), and downregulation of CB1 receptors (mPFC, NAc shell and core). Conclusion and Implications Repeated exposure to JWH‐018 may provide a useful model to clarify the detrimental effects of recurring use of Spice/K2 drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Pintori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Miliano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Paola Fadda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience-Cagliari, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Liana Fattore
- Institute of Neuroscience-Cagliari, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Scherma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Ennas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rafaela Mostallino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Flore
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marta De Felice
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Claudia Sagheddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marco Pistis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience-Cagliari, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaetano Di Chiara
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience-Cagliari, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
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50
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Garcés M, Guijarro IM, Ritchie DL, Badiola JJ, Monzón M. Novel Morphological Glial Alterations in the Spectrum of Prion Disease Types: A Focus on Common Findings. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10050596. [PMID: 34068251 PMCID: PMC8153175 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Human prion diseases are a group of rare fatal neurodegenerative diseases with sporadic, genetic, and acquired forms. They are neuropathologically characterized by pathological prion protein accumulation, neuronal death, and vacuolation. Classical immunological response has long been known not to play a major in prion diseases; however, gliosis is known to be a common feature although variable in extent and poorly described. In this investigation, astrogliosis and activated microglia in two brain regions were assessed and compared with non-neurologically affected patients in a representative sample across the spectrum of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) forms and subtypes in order to analyze the influence of prion strain on pathological processes. In this report, we choose to focus on features common to all CJD types rather than the diversity among them. Novel pathological changes in both glial cell types were found to be shared by all CJD types. Microglial activation correlated to astrogliosis. Spongiosis, but not pathological prion protein deposition, correlated to both astrogliosis and microgliosis. At the ultrastructural level, astrocytic glial filaments correlated with pathological changes associated with prion disease. These observations confirm that neuroglia play a prominent role in the neurodegenerative process of prion diseases, regardless of the causative prion type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Garcés
- Research Centre for Encephalopathies and Transmissible Emerging Diseases, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS), University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.G.); (I.M.G.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Isabel M. Guijarro
- Research Centre for Encephalopathies and Transmissible Emerging Diseases, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS), University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.G.); (I.M.G.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Diane L. Ritchie
- National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK;
| | - Juan J. Badiola
- Research Centre for Encephalopathies and Transmissible Emerging Diseases, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS), University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.G.); (I.M.G.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Marta Monzón
- Research Centre for Encephalopathies and Transmissible Emerging Diseases, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS), University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.G.); (I.M.G.); (J.J.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-976-762944
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