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Szalanczy AM, Fitzpatrick M, Beeson A, Bui T, Dyson C, Eller S, Landry J, Scott C, Grzybowski M, Klotz J, Geurts AM, Weiner JL, Redei EE, Solberg Woods LC. Chronic stress from adolescence to adulthood increases adiposity and anxiety in rats with decreased expression of Krtcap3. Front Genet 2024; 14:1247232. [PMID: 38323241 PMCID: PMC10844407 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1247232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
We previously identified Keratinocyte-associated protein 3, Krtcap3, as a novel adiposity gene, but subsequently found that its impact on adiposity may depend on environmental stress. To more thoroughly understand the connection between Krtcap3, adiposity, and stress, we exposed wild-type (WT) and Krtcap3 knock-out (KO) rats to chronic stress then measured adiposity and behavioral outcomes. We found that KO rats displayed lower basal stress than WT rats under control conditions and exhibited metabolic and behavioral responses to chronic stress exposure. Specifically, stress-exposed KO rats gained more weight, consumed more food when socially isolated, and displayed more anxiety-like behaviors relative to control KO rats. Meanwhile, there were minimal differences between control and stressed WT rats. At study conclusion stress-exposed KO rats had increased corticosterone (CORT) relative to control KO rats with no differences between WT rats. In addition, KO rats, independent of prior stress exposure, had an increased CORT response to removal of their cage-mate (psychosocial stress), which was only seen in WT rats when exposed to chronic stress. Finally, we found differences in expression of the glucocorticoid receptor, Nr3c1, in the pituitary and colon between control and stress-exposed KO rats that were not present in WT rats. These data support that Krtcap3 expression affects stress response, potentially via interactions with Nr3c1, with downstream effects on adiposity and behavior. Future work is necessary to more thoroughly understand the role of Krtcap3 in the stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria M. Szalanczy
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Mackenzie Fitzpatrick
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Angela Beeson
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Trangdai Bui
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Christina Dyson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Seth Eller
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Julia Landry
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Christina Scott
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Michael Grzybowski
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jason Klotz
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Aron M. Geurts
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jeff L. Weiner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Eva E. Redei
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Leah C. Solberg Woods
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, United States
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Nishiyama M, Iwasaki Y, Nakayama S, Okazaki M, Taguchi T, Tsuda M, Makino S, Fujimoto S, Terada Y. Tissue-specific regulation of 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-1 mRNA expressions in Cushing's syndrome mouse model. Steroids 2022; 183:109021. [PMID: 35339573 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2022.109021] [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: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-1 (11βHSD-1) is a predominant 11β-reductase regenerating bioactive glucocorticoids (cortisol, corticosterone) from inactive 11-keto forms (cortisone, dehydrocorticosterone), expressed mainly in the brain, liver and adipose tissue. Although the expression levels of 11β HSD-1 mRNA are known to be influenced by glucocorticoids, its tissue-specific regulation is not completely elucidated. In this study, we examined the effect of persistent glucocorticoid excess on the expression of 11β HSD-1 mRNA in the hippocampus, liver, and abdominal adipose tissue in vivo using quantitative real-time PCR. We found that, in C57BL/6J mice treated with corticosterone (CORT) pellet for 2 weeks, 11β HSD-1 mRNA decreased in the hippocampus (HIPP) and liver, whereas it increased in the abdominal fat (FAT), compared with placebo treatment [HIPP: placebo 1.00 ± 0.14, CORT 0.63 ± 0.04; liver: placebo 1.00 ± 0.08, CORT 0.73 ± 0.06; FAT: placebo 1.00 ± 0.16, CORT 2.26 ± 0.39]. Moreover, in CRH transgenic mice, an animal model of Cushing's syndrome with high plasma CORT level, 11β HSD-1 mRNA was also decreased in the hippocampus and liver, and increased in the abdominal adipose tissue compared to that in wild-type mice. These changes were reversed after adrenalectomy in CRH-Tg mice. Altogether, these results reveal the differential regulation of 11β HSD-1 mRNA by glucocorticoid among the tissues examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuru Nishiyama
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi 783-8505, Japan; Health Care Center, Kochi University, 1-5-2, Akebono-cho, Kochi City, Kochi 780-8520, Japan.
| | - Yasumasa Iwasaki
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi 783-8505, Japan
| | - Shuichi Nakayama
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi 783-8505, Japan
| | - Mizuho Okazaki
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi 783-8505, Japan
| | - Takafumi Taguchi
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi 783-8505, Japan
| | - Masayuki Tsuda
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi 783-8505, Japan
| | - Shinya Makino
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi 783-8505, Japan
| | - Shimpei Fujimoto
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi 783-8505, Japan
| | - Yoshio Terada
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi 783-8505, Japan
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Short AK, Thai CW, Chen Y, Kamei N, Pham AL, Birnie MT, Bolton JL, Mortazavi A, Baram TZ. Single-Cell Transcriptional Changes in Hypothalamic Corticotropin-Releasing Factor-Expressing Neurons After Early-Life Adversity Inform Enduring Alterations in Vulnerabilities to Stress. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 3:99-109. [PMID: 36712559 PMCID: PMC9874075 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mental health and vulnerabilities to neuropsychiatric disorders involve the interplay of genes and environment, particularly during sensitive developmental periods. Early-life adversity (ELA) and stress promote vulnerabilities to stress-related affective disorders, yet it is unknown how transient ELA dictates lifelong neuroendocrine and behavioral reactions to stress. The population of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-expressing neurons that regulate stress responses is a promising candidate to mediate the long-lasting influences of ELA on stress-related behavioral and hormonal responses via enduring transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. Methods Capitalizing on a well-characterized model of ELA, we examined ELA-induced changes in gene expression profiles of CRF-expressing neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of developing male mice. We used single-cell RNA sequencing on isolated CRF-expressing neurons. We determined the enduring functional consequences of transcriptional changes on stress reactivity in adult ELA mice, including hormonal responses to acute stress, adrenal weights as a measure of chronic stress, and behaviors in the looming shadow threat task. Results Single-cell transcriptomics identified distinct and novel CRF-expressing neuronal populations, characterized by both their gene expression repertoire and their neurotransmitter profiles. ELA-provoked expression changes were selective to specific subpopulations and affected genes involved in neuronal differentiation, synapse formation, energy metabolism, and cellular responses to stress and injury. Importantly, these expression changes were impactful, apparent from adrenal hypertrophy and augmented behavioral responses to stress in adulthood. Conclusions We uncover a novel repertoire of stress-regulating CRF cell types differentially affected by ELA and resulting in augmented stress vulnerability, with relevance to the origins of stress-related affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel K. Short
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California,Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Christina W. Thai
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Yuncai Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Noriko Kamei
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Aidan L. Pham
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California,Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Matthew T. Birnie
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California,Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Jessica L. Bolton
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California,Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Ali Mortazavi
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Tallie Z. Baram
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California,Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California,Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California,Address correspondence to Tallie Z. Baram, M.D., Ph.D.
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Male long-Evans rats: An outbred model of marked hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal hyperactivity. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100355. [PMID: 34307794 PMCID: PMC8283147 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rat and mouse strains differ in behavioral and physiological characteristics, and such differences can contribute to explain discrepant results between laboratories and better select the most appropriate strain for a particular purpose. Differences in the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are particularly important given the pivotal role of this system in determining consequences of exposure to stressors. In this regard, Long-Evans (LE) rats are widely used in stress research, but there is no specific study aiming at thoroughly characterizing HPA activity in LE versus other extensively used strains. In a first experiment, LE showed higher resting ACTH and corticosterone levels only at certain points of the circadian rhythm, but much greater ACTH responsiveness to stressors (novel environment and forced swim) than Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Accordingly, enhanced corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and reduced expression of glucocorticoid receptors were observed in the hippocampal formation. Additionally, they are hyperactive in novel environments, and prone to adopt passive-like behavior when compared to SD rats. Supporting that altered HPA function has a marked physiological impact, we observed in another set of animals much lower thymus weight in LE than SD rats. Finally, to demonstrate that LE rats are likely to have higher HPA responsiveness to stressors than most strains, we studied resting and stress levels of HPA hormones in LE versus Wistar and Fischer rats, the latter considered an example of high HPA responsiveness. Again, LE showed higher resting and stress levels of ACTH than both Wistar and Fischer rats. As ACTH responsiveness to stressors in LE rats is stronger than that previously reported when comparing other rat strains and they are commercially available, they could be an appropriate model for studying the behavioral and physiological implications of a hyper-active HPA axis under normal and pathological conditions. Strain differences in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function were studied. Long-Evans (LE) rats show greater HPA response to stressors than other strains. CRH expression in critical brain areas is greater in LE than Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Glucocorticoid receptor expression was lower in the hippocampal formation of LE rats. LE rats are more active in novel environments but showed more passive coping.
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Danan D, Todder D, Zohar J, Cohen H. Is PTSD-Phenotype Associated with HPA-Axis Sensitivity? Feedback Inhibition and Other Modulating Factors of Glucocorticoid Signaling Dynamics. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22116050. [PMID: 34205191 PMCID: PMC8200046 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously, we found that basal corticosterone pulsatility significantly impacts the vulnerability for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Rats that exhibited PTSD-phenotype were characterized by blunted basal corticosterone pulsatility amplitude and a blunted corticosterone response to a stressor. This study sought to identify the mechanisms underlining both the loss of pulsatility and differences in downstream responses. Serial blood samples were collected manually via jugular vein cannula at 10-min intervals to evaluate suppression of corticosterone following methylprednisolone administration. The rats were exposed to predator scent stress (PSS) after 24 h, and behavioral responses were assessed 7 days post-exposure for retrospective classification into behavioral response groups. Brains were harvested for measurements of the glucocorticoid receptor, mineralocorticoid receptor, FK506-binding protein-51 and arginine vasopressin in specific brain regions to assess changes in hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) regulating factors. Methylprednisolone produced greater suppression of corticosterone in the PTSD-phenotype group. During the suppression, the PTSD-phenotype rats showed a significantly more pronounced pulsatile activity. In addition, the PTSD-phenotype group showed distinct changes in the ventral and dorsal CA1, dentate gyrus as well as in the paraventricular nucleus and supra-optic nucleus. These results demonstrate a pre-trauma vulnerability state that is characterized by an over-reactivity of the HPA and changes in its regulating factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dor Danan
- Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84170, Israel; (D.D.); (D.T.)
| | - Doron Todder
- Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84170, Israel; (D.D.); (D.T.)
| | - Joseph Zohar
- Post-Trauma Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv 52621, Israel;
| | - Hagit Cohen
- Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Ministry of Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84170, Israel; (D.D.); (D.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-544-369106
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Baker JD, Ozsan I, Rodriguez Ospina S, Gulick D, Blair LJ. Hsp90 Heterocomplexes Regulate Steroid Hormone Receptors: From Stress Response to Psychiatric Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 20:ijms20010079. [PMID: 30585227 PMCID: PMC6337637 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis directly controls the stress response. Dysregulation of this neuroendocrine system is a common feature among psychiatric disorders. Steroid hormone receptors, like glucocorticoid receptor (GR), function as transcription factors of a diverse set of genes upon activation. This activity is regulated by molecular chaperone heterocomplexes. Much is known about the structure and function of these GR/heterocomplexes. There is strong evidence suggesting altered regulation of steroid receptor hormones by chaperones, particularly the 51 kDa FK506-binding protein (FKBP51), may work with environmental factors to increase susceptibility to various psychiatric illnesses including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and anxiety. This review highlights the regulation of steroid receptor dynamics by the 90kDa heat shock protein (Hsp90)/cochaperone heterocomplexes with an in depth look at how the structural regulation and imbalances in cochaperones can cause functional effects on GR activity. Links between the stress response and circadian systems and the development of novel chaperone-targeting therapeutics are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy D Baker
- USF Health Byrd Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, 4001 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33613, USA.
| | - Ilayda Ozsan
- USF Health Byrd Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, 4001 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33613, USA.
| | - Santiago Rodriguez Ospina
- USF Health Byrd Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, 4001 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33613, USA.
| | - Danielle Gulick
- USF Health Byrd Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, 4001 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33613, USA.
| | - Laura J Blair
- USF Health Byrd Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, 4001 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33613, USA.
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Soncini R, Vieira J, Ramos Lopes AC, Ruginsk SG, Incerpi EK, Barchuk AR. Glucocorticoid receptor gene expression in a CLP-induced ARDS-like rat model treated with dexamethasone and metyrapone. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018. [PMID: 29522858 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are used for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) to improve or prevent lung injury. The mechanisms underlying the effects of GCs involve inadequate GC-receptor (GR)-mediated downregulation of pro-inflammatory factors despite elevated levels of cortisol. Within this context, knowledge of the transcriptional pattern of the GR gene in response to variations in physiological parameters may shed light on this issue. We addressed this problem by measuring plasmatic corticosterone (CCT) levels and assessing GR expression at transcript and protein levels in rats with caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced ARDS-like syndrome treated with dexamethasone and metyrapone. Seventy male rats were randomized into three main groups: Naïve (any treatment), Sham (caecum-exposed) and CLP. CLP animals were divided into three groups according to pretreatments performed before surgery: CLP sal (0.9% NaCl ip), CLP metyrapone (50 mg.kg-1 ip) and CLP dexamethasone (0.5 mg.kg-1 ip). Our results showed that CLP sal promotes elevation in CCT levels, which are significantly reduced with metyrapone to levels comparable to untreated animals when dexamethasone is used. In this hormonal milieu, the GR gene transcript levels of both variants, GRα and GRβ, are produced in comparable levels and in response to caecum-exposing surgery. Nonetheless, the expression of the GRα variant demonstrated positive sensitivity to variations in CCT levels and was downregulated in animals treated with dexamethasone. Moreover, nuclear translocation of GR protein decreased with high levels of plasma CCT and higher GR translocation was found in animals with moderate CCT levels; in either case, the process seemed to be positively associated with the CLP procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roseli Soncini
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Joseana Vieira
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Ramos Lopes
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Silvia Graciela Ruginsk
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Erika K Incerpi
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Angel Roberto Barchuk
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Caldwell KK, Solomon ER, Smoake JJW, Djatche de Kamgaing CD, Allan AM. Sex-specific deficits in biochemical but not behavioral responses to delay fear conditioning in prenatal alcohol exposure mice. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 156:1-16. [PMID: 30316893 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies in clinical populations and preclinical models have shown that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is associated with impairments in the acquisition, consolidation and recall of information, with deficits in hippocampal formation-dependent learning and memory being a common finding. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) are key regulators of hippocampal formation development, structure and functioning and, thus, are potential mediators of PAE's effects on this brain region. In the present studies, we employed a well-characterized mouse model of PAE to identify biochemical mechanisms that may underlie activity-dependent learning and memory deficits associated with PAE. METHODS Mouse dams consumed either 10% (w/v) ethanol in 0.066% (w/v) saccharin (SAC) or 0.066% (w/v) SAC alone using a limited (4-h) access, drinking-in-the-dark paradigm. Male and female offspring (∼180-days of age) were trained using a delay conditioning procedure and contextual fear responses (freezing behavior) were measured 24 h later. Hippocampal formation tissue and blood were collected from three behavioral groups of animals: 20 min following conditioning (conditioning only group), 20 min following the re-exposure to the context (conditioning plus re-exposure group), and behaviorally naïve (naïve group) mice. Plasma corticosterone levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Immunoblotting techniques were used to measure protein levels of the GR, MR, ERK1 and ERK2 in nuclear and membrane fractions prepared from the hippocampal formation. RESULTS Adult SAC control male and female mice displayed similar levels of contextual fear. However, significant sex differences were observed in freezing exhibited during the conditioning session. Compared to same-sex SAC controls, male and female PAE mice demonstrated context fear deficits While plasma corticosterone concentrations were elevated in PAE males and females relative to their respective SAC naïve controls, plasma corticosterone concentrations in the conditioning only and conditioning plus re-exposure groups were similar in SAC and PAE animals. Relative to the respective naïve group, nuclear GR protein levels were increased in SAC, but not PAE, male hippocampal formation in the conditioning only group. In contrast, no difference was observed between nuclear GR levels in the naïve and conditioning plus re-exposure groups. In females, nuclear GR levels were significantly reduced by PAE but there was no effect of behavioral group or interaction between prenatal treatment and behavioral group. In males, nuclear MR levels were significantly elevated in the SAC conditioning plus re-exposure group compared to SAC naïve mice. In PAE females, nuclear MR levels were elevated in both the conditioning only and conditioning plus re-exposure groups relative to the naïve group. Levels of activated ERK2 (phospho-ERK2 expressed relative to total ERK2) protein were elevated in SAC, but not PAE, males following context re-exposure, and a significant interaction between prenatal exposure group and behavioral group was found. No main effects or interactions of behavioral group and prenatal treatment on nuclear ERK2 were found in female mice. These findings suggest a sex difference in which molecular pathways are activated during fear conditioning in mice. CONCLUSIONS In PAE males, the deficits in contextual fear were associated with the loss of responsiveness of hippocampal formation nuclear GR, MR and ERK2 to signals generated by fear conditioning and context re-exposure. In contrast, the contextual fear deficit in PAE female mice does not appear to be associated with activity-dependent changes in GR and MR levels or ERK2 activation during training or memory recall, although an overall reduction in nuclear GR levels may play a role. These studies add to a growing body of literature demonstrating that, at least partially, different mechanisms underlie learning, memory formation and memory recall in males and females and that these pathways are differentially affected by PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin K Caldwell
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
| | - Elizabeth R Solomon
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Jane J W Smoake
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Chrys D Djatche de Kamgaing
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Andrea M Allan
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Dai TT, Wang B, Xiao ZY, You Y, Tian SW. Apelin-13 Upregulates BDNF Against Chronic Stress-induced Depression-like Phenotypes by Ameliorating HPA Axis and Hippocampal Glucocorticoid Receptor Dysfunctions. Neuroscience 2018; 390:151-159. [PMID: 30170158 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Localization of apelin and its receptor APJ in limbic structures such as the hippocampus suggests potential involvement of apelin/APJ signaling in stress-related emotional responses. We have recently reported that apelin-13 exerts antidepressant-like actions in acute stressed rats, and that the hippocampus is a critical brain region mediating its actions. However, the neural mechanism underling antidepressant-like actions of apelin-13 is still largely unknown. The aim of the present study is to determine whether apelin-13 ameliorates chronic water-immersion restraint stress (CWIRS)-induced depression-like phenotypes and its neural mechanism in rats. Here, we report that CWIRS exposure leaded to upregulation of apelin/APJ signaling in the hippocampus. Apelin-13 ameliorated CWIRS-induced depression-like phenotypes including hedonic-like deficit and behavioral despairs. Moreover, apelin-13 ameliorated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity, and hippocampal BDNF expression deficit and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) nucleus translocation hypoactivity in chronic stressed rats. Finally, apelin-13-mediated effects were blocked by the selective TrkB receptor antagonist ANA-12. These results suggest that apelin-13 upregulates BDNF against chronic stress-induced depression-like phenotypes by ameliorating HPA axis and hippocampal GR dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Ting Dai
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Zhi-Yong Xiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Yong You
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Shao-Wen Tian
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China.
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10
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Deletion of exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (Epac) causes defects in hippocampal signaling in female mice. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200935. [PMID: 30048476 PMCID: PMC6062027 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies demonstrate essential roles for the exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP 1 and 2 (Epac1 and Epac2; here collectively referred to as Epac) in the brain. In the hippocampus, Epac contributes to the control of neuronal growth and differentiation and has been implicated in memory and learning as well as in anxiety and depression. In the present study we address the hypothesis that Epac affects hippocampal cellular responses to acute restraint stress. Stress causes activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis, and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling is essential for proper feedback regulation of the stress response, both in the brain and along the HPA axis. In the hippocampus, GR expression is regulated by cAMP and the brain enriched micro RNA miR-124. Epac has been associated with miR-124 expression in hippocampal neurons, but not in regulation of GR. We report that hippocampal expression of Epac1 and Epac2 increased in response to acute stress in female wild type mice. In female mice genetically deleted for Epac, nuclear translocation of GR in response to restraint stress was significantly delayed, and moreover, miR-124 expression was decreased in these mice. Male mice lacking Epac also showed abnormalities in miR-124 expression, but the phenotype was less profound than in females. Serum corticosterone levels were slightly altered immediately after stress in both male and female mice deleted for Epac. The presented data indicate that Epac1 and Epac2 are involved in controlling cellular responses to acute stress in the mouse hippocampus and provide novel insights into the underlying transcriptional and signaling networks. Interestingly, we observe sex specific differences when Epac is deleted. As the incidence and prevalence of stress-related diseases are higher in women than in men, the Epac knockout models might serve as genetic tools to further elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying differences between male and female with regard to regulation of stress.
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11
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Hryhorczuk C, Décarie-Spain L, Sharma S, Daneault C, Rosiers CD, Alquier T, Fulton S. Saturated high-fat feeding independent of obesity alters hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis function but not anxiety-like behaviour. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017. [PMID: 28623763 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Overconsumption of dietary fat can elicit impairments in emotional processes and the response to stress. While excess dietary lipids have been shown to alter hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and promote anxiety-like behaviour, it is not known if such changes rely on elevated body weight and if these effects are specific to the type of dietary fat. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a saturated and a monounsaturated high-fat diet (HFD) on HPA axis function and anxiety-like behaviour in rats. Biochemical, metabolic and behavioural responses were evaluated following eight weeks on one of three diets: (1) a monounsaturated HFD (50%kcal olive oil), (2) a saturated HFD (50%kcal palm oil), or (3) a control low-fat diet. Weight gain was similar across the three diets while visceral fat mass was elevated by the two HFDs. The saturated HFD had specific actions to increase peak plasma levels of corticosterone and tumour-necrosis-factor-alpha and suppress mRNA expression of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors, corticotropin-releasing hormone and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Both HFDs enhanced the corticosterone-suppressing response to dexamethasone administration without affecting the physiological response to a restraint stress and failed to increase anxiety-like behaviour as measured in the elevated-plus maze and open field tests. These findings demonstrate that prolonged intake of saturated fat, without added weight gain, increases CORT and modulates central HPA feedback processes. That saturated HFD failed to affect anxiety-like behaviour can suggest that the anxiogenic effects of prolonged high-fat feeding may rely on more pronounced metabolic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecile Hryhorczuk
- CRCHUM and Montreal Diabetes Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada; Departments of Physiology, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Léa Décarie-Spain
- CRCHUM and Montreal Diabetes Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada; Departments of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sandeep Sharma
- CRCHUM and Montreal Diabetes Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Christine Des Rosiers
- Departments of Nutrition, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada; Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thierry Alquier
- CRCHUM and Montreal Diabetes Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada; Departments of Medicine, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Stephanie Fulton
- CRCHUM and Montreal Diabetes Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada; Departments of Nutrition, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
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12
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Zhang J, Fan Y, Raza MU, Zhan Y, Du XD, Patel PD, Zhu MY. The regulation of corticosteroid receptors in response to chronic social defeat. Neurochem Int 2017; 108:397-409. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Revised: 05/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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13
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Manipulating cognitive reserve: Pre-injury environmental conditions influence the severity of concussion symptomology, gene expression, and response to melatonin treatment in rats. Exp Neurol 2017; 295:55-65. [PMID: 28579327 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 05/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In an effort to understand the factors that contribute to heterogeneity in outcomes often associated with mTBI in youth, this study examined the role of premorbid differences in cognitive reserve on post-concussive symptoms (PCS), molecular markers, and treatment response. Male and female rats matured in one of three environmental conditions (Stress, Enrichment, Control), received a mTBI in adolescence, and were randomized to melatonin or placebo treatment. All animals underwent a behavioural test battery designed to examine PCS. Using prefrontal cortex and hippocampus tissue, expression of 9 genes was assessed in an effort to determine how the brain's epigenome was influenced by cognitive reserve, mTBI, and melatonin. Enrichment increased cognitive reserve (CR) and prevented lingering symptoms. Conversely, stress was associated with progressive worsening and manifestation of PCS in the longer-term. Melatonin was able to restore baseline function for control and enriched animals, but was ineffective for the stress condition. Epigenetic change in the prefrontal cortex was largely driven by the injury, while gene expression changes in the hippocampus were dependent upon cognitive reserve. The occurrence and severity of PCS is dependent upon a complex and multifaceted array of factors that modify behavioural and epigenetic responses to mTBI and its treatment.
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14
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Glucocorticoid receptor translocation and expression of relevant genes in the hippocampus of adolescent and adult male rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 73:32-41. [PMID: 27448526 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.07.210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We investigated whether pre-pubertal (postnatal day [P] 35) and post-pubertal adolescent (P45) and adult (P75) male rats differed in stressor-induced hormonal responses and in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) translocation because it has been proposed that negative feedback is maturing in adolescence and may be a basis for the prolonged activation of the HPA axis in adolescents compared with adults. The three age groups did not differ at baseline in plasma corticosterone or progesterone concentrations, and P35 had lower concentrations of testosterone than did both P45 and P75 rats, which did not differ. After 30min of restraint stress, plasma concentrations of corticosterone and progesterone increased to a greater extent in the adolescents than in the adults. Whereas restraint stress increased concentrations of testosterone in adult males, concentrations decreased in adolescents. In all three age groups, restraint stress reduced GR expression in the cytosol and increased expression in the nucleus within the hippocampus, and the increase in nuclear GR was greater in pre-pubertal adolescents compared with adults. In a separate set of rats we investigated age differences in hippocampal mRNA expression of corticosteroid receptors (MR and GR) and of chaperones (FKBP5, FKBP4, BAG-1), which are known to modulate their activity, at baseline and after restraint stress. Restraint stress decreased the expression of GR and increased the expression of FKBP5 mRNA, and age was not a significant factor. Higher expression of FKBP4 mRNA was found at P35 than at P75. Most research of HPA function in adolescent rats has involved pre-pubertal rats; the present findings indicate that despite their increase in gonadal function, responses to stressors in P45 rats are more like those of pre-pubertal than adult rats. The greater stressor-induced GR translocation in pre-pubertal adolescents parallels their greater release of corticosterone in response to stressors, which may contribute to the enhanced sensitivity of adolescent rats to the effects of chronic stress exposures compared with adults.
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15
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Chen HJC, Spiers JG, Sernia C, Lavidis NA. Acute restraint stress induces specific changes in nitric oxide production and inflammatory markers in the rat hippocampus and striatum. Free Radic Biol Med 2016; 90:219-29. [PMID: 26607104 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2015.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Chronic mild stress has been shown to cause hippocampal neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) overexpression and the resultant nitric oxide (NO) production has been implicated in the etiology of depression. However, the extent of nitrosative changes including NOS enzymatic activity and the overall output of NO production in regions of the brain like the hippocampus and striatum following acute stress has not been characterized. In this study, outbred male Wistar rats aged 6-7 weeks were randomly allocated into 0 (control), 60, 120, or 240 min stress groups and neural regions were cryodissected for measurement of constitutive and inducible NOS enzymatic activity, nitrosative status, and relative gene expression of neuronal and inducible NOS. Hippocampal constitutive NOS activity increased initially but was superseded by the inducible isoform as stress duration was prolonged. Interestingly, hippocampal neuronal NOS and interleukin-1β mRNA expression was downregulated, while the inducible NOS isoform was upregulated in conjunction with other inflammatory markers. This pro-inflammatory phenotype within the hippocampus was further confirmed with an increase in the glucocorticoid-antagonizing macrophage migration inhibitory factor, Mif, and the glial surveillance marker, Ciita. This indicates that despite high levels of glucocorticoids, acute stress sensitizes a neuroinflammatory response within the hippocampus involving both pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducible NOS while concurrently modulating the immunophenotype of glia. Furthermore, there was a delayed increase in striatal inducible NOS expression while no change was found in other pro-inflammatory mediators. This suggests that short term stress induces a generalized increase in inducible NOS signaling that coincides with regionally specific increased markers of adaptive immunity and inflammation within the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jereme G Spiers
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Conrad Sernia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia
| | - Nickolas A Lavidis
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, Australia
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16
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Longo A, Oberto A, Mele P, Mattiello L, Pisu MG, Palanza P, Serra M, Eva C. NPY-Y1 coexpressed with NPY-Y5 receptors modulate anxiety but not mild social stress response in mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2015; 14:534-42. [PMID: 26178014 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Y1 and Y5 receptors for neuropeptide Y have overlapping functions in regulating anxiety. We previously demonstrated that conditional removal of the Y1 receptor in the Y5 receptor expressing neurons in juvenile Npy1r(Y5R-/-) mice leads to higher anxiety but no changes in hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis activity, under basal conditions or after acute restraint stress. In the present study, we used the same conditional system to analyze the specific contribution of limbic neurons coexpressing Y1 and Y5 receptors on the emotional and neuroendocrine responses to social chronic stress, using different housing conditions (isolation vs. group-housing) as a model. We demonstrated that control Npy1r(2lox) male mice housed in groups show increased anxiety and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis activity compared with Npy1r(2lox) mice isolated for six weeks immediately after weaning. Conversely, Npy1r(Y5R-/-) conditional mutants display an anxious-like behavior but no changes in hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis activity as compared with their control littermates, independently of housing conditions. These results suggest that group housing constitutes a mild social stress for our B6129S mouse strain and they confirm that the conditional inactivation of Y1 receptors specifically in Y5 receptor containing neurons increases stress-related anxiety without affecting endocrine stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Longo
- Neuroscience Institute of the Cavalieri-Ottolenghi Foundation Orbassano (Turin), Turin.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin
| | - A Oberto
- Neuroscience Institute of the Cavalieri-Ottolenghi Foundation Orbassano (Turin), Turin.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin.,Neuroscience Institute of Turin, Turin
| | - P Mele
- Neuroscience Institute of the Cavalieri-Ottolenghi Foundation Orbassano (Turin), Turin.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin
| | - L Mattiello
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin
| | - M G Pisu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - P Palanza
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Parma
| | - M Serra
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy.,Department of Life and Environmental Sciences and Center of Excellence for Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - C Eva
- Neuroscience Institute of the Cavalieri-Ottolenghi Foundation Orbassano (Turin), Turin.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin.,Neuroscience Institute of Turin, Turin
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17
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Sun Y, Luo ZM, Guo XM, Su DF, Liu X. An updated role of microRNA-124 in central nervous system disorders: a review. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:193. [PMID: 26041995 PMCID: PMC4438253 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA-124 (miR-124) is the most abundant miRNA in the brain. Biogenesis of miR-124 displays specific temporal and spatial profiles in various cell and tissue types and affects a broad spectrum of biological functions in the central nervous system (CNS). Recently, the link between dysregulation of miR-124 and CNS disorders, such as neurodegeneration, CNS stress, neuroimmune disorders, stroke, and brain tumors, has become evident. Here, we provide an overview of the specific molecular function of miR-124 in the CNS and a revealing insight for the therapeutic potential of miR-124 in the treatment of human CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai China
| | - Zhu-Min Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai China
| | - Xiu-Ming Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai China
| | - Ding-Feng Su
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai China
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18
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Egeland M, Zunszain PA, Pariante CM. Molecular mechanisms in the regulation of adult neurogenesis during stress. Nat Rev Neurosci 2015; 16:189-200. [PMID: 25790864 DOI: 10.1038/nrn3855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Coping with stress is fundamental for mental health, but understanding of the molecular neurobiology of stress is still in its infancy. Adult neurogenesis is well known to be regulated by stress, and conversely adult neurogenesis regulates stress responses. Recent studies in neurogenic cells indicate that molecular pathways activated by glucocorticoids, the main stress hormones, are modulated by crosstalk with other stress-relevant mechanisms, including inflammatory mediators, neurotrophic factors and morphogen signalling pathways. This Review discusses the pathways that are involved in this crosstalk and thus regulate this complex relationship between adult neurogenesis and stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Egeland
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Patricia A Zunszain
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Carmine M Pariante
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU, UK
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19
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Shishkina GT, Bulygina VV, Dygalo NN. Behavioral effects of glucocorticoids during the first exposures to the forced swim stress. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:851-60. [PMID: 25134502 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3718-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Glucocorticoids facilitate coping with stress, but their high levels have been also implicated in mood disorders. Due to this duality, the role of glucocorticoid signaling in the development of the first episodes of stress-induced depression remains unclear. OBJECTIVES To address this issue, effects of the glucocorticoid signal modulation on depressive-like behavior during pretest and test Porsolt swim sessions were examined. METHODS Metyrapone (MET; 150 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected 3 h before pretest to block stress-induced increase in corticosterone levels. Dexamethasone (DEX; 0.2 mg/kg, s.c.) was applied to MET-treated rats 1 h before both pretest and test sessions. In addition to behavior during these sessions, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry 2 h after the second swim. RESULTS In pretest, MET-treated rats exhibited increased latency to immobility and shortened immobility. DEX reversed the behavioral effects of MET in the pretest. In the test, animals from MET + DEX group unexpectedly exhibited an antidepressant-like behavior. Swim stress increased GR expression in the frontal cortex irrespective of the pharmacological treatment. A significant elevation in GR expression was found in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of stressed MET + DEX-treated rats and in the PFC of unstressed rats 6 h after injection of DEX alone. CONCLUSION The data suggest that the increase in glucocorticoid levels under swim stress during pretest directly contributes to the development of the immobility response. Transition of DEX effect from prodepressant in the pretest to an antidepressant in the test was associated with the elevation in the PFC GR expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina T Shishkina
- Laboratory of Functional Neurogenomics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia,
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20
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Hardaway JA, Crowley NA, Bulik CM, Kash TL. Integrated circuits and molecular components for stress and feeding: implications for eating disorders. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2015; 14:85-97. [PMID: 25366309 PMCID: PMC4465370 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Revised: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Eating disorders are complex brain disorders that afflict millions of individuals worldwide. The etiology of these diseases is not fully understood, but a growing body of literature suggests that stress and anxiety may play a critical role in their development. As our understanding of the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to disease in clinical populations like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder continue to grow, neuroscientists are using animal models to understand the neurobiology of stress and feeding. We hypothesize that eating disorder clinical phenotypes may result from stress-induced maladaptive alterations in neural circuits that regulate feeding, and that these circuits can be neurochemically isolated using animal model of eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. A. Hardaway
- Bowles Alcohol Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - N. A. Crowley
- Bowles Alcohol Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - C. M. Bulik
- UNC Eating Disorders Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - T. L. Kash
- Bowles Alcohol Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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21
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Laukova M, Alaluf LG, Serova LI, Arango V, Sabban EL. Early intervention with intranasal NPY prevents single prolonged stress-triggered impairments in hypothalamus and ventral hippocampus in male rats. Endocrinology 2014; 155:3920-33. [PMID: 25057792 DOI: 10.1210/en.2014-1192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Intranasal administration of neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a promising treatment strategy to reduce traumatic stress-induced neuropsychiatric symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We evaluated the potential of intranasal NPY to prevent dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a core neuroendocrine feature of PTSD. Rats were exposed to single prolonged stress (SPS), a PTSD animal model, and infused intranasally with vehicle or NPY immediately after SPS stressors. After 7 days undisturbed, hypothalamus and hippocampus, 2 structures regulating the HPA axis activity, were examined for changes in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and CRH expression. Plasma ACTH and corticosterone, and hypothalamic CRH mRNA, were significantly higher in the vehicle but not NPY-treated group, compared with unstressed controls. Although total GR levels were not altered in hypothalamus, a significant decrease of GR phosphorylated on Ser232 and increased FK506-binding protein 5 mRNA were observed with the vehicle but not in animals infused with intranasal NPY. In contrast, in the ventral hippocampus, only vehicle-treated animals demonstrated elevated GR protein expression and increased GR phosphorylation on Ser232, specifically in the nuclear fraction. Additionally, SPS-induced increase of CRH mRNA in the ventral hippocampus was accompanied by apparent decrease of CRH peptide particularly in the CA3 subfield, both prevented by NPY. The results show that early intervention with intranasal NPY can prevent traumatic stress-triggered dysregulation of the HPA axis likely by restoring HPA axis proper negative feedback inhibition via GR. Thus, intranasal NPY has a potential as a noninvasive therapy to prevent negative effects of traumatic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Laukova
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (M.L., L.G.A., L.I.S., E.L.S.), New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595; and Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division (V.A.), New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York 10032
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22
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Su Y, van der Spek R, Foppen E, Kwakkel J, Fliers E, Kalsbeek A. Effects of adrenalectomy on daily gene expression rhythms in the rat suprachiasmatic and paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei and in white adipose tissue. Chronobiol Int 2014; 32:211-24. [DOI: 10.3109/07420528.2014.963198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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23
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Liberman AC, Antunica-Noguerol M, Arzt E. Modulation of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Activity by Post-Translational Modifications. NUCLEAR RECEPTOR RESEARCH 2014. [DOI: 10.11131/2014/101086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Clara Liberman
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires - CONICET - Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society
| | - María Antunica-Noguerol
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires - CONICET - Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires
| | - Eduardo Arzt
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires - CONICET - Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires
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Abstract
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neurohypophysial hormone regulating hydromineral homeostasis. Here we show that the mRNA encoding cAMP responsive element-binding protein-3 like-1 (CREB3L1), a transcription factor of the CREB/activating transcription factor (ATF) family, increases in expression in parallel with AVP expression in supraoptic nuclei (SONs) and paraventicular nuclei (PVNs) of dehydrated (DH) and salt-loaded (SL) rats, compared with euhydrated (EH) controls. In EH animals, CREB3L1 protein is expressed in glial cells, but only at a low level in SON and PVN neurons, whereas robust upregulation in AVP neurons accompanied DH and SL rats. Concomitantly, CREB3L1 is activated by cleavage, with the N-terminal domain translocating from the Golgi, via the cytosol, to the nucleus. We also show that CREB3L1 mRNA levels correlate with AVP transcription level in SONs and PVNs following sodium depletion, and as a consequence of diurnal rhythm in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. We tested the hypothesis that CREB3L1 activates AVP gene transcription. Both full-length and constitutively active forms of CREB3L1 (CREB3L1CA) induce the expression of rat AVP promoter-luciferase reporter constructs, whereas a dominant-negative mutant reduces expression. Rat AVP promoter deletion constructs revealed that CRE-like and G-box sequences in the region between -170 and -120 bp are important for CREB3L1 actions. Direct binding of CREB3L1 to the AVP promoter was shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation both in vitro and in the SON itself. Injection of a lentiviral vector expressing CREB3L1CA into rat SONs and PVNs resulted in increased AVP biosynthesis. We thus identify CREB3L1 as a regulator of AVP transcription in the rat hypothalamus.
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25
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Fillman SG, Sinclair D, Fung SJ, Webster MJ, Shannon Weickert C. Markers of inflammation and stress distinguish subsets of individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e365. [PMID: 24569695 PMCID: PMC3944638 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Revised: 12/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share a number of common features, both symptomatically and biologically. Abnormalities in the neuroimmune and the stress-signaling pathways have been previously identified in brains of individuals with both diseases. However, the possible relationship between abnormalities in stress and neuroimmune signaling within the cortex of people with psychotic illness has not been defined. To test the hypothesis that combined alterations in brain stress responsiveness and neuroimmune/inflammatory status are characteristic of some individuals suffering from major mental illness, we examined gene expression in the Stanley Array Cohort of 35 controls, 35 individuals with schizophrenia and 34 individuals with bipolar disorder. We used levels of 8 inflammatory-related transcripts, of which SERPINA3 was significantly elevated in individuals with schizophrenia (F(2,88)=4.137, P<0.05), and 12 glucocorticoid receptor signaling (stress) pathway transcripts previously examined, to identify two clusters of individuals: a high inflammation/stress group (n=32) and a low (n=68) inflammation/stress group. The high inflammation/stress group has a significantly greater number of individuals with schizophrenia (n=15), and a trend toward having more bipolar disorder individuals (n=11), when compared with controls (n=6). Using these subgroups, we tested which microarray-assessed transcriptional changes may be associated with high inflammatory/stress groups using ingenuity analysis and found that an extended network of gene expression changes involving immune, growth factors, inhibitory signaling and cell death factors also distinguished these groups. Our work demonstrates that some of the heterogeneity in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may be partially explained by inflammation/stress interactions, and that this biological subtype cuts across Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-defined categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Fillman
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - D Sinclair
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatric Signaling Program, Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - S J Fung
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - M J Webster
- Laboratory of Brain Research, Stanley Medical Research Institute, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - C Shannon Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Chatterjee S, Sikdar SK. Corticosterone targets distinct steps of synaptic transmission via concentration specific activation of mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors. J Neurochem 2013; 128:476-90. [PMID: 24117520 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Revised: 09/15/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampal neurons are affected by chronic stress and have a high density of cytoplasmic mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors (MR and GR). Detailed studies on the genomic effects of the stress hormone corticosterone at physiologically relevant concentrations on different steps in synaptic transmission are limited. In this study, we tried to delineate how activation of MR and GR by different concentrations of corticosterone affects synaptic transmission at various levels. The effect of 3-h corticosterone (25, 50, and 100 nM) treatment on depolarization-mediated calcium influx, vesicular release and properties of miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents (mEPSCs) were studied in cultured hippocampal neurons. Activation of MR with 25 nM corticosterone treatment resulted in enhanced depolarization-mediated calcium influx via a transcription-dependent process and increased frequency of mEPSCs with larger amplitude. On the other hand, activation of GR upon 100 nM corticosterone treatment resulted in increase in the rate of vesicular release via the genomic actions of GR. Furthermore, GR activation led to significant increase in the frequency of mEPSCs with larger amplitude and faster decay. Our studies indicate that differential activation of the dual receptor system of MR and GR by corticosterone targets the steps in synaptic transmission differently.
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Hensleigh E, Pritchard LM. Glucocorticoid receptor expression and sub-cellular localization in dopamine neurons of the rat midbrain. Neurosci Lett 2013; 556:191-5. [PMID: 24121048 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.09.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Stress plays an important role in the development of addiction. Animals subjected to stress exhibit sensitized responses to psychostimulant drugs, and this sensitized response is associated with functional adaptations of the mesolimbic dopamine system. These adaptations likely arise from direct or indirect effects of glucocorticoids on dopaminergic neurons. Though glucocorticoid receptor expression in midbrain dopaminergic neurons has been examined in previous studies, results have been somewhat equivocal. We sought to clarify this issue by analyzing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) co-localization in the rat midbrain by dual fluorescence immunohistochemistry. We also examined sub-cellular localization of the GR in rat midbrain neurons after acute restraint stress. Adult Long-Evans rats were sacrificed 0, 30, 60 or 120min after 30min of restraint stress. A control group did not undergo restraint. Blood samples were collected immediately before and after restraint for measurement of plasma corticosterone by enzyme immunoassay. Glucocorticoid receptors were observed in dopaminergic neurons in both the substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). The degree of co-localization of TH and GR did not differ between the VTA and the SN. All animals subjected to stress exhibited significant increases in plasma corticosterone. Significant translocation of GR signal to cell nuclei was observed after restraint in the SN, but not in the VTA. These results suggest that stress-induced glucocorticoid secretion could trigger functional changes in the mesolimbic dopamine system by direct activation of glucocorticoid receptors in dopaminergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Hensleigh
- Department of Psychology, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 455030, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
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Kowalik A, Kiernozek E, Kulinczak M, Brodaczewska K, Kozlowska E, Gieczewska K, Riccardi C, Drela N. Dexamethasone-FITC staining application for measurement of circadian rhythmicity of glucocorticoid receptor expression in mouse living thymocyte subsets. J Neuroimmunol 2013; 261:44-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2013.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Revised: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Ngounou Wetie AG, Sokolowska I, Wormwood K, Beglinger K, Michel TM, Thome J, Darie CC, Woods AG. Mass spectrometry for the detection of potential psychiatric biomarkers. J Mol Psychiatry 2013; 1:8. [PMID: 25408901 PMCID: PMC4223884 DOI: 10.1186/2049-9256-1-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2012] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for molecules that can act as potential biomarkers is increasing in the scientific community, including in the field of psychiatry. The field of proteomics is evolving and its indispensability for identifying biomarkers is clear. Among proteomic tools, mass spectrometry is the core technique for qualitative and quantitative identification of protein markers. While significant progress has been made in the understanding of biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, psychiatric disorders have not been as extensively investigated. Recent and successful applications of mass spectrometry-based proteomics in fields such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative disorders suggest a similar path for psychiatric disorders. In this brief review, we describe mass spectrometry and its use in psychiatric biomarker research and highlight some of the possible challenges of undertaking this type of work. Further, specific examples of candidate biomarkers are highlighted. A short comparison of proteomic with genomic methods for biomarker discovery research is presented. In summary, mass spectrometry-based techniques may greatly facilitate ongoing efforts to understand molecular mechanisms of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armand G Ngounou Wetie
- Biochemistry and Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810 USA
| | - Izabela Sokolowska
- Biochemistry and Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810 USA
| | - Kelly Wormwood
- Biochemistry and Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810 USA
| | - Katherine Beglinger
- Biochemistry and Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810 USA
| | - Tanja Maria Michel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rostock, Rostock, Gehlsheimer Straße 20, D-18147 Germany
| | - Johannes Thome
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rostock, Rostock, Gehlsheimer Straße 20, D-18147 Germany ; College of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP UK
| | - Costel C Darie
- Biochemistry and Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810 USA
| | - Alisa G Woods
- Biochemistry and Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810 USA ; Neuropsychology Clinic and Psychoeducation Services, SUNY Plattsburgh, 101 Broad St, Plattsburgh, 12901 NY USA
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Tran L, Chaloner A, Sawalha AH, Greenwood Van-Meerveld B. Importance of epigenetic mechanisms in visceral pain induced by chronic water avoidance stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2013; 38:898-906. [PMID: 23084728 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Revised: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic molecular mechanisms, which include DNA methylation and histone deacetylation, are implicated in the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Previously, we demonstrated that repeated water avoidance stress (WAS), a validated model of chronic psychological stress, induces heightened visceral pain behaviors in rodents that resemble irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sequelae. However, the involvement of epigenetic molecular mechanisms in the pathophysiology of stress-induced visceral pain has not been explored. Our hypothesis is that epigenetic mechanisms within the central nervous system (CNS) are important to chronic stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity. Adult male F-344 rats with intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) cannulae were exposed to 7 days of repeated WAS. Controls received a SHAM stress. Following the daily 1h stressor, trichostatin A (TSA; 100 ng/ml), a potent histone deacetylase inhibitor, or vehicle (VEH; 0.1% DMSO/saline,) as control was administered via the i.c.v. cannula. Visceral sensitivity was assessed 24h after the final WAS and quantified the visceromotor response (VMR) by recording the number of abdominal contractions in response to graded pressures (20-60 mmHg) of colorectal distensions (CRD). From a separate group of rats that were exposed to repeated WAS or SHAM stress, the amygdala was isolated to assess the methylation status of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and corticotropin releasing-factor (CRF) genes via bisulfite sequencing and verified by pyrosequencing. GR and CRF gene expression was quantified via qRT-PCR. Stressed rats exhibited visceral hypersensitivity that was significantly attenuated by TSA. Compared to SHAM controls, methylation of the GR gene was increased following WAS while expression of the GR gene was decreased. Methylation of the CRF promoter was decreased with WAS with a concomitant increase in CRF expression. This study demonstrates the involvement of central epigenetic mechanisms in regulating stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity and provides a foundation for exploring the epigenetic mechanisms that may contribute to IBS-like symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Tran
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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Vargovic P, Ukropec J, Laukova M, Kurdiova T, Balaz M, Manz B, Ukropcova B, Kvetnansky R. Repeated immobilization stress induces catecholamine production in rat mesenteric adipocytes. Stress 2013; 16:340-52. [PMID: 23035889 DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2012.736046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Catecholamines (CATs), the major regulator of lipolysis in adipose tissue, are produced mainly by the sympathoadrenal system. However, recent studies report endogenous CAT production in adipocytes themselves. This study investigated the effects of single and repeated (7-14 times) immobilization (IMO) stress on CAT production in various fat depots of the rat. Single IMO quickly induced a rise of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) concentration in mesenteric and brown adipose depots. Adaptive response to repeated IMO included robust increases of NE and EPI levels in mesenteric and subcutaneous adipose tissue. These changes likely reflect the activation of sympathetic nervous system in fat depots by IMO. However, this process was also paralleled by an increase in tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression in mesenteric fat, suggesting regulation of endogenous CAT production in adipose tissue cells. Detailed time-course analysis (time course 10, 30, and 120 min) clearly showed that repeated stress led to increased CAT biosynthesis in isolated mesenteric adipocytes resulting in gradual accumulation of intracellular EPI during IMO exposure. Comparable changes were also found in stromal/vascular fractions, with more pronounced effects of single than repeated IMO. The potential physiological importance of these findings is accentuated by parallel increase in expression of vesicular monoamine transporter 1, indicating a need for CAT storage in adipocyte vesicles. Taken together, we show that CAT production occurs in adipose tissue and may be activated by stress directly in adipocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Vargovic
- Laboratory of Stress Research, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Zalachoras I, Houtman R, Meijer OC. Understanding stress-effects in the brain via transcriptional signal transduction pathways. Neuroscience 2013; 242:97-109. [PMID: 23545270 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2012] [Revised: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 03/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid hormones exert crucial effects on the brain in relation to physiology, endocrine regulation, mood and cognition. Their two receptor types, glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors (GR and MR), are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily and act in large measure as transcription factors. The outcome of MR/GR action on the genome depends on interaction with members from different protein families, which are of crucial importance for cross-talk with other neuronal and hormonal signals that impinge on the glucocorticoid sensitive circuitry. Relevant interacting proteins include other transcription factors that may either tether the receptor to the DNA, or that bind in the vicinity of GR and MR to tune the transcriptional response. In addition, transcriptional coregulator proteins constitute the actual signal transduction pathway to the transcription machinery. We review the current evidence for involvement of individual coregulators in GR-dependent effects on stress responses, and learning and memory. We discuss the use of in vitro and in silico tools to predict those coregulators that are of importance for particular brain processes. Finally, we discuss the potential of selective receptor modulators that may only allow a subset of all interactions, thus allowing more selective targeting of glucocorticoid-dependent processes in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Zalachoras
- Department of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Baitharu I, Deep SN, Jain V, Prasad D, Ilavazhagan G. Inhibition of glucocorticoid receptors ameliorates hypobaric hypoxia induced memory impairment in rat. Behav Brain Res 2013; 240:76-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 11/05/2012] [Accepted: 11/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Benes J, Tomankova H, Novakova M, Rohan Z, Kvetnansky R, Myslivecek J. Corticotropin-releasing hormone affects short immobilization stress-induced changes in lung cytosolic and membrane glucocorticoid binding sites. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2013; 33:503-11. [PMID: 23430272 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-013-9916-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids act via glucocorticoid receptors (GR), typically localized in the cytosol (cGR). Rapid action is probably mediated via membrane receptors (mGR). In corticotropin-releasing hormone knockouts (CRH-KO), basal plasma glucocorticoid levels do differ from wild type levels (WT), but are approximately ten times lower during exposure to immobilization stress (IMMO) in comparison to WT. We tested the following hypotheses: (1) the mice lung tissue GR basal numbers would not be changed in CRH-KO (because of similar glucocorticoid levels), (2) the number of GR would be changed in WT but not in KO during short (30, 90, and 120 min) IMMO (because of higher increase of glucocorticoid levels in WT). The basal levels of cGR were not changed in CRH-KO (compared to WT), while mGR were significantly lower (62 %) in CRH-KO. In WT, there was the only decrease (to 32 %) in cGR after 120 min when we also found an increase in mGR in WT (to 201 %). In CRH-KO, IMMO caused gradual decrease in cGR (to 52 % after 30 min, to 46 % after 90 min, and to 32 % after 120 min). In CRH-KO, the only increase in mGR appeared already at 30 min of IMMO. These data suggest, on the contrary to our hypotheses, that CRH-KO are more susceptible to GR changes in early phases of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Benes
- Institute of Physiology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Albertov 5, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic
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Mitic M, Simic I, Djordjevic J, Radojcic MB, Adzic M. Gender-specific effects of fluoxetine on hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor phosphorylation and behavior in chronically stressed rats. Neuropharmacology 2013; 70:100-11. [PMID: 23353902 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2012] [Revised: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic psychosocial isolation stress (CPSI) modulates glucocorticoid receptor (GR) functioning in Wistar male rat hippocampus (HIPPO) through alteration of nuclear GR phosphorylation and its upstream kinases signaling, which parallels animal depressive-like behavior. The current study investigated potential gender specificities regarding the effect of chronic therapy by an antidepressant fluoxetine (FLU) on GR signaling in HIPPO and depressive-like behavior in CPSI animals. FLU was administrated to female and male naïve or CPSI rats for 21 days and GR protein, its phosphorylation status and upstream kinases, as well as GR and BDNF mRNA were followed in HIPPO together with animal serum corticosterone (CORT) and depressive-like behavior. The results showed that CPSI increased immobility in males versus hyperactivity in females and disrupted nuclear pGR232-Cdk5 pathway and JNK signaling in a gender-specific way. In contrast, in both genders CPSI increased the nuclear levels of GR and pGR246 but decreased CORT and mRNA levels of GR and BDNF. Concomitant FLU normalized the depressive-like behavior and altered the nuclear pGR232-Cdk5 signaling in a gender-specific manner. In both females and males, FLU reversed the nuclear levels of GR and pGR246 without affecting CORT and GR mRNA levels. In contrast, FLU exhibited gender-specific effect on BDNF mRNA in CPSI animals, by increasing it in females, but not in males. In spite of normalization the total nuclear GR level upon FLU treatment in both gender, down-regulation of GR mRNA is possibly maintained through prevalence of pGR232 isoform only in males. The gender-specific alterations of pGR232-Cdk5 signaling and BDNF gene expression in HIPPO and normalization of depressive-like behavior upon FLU treatment distinguishes this signaling pathway as potential future antidepressant target for gender-specific therapy of stress related mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milos Mitic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINCA Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, PO Box-522-MBE090, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
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Gutiérrez-Mariscal M, Sánchez E, García-Vázquez A, Rebolledo-Solleiro D, Charli JL, Joseph-Bravo P. Acute response of hypophysiotropic thyrotropin releasing hormone neurons and thyrotropin release to behavioral paradigms producing varying intensities of stress and physical activity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 179:61-70. [PMID: 22960404 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2012.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2012] [Revised: 07/04/2012] [Accepted: 08/27/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis is essential for energy homeostasis and is differentially modulated by physical and by psychological stress. Contradictory effects of stressful behavioral paradigms on TSH or thyroid hormone release are due to type, length and controllability of the stressor. We hypothesized that an additional determinant of the activity of the HPT axis is the energy demand due to physical activity. We thus evaluated the response of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in Wistar male rats submitted to the elevated plus maze (EPM), the open field test (OFT), or restraint, and sacrificed within 1h after test completion; the response to OFT was compared during light (L) or dark (D) phases. Locomotion and anxiety behaviors were similar if animals were tested in L or D phases but their relation to the biochemical parameters differed. All paradigms increased serum corticosterone concentration; the levels of corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 and of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNAs in the PVN were enhanced after restraint or OFT-L. Levels of proTRH mRNA increased in the PVN after exposure to EPM-L or OFT-D; serum levels of thyrotropin (TSH) and T(4) only after OFT-D. In contrast, restraint decreased TRH mRNA and serum TSH levels, while it increased TRH content in the mediobasal hypothalamus, implying reduced release. Expression of proTRH in the PVN varied proportionally to the degree of locomotion in OFT-D, while inversely to anxiety in the EPM-L, and to corticosterone in EPM-L and OFT-D. TRH mRNA levels were analyzed by in situ hybridization in the rostral, middle and caudal zones of the PVN in response to OFT-D; they increased in the middle PVN, where most TRH hypophysiotropic neurons reside; levels correlated positively with the velocity attained in the periphery of the OF and negatively, with anxiety. Variations of serum TSH levels correlated positively with locomotor activity in EPM-L and OFT-L or -D, while negatively to serum corticosterone levels in all paradigms. These results support the proposal that the hypophysiotropic PVN TRH neurons are activated by short term physical activity but that this response may be blunted by the inhibitory effect of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Gutiérrez-Mariscal
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca MOR, México
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Abstract
Alcoholism is characterized by a compulsion to seek and ingest alcohol, loss of control over intake, and the emergence of a negative emotional state during abstinence. We hypothesized that sustained activation of neuroendocrine stress systems (e.g., corticosteroid release via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) by alcohol intoxication and withdrawal and consequent alterations in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation drive compulsive alcohol drinking. Our results showed that rats exposed to alcohol vapor to the point of dependence displayed increased alcohol intake, compulsive drinking measured by progressive-ratio responding, and persistent alcohol consumption despite punishment, assessed by adding quinine to the alcohol solution, compared with control rats that were not exposed to alcohol vapor. No group differences were observed in the self-administration of saccharin-sweetened water. Acute alcohol withdrawal was accompanied by downregulated GR mRNA in various stress/reward-related brain regions [i.e., prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens (NAc), and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST)], whereas protracted alcohol abstinence was accompanied by upregulated GR mRNA in the NAc core, ventral BNST, and central nucleus of the amygdala. No significant alterations in MR mRNA levels were found. Chronic GR antagonism with mifepristone (RU38486) prevented the escalation of alcohol intake and compulsive responding induced by chronic, intermittent alcohol vapor exposure. Chronic treatment with mifepristone also blocked escalated alcohol drinking and compulsive responding during protracted abstinence. Thus, the GR system appears to be involved in the development of alcohol dependence and may represent a potential pharmacological target for the treatment of alcoholism.
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Sathyanesan M, Girgenti MJ, Banasr M, Stone K, Bruce C, Guilchicek E, Wilczak-Havill K, Nairn A, Williams K, Sass S, Duman JG, Newton SS. A molecular characterization of the choroid plexus and stress-induced gene regulation. Transl Psychiatry 2012; 2:e139. [PMID: 22781172 PMCID: PMC3410626 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2012.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the choroid plexus (CP) in brain homeostasis is being increasingly recognized and recent studies suggest that the CP has a more important role in physiological and pathological brain functions than currently appreciated. To obtain additional insight on the CP function, we performed a proteomics and transcriptomics characterization employing a combination of high resolution tandem mass spectrometry and gene expression analyses in normal rodent brain. Using multiple protein fractionation approaches, we identified 1400 CP proteins in adult CP. Microarray-based comparison of CP gene expression with the kidney, cortex and hippocampus showed significant overlap between the CP and the kidney. CP gene profiles were validated by in situ hybridization analysis of several target genes including klotho, CLIC 6, OATP 14 and Ezrin. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed for CP and enpendyma detection of several target proteins including cytokeratin, Rab7, klotho, tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 1 (TIMP1), MMP9 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The molecular functions associated with various proteins of the CP proteome indicate that it is a blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier that exhibits high levels of metabolic activity. We also analyzed the gene expression changes induced by stress, an exacerbating factor for many illnesses, particularly mood disorders. Chronic stress altered the expression of several genes, downregulating 5HT2C, glucocorticoid receptor and the cilia genes IFT88 and smoothened while upregulating 5HT2A, BDNF, TNFα and IL-1b. The data presented here attach additional significance to the emerging importance of CP function in brain health and CNS disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sathyanesan
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - M J Girgenti
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - M Banasr
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - K Stone
- Keck Foundation Biotechnology Resource Laboratory, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - C Bruce
- Keck Foundation Biotechnology Resource Laboratory, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - E Guilchicek
- Keck Foundation Biotechnology Resource Laboratory, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - K Wilczak-Havill
- Keck Foundation Biotechnology Resource Laboratory, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - A Nairn
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Keck Foundation Biotechnology Resource Laboratory, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - K Williams
- Keck Foundation Biotechnology Resource Laboratory, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - S Sass
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - J G Duman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - S S Newton
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06508, USA. E-mail:
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Chronic stress decreases availability of heat shock proteins to glucocorticoid receptor in response to novel acute stress in Wistar rat hypothalamus. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2012; 32:625-32. [PMID: 22350213 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-012-9811-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Chronic psychosocial isolation (CPSI) is known to cause several maladaptive changes in the limbic brain structures, which regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. In this study, we focused our investigation on CPSI effects in the hypothalamus (HT) since it is a major driver of HPA axis activity. We also investigated whether the exposure to CPSI could alter the response to subsequent acute stress (30-min immobilization). In the HT, we followed cytosolic and nuclear levels of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), as a mediator of HPA axis feedback inhibition, and its chaperones, the heat shock proteins (HSPs), hsp70 and hsp90. The CPSI did not cause any changes in either GR or HSPs levels. However, we observed increase of the GR and hsp70 in both HT cellular compartments as a response of naïve rats to acute stress, whereas the response of CPSI rats to acute stress was associated with elevation of the GR in the cytosol and decrease of HSPs in the nucleus. Thus, our data indicated reduced availability of HSPs to GR in both cytosol and nucleus of the HT under acute stress of CPSI animals, and therefore, pointed out to potentially negative effects of CPSI on GR function in the HT.
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Wilhelm CJ, Murphy-Crews A, Menasco DJ, Huckans MS, Loftis JM. Corticotropin releasing factor-1 receptor antagonism alters the biochemical, but not behavioral effects of repeated interleukin-1β administration. Neuropharmacology 2011; 62:313-21. [PMID: 21839099 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.07.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2011] [Revised: 07/21/2011] [Accepted: 07/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Activation of the immune system via administration of cytokines is used for the treatment of chronic viral infections such as hepatitis C and for cancers resistant to radiotherapy. Cytokine-based treatments induce a range of "sickness" behaviors (e.g. depression, anxiety, pain, anorexia, and fatigue). Activation of the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis via the induction of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) may underlie these unwanted side effects. This study used repeated systemic injections of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) to model the sickness behaviors and biochemical effects of immune system activation. We assessed the ability of CRF type I receptor (CRF(1)) antagonism to reduce biochemical and behavioral signs of sickness induced by IL-1β treatment. Forty Wistar rats were assigned to one of four groups: 1) saline+vehicle; 2) saline+DMP904 (CRF(1) antagonist); 3) IL-1β+vehicle; 4) IL-1β+DMP904. Rats received intraperitoneal injections of either DMP904 or vehicle and of IL-1β or saline for six days. Sickness behavior was evaluated using body weight assessments and forced swim testing (FST). Blood and brain samples were collected to measure cytokine, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phospho-p38 MAPK levels using multiplex techniques. There were significant reductions in body weights and FST immobility times associated with IL-1β administration. Rats administered IL-1β had significantly higher serum levels of IL-10, but not interferon-γ. Within the hippocampus, IL-1β reduced levels of p38 MAPK, but had no impact on levels of phospho-p38 MAPK except in the presence of DMP904. When administered alone, DMP904 had no significant effect on p38 MAPK or phospho-p38 MAPK in the hippocampus, but when given with IL-1β led to increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. IL-1β and DMP904 reduced levels of p38 MAPK within the hypothalamus, while co-administration of IL-1β and DMP904 abolished the effects of either drug alone. IL-1β decreased immobility time in the FST, and led to reductions in body weight, changes in serum cytokine levels and p38 MAPK regulation within the hippocampus and hypothalamus. DMP904 blocked some of the neurochemical effects of IL-1β, but did not impact the behavioral measures, or serum cytokines. Thus, additional studies will be needed to determine whether CRF(1) antagonism is an effective treatment for cytokine-induced sickness. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Anxiety and Depression'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare J Wilhelm
- Research & Development Service, Portland VA Medical Center, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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Butts CL, Jones YL, Lim JK, Salter CE, Belyavskaya E, Sternberg EM. Tissue expression of steroid hormone receptors is associated with differential immune responsiveness. Brain Behav Immun 2011; 25:1000-7. [PMID: 21074604 PMCID: PMC3073144 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2010.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2010] [Revised: 11/01/2010] [Accepted: 11/05/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids have been used as treatments against a number of diseases, especially autoimmune/inflammatory conditions in which the immune system is overactive. These treatments have varying degrees of responsiveness among individuals and in different tissues (including brain); therefore, it is important to determine what could account for these differences. In this study, we evaluated expression of stress hormone receptors in immune cells from lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues (including brain) as a possible explanation. We analyzed leukocytes (CD45(+)) in kidney, liver, spleen, and thymus tissues from healthy mice for expression of the receptor for stress hormone (glucocorticoid-GR) as well as other steroid hormones (androgen-AR, progesterone-PR) and found that all tissues expressed these steroid hormone receptors but with varying patterns. To determine whether tissue-specific differences were related to immune cell composition, we examined steroid hormone receptor expression in T lymphocytes from each of these tissues and found similar patterns of expression in these cells regardless of tissue source. Because glucocorticoids can also impact brain function, we further examined expression of the stress hormone receptor in brain tissue and found GR expressed in immune cells at this site. In order to investigate the potential impact in an area of neuropathology, we utilized a mouse model of West Nile Virus (WNV). We observed pathological changes in brains of WNV-infected animals and T lymphocytes in the areas of inflammation; however, these cells did not express GR. These data indicate that tissue-specific differences in steroid hormone receptor expression by immune cells could determine responsiveness to steroid hormone treatment.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Brain/immunology
- Brain/metabolism
- Clostridium Infections/immunology
- Clostridium sordellii/immunology
- Female
- Immunity, Cellular/radiation effects
- Kidney/immunology
- Kidney/metabolism
- Leukocyte Common Antigens/metabolism
- Leukocytes/metabolism
- Liver/immunology
- Liver/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Receptors, Androgen/immunology
- Receptors, Androgen/metabolism
- Receptors, Androgen/physiology
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/immunology
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/physiology
- Receptors, Progesterone/immunology
- Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism
- Receptors, Progesterone/physiology
- Receptors, Steroid/immunology
- Receptors, Steroid/metabolism
- Receptors, Steroid/physiology
- Spleen/immunology
- Spleen/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Thymus Gland/metabolism
- West Nile Fever/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherié L Butts
- National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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