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de Noronha SISR, de Moraes LAG, Hassell JE, Stamper CE, Arnold MR, Heinze JD, Foxx CL, Lieb MM, Cler KE, Karns BL, Jaekel S, Loupy KM, Silva FCS, Chianca-Jr DA, Lowry CA, de Menezes RC. High-fat diet, microbiome-gut-brain axis signaling, and anxiety-like behavior in male rats. Biol Res 2024; 57:23. [PMID: 38705984 PMCID: PMC11071217 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-024-00505-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity, associated with the intake of a high-fat diet (HFD), and anxiety are common among those living in modern urban societies. Recent studies suggest a role of microbiome-gut-brain axis signaling, including a role for brain serotonergic systems in the relationship between HFD and anxiety. Evidence suggests the gut microbiome and the serotonergic brain system together may play an important role in this response. Here we conducted a nine-week HFD protocol in male rats, followed by an analysis of the gut microbiome diversity and community composition, brainstem serotonergic gene expression (tph2, htr1a, and slc6a4), and anxiety-related defensive behavioral responses. We show that HFD intake decreased alpha diversity and altered the community composition of the gut microbiome in association with obesity, increased brainstem tph2, htr1a and slc6a4 mRNA expression, including in the caudal part of the dorsomedial dorsal raphe nucleus (cDRD), a subregion previously associated with stress- and anxiety-related behavioral responses, and, finally, increased anxiety-related defensive behavioral responses. The HFD increased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio relative to control diet, as well as higher relative abundances of Blautia, and decreases in Prevotella. We found that tph2, htr1a and slc6a4 mRNA expression were increased in subregions of the dorsal raphe nucleus in the HFD, relative to control diet. Specific bacterial taxa were associated with increased serotonergic gene expression in the cDRD. Thus, we propose that HFD-induced obesity is associated with altered microbiome-gut-serotonergic brain axis signaling, leading to increased anxiety-related defensive behavioral responses in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvana I S Rendeiro de Noronha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Lauro Angelo Gonçalves de Moraes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil
- Computing Department, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - James E Hassell
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Christopher E Stamper
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Mathew R Arnold
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Jared D Heinze
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Christine L Foxx
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Margaret M Lieb
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Kristin E Cler
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Bree L Karns
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Sophia Jaekel
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Kelsey M Loupy
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Fernanda C S Silva
- Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Deoclécio Alves Chianca-Jr
- Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Christopher A Lowry
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Rodrigo Cunha de Menezes
- Department of Biological Science Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro s/n, Ouro Preto, 35400-000, MG, Brazil.
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Liao K, Xiang Y, Huang F, Huang M, Xu W, Lin Y, Liao P, Wang Z, Yang L, Tian X, Chen D, Wang Z, Liu S, Zhuang Z. Spatial and single-nucleus transcriptomics decoding the molecular landscape and cellular organization of avian optic tectum. iScience 2024; 27:109009. [PMID: 38333704 PMCID: PMC10850779 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The avian optic tectum (OT) has been studied for its diverse functions, yet a comprehensive molecular landscape at the cellular level has been lacking. In this study, we applied spatial transcriptome sequencing and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to explore the cellular organization and molecular characteristics of the avian OT from two species: Columba livia and Taeniopygia guttata. We identified precise layer structures and provided comprehensive layer-specific signatures of avian OT. Furthermore, we elucidated diverse functions in different layers, with the stratum griseum periventriculare (SGP) potentially playing a key role in advanced functions of OT, like fear response and associative learning. We characterized detailed neuronal subtypes and identified a population of FOXG1+ excitatory neurons, resembling those found in the mouse neocortex, potentially involved in neocortex-related functions and expansion of avian OT. These findings could contribute to our understanding of the architecture of OT, shedding light on visual perception and multifunctional association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo Liao
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- BGI Research, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Ya Xiang
- BGI Research, Hangzhou 310030, China
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Fubaoqian Huang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- BGI Research, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Maolin Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Wenbo Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Youning Lin
- BGI Research, Hangzhou 310030, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Pingfang Liao
- BGI Research, Hangzhou 310030, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zishi Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Lin Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xinmao Tian
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Duoyuan Chen
- BGI Research, Hangzhou 310030, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Zhenlong Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Shiping Liu
- BGI Research, Hangzhou 310030, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Zhenkun Zhuang
- BGI Research, Hangzhou 310030, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen 518083, China
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Fujita T, Aoki N, Mori C, Homma KJ, Yamaguchi S. Molecular biology of serotonergic systems in avian brains. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1226645. [PMID: 37538316 PMCID: PMC10394247 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1226645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a phylogenetically conserved neurotransmitter and modulator. Neurons utilizing serotonin have been identified in the central nervous systems of all vertebrates. In the central serotonergic system of vertebrate species examined so far, serotonergic neurons have been confirmed to exist in clusters in the brainstem. Although many serotonin-regulated cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functions have been elucidated in mammals, equivalents remain poorly understood in non-mammalian vertebrates. The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge of the anatomical organization and molecular features of the avian central serotonergic system. In addition, selected key functions of serotonin are briefly reviewed. Gene association studies between serotonergic system related genes and behaviors in birds have elucidated that the serotonergic system is involved in the regulation of behavior in birds similar to that observed in mammals. The widespread distribution of serotonergic modulation in the central nervous system and the evolutionary conservation of the serotonergic system provide a strong foundation for understanding and comparing the evolutionary continuity of neural circuits controlling corresponding brain functions within vertebrates. The main focus of this review is the chicken brain, with this type of poultry used as a model bird. The chicken is widely used not only as a model for answering questions in developmental biology and as a model for agriculturally useful breeding, but also in research relating to cognitive, behavioral, and emotional processes. In addition to a wealth of prior research on the projection relationships of avian brain regions, detailed subdivision similarities between avian and mammalian brains have recently been identified. Therefore, identifying the neural circuits modulated by the serotonergic system in avian brains may provide an interesting opportunity for detailed comparative studies of the function of serotonergic systems in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiyuki Fujita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoya Aoki
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chihiro Mori
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi J. Homma
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Yamaguchi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
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Fujita T, Aoki N, Mori C, Serizawa S, Kihara-Negishi F, Homma KJ, Yamaguchi S. Dopaminergic nuclei in the chick midbrain express serotonin receptor subfamily genes. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1030621. [PMID: 36425295 PMCID: PMC9679639 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1030621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a phylogenetically conserved modulator of numerous aspects of neural functions. Serotonergic neurons in the dorsal and median raphe nucleus provide ascending innervation to the entire forebrain and midbrain. Another important neural modulatory system exists in the midbrain, the dopaminergic system, which is associated to reward processing and motivation control. Dopaminergic neurons are distributed and clustered in the brain, classically designated as groups A8-A16. Among them, groups A8-A10 associated with reward processing and motivation control are located in the midbrain and projected to the forebrain. Recently, midbrain dopaminergic neurons were shown to be innervated by serotonergic neurons and modulated by 5-HT, with the crosstalk between serotonergic and dopaminergic systems attracting increased attention. In birds, previous studies revealed that midbrain dopaminergic neurons are located in the A8-A10 homologous clusters. However, the detailed distribution of dopaminergic neurons and the crosstalk between serotonergic and dopaminergic systems in the bird are poorly understood. To improve the understanding of the regulation of the dopaminergic by the serotonergic system, we performed in situ hybridization in the chick brainstem. We prepared RNA probes for chick orthologues of dopaminergic neuron-related genes; tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopa decarboxylase (DDC), noradrenaline related genes; noradrenaline transporter (NAT) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), and serotonin receptor genes; 5-HTR1A, 5-HTR1B, 5-HTR1D, 5-HTR1E, 5-HTR1F, 5-HTR2A, 5-HTR2B, 5-HTR2C, 5-HTR3A, 5-HTR4, 5-HTR5A, and 5-HTR7. We confirmed that the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and NAT was well matched in all chick dopaminergic nuclei examined. This supported that the compensation of the function of dopamine transporter (DAT) by NAT is a general property of avian dopaminergic neurons. Furthermore, we showed that 5-HTR1A and 5-HTR1B were expressed in midbrain dopaminergic nuclei, suggesting the serotonergic regulation of the dopaminergic system via these receptors in chicks. Our findings will help us understand the interactions between the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in birds at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiyuki Fujita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoya Aoki
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chihiro Mori
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shouta Serizawa
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumiko Kihara-Negishi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi J. Homma
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Yamaguchi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
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Jadhav VV, Han J, Fasina Y, Harrison SH. Connecting gut microbiomes and short chain fatty acids with the serotonergic system and behavior in Gallus gallus and other avian species. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1035538. [PMID: 36406988 PMCID: PMC9667555 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1035538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The chicken gastrointestinal tract has a diverse microbial community. There is increasing evidence for how this gut microbiome affects specific molecular pathways and the overall physiology, nervous system and behavior of the chicken host organism due to a growing number of studies investigating conditions such as host diet, antibiotics, probiotics, and germ-free and germ-reduced models. Systems-level investigations have revealed a network of microbiome-related interactions between the gut and state of health and behavior in chickens and other animals. While some microbial symbionts are crucial for maintaining stability and normal host physiology, there can also be dysbiosis, disruptions to nutrient flow, and other outcomes of dysregulation and disease. Likewise, alteration of the gut microbiome is found for chickens exhibiting differences in feather pecking (FP) behavior and this alteration is suspected to be responsible for behavioral change. In chickens and other organisms, serotonin is a chief neuromodulator that links gut microbes to the host brain as microbes modulate the serotonin secreted by the host's own intestinal enterochromaffin cells which can stimulate the central nervous system via the vagus nerve. A substantial part of the serotonergic network is conserved across birds and mammals. Broader investigations of multiple species and subsequent cross-comparisons may help to explore general functionality of this ancient system and its increasingly apparent central role in the gut-brain axis of vertebrates. Dysfunctional behavioral phenotypes from the serotonergic system moreover occur in both birds and mammals with, for example, FP in chickens and depression in humans. Recent studies of the intestine as a major site of serotonin synthesis have been identifying routes by which gut microbial metabolites regulate the chicken serotonergic system. This review in particular highlights the influence of gut microbial metabolite short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on the serotonergic system. The role of SCFAs in physiological and brain disorders may be considerable because of their ability to cross intestinal as well as the blood-brain barriers, leading to influences on the serotonergic system via binding to receptors and epigenetic modulations. Examinations of these mechanisms may translate into a more general understanding of serotonergic system development within chickens and other avians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidya V. Jadhav
- Department of Biology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC, United States
| | - Jian Han
- Department of Biology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC, United States
| | - Yewande Fasina
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC, United States,*Correspondence: Yewande Fasina, ; Scott H. Harrison,
| | - Scott H. Harrison
- Department of Biology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC, United States,*Correspondence: Yewande Fasina, ; Scott H. Harrison,
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Fujita T, Aoki N, Mori C, Fujita E, Matsushima T, Homma KJ, Yamaguchi S. Chick Hippocampal Formation Displays Subdivision- and Layer-Selective Expression Patterns of Serotonin Receptor Subfamily Genes. Front Physiol 2022; 13:882633. [PMID: 35464081 PMCID: PMC9024137 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.882633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hippocampal formation (HF) plays a key role in cognitive and emotional processing in mammals. In HF neural circuits, serotonin receptors (5-HTRs) modulate functions related to cognition and emotion. To understand the phylogenetic continuity of the neural basis for cognition and emotion, it is important to identify the neural circuits that regulate cognitive and emotional processing in animals. In birds, HF has been shown to be related to cognitive functions and emotion-related behaviors. However, details regarding the distribution of 5-HTRs in the avian brain are very sparse, and 5-HTRs, which are potentially involved in cognitive functions and emotion-related behaviors, are poorly understood. Previously, we showed that 5-HTR1B and 5-HTR3A were expressed in chick HF. To identify additional 5-HTRs that are potentially involved in cognitive and emotional functions in avian HF, we selected the chick orthologs of 5-HTR1D, 5-HTR1E, 5-HTR1F, 5-HTR2B, 5-HTR5A, and 5-HTR7 and performed in situ hybridization in the chick telencephalon. We found that 5-HTR1D, 5-HTR1E, 5-HTR5A, and 5-HTR7 were expressed in the chick HF, especially 5-HTR1D and 5-HTR1E, which showed subdivision- and layer-selective expression patterns, suggesting that the characteristic 5-HT regulation is involved in cognitive functions and emotion-related behaviors in these HF regions. These findings can facilitate the understanding of serotonin regulation in avian HF and the correspondence between the HF subdivisions of birds and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiyuki Fujita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoya Aoki
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chihiro Mori
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eiko Fujita
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiya Matsushima
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Koichi J. Homma
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Yamaguchi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Shinji Yamaguchi,
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