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Mercante F, Micioni Di Bonaventura E, Pucci M, Botticelli L, Cifani C, D'Addario C, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV. Repeated binge-like eating episodes in female rats alter adenosine A 2A and dopamine D2 receptor genes regulation in the brain reward system. Int J Eat Disord 2024. [PMID: 38650547 DOI: 10.1002/eat.24216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Binge-eating disorder is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent binge-eating episodes, during which individuals consume excessive amounts of highly palatable food (HPF) in a short time. This study investigates the intricate relationship between repeated binge-eating episode and the transcriptional regulation of two key genes, adenosine A2A receptor (A2AAR) and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R), in selected brain regions of rats. METHOD Binge-like eating behavior on HPF was induced through the combination of food restrictions and frustration stress (15 min exposure to HPF without access to it) in female rats, compared to control rats subjected to only restriction or only stress or none of these two conditions. After chronic binge-eating episodes, nucleic acids were extracted from different brain regions, and gene expression levels were assessed through real-time quantitative PCR. The methylation pattern on genes' promoters was investigated using pyrosequencing. RESULTS The analysis revealed A2AAR upregulation in the amygdala and in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), and D2R downregulation in the nucleus accumbens in binge-eating rats. Concurrently, site-specific DNA methylation alterations at gene promoters were identified in the VTA for A2AAR and in the amygdala and caudate putamen for D2R. DISCUSSION The alterations on A2AAR and D2R genes regulation highlight the significance of epigenetic mechanisms in the etiology of binge-eating behavior, and underscore the potential for targeted therapeutic interventions, to prevent the development of this maladaptive feeding behavior. These findings provide valuable insights for future research in the field of eating disorders. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE Using an animal model with face, construct, and predictive validity, in which cycles of food restriction and frustration stress evoke binge-eating behavior, we highlight the significance of epigenetic mechanisms on adenosine A2A receptor (A2AAR) and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) genes regulation. They could represent new potential targets for the pharmacological management of eating disorders characterized by this maladaptive feeding behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mercante
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Mariangela Pucci
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Luca Botticelli
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Carlo Cifani
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Claudio D'Addario
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Vincenzi F, Pasquini S, Contri C, Cappello M, Nigro M, Travagli A, Merighi S, Gessi S, Borea PA, Varani K. Pharmacology of Adenosine Receptors: Recent Advancements. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1387. [PMID: 37759787 PMCID: PMC10527030 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenosine receptors (ARs) are widely acknowledged pharmacological targets yet are still underutilized in clinical practice. Their ubiquitous distribution in almost all cells and tissues of the body makes them, on the one hand, excellent candidates for numerous diseases, and on the other hand, intrinsically challenging to exploit selectively and in a site-specific manner. This review endeavors to comprehensively depict the substantial advancements witnessed in recent years concerning the development of drugs that modulate ARs. Through preclinical and clinical research, it has become evident that the modulation of ARs holds promise for the treatment of numerous diseases, including central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and cancer. The latest studies discussed herein shed light on novel mechanisms through which ARs exert control over pathophysiological states. They also introduce new ligands and innovative strategies for receptor activation, presenting compelling evidence of efficacy along with the implicated signaling pathways. Collectively, these emerging insights underscore a promising trajectory toward harnessing the therapeutic potential of these multifaceted targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Vincenzi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.C.); (M.C.); (M.N.); (A.T.); (S.M.); (S.G.); (K.V.)
| | - Silvia Pasquini
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Chiara Contri
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.C.); (M.C.); (M.N.); (A.T.); (S.M.); (S.G.); (K.V.)
| | - Martina Cappello
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.C.); (M.C.); (M.N.); (A.T.); (S.M.); (S.G.); (K.V.)
| | - Manuela Nigro
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.C.); (M.C.); (M.N.); (A.T.); (S.M.); (S.G.); (K.V.)
| | - Alessia Travagli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.C.); (M.C.); (M.N.); (A.T.); (S.M.); (S.G.); (K.V.)
| | - Stefania Merighi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.C.); (M.C.); (M.N.); (A.T.); (S.M.); (S.G.); (K.V.)
| | - Stefania Gessi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.C.); (M.C.); (M.N.); (A.T.); (S.M.); (S.G.); (K.V.)
| | | | - Katia Varani
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.C.); (M.C.); (M.N.); (A.T.); (S.M.); (S.G.); (K.V.)
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Cervetto C, Maura G, Guidolin D, Amato S, Ceccoli C, Agnati LF, Marcoli M. Striatal astrocytic A2A-D2 receptor-receptor interactions and their role in neuropsychiatric disorders. Neuropharmacology 2023:109636. [PMID: 37321323 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
It is now generally accepted that astrocytes are active players in synaptic transmission, so that a neurocentric perspective of the integrative signal communication in the central nervous system is shifting towards a neuro-astrocentric perspective. Astrocytes respond to synaptic activity, release chemical signals (gliotransmitters) and express neurotransmitter receptors (G protein-coupled and ionotropic receptors), thus behaving as co-actors with neurons in signal communication in the central nervous system. The ability of G protein-coupled receptors to physically interact through heteromerization, forming heteromers and receptor mosaics with new distinct signal recognition and transduction pathways, has been intensively studied at neuronal plasma membrane, and has changed the view of the integrative signal communication in the central nervous system. One of the best-known examples of receptor-receptor interaction through heteromerization, with relevant consequences for both the physiological and the pharmacological points of view, is given by adenosine A2A and dopamine D2 receptors on the plasma membrane of striatal neurons. Here we review evidence that native A2A and D2 receptors can interact through heteromerization at the plasma membrane of astrocytes as well. Astrocytic A2A-D2 heteromers were found able to control the release of glutamate from the striatal astrocyte processes. A2A-D2 heteromers on striatal astrocytes and astrocyte processes are discussed as far as their potential relevance in the control of glutamatergic transmission in striatum is concerned, including potential roles in glutamatergic transmission dysregulation in pathological conditions including schizophrenia or the Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cervetto
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy; Center for Promotion of 3Rs in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), Pisa, Italy.
| | - Guido Maura
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
| | - Diego Guidolin
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Italy.
| | - Sarah Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
| | - Cristina Ceccoli
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
| | - Luigi F Agnati
- Department of Biochemical, Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - Manuela Marcoli
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy; Center for Promotion of 3Rs in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), Pisa, Italy; Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, Italy.
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Peeters LD, Wills LJ, Cuozzo AM, Ivanich KL, Brown RW. Reinstatement of nicotine conditioned place preference in a transgenerational model of drug abuse vulnerability in psychosis: Impact of BDNF on the saliency of drug associations. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023:10.1007/s00213-023-06379-7. [PMID: 37160431 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06379-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia are often accompanied by high rates of cigarette smoking, reduced quit success, and high relapse rates, negatively affecting patient outcomes. However, the mechanisms underlying altered relapse-like behaviors in psychosis are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES The present study analyzed changes in extinction and reinstatement of nicotine conditioned place preference (CPP) and resulting changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in a novel heritable rodent model of psychosis, demonstrating increased dopamine D2 receptor sensitivity, to explore mechanisms contributing to changes in relapse-like behaviors. METHODS Male and female offspring of two neonatal quinpirole-treated (1 mg/kg quinpirole from postnatal day (P)1-21; QQ) and two neonatal saline-treated (SS) Sprague-Dawley rats (F1 generation) were tested on an extended CPP paradigm to analyze extinction and nicotine-primed reinstatement. Brain tissue was analyzed 60 min after the last nicotine injection for BDNF response in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the infralimbic (IfL) and prelimbic (PrL) cortices. RESULTS F1 generation QQ offspring demonstrated delayed extinction and more robust reinstatement compared to SS control animals. In addition, QQ animals demonstrated an enhanced BDNF response to nicotine in the VTA, IfL and Prl cortices compared to SS offspring. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to demonstrate altered relapse-like behavior in a heritable rodent model with relevance to comorbid drug abuse and psychosis. This altered pattern of behavior is hypothesized to be related to elevated activity-dependent BDNF in brain areas associated with drug reinforcement during conditioning that persists through the extinction phase, rendering aberrantly salient drug associations resistant to extinction and enhancing relapse vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren D Peeters
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, 37614, USA
| | - Liza J Wills
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, 37614, USA
| | - Anthony M Cuozzo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, 37614, USA
| | - Kira L Ivanich
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, 37614, USA
| | - Russell W Brown
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, 37614, USA.
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Agnati LF, Guidolin D, Cervetto C, Maura G, Marcoli M. Brain Structure and Function: Insights from Chemical Neuroanatomy. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13040940. [PMID: 37109469 PMCID: PMC10142941 DOI: 10.3390/life13040940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a brief historical and epistemological outline of investigations on the brain’s structure and functions. These investigations have mainly been based on the intermingling of chemical anatomy, new techniques in the field of microscopy and computer-assisted morphometric methods. This intermingling has enabled extraordinary investigations to be carried out on brain circuits, leading to the development of a new discipline: “brain connectomics”. This new approach has led to the characterization of the brain’s structure and function in physiological and pathological conditions, and to the development of new therapeutic strategies. In this context, the conceptual model of the brain as a hyper-network with a hierarchical, nested architecture, arranged in a “Russian doll” pattern, has been proposed. Our investigations focused on the main characteristics of the modes of communication between nodes at the various miniaturization levels, in order to describe the brain’s integrative actions. Special attention was paid to the nano-level, i.e., to the allosteric interactions among G protein-coupled receptors organized in receptor mosaics, as a promising field in which to obtain a new view of synaptic plasticity and to develop new, more selective drugs. The brain’s multi-level organization and the multi-faceted aspects of communication modes point to an emerging picture of the brain as a very peculiar system, in which continuous self-organization and remodeling take place under the action of external stimuli from the environment, from peripheral organs and from ongoing integrative actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi F. Agnati
- Department of Biochemical, Metabolic Sciences and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Diego Guidolin
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Chiara Cervetto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, 16148 Genova, Italy
- Center for Promotion of 3Rs in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Guido Maura
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Manuela Marcoli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, 16148 Genova, Italy
- Center for Promotion of 3Rs in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
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Valle-León M, Casajuana-Martin N, Del Torrent CL, Argerich J, Gómez-Acero L, Sahlholm K, Ferré S, Pardo L, Ciruela F. Unique effect of clozapine on adenosine A 2A-dopamine D 2 receptor heteromerization. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 160:114327. [PMID: 36736280 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The striatal dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) is generally accepted to be involved in positive symptoms of schizophrenia and is a main target for clinically used antipsychotics. D2R are highly expressed in the striatum, where they form heteromers with the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR). Changes in the density of A2AR-D2R heteromers have been reported in postmortem tissue from patients with schizophrenia, but the degree to which A2R are involved in schizophrenia and the effect of antipsychotic drugs is unknown. Here, we examine the effect of exposure to three prototypical antipsychotic drugs on A2AR-D2R heteromerization in mammalian cells using a NanoBiT assay. After 16 h of exposure, a significant increase in the density of A2AR-D2R heteromers was found with haloperidol and aripiprazole, but not with clozapine. On the other hand, clozapine, but not haloperidol or aripiprazole, was associated with a significant decrease in A2AR-D2R heteromerization after 2 h of treatment. Computational binding models of these compounds revealed distinctive molecular signatures that explain their different influence on heteromerization. The bulky tricyclic moiety of clozapine displaces TM 5 of D2R, inducing a clash with A2AR, while the extended binding mode of haloperidol and aripiprazole stabilizes a specific conformation of the second extracellular loop of D2R that enhances the interaction with A2AR. It is proposed that an increase in A2AR-D2R heteromerization is involved in the extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) of antipsychotics and that the specific clozapine-mediated destabilization of A2AR-D2R heteromerization can explain its low EPS liability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Valle-León
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Neuropharmacology and Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, IDIBELL, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Nil Casajuana-Martin
- Laboratory of Computational Medicine, Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Claudia Llinas Del Torrent
- Laboratory of Computational Medicine, Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Argerich
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Neuropharmacology and Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, IDIBELL, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Laura Gómez-Acero
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Neuropharmacology and Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, IDIBELL, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Kristoffer Sahlholm
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Neuropharmacology and Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, IDIBELL, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, 907 87 Umeå, Sweden; Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sergi Ferré
- Integrative Neurobiology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Leonardo Pardo
- Laboratory of Computational Medicine, Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Francisco Ciruela
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Neuropharmacology and Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, IDIBELL, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
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Xu J, Pittenger C. The histamine H3 receptor modulates dopamine D2 receptor-dependent signaling pathways and mouse behaviors. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104583. [PMID: 36871761 PMCID: PMC10139999 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The histamine H3 receptor (H3R) is highly enriched in the spiny projection neurons (SPNs) of the striatum, in both the D1 receptor (D1R)-expressing and D2 receptor (D2R)-expressing populations. A crossantagonistic interaction between H3R and D1R has been demonstrated in mice, both at the behavioral level and at the biochemical level. Although interactive behavioral effects have been described upon coactivation of H3R and D2R, the molecular mechanisms underlying this interaction are poorly understood. Here, we show that activation of H3R with the selective agonist R-(-)-α-methylhistamine dihydrobromide mitigates D2R agonist-induced locomotor activity and stereotypic behavior. Using biochemical approaches and the proximity ligation assay, we demonstrated the existence of an H3R-D2R complex in the mouse striatum. In addition, we examined consequences of simultaneous H3R-D2R agonism on the phosphorylation levels of several signaling molecules using immunohistochemistry. H3R agonist treatment modulated Akt (serine/threonine PKB)-glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta signaling in response to D2R activation via a β-arrestin 2-dependent mechanism in D2R-SPNs but not in D1R-SPNs. Phosphorylation of mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase 1 and rpS6 (ribosomal protein S6) was largely unchanged under these conditions. As Akt-glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta signaling has been implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders, this work may help clarify the role of H3R in modulating D2R function, leading to a better understanding of pathophysiology involving the interaction between histamine and dopamine systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University. ,
| | - Christopher Pittenger
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University; Department of Psychology, Yale University; Department of Child Study Center, Yale University; Department of Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University; Department of Wu-Tsai Institute, Yale University; Department of Center for Brain and Mind Health, Yale University.
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Iasevoli F, Avagliano C, D’ambrosio L, Barone A, Ciccarelli M, De Simone G, Mazza B, Vellucci L, de Bartolomeis A. Dopamine Dynamics and Neurobiology of Non-Response to Antipsychotics, Relevance for Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Critical Appraisal. Biomedicines 2023; 11:895. [PMID: 36979877 PMCID: PMC10046109 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment resistant schizophrenia (TRS) is characterized by a lack of, or suboptimal response to, antipsychotic agents. The biological underpinnings of this clinical condition are still scarcely understood. Since all antipsychotics block dopamine D2 receptors (D2R), dopamine-related mechanisms should be considered the main candidates in the neurobiology of antipsychotic non-response, although other neurotransmitter systems play a role. The aims of this review are: (i) to recapitulate and critically appraise the relevant literature on dopamine-related mechanisms of TRS; (ii) to discuss the methodological limitations of the studies so far conducted and delineate a theoretical framework on dopamine mechanisms of TRS; and (iii) to highlight future perspectives of research and unmet needs. Dopamine-related neurobiological mechanisms of TRS may be multiple and putatively subdivided into three biological points: (1) D2R-related, including increased D2R levels; increased density of D2Rs in the high-affinity state; aberrant D2R dimer or heteromer formation; imbalance between D2R short and long variants; extrastriatal D2Rs; (2) presynaptic dopamine, including low or normal dopamine synthesis and/or release compared to responder patients; and (3) exaggerated postsynaptic D2R-mediated neurotransmission. Future points to be addressed are: (i) a more neurobiologically-oriented phenotypic categorization of TRS; (ii) implementation of neurobiological studies by directly comparing treatment resistant vs. treatment responder patients; (iii) development of a reliable animal model of non-response to antipsychotics.
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Singer P, Yee BK. The adenosine hypothesis of schizophrenia into its third decade: From neurochemical imbalance to early life etiological risks. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1120532. [PMID: 36998267 PMCID: PMC10043328 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1120532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The adenosine hypothesis of schizophrenia was conceptualized about two decades ago in an attempt to integrate two prominent theories of neurochemical imbalance that attribute the pathogenesis of schizophrenia to hyperfunction of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine neurotransmission and hypofunction of cortical glutamate neurotransmission. Given its unique position as an endogenous modulator of both dopamine and glutamate signaling in the brain, adenosine was postulated as a potential new drug target to achieve multiple antipsychotic actions. This new strategy may offer hope for improving treatment, especially in alleviating negative symptoms and cognitive deficits of schizophrenia that do not respond to current medications. To date, however, the adenosine hypothesis has yet led to any significant therapeutic breakthroughs. Here, we address two possible reasons for the impasse. First, neither the presence of adenosine functional deficiency in people with schizophrenia nor its causal relationship to symptom production has been satisfactorily examined. Second, the lack of novel adenosine-based drugs also impedes progress. This review updates the latest preclinical and clinical data pertinent to the construct validity of the adenosine hypothesis and explores novel molecular processes whereby dysregulation of adenosine signaling could be linked to the etiology of schizophrenia. It is intended to stimulate and revitalize research into the adenosine hypothesis towards the development of a new and improved generation of antipsychotic drugs that has eluded us for decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Singer
- Roche Diagnostics International AG, Rotkreuz, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Philipp Singer Benjamin K. Yee
| | - Benjamin K. Yee
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Mental Health Research Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Philipp Singer Benjamin K. Yee
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Zhuo C, Zhou C, Cai Z, Chen J, Yang L, Li Q, Zhang Q, Fang T, Tian H, Lin C, Song X. Electrical stimulus combined with venlafaxine and mirtazapine improves brain Ca 2+ activity, pre-pulse inhibition, and immobility time in a model of major depressive disorder in schizophrenia. J Affect Disord 2022; 319:610-617. [PMID: 36162671 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of major depressive disorder in patients with schizophrenia (SZ-MDD) has been reported to be about 32.6 %, but it varies considerably depending on the stage (early or chronic) and state (acute or post-psychotic) of schizophrenia. The exploration of ideal strategies for the treatment of major depressive disorder in the context of schizophrenia is urgently needed. Thus, the present study was conducted to investigate the treatment effects of clozapine, electrical stimulation (ECS; the mouse model equivalent of electroconvulsive therapy for humans), venlafaxine, and mirtazapine for SZ-MDD. METHODS A mouse model of SZ-MDD was established with MK801 administration and chronic unpredictable mild stress exposure. Clozapine and ECS, alone and with mirtazapine and/or venlafaxine, were used as treatment strategies. In-vivo two-photon imaging was performed to visualize Ca2+ neural activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Mouse performance on behavioral assays was taken to reflect acute treatment effects. RESULTS ECS + venlafaxine + mirtazapine performed significantly better than other treatments in alleviating major depressive disorder, as reflected by PFC Ca2+ activity and behavioral assay performance. Clozapine + venlafaxine + mirtazapine did not have an ideal treatment effect. Brain Ca2+ activity alterations did not correlate with behavioral expression in any treatment group. CONCLUSIONS In this mouse model of SZ-MDD, ECS + venlafaxine + mirtazapine improved brain Ca2+ activity, pre-pulse inhibition, and immobility time. These findings provide useful information for the further exploration of treatment methods for patients with SZ-MDD, although the mechanisms underlying this comorbidity needed to be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjun Zhuo
- Key Laboratory of Real Time Tracing Brain Circuits of Nerology and Psychiatry (RTBNP_Lab), Tianjin Medical University Affiliated Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin 300140, China; the key Laboratory of Psychiatric-Neuroimaging-Genetics and Comorbidity (PNGC_Lab) of Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China; Brain Micro-imaging Center of Psychiatric Animal Model, Wenzhou Seventh Peoples Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China; Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital/Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Chunhua Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 05000, China
| | - Ziyao Cai
- Key Laboratory of the Macro-Brain Neuroimaging Center of Animal Model, Wenzhou Seventh Peoples Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Jiayue Chen
- Key Laboratorary of Multiple Organs Damage in the Patients with Mental Illness (MODPM_Lab) of Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin 100140, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Key Laboratorary of Multiple Organs Damage in the Patients with Mental Illness (MODPM_Lab) of Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin 100140, China
| | - Qianchen Li
- Key Laboratorary of Multiple Organs Damage in the Patients with Mental Illness (MODPM_Lab) of Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin 100140, China
| | - Qiuyu Zhang
- Key Laboratorary of Multiple Organs Damage in the Patients with Mental Illness (MODPM_Lab) of Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin 100140, China
| | - Tao Fang
- Key Laboratorary of Multiple Organs Damage in the Patients with Mental Illness (MODPM_Lab) of Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin 100140, China
| | - Hongjun Tian
- Key Laboratorary of Multiple Organs Damage in the Patients with Mental Illness (MODPM_Lab) of Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin 100140, China.
| | - Chongguang Lin
- Key Laboratory of the Macro-Brain Neuroimaging Center of Animal Model, Wenzhou Seventh Peoples Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China.
| | - Xueqin Song
- Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital/Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Biological Psychiatry International Joint Laboratory of Henan/Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 045000, China.
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11
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Merritt CR, Smith AE, Khanipov K, Golovko G, Dineley KT, Anastasio NC, Cunningham KA. Heightened cocaine-seeking in male rats associates with a distinct transcriptomic profile in the medial prefrontal cortex. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1022863. [PMID: 36588704 PMCID: PMC9797046 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1022863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug overdose deaths involving cocaine have skyrocketed, an outcome attributable in part to the lack of FDA-approved medications for the treatment of cocaine use disorder (CUD), highlighting the need to identify new pharmacotherapeutic targets. Vulnerability to cocaine-associated environmental contexts and stimuli serves as a risk factor for relapse in CUD recovery, with individual differences evident in the motivational aspects of these cues. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) provides top-down control of striatal circuitry to regulate the incentive-motivational properties of cocaine-associated stimuli. Clinical and preclinical studies have identified genetic variations that impact the degree of executive restraint over drug-motivated behaviors, and we designed the present study to employ next-generation sequencing to identify specific genes associated with heightened cue-evoked cocaine-seeking in the mPFC of male, outbred rats. Rats were trained to stably self-administer cocaine, and baseline cue-reinforced cocaine-seeking was established. Rats were phenotyped as either high cue (HC) or low cue (LC) responders based upon lever pressing for previously associated cocaine cues and allowed 10 days of abstinence in their home cages prior to mPFC collection for RNA-sequencing. The expression of 309 genes in the mPFC was significantly different in HC vs. LC rats. Functional gene enrichment analyses identified ten biological processes that were overrepresented in the mPFC of HC vs. LC rats. The present study identifies distinctions in mPFC mRNA transcripts that characterizes individual differences in relapse-like behavior and provides prioritized candidates for future pharmacotherapeutics aimed to help maintain abstinence in CUD. In particular the Htr2c gene, which encodes the serotonin 5-HT2C receptor (5-HT2CR), is expressed to a lower extent in HC rats, relative to LC rats. These findings build on a plethora of previous studies that also point to the 5-HT2CR as an attractive target for the treatment of CUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina R. Merritt
- Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Ashley E. Smith
- Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Kamil Khanipov
- Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - George Golovko
- Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Kelly T. Dineley
- Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States,Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Noelle C. Anastasio
- Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Kathryn A. Cunningham
- Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States,*Correspondence: Kathryn A. Cunningham,
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12
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Gregory KJ, Jörg M. Chemical biology-based approaches to study adenosine A 2A - dopamine D 2 receptor heteromers. Purinergic Signal 2022; 18:395-398. [PMID: 35348986 PMCID: PMC9832194 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-022-09860-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Karen J. Gregory
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Drug Discovery Biology Theme, ARC Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Manuela Jörg
- Medicinal Chemistry Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia. .,Chemistry-School of Natural & Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University, Bedson Building, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.
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13
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Freudenberg F, Althen H, Falk K, Bittner RA, Reif A, Plichta MM. Test-retest reliability of prepulse inhibition (PPI) and PPI correlation with working memory. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2022; 34:344-53. [PMID: 35959694 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2022.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sensorimotor gating is experimentally operationalized by the prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response (SR). Previous studies suggest high test-retest reliability of PPI and potential correlation with working memory (WM). Here, we aimed to validate and extend the test-retest reliability of PPI in healthy humans and its correlation with WM performance. METHODS We applied an acoustic startle PPI paradigm with four different prepulse intensities (64, 68, 72 and 76 dB) and two different WM tasks [n-back, change detection task (CDT)] in a group of 26 healthy adults (final sample size n = 23). To assess test-retest reliability, we performed all tests on two separate days ~27 days (range: 21-32 days) apart. RESULTS We were able to confirm high test-retest reliability of the PPI with a mean intraclass correlation (ICC) of > 0.80 and significant positive correlation of PPI with n-back but not with CDT performance. Detailed analysis showed that PPI across all prepulse intensities significantly correlated with both the 2-back and 0-back conditions, suggesting regulation by cross-conditional processes (e.g. attention). However, when removing the 0-back component from the 2-back data, we found a specific and significant correlation with WM for the 76-dB PPI condition. CONCLUSION With the present study, we were able to confirm the high test-retest reliability of the PPI in humans and could validate and expand on its correlation with WM performance.
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14
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Marques TR, Natesan S, Rabiner EA, Searle GE, Gunn R, Howes OD, Kapur S. Adenosine A 2A receptor in schizophrenia: an in vivo brain PET imaging study. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:3439-3445. [PMID: 34175983 PMCID: PMC9584985 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05900-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Adenosine A2A receptors are highly enriched in the basal ganglia system, a region that is functionally implicated in schizophrenia. Preclinical evidence suggests a cross-regulation between adenosine A2A and dopamine D2 receptors in this region and that it is linked to the sensitization of the dopamine system. However, the relationship between A2A receptor availability and schizophrenia has not been directly examined in vivo in patients with this disorder. To investigate, using positron emission tomography (PET), the availability of A2A receptors in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in comparison to matched healthy controls. A2A receptor availability was measured using the PET tracer [11C]SCH442416. Twelve male patients with chronic schizophrenia were compared to 13 matched healthy subjects. All patients were medicated with antipsychotics and none presented with any motor or extrapyramidal symptoms. Binding potential (BPND), a ratio measure between specific and non-specific tracer uptake, were compared between the groups for the caudate, putamen, accumbens and globus pallidum. There was no differences between A2A receptor binding potential (BPND) of schizophrenia patients in the caudate (p = 0.16), putamen (p = 0.86), accumbens (p = 0.44) and globus pallidum (p = 0.09) to that of matched healthy subjects. There was also no significant correlation between [11C]SCH442416 binding and severity of psychotic symptoms (p = 0.2 to 0.82) or antipsychotic dosage (p = 0.13 to 0.34). By showing that A2A receptor availability in medicated patients with chronic male schizophrenia is not different than in healthy controls, this study does not support the primary role of this receptor in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Reis Marques
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK. .,Psychiatric Imaging Group, Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK. .,Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK.
| | - Sridhar Natesan
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Psychiatric Imaging Group, Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Eugenii A Rabiner
- Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK.,Centre for Imaging Sciences, London, UK
| | | | | | - Oliver D Howes
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Psychiatric Imaging Group, Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Shitij Kapur
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
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15
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Hamoud AR, Bach K, Kakrecha O, Henkel N, Wu X, McCullumsmith RE, O’Donovan SM. Adenosine, Schizophrenia and Cancer: Does the Purinergic System Offer a Pathway to Treatment? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911835. [PMID: 36233136 PMCID: PMC9570456 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For over a century, a complex relationship between schizophrenia diagnosis and development of many cancers has been observed. Findings from epidemiological studies are mixed, with reports of increased, reduced, or no difference in cancer incidence in schizophrenia patients. However, as risk factors for cancer, including elevated smoking rates and substance abuse, are commonly associated with this patient population, it is surprising that cancer incidence is not higher. Various factors may account for the proposed reduction in cancer incidence rates including pathophysiological changes associated with disease. Perturbations of the adenosine system are hypothesized to contribute to the neurobiology of schizophrenia. Conversely, hyperfunction of the adenosine system is found in the tumor microenvironment in cancer and targeting the adenosine system therapeutically is a promising area of research in this disease. We outline the current biochemical and pharmacological evidence for hypofunction of the adenosine system in schizophrenia, and the role of increased adenosine metabolism in the tumor microenvironment. In the context of the relatively limited literature on this patient population, we discuss whether hypofunction of this system in schizophrenia, may counteract the immunosuppressive role of adenosine in the tumor microenvironment. We also highlight the importance of studies examining the adenosine system in this subset of patients for the potential insight they may offer into these complex disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul-Rizaq Hamoud
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Karen Bach
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Ojal Kakrecha
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Nicholas Henkel
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Xiaojun Wu
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Robert E. McCullumsmith
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
- Neurosciences Institute, ProMedica, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Sinead M. O’Donovan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
- Correspondence:
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Cai H, Zeng C, Zhang X, Liu Y, Wu R, Guo W, Wang J, Wu H, Tang H, Ge X, Yu Y, Zhang S, Cao T, Li N, Liang X, Yang P, Zhang B. Diminished treatment response in relapsed versus first-episode schizophrenia as revealed by a panel of blood-based biomarkers: A combined cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Psychiatry Res 2022; 316:114762. [PMID: 35940088 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There is a paucity of biomarkers for the prediction of treatment response in schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether diminished antipsychotic treatment response in relapsed versus first-episode schizophrenia can be revealed and predicted by a panel of blood-based biomarkers. A cross-sectional cohort consisting of 655 schizophrenia patients at different episodes and 606 healthy controls, and a longitudinal cohort including 52 first-episode antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients treated with the same antipsychotic drugs during the 5-year follow-up of their first three episodes were enrolled. Plasma biomarker changes and symptom improvement were compared between the drug-free phase of psychosis onset and after 4 weeks of atypical antipsychotic drug (AAPD) treatment. In response to treatment, the extent of changes in the biomarkers of bioenergetic, purinergic, phospholipid and neurosteroid metabolisms dwindled down as number of episode and illness duration increased in relapsed schizophrenia. The changes of creatine, inosine, progesterone, allopregnanolone, cortisol and PE(16:0/22:6) were significantly correlated with the improvement of symptomatology. Inosine and progesterone at baseline were shown to be strong predictive biomarkers of treatment response. The results suggest that AAPD treatment response is diminished in the context of relapse, and our findings open new avenues for understanding the pathophysiology of treatment-resistance schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hualin Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139# Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China; International Research Center for Precision Medicine, Transformative Technology and Software Services, Hunan, China.
| | - Cuirong Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139# Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangyang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bejing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bejing, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Renrong Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Wenbin Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Jianjian Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Haishan Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoping Ge
- Department of Psychiatry, Changsha Psychiatric Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, Changsha Psychiatric Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Shuangyang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139# Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ting Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139# Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nana Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139# Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoli Liang
- Department of Psychiatry, Hunan Brain Hospital, 427# Furong Road, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Hunan Brain Hospital, 427# Furong Road, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China.
| | - Bikui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139# Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China; International Research Center for Precision Medicine, Transformative Technology and Software Services, Hunan, China.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Unexpected non-apparent and hidden allosteric binding sites are non-classical and non-apparent allosteric centers in 3-D X-ray protein structures until orthosteric or allosteric ligands bind to them. The orthosteric center of one protomer that modulates binding centers of the other protomers within an oligomer is also an unexpected allosteric site. Furthermore, another partner protein can also produce these effects, acting as an unexpected allosteric modulator. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes both classical and non-classical allosterism. The authors focus on G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) oligomers as a paradigm of allosteric molecules. Moreover, they show several examples of unexpected allosteric sites such as hidden allosteric sites in a protomer that appear after the interaction with other molecules and the allosterism exerted between orthosteric sites within GPCR oligomer, emphasizing on the allosteric modulations that can occur between binding sites. EXPERT OPINION The study of these new non-classical allosteric sites will expand the diversity of allosteric control on the function of orthosteric sites within proteins, whether GPCRs or other receptors, enzymes or transporters. Moreover, the design of new drugs targeting these hidden allosteric sites or already known orthosteric sites acting as allosteric sites in protein homo- or hetero-oligomers will increase the therapeutic potential of allosterism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verònica Casadó-Anguera
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, and Institute of Biomedicine of the Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vicent Casadó
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, and Institute of Biomedicine of the Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Fernández-Dueñas V, Bonaventura J, Aso E, Luján R, Ferré S, Ciruela F. Overcoming the Challenges of Detecting GPCR Oligomerization in the Brain. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:1035-1045. [PMID: 34736381 PMCID: PMC9886828 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666211104145727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest group of membrane receptor proteins controlling brain activity. Accordingly, GPCRs are the main target of commercial drugs for most neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. One of the mechanisms by which GPCRs regulate neuronal function is by homo- and heteromerization, with the establishment of direct protein-protein interactions between the same and different GPCRs. The occurrence of GPCR homo- and heteromers in artificial systems is generally well accepted, but more specific methods are necessary to address GPCR oligomerization in the brain. Here, we revise some of the techniques that have mostly contributed to reveal GPCR oligomers in native tissue, which include immunogold electron microscopy, proximity ligation assay (PLA), resonance energy transfer (RET) between fluorescent ligands and the Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay (ALPHA). Of note, we use the archetypical GPCR oligomer, the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR)-dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) heteromer as an example to illustrate the implementation of these techniques, which can allow visualizing GPCR oligomers in the human brain under normal and pathological conditions. Indeed, GPCR oligomerization may be involved in the pathophysiology of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Fernández-Dueñas
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain;,Neuropharmacology & Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain;,Address correspondence to these authors at the Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; E-mails: ,
| | - Jordi Bonaventura
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain;,Neuropharmacology & Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Ester Aso
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain;,Neuropharmacology & Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Rafael Luján
- Synaptic Structure Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación en Discapacidades Neurológicas (IDINE), Departamento de Ciencias Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Sergi Ferré
- Integrative Neurobiology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Francisco Ciruela
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain;,Neuropharmacology & Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain;,Address correspondence to these authors at the Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; E-mails: ,
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Ferré S, Ciruela F, Dessauer CW, González-Maeso J, Hébert TE, Jockers R, Logothetis DE, Pardo L. G protein-coupled receptor-effector macromolecular membrane assemblies (GEMMAs). Pharmacol Ther 2022; 231:107977. [PMID: 34480967 PMCID: PMC9375844 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest group of receptors involved in cellular signaling across the plasma membrane and a major class of drug targets. The canonical model for GPCR signaling involves three components - the GPCR, a heterotrimeric G protein and a proximal plasma membrane effector - that have been generally thought to be freely mobile molecules able to interact by 'collision coupling'. Here, we synthesize evidence that supports the existence of GPCR-effector macromolecular membrane assemblies (GEMMAs) comprised of specific GPCRs, G proteins, plasma membrane effector molecules and other associated transmembrane proteins that are pre-assembled prior to receptor activation by agonists, which then leads to subsequent rearrangement of the GEMMA components. The GEMMA concept offers an alternative and complementary model to the canonical collision-coupling model, allowing more efficient interactions between specific signaling components, as well as the integration of the concept of GPCR oligomerization as well as GPCR interactions with orphan receptors, truncated GPCRs and other membrane-localized GPCR-associated proteins. Collision-coupling and pre-assembled mechanisms are not exclusive and likely both operate in the cell, providing a spectrum of signaling modalities which explains the differential properties of a multitude of GPCRs in their different cellular environments. Here, we explore the unique pharmacological characteristics of individual GEMMAs, which could provide new opportunities to therapeutically modulate GPCR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Ferré
- Integrative Neurobiology Section, National Institute on Drug Addiction, Intramural Research Program, NIH, DHHS, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Francisco Ciruela
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Carmen W. Dessauer
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Javier González-Maeso
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Terence E. Hébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec
| | - Ralf Jockers
- University of Paris, Institute Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Diomedes E. Logothetis
- Laboratory of Electrophysiology, Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmacy at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences and College of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Leonardo Pardo
- Laboratory of Computational Medicine, Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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Pulido D, Casadó-Anguera V, Gómez-Autet M, Llopart N, Moreno E, Casajuana-Martin N, Ferré S, Pardo L, Casadó V, Royo M. Heterobivalent Ligand for the Adenosine A 2A-Dopamine D 2 Receptor Heteromer. J Med Chem 2022; 65:616-632. [PMID: 34982555 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A G protein-coupled receptor heteromer that fulfills the established criteria for its existence in vivo is the complex between adenosine A2A (A2AR) and dopamine D2 (D2R) receptors. Here, we have designed and synthesized heterobivalent ligands for the A2AR-D2R heteromer with various spacer lengths. The indispensable simultaneous binding of these ligands to the two different orthosteric sites of the heteromer has been evaluated by radioligand competition-binding assays in the absence and presence of specific peptides that disrupt the formation of the heteromer, label-free dynamic mass redistribution assays in living cells, and molecular dynamic simulations. This combination of techniques has permitted us to identify compound 26 [KDB1 (A2AR) = 2.1 nM, KDB1 (D2R) = 0.13 nM], with a spacer length of 43-atoms, as a true bivalent ligand that simultaneously binds to the two different orthosteric sites. Moreover, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer experiments indicate that 26 favors the stabilization of the A2AR-D2R heteromer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pulido
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 08034 Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Surfactants and Nanobiotechnology, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Verònica Casadó-Anguera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Gómez-Autet
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadística, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Natàlia Llopart
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Estefanía Moreno
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nil Casajuana-Martin
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadística, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sergi Ferré
- Integrative Neurobiology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Leonardo Pardo
- Laboratori de Medicina Computacional, Unitat de Bioestadística, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Vicent Casadó
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Royo
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 08034 Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Surfactants and Nanobiotechnology, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Beggiato S, Zuccarini M, Cassano T, Borroto-Escuela DO, Di Iorio P, Schwarcz R, Fuxe K, Ferraro L. Adenosine and Kynurenic Acid Interactions: Possible Relevance for Schizophrenia Treatment? Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:654426. [PMID: 33935767 PMCID: PMC8080066 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.654426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Beggiato
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Zuccarini
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Tommaso Cassano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Patrizia Di Iorio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Robert Schwarcz
- Department of Psychiatry, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kjell Fuxe
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Luca Ferraro
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology and LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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