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Herrera-Rivero M, Bohn L, Witten A, Jüngling K, Kaiser S, Richter SH, Stoll M, Sachser N. Transcriptional profiles in the mouse amygdala after a cognitive judgment bias test largely depend on the genotype. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1025389. [DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1025389] [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: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The amygdala is crucial for emotional cognitive processing. Affective or emotional states can bias cognitive processes, including attention, memory, and decision-making. This can result in optimistic or pessimistic behaviors that are partially driven by the activation of the amygdala. The resulting emotional cognitive bias is a common feature of anxiety and mood disorders, both of which are interactively influenced by genetic and environmental factors. It is also known that emotional cognitive biases can be influenced by environmental factors. However, little is known about the effects of genetics and/or gene-environment interactions on emotional cognitive biases. We investigated the effects of the genetic background and environmental enrichment on the transcriptional profiles of the mouse amygdala following a well-established cognitive bias test.Methods: Twenty-four female C57BL/6J and B6D2F1N mice were housed either in standard (control) conditions or in an enriched environment. After appropriate training, the cognitive bias test was performed on 19 mice that satisfactorily completed the training scheme to assess their responses to ambiguous cues. This allowed us to calculate an “optimism score” for each mouse. Subsequently, we dissected the anterior and posterior portions of the amygdala to perform RNA-sequencing for differential expression and other statistical analyses.Results: In general, we found only minor changes in the amygdala’s transcriptome associated with the levels of optimism in our mice. In contrast, we observed wide molecular effects of the genetic background in both housing environments. The C57BL/6J animals showed more transcriptional changes in response to enriched environments than the B6D2F1N mice. We also generally found more dysregulated genes in the posterior than in the anterior portion of the amygdala. Gene set overrepresentation analyses consistently implicated cellular metabolic responses and immune processes in the differences observed between mouse strains, while processes favoring neurogenesis and neurotransmission were implicated in the responses to environmental enrichment. In a correlation analysis, lipid metabolism in the anterior amygdala was suggested to influence the levels of optimism.Conclusions: Our observations underscore the importance of selecting appropriate animal models when performing molecular studies of affective conditions or emotional states, and suggest an important role of immune and stress responses in the genetic component of emotion regulation.
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Bengoetxea X, Goedecke L, Remmes J, Blaesse P, Grosch T, Lesting J, Pape HC, Jüngling K. Human-Specific Neuropeptide S Receptor Variants Regulate Fear Extinction in the Basal Amygdala of Male and Female Mice Depending on Threat Salience. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:145-155. [PMID: 33902914 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.02.967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphism in the neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1) gene (rs324981) results in isoleucine-to-asparagine substitution at amino acid 107. In humans, the ancestral variant (NPSR1 I107) is associated with increased anxiety sensitivity and risk of panic disorder, while the human-specific variant (NPSR1 N107) is considered protective against excessive anxiety. In rodents, neurobiological constituents of the NPS system have been analyzed in detail and their anxiolytic-like effects have been endorsed. However, their implication for anxiety and related disorders in humans remains unclear, as rodents carry only the ancestral NPSR1 I107 variant. METHODS We hypothesized that phenotypic correlates of NPSR1 variants manifest in fear-related circuits in the amygdala. We used CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9)-mediated gene editing to generate a "humanized" mouse strain, in which individuals express either NPSR1 I107 or NPSR1 N107. RESULTS Stimulation of NPSR1 evoked excitatory responses in principal neurons of the anterior basal amygdala with significant differences in magnitude between genotypes, resulting in synaptic disinhibition of putative extinction neurons in the posterior basal amygdala in mice expressing the human-specific hypofunctional N107 but not the ancestral I107 variant. N107 mice displayed improved extinction of conditioned fear, which was phenocopied after pharmacological antagonism of NPSR1 in the anterior basal amygdala of I107 mice. Differences in fear extinction between male and female mice were related to an interaction of Npsr1 genotype and salience of fear training. CONCLUSIONS The NPS system regulates extinction circuits in the amygdala depending on the Npsr1 genotype, contributing to sex-specific differences in fear extinction and high anxiety sensitivity of individuals bearing the ancestral NPSR1 I107 variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Bengoetxea
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Lena Goedecke
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Jasmin Remmes
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Peter Blaesse
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Grosch
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Jörg Lesting
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Hans-Christian Pape
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Kay Jüngling
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany.
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Park S, Flüthmann P, Wolany C, Goedecke L, Spenner HM, Budde T, Pape HC, Jüngling K. Neuropeptide S Receptor Stimulation Excites Principal Neurons in Murine Basolateral Amygdala through a Calcium-Dependent Decrease in Membrane Potassium Conductance. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060519. [PMID: 34072275 PMCID: PMC8230190 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The neuropeptide S system, consisting of the 20 amino acid neuropeptide NPS and its G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1), has been studied intensively in rodents. Although there is a lot of data retrieved from behavioral studies using pharmacology or genetic interventions, little is known about intracellular signaling cascades in neurons endogenously expressing the NPSR1. Methods: To elucidate possible G-protein-dependent signaling and effector systems, we performed whole-cell patch-clamp recordings on principal neurons of the anterior basolateral amygdala of mice. We used pharmacological interventions to characterize the NPSR1-mediated current induced by NPS application. Results: Application of NPS reliably evokes inward-directed currents in amygdalar neurons recorded in brain slice preparations of male and female mice. The NPSR1-mediated current had a reversal potential near the potassium reversal potential (EK) and was accompanied by an increase in membrane input resistance. GDP-β-S and BAPTA, but neither adenylyl cyclase inhibition nor 8-Br-cAMP, abolished the current. Intracellular tetraethylammonium or 4-aminopyridine reduced the NPS-evoked current. Conclusion: NPSR1 activation in amygdalar neurons inhibits voltage-gated potassium (K+) channels, most likely members of the delayed rectifier family. Intracellularly, Gαq signaling and calcium ions seem to be mandatory for the observed current and increased neuronal excitability.
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Reinscheid RK, Mafessoni F, Lüttjohann A, Jüngling K, Pape HC, Schulz S. Neandertal introgression and accumulation of hypomorphic mutations in the neuropeptide S (NPS) system promote attenuated functionality. Peptides 2021; 138:170506. [PMID: 33556445 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide S (NPS) system plays an important role in fear and fear memory processing but has also been associated with allergic and inflammatory diseases. Genes for NPS and its receptor NPSR1 are found in all tetrapods. Compared to non-human primates, several non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) occur in both human genes that collectively result in functional attenuation, suggesting adaptive mechanisms in a human context. To investigate historic and geographic origins of these hypomorphic mutations and explore genetic signs of selection, we analyzed ancient genomes and worldwide genotype frequencies of four prototypic SNPs in the NPS system. Neandertal and Denisovan genomes contain exclusively ancestral alleles for NPSR1 while all derived alleles occur in ancient genomes of anatomically modern humans, indicating that they arose in modern Homo sapiens. Worldwide genotype frequencies for three hypomorphic NPSR1 SNPs show significant regional homogeneity but follow a gradient towards increasing derived allele frequencies that supports an out-of-Africa scenario. Increased density of high-frequency polymorphisms around the three NPSR1 loci suggests weak or possibly balancing selection. A hypomorphic mutation in the NPS precursor, however, was detected at high frequency in Eurasian Neandertal genomes and shows genetic signatures indicating that it was introgressed into the human gene pool, particularly in Southern Europe, by interbreeding with Neandertals. We discuss potential evolutionary scenarios including behavior and immune-based natural selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer K Reinscheid
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany; Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische-Wilhelms-University, Münster, Germany.
| | | | - Annika Lüttjohann
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische-Wilhelms-University, Münster, Germany
| | - Kay Jüngling
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische-Wilhelms-University, Münster, Germany
| | - Hans-Christian Pape
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische-Wilhelms-University, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
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Bengoetxea X, Goedecke L, Blaesse P, Pape HC, Jüngling K. The µ-opioid system in midline thalamic nuclei modulates defence strategies towards a conditioned fear stimulus in male mice. J Psychopharmacol 2020; 34:1280-1288. [PMID: 32684084 PMCID: PMC7604929 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120940919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nuclei located in the dorsal midline thalamus, such as the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT), are crucial to modulate fear and aversive behaviour. In addition, the PVT shows a dense expression of µ-opioid receptors (MORs) and could mediate the anxiolytic effects of opioids. METHODS We analysed the contribution of MORs in the dorsal midline thalamus (i.e. the PVT) to the performance of mice in a classical fear conditioning paradigm. We locally injected a specific agonist (DAMGO), an antagonist (CTAP) of MOR or saline as a control into the dorsal midline thalamus of male mice, prior to fear extinction training. We assessed freezing as a typical measure of fear and extended our analysis by evaluation of aversive, non-aversive and neutral behavioural features using compositional data analysis. RESULTS Pharmacological blockade of MORs through CTAP in the dorsal midline thalamus induced a fear memory extinction deficit, as evidenced by maintained freezing during extinction sessions. Stimulation of MORs by DAMGO resulted in an overall increase in locomotor activity, associated with decreased freezing during recall of extinction. Compositional data analysis confirmed the freezing-related pharmacological effects and revealed specific differences in basic behavioural states. CTAP-treated mice remained in an aversive state, whereas DAMGO-treated mice displayed predominantly neutral behaviour. CONCLUSIONS Fear extinction requires the integrity of the µ-opioid system in the dorsal midline thalamus. Pharmacological stimulation of MOR and associated facilitation of fear extinction recall suggest a potential therapeutic avenue for stress-related or anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Bengoetxea
- Xabier Bengoetxea, Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, Münster, 48149, Germany.
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Haaker J, Maren S, Andreatta M, Merz CJ, Richter J, Richter SH, Meir Drexler S, Lange MD, Jüngling K, Nees F, Seidenbecher T, Fullana MA, Wotjak CT, Lonsdorf TB. Making translation work: Harmonizing cross-species methodology in the behavioural neuroscience of Pavlovian fear conditioning. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:329-345. [PMID: 31521698 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [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: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Translational neuroscience bridges insights from specific mechanisms in rodents to complex functions in humans and is key to advance our general understanding of central nervous function. A prime example of translational research is the study of cross-species mechanisms that underlie responding to learned threats, by employing Pavlovian fear conditioning protocols in rodents and humans. Hitherto, evidence for (and critique of) these cross-species comparisons in fear conditioning research was based on theoretical viewpoints. Here, we provide a perspective to substantiate these theoretical concepts with empirical considerations of cross-species methodology. This meta-research perspective is expected to foster cross-species comparability and reproducibility to ultimately facilitate successful transfer of results from basic science into clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Haaker
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Stephen Maren
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Marta Andreatta
- Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Christian J Merz
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Psychology, Germany
| | - Jan Richter
- Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - S Helene Richter
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Shira Meir Drexler
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Psychology, Germany
| | - Maren D Lange
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Kay Jüngling
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frauke Nees
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Miquel A Fullana
- Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carsten T Wotjak
- Neuronal Plasticity Research Group, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - Tina B Lonsdorf
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Liu X, Si W, Garau C, Jüngling K, Pape HC, Schulz S, Reinscheid RK. Neuropeptide S precursor knockout mice display memory and arousal deficits. Eur J Neurosci 2017; 46:1689-1700. [PMID: 28548278 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Activation of neuropeptide S (NPS) signaling has been found to produce arousal, wakefulness, anxiolytic-like behaviors, and enhanced memory formation. In order to further study physiological functions of the NPS system, we generated NPS precursor knockout mice by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. NPS-/- mice were viable, fertile, and anatomically normal, when compared to their wild-type and heterozygous littermates. The total number of NPS neurons-although no longer synthesizing the peptide - was not affected by the knockout, as analyzed in NPS-/- /NPSEGFP double transgenic mice. Analysis of behavioral phenotypes revealed significant deficits in exploratory activity in NPS-/- mice. NPS precursor knockout mice displayed attenuated arousal in the hole board test, visible as reduced total nose pokes and number of holes inspected, that was not confounded by increased repetitive or stereotypic behavior. Importantly, long-term memory was significantly impaired in NPS-/- mice in the inhibitory avoidance paradigm. NPS precursor knockout mice displayed mildly increased anxiety-like behaviors in three different tests measuring responses to stress and novelty. Interestingly, heterozygous littermates often presented behavioral deficits similar to NPS-/- mice or displayed intermediate phenotype. These observations may suggest limited ligand availability in critical neural circuits. Overall, phenotypical changes in NPS-/- mice are similar to those observed in NPS receptor knockout mice and support earlier findings that suggest major functions of the NPS system in arousal, regulation of anxiety and stress, and memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobin Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Wei Si
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Celia Garau
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kay Jüngling
- Institute of Physiology I, University Hospital Münster, Westfälische-Wilhems-University, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, D-48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Hans-Christian Pape
- Institute of Physiology I, University Hospital Münster, Westfälische-Wilhems-University, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, D-48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
| | - Rainer K Reinscheid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.,Institute of Physiology I, University Hospital Münster, Westfälische-Wilhems-University, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, D-48149, Münster, Germany.,Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
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Jüngling K, Blaesse P, Goedecke L, Pape HC. Dynorphin-Dependent Reduction of Excitability and Attenuation of Inhibitory Afferents of NPS Neurons in the Pericoerulear Region of Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:61. [PMID: 27013974 PMCID: PMC4786570 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Neuropeptide S system, consisting of the 20-amino acid peptide neuropeptide S (NPS) and its G-protein coupled receptor (NPSR), modulates arousal, wakefulness, anxiety, and fear-extinction in mice. In addition, recent evidence indicates that the NPS system attenuates stress-dependent impairment of fear extinction, and that NPS-expressing neurons in close proximity to the locus coeruleus region (LC; pericoerulear, periLC) are activated by stress. Furthermore, periLC NPS neurons receive afferents from neurons of the centrolateral nucleus of the amygdala (CeL), of which a substantial population expresses the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) ligand precursor prodynorphin. This study aims to identify the effect of the dynorphinergic system on NPS neurons in the periLC via pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms. Using electrophysiological recordings in mouse brain slices, we provide evidence that NPS neurons in the periLC region are directly inhibited by dynorphin A (DynA) via activation of κ-opioid receptor 1 (KOR1) and a subsequent increase of potassium conductances. Thus, the dynorphinergic system is suited to inactivate NPS neurons in the periLC. In addition to this direct, somatic effect, DynA reduces the efficacy of GABAergic synapses on NPS neurons via KOR1 and KOR2. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence for the interaction of the NPS and the kappa opioid system in the periLC. Therefore, the endogenous opioid dynorphin is suited to inhibit NPS neurons with a subsequent decrease in NPS release in putative target regions leading to a variety of physiological consequences such as increased anxiety or vulnerability to stress exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Jüngling
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster Münster, Germany
| | - Peter Blaesse
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster Münster, Germany
| | - Lena Goedecke
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster Münster, Germany
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Jüngling K, Lange MD, Szkudlarek HJ, Lesting J, Erdmann FS, Doengi M, Kügler S, Pape HC. Increased GABAergic Efficacy of Central Amygdala Projections to Neuropeptide S Neurons in the Brainstem During Fear Memory Retrieval. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:2753-63. [PMID: 25936641 PMCID: PMC4864651 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Revised: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The canonical view on the central amygdala has evolved from a simple output station towards a highly organized microcircuitry, in which types of GABAergic neurons in centrolateral (CeL) and centromedial (CeM) subnuclei regulate fear expression and generalization. How these specific neuronal populations are connected to extra-amygdaloid target regions remains largely unknown. Here we show in mice that a subpopulation of GABAergic CeL and CeM neurons projects monosynaptically to brainstem neurons expressing neuropeptide S (NPS). The CeL neurons are PKCδ-negative and are activated during conditioned fear. During fear memory retrieval, the efficacy of this GABAergic influence on NPS neurons is enhanced. Moreover, a large proportion of these neurons (~50%) contain prodynorphin and somatostatin, two neuropeptides inhibiting NPS neurons. We conclude that CeL and CeM neurons inhibit NPS neurons in the brainstem by GABA release and that efficacy of this connection is strengthened upon fear memory retrieval. Thereby, this pathway provides a possible feedback mechanism between amygdala and brainstem routes involved in fear and stress coping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Jüngling
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany,Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, Münster D-48149, Germany. E-mail: or
| | - Maren D Lange
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Hanna J Szkudlarek
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jörg Lesting
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank S Erdmann
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Doengi
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kügler
- Department of Neurology, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Christian Pape
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany,Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, Münster D-48149, Germany. E-mail: or
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Broccoli L, Jüngling K, Borroto-Escuela DO, Spanagel R, Sommer WH, Pape HC, Fuxe K, Deussing JM, Hansson AC. SY28-4CROSS-TALK OF CORTICOTROPIN RELEASING HORMONE RECEPTOR SUBTYPE 1 WITH DOPAMINE D1 RECEPTOR: FUNCTIONAL RELEVANCE IN ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE. Alcohol Alcohol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agv076.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Erdmann F, Kügler S, Blaesse P, Lange MD, Skryabin BV, Pape HC, Jüngling K. Neuronal expression of the human neuropeptide S receptor NPSR1 identifies NPS-induced calcium signaling pathways. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117319. [PMID: 25714705 PMCID: PMC4340626 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide S (NPS) system was discovered as a novel neurotransmitter system a decade ago and has since been identified as a key player in the modulation of fear and anxiety. Genetic variations of the human NPS receptor (NPSR1) have been associated with pathologies like panic disorders. However, details on the molecular fundamentals of NPSR1 activity in neurons remained elusive. We expressed NPSR1 in primary hippocampal cultures. Using single-cell calcium imaging we found that NPSR1 stimulation induced calcium mobilization from the endoplasmic reticulum via activation of IP3 and ryanodine receptors. Store-operated calcium channels were activated in a downstream process mediating entry of extracellular calcium. We provide the first detailed analysis of NPSR1 activity and the underlying intracellular pathways with respect to calcium mobilization in neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Erdmann
- Institute of Physiology I, Neurophysiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Strasse, 27a, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kügler
- Center of Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CMPB), Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen, Waldweg, 33, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Blaesse
- Institute of Physiology I, Neurophysiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Strasse, 27a, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Maren D. Lange
- Institute of Physiology I, Neurophysiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Strasse, 27a, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Boris V. Skryabin
- Institute of Experimental Pathology, ZMBE and Interdisciplinary Clinical Research Center, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Hans-Christian Pape
- Institute of Physiology I, Neurophysiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Strasse, 27a, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Kay Jüngling
- Institute of Physiology I, Neurophysiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Strasse, 27a, 48149, Münster, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Neumann JR, Dash-Wagh S, Jüngling K, Tsai T, Meschkat M, Räk A, Schönfelder S, Riedel C, Hamad MIK, Wiese S, Pape HC, Gottmann K, Kreutz MR, Wahle P. Y-P30 promotes axonal growth by stabilizing growth cones. Brain Struct Funct 2014; 220:1935-50. [PMID: 24728870 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0764-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The 30-amino acid peptide Y-P30, generated from the N-terminus of the human dermcidin precursor protein, has been found to promote neuronal survival, cell migration and neurite outgrowth by enhancing the interaction of pleiotrophin and syndecan-3. We now show that Y-P30 activates Src kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Y-P30 promotes axonal growth of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived neurons, embryonic mouse spinal cord motoneurons, perinatal rat retinal neurons, and rat cortical neurons. Y-P30-mediated axon growth was dependent on heparan sulfate chains. Y-P30 decreased the proportion of collapsing/degenerating growth cones of cortical axons in an Src and ERK-dependent manner. Y-P30 increased for 90 min in axonal growth cones the level of Tyr418-phosphorylated Src kinase and the amount of F-actin, and transiently the level of Tyr-phosphorylated ERK. Levels of total Src kinase, actin, GAP-43, cortactin and the glutamate receptor subunit GluN2B were not altered. When exposed to semaphorin-3a, Y-P30 protected a significant fraction of growth cones of cortical neurons from collapse. These results suggest that Y-P30 promotes axonal growth via Src- and ERK-dependent mechanisms which stabilize growth cones and confer resistance to collapsing factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine R Neumann
- AG Entwicklungsneurobiologie, Fakultät für Biologie und Biotechnologie, ND 6/72, Ruhr-Universität, 44801, Bochum, Germany
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Pielarski KN, van Stegen B, Andreyeva A, Nieweg K, Jüngling K, Redies C, Gottmann K. Asymmetric N-cadherin expression results in synapse dysfunction, synapse elimination, and axon retraction in cultured mouse neurons. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54105. [PMID: 23382872 PMCID: PMC3561303 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 08/18/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Synapse elimination and pruning of axon collaterals are crucial developmental events in the refinement of neuronal circuits. While a control of synapse formation by adhesion molecules is well established, the involvement of adhesion molecules in developmental synapse loss is poorly characterized. To investigate the consequences of mis-match expression of a homophilic synaptic adhesion molecule, we analysed an asymmetric, exclusively postsynaptic expression of N-cadherin. This was induced by transfecting individual neurons in cultures of N-cadherin knockout mouse neurons with a N-cadherin expression vector. 2 days after transfection, patch-clamp analysis of AMPA receptor-mediated miniature postsynaptic currents revealed an impaired synaptic function without a reduction in the number of presynaptic vesicle clusters. Long-term asymmetric expression of N-cadherin for 8 days subsequently led to synapse elimination as indicated by a loss of colocalization of presynaptic vesicles and postsynaptic PSD95 protein. We further studied long-term asymmetric N-cadherin expression by conditional, Cre-induced knockout of N-cadherin in individual neurons in cultures of N-cadherin expressing cortical mouse neurons. This resulted in a strong retraction of axonal processes in individual neurons that lacked N-cadherin protein. Moreover, an in vivo asymmetric expression of N-cadherin in the developmentally transient cortico-tectal projection was indicated by in-situ hybridization with layer V neurons lacking N-cadherin expression. Thus, mis-match expression of N-cadherin might contribute to selective synaptic connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim N. Pielarski
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bernd van Stegen
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Aksana Andreyeva
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Katja Nieweg
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kay Jüngling
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph Redies
- Institute of Anatomy I, University of Jena School of Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Kurt Gottmann
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Jüngling K, Liu X, Lesting J, Coulon P, Sosulina L, Reinscheid RK, Pape HC. Activation of neuropeptide S-expressing neurons in the locus coeruleus by corticotropin-releasing factor. J Physiol 2012; 590:3701-17. [PMID: 22570383 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.226423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A recently discovered neurotransmitter system, consisting of neuropeptide S (NPS), NPS receptor, and NPS-expressing neurons in the brain stem, has received considerable interest due to its modulating influence on arousal, anxiety and stress responsiveness. Comparatively little is known about the properties of NPS-expressing neurons. Therefore in the present study, a transgenic mouse line expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in NPS neurons was used to characterize the cellular and functional properties of NPS-expressing neurons located close to the locus coeruleus. Particular emphasis was on the influence of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), given previous evidence of stress-related activation of the NPS system. Upon acute immobilization stress, an increase in c-fos expression was detected immunocytochemically in brain stem NPS-EGFP neurons that also expressed the CRF receptor 1 (CRF1). NPS-EGFP neurons were readily identified in acute slice preparations and responded to CRF application with a membrane depolarization capable of triggering action potentials. CRF-induced responses displayed pharmacological properties indicative of CRF1 that were mediated by both a reduction in membrane potassium conductance and an increase in a non-specific cation conductance different from the hyperpolarization-activated cation conductance Ih, and involved protein kinase A signalling. In conclusion, stress exposure results in activation of brain stem NPS-expressing neurons, involving a CRF1-mediated membrane depolarization via at least two ionic mechanisms. These data provide evidence for a direct interaction between the CRF and the NPS system and thereby extend previous observations of NPS-modulated stress responsiveness towards a mechanistic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Jüngling
- H.-C. Pape: Institute of Physiology I; Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
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15
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Lange MD, Doengi M, Lesting J, Pape HC, Jüngling K. Heterosynaptic long-term potentiation at interneuron-principal neuron synapses in the amygdala requires nitric oxide signalling. J Physiol 2011; 590:131-43. [PMID: 22041183 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.221317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-lasting changes of synaptic efficacy are thought to be a prerequisite for memory formation and maintenance. In the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA), one of the main regions for fear and extinction learning of the brain, various forms of long-term potentiation (LTP) have been described for excitatory glutamatergic synapses. In contrast, little is known about the mechanisms of LTP at inhibitory GABAergic synapses. Here we provide evidence that (1) LTP at inhibitory GABAergic synapses (LTP(i)) between inhibitory interneurons and principal neurons (PNs) can be induced by theta-burst stimulation (TBS), (2) this LTP(i) is prevented by AMPA- or NMDA-receptor antagonists, and (3) this LTP(i) is abolished by the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-NAME or the NO scavenger PTIO, and thus is critically dependent on nitric oxide (NO) signalling. These findings are corroborated by immunocytochemical stainings for neuronal (n) NOS, which revealed the existence of nNOS-positive neurons and fibres in the BLA. We conclude that LTP of GABAergic synaptic transmission to PNs is induced by activation of AMPA and NMDA receptors at glutamatergic synapses and subsequent retrograde NO signalling to enhance GABAergic transmission. This form of LTP at GABAergic synapses comprises a novel form of heterosynaptic plasticity within the BLA, apt to shape conditioned fear responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Lange
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany
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16
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Fiederling A, Ewert R, Andreyeva A, Jüngling K, Gottmann K. E-cadherin is required at GABAergic synapses in cultured cortical neurons. Neurosci Lett 2011; 501:167-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2011.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2011] [Revised: 06/17/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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17
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Okamura N, Garau C, Duangdao DM, Clark SD, Jüngling K, Pape HC, Reinscheid RK. Neuropeptide S enhances memory during the consolidation phase and interacts with noradrenergic systems in the brain. Neuropsychopharmacology 2011; 36:744-52. [PMID: 21150909 PMCID: PMC3037424 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2010.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) has been shown to promote arousal and anxiolytic-like effects, as well as facilitation of fear extinction. In rodents, NPS receptors (NPSR) are prominently expressed in brain structures involved in learning and memory. Here, we investigate whether exogenous or endogenous NPS signaling can modulate acquisition, consolidation, or recall of emotional, spatial, and contextual memory traces, using two common behavioral paradigms, inhibitory avoidance (IA) and novel object recognition. In the IA paradigm, immediate and delayed post-training central NPS administration dose dependently enhanced memory retention in mice, indicating that NPS may act during the consolidation phase to enhance long-term memory. In contrast, pre-training or pre-test NPS injections were ineffective, suggesting that NPS had no effect on IA memory acquisition or recall. Peripheral administration of a synthetic NPSR antagonist attenuated NPS-induced IA memory enhancement, showing pharmacological specificity. NPS also enhanced hippocampal-dependent non-aversive memory in the novel object recognition task. In contrast, NPSR knockout mice displayed deficits in IA memory, novel object recognition, and novel place or context recognition, suggesting that activity of the endogenous NPS system is required for memory formation. Blockade of adrenergic signaling by propranolol attenuated NPS-induced memory enhancement in the IA task, indicating involvement of central noradrenergic systems. These results provide evidence for a facilitatory role of NPS in long-term memory, independent of memory content, possibly by acting as a salience signal or as an arousal-promoting factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoe Okamura
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Celia Garau
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Dee M Duangdao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Stewart D Clark
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kay Jüngling
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Hans-Christian Pape
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Rainer K Reinscheid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA,Department of Pharmacology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, 2214 Natural Sciences I, Irvine, CA 92697-3958, USA. Tel: +1 949 824 9228; Fax: +1 949 824 2949; E-mail:
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Pape HC, Jüngling K, Seidenbecher T, Lesting J, Reinscheid RK. Neuropeptide S: a transmitter system in the brain regulating fear and anxiety. Neuropharmacology 2010; 58:29-34. [PMID: 19523478 PMCID: PMC2784192 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2009.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [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: 04/28/2009] [Revised: 05/29/2009] [Accepted: 06/01/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The recently discovered Neuropeptide S (NPS) and its cognate receptor represent a highly interesting system of neuromodulation with unique physiological effects. On one hand, NPS increases wakefulness and arousal. On the other, NPS produces anxiolytic-like effects by acutely reducing fear responses as well as modulating long-term aspects of fear memory, such as attenuation of contextual fear or enhancement of fear extinction. The main sources of NPS in the brain are a few clusters of NPS-producing neurons in the brainstem. NPS binds to a G-protein-coupled receptor that is highly conserved among vertebrates and stimulates mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+) as well as activation of protein kinases. In synaptic circuits within the amygdala, which are important for processing of acute fear as well as formation and expression of fear memories, NPS causes increased release of the excitatory transmitter glutamate, especially in synaptic contacts to a subset of GABAergic interneurons. Polymorphisms in the human NPS receptor gene have been associated with altered sleep behavior and panic disorder. In conclusion, the NPS system displays a unique physiological profile with respect to the specificity and time course of its actions. These functions could provide interesting opportunities for both basic research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Christian Pape
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische-Wilhelms University, Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27 A, D-48149, Germany.
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19
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Jüngling K, Seidenbecher T, Sosulina L, Lesting J, Sangha S, Clark SD, Okamura N, Duangdao DM, Xu YL, Reinscheid RK, Pape HC. Neuropeptide S-mediated control of fear expression and extinction: role of intercalated GABAergic neurons in the amygdala. Neuron 2008; 59:298-310. [PMID: 18667157 PMCID: PMC2610688 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2008.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2008] [Revised: 05/13/2008] [Accepted: 07/10/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A deficient extinction of memory is particularly important in the regime of fear, where it limits the beneficial outcomes of treatments of anxiety disorders. Fear extinction is thought to involve inhibitory influences of the prefrontal cortex on the amygdala, although the detailed synaptic mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we report that neuropeptide S (NPS), a recently discovered transmitter of ascending brainstem neurons, evokes anxiolytic effects and facilitates extinction of conditioned fear responses when administered into the amygdala in mice. An NPS receptor antagonist exerts functionally opposing responses, indicating that endogenous NPS is involved in anxiety behavior and extinction. Cellularly, NPS increases glutamatergic transmission to intercalated GABAergic neurons in the amygdala via presynaptic NPS receptors on connected principal neurons. These results identify mechanisms of NPS in the brain, a key role of intercalated neurons in the amygdala for fear extinction, and a potential pharmacological avenue for treating anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Jüngling
- Institute of Physiology I (Neurophysiology), Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Seidenbecher
- Institute of Physiology I (Neurophysiology), Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Ludmila Sosulina
- Institute of Physiology I (Neurophysiology), Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Jörg Lesting
- Institute of Physiology I (Neurophysiology), Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Susan Sangha
- Institute of Physiology I (Neurophysiology), Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Stewart D. Clark
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
| | - Naoe Okamura
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
| | - Dee M. Duangdao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
| | - Yan-Ling Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
| | - Rainer K. Reinscheid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
| | - Hans-Christian Pape
- Institute of Physiology I (Neurophysiology), Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27a, D-48149 Münster, Germany
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Walz C, Jüngling K, Lessmann V, Gottmann K. Presynaptic Plasticity in an Immature Neocortical Network Requires NMDA Receptor Activation and BDNF Release. J Neurophysiol 2006; 96:3512-6. [PMID: 17110740 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00018.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Activity-dependent developmental maturation of the neocortical network is thought to involve the stabilization and potentiation of immature synapses. In particular, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent long-term plasticity that is expressed presynaptically appears to be crucial for the selection of functionally adequate synapses. However, presynaptic expression of long-term plasticity in neocortical neurons has mainly been studied indirectly by electrophysiological techniques. Here we analyzed presynaptic plasticity directly by repeated imaging of actively cycling presynaptic vesicles with the styryl dye FM4-64 in cultured neocortical neurons at 34°C. To monitor long-term changes, stimulation-induced saturating FM4-64 staining and subsequent destaining was performed twice with an interval of 1.5 h between stainings and with the first staining serving as a plasticity stimulus. In the vast majority of presynaptic release sites, we found an increase in the mean fluorescence intensity after the second staining indicating an enhanced number of cycling synaptic vesicles. Most intriguingly, we additionally observed the appearance of new active release sites. As demonstrated by the addition of the NMDA receptor antagonist d-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (d-AP5), both plasticity phenomena were strictly dependent on NMDA receptor activation. This suggests that a subpopulation of release sites was functionally silent during the first round of staining. Moreover, we studied a potential role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in this type of presynaptic plasticity by imaging BDNF-deficient neocortical neurons. The increase in fluorescence intensity was strongly inhibited in BDNF-knockout neurons and was absent in wild-type neurons in the presence of BDNF scavenging trkB receptor bodies. These results indicate that BDNF might play an important role as a plasticity-related messenger molecule in neocortical neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Walz
- Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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Jüngling K, Eulenburg V, Moore R, Kemler R, Lessmann V, Gottmann K. N-cadherin transsynaptically regulates short-term plasticity at glutamatergic synapses in embryonic stem cell-derived neurons. J Neurosci 2006; 26:6968-78. [PMID: 16807326 PMCID: PMC6673917 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1013-06.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The cell adhesion molecule N-cadherin has been proposed to regulate synapse formation in mammalian central neurons. This is based on its synaptic localization enabling alignment of presynaptic and postsynaptic specializations by an adhesion mechanism. However, a potential role of N-cadherin in regulating synaptic transmission has remained elusive. In this paper, a functional analysis of N-cadherin knock-out synapses was enabled by in vitro neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells circumventing the early embryonic lethality of mice genetically null for N-cadherin. In our in vitro system, initial synapse formation was not altered in the absence of N-cadherin, which might be attributable to compensatory mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that N-cadherin is required for regulating presynaptic function at glutamatergic synapses. An impairment in the availability of vesicles for exocytosis became apparent selectively during high activity. Short-term plasticity was strongly altered with synaptic depression enhanced in the absence of N-cadherin. Most intriguingly, facilitation was converted to depression under specific stimulation conditions. This indicates an important role of N-cadherin in the control of short-term plasticity. To analyze, whether N-cadherin regulates presynaptic function by a transsynaptic mechanism, we studied chimeric cultures consisting of wild-type neocortical neurons and ES cell-derived neurons. With N-cadherin absent only postsynaptically, we observed a similar increase in short-term synaptic depression as found in its complete absence. This indicates a retrograde control of short-term plasticity by N-cadherin. In summary, our results revealed an unexpected involvement of a synaptic adhesion molecule in the regulation of short-term plasticity at glutamatergic synapses.
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Copi A, Jüngling K, Gottmann K. Activity- and BDNF-induced plasticity of miniature synaptic currents in ES cell-derived neurons integrated in a neocortical network. J Neurophysiol 2006; 94:4538-43. [PMID: 16293594 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00155.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro differentiated embryonic stem (ES) cells have been proposed as potential donor cells for cell replacement therapies of neurodegenerative diseases. The functional synaptic integration of such cells appears conceivable because ES cell-derived neurons are well known to establish excitatory and inhibitory synapses. However, long-term synaptic plasticity, a prerequisite of memory formation, has not yet been demonstrated at these synapses. After in vitro differentiation and purification by immunoisolation, we co-cultured ES cell-derived neurons with neocortical explants, which strongly innervated the ES cell-derived target neurons. ES cell-derived neurons exhibited action potential firing similar to primary cultured neocortical neurons. The formation of glutamatergic synapses was indicated by AMPA receptor-mediated miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (AMPA mEPSCs). In addition, a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated, D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid-sensitive mEPSC component was observed. We first studied activity-dependent homeostatic plasticity (synaptic scaling) of mEPSCs at glutamatergic synapses. Chronic blockade of action potential activity by TTX resulted in an increase in the amplitudes of AMPA mEPSCs. This indicates that ES cell-derived neurons are capable of a homeostatic regulation of postsynaptic AMPA receptors. In addition, we investigated neurotrophin-induced synaptic plasticity of mEPSCs at glutamatergic synapses. Chronic addition of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; 100 ng/ml) to the culture medium resulted in an increase in both the frequency and the amplitudes of AMPA mEPSCs. These results suggest that BDNF induces the formation and/or the functional maturation of presynaptic release sites in parallel with an upregulation of postsynaptic AMPA receptors. Thus BDNF represents a potential co-factor that could improve functional synaptic integration of ES cell-derived neurons into neocortical networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Copi
- Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany
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Abstract
The pluripotency and high proliferative capacity of embryonic stem (ES) cells (1-3) makes them an attractive source of different cell types for biomedical research and cell replacement therapies. A major prerequisite for these applications is the availability of a homogeneous population of the desired cell type. However, ES cell-derived material contains, for example, undifferentiated cells, which can cause tumor formation after transplantation into the brain (4). To avoid such unwanted side effects, effective purification of distinct types of cells needs to be developed. Here, we describe an immunoisolation procedure to purify neurons from in vitro differentiated mouse ES cells using an antibody against the neuronal cell adhesion molecule L1 (5, 6). Our procedure yields a pure population of differentiated neurons, which are electrically excitable and form excitatory, glutamatergic, and inhibitory GABAergic synapses. The ability to highly purify ES cell-derived neurons will boost their molecular characterization and the further exploration of their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Jüngling
- Department Cell Physiology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
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Walter E, Staiger C, de Vries J, Weber E, Bitzer W, Degott M, Jüngling K. Enhanced drug metabolism after sulfinpyrazone treatment in patients aged 50 to 60 years. Klin Wochenschr 1982; 60:1409-13. [PMID: 6129344 DOI: 10.1007/bf01716246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The induction of liver drug metabolism was investigated in five patients before and after the administration of 800 mg sulfinpyrazone daily for 4 weeks, by using antipyrine plasma-pharmacokinetics and by determining urinary excretion of 6-beta-OH-cortisol and serum gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) activity. Antipyrine half-life was shortened in all patients from a mean value of 12.3 +/- 3.9 h to 7.8 +/- 2.0 h and antipyrine clearance was increased from 39.0 +/- 16.0 ml/min to 57.6 +/- 13.7 ml/min. In contrast the volume of distribution of antipyrine was unaffected; the values being 38.0 +/- 8.6 liters and 37.4 +/- 5.7 liters, respectively. In all patients the excretion of 6-beta-OH-cortisol in the urine went up from 65.0 +/- 25.7 micrograms/24 h to 346.8 +/- 193.4 micrograms/24 h. The ratio 6-beta-OH-cortisol/free cortisol changed from 4.1 to 15.8. After 21 days of treatment the GGT increased from 17.4 +/- 4.9 units/liter to 32.6 +/- 12.5 units/liter The data presented confirm that sulfinpyrazone induces drug metabolism in patients of the older age group. Interactions between sulfinpyrazone and other drugs given simultaneously must be borne in mind.
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Jüngling K. [Clinical studies with the new antihypertensive agent Catapresan]. Med Welt 1968; 39:2105-13. [PMID: 4887319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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