Characterizing molecular and synaptic signatures in mouse models of late-onset Alzheimer's disease independent of amyloid and tau pathology

INTRODUCTION

MODEL-AD (Model Organism Development and Evaluation for Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease) is creating and distributing novel mouse models with humanized, clinically relevant genetic risk factors to capture the trajectory and progression of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) more accurately.

METHODS

We created the LOAD2 model by combining apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), Trem2*R47H, and humanized amyloid-beta (Aβ). Mice were subjected to a control diet or a high-fat/high-sugar diet (LOAD2+HFD). We assessed disease-relevant outcome measures in plasma and brain including neuroinflammation, Aβ, neurodegeneration, neuroimaging, and multi-omics.

RESULTS

By 18 months, LOAD2+HFD mice exhibited sex-specific neuron loss, elevated insoluble brain Aβ42, increased plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL), and altered gene/protein expression related to lipid metabolism and synaptic function. Imaging showed reductions in brain volume and neurovascular uncoupling. Deficits in acquiring touchscreen-based cognitive tasks were observed.

DISCUSSION

The comprehensive characterization of LOAD2+HFD mice reveals that this model is important for preclinical studies seeking to understand disease trajectory and progression of LOAD prior to or independent of amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

HIGHLIGHTS

By 18 months, unlike control mice (e.g., LOAD2 mice fed a control diet, CD), LOAD2+HFD mice presented subtle but significant loss of neurons in the cortex, elevated levels of insoluble Ab42 in the brain, and increased plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL). Transcriptomics and proteomics showed changes in gene/proteins relating to a variety of disease-relevant processes including lipid metabolism and synaptic function. In vivo imaging revealed an age-dependent reduction in brain region volume (MRI) and neurovascular uncoupling (PET/CT). LOAD2+HFD mice also demonstrated deficits in acquisition of touchscreen-based cognitive tasks.

Characterizing Molecular and Synaptic Signatures in mouse models of Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Independent of Amyloid and Tau Pathology

INTRODUCTION

MODEL-AD is creating and distributing novel mouse models with humanized, clinically relevant genetic risk factors to more accurately mimic LOAD than commonly used transgenic models.

METHODS

We created the LOAD2 model by combining APOE4, Trem2*R47H, and humanized amyloid-beta. Mice aged up to 24 months were subjected to either a control diet or a high-fat/high-sugar diet (LOAD2+HFD) from two months of age. We assessed disease-relevant outcomes, including in vivo imaging, biomarkers, multi-omics, neuropathology, and behavior.

RESULTS

By 18 months, LOAD2+HFD mice exhibited cortical neuron loss, elevated insoluble brain Aβ42, increased plasma NfL, and altered gene/protein expression related to lipid metabolism and synaptic function. In vivo imaging showed age-dependent reductions in brain region volume and neurovascular uncoupling. LOAD2+HFD mice also displayed deficits in acquiring touchscreen-based cognitive tasks.

DISCUSSION

Collectively the comprehensive characterization of LOAD2+HFD mice reveal this model as important for preclinical studies that target features of LOAD independent of amyloid and tau.

The involvement of mesolimbic dopamine system in cotinine self-administration in rats

Cotinine is the major metabolite of nicotine and has recently been shown to be self-administered intravenously by rats. However, mechanisms underlying cotinine self-administration remained unknown. Mesolimbic dopamine system projecting from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to nucleus accumbens (NAC) is closely implicated in drug reinforcement, including nicotine. The objective of the current study was to determine potential involvement of mesolimbic dopamine system in cotinine self-administration. An intracranial self-administration experiment demonstrates that cotinine at 0.88 and 1.76 ng/100 nl/infusion was self-infused into the VTA by rats. Rats produced more infusions of cotinine than vehicle and responded more on active than inactive lever during acquisition, reduced responding when cotinine was replaced by vehicle, and resumed responding during re-exposure to cotinine. Microinjection of cotinine at 1.76 ng/100 nl/infusion into the VTA increased extracellular dopamine levels within the NAC. Subcutaneous injection of cotinine at 1 mg/kg also increased extracellular dopamine levels within the NAC. Administration of the D1-like receptor antagonist SCH 23390 attenuated intravenous cotinine self-administration. On the other hand, bupropion, a catecholamine uptake inhibitor, did not significantly alter intravenous cotinine self-administration. These results suggest that activation of mesolimbic dopamine system may represent one cellular mechanism underlying cotinine self-administration. This shared mechanism between cotinine and nicotine suggests that cotinine may play a role in nicotine reinforcement.

The reinforcing effects of ethanol within the prelimbic cortex and ethanol drinking: Involvement of local dopamine D2 receptor-mediated neurotransmission

Previous studies have identified important mesolimbic regions in supporting the reinforcing effects of ethanol. However, the involvement of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), another key region within the mesocorticolimbic system, in ethanol reinforcement has been understudied. The objective of the current study was to examine the role of the prelimbic (PL) cortex sub-region of the mPFC in ethanol reinforcement and drinking. Intracranial self-administration was used to examine the reinforcing effects of ethanol within the PL cortex. Quantitative microdialysis was used to measure basal extracellular DA concentrations and clearance in the PL cortex following chronic ethanol drinking. In addition, the involvement of dopamine (DA) D2 receptors within the PL cortex on the reinforcing effects of ethanol and ethanol drinking was determined. Ethanol was dose-dependent self-administered into the PL cortex, with significantly more infusions elicited by 100-200 mg% ethanol than vehicle. Co-infusion of the D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride significantly reduced ethanol self-administration. Chronic ethanol drinking significantly elevated basal extracellular DA concentrations without altering DA clearance. Microinjection of sulpiride into the PL cortex selectively reduced ethanol, but not saccharine, drinking. These results indicate that the PL cortex supported the reinforcing effects of ethanol, and that ethanol drinking enhanced basal DA neurotransmission within the PL cortex. In addition, D2 receptor antagonism within the PL cortex reduced ethanol self-administration and drinking. Collectively, these findings revealed important DA mechanisms within the PL cortex in mediating ethanol reinforcement and drinking.

Reduced Levels of mGlu2 Receptors within the Prelimbic Cortex Are Not Associated with Elevated Glutamate Transmission or High Alcohol Drinking

BACKGROUND

A Grm2 cys407* stop codon mutation, which results in a loss of the metabotropic glutamate 2 (mGlu2) receptor protein, was identified as being associated with high alcohol drinking by alcohol-preferring (P) rats. The objectives of the current study were to characterize the effects of reduced levels of mGlu2 receptors on glutamate transmission and alcohol drinking.

METHODS

Quantitative no-net-flux microdialysis was used to test the hypothesis that basal extracellular glutamate levels in the prelimbic (PL) cortex and nucleus accumbens shell (NACsh) will be higher in P than Wistar rats. A lentiviral-delivered short-hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown was used to test the hypothesis that reduced levels of mGlu2 receptors within the PL cortex will increase voluntary alcohol drinking by Wistar rats. A linear regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis that there will be a significant correlation between the Grm2 cys407* mutation and level of alcohol intake.

RESULTS

Extracellular glutamate concentrations within the PL cortex (3.6 ± 0.6 vs. 6.4 ± 0.6 μM) and NACsh (3.2 ± 0.4 vs. 6.6 ± 0.6 μM) were significantly lower in female P than female Wistar rats. Western blot detected the presence of mGlu2 receptors in these regions of female Wistar rats, but not female P rats. Micro-infusion of shRNAs into the PL cortex significantly reduced local mGlu2 receptor levels (by 40%), but did not alter voluntary alcohol drinking in male Wistar rats. In addition, there was no significant correlation between the Grm2 mutation and alcohol intake in 36 rodent lines (r = 0.29, p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, these results suggest a lack of association between the loss of mGlu2 receptors and glutamate transmission in the NACsh and PL cortex of female P rats, and between the level of mGlu2 receptors in the PL cortex and alcohol drinking of male Wistar rats.

Alcohol drinking increases the dopamine-stimulating effects of ethanol and reduces D2 auto-receptor and group II metabotropic glutamate receptor function within the posterior ventral tegmental area of alcohol preferring (P) rats

Repeated local administration of ethanol (EtOH) sensitized the posterior ventral tegmental area (pVTA) to the local dopamine (DA)-stimulating effects of EtOH. Chronic alcohol drinking increased nucleus accumbens (NAC) DA transmission and pVTA glutamate transmission in alcohol-preferring (P) rats. The objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of chronic alcohol drinking by P rats on the (a) sensitivity and response of the pVTA DA neurons to the DA-stimulating actions of EtOH, and (b) negative feedback control of DA (via D2 auto-receptors) and glutamate (via group II mGlu auto-receptors) release in the pVTA. EtOH (50 or 150 mg%) or the D2/3 receptor antagonist sulpiride (100 or 200 μM) was microinjected into the pVTA while DA was sampled with microdialysis in the NAC shell (NACsh). The mGluR2/3 antagonist LY341495 (1 or 10 μM) was perfused through the pVTA via reverse microdialysis and local extracellular glutamate and DA levels were measured. EtOH produced a more robust increase of NACsh DA in the 'EtOH' than 'Water' groups (e.g., 150 mg% EtOH: to ∼ 210 vs 150% of baseline). In contrast, sulpiride increased DA release in the NACsh more in the 'Water' than 'EtOH' groups (e.g., 200 μM sulpiride: to ∼ 190-240 vs 150-160% of baseline). LY341495 (at 10 μM) increased extracellular glutamate and DA levels in the 'Water' (to ∼ 150-180% and 180-230% of baseline, respectively) but not the 'EtOH' groups. These results indicate that alcohol drinking enhanced the DA-stimulating effects of EtOH, and attenuated the functional activities of D2 auto-receptors and group II mGluRs within the pVTA.

The reinforcing effects of ethanol within the nucleus accumbens shell involve activation of local GABA and serotonin receptors

Ethanol is reinforcing within the nucleus accumbens shell (NACsh), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Ethanol can potentiate the function of the GABAA, GABAB, and serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptors. Therefore, the current study tested the hypothesis that activation of these receptors would be involved in the reinforcing effects of ethanol in the NACsh. An intracranial self-administration (ICSA) procedure was used to assess the reinforcing effects of ethanol in the NACsh of alcohol preferring (P) rats. The ICSA consisted of seven sessions: four sessions to establish 150 mg% ethanol self-infusion into the NACsh; sessions 5 and 6 with co-infusion of ethanol plus one concentration of the GABAA antagonist bicuculline (10 or 100 µM), the GABAB antagonist SCH 50911 (50, 75 or 100 µM), or the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist zacopride (10 or 100 µM); and session 7 with 150 mg% ethanol alone. All groups self-infused ethanol into the NACsh and readily discriminated the active from inactive lever during the acquisition sessions. Co-infusion of 100 µM, but not 10 µM, bicuculline or zacopride significantly decreased active responses during sessions 5 and 6. Co-infusion of 75 µM, but not 50 or 100 µM, SCH 50911 significantly attenuated responses for ethanol. Overall, the results suggest that the reinforcing effects of ethanol in the NACsh may be modulated by activation of local GABAA, GABAB and 5-HT3 receptors.

The reinforcing effects of ethanol within the posterior ventral tegmental area depend on dopamine neurotransmission to forebrain cortico-limbic systems

Ethanol can be self-infused directly into the posterior ventral tegmental area (pVTA) and these effects involve activation of local dopamine neurons. However, the neuro-circuitry beyond the pVTA involved in these reinforcing effects has not been explored. Intra-pVTA microinjection of ethanol increases dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (NAC), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and ventral pallidum (VP). The present study tested the hypothesis that the reinforcing effects of ethanol within the pVTA involve the activation of dopamine projections from the pVTA to the NAC, VP and mPFC. Following the acquisition of self-infusions of 200 mg% ethanol into the pVTA, either the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride (0, 10 or 100 μM) or the D1 receptor antagonist SCH-23390 (0, 10 or 100 μM) was microinjected into the ipsilateral NAC shell (NACsh), NAC core (NACcr), VP or mPFC immediately prior to the self-infusion sessions to assess the involvement of the different dopamine projections in the reinforcing effects of ethanol. Microinjection of each compound at higher concentration into the NACsh, VP or mPFC, but not the NACcr, significantly reduced the responses on the active lever (from 40-50 to approximately 20 responses). These results indicate that activation of dopamine receptors in the NACsh, VP or mPFC, but not the NACcr, is involved in mediating the reinforcing effects of ethanol in the pVTA, suggesting that the 'alcohol reward' neuro-circuitry consist of, at least in part, activation of the dopamine projections from the pVTA to the NACsh, VP and mPFC.

A single, moderate ethanol exposure alters extracellular dopamine levels and dopamine d receptor function in the nucleus accumbens of wistar rats

BACKGROUND

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been implicated in the neurochemical effects of ethanol (EtOH). Evidence suggests that repeated EtOH exposures and chronic EtOH drinking increase dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the NAc due, in part, to a reduction in D(2) autoreceptor function. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the effects of a single EtOH pretreatment and repeated EtOH pretreatments on DA neurotransmission and D(2) autoreceptor function in the NAc of Wistar rats.

METHODS

Experiment 1 examined D(2) receptor function after a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection or repeated i.p. injections of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg EtOH to female Wistar rats. Single EtOH pretreatment groups received 1 daily i.p. injection of 0.9% NaCl (saline) for 4 days, followed by 1 day of saline or EtOH administration; repeated EtOH pretreatment groups received 5 days of saline or EtOH injections. Reverse microdialysis experiments were conducted to determine the effects of local perfusion with the D(2)-like receptor antagonist (-)sulpiride (SUL; 100 uM), on extracellular DA levels in the NAc. Experiment 2 evaluated if pretreatment with a single, moderate (1.0 g/kg) dose of EtOH would alter levels and clearance of extracellular DA in the NAc, as measured by no-net-flux (NNF) microdialysis. Subjects were divided into the EtOH-naïve and the single EtOH pretreated groups from Experiment 1.

RESULTS

Experiment 1: Changes in extracellular DA levels induced with SUL perfusion were altered by the EtOH dose (p < 0.001), but not the number of EtOH pretreatments (p > 0.05). Post-hoc analyses indicated that groups pretreated with single or repeated 1.0 g/kg EtOH showed significantly attenuated DA response to SUL, compared with all other groups (p < 0.001). Experiment 2: Multiple linear regression analyses yielded significantly (p < 0.05) higher extracellular DA concentrations in the NAc of rats receiving EtOH pretreatment, compared with their EtOH-naïve counterparts (3.96 +/- 0.42 nM and 3.25 +/- 0.23 nM, respectively). Extraction fractions were not significantly different between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results indicate that a single EtOH pretreatment at a moderate dose can increase DA neurotransmission in the NAc due, in part, to reduced D(2) autoreceptor function.

In vivo time-course changes in ethanol levels sampled with subcutaneous microdialysis

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine time-course changes in in vivo ethanol (EtOH) concentrations using a novel subcutaneous (s.c.) microdialysis sampling technique. The hypothesis to be tested was that EtOH concentrations in the s.c. fluid would reflect blood EtOH concentrations. If this is the case, then s.c. microdialysis could allow a more detailed analysis of changes in in vivo levels of EtOH under different drinking paradigms.

METHODS

Adult male and female Wistar rats and male alcohol-preferring (P) rats were used in this study. A loop-style microdialysis probe was designed for s.c. applications. After initial in vitro characterization, probes were implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades. Animals were allowed to recover 4 to 24 hours prior to microdialysis collection (2.0 microl/min flow rate with isotonic saline). In vivo microdialysis experiments were then conducted to determine (i) the extraction fraction (or clearance) using EtOH no-net-flux (NNF) coupled with the alcohol clamp method, (ii) the dose-response and time-course effects after systemic EtOH administration and to compare with blood EtOH levels, and (iii) the time-course changes in EtOH levels during and after an EtOH drinking episode.

RESULTS

In vivo probe recovery (extraction fraction) obtained using the alcohol clamp method was 69 +/- 3%, and was comparable to the in vitro recovery of 73 +/- 2%. For the EtOH dose-response experiment, rats injected i.p. with 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg EtOH showed a clear dose-response effect in the s.c. dialysate samples. Peak concentrations (70, 123, and 203 mg%, respectively) were reached by 15 minutes after injection. In an experiment comparing levels of EtOH in s.c. dialysis and arterial blood samples in rats administered 1.0 g/kg EtOH, similar time-course changes in in vivo EtOH concentrations were observed with both i.g. and i.p. EtOH administration. In P rats drinking 15% EtOH during a 1-hour scheduled access period, EtOH levels in s.c. microdialysates rose rapidly over the session and peaked at approximately 50 mg% at 60 to 80 minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, these experiments indicate that s.c. EtOH and blood EtOH concentrations follow a similar time course. Moreover, s.c. microdialysis can be useful as an experimental approach for determining detailed time-course changes in in vivo EtOH concentrations associated with alcohol drinking episodes.

Extracellular dopamine levels are lower in the medial prefrontal cortex of alcohol-preferring rats compared to Wistar rats

Previous studies have identified deficiencies in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) systems of alcohol-preferring (P) rats. This study uses quantitative microdialysis to compare the extracellular levels of DA in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPF) of P rats and outbred Wistar rats and also compares the effects of systemic ethanol administration on DA levels in the MPF using traditional microdialysis. In experiment 1, male Wistar and P rats were implanted with loop-style microdialysis probes and later perfused at 0.5 microl/min with artificial cerebrospinal fluid for 120 min prior to five baseline (20-min) sample collections. Three concentrations (5, 10, and 20 nM) of DA were then perfused in random order for 100 min each. Samples (20-min) were collected and stored at -70 degrees C until assayed using high performance liquid chromatography/electrochemical detection (HPLC/EC), and the data were analyzed using the quantitative no-net-flux (NNF) method. In experiment 2, male Wistar and P rats were implanted with dialysis probes aimed at the MPF. After collecting four baseline samples, all rats were injected (i.p.) with one dose of either 0.9% saline or 2.0 g/kg ethanol. Microdialysis samples were collected at 20-min intervals and stored at -70 degrees C until analyzed by HPLC/EC. NNF microdialysis yielded significantly (P<.05) lower extracellular DA concentrations in the MPF of P rats compared to Wistar rats (2.0+/-0.4 vs. 4.8+/-0.4 nM, respectively). The extraction fractions were not different between the P and Wistar groups (69+/-3 vs. 65+/-3%, respectively). No significant change in extracellular DA levels was observed in P rats or Wistar rats after either saline or 2g/kg ethanol. The lower extracellular concentrations of DA in the MPF of P rats compared to Wistar rats, without a difference in the extraction fraction, suggest that DA neurotransmission is lower in the MPF of the P rat. This lower DA neurotransmission could be a result of reduced activity of the DA neurons projecting to the MPF, reduced excitatory or increased inhibitory tone occurring locally within the MPF, and/or reduced DA innervation to the MPF. The lack of effect of systemic EtOH administration on extracellular DA levels in the MPF suggests that unlike the mesolimbic DA system, the mesocortical DA system is not responsive to acute EtOH administration.

Effect of housing conditions on sulpiride-induced increases in extracellular dopamine (DA) levels in the nucleus accumbens of alcohol-preferring (P) rats

The effect of housing conditions on sulpiride-induced increases in extracellular dopamine (DA) levels was investigated in the nucleus accumbens (NAC) of P rats. Rats were double-housed (DH) in plastic tubs, or single-housed (SH) in hanging wire cages for 12 weeks. Microdialysis in the NAC showed greater sulpiride-induced DA increases in the NAC of SH vs. DH rats, with no difference in basal levels. The data indicate that housing conditions can alter DA D(2) receptor function in the NAC.

An assessment of novelty-seeking behavior in alcohol-preferring and nonpreferring rats

This study examined novelty-seeking behavior in rat populations selectively bred for high and low alcohol-drinking behavior. In Experiment 1, and "odor-enhanced" novel environment produced greater behavioral activation in P compared to NP rats. In Experiment 2, the activity of high alcohol-drinking P and HAD rats was enhanced to a greater extent following the presentation of novel odors in a familiar arena, compared to the NP and LAD rats. The results suggest that, when measuring locomotor activity, alcohol-preferring rats are more reactive to novelty than their nonpreferring counterparts. Experiments 3 and 4, however, did not support the hypothesis that novelty seeking is associated with genetic vulnerability to high alcohol-drinking behavior. When measuring nose-poking behavior in response to novel odors and preference for a novel vs. a familiar chamber, behavior of the preferring lines did not differ from that of the nonpreferring lines, although P rats were more active in the place-preference paradigm. The overall results indicate that the relationship between novelty and alcohol drinking is only modestly associated, and is observed under specific conditions. Moreover, this study underscores the importance of using multiple measures when assessing complex behaviors such as novelty seeking.