scholarly journals VEGF Treatment Ameliorates Depression-Like Behavior in Adult Offspring after Maternal Immune Activation

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1048
Author(s):  
Spyridon Sideromenos ◽  
Claudia Lindtner ◽  
Alice Zambon ◽  
Orsolya Horvath ◽  
Angelika Berger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Activation ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Preference Test ◽  
Tail Suspension Test ◽  
Vegf Receptor ◽  
Maternal Immune Activation ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Sucrose Preference Test ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy impacts offspring neurodevelopmental trajectories and induces lifelong consequences, including emotional and cognitive alterations. Using the polyinosinic:polycytidilic acid (PIC) MIA model we have previously demonstrated enhanced depression-like behavior in adult MIA offspring, which was associated with reduced expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in the hippocampus. Since VEGF mediates the effects of various antidepressant agents, we here set out to explore whether VEGF administration could rescue the depression-like behavioral deficits in MIA offspring. To test our hypothesis, control and MIA offspring were intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) infused with either VEGF or vehicle solution and depression-related behavior was assessed in the sucrose preference test (SPT) and the tail suspension test (TST). As a surrogate of VEGF activity, the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in hippocampus was quantified. We found that VEGF treatment reduced depression-related behavioral despair in the TST in MIA offspring but had no effect on anhedonia-like behavior in the SPT. While VEGF administration induced the phosphorylation of ERK in the hippocampus of control offspring, this effect was blunted in the MIA offspring. We conclude that VEGF administration, at the dosage tested, beneficially affects some aspects of the depression-like phenotype in the adult MIA offspring, inviting further studies using different dosage regimes to further explore the therapeutic potential of VEGF treatment in MIA-related changes in brain function and behavior.

scholarly journals Lipid Raft Association Stabilizes VEGF Receptor 2 in Endothelial Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 798
Author(s):  
Ibukunoluwapo O. Zabroski ◽  
Matthew A. Nugent
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Lipid Rafts ◽  
Vegf Receptor ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Potential Mechanism ◽  
Lysosomal Degradation ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

The binding of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) to VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) stimulates angiogenic signaling. Lipid rafts are cholesterol-dense regions of the plasma membrane that serve as an organizational platform for biomolecules. Although VEGFR2 has been shown to colocalize with lipid rafts to regulate its activation, the effect of lipid rafts on non-activated VEGFR2 has not been explored. Here, we characterized the involvement of lipid rafts in modulating the stability of non-activated VEGFR2 in endothelial cells using raft disrupting agents: methyl-β-cyclodextrin, sphingomyelinase and simvastatin. Disrupting lipid rafts selectively decreased the levels of non-activated VEGFR2 as a result of increased lysosomal degradation. The decreased expression of VEGFR2 translated to reduced VEGF-activation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK). Overall, our results indicate that lipid rafts stabilize VEGFR2 and its associated signal transduction activities required for angiogenesis. Thus, modulation of lipid rafts may provide a means to regulate the sensitivity of endothelial cells to VEGF stimulation. Indeed, the ability of simvastatin to down regulate VEGFR2 and inhibit VEGF activity suggest a potential mechanism underlying the observation that this drug improves outcomes in the treatment of certain cancers.

scholarly journals Prospective Analysis of the Effects of Maternal Immune Activation on Rat Cytokines during Pregnancy and Behavior of the Male Offspring Relevant to Schizophrenia

eNeuro ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. ENEURO.0249-18.2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittney R. Lins ◽  
Jessica L. Hurtubise ◽  
Andrew J. Roebuck ◽  
Wendie N. Marks ◽  
Nadine K. Zabder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Activation ◽  
Male Offspring ◽  
Prospective Analysis ◽  
Maternal Immune Activation ◽  
And Behavior

scholarly journals M179. ALTERNATED BRAIN AND BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT IN A NONHUMAN PRIMATE MODEL OF MATERNAL IMMUNE ACTIVATION

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S204-S204
Author(s):  
Melissa Bauman ◽  
Amy Ryan ◽  
Ana-Maria Iosif ◽  
Takeshi Murai ◽  
Tyler Lesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Nonhuman Primate ◽  
Immune Activation ◽  
Rhesus Monkeys ◽  
Behavioral Development ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Maternal Immune Activation ◽  
Maternal Immune Response ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
And Behavior

Abstract Background Children born to women who experience infection during pregnancy have an increased risk of brain disorders with neurodevelopmental origins, including both schizophrenia (SZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Rodent models of maternal immune activation (MIA) have identified the maternal immune response as the critical link between maternal infection and aberrant brain and behavior development in offspring. The nonhuman primate MIA model provides an opportunity to maximize the translational utility of this model in a species more closely related to humans. Our previous pilot study found that rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) born to MIA-treated dams developed behavioral abnormalities and increased striatal dopamine during adolescence. Here we present emerging behavioral outcomes from a larger cohort of MIA-treated nonhuman primates. Methods A modified form of the viral mimic, Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PolyIC), was delivered to a new cohort of pregnant rhesus monkeys (N=14) in the late first trimester (gestational days 43, 44, 46) to stimulate a maternal immune response. Control dams received saline injections at the same gestational time points (N=10) or were untreated (N=4). The offspring are undergoing ongoing comprehensive behavioral evaluations paired with longitudinal neuroimaging to quantify the emergence of brain and behavior pathology associated with prenatal maternal immune challenge. Results MIA-treated dams exhibited a strong immune response as indexed by transient increases in sickness behavior, temperature and inflammatory cytokines. Although MIA offspring developed species-typical milestones and showed no overt signs of atypical interactions with mothers or peers early in development, they had significantly smaller gray matter volume in the prefrontal and frontal cortices than control offspring at 6, 12 and 24 months of age (p < 0.05). At 24 months of age, the animals were tested in a reversal learning paradigm that requires a subject to flexibly adjust its behavior when the reward-related contingencies that it has previously learned are reversed. All animals advanced and performed similarly on the training and initial discrimination phases of the test. However, on the first day of the initial reward reversal, the MIA-treated animals more frequently failed to make a choice as compared to controls (Wilcoxon two-sample test p-value = .005). These emerging data suggest that MIA-treated animals exhibit subtle impairments in cognitive processing. Additional assessments social and cognitive development, including non-invasive eye tracking data, will be presented to further explore the impact of MIA on primate behavioral development. Discussion These findings provide new insights into the emergence of brain pathology in MIA-exposed primates and have implications for the developmental pathophysiology of human psychiatric disorders associated with maternal gestational infection.

scholarly journals Resveratrol and Depression in Animal Models: A Systematic Review of the Biological Mechanisms

Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 2197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa Moore ◽  
Joshua Beidler ◽  
Mee Hong
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Preference Test ◽  
Tail Suspension Test ◽  
Japanese Knotweed ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Swimming Test ◽  
Sucrose Preference Test ◽  
Higher Doses

Depression is currently treated by pharmacotherapies that can elicit debilitating side effects for patients. Novel treatment options with limited side effects are currently being researched. Resveratrol is a polyphenol and phytoalexin found in the skins of grapes, red wine, Japanese knotweed, and peanuts. It has been studied extensively for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Resveratrol has also gained attention for its neuroprotective properties. The aim of the review was to examine the mechanisms by which resveratrol reduces depressive behaviors in animal models. In total, 22 studies met the established criteria for final review. Behavioral aspects of depression were investigated using validated measures such as the forced swimming test, tail suspension test, sucrose preference test, and open field test. While many physical measures were taken, three main biological mechanisms were explored: Regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis; decreased inflammation; and increased Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and neurogenesis. Based on these findings, resveratrol may be deemed an effective treatment for depression in animal models at doses between 10–80 mg/kg/day, although higher doses had the most significant effects. Future studies should examine the effects of resveratrol on depression in humans to determine the eligibility of resveratrol as a natural antidepressant with less severe side effects.

scholarly journals ANTIDEPRESSANT-LIKE ACTIVITY OF TRANS-ANETHOLE IN UNSTRESSED MICE AND STRESSED MICE

2019 ◽  
pp. 121-127
Author(s):  
DINESH DHINGRA ◽  
SUDHA
Keyword(s):  
Preference Test ◽  
Tail Suspension Test ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Monoamine Oxidase A ◽  
Sucrose Preference ◽  
Mild Stress ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Mao A ◽  
Sucrose Preference Test ◽  
Plasma Nitrite

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to investigate the antidepressant potential of trans-anethole in unstressed and stressed male mice. Methods: Swiss albino male mice were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress for 21 successive days. Simultaneously, trans-anethole (12.5 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg, and 50 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) per se were administered for 21 successive days to separate groups of unstressed and stressed mice. The effect of drugs on depressive-like behavior of mice was tested by tail suspension test (TST) and sucrose preference test. Results: Trans-anethole (25 mg/kg) and fluoxetine significantly decreased the immobility period of unstressed and stressed mice in TST as compared to their respective control. These drugs significantly restored the reduced sucrose preference (%) in stressed mice. Trans-anethole did not show any significant effect on locomotor activity of mice. Antidepressant-like activity of trans-anethole (25 mg/kg) was found to be comparable to fluoxetine. Trans-anethole and fluoxetine significantly inhibited brain monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) activity, decreased plasma nitrite, brain malondialdehyde, and increased brain reduced glutathione levels and catalase activity in unstressed and stressed mice. The drugs significantly reversed stress-induced increase in plasma corticosterone levels. Conclusion: Trans-anethole produced significant antidepressant-like activity in unstressed and stressed mice, possibly through inhibition of brain MAO-A activity and alleviation of oxidative stress. Reversal of stress-induced increase in plasma corticosterone levels might also be responsible for antidepressant-like activity of trans-anethole in stressed mice.

scholarly journals A50 TRANSFER OF DEPRESSIVE-LIKE PHENOTYPE TO GNOTOBIOTIC MICE DEPENDS ON MICROBIAL FEATURES SPECIFIC TO INDIVIDUAL PATIENTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 59-60
Author(s):  
J Hanuschak ◽  
M P Louis-Auguste ◽  
G De Palma ◽  
E Verdu ◽  
R Anglin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Preference Test ◽  
Tail Suspension Test ◽  
Fecal Microbiota ◽  
Sucrose Preference ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Fecal Microbiota Transplant ◽  
Total N ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sucrose Preference Test

Abstract Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects approximately 4.4% of the global population. Despite its high prevalence, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this disorder. Recent studies in both humans and rodents have suggested that the intestinal microbiota may play a role in depression. Altered microbiota composition has been found in a subset of MDD patients. Preclinical studies have suggested that fecal microbiota transplant using pooled MDD patient samples can induce depressive-like behaviour in rodents. We have previously shown that the use of different microbiota donors with irritable bowel syndrome results in the induction of different phenotypes in recipient mice. Thus, we have hypothesized that pooling microbiota samples abrogates features that are unique to individual donors. Aims (1) Investigate whether the transfer of individual MDD patient microbiota can induce depressive-like behaviour in germ-free (GF) mice (2) Identify features of individual MDD patient microbiota that are associated with the depressive-like phenotype Methods GF NIH Swiss mice of both sexes (min. n=10 per group, total n=110) were colonized with either fecal microbiota from a single donor, MDD patient (MDD1-4) or matched healthy control (HC1-4), or pooled fecal microbiota from MDD1-4 or HC1-4. Mouse behaviour was assessed, using the open field test, three chamber sociability assay, tail suspension test, and sucrose preference test. Stool samples were collected throughout the experiment for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results Mice colonized with microbiota from patient MDD1 exhibited depressive-like behaviour, as assessed by the sucrose preference test and sociability assay, when compared to mice colonized with HC1 microbiota. This was not true for mice colonized with individual microbiota from the other three patients (MDD2-4) or with pooled MDD microbiota. Comparative analysis of the 16S data revealed a significant difference in Faith’s Phylogenetic Diversity between MDD1 microbiota and pooled MDD microbiota. Four bacterial species were found to be significantly associated with the depressive-like phenotype in mice: Bacteroides acidifaciens, Bacteroides ovatus, unclassified species of Phascolarctobacterium (Veillonellacae family), and Eggerthella lenta. The relative abundances of these species did not differ significantly between the two pooled groups. Conclusions Microbiota from some, but not all, MDD patients can induce a depressive-like phenotype in GF mice. The ability to induce depressive-like behaviour in GF mice is lost when microbiota from multiple patients is pooled. Specific bacterial species may be responsible for the successful transfer of the depressive-like phenotype to mice. Funding Agencies NIH

scholarly journals Crassifoside H ameliorates depressant behavior in chronic unpredictable mild stress rats by improving HPA axis dysfunction and inhibiting inflammation in hippocampus

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 1693-1699
Author(s):  
Huina Li ◽  
Kefan Wu ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Ning Li ◽  
Kaijin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Preference Test ◽  
Antidepressant Effect ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Mild Stress ◽  
Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Sucrose Preference Test

Purpose: To investigate the antidepressant mechanism of action of Crassifoside H (CH) from the rhizomes of Curculigo glabrescens (Hypoxidaceae) in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced rats.Methods: CUMS-induced rat depressant model was established. Behavioral tests, viz, sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST) were applied to assess the antidepressant effect of CH. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess thelevels of corticosterone (CORT), TNF-α and IL-1β in serum. Protein expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β and NLRP3 in rat hippocampus were determined by Western blot.Results: Crassifoside H significantly ameliorated CUMS-induced depressant-like behavior as the serum CORT level of CUMS rats. CH remarkably decreased TNF-α and IL-1β levels in serum and hippocampus of CUMS rats. Moreover, Crassifoside H significantly inhibited NLRP3 activation inhippocampus.Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that Crassifoside H has antidepressant effect on CUMS rats. The mechanism of action of CH may be at least partly due to the improvement of hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction by decreasing serum CORT. These findings suggest that Crassifoside H has a therapeutic potential for the management of depression. Keywords: Crassifoside H, Antidepression, Curculigo glabrescens, Hypoxidaceae, Hypothalamicpituitary- adrenal axis, Inflammation, Corticosterone

scholarly journals Gut Microbiota Mediates the Preventive Effects of Dietary Capsaicin Against Depression-Like Behavior Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Xia ◽  
Li Gu ◽  
Yitong Guo ◽  
Hongyan Feng ◽  
Shuhan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Preference Test ◽  
Tail Suspension Test ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Behavioral Indicators ◽  
16S Gene ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Antidepressant Effects ◽  
Swimming Test ◽  
Sucrose Preference Test

Capsaicin (CAP) is an active ingredient in chili pepper that is frequently consumed. It exerts various pharmacological activities, and also has potential effects on mental illness. However, its mechanism of antidepressant effects is still unclear. Based on the emerging perspective of the gut-brain axis, we investigated the effects of dietary CAP on gut microbes in mice with depression-like behaviors induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). C57BL/6J male mice (four weeks old) were given specific feed (standard laboratory chow or laboratory chow plus 0.005% CAP) for 4 months. During the last five days, LPS (0.052/0.104/0.208/0.415/0.83 mg/kg, 5-day) was injected intraperitoneally to induce depression. Behavioral indicators and serum parameters were measured, and gut microbiota were identified by sequencing analysis of the 16S gene. This study showed that dietary CAP improved depressive-like behavior (sucrose preference test, forced swimming test, tail suspension test) and levels of 5-HT and TNF-α in serum of LPS-induced mice with depression-like behaviors. In addition, CAP could recover abnormal changes in depression-related microbiota. Especially at the genus level, CAP enhanced the variations in relative abundance of certain pivotal microorganisms like Ruminococcus, Prevotella, Allobaculum, Sutterella, and Oscillospira. Correlation analysis revealed changes in microbiota composition that was closely related to depressive behavior, 5-HT and TNF-α levels. These results suggested that dietary CAP can regulate the structure and number of gut microbiota and play a major role in the prevention of depression.

scholarly journals P2Y12 receptor as a new target for electroacupuncture relieving comorbidity of visceral pain and depression of inflammatory bowel disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanzhen Li ◽  
Hong Zhang ◽  
Jingwen Yang ◽  
Muouyang Zhan ◽  
Xuefei Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
Visceral Pain ◽  
Preference Test ◽  
Tail Suspension Test ◽  
P2y12 Receptor ◽  
Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid ◽  
P2y12 Inhibitors ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Sucrose Preference Test

Abstract Background The P2Y12 receptor is a kind of purinoceptor that is engaged in platelet aggregation, and P2Y12 inhibitors have been used in clinical antithrombotic therapy. The P2Y12 receptor in microglia induces interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression, which is a key mediator of depression in the brain. Although peripheral P2Y12 is involved in neuropathic pain, whether P2Y12 expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is associated with comorbidities of visceral pain and depression remains unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests that electroacupuncture (EA) is effective in treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but its mechanism is unknown. This study aimed to determine whether P2Y12 expression in the mPFC is associated with comorbidities of visceral pain and depression in IBD and whether EA treats IBD by targeting the P2Y12 receptor. Methods We used 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced IBD mice. P2Y12 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was stereotaxically injected into the bilateral mPFC. EA was performed on bilateral “Dachangshu” (BL25) acupoints once a day for 7 days. Von Frey filaments and colorectal distension were used to detect the mechanical pain threshold and visceral pain sensitivity. The sucrose preference test, tail suspension test and forced swimming test were used to evaluate depression in mice. Western blotting was used to test the expression of P2Y12 and IL-1β. Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess microglial activity. Results We found that IBD mice presented visceral pain and depression associated with increased P2Y12 expression in the mPFC. P2Y12 shRNA significantly attenuated visceral pain and depression in IBD mice. P2Y12 shRNA significantly downregulated IL-1β expression and inhibited the activation of microglia in the mPFC of IBD mice. Meanwhile, EA played a similar role of P2Y12 shRNA. EA significantly downregulated P2Y12 expression, weakened the activation of microglia, and then inhibited IL-1β expression in the mPFC, thus relieving visceral pain and depression in IBD mice. Conclusion The present study provided new ideas that the P2Y12 receptor in the mPFC could be a new target for the treatment of comorbid visceral pain and depression by EA. This may not only deepen our understanding of the analgesic and antidepressant mechanisms of EA but also promote the application of EA to treat IBD.

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