Rapid nongenomic estrogen signaling controls alcohol drinking behavior.

The sex steroid hormone estrogen is a key modulator of numerous physiological processes and adaptive behaviors, but it may also be co-opted to drive maladaptive behaviors. While many behavioral roles for estrogen signaling have been shown to occur through canonical genomic signaling mechanisms via nuclear receptors, estrogen can also act in a neurotransmitter-like fashion at membrane-associated estrogen receptors to rapidly regulate neuronal function. Early alcohol drinking confers greater risk for alcohol use disorder in women than men, and binge alcohol drinking is correlated with high circulating estrogen but a causal role for estrogen in alcohol drinking has not been established. Here, we demonstrate that gonadally intact female mice consume more alcohol and display an anxiolytic phenotype when they have elevated levels of ovarian-derived estrogen across the estrous cycle. We found that rapid, nongenomic estrogen signaling at membrane-associated estrogen receptor alpha in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is necessary and sufficient for the pro-alcohol drinking effects of ovarian estrogen signaling, regardless of the transcriptional program of a high ovarian estrogen state. We further show that a population of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) BNST neurons (BNSTCRF) is a critical mediator of these effects, as high estrogen rapidly enhances synaptic excitation of BNSTCRF neurons and promotes their role in driving binge alcohol drinking. These findings show a causal role for endogenous, ovarian-derived estrogen in hormonal modulation of risky alcohol consumption and provide the first demonstration of a purely rapid, nongenomic signaling mechanism of ovarian estrogen in the brain controlling behavior in gonadally intact females.

The first complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Cynopterusbrachyotis (Chiroptera, Pteropodidae) from the Philippines.

The technical limitations of capillary sequencing in providing insights on phylogeny have been greatly aided in recent years by the implementation of next generation sequencing platforms which can generate whole mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequences. In this study, enriched mitochondrial DNA of Cynopterusbrachyotis from Mindanao, Philippines was sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. A total of 653,967 clean paired-end reads was assembled using a MIRA-MITObim pipeline, resulting in a consensus mitogenome sequence length of 17,382 bases and a GC content of 41.48%, which is consistent with other published mitogenomes in fruit bats. The assembled C.brachyotis mitogenome was annotated using the MITOS online server and was able to resolve all mitochondrial genes, except for one transfer RNA gene (trnT) which may be further resolved by additional capillary sequencing of the region. Sequence analysis showed that the Philippine C.brachyotis is only 90%-91% homologous with other Cynopterus spp., based on its full mitogenome sequence. Phylogenetic analysis of fruit bat mitogenomes, deposited in online repositories, revealed that the Philippine C.brachyotis in this study has diverged from Asian Cynopterus, namely Cynopterusbrachyotis and Cynopterussphinx from other parts of Asia (100% bootstrap support) with the latter two forming a separate clade. This divergence at the species level was consistent with phylogentic inference using cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) and cytochrome B (cytb) gene markers. Our results strengthen the previously reported hypothesis that the Cynopteruscf.brachyotis in the Philippines is distinct from its Asian counterparts and should be, therefore, treated as a new species.

LC-MS/MS measurement of endogenous oxytocin in the posterior pituitary and CSF of macaques: A pilot study.

Oxytocin (OT) is a nanopeptide released into systemic circulation via the posterior pituitary (peripheral) and into the central nervous system via widespread OTergic pathways (central). Central OT plays a significant role in variety of functions from social and executive cognition to immune regulation. Many ongoing studies explore its therapeutic potential for variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. Measures of peripheral OT levels are most frequently used as an indicator of its concentration in the central nervous system in humans and animal models. In this study, LC-MS/MS was used to measure OT in pituitary samples collected from adult male macaque monkeys in order to explore the correlation between individual levels of OT in the CSF (central) and pituitary (peripheral). We quantified individual differences in the levels of OT in the pituitaries (44-151 ng/mg) and CSF (41-66 pg/mL) of these monkeys. A positive correlation between these two measures was identified. These preliminary results allow for future analyses to determine whether LC-MS/MS measures of peripheral OT can be used as markers of OT levels in the brain of nonhuman primates that serve as valuable models for many human neuropsychiatric disorders.

Labeled oxytocin administered via the intranasal route reaches the brain in rhesus macaques.

Oxytocin may have promise as a treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders. Its therapeutic effect may depend on its ability to enter the brain and bind to the oxytocin receptor. To date, the brain tissue penetrance of intranasal oxytocin has not been demonstrated. In this nonhuman primate study, we administer deuterated oxytocin intranasally and intravenously to rhesus macaques and measure, with mass spectrometry, concentrations of labeled (exogenously administered) and endogenous oxytocin in 12 brain regions two hours after oxytocin administration. Labeled oxytocin is quantified after intranasal (not intravenous) administration in brain regions (orbitofrontal cortex, striatum, brainstem, and thalamus) that lie in the trajectories of the olfactory and trigeminal nerves. These results suggest that intranasal administration bypasses the blood-brain barrier, delivering oxytocin to specific brain regions, such as the striatum, where oxytocin acts to impact motivated behaviors. Further, high concentrations of endogenous oxytocin are in regions that overlap with projection fields of oxytocinergic neurons.

Mesenchymal stem/progenitors and other endometrial cell types from women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) display inflammatory and oncogenic potential.

CONTEXT: Endometrium in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) presents altered gene expression indicating progesterone resistance and predisposing to reduced endometrial receptivity and endometrial cancer. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that an altered endocrine/metabolic environment in PCOS may result in an endometrial "disease phenotype" affecting the gene expression of different endometrial cell populations, including stem cells and their differentiated progeny. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a prospective study conducted at an academic medical center. PATIENTS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proliferative-phase endometrium was obtained from 6 overweight/obese PCOS (National Institutes of Health criteria) and 6 overweight/obese controls. Microarray analysis was performed on fluorescence-activated cell sorting-isolated endometrial epithelial cells (eEPs), endothelial cells, stromal fibroblasts (eSFs), and mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs). Gene expression data were validated using microfluidic quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The comparison between eEP(PCOS) and eEP(Ctrl) showed dysregulation of inflammatory genes and genes with oncogenic potential (CCL2, IL-6, ORM1, TNAIFP6, SFRP4, SPARC). eSF(PCOS) and eSF(Ctrl) showed up-regulation of inflammatory genes (C4A/B, CCL2, ICAM1, TNFAIP3). Similarly, in eMSC(PCOS) vs eMSC(Ctrl), the most up-regulated genes were related to inflammation and cancer (IL-8, ICAM1, SPRR3, LCN2). Immunohistochemistry scoring showed increased expression of CCL2 in eEP(PCOS) and eSF(PCOS) compared with eEP(Ctrl) and eSF(Ctrl) and IL-6 in eEP(PCOS) compared with eEP(Ctrl). CONCLUSIONS: Isolated endometrial cell populations in women with PCOS showed altered gene expression revealing inflammation and prooncogenic changes, independent of body mass index, especially in eEP(PCOS) and eMSC(PCOS), compared with controls. The study reveals an endometrial disease phenotype in women with PCOS with potential negative effects on endometrial function and long-term health.

Oncogenic studies with felbamate (2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate).

Felbamate, 2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate, is a novel anticonvulsant that is effective against both chemically and electrically induced seizures in laboratory animals. Oncogenic studies were conducted in mice and rats to establish a preclinical safety profile for this drug. There was an increased incidence of hepatic cell adenoma in male and female mice and in female rats. There was an increased incidence of interstitial cell tumors of the testes in the male rat.

Acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicity studies with felbamate, 2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate.

Felbamate, 2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate, is a novel anticonvulsant that is effective against both chemically and electrically induced seizures in laboratory animals. Acute, subchronic, and chronic studies were conducted in mice, rats, and dogs to establish a preclinical safety profile for this drug. Clinical signs following single intraperitoneal doses included hypoactivity, tremors, decreased muscle tone, ataxia, prostration, and labored breathing. Death was observed after intraperitoneal but not oral administration. A consistent drug-related effect noted in all multiple-dose studies with this compound was decreased body weight and food consumption. The only other consistent change noted in multiple-dose studies with felbamate was an increase in liver weight (relative and absolute) in the rat and dog which was accompanied in some cases by increases in serum enzyme levels. No histopathological changes were observed in the liver that could explain these elevated serum enzyme levels. Based on the results of these studies it was concluded that long-term administration of felbamate in human clinical trials was warranted.

Lack of site-specific integration of the recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 genomes in human cells.

The adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV)-based vector system has been suggested for its potential use in human gene therapy because the wild-type (wt) AAV genome appears to integrate into the human chromosomal DNA in a site-specific manner. We systematically investigated the integration patterns of the recombinant AAV genomes lacking one or both the viral coding sequences. Four recombinant AAV genomes were constructed containing the genes for resistance to tetracycline (TcR) and the herpesvirus thymidine kinase (TK) promoter-driven gene for resistance to neomycin (neoR; vTc.Neo), the genes for resistance to ampicillin (ApR) and TK-neoR (vAp.Neo), the genes for AAV replication (rep) genes and TK-neoR (vRep.Neo), and the AAV capsid (cap) genes and TK-neoR (vCap.Neo). The integration pattern of each of the recombinant AAV genomes in individual clonal isolates of the human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line (KB) analyzed on Southern blots using a neo-specific DNA probe was distinctly different. In addition, in none of the clones examined was the proviral genome covalently linked to the previously described AAV right-junction (Rt.Jn.) human chromosomal DNA fragment, the putative specific-site of integration for the wt AAV genome. Furthermore, whereas a 276-bp DNA fragment could be readily amplified from each of these clones, using a neo-specific primer-pair by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), no amplified DNA product was obtained using the neo- and the Rt.Jn. primer-pair under identical conditions. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses further revealed the lack of integration of the recombinant AAV into human chromosome 19, even in the presence of a functional rep gene as determined by rescue of the recombinant AAV genome in the presence of adenovirus. These data suggest that the recombinant AAV genomes integrate at sites that are different from that characterized for the wt AAV genome. These studies may have implications in the development of the AAV-based vector system for its potential use in human gene therapy.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV-CFTR) vectors do not integrate in a site-specific fashion in an immortalized epithelial cell line.

Adeno-associated virus-2 (AAV) can integrate in a site-specific manner to human chromosome 19 and is currently in phase I clinical trials for cystic fibrosis (CF) at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The goal of this study was to determine the fate of recombinant AAV containing the CFTR cDNA (AAV-CFTR) in an immortalized pseudotetraploid CF bronchial epithelial cell line (IB3-1) established from a patient with CF. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and Southern blotting of DNA from IB3-1 cells infected with wild-type (wt) or recombinant AAV-CFTR were performed. CFRH2, an IB3-1 cell line with an estimated 15-20 integrated copies of CFTR cDNA, was used to test FISH sensitivity. All metaphase spreads had integrated copies: a single site in 36 of 56 (64.3%) and two sites within the same metaphase spread in 20 of 56 (35.7%). 3-CF-8, an IB3-1 cell line with integration of a partial CFTR cDNA (3.9 kb) was also analyzed by FISH. Integration was observed in 56 of 157 (35.7%) metaphase spreads examined. IB3-1 cells infected with wild-type AAV showed integration in 51 of 86 (59%) metaphase spreads examined. Of 51 integrations, 48 (94%) were to chromosome 19. Examination of 67 metaphase chromosome spreads of IB3-1 cells infected with AAV-CFTR vector (Azero) identified four integrations (6%) to different chromosomes. No integration was to chromosome 19 which differs significantly (P < 0.0001) from wild-type AAV. We then analyzed the A35 cell line, a clone of Azero selected for stable CFTR expression. Genomic DNA from A35 cells did not show a single site of integration; however episomal AAV-CFTR sequences were abundant in the low molecular weight DNA fraction. Examination of 68 metaphase chromosome preparations identified eight distinct integrations, none to chromosome 19. These studies show that FISH is sensitive for the detection of a partial CFTR cDNA integration. Wild-type AAV integrates in a predominantly site-specific fashion. Recombinant AAV-CFTR integrates at low frequency in a nonspecific manner and persists in episomal form in this epithelial cell line.

Comparison of nonerythroid alpha-spectrin genes reveals strict homology among diverse species.

The spectrins are a family of widely distributed filamentous proteins. In association with actin, spectrins form a supporting and organizing scaffold for cell membranes. Using antibodies specific for human brain alpha-spectrin (alpha-fodrin), we have cloned a rat brain alpha-spectrin cDNA from an expression library. Several closely related human clones were also isolated by hybridization. Comparison of sequences of these and other overlapping nonerythroid and erythroid alpha-spectrin genes demonstrated that the nonerythroid genes are strictly conserved across species, while the mammalian erythroid genes have diverged rapidly. Peptide sequences deduced from these cDNAs revealed that the nonerythroid alpha-spectrin chain, like the erythroid spectrin, is composed of multiple 106-amino-acid repeating units, with the characteristic invariant tryptophan as well as other charged and hydrophobic residues in conserved locations. However, the carboxy-terminal sequence varies markedly from this internal repeat pattern and may represent a specialized functional site. The nonerythroid alpha-spectrin gene was mapped to human chromosome 9, in contrast to the erythroid alpha-spectrin gene, which has previously been assigned to a locus on chromosome 1.

Comparative diuretic activity of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, cannabinol and hydrochlorothiazide in the rat.

Orally administered delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) produced a dose-dependent increase in urine output in hydrated rats similar in mg/kg potency and magnitude of effect to hydrochlorothiazide (HCT). Whereas HCT promoted marked excretion of Na+, K+ and Cl- and an increase in the urinary Na+/K+ at all diuretic doses (1.25-20.0 mg/kg), THC had only a slight effect on Na+ and K+ excretion but not Cl- even after the highest dose tested (20.0 mg/kg). Hypophysectomy and adrenalectomy abolished the diuretic effect of THC, thus suggesting both central and peripheral sites of action for the diuretic effect of THC. Tolerance to the effect on urine output by THC developed after 15 days of repeated dosing, while urine output and electrolyte excretion remained significantly elevated after 25 days of HCT administration.

Toxicity of delta9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administered subcutaneously for 13 days to female rabbits.

Delta9- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was administered subcutaneously to female New Zealand white strain rabbits for 13 days. The animals were randomly divided into six groups of five animals each of which consisted of untreated controls, vehicle (undiluted propylene glycol)-treated, and THC treatment at dose levels of 100, 30, 10, and 3 mg/kg/day. All animals survived for the duration of the study. The THC-treated rabbits did not gain significant body weight which seems to be due to a decreased food consumption. There were some variations in various hematologic values, but they all were within the normal range for our laboratory. Blood chemistry evaluations showed decreased serum levels of potassium, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio and an increase in cholesterol levels of all treated animals. A significant increase in billirubin values was noted in the animsls of the 3- and 10-mg/kg groups. The injection site in the skin of the THC-treated rabbits showed signs of local irritation (erythema and subcutaneous abscesses). There was a reduction in absolute and percent of body weight of the liver and absolute weight of the lungs of the treated animals. However, no histopathologic alterations were observed. It may be concluded that THC treatment subcutaneously for 13 days in rabbits up to a dose level of 100 mg/kg/day did not produce any significant toxicity, except anorexia and some local dermal irritation.