RESUMO
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) contains projection neurons that release the neurotransmitters dopamine, GABA, and/or glutamate from distal synapses. VTA also contains GABA neurons that synapse locally on to VTA dopamine neurons, synapses widely credited to a population of so-called VTA interneurons. Interneurons in cortex, striatum, and elsewhere have well-defined morphological features, physiological properties, and molecular markers, but such features have not been clearly described in VTA. Indeed, there is scant evidence that local and distal synapses originate from separate populations of VTA GABA neurons. In this study we tested whether several markers expressed in non-dopamine VTA neurons are selective markers of interneurons, defined as neurons that synapse locally but not distally. Challenging previous assumptions, we found that VTA neurons genetically defined by expression of parvalbumin, somatostatin, neurotensin, or mu-opioid receptor project to known VTA targets including nucleus accumbens, ventral pallidum, lateral habenula, and prefrontal cortex. Moreover, we provide evidence that VTA GABA and glutamate projection neurons make functional inhibitory or excitatory synapses locally within VTA. These findings suggest that local collaterals of VTA projection neurons could mediate functions prior attributed to VTA interneurons. This study underscores the need for a refined understanding of VTA connectivity to explain how heterogeneous VTA circuits mediate diverse functions related to reward, motivation, or addiction.
RESUMO
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) drive reward-related motivation. Although dopamine neurons are predominant, a substantial glutamatergic projection is also present, and a subset of these co-release both dopamine and glutamate. Optogenetic stimulation of VTA glutamate neurons not only supports self-stimulation but can also induce avoidance behavior, even in the same assay. Here, we parsed the selective contribution of glutamate or dopamine co-release from VTA glutamate neurons to reinforcement and avoidance. We expressed channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) in mouse VTA glutamate neurons in combination with CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt either the gene encoding vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) or tyrosine hydroxylase (Th). Selective disruption of VGLUT2 abolished optogenetic self-stimulation but left real-time place avoidance intact, whereas CRISPR-Cas9 deletion of Th preserved self-stimulation but abolished place avoidance. Our results demonstrate that glutamate release from VTA glutamate neurons is positively reinforcing but that dopamine release from VTA glutamate neurons can induce avoidance behavior.
Assuntos
Dopamina , Ácido Glutâmico , Camundongos , Animais , Ácido Glutâmico/fisiologia , Recompensa , Área Tegmentar Ventral/fisiologia , Neurônios Dopaminérgicos/metabolismo , Proteína Vesicular 2 de Transporte de Glutamato/genética , Proteína Vesicular 2 de Transporte de Glutamato/metabolismo , Tirosina 3-Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismoRESUMO
Strong expression of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) in ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons and terminals makes it an attractive target to modulate DA neuron activity and normalize DA-related pathologies. Recent studies have identified a novel class of NTR1 ligand that shows promising effects in preclinical models of addiction. A lead molecule, SBI-0654553 (SBI-553), can act as a positive allosteric modulator of NTR1 ß-arrestin recruitment while simultaneously antagonizing NTR1 Gq protein signaling. Using cell-attached recordings from mouse VTA DA neurons we discovered that, unlike neurotensin (NT), SBI-553 did not independently increase spontaneous firing. Instead, SBI-553 blocked the NT-mediated increase in firing. SBI-553 also antagonized the effects of NT on dopamine D2 auto-receptor signaling, potentially through its inhibitory effects on G-protein signaling. We also measured DA release directly, using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in the nucleus accumbens and observed antagonist effects of SBI-553 on an NT-induced increase in DA release. Further, in vivo administration of SBI-553 did not notably change basal or cocaine-evoked DA release measured in NAc using fiber photometry. Overall, these results indicate that SBI-553 blunts NT's effects on spontaneous DA neuron firing, D2 auto-receptor function, and DA release, without independently affecting these measures. In the presence of NT, SBI-553 has an inhibitory effect on mesolimbic DA activity, which could contribute to its efficacy in animal models of psychostimulant use.
Assuntos
Antagonistas dos Receptores de Dopamina D2 , Dopamina , Neurônios Dopaminérgicos , Neurotensina , Núcleo Accumbens , Receptores de Neurotensina , Área Tegmentar Ventral , Área Tegmentar Ventral/metabolismo , Área Tegmentar Ventral/fisiologia , Neurônios Dopaminérgicos/efeitos dos fármacos , Neurônios Dopaminérgicos/metabolismo , Neurônios Dopaminérgicos/fisiologia , Núcleo Accumbens/metabolismo , Dopamina/metabolismo , Masculino , Feminino , Animais , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Terminações Pré-Sinápticas/metabolismo , Terminações Pré-Sinápticas/fisiologia , Potenciais de Ação/efeitos dos fármacos , Receptores de Neurotensina/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptores de Neurotensina/metabolismo , Neurotensina/metabolismo , Neurotensina/farmacologia , Ligantes , Antagonistas dos Receptores de Dopamina D2/metabolismo , Antagonistas dos Receptores de Dopamina D2/farmacologiaRESUMO
Methods to enhance adult neurogenesis by reprogramming glial cells into neurons enable production of new neurons in the adult nervous system. Development of therapeutically viable approaches to induce new neurons is now required to bring this concept to clinical application. Here, we successfully generate new neurons in the cortex and dentate gyrus of the aged adult mouse brain by transiently suppressing polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 using an antisense oligonucleotide delivered by a single injection into cerebral spinal fluid. Radial glial-like cells and other GFAP-expressing cells convert into new neurons that, over a 2-month period, acquire mature neuronal character in a process mimicking normal neuronal maturation. The new neurons functionally integrate into endogenous circuits and modify mouse behavior. Thus, generation of new neurons in the dentate gyrus of the aging brain can be achieved with a therapeutically feasible approach, thereby opening prospects for production of neurons to replace those lost to neurodegenerative disease.
Assuntos
Giro Denteado , Células Ependimogliais , Neurogênese/fisiologia , Neurônios , Proteína de Ligação a Regiões Ricas em Polipirimidinas/antagonistas & inibidores , Animais , Reprogramação Celular/fisiologia , Giro Denteado/citologia , Giro Denteado/fisiologia , Células Ependimogliais/citologia , Células Ependimogliais/fisiologia , Camundongos , Neurônios/citologia , Neurônios/fisiologia , Oligonucleotídeos AntissensoRESUMO
Social recognition, the ability to recognize individuals that were previously encountered, requires complex integration of sensory inputs with previous experience. Here, we use a variety of approaches to discern how oxytocin-sensitive neurons in the PFC exert descending control over a circuit mediating social recognition in mice. Using male mice with Cre-recombinase directed to the oxytocin receptor gene (Oxtr), we revealed that oxytocin receptors (OXTRs) are expressed on glutamatergic neurons in the PFC, optogenetic stimulation of which elicited activation of neurons residing in several mesolimbic brain structures. Optogenetic stimulation of axons in the BLA arising from OXTR-expressing neurons in the PFC eliminated the ability to distinguish novel from familiar conspecifics, but remarkably, distinguishing between novel and familiar objects was unaffected. These results suggest that an oxytocin-sensitive PFC to BLA circuit is required for social recognition. The implication is that impaired social memory may manifest from dysregulation of this circuit.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Using mice, we demonstrate that optogenetic activation of the neurons in the PFC that express the oxytocin receptor gene (Oxtr) impairs the ability to distinguish between novel and familiar conspecifics, but the ability to distinguish between novel and familiar objects remains intact. Subjects with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have difficulty identifying a person based on remembering facial features; however, ASDs and typical subjects perform similarly when remembering objects. In subjects with ASD, viewing the same face increases neural activity in the PFC, which may be analogous to the optogenetic excitation of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) expressing neurons in the PFC that impairs social recognition in mice. The implication is that overactivation of OXTR-expressing neurons in the PFC may contribute to ASD symptomology.