4.3 Review

Astrocytic transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug addiction

Related references

Note: Only part of the references are listed.
Article Neurosciences

Astroglial cannabinoid signaling and behavior

Carla Ramon-Duaso et al.

Summary: In neuroscience, innovative and advanced technical accomplishments are crucial for understanding brain functioning. The discovery of functional presence of type-1 cannabinoid receptors in astroglial cells has revealed their important role in behavioral control.
Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Dose mediates the protracted effects of adolescent THC exposure on reward and stress reactivity in males relevant to perturbation of the basolateral amygdala transcriptome

Jacqueline-Marie N. Ferland et al.

Summary: Contrary to the belief that cannabis is harmless, exposure to it during adolescence increases the risk of developing psychopathologies in adulthood. This study found that repeated exposure to low and high doses of THC during adolescence had different effects on behavior in adulthood. The study also revealed disturbances in gene networks related to reward processing and stress, as well as dysregulation of astrocytes.

MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY (2023)

Review Neurosciences

Astrocyte regulation of synaptic signaling in psychiatric disorders

Anna Kruyer et al.

Summary: Neuroscience has recognized the important role of astroglia in neuronal synaptic activity and considers them as an equal partner in tripartite synaptic transmission and plasticity. However, the lack of reagents and technologies for studying astroglia has hindered the understanding of tripartite synaptic physiology. This article reviews the role of astroglia in synaptic function and behavior regulation, and explores their impact on psychiatric disorders.

NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (2023)

Review Clinical Neurology

Sculpting Astrocyte Diversity through Circuits and Transcription

Yi-Ting Cheng et al.

Summary: This review focuses on the emerging areas in astrocyte biology, including region-specific circuit regulation, molecular diversity, and transcriptional regulation. By exploring how molecular diversity is converted to functional diversity of astrocytes, we gain a nascent understanding of how transcriptional mechanisms regulate this process.

NEUROSCIENTIST (2023)

Article Neurosciences

Monitoring regional astrocyte diversity by cell type-specific proteomic labeling in vivo

Priyadharshini Prabhakar et al.

Summary: Astrocytes display regional heterogeneity in morphology, function, and molecular composition, and play a role in supporting and modulating neuronal function and signaling. Using mass spectrometry and gene enrichment analysis, we discovered subtle differences in astrocytic proteomes among different brain regions, with the cerebellum showing a strong association with the calcium signaling pathway or bipolar disorder. Additionally, our toolbox proved to be applicable for studying astrocytic proteome differences in vivo.
Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Resident Astrocytes can Limit Injury to Developing Hippocampal Neurons upon THC Exposure

Maria Krassnitzer et al.

Summary: The legalization of cannabis raises questions about the therapeutic potential of plant-derived recreational drugs and how to regulate and distribute them safely. This study explores the impact of long-term cannabis exposure on intercellular interactions between astrocytes and neurons in the hippocampus. The researchers demonstrate that astrocytes accumulate in specific areas to protect sensitive neurons from damage caused by THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Although the astrocytes' mitochondrial function is disrupted, they still exert neuroprotective effects.

NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH (2023)

Article Neurosciences

Ventral tegmental area astrocytes modulate cocaine reward by tonically releasing GABA

Junhua Yang et al.

Summary: Addictive drugs increase VTA dopamine neuron activity by inhibiting local GABA neurons. Astrocytes control VTA GABA neuron activity in cocaine reward through tonic inhibition. Attenuation of this inhibition reduces cocaine-evoked changes in neuron activity, locomotion, and reward behaviors in mice.

NEURON (2023)

Article Neurosciences

Endocannabinoid signaling in synaptic function

Jose Antonio Noriega-Prieto et al.

Summary: Astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating brain function by sensing and responding to endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling released from neurons, which in turn regulates synaptic transmission and plasticity. The eCB signaling to astrocytes is a complex process with diverse downstream signaling mechanisms, exhibiting spatial and temporal properties and influencing various functional synaptic outcomes.
Article Psychiatry

Long-Term Outcomes of Adolescent THC Exposure on Translational Cognitive Measures in Adulthood in an Animal Model and Computational Assessment of Human Data

Jacqueline-Marie N. Ferland et al.

Summary: Adolescent cannabis use increases the risk of developing cannabis use disorder in adulthood, especially for high-potency cannabis. It remains unclear whether adolescent cannabis exposure and THC potency specifically predict risky decision-making or influence cognitive response to the drug later in life. This study leveraged a human data set and a rat model to evaluate the long-term outcomes of adolescent THC exposure on adult decision-making and impulse control.

JAMA PSYCHIATRY (2023)

Article Pharmacology & Pharmacy

Acetylsalicylic acid reduces cigarette smoke withdrawal-induced anxiety in rats via modulating the expression of NFκB, GLT-1, and xCT

Alaa M. M. Hammad et al.

Summary: Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke leads to neuroinflammation and changes in neurotransmitter systems. This study investigated the effects of cigarette smoke on astroglial glutamate transporters and NF-kappa B expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). The results showed that cigarette smoke exposure increased anxiety-like behavior, upregulated NF kappa B expression, and downregulated glutamate transporter expression. Acetylsalicylic acid treatment attenuated these effects.

FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY (2023)

Article Psychiatry

MicroRNA-mRNA networks are dysregulated in opioid use disorder postmortem brain: Further evidence for opioid-induced neurovascular alterations

Sandra L. Grimm et al.

Summary: To understand the mechanisms and potential targets for intervention in opioid use disorder, researchers examined postmortem brains and blood samples to explore the role of microRNAs (miRNA) in gene regulation. They found that miRNAs identified in the brains and blood had distinct profiles but targeted the same genes and pathways related to tissue development, morphogenesis, and MAPK signaling pathways. Additionally, the study identified cell-type specific miRNA targets associated with opioid use disorder and revealed correlations with various biological processes and pathways. These findings shed new light on the impact of opioid drugs and provide potential leads for intervention.

FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY (2023)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

The Matricellular Protein Hevin Is Involved in Alcohol Use Disorder

Amaia Nunez-delMoral et al.

Summary: A protein called hevin is highly expressed in the adult brain and plays a role in stress resilience and motivated behaviors. This study found that hevin levels are elevated in the brain tissue of individuals with alcohol use disorder, and that alcohol exposure and withdrawal can alter hevin levels. Moreover, suppressing hevin expression in a specific brain region leads to increased alcohol consumption.

BIOMOLECULES (2023)

Article Neurosciences

Astrocyte structural heterogeneity in the mouse hippocampus

Joao Filipe Viana et al.

Summary: Astrocytes in the brain play important roles in sensing, processing, and responding to surrounding activity, maintaining homeostasis, and regulating synaptic transmission. Recent studies have focused on the dynamic interactions between astrocyte leaflets and synapses, but little is known about the tree-like backbone structure of astrocytes under physiological conditions. This study analyzed the structural diversity of astrocytes in the hippocampal subfields and found heterogeneity across regions, which is conserved along the dorsoventral axis. Furthermore, astrocytes appear to contribute to a signaling loop that maintains the backbone structure in an exocytosis-dependent manner.
Review Neurosciences

Dynamic regulation of the extracellular matrix in reward memory processes: a question of time

Jake Valeri et al.

Summary: Substance use disorders are a global health problem with increasing prevalence, and the brain extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules play a critical role in their pathophysiology. The ECM is a promising target for developing novel cessation pharmacotherapies. Time-course and substance specific changes in ECM molecules provide important information for the development of therapeutic strategies.

FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE (2023)

Review Neurosciences

Comparative assessment of the effects of DREADDs and endogenously expressed GPCRs in hippocampal astrocytes on synaptic activity and memory

Sophie H. Lee et al.

Summary: Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) have become a popular method in neuroscience for studying the functional aspects of astrocyte activity, particularly G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated intracellular calcium dynamics and cyclic adenosine monophosphate dynamics. This method allows for a direct link between astrocytic function and cognitive processes such as memory.

FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE (2023)

Article Neurosciences

Ethanol-induced transcriptional and translational changes in Aldh1l1-Egfp/Rpl10a cortical astrocyte cultures

Joel G. Hashimoto et al.

Summary: The study shows that ethanol alters the extracellular matrix produced by astrocytes and leads to differences in transcriptional and translational profiles. These findings provide insights into the effects of ethanol on astrocyte gene expression and protein translation, which may have implications for brain development.

FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE (2023)

Review Genetics & Heredity

Epigenetic Alterations of Brain Non-Neuronal Cells in Major Mental Diseases

Hamid Mostafavi Abdolmaleky et al.

Summary: Recent studies have found that tissue-specific expression and epigenetic dysregulation of many genes in cells derived from the postmortem brains of patients provide a fundamental biological framework for major mental diseases. With the emergence of single-cell technologies, researchers have started to uncover the cell-type-specific expression and DNA methylation regulation of many genes in non-neuronal brain cells involved in the pathogenesis of mental diseases.

GENES (2023)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Convergent abnormalities in striatal gene networks in human cocaine use disorder and mouse cocaine administration models

Philipp Mews et al.

Summary: Cocaine use disorder is a difficult problem with rising overdose death rates, posing a substantial public health crisis. Through RNA sequencing, researchers have identified specific gene networks involved in cocaine use disorder, including ionotropic receptors and decreased neuroinflammation. They have also found important gene networks, especially in D1 medium spiny neurons, that drive cocaine-induced plasticity.

SCIENCE ADVANCES (2023)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Transcriptional signatures of heroin intake and relapse throughout the brain reward circuitry in male mice

Caleb J. Browne et al.

Summary: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a severe medical crisis and understanding the molecular changes involved is crucial for developing effective therapeutics. This study used RNA sequencing and heroin self-administration in mice to create a comprehensive brain reward circuit-wide atlas of opioid-induced transcriptional regulation. Analysis of the data revealed region-specific and pan-circuit biological changes, as well as molecular processes that contribute to OUD vulnerability. Comparison with human OUD data identified potential therapeutic gene candidates. These findings provide important insights into the molecular reprogramming underlying OUD and could inform future treatment strategies.

SCIENCE ADVANCES (2023)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Large-Scale Integration of Single-Cell RNA-Seq Data Reveals Astrocyte Diversity and Transcriptomic Modules across Six Central Nervous System Disorders

Zhenwei Qian et al.

Summary: This study demonstrates how large-scale integration of multi-omics data overcomes the limitations of sparse human brain specimens. By creating a single-cell transcriptomic dataset of nearly one million cells and using it as a reference, the heterogeneity of astrocyte subpopulations and their involvement in various neurological diseases were comprehensively depicted.

BIOMOLECULES (2023)

Article Neurosciences

Disruption of Astrocyte-Dependent Dopamine Control in the Developing Medial Prefrontal Cortex Leads to Excessive Grooming in Mice

Francesco Petrelli et al.

Summary: This study investigates the relationship between VMAT2 in astrocytes and the regulation of DA levels, finding that impairment of astrocytic control of DA leads to reduced DA levels, excessive grooming, and compulsive repetitive behaviors. The expression of VMAT2 in human PFC astrocytes validates the translational relevance of these findings.

BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY (2023)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Specialized astrocytes mediate glutamatergic gliotransmission in the CNS

Roberta de Ceglia et al.

NATURE (2023)

Article Cell Biology

Astrocytic o 4-containing nAChR signaling in the hippocampus governs the formation of temporal association memory

Wenyu Ma et al.

Summary: The study demonstrates that enhancing astrocyte Ca2+ signaling in the hippocampal CA1 region enhances the temporal association in everyday episodic memories. This effect is mediated by astrocytic a4 subunit-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (a4-nAChRs) and involves NMDAR co-agonist supply. The findings also suggest that astrocytic a4-nAChRs underlie the cognitive enhancer nicotine's physiological effects.

CELL REPORTS (2023)

Article Cell Biology

Heroin Self-Administration and Extinction Increase Prelimbic Cortical Astrocyte-Synapse Proximity and Alter Dendritic Spine Morphometrics That Are Reversed by N-Acetylcysteine

Benjamin M. Siemsen et al.

Summary: Clinical and preclinical studies have shown that adaptations in corticostriatal neurotransmission play an important role in heroin relapse vulnerability. Specifically, heroin self-administration and extinction lead to cellular adaptations in neurons and astrocytes within the nucleus accumbens core, contributing to cue-induced heroin seeking. Astrocyte glutamate homeostasis can be regulated by drugs like N-acetylcysteine (NAC), preventing cue-induced heroin seeking. Additionally, heroin self-administration and extinction result in changes in cortical dendritic spine morphology and the association of glutamate receptors in corticostriatal neurons, which can be reversed by NAC treatment.

CELLS (2023)

Article Medicine, Research & Experimental

Preclinical and clinical evidence for suppression of alcohol intake by apremilast

Kolter B. Grigsby et al.

Summary: Treatment options for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) have seen minimal advancement since 2004, leading to the increase in annual deaths and economic burden. However, a newer phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, apremilast, has shown potential as a treatment for AUD. Animal and human studies have demonstrated that apremilast reduces excessive alcohol drinking and alcohol motivation through its effect on the nucleus accumbens. Importantly, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study also confirmed its effectiveness in reducing excessive drinking in individuals with AUD.

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION (2023)

Article Neurosciences

Neuronal and astrocytic protein degradation are critical for fear memory formation

Kayla Farrell et al.

Summary: Strong evidence shows that proteasome-mediated protein degradation plays an important role in memory consolidation. However, the cell type specificity of this process has not been well understood due to the limitations of pharmacological approaches. In this study, neuron-specific and novel astrocyte-specific CRISPR-dCas9-KRAB-MECP2 plasmids were used to selectively inhibit protein degradation in the amygdala of male rats. The results reveal that inhibition of neuronal protein degradation affects performance during training, while inhibition of astrocytic protein degradation impairs contextual fear memory retention. These findings provide the first evidence of a cell type-specific role for protein degradation in memory consolidation.

LEARNING & MEMORY (2023)

Review Neurosciences

Clinical and basic research investigations into the long-term effects of prenatal opioid exposure on brain development

Taylor Boggess et al.

Summary: Coinciding with the opioid epidemic, there has been a significant increase in the number of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) cases in the United States. Current research on NAS has mainly focused on short-term care, neglecting long-term effects of prenatal opioid exposure (POE) on brain development. This review summarizes the current state of NAS research, highlighting how POE can lead to prolonged deficits in brain structure and function. Future research needs to focus on alleviating this growing multigenerational threat posed by NAS.

JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH (2022)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Epigenome-wide association study of alcohol consumption in N=8161 individuals and relevance to alcohol use disorder pathophysiology: identification of the cystine/glutamate transporter SLC7A11 as a top target

Falk W. Lohoff et al.

Summary: This study identified the association between alcohol consumption and DNA methylation, confirmed the causal relationship between alcohol and AUD risk, and highlighted the significant role of methylomic variation in SLC7A11 in AUD.

MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY (2022)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Astrocytes in the ventral pallidum extinguish heroin seeking through GAT-3 upregulation and morphological plasticity at D1-MSN terminals

Anna Kruyer et al.

Summary: The study found that astrocytes in the ventral pallidum exhibit increased expression of the GABA transporter GAT-3 after extinction of heroin seeking, which was not observed in animals undergoing heroin withdrawal without extinction training or after extinguishing sucrose seeking. Additionally, there was a selective increase in astrocyte proximity to dopamine D1-expressing terminals during extinction of heroin self-administration, suggesting the involvement of astrocyte-neuron interactions in behaviors associated with opioid use disorder.

MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY (2022)

Article Neurosciences

Astrocyte tissue plasminogen activator expression during brain development and its role in pyramidal neuron neurite outgrowth

Calla M. Goeke et al.

Summary: The serine protease tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) plays a crucial role in neuronal development by modulating the proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Excessive or deficient levels of tPA can impair normal neurite outgrowth. Astrocytes, which produce ECM proteins and proteases, are also involved in neuronal development. Control of tPA expression in astrocytes is important for proper neuronal development.

NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS (2022)

Review Neurosciences

From Synapses to Circuits, Astrocytes Regulate Behavior

Krissy A. Lyon et al.

Summary: Astrocytes are non-neuronal cells that play a crucial role in synapse, neuronal circuit, and behavioral regulation. Recent studies have shown that astrocyte influences extend beyond the synapse to neuronal circuitry and behavior. Using tools such as optogenetics and chemogenetics, researchers have demonstrated the causal role of astrocytes in sleep, memory, sensorimotor behaviors, feeding, fear, anxiety, and cognitive processes like attention and behavioral flexibility.

FRONTIERS IN NEURAL CIRCUITS (2022)

Review Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Astrocytes in cocaine addiction and beyond

Junshi Wang et al.

Summary: Drug addiction poses a significant biomedical challenge for neuroscience research, with astrocytes emerging as key players alongside neural mechanisms. Cocaine-induced changes in astrocyte activity play a crucial role in shaping synaptic and circuit adaptations, influencing drug seeking behaviors. Targeting astrocytic substrates may hold therapeutic potential in ameliorating drug-induced neuroplasticity for behavioral benefits.

MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY (2022)

Review Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Key transcription factors mediating cocaine-induced plasticity in the nucleus accumbens

Collin D. Teague et al.

Summary: Repeated cocaine use leads to coordinated changes in gene expression in the nucleus accumbens, driving maladaptive behaviors. Transcription factors have been identified as critical mediators of cocaine-induced plasticity. Recent advancements in techniques such as next generation sequencing and bioinformatics have allowed for more powerful tools to identify key transcription factors involved in drug-induced plasticity.

MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY (2022)

Article Neurosciences

Neuronal activity drives pathway-specific depolarization of peripheral astrocyte processes

Moritz Armbruster et al.

Summary: This study reveals a novel form of communication between astrocytes and neurons, where neuronal activity induces significant depolarizations in astrocyte processes. These depolarizations are driven by presynaptic potassium efflux and glutamate transporters, and they inhibit astrocyte glutamate clearance, enhancing neuronal activation by glutamate.

NATURE NEUROSCIENCE (2022)

Article Neurosciences

Astrocytes play a critical role in mediating the effect of acute ethanol on central amygdala glutamatergic transmission

Mariam Melkumyan et al.

Summary: The Central Amygdala is involved in alcohol use disorder, and ethanol can modulate glutamatergic transmission in this region, possibly through the activation of neuroimmune cells, particularly astrocytes. Microglia activation has minimal impact on this modulation. Neuroimmune activation through lipopolysaccharide is also dependent on astrocyte signaling.

NEUROPHARMACOLOGY (2022)

Article Neurosciences

Glucocorticoid Receptor-Regulated Enhancers Play a Central Role in the Gene Regulatory Networks Underlying Drug Addiction

Sascha H. Duttke et al.

Summary: Substance abuse and addiction have significant impacts on healthcare, the economy, and the workforce. Understanding the gene regulatory mechanisms underlying addiction is crucial for effective treatments. This study used advanced transcriptomics methods to explore how drug exposure alters gene regulatory networks in the brain. The findings highlight the disruption of gene regulatory programs by addiction and the potential role of glial cells in driving addiction-related phenotypes.

FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE (2022)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Hedgehog-interacting protein acts in the habenula to regulate nicotine intake

Stephanie P. B. Caligiuri et al.

Summary: This study found that the Hedgehog-interacting protein (HHIP) gene is highly expressed in medial habenula (MHb) neurons, particularly in cholinergic neurons that regulate aversive behavioral responses to nicotine. HHIP deficiency disrupts the expression of genes involved in cholinergic signaling in the MHb and impairs the function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Moreover, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the Hhip gene in MHb neurons enhances the motivational properties of nicotine in mice. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which HHIP influences vulnerability to smoking-related lung diseases.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (2022)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Astrocyte ethanol exposure reveals persistent and defined calcium response subtypes and associated gene signatures

Hyun-Bum Kim et al.

Summary: This study combines measurements of calcium signaling and gene expression to define subtypes of astrocytes induced by ethanol consumption. The results show that different doses of ethanol can increase intracellular calcium levels in a subset of astrocytes, leading to the identification of cellular response types and nonresponsive subtypes. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis further identifies discriminatory gene expression signatures associated with different response types. These findings provide a basis for investigating the specific influences of astrocytes on the physiology and pathology of ethanol exposure in the brain.

JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY (2022)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Cocaine preference and neuroadaptations are maintained by astrocytic NMDA receptors in the nucleus accumbens

Gajanan P. Shelkar et al.

Summary: This study investigates the relationship between NMDA receptors in astrocytes and cocaine preference memory. The results show that selective ablation of GluN1 subunit from astrocytes enhances the extinction of cocaine memory. Additionally, repeated cocaine exposure increases GluN2C subunit expression and astrocytic NMDA receptor currents. Inhibition of GluN2C/2D-containing receptors and deletion of GluN2C subunit facilitate the extinction of cocaine memory.

SCIENCE ADVANCES (2022)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Single-nucleus chromatin accessibility and RNA sequencing reveal impaired brain development in prenatally e-cigarette exposed neonatal rats

Zhong Chen et al.

Summary: Studies have shown that maternal vaping can negatively affect the brain development of offspring by disrupting calcium homeostasis, inducing microglia cell death, and increasing susceptibility to cerebral ischemic injury. These abnormalities distort neuronal lineage differentiation in the neonatal brain, impairing brain development.

ISCIENCE (2022)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Hippocampal astrocytes encode reward location

Adi Doron et al.

Summary: This study used two-photon microscopy to investigate the real-time calcium activity of astrocytes in the hippocampus of awake mice. The researchers found that astrocytes exhibit persistent ramping activity towards the reward location in a familiar environment, but not in a new one. Shifting the reward location within a familiar environment also resulted in diminished ramping. After additional training, the ramping activity was re-established.

NATURE (2022)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Molecular basis of astrocyte diversity and morphology across the CNS in health and disease

Fumito Endo et al.

Summary: This study provides comprehensive molecular data on the diversity and mechanisms of astrocytes in the central nervous system, highlighting the role of certain genes in astrocyte morphology and their association with diseases such as Alzheimer's.

SCIENCE (2022)

Article Cell Biology

Dopamine activates astrocytes in prefrontal cortex via receptors

Silvia Pittolo et al.

Summary: This study provides evidence for the important role of astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and their interaction with dopamine and other neurotransmitter receptors to regulate PFC function.

CELL REPORTS (2022)

Article Psychiatry

Single nucleus transcriptomic analysis of rat nucleus accumbens reveals cell type-specific patterns of gene expression associated with volitional morphine intake

Benjamin C. Reiner et al.

Summary: Volitional opioid taking leads to cell type-specific transcriptomic changes in the nucleus accumbens of rats, highlighting specific striatal cell populations and novel molecular substrates that could be targeted to reduce compulsive opioid taking.

TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY (2022)

Article Neurosciences

Abstinence-Dependent Effects of Long-Access Cocaine Self-Administration on Nucleus Accumbens Astrocytes Are Observed in Male, But Not Female, Rats

Ronald Kim et al.

Summary: Accumulating evidence suggests significant consequences for astrocytes associated with drug abuse. In male rats, self-administration and abstinence from cocaine leads to reductions in structural features and synaptic colocalization of nucleus accumbens astrocytes, while similar effects are not observed in female rats. These results indicate striking and sexually dimorphic effects of abstinence on astrocytes.

ENEURO (2022)

Article Neurosciences

Cortical astrocytes regulate ethanol consumption and intoxication in mice

E. K. Erickson et al.

Summary: Astrocytes play a crucial role in the behavioral effects of ethanol through GPCR-mediated calcium signaling. Activation of G(q)-DREADD in astrocytes increases ethanol intake, while reducing calcium signaling decreases sensitivity to ethanol. Astrocyte calcium signaling also alters the stimulatory and sedative-hypnotic effects of ethanol.

NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (2021)

Article Genetics & Heredity

Epigenome-wide analysis uncovers a blood-based DNA methylation biomarker of lifetime cannabis use

Christina A. Markunas et al.

Summary: The study identified an association between blood-based gene DNAm and lifetime cannabis use, and developed a multi-CpG classifier for lifetime cannabis use.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART B-NEUROPSYCHIATRIC GENETICS (2021)

Article Neurosciences

Cocaine Triggers Astrocyte-Mediated Synaptogenesis

Junshi Wang et al.

Summary: The study shows that the developmental synaptogenic mechanism mediated by astrocyte-released thrombospondins (TSPs) and their neuronal receptor alpha 2 delta-1 is utilized during cocaine experience to induce spinogenesis and the generation of AMPA receptor-silent glutamatergic synapses in the adult nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh). Further research indicates that disruption of TSP2-alpha 2 delta-1-mediated spinogenesis and synapse generation in NAcSh reduces cue-induced cocaine seeking after withdrawal from cocaine self-administration and cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking after drug extinction.

BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY (2021)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

E-cigarette aerosols containing nicotine modulate nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and astroglial glutamate transporters in mesocorticolimbic brain regions of chronically exposed mice

Fawaz Alasmari et al.

Summary: Chronic inhalation of nicotine within e-cigarette aerosols significantly alters the expression of nAChRs and astroglial glutamate transporters in specific mesocorticolimbic brain regions.

CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS (2021)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Influence of psychostimulants and opioids on epigenetic modification of class III histone deacetylase (HDAC)-sirtuins in glial cells

Kalaiselvi Sivalingam et al.

Summary: Substance abuse can affect the central nervous system through epigenetic modification, leading to potential neurobehavioral impairments. This study found that piracetam can prevent psychostimulant- and opioid-induced neurodeacetylation and cellular dysfunction in astrocytes.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2021)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Cocaine experience induces functional adaptations in astrocytes: Implications for synaptic plasticity in the nucleus accumbens shell

Bernadette O'Donovan et al.

Summary: Studies suggest that cocaine directly affects astrocytes and alters neuronal sensitivity to astrocyte-derived glutamate, leading to changes in neuronal circuit activity in the nucleus accumbens shell and increased neuronal activation in specific subsets of medium spiny neurons.

ADDICTION BIOLOGY (2021)

Article Neurosciences

Nicotine induces morphological and functional changes in astrocytes via nicotinic receptor activity

Surya P. Aryal et al.

Summary: Nicotine exposure induces morphological and functional changes in astrocytes mediated by nAChRs. Functional studies demonstrate increased calcium activity in both cell soma and processes following nicotine treatment. Nicotine does not induce reactive astrocytosis.
Article Neurosciences

Chemogenetic manipulation of astrocytic signaling in the basolateral amygdala reduces binge-like alcohol consumption in male mice

Kala N. Nwachukwu et al.

Summary: The study found that non-dependent ethanol consumption increased astrocyte activation, and activating astrocytes significantly reduced ethanol intake and blood ethanol concentrations, indicating that astrocytes may be a potential effective target for alcohol use disorder therapy.

JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH (2021)

Article Neurosciences

The Protective Effects of Apremilast Against Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/Reperfusion (OGD/R)-Induced Inflammation and Apoptosis in Astroglia Mediated by CREB/BDNF

Hang Yin et al.

Summary: The study found that apremilast significantly reduced apoptosis and cell death in astrocytes induced by OGD/R, improved cell viability, and induced the expression of BDNF and Bcl-2 by promoting CREB phosphorylation, ultimately decreasing astrocyte apoptosis.

NEUROTOXICITY RESEARCH (2021)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Astrocytes promote ethanol-induced enhancement of intracellular Ca2+ signals through intercellular communication with neurons

Hyun-Bum Kim et al.

Summary: The research found that astrocytes can generate a stronger calcium signal response after acute ethanol exposure, primarily influenced by neuronally-derived purinergic signaling. Astrocytes adapt to the effects of ethanol by modulating the activity of adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C, highlighting their important role in shaping the overall physiological responsiveness to ethanol.

ISCIENCE (2021)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

The Drosophila brain on cocaine at single-cell resolution

Brandon M. Baker et al.

Summary: The effects of acute cocaine consumption on genome-wide gene expression in the brain were investigated using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster model. The study found profound sexual dimorphism in brain transcriptional responses to cocaine, with male responses being more pronounced than female responses, especially in Kenyon cells of the mushroom bodies and glia. Acute cocaine exposure affected a diverse array of cellular processes as revealed by cluster-specific coexpression networks and global interaction networks.

GENOME RESEARCH (2021)

Article Clinical Neurology

Astrocytic NMDA Receptors in the Basolateral Amygdala Contribute to Facilitation of Fear Extinction

Gajanan P. Shelkar et al.

Summary: The study reveals that the novel glycine-site agonist AICP enhances fear extinction by acting on GluN2C-containing receptors in the basolateral amygdala, facilitating excitatory neurotransmission and synaptic insertion of AMPA receptor GluA1 subunit. Chemogenetic activation of astrocytes in the amygdala also promotes fear extinction. These findings suggest that the development of superagonists targeting GluN2C-containing receptors may hold promise for treating anxiety disorders.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (2021)

Article Clinical Neurology

Genome-Wide Correlation of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression in Postmortem Brain Tissues of Opioid Use Disorder Patients

Andi Liu et al.

Summary: The study identified differences in gene and epigenetic changes in OUD patients related to astrocyte and glial cell differentiation, suggesting the involvement of complex gene regulatory mechanisms in OUD. Cross-omics analysis revealed OUD-specific immune-related transcription regulators, providing new insights into the disease pathogenesis.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (2021)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

TCF7L2 lncRNA: a link between bipolar disorder and body mass index through glucocorticoid signaling

Duan Liu et al.

Summary: The study identified an association between the BD-BMI GWAS risk SNP and a novel TCF7L2 transcript variant, lncRNA-TCF7L2, expressed in the CNS but not in peripheral tissues involved in metabolism. Knockdown of lncRNA-TCF7L2 in astrocytes resulted in changes in the expression of genes related to insulin signaling and diabetes. TCF7L2 was also found to directly regulate a series of BD risk genes in hiPSC-derived astrocytes.

MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY (2021)

Article Neurosciences

Cocaine induces paradigm-specific changes to the transcriptome within the ventral tegmental area

Rianne R. Campbell et al.

Summary: This study reveals the impact of cocaine on gene regulation and biological processes within the VTA, showing that cocaine alters distinct sets of genes in different exposure paradigms, but all paradigms are affected by processes important for energy regulation and synaptic plasticity. The research also found that cocaine changes gene networks in the VTA, indicating that transcriptional changes depend on the route, dose, and context of cocaine exposure.

NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (2021)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Psychostimulants and opioids differentially influence the epigenetic modification of histone acetyltransferase and histone deacetylase in astrocytes

Mayur Doke et al.

Summary: Illicit drugs impact the central nervous system through histone modifications and chromatin remodeling, affecting neuronal function like memory and synaptic plasticity. The effects of these drugs on astrocytes and acetylation-regulating enzymes are still being studied.

PLOS ONE (2021)

Article Neurosciences

Heterogeneity and Development of Fine Astrocyte Morphology Captured by Diffraction-Limited Microscopy

Daniel Minge et al.

Summary: The study introduces an indirect method for measuring the morphology of astrocytes by using volume fraction and segment density as parameters. These parameters are effective for describing the structure of astrocytes and can be used for online monitoring of astrocyte morphology with widely available microscopy techniques.

FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE (2021)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Extensive transcriptional and chromatin changes underlie astrocyte maturation in vivo and in culture

Michael Lattke et al.

Summary: The study revealed extensive transcriptional and chromatin changes during astrocyte maturation in mice, and identified transcription factors that regulate the maturation of cultured astrocytes. Extrinsic signals can orchestrate the expression of multiple intrinsic regulators to induce transcriptional and chromatin changes underlying astrocyte maturation in a modular manner, improving cell maturity.

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS (2021)

Article Clinical Neurology

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol During Adolescence Reprograms the Nucleus Accumbens Transcriptome, Affecting Reward Processing, Impulsivity, and Specific Aspects of Cocaine Addiction-Like Behavior in a Sex-Dependent Manner

Javier Orihuel et al.

Summary: Adolescent exposure to THC affects specific aspects of reward-guided behavior and shows remarkable sex-specificity. This exposure leads to increased goal-tracking in both male and female rats, enhanced Pavlovian to instrumental transfer especially in males, but does not affect habit formation.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (2021)

Review Neurosciences

Epigenetic Mechanisms of Opioid Addiction

Caleb J. Browne et al.

BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY (2020)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Single cell transcriptome profiling of the human alcohol-dependent brain

Eric Brenner et al.

HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS (2020)

Review Neurosciences

Improved tools to study astrocytes

Xinzhu Yu et al.

NATURE REVIEWS NEUROSCIENCE (2020)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Identification of region-specific astrocyte subtypes at single cell resolution

Mykhailo Y. Batiuk et al.

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS (2020)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

A dopamine-induced gene expression signature regulates neuronal function and cocaine response

Katherine E. Savell et al.

SCIENCE ADVANCES (2020)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Glucose metabolism links astroglial mitochondria to cannabinoid effects

Daniel Jimenez-Blasco et al.

NATURE (2020)

Review Neurosciences

Making sense of astrocytic calcium signals - from acquisition to interpretation

Alexey Semyanov et al.

NATURE REVIEWS NEUROSCIENCE (2020)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Hyperactivity with Disrupted Attention by Activation of an Astrocyte Synaptogenic Cue

Jun Nagai et al.

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Glial gene networks associated with alcohol dependence

Emma K. Erickson et al.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2019)

Article Cell Biology

Opioid-Mediated Astrocyte-Neuron Signaling in the Nucleus Accumbens

Michelle Corkrum et al.

CELLS (2019)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Alcohol metabolism contributes to brain histone acetylation

P. Mews et al.

NATURE (2019)

Article Neurosciences

Epigenetics and addiction

Peter J. Hamilton et al.

CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY (2019)

Article Neurosciences

Transcriptional mechanisms of drug addiction

Purva Bali et al.

DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE (2019)

Review Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Epigenetic regulation of astrocyte function in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration

Matthew Neal et al.

BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE (2018)

Article Genetics & Heredity

Astrocyte-specific transcriptome responses to chronic ethanol consumption

Emma K. Erickson et al.

PHARMACOGENOMICS JOURNAL (2018)

Review Physiology

PHYSIOLOGY OF ASTROGLIA

Alexei Verkhratsky et al.

PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS (2018)

Review Neurosciences

Functional Roles of Astrocyte Calcium Elevations: From Synapses to Behavior

Sonia Guerra-Gomes et al.

FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE (2018)

Article Medicine, Research & Experimental

Expression of mu-Opioid Receptor in CA1 Hippocampal Astrocytes

Min-Ho Nam et al.

EXPERIMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY (2018)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Astroglial Kir4.1 in the lateral habenula drives neuronal bursts in depression

Yihui Cui et al.

NATURE (2018)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Whole genome sequence study of cannabis dependence in two independent cohorts

Ian R. Gizer et al.

ADDICTION BIOLOGY (2018)

Article Neurosciences

Synapse-specific astrocyte gating of amygdala-related behavior

Mario Martin-Fernandez et al.

NATURE NEUROSCIENCE (2017)

Review Neurosciences

Cell Biology of Astrocyte-Synapse Interactions

Nicola J. Allen et al.

NEURON (2017)

Review Biology

Astrocytic control of synaptic function

Thomas Papouin et al.

PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (2017)

Article Substance Abuse

Mechanistic insights into epigenetic modulation of ethanol consumption

Igor Ponomarev et al.

ALCOHOL (2017)

Review Substance Abuse

Emerging Role of Epigenetic Mechanisms in Alcohol Addiction

Tiffani D. M. Berkel et al.

ALCOHOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH (2017)

Review Substance Abuse

Effects of Ethanol on Brain Extracellular Matrix: Implications for Alcohol Use Disorder

Amy W. Lasek

ALCOHOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH (2016)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Neurons diversify astrocytes in the adult brain through sonic hedgehog signaling

W. Todd Farmer et al.

SCIENCE (2016)

Article Neurosciences

Gq-DREADD Selectively Initiates Glial Glutamate Release and Inhibits Cue-induced Cocaine Seeking

Michael D. Scofield et al.

BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY (2015)

Review Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Glutamate transporter EAAT2: regulation, function, and potential as a therapeutic target for neurological and psychiatric disease

Kou Takahashi et al.

CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES (2015)

Review Neurosciences

Astrocyte development: A Guide for the Perplexed

Anna Victoria Molofsky et al.

Article Cell Biology

Astrocytes Control Synapse Formation, Function, and Elimination

Won-Suk Chung et al.

COLD SPRING HARBOR PERSPECTIVES IN BIOLOGY (2015)

Article Pharmacology & Pharmacy

Ceftriaxone and cefazolin attenuate the cue-primed reinstatement of alcohol-seeking

Ana Weiland et al.

FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY (2015)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Astrocytic abnormalities and global DNA methylation patterns in depression and suicide

C. Nagy et al.

MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY (2015)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Chronic Ethanol Exposure Produces Time-and Brain Region-Dependent Changes in Gene Coexpression Networks

Elizabeth A. Osterndorff-Kahanek et al.

PLOS ONE (2015)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Acute and Chronic Mu Opioids Differentially Regulate Thrombospondins 1 and 2 Isoforms in Astrocytes

Ellen Phamduong et al.

ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE (2014)

Article Substance Abuse

Exploring the Role of Central Astrocytic Glutamate Uptake in Ethanol Reward inMice

Karen L. Smith et al.

ALCOHOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH (2014)

Review Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

A star is born: new insights into the mechanism of astrogenesis

Regina Kanski et al.

CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES (2014)

Review Neurosciences

Mechanisms of astrocyte development and their contributions to neurodevelopmental disorders

Steven A. Sloan et al.

CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY (2014)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Regulation of DNA methylation by ethanol induces tissue plasminogen activator expression in astrocytes

Xiaolu Zhang et al.

JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY (2014)

Article Neurosciences

Synaptic Glutamate Spillover Due to Impaired Glutamate Uptake Mediates Heroin Relapse

Hao-wei Shen et al.

JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE (2014)

Review Clinical Neurology

Astrocytic Dysfunction and Addiction: Consequences of Impaired Glutamate Homeostasis

Michael D. Scofield et al.

NEUROSCIENTIST (2014)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Δ9-THC-Caused Synaptic and Memory Impairments Are Mediated through COX-2 Signaling

Rongqing Chen et al.

Article Geriatrics & Gerontology

CCAAT/enhancer binding protein δ regulates glial proinflammatory gene expression

Tony Valente et al.

NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING (2013)

Review Behavioral Sciences

Recovering from cocaine: Insights from clinical and preclinical investigations

Colleen A. Hanlon et al.

NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS (2013)

Article Neurosciences

Cocaine-related behaviors in mice with deficient gliotransmission

Jill R. Turner et al.

PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (2013)

Article Behavioral Sciences

Brief alcohol exposure alters transcription in astrocytes via the heat shock pathway

Leonardo Pignataro et al.

BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR (2013)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Antidepressants inhibit DNA methyltransferase 1 through reducing G9a levels

Nicole Zimmermann et al.

BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL (2012)

Article Substance Abuse

Ceftriaxone, a Beta-Lactam Antibiotic, Reduces Ethanol Consumption in Alcohol-Preferring Rats

Youssef Sari et al.

ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM (2011)

Article Neurosciences

Local Ca2+ detection and modulation of synaptic release by astrocytes

Maria Amalia Di Castro et al.

NATURE NEUROSCIENCE (2011)

Article Neurosciences

Ceftriaxone Restores Glutamate Homeostasis and Prevents Relapse to Cocaine Seeking

Lori A. Knackstedt et al.

BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY (2010)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Morphine Modulation of Thrombospondin Levels in Astrocytes and Its Implications for Neurite Outgrowth and Synapse Formation

Hiroko Ikeda et al.

JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY (2010)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Functional Distribution of Nicotinic Receptors in CA3 Region of the Hippocampus

Michael Grybko et al.

JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE (2010)

Review Multidisciplinary Sciences

Developmental genetics of vertebrate glial-cell specification

David H. Rowitch et al.

NATURE (2010)

Article Neurosciences

THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLISM ON THE HUMAN BASOLATERAL AMYGDALA

R. Kryger et al.

NEUROSCIENCE (2010)

Article Neurosciences

Uniquely Hominid Features of Adult Human Astrocytes

Nancy Ann Oberheim et al.

JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE (2009)

Article Cell Biology

The role of astrocyte-secreted matricellular proteins in central nervous system development and function

Cagla Eroglu

JOURNAL OF CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING (2009)

Article Substance Abuse

Impact of alcohol abuse on protein expression of midkine and excitatory amino acid transporter 1 in the human prefrontal cortex

Traute Flatscher-Bader et al.

ALCOHOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH (2008)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Mechanism of ceftriaxone induction of excitatory amino acid transporter-2 expression and glutamate uptake in primary human astrocytes

Seok-Geun Lee et al.

JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY (2008)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Functional implications for Kir4.1 channels in glial biology: from K+ buffering to cell differentiation

Michelle L. Olsen et al.

JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY (2008)

Article Neurosciences

Endocannabinoids mediate neuron-astrocyte communication

Marta Navarrete et al.

NEURON (2008)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Thrombospondins are astrocyte-secreted proteins that promote CNS synaptogenesis

KS Christopherson et al.

Article Developmental Biology

Maturation of astrocyte morphology and the establishment of astrocyte domains during postnatal hippocampal development

EA Bushong et al.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE (2004)

Article Neurosciences

Neuronal and astrocyte expression of nicotinic receptor subunit β4 in the adult mouse brain

LC Gahring et al.

JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY (2004)

Article Substance Abuse

Ethanol induces expression of the glutamate transporters EAAT1 and EAAT2 in organotypic cortical slice cultures

M Zink et al.

ALCOHOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH (2004)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Insights into glutamate transport regulation in human astrocytes: Cloning of the promoter for excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2)

ZZ Su et al.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (2003)

Article Psychiatry

Loss of striatal vesicular monoamine transporter protein (VMAT2) in human cocaine users

KY Little et al.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY (2003)

Article Neurosciences

Protoplasmic astrocytes in CA1 stratum radiatum occupy separate anatomical domains

EA Bushong et al.

JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE (2002)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Nicotinic cholinergic signaling in hippocampal astrocytes involves calcium-induced calcium release from intracellular stores

G Sharma et al.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (2001)

Article Medicine, Research & Experimental

Effect of morphine on the number and branching of astrocytes in various regions of rat brain

IL Lazriev et al.

BULLETIN OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE (2001)