scholarly journals Loss of CREBRF Reduces Anxiety-like Behaviors and Circulating Glucocorticoids in Male and Female Mice

Endocrinology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 161 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystle A Frahm ◽  
Akeem A Williams ◽  
Ashlee N Wood ◽  
Michael C Ewing ◽  
Polly E Mattila ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Glucocorticoid Signaling ◽  
Plus Maze ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Glucocorticoid signaling controls many key biological functions ranging from stress responses to affective states. The putative transcriptional coregulator CREB3 regulatory factor (CREBRF) reduces glucocorticoid receptor levels in vitro, suggesting that CREBRF may impact behavioral and physiological outputs. In the present study, we examined adult male and female mice with global loss of CREBRF (CrebrfKO) for anxiety-like behaviors and circulating glucocorticoids in response to various acute stress conditions. Results demonstrate that both male and female CrebrfKO mice have preserved locomotor activity but reduced anxiety-like behaviors during the light–dark box and elevated plus maze. These behavioral phenotypes were associated with lower plasma corticosterone after restraint stress. Further studies using unhandled female mice also demonstrated a loss of the diurnal circulating corticosterone rhythm in CrebrfKO mice. These results suggest that CREBRF impacts anxiety-like behavior and circulating glucocorticoids in response to acute stressors and serves as a basis for future mechanistic studies to define the impact of CREBRF in glucocorticoid-associated behavioral and physiological responses.

scholarly journals The Impact of Sex on Changes in Plasma Corticosterone and Cotinine Levels Induced by Nicotine in C57BL/6J Mice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khoa Nguyen ◽  
Keiko Kanamori ◽  
Abdul Hamid ◽  
Kabirullah Lutfy
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Nicotine Administration ◽  
Corticosterone Secretion ◽  
Repeated Dosing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

We assessed if there were any sex-related differences in the ability of nicotine to increase plasma corticosterone secretion after single or repeated nicotine administration. For single-dose studies, male and female mice were habituated to the test room for 1 h and injected with saline or nicotine (0.25 or 1 mg/kg, s.c.). In repeated-dosing studies, mice were injected with saline or nicotine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) once daily for six days, and, on day 7, received nicotine (1 mg/kg, s.c.). The mice were euthanized 15 min later, and trunk blood was collected for the measurement of corticosterone, nicotine, and cotinine. Our results showed that saline or nicotine each significantly increased plasma corticosterone levels in both male and female mice, with a greater response in female mice. Plasma corticosterone levels were increased in male but not female mice after repeated compared to single nicotine administration. The level of cotinine, a biomarker of nicotine use, was significantly higher in female than in male mice. Taken together, these novel findings suggest that female mice responded to nicotine and stress of handling more than male mice and provide for the first-time quantitative data on the male-female differences in nicotine-induced elevations of corticosterone and of cotinine.

scholarly journals Immune activation of the host cell induces drug tolerance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis both in vitro and in vivo

2016 ◽  
Vol 213 (5) ◽  
pp. 809-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yancheng Liu ◽  
Shumin Tan ◽  
Lu Huang ◽  
Robert B. Abramovitch ◽  
Kyle H. Rohde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Drug Action ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Transcriptional Analysis ◽  
Drug Pressure ◽  
Cytokine Activation ◽  
The Impact

Successful chemotherapy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) must eradicate the bacterium within the context of its host cell. However, our understanding of the impact of this environment on antimycobacterial drug action remains incomplete. Intriguingly, we find that Mtb in myeloid cells isolated from the lungs of experimentally infected mice exhibit tolerance to both isoniazid and rifampin to a degree proportional to the activation status of the host cells. These data are confirmed by in vitro infections of resting versus activated macrophages where cytokine-mediated activation renders Mtb tolerant to four frontline drugs. Transcriptional analysis of intracellular Mtb exposed to drugs identified a set of genes common to all four drugs. The data imply a causal linkage between a loss of fitness caused by drug action and Mtb’s sensitivity to host-derived stresses. Interestingly, the environmental context exerts a more dominant impact on Mtb gene expression than the pressure on the drugs’ primary targets. Mtb’s stress responses to drugs resemble those mobilized after cytokine activation of the host cell. Although host-derived stresses are antimicrobial in nature, they negatively affect drug efficacy. Together, our findings demonstrate that the macrophage environment dominates Mtb’s response to drug pressure and suggest novel routes for future drug discovery programs.

scholarly journals Stress-responsive HILPDA is necessary for thermoregulation during fasting

2017 ◽  
Vol 235 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J VandeKopple ◽  
Jinghai Wu ◽  
Lisa A Baer ◽  
Naresh C Bal ◽  
Santosh K Maurya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Droplet ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Brown Adipocyte ◽  
Ambulatory Activity ◽  
Genetically Engineered Mouse Model ◽  
Knockout Animals ◽  
The Impact

Hypoxia-inducible lipid droplet-associated protein (HILPDA) has been shown to localize to lipid droplets in nutrient-responsive cell types such as hepatocytes and adipocytes. However, its role in the control of whole-body homeostasis is not known. We sought to measure cell-intrinsic and systemic stress responses in a mouse strain harboring whole-body Hilpda deficiency. We generated a genetically engineered mouse model of whole-body HILPDA deficiency by replacing the coding Hilpda exon with luciferase. We subjected the knockout animals to environmental stresses and measured whole-animal metabolic and behavioral parameters. Brown adipocyte precursors were isolated and differentiated in vitro to quantify the impact of HILPDA ablation in lipid storage and mobilization in these cells. HILPDA-knockout animals are viable and fertile, but show reduced ambulatory activity and oxygen consumption at regular housing conditions. Acclimatization at thermoneutral conditions abolished the phenotypic differences observed at 22°C. When fasted, HILPDA KO mice are unable to maintain body temperature and become hypothermic at 22°C, without apparent abnormalities in blood chemistry parameters or tissue triglyceride content. HILPDA expression was upregulated during adipocyte differentiation and activation in vitro; however, it was not required for lipid droplet formation in brown adipocytes. We conclude that HILPDA is necessary for efficient fuel utilization suggesting a homeostatic role for Hilpda in sub-optimal environments.

scholarly journals Acute stress induces long-lasting alterations in the dopaminergic system of female mice

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romy Wichmann ◽  
Caitlin M. Vander Weele ◽  
Ariella S. Yosafat ◽  
Evelien H.S. Schut ◽  
Jeroen P. H. Verharen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stress ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Stress Exposure ◽  
Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Social Signal ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Self Stimulation

AbstractStress is a risk factor for many neuropsychiatric disorders, and the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) pathway is a crucial node of vulnerability. Despite the high prevalence of stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders in women, preclinical knowledge on the impact of stress on neural circuitry has predominantly been acquired in males. Here, we examine how a non-social stressor impacts the effect of DA neurotransmission on social and reward-related behaviors in female mice. Acute stress exposure attenuated the anti-social effects of photoinhibiting ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons and transformed photoactivation of these cells into an anti-social signal. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) revealed an enhancement in optogenetically-induced DA release after stress. 60 days after stress, mice showed distinct patterns of intra-cranial self-stimulation of VTA DA neurons. Our results reveal the impact stress exerts on females and show that neural and behavioral changes induced by acute stress exposure are still present months later.

scholarly journals Jak1/Stat3 Activation Alters Phosphate Metabolism Independently of Sex and Extracellular Phosphate Levels

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Nicole Gehring ◽  
Carla Bettoni ◽  
Carsten A. Wagner ◽  
Isabel Rubio-Aliaga
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Mineral Metabolism ◽  
Janus Kinase ◽  
Phosphate Metabolism ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Stat3 Signaling ◽  
Stat3 Signaling Pathway ◽  
The Impact

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Phosphate homeostasis is regulated by a complex network involving the parathyroid hormone (PTH), fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), and calcitriol acting on several organs including the kidney, intestine, bone, and parathyroid gland. Previously, we showed that activation of the Janus kinase 1 (Jak1)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) signaling pathway leads to altered mineral metabolism with higher FGF23 levels, lower PTH, and higher calcitriol levels. Here, we investigated if there are sex differences in the role of Jak1/Stat3 signaling pathway on phosphate metabolism and if this pathway is sensitive to extracellular phosphate alterations. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We used a mouse model (<i>Jak1</i><sup>S645P+/−</sup>) that resembles a constitutive activating mutation of the Jak1/Stat3 signaling pathway in humans and analyzed the impact of sex on mineral metabolism parameters. Furthermore, we challenged <i>Jak1</i><sup>S645P+/−</sup> male and female mice with a high (1.2% w/w) and low (0.1% w/w) phosphate diet and a diet with phosphate with organic origin with lower bioavailability. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Female mice, as male mice, showed higher intact FGF23 levels but no phosphaturia, and higher calcitriol and lower PTH levels in plasma. A phosphate challenge did not alter the effect of Jak1/Stat3 activation on phosphate metabolism for both genders. However, under a low phosphate diet or a diet with lower phosphate availability, the animals showed a tendency to develop hypophosphatemia. Moreover, male and female mice showed similar phosphate metabolism parameters. The only exception was higher PTH levels in male mice than those in females. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> Sex and extracellular phosphate levels do not affect the impact of Jak1/Stat3 activation on phosphate metabolism.

scholarly journals Research Resource: The Dexamethasone Transcriptome in Hypothalamic Embryonic Neural Stem Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystle A. Frahm ◽  
Melanie E. Peffer ◽  
Janie Y. Zhang ◽  
Soumya Luthra ◽  
Anish B. Chakka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Glucocorticoid Receptors ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Brdu Incorporation ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Exposure to excess glucocorticoids during fetal development has long-lasting physiological and behavioral consequences, although the mechanisms are poorly understood. The impact of prenatal glucocorticoids exposure on stress responses in juvenile and adult offspring implicates the developing hypothalamus as a target of adverse prenatal glucocorticoid action. Therefore, primary cultures of hypothalamic neural-progenitor/stem cells (NPSCs) derived from mouse embryos (embryonic day 14.5) were used to identify the glucocorticoid transcriptome in both males and females. NPSCs were treated with vehicle or the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (dex; 100nM) for 4 hours and total RNA analyzed using RNA-Sequencing. Bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that primary hypothalamic NPSC cultures expressed relatively high levels of a number of genes regulating stem cell proliferation and hypothalamic progenitor function. Interesting, although these cells express glucocorticoid receptors (GRs), only low levels of sex-steroid receptors are expressed, which suggested that sex-specific differentially regulated genes identified are mediated by genetic and not hormonal influences. We also identified known or novel GR-target coding and noncoding genes that are either regulated equivalently in male and female NPSCs or differential responsiveness in one sex. Using gene ontology analysis, the top functional network identified was cell proliferation and using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation observed a reduction in proliferation of hypothalamic NPSCs after dexamethasone treatment. Our studies provide the first characterization and description of glucocorticoid-regulated pathways in male and female embryonically derived hypothalamic NPSCs and identified GR-target genes during hypothalamic development. These findings may provide insight into potential mechanisms responsible for the long-term consequences of fetal glucocorticoid exposure in adulthood.

scholarly journals Cyclopamine and Rapamycin Synergistically Inhibit mTOR Signalling in Mouse Hepatocytes, Revealing an Interaction of Hedgehog and mTor Signalling in the Liver

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1817
Author(s):  
Luise Spormann ◽  
Christiane Rennert ◽  
Erik Kolbe ◽  
Fritzi Ott ◽  
Carolin Lossius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
In Vitro Studies ◽  
Primary Hepatocytes ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Atp Production ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Oxidative Respiration ◽  
Mtor Signalling

In the liver, energy homeostasis is mainly regulated by mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling, which influences relevant metabolic pathways, including lipid metabolism. However, the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is one of the newly identified drivers of hepatic lipid metabolism. Although the link between mTOR and Hh signalling was previously demonstrated in cancer development and progression, knowledge of their molecular crosstalk in healthy liver is lacking. To close this information gap, we used a transgenic mouse model, which allows hepatocyte-specific deletion of the Hh pathway, and in vitro studies to reveal interactions between Hh and mTOR signalling. The study was conducted in male and female mice to investigate sexual differences in the crosstalk of these signalling pathways. Our results reveal that the conditional Hh knockout reduces mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in primary hepatocytes from female mice and inhibits autophagy in hepatocytes from both sexes. Furthermore, in vitro studies show a synergistic effect of cyclopamine and rapamycin on the inhibition of mTor signalling and oxidative respiration in primary hepatocytes from male and female C57BL/6N mice. Overall, our results demonstrate that the impairment of Hh signalling influences mTOR signalling and therefore represses oxidative phosphorylation and autophagy.

scholarly journals Chronic Mild Stress Causes Bone Loss via an Osteoblast-Specific Glucocorticoid-Dependent Mechanism

Endocrinology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 158 (6) ◽  
pp. 1939-1950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holger Henneicke ◽  
Jingbao Li ◽  
Sarah Kim ◽  
Sylvia J. Gasparini ◽  
Markus J. Seibel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Loss ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Chronic Mild Stress ◽  
Bone Resorption Marker ◽  
Mild Stress ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Glucocorticoid Signaling ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Chronic stress and depression are associated with alterations in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal signaling cascade and considered a risk factor for bone loss and fractures. However, the mechanisms underlying the association between stress and poor bone health are unclear. Using a transgenic (tg) mouse model in which glucocorticoid signaling is selectively disrupted in mature osteoblasts and osteocytes [11β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD2)OB-tg mice], the present study examines the impact of chronic stress on skeletal metabolism and structure. Eight-week-old male and female HSD2OB-tg mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates were exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS) for the duration of 4 weeks. At the endpoint, L3 vertebrae and tibiae were analyzed by micro–computed tomography and histomorphometry, and bone turnover was measured biochemically. Compared with nonstressed controls, exposure to CMS caused an approximately threefold increase in serum corticosterone concentrations in WT and HSD2OB-tg mice of both genders. Compared with controls, CMS resulted in loss of vertebral trabecular bone mass in male WT mice but not in male HSD2OB-tg littermates. Furthermore, both tibial cortical area and area fraction were reduced in stressed WT but not in stressed HSD2OB-tg male mice. Osteoclast activity and bone resorption marker were increased in WT males following CMS, features absent in HSD2OB-tg males. Interestingly, CMS had little effect on vertebral and long-bone structural parameters in female mice. We conclude that in male mice, bone loss during CMS is mediated via enhanced glucocorticoid signaling in osteoblasts (and osteocytes) and subsequent activation of osteoclasts. Female mice appear resistant to the skeletal effects of CMS.

EFFECTS OF TESTOSTERONE ON PITUITARY CORTICOTROPHIN AND ADRENAL STEROID SECRETION IN MALE AND FEMALE RATS

1963 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 601-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian I. Kitay
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Intact Male ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Adrenal Steroid ◽  
Adrenal Steroidogenesis ◽  
Male And Female Rats

ABSTRACT Administration of a depot testosterone preparation to male and female rats resulted in no change in body or pituitary weight in either sex. Pituitary corticotrophin content was unaltered in male animals but was reduced in females. Adrenal weights and adrenal RNA and DNA contents were decreased in both sexes. Plasma corticosterone concentrations were unaffected in males but were reduced in female rats after stress or corticotrophin injection. Hepatic reduction of ring A in vitro and biological half-life of corticosterone in vivo were unchanged in male animals but impaired in females. Testosterone administration to intact male rats significantly increased adrenal steroidogenesis measured in vitro. A significant decrease in steroid production was found in intact females but increased steroidogenesis was observed in adrenals from testosterone-treated oophorectomized animals. No effect was obtained following addition of testosterone directly in vitro. The data suggest that testosterone leads both to diminution of corticotrophin secretion and enhancement of adrenal steroid secretory capacity. In intact female rats, these effects are complicated by suppression of oestrogen secretion, the effects of which have been reported previously.

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