Experiencing neonatal maternal separation increased pain sensitivity in adult male mice: Involvement of oxytocinergic system
Early-life stress adversely affects the development of the brain, and alters a variety of behaviors such as pain in later life. In present study, we investigated how early-life stress (maternal separation or MS) can affect the nociceptive response later in life. We particularly focused on the role of oxytocin (OT) in regulating nociception in previously exposed (MS during early postnatal development) mice that were subjected to acute stress (restraint stress or RS). Further, we evaluated whether such modulation of pain sensation in MS mice are regulated by shared mechanisms of the OTergic and opioidergic systems. (Source: Neuropeptides)
Source: Neuropeptides - November 28, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Hossein Amini-Khoei, Shayan Amiri, Ali Mohammadi-Asl, Sakineh Alijanpour, Simin Poursaman, Arya Haj-Mirzaian, Mojgan Rastegar, Azam Mesdaghinia, Hamid Reza Banafshe, Ehsanollah Sadeghi, Elika Samiei, Shahram Ejtemaie Mehr, Ahmad Reza Dehpour Source Type: research
Distribution of the neuro-regulatory peptide galanin in the human eye
Galanin (GAL) is a neuro-regulatory peptide involved in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. While data of GAL origin/distribution in the human eye are rather fragmentary and since recently the presence of GAL-receptors in the normal human eye has been reported, we here systematically search for sources of ocular GAL in the human eye.Human eyes (n=14) were prepared for single- and double-immunohistochemistry of GAL and neurofilaments (NF). Cross- and flat-mount sections were achieved; confocal laser-scanning microscopy was used for documentation. (Source: Neuropeptides)
Source: Neuropeptides - November 24, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Alexandra Kaser-Eichberger, Andrea Trost, Clemens Strohmaier, Barbara Bogner, Christian Runge, Daniela Bruckner, Bettina Hohberger, Anselm J ünemann, Barbara Kofler, Herbert A. Reitsamer, Falk Schrödl Source Type: research
Prenatal ethanol exposure modifies locomotor activity and induces selective changes in Met-enk expression in adolescent rats
Several studies suggest that prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) facilitates ethanol intake. Opioid peptides play a main role in ethanol reinforcement during infancy and adulthood. However, PEE effects upon motor responsiveness elicited by an ethanol challenge and the participation of opioids in these actions remain to be understood. This work assessed the susceptibility of adolescent rats to prenatal and/or postnatal ethanol exposure in terms of behavioral responses, as well as alcohol effects on Met-enk expression in brain areas related to drug reinforcement. (Source: Neuropeptides)
Source: Neuropeptides - November 21, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: P. Abate, A.C. Reyes-Guzm án, K. Hernández-Fonseca, M. Méndez Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Neuropeptides)
Source: Neuropeptides - November 18, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research
Anti-CGRP antibodies block CGRP-induced diarrhea in mice
The multifunctional neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and its receptor are expressed throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Previous studies have shown that CGRP has roles in intestinal motility, water secretion, and inflammation. Furthermore, animal studies have demonstrated CGRP involvement in diarrhea secondary to C. difficile and food allergies. Diarrhea thus provides a convenient bioassay of CGRP activity in the GI system. In this proof of principle study, we report that prophylactic administration of an anti-CGRP antibody is able to block CGRP-induced diarrhea in mice. (Source: Neuropeptides)
Source: Neuropeptides - November 13, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Eric A. Kaiser, Brandon J. Rea, Adisa Kuburas, Brian R. Kovacevich, Leon F. Garcia-Martinez, Ana Recober, Andrew F. Russo Source Type: research
Distribution and chemical coding of sensory neurons innervating the skin of the porcine hindlimb
The aim of the present study was to establish the origin and chemical phenotyping of neurons involved in skin innervation of the porcine hind leg. The dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of the lumbar (L4 –L6) and sacral (S1–S3) spinal nerves were visualized using the fluorescent tracer fast blue (FB). The morphometric analysis of FB+ neurons showed that in the L4, L5, S1 and S2 DRGs, the small-sized perikarya constituted the major population, whereas in the L6 and S3 DRGs the medium-sized cells made up the major population. (Source: Neuropeptides)
Source: Neuropeptides - November 3, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Anna Koz łowska, Anita Mikołajczyk, Zbigniew Adamiak, Mariusz Majewski Source Type: research
The neuropeptide galanin modulates natural killer cell function
Natural killer (NK) cells are part of the innate immune system and combat pathogens and tumors by secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines like interferon gamma (IFN- γ) and by their cytotoxic action. Galanin is a neuropeptide also expressed in peripheral tissue where it impacts several physiological functions, including inflammation. The effects of galanin are mediated via three receptors, GAL1–3. Since other neuropeptides have been shown to regulate NK cell activity, we investigated the potential of galanin to modulate human NK cell function. (Source: Neuropeptides)
Source: Neuropeptides - November 3, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Andreas Koller, Rodolfo Bianchini, Sandra Schlager, Christian M ünz, Barbara Kofler, Silke Wiesmayr Source Type: research
An analysis of possible off target effects following CAS9/CRISPR targeted deletions of neuropeptide gene enhancers from the mouse genome
We have successfully used comparative genomics to identify putative regulatory elements within the human genome that contribute to the tissue specific expression of neuropeptides such as galanin and receptors such as CB1. However, a previous inability to rapidly delete these elements from the mouse genome has prevented optimal assessment of their function in-vivo. This has been solved using CAS9/CRISPR genome editing technology which uses a bacterial endonuclease called CAS9 that, in combination with specifically designed guide RNA (gRNA) molecules, cuts specific regions of the mouse genome. (Source: Neuropeptides)
Source: Neuropeptides - November 2, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Abdulla Razak Khalaf, Elizabeth Anne Hay, Pietro Marini, Andrew Brown, Karyn Heath, Darrin Sheppard, Alasdair MacKenzie Source Type: research
Diabetes mellitus influences the expression of NPY and VEGF in neurons of rat trigeminal ganglion
Diabetes mellitus (DM) influences the trigeminal nerve function by changing the pain response and transduction of the orofacial sensory pathways. It affects the inflammatory response via neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which could potentially have a relevant role in the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy. The aim was to investigate expression of VEGF and NPY in subpopulations of trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons in rat models of early DM1 and DM2. (Source: Neuropeptides)
Source: Neuropeptides - November 1, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Milka Jeri ć, Katarina Vukojević, Ana Vuica, Natalija Filipović Source Type: research
Humanin ameliorates diazepam-induced memory deficit in mice
Humanin (HN) is an endogenous 24-residue peptide. A highly potent HN derivative, S14G-HN, which has a substitution of serine 14 to glycine, reduced amyloid burden and suppressed cognitive impairment in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. S14G-HN also suppressed amnesia induced by a muscarinic receptor antagonist in rodents. To understand the effects of HN on brain function, we tested the effect of S14G-HN on diazepam (DZP)-induced memory impairment and anxiety in mice using the object recognition test and zero-maze test, respectively. (Source: Neuropeptides)
Source: Neuropeptides - October 27, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Minetaka Murakami, Masatoshi Nagahama, Takuma Maruyama, Takako Niikura Source Type: research
The upregulation of annexin A2 after spinal cord injury in rats may have implication for astrocyte proliferation
Annexin A2 (ANXA2), is a member of the annexin family of proteins that exhibit Ca2+-dependent binding to phospholipids. One attractive biological function of ANXA2 is participating in DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Previous studies have shown that ANXA2 play a role in the development of the central nervous system. However, the biological function of ANXA2 after spinal cord injury (SCI) is still with limited acquaintance. In the present study, we performed a SCI model in adult rats and investigated the dynamic changes of ANXA2 expression in the spinal cord. (Source: Neuropeptides)
Source: Neuropeptides - October 26, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Jiajia Chen, Zhiming Cui, Saishuai Yang, Chunshuai Wu, Weidong Li, Guofeng Bao, Guanhua Xu, Yuyu Sun, Lingling Wang, Jinlong Zhang Source Type: research
Ambient temperature modulates the effects of the Prader-Willi syndrome candidate gene Snord116 on energy homeostasis
Germline deletion of the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) candidate gene Snord116 in mice leads to some classical symptoms of human PWS, notably reductions in body weight, linear growth and bone mass. However, Snord116 deficient mice (Snord116 −/−) do not develop an obese phenotype despite their increased food intake and the underlying mechanism for that is unknown. We tested the phenotypes of germline Snord116−/− as well as neuropeptide Y (NPY) neuron specific Snord116lox/lox/NPYcre/+ mice at 30°C, the thermoneutral temperature of mice, and compared these to previous reports studies conducted at normal room temperatur...
Source: Neuropeptides - October 26, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Y. Qi, L. Purtell, M. Fu, K. Sengmany, K. Loh, L. Zhang, S. Zolotukhin, A. Sainsbury, L. Campbell, H. Herzog Source Type: research
Effective G-protein coupling of Y2 receptors along axonal fiber tracts and its relevance for epilepsy
Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-Y2 receptors are G-protein coupled receptors and, upon activation, induce opening of potassium channels or closing of calcium channels. They are generally presynaptically located. Depending on the neuron in which they are expressed they mediate inhibition of release of NPY and of the neuron's classical transmitter GABA, glutamate or noradrenaline, respectively. Here we provide evidence that Y2 receptor binding is inhibited dose-dependently by GTP γS along Schaffer collaterals, the stria terminalis and the fimbria indicating that Y2 receptors are functionally coupled to G-proteins along these fiber tra...
Source: Neuropeptides - October 25, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Elisabeth Dum, Sabine F ürtinger, Elisabeth Gasser, Anneliese Bukovac, Meinrad Drexel, Ramon Tasan, Günther Sperk Source Type: research
Corrigendum to “Migraine and neuropeptides” [Neuropeptides (2015) 19–30]
Acknowledgements (Source: Neuropeptides)
Source: Neuropeptides - October 18, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: J ános Tajti, Délia Szok, Zsófia Majláth, Bernadett Tuka, Anett Csáti, László Vécsei Tags: Corrigendum Source Type: research
Repeated asenapine treatment does not participate in the mild stress induced FosB/ ΔFosB expression in the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus neurons
Effect of repeated asenapine (ASE) treatment on FosB/ ΔFosB expression was studied in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of male rats exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS) for 21days. Our intention was to find out whether repeated ASE treatment for 14days may: 1) induce FosB/ΔFosB expression in the PVN; 2) activate selected PVN neuronal ph enotypes, synthesizing oxytocin (OXY), vasopressin (AVP), corticoliberin (CRH) or tyrosine hydroxylase (TH); and 3) interfere with the impact of CMS. (Source: Neuropeptides)
Source: Neuropeptides - October 13, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Alexander Kiss, Zuzana Majercikova Source Type: research
