Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Arango-Lievano M, Schwarz J, Vernov M, Wilkinson M, Bradbury K, Feliz A, Marongiu R, Gelfand Y, Warner-Schmidt J, Nestler E, Greengard P, Russo S, Kaplitt M
Journal Biol Psychiatry
Volume 76
Issue 10
Pagination 794-801
Date Published 02/26/2014
ISSN 1873-2402
Keywords Annexin A2, Cocaine, Conditioning, Psychological, Neurons, Nucleus Accumbens, Reward, S100 Proteins
Abstract BACKGROUND: The high rate of comorbidity between depression and cocaine addiction suggests shared molecular mechanisms and anatomical pathways. Limbic structures, such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc), play a crucial role in both disorders, yet how different cell types within these structures contribute to the pathogenesis remains elusive. Downregulation of p11 (S100A10), specifically in the NAc, elicits depressive-like behaviors in mice, but its role in drug addiction is unknown. METHODS: We combined mouse genetics and viral strategies to determine how the titration of p11 levels within the entire NAc affects the rewarding actions of cocaine on behavior (six to eight mice per group) and molecular correlates (three experiments, five to eight mice per group). Finally, the manipulation of p11 expression in distinct NAc dopaminoceptive neuronal subsets distinguished cell-type specific effects of p11 on cocaine reward (five to eight mice per group). RESULTS: We demonstrated that p11 knockout mice have enhanced cocaine conditioned place preference, which is reproduced by the focal downregulation of p11 in the NAc of wild-type mice. In wild-type mice, cocaine reduced p11 expression in the NAc, while p11 overexpression exclusively in the NAc reduced cocaine conditioned place preference. Finally, we identified dopamine receptor-1 expressing medium spiny neurons as key mediators of the effects of p11 on cocaine reward. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence that disruption of p11 homeostasis in the NAc, particularly in dopamine receptor-1 expressing medium spiny neurons, may underlie pathophysiological mechanisms of cocaine rewarding action. Treatments to counter maladaptation of p11 levels may provide novel therapeutic opportunities for cocaine addiction.
DOI 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.02.012
PubMed ID 24725970
PubMed Central ID PMC4145045
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