Although opioids are known to affect neurogenesis in vivo, it is uncertain the extent to which opioids directly or indirectly affect the proliferation, differentiation or death of neuronal precursors. To address these questions, the intrinsic role of the opioid system in neurogenesis was systematically explored in cerebellar external granular layer (EGL) neuronal precursors isolated from postnatal mice and maintained in vitro. Isolated neuronal precursors expressed proenkephalin-derived peptides, as well as specific mu and delta, but negligible kappa, opioid receptors. The developmental effects of opioids were highly selective. Morphine-induced mu receptor activation inhibited DNA synthesis, while a preferential delta2-receptor agonist ([D-Ala2]-deltorphin II) or Met-enkephalin, but not the delta1 agonist [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin, inhibited differentiation within the same neuronal population. If similar patterns occur in the developing cerebellum, spatiotemporal differences in endogenous mu and delta opioid ligand-receptor interactions may coordinate distinct aspects of granule neuron maturation. The data additionally suggest that perinatal exposure to opiate drugs of abuse directly interfere with cerebellar maturation by disrupting normal opioid signalling and inhibiting the proliferation of granule neuron precursors.
Dynorphin A is an endogenous opioid peptide that preferentially activates κ opioid receptors and is antinociceptive at physiological concentrations. Levels of dynorphin A and a major metabolite, dynorphin A (1-13), increase significantly following spinal cord trauma and reportedly contribute to neurodegeneration associated with secondary injury. Interestingly, both κ opioid and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists can modulate dynorphin toxicity, suggesting that dynorphin is acting (directly or indirectly) through κ opioid and/or NMDA receptor (NMDAR) types. Despite these findings, few studies have systematically explored dynorphin toxicity at the cellular level in defined populations of neurons co-expressing κ opioid and NMDA receptors. To address this question, we isolated populations of neurons enriched in both κ opioid and NMDA receptors from embryonic mouse spinal cord and examined the effects of dynorphin A (1-13) on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i ) and neuronal survival in vitro. Time-lapse photography was used to repeatedly follow the same neurons before and during experimental treatments. At micromolar concentrations, dynorphin A (1-13) elevated [Ca 2+ ] i and caused a significant loss of neurons. The excitotoxic effects were prevented by MK-801 (Dizocilpine) (10 μM), 2-amino-5-phosphopentanoic acid (AP-5) (100 μM), or 7-chlorokynurenic acid (100 μM)-suggesting that dynorphin A (1-13) was acting (directly or indirectly) through NMDA receptors. In contrast, co-treatment with (−)-naloxone (3 μM), or the more selective κ opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (3 μM), exacerbated dynorphin A (1-13)-induced neuronal loss; however, cell losses were not enhanced by the inactive stereoisomer (+)-naloxone (3 μM). Neuronal losses were not seen with exposure to the opioid antagonists alone (10 μM). Thus, opioid receptor blockade significantly increased toxicity, but only in the presence of excitotoxic levels of dynorphin. This provided indirect evidence that dynorphin also stimulates κ opioid receptors and suggests that κ receptor activation may be moderately neuroprotective in the presence of an excitotoxic insult. Our findings suggest that dynorphin A (1-13) can have paradoxical effects on neuronal viability through both opioid and non-opioid (glutamatergic) receptor-mediated actions. Therefore, dynorphin A potentially modulates secondary neurodegeneration in the spinal cord through complex interactions involving multiple receptors and signaling pathways.
The effects of morphine on the morphogenesis and survival of calbindin-D 28k immunoreactive Purkinje cells was studied in organotypic explant cultures isolated from 1-or 7-day-old mouse cerebella. To reduce experimental variability, bilaterally matched pairs of organotypic cultures were used to compare the effects of opiate drug treatment. One explant within each pair was untreated, while the remaining explant was continuously treated for 7 to 10 days with morphine, morphine plus naloxone, or naloxone alone. In explants derived from 1-day-old mice, morphine treatment significantly reduced Purkinje cell dendritic length compared to symmetrically-matched untreated control explants. The concentration of morphine estimated to cause a half-maximal reduction (EC 50 ) in dendritic length was 4.9 × 10 −8 M. At higher concentrations (EC 50 = 3.6 × 10 −6 M), morphine also significantly decreased the number of Purkinje cells in explants from 1-day-old mice compared to untreated explants. Electron microscopy identified increased numbers of degenerating Purkinje cells in explants derived from 1-day-old mice. This showed that high concentrations (10 −5 M) of morphine reduced Purkinje cell numbers by decreasing their rate of survival. In explants derived from 7-day-old mice, morphine (10 −5 M) neither affected Purkinje cell dendritic length nor cell numbers compared to symmetrically-matched untreated (control) explants. Collectively, these findings suggest that morphine per se, through a direct action on the cerebellum, can affect Purkinje cell differentiation and survival. The results additionally suggest there is a critical period during development when Purkinje cells are especially vulnerable to the effects of morphine.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.