The effects of CRF and urocortins on the sociability of mice

Abstract

The aim of our study was to determine the role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), the urocortins (Ucn1, Ucn2 and Ucn3) and their receptors (CRF and CRF) in the sociability of mice. Male CFLP mice were administered intracerebroventricularly (icv) with CRF and urocortins alone or in combination with antalarmin (specific CRF antagonist) and astressin (specific CRF antagonist) and then investigated in a Crawley social interaction test arena, that consists of three chambers. An unknown male in a cage was put in the first chamber and an empty cage was put in the opposite chamber. The tested male was habituated with the middle chamber for 5min and then allowed to explore the remaining chambers for 5min, during which the number of entries and the time of interaction were measured. Intracerebroventricular administration of CRF decreased significantly the number of entries and the time of interaction with the unknown male and these effects were blocked by antalarmin, but not astressin. In contrast, central administration of Ucn1 increased significantly the number of entries into the chamber of the unknown male, without changing the time of interaction and this effect was blocked by astressin, but not antalarmin. Central administration of Ucn2 and Ucn3 didn't influence remarkably the number of entries, but it reduced the time of interaction between the male mice. Our study suggests that CRF and Ucn1 may play important, but different roles in sociability, and that Ucn2 and Ucn3, playing similar roles, must be also involved in social interactions.

The CRF1 receptor mediates social behavior deficits induced by opiate withdrawal

“…Accordingly, the CRF 1 receptor-preferring antagonist antalarmin did not affect sociability in substance-naive male mice, as assessed in the three-chamber task (Bagosi et al, 2017). In contrast, other studies reported increased non-aggressive olfactory investigation in male Syrian hamsters treated with the CRF 1 receptor-preferring antagonist SSR125543A, as assessed in a resident-intruder paradigm for aggressive behavior (Farrokhi et al, 2004).…”

“…For instance, intracerebroventricular administration of CRF increased partner preference in male prairie voles but decreased interest for an unfamiliar conspecific in mice (Bagosi et al, 2017;DeVries, Guptaa, Cardillo, Cho, & Carter, 2002). Moreover, transgenic CRF overexpression, CRF 2 receptor-or urocortin 3-deficiency increased time-dependent social discrimination in mice (Deussing et al, 2010;Kasahara et al, 2011).…”

CRF neurons of the BNST promote resilience by blunting the internal experience of aversion

“…Despite our findings that activation of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF)-expressing neurons contained within the oval nucleus of the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis (BNSTov) produces pro-resilient behavioral responses, several studies have reported that this activation induces negative emotional states. [3][4][5][6][7][8] Previously, we show that BNSTov CRF activation had a pro-social effect only after cumulative stress exposure 1 , suggesting a role for BNSTov CRF neurons in potentially promoting cooperative sociality under stressful conditions. This adaptive function confers an evolutionary advantage.…”

The Role of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) and CRF-Related Peptides in the Social Behavior of Rodents

“…In the sociability and preference for social novelty test, a three-chamber social interaction box (L × W × H: 60 × 20 × 25 cm) was used [ 74 ]. First, the tested male animal was familiarized with the middle chamber for 5 min; then, the male was allowed to explore the adjacent chambers for another 5 min [ 71 , 72 ]. In this paradigm, two types of tests can be performed [ 71 , 72 ].…”

“…First, the tested male animal was familiarized with the middle chamber for 5 min; then, the male was allowed to explore the adjacent chambers for another 5 min [ 71 , 72 ]. In this paradigm, two types of tests can be performed [ 71 , 72 ]. The first test was used to investigate the sociability of animals; in this test, the male can choose between a stranger male conspecific set in a cage and an empty cage [ 71 , 72 ].…”