茶足柄瘤蚜茧蜂蛹滞育过程中胰岛素信号通路及其相关途径的初探

本实验通过探索胰岛素信号通路及其相关途径对茶足柄瘤蚜茧蜂蛹滞育的影响,从而方便寻找胰岛素替代物,为害虫防治提供新思路。利用RNA-Seq,对滞育组与非滞育组的茶足柄瘤蚜茧蜂进行转录组测序,结合生物信息学方法对转录组中胰岛素信号通路及其相关途径的差异表达基因进行了分析。与胰岛素信号通路相关差异表达基因共31个,重点分析的PI3K-Akt, FoxO, MAPK三条途径,差异表达基因分别为55, 21和28个。这些滞育关联基因呈现不同程度的上调或下调表达,发现Sos, FASN, TSC1, PRKAB等基因与茶足柄瘤蚜茧蜂滞育密切相关,共同影响茶足柄瘤蚜茧蜂的滞育。胰岛素信号通路及其相关途径对茶足柄瘤蚜茧蜂的滞育起着非常重要的作用,主要体现在影响虫体能量代谢、脂质积累、细胞增殖等方面。     

慢性束缚诱导的广泛性焦虑障碍前额叶皮质中miRNA的表达

摘要 目的：研究慢性束缚(Chronic restraint stress,CRS)诱导的广泛性焦虑障碍模型小鼠前额叶皮质miRNA表达谱的变化及其意义。方法：小鼠经过7天的CRS,通过旷场实验与高架十字迷宫实验检测小鼠是否能够表现出紧张和焦虑行为。采用高通量测序的方法,定量分析对照组与模型组小鼠前额叶皮质组织中 miRNAs的表达水平,研究CRS诱导的焦虑有关的分子表达谱。通过RT-PCR对测序结果中差异表达的miRNAs 进行验证。结果：经CRS诱导的广泛性焦虑障碍模型组小鼠,模型组在活动总距离增多（P＜0.05）、平均速度（P＜0.05）增快、中央停留时间减少（P＜0.05）、开放臂进入次数百分比减少（P<0.01）、开放臂停留时间减少（P＜0.01）,与对照组相比结果均具有统计学意义,表明GAD小鼠造模成功。经高通量测序结果及生信学分析,对照组与模型组相比较,共28个上调miRNAs,34个下调miRNAs,5388个靶基因参与作用变化。上/下调的miR-GO分析结果中,主要共同参与神经系统发育、突触后密度、神经元投射、蛋白丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶活性等过程;上/下调miR-KEGG结果中,参与共同通路主要包括轴突引导、神经营养因子信号通路、cAMP 信号通路、多巴胺能突触、MAPK信号通路等过程。结论：前额叶皮质中miR-7a-5p、miR-124-3p、miR-141-3p、miR-183-5p等miRNA变化参与广泛性焦虑障碍的发病,可能调控影响神经传导等功能。     

SP1介导的信号转导通路对恶性肿瘤形成的作用

转录因子SP1为一种序列特异性的DNA结合蛋白,广泛存在组织的细胞核,SP1异常表达与肿瘤发生、发展及预后关系密切。SP1蛋白主要通过TGF-β经典信号通路、ERK信号通路、PI_3K/Akt信号通路、Wnt/β-catenin经典信号通路,调控血管生成相关因子、癌基因、抑癌基因、细胞周期调控分子等转录活性及其表达,促进肿瘤生长、转移、抑制肿瘤细胞凋亡。深入研究SP1及其相关信号通路将有利于进一步了解肿瘤发生及转移的机理,为肿瘤的靶向性基因治疗提供更好的、新的分子干预靶点和途径。     

microRNA与Wnt/β-catenin通路在肿瘤发生及转移中的调控机制

microRNA(miR)和Wnt/β-catenin信号通路是肿瘤研究领域的两大传统模块,miR的表达失调与Wnt通路的激活共同驱动了肿瘤的发生、发展、转移及药物的耐药等性状.一方面,miR通过各种途径激活或抑制经典的Wnt信号通路;另一方面,Wnt与其启动子结合后激活转录,进而促进miR在肿瘤中的表达.本文对miR和经典Wnt信号通路之间在多种肿瘤中的相互关联和作用机制,以及其在多方面对肿瘤细胞的增殖、迁移、转移和药物反应等方面的作用进行了一一阐述.这将为miR和Wnt信号调控在肿瘤机制研究中提供更新、更全面的思路和途径,为肿瘤诊断、分子分型、药物筛选以及预后判断等方面提供新的指导思想.     

牦牛和雄性不育犏牛睾丸ERK1、ERK2、P38基因mRNA水平的比较

MAPK信号通路对哺乳动物的精子发生与凋亡有重要的调节作用,被认为是精子发生的重要决定因素之一。本研究通过比较MAPK信号通路中ERK1、ERK2、P38基因在牦牛及其杂交后代犏牛睾丸组织中的相对表达量,探索犏牛雄性不育的分子机制。实验从成年雄性牦牛(n=10)和犏牛(n=7)的睾丸组织中提取总RNA,采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测牦牛和犏牛睾丸组织中ERK1、ERK2、P38基因mRNA水平。结果表明:牦牛睾丸中ERK1、ERK2基因的表达量极显著高于犏牛(P0.01),P38基因在牦牛和犏牛睾丸中均有表达,但差异无统计学意义。提示ERK1、ERK2基因作为MAPK信号通路的重要成员,可能与犏牛睾丸精子发生障碍有一定关联。     

Gli1与β-catenin相互作用促进二者在结肠癌细胞中的协同核输入

Wnt信号通路和Hedgehog（Hh）信号通路在胚胎和干细胞的发育中发挥重要作用.此外,这两条信号途径在结肠癌复发和浸润的过程也至关重要.然而,Wnt信号通路、Hedgehog信号通路二者之间具体的交互作用机制目前仍不清楚.本文发现,这两条途径的关键分子Gli1和β-联蛋白之间存在蛋白质相互作用.Gli1与β-联蛋白之间的分子相互作用有助于二者的核输入.同时发现,在肠癌细胞系中,Gli1与β-联蛋白协同上调表达. LiCl激活细胞Wnt信号通路使Gli1表达水平增加, RNA干扰抑制Wnt信号通路,Gli1的表达水平下降.同时,Gli1的过表达也提高了细胞内β-联蛋白的表达水平,并且用Hedgehog信号通路抑制剂GANT61处理细胞,降低Gli1的表达后细胞内β 联蛋白的表达相应下降.本研究揭示了Gli1 和 β-联蛋白的相互作用及二者协助核输入在Wnt、Hedgehog信号通路交互调节中发挥重要作用,Wnt、Hedgehog信号通路交互作用为大肠癌发生发展研究提供了细胞水平交互调控机制.     

Gli1与β-catenin相互作用促进二者在结肠癌细胞中的协同核输入（英文）

Wnt信号通路和Hedgehog(Hh)信号通路在胚胎和干细胞的发育中发挥重要作用.此外,这两条信号途径在结肠癌复发和浸润的过程也至关重要.然而,Wnt信号通路、Hedgehog信号通路二者之间具体的交互作用机制目前仍不清楚.本文发现,这两条途径的关键分子Gli1和β-联蛋白之间存在蛋白质相互作用.Gli1与β-联蛋白之间的分子相互作用有助于二者的核输入.同时发现,在肠癌细胞系中,Gli1与β-联蛋白协同上调表达.Li Cl激活细胞Wnt信号通路使Gli1表达水平增加,RNA干扰抑制Wnt信号通路,Gli1的表达水平下降.同时,Gli1的过表达也提高了细胞内β-联蛋白的表达水平,并且用Hedgehog信号通路抑制剂GANT61处理细胞,降低Gli1的表达后细胞内β-联蛋白的表达相应下降.本研究揭示了Gli1和β-联蛋白的相互作用及二者协助核输入在Wnt、Hedgehog信号通路交互调节中发挥重要作用,Wnt、Hedgehog信号通路交互作用为大肠癌发生发展研究提供了细胞水平交互调控机制.     

人参皂苷Rg1对阿尔茨海默症大鼠BDNF⁃TrkB信号通路的影响

为了探究人参皂苷Rg1对阿尔茨海默症（Alzheimer's disease, AD）大鼠模型脑源性神经营养因子/酪氨酸激酶受体B（BDNF-TrkB）信号通路的影响,选取75只SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组、低剂量Rg1组、中剂量Rg1组及高剂量Rg1组,每组15只。取各组大鼠脑组织制备脑片,除空白对照组外,其他组加入Aβ1-42试剂制备AD模型,低剂量Rg1组、中剂量Rg1组和高剂量Rg1组分别使用60、120、240 μmol·L^-1 Rg1处理。采用HE染色观察脑组织病理损伤,TUNEL染色检测脑组织细胞凋亡,比色法测定脑片中乙酰胆碱（acetylcholine,Ach）、5-羟色胺（5-hydroxytryptamine,5-HT）水平和乙酰胆碱酯酶（acetylcholinesterase,TChE）活力,蛋白质印迹法检测各组脑片中切割后半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3（Cleaved Caspase-3）、B淋巴细胞瘤-2（B cell lymphoma-2,Bcl-2）、Bcl-2相关蛋白X（Bcl-2 associated X protein,Bax）及BDNF-TrkB信号通路相关蛋白表达情况。与空白对照组相比,模型组脑组织细胞凋亡数、Cleaved Caspase-3、Bax/Bcl-2及TChE水平显著增加,5-HT、Ach、BDNF及TrkB蛋白表达量显著降低（P<0.05）;与模型组相比,低剂量Rg1组、中剂量Rg1组和高剂量Rg1组脑组织细胞凋亡数、Cleaved Caspase-3、Bax/Bcl-2及TChE水平显著降低,5-HT、Ach、BDNF及TrkB蛋白表达量显著增加（P<0.05）,且具有剂量依赖性。人参皂苷Rg1可有效保护阿尔茨海默症模型大鼠脑组织,抑制神经细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能与激活BDNF-TrkB信号通路相关。通过分析人参皂苷Rg1对AD大鼠模型的保护机制,以期为人参皂苷Rg1用于治疗AD奠定理论基础。     

腺苷酸环化酶3缺失对小鼠主要嗅觉表皮组织内相关因子及信号通路的影响

主要嗅觉表皮(main olfactory epithelium, MOE)是哺乳动物感知气味分子的主要嗅觉器官。在MOE组织内,大多数嗅觉神经元通过cAMP信号传导通路感知气味信息。作为嗅觉cAMP信号通路的主要成员之一,腺苷酸环化酶3（adenylyl cyclase 3, ac3）基因敲除小鼠嗅觉探测功能丧失。除cAMP信号传导通路外,MOE内AC3相关因子AC2和AC4,以及肌醇1,4,5-三磷酸（inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate,IP3）信号通路和Sonic Hedgehog（Shh）信号通路均有表达。然而,敲除ac3是否会对ac2和ac4以及IP3和Shh信号通路成员产生影响,尚不清楚。本文以AC3缺失（AC3-/-）及其野生型小鼠（AC3+/+）MOE为材料,采用实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）和免疫荧光组织化学方法,发现AC3缺失后,MOE内的ac2和ac4,以及IP3信号通路中的IP3受体ip3r1及钙调蛋白calm1和calm2表达水平均明显降低。Shh信号通路中的受体patched(ptch)与smoothened(smo)、以及核转录因子gli1与gli2的表达也受到了影响。总之,AC3基因缺失不但导致小鼠MOE组织中cAMP信号通路受损,同时AC3相关因子,IP3信号通路和Shh信号通路的传导也受到抑制。本文对于阐明AC3基因敲除小鼠嗅觉丧失的原因及其嗅觉探测机制具有重要启示作用。     

Ezrin蛋白信号转导通路及其对肿瘤侵袭转移的最新进展

肿瘤转移是一个多阶段、多途径、涉及多基因及其信号通路变化的一系列复杂过程。了解肿瘤转移相关基因的信号传导通路以及对肿瘤转移的作用机制,为寻找抑制肿瘤转移的关键靶点具有重要的意义。Ezrin高表达与肿瘤转移密切相关,它可通过改变肿瘤细胞极性及细胞运动、调节肿瘤细胞间黏附及细胞与细胞外基质黏附、参与肿瘤细胞内信号转导而影响恶性肿瘤转移。Ezrin过度表达可以破坏正常细胞内信号传递网络的平衡,其中主要涉及的为细胞信号转导相关分子(Rho)及受体酪氨酸蛋白激酶等信号传导途径。Ezrin借助于细胞内错综复杂的信号转导网络调控细胞的形态构成、黏附、吞噬、运动、血管形成等一系列的生物学过程,最终实现肿瘤细胞的侵袭和转移。本文就Ezrin蛋白的信号转导通路及其对肿瘤转移作用的研究进展做一综述。     

BDNF-TrkB Axis Regulates Migration of the Lateral Line Primordium and Modulates the Maintenance of Mechanoreceptor Progenitors

BDNF and its specialized receptor TrkB are expressed in the developing lateral line system of zebrafish, but their role in this organ is unknown. To tackle this problem in vivo, we used transgenic animals expressing fluorescent markers in different cell types of the lateral line and combined a BDNF gain-of-function approach by BDNF mRNA overexpression and by soaking embryos in a solution of BDNF, with a loss-of-function approach by injecting the antisence ntrk2b-morpholino and treating embryos with the specific Trk inhibitor K252a. Subsequent analysis demonstrated that the BDNF-TrkB axis regulates migration of the lateral line primordium. In particular, BDNF-TrkB influences the expression level of components of chemokine signaling including Cxcr4b, and the generation of progenitors of mechanoreceptors, at the level of expression of Atoh1a-Atp2b1a.     

Retrolinkin cooperates with endophilin A1 to mediate BDNF-TrkB early endocytic trafficking and signaling from early endosomes

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) binds to its cell surface receptor TrkB to regulate differentiation, development, synaptic plasticity, and functional maintenance of neuronal cells. Binding of BDNF triggers TrkB dimerization and autophosphorylation, which provides docking sites for adaptor proteins to recruit and activate downstream signaling molecules. The molecular mechanisms underlying BDNF-TrkB endocytic trafficking crucial for spatiotemporal control of signaling pathways remain to be elucidated. Here we show that retrolinkin, a transmembrane protein, interacts with endophilin A1 and mediates BDNF-activated TrkB (pTrk) trafficking and signaling in CNS neurons. We find that activated TrkB colocalizes and interacts with the early endosome marker APPL1. Both retrolinkin and endophilin A1 are required for BDNF-induced dendrite development and acute extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation from early endosomes. Suppression of retrolinkin expression not only blocks BDNF-triggered TrkB internalization, but also prevents recruitment of endophilin A1 to pTrk vesicles trafficking through APPL1-positive endosomes. These findings reveal a novel mechanism for BDNF-TrkB to regulate signaling both in time and space through a specific membrane trafficking pathway.     

A novel role for BDNF-TrkB in the regulation of chemotherapy resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Mechanisms of resistance for HNSCC to cisplatin (CDDP), the foundational chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of this disease, remain poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that cisplatin resistance (CR) can be overcome by targeting Trk receptor. In the current study, we explored the potential mechanistic role of the BDNF-TrkB signaling system in the development of CDDP resistance in HNSCC. Utilizing an in vitro system of acquired CR, we confirmed a substantial up-regulation of both BDNF and TrkB at the protein and mRNA levels in CR cells, suggesting an autocrine pathway dysregulation in this system. Exogenous BDNF stimulation led to an enhanced expression of the drug-resistance and anti-apoptotic proteins MDR1 and XiAP, respectively, in a dose-dependently manner, demonstrating a key role for BDNF-TrkB signaling in modulating the response to cytotoxic agents. In addition, modulation of TrkB expression induced an enhanced sensitivity of cells to CDDP in HNSCC. Moreover, genetic suppression of TrkB resulted in changes in expression of Bim, XiAP, and MDR1 contributing to HNSCC survival. To elucidate intracellular signaling pathways responsible for mechanisms underlying BDNF/TrkB induced CDDP-resistance, we analyzed expression levels of these molecules following inhibition of Akt. Inhibition of Akt eliminated BDNF effect on MDR1 and Bim expression in OSC-19P cells as well as modulated expressions of MDR1, Bim, and XiAP in OSC-19CR cells. These results suggest BDNF/TrkB system plays critical roles in CDDP-resistance development by utilizing Akt-dependent signaling pathways.     

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Increases Synaptic Protein Levels via the MAPK/Erk Signaling Pathway and Nrf2/Trx Axis Following the Transplantation of Neural Stem Cells in a Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in promoting the growth, differentiation, survival and synaptic stability of neurons. Presently, the transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) is known to induce neural repair to some extent after injury or disease. In this study, to investigate whether NSCs genetically modified to encode the BDNF gene (BDNF/NSCs) would further enhance synaptogenesis, BDNF/NSCs or naive NSCs were directly engrafted into lesions in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Immunohistochemistry, western blotting and RT-PCR were performed to detect synaptic proteins, BDNF-TrkB and its downstream signaling pathways, at 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks after transplantation. Our results showed that BDNF significantly increased the expression levels of the TrkB receptor gene and the phosphorylation of the TrkB protein in the lesions. The expression levels of Ras, phosphorylated Erk1/2 and postsynaptic density protein-95 were elevated in the BDNF/NSCs-transplanted groups compared with those in the NSCs-transplanted groups throughout the experimental period. Moreover, the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2/Thioredoxin (Nrf2/Trx) axis, which is a specific therapeutic target for the treatment of injury or cell death, was upregulated by BDNF overexpression. Therefore, we determined that the increased synaptic proteins level implicated in synaptogenesis might be associated with the activation of the MAPK/Erk1/2 signaling pathway and the upregulation of the antioxidant agent Trx modified by BDNF-TrkB following the BDNF/NSCs transplantation after TBI.     

Role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in hyperoxia-induced enhancement of contractility and impairment of relaxation in lung parenchyma

Prolonged hyperoxic exposure contributes to neonatal lung injury, and airway hyperreactivity is characterized by enhanced contraction and impaired relaxation of airway smooth muscle. Our previous data demonstrate that hyperoxia in rat pups upregulates expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA and protein, disrupts NO-cGMP signaling, and impairs cAMP production in airway smooth muscle. We hypothesized that BDNF-tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) signaling plays a functional role in airway hyperreactivity via upregulation of cholinergic mechanisms in hyperoxia-exposed lungs. Five-day-old rat pups were exposed to >or=95% oxygen or room air for 7 days and administered daily tyrosine kinase inhibitor K-252a (50 microg x kg(-1) x day(-1) i.p.) to block BDNF-TrkB signaling or vehicle. Lungs were removed for HPLC measurement of ACh or for in vitro force measurement of lung parenchymal strips. ACh content doubled in hyperoxic compared with room air-exposed lungs. K-252a treatment of hyperoxic pups restored ACh content to room air levels. Hyperoxia increased contraction and impaired relaxation of lung strips in response to incremental electrical field stimulation. K-252a administration to hyperoxic pups reversed this increase in contraction and decrease in relaxation. K-252a or TrkB-Fc was used to block the effect of exogenous BDNF in vitro. Both K-252a and TrkB-Fc blocked the effects of exogenous BDNF. Hyperoxia decreased cAMP and cGMP levels in lung strips, and blockade of BDNF-TrkB signaling restored cAMP but not cGMP to control levels. Therefore, hyperoxia-induced increase in activity of BDNF-TrkB receptor signaling appears to play a critical role in enhancing cholinergically mediated contractile responses of lung parenchyma.     

Platelet activation during tumor development, the potential role of BDNF-TrkB autocrine loop

Platelets are an important place for the storage of angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The present study aims to investigate the interaction between BDNF-TrkB pathway and platelet activation during tumor development. In an orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model, increased levels of serum and plasma BDNF were detected with tumor progression. Higher numbers of CD62P+ and TrkB+ platelets were found in the tumor-bearing rats. In the in vitro setting, tumor-conditioned-medium (TCM) and BDNF recombinant protein stimulated CD62P upregulation and subsequent BDNF release in the freshly isolated platelets, whereas this effect could be inhibited by TrkB blockade. TCM and BDNF culture augmented the expression of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) in the platelets, which could be reversed by TrkB blockade. In conclusion, this study suggested the presence of BDNF-TrkB autocrine loop in platelets and its importance in regulating platelet activation during tumor development.     

Lysophosphatidylcholine Potentiates BDNF-Induced TrkB Phosphorylation and Downstream Signals in Cerebellar Granule Neurons

We found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt in cerebellar granule neurons was specifically potentiated by LPC. LPC also augmented the BDNF-induced phosphorylation of TrkB, the receptor for BDNF. In TrkB-transfected CHO-K1 cells, LPC potentiated BDNF-induced MAPK phosphorylation. These results suggest that LPC plays a role in BDNF-TrkB signaling by regulating the activation of TrkB.     

BDNF-TrkB Pathway Mediates Neuroprotection of Hydrogen Sulfide against Formaldehyde-Induced Toxicity to PC12 Cells

Formaldehyde (FA) is a common environmental contaminant that has toxic effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Our previous data demonstrated that hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), the third endogenous gaseous mediator, has protective effects against FA-induced neurotoxicity. As is known to all, Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin gene family, mediates its neuroprotective properties via various intracellular signaling pathways triggered by activating the tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB). Intriguingly, our previous data have illustrated the upregulatory role of H₂S on BDNF protein expression in the hippocampus of rats. Therefore, in this study, we hypothesized that H₂S provides neuroprotection against FA toxicity by regulating BDNF-TrkB pathway. In the present study, we found that NaHS, a donor of H₂S, upregulated the level of BDNF protein in PC12 cells, and significantly rescued FA-induced downregulation of BDNF levels. Furthermore, we found that pretreatment of PC12 cells with K252a, an inhibitor of the BDNF receptor TrkB, markedly reversed the inhibition of NaHS on FA-induced cytotoxicity and ablated the protective effects of NaHS on FA-induced oxidative stress, including the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (4-HNE), and malondialdehyde (MDA). We also showed that K252a abolished the inhibition of NaHS on FA-induced apoptosis, as well as the activation of caspase-3 in PC12 cells. In addition, K252a reversed the protection of H₂S against FA-induced downregulation of Bcl-2 protein expression and upregulation of Bax protein expression in PC12 cells. These data indicate that the BDNF-TrkB pathway mediates the neuroprotection of H₂S against FA-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and apoptosis in PC12 cells. These findings provide a novel mechanism underlying the protection of H₂S against FA-induced neurotoxicity.     

Early exercise in spinal cord injured rats induces allodynia through TrkB signaling

Rehabilitation is important for the functional recovery of patients with spinal cord injury. However, neurological events associated with rehabilitation remain unclear. Herein, we investigated neuronal regeneration and exercise following spinal cord injury, and found that assisted stepping exercise of spinal cord injured rats in the inflammatory phase causes allodynia. Sprague-Dawley rats with thoracic spinal cord contusion injury were subjected to assisted stepping exercise 7 days following injury. Exercise promoted microscopic recovery of corticospinal tract neurons, but the paw withdrawal threshold decreased and C-fibers had aberrantly sprouted, suggesting a potential cause of the allodynia. Tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was expressed on aberrantly sprouted C-fibers. Blocking of BDNF-TrkB signaling markedly suppressed aberrant sprouting and decreased the paw withdrawal threshold. Thus, early rehabilitation for spinal cord injury may cause allodynia with aberrant sprouting of C-fibers through BDNF-TrkB signaling.     

Fear extinction and BDNF: translating animal models of PTSD to the clinic

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most studied neurotrophin involved in synaptic plasticity processes that are required for long-term learning and memory. Specifically, BDNF gene expression and activation of its high-affinity tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptor are necessary in the amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex for the formation of emotional memories, including fear memories. Among the psychiatric disorders with altered fear processing, there is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which is characterized by an inability to extinguish fear memories. Since BDNF appears to enhance extinction of fear, targeting impaired extinction in anxiety disorders such as PTSD via BDNF signalling may be an important and novel way to enhance treatment efficacy. The aim of this review is to provide a translational point of view that stems from findings in the BDNF regulation of synaptic plasticity and fear extinction. In addition, there are different systems that seem to alter fear extinction through BDNF modulation like the endocannabinoid system and the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis. Recent work also finds that the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and PAC1 receptor, which are upstream of BDNF activation, may be implicated in PTSD. Especially interesting are data that exogenous fear extinction enhancers such as antidepressants, histone deacetylases inhibitors and D-cycloserine, a partial N-methyl d-aspartate agonist, may act through or in concert with the BDNF-TrkB system. Finally, we review studies where recombinant BDNF and a putative TrkB agonist, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, may enhance extinction of fear. These approaches may lead to novel agents that improve extinction in animal models and eventually humans.