CB1 and CB2 receptors in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis differently modulate anxiety-like behaviors in rats

Autor(es)

Gomes-de-Souza, Lucas ^{[1, 2]} ; Bianchi, Paula C. ^[3] ; Costa-Ferreira, Willian ^{[1, 2]} ; Tomeo, Rodrigo A. ^{[1, 2]} ; Cruz, Fabio C. ^[3] ; Crestani, Carlos C. ^{[1, 2]}

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Joint UFSCar UNESP Grad Program Physiol Sci, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Sch Pharmaceut Sci, Pharmacol Lab, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[3] Sao Paulo Fed Univ, Paulista Med Sch, Dept Pharmacol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY; v. 110, AUG 30 2021.
• Citações Web of Science: 2

Resumo

The endocannabinoid system is implicated in anxiety, but the brain sites involved are not completely understood. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has been related to anxiety and responses to aversive threats. Besides, endocannabinoid neurotransmission acting via CB1 receptors was identified in the BNST. However, the presence of CB2 receptors and the role of BNST endocannabinoid system in anxiety-like behaviors have never been reported. Therefore, this study investigated the presence of CB1 and CB2 receptors in the BNST and their role in anxiety-like behaviors. For this, gene expression of the endocannabinoid receptors was evaluated in samples from anterior and posterior BNST. Besides, behaviors were evaluated in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) in unstressed rats (trait anxiety-like behavior) and after exposure to restraint stress (restraint-evoked anxiety-like behavior) in rats treated with either the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 or the CB2 receptor antagonist JTE907 into the anterior BNST. The presence of CB1 and CB2 receptors gene expression was identified in anterior and posterior divisions of the BNST. Bilateral microinjection of AM251 into the anterior BNST dose-dependently increased EPM open arms exploration in unstressed animals and inhibited the anxiety-like behavior in the EPM evoked by restraint. Conversely, intra-BNST microinjection of JTE907 decreased EPM open arms exploration in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited restraint-evoked behavioral changes in the EPM. Taken together, these results indicate that CB1 and CB2 receptors present in the BNST are involved in control of anxiety-like behaviors, and control by the latter is affected by previous stress experience. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 16/05028-9 - Controle das respostas cardiovasculares ao estresse pela neurotransmissão endocanabinóide no núcleo leito da estria terminal em ratos: interação com a via de sinalização receptor NMDA/NO/GMPc/proteína quinase g e envolvimento do hipotálamo lateral
• Beneficiário: Lucas Gomes de Souza
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 16/05218-2 - Envolvimento das sinalizações angiotensina II/receptor AT1 e angiotensina 1-7/ receptor Mas no núcleo medial da amígdala nas respostas cardiovasculares e ansiogênica ao estresse em ratos
• Beneficiário: Willian Costa Ferreira
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado