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Adolescent Δ9-THC exposure and astrocyte-specific genetic vulnerability converge on NF-κB-COX-2 signaling to impair memory in adulthood

ABSTRACT: Adolescent cannabis use has been associated with long-term cognitive dysfunction attributed to action of the main cannabis ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), on the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1). However, not all marijuana users develop cognitive impairment, suggesting a genetic vulnerability to adverse effects of cannabis. As both neurons and glial cells express CNR1, genetic vulnerability could influence Δ9-THC-induced signaling in a cell type-specific manner. Here we use an animal model of inducible expression of dominant-negative Disrupted-In-Schizophrenia-1 (DN-DISC1) selectively in astrocytes to evaluate the molecular mechanisms whereby an astrocyte genetic vulnerability could synergistically interact with adolescent Δ9-THC exposure to impair recognition memory in adulthood. We report that selective expression of DN-DISC1 in astrocytes and adolescent treatment with Δ9-THC synergistically affected recognition memory in adult mice. Similar deficits in recognition memory were observed following knockdown of endogenous Disc1 in hippocampal astrocytes in mice treated with Δ9-THC during adolescence. At the molecular level, DN-DISC1 and Δ9-THC synergistically activated the NF-kB-COX-2 (encoded by Ptgs2 gene) pathway in astrocytes and decreased immunoreactivity of parvalbumin-positive pre-synaptic inhibitory boutons around pyramidal neurons of the CA3 area of the hippocampus. The cognitive abnormalities were prevented in DN-DISC1 mice exposed to Δ9-THC by simultaneous adolescent treatment with the COX-2 inhibitor, NS389. Our data demonstrate that individual vulnerability to cannabis can be exclusively mediated by astrocytes. Results of this work suggest that genetic predisposition within astrocytes can exaggerate Δ9-THC-produced cognitive impairments via convergent inflammatory signaling, suggesting possible targets for preventing adverse effects of cannabis within susceptible individuals.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE116813 | GEO | 2018/12/31

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Background: Adolescent cannabis use leads to long-lasting behavioral changes involving cognitive and reward processes. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. To address this limitation, we performed gene network analyses using transcriptomic data from mice exposed during adolescence to Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive component of cannabis. Methods: We injected vehicle or THC in female and male mice during the entire adolescence period. Two weeks following the last exposure, we measured recognition memory, social interaction and anxiety-related behaviors. We generated 120 RNA-seq datasets from 5 brain regions for each mouse. We performed differential gene expression analysis and constructed co-expression networks to identify THC-induced transcriptional alterations at the level of individual genes, gene networks, biological pathways, and cellular specificity. Further, we integrated THC-correlated gene networks with human traits from genome-wide association studies and performed key driver analysis to identify potential regulators of disorder-associated networks. Results: THC impaired cognitive behaviors of mice, with memory being more impacted in females, which coincided with larger transcriptional alterations in the female brain. Gene network analyses identified brain region-, cell type- and sex- specific co-expressed genes (“modules”) dysregulated by THC. THC-induced memory deficits in females were correlated with disruption of gene networks involved in endocannabinoid signaling and inflammation. Additional THC-correlated modules in both sexes involved converging pathways related to dopamine signaling and addiction processes. Moreover, the connectivity map of THC-correlated modules uncovered intra- and inter-region molecular circuitries influenced by THC. Further, modules altered by THC treatment were enriched in genes relevant for human cognition and schizophrenia. Conclusions: These findings provide novel insights concerning the genes, cell types, and pathways underlying persistent behavioral deficits induced by adolescent exposure to THC in a sex-specific manner, and highlight the connection between adolescent cannabis use and neuropsychiatric disorders in humans.