The Dopaminergic Cells in the Median Raphe Region Regulate Social Behavior in Male Mice

Chaves, Tiago and Török, Bibiána and Fazekas, Csilla Lea and Correia, Pedro and Sipos, Eszter and Várkonyi, Dorottya and Tóth, Zsuzsanna E. and Dóra, Fanni and Dobolyi, Árpád and Zelena, Dóra (2024) The Dopaminergic Cells in the Median Raphe Region Regulate Social Behavior in Male Mice. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, 25 (8). No.-4315. ISSN 1661-6596 (print); 1422-0067 (online)

Preview	Text (A tanulmány teljes szövege) The Dopaminergic Cells in the Median Raphe Region Regulate Social Behavior in Male Mice.pdf Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (3MB) | Preview
Preview	Text (Kiegészítő táblázatok) ijms-2948381-supplementary.pdf Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (96kB) | Preview

Abstract

According to previous studies, the median raphe region (MRR) is known to contribute significantly to social behavior. Besides serotonin, there have also been reports of a small population of dopaminergic neurons in this region. Dopamine is linked to reward and locomotion, but very little is known about its role in the MRR. To address that, we first confirmed the presence of dopaminergic cells in the MRR of mice (immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR), and then also in humans (RT-PCR) using healthy donor samples to prove translational relevance. Next, we used chemogenetic technology in mice containing the Cre enzyme under the promoter of the dopamine transporter. With the help of an adeno-associated virus, designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) were expressed in the dopaminergic cells of the MRR to manipulate their activity. Four weeks later, we performed an extensive behavioral characterization 30 min after the injection of the artificial ligand (Clozapine-N-Oxide). Stimulation of the dopaminergic cells in the MRR decreased social interest without influencing aggression and with an increase in social discrimination. Additionally, inhibition of the same cells increased the friendly social behavior during social interaction test. No behavioral changes were detected in anxiety, memory or locomotion. All in all, dopaminergic cells were present in both the mouse and human samples from the MRR, and the manipulation of the dopaminergic neurons in the MRR elicited a specific social response.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item