Cited by 608Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeuropeptides and Animal PhysiologyNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Evidence That Oxytocin Exerts Anxiolytic Effects via Oxytocin Receptor Expressed in Serotonergic Neurons in Mice

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Yoshida, Masahide, Takayanagi, Yuki, Inoue, Kiyoshi, Kimura, Tadashi, Young, Larry J., Onaka, Tatsushi, Nishimori, Katsuhiko·2009·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

The oxytocin receptor has been implicated in the regulation of reproductive physiology as well as social and emotional behaviors. The neurochemical mechanisms by which oxytocin receptor modulates social and emotional behavior remains elusive, in part because of a lack of sensitive and selective antibodies for cellular localization. To more precisely characterize oxytocin receptor-expressing neurons within the brain, we generated an oxytocin receptor-reporter mouse in which part of the oxytocin receptor gene was replaced with Venus cDNA (a variant of yellow fluorescent protein). Examination of the Venus expression revealed that, in the raphe nuclei, about one-half of tryptophan hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons were positive for Venus, suggesting a potential role for oxytocin in the modulation of serotonin release. Oxytocin infusion facilitated serotonin release within the median raphe nucleus and reduced anxiety-related behavior. Infusion of a 5-HT 2A/2C receptor antagonist blocked the anxiolytic effect of oxytocin, suggesting that oxytocin receptor activation in serotonergic neurons mediates the anxiolytic effects of oxytocin. This is the first demonstration that oxytocin may regulate serotonin release and exert anxiolytic effects via direct activation of oxytocin receptor expressed in serotonergic neurons of the raphe nuclei. These results also have important implications for psychiatric disorders such as autism and depression in which both the oxytocin and serotonin systems have been implicated.

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Authors
Yoshida, M., Takayanagi, Y., Inoue, K., Kimura, T., Young, L. J., Onaka, T., & Nishimori, K.
Affiliations
  • Tohoku University (JP)
  • Jichi Medical University (JP)
  • Emory University (US)
  • The University of Osaka (JP)
Corresponding author
Nishimori, Katsuhiko
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2009-02-18
Volume
29
Issue
7
Pages
2259-2271
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W2095898364
Cited by
608
References
60
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 42 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 51 · 2021: 60 · 2020: 58 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 34 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 38 · 2012: 20
FWCI
29.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (9876754)
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (18380076, 20790194, 20020023, 20590237)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH-64692, K02MH064692)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
oxytocin, oxytocin receptor, anxiolytic effects, serotonergic neurons, raphe nuclei, serotonin release, 5-HT2A/2C receptors, Venus fluorescent protein, anxiety-like behavior, autism spectrum disorder, depression
MeSH terms
Animals, Anxiety Disorders, Bacterial Proteins, Brain, Chimera, Female, Luminescent Proteins, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Transgenic, Synaptic Transmission, Oxytocin, Raphe Nuclei, Serotonin, Anti-Anxiety Agents, Tryptophan Hydroxylase, Receptors, Oxytocin, Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A, Mice, Gene Knock-In Techniques, Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists

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