1. In vivo photopharmacology with light-activated opioid drugs
- Author
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Shannan P. McClain, Xiang Ma, Desiree A. Johnson, Caroline A. Johnson, Aryanna E. Layden, Jean C. Yung, Susan T. Lubejko, Giulia Livrizzi, X. Jenny He, Jingjing Zhou, Emilya Ventriglia, Arianna Rizzo, Marjorie Levinstein, Juan L. Gomez, Jordi Bonaventura, Michael Michaelides, and Matthew R. Banghart
- Subjects
Article - Abstract
SummaryTraditional methods for site-specific drug delivery in the brain are slow, invasive, and difficult to interface with recordings of neural activity. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility and experimental advantages ofin vivophotopharmacology using “caged” opioid drugs that are activated in the brain with light after systemic administration in an inactive form. To enable bidirectional manipulations of endogenous opioid receptorsin vivo, we developed PhOX and PhNX, photoactivatable variants of the mu opioid receptor agonist oxymorphone and the antagonist naloxone. Photoactivation of PhOX in multiple brain areas produced local changes in receptor occupancy, brain metabolic activity, neuronal calcium activity, neurochemical signaling, and multiple pain- and reward-related behaviors. Combining PhOX photoactivation with optical recording of extracellular dopamine revealed adaptations in the opioid sensitivity of mesolimbic dopamine circuitry during chronic morphine administration. This work establishes a general experimental framework for usingin vivophotopharmacology to study the neural basis of drug action.HighlightsA photoactivatable opioid agonist (PhOX) and antagonist (PhNX) forin vivophotopharmacology.Systemic pro-drug delivery followed by local photoactivation in the brain.In vivophotopharmacology produces behavioral changes within seconds of photostimulation.In vivophotopharmacology enables all-optical pharmacology and physiology.
- Published
- 2023