Biology subjects

Sizer, S. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Sizer, S. E..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Biased signaling at NTSR1 differentially regulates inhibitory synaptic transmission in the extended amygdala and suppresses motivated feeding in mice

Maladaptive consummatory behaviors can arise from dysregulated circuits, like those in the extended amygdala, governing motivation and feeding behaviors. Neurotensin (NTS), expressed throughout the central, peripheral, and enteric nervous systems, has well-established roles in energy balance and feeding. SBI-553, a biased allosteric modulator of NTSR1, recruits {beta}-arrestin while attenuating Gq-mediated signaling. We used SBI-553 to examine NTS modulation GABAergic signaling in the central amygdala (CeA) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and probed its effects on food consumption in mice. We found that NTS and SBI-553 differentially modulate GABAergic neurotransmission across extended amygdala subregions. In vivo, SBI-553 reduces palatable food consumption in both fed and food-deprived mice, with greater reductions under fasted conditions, altering activation across CeA subregions in a sex- and feeding-state-dependent manner. In the BNST, differences in SBI-553 altered cFos activity were observed between feeding states. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=157 SRC="FIGDIR/small/722083v3_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (48K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1825c16org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@16be6acorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@f5561eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@e8f82c_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LINTS enhances GABAergic transmission in the CeAL and the ovBNST C_LIO_LISBI-553 blocks NTS-induced increases in sIPSC frequency in the CeAL but not in the ovBNST C_LIO_LISBI-553 attenuates the feeding of a palatable high-carbohydrate food C_LIO_LIThe effect of SBI-553 on feeding is driven by energy deficit/motivation to feed C_LI

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

INTERFERON-REGULATORY FACTOR 7: A NEUROIMMUNE ROLE FOR VAPOR-INDUCED ESCALATIONS IN ETHANOL SELF-ADMINISTRATION

Neuroimmune signaling is increased in postmortem brain tissue from individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), and growing evidence suggests that it contributes to persistent alcohol-related neuroadaptations. Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), a transcription factor downstream of endosomal Toll-like receptor signaling, is induced in alcohol-relevant brain regions and may contribute to escalated drinking. Here, we tested whether chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor exposure engages IRF7 signaling during subsequent alcohol self-administration and whether this is associated with altered molecular E/I balance in the aIC and altered functional E/I balance in aICnucleus accumbens projection neurons. Female Wistar rats (n=30) were trained to self-administer alcohol (15% v/v; FR2 vs inactive lever) during 30-minute sessions. After establishing baseline drinking, rats underwent 1-3 cycles of CIE, which increased alcohol self-administration at the 72 h post vapor test. This increase positively correlated with IRF7 levels in the anterior insular cortex (aIC) and nucleus accumbens, while molecular, and immunofluorescence showed that CIE shifted aIC excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance toward reduced excitation. Electrophysiological recordings further showed reduced functional E/I balance in aIC neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens. Knockdown of IRF7 in the aIC attenuated CIE induced escalation of alcohol self-administration, supporting a role for insular IRF7 signaling in alcohol related neuroadaptations that promote escalated drinking.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Glutamate delta-1 receptors regulate a novel tonic excitatory conductance in the mouse bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and influence neuronal function

The plasticity of ionotropic receptors (mainly AMPARs and NMDARs) within the glutamatergic system has long been investigated as a mechanism for physiological and pathological adaptive learning. The tetrameric delta glutamate receptors ({delta}GluRs, GluD1 and GluD2) are homologs of the AMPARs and NMDARs, however they are insensitive to glutamate. These proteins, especially GluD1, have been implicated in multiple psychiatric conditions and play a functional role in synapses assembly and stability, but recent evidence suggests they also may supply a tonic excitatory conductance, are sensitive to poly-amine blockade, and regulate synaptic plasticity. Here we use whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology to functionally characterize these receptors in the dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (dlBNST) and investigate their modulation of both synaptic transmission and cell excitability. Our results suggest that {delta}GluRs, and in particular GluD1, carry a tonic conductance, modulate excitatory synapses, and regulate cell excitability in the dlBNST. These results imply that GluD1 functions to regulate the flow of information through the BNST and may play a role in affect, stress, and substance use disorders.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

GABA Release From Central Amygdala Neurotensin Neurons Differentially Modulates Reward and Consummatory Behavior in Male and Female Mice

The central nucleus of the amygdala is known to play key roles in alcohol use and affect. Neurotensin neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala have been shown to regulate alcohol drinking in male mice. However, little is known about which neurotransmitters released by these cells drive alcohol consumption or whether these cells drive alcohol consumption in female mice. Here we show that knockdown of GABA release from central amygdala neurotensin neurons using a Nts-cre-dependent vGAT-shRNA-based AAV strategy reduces alcohol drinking in male, but not female, mice. This manipulation did not impact avoidance behavior, except in a fasted novelty-suppressed feeding test, in which vGAT shRNA mice demonstrated increased latency to feed on a familiar high-value food reward, an effect driven by male mice. In contrast, vGAT shRNA female mice showed heightened sensitivity to thermal stimulation. These data show a role for GABA release from central amygdala neurotensin neurons in modulating consumption of rewarding substances in different motivational states.

neuroscience↗