Astrocyte-Ablation of Mtnr1b Increases Anxiety-Like Behavior in Adult Male Mice

Background: Astrocytes are essential for synaptic transmission, and their dysfunction can result in neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. Many studies have shown that global knockout of Melatonin receptor 2 (Mtnr1b) is associated with the development of various mental disorders. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of astrocyte ablation of Mtnr1b on cognitive function and anxiety-like behavior in mice, as well as the potential biological mechanisms. Methods: A conditional Cre-loxP system allowing deletion of Mtnr1b from astrocytes was developed to investigate the specific role Mtnr1b. Control and Mtnr1b cKOGfapmice were selected for cognitive function behavioral testing (Morris water maze test, novel object recognition test) and emotion-related behavioral testing (open field, elevated plus maze). After testing, brain tissue was collected and examined by immunofluorescence for the expression of neuronal nuclei (NeuN), glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), and vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (vGluT1). RNA-seq was performed on hippocampal tissue from control and Mtnr1b cKOGfap mice to identify differentially expressed genes. Additional confirmation of differential gene expression was performed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: Mtnr1b cKOGfap mice were not significantly different from control mice in the Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests. Results from the open field and elevated plus maze tests showed that Mtnr1b cKOGfapmice exhibited significantly more anxiety-like behavior than did controls. Immunofluorescence revealed that the number of mature neurons did not differ significantly between Mtnr1b cKOGfap mice and controls. The expression of GAD67 in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas of Mtnr1b cKOGfap mice was significantly lower than in the control group, but no significant difference was detected for vGluT1 expression. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR results showed that Mtnr1b knockout in astrocytes led to a decrease in the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid sub-type A (GABAA) receptors and Kir2.2. Conclusions: The astrocyte-specific knockout in Mtnr1b cKOGfapmice results in anxiety-like behavior, which is caused by down-regulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) synaptic function.