Transcriptional signatures of heroin intake and relapse throughout the brain reward circuitry in male mice

Sci Adv. 2023 Jun 9;9(23):eadg8558. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adg8558. Epub 2023 Jun 9.

Abstract

Opioid use disorder (OUD) looms as one of the most severe medical crises facing society. More effective therapeutics will require a deeper understanding of molecular changes supporting drug-taking and relapse. Here, we develop a brain reward circuit-wide atlas of opioid-induced transcriptional regulation by combining RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and heroin self-administration in male mice modeling multiple OUD-relevant conditions: acute heroin exposure, chronic heroin intake, context-induced drug-seeking following abstinence, and relapse. Bioinformatics analysis of this rich dataset identified numerous patterns of transcriptional regulation, with both region-specific and pan-circuit biological domains affected by heroin. Integration of RNA-seq data with OUD-relevant behavioral outcomes uncovered region-specific molecular changes and biological processes that predispose to OUD vulnerability. Comparisons with human OUD RNA-seq and genome-wide association study data revealed convergent molecular abnormalities and gene candidates with high therapeutic potential. These studies outline molecular reprogramming underlying OUD and provide a foundational resource for future investigations into mechanisms and treatment strategies.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Heroin* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Opioid-Related Disorders*
  • Recurrence
  • Reward

Substances

  • Heroin