In many vertebrates, an increase in plasma gonadal steroids is detectable soon after the start of courtship or sexual behavior. In the course of studies aimed at understanding how environmental and behavioral stimuli produced changes in the brain that result, in turn, in altered endocrine secretions, we noted the appearance of GnRH-positive mast cells in the medial habenula. The mast cells were present in animals which were sacrificed 2 hours after the start of courtship, were few in animals housed in isolation, and were virtually absent in castrates. Brain mast cells are a widespread phenomenon. Their occurrence was documented in a variety of species when methods to detect biogenic amines first became widely available in the 1970's. While peripheral mast cells have been widely studied, especially in relation to allergy, the possible function of brain mast cells has been little explored.
The first aim of this proposal is to delineate the context(s) (e.g. stress, response to novelty, sexual behavior) in which changes occur in number and state of activation of brain mast cells in the medial habenula. Our studies will be specific changes in mast cell number. The habenula is a conservative structure known to serve as link between forebrain and midbrain structures. The second broad goal of the research is to understand the normal physiological function of mast cells in the medial habenula. To this end, we will delineate behavioral function(s) of the medial habenula, and of its efferents and afferents. The overall hypothesis to be tested is that brain mast cells represent a novel signaling system, operating at the interface of the neural, endocrine and the immune systems.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH029380-21
Application #
2890279
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1-NRB-A (M1))
Project Start
1976-06-01
Project End
2001-06-30
Budget Start
1999-07-01
Budget End
2000-06-30
Support Year
21
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Psychology
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
064931884
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10027
Kriegsfeld, Lance J; Hotchkiss, Andrew K; Demas, Gregory E et al. (2003) Brain mast cells are influenced by chemosensory cues associated with estrus induction in female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Horm Behav 44:377-84
Khalil, Mona H; Silverman, Ann-Judith; Silver, Rae (2003) Mast cells in the rat brain synthesize gonadotropin-releasing hormone. J Neurobiol 56:113-24
Silverman, Ann-Judith; Asarian, Lori; Khalil, Mona et al. (2002) GnRH, brain mast cells and behavior. Prog Brain Res 141:315-25
Lehman, M; Silver, R (2000) CSF signaling in physiology and behavior. Prog Brain Res 125:415-33
Silverman, A J; Sutherland, A K; Wilhelm, M et al. (2000) Mast cells migrate from blood to brain. J Neurosci 20:401-8
Shanas, U; Bhasin, R; Sutherland, A K et al. (1998) Brain mast cells lack the c-kit receptor: immunocytochemical evidence. J Neuroimmunol 90:207-11
Zhuang, X; Silverman, A J; Silver, R (1997) Mast cell number and maturation in the central nervous system: influence of tissue type, location and exposure to steroid hormones. Neuroscience 80:1237-45
Knapp, R; Silver, R (1995) Location of neurons projecting to the hypophysial stalk--median eminence in ring doves (Streptopelia roseogrisea). Cell Tissue Res 280:77-86
Saldanha, C J; Silver, R (1995) Intraventricular prolactin inhibits hypothalamic vasoactive-intestinal polypeptide-expression in doves. J Neuroendocrinol 7:881-7
Saldanha, C J; Deviche, P J; Silver, R (1994) Increased VIP and decreased GnRH expression in photorefractory dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). Gen Comp Endocrinol 93:128-36

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