Molecular signatures of astrocytes and microglia maladaptive responses to acute stress are rescued by a single administration of ketamine in a rodent model of PTSD.

Acute stress triggers a rapid response from glial cells—astrocytes and microglia—in the prefrontal cortex of rats, activating the NF-κB pathway and increasing inflammatory cytokines IL-18 and TNF-α. In vulnerable animals, this response persists alongside altered levels of glial proteins S100B, CD11b, and CX43, brain trophic factors BDNF and FGF2, and synaptic proteins MAP2 and PSD95. A single subanesthetic dose of ketamine given 24 hours after stress reversed many of these changes, suggesting it helps restore brain homeostasis. Reactive astrogliosis, changes in trophic factors, and neuronal damage appear to be key determinants of vulnerability to acute traumatic stress, and ketamine shows therapeutic potential against stress-related psychiatric disorders.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Stress affects the brain and alters its neuroarchitecture and function; these changes can be severe and lead to psychiatric disorders. Recent evidence suggests that astrocytes and microglia play an essential role in the stress response by contributing to the maintenance of cerebral homeostasis. These cells respond rapidly to all stimuli that reach the brain, including stressors. Here, we used a recently validated rodent model of post-traumatic stress disorder in which rats can be categorized as resilient or vulnerable after acute inescapable footshock stress. We then investigated the functional, molecular, and morphological determinants of stress resilience and vulnerability in the prefrontal cortex, focusing on glial and neuronal cells. In addition, we examined the effects of a single subanesthetic dose of ketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant recently approved for the treatment of resistant depression and proposed for other stress-related psychiatric disorders. The present results suggest a prompt glial cell response and activation of the NF-κB pathway after acute stress, leading to an increase in specific cytokines such as IL-18 and TNF-α. This response persists in vulnerable individuals and is accompanied by a significant change in the levels of critical glial proteins such as S100B, CD11b, and CX43, brain trophic factors such as BDNF and FGF2, and proteins related to dendritic arborization and synaptic architecture such as MAP2 and PSD95. Administration of ketamine 24 h after the acute stress event rescued many of the changes observed in vulnerable rats, possibly contributing to support brain homeostasis. Overall, our results suggest that pivotal events, including reactive astrogliosis, changes in brain trophic factors, and neuronal damage are critical determinants of vulnerability to acute traumatic stress and confirm the therapeutic effect of acute ketamine against the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders.