Antipsychotic treatment can produce supersensitivity to dopamine receptor stimulation. This compromises the efficacy of ongoing treatment and increases the risk of relapse to psychosis upon treatment cessation. Serotonin 5-HT2 receptors modulate dopamine function and thereby influence dopamine-dependent responses. Here we evaluated the hypothesis that 5-HT2 receptors modulate the behavioural expression of antipsychotic-induced dopamine supersensitivity. To this end, we first treated rats with the antipsychotic haloperidol using a clinically relevant treatment regimen. We then assessed the effects of a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist (ritanserin; 0.01 and 0.1mg/kg) and of a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist (MDL100,907; 0.025-0.1mg/kg) on amphetamine-induced psychomotor activity. Antipsychotic-treated rats showed increased amphetamine-induced locomotion relative to antipsychotic-naïve rats, indicating a dopamine supersensitive state. At the highest dose tested (0.1mg/kg for both antagonists), both ritanserin and MDL100,907 suppressed amphetamine-induced locomotion in antipsychotic-treated rats, while having no effect on this behaviour in control rats. In parallel, antipsychotic treatment decreased 5-HT2A receptor density in the prelimbic cortex and nucleus accumbens core and increased 5-HT2A receptor density in the caudate-putamen. Thus, activation of either 5-HT2 receptors or of 5-HT2A receptors selectively is required for the full expression of antipsychotic-induced dopamine supersensitivity. In addition, antipsychotic-induced dopamine supersensitivity enhances the ability of 5-HT2/5-HT2A receptors to modulate dopamine-dependent behaviours. These effects are potentially linked to changes in 5-HT2A receptor density in the prefrontal cortex and the striatum. These observations raise the possibility that blockade of 5-HT2A receptors might overcome some of the behavioural manifestations of antipsychotic-induced dopamine supersensitivity.

Serotonin 5-HT2 receptors are expressed in many tissues and play important roles in biological processes. Although the 5-HT2A receptor is primarily known for its role in central nervous system, it is also expressed in peripheral tissues. We have found that 5-HT2A receptor antagonists inhibit human subcutaneous primary adipocyte differentiation. We also show that siRNA knockdown of the 5-HT2A receptor blocks differentiation. Using gene expression analysis in combination with receptor antagonists we found that activity of 5-HT2A receptors is necessary very early in the differentiation process to mediate expression of adipogenic genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (ppar-γ), adipocyte protein 2 (aP2), adiponectin, and serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (sgk1). We show here for the first time that 5-HT2A receptor activity is necessary for differentiation of human primary subcutaneous preadipocytes to adipocytes, and that 5-HT2A receptor activity mediates key genes related to adipogenesis during this process. Importantly, this work contributes to a greater understanding of the adipocyte differentiation process, as well as to the role of 5-HT2A receptors in peripheral tissues, and may be relevant to the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting this receptor for the treatment of obesity related diseases.

Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by excessive accumulation of connective tissue, along with activated extracellular matrix (ECM)-producing cells, myofibroblasts. The pathological mechanisms are not well known, however serotonin (5-HT) and 5-HT class 2 (5-HT2) receptors have been associated with fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of 5-HT2B receptors in fibrosis, using small molecular 5-HT2B receptor antagonists EXT5 and EXT9, with slightly different receptor affinity. Myofibroblast differentiation [production of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)] and ECM synthesis were quantified in vitro, and the effects of the receptor antagonists were evaluated. Pulmonary fibrosis was also modeled in mice by subcutaneous bleomycin administrations (under light isoflurane anesthesia), and the effects of receptor antagonists on tissue density, collagen-producing cells, myofibroblasts and decorin expression were investigated. In addition, cytokine expression was analyzed in serum. Lung fibroblasts displayed an increased α-SMA (P < 0.05) and total proteoglycan production (P < 0.01) when cultured with TGF-β1 together with 5-HT, which were significantly reduced with both receptor antagonists. Following treatment with EXT5 or EXT9, tissue density, expression of decorin, number of collagen-producing cells, and myofibroblasts were significantly decreased in vivo compared to bleomycin-treated mice. Receptor antagonization also significantly reduced systemic levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, indicating a role in systemic inflammation. In conclusion, 5-HT2B receptor antagonists have potential to prevent myofibroblast differentiation, in vitro and in vivo, with subsequent effect on matrix deposition. The attenuating effects of 5-HT2B receptor antagonists on fibrotic tissue remodeling suggest these receptors as novel targets for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Methoxetamine (MXE) is a dissociative substance of the arylcyclohexylamine class that has been present on the designer drug market as a ketamine-substitute since 2010. We have previously shown that MXE (i) possesses ketamine-like discriminative and positive rewarding effects in rats, (ii) affects brain processing involved in cognition and emotional responses, (iii) causes long-lasting behavioral abnormalities and neurotoxicity in rats and (iv) induces neurological, sensorimotor and cardiorespiratory alterations in mice. To shed light on the mechanisms through which MXE exerts its effects, we conducted a multidisciplinary study to evaluate the various neurotransmitter systems presumably involved in its actions on the brain. In vivo microdialysis study first showed that a single administration of MXE (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) is able to significantly alter serotonin levels in the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens. Then, we observed that blockade of the serotonin 5-HT2 receptors through two selective antagonists, ketanserin (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) and MDL 100907 (0.03 mg/kg, i.p.), at doses not affecting animals behavior per se, attenuated the facilitatory motor effect and the inhibition on visual sensory responses induced by MXE (3 mg/kg, i.p.) and ketamine (3 mg/kg, i.p.), and prevented MXE-induced reduction of the prepulse inhibition in rats, pointing to the 5-HT2 receptors as a key target for the recently described MXE-induced sensorimotor effects. Finally, in-vitro electrophysiological studies revealed that the GABAergic and glutamatergic systems are also likely involved in the mechanisms through which MXE exerts its central effects since MXE inhibits, in a concentration-dependent manner, NMDA-mediated field postsynaptic potentials and GABA-mediated spontaneous currents. Conversely, MXE failed to alter both the AMPA component of field potentials and presynaptic glutamate release, and seems not to interfere with the endocannabinoid-mediated effects on mPFC GABAergic synapses. Altogether, our results support the notion of MXE as a NMDA receptor antagonist and shed further lights into the central mechanisms of action of this ketamine-substitute by pointing to serotonin 5-HT2 receptors as crucial players in the expression of its sensorimotor altering effects and to the NMDA and GABA receptors as potential further important targets of action.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) is a neurotransmitter that regulates a variety of functions in the nervous, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems. Despite such importance, 5-HT signaling pathways are not entirely clear. We demonstrated previously that 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-sensitive voltage-gated K(+) (Kv) channels determine the resting membrane potential of arterial smooth muscle cells and that the Kv channels are inhibited by 5-HT, which depolarizes the membranes. Therefore, we hypothesized that 5-HT contracts arteries by inhibiting Kv channels. Here we studied 5-HT signaling and the detailed role of Kv currents in rat mesenteric arteries using patch-clamp and isometric tension measurements. Our data showed that inhibiting 4-AP-sensitive Kv channels contracted arterial rings, whereas inhibiting Ca(2+)-activated K(+), inward rectifier K(+) and ATP-sensitive K(+) channels had little effect on arterial contraction, indicating a central role of Kv channels in the regulation of resting arterial tone. 5-HT-induced arterial contraction decreased significantly in the presence of high KCl or the voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel (VGCC) inhibitor nifedipine, indicating that membrane depolarization and the consequent activation of VGCCs mediate the 5-HT-induced vasoconstriction. The effects of 5-HT on Kv currents and arterial contraction were markedly prevented by the 5-HT2A receptor antagonists ketanserin and spiperone. Consistently, α-methyl 5-HT, a 5-HT2 receptor agonist, mimicked the 5-HT action on Kv channels. Pretreatment with a Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor, 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine, prevented both the 5-HT-mediated vasoconstriction and Kv current inhibition. Our data suggest that 4-AP-sensitive Kv channels are the primary regulator of the resting tone in rat mesenteric arteries. 5-HT constricts the arteries by inhibiting Kv channels via the 5-HT2A receptor and Src tyrosine kinase pathway.

Certain 4-substituted analogs of 1-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)isopropylamine (2,5-DMA) are psychoactive classical hallucinogens or serotonergic psychedelic agents that function as human 5-HT2A (h5-HT2A) serotonin receptor agonists. Activation of a related receptor population, h5-HT2B receptors, has been demonstrated to result in adverse effects including cardiac valvulopathy. We previously published on the binding of several such agents at the two receptor subtypes. We hypothesized that, due to their structural similarity, the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptor affinities of these agents might be related, and that QSAR studies might aid future studies. For a series of 13 compounds, it is demonstrated here that i) their published rat brain 5-HT2 receptor affinities are significantly correlated with their h5-HT2A (r = 0.942) and h5-HT2B (r = 0.916) affinities, ii) as with r5-HT2 receptor affinity, h5-HT2A affinity is correlated with the lipophilicity of the 4-position substituent (r = 0.798), iii) that eight of the ten compounds examined in functional (Ca+2 mobilization in stable cell lines generated expressing the human 5-HT2B receptor using the Flp-In T-REx system) assays acted as h5-HT2B agonists (4-substituent = H, F, Br, I, OCH2CH3, NO2, nC3H7, tC4H9) and two (n-hexyl and benzyl) as antagonists, iv) h5-HT2B affinity but not action was correlated with the lipophilicity of the 4-position substituent (r = 0.750; n = 10). The findings suggest that h5-HT2B receptor affinity, and its relationship to substituent lipophilicity, might be approximated by rat and h5-HT2A affinity but cannot be used as a predictor of h5-HT2B agonist action of 2,5-DMA analogs. Furthermore, given that certain 2,5-DMA analogs are on the clandestine market, their potential to produce cardiac side effects following persistent or chronic use via activation of h5-HT2B receptors should be considered.

Serotonin (5-HT) appears to play a major role in controlling adult hippocampal neurogenesis and thereby it is relevant for theories linking failing adult neurogenesis to the pathogenesis of major depression and the mechanisms of action of antidepressants. Serotonergic drugs lacked acute effects on adult neurogenesis in many studies, which suggested a surprisingly long latency phase. Here we report that the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine, which has no acute effect on precursor cell proliferation, causes the well-described increase in net neurogenesis upon prolonged treatment partly by promoting the survival and maturation of new postmitotic neurons. We hypothesized that this result is the cumulative effect of several 5-HT-dependent events in the course of adult neurogenesis. Thus, we used specific agonists and antagonists to 5-HT1a, 2, and 2c receptor subtypes to analyze their impact on different developmental stages. We found that 5-HT exerts acute and opposing effects on proliferation and survival or differentiation of precursor cells by activating the diverse receptor subtypes on different stages within the neuronal lineage in vivo. This was confirmed in vitro by demonstrating that 5-HT1a receptors are involved in self-renewal of precursor cells, whereas 5-HT2 receptors effect both proliferation and promote neuronal differentiation. We propose that under acute conditions 5-HT2 effects counteract the positive proliferative effect of 5-HT1a receptor activation. However, prolonged 5-HT2c receptor activation fosters an increase in late-stage progenitor cells and early postmitotic neurons, leading to a net increase in adult neurogenesis. Our data indicate that serotonin does not show effect latency in the adult dentate gyrus. Rather, the delayed response to serotonergic drugs with respect to endpoints downstream of the immediate receptor activity is largely due to the initially antagonistic and un-balanced action of different 5-HT receptors.

Many rodents explore their environment by rhythmically palpating objects with their mystacial whiskers. These rhythmic whisker movements ("whisking"; 5-9 Hz) are thought to be regulated by an unknown brainstem central pattern generator (CPG). We tested the hypothesis that serotonin (5-HT) inputs to whisking facial motoneurons (wFMNs) are part of this CPG. In response to exogenous serotonin, wFMNs recorded in vitro fire rhythmically at whisking frequencies, and selective 5-HT2 or 5-HT3 receptor antagonists suppress this rhythmic firing. In vivo, stimulation of brainstem serotonergic raphe nuclei evokes whisker movements. Unilateral infusion of selective 5-HT2 or 5-HT3 receptor antagonists suppresses ipsilateral whisking and substantially alters the frequencies and symmetry of whisker movements. These findings suggest that serotonin is both necessary and sufficient to generate rhythmic whisker movements and that serotonergic premotoneurons are part of a whisking CPG.

Serotonin 5-HT1A receptors belong to the superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors. Receptor activation of G-proteins can be determined by agonist-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding in the presence of excess GDP, and in vitro autoradiographic adaptation of this technique allows visualization of receptor-activated G-proteins in tissue sections. The present study was performed to examine 5-HT1A receptor activation of G-proteins using 8-OH-DPAT-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding in membranes and brain sections. In hippocampal membranes, 8-OH-DPAT stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding by twofold, with an ED50 value of 25 nM. 5-HT1 antagonists, but not 5-HT2 antagonists, increased the ED50 of 8-OH-DPAT in a manner consistent with competitive antagonists. Scatchard analysis of [35S]GTPgammaS binding showed that 8-OH-DPAT induced the formation of high affinity [35S]GTPgammaS binding sites with a KD for GTPgammaS of 3.2 nM. [35S]GTPgammaS autoradiography, performed in brain sections with the 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT, revealed high levels of 5-HT1A-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding in the hippocampus, lateral septum, prelimbic cortex, entorhinal cortex, and dorsal raphe nucleus. 5-HT1A-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding in sections was blocked by the addition of the 5-HT1 antagonist methiothepin. These results show that the use of agonist-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS autoradiography for the 5-HT1A receptor system should provide new information regarding signal transduction in specific brain regions.

A number of studies implicate biogenic amines in regulating circadian rhythms. In particular, dopamine and serotonin influence the entrainment of circadian rhythms to daily food availability. To study circadian entrainment to feeding, food availability is typically restricted to a short period within the light cycle daily. This results in a notable increase in pre-meal activity, termed "food anticipatory activity" (FAA), which typically develops within about 1 week of scheduled feeding. Several studies have implicated serotonin as a negative regulator of FAA: (1) aged rats treated with serotonin 5-HT2 and 3 receptor antagonists showed enhanced FAA, (2) mice lacking for the 2C serotonin receptor demonstrate enhanced FAA, and (3) pharmacologically increased serotonin levels suppressed FAA while decreased serotonin levels enhanced FAA in mice. We sought to confirm and extend these findings using genetic models with impairments in central serotonin production or re-uptake, but were surprised to find that both serotonin transporter (Slc6a4) and tryptophan hydroxylase-2 knockout mice demonstrated a normal behavioral response to timed, calorie restricted feeding. Our data suggest that FAA is largely independent of central serotonin and/or serotonin reuptake and that serotonin may not be a robust negative regulator of FAA.

Unlike 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) 1 and 5-HT2, the effect of 5-HT3 receptors on tumor cells is poorly understood. We conducted this study to determine whether the perioperative use of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, which are widely used antiemetics, impacts the recurrence and mortality after lung cancer surgery and related anti-tumor mechanisms. From data on 411 patients, propensity score matching was used to produce 60 1:2 matched pairs of patients, and variables associated with the prognosis after open lung cancer surgery were analyzed. Additionally, the effects of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists were confirmed in vitro on A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Cancer recurrence occurred in 10 (8.2%) and 14 (22.95%) patients (p = 0.005), treated or untreated, with palonosetron or ramosetron. Perioperative usage of palonosetron or ramosetron was also associated with lower recurrence rate after lung cancer surgery (hazard ratio (HR), 0.293; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.110-0.780, p = 0.0141). Our in vitro experiments also showed that palonosetron and ramosetron inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation and reduced migration, which was associated with autophagic cell death via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Palonosetron and ramosetron may have anti-tumor potential against lung cancer cells, suggesting the need to consider these drugs as first-choice antiemetics in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery.

The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a key site for crossmodal association of sensory stimuli and an important relay in the neural circuitry of emotion. Indeed, the BLA receives substantial glutamatergic inputs from multiple brain regions including the prefrontal cortex and thalamic nuclei. Modulation of glutamatergic transmission in the BLA regulates stress- and anxiety-related behaviors. Serotonin (5-HT) also plays an important role in regulating stress-related behavior through activation of both pre- and postsynaptic 5-HT receptors. Multiple 5-HT receptors are expressed in the BLA, where 5-HT has been reported to modulate glutamatergic transmission. However, the 5-HT receptor subtype mediating this effect is not yet clear. The aim of this study was to use patch-clamp recordings from BLA neurons in an ex vivo slice preparation to examine 1) the effect of 5-HT on extrinsic sensory inputs, and 2) to determine if any pathway specificity exists in 5-HT regulation of glutamatergic transmission. Two independent input pathways into the BLA were stimulated: the external capsule to mimic cortical input, and the internal capsule to mimic thalamic input. Bath application of 5-HT reversibly reduced the amplitude of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs) induced by stimulation of both pathways. The decrease was associated with an increase in the paired-pulse ratio and coefficient of variation of eEPSC amplitude, suggesting 5-HT acts presynaptically. Moreover, the effect of 5-HT in both pathways was mimicked by the selective 5-HT1B receptor agonist CP93129, but not by the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH DPAT. Similarly the effect of exogenous 5-HT was blocked by the 5-HT1B receptor antagonist GR55562, but not affected by the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635 or the 5-HT2 receptor antagonists pirenperone and MDL 100907. Together these data suggest 5-HT gates cortical and thalamic glutamatergic inputs into the BLA by activating presynaptic 5-HT1B receptors.

Previous studies have shown that the production of interstitial collagenase by rat myometrial smooth muscle cells is dependent on serotonin. These cells fail to produce collagenase early in culture, however, and produce the enzyme only 8-12 days after confluence. During the early quiescent period, collagenase production can be induced by low concentrations of bacterial endotoxin. Under these conditions, interleukin (IL)-1 alpha and IL-1 beta mRNAs increase coincident with collagenase and collagenase mRNA. Serotonin removal decreases IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta mRNAs, and effect that is rapidly reversed upon readdition of serotonin. Conversely, serotonin-dependent increases in IL-1 mRNAs are blocked by progesterone. Experiments with 5-HT2 receptor agonists and antagonists indicate that induction is mediated by the 5-HT2 receptor subtype. In serotonin-treated cells late in culture, IL-1 mRNAs increase coincident with the production of collagenase. Similarly, exogenous IL-1 fully substitutes for lipopolysaccharide in stimulating myometrial cells to produce collagenase early in culture. Cells treated with IL-1 receptor antagonist fail to make IL-1 mRNAs or collagenase but produce collagenase and IL-1 mRNAs following antagonist removal. These results indicate that serotonin-dependent IL-1 production by the myometrial cell is required for collagenase production and that IL-1 participates in its own production via an autocrine mechanism.

The tracheal epithelium prevents via its highly effective clearance mechanism the contamination of the lower airways by pathogens. This mechanism is driven by ciliary bearing cells which are not only in contact with the gas phase; in addition they are also influenced by inflammatory mediators. These mediators can alter the protective function of the epithelium. Since the pro-inflammatoric cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) plays a pivotal role within the inflammatory cascade, we investigated its effect onto the tracheal epithelium measured by its ciliary beat frequency and the particle transport velocity. In organ explant experiments the ciliary beat frequency and the particle transport velocity were measured under the application of TNF-α using tracheae from male C57BL6J mice. We observed a dose dependent TNF-α induced increase of both particle transport velocity and ciliary beat frequency. Knock out mice experiments made evident that the increase was depended on the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1). The increases in ciliary beat frequency as well as the accelerated particle transport velocity were either inhibited by the unspecific serotonin antagonist methysergide or by cyproheptadine a specific 5-HT2 receptor antagonist. Thus, acetylcholine antagonists or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors failed to inhibit the TNF-α induced activation. In conclusion, TNF-α may play a pivotal role in the protection of lower airways by inducing ciliary activity and increase in particle transport velocity via TNF-R1 and 5-HT2 receptor.

Previous studies have indicated that the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is closely linked to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). To investigate this further, we administered 5-HT receptor antagonists to SOD1*G93A transgenic (ALS mouse model) and wide-type mice. This involved intraperitoneal injections of either granisetron, piboserod, or ritanserin, which inhibit the 5-HT3, 5-HT4, and 5-HT2 receptors, respectively. The transgenic mice were found to have fewer 5-HT-positive cells in the spinal cord compared with wide-type mice. We found that the administration of granisetron reduced the body weight of the transgenic mice, while piboserod and ritanserin worsened the motor functioning, as assessed using a hanging wire test. However, none of the 5-HT receptor antagonists affected the disease progression. We analyzed the distribution and/or expression of TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and superoxide dismutase 1 G93A (SOD1-G93A), which form abnormal aggregates in ALS. We found that the expression of these proteins increased following the administration of all three 5-HT receptor antagonists. In addition, the disease-related mislocalization of TDP-43 to the cytoplasm increased markedly for all three drugs. In certain anatomical regions, the 5-HT receptor antagonists also led to a marked increase in the number of astrocytes and microglia and a decrease in the number of neurons. These results indicate that 5-HT deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by inducing the abnormal expression and/or distribution of TDP-43 and SOD1-G93A and by activating glial cells. 5-HT could therefore be a potential therapeutic target for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Bunodosine 391 (BDS 391), a low molecular weight compound isolated from the sea anemone Bunodosoma cangicum, increases the nociceptive threshold and inhibits inflammatory hyperalgesia. Serotonin receptors are involved in those effects. In this study, we have expanded the characterization of the antinociceptive effect of BDS 391 demonstrating that, in rats: (a) the compound inhibits (1.2-12 ng/paw) overt pain, in the formalin test, and mechanical hyperalgesia (0.6-6.0 ng/paw) detected in a model of neuropathic pain; (b) intraplantar administration of ondansetron, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, blocks the effect of BDS 391, whereas ketanserin, a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, partially reversed this effect, indicating the involvement of peripheral 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors in BDS 391 antinociception; and (c) in binding assay studies, BDS 391 was not able to displace the selective 5-HT receptor antagonists, suggesting that this compound does not directly bind to these receptors. The effect of biguanide, a selective 5-HT3 receptor agonist, was also evaluated. The agonist inhibited the formalin's nociceptive response, supporting an antinociceptive role for 5-HT3 receptors. Our study is the first one to show that a non-peptidic low molecular weight compound obtained from a sea anemone is able to induce antinociception and that activation of peripheral 5-HT3 receptors contributes to this effect.

Serotonin (5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine) reduces blood pressure of the conscious rat when administered chronically (1 week). 5-HT does not directly relax isolated arteries, and microsphere experiments in 5-HT-infused rats suggested that 5-HT increased flow to the splanchnic bed. We hypothesized that 5-HT increased splanchnic flow because of direct venous relaxation; our focus was thus on the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) as an important vein in splanchnic circulation. Real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western analyses supported the predominant expression of the 5-HT2B and 5-HT7 receptor in the SMV. The SMV was mounted in tissue baths for measurement of isometric contraction. 5-HT caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of the endothelin-1 (ET-1)-contracted vein. The threshold of 5-HT-induced venous relaxation was significantly lower than for 5-HT-induced venous contraction (∼2 vs. 700 nmol/L, respectively). A series of serotonergic agonists established in their use of receptor characterization was tested, and the following rank order of potency found for agonist-induced relaxation (receptor selectivity): 5-CT (5-HT1/5-HT7)>5-HT = LP-44 (5-HT7)>PNU109291 (5-HT1D) = BW723C86 (5-HT2B). 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A/7), CP93129 (5-HT1B), mCPBG (5-HT3/4), AS19 (5-HT7) and TCB-2 (5-HT2A) did not relax the isolated vein. Consistent with these findings, two different 5-HT7 receptor antagonists SB 269970 and LY215840 but not the 5-HT2B receptor antagonist LY272015 nor the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor LNNA abolished 5-CT-induced relaxation of the isolated SMV. 5-CT (1 μg kg(-1) min(-1), sc) also reduced blood pressure over 7 days. These findings suggest that 5-HT directly relaxes the SMV primarily through activation of the 5-HT7 receptor.

We investigated the involvement of serotonin (5-HT) and 5-HT receptors in mediation of stress-induced ACTH secretion in adult male rats, which were pretreated by 5-HT antagonists before restraint-, ether-, cold swim-stress or endotoxin. All stressors potently increased plasma ACTH. Lesion of 5-HT neurons with 5, 7-dihydroxytryptamine injected intracerebroventricularly, into the paraventricular nucleus or into the raphe nuclei, inhibited the restraint stress-induced ACTH response by 50%. Restraint increased the content of 5-HT and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, in the raphe nuclei, whereas the other stressors had no such effect. Pretreatment with the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635 inhibited the restraint stress- and endotoxin-induced ACTH secretion by 50%. The 5-HT1+2 antagonist methysergide or the 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin inhibited the restraint- or ether stress-induced ACTH response, and eliminated the endotoxin-induced ACTH response. The 5-HT2 receptor antagonist LY 53857 blocked only the endotoxin-induced ACTH response. Pretreatment with the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetrone had no effect on stress-stimulated ACTH secretion. The 5-HT3+4 receptor antagonist tropisetrone inhibited the restraint- and ether stress-induced response. The ACTH response to swim stress was not affected by any of the antagonists used. It is concluded that the 5-HT1A, the 5-HT2A and the 5-HT2C receptor, but not the 5-HT3 receptor are involved in the stress-induced ACTH secretion. An involvement of the 5-HT4 receptor is possible. Furthermore, that serotonergic neurons in the raphe nuclei are activated during restraint stress, and that these neurons and neurons in PVN of the hypothalamus, are important for the mediation of the restraint stress-induced ACTH response.

Forty serotonin-related neurochemicals were tested on embryos and larvae of Lytechinus variegatus and other sea urchin species. Some of these substances (agonists of 5-HT1 receptors, antagonists of 5-HT2, 5-HT3 or 5-HT4 receptors, and inhibitors of the serotonin transporter, SERT) perturbed post-blastulation development, eliciting changes in embryonic/larval phenotypes typical for each class of receptor ligand. These developmental malformations were prevented completely or partially by serotonin (5-HT) or 5-HT analogs (5-HTQ, AA-5-HT), providing evidence for the putative localization of cellular targets. Immunoreactive 5-HT, 5-HT receptors and SERT were found in pre-nervous embryos and larvae of both L. variegatus and Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. During gastrulation, these components of the serotonergic system were localized to the archenteron (primary gut), mesenchyme-like cells, and often the apical ectoderm. These results provide evidence that pre-nervous 5-HT may regulate early events of sea urchin embryogenesis, mediated by 5-HT receptors or the 5-HT transporter.

The ergoline d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is one of the most potent psychedelic drugs. 1-Acetyl-LSD (ALD-52), a derivative of LSD containing an acetyl group on the indole nitrogen, also produces psychedelic effects in humans and has about the same potency as LSD. Recently, several other 1-acyl-substitued LSD derivatives, including 1-propanoyl-LSD (1P-LSD) and 1-butanoyl-LSD (1B-LSD), have appeared as designer drugs. Although these compounds are assumed to act as prodrugs for LSD, studies have not specifically tested this prediction. The present investigation was conducted to address the gap of information about the pharmacological effects and mechanism-of-action of 1-acyl-substituted LSD derivatives. Competitive binding studies and calcium mobilization assays were performed to assess the interaction of ALD-52, 1P-LSD, and 1B-LSD with serotonin 5-HT2 receptor subtypes. A receptorome screening was performed with 1B-LSD to assess its binding to other potential targets. Head twitch response (HTR) studies were performed in C57BL/6J mice to assess in vivo activation of 5-HT2A (the receptor thought to be primarily responsible for hallucinogenesis). Finally, liquid chromatography/ion-trap mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was used to quantify plasma levels of LSD in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with ALD-52 and 1P-LSD. 1-Acyl-substitution reduced the affinity of LSD for most monoamine receptors, including 5-HT2A sites, by one to two orders of magnitude. Although LSD acts as an agonist at 5-HT2 subtypes, ALD-52, 1P-LSD and 1B-LSD have weak efficacy or act as antagonists in Ca2+-mobilization assays. Despite the detrimental effect of 1-acyl substitution on 5-HT2A affinity and efficacy, 1-acyl-substitued LSD derivatives induce head twitches in mice with relatively high potency. High levels of LSD were detected in the plasma of rats after subcutaneous administration of ALD-52 and 1P-LSD, demonstrating these compounds are rapidly and efficiently deacylated in vivo. These findings are consistent with the prediction that ALD-52, 1P-LSD and 1B-LSD serve as prodrugs for LSD. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'Serotonin Research: Crossing Scales and Boundaries'.