Astrocyte Reactivity by Alcohol Dependence in the Central Amygdala

The central amygdala (CeA) is an important limbic region in reward and stress responsivity as well as in the development of alcohol dependence. Using a multi-omics approach with Aldh1l1-EGFP/Rpl10a mice and the chronic intermittent ethanol – two-bottle choice exposure model, we have characterized the translational response of CeA astrocytes, as well as the proteomic and phosphoproteomic changes in dependent, non-dependent, and naïve mice.

We identified astrocyte-specific alterations in neuroimmune functions and antioxidant/oxidative stress pathways in dependent animals while non-dependent EtOH drinking altered cytoskeletal plasticity related pathways. Proteomic analysis showed down-regulation of astrocyte physiological functions in dependent animals while phosphoproteomic analysis identified cytoskeleton remodeling in both dependent and non-dependent animals suggesting the development of a reactive astrocyte phenotype.