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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2023 Mar 1.
Published in final edited form as: Future Pharmacol. 2023 Jan 9;3(1):108–116. doi: 10.3390/futurepharmacol3010007

Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 5 Gene Deletion Enhances Nicotine-Conditioned Place Preference: Illuminating the Putative Gateway Mechanisms

Nicole Roeder 1,2, Brittany Richardson 1,2, Abrianna Mihalkovic 1,2, Samantha Penman 1, Olivia White 1,2, John Hamilton 1, Ashim Gupta 3, Kenneth Blum 4,5, Mark S Gold 6, Panayotis K Thanos 1,2,*
PMCID: PMC9969817  NIHMSID: NIHMS1871520  PMID: 36864947

Abstract

Emerging evidence indicates that the endogenous cannabinoid system modulates the behavioral and physiological effects of nicotine. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are among the primary intracellular trafficking mechanisms of endogenous cannabinoids, such as anandamide. To this end, changes in FABP expression may similarly impact the behavioral manifestations associated with nicotine, particularly its addictive properties. FABP5+/+ and FABP5−/− mice were tested for nicotine-conditioned place preference (CPP) at two different doses (0.1 or 0.5 mg/kg). The nicotine-paired chamber was assigned as their least preferred chamber during preconditioning. Following 8 days of conditioning, the mice were injected with either nicotine or saline. The mice were allowed to access to all the chambers on the test day, and their times spent in the drug chamber on the preconditioning versus the test days were used to examine the drug preference score. The CPP results showed that the FABP5−/− mice displayed a higher place preference for 0.1 mg/kg nicotine than the FABP5+/+ mice, while no CPP difference was observed for 0.5 mg/kg nicotine between the genotypes. In conclusion, FABP5 plays an important role in regulating nicotine place preference. Further research is warranted to identify the precise mechanisms. The results suggest that dysregulated cannabinoid signaling may impact nicotine-seeking behavior.

Keywords: nicotine, conditioned place preference, fatty acid-binding protein 5, endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptor 1, dopamine

1. Introduction

Cigarette smoking remains a leading preventable cause of death in the United States [1]. Although most of the toxicity of cigarette smoking is related to other components of combustible cigarettes, nicotine is the primary addictive component [2]. When inhaled, nicotine readily infuses into the brain and binds to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, releasing neurotransmitters, including dopamine (DA), into the mesolimbic regions of the brain [2]. Specifically, nicotine stimulates the activation of DAergic neurons within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell, which are critical regions for the rewarding properties of nicotine [2,3]. Additionally, DAergic signaling is an important player in the transmission of reward-related information [4] and is believed to be the modulator of behaviors associated with nicotine use [5].

The DAergic signaling within the mesolimbic reward pathway is modulated by the endocannabinoid (eCB) system [6,7]. This system is comprised of cannabinoid type-1 and type-2 G-protein-coupled receptors (CB1R and CB2R, respectively) and two major endogenous ligands, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG), as well as the enzymes involved in their synthesis and metabolism, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) [8]. The dysfunction of eCB signaling has been implicated in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, substance abuse, depression, and anxiety disorders [9–12]. Cannabinoid receptor signaling is tied to the reinforcing properties associated with nicotine. Rimonabant, a CB1R inverse agonist, has been shown to decrease nicotine self-administration and conditioned place preference in the translational literature [13,14]. This CB1R inverse agonist has also been shown to prolong abstinence rates among smokers who are motivated to quit smoking [15]. The blocking of CB1R activation has also been shown to attenuate nicotine-induced DA increases in the NAc [16–18]. Furthermore, reduced nicotine-seeking behavior in animal models of relapse has been observed with the application of rimonabant [19]. These findings indicate that CB1Rs and eCBs are important for nicotine and the motivation to seek the drug. Kandel and Kandel have published several papers on the potential gateway theories of certain drugs, such as nicotine, acting as a gateway to other drugs of abuse [20].

In addition, other research has examined eCB signaling, such as FAAH, which is involved in the synthesis and metabolism of eCBs. Specifically, FAAH is known to rapidly metabolize AEA, which has been shown to have a high affinity with CB1Rs on the presynaptic neurons that activate the mesolimbic DA system [21]. AEA is synthesized on demand, and upon release, it is quickly degraded by FAAH into arachidonic acid and ethanolamine [21–23]. FAAH−/− mice, which have a 10- to 15-fold increase in the brain AEA levels, show enhanced CPP in response to a low dose of nicotine (0.1 mg/kg), whereas their FAAH+/+ counterparts had no nicotine acquisition [24]. These effects were reversed following the blockade of CB1Rs, indicating that these actions are CB1R-mediated. At higher doses, such as 0.5 and 1 mg/kg nicotine, both the FAAH+/+ and FAAH−/− mice displayed no difference in nicotine CPP. A more recent microdialysis investigation of a dose of 0.1 mg/kg nicotine observed elevated DA concentrations within the NAc of FAAH−/− mice [25], thus suggesting that elevated eCB levels enhance the rewarding properties associated with nicotine.

More recently, fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) have been described as intracellular chaperone proteins that facilitate the uptake and transport of AEA to FAAH for degradation [26]. Genetic deletion of the FABP genes elevates the whole-brain AEA levels [27]. FABP5−/− mice have also been shown to have heightened levels of AEA and 2-AG in the midbrain when compared to FABP5+/+ mice [28]. Previous research has indicated that 2-AG plays a role in glutamate signaling on DA neurons in the VTA, which may play a role in tobacco addiction [29,30]. Given the potential impact of eCB signaling on nicotine reward, the current study sought to determine the specific behavioral effects of the FABP5 gene in regulating the rewarding effects of nicotine. We hypothesized that because FABP5 serves as an intracellular carrier of AEA, the deletion of this gene would enhance the rewarding properties of nicotine in FABP5−/− mice.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Animals

Male and female FABP5+/+ and FABP5−/− mice on a C57B6 background, as described previously [31], were kindly provided by Dr. Hotamisligil at Harvard University. The mice were bred in-house, as previously described. All the mice were habituated to the holding room for at least one week and tested between 10 and 14 weeks of age. Before testing, the mice were habituated to handling and subcutaneous (sc) injections. All the mice were drug-naive at the start of the testing and single-housed in a temperature-controlled room on a reverse 12 h light/dark cycle (lights off from 0900–1800). The animals were provided with ad libitum access to food and water throughout the experiments. All the experiments and procedures conformed to the National Institutes of Health Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of Buffalo, NY, USA.

2.2. Drugs

Nicotine hydrogen tartrate salt was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO, USA). On the first day of each experiment, the animal body weights were recorded, and nicotine solutions were prepared by dissolving 0.01 mg of nicotine per 1 mL of saline. Each administered nicotine dose was based on the individual animal body weight, and all the doses were injected via sc injections at 10 mL/kg. On the drug days of the nicotine-conditioned place preference paradigm, the mice were injected (sc) with either 0.1 or 0.5 mg/kg nicotine immediately before being placed in the nicotine-paired conditioning chamber. These doses were based on previous studies of nicotine CPP [24].

2.3. Statistical Analysis

All statistical analyses were conducted using GraphPad Prism v. 9.3.0 (GraphPad Software Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). The nicotine-conditioned place preference data analysis was conducted using an unpaired two-tailed t-test (comparing differences between the time spent (delta) in the preconditioning versus the test phases, as well as the average locomotor activity per drug dose). The sexes were compared first (males versus females) to determine the potential sex differences, followed by the comparison of the genotypes (FABP+/+ versus FABP5−/−).

2.4. Nicotine-Conditioned Place Preference (CPP)

The FABP5+/+ and FABP5−/− mice were tested for nicotine CPP using commercially available equipment (Coulbourn Instruments, Allentown, PA, USA). The mice were tested in three phases: preconditioning, conditioning, and the test day, as previously described [32–36]. Briefly, the place-conditioning boxes contained three compartments with distinct flooring and wall patterns for tactile and visual differentiation (black/white polka dots with plexiglass flooring or black/white stripes with metal flooring), which were separated by a neutral clear plexiglass compartment. During the preconditioning phase, movement between the distinct polka or striped compartments was possible through the use of two manual guillotine doors, which provided access to either chamber when opened. The entrances to both chambers were closed during the vehicle and drug conditioning days. During the intertrial intervals, the chambers were wiped clean. The testing took place for a total of 10 days and was conducted between 1200 and 1700 each day during the animal’s dark cycle. The mice were subjected to one of two experiments. Experiment one (Exp 1) tested the mice for nicotine CPP at the 0.1 mg/kg nicotine dose. Experiment two (Exp 2) tested the mice for nicotine CPP at the 0.5 mg/kg nicotine dose. Below is a brief summary of the procedure.

Day 1: Preconditioning phase.

The mice were placed in the neutral center chamber and allowed to access the distinct compartments, with the guillotine doors open, for a total of 15 min. The time spent on each side was recorded in seconds and compiled as a percentage of the time spent in each chamber to determine each subject’s baseline place preference. Animals who exhibited an equal preference between chambers were randomized for the following conditioning phase.

Days 2 to 9: Conditioning phase.

Both the FABP5+/+ and FABP5−/− mice received sc injections of either saline or nicotine on alternating days and were immediately placed in their respective chambers for the next 8 days of testing. The conditioning took place for 20 min, in which the mice were free to roam the chamber corresponding to the injection received. The drug-paired sides were pre-determined as the opposite of the mice’s initial baseline preference, and the initially preferred chambers were pre-determined as the vehicle treatment (i.e., the biased paradigm). The injections were counterbalanced with respect to the side of the chamber on which the animal was placed. For example, if the animal’s least preferred chamber had the stripped walls and plexiglass flooring during the preconditioning phase, they would be placed in this chamber on the days when they received nicotine injections to measure the difference in their drug-induced place preference later on the test day (day 10). On the saline days, they would be placed in the polka dot chamber with metal flooring, and vice versa. The total number of conditioning days for nicotine and saline was equally divided: four days of nicotine conditioning exposure and four days of saline conditioning exposure.

Day 10: Test phase.

On the final day, all the animals were placed in the center neutral compartment without exposure to either saline or nicotine. The guillotine doors were opened, and the subjects were given free-roam access to either chamber for 15 min. The time spent on each side was automatically recorded in seconds, and the mice’s preference for the drug-paired chamber was expressed as a percentage of the time spent on the drug-paired side on the test day (day 10) minus their baseline percentage of time spent in their assigned drug chamber on the preconditioning day (day 1). A positive number indicated a preference for the drug-paired chamber, whereas a negative number indicated aversion. A value of zero indicated no preference for either side.

3. Results

3.1. Nicotine CPP

In each experiment, the treatment group was tested for their change (delta) in preference to the nicotine-paired chamber by measuring the total time spent (seconds) in the nicotine-paired chamber on the preconditioning day versus the test day. Outlier testing (ROUT, Q = 1%) was completed for both the experiments, and none were observed.

Exp 1 (0.1 mg/kg Nicotine CPP):

Potential sex differences in the delta preference scores between the FABP5+/+ and FABP5−/− groups were assessed as previously described, and none were observed (p > 0.05). The sexes were then collapsed to compare the genotypes within the groups, and the results showed that at the 0.1 mg/kg nicotine dose, the FABP5−/− mice had a significantly higher preference score for the nicotine-paired chamber, t(35) = 2.18, * p = 0.036, compared with their FABP5+/+ counterparts (see Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

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Effects of 0.1 mg/kg nicotine on the conditioned place preference paradigm between the FABP5+/+ and FABP5−/− mice. The CPP scores are defined as the difference between the time spent in the nicotine-paired compartment in the test versus the pretest phases. * p < 0.05.

Exp 2 (0.5 mg/kg Nicotine CPP):

Potential sex differences in the delta preference scores between the FABP5+/+ and FABP5−/− groups were assessed as previously described, and none were observed (p > 0.05). The sexes were then collapsed to compare the genotypes within the groups, and the results showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the FABP5−/− mice and their FABP5+/+ counterparts (see Figure 2).

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

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Effects of 0.5 mg/kg nicotine on the conditioned place preference paradigm between the FABP5+/+ and FABP5−/− mice. The CPP scores are defined as the difference between the time spent in the nicotine-paired compartment in the test versus the pretest phases.

3.2. Nicotine CPP Locomotor Activity

Each group’s locomotor activity was assessed for each dose, as measured by the average photobeam breaks on the conditioning days. For both Exp 1 (0.1 mg/kg nicotine CPP) and Exp 2 (0.5 mg/kg nicotine CPP), there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the locomotor activity when comparing saline injections to the nicotine injections in the case of either genotype.

4. Discussion

The present study examined the role of the gene encoding of the endocannabinoid-trafficking protein, FABP5, on nicotine CPP. For the first time, we demonstrated the novel role of this protein in regulating the rewarding properties associated with nicotine. Mice genetically deficient in FABP5 showed greater acquisition of a nicotine place preference at a low nicotine dose of 0.1 mg/kg (Figure 1). Unlike the FABP5+/+ mice, the FABP5−/− did not show a dose-dependent effect of nicotine CPP. This enhanced CPP acquisition for 0.1 mg/kg nicotine supports our hypothesis regarding what is known about the role of cannabinoids and nicotine reward.

The observed phenotype in the FABP5−/− mice, associated with a subthreshold nicotine dose of 0.1 mg/kg, is supported by the findings of Merritt and colleagues, who tested FAAH−/− mice and demonstrated the enhanced acquisition of nicotine place preference with the same low dose of nicotine (0.1 mg/kg) but not at the high doses of nicotine (0.5 or 1 mg/kg) [24]. However, the effect on the FAAH−/− mice was greater in magnitude compared with the FABP5−/− mice in the current study, which is plausible, since FAAH−/− mice show a ~15-fold increase in the AEA levels in the brain, while FABP5−/− mice only show a −1.5-fold increase in AEA [37]. Microdialysis studies of FAAH−/− mice indicated that 0.1 mg/kg of nicotine significantly increases the DA concentrations in the NAc [25], which may underlie the enhanced place preference for nicotine in CPP paradigms. A similar mechanism of action may underlie the behavior observed in FABP5−/− mice, though this has yet to be evaluated.

Additionally, it is also possible that the enhanced nicotine CPP acquisition observed in FABP5−/− mice could be due not only to the AEA levels but also to heightened 2-AG levels. Heightened 2-AG levels have been reported in the midbrain of FABP5−/− mice when compared to their FABP5+/+ counterparts [28], including areas such as the VTA. Previous research has determined that nicotine increases the VTA dialysate 2-AG levels under conditions of acute and chronic administration [30]. It was found that 2-AG plays a key role in the plasticity of glutamate signaling to DA neurons in the VTA [38], which may be a critical component of the mechanisms of tobacco addiction [39]. When there are higher levels of 2-AG in the VTA, a cue-evoked increase in DA within the NAc is potentiated, which has been associated with reward-seeking behavior [40]. In addition, VTA AEA signaling may enhance DA cell activity through CB1R-mediated decreases in GABA release [41,42]. Indeed, the CB1R-mediated suppression of VTA glutamate release has also been reported [41,43], which may contribute to the CB1R-mediated attenuation of the nicotine-induced excitation of DA cells in the VTA following FAAH inhibition [44]. The global deletion of the FABP5 gene significantly decreased tonic 2-AG and AEA signaling in the GABA synapses of medium spiny neurons. Phasic 2-AG-mediated short-term plasticity was also blunted, but this did not impact CB1R function or expression, indicating that the FABP5 gene plays a role in central excitatory and inhibitory synapse signaling [28]. While not much is known regarding how the eCB levels influence the metabolism of nicotine, it is clear that nicotine influences the eCB levels which, in turn, enhances the reinforcing effects of the drug.

Our previous work showed a significant decrease in ethanol consumption among mice treated with an inhibitor of FABPs (SBFI26). Specifically, male and female mice treated with SBFI26 consumed 24% and 42% less compared with their FABP5+/+ counterparts receiving the vehicle, respectively. This supports the interrelationship between nicotine, cannabis, and ethanol [45]. While this seems paradoxical, it suggests that the reduction in FABPs can result in a blunted response in the pre-neuronal release of DA, thereby reducing the ethanol-induced euphoria followed by the attenuation of ethanol-seeking behavior.

To date, however, few studies have examined the impact of the co-exposure of cannabinoids and nicotine on locomotor activity. The previously referenced work by Merritt and colleagues reported no difference in the locomotor activity of C57BL/6J mice following nicotine injections of 0.1 mg/kg compared to saline injections [24]. These data support our current findings, as we did not observe a significant effect on the locomotor activity after the sc injections of 0.1 mg/kg nicotine in the case of either genotype. Based on this, it is likely that the increased nicotine preference, which is believed to be CB1R-dependent, is not influenced by locomotor activity.

Future studies should aim to explore the effects of FABP5−/− on nicotine self-administration and withdrawal. Blocking CB1R activation via antagonists or inverse agonists has been shown to decrease nicotine-seeking behavior and self-administration and lessen nicotine withdrawal symptoms [14,24,46]. Therefore, it is likely that FABP5−/− mice would display opposite effects due to their heightened AEA levels and CB1R activation in the mesolimbic reward pathway. While this enhanced nicotine preference appears to be CB1R-dependent, researchers should examine potential treatment methods for nicotine and other substances of abuse. For example, inhibiting the activity of CB1R has been explored for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but the long-term blocking of CB1R would disinhibit GABA signaling. As a result, the neuronal release of DA would be reduced, which may, in turn, lead to enhanced substance use and abuse [47]. It is crucial to understand how both nicotine and THC interact with the eCB system, as tobacco use commonly follows or coincides with cannabis use [48]. Additionally, further studies should be conducted to determine the long-term effects of heightened AEA levels on nicotine metabolism in FABP5−/− mice. The observed increase in nicotine-seeking behavior may be due to differences in metabolism, but this has not yet been confirmed. While our study focuses on the influence of the eCB system on nicotine-seeking behavior, it is important to examine other mechanisms involved in nicotine use in order to determine the best potential treatment methods. Previous studies found that tobacco smoke exposure leads to nicotine dependence in rats, which resulted in increased alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in the hippocampus and was correlated with increased somatic symptoms of withdrawal [49]. Additionally, corticotropin-releasing-factor (CRF)-like peptides have been linked to prolonged symptoms of withdrawal from cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco. While no studies have observed a direct effect of nicotine withdrawal on CRF production, the chronic administration of nicotine may alter the sensitivity of CRF-like peptides to their receptors [50]. When examining both nicotine self-administration and withdrawal symptoms in future studies, it is important to consider not only the eCBs but also changes in the nAChRs and CRF-like peptides.

While our study does point to the potential importance of the FABP5 gene for nicotine-seeking behavior, it is not without limitations. Specifically, we do not know the exact effect of the eCB levels on nicotine metabolism. Higher eCB levels may slow down the metabolism of nicotine which may, therefore, potentiate its effects, but this is unknown. Future studies should aim to examine the pharmacological metabolism of nicotine in FABP5−/− mice or other genetic models which display enhanced eCB levels.

Our findings support the conclusion that the eCB levels have an important influence on nicotine preference. We showed, for the first time, that the global deletion of FABP5 potentiates the reinforcing aspects of low doses of nicotine, as measured by CPP. Future research should aim to directly examine the eCB levels in genetic models of FABP5−/− in response to nicotine and the influence of the eCB levels on nicotine metabolism in order to confirm these notions.

Acknowledgments:

The authors thank Gokhan Hotamisligil at Harvard University for kindly providing us with the FABP5−/− mice.

Funding:

This research was funded by the NY Research Foundation (RIAQ0940) and NIH (DA045640).

Footnotes

Institutional Review Board Statement: The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the University at Buffalo IACUC(protocol code RIA13095Y-AMEND202000132 approved on 23 November 2020).

Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Data Availability Statement:

Not applicable.

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