Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin Deficiency Specifically Impairs Contextual and Recognition Memory Consolidation in Male Mice.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Glucocorticoids are essential in modulating memory processes of emotionally arousing experiences and we have shown that corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) influences glucocorticoid delivery to the brain. Here, we investigated the role of CBG in contextual and recognition long-term memory according to stress intensity. METHOD: We used adult male mice totally deficient in CBG (Cbg KO) or brain-specific Cbg KO (CbgCamk KO) to examine their performance in contextual fear conditioning (CFC) and au-ditory fear conditioning, both at short (1 h) and long-term (24 h). Long-term memory in Cbg KO was further analyzed in conditioned odor aversion and in novel object recognition task (NORT) with different paradigms, that is, with and without prior habituation to the context, with a mild or strong stressor applied during consolidation. In the NORT experiments, total and free glucocorticoid levels were measured during consolidation. RESULTS: Impaired memory was observed in the Cbg KO but not in the CbgCamk KO in the CFC and the NORT without habituation when tested 24 h later. However, Cbg KO displayed normal behavior in the NORT with previous habituation and in the NORT with a mild stressor. In condition of the NORT with a strong stressor, Cbg KO retained good 24 h memory performance while controls were impaired. Total and free glucocorticoids levels were always higher in controls than in Cbg KO except in NORT with mild stressor where free glucocorticoids were equivalent to controls. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that circulating but not brain CBG influences contextual and recognition long-term memory in relation with glucocorticoid levels.

Chronic stress does not further exacerbate the abnormal psychoneuroendocrine phenotype of Cbg-deficient male mice.

Chronic stress leads to a dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis which can constitute a base for pathophysiological consequences. Using mice totally deficient in Corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG), we have previously demonstrated the important role of CBG in eliciting an adequate response to an acute stressor. Here, we have studied its role in chronic stress situations. We have submitted Cbg ko and wild-type (WT) male mice to two different chronic stress paradigms - the unpredictable chronic mild stress and the social defeat. Then, their impact on neuroendocrine function - through corticosterone and CBG measurement - and behavioral responses - via anxiety and despair-like behavioral tests - was evaluated. Both chronic stress paradigms increased the display of despair-like behavior in WT mice, while that from Cbg ko mice - which was already high - was not aggravated. We have also found that control and defeated (stressed) Cbg ko mice show no difference in the social interaction test, while defeated WT mice reduce their interaction time when compared to unstressed WT mice. Interestingly, the same pattern was observed for corticosterone levels, where both chronic stress paradigms lowered the corticosterone levels of WT mice, while those from Cbg ko mice remained low and unaltered. Plasma CBG binding capacity remained unaltered in WT mice regardless of the stress paradigm. Through the use of the Cbg ko mice, which only differs genetically from WT mice by the absence of CBG, we demonstrated that CBG is crucial in modulating the effects of stress on plasma corticosterone levels and consequently on behavior. In conclusion, individuals with CBG deficiency, whether genetically or environmentally-induced, are vulnerable to acute stress but do not have their abnormal psychoneuroendocrine phenotype further affected by chronic stress.