Assessing Interleukin-1β Signaling after Alcohol-Induced Stress Reactivity in Male and Female Mice

Authors: Christina Ye, Penny Cerenzio

Field of Study: Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Math

Faculty Mentors: Florence Varodayan

Easel: 30

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: Stress can cause an escalation in alcohol drinking or relapse during abstinence in Alcohol use disorder (AUD). Both independently elevate pro-inflammatory interleukin-1β (IL-1β) signaling in the PFC, which leads to an exacerbation of impulsive decision-making from both alcohol-use and stress responses. However, less is known about the combined effects of alcohol and stress. To study this, male and female C57BL/6J mice underwent a voluntary 6-week chronic alcohol drinking paradigm and 30-minute stress restraint. Stress-reactivity was measured through novelty-suppressed feeding after injections of vehicle or AS-1, a mimetic that blocks the pro-inflammatory IL-1β pathway. Interestingly, only males with alcohol and stress had a synergistic increase in stress-reactivity that was blocked by AS-1, suggesting a sex-specific role of the IL-1 pathway. After behavior, immunofluorescence will determine the expression mPFC IL-1R1 in alcohol and stress in both sexes. Targeting IL-1 signaling can increase understanding of treatment for AUD and prevent stress-induced relapse.