Reduced fear memory and anxiety-like behavior in mice lacking formylpeptide receptor 1

Behav Genet. 2011 Sep;41(5):724-33. doi: 10.1007/s10519-011-9467-0. Epub 2011 Apr 12.

Abstract

N-formylpeptide receptor 1 (FPR1) is a G protein-coupled receptor that mediates pro-inflammatory chemotactic responses by phagocytic leukocytes to N-formylpeptides produced by bacteria or mitochondria. Mice lacking Fpr1 (Fpr1 (-/-) mice) have increased susceptibility to challenge with certain bacteria. FPR1 is also a receptor for annexin-1, which mediates the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids as well as negative feedback by glucocorticoids of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. However, homeostatic functions of FPR1 in the neuroendocrine system have not previously been defined. Here we show that in systematic behavioral testing Fpr1 (-/-) mice exhibited increased exploratory activity, reduced anxiety-like behavior, and impaired fear memory, but normal spatial memory and learning capacity. Consistent with this, the homeostatic serum level of corticosterone in Fpr1 (-/-) mice was significantly lower compared with wild-type mice. The data implicate Fpr1 in modulation of anxiety-like behavior and fear memory by regulating glucocorticoid production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Anxiety / genetics*
  • Anxiety / metabolism
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fear*
  • Glucocorticoids / metabolism
  • Homeostasis
  • Inflammation
  • Male
  • Maze Learning
  • Memory*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / metabolism
  • Phagocytes / metabolism
  • Receptors, Formyl Peptide / genetics*

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Fpr1 protein, mouse
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Receptors, Formyl Peptide
  • N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine