Paraventricular nucleus‐central amygdala oxytocinergic projection modulates pain‐related anxiety‐like behaviors in mice

PVH (Paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus) MBA:38 projects to CEA (Central amygdalar nucleus) MBA:536 · Mouse

A retrograde oxytocin-promoter Cre virus placed bilaterally in the central amygdala, combined with a Cre-dependent mCherry reporter in the paraventricular nucleus, labeled oxytocin-immunoreactive PVN neurons, confirming that PVN oxytocin cells send axons to the CeA.

Fig. 7A–C

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PVH (Paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus) MBA:38 functionally connects to CEA (Central amygdalar nucleus) MBA:536 · Mouse

Blue-light stimulation of ChR2-expressing PVN oxytocin neuron terminals in the central amygdala raised c-Fos expression in CeA neurons and reduced pain-induced anxiety-like behavior; intra-CeA oxytocin receptor antagonist blocked the behavioral effect of activating PVN oxytocin cells, indicating peptidergic modulatory transmission.

Fig. 6A,G,H; Fig. 5I–N

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PVH (Paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus) MBA:38 projects to CEA (Central amygdalar nucleus) MBA:536 · Mouse

An oxytocin-promoter EGFP virus injected into the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus labeled cell bodies there and produced clear labeled axonal fibers in the central amygdala, indicating a direct oxytocinergic projection.

Fig. 5A,B

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