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A molecularly defined mPFC-BLA circuit specifically regulates social novelty preference
Yiqiong Liu1,2,3, Ying Wang1,2,3, Guoguang Xie1,2,3
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Science Advances
|April 23, 2025
Summary
Researchers identified a specific brain circuit regulating social novelty preference. Activating these neurons impaired preference for novel social interactions, revealing a key mechanism for social behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Genetics
Background:
- Social novelty preference is crucial for survival, aiding in threat and opportunity assessment.
- The specific neural mechanisms underlying social novelty preference remain largely unknown.
- Genome-wide association studies link Il1rapl2 to social deficit disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the molecularly defined neuronal subtypes and circuits regulating social novelty preference.
- To investigate the role of Il1rapl2-expressing neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in social behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an Il1rapl2-Cre mouse line for targeted manipulation.
- Employed chemogenetics to activate mPFC Il1rapl2-expressing neurons.
- Used fiber photometry for in vivo neural activity recording and viral tracing for circuit mapping.
Main Results:
- Chemogenetic activation of mPFC Il1rapl2+ neurons significantly impaired social novelty preference.
- This manipulation had minimal impact on general sociability.
- Il1rapl2+ neurons projecting from the mPFC to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) were identified as critical mediators.
Conclusions:
- A specific mPFC-BLA circuit, involving Il1rapl2-expressing neurons, precisely regulates social novelty preference.
- This study highlights the importance of molecularly defined neuronal subtypes in distinct social behaviors.
- Findings provide a potential neural basis for social deficit disorders associated with Il1rapl2.
