Distinct oxytocin signaling pathways synergistically mediate rescue- like behavior in mice

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Zhang, Feng - Rui; Liu, Juan; Wen, Jieqi; Zhang, Zi- Yan; Li, Yijia; Song, Eric; Hu, Li; Chen, Zhou- Feng
• 署名单位: Washington University (WUSTL); Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS; Shenzhen Bay Laboratory; Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research & Translation (SMART); Washington University (WUSTL); Washington University (WUSTL); Washington University (WUSTL)
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-9894
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2423374122
• 发表日期: 2025-04-29
• 关键词: corticotropin-releasing-factor; helping-behavior; social-behavior; neural basis; empathy; EVOLUTION; nucleus; fear; hypothalamus; consolation

摘要

Spontaneous rescue behavior enhances the well- being and survival of social animals, yet the neural mechanisms underlying the recognition and response to conspecifics in need remain unclear. Here, we report that observer mice experience distress when encountering anesthetized conspecifics, prompting spontaneous rescue- like behavior toward the unconscious mice. This behavior facilitates the earlier awakening of anesthetized mice while simultaneously alleviating stress in the helper mice. Our findings reveal that endogenous oxytocin (OXT) release from the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus regulates the emotional component of rescue- like behavior. In contrast, OXT release from the PVN to OXTR in the dorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (dBNST) mediates the motor component of the behavior. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these two pathways exhibited distinct temporal dynamics and functional roles. The the remarkable ability of rodents to engage in targeted helping behavior and suggest that distinct subcortical oxytocinergic pathways selectively and synergistically regulate the motor and emotional aspects of rescue- like behavior.