Wired for moderation: Toll-like receptors as regulators of alcohol-induced behaviors
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Christos Suriano
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
25-4-2025 9:59 AM
Description
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major health concern, affecting millions of Americans and ranking among the leading causes of preventable mortality. Despite its widespread impact, the underlying mechanisms driving excessive alcohol consumption and dependence remain under-researched. Emerging evidence suggests that neuro-immune crosstalk plays a pivotal role in modulating alcohol-induced behaviors, with inflammation and neurodegeneration serving as key pathological hallmarks. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a class of immuno-detectors traditionally associated with innate immunity, have recently garnered attention for their potential role in shaping neural responses to ethanol. In this study, we leveraged the genetically tractable model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to investigate the role of its sole TLR, TOL-1, in ethanol-induced toxicity, behavior, and learning. Our findings reveal that TOL-1 promotes survival during exposure to lethal doses, mitigates intoxication, promotes learned aversion, and curbs ethanol-seeking behavior after initial exposure. These results highlight TLRs as potential modulators of alcohol consumption and aversion, shedding light on neuroimmune mechanisms that may contribute to the etiology of alcohol use disorder. Understanding these interactions could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies targeting immune signaling pathways to combat excessive alcohol intake.
Wired for moderation: Toll-like receptors as regulators of alcohol-induced behaviors
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major health concern, affecting millions of Americans and ranking among the leading causes of preventable mortality. Despite its widespread impact, the underlying mechanisms driving excessive alcohol consumption and dependence remain under-researched. Emerging evidence suggests that neuro-immune crosstalk plays a pivotal role in modulating alcohol-induced behaviors, with inflammation and neurodegeneration serving as key pathological hallmarks. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a class of immuno-detectors traditionally associated with innate immunity, have recently garnered attention for their potential role in shaping neural responses to ethanol. In this study, we leveraged the genetically tractable model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to investigate the role of its sole TLR, TOL-1, in ethanol-induced toxicity, behavior, and learning. Our findings reveal that TOL-1 promotes survival during exposure to lethal doses, mitigates intoxication, promotes learned aversion, and curbs ethanol-seeking behavior after initial exposure. These results highlight TLRs as potential modulators of alcohol consumption and aversion, shedding light on neuroimmune mechanisms that may contribute to the etiology of alcohol use disorder. Understanding these interactions could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies targeting immune signaling pathways to combat excessive alcohol intake.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.