Immune Biomarkers Associated with Ethanol Consumption in Monkeys and Mice

Drug exposure induces an immune response based on drug type and dosage. Previously published studies suggest that EtOH exposure through self-administration establishes rewarding drug effects and addiction-like behaviors across multiple species. However, it is unknown what specific immune signaling pathways are involved in determining EtOH susceptibility. To assess this, this study compares peripheral biomarkers in mice and rhesus macaques. As both mice and NHPs experience similar addiction-like behaviors, it is hypothesized that similar immune indicators of previous EtOH exposure will be present in their immune profiles. Furthermore, overlaps in significant cytokines are expected across the two available tissue types from mice: nail and plasma. To do this, mice completed DID and eCPP paradigms, and lifetime EtOH consumption of each mouse was totalled to form groups of high and low responders. Rhesus macaques were exposed to EtOH following an established SIP paradigm, and nail samples were obtained before and after SIP from our collaborator. Total protein was extracted from mice and NHP nail samples, and cytokine analysis was performed in extracted protein and plasma samples via membrane-bound ELISA. This study identifies cytokines that are integral to EtOH consuming behaviors and are possibly involved in processes of addiction, helping to fill in the gap of knowledge linking the immune system to reward learning.