Role of Serum/Glucocorticoid-Regulated Kinase 1 (SGK1) in Immune and Inflammatory Diseases

Immune Gene Expression Profiling in Individuals with Turner Syndrome, Graves' Disease, and a Healthy Female by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing: A Comparative Study

Turner syndrome (TS) can be determined by karyotype analysis, marked by the loss of one X chromosome in females. However, the genes involved in autoimmunity in TS patients remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to analyze differences in immune gene expression between a patient with TS, a healthy female, and a female patient with Graves' disease using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells. We identified 43 differentially expressed genes in the TS patient compared with the healthy female and the female patient with Graves' disease. Many of these genes have previously been suggested to play a role in immune system regulation. This study provides valuable insights into the differences in immune-related gene expression between TS patients, healthy individuals, and those with autoimmune diseases.

Immuno-metabolic depression: from concept to implementation

Major depressive disorder is a common, disabling mental disorder characterized by extensive etiological and phenotypic heterogeneity. This heterogeneity makes treatment approaches imprecise and often ineffective. Insight into the underlying biological mechanisms underpinning depression and its subtypes may enable more personalized treatments. In this review, we provide an overview of immuno-metabolic depression and illustrate that significant immuno-metabolic dysregulations are present in about 20-30% of people with depression. Such immuno-metabolic depression is characterized by the clustering of 1) atypical, energy-related depressive symptoms such as hypersomnia, fatigue, hyperphagia, and possibly anhedonia, 2) systemic low-grade inflammation with elevated levels of e.g., C-reactive protein, cytokines and glycoprotein acetyls, and 3) metabolic abnormalities involving e.g., obesity, dyslipidaemia, insulin and leptin resistance. Persons with immuno-metabolic depression are at a higher risk for cardiometabolic diseases and seem to respond less well to standard antidepressant treatment. Interventions targeting inflammation, metabolism or lifestyle may be more effective treatment options for individuals with immuno-metabolic depression, in line with principles of precision psychiatry.

Serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) in neurological disorders: pain or gain

Serum/Glucocorticoid Regulated Kinase 1 (SGK1), a serine/threonine kinase, is ubiquitous across a wide range of tissues, orchestrating numerous signaling pathways and associated with various human diseases. SGK1 has been extensively explored in diverse types of immune and inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disorders, as well as cancer metastasis. These studies link SGK1 to cellular proliferation, survival, metabolism, membrane transport, and drug resistance. Recently, increasing research has focused on SGK1's role in neurological disorders, including a variety of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease), brain injuries (e.g., cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury), psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression and drug addiction). SGK1 is emerging as an increasingly compelling therapeutic target across the spectrum of neurological disorders, supported by the availability of several effective agents. However, the conclusions of many studies observing the prevalence and function of SGK1 in neurological disorders are contradictory, necessitating a review of the SGK1 research within neurological disorders. Herein, we review recent literature on SGK1's primary functions within the nervous system and its impacts within different neurological disorders. We summarize significant findings, identify research gaps, and outline possible future research directions based on the current understanding of SGK1 to help further progress the understanding and treatment of neurological disorders.

Macrophage WNK1 senses intracellular hypo-chlorine to regulate vulnerability to sepsis attack during hypochloremia

Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in critical patients worldwide and its occurrence is related to the excessive activation of macrophages. Chloride loss worsens the prognosis of patients with sepsis but the underlying mechanism is currently unclear. In this study, we founded that macrophages deficient in intracellular Cl- secrete more inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α compared with control group. The intracellular chloride level decreased in WNK1 deficiency or activity inhibited macrophages with more severe inflammatory response after LPS treatment. Remimazolam, as classic GABAa receptor agonist, alleviates excessive inflammation cascade by promoting macrophage chloride influx during sepsis progression. Collectively, this study proves that macrophage WNK1 acts as a negative regulator of inflammatory response by sensing chloride to maintain intracellular chloride balance during sepsis coupled with hypochloremia.

The effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms on depression in combination with coronary diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Depression and coronary heart disease (CHD) have common risk mechanisms. Common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may be associated with the risk of depression combined with coronary heart disease.

Methods

This study was designed according to the PRISMA-P guidelines. We will include case-control studies and cohort studies investigating the relationship between gene SNPs and depression and coronary heart disease comorbidities. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) will be used to assess the risk of bias. When measuring dichotomous outcomes, we will use the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CIs) in a case-control study. Five genetic models (allele model, homozygous model, co-dominant model, dominant model, and recessive model) will be evaluated for each included study. Subgroup analysis by ethnicity will be performed. If necessary, post hoc analysis will be made according to different types.

Results

A total of 13 studies were included in this study, and the types of genes included are FKBP5 and SGK1 genes that act on glucocorticoid; miR-146a, IL-4-589, IL-6-174, TNF-α-308, CRP-717 genes that act on inflammatory mechanisms; eNOS genes from endothelial cells; HSP70 genes that act on the autoimmune response; ACE2 and MAS1 genes that act to mediate Ang(1-7) in the RAS system; 5-HTTLPR gene responsible for the transport of serotonin 5-HT and neurotrophic factor BDNF gene. There were three studies on 5-HTTLPR and BDNF genes, respectively, while there was only one study targeting FKBP5, SGK1, miR-146a, IL-4-589, IL-6-174, TNF-alpha-308, CRP-717, eNOS, HSP70, ACE2, and MAS1 genes. We did not perform a meta-analysis for genes reported in a single study, and meta-analysis was performed separately for studies exploring the 5-HTTLPR and BDNF genes. The results showed that for the 5-HTTLPR gene, there was a statistically significant association between 5-HTTLPR gene polymorphisms and depression in combination with coronary diseases (CHD-D) under the co-dominant model (LS vs LL: OR 1.76, 95%CI 1.20-2.59; SS vs LL: OR 2.80, 95%CI 1.45 to 5.41), the dominant model (LS+SS vs LL: OR 2.06, 95%CI 1.44 to 2.96), and the homozygous model (SS vs LL: OR 2.80 95%CI 1.45 to 5.5.41) were statistically significant for CHD-D, demonstrating that polymorphisms in the 5-HTTLPR gene are associated with the development of CHD-D and that the S allele in the 5-HTTLPR gene is likely to be a risk factor for CHD-D. For the BDNF gene, there were no significant differences between one of the co-dominant gene models (AA vs GG: OR 6.63, 95%CI 1.44 to 30.64), the homozygous gene model (AA vs GG: OR 6.63,95% CI 1.44 to 30.64), the dominant gene model (GA+AA vs GG: OR4.29, 95%CI 1.05 to 17.45), recessive gene model (AA vs GG+GA: OR 2.71, 95%CI 1.16 to 6.31), and allele model (A vs G: OR 2.59, 95%CI 1.18 to 5.67) were statistically significant for CHD-D, demonstrating that BDNFrs6265 gene polymorphisms are associated with the CHD-D development and that the A allele in the BDNFrs6265 gene is likely to be a risk factor for CHD-D. We analyzed the allele frequencies of SNPs reported in a single study and found that the SNPs in the microRNA146a gene rs2910164, the SNPs in the ACE2 gene rs2285666 and the SNPs in the SGK1 gene rs1743963 and rs1763509 were risk factors for the development of CHD-D. We performed a subgroup analysis of three studies involving the BDNFrs6265 gene. The results showed that European populations were more at risk of developing CHD-D than Asian populations in both dominant model (GA+AA vs GG: OR 10.47, 95%CI 3.53 to 31.08) and co-dominant model (GA vs GG: OR 6.40, 95%CI 1.98 to 20.73), with statistically significant differences. In contrast, the studies involving the 5-HTTLPR gene were all Asian populations, so subgroup analyses were not performed. We performed sensitivity analyses of studies exploring the 5-HTTLPR and BDNF rs6265 genes. The results showed that the results of the allele model, the dominant model, the recessive model, the homozygous model and the co-dominant model for both 5-HTTLPR and BDNF rs6265 genes were stable. Due to the limited number of studies of the 5-HTTLPR and BDNF genes, it was not possible to determine the symmetry of the funnel plot using Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test. Therefore, we did not assess publication bias.

Discussion

SNPs of the microRNA146a gene at rs2910164, the ACE2 gene at the rs2285666 and the SGK1 gene at rs1743963 and rs1763509, and the SNPs at the 5-HTTLPR and BDNF gene loci are associated with the onset of comorbid depression in coronary heart disease. We recommend that future research focus on studying SNPs' impact on comorbid depression in coronary heart disease, specifically targeting the 5-HTTLPR and BDNF gene at rs6265.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42021229371.

Long noncoding RNAs and mRNAs profiling in ovary during laying and broodiness in Taihe Black-Bone Silky Fowls (Gallus gallus Domesticus Brisson)

BACKGROUND

Broodiness significantly impacts poultry egg production, particularly notable in specific breeds such as the black-boned Silky, characterized by pronounced broodiness. An understanding of the alterations in ovarian signaling is essential for elucidating the mechanisms that influence broodiness. However, comparative research on the characteristics of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the ovaries of broody chickens (BC) and high egg-laying chickens (GC) remains scant. In this investigation, we employed RNA sequencing to assess the ovarian transcriptomes, which include both lncRNAs and mRNAs, in eight Taihe Black-Bone Silky Fowls (TBsf), categorized into broody and high egg-laying groups. This study aims to provide a clearer understanding of the genetic underpinnings associated with broodiness and egg production.

RESULTS

We have identified a total of 16,444 mRNAs and 18,756 lncRNAs, of which 349 mRNAs and 651 lncRNAs exhibited significantly different expression (DE) between the BC and GC groups. Furthermore, we have identified the cis-regulated and trans-regulated target genes of differentially abundant lncRNA transcripts and have constructed an lncRNA-mRNA trans-regulated interaction network linked to ovarian follicle development. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotation analyses have revealed that DE mRNAs and the target genes of DE lncRNAs are associated with pathways including neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, CCR6 chemokine receptor binding, G-protein coupled receptor binding, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and ECM-receptor interaction.

CONCLUSION

Our research presents a comprehensive compilation of lncRNAs and mRNAs linked to ovarian development. Additionally, it establishes a predictive interaction network involving differentially abundant lncRNAs and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) within TBsf. This significantly contributes to our understanding of the intricate interactions between lncRNAs and genes governing brooding behavior.

The role of serum-glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 in reproductive viability: implications from prenatal programming and senescence

OBJECTIVE

Organisms and cellular viability are of paramount importance to living creatures. Disruption of the balance between cell survival and apoptosis results in compromised viability and even carcinogenesis. One molecule involved in keeping this homeostasis is serum-glucocorticoid regulated kinase (SGK) 1. Emerging evidence points to a significant role of SGK1 in cell growth and survival, cell metabolism, reproduction, and life span, particularly in prenatal programming and reproductive senescence by the same token. Whether the hormone inducible SGK1 kinase is a major driver in the pathophysiological processes of prenatal programming and reproductive senescence?

METHOD

The PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Embase/Ovid, and Elsevier Science Direct literature databases were searched for articles in English focusing on SGK1 published up to July 2023 RESULT: Emerging evidence is accumulating pointing to a pathophysiological role of the ubiquitously expressed SGK1 in the cellular and organismal viability. Under the regulation of specific hormones, extracellular stimuli, and various signals, SGK1 is involved in several biological processes relevant to viability, including cell proliferation and survival, cell migration and differentiation. In line, SGK1 contributes to the development of germ cells, embryos, and fetuses, whereas SGK1 inhibition leads to abnormal gametogenesis, embryo loss, and truncated reproductive lifespan.

CONCLUTION

SGK1 integrates a broad spectrum of effects to maintain the homeostasis of cell survival and apoptosis, conferring viability to multiple cell types as well as both simple and complex organisms, and thus ensuring appropriate prenatal development and reproductive lifespan.