Regulation and the Mechanism of Estrogen on Cav1.2 Gene in Rat-Cultured Cortical Astrocytes

Interaction of sex hormone receptors and calcium handling proteins in the left ventricle of patients with heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of death from cardiovascular disease among adults worldwide. The role of sex hormone receptors in the pathogenesis of HF and their regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. This study focused on investigating the localization and expression of sex hormone receptors (ERα, ERβ, AR and PR) and calcium handling proteins (SERCA2a and Cav1.2) in the left ventricle (LV) tissues of patients with HF, and to investigate their interactions. The LV tissues of HF patients were collected, and the localization of sex hormone receptors and calcium handling proteins was detected by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. Western blotting was performed to study the expression levels of sex hormone receptors and calcium handling proteins. The interactions between these proteins were identified by immunofluorescence co-location and immunoprecipitation respectively. Compared with the control group, the expression levels of sex hormone receptors and calcium handling proteins in HF patients were significantly decreased. There was co-localization and interaction between protein ERα and Cav1.2, protein AR and SERCA2a, respectively. In summary, sex hormone receptors may be involved in regulating the progression of HF by interacting with calcium handling proteins.

Short-term regulation of TSFM level does not alter amyloidogenesis and mitochondrial function in type-specific cells

BACKGROUND

Mitochondrial Ts translation elongation factor (TSFM) is an enzyme that catalyzes exchange of guanine nucleotides. By forming a complex with mitochondrial Tu translation elongation factor (TUFM), TSFM participates in mitochondrial protein translation. We have previously reported that TUFM regulates translation of beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) via ROS (reactive oxygen species)-dependent mechanism, suggesting a potential role in amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), which led to the speculation that TSFM may regulate APP processing in a similar way to TUFM.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Here, we report that in cultured cells, knockdown or overexpression TSFM did not change protein levels in BACE1 and APP. Besides, the levels of cytoplasmic ROS and mitochondrial superoxide, in addition to ATP level, cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential were not significantly altered by TSFM knockdown in the short term. Further transcriptome analysis revealed that expression of majority of mitochondrial genes were not remarkably changed by TSFM silencing. The possibility of TSFM involved in cardiomyopathy and cancer development was uncovered using bioinformatics analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, short-term regulation of TSFM level in cultured cells does not cause a significant change in proteins involved in APP processing, levels in ROS and ATP associated with mitochondrial function. Whereas our study could contribute to comprehend certain clinical features of TSFM mutations, the roles of TSFM in cardiomyopathy and cancer development might deserve further investigation.

Temperament traits mediate the relationship between CACNA1C polymorphisms and bipolar disorder in cisgender women

The influence of temperament traits on bipolar disorder (BD) has been investigated. Both temperament traits and BD are partially genetically determined and seem to be influenced by variations in the CACNA1C gene. These variations presented a significant interactive effect with biological sex, although studies that evaluate this relationship are scarce. Here, we assessed the mediation effect of temperament traits on the relationship between two polymorphisms in the CACNA1C gene (rs1006737 and rs4765913) and BD according to sex. This is a cross-sectional study consisting of 878 Caucasian individuals (508 women and 370 men), aged 18-35, enrolled in a population-based study in the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. BD diagnosis was evaluated using the clinical interview MINI 5.0, and temperament traits were assessed via the application of the Affective and Emotional Composite Temperament Scale (AFECTS). Mediation models were tested using the modeling tool PROCESS (version 3.3) for SPSS. Bootstrapping-enhanced mediation analyses in women indicated that traits anger (39%) and caution (27%) mediated the association between the rs4765913 SNP and BD, while traits volition (29%), anger (35%), and caution (29%) mediated the association between the AA haplotype (rs1006737-rs4765913) and the BD. No effect was encountered for cisgender men. Our model revealed that paths from CACNA1C SNPs to BD are mediated by specific temperament traits in women, reinforcing the definition of temperament traits as endophenotypes.

Chemokine-like Receptor 1 in Brain of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Mediates Systemic Hypertension

Adipocytokine chemerin is a biologically active molecule secreted from adipose tissue. Chemerin elicits a variety of functions via chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1). The cardiovascular center in brain that regulates blood pressure (BP) is involved in pathophysiology of systemic hypertension. Thus, we explored the roles of brain chemerin/CMKLR1 on regulation of BP in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). For this aim, we examined effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of CMKLR1 small interfering (si)RNA on both systemic BP as measured by tail cuff system and protein expression in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of SHR as determined by Western blotting. We also examined both central and peripheral protein expression of chemerin by Western blotting. Systolic BP of SHR but not normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) was decreased by CMKLR1 siRNA. The decrease of BP by CMKLR1 siRNA persisted for 3 days. Protein expression of CMKLR1 in PVN of SHR tended to be increased compared with WKY, which was suppressed by CMKLR1 siRNA. Protein expression of chemerin in brain, peripheral plasma, and adipose tissue was not different between WKY and SHR. In summary, we for the first time revealed that the increased protein expression of CMKLR1 in PVN is at least partly responsible for systemic hypertension in SHR.

Targeting microglia L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels for the treatment of central nervous system disorders

Calcium (Ca2+ ) is a ubiquitous mediator of a multitude of cellular functions in the central nervous system (CNS). Intracellular Ca2+ is tightly regulated by cells, including entry via plasma membrane Ca2+ permeable channels. Of specific interest for this review are L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (L-VDCCs), due to their pleiotropic role in several CNS disorders. Currently, there are numerous approved drugs that target L-VDCCs, including dihydropyridines. These drugs are safe and effective for the treatment of humans with cardiovascular disease and may also confer neuroprotection. Here, we review the potential of L-VDCCs as a target for the treatment of CNS disorders with a focus on microglia L-VDCCs. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, have attracted recent attention for their emerging inflammatory role in several CNS diseases. Intracellular Ca2+ regulates microglia transition from a resting quiescent state to an "activated" immune-effector state and is thus a valuable target for manipulation of microglia phenotype. We will review the literature on L-VDCC expression and function in the CNS and on microglia in vitro and in vivo and explore the therapeutic landscape of L-VDCC-targeting agents at present and future challenges in the context of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, neuropsychiatric diseases, and other CNS disorders.

Human Intestinal Tissue Explant Exposure to Silver Nanoparticles Reveals Sex Dependent Alterations in Inflammatory Responses and Epithelial Cell Permeability

Consumer products manufactured with antimicrobial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) may affect the gastrointestinal (GI) system. The human GI-tract is complex and there are physiological and anatomical differences between human and animal models that limit comparisons between species. Thus, assessment of AgNP toxicity on the human GI-tract may require tools that allow for the examination of subtle changes in inflammatory markers and indicators of epithelial perturbation. Fresh tissues were excised from the GI-tract of human male and female subjects to evaluate the effects of AgNPs on the GI-system. The purpose of this study was to perform an assessment on the ability of the ex vivo model to evaluate changes in levels of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and mRNA expression of intestinal permeability related genes induced by AgNPs in ileal tissues. The ex vivo model preserved the structural and biological functions of the in-situ organ. Analysis of cytokine expression data indicated that intestinal tissue of male and female subjects responded differently to AgNP treatment, with male samples showing significantly elevated Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) after treatment with 10 nm and 20 nm AgNPs for 2 h and significantly elevated RANTES after treatment with 20 nm AgNPs for 24 h. In contrast, tissues of female showed no significant effects of AgNP treatment at 2 h and significantly decreased RANTES (20 nm), TNF-α (10 nm), and IFN-γ (10 nm) at 24 h. Smaller size AgNPs (10 nm) perturbed more permeability-related genes in samples of male subjects, than in samples from female subjects. In contrast, exposure to 20 nm AgNPs resulted in upregulation of a greater number of genes in female-derived samples (36 genes) than in male-derived samples (8 genes). The ex vivo tissue model can distinguish sex dependent effects of AgNP and could serve as a translational non-animal model to assess the impacts of xenobiotics on human intestinal mucosa.

The effect of steroid hormone on the expression of the calcium-processing proteins in the immature female rat brain

The cytosolic calcium concentration is regulated by calcium-processing proteins such as transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 5 (TRPV5), TRPV6, sodium-calcium exchanger 1 (NCX1), and plasma membrane Ca²⁺ ATPase 1 (PMCA1). Those calcium-processing proteins are important for physiological functions in the brain. The effects of steroid hormones on calcium-processing protein expressions in the brains are unknown. Thus, the effects of steroid hormones on the distribution, localization, and expressions of calcium-processing proteins in the brain were analyzed. Immature female rats were injected with estrogen (E2), progesterone (P4), dexamethasone (DEX), and their antagonists (ICI 182,780 and RU486). We found that TRPV5 and TRPV6 proteins were highly expressed in the cerebral cortex (CT), hypothalamus (HY), and brain stem (BS) compared to that in the olfactory bulb (OB) and cerebellum (CB). Also, the NCX1 protein was highly expressed in CT and BS compared to that in OB, HY, and CB, and PMCA1 protein was highly expressed in CT compared to that in other brain regions. Furthermore, expression levels of TRPV5, TRPV6, NCX1, and PMCA1 proteins were regulated by E2, P4, and/or DEX in the CT and HY. In summary, calcium-processing proteins are widely expressed in the immature rat brain, and expressions of calcium-processing proteins in CT and HY indicated that they may regulate by E2, P4, and/or DEX and can be attenuated by antagonist treatment. These results indicate that steroid hormone regulation of TRPV5, TRPV6, NCX1, and PMCA1 proteins may serve as a critical regulator of cytosolic calcium absorption and release in the brain.

Estrogen receptor α promotes Cav1.2 ubiquitination and degradation in neuronal cells and in APP/PS1 mice

Cav1.2 is the pore-forming subunit of L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (LTCC) that plays an important role in calcium overload and cell death in Alzheimer's disease. LTCC activity can be regulated by estrogen, a sex steroid hormone that is neuroprotective. Here, we investigated the potential mechanisms in estrogen-mediated regulation of Cav1.2 protein. We found that in cultured primary neurons, 17β-estradiol (E2) reduced Cav1.2 protein through estrogen receptor α (ERα). This effect was offset by a proteasomal inhibitor MG132, indicating that ubiquitin-proteasome system was involved. Consistently, the ubiquitin (UB) mutant at lysine 29 (K29R) or the K29-deubiquitinating enzyme TRAF-binding protein domain (TRABID) attenuated the effect of ERα on Cav1.2. We further identified that the E3 ligase Mdm2 (double minute 2 protein) and the PEST sequence in Cav1.2 protein played a role, as Mdm2 overexpression and the membrane-permeable PEST peptides prevented ERα-mediated Cav1.2 reduction, and Mdm2 overexpression led to the reduced Cav1.2 protein and the increased colocalization of Cav1.2 with ubiquitin in cortical neurons in vivo. In ovariectomized (OVX) APP/PS1 mice, administration of ERα agonist PPT reduced cerebral Cav1.2 protein, increased Cav1.2 ubiquitination, and improved cognitive performances. Taken together, ERα-induced Cav1.2 degradation involved K29-linked UB chains and the E3 ligase Mdm2, which might play a role in cognitive improvement in OVX APP/PS1 mice.

Alteration in the mRNA expression of genes associated with gastrointestinal permeability and ileal TNF-α secretion due to the exposure of silver nanoparticles in Sprague-Dawley rats

BACKGROUND

Silver ions from silver nanoparticles (AgNP) or AgNPs themselves itself that are ingested from consumer health care products or indirectly from absorbed food contact material can interact with the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The permeability of the GIT is strictly regulated to maintain barrier function and proper nutrient absorption. The single layer intestinal epithelium adheres and communicates actively to neighboring cells and the extracellular matrix through different cell junctions. In the current study, we hypothesized that oral exposure to AgNPs may alter the intestinal permeability and expression of genes controlling cell junctions. Changes in cell junction gene expression in the ileum of male and female rats administered different sizes of AgNP for 13-weeks were assessed using qPCR.

RESULTS

The results of this study indicate that AgNPs have an altering effect on cell junctions that are known to dictate intestinal permeability. mRNA expression of genes representing tight junction (Cldn1, Cldn5, Cldn6, Cldn10 and Pecam1), focal adhesion (Cav1, Cav2, and Itgb2), adherens junction (Pvrl1, Notch1, and Notch2), and hemidesmosome (Dst) groups were upregulated significantly in females treated with 10 nm AgNP, while no change or downregulation of same genes was detected in male animals. In addition, a higher concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α, was noticed in AgNP-treated female animals as compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This study proposes that interaction of silver with GIT could potentially initiate an inflammatory process that could lead to changes in the gastrointestinal permeability and/or nutrient deficiencies in sex-specific manner. Fully understanding the mechanistic consequences of oral AgNP exposure may lead to stricter regulation for the commercial usage of AgNPs and/or improved clinical therapy in the future.

Estrogen Signaling Contributes to Sex Differences in Macrophage Polarization during Asthma

Allergic asthma is a chronic Th2 inflammation in the lungs that constricts the airways and presents as coughing and wheezing. Asthma mostly affects boys in childhood and women in adulthood, suggesting that shifts in sex hormones alter the course of the disease. Alveolar macrophages have emerged as major mediators of allergic lung inflammation in animal models as well as humans. Whether sex differences exist in macrophage polarization and the molecular mechanism(s) that drive differential responses are not well understood. We found that IL-4-stimulated bone marrow-derived and alveolar macrophages from female mice exhibited greater expression of M2 genes in vitro and after allergen challenge in vivo. Alveolar macrophages from female mice exhibited greater expression of the IL-4Rα and estrogen receptor (ER) α compared with macrophages from male mice following allergen challenge. An ERα-specific agonist enhanced IL-4-induced M2 gene expression in macrophages from both sexes, but more so in macrophages from female mice. Furthermore, IL-4-stimulated macrophages from female mice exhibited more transcriptionally active histone modifications at M2 gene promoters than did macrophages from male mice. We found that supplementation of estrogen into ovariectomized female mice enhanced M2 polarization in vivo upon challenge with allergen and that macrophage-specific deletion of ERα impaired this M2 polarization. The effects of estrogen are long-lasting; bone marrow-derived macrophages from ovariectomized mice implanted with estrogen exhibited enhanced IL-4-induced M2 gene expression compared with macrophages from placebo-implanted littermates. Taken together, our findings suggest that estrogen enhances IL-4-induced M2 gene expression and thereby contributes to sex differences observed in asthma.