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Martinez ME, Wu Z, Hernandez A. Paternal developmental thyrotoxicosis disrupts neonatal leptin leading to increased adiposity and altered physiology of the melanocortin system. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1210414. [PMID: 37560296 PMCID: PMC10407661 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1210414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The genetic code does not fully explain individual variability and inheritance of susceptibility to endocrine conditions, suggesting the contribution of epigenetic factors acting across generations. Methods We used a mouse model of developmental thyrotoxicosis (Dio3-/- mouse) to analyze endocrine outcomes in the adult offspring of Dio3-/- males using standard methods for body composition, and baseline and fasting hormonal and gene expression determinations in serum and tissues of relevance to the control of energy balance. Results Compared to controls, adult females with an exposed father (EF females) exhibited higher body weight and fat mass, but not lean mass, a phenotype that was much milder in EF males. After fasting, both EF females and males exhibited a more pronounced decrease in body weight than controls. EF females also showed markedly elevated serum leptin, increased white adipose tissue mRNA expression of leptin and mesoderm-specific transcript but decreased expression of type 2 deiodinase. EF females exhibited decreased serum ghrelin, which showed more pronounced post-fasting changes in EF females than in control females. EF female hypothalami also revealed significant decreases in the expression of pro-opiomelanocortin, agouti-related peptide, neuropeptide Y and melanocortin receptor 4. These markers also showed larger changes in response to fasting in EF females than in control females. Adult EF females showed no abnormalities in serum thyroid hormones, but pituitary expression of thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 and thyroid gland expression of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor, thyroid peroxidase and iodotyrosine deiodinase were increased at baseline and showed differential regulation after fasting, with no increase in Trhr1 expression and more pronounced reductions in Tshr, Tpo and Iyd. In EF males, these abnormalities were generally milder. In addition, postnatal day 14 (P14) serum leptin was markedly reduced in EF pups. Discussion A paternal excess of thyroid hormone during development modifies the endocrine programming and energy balance in the offspring in a sexually dimorphic manner, with baseline and dynamic range alterations in the leptin-melanocortin system and thyroid gland, and consequences for adiposity phenotypes. We conclude that thyroid hormone overexposure may have important implications for the non-genetic, inherited etiology of endocrine and metabolic pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Martinez
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Scarborough, ME, United States
| | - Zhaofei Wu
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Scarborough, ME, United States
| | - Arturo Hernandez
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Scarborough, ME, United States
- Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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Mendonça MS, Mangiavacchi PM, Mendes AV, Loureiro SR, Martín-Santos R, Glória LS, Marques W, De Marco SPG, Kanashiro MM, Hallak JEC, Crippa JAS, Rios ÁFL. DNA methylation in regulatory elements of the FKBP5 and NR3C1 gene in mother-child binomials with depression. J Affect Disord 2023; 331:287-299. [PMID: 36933666 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The FKBP5 and NR3C1 genes play an important role in stress response, thus impacting mental health. Stress factor exposure in early life, such as maternal depression, may contribute to epigenetic modifications in stress response genes, increasing the susceptibility to different psychopathologies. The present study aimed to evaluate the DNA methylation profile in maternal-infant depression in regulatory regions of the FKBP5 gene and the alternative promoter of the NR3C1 gene. METHODS We evaluated 60 mother-infant pairs. The levels of DNA methylation were analyzed by the MSRED-qPCR technique. RESULTS We observed an increased DNA methylation profile in the NR3C1 gene promoter in children with depression and children exposed to maternal depression (p < 0.05). In addition, we observed a correlation of DNA methylation between mothers and offspring exposed to maternal depression. This correlation shows a possible intergenerational effect of maternal MDD exposure on the offspring. For FKBP5, we found a decrease in DNA methylation at intron 7 in children exposed to maternal MDD during pregnancy and a correlation of DNA methylation between mothers and children exposed to maternal MDD (p < 0.05). LIMITATIONS Although the individuals of this study are a rare group, the sample size of the study was small, and we evaluated the DNA methylation of only one CpG site for each region. CONCLUSION These results indicate changes in DNA methylation levels in regulatory regions of FKBP5 and NR3C1 in the mother-child MDD context and represent a potential target of studies to understand the depression etiology and how it occurs between generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana S Mendonça
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Paula M Mangiavacchi
- Laboratory of Reproduction and Animal Breeding, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Ana V Mendes
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14051-140, Brazil
| | - Sonia R Loureiro
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14051-140, Brazil
| | - Rocio Martín-Santos
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Translacional em Medicina Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, Institut d' Investigacions Biomedicas August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Neurociencias, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Leonardo S Glória
- Laboratory of Animal Science, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Wilson Marques
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14051-140, Brazil
| | - Silmara P G De Marco
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14051-140, Brazil
| | - Milton M Kanashiro
- Laboratory of Recognition Biology, North Fluminense State University (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Jaime E C Hallak
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14051-140, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Translacional em Medicina Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José A S Crippa
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14051-140, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Translacional em Medicina Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Álvaro F L Rios
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro 28013-602, Brazil.
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Epigenetic regulation of fetal brain development in pig. Gene 2022; 844:146823. [PMID: 35988784 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
How fetal brain development is regulated at the molecular level is not well understood. Due to ethical challenges associated with research on the human fetus, large animals particularly pigs are increasingly used to study development and disorders of fetal brain. The pig fetal brain grows rapidly during the last ∼ 50 days before birth which is around day 60 (d60) of pig gestation. But what regulates the onset of accelerated growth of the brain is unknown. The current study tests the hypothesis that epigenetic alteration around d60 is involved in the onset of rapid growth of fetal brain of pig. To test this hypothesis, DNA methylation changes of fetal brain was assessed in a genome-wide manner by Enzymatic Methyl-seq (EM-seq) during two gestational periods (GP): d45 vs. d60 (GP1) and d60 vs. d90 (GP2). The cytosine-guanine (CpG) methylation data was analyzed in an integrative manner with the RNA-seq data generated from the same brain samples from our earlier study. A neural network based modeling approach was implemented to learn changes in methylation patterns of the differentially expressed genes, and then predict methylations of the brain in a genome-wide manner during rapid growth. This approach identified specific methylations that changed in a mutually informative manner during rapid growth of the fetal brain. These methylations were significantly overrepresented in specific genic as well as intergenic features including CpG islands, introns, and untranslated regions. In addition, sex-bias methylations of known single nucleotide polymorphic sites were also identified in the fetal brain ide during rapid growth.
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Islam M, Strawn M, Behura SK. Fetal origin of sex‐bias brain aging. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22463. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200255rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maliha Islam
- Division of Animal Sciences University of Missouri Columbia Missouri USA
| | - Monica Strawn
- Division of Animal Sciences University of Missouri Columbia Missouri USA
| | - Susanta K. Behura
- Division of Animal Sciences University of Missouri Columbia Missouri USA
- MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics University of Missouri Columbia Missouri USA
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program University of Missouri Columbia Missouri USA
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Bellver-Sanchis A, Pallàs M, Griñán-Ferré C. The Contribution of Epigenetic Inheritance Processes on Age-Related Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer's Disease. EPIGENOMES 2021; 5:epigenomes5020015. [PMID: 34968302 PMCID: PMC8594669 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes5020015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last years, epigenetic processes have emerged as important factors for many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These complex diseases seem to have a heritable component; however, genome-wide association studies failed to identify the genetic loci involved in the etiology. So, how can these changes be transmitted from one generation to the next? Answering this question would allow us to understand how the environment can affect human populations for multiple generations and explain the high prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD. This review pays particular attention to the relationship among epigenetics, cognition, and neurodegeneration across generations, deepening the understanding of the relevance of heritability in neurodegenerative diseases. We highlight some recent examples of EI induced by experiences, focusing on their contribution of processes in learning and memory to point out new targets for therapeutic interventions. Here, we first describe the prominent role of epigenetic factors in memory processing. Then, we briefly discuss aspects of EI. Additionally, we summarize evidence of how epigenetic marks inherited by experience and/or environmental stimuli contribute to cognitive status offspring since better knowledge of EI can provide clues in the appearance and development of age-related cognitive decline and AD.
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Zhou Y, Zhang M, Liu W, Li Y, Qin Y, Xu Y. Transgenerational transmission of neurodevelopmental disorders induced by maternal exposure to PM2.5. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 255:126920. [PMID: 32387734 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The pathological traits or diseases susceptibility caused by maternal exposure to environmental adverse insults (infection, malnutrition, environmental toxicants) could be transmitted across generations. It remains uncertain, however, whether the neurodevelopmental disturbances of offspring induced by maternal exposure to PM2.5 during early life can be inherited by subsequent generations without further exposure. In the current study, using transgenerational animal models, we found that F1 female showed poorer performance in Morris Water Maze (MWM), and the deficits in spatial learning and memory similarly presented in F2-F3 female. The transgenerationally-transmitted neurobehavioral disorders were mediated both via maternal and paternal lineage. Since the epigenetic modifications have been reported to be involved in the disturbed neurodevelopment induced by maternal exposure to detrimental environmental factors during early life, we further explored the possible epigenetic mechanism of the transgenerational effects. Intriguingly, the results displayed the significant increase in expression of Dnmt3a in F1 female offspring. And the hypermethylation of Bdnf promoter Ⅳ and downregulated expression of Bdnf in hippocampus were stably transmitted across the generations until the third generation. There was another interesting finding that the transgenerational effects were sex-specific and only emerged in female offspring. Together, our study indicated for the first time that maternal exposure to PM2.5 during early life could detrimentally affect neurobehaviors in multiple generations, and the declined expression of Bdnf induced by hypermethylation of Bdnf promoter Ⅳ mediated by Dnmts might be the potential molecular mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalin Zhou
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, NO.38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Minjia Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, NO.38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, NO.38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, NO.38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Yong Qin
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, NO.38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Yajun Xu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, NO.38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety, Peking University, Beijing, NO.38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100083, China.
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Richmond S, Howe LJ, Lewis S, Stergiakouli E, Zhurov A. Facial Genetics: A Brief Overview. Front Genet 2018; 9:462. [PMID: 30386375 PMCID: PMC6198798 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, craniofacial genetic research has understandably focused on identifying the causes of craniofacial anomalies and it has only been within the last 10 years, that there has been a drive to detail the biological basis of normal-range facial variation. This initiative has been facilitated by the availability of low-cost hi-resolution three-dimensional systems which have the ability to capture the facial details of thousands of individuals quickly and accurately. Simultaneous advances in genotyping technology have enabled the exploration of genetic influences on facial phenotypes, both in the present day and across human history. There are several important reasons for exploring the genetics of normal-range variation in facial morphology. - Disentangling the environmental factors and relative parental biological contributions to heritable traits can help to answer the age-old question "why we look the way that we do?" - Understanding the etiology of craniofacial anomalies; e.g., unaffected family members of individuals with non-syndromic cleft lip/palate (nsCL/P) have been shown to differ in terms of normal-range facial variation to the general population suggesting an etiological link between facial morphology and nsCL/P. - Many factors such as ancestry, sex, eye/hair color as well as distinctive facial features (such as, shape of the chin, cheeks, eyes, forehead, lips, and nose) can be identified or estimated using an individual's genetic data, with potential applications in healthcare and forensics. - Improved understanding of historical selection and adaptation relating to facial phenotypes, for example, skin pigmentation and geographical latitude. - Highlighting what is known about shared facial traits, medical conditions and genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Richmond
- Applied Clinical Research and Public Health, School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Laurence J. Howe
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Lewis
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Evie Stergiakouli
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Alexei Zhurov
- Applied Clinical Research and Public Health, School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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Pascual M, Montesinos J, Guerri C. Role of the innate immune system in the neuropathological consequences induced by adolescent binge drinking. J Neurosci Res 2017; 96:765-780. [PMID: 29214654 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical stage of brain maturation in which important plastic and dynamic processes take place in different brain regions, leading to development of the adult brain. Ethanol drinking in adolescence disrupts brain plasticity and causes structural and functional changes in immature brain areas (prefrontal cortex, limbic system) that result in cognitive and behavioral deficits. These changes, along with secretion of sexual and stress-related hormones in adolescence, may impact self-control, decision making, and risk-taking behaviors that contribute to anxiety and initiation of alcohol consumption. New data support the participation of the neuroimmune system in the effects of ethanol on the developing and adult brain. This article reviews the potential pathological bases that underlie the effects of alcohol on the adolescent brain, such as the contribution of genetic background, the perturbation of epigenetic programming, and the influence of the neuroimmune response. Special emphasis is given to the actions of ethanol in the innate immune receptor toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), since recent studies have demonstrated that by activating the inflammatory TLR4/NFκB signaling response in glial cells, binge drinking of ethanol triggers the release of cytokines/chemokines and free radicals, which exacerbate the immune response that causes neuroinflammation/neural damage as well as short- and long-term neurophysiological, cognitive, and behavioral dysfunction. Finally, potential treatments that target the neuroimmune response to treat the neuropathological and behavioral consequences of adolescent alcohol abuse are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Pascual
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathology of Alcohol, Principe Felipe Research Center, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jorge Montesinos
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathology of Alcohol, Principe Felipe Research Center, Valencia, Spain
| | - Consuelo Guerri
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathology of Alcohol, Principe Felipe Research Center, Valencia, Spain
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Vassoler FM, Toorie AM, Byrnes EM. Transgenerational blunting of morphine-induced corticosterone secretion is associated with dysregulated gene expression in male offspring. Brain Res 2017; 1679:19-25. [PMID: 29129606 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A number of parental experiences, even when occurring prior to conception, have been shown to induce transgenerational effects beyond the first generation. In the case of exposure to drugs of abuse, studies in rodents suggest that offspring demonstrate significant differences in how they respond to the drug to which their parent was exposed. We have previously observed significant alterations in morphine analgesia, conditioned place preference and self-administration in the offspring of females exposed to morphine during adolescent development. In addition to effects on pain perception and reward, morphine also modulates the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether female adolescent morphine exposure results in transgenerational effects on regulation of the HPA axis by morphine in future generations. Adolescent morphine was administered to female Sprague Dawley rats using a 10 day, escalating dose regimen of morphine (5-25 mg/kg; from 30 to 39 days of age). Control animals received saline. Both saline and morphine exposed females (SAL-F0 and MOR-F0, respectively) were mated with drug naïve males beginning at least 3 weeks after the final injection. Plasma corticosterone levels were measured in male and female offspring (F1) during adulthood following 0, 0.1, or 10 mg/kg morphine. In addition, expression of corticotropin releasing hormone (Crh) and mu opioid receptor (Oprm1) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were measured using quantitative PCR. MOR-F1 males, but not females, had blunted morphine-induced corticosterone secretion. This effect was specific to offspring from females exposed to morphine during adolescence as those exposed during adulthood produced offspring in which the effect was absent. In addition, MOR-F1 males had significantly lower levels of PVN Crh following saline. These effects were not driven by PVN oprm1 in the F1 males as there were no differences based on maternal adolescent exposure. To determine the persistence of the blunted morphine-induced corticosterone effect, SAL-F2 and MOR-F2 males were examined. Blunted morphine-induced corticosterone secretion extended into the MOR-F2 generation, as well as effects on Crh. In addition, there was additional dysregulation ofOprm1 expression in the PVN in MOR-F2 compared with SAL-F2 males. These findings suggest that sex-specific alterations in opioid-mediated regulation of the HPA axis are transgenerationally transmitted for at least two generations following female adolescent morphine exposure. These effects may play a role in the previously observed changes in morphine analgesia and reward-related behaviors observed in this phenotype. In addition, alterations in HPA functioning such as these may play a broad role in transgenerational epigenetic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fair M Vassoler
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, USA.
| | - Anika M Toorie
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, USA
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Delgado-Morales R, Agís-Balboa RC, Esteller M, Berdasco M. Epigenetic mechanisms during ageing and neurogenesis as novel therapeutic avenues in human brain disorders. Clin Epigenetics 2017; 9:67. [PMID: 28670349 PMCID: PMC5493012 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-017-0365-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ageing is the main risk factor for human neurological disorders. Among the diverse molecular pathways that govern ageing, epigenetics can guide age-associated decline in part by regulating gene expression and also through the modulation of genomic instability and high-order chromatin architecture. Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the regulation of neural differentiation as well as in functional processes related to memory consolidation, learning or cognition during healthy lifespan. On the other side of the coin, many neurodegenerative diseases are associated with epigenetic dysregulation. The reversible nature of epigenetic factors and, especially, their role as mediators between the genome and the environment make them exciting candidates as therapeutic targets. Rather than providing a broad description of the pathways epigenetically deregulated in human neurological disorders, in this review, we have focused on the potential use of epigenetic enzymes as druggable targets to ameliorate neural decline during normal ageing and especially in neurological disorders. We will firstly discuss recent progress that supports a key role of epigenetic regulation during healthy ageing with an emphasis on the role of epigenetic regulation in adult neurogenesis. Then, we will focus on epigenetic alterations associated with ageing-related human disorders of the central nervous system. We will discuss examples in the context of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorders, and also dementia or Alzheimer's disease as the most frequent neurodegenerative disease. Finally, methodological limitations and future perspectives are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Delgado-Morales
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 3rd Floor, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Av. Gran Via 199-203, 08908L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Catalonia Spain.,Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Roberto Carlos Agís-Balboa
- Psychiatric Diseases Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (CHUVI), SERGAS, CIBERSAM, Vigo, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 3rd Floor, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Av. Gran Via 199-203, 08908L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Catalonia Spain.,Department of Physiological Sciences II, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Berdasco
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 3rd Floor, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Av. Gran Via 199-203, 08908L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Catalonia Spain
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Berkel TDM, Pandey SC. Emerging Role of Epigenetic Mechanisms in Alcohol Addiction. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2017; 41:666-680. [PMID: 28111764 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex brain disorder with an array of persistent behavioral and neurochemical manifestations. Both genetic and environmental factors are known to contribute to the development of AUD, and recent studies on alcohol exposure and subsequent changes in gene expression suggest the importance of epigenetic mechanisms. In particular, histone modifications and DNA methylation have emerged as important regulators of gene expression and associated phenotypes of AUD. Given the therapeutic potential of epigenetic targets, this review aims to summarize the role of epigenetic regulation in our current understanding of AUD by evaluating known epigenetic signatures of brain regions critical to addictive behaviors in both animal and human studies throughout various stages of AUD. More specifically, the effects of acute and chronic alcohol exposure, tolerance, and postexposure withdrawal on epigenetically induced changes to gene expression and synaptic plasticity within key brain regions and the associated behavioral phenotypes have been discussed. Understanding the contribution of epigenetic regulation to crucial signaling pathways may prove vital for future development of novel biomarkers and treatment agents in ameliorating or preventing AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffani D M Berkel
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Subhash C Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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12
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Crews FT, Vetreno RP, Broadwater MA, Robinson DL. Adolescent Alcohol Exposure Persistently Impacts Adult Neurobiology and Behavior. Pharmacol Rev 2016; 68:1074-1109. [PMID: 27677720 PMCID: PMC5050442 DOI: 10.1124/pr.115.012138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is a developmental period when physical and cognitive abilities are optimized, when social skills are consolidated, and when sexuality, adolescent behaviors, and frontal cortical functions mature to adult levels. Adolescents also have unique responses to alcohol compared with adults, being less sensitive to ethanol sedative-motor responses that most likely contribute to binge drinking and blackouts. Population studies find that an early age of drinking onset correlates with increased lifetime risks for the development of alcohol dependence, violence, and injuries. Brain synapses, myelination, and neural circuits mature in adolescence to adult levels in parallel with increased reflection on the consequence of actions and reduced impulsivity and thrill seeking. Alcohol binge drinking could alter human development, but variations in genetics, peer groups, family structure, early life experiences, and the emergence of psychopathology in humans confound studies. As adolescence is common to mammalian species, preclinical models of binge drinking provide insight into the direct impact of alcohol on adolescent development. This review relates human findings to basic science studies, particularly the preclinical studies of the Neurobiology of Adolescent Drinking in Adulthood (NADIA) Consortium. These studies focus on persistent adult changes in neurobiology and behavior following adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE), a model of underage drinking. NADIA studies and others find that AIE results in the following: increases in adult alcohol drinking, disinhibition, and social anxiety; altered adult synapses, cognition, and sleep; reduced adult neurogenesis, cholinergic, and serotonergic neurons; and increased neuroimmune gene expression and epigenetic modifiers of gene expression. Many of these effects are specific to adolescents and not found in parallel adult studies. AIE can cause a persistence of adolescent-like synaptic physiology, behavior, and sensitivity to alcohol into adulthood. Together, these findings support the hypothesis that adolescent binge drinking leads to long-lasting changes in the adult brain that increase risks of adult psychopathology, particularly for alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulton T Crews
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (F.T.C., R.P.V., M.A.B., D.L.R.), Department of Psychiatry (F.T.C., D.L.R.), and Department of Pharmacology (F.T.C.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Ryan P Vetreno
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (F.T.C., R.P.V., M.A.B., D.L.R.), Department of Psychiatry (F.T.C., D.L.R.), and Department of Pharmacology (F.T.C.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Margaret A Broadwater
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (F.T.C., R.P.V., M.A.B., D.L.R.), Department of Psychiatry (F.T.C., D.L.R.), and Department of Pharmacology (F.T.C.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Donita L Robinson
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (F.T.C., R.P.V., M.A.B., D.L.R.), Department of Psychiatry (F.T.C., D.L.R.), and Department of Pharmacology (F.T.C.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Sarkar DK. Male germline transmits fetal alcohol epigenetic marks for multiple generations: a review. Addict Biol 2016; 21:23-34. [PMID: 25581210 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol exposure during fetal and early postnatal development can lead to an increased incidence of later life adult-onset diseases. Examples include central nervous system dysfunction, depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, and an inability to deal with stressful situations, increased infection and cancer. Direct effects of alcohol leading to developmental abnormalities often involve epigenetic modifications of genes that regulate cellular functions. Epigenetic marks carried over from the parents are known to undergo molecular programming events that happen early in embryonic development by a wave of DNA demethylation, which leaves the embryo with a fresh genomic composition. The proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) gene controls neuroendocrine-immune functions and is imprinted by fetal alcohol exposure. Recently, this gene has been shown to be hypermethylated through three generations. Additionally, the alcohol epigenetic marks on the Pomc gene are maintained in the male but not in the female germline during this transgenerational transmission. These data suggest that the male-specific chromosome might be involved in transmitting alcohol epigenetic marks through multiple generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipak K. Sarkar
- Rutgers Endocrine Program; Department of Animal Sciences; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; Piscataway Township NJ USA
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Blum K, Febo M, Smith DE, Roy AK, Demetrovics Z, Cronjé FJ, Femino J, Agan G, Fratantonio JL, Pandey SC, Badgaiyan RD, Gold MS. Neurogenetic and epigenetic correlates of adolescent predisposition to and risk for addictive behaviors as a function of prefrontal cortex dysregulation. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2015; 25:286-92. [PMID: 25919973 PMCID: PMC4442554 DOI: 10.1089/cap.2014.0146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
As addiction professionals, we are becoming increasingly concerned about preteenagers and young adults' involvement with substance abuse as a way of relieving stress and anger. The turbulent underdeveloped central nervous system, especially in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), provides impetus to not only continue important neuroimaging studies in both human and animal models, but also to encourage preventive measures and cautions embraced by governmental and social media outlets. It is well known that before people reach their 20s, PFC development is undergoing significant changes and, as such, hijacks appropriate decision making in this population. We are further proposing that early genetic testing for addiction risk alleles will offer important information that could potentially be utilized by their parents and caregivers prior to use of psychoactive drugs by these youth. Understandably, family history, parenting styles, and attachment may be modified by various reward genes, including the known bonding substances oxytocin/vasopressin, which effect dopaminergic function. Well-characterized neuroimaging studies continue to reflect region-specific differential responses to drugs and food (including other non-substance-addictive behaviors) via either "surfeit" or "deficit." With this in mind, we hereby propose a "reward deficiency solution system" that combines early genetic risk diagnosis, medical monitoring, and nutrigenomic dopamine agonist modalities to combat this significant global dilemma that is preventing our youth from leading normal productive lives, which will in turn make them happier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Blum
- Department of Psychiatry and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.,Division of Addiction Services, Dominion Diagnostics, LLC, North Kingstown, Rhode Island.,Department of Addiction Research & Therapy, Malibu Beach Recovery Center, Malibu Beach, California.,Human Integrative Services & Translational Science, Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Marcelo Febo
- Department of Psychiatry and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - David E. Smith
- Division of Addiction Services, Dominion Diagnostics, LLC, North Kingstown, Rhode Island.,Institute of Health & Aging, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Zsolt Demetrovics
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Addiction, Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - John Femino
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Meadows Edge Recovery Center, North Kingston, Rhode Island
| | - Gozde Agan
- Division of Addiction Services, Dominion Diagnostics, LLC, North Kingstown, Rhode Island
| | - James L. Fratantonio
- Division of Applied Clinical Research, Dominion Diagnostics, LLC, North Kingstown, Rhode Island
| | - Subhash C. Pandey
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Rajendra D. Badgaiyan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota College of Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Mark S. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.,Department of Addiction Research & Therapy, Malibu Beach Recovery Center, Malibu Beach, California
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