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Mak KWY, He W, Loganathan N, Belsham DD. Bisphenol A Alters the Levels of miRNAs That Directly and/or Indirectly Target Neuropeptide Y in Murine Hypothalamic Neurons. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1773. [PMID: 37761913 PMCID: PMC10530511 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus is a vital regulator of energy homeostasis. Orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons within the hypothalamus can stimulate feeding and suppress energy expenditure, and dysregulation of these neurons may contribute to obesity. We previously reported that bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor with obesogenic properties, alters Npy transcription in hypothalamic neurons by inducing oxidative stress. We hypothesized that hypothalamic microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs, could directly regulate Npy gene expression by binding the 3' untranslated region (UTR). Five predicted Npy-targeting miRNA candidates were uncovered through TargetScan and were detected in Npy-expressing hypothalamic neuronal cell models and hypothalamic neuronal primary cultures. BPA dysregulated the expression of a number of these hypothalamic miRNAs. We examined the effects of putative Npy-targeting miRNAs using miRNA mimics, and we found that miR-143-3p, miR-140-5p, miR-29b-1-5p, and let-7b-3p altered Npy expression in the murine hypothalamic cell lines. Importantly, miR-143-3p targets the mouse Npy 3' UTR, as detected using a luciferase construct containing the potential 3' UTR binding sites. Overall, this study established the first hypothalamic miRNA that directly targets the 3' UTR of mouse Npy, emphasizing the involvement of miRNAs in the NPY system and providing an alternative target for control of NPY levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly W. Y. Mak
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 3247A, 1 Kings College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (K.W.Y.M.); (W.H.); (N.L.)
| | - Wenyuan He
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 3247A, 1 Kings College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (K.W.Y.M.); (W.H.); (N.L.)
| | - Neruja Loganathan
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 3247A, 1 Kings College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (K.W.Y.M.); (W.H.); (N.L.)
| | - Denise D. Belsham
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 3247A, 1 Kings College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (K.W.Y.M.); (W.H.); (N.L.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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McIlwraith EK, Belsham DD. Palmitate alters miR-2137 and miR-503-5p to induce orexigenic Npy in hypothalamic neuronal cell models: Rescue by oleate and docosahexaenoic acid. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13271. [PMID: 37208960 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNA implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity. One cause of obesity is excess exposure to the saturated fatty acid palmitate that can alter miRNA levels in the periphery. Palmitate also promotes obesity by acting on the hypothalamus, the central coordinator of energy homeostasis, to dysregulate hypothalamic feeding neuropeptides and induce ER stress and inflammatory signaling. We hypothesized that palmitate would alter hypothalamic miRNAs that control genes involved in energy homeostasis thereby contributing to the obesity-promoting effects of palmitate. We found that palmitate upregulated 20 miRNAs and downregulated six miRNAs in the orexigenic NPY/AgRP-expressing mHypoE-46 cell line. We focused on delineating the roles of miR-2137 and miR-503-5p, as they were strongly up- and downregulated by palmitate, respectively. Overexpression of miR-2137 increased Npy mRNA levels and downregulated Esr1 levels, while increasing C/ebpβ and Atf3 mRNA. Inhibiting miR-2137 had the opposite effect, except on Npy, which was unchanged. The most downregulated miRNA by palmitate, miR-503-5p, negatively regulated Npy mRNA levels. Exposure to the unsaturated fatty acids oleate or docosahexaenoic acid completely or partially blocked the effects of palmitate on miR-2137 and miR-503-5p as well as Npy, Agrp, Esr1, C/ebpβ and Atf3. MicroRNAs may therefore contribute to palmitate actions in dysregulating NPY/AgRP neurons. Effectively combating the deleterious effects of palmitate is crucial to help prevent or reduce the impact of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma K McIlwraith
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Denise D Belsham
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Li W, Chen W. Weight cycling based on altered immune microenvironment as a result of metaflammation. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2023; 20:13. [PMID: 36814270 PMCID: PMC9945679 DOI: 10.1186/s12986-023-00731-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
As a result of the obesity epidemic, more people are concerned about losing weight; however, weight regain is common, leading to repeated weight loss and weight cycling. The health benefits of early weight loss are nullified by weight regain after weight cycling, which has much more severe metabolic consequences. Weight cycling alters body composition, resulting in faster fat recovery and slower muscle reconstruction. This evident fat accumulation, muscle loss, and ectopic fat deposition destroy the intestinal barrier, increase the permeability of the small intestinal epithelium, and cause the lipotoxicity of lipid metabolites and toxins to leak into extraintestinal tissues and circulation. It causes oxidative stress and hypoxia in local tissues and immune cell infiltration in various tissues, all contributing to the adaptation to this metabolic change. Immune cells transmit inflammatory responses in adipose and skeletal muscle tissue by secreting cytokines and adipokines, which mediate immune cell pathways and cause metaflammation and inefficient metabolic degradation. In this review, we focus on the regulatory function of the immunological microenvironment in the final metabolic outcome, with a particular emphasis on the cellular and molecular processes of local and systemic metaflammation induced by weight cycling-induced changes in body composition. Metaflammation in adipose and muscle tissues that is difficult to relieve may cause weight cycling. As this chronic low-grade inflammation spreads throughout the body, metabolic complications associated with weight cycling are triggered. Inhibiting the onset and progression of metabolic inflammation and enhancing the immune microenvironment of adipose and muscle tissues may be the first step in addressing weight cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanyang Li
- grid.413106.10000 0000 9889 6335Department of Clinical Nutrition, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences - Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730 China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences - Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Mak KWY, Mustafa AF, Belsham DD. Neuroendocrine microRNAs linked to energy homeostasis: future therapeutic potential. Pharmacol Rep 2022; 74:774-789. [PMID: 36083576 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-022-00409-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The brain orchestrates whole-body metabolism through an intricate system involving interneuronal crosstalk and communication. Specifically, a key player in this complex circuitry is the hypothalamus that controls feeding behaviour, energy expenditure, body weight and metabolism, whereby hypothalamic neurons sense and respond to circulating hormones, nutrients, and chemicals. Dysregulation of these neurons contributes to the development of metabolic disorders, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The involvement of hypothalamic microRNAs, post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, in the central regulation of energy homeostasis has become increasingly apparent, although not completely delineated. This review summarizes current evidence demonstrating the regulation of feeding-related neuropeptides by brain-derived microRNAs as well as the regulation of specific miRNAs by nutrients and other peripheral signals. Moreover, the involvement of microRNAs in the central nervous system control of insulin, leptin, and estrogen signal transduction is examined. Finally, the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of microRNAs for metabolic disorders will be discussed and the regulation of brain-derived microRNAs by nutrients and other peripheral signals is considered. Demonstrating a critical role of microRNAs in hypothalamic regulation of energy homeostasis is an innovative route to uncover novel biomarkers and therapeutic candidates for metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly W Y Mak
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 3247A, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Aws F Mustafa
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 3247A, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Denise D Belsham
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 3247A, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Fiori LM, Kos A, Lin R, Théroux JF, Lopez JP, Kühne C, Eggert C, Holzapfel M, Huettl RE, Mechawar N, Belzung C, Ibrahim EC, Chen A, Turecki G. miR-323a regulates ERBB4 and is involved in depression. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:4191-4204. [PMID: 33219358 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00953-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex and debilitating illness whose etiology remains unclear. Small RNA molecules, such as micro RNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in MDD, where they display differential expression in the brain and the periphery. In this study, we quantified miRNA expression by small RNA sequencing in the anterior cingulate cortex and habenula of individuals with MDD and psychiatrically-healthy controls. Thirty-two miRNAs showed significantly correlated expression between the two regions (False Discovery Rate < 0.05), of which four, miR-204-5p, miR-320b, miR-323a-3p, and miR-331-3p, displayed upregulated expression in MDD. We assessed the expression of predicted target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs in the brain, and found that the expression of erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 4 (ERBB4), a gene encoding a neuregulin receptor, was downregulated in both regions, and was influenced by miR-323a-3p in vitro. Finally, we assessed the effects of manipulating miRNA expression in the mouse ACC on anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors. Mice in which miR-323-3p was overexpressed or knocked-down displayed increased and decreased emotionality, respectively. Additionally, these mice displayed significantly downregulated and upregulated expression of Erbb4, respectively. Overall, our findings indicate the importance of brain miRNAs in the pathology of MDD, and emphasize the involvement of miR-323a-3p and ERBB4 in this phenotype. Future studies further characterizing miR-323a-3p and neuregulin signaling in depression are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Fiori
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Aron Kos
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Rixing Lin
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Francois Théroux
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Juan Pablo Lopez
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Claudia Kühne
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Carola Eggert
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Holzapfel
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Rosa-Eva Huettl
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Naguib Mechawar
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Catherine Belzung
- UMR 1253, iBrain, UFR Sciences et Techniques, Parc Grandmont, Tours, France
| | - El Chérif Ibrahim
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, INT, Institute Neuroscience Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Alon Chen
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany. .,Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Mukhopadhyay D, Mussa BM. Identification of Novel Hypothalamic MicroRNAs as Promising Therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2 by Regulating ACE2 and TMPRSS2 Expression: An In Silico Analysis. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E666. [PMID: 32992681 PMCID: PMC7601472 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10100666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinvasion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is well documented and, given the similarities between this virus and SARS-CoV-2, it seems that the neurological impairment that is associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is due to SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion. Hypothalamic circuits are exposed to the entry of the virus via the olfactory bulb and interact centrally with crucial respiratory nuclei. Hypothalamic microRNAs are considered as potential biomarkers and modulators for various diseases and future therapeutic targets. The present study aims to investigate the microRNAs that regulate the expression of hypothalamic angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), essential elements for SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. METHODS To determine potential hypothalamic miRNAs that can directly bind to ACE2 and TMPRSS2, multiple target bioinformatics prediction algorithms were used, including miRBase, Target scan, and miRWalk2.029. RESULTS Our in silico analysis has revealed that, although there are over 5000 hypothalamic miRNAs, around 31 miRNAs and 29 miRNAs have shown binding sites and strong binding capacity against ACE2 and TMPRSS2, respectively. CONCLUSION These novel potential hypothalamic miRNAs can be used to identify new therapeutic targets to treat neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients via regulation of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debasmita Mukhopadhyay
- Biomedical & Chemical Engineering Department, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah 26666, UAE;
| | - Bashair M. Mussa
- Basic Medical Science Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, UAE
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Sun Y, Geng M, Yuan Y, Guo P, Chen Y, Yang D, Petersen RB, Huang K, Zheng L. Lmo4‐resistin signaling contributes to adipose tissue‐liver crosstalk upon weight cycling. FASEB J 2020; 34:4732-4748. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902708r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Sun
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis College of Life Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Mengyuan Geng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis College of Life Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Yangmian Yuan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis College of Life Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Peilian Guo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis College of Life Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Yuchen Chen
- Tongji School of Pharmacy Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Dong Yang
- Tongji School of Pharmacy Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Robert B. Petersen
- Foundational Sciences Central Michigan University College of Medicine Mt. Pleasant MI USA
| | - Kun Huang
- Tongji School of Pharmacy Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Ling Zheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis College of Life Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism Wuhan University Wuhan China
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Gao Y, Li J, Zhang Z, Zhang R, Pollock A, Sun T. MicroRNA miR-7 and miR-17-92 in the Arcuate Nucleus of Mouse Hypothalamus Regulate Sex-Specific Diet-Induced Obesity. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:7508-7521. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1618-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Abstract
One of the biggest challenges in the management of obesity is the prevention of weight regain after successful weight loss. Weight regain after weight loss has large interindividual variation. Although many factors probably contribute to this variation, we hypothesize that variability in biological responses associated with weight loss-induced shrinking of subcutaneous adipocytes has an important role. In this Review, we show that weight loss-induced variations in cellular stress, extracellular matrix remodelling, inflammatory responses, adipokine secretion and lipolysis seem to be associated with the amount of weight that is regained after successful weight loss. Weight regain could therefore, at least in part, depend on a combination of these factors. Further research on the causality of these associations could aid the development of effective strategies to prevent weight regain after successful weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen A van Baak
- NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
| | - Edwin C M Mariman
- NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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