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Hukkanen M, Hsu B, Cossin‐Sevrin N, Crombecque M, Delaunay A, Hollmen L, Kaukonen R, Konki M, Lund R, Marciau C, Stier A, Ruuskanen S. From maternal glucocorticoid and thyroid hormones to epigenetic regulation of offspring gene expression: An experimental study in a wild bird species. Evol Appl 2023; 16:1753-1769. [PMID: 38020869 PMCID: PMC10660793 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Offspring phenotype at birth is determined by its genotype and the prenatal environment including exposure to maternal hormones. Variation in both maternal glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones can affect offspring phenotype, but the underlying molecular mechanisms, especially those contributing to long-lasting effects, remain unclear. Epigenetic changes (such as DNA methylation) have been postulated as mediators of long-lasting effects of early-life environment. In this study, we determined the effects of elevated prenatal glucocorticoid and thyroid hormones on handling stress response (breath rate) as well as DNA methylation and gene expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and thyroid hormone receptor (THR) in great tits (Parus major). Eggs were injected before incubation onset with corticosterone (the main avian glucocorticoid) and/or thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine) to simulate variation in maternal hormone deposition. Breath rate during handling and gene expression of GR and THR were evaluated 14 days after hatching. Methylation status of GR and THR genes was analyzed from the longitudinal blood cells sampled 7 and 14 days after hatching, as well as the following autumn. Elevated prenatal corticosterone level significantly increased the breath rate during handling, indicating an enhanced metabolic stress response. Prenatal corticosterone manipulation had CpG-site-specific effects on DNA methylation at the GR putative promoter region, while it did not significantly affect GR gene expression. GR expression was negatively associated with earlier hatching date and chick size. THR methylation or expression did not exhibit any significant relationship with the hormonal treatments or the examined covariates, suggesting that TH signaling may be more robust due to its crucial role in development. This study provides some support to the hypothesis suggesting that maternal corticosterone may influence offspring metabolic stress response via epigenetic alterations, yet their possible adaptive role in optimizing offspring phenotype to the prevailing conditions, context-dependency, and the underlying molecular interplay needs further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikaela Hukkanen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FinlandUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Bin‐Yan Hsu
- Department of BiologyUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland
| | | | | | - Axelle Delaunay
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISEM)Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHEMontpellierFrance
| | - Lotta Hollmen
- Department of BiologyUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland
| | - Riina Kaukonen
- Turku Bioscience CentreUniversity of Turku and Åbo Akademi UniversityTurkuFinland
| | - Mikko Konki
- Turku Bioscience CentreUniversity of Turku and Åbo Akademi UniversityTurkuFinland
- Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular MedicineUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland
| | - Riikka Lund
- Turku Bioscience CentreUniversity of Turku and Åbo Akademi UniversityTurkuFinland
| | - Coline Marciau
- Department of BiologyUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Antoine Stier
- Department of BiologyUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland
- Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, UMR 7178University of Strasbourg, CNRSStrasbourgFrance
| | - Suvi Ruuskanen
- Department of BiologyUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland
- Department of Biological and Environmental ScienceUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
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Shapira G, Israel-Elgali I, Grad M, Avnat E, Rachmany L, Sarne Y, Shomron N. Hippocampal differential expression underlying the neuroprotective effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol microdose on old mice. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1182932. [PMID: 37534036 PMCID: PMC10393280 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1182932] [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: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound of the cannabis plant and an exogenous ligand of the endocannabinoid system. In previous studies, we demonstrated that a single microdose of THC (0.002 mg/kg, 3-4 orders of magnitude lower than the standard dose for rodents) exerts distinct, long-term neuroprotection in model mice subjected to acute neurological insults. When administered to old, healthy mice, the THC microdose induced remarkable long-lasting (weeks) improvement in a wide range of cognitive functions, including significant morphological and biochemical brain alterations. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying these effects, we analyzed the gene expression of hippocampal samples from the model mice. Samples taken 5 days after THC treatment showed significant differential expression of genes associated with neurogenesis and brain development. In samples taken 5 weeks after treatment, the transcriptional signature was shifted to that of neuronal differentiation and survival. This study demonstrated the use of hippocampal transcriptome profiling in uncovering the molecular basis of the atypical, anti-aging effects of THC microdose treatment in old mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Shapira
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Edmond J Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ifat Israel-Elgali
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Meitar Grad
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eden Avnat
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lital Rachmany
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yosef Sarne
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Edmond J Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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A Cross-Species Analysis Reveals Dysthyroidism of the Ovaries as a Common Trait of Premature Ovarian Aging. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24033054. [PMID: 36769379 PMCID: PMC9918015 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24033054] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the imbalance of circulating levels of Thyroid Hormones (THs) affects female fertility in vertebrates, its involvement in the promotion of Premature Ovarian Aging (POA) is debated. Therefore, altered synthesis of THs in both thyroid and ovary can be a trait of POA. We investigated the relationship between abnormal TH signaling, dysthyroidism, and POA in evolutionary distant vertebrates: from zebrafish to humans. Ovarian T3 signaling/metabolism was evaluated by measuring T3 levels, T3 responsive transcript, and protein levels along with transcripts governing T3 availability (deiodinases) and signaling (TH receptors) in distinct models of POA depending on genetic background and environmental exposures (e.g., diets, pesticides). Expression levels of well-known (Amh, Gdf9, and Inhibins) and novel (miR143/145 and Gas5) biomarkers of POA were assessed. Ovarian dysthyroidism was slightly influenced by genetics since very few differences were found between C57BL/6J and FVB/NJ females. However, diets exacerbated it in a strain-dependent manner. Similar findings were observed in zebrafish and mouse models of POA induced by developmental and long-life exposure to low-dose chlorpyrifos (CPF). Lastly, the T3 decrease in follicular fluids from women affected by diminished ovarian reserve, as well as of the transcripts modulating T3 signaling/availability in the cumulus cells, confirmed ovarian dysthyroidism as a common and evolutionary conserved trait of POA.
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Ren B, Wan S, Wu H, Qu M, Chen Y, Liu L, Jin M, Zhou Z, Shen H. Effect of different iodine levels on the DNA methylation of PRKAA2, ITGA6, THEM4 and PRL genes in PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and population-based validation from autoimmune thyroiditis patients. Eur J Nutr 2022; 61:3571-3583. [PMID: 35622138 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-022-02907-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is one of the most common autoimmune endocrine diseases. The currently recognized causes are genetic susceptibility, environmental factors and immune disorders. It is important to clarify the pathogenesis for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment of AIT and scientific iodine supplementation. This study analyzed the DNA methylation levels of PRKAA2, ITGA6, PRL and THEM4 genes related to PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, compared the DNA methylation levels between cases and controls from different water iodine levels in Shandong Province of China, and evaluated the contribution of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway-related genes in AIT. METHODS A total of 176 adult AIT patients were included from three different water iodine areas, and 176 healthy controls were included according to gender, age and BMI. According to the results of the Illumina Methylation 850 K BeadChip in our previous research, the significant methylation differences of genes on the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway related to AIT were determined. The MethylTarget™ assay was used to detect the methylation levels of the target genes, and real-time PCR experiments were used to verify the mRNA expression levels. RESULTS Compared with the control group, PRKAA2_3 and 15 CpG sites were hyper-methylated. ITGA6 gene and 2 CpG sites were hypo-methylated in AIT cases. The mRNA expression of ITGA6 gene was negatively correlated with the DNA methylation levels of ITGA6 gene and 2 CpG sites. Compared with cases and controls in areas with different water iodine levels, methylation differences were mainly in PRKAA2 and ITGA6 genes. The methylation levels of PRKAA2_1 and PRKAA2_3 were positively correlated with age. The methylation levels of PRL and THEM4 genes were negatively correlated with age. The methylation level of PRKAA2_3 was positively correlated with FT4. CONCLUSION In summary, we identified aberrant DNA methylation levels of PRKAA2 and ITGA6 genes related to PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in the blood of AIT patients. Both iodine supplementation after long-term iodine deficiency and iodine excess can affect the DNA methylation levels of PRKAA2 and ITGA6 genes, and the former affects more obviously. In ITGA6 gene, this aberrant epigenetic modification is associated with the increased mRNA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingxuan Ren
- Centre for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin City, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China.,National Health Commission and Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, Key Laboratory of Etiology and Epidemiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Siyuan Wan
- Centre for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin City, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China.,Department of Preventive Medicine, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar City, 161006, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China.,National Health Commission and Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, Key Laboratory of Etiology and Epidemiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Huaiyong Wu
- Centre for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin City, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China.,National Health Commission and Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, Key Laboratory of Etiology and Epidemiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Mengying Qu
- Centre for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin City, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China.,National Health Commission and Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, Key Laboratory of Etiology and Epidemiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yao Chen
- Centre for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin City, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China.,National Health Commission and Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, Key Laboratory of Etiology and Epidemiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lixiang Liu
- Centre for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin City, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China.,National Health Commission and Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, Key Laboratory of Etiology and Epidemiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Meihui Jin
- Centre for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin City, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China.,National Health Commission and Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, Key Laboratory of Etiology and Epidemiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zheng Zhou
- Centre for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin City, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China.,National Health Commission and Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, Key Laboratory of Etiology and Epidemiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hongmei Shen
- Centre for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin City, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China. .,National Health Commission and Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, Key Laboratory of Etiology and Epidemiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China. .,Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
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Krause C, Grohs M, El Gammal AT, Wolter S, Lehnert H, Mann O, Mittag J, Kirchner H. Reduced expression of thyroid hormone receptor β in human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Endocr Connect 2018; 7:1448-1456. [PMID: 30496129 PMCID: PMC6300861 DOI: 10.1530/ec-18-0499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic thyroid hormone signaling has an important role in the development and progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). While the systemic levels of thyroid hormone might remain stable, there is evidence that the intracellular signaling machinery consisting of transporters, deiodinases and receptors could be altered in NASH. However, clinical material from human liver biopsies of individuals with NASH has not been studied to date. In a cross-sectional study, we analyzed 85 liver biopsies from patients with different stages of NASH that underwent bariatric surgery. Using qPCR, we analyzed gene expression of thyroid hormone transporters NTCP (SLC10A1), MCT8 (SLC16A2) and OATP1C1 (SLCO1C1), thyroid hormone receptor α and β (THRA and THRB) and deiodinase type I, II and III (DIO1, DIO2, DIO3). The expression was correlated with serum TSH, triglyceride, HbA1c and NASH score and corrected for age or gender if required. While DIO2, DIO3 and SLCO1C1 were not expressed in human liver, we observed a significant negative correlation of THRB and DIO1 with age, and SLC16A2 with gender. THRB expression was also negatively associated with serum triglyceride levels and HbA1c. More importantly, its expression was inversely correlated with NASH score and further declined with age. Our data provide unique insight into the mRNA expression of thyroid hormone transporters, deiodinases and receptors in the human liver. The findings allow important conclusions on the intrahepatic mechanisms governing thyroid hormone action, indicating a possible tissue resistance to the circulating hormone in NASH, which becomes more prominent in advanced age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christin Krause
- Epigenetics & Metabolism, Medical Department I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Martina Grohs
- Epigenetics & Metabolism, Medical Department I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Alexander T El Gammal
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Wolter
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Oliver Mann
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jens Mittag
- Molecular Endocrinology, Medical Department I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Correspondence should be addressed to J Mittag or H Kirchner: or
| | - Henriette Kirchner
- Epigenetics & Metabolism, Medical Department I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Correspondence should be addressed to J Mittag or H Kirchner: or
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