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Hatai D, Levenson MT, Rehan VK, Allard P. Inter- and trans-generational impacts of environmental exposures on the germline resolved at the single-cell level. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 38:100465. [PMID: 38586548 PMCID: PMC10993723 DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2024.100465] [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] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Reproduction is a remarkably intricate process involving the interaction of multiple cell types and organ systems unfolding over long periods of time and that culminates with the production of gametes. The initiation of germ cell development takes place during embryogenesis but only completes decades later in humans. The complexity inherent to reproduction and its study has long hampered our ability to decipher how environmental agents disrupt this process. Single-cell approaches provide an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the action of toxicants on germline function and analyze how the response to their exposure is differentially distributed across tissues and cell types. In addition to single-cell RNA sequencing, other single-cell or nucleus level approaches such as ATAC-sequencing and multi-omics have expanded the strategies that can be implemented in reproductive toxicological studies to include epigenomic and the nuclear transcriptomic data. Here we will discuss the current state of single-cell technologies and how they can best be utilized to advance reproductive toxicological studies. We will then discuss case studies in two model organisms (Caenorhabditis elegans and mouse) studying different environmental exposures (alcohol and e-cigarettes respectively) to highlight the value of single-cell and single-nucleus approaches for reproductive biology and reproductive toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Hatai
- UCLA Molecular Toxicology Interdepartmental Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Max T. Levenson
- UCLA Molecular Toxicology Interdepartmental Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Virender K. Rehan
- UCLA Molecular Toxicology Interdepartmental Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Allard
- UCLA Molecular Toxicology Interdepartmental Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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2
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Hajiasgharzadeh K, Naghipour B, Shahabi P, Dastmalchi N, Alipour MR. The role of microRNAs in nicotine signaling. EXCLI JOURNAL 2023; 22:433-450. [PMID: 37346805 PMCID: PMC10279964 DOI: 10.17179/excli2023-6096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking is a harmful habit that is widespread around the world. It is among the well-known lifestyle-related risk factors for many diseases. Nicotine, as its principal constituent, has various detrimental, and beneficial functions. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which are present in nearly all body cells, are how nicotine works. Numerous investigations have demonstrated that nicotine causes abnormal microRNA expression (miRNAs). These short sequences of RNAs are known to regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. A wide range of miRNAs are modulated by nicotine, and nicotine-induced miRNA changes could subsequently mediate nicotine's effect on gene expression regulation. We will focus on the reciprocal interaction between nAChRs and miRNAs and describe the essential targets of these dysregulated miRNAs after nicotine exposure and activation of nAChRs. It appears that crucial subcellular mechanisms implicated in nicotine's effects are miRNA-related pathways. It is crucial to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of nicotine as well as the dysregulation of miRNA following nAChR activation. The finding about epigenetic mechanisms of nicotine-induced effects may shed light on the establishment of new treatment strategies to prevent the harmful effects of nicotine and perhaps may augment the beneficial effects in diverse smoking-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bahman Naghipour
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Parviz Shahabi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Narges Dastmalchi
- Department of Biology, University College of Nabi Akram, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Alipour
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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3
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Goud TJ. Epigenetic and Long-Term Effects of Nicotine on Biology, Behavior, and Health. Pharmacol Res 2023; 192:106741. [PMID: 37149116 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco and nicotine use are associated with disease susceptibility and progression. Health challenges associated with nicotine and smoking include developmental delays, addiction, mental health and behavioral changes, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, endocrine disorders, diabetes, immune system changes, and cancer. Increasing evidence suggests that nicotine-associated epigenetic changes may mediate or moderate the development and progression of a myriad of negative health outcomes. In addition, nicotine exposure may confer increased lifelong susceptibility to disease and mental health challenges through alteration of epigenetic signaling. This review examines the relationship between nicotine exposure (and smoking), epigenetic changes, and maladaptive outcomes that include developmental disorders, addiction, mental health challenges, pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, endocrine disorders, diabetes, immune system changes, and cancer. Overall, findings support the contention that nicotine (or smoking) associated altered epigenetic signaling is a contributing factor to disease and health challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Goud
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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Castro EM, Lotfipour S, Leslie FM. Nicotine on the developing brain. Pharmacol Res 2023; 190:106716. [PMID: 36868366 PMCID: PMC10392865 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Developmental periods such as gestation and adolescence have enhanced plasticity leaving the brain vulnerable to harmful effects from nicotine use. Proper brain maturation and circuit organization is critical for normal physiological and behavioral outcomes. Although cigarette smoking has declined in popularity, noncombustible nicotine products are readily used. The misperceived safety of these alternatives lead to widespread use among vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and adolescents. Nicotine exposure during these sensitive developmental windows is detrimental to cardiorespiratory function, learning and memory, executive function, and reward related circuitry. In this review, we will discuss clinical and preclinical evidence of the adverse alterations in the brain and behavior following nicotine exposure. Time-dependent nicotine-induced changes in reward related brain regions and drug reward behaviors will be discussed and highlight unique sensitivities within a developmental period. We will also review long lasting effects of developmental exposure persisting into adulthood, along with permanent epigenetic changes in the genome which can be passed to future generations. Taken together, it is critical to evaluate the consequences of nicotine exposure during these vulnerable developmental windows due to its direct impact on cognition, potential trajectories for other substance use, and implicated mechanisms for the neurobiology of substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Castro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Shahrdad Lotfipour
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Frances M Leslie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
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5
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Svanes C, Holloway JW, Krauss-Etschmann S. Preconception origins of asthma, allergies and lung function: The influence of previous generations on the respiratory health of our children. J Intern Med 2023; 293:531-549. [PMID: 36861185 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Emerging research suggests that exposures occurring years before conception are important determinants of the health of future offspring and subsequent generations. Environmental exposures of both the father and mother, or exposure to disease processes such as obesity or infections, may influence germline cells and thereby cause a cascade of health outcomes in multiple subsequent generations. There is now increasing evidence that respiratory health is influenced by parental exposures that occur long before conception. The strongest evidence relates adolescent tobacco smoking and overweight in future fathers to increased asthma and lower lung function in their offspring, supported by evidence on parental preconception occupational exposures and air pollution. Although this literature is still sparse, the epidemiological analyses reveal strong effects that are consistent across studies with different designs and methodologies. The results are strengthened by mechanistic research from animal models and (scarce) human studies that have identified molecular mechanisms that can explain the epidemiological findings, suggesting transfer of epigenetic signals through germline cells, with susceptibility windows in utero (both male and female line) and prepuberty (male line). The concept that our lifestyles and behaviours may influence the health of our future children represents a new paradigm. This raises concerns for future health in decades to come with respect to harmful exposures but may also open for radical rethinking of preventive strategies that may improve health in multiple generations, reverse the imprint of our parents and forefathers, and underpin strategies that can break the vicious circle of propagation of health inequalities across generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilie Svanes
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - John W Holloway
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Susanne Krauss-Etschmann
- Division of Early Life Origins of Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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6
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Zeid D, Gould TJ. Chronic nicotine exposure alters sperm small RNA content in C57BL/6J mouse model. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22367. [PMID: 36811365 PMCID: PMC9978956 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Multigenerational inheritance is a nongenomic form of heritability characterized by altered phenotypes in the first generation born from the exposed parent. Multigenerational factors may account for inconsistencies and gaps in heritable nicotine addiction vulnerability. Our lab previously found that F1 offspring of male C57BL/6J mice chronically exposed to nicotine exhibited altered hippocampus functioning and related learning, nicotine-seeking, nicotine metabolism, and basal stress hormones. In an effort to identify germline mechanisms underlying these multigenerational phenotypes, the current study sequenced small RNA extracted from sperm of males chronically administered nicotine using our previously established exposure model. We identified 16 miRNAs whose expression in sperm was dysregulated by nicotine exposure. A literature review of previous research on these transcripts suggested an enrichment for regulation of psychological stress and learning. mRNAs predicted to be regulated by differentially expressed sperm small RNAs were further analyzed using exploratory enrichment analysis, which suggested potential modulation of pathways related to learning, estrogen signaling, and hepatic disease, among other findings. Overall, our findings point to links between nicotine-exposed F0 sperm miRNA and altered F1 phenotypes in this multigenerational inheritance model, particularly F1 memory, stress, and nicotine metabolism. These findings provide a valuable foundation for future functional validation of these hypotheses and characterization of mechanisms underlying male-line multigenerational inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Zeid
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia PA, USA
| | - Thomas J. Gould
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park PA, USA
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Moharrek F, Ingerslev LR, Altıntaş A, Lundell L, Hansen AN, Small L, Workman CT, Barrès R. Comparative analysis of sperm DNA methylation supports evolutionary acquired epigenetic plasticity for organ speciation. Epigenomics 2022; 14:1305-1324. [PMID: 36420698 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To perform a comparative epigenomic analysis of DNA methylation in spermatozoa from humans, mice, rats and mini-pigs. Materials & methods: Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was used to compare the methylation profiles of orthologous CpG sites. Transcription profiles of early embryo development were analyzed to provide insight into the association between sperm methylation and gene expression programming. Results: We identified DNA methylation variation near genes related to the central nervous system and signal transduction. Gene expression dynamics at different time points of preimplantation stages were modestly associated with spermatozoal DNA methylation at the nearest promoters. Conclusion: Conserved genomic regions subject to epigenetic variation across different species were associated with specific organ functions, suggesting their potential contribution to organ speciation and long-term adaptation to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farideh Moharrek
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2200, Denmark
| | - Lars R Ingerslev
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2200, Denmark
| | - Ali Altıntaş
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2200, Denmark
| | - Leonidas Lundell
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2200, Denmark
| | - Ann N Hansen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2200, Denmark
| | - Lewin Small
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2200, Denmark
| | - Christopher T Workman
- Department of Biotechnology & Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
| | - Romain Barrès
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2200, Denmark.,Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université Côte d'Azur & Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Valbonne, 06560, France
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8
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McCarthy DM, Zhang L, Wilkes BJ, Vaillancourt DE, Biederman J, Bhide PG. Nicotine and the developing brain: Insights from preclinical models. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 214:173355. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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9
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Wang H, Liu J, Gao J, Yan W, Rehan VK. Perinatal Exposure to Nicotine Alters Sperm RNA Profiles in Rats. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:893863. [PMID: 35600600 PMCID: PMC9114732 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.893863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Perinatal exposure to smoking has been associated with childhood asthma, one of the most common pediatric conditions affecting millions of children globally. Of great interest, this disease phenotype appears heritable as it can persist across multiple generations even in the absence of persistent exposure to smoking in subsequent generations. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying childhood asthma induced by perinatal exposure to smoking or nicotine remain elusive, an epigenetic mechanism has been proposed, which is supported by the data from our earlier analyses on germline DNA methylation (5mC) and histone marks (H3 and H4 acetylation). To further investigate the potential epigenetic inheritance of childhood asthma induced by perinatal nicotine exposure, we profiled both large and small RNAs in the sperm of F1 male rats. Our data revealed that perinatal exposure to nicotine leads to alterations in the profiles of sperm-borne RNAs, including mRNAs and small RNAs, and that rosiglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, can attenuate the effect of nicotine and reverse the sperm-borne RNA profiles of F1 male rats to close to placebo control levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hetan Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
| | - Jie Liu
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
| | - Jianjun Gao
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
| | - Wei Yan
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
- David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Wei Yan, ; Virender K. Rehan,
| | - Virender K. Rehan
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
- David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Wei Yan, ; Virender K. Rehan,
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10
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Fang L, Roth M. Airway Wall Remodeling in Childhood Asthma-A Personalized Perspective from Cell Type-Specific Biology. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11111229. [PMID: 34834581 PMCID: PMC8625708 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11111229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway wall remodeling is a pathology occurring in chronic inflammatory lung diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and fibrosis. In 2017, the American Thoracic Society released a research statement highlighting the gaps in knowledge and understanding of airway wall remodeling. The four major challenges addressed in this statement were: (i) the lack of consensus to define “airway wall remodeling” in different diseases, (ii) methodologic limitations and inappropriate models, (iii) the lack of anti-remodeling therapies, and (iv) the difficulty to define endpoints and outcomes in relevant studies. This review focuses on the importance of cell-cell interaction, especially the bronchial epithelium, in asthma-associated airway wall remodeling. The pathology of “airway wall remodeling” summarizes all structural changes of the airway wall without differentiating between different pheno- or endo-types of asthma. Indicators of airway wall remodeling have been reported in childhood asthma in the absence of any sign of inflammation; thus, the initiation event remains unknown. Recent studies have implied that the interaction between the epithelium with immune cells and sub-epithelial mesenchymal cells is modified in asthma by a yet unknown epigenetic mechanism during early childhood.
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