Sperm microRNAs confer depression susceptibility to offspring

Paternal heroin self-administration in rats increases drug-seeking behavior in male offspring via miR-19b downregulation in the nucleus accumbens

Accumulating evidence indicates that drug addiction may lead to adaptive behavioral changes in offspring, potentially due to epigenetic modifications in parental germline. However, the underlying mechanisms remain inadequately understood. In this study, we show that paternal heroin self-administration (SA) increased heroin-seeking behavior in the F1 generation, when compared with offspring sired by yoke-infused control males, indicating cross-generational impact of paternal voluntary heroin seeking behavior. Notably, the increase of heroin seeking behavior in offspring was replicated by zygotic microinjection of sperm RNAs derived from sperm of heroin-SA-experienced rats. Analysis of non-coding RNAs in spermatozoa revealed coordinated changes in miRNA content between the nucleus accumbens and spermatozoa. We validated that restoration of miR-19b downregulation in sperm RNA from self-administration-experienced rats, in parallel with its overexpression in the nucleus accumbens of F1 offspring sired by heroin-SA-experienced fathers, reversed the increased heroin SA observed in these F1 offspring. Taken together, our findings suggest in rats that paternal heroin self-administration induces epigenetic changes in both brain and sperm miRNA, with miR-19b downregulation playing a critical role in mediating the epigenetic inheritance of increased heroin self-administration behavior in the F1 generation.

Redox-Driven Epigenetic Modifications in Sperm: Unraveling Paternal Influences on Embryo Development and Transgenerational Health

Male-factor infertility accounts for nearly half of all infertility cases, and mounting evidence points to oxidative stress as a pivotal driver of sperm dysfunction, genetic instability, and epigenetic dysregulation. In particular, the oxidative DNA lesion 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) has emerged as a central mediator at the interface of DNA damage and epigenetic regulation. We discuss how this lesion can disrupt key epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small non-coding RNAs, thereby influencing fertilization outcomes, embryo development, and offspring health. We propose that the interplay between oxidative DNA damage and epigenetic reprogramming is further exacerbated by aging in both the paternal and maternal germlines, creating a "perfect storm" that increases the risk of heritable (epi)mutations. The consequences of unresolved oxidative lesions can thus persist beyond fertilization, contributing to transgenerational health risks. Finally, we explore the promise and potential pitfalls of antioxidant therapy as a strategy to mitigate sperm oxidative damage. While antioxidant supplementation may hold significant therapeutic value for men with subfertility experiencing elevated oxidative stress, a careful, personalized approach is essential to avoid reductive stress and unintended epigenetic disruptions. Recognizing the dual role of oxidative stress in shaping both the genome and the epigenome underscores the need for integrating redox biology into reproductive medicine, with the aim of improving fertility treatments and safeguarding the health of future generations.

Dissecting the genetic association between abnormal sperm parameters and depression: a transcriptome-wide analysis of 157 participants

PURPOSE

Depression often occurs in the males with semen abnormalities. Evidence suggested a genetic correlation between depression and the pathogenesis of abnormal sperm parameters, whereas the mechanisms remained unclear.

METHODS

Genomic datasets of major depressive disorder (MDD) and abnormal sperm parameters were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. After screening the datasets, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. GO and pathway enrichment analyses, a protein-protein interaction network, and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis were conducted. Then, MDD-related DEGs (MDRGs), the external validation, immunological, and translational regulation analysis were performed. Moreover, tissue expression of MDRGs was explored.

RESULTS

A total of 249 overlapped MDRGs were discovered in the MDD and abnormal sperm parameters gene sets. MDRGs had a tight relationship with adhesion-associated and PI3 K-Akt-associated biological signaling. The protein-protein interaction module showed the enriched pathways involved in neuron differentiation and cell adhesion. Drug prediction revealed ten pharmacologic candidates. Finally, two hub MDRGs were identified and validated with good diagnostic values. Immunological and translational results showed three closely correlated kinds of CD8 + T lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages, 19 transcription factor-MDRGs, and 71 miRNA-MDRGs interactions. Furthermore, expression signatures of Carnosine Dipeptidase 2 (CNDP2) and Galectin 3 Binding Protein (LGALS3BP) were displayed in cortex and testis.

CONCLUSION

Our study discovered the genetic profiles in abnormal sperm parameters and MDD and elucidated enriched pathways and molecular associations between hub genes and immune infiltration. These findings provide novel insights into the common pathogenesis of both diseases as well as the potential biomarkers for MDD-associated abnormal sperm parameters.

Bioinformatic Analysis of Autism-Related miRNAs and Their PoTential as Biomarkers for Autism Epigenetic Inheritance

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The dysregulation of miRNA expression in samples from autistic individuals indicates that they are involved in autism. The participation of miRNAs in paternal epigenetic inheritance has also been reported. This study used bioinformatics tools to analyze the literature and genetic databases to search for miRNAs associated with autism, aiming to explore their suitability to investigate paternal epigenetic inheritance.

METHODS

Autism-related miRNAs were searched in public databases using bioinformatic tools (miRNA-to-genes analysis). The genes targeted by these autism-related miRNAs, which are common to neurons, sperm, and PBMCs, were identified. Enrichment analyses were performed to identify the biological processes regulated by the candidate miRNAs. Autism-related miRNAs were also identified by an inverse analysis (genes-to-miRNA analysis), starting from autism-related genes.

RESULTS

In the miRNA-to-gene analysis, 416 miRNAs involved in autism were found, of which 77 were expressed in sperm, PBMCs, and neurons. From these, 18 were differentially expressed in the brain and in at least one peripheral sample (saliva or blood), suggesting that they might be suitable to be used in the investigation of autism biomarkers and inheritance. In the genes-to-miRNA analysis, 36 miRNAs were identified, from which 9 coincided with the results of direct analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is no consensus about miRNAs related to autism, there are candidate miRNAs that show clear potential to be explored as biomarkers. The coincidence in the expression of miRNAs in sperm, neurons, and PBMCs indicates that they are valuable biological samples to study the role of miRNAs in the paternal epigenetic inheritance of autism.

Multi-miRNAs-Mediated Hepatic Lepr Axis Suppression: A Pparg-Dicer1 Pathway-Driven Mechanism in Spermatogenesis for the Intergenerational Transmission of Paternal Metabolic Syndrome

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an "environmental obesogen" and this study aims to investigate the intergenerational impacts of BPA-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS), specifically focusing on unraveling mechanisms. Exposure to BPA induces metabolic disorders in the paternal mice, which are then transmitted to offspring, leading to late-onset MetS. Mechanistically, BPA upregulates Srebf1, which in turn promotes the Pparg-dependent transcription of Dicer1 in spermatocytes, increasing the levels of multiple sperm microRNAs (miRNAs). Several of these miRNAs are highly expressed in a synchronized manner in liver of the offspring. miR149-5p, miR150-5p, and miR700-5p target a specific region in the Lepr 3'UTR, termed "SMITE" ("Several MiRNAs Targeting Elements"), to negatively regulate Lepr. These inherited anti-Lepr miRNAs, also referred to inherited anti-Lepr miRNAs (IAL-miRs), modulate hepatic steatosis, and insulin signaling through the Lepr regulatory Igfbp2, Egfr, and Ampk. Furthermore, IAL-miRs inhibit Ccnd1 not only via binding to "SMITE" but also via Lepr-Igfbp2 axis, which contribute to hepatocyte senescence. These pathological processes interact in a self-reinforcing cycle, worsening MetS in the paternal BPA-exposed offspring. The findings reveal mechanism wherein lipid metabolism reprogramming in spermatocytes-induced perturbations of sperm miRNAs, triggered by BPA, leads to intergenerational inheritance of paternal MetS through suppression of the hepatic Lepr axis in the offspring.

Decoding and reconstructing disease relations between dry eye and depression: a multimodal investigation comprising meta-analysis, genetic pathways and Mendelian randomization

INTRODUCTION

The clinical presentations of dry eye disease (DED) and depression (DEP) often comanifest. However, the robustness and the mechanisms underlying this association were undetermined.

OBJECTIVES

To this end, we set up a three-segment study that employed multimodality results (meta-analysis, genome-wide association study [GWAS] and Mendelian randomization [MR]) to elucidate the association, common pathways and causality between DED and DEP.

METHODS

A meta-analysis comprising 26 case-control studies was first conducted to confirm the DED-DEP association. Next, we performed a linkage disequilibrium (LD)-adjusted GWAS and targeted phenotype association study (PheWAS) in East Asian TW Biobank (TWB) and European UK Biobank (UKB) populations. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were further screened for molecular interactions and common pathways at the functional gene level. To further elucidate the activated pathways in DED and DEP, a systemic transcriptome review was conducted on RNA sequencing samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus. Finally, 48 MR experiments were implemented to examine the bidirectional causation between DED and DEP.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis showed that DED patients are associated with an increased DEP prevalence (OR = 1.83), while DEP patients have a concurrent higher risk of DED (OR = 2.34). Notably, cross-disease GWAS analysis revealed that similar genetic architecture (rG = 0.19) and pleiotropic functional genes contributed to phenotypes in both diseases. Through protein-protein interaction and ontology convergence, we summarized the pleiotropic functional genes under the ontology of immune activation, which was further validated by a transcriptome systemic review. Importantly, the inverse variance-weighted (IVW)-MR experiments in both TWB and UKB populations (p value <0.001) supported the bidirectional exposure-outcome causation for DED-to-DEP and DEP-to-DED. Despite stringent LD-corrected instrumental variable re-selection, the bidirectional causation between DED and DEP remained.

CONCLUSION

With the multi-modal evidence combined, we consolidated the association and causation between DED and DEP.

AgRP neurons shape the sperm small RNA payload

Paternal dietary patterns and obesity can affect offspring through epigenetic signals in sperm RNA. By activating hypothalamic Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons in mice to simulate obesity's effects, we observed changes in the small noncoding RNA payload of sperm. These alterations, particularly in transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), are similar to those induced by short-term high-fat diets, suggesting a common upstream regulatory mechanism involving AgRP neurons that affects metabolic epigenetic inheritance.

Sperm-borne small non-coding RNAs: potential functions and mechanisms as epigenetic carriers

Over the past two decades, the study of sperm-borne small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) has garnered substantial growth. Once considered mere byproducts during germ cell maturation, these sncRNAs have now been recognized as crucial carriers of epigenetic information, playing a significant role in transmitting acquired traits from paternal to offspring, particularly under environmental influences. A growing body of evidence highlights the pivotal role of these sncRNAs in facilitating epigenetic inheritance across generations. However, the exact mechanisms through which these paternally supplied epigenetic carriers operate remain unclear and are under hot debate. This concise review presents the most extensive evidence to date on environmentally-responsive sperm-borne sncRNAs, encompassing brief summary of their origin, dynamics, compartmentalization, characteristics, as well as in-depth elaboration of their functional roles in epigenetic and transgenerational inheritance. Additionally, the review delves into the potential mechanisms by which sperm-delivered sncRNAs may acquire and transmit paternally acquired traits to offspring, modulating zygotic gene expression and influencing early embryonic development.

How do lifestyle and environmental factors influence the sperm epigenome? Effects on sperm fertilising ability, embryo development, and offspring health

Recent studies support the influence of paternal lifestyle and diet before conception on the health of the offspring via epigenetic inheritance through sperm DNA methylation, histone modification, and small non-coding RNA (sncRNA) expression and regulation. Smoking may induce DNA hypermethylation in genes related to anti-oxidation and insulin resistance. Paternal diet and obesity are associated with greater risks of metabolic dysfunction in offspring via epigenetic alterations in the sperm. Metabolic changes, such as high blood glucose levels and increased body weight, are commonly observed in the offspring of fathers subjected to chronic stress, in addition to an enhanced risk of depressive-like behaviour and increased sensitivity to stress in both the F0 and F1 generations. DNA methylation is correlated with alterations in sperm quality and the ability to fertilise oocytes, possibly via a differentially regulated MAKP81IP3 signalling pathway. Paternal exposure to toxic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is also linked to the transgenerational transmission of increased predisposition to disease, infertility, testicular disorders, obesity, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in females through epigenetic changes during gametogenesis. As the success of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is also affected by paternal diet, BMI, and alcohol consumption, its outcomes could be improved by modifying factors that are dependent on male lifestyle choices and environmental factors. This review discusses the importance of epigenetic signatures in sperm-including DNA methylation, histone retention, and sncRNA-for sperm functionality, early embryo development, and offspring health. We also discuss the mechanisms by which paternal lifestyle and environmental factors (obesity, smoking, EDCs, and stress) may impact the sperm epigenome.

Alterations of small non-coding RNA in the spermatozoa of mice with paternal experimental autoimmune epididymo-orchitis are associated with metabolic dysfunction in offspring

BACKGROUND

Infection and inflammation of the genital tract are major potentially treatable factors contributing to male infertility. The profile of small non-coding RNA (sncRNAs) in spermatozoa can be altered by environmental exposures and inflammatory conditions.

OBJECTIVES

Experimental autoimmune epididymo-orchitis (EAEO) is a well-established model of autoimmune-induced chronic testicular and epididymal inflammation. This model investigates the effect of chronic inflammation on sperm sncRNA profiles and offspring phenotypes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Regarding the EAEO model, mice were immunized with testis homogenates thrice. Subsequently, flow cytometry and histological analyses were conducted on EAEO mice. Next-generation sequencing was used to profile small RNA of spermatozoa from the caput, corpus, and cauda epididymis. We performed a comprehensive integrative analysis of sperm sncRNAs and chronic epididymitis and identified their molecular signatures. The metabolic functions of the first-generation (F1) offspring were evaluated using a glucose tolerance test (GTT).

RESULTS

Body weight and metabolic function were significantly altered in F1 offspring from EAEO sperm donors. The analysis of cauda sperm sncRNA profiles revealed that the proportions of miRNAs and tsRNAs increased and decreased, respectively, after autoimmunization. Three differentially expressed miRNAs and seven differentially expressed tsRNAs were significantly correlated with F1 metabolic dysfunction. The expression patterns of miRNAs and tsRNAs in mice partially overlapped with those observed in the spermatozoa from human patients with chronic epididymitis.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

We revealed that autoimmune epididymo-orchitis alters sncRNA profiles in mouse spermatozoa. Offspring from mice with autoimmune orchitis develop metabolic disorders. A comprehensive analysis of human and mouse inflammation data revealed an association between alterations in the miRNA and tsRNA profiles of epididymal spermatozoa and offspring phenotypes.

Transmission of reduced levels of miR-34/449 from sperm to preimplantation embryos is a key step in the transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of the effects of paternal chronic social instability stress

The transgenerational effects of exposing male mice to chronic social instability (CSI) stress are associated with decreased sperm levels of multiple members of the miR-34/449 family that persist after their mating through preimplantation embryo (PIE) development. Here we demonstrate the importance of these miRNA changes by showing that restoring miR-34c levels in PIEs derived from CSI stressed males prevents elevated anxiety and defective sociability normally found specifically in their adult female offspring. It also restores, at least partially, levels of sperm miR-34/449 normally reduced in their male offspring who transmit these sex-specific traits to their offspring. Strikingly, these experiments also revealed that inducing miR-34c levels in PIEs enhances the expression of its own gene and that of miR-449 in these cells. The same induction of embryo miR-34/449 gene expression likely occurs after sperm-derived miR-34c is introduced into oocytes upon fertilization. Thus, suppression of this miRNA amplification system when sperm miR-34c levels are reduced in CSI stressed mice can explain how a comparable fold-suppression of miR-34/449 levels can be found in PIEs derived from them, despite sperm containing ~50-fold lower levels of these miRNAs than those already present in PIEs. We previously found that men exposed to early life trauma also display reduced sperm levels of miR-34/449. And here we show that miR-34c can also increase the expression of its own gene, and that of miR-449 in human embryonic stem cells, suggesting that human PIEs derived from men with low sperm miR-34/449 levels may also contain this potentially harmful defect.

Cadmium Exposure in Male Rats Results in Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis in Female Offspring and Paternal Genetic Effects

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the damage to male offspring induced by cadmium (Cd) exposure during embryonic period leads to the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells (OGCs) in the next generation of female offspring, and whether this apoptosis in the offspring was due to paternal genetic effects. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to CdCl2 (0, 0.5, 2.0, or 8.0 mg/kg) by gavage daily for 20 days to produce the filial 1 (F1) generation. F1 males were mated with newly purchased females to produce the F2 generation, and the F3 generation was generated in the same way. No apoptotic bodies were observed in the OGCs of either the F2 or F3 generation as shown by electron microscopy, and a reduced OGC apoptosis rate (detected by flow cytometry) was observed in F2 OGCs from the Cd-exposed group. Moreover, the mRNA (qRT-PCR) levels of Bax and Bcl-2 and the protein (western blotting) level of pro-caspase-8 increased in the F2 generation (p < 0.05). The expression of apoptosis-related miRNAs (qRT-PCR) and methylation of apoptosis-related genes (determined via bisulfite-sequencing PCR) in OGCs were further determined. Compared with those of the controls, the expression patterns of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the F2 offspring were different in the Cd-exposed group. The miR-92a-2-5p expression levels were decreased in both the F2 and F3 generations (p < 0.05), while the average methylation level of apoptosis-related genes did not change significantly (except for individual loci). In summary, this study showed that the paternal genetic intergenerational effect of male Cd exposure during embryonic period induced apoptosis of OGCs in the offspring was weakened, and the transgenerational effect disappeared; nevertheless, intergenerational and transgenerational changes in apoptosis-related genes, epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation, and miRNAs were observed, and may be important for understanding the homeostatic mechanisms of the body to alleviate the intergenerational transmission of Cd-induced damage.

Sperm miR-142-3p Reprogramming Mediates Paternal Pre-Pregnancy Caffeine Exposure-Induced Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Male Offspring Rats

Numerous studies have suggested a strong association between paternal adverse environmental exposure and increased disease susceptibility in offspring. However, the impact of paternal pre-pregnant caffeine exposure (PPCE) on offspring health remains unexplored. This study elucidates the sperm reprogramming mechanism and potential intervention targets for PPCE-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in offspring. Here, male rats are administrated caffeine (15-60 mg kg-1/d) by gavage for 8 weeks and then mated with females to produce offspring. This study finds that NASH with transgenerational inheritance occurred in PPCE adult offspring. Mechanistically, a reduction of miR-142-3p is implicated in the occurrence of NASH, characterized by hepatic lipid metabolism dysfunction and chronic inflammation through an increase in ACSL4. Conversely, overexpression of miR-142-3p mitigated these manifestations. The origin of reduced miR-142-3p levels is traced to hypermethylation in the miR-142-3p promoter region of parental sperm, induced by elevated corticosterone levels rather than by caffeine per se. Similar outcomes are confirmed in offspring conceived via in vitro fertilization using miR-142-3pKO sperm. Overall, this study provides the first evidence of transgenerational inheritance of NASH in PPCE offspring and identifies miR-142-3p as a potential therapeutic target for NASH induced by paternal environmental adversities.

Advanced paternal age exacerbates neuroinflammation in offspring via m6A modification-mediated intergenerational inheritance

BACKGROUND

The trend of postponing childbearing age is prevalent worldwide. Advanced paternal age (APA) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and offspring health. However, the underlying mechanism by which paternal aging affects the risk of offspring neuropsychiatric disorders is unclear. Our study aims to explore the behavioral phenotypes and the pathologic epigenetic alterations of APA offspring inherited from aging sperm.

METHODS

Behavioral tests, ELISA assay, immunofluorescence and western blotting were performed on offspring mice. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) and RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (RIP-seq) were used to investigate the modified N6-methyladenosine (m6A) profiles of paternal sperm and offspring hippocampus. Intervention of gene expression by lentivirus and adeno-associated virus in both vivo and vitro examined the potential therapeutic targets of intergenerational inherited neuroinflammation.

RESULTS

In our study, APA offspring exhibit cognitive impairment and autism-like behavior. An increase in neuroinflammation in APA offspring is associated with microglial overactivation, which manifests as abnormal morphology and augmented engulfment. MeRIP-seq of F0 sperm and F1 hippocampus reveal that Nr4a2 is hypermethylated with decreased expression in APA offspring involving in synaptic plasticity and microglial function. In addition, Ythdc1, an m6A reader protein, is markedly elevated in aging sperm and remains elevated in adult hippocampus of APA group. Enhanced Ythdc1 recognizes and suppresses the hypermethylated Nr4a2, thereby contributing to the abnormal phenotype in offspring. The overexpression of Ythdc1 triggers microglial activation in vitro and its suppression in the hippocampus of APA progeny alleviates behavioral aberrations and attenuates neuroinflammation.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides additional evidence of the abnormal behavioral phenotypes of APA offspring and reveals potential epigenetic inheritance signatures and targeted genes for future research.

Dysregulated miR-124 mediates impaired social memory behavior caused by paternal early social isolation

Early social isolation (SI) leads to various abnormalities in emotion and behavior during adulthood. However, the negative impact of SI on offspring remains unclear. This study has discovered that paternal early SI causes social memory deficits and anxiety-like behavior in F1 young adult mice, with alterations of myelin and synapses in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The 2-week SI in the F1 progeny exacerbates social memory impairment and hypomyelination in the mPFC. Furthermore, the down-regulation of miR-124, a key inhibitor of myelinogenesis, or over-expression of its target gene Nr4a1 in the mPFC of the F1 mice improves social interaction ability and enhances oligodendrocyte maturation and myelin formation. Mechanistically, elevated levels of miR-124 in the sperm of paternal SI mice are transmitted epigenetically to offspring, altering the expression levels of miR-124/Nr4a1/glucocorticoid receptors in mPFC oligodendrocytes. This, in turn, impedes the establishment of myelinogenesis-dependent social behavior. This study unveils a novel mechanism through which miR-124 mediates the intergenerational effects of early isolation stress, ultimately impairing the establishment of social behavior and neurodevelopment.

Astrocyte-Derived Exosomes Regulate Sperm miR-34c Levels to Mediate the Transgenerational Effects of Paternal Chronic Social Instability Stress

The effects of chronically stressing male mice can be transmitted across generations by stress-specific changes in their sperm miRNA content that induce stress-specific phenotypes in their offspring. But how each stress paradigm alters the levels of distinct sets of sperm miRNAs is not known. We showed previously that exposure of male mice to chronic social instability (CSI) stress results in elevated anxiety and reduced sociability specifically in their female offspring across multiple generations because it reduces miR-34c levels in sperm of stressed males and their unstressed male offspring. Here we describe evidence that a strocyte-derived exos omes ( A-Exos ) carrying miR-34c mediate how CSI stress has this transgenerational effect on sperm. We found that CSI stress decreases miR-34c carried by A-Exos in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, as well as in the blood of males. Importantly, miR-34c A-Exos levels are also reduced in these tissues in their F1 male offspring, who despite not being exposed to stress exhibit reduced sperm miR-34c levels and transmit the same stress-associated traits to their male and female offspring. Furthermore, restoring A-Exos miR-34c content in the blood of CSI-stressed males by intravenous injection of miR-34c-containing A-Exos restores miR-34c levels in their sperm. These findings reveal an unexpected role for A-Exos in maintaining sperm miR-34c levels by a process that when suppressed by CSI stress mediates this example of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.

Paternal hypercholesterolemia elicits sex-specific exacerbation of atherosclerosis in offspring

Emerging studies suggest that various parental exposures affect offspring cardiovascular health, yet the specific mechanisms, particularly the influence of paternal cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors on offspring cardiovascular health, remain elusive. The present study explores how paternal hypercholesterolemia affects offspring atherosclerosis development using the LDL receptor-deficient (LDLR-/-) mouse model. We found that paternal high-cholesterol diet feeding led to significantly increased atherosclerosis in F1 female, but not male, LDLR-/- offspring. Transcriptomic analysis highlighted that paternal hypercholesterolemia stimulated proatherogenic genes, including Ccn1 and Ccn2, in the intima of female offspring. Sperm small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs), particularly transfer RNA-derived (tRNA-derived) small RNAs (tsRNAs) and rRNA-derived small RNAs (rsRNAs), contribute to the intergenerational transmission of paternally acquired metabolic phenotypes. Using a newly developed PANDORA-Seq method, we identified that high-cholesterol feeding elicited changes in sperm tsRNA/rsRNA profiles that were undetectable by traditional RNA-Seq, and these altered sperm sncRNAs were potentially key factors mediating paternal hypercholesterolemia-elicited atherogenesis in offspring. Interestingly, high-cholesterol feeding altered sncRNA biogenesis-related gene expression in the epididymis but not testis of LDLR-/- sires; this may have led to the modified sperm sncRNA landscape. Our results underscore the sex-specific intergenerational effect of paternal hypercholesterolemia on offspring cardiovascular health and contribute to the understanding of chronic disease etiology originating from parental exposures.

Alternative splicing of CARM1 regulated by LincGET-guided paraspeckles biases the first cell fate in mammalian early embryos

The heterogeneity of CARM1 controls first cell fate bias during early mouse development. However, how this heterogeneity is established is unknown. Here, we show that Carm1 mRNA is of a variety of specific exon-skipping splicing (ESS) isoforms in mouse two-cell to four-cell embryos that contribute to CARM1 heterogeneity. Disruption of paraspeckles promotes the ESS of Carm1 precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs). LincGET, but not Neat1, is required for paraspeckle assembly and inhibits the ESS of Carm1 pre-mRNAs in mouse two-cell to four-cell embryos. We further find that LincGET recruits paraspeckles to the Carm1 gene locus through HNRNPU. Interestingly, PCBP1 binds the Carm1 pre-mRNAs and promotes its ESS in the absence of LincGET. Finally, we find that the ESS seen in mouse two-cell to four-cell embryos decreases CARM1 protein levels and leads to trophectoderm fate bias. Our findings demonstrate that alternative splicing of CARM1 has an important role in first cell fate determination.

Paternal high-fat diet affects weight and DNA methylation of their offspring

Obesity poses a public health threat, reaching epidemic proportions. Our hypothesis suggests that some of this epidemic stems from its transmission across generations via paternal epigenetic mechanisms. To investigate this possibility, we focused on examining the paternal transmission of CpG methylation. First-generation male Wistar rats were fed either a high-fat diet (HF) or chow and were mated with females fed chow. We collected sperm from these males. The resulting offspring were raised on a chow diet until day 35, after which they underwent a dietary challenge. Diet-induced obese (DIO) male rats passed on the obesogenic trait to both male and female offspring. We observed significant hypermethylation of the Pomc promoter in the sperm of HF-treated males and in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (Arc) of their offspring at weaning. However, these differences in Arc methylation decreased later in life. This hypermethylation is correlated with increased expression of DNMT3B. Further investigating genes in the Arc that might be involved in obesogenic transgenerational transmission, using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) we identified 77 differentially methylated regions (DMRs), highlighting pathways associated with neuronal development. These findings support paternal CpG methylation as a mechanism for transmitting obesogenic traits across generations.

Future in the past: paternal reprogramming of offspring phenotype and the epigenetic mechanisms

That certain preconceptual paternal exposures reprogram the developmental phenotypic plasticity in future generation(s) has conceptualized the "paternal programming of offspring health" hypothesis. This transgenerational effect is transmitted primarily through sperm epigenetic mechanisms-DNA methylation, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and associated RNA modifications, and histone modifications-and potentially through non-sperm-specific mechanisms-seminal plasma and circulating factors-that create 'imprinted' memory of ancestral information. The epigenetic landscape in sperm is highly responsive to environmental cues, due to, in part, the soma-to-germline communication mediated by epididymosomes. While human epidemiological studies and experimental animal studies have provided solid evidences in support of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, how ancestral information is memorized as epigenetic codes for germline transmission is poorly understood. Particular elusive is what the downstream effector pathways that decode those epigenetic codes into persistent phenotypes. In this review, we discuss the paternal reprogramming of offspring phenotype and the possible underlying epigenetic mechanisms. Cracking these epigenetic mechanisms will lead to a better appreciation of "Paternal Origins of Health and Disease" and guide innovation of intervention algorithms to achieve 'healthier' outcomes in future generations. All this will revolutionize our understanding of human disease etiology.

Paternal DDT exposure induces sex-specific programming of fetal growth, placenta development and offspring's health phenotypes in a mouse model

Mounting evidence suggests that environmentally induced epigenetic inheritance occurs in mammals and that traits in the progeny can be shaped by parental environmental experiences. Epidemiological studies link parental exposure to environmental toxicants, such as the pesticide DDT, to health phenotypes in the progeny, including low birth and increased risk of chronic diseases later in life. Here, we show that the progeny of male mice exposed to DDT in the pre-conception period are born smaller and exhibit sexual dimorphism in metabolic function, with male, but not female, offspring developing severe glucose intolerance compared to controls. These phenotypes in DDT offspring were linked to reduced fetal growth and placenta size as well as placenta-specific reduction of glycogen levels and the nutrient sensor and epigenetic regulator OGT, with more pronounced phenotypes observed in male placentas. However, placenta-specific genetic reduction of OGT only partially replicates the metabolic phenotype observed in offspring of DDT-exposed males. Our findings reveal a role for paternal pre-conception environmental experiences in shaping placenta development and in fetal growth restriction. While many questions remain, our data raise the tantalizing possibility that placenta programming could be a mediator of environmentally induced intergenerational epigenetic inheritance of phenotypes and needs to be further evaluated.

Exercise Alters FBF1-Regulated Novel-miRNA-1135 Associated with Hydrolethalus Syndrome 1 in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Preliminary Study

BACKGROUND

Hydrolethalus Syndrome 1 (HYDS1) is a rare disorder that occurs commonly in Finnish infants but originates from the mother. This autosomal recessive syndrome is associated with the FBF1, which is usually expressed in the centriole. The FBF1 is an inheritable arthritis disease phenotype that includes rheumatoid arthritis. Several studies have investigated males with FBF1 mutation carriers also related to arthritis diseases, including those under rheumatoid arthritis conditions, which revealed the possibility of conferring the gene mutation to the next generation of offspring. Nonetheless, there are some complications of FBF1 mutation with target miRNAs that can be affected by exercise.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the different exercises that can be utilized to suppress the FBF1 mutation targeted by Novel-rno-miRNAs-1135 as a biomarker and assess the effectiveness of exercise in mitigating the FBF1 mutation.

METHODS

Four exercise interventional groups were divided into exercise and non-exercise groups. One hundred microliter pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) was injected at the dorsal region of the tails of rodents and introduced to the two PIA interventional groups. On day fortyfive, all animals were euthanized, and total RNA was extracted from the blood samples of rodents, while polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was amplified by using 5-7 primers. Computerization was used for miRNA regulation and analysis of target gene candidates.

RESULTS

The novel-rno-miRNA-1135 was downregulated to FBF1 in exercise groups. The exercise was found to have no significant impact in terms of change in novel-rno-miRNA-1135 regulation of FBF1 expression.

CONCLUSION

Exercise has no impact on novel-rno-miRNA-1135 targeted for FBF1 in autosomal recessive disease.

Inheritance of Stress Responses via Small Non-Coding RNAs in Invertebrates and Mammals

While reports on the generational inheritance of a parental response to stress have been widely reported in animals, the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon have only recently emerged. The booming interest in epigenetic inheritance has been facilitated in part by the discovery that small non-coding RNAs are one of its principal conduits. Discovered 30 years ago in the Caenorhabditis elegans nematode, these small molecules have since cemented their critical roles in regulating virtually all aspects of eukaryotic development. Here, we provide an overview on the current understanding of epigenetic inheritance in animals, including mice and C. elegans, as it pertains to stresses such as temperature, nutritional, and pathogenic encounters. We focus on C. elegans to address the mechanistic complexity of how small RNAs target their cohort mRNAs to effect gene expression and how they govern the propagation or termination of generational perdurance in epigenetic inheritance. Presently, while a great amount has been learned regarding the heritability of gene expression states, many more questions remain unanswered and warrant further investigation.

Sperm chromatin accessibility's involvement in the intergenerational effects of stress hormone receptor activation

Dexamethasone is a stress hormone receptor agonist used widely in clinics. We and others previously showed that paternal administration of dexamethasone in mice affects the phenotype of their offspring. The substrate of intergenerational transmission of environmentally induced effects often involves changes in sperm RNA, yet other epigenetic modifications in the germline can be affected and are also plausible candidates. First, we tested the involvement of altered sperm RNAs in the transmission of dexamethasone induced phenotypes across generations. We did this by injecting sperm RNA into naïve fertilized oocytes, before performing metabolic and behavioral phenotyping of the offspring. We observed phenotypic changes in discordance with those found in offspring generated by in vitro fertilization using sperm from dexamethasone exposed males. Second, we investigated the effect of dexamethasone on chromatin accessibility using ATAC sequencing and found significant changes at specific genomic features and gene regulatory loci. Employing q-RT-PCR, we show altered expression of a gene in the tissue of offspring affected by accessibility changes in sperm. Third, we establish a correlation between specific DNA modifications and stress hormone receptor activity as a likely contributing factor influencing sperm accessibility. Finally, we independently investigated this dependency by genetically reducing thymine-DNA glycosylase levels and observing concomitant changes at the level of chromatin accessibility and stress hormone receptor activity.

When Dad's Stress Gets under Kid's Skin-Impacts of Stress on Germline Cargo and Embryonic Development

Multiple lines of evidence suggest that paternal psychological stress contributes to an increased prevalence of neuropsychiatric and metabolic diseases in the progeny. While altered paternal care certainly plays a role in such transmitted disease risk, molecular factors in the germline might additionally be at play in humans. This is supported by findings on changes to the molecular make up of germ cells and suggests an epigenetic component in transmission. Several rodent studies demonstrate the correlation between paternal stress induced changes in epigenetic modifications and offspring phenotypic alterations, yet some intriguing cases also start to show mechanistic links in between sperm and the early embryo. In this review, we summarise efforts to understand the mechanism of intergenerational transmission from sperm to the early embryo. In particular, we highlight how stress alters epigenetic modifications in sperm and discuss the potential for these modifications to propagate modified molecular trajectories in the early embryo to give rise to aberrant phenotypes in adult offspring.

Paternal effects on fetal programming

Paternal programming is the concept that the environmental signals from the sire's experiences leading up to mating can alter semen and ultimately affect the phenotype of resulting offspring. Potential mechanisms carrying the paternal effects to offspring can be associated with epigenetic signatures (DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNAs), oxidative stress, cytokines, and the seminal microbiome. Several opportunities exist for sperm/semen to be influenced during development; these opportunities are within the testicle, the epididymis, or accessory sex glands. Epigenetic signatures of sperm can be impacted during the pre-natal and pre-pubertal periods, during sexual maturity and with advancing sire age. Sperm are susceptible to alterations as dictated by their developmental stage at the time of the perturbation, and sperm and seminal plasma likely have both dependent and independent effects on offspring. Research using rodent models has revealed that many factors including over/under nutrition, dietary fat, protein, and ingredient composition (e.g., macro- or micronutrients), stress, exercise, and exposure to drugs, alcohol, and endocrine disruptors all elicit paternal programming responses that are evident in offspring phenotype. Research using livestock species has also revealed that sire age, fertility level, plane of nutrition, and heat stress can induce alterations in the epigenetic, oxidative stress, cytokine, and microbiome profiles of sperm and/or seminal plasma. In addition, recent findings in pigs, sheep, and cattle have indicated programming effects in blastocysts post-fertilization with some continuing into post-natal life of the offspring. Our research group is focused on understanding the effects of common management scenarios of plane of nutrition and growth rates in bulls and rams on mechanisms resulting in paternal programming and subsequent offspring outcomes. Understanding the implication of paternal programming is imperative as short-term feeding and management decisions have the potential to impact productivity and profitability of our herds for generations to come.

Enhanced heroin analgesic effect in male offspring of sires who self-administered heroin

Introduction: A growing body of evidence suggests that parental substance abuse, even prior to conception, may induce phenotypic changes in offspring. Parental opioid exposure has been shown to affect developmental processes, induce memory deficits, and lead to psycho-emotional disorders in offspring. However, how parental, especially paternal, chronic drug exposure affects offspring remains unexplored. Methods: Adult male rats were subjected to 31 days of heroin self-administration followed by mating with naïve females. Litter size and body weight of F1 offspring were recorded. Object-based attention tests, cocaine self-administration tests, and hot plate tests were used to test for potential effects of chronic paternal heroin seeking on cognition, reward, or analgesic sensitivity in the offspring. Results: Body weight and litter size of the heroin F1 generation were not altered compared to the saline F1 generation. Furthermore, paternal chronic heroin self-administration experience had no significant effect on object-based attention tests or cocaine self-administration behavior in either sex. However, in the hot plate test, although no difference in basal latency was found between the two groups in either sex, a significant increase in the analgesic effect of heroin was observed in the male heroin F1 generation. Conclusions: Taken together, these data provide evidence that paternal chronic heroin self-administration experience could sex-dimorphically increase the analgesic effect of heroin in male offspring, but had no significant effect on response to cocaine reinforcement or attentional behavior.

Multigenerational genetic effects of paternal cadmium exposure on ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis

To explore whether paternal cadmium (Cd) exposure causes ovarian granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis in offspring and the multigenerational genetic effects. From postnatal day 28 (PND28) until adulthood (PND56), SPF male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were gavaged daily with varying concentrations of CdCl_2. (0, 0.5, 2, and 8 mg/kg). After treatment, the F1 generation was produced by mating with untreated female rats, and the F1 generation male rats were mated with untreated female rats to produce the F2 generation. Apoptotic bodies (electron microscopy) and significantly higher apoptotic rates (flow cytometry) were observed in both F1 and F2 ovarian GCs following paternal Cd exposure. Moreover, the mRNA (qRTPCR) or protein (Western blotting) levels of bax, bcl2, bcl-xl, caspase 3, caspase 8, and caspase 9 were changed to varying degrees. Apoptosis-related miRNAs (qRTPCR) and methylation modifications of apoptosis-related genes (bisulfite-sequencing PCR) in ovarian GCs were further detected. Compared with those of controls, the expression patterns of miRNAs in F1 and F2 offspring were different after paternal Cd exposure, while the average methylation level of apoptosis-related genes did not change significantly (except for individual loci). In summary, there are paternal genetic intergenerational and transgenerational effects on ovarian GC apoptosis induced by paternal Cd exposure. These genetic effects were related to the upregulation of BAX, BCL-XL, Cle-CASPASE 3, and Cle-CASPASE 9 in F1 and the upregulation of Cle-CASPASE 3 in F2 progeny. Important changes in apoptosis-related miRNAs were also observed.

Covalent S-Adenosylhomocysteine-Based DNA Methyltransferase 2 Inhibitors with a New Type of Aryl Warhead

The DNA methyltransferase 2 (DNMT2) is an RNA modifying enzyme associated with pathophysiological processes, such as mental and metabolic disorders or cancer. Although the development of methyltransferase inhibitors remains challenging, DNMT2 is not only a promising target for drug discovery, but also for the development of activity-based probes. Here, we present covalent SAH-based DNMT2 inhibitors decorated with a new type of aryl warhead. Based on a noncovalent DNMT2 inhibitor with N-benzyl substituent, the Topliss scheme was followed for optimization. The results showed that electron-deficient benzyl moieties highly increased affinity. By decorating the structures with strong electron-withdrawing moieties and leaving groups, we adjusted the electrophilicity to create covalent DNMT2 inhibitors. A 4-bromo-3-nitrophenylsulfonamide-decorated SAH derivative (80) turned out to be the most potent (IC50 = 1.2 ± 0.1 μM) and selective inhibitor. Protein mass spectrometry confirmed the covalent reaction with the catalytically active cysteine-79.

Intestinal activating transcription factor 4 regulates stress-related behavioral alterations via paraventricular thalamus in male mice

Chronic stress induces depression- and anxiety-related behaviors, which are common mental disorders accompanied not only by dysfunction of the brain but also of the intestine. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a stress-induced gene, and we previously show that it is important for gut functions; however, the contribution of the intestinal ATF4 to stress-related behaviors is not known. Here, we show that chronic stress inhibits the expression of ATF4 in gut epithelial cells. ATF4 overexpression in the colon relieves stress-related behavioral alterations in male mice, as measured by open-field test, elevated plus-maze test, and tail suspension test, whereas intestine-specific ATF4 knockout induces stress-related behavioral alterations in male mice. Furthermore, glutamatergic neurons are inhibited in the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) of two strains of intestinal ATF4-deficient mice, and selective activation of these neurons alleviates stress-related behavioral alterations in intestinal ATF4-deficient mice. The highly expressed gut-secreted peptide trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) is chosen from RNA-Seq data from ATF4 deletion mice and demonstrated decreased in gut epithelial cells, which is directly regulated by ATF4. Injection of TFF3 reverses stress-related behaviors in ATF4 knockout mice, and the beneficial effects of TFF3 are blocked by inhibiting PVT glutamatergic neurons using DREADDs. In summary, this study demonstrates the function of ATF4 in the gut-brain regulation of stress-related behavioral alterations, via TFF3 modulating PVT neural activity. This research provides evidence of gut signals regulating stress-related behavioral alterations and identifies possible drug targets for the treatment of stress-related behavioral disorders.

Transgenerational transmission of reproductive and metabolic dysfunction in the male progeny of polycystic ovary syndrome

The transgenerational maternal effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female progeny are being revealed. As there is evidence that a male equivalent of PCOS may exists, we ask whether sons born to mothers with PCOS (PCOS-sons) transmit reproductive and metabolic phenotypes to their male progeny. Here, in a register-based cohort and a clinical case-control study, we find that PCOS-sons are more often obese and dyslipidemic. Our prenatal androgenized PCOS-like mouse model with or without diet-induced obesity confirmed that reproductive and metabolic dysfunctions in first-generation (F₁) male offspring are passed down to F₃. Sequencing of F₁-F₃ sperm reveals distinct differentially expressed (DE) small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) across generations in each lineage. Notably, common targets between transgenerational DEsncRNAs in mouse sperm and in PCOS-sons serum indicate similar effects of maternal hyperandrogenism, strengthening the translational relevance and highlighting a previously underappreciated risk of transmission of reproductive and metabolic dysfunction via the male germline.

Sex-specific effects of chronic paternal stress on offspring development are partially mediated via mothers

Paternal stress exposure is known to impact the development of stress-related behaviors in offspring. Previous work has highlighted the importance of sperm mediated factors, such as RNAs, in transmitting the effects of parental stress. However, a key unanswered question is whether mothers behavior could drive or modulate the transmission of paternal stress effects on offspring development. Here we investigate how chronic variable stress in Balb/C mice influences the sex-specific development of anxiety- and depression-like neural and behavioral development in offspring. Moreover, we examined how stressed fathers influenced mate maternal investment towards their offspring and how this may modulate the transmission of paternal stress effects on offspring. We show that paternal stress leads to sex-specific effects on offspring behavior. Males that are chronically stressed sire female offspring that show increased anxiety and depression-like behaviors. However, male offspring of stressed fathers show reductions in anxiety- and depression-behaviors and are generally more exploratory. Moreover, we show that females mated with stressed males gain less weight during pregnancy and provide less care towards their offspring which additionally influenced offspring development. These data indicate that paternal stress can influence offspring development both directly and indirectly via changes in mothers, with implications for sex-specific offspring development.

Glucocorticoid exposure modifies the miRNA profile of sperm in the guinea pig: Implications for intergenerational transmission

Approximately 1%-3% of the adult population are treated with synthetic glucocorticoids (sGCs) for a variety of conditions. Studies have demonstrated that adversities experienced by males prior to conception may lead to abnormal neuroendocrine function and behaviors in offspring and that epigenetic factors including microRNA (miRNA) within sperm may be responsible for driving these effects. However, it remains unclear where in the epididymis sperm miRNA changes are occurring. Here, we hypothesized that sGC exposure will alter the miRNA profile of sperm in the epididymis in a region-specific manner. Adult male guinea pigs were exposed to regular drinking water (Ctrl) or water with the sGC dexamethasone (Dex; 3mg/kg) (n = 6/group) every other day for 48 days. Sperms were collected from epididymal seminal fluid in the caput and cauda regions of the epididymis and total RNA was extracted. miRNAs were assessed by miRNA 4.0 microarray; data were processed by TAC 4.0.1 and R. miRNA analysis revealed one miRNA in the caput that was significantly decreased by Dex in sperm. In the cauda, 31 miRNAs were reduced in sperm following Dex-exposure. The findings of this study demonstrate that Dex-exposure influences miRNA profile of sperm in the cauda but not the caput of the epididymis. This suggests that glucocorticoids target the epididymis to modify sperm miRNA and do not modify the miRNA content during spermiation in the testes.

Lipid-accumulated reactive astrocytes promote disease progression in epilepsy

Reactive astrocytes play an important role in neurological diseases, but their molecular and functional phenotypes in epilepsy are unclear. Here, we show that in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and mouse models of epilepsy, excessive lipid accumulation in astrocytes leads to the formation of lipid-accumulated reactive astrocytes (LARAs), a new reactive astrocyte subtype characterized by elevated APOE expression. Genetic knockout of APOE inhibited LARA formation and seizure activities in epileptic mice. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing in TLE patients confirmed the existence of a LARA subpopulation with a distinct molecular signature. Functional studies in epilepsy mouse models and human brain slices showed that LARAs promote neuronal hyperactivity and disease progression. Targeting LARAs by intervention with lipid transport and metabolism could thus provide new therapeutic options for drug-resistant TLE.

Sperm RNA Payload: Implications for Intergenerational Epigenetic Inheritance

There is mounting evidence that ancestral life experiences and environment can influence phenotypes in descendants. The parental environment regulates offspring phenotypes potentially via modulating epigenetic marks in the gametes. Here, we review examples of across-generational inheritance of paternal environmental effects and the current understanding of the role of small RNAs in such inheritance. We discuss recent advances in revealing the small RNA payload of sperm and how environmental conditions modulate sperm small RNAs. Further, we discuss the potential mechanism of inheritance of paternal environmental effects by focusing on sperm small RNA-mediated regulation of early embryonic gene expression and its role in influencing offspring phenotypes.

[Sequencing Analysis of miRNAs in Brain-Derived Exosomes of Adolescent Mice With Depression-Like Behaviors]

Objective

To explore the differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in brain-derived exosomes (BDEs) of adolescent mice with depression-like behavior.

Methods

The experimental group consisted of susceptible adolescent mice exposed to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), and sucrose preference test (SPT) and open field test (OFT) were performed to evaluate their depression-like behaviors. BDEs were extracted by ultracentrifugation (UC). The morphology, particle size, and surface marker proteins of BDEs were examined by transmission electron microscopy, nano-flow cytometry and Western blot. The expression of miRNA in BDEs was evaluated by high-throughput RNA sequencing. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were carried out based on bioinformatics.

Results

The particle size of BDEs ranged between 50 to 100 nm and they displayed a typical disc-shaped vesicle structure. TSG101 and syntenin, the exosome-positive proteins, were detected. In the BDEs of mice with depression-like behaviors induced by CSDS, 13 miRNAs were significantly upregulated and 4 miRNAs were significantly downregulated. Go and KEGG analysis showed that differentially expressed miRNAs were significantly enriched in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, axonal guidance, and hypoxic response.

Conclusion

It was found in this study that exosomal miRNAs in brain tissue might be involved in such biological processes as insulin resistance, neuroplasticity, and hypoxic response, thereby regulating brain functions and causing depression-like behaviors.

Environmentally Induced Sperm RNAs Transmit Cancer Susceptibility to Offspring in a Mouse Model

DNA sequence accounts for the majority of disease heritability, including cancer. Yet, not all familial cancer cases can be explained by genetic factors. It is becoming clear that environmentally induced epigenetic inheritance occurs and that the progeny's traits can be shaped by parental environmental experiences. In humans, epidemiological studies have implicated environmental toxicants, such as the pesticide DDT, in intergenerational cancer development, including breast and childhood tumors. Here, we show that the female progeny of males exposed to DDT in the pre-conception period have higher susceptibility to developing aggressive tumors in mouse models of breast cancer. Sperm of DDT-exposed males exhibited distinct patterns of small non-coding RNAs, with an increase in miRNAs and a specific surge in miRNA-10b levels. Remarkably, embryonic injection of the entire sperm RNA load of DDT-exposed males, or synthetic miRNA-10b, recapitulated the tumor phenotypes observed in DDT offspring. Mechanistically, miR-10b injection altered the transcriptional profile in early embryos with enrichment of genes associated with cell differentiation, tissue and immune system development. In adult DDT-derived progeny, transcriptional and protein analysis of mammary tumors revealed alterations in stromal and in immune system compartments. Our findings reveal a causal role for sperm RNAs in environmentally induced inheritance of cancer predisposition and, if confirmed in humans, this could help partially explain some of the "missing heritability" of breast, and other, malignancies.

Leucine deprivation results in antidepressant effects via GCN2 in AgRP neurons

Essential amino acids (EAAs) are crucial nutrients, whose levels change in rodents and patients with depression. However, how the levels of a single EAA affects depressive behaviors remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that although deprivation of the EAA leucine has no effect in unstressed mice, it remarkably reverses the depression-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS). This beneficial effect is independent of feeding and is applicable to the dietary deficiency of other EAAs. Furthermore, the effect of leucine deprivation is suppressed by central injection of leucine or mimicked by central injection of leucinol. Moreover, hypothalamic agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neural activity changes during CRS and leucine deprivation, and chemogenetically inhibiting AgRP neurons eliminates the antidepressant effects of leucine deprivation. Finally, the leucine deprivation-regulated behavioral effects are mediated by amino acid sensor general control non-derepressible 2 (GCN2) in AgRP neurons. Taken together, our results suggest a new drug target and/or dietary intervention for the reduction of depressive symptoms.

Promising novel biomarkers and therapy targets: The application of cell-free seminal nucleotides in male reproduction research

Liquid biopsy has the advantage of diagnosing diseases in a non-invasive manner. Seminal plasma contains secretions from the bilateral testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles, bulbourethral glands, and the prostate. These organs are relatively small and contain delicate tubes that are prone to damage by invasive diagnosis. Cell-free seminal nucleic acids test is a newly emerged item in liquid biopsy. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of all known cell-free DNA and cell-free RNAs (mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA, piRNA, YRNA, tsRNA, etc.) and discuss their roles as biomarker candidates in liquid biopsy. With great advantages, including high stability, sensitivity, representability, and non-invasiveness, cell-free DNA/RNAs may be developed as promising biomarkers for the screening, diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up of diseases in semen-secreting organs. Moreover, RNAs in semen may participate in important processes, including sperm maturation, early embryo development, and transgenerational disease inheritance, which may be developed as potential treatment targets for future clinical use.

The Sperm Small RNA Transcriptome: Implications beyond Reproductive Disorder

Apart from the paternal half of the genetic material, the male gamete carries assorted epigenetic marks for optimal fertilization and the developmental trajectory for the early embryo. Recent works showed dynamic changes in small noncoding RNA (sncRNA) in spermatozoa as they transit through the testicular environment to the epididymal segments. Studies demonstrated the changes to be mediated by epididymosomes during the transit through the adluminal duct in the epididymis, and the changes in sperm sncRNA content stemmed from environmental insults significantly altering the early embryo development and predisposing the offspring to metabolic disorders. Here, we review the current knowledge on the establishment of the sperm sncRNA transcriptome and their role in male-factor infertility, evidence of altered offspring health in response to the paternal life experiences through sperm sncRNA species and, finally, their implications in assisted reproductive technology in terms of epigenetic inheritance.

Sperm RNA-mediated epigenetic inheritance in mammals: challenges and opportunities

Emerging evidence now shows that in addition to delivering a haploid DNA, the mammalian sperm also carry various types of RNAs that respond to the paternal environment, which can mediate the intergenerational transmission of certain phenotypes to the offspring relating to the paternal environmental exposures (e.g. diet, mental stress). Improved analytical tools are beginning to decipher the complexity of sperm RNAs, RNA modifications and their spatial compartmentalisation, which support the concept of 'sperm RNA code' in programming specific offspring phenotypes during embryonic development. In this commentary article, I discuss the challenges and opportunities in solidifying the field of mammalian sperm RNA-mediated epigenetic inheritance, including the identification of the key sperm RNAs that are responsible for the paternal phenotype transmission, and the cellular and molecular events that are triggered by sperm RNAs during embryo development. I also discuss the translational application potential by harnessing the knowledge of sperm RNA code to improve farm animal production and human health.

The developmental miR-17-92 cluster and the Sfmbt2 miRNA cluster cannot rescue the abnormal embryonic development generated using obstructive epididymal environment-producing sperm in C57BL/6 J mice

BACKGROUND

Sperm, during epididymal transit, acquires microRNAs(miRNAs), which are crucial for embryonic development. However, whether sperm miRNAs influenced by an obstructive epididymal environment affect embryonic development remains unknown.

METHOD

The sham operation and vasectomy were performed in C57BL/6 J mice to create the control group (CON) and the obstructive epididymal environment group(OEE) group, respectively. The morphology of the testis and epididymis was observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE staining) to establish the OEE mice model. The sperm quality test, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and epididymosomes fusion were employed to observe the effect of the obstructive epididymal environment on sperm and resultant embryonic development. The alteration of the sperm small RNA (sRNA) profile was analyzed by sRNA sequencing. RT-qPCR and DNA methylation were applied to observe the effect of obstructive epididymis on the expression of sperm miRNAs. The miRNAs microinjection was used to explore the impacts of sperm miRNAs on embryonic development.

RESULTS

We confirmed postoperative 8-week mice as the OEE mice model by examining the morphology of the testis and epididymis. In the OEE group, we observed that sperm quality degraded and the development potential of embryos was reduced, which can be saved by the normal epididymal environment. The sperm sRNA sequencing revealed that the expression of the developmental miR-17-92 cluster and the Sfmbt2 miRNA cluster was downregulated in the OEE group. The expression of these two miRNA clusters in epididymis was also downregulated and regulated by DNA methylation. However, the downregulation of either the miR-17-92 cluster or the Sfmbt2 miRNA cluster in normal zygotes did not impair embryonic development.

CONCLUSION

The obstructive epididymal environment influences sperm quality and resultant embryonic development, as well as the abundance of the developmental miR-17-92 cluster and the Sfmbt2 miRNA cluster in sperm, but these miRNA clusters are not the cause of abnormal embryonic development. It implies that epididymis is important in early embryonic development and may play a potential role in sperm epigenome.

Developmental origins of adult diseases

The occurrence and mechanisms of developmental adult diseases have gradually attracted attention in recent years. Exposure of gametes and embryos to adverse environments, especially during plastic development, can alter the expression of certain tissue-specific genes, leading to increased susceptibility to certain diseases in adulthood, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neuropsychiatric, and reproductive system diseases, etc. The occurrence of chronic disease in adulthood is partly due to genetic factors, and the remaining risk is partly due to environmental-dependent epigenetic information alteration, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs. Changes in this epigenetic information potentially damage our health, which has also been supported by numerous epidemiological and animal studies in recent years. Environmental factors functionally affect embryo development through epimutation, transmitting diseases to offspring and even later generations. This review mainly elaborated on the concept of developmental origins of adult diseases, and revealed the epigenetic mechanisms underlying these events, discussed the theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of related diseases.

Age-associated epigenetic changes in mammalian sperm: implications for offspring health and development

BACKGROUND

Modern reproductive behavior in most developed countries is characterized by delayed parenthood. Older gametes are generally less fertile, accumulating and compounding the effects of varied environmental exposures that are modified by lifestyle factors. Clinicians are primarily concerned with advanced maternal age, while the influence of paternal age on fertility, early development and offspring health remains underappreciated. There is a growing trend to use assisted reproductive technologies for couples of advanced reproductive age. Thus, the number of children born from older gametes is increasing.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

We review studies reporting age-associated epigenetic changes in mammals and humans in sperm, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs. The interplay between environment, fertility, ART and age-related epigenetic signatures is explored. We focus on the association of sperm epigenetics on epigenetic and phenotype events in embryos and offspring.

SEARCH METHODS

Peer-reviewed original and review articles over the last two decades were selected using PubMed and the Web of Science for this narrative review. Searches were performed by adopting the two groups of main terms. The first group included 'advanced paternal age', 'paternal age', 'postponed fatherhood', 'late fatherhood', 'old fatherhood' and the second group included 'sperm epigenetics', 'sperm', 'semen', 'epigenetic', 'inheritance', 'DNA methylation', 'chromatin', 'non-coding RNA', 'assisted reproduction', 'epigenetic clock'.

OUTCOMES

Age is a powerful factor in humans and rodent models associated with increased de novo mutations and a modified sperm epigenome. Age affects all known epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and profiles of small non-coding (snc)RNA. While DNA methylation is the most investigated, there is a controversy about the direction of age-dependent changes in differentially hypo- or hypermethylated regions with advanced age. Successful development of the human sperm epigenetic clock based on cross-sectional data and four different methods for DNA methylation analysis indicates that at least some CpG exhibit a linear relationship between methylation levels and age. Rodent studies show a significant overlap between genes regulated through age-dependent differentially methylated regions and genes targeted by age-dependent sncRNA. Both age-dependent epigenetic mechanisms target gene networks enriched for embryo developmental, neurodevelopmental, growth and metabolic pathways. Thus, age-dependent changes in the sperm epigenome cannot be described as a stochastic accumulation of random epimutations and may be linked with autism spectrum disorders. Chemical and lifestyle exposures and ART techniques may affect the epigenetic aging of sperm. Although most epigenetic modifications are erased in the early mammalian embryo, there is growing evidence that an altered offspring epigenome and phenotype is linked with advanced paternal age due to the father's sperm accumulating epigenetic changes with time. It has been hypothesized that age-induced changes in the sperm epigenome are profound, physiological and dynamic over years, yet stable over days and months, and likely irreversible.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

This review raises a concern about delayed fatherhood and age-associated changes in the sperm epigenome that may compromise reproductive health of fathers and transfer altered epigenetic information to subsequent generations. Prospective studies using healthy males that consider confounders are recommended. We suggest a broader discussion focused on regulation of the father's age in natural and ART conceptions is needed. The professional community should be informed and should raise awareness in the population and when counseling older men.

Cinnamaldehyde prevents intergenerational effect of paternal depression in mice via regulating GR/miR-190b/BDNF pathway

Paternal stress exposure-induced high corticosterone (CORT) levels may contribute to depression in offspring. Clinical studies disclose the association of depressive symptoms in fathers with their adolescent offspring. However, there is limited information regarding the intervention for intergenerational inheritance of depression. In this study we evaluated the intervention of cinnamaldehyde, a major constituent of Chinese herb cinnamon bark, for intergenerational inheritance of depression in CORT- and CMS-induced mouse models of depression. Depressive-like behaviors were induced in male mice by injection of CORT (20 mg·kg^-1·d^-1, sc) for 6 weeks or by chronic mild stress (CMS) for 6 weeks. We showed that co-administration of cinnamaldehyde (10, 20, or 40 mg·kg^-1·d^-1, ig) for 6 weeks in F0 males prevented the depressive-like phenotypes of F1 male offspring. In addition, co-administration of cinnamaldehyde (20 mg·kg^-1·d^-1, ig) for 4 weeks significantly ameliorated depressive-like behaviors of chronic variable stress (CVS)-stimulated F1 offspring born to CMS mice. Notably, cinnamaldehyde had no reproductive toxicity, while positive drug fluoxetine showed remarkable reproductive toxicity. We revealed that CMS and CORT significantly reduced testis glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression, and increased testis and sperm miR-190b expression in F0 depressive-like models. Moreover, pre-miR-190b expression was upregulated in testis of F0 males. The amount of GR on miR-190b promoter regions was decreased in testis of CORT-stimulated F0 males. Cinnamaldehyde administration reversed CORT-induced GR reduction in testis, miR-190b upregulation in testis and sperm, pre-miR-190b upregulation in testis, and the amount of GR on miR-190b promoter regions of F0 males. In miR-190b-transfected Neuro 2a (N2a) cells, we demonstrated that miR-190b might directly bind to the 3'-UTR of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In the hippocampus of F1 males of CORT- or CMS-induced depressive-like models, increased miR-190b expression was accompanied by reduced BDNF and GR, which were ameliorated by cinnamaldehyde. In conclusion, cinnamaldehyde is a potential intervening agent for intergenerational inheritance of depression, probably by regulating GR/miR-190b/BDNF pathway.

Discovery of Inhibitors of DNA Methyltransferase 2, an Epitranscriptomic Modulator and Potential Target for Cancer Treatment

Selective manipulation of the epitranscriptome could be beneficial for the treatment of cancer and also broaden the understanding of epigenetic inheritance. Inhibitors of the tRNA methyltransferase DNMT2, the enzyme catalyzing the S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methylation of cytidine 38 to 5-methylcytidine, were designed, synthesized, and analyzed for their enzyme-binding and -inhibiting properties. For rapid screening of potential DNMT2 binders, a microscale thermophoresis assay was established. Besides the natural inhibitors S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (SAH) and sinefungin (SFG), we identified new synthetic inhibitors based on the structure of N-adenosyl-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (Dab). Structure-activity relationship studies revealed the amino acid side chain and a Y-shaped substitution pattern at the 4-position of Dab as crucial for DNMT2 inhibition. The most potent inhibitors are alkyne-substituted derivatives, exhibiting similar binding and inhibitory potencies as the natural compounds SAH and SFG. CaCo-2 assays revealed that poor membrane permeabilities of the acids and rapid hydrolysis of an ethylester prodrug might be the reasons for the insufficient activity in cellulo.

Small Noncoding RNAs Contribute to Sperm Oxidative Stress-Induced Programming of Behavioral and Metabolic Phenotypes in Offspring

There is growing evidence that paternal environmental information alters small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) in sperm and in turn can induce alterations of metabolic and behavioral phenotypes of the next generation. However, the potential mediators of the effects remain to be elucidated. A great diversity of environmental insults and stresses can convergently induce the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in sperm; nonetheless, it remains unclear whether ROS mediates the biogenesis of sncRNAs in sperm and participates in the reprogramming of offspring phenotypes. Here, we show that ROS could induce the alteration of sncRNA profiles in sperm, especially for transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) and ribosomal RNA-derived small RNAs (rsRNAs). Zygotic injection of 29-34 nt RNA fractions (predominantly tsRNAs and rsRNAs) from oxidative stress (OS) sperm could induce depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviors in male offspring. Moreover, zygotic injection with synthetic RNAs partially resembled OS sperm-induced depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviors in offspring. Male offspring maintained on a chow diet was found to develop impaired glucose tolerance and hyperactive hepatic gluconeogenesis, accompanied by the upregulation of hepatic gluconeogenic and lipolytic genes. Together, our results have shown that ROS-induced alteration of sncRNA profiles in sperm contributes to the alterations of behavioral and metabolic phenotypes of the offspring.

Progress in modern reproductive biology research in China

Reproductive biology is closely associated with human health and social progress. Modern reproductive biology research in China began in the 1930s. Advances in science, technology, government support and international collaborations spawned the rapid growth of reproductive biology research in China. While the development of reproductive biology has provided both theoretical knowledge and applicable technologies, it has also generated new social and ethical concerns. This review summarizes and highlights the contributions of modern reproductive biology research in China, with a specific focus on aspects that are most related to human reproduction and health.

Deciphering the RNA universe in sperm in its role as a vertical information carrier

The inheritance of neurophysiologic and neuropsychologic complex diseases can only partly be explained by the Mendelian concept of genetic inheritance. Previous research showed that both psychological disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder and metabolic diseases are more prevalent in the progeny of affected parents. This could suggest an epigenetic mode of transmission. Human studies give first insight into the scope of intergenerational influence of stressors but are limited in exploring the underlying mechanisms. Animal models have elucidated the mechanistic underpinnings of epigenetic transmission. In this review, we summarize progress on the mechanisms of paternal intergenerational transmission by means of sperm RNA in mouse models. We discuss relevant details for the modelling of RNA-mediated transmission, point towards currently unanswered questions and propose experimental considerations for tackling these questions.